Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for recombinant production of a fusion protein comprising multiple malaria antigens for inducing immune responses comprising a combination of antibodies. In particular, the fusion proteins of the present invention comprise fragments of both Pfs230 and PfsA8/A5 to lower the required threshold of functional antibodies and to reduce the risk of escape mutations. Thus, the fusion proteins of the present invention are suitable for use in a multivalent malaria vaccine.

Background of the invention

The transmission of Plasmodium falciparum from one person to another relies on the generation of male and female gametocytes in the human host that can be picked up and spread by a mosquito. The aim of a malaria transmission blocking vaccine (MTBV) is to effectively block malaria transmission at the population level thereby contributing to malaria elimination, i.e. by preventing an individual from becoming infected with Plasmodium parasites by mosquito bites of mosquitoes belonging to the Anopheles genus.

Several MTBV candidates have been identified by screening monoclonal antibodies generated against P. falciparum mosquito stages for transmission blocking activity. Three proteins, PfsA8/A5, Pfs230, and Pfs25 are currently targeted as lead candidates for an MTBV. Of these, PfsA8/A5 and Pfs230 are expressed in the gametocyte as it develops from stage III through V inside red blood cells (RBCs) in the human host. Shortly, after being taken up by a blood-feeding mosquito, the parasite emerges from the RBC as a gamete and after a few rounds of replication motile males fertilize female gametes to form zygotes. PfsA8/A5 is expressed on the surface of both male and female gametes where it is bound to the plasma membrane through a GPI-anchor and forms a stable complex with Pfs230. Both PfsA8/A5 and Pfs230 are important for male fertility. Humans develop naturally acquired immunity against P. falciparum gametocytes and antibodies against Pfs230 and P/s48/45 have been associated with

transmission blocking activity in some but not all immune epidemiological studies. P/s48/45- and P/s230-specific antibodies has previously been shown to exhibit strong transmission blocking activity in the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA), the gold standard for assessing transmission blockade ex vivo. Whether such antibodies act synergistically is not yet known.

P/s48/45 and Pfs230 are members of the six-cysteine (6-Cys) S48/45 protein family and contain three and fourteen 6-Cys domains, respectively. Each 6-Cys domain contains up to six cysteine residues that are involved in intra-domain disulfide bond formation which results in conformational antibody epitopes. The C- terminal 6-Cys domain of P/s48/45 contains the conformational epitope I, which is targeted by the most potent transmission blocking monoclonal antibody described to date, mAb45.1.

P/s48/45 has been produced in recombinant form in different expression systems. However, the major challenges with recombinant Pfs48/45 are that it is very difficult to produce correctly folded protein. Proper folding of many cysteine rich proteins, including Pfs48/45, depends on correct formation of disulphide bridges. Thus, expression of recombinant P/s48/45 fragments in Lactococcus lactis in absence of a fusion partner has previously been shown to be difficult (Theisen et. al., 2014).

Singh et al. (2017) later showed that a Lactococcus lactis expression system can be utilized for the production of the C-terminal 6-Cys domain of P/s48/45 (6C) as a fusion protein (R0.6C) with the N-terminal GLURP-R0 region. The resulting fusion protein can be produced in high yields of properly folded monomeric protein which elicit high levels of transmission blocking antibodies in small rodents.

In the case of Pfs230, the C fragment spanning the N-terminal pro-domain and first three 6-Cys domains has been shown to elicit the most potent transmission blocking antibodies. MacDonald et al. (2016) produced in Pichia pasto s a construct termed "P/s230Dl" corresponding to amino acid residues 444 to 736. The protein was correctly folded and elicited transmission blocking antibodies in rodents. While clinical trials with P/s230Dl are ongoing (ClinicalTrials.gov

Identifier: NCT02334462) and R0.6C is in early clinical development phase, an effective malaria transmission blocking vaccine is still not available on the market.

A disadvantage of these vaccine candidates is that they are liable to escape mutants as they promote only an immune response to a single antigenic target. Thus, host immune responses may fail due to mutations in genotype and phenotype of the target. This will ultimately compromise overall vaccine efficacy as exemplified with the RTS,S malaria vaccine produced by GSK. To this end, it could be beneficial to target multiple antigens simultaneously to mitigate the obstacle with escape mutants and help reduce the spread of potential escape mutants in the population.

W02013/050034 A1 describes the production of a cysteine rich fusion protein comprising proteins derived from Plasmodium falciparum. The fusion protein comprised a glutamate rich protein to enhance correct folding of the fusion protein. While GLURP does promote correct folding of the fusion protein, it does not contribute to the induction of a transmission blocking immune response.

However, a fusion protein comprising fragments of P/s48/45 and Pfs230 has not previously been produced in high yield without the use of a "helper protein", such as GLURP.

Hence, a simplified method for providing in high yield a fusion protein capable of eliciting an improved immune response would be advantageous, and in particular, the provision of a fusion protein to include in an enhanced multivalent malaria transmission blocking vaccine (MTBV) would be advantageous.

Summary of the invention

Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a method for recombinant production of potent P/s48/45- and P/s230-based immunogens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified method for producing in high yields fusion proteins based on fragments of P/s48/45 and Pfs230. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to utilize the produced fusion proteins in an improved multivalent malaria vaccine to solve the above mentioned problems of the prior art of susceptibility to escape mutant and insufficient immune response.

Thus, one aspect of the present invention relates to a method for recombinant production of a fusion protein comprising a fragment of Pfs230 and a fragment of /S48/45, wherein the fusion protein is produced in a recombinant expression system, optionally in the presence of one or more redox coupling agents.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a fusion protein obtainable by the method according to the present invention.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a fusion protein comprising :

i) a fragment of Pfs230 comprising the antigenic domain Pro or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro, and ii) a fragment of P/s48/45 comprising one of the antigenic domains 6C and IOC, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to 6C or IOC.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a multivalent vaccine or immunogenic composition comprising the fusion protein according to the present invention.

An even further aspect of the present invention relates to a fusion protein according to the present invention or a vaccine or immunogenic composition according to the present invention for use as a medicament.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a fusion protein according to the present invention or a vaccine or immunogenic composition according to the present invention for use in the prevention, amelioration or treatment of malaria.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein according to the present invention. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a vector comprising the nucleic acid according to the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to use of a nucleic acid according to the present invention or a vector according to the present invention for preparation of a vaccine or immunogenic composition.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows production of recombinant Pfs230 and P/s48/45. (A) Schematic representation of Pfs230 constructs and P/5230-P/548/45 fusion proteins. Each construct contain the SpyCatcher sequence at the N-terminus and a His-tag at the C-terminus. (B) Coomassie blue stained 4-12.5% polyacrylamide gel of conventionally purified Pfs230 constructs and immune-purified Pro-6C fusion protein. Protein was loaded in each lane with (+) or without (-) DTT (10 mM). The sizes (kDa) of the molecular mass markers are indicated. (C) Sandwich ELISA of purified Pro-6C fusion protein. The antigens were captured with mAb45.1 and detected with anti-His-HRP. Immune purified R0.6C were used as a reference. X- axis is shown on a logarithmic scale. (D) Agarose gel of the Pfs48/45-6C amplicon.

Figure 2 shows immunogenicity of Pro-6C and individual fragments. Groups of mice (n=6) were immunized with immune purified Pro-6C in a comparative study with individual Pro, Pro+I, Pro+I,II,III and R0.6C constructs. Day 56 serum was tested for antibody reactivity on ELISA plates coated with (A) gametocyte extract, (B) P/S48/45-6C or (C) Pfs230 Pro+I, II, III. Antibody titers are expressed as EC50 values. Horizontal lines represent median values. The asterisks represent statistical significance determined by Mann-Whitney test (**p < 0.01, ns not significant). (D) Functional activity of serial dilutions of pooled sera in the SMFA. Transmission reducing activity (TRA) is the reduction of oocyst numbers compared to a pre-immune serum control. Data points are best estimates of two

independent experiments and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 3 shows design and characterization of a multi-domain P/5230-P/548/45 fusion protein. (A) Schematic representation of the Pro+I-6C fusion protein. This protein contains the SpyCatcher sequence at the N-terminus and a His-tag at the C-terminus. (B) Sandwich ELISA of purified fusion proteins. Immune purified R0.6C was used as a reference. Size exclusion chromatography analysis of (C) Pro-6C and (D) Pro+I-6C. SE-HPLC was performed under native conditions in a phosphate buffer of pH 7.2 to determine the amount of monomer in the sample. The sizes (kDa) of the molecular mass markers are indicated.

Figure 4 shows characterization of virus-like particle-based vaccines. SpyCatcher tagged Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C were mixed with SpyTag-AP205 resulting in a unidirectional display of the fusion proteins on the VLP surface. (A) Reduced and non-reduced SDS-PAGE gel and western blot. The gels (left, A) are stained with coomassie blue, while the western blots (right, A) are developed with mAb45.1 as primary antibody. The following was loaded corresponding to the numbers; Lane 1 : AP205 (VLP); lane 2: Pro-6C; lane 3: Pro-6C-VLP; lane 4: Pro+I-6C; Lane 5: Pro+I-6C-VLP. (B) Sandwich ELISA, using mAb 45.1 as the solid phase capture antibody. (C) Transmission electron microscopy images (negative stain) of the VLP-based vaccines after assembly. Both Pro-6C-VLPs and Pro+I-6C-VLPs appear non-aggregated, uniformly dispersed and have an estimated size of 30 nm. Scale bar 100 nm. (D) Dynamic light scattering (DLS) profile of the vaccine components Pro-6C (10.5 nm, polydispersity (PD) 10.7%), Pro+I-6C (10.8 nm, PD 20.7%), VLP (25.6 nm, PD 16.8%) and the purified vaccine products; Pro-6C-VLP (71.8 nm, PD 11.5%) and Pro+I-6C-VLP (73.7 nm, PD 15.8%).

Figure 5 shows VLP-delivery of Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C. Groups of mice (n=8) were immunized with soluble Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C or bound to AP205. Day 56 serum was tested for antibody reactivity on ELISA plates coated with (A) gametocyte extract, (B) P/s48/45-6C or (C) Pfs230 Pro+I,II,III. Antibody titers are expressed as EC50 values. Horizontal lines represent median values. The asterisks represent statistical significance determined by Mann-Whitney test (**p < 0.01, ns not significant). (D) Functional activities of serial diluted sera were assessed in the SMFA. Transmission reducing activity (TRA) is the reduction of oocyst load compared to a pre-immune serum control. Data points are best estimates of two independent experiments and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Note that 1/81 and 1/247 samples were tested in SMFA only once and therefore no confidence intervals are given. Figure 6 shows a schematic of fusion protein constructs comprising a linker and verification of their production. (A) Panel of fusion protein constructs comprising P/5230-Pro and P/S48/45-6C connected by five different linker sequences denoted Flex2 (SEQ ID NO:42), CsTSR (SEQ ID NO:44), CsLNK (SEQ ID NO:46), Cs3 (SEQ ID NO:48) and Sol (SEQ ID NO: 50), respectively. SDS-Page gels (B) and western blots (C) of secreted recombinant fusion protein constructs (1) Pro-6C, (2) Pro(Flex2)-6C, (3) Pro(CsTSR)-6C, (4) Pro(CsLNK)-6C, (5) Pro(Cs3)-6C, and (6) Pro(Sol)-6C. The SDS-PAGE gels are stained with Coomassie blue, while the western blots are developed with mAb45.1 as primary antibody.

Figure 7 shows immunogenicity of fusion protein constructs comprising a linker and their ability to facilitate production of transmission blocking antibodies. Sera from mice immunized with Pro-6C, Pro(Flex2)-6C, Pro(CsTSR)-6C, Pro(CsLNK)- 6C, Pro(Cs3)-6C, Pro(Sol)-6C, or R0.6C were tested for antibody reactivity on ELISA plates coated with (A) P/s48/45-6C or (B) Pfs230 Pro. Antibody titers are expressed as EC50 values. Horizontal lines represent median values. (C)

Functional activity of pooled serum at 1/9 dilution was assessed in the SMFA as quantified by transmission reducing activity (TRA).

Figure 8 shows expression of recombinant fusion proteins in S2 cells and subsequent characterization. (A) Culture supernatant fusion proteins were separated on a 4-12% polyacrylamide gel with (+) and without (-) a reducing agent and stained with coomassie blue. Lane 1, BSA (0.5 and 1 ug); Lane 2, I-6C; Lane 3, Pro+I-6C; Lane 4, I-CSpep-6C; Lane 5, Pro+I-CSpep-6C; Lane 6, Pro+I- CSpep-lOC. Fusion protein was loaded in each lane with (+) or without (-) DTT (10 mM). The sizes (kDa) of the molecular mass markers are indicated. (B) Analysis of ion-exchanged purified protein by SDS-PAGE. Coomassie blue-stained 4-12.5% polyacrylamide gel; 1. I-6C-Ctag, 2. I-CSpep-6C-Ctag, 3. Pro+I-6C- Ctag, 4. Pro+I-CSpep-6C-Ctag, 5. Pro+I-CSpep-10C-Ctag. Moreover is shown an immune blot analysis of the gel of (B) using mAb45.1 (C) and mAbl5C5 (anti domain I) (D) antibodies.

Figure 9 shows expression of Pro+I-CSpep-6C with G397L mutation in S2 cells. (A) Culture supernatant fusion proteins were separated on a 4-12% polyacrylamide gel with (+) and without (-) a reducing agent and stained with coomassie blue. Lane 1, Pro+I-CSpep-6C wildtype; Lane 2, Pro+I-CSpep-6C mutant (single amino acid mutation was in the 6C sequence by replacing G397L). A Dot blot analysis for purified proteins shown in the panel (A) with a serial dilution using mAb45.1 (B) and mAbl5C5 (C) antibodies.

The present invention will now be described in more detail in the following.

Detailed description of the invention

Definitions

Prior to discussing the present invention in further details, the following terms and conventions will first be defined :

Fusion protein

In the present context, the term "fusion protein" refers to a recombinant fusion protein encoded by a nucleotide sequence, which is obtained by genetically joining nucleotide sequences derived from different regions of one gene and/or by joining nucleotide sequences derived from two or more separate genes.

In the present context, these nucleotide sequences are derived from Pfs230 and P/S48/45 of P. falciparum. As these nucleotide sequence may comprise only parts of Pfs230 and P/s48/45, the resulting amino acid (polypeptide) sequences are also referred to as fragments of Pfs230 and P/s48/45. Preferably, the fragments of Pfs230 and P/s48/45 comprise exclusively sequences capable of inducing a desired immune response, such sequences are also identified herein as antigenic domains.

The fusion proteins may comprise further functional components enabling e.g. purification and/or coupling to additional entities. Examples of functional components include, but are not limited to, purification tags, linker sections, imaging tags and coupling moieties. Thus, fusion proteins may comprise His-tags, C-tags, and SpyCatcher sequences. Antigenic domain

In the present context, the term "antigenic domain" refers a polypeptide region of the fusion protein, which is capable of inducing a desired immune response, e.g. suitable for use in a malaria transmission blocking vaccine (MTBV).

Pfs230

In the present context, the term "Pfs230" refers to the protein Pfs230 expressed during the P. falciparum transmission stage in humans. Pfs230 comprises several antigenic domains, including, but not limited to, Pro, domain I, domain II, and domain III. Thus, a fragment of Pfs230 may comprise one or more of these antigenic domains.

The above-mentioned antigenic domains of Pfs230 can be represented by the following amino acid and nucleic acid sequences:

- Pro has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: l and is

encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2

Doman I has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3 and is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:4

Domain II has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5 and is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:6

Domain III has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 7 and is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8

Moreover, the combination of antigenic domains Pro and domain I (Pro+I) has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:9 and is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 10.

Amino acid sequences that comprises at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO:9, such as at least 95% sequence identity, such as at least 96% sequence identity, such as at least 97% sequence identity, such as at least 98% sequence identity, or such as at least 99% sequence identity, are also considered antigenic domains of Pfs230. These antigenic domains when referred to herein are immunogenic and induces an immune response of at least same magnitude and quality as any one of the antigenic domains with which it shares sequence similarity, i.e. SEQ ID NO: l, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO:9.

Pfs48/45

In the present context, the term "Pfs48/45" refers to the protein Pfs48/45 expressed during the P. falciparum transmission stage in humans. Pfs48/45 comprises several antigenic domains, including, but not limited to, 6C and the larger domain IOC which comprises 6C. Thus, a fragment of Pfs230 may comprise either 6C or IOC.

The above-mentioned antigenic domains of Pfs48/45 can be represented by the following amino acid and nucleic acid sequences:

- 6C has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 11 and is

encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 12 - IOC has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 13 and is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 14

Amino acid sequences that comprises at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 11, or SEQ ID NO: 13, such as at least 95% sequence identity, such as at least 96% sequence identity, such as at least 97% sequence identity, such as at least 98% sequence identity, or such as at least 99% sequence identity, are also considered antigenic domains of Pfs48/45. These antigenic domains when referred to herein are immunogenic and induces an immune response of at least same magnitude and quality as any one of the antigenic domains with which it shares sequence similarity, i.e. SEQ ID NO: 11, or SEQ ID NO: 13.

Redox coupling agent

In the present context, the term "redox coupling agent" refers to a compound which is capable reducing or oxidizing cysteines or cystines in proteins. Thus, a redox coupling agent induces correct folding of the fusion protein into a

monomeric form protein with correctly formed disulphide bridges. Redox coupling agents include, but are not limited to, L-cysteine/ cystine, gluthathione

(GSH/GSSG), cysteamine/cystamine, TCEP, DTT and other small sulfhydryl containing compounds. The method as described herein may include addition of more than a single redox coupling agent.

Recombinant

In the present context, the term "recombinant" refers to a protein which is derived from a recombinant expression system ( e.g. _f bacteria, insect or mammalian).

Recombinant expression system

In the present context, the term "recombinant expression system" refers to a cell- based expression system based on the combination of an expression vector, its cloned DNA, and the host for the vector that provide a context to allow foreign gene function in a host cell to produce proteins at a high level. Recombinant expression system include, but are not limited to, bacterial and insect expression systems.

Lactic acid bacterium

In the present context, the term "lactic acid bacterium" refers to a gram-positive, microaerophilic or anaerobic bacterium which ferments sugars with the production of acids including lactic acid as the predominantly produced acid, acetic acid and propionic acid. Thus, lactic acid bacteria include, but are not limited to,

Lactococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Lactobaccillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., pediococcus spp., Brevibacterium spp. and Propionibacterium spp. Additionally, lactic acid producing bacteria belonging to the group of the strict anaerobic bacteria, bifidobacteria, i.e. Bifidobacterium spp., which are frequently used as food starter cultures alone or in combination with lactic acid bacteria, are generally included in the group of lactic acid bacteria. A presently preferred host cell species is Lactococcus lactis.

SpyTag and SpyCatcher

In the present context, the terms "SpyTag" and "SpyCatcher" refers to a pair of peptides that react irreversible with each other, thereby allowing coupling of proteins to other entities. For vaccines, the SpyTag/SpyCatcher pair may be used to couple antigens to e.g. a virus-like particle (VLP), to resemble a particle that appear as a virus, thereby causing an enhanced immune response. Thus, the fusion proteins as described herein may comprise a SpyCatcher sequence enabling coupling to a VLP comprising the SpyTag.

The SpyCatcher sequence is defined by the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 and encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 20. The SpyTag sequence is defined by the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 23 and encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 24.

His- tag

In the present context, the term "His-tag" refers to an amino acid sequence consisting of at least six consecutive histidine residues. The His-tag may be positioned either at the N-terminal or C-terminal end of a fusion protein as described herein, preferably at the C-terminal end. A His-tag enables purification of recombinantly expressed proteins, such as the fusion protein herein, via affinity purification as known in the art.

In the present context, if the recombinant expression system is lactic acid bacterium, such as L. lactis , then a His-tag is preferably positioned at the C- terminal of the fusion proteins.

C-tag

In the present context, the term "C-tag" refers to a short amino acid sequence consisting of the amino acid residues EPEA (glutamic acid-proline-glutamic acid- alanine). The C-tag may be fused directly to the C-terminus of a protein or attached via a linker between the C-terminus and the EPEA sequence. A C-tag is a peptide tag which may be used to selectively purify recombinantly expressed proteins, such as the fusion protein herein, via affinity purification as known in the art. In the present context, if the recombinant expression system is an insect expression system, such as Schneider 2 (S2) cells, then a C-tag is preferably positioned at the C-terminal of the fusion proteins.

Helper protein

In the present context, the term "helper protein" refers to a protein which facilitates correct production of another protein, such as a fusion protein. A helper protein may facilitate correct folding or any other process necessary to produce a normally functioning protein. Preferably, a helper protein is a protein that facilitates proper folding of the fusion protein.

In the present context, a helper protein does not induce a desired immune response, such as an immune response suitable for use in a malaria transmission blocking vaccine (MTBV).

Glutamate rich protein

In the present context, the term "glutamate rich protein" refers to a protein with a high amount of glutamic acid residues, such as at least 16% glutamic acid residues.

Furthermore, in the present context, a glutamate rich protein is a protein that does not contribute to the immunological effect of the fusion protein, i.e. it does not induce a transmission blocking response. Therefore, the glutamate rich protein preferably belongs to a different stage than that of Pfs230 and P/s48/45, such as the asexual blood stage. Thus, it is not an antigenic domain as defined above, but may instead be characterized as a helper protein as defined above.

An example of a glutamate rich protein is the glutamate rich protein (GLURP) of Plasmodium falciparum. GLURP is defined by the amino acid sequence

represented by SEQ ID NO: 21. GLURP is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 22.

Co-expression

In the present context, the term "co-expression" refers to simultaneous expression of two or more nucleic acid sequences in a recombinant expression system. Fusion proteins as described herein are produced by co-expression of two or more nucleic acid sequences introduced into a recombinant expression system using a vector, such as a plasmid.

Specifically, fusion proteins are produced by co-expression of antigenic domains. The fusion proteins are produced without co-expression of a glutamate rich protein, such as GLURP.

Virus-like particle (VLP)

In the present context, the term "virus-like particle (VLP)" refers to a particle which appears as a virus, but is non-infectious because it contains no viral genetic material. VLPs may be used as part of a vaccine to provide stronger immune response due to high density display of viral surface proteins.

Thus, VLPs include, but are not limited to, envelope and capsid proteins. A preferred VLP is the major AP205 coat protein.

Linker

In the present context, the term "linker" refers to a short peptide sequence that is situated between two protein domains (or amino acid sequences). A linker is often comprised of flexible residues, e.g. glycine and serine, so that the adjacent protein domains are free to move relative to one another. Linkers may comprise peptide motif repeats, such as two or more different peptide motif repeats.

Peptide motif repeats

In the present context, the term "peptide motif repeat" refers to a short amino acid sequence, which is present in a linker in more than one copy. The distinct short amino acid sequence of the peptide motif repeat may be positioned (i) consecutively, (ii) alternately with amino acid sequences different from the peptide motif repeat, or (iii) separated by amino acids sequences different from the peptide motif repeat in the linker. Peptide motif repeats may comprise at least two identical short amino acid sequences, such as at least three identical short amino acid sequences, such as at least four identical short amino acid sequences, such as at least five identical short amino acid sequences. Thus, a linker with e.g. at least three peptide motif repeats comprises at least three copies of said identical short amino acid sequences.

Circumsporozoite protein ( CSP)

In the present context, the term "Circumsporozoite protein (CSP)" refers to a protein secreted by Plasmodium falciparum at the sporozoite stage of the life cycle. The amino acid sequence of CSP comprises an immunodominant central repeat region and is represented by SEQ ID NO: 25. CSP is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 26. CSP is a highly immunogenic protein that induces strong immune responses, e.g. when used as part of a malaria vaccine.

The fusion proteins as described herein provides an antigenic target different from that of CSP and may therefore advantageously be used in combination with CSP in a multivalent malaria vaccine. The fusion proteins may be used in combination with the native CSP protein or a fragment of the CSP protein. Preferred fragment of CSP include, but are not limited to, CSPep containing region 1 (amino acids 78- 120 of SEQ ID NO:25) and CSP3/19 containing region 1, 3 NVDP and 19 NANP (amino acids 27-328 of SEQ ID NO:25). NVDP and NANP refers to the amino acid repeats in the central repeat region of CSP.

Merozoite Surface Protein 3 (MSP3)

In the present context, the term "Merozoite Surface Protein 3 (MSP3)" refers to a soluble surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum that is present on the merozoite surface as a protein complex. The amino acid sequence of MSP3 is represented by SEQ ID NO: 27. MSP3 is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 28. MSP3 is a known antigenic target of antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum and is being investigated as constituents in malaria vaccines under development.

The fusion proteins as described herein provides an antigenic target different from that of MSP3 and may therefore advantageously be used in combination with MSP3 in a multivalent malaria vaccine. The fusion proteins may be used in combination with the native MSP3 protein or a fragment of the MSP3 protein. Vaccine or immunogenic composition

In the present context, the terms "vaccine" and "immunogenic composition" refers to a preparation capable of producing protection or immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of antibodies. Thus, a vaccine or immunogenic composition comprises components that are antigenic of nature, thereby efficiently facilitating the production of antibodies. The antigenic component(s) may be optimized to enhance the amount and quality of the produced antibodies upon administration of the vaccine or immunogenic composition to a subject. In the present context, a vaccine or immunogenic composition comprises the fusion protein as described herein.

Escape mutation

In the present context, the term "escape mutation" refers to the ability of a microorganism, such as Plasmodium falciparum, to defend itself from host immune responses by making mutations in its genotype and phenotype.

Organisms with a high rate of mutations, e.g., human immunodeficiency virus, rely on mutational escape as one mechanism to avoid destruction by host cells. Multivalent vaccine

In the present context, the term "multivalent vaccine" refers to a vaccine designed to immunize against two or more antigens of the same microorganism, such as Plasmodium falciparum. Herein, the antigens are from fragments of Pfs230 and Pfs48/45.

The term "multivalent vaccine" may also be known as "polyvalent vaccine".

Pharmaceutical acceptable

In the present context, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" refers to molecular entities and compositions that are physiologically tolerable and do not typically produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction, such as gastric upset, dizziness and the like, when administered to a human. Preferably, as used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia or other generally recognized pharmacopoeia for use in animals, and more particularly in humans.

Excipients

In the present context, the term "excipient" refers to a diluent, adjuvant, carrier, or vehicle with which the composition of the invention is administered.

Carrier

In the present context, the term "carrier" refers to any and all solvents, dispersion media, vehicles, coatings, diluents, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, buffers, carrier solutions, suspensions, colloids, polymers, such as polystyrene or polysaccharide, and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutical active substances is well known in the art. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences" by E. W. Martin.

Adjuvants

In the present context, the term "adjuvant" refers to a compound or mixture that enhances the immune response to an antigen. An adjuvant can serve as a tissue depot that slowly releases the antigen and as a lymphoid system activator, which non-specifically enhances the immune response. Often, a primary challenge with an antigen alone, in the absence of an adjuvant, will fail to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response. Adjuvants include, but are not limited to,

dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA), Quil A, poly I:C, aluminium hydroxide, Freund's incomplete adjuvant, IFN-y, IL-2, IL-12, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), Treholose Dimycolate (TDM), Trehalose Dibehenate (TDB), muramyl dipeptide (MDP), monomycoloyl glycerol (MMG), saponin, surface active

substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil or hydrocarbon emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanins, dinitrophenol. A preferred adjuvant is Alhydrogel®. Preferably, the adjuvant is pharmaceutically acceptable.

Vectors

In the present context, the term "vector" refers to an expression vector

comprising a recombinant polynucleotide comprising expression control sequences operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence to be expressed. An expression vector comprises sufficient cis-acting elements for expression; other elements for expression can be supplied by the host cell or in vitro expression system.

Expression vectors include all those known in the art, such as cosmids, plasmids (e.g., naked or contained in liposomes) and viruses that incorporate the recombinant polynucleotide.

Sequence identity

In the present context, the term "sequence identity" is here defined as the sequence identity between genes or proteins at the nucleotide, base or amino acid level, respectively. Specifically, a DNA and a RNA sequence are considered identical if the transcript of the DNA sequence can be transcribed to the identical RNA sequence.

Thus, in the present context "sequence identity" is a measure of identity between proteins at the amino acid level and a measure of identity between nucleic acids at nucleotide level. The protein sequence identity may be determined by comparing the amino acid sequence in a given position in each sequence when the sequences are aligned. Similarly, the nucleic acid sequence identity may be determined by comparing the nucleotide sequence in a given position in each sequence when the sequences are aligned.

To determine the percent identity of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acids, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps may be introduced in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (/.e., % identity = # of identical positions/total # of positions (e.g., overlapping positions) x 100). In one embodiment, the two sequences are the same length. In another embodiment, the two sequences are of different length and gaps are seen as different positions. One may manually align the sequences and count the number of identical amino acids. Alternatively, alignment of two sequences for the determination of percent identity may be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of (Altschul et al. 1990). B1_AST nucleotide searches may be performed with the NBLAST program, score = 100, wordlength = 12, to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to a nucleic acid molecules of the invention. BLAST protein searches may be performed with the XBLAST program, score = 50, wordlength =

3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to a protein molecule of the invention.

To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST may be utilized. Alternatively, PSI-Blast may be used to perform an iterated search, which detects distant relationships between molecules. When utilising the NBLAST, XBLAST, and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs may be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Alternatively, sequence identity may be calculated after the sequences have been aligned e.g. by the BLAST program in the EMBL database (www.ncbi.nlm.gov/cgi-bin/BLAST).

Generally, the default settings with respect to e.g. "scoring matrix" and "gap penalty" may be used for alignment. In the context of the present invention, the BLASTN and PSI BLAST default settings may be advantageous.

The percent identity between two sequences may be determined using techniques similar to those described above, with or without allowing gaps. In calculating percent identity, only exact matches are counted. An embodiment of the present invention thus relates to sequences of the present invention that has some degree of sequence variation.

Fusion proteins comprising a fragment of Pfs230 and a fragment of Pfs48/45 and method for their production

Malaria is an infectious disease transferred to humans through mosquitoes. The disease itself is caused by singled-celled parasites belonging to the plasmodium genus. The parasite causing the most severe cases of malaria is plasmodium falciparum. Malaria can be divided into two overall phases; asexual proliferation in the human host, and sexual proliferation in the mosquito. When the mosquito bites, it introduces the parasites from the mosquito's saliva into a person's blood, from where it travels to the liver to mature and reproduce asexually. After circulation (and further asexual reproduction) in the blood stream of the human host, the parasite may be taken up by a new vector mosquito, in which the parasite reproduce sexually. A new mosquito bite will then restart the life cycle of the parasite. Malaria vaccination strategies targeting different stages of the parasite's life cycle have been proposed. Thus, vaccine candidates attempting to prevent liver infection or targeting the blood-stage have previously been tested with varying results.

A third group of vaccines are the malaria transmission blocking vaccines (MTBVs), which aim at combating the parasite when situated in the mosquito.

Consequently, this strategy revolves around vaccination with a protein necessary for sexual formation in the mosquito. As the mosquito bites a vaccinated individual it will take up antibodies against the protein, which will eventually prevent sexual reproduction in the mosquito and stop the spread of infectious parasites.

Three proteins, P/s48/45, Pfs230, and Pfs25 are currently targeted as lead candidates for an MTBV. Vaccine constructs based on Pfs230 or P/s48/45 are rich in cysteine and proper disulfide bond formation is critical for functional antibody responses. Solutions for proper folding of Pfs230 or P/s48/45 have been demonstrated and revolves around coupling to the blood-stage protein GLURP. However, GLURP does not contribute to the MTBV as the antigen is expressed at a different stage of the life cycle of the parasite.

Therefore, it would be desirable to substitute the inert helper protein GLURP with a second sexual stage antigen to enhance the immune response induced by the vaccine. However, successful construction and production of fusion proteins depend on the maintenance of conformational integrity of immunologically relevant regions of the individual domains.

Herein is presented a method for production of fusion proteins comprising a fragment of Pfs230 and a fragment of Pfs48/45, i.e. leading vaccine candidates against the transmission stages of P. falciparum. The fusion proteins elicited high levels of functional antibodies in rodents and surprisingly outperformed the corresponding individual protein fragments. The latter observation is non-trivial as other experiments in which rodents were immunized with Pfs25 administered together with either Pfs23 or Pfs230C did not elicit higher levels of functional antibodies than the corresponding single antigen vaccines.

Thus, an aspect of the present invention relates to a method for recombinant production of a fusion protein comprising a fragment of Pfs230 and a fragment of P/s48/45, wherein the fusion protein is produced in a recombinant expression system, optionally in the presence of one or more redox coupling agents.

As described above, disulfide bridge formation is crucial for correct folding of the fusion protein. It was found that some fragments of Pfs230 very efficiently facilitated proper folding of the fusion proteins. Indeed, the relatively N-terminal Pfs230 Pro domain enhanced protein expression of correctly folded Pfs48/45. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 comprises the antigenic domain Pro or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the antigenic domain Pro is represented by SEQ ID NO: l.

It is to be understood that amino acid sequences recited herein, which have a certain percentage of sequence identity to a recited antigenic domain, are immunogenic and induces an immune response of at least the same magnitude and quality as the antigenic domain with which it shares sequence similarity, i.e. it is suitable for use in a MTBV.

The fusion proteins described herein may also comprise additional domains derived from Pfs230 to enhance immunogenicity. Pfs230 is a large protein (>300 kDa) protein comprising the Pro domain and 14 cysteine motif (CM) domains, wherein each CM domain contains an even number of cysteine residues (2, 4 or 6). The large amount of cysteine residues makes it difficult to produce correctly folded proteins spanning many of the CM domains. Consequently, most focus has been on the most N-terminal CM domains. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 further comprises one or more antigenic domains selected from the group consisting of domains I, II, III, and combinations thereof, or amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to any one of domains I, II, and III. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the antigenic domains I, II, and III are represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 7, respectively.

One specific combination of Pfs230 antigenic domains appeared in fusion proteins which consistently induced high levels of functional P/s230-specific antibodies. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 comprises the antigenic domains Pro and domain I, or amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro and domain I. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 comprising the antigenic domains Pro and domain I is represented by SEQ ID NO:9.

Full length P/s48/45 is a cysteine rich protein of 448 amino acids and is organized into three domains (I, II and III). Especially, domains II and III has been subject to many investigations in relation to vaccine candidates and been shown to elicit high titer transmission blocking antibodies. Domain II is comprises 4 cysteine residues, whereas domain III comprises 6 cysteine residues. Domain III on its own is known as the 6C fragment, whereas domains II and III together is known as the IOC fragment. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of P/s48/45 comprises one of the antigenic domains 6C and IOC, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to 6C or IOC. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the antigenic domains 6C and IOC are represented by SEQ ID NO: 11 and SEQ ID NO: 13, respectively.

Fragment IOC comprises 10 cysteine residues compared to 6 cysteine residues of fragment 6C. Thus, it is expected that correct folding of IOC is more difficult than correct folding of 6C, due to the increased amount of disulfide bridges. To improve correct folding, the P/s48/45 fragment may therefore preferably be 6C. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of P/s48/45 comprises the antigenic domain 6C or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to 6C.

A couple of preferred combinations of antigenic domains has been identified, both comprising the Pro domain and 6C. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises:

i) the antigenic domains Pro and 6C (Pro-6C, SEQ ID NO: 15), or ii) the antigenic domains Pro, domain I and 6C (Pro+I-6C, SEQ ID

NO: 17), or

iii) an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 15 or SEQ ID NO: 17.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises:

i) the antigenic domains Pro (SEQ ID NO: l) and 6C (SEQ ID NO: 11), or ii) the antigenic domains Pro (SEQ ID NO: l), domain I (SEQ ID NO: 3) and 6C (SEQ ID NO: 11).

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises:

i) Pro-6C (SEQ ID NO: 15), or

ii) Pro+I-6C (SEQ ID NO: 17), or

iii) an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 15 or SEQ ID NO: 17.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises the antigenic domains Pro, domain I and 6C (Pro+I-6C, SEQ ID NO: 17) or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 17. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises Pro+I-6C (SEQ ID NO: 17) or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 17. Other combinations of antigenic domains are contemplated as well. Thus, the fusion protein may be produced without the Pro domain. Therefore, an

embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises:

i) one or more antigenic domains selected from the group consisting of domains I, II, III, and

ii) one of the antigenic domains 6C and IOC.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises the antigenic domain I (SEQ ID NO: 3) and 6C (SEQ ID NO: 11). This fusion protein is known as I+6C. An embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises I+6C or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to I+6C.

The Pfs230 and P/s48/45 fragments may be arranged in any order in the fusion protein, but is preferably arranged with the Pfs230 fragment at the N-terminal end of the fusion protein. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 is positioned at the N-terminal end of the fusion protein and the fragment of

P/S48/45 is positioned at the C-terminal end of the fusion protein.

The fusion proteins may comprise a linker for connecting the Pfs230 and P/s48/45 fragments. Linkers may offer advantages for the production of fusion proteins, such as improving correct folding and biological activity, increasing expression yield, and achieving desirable pharmacokinetic profiles. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 and the fragment of A/s48/45 are separated by a first linker. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the first linker consists of between 10 and 60 amino acid residues.

Besides the basic role in linking the functional domains together, a linker may be used for releasing a free functional domain in vivo. Thus, three overall categories are flexible linkers, rigid linkers, and in vivo cleavable linkers. A flexible linker typically comprises a majority of flexible amino acid residues, such as glycine and serine, so that the adjacent protein domains are free to move relative to one another. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the first linker is a flexible linker.

Herein, several advantageous linkers have been identified, all of which increase the fusion protein yield. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48 and SEQ ID NO: 50 or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48 and SEQ ID NO: 50.

In some variants of the fusion proteins, the linkers comprise peptide motif repeats. These are short repetitive amino acid sequences, such as GGGGS, NANP and NVDP, that are present in the linker in more than one copy. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the linker comprises at least three peptide motif repeats, such as at least four peptide motif repeats, such as at least five peptide motif repeats, such as at least six peptide motif repeats. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises a plurality of NANP and/or NVDP peptide motif repeats. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises a plurality of NANP and NVDP peptide motif repeats, such as at least three NANP and NVDP peptide motif repeats. Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises SEQ ID NO:48 or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:48.

An even further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 58 or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 58.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 52 (Pro(Flex2)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 54 (Pro(CsTSR)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 56 (Pro(CsLNK)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 58 (Pro(Cs3)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 60 (Pro(Sol)-6C), SEQ ID NO:64 (I-CSpep-6C), SEQ ID NO:66 (Pro+I- CSpep-lOC), SEQ ID NO: 68 (Pro+I-CSpep-6C) and SEQ ID NO: 70 (Pro+I-CSpep- 6C G397L), and or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to any one of said sequences.

The efficiency of vaccines may be enhanced by presentation of antigens as part of virus-like-particles (VLPs). To enable coupling to VLPs, the fusion proteins may be produced with a coupling handle. One such coupling handle is termed SpyCatcher and is a peptide sequence that irreversibly react with a corresponding coupling tag termed SpyTag. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a SpyCatcher sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 19. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the SpyCatcher sequence is positioned at the N-terminal end of the fusion protein.

The fusion proteins may be purified by any standard protein purification technique known in the art. Preferred options for purification of the fusion proteins include, but are not limited to, His-tag and C-tag affinity purification. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a His-tag or C-tag. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the His- tag or C-tag is positioned at the C-terminal end of the fusion protein.

Depending on the recombinant expression system utilized, either use of a His-tag or a C-tag may be favoured. Thus, if the fusion proteins are expressed in a bacterial expression system, purification by His-tag affinity is preferred. If the fusion proteins are expressed in an insect expression system, purification by C-tag affinity is preferred.

Recombinant expression of cysteine rich proteins and fragments thereof is a very unpredictable discipline, because it from organism to organism is difficult to predict whether correct disulfide bridge formation can be obtained. Careful selection of recombinant expression system is therefore required. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the recombinant expression system is a bacterial or insect expression system. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the bacterial expression system is a lactic acid bacterial expression system. For production of the fusion proteins described herein good results has been obtained by using Lactococcus lactis as the lactic acid bacterial expression system, this despite L. lactis lacking any sophisticated ER machinery to assist disulphide bond formation. Favourable traits of L. lactis include its status as a safe microorganism, its ability to grow in synthetic medium, no toxic by products and possibility recover fusion proteins as secreted proteins. Thus, another and preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the lactic acid bacterium is Lactococcus lactis.

Another possibility is to utilize an insect expression system. It has been found that especially expression systems based on the Drosophila genus is suitable to express the fusion proteins described herein. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the insect expression system is a Drosophila expression system. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the Drosophila expression system is Schneider 2 (S2) cells.

Following the transformation of the recombinant expression system host species, such as bacterial or insect cells, the transformed host species is cultivated under conditions where the fusion protein is expressed. The culture medium used to cultivate recombinant host species cells can be any conventional medium which is suitable for the purpose e.g. with respect to its nutrient composition and pH. For example, the host cells may be cultivated under anaerobic conditions in an industrial production scale. In the present context, large scale production or industrial production scale indicates that the volume of culture medium in the fermentation vessel is at least 1L, such as at least 5L, e.g. at least 10L. It is also envisaged that the volume can be larger such as at least 100L including at least 250L.

The choice of specific fermentation conditions such as fermentation time and temperature depends on the requirements of the selected recombinant expression system host cell. Generally, the fermentation time is in the range of 10 to 30 hours such as in the range of 20-30 hours. Efficient production of the fusion proteins may be further optimized by stabilizing the formation of monomeric fusion protein and enhancing the folding of the protein by modifying the redox conditions of the medium and the down-stream processing buffer. To this end, redox coupling agents, such as reduced and oxidized forms of a sulfhydryl containing compound, may be added to the fermentation medium and/or washing buffer. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the redox coupling agents are selected from the group consisting of L-cysteine/ cystine, gluthathione (GSH/GSSG), cysteamine/cystamine, DTT, TCEP and other small sulfhydryl containing compounds, and combinations thereof. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the redox coupling agents are L-cysteine/ cystine or cysteamine/cystamine. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein correct folding of the fusion protein is enhanced by the presence of reduced and oxidized forms of the redox coupling agents. Yet another

embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as describer herein, wherein reduced/oxidized forms of the redox coupling agents are L-cysteine/L- cystine or cysteamine/cystamine.

Production of the fusion proteins may be further facilitated by adjusting the amount of redox coupling agents and the ratio between reduced and oxidized forms. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the molar ratio of reduced to oxidized forms of the redox coupling agents are in the range of 25: 1 to 1 : 2, such as 20: 1 to 1 : 1, preferably 15: 1 to 2: 1. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the redox coupling agents are present at a combined concentration of about 1-20 mM, such as about 2-15 mM, such as about 3-10 mM, preferably about 5 mM.

The method for recombinant production of the fusion protein involves the introduction of nucleic acid material of interest, herein the fragments of Pfs230 and P/S48/45 comprising the antigenic domains, into the recombinant expression system. This is done by incorporation of the nucleic acid material into a suitable expression vector. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said method comprises the following steps:

i) providing a vector comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding said fragment of Pfs230 and said fragment of P/s48/45,

ii) introduction of said vector into said recombinant expression system, iii) optionally, contacting said recombinant expression system with said one or more redox coupling agents, and

iv) production of said fusion protein under conditions suitable for

recombinant expression.

Nucleic acids encoding fragments of Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 include nucleic acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 (Pro domain), SEQ ID NO:4 (domain I), SEQ ID NO: 6 (domain II), SEQ ID NO: 8 (domain III), SEQ ID NO: 10 (Pro+I), SEQ ID NO: 12 (6C), SEQ ID NO: 14 (IOC), SEQ ID NO: 63 (I-6C), SEQ ID NO: 16 (Pro- 6C) and SEQ ID NO: 18 (Pro+I-6C).

The vector may be any of those known in the art, but a preferred option is plasmids. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said vector is a plasmid. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said plasmid consists of nucleic acid sequences encoding a fragment of Pfs230 and a fragment of /S48/45, and optionally nucleic acid sequences encoding one or more selected from the group consisting of a first linker, a SpyCatcher sequence, a His-tag, a C- tag, and combinations thereof. A nucleic acid sequence encoding the SpyCatcher sequence is represented by SEQ ID NO: 20.

Nucleic acids encoding linkers include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 43 (Flex2 linker), SEQ ID NO:45 (CsTSR linker), SEQ ID NO:47 (CsLNK linker), SEQ ID NO:49 (Cs3 linker), and SEQ ID NO: 51 (Sol linker).

Nucleic acids encoding fusion proteins comprising a linker include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 53 (Pro(Flex2)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 55 (Pro(CsTSR)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 57 (Pro(CsLNK)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 59 (Pro(Cs3)-6C), SEQ ID NO:61 (Pro(Sol)-6C), SEQ ID NO: 65 (I-CSpep-6C), SEQ ID NO: 67 (Pro+I-CSpep-lOC), SEQ ID NO: 69 (Pro+I-CSpep-6C) and SEQ ID NO: 71 (Pro+I-CSpep-6C G397L).

Following recombinant expression, the fusion protein is purified. Depending on whether or not the coding nucleic acid sequence is associated with a signal sequence, which affects the secretion of the fusion protein across the cell membrane and into the culture medium, the step of purification includes either the isolation of the fusion protein from the host cell (no signal sequence) or that it is isolated directly from the culture medium. These steps can be carried out using any conventional method of down-stream processing.

Purification of the fusion may be performed using any conventional method for such purposes, including, but not limited to, cross-flow filtration, salting out, immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography, immune-affinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and/or ion exchange chromatography. Preferably, the fusion proteins are during purification subject to affinity

chromatography.

It was surprisingly found that the fusion proteins could be produced without the assistance of a helper protein, thereby enabling the production of fusion proteins comprising only antigenic domains that aid to induce a beneficial immune response, such as an immune response suitable for use in a malaria transmission blocking vaccine (MTBV). Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said fusion protein is produced in the absence of a helper protein. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the vector does not comprise a helper protein.

Previous attempts to produce recombinant proteins comprising cysteine rich fragments of Pfs230 and P/s48/45 has included a glutamate rich protein, such as GLURP, to assist correct folding of the recombinant protein. Herein, GLURP has not been used for production of the fusion proteins. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said fusion protein does not comprise a glutamate rich protein. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said fusion protein is produced without co-expression of a glutamate rich protein. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the vector does not comprise a glutamate rich protein. An even further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said glutamate rich protein is GLURP or part of GLURP. Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein GLURP is represented by SEQ ID NO: 21. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein the vector does not comprise a GLURP.

The fusion proteins are surprisingly produced in high yields despite the presence of multiple disulfide bridges complicating the expression of the fusion protein. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the method as described herein, wherein said fusion protein is produced in a yield of at least 2 mg/mL, such as 3 mg/L, such as 4 mg/L, such as 5 mg/L, such as at least 10 mg/L, such as at least 15 mg/L, such as at least 20 mg/L.

The method as disclosed herein enables, for the first time, production of fusion proteins comprising only leading vaccine candidates against the transmission stages of P. falciparum. Indeed, the fusion proteins elicited high levels of functional antibodies in rodents and surprisingly outperformed the corresponding individual protein fragments. Therefore an aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a fusion protein obtainable by the method as described herein.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the provision a fusion protein comprising :

i) a fragment of Pfs230 comprising the antigenic domain Pro or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro, and ii) a fragment of P/s48/45 comprising one of the antigenic domains 6C and IOC, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to 6C or IOC.

It is to be understood that amino acid sequences recited herein, which have a certain percentage of sequence identity to a recited antigenic domain, are immunogenic and induces an immune response of at least same magnitude and quality as the antigenic domain with which it shares sequence similarity, i.e. it is suitable for use in a MTBV.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to the provision a fusion protein consisting of:

i) a fragment of Pfs230 comprising the antigenic domain Pro or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro, and ii) a fragment of P/s48/45 comprising one of the antigenic domains 6C and IOC, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to 6C or IOC, and

iii) optionally, one or more selected from the group consisting of a first linker, a SpyCatcher sequence, a His-tag, a C-tag, and combinations thereof.

The fusion proteins may comprise additional antigenic domains, including additional antigenic domains originating from Pfs230. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 further comprises one or more antigenic domains selected from the group consisting of domains I, II, III, and

combinations thereof, or amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to any one of domains I, II, and III. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein wherein the fragment of Pfs230 comprises the antigenic domains Pro and domain I, or amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro and domain I.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to the provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fragment of P/s48/45 comprises the antigenic domain 6C or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to 6C.

A couple of preferred combinations of antigenic domains has been identified, both comprising the Pro domain and 6C. Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises: i) the antigenic domains Pro and 6C (Pro-6C), or

ii) the antigenic domains Pro, domain I and 6C (Pro+I-6C), or

iii) an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro- 6C or Pro+I-6C.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein consists of:

i) the antigenic domains Pro and 6C (Pro-6C) or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro-6C, or

ii) the antigenic domains Pro, domain I and 6C (Pro+I-6C) or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro+I-6C, and iii) optionally, one or more selected from the group consisting of a first linker, a SpyCatcher sequence, a His-tag, a C-tag, and combinations thereof.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises the antigenic domains Pro, domain I and 6C (Pro+I-6C) or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to Pro+I-6C.

Fusion proteins not comprising the Pro domain are contemplated as well.

Therefore, an additional aspect of the present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising :

i) one or more antigenic domains selected from the group consisting of domains I, II, III, and

ii) one of the antigenic domains 6C and IOC.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises the antigenic domain I (SEQ ID NO: 3) and 6C (SEQ ID NO: 11). This fusion protein is known as I+6C (SEQ ID NO: 62). An embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises I+6C (SEQ ID NO: 62) or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to I+6C (SEQ ID NO: 62). The Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 fragments may be arranged in any order in the fusion protein, but is preferably arranged with the Pfs230 fragment at the N-terminal end of the fusion protein. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 is positioned at the N-terminal end of the fusion protein and the fragment of Pfs48/45 is positioned at the C-terminal end of the fusion protein.

Variants of the fusion proteins comprise a linker between the Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 fragments. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fragment of Pfs230 and the fragment of Pfs48/45 are separated by a first linker. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the first linker consists of between 10 and 60 amino acid residues. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48 and SEQ ID NO: 50 or an amino acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48 and SEQ ID NO: 50.

Other variants of the fusion protein comprises a linker with peptide motif repeats. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the linker comprises at least three peptide motif repeats, such as at least four peptide motif repeats, such as at least five peptide motif repeats, such as at least six peptide motif repeats. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises a plurality of NANP and/or NVDP peptide motif repeats. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises a plurality of NANP and NVDP peptide motif repeats, such as at least three NANP and NVDP peptide motif repeats. Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said first linker comprises SEQ ID NO:48 or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:48. An even further embodiment of the present invention relates to the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 58 or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 58.

The concept of vaccination may rightfully be regarded as one of the most successful and beneficial medical discoveries. If designed properly, a vaccine holds the ability to completely abolish all negative effects of a disease by preventing the initial occurrence or onset of the disease. Good vaccines are characterized in their ability to elicit strong and long-lasting cellular immune responses. An effective technique to obtain this goal is by preparation of vaccines that appear as foreign particles to the immune system. This can be accomplished by coupling the antigen of interest, herein the fusion protein, to a virus-like particle (VLP). VLPs comprises viral surface proteins to appear as a virus, but does not contain any viral genetic material, making them a safer alternative to live- attenuated virus carriers.

VPLs may be coupled to the fusion protein through any suitable protein coupling reagent/technique. One specific example of protein coupling is by the

SpyTag/SpyCatcher system. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a SpyCatcher sequence. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the SpyCatcher sequence is positioned at the N-terminal end of the fusion protein. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein the fusion protein is coupled to a virus-like particle (VLP). An even further embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said VLP comprises a SpyTag. Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said SpyTag is attached to said VLP by a second linker. VLPs include, but are not limited to, envelope and capsid proteins. A preferred VLP is the major AP205 coat protein. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said VLP is the major AP205 coat protein. Fusion proteins comprising only antigenic domains that aid to induce a beneficial immune response, such as an immune response suitable for use in a malaria transmission blocking vaccine (MTBV), are provided herein. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said fusion protein does not comprise a helper protein. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said fusion protein does not comprise a glutamate rich protein. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the fusion protein as described herein, wherein said glutamate rich protein is GLURP or part of GLURP.

Vaccines function by presenting disease-related antigens to an individual in a controlled manner, thereby providing the individual with active acquired immunity to that particular disease. The efficiency of a vaccine depends largely on the choice of antigen(s) and the ability of the antigen(s) to elicit strong and long- lasting cellular immune responses. The fusion proteins described herein comprise at least two distinct antigenic domains and therefore elicit immune response to more than a single antigen. Thus, the fusion proteins described herein are potent antigens that may be used in the preparation of an efficient vaccine. Therefore, an aspect of the present invention relates to provision of a multivalent vaccine or immunogenic composition comprising the fusion protein as described herein.

In order to ensure optimum performance of such a vaccine composition, it is preferred that it comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient or diluent. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the multivalent vaccine or immunogenic composition as described herein, further comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutical acceptable carriers, adjuvants, excipients and diluents.

Furthermore, the fusion protein of the invention may be coupled to a

carbohydrate or a lipid moiety, or modified in other ways, e.g. by acetylation. When produced in a microorganism the fusion protein of the invention will normally not be acetylated if no special measures are taken. The acetylation may be advantageous as acetylated polypeptides may be more stable in cell, blood or body and tissue fluids. Furthermore, the acetylation may confer the polypeptide with a structure and confirmation which mimics the structure and confirmation of the native P. falciparum antigen.

The vaccine or immunogenic composition described herein targets the sexual stage antigens Pfs230 and P/s48/45 comprised in the fusion protein. However, it is possible to combine the fusion protein with additional antigenic targets that could potentially belong to other stages of the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, such as the liver stage or blood stage. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the multivalent vaccine or immunogenic composition as described herein, further comprising one or more additional antigenic agents. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the multivalent vaccine or immunogenic composition as described herein, wherein the one or more additional antigenic agents belong to the liver stage and/or blood stage of the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. Preferred additional antigenic agents include, but are not limited to, Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and Merozoite Surface Protein 3 (MSP3). Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the multivalent vaccine or immunogenic composition as described herein, wherein the antigenic agents are selected from the group consisting of Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and

Merozoite Surface Protein 3 (MSP3), and fragments thereof, preferably CSP or fragments thereof.

The vaccines as described herein may be administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in such amount so as to be therapeutically effective and immunogenic. The quantity to be administered depends on the subject to be treated, including, e.g. _f the capacity of the individual's immune system to mount an immune response, and the degree of protection desired. Suitable dosage ranges are of the order of several hundred micrograms active ingredient per vaccination with a preferred range from about 0.1 pg to 1000 pg, such as in the range from about 1 pg to 300 pg, and especially in the range from about 10 pg to 50 pg. Suitable regimens for initial administration and booster shots are also variable, but are typified by an initial administration followed by subsequent inoculations or other administrations. The manner of application may be varied. Any of the conventional methods for administration of a vaccine are applicable. These are believed to include oral application on a solid physiologically acceptable base or in a physiologically acceptable dispersion, parenterally, by injection or the like. The dosage of the vaccine will depend on the route of administration and will vary according to the age of the person to be vaccinated and, to a lesser degree, the size of the person to be vaccinated.

Vaccines as described herein may be administered by any suitable route, including, but not limited to, parenterally or by injection, such as subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

In many instances, it will be necessary to have multiple administrations of the vaccine. Especially, vaccines can be administered to prevent an infection with malaria and/or to treat established malarial infection. When administered to prevent an infection, the vaccine is given prophylactically, before definitive clinical signs or symptoms of an infection are present.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a fusion protein as described herein or a vaccine or immunogenic composition as described herein for use as a medicament.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a fusion protein as described herein or a vaccine or immunogenic composition as described herein for use in the prevention, amelioration or treatment of malaria.

Provided herein are also nucleic acid sequences encoding the individual antigenic domains and fusion proteins as well as vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences for introduction into and expression in a recombinant expression system. Therefore, an aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein as described herein.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a vector comprising the nucleic acid as described herein. The vector may be any vector suitable for introduction into and expression in the recombinant expression system of choice including, but not limited to, plasmids, viral vectors and cosmids. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention relates to provision of the vector as described herein, wherein the vector is selected from the group consisting of plasmids, viral vectors and cosmids, preferably plasmids.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to use of a nucleic acid as described herein or a vector as described herein for preparation of a vaccine or immunogenic composition.

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

All patent and non-patent references cited in the present application, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The invention will now be described in further details in the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Example 1 : Protocols and methods

Preparation of constructs

Three different truncated forms of Pfs230 from N-terminus, i.e. Pro (pro domain AA 443 to 590), Pro+I (pro domain and domain I, AA 443 to 736) and Pro+I,II,III (pro domain through domain III, AA 443 to 1132) were amplified by PCR from P. falciparum 3D7 DNA (GenBank accession number L08135) and cloned into the Bg\ll restriction site of pSS5 plasmid containing N-terminus Spycatcher.

P/548/45291-428 (6C) was amplified from an expression vector encoding R0.6C using the forward primer 5'-

CC AT GGATCCG AAAAAAAAGT CAT AC ACGG AT GT AACTTC- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 39) and the reverse primer 5 '- CC ATAG AT CTT G CT G A AT CT AT AGT A ACTGTC AT AT A AG C - 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 40). The amplified PCR product was digested with BamHl and Bgill (underlined) and cloned in frame into plasmids containing the Pro or Pro+I inserts to generate Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C fusion constructs, respectively. All the constructs were verified by DNA sequencing and transformed into L. lactis

MG1363 by electroporation for expression of recombinant proteins with 6xHis tags.

Alternatively, the Pfs48/45-6C region of the SpyCatcher-6C construct (Singh et al. 2017) was amplified with the primers 5'-

CCATGG AT CCG AAAAAAAAGT CAT ACACGG AT GT AACTTC- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 39) and 5'- CCAT AG AT CTT GCT G AAT CT AT AGT AACT GT CAT AT AAGC- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO:40). A single PCR fragment of 414bp was obtained (Figure ID), corresponding well to the predicted size of the Pfs48/45-6C DNA fragment.

Other PCR primers for preparation of fusion proteins include:

Pro forward (SEQ ID NO: 29) and reverse (SEQ ID NO: 30) primers

Domain I forward (SEQ ID NO: 31) and reverse (SEQ ID NO: 32) primers Domain II forward (SEQ ID NO: 33) and reverse (SEQ ID NO: 34) primers Domain III forward (SEQ ID NO: 35) and reverse (SEQ ID NO: 36) primers IOC forward (SEQ ID NO: 37) and reverse (SEQ ID NO: 38) primers

Fermentation and protein purification

Fermentation of L. lactis MG1363, containing Pfs230 or Pfs230-PfsA8/A5 fusion constructs were carried out as follows. Fermentation of L. lactis MG1363 containing Pfs230 or Pfs230-Pfs48/45 fusion constructs was performed in Lactic Acid Bacterium (LAB) medium supplemented with 5% glucose, 5 pg/ml

erythromycin, and 5mM cysteine and 0.5mM cystine in a 1L lab scale bioreactor at 30 °C with gentle stirring (150 rpm).

Cell-free culture-filtrates were concentrated five-fold and buffer exchanged into Tris buffer (50mM Tris, 50mM NaCI pH 8.0 supplemented with lOmM Imidazole) using a Quix Stand Benchtop system (Hollow fiber cartridge with cutoff at 10,000 or 30,000 Da, surface area 650cm ² , GE Healthcare, Sweden) followed by filtration through a Durapore filter (PVDF, 0.22 pm, Millipore) and applied to a 5 ml HisTrap HP column (GE Healthcare, Sweden). Bound protein was eluted with 500mM Imidazole in Tris buffer pH 8.0 (50 mM Tris, 50mM NaCI) at a flow rate of 4 ml/min. Fractions containing the desired protein were further applied to a 5 ml HiTrap Q HP column (GE Healthcare, Sweden) for purification of monomeric proteins. Bound protein was eluted through step gradient elution in Tris buffer pH 8.0 (50 mM Tris, ImM EDTA, 1 M NaCI) and fractions containing monomers were concentrated by a VIVA spin column with a 10 or 30 kDa cutoff (Vivascience, Germany), and kept in 50 mM Tris, 250 mM NaCI and 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0 at -80 °C until use.

Immune purification for Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C was done as follows. Monomeric Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C was purified on a 5 ml HiTrap NHS-activated HP column containing rat mAb 45.1 (epitope I) as described previously (Theisen et. a\., 2014).

Fractions containing the desired protein were pooled and then concentrated and buffer exchanged against 50 mM Tris, 100 mM NaCI, and 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0 and kept at -80°C until use. Fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and immune blotting with mAb45.1 against P/s48/45 conformational epitope I. Protein concentrations were measured using a BCA kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA).

Protein characterization

Analysis of purified protein was performed by size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC). 5pl of protein was loaded on an Agilent advance Bio SEC 300 A, 2.7 pm, 4.6 x 300 mm SEC column (Agilent

Technologies, GB) and eluted with a 0.1 ml/min flow of elution buffer (phosphate buffer) at room temperature. Protein standards (Sigma Aldrich) were also run using the same conditions mentioned above for sizing of the purified recombinant proteins. The amount of free cysteine residues was measured using Ellman's Reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) following the manufacturer's instructions. A standard curve was constructed using known concentrations of free cysteine (Sigma-Aldrich, USA). Folding was determined in a mAb45.1 sandwich ELISA.

Production of virus-like particles (VLPs)

SpyTag was genetically fused to the N-terminus of AP205. The SpyTag peptide sequence (AHIVMVDAYKPTKGGS, SEQ ID NO:23) was fused to the gene sequence encoding the major AP205 coat protein (Gene ID: 956335) using a flexible linker (GSGTAGGGSGS, SEQ ID NO:41) between the two sequences. The SpyTag-AP205 VLPs were expressed in Escherichia coli One Shot ^® BL21 Star™ (DE3) cells (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) and purified by ultracentrifugation using an Optiprep™ (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) gradient. For conjugation to VLPs, purified soluble Pro-6C or Pro+I-6C proteins were incubated at a molar ratio of 1 : 1 (VLP/antigen) in a lxPBS buffer for 2 hours at room temperature. Unbound protein was removed by dialysis against PBS using 1,000 MWCO dialysis tubing (Spectrum Labs, USA). Densitometric analysis of SDS-PAGE gels was used to estimate protein concentrations.

Dynamic light scattering

Uncoupled VLP, soluble proteins and proteins conjugated to VLP were adjusted to 0.5 - 1 mg/ml in PBS and spun at 15,000 g for 10 min. 70 pi sample was loaded into a disposable Eppendorf Uvette cuvette (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) and measured at 25°C on a DynoPro NanoStar (WYATT Technology, USA) equipped with a 658 nm laser. Each sample was measured 20 times and intensity-average size and percentage polydispersity (PD) was estimated using Dynamic software (Version 7.5.0). Electron microscopy

Pro-6C or Pro+I-6C coupled to VLP (with concentrations between 0.4-0.5 mg/ml based on antigen content) were incubated on carbon-coated and glow-discharged grids and negatively stained with 2% phosphotungstic acid (pH 7.4). The particles were analysed on a CM 100 BioTWIN electron microscope with an accelerating voltage of 80 kV. Images were acquired using an Olympus Veleta camera and particle size was estimated using iTEM software.

Animals and immunogenicity studies

In the first experiment, groups (n = 5) of CD-I mice 5-7 weeks of age (Janvier Labs, Denmark) were immunized 3 times at 3-week interval by the intramuscular injection of equimolar amounts of immune-purified Pro-6C and the individual Pfs230 and P/s48/45 recombinant protein constructs formulated with Alhydrogel ^® (Brenntag, Denmark) to a final concentration of 2 mg/ml Aluminum. Each dose contained 128 pmoles of soluble protein (equivalent to 2 pg 6C). Serum was collected on days 14, 35 and 56. In the second experiment, groups (n = 8) of CD-I mice were immunized with 64 pmoles (equivalent to 1 pg 6C) Pro-6C or Pro+I-6C (soluble or conjugated to VLP) as described above for the first experiment. All animals were treated in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the European and National authorities.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibody response measurement Gametocyte extract ELISA was performed with cultured sexual stage of Pf NF54 parasites. Sexual-stage antigens were solubilised in 1% sodium desoxycholate, 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCI and 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. After 10 min incubation at room temperature, cell debris was removed by centrifuging at 15800 g for 10 min and the supernatant containing gametocyte extract was stored until further analysis. Microtitre plates were coated overnight with the gametocyte extract, blocked with 5% milk in PBS and reacted with serial dilutions of sera in PBS-0.05% Tween 20 (PBST) for 4 h at room temperature. The secondary antibody was goat-anti mouse IgG (Novex A16072) diluted 1 : 3000. After 2 h incubation bound secondary antibody was quantitated with tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) substrate solution for 20 min. The color reaction was stopped with 0.2 N H2S04 and the optical density was read at 450 nm in a Microplate Reader (Labtec BV, Germany). The plates were washed extensively with PBST - 0.5 M NaCI between each incubation step.

For antigen-specific ELISA, 96-well plates (Nunc MaxiSorp) were coated with 0.5 pg/well of P/S48/45-6C, Pro+I, or Pro+I,II,II as appropriate. Antigen-specific antibodies were detected using HRP-conjugated polyclonal goat anti-mouse IgG (Novex A16072, diluted 1 : 3000). Antibody midpoint titer (EC50) was calculated using sigmoidal curve fitting. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism 7 (GraphPad Software, USA). Data were analyzed by a nonparametric test by comparing the medians of two groups using the Mann-Whitney test.

Standard Membrane Feeding Assay (SMFA)

The biological activity of specific antisera was assessed in the SMFA. Briefly, 30 pi of mouse serum was mixed with 90 mI of naive human serum and 150 mI of in vitro gametocyte cultures of the P. falciparum NF54 or P. falciparum NF54 (NF54- HGL) parasites expressing luciferase. The mixture was fed to Anopheles Stephens/ mosquitoes through a membrane feeding apparatus. Pre-immune sera served as the controls. Fully engorged mosquitoes were separated and held at 26 °C. Seven days later, midguts of 20 mosquitoes were examined for oocysts. Non-heat inactivated mice sera, supplemented with active human complement, was added to the cultured material prior to feeding to mosquitoes. The percentage

transmission reducing activity (TRA) was calculated by normalizing against oocyst counts or relative light units as appropriate in two negative control feeders.

Samples were tested in two independent SMFA experiments. The best estimate and 95% confidence intervals from two separate feeds were calculated using a negative binomial model. Analyses were performed using R studio (v. 3.2.4, The R Foundation, Boston, USA).

Example 2: Expression of a multivalent P/5230-P/548/45 fusion protein in L. lactis - the Pro-6C construct

To test whether a multivalent vaccine targeting P/s48/45 and Pfs230 is

immunogenic, a fusion protein construct containing the Pro domain of Pfs230 fused to the 6C fragment of P/s48/45 were generated (Figure 1A). Additionally, constructs that either contained P/s48/45 or Pfs230 fragments were generated (Figure 1A).

L. lactis MG1363 harboring these constructs were grown in a 1L bioreactor and the respective recombinant proteins were purified from the clarified supernatant through the C-terminal His-tag by immobilized metal affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography (Figure IB). Pro-6C was further immune-purified on a mAb 45.1-column to enrich for properly folded protein species (Figure IB).

The yield of immune-purified Pro-6C was 15 mg, similar to that of R0.6C.

Conformational mAb 45.1 against the P/s48/45 epitope I reacted with Pro-6C and this binding was equivalent to that of immune-purified R0.6C suggesting that they exhibit similar cysteine-connectivity (Figure 1C).

Conclusion: The present example demonstrates that correctly folded Pro-6C of high purity can be produced in high yields. Example 3: Immunoqenicitv of soluble Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 protein constructs One concern when generating multivalent vaccines is that one of the components is immunodominant and that responses against the other component are therefore compromised. To test the immunogenicity of the fusion proteins, serum extracted from immunized mice were tested for antibody generation in an ELISA setup. Groups of mice were immunized 3 times at 3-week interval with equimolar amounts of Pro-6C and individual Pfs230 and P/s48/45 recombinant protein constructs formulated on Alhydrogel®. A suboptimal antigen dose were used to detect differences in immunogenic properties between protein constructs.

The fusion protein Pro-6C elicited significantly higher levels of gametocyte-specific antibodies than those obtained with the individual Pro domain and levels comparable to those obtained with Pro+I, and R0.6C (Figure 2A). Furthermore, levels of specific antibodies against the Pro and 6C domains were similar in mice immunized with Pro-6C compared to mice immunized with the individual Pro and 6C (R0.6C) antigens, suggesting that these domains do not exhibit antigenic competition (Figure 2B,C). Levels of P/s230-spedfic antibodies increased with Pfs230 fragment length (Figure 2C).

The functional activity of vaccine-induced antibodies was determined by testing pooled antisera from each group in serial dilutions in the SMFA. All proteins except the Pro domain, elicited a transmission blocking response of >80% at a 1/9 dilution. Interestingly, Pro-6C induced higher levels of functional antibodies than the other recombinant proteins, including R0.6C (p<0.001) (Figure 2D).

Conclusion: The present example demonstrates that specific antibody responses against the individual antigenic domains are not affected when the antigenic domains are presented as part of fusion proteins.

Example 4: Generation of soluble fusion protein constructs - the Pro+I-6C construct

To further enhance the potency of Pro-6C, a construct including the first 6-Cys domain of Pfs230 (Pro+I-6C) was produced (Figure 3A). The Pro+I-6C fusion protein was purified following the same workflow developed for Pro-6C. The yield of immune-purified Pro+I-6C was 5 mg/mL. The folding of both fusion proteins was similar as determined in the mAb45.1 sandwich ELISA (Figure 3B). Disulfide-bonding was confirmed by demonstrating very low levels of free thiol groups (< 1%) under native conditions. Immune purified Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C eluted as single peaks by analytical size exclusion chromatography demonstrating that they form homogeneous solutions of monomeric protein species (Figure 3C-D).

Conclusion: The present example demonstrates that correctly folded Pro+I-6C of high purity can be produced in high yields.

Example 5: Generation of VLP-based fusion protein constructs

Coupling of Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C to virus-like particles (VLPs) were tested to increase immunogenicity. Both Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C contained a SpyCatcher domain allowing covalent coupling to SpyTag-decorated AP205 VLPs.

Spy-Catcher Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C coupled to SpyTag VLPs efficiently (Figure 4A) and properly folded P/s48/45 epitope I was retained during conjugation, as shown by western blot and mAb45.1 sandwich ELISA (Figure 4A-B). Both VLPs formed homogenous populations of non-aggregated antigen-VLP complexes as

demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy (Figure 4C). Furthermore, dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments demonstrated a low percentage of polydispersity (< 16%) and an average size of 71.8 nm and 73.7 nm for the VLP- particles displaying Pro-6C and Pro+l-6C, respectively (Figure 4D).

Conclusion: The present example demonstrates that fusion proteins coupled to VLPs retained correct folding and could be obtained in highly monodisperse populations. Example 6: Immunogenicity of soluble and VLP-based fusion protein constructs

The immunogenicity of the Pro-6C-VLP and the Pro+I-6C-VLP vaccine

formulations were compared to that of soluble Pro-6C and Pro+I-6C. Groups of CD-I mice (n = 8) were immunized 3 times at 3-week intervals with equimolar amounts of antigen adjuvanted on Alhydrogel®. Control groups were immunized with soluble fusion proteins in the same adjuvant. VLP display did not provide an increase in gametocyte-, Pfs48/4S-, or Pfs230- specific antibodies (Figure 5A-C). Soluble Pro+I-6C elicited significantly

(P=0.0079) higher levels of P/s230-specific responses than soluble Pro-6C (Figure 5C) although this increase was not associated with higher levels of gametocyte- specific antibodies (Figure 5A).

The functional activity of pooled anti-sera from each group was tested at serial dilutions in the SMFA. Antibodies against soluble Pro+I-6C promoted higher SMFA activity than antibodies against Pro-6C at a 1/27 dilution (p<0.001) (Figure 5D), in line with the SMFA results obtained with the single domain constructs (Figure 2D). VLP-display of Pro-6C enhanced (p<0.001) the production of functional antibodies as demonstrated in the SMFA, while there was no such effect on the immunogenicity of Pro+I-6C (Figure 5D).

Conclusion: The present example demonstrates that fusion proteins coupled to VLPs retain immunogenicity and in some cases enhance production of functional antibodies. Furthermore, the example demonstrates that the functional activity in the SMFA is not only dependent on quantity but also the quality of antibodies, e.g. the Pro+I-6C fusion protein provides a better presentation of antibody epitopes.

Example 7: P/5230-P/S48/45 fusion proteins with internal linker

The effect of a linker connecting the Pfs230 fragment and Pfs48/45 fragment was investigated. Therefore, a panel of linker sequences were inserted between the two domains and the resulting constructs were produced in the L. lactis

expression system (Figure 6A). The linkers tested were of different length and structural properties and were based on both non-natural peptides and naturally occurring peptides from the multi-domain P. falciparum CS protein. The following fusion proteins were produced; Pro(Flex2)-6C (SEQ ID NO: 52), Pro(CsTSR)-6C (SEQ ID NO: 54), Pro(CsLNK)-6C (SEQ ID NO: 56), Pro(Cs3)-6C (SEQ ID NO: 58), Pro(Sol)-6C (SEQ ID NO: 60), and Pro-6C (SEQ ID NO: 15) as reference.

Each construct was transformed into L. lactis MG1363 and the selected clones were grown overnight in 5 ml of l_AB medium at 30 °C without shaking. For comparison, the Pro-6C fusion protein lacking a linker sequence was assessed in parallel. Firstly, all recombinant clones produced a secreted recombinant protein as detected by SDS-PAGE (Figure 6B), with some of the constructs producing higher amounts of recombinant protein than Pro-6C without a linker. Secondly, all recombinant fusion proteins comprising a linker reacted with the transmission blocking (TB) mAb45.1, which binds to the conformational epitope in the

P/S48/45-6C domain (Figure 6C). Some of the fusion proteins comprising a linker bound mAb45.1 stronger than Pro-6C did indicating that the introduction of a linker may promote correct the folding of the P/S48/45-6C domain. To determine the expression yields, all constructs were grown in 0.5 L stirred bioreactor for 15h at 30 °C. Supernatants were concentrated and exchanged to 20 mM HEPES, 50 mM NaCI pH 8.0 supplemented with 15 mM imidazole. The fusion proteins with linkers were captured on a His-Trap HP column and bound protein was eluted with an imidazole gradient. Fractions containing high quantities of target protein as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis were pooled and applied to an ion-exchange chromatography column to separate monomeric and multimeric protein species. Fractions containing high amounts of monomeric protein were pooled and kept for further analysis. The overall yield and folding of each recombinant protein relative to immune purified reference material is listed in Table 1.

Conclusion: The present example demonstrates that the addition of a linker sequence increased the overall yield of Pro-6C. Cs3, in particular, exhibited approx. 2-fold increased yield and was most correctly folded. Example 8: Biological activity fusion proteins with internal

linker

It is well established that the folding of recombinant P/s48/45 affects its ability to elicit TB antibodies. Therefore, the immunogenicity of all fusion proteins

comprising a linker was investigated.

Groups of out-bred CD-I mice were immunized 3 times at 3-week intervals (n = 6). Two weeks after the last injection, mice were bled, and specific antibodies were assessed by ELISA on plates coated with either P/s48/45-6C (Figure 7A) or P/s230-Pro (Figure 7B). All the constructs elicited domain-specific antibodies at levels comparable to those obtained with Pro-6C (Figure 7A and 7B). The R0.6C construct was included as a control, demonstrating only immunogenicity against P/S48/45-6C as expected. Lastly, antisera were tested for functional activity in the SMFA. Antisera against all constructs, <80% TRA at 1/9 dilution demonstrating that the linkers did not modify the immunogenicity of the P/s230-Pro and

P/S48/45-6C domains (Figure 7C).

Conclusion: All fusion proteins comprising a linker connecting the Pfs230 fragment and P/s48/45 fragment elicited high levels of functional antibodies in mice.

Example 9: Expression of fusion proteins in S2 cells

Five Pfs230 and P/s48/45 based chimeric constructs were synthesized with a C- terminal C-tag (Geneart, Germany) and cloned into pExpressS2-l digested with EcoRI and Notl. All constructs were verified by DNA sequencing and transfected into S2 cells using standard procedures. The cell lines were expanded for 3 weeks at 30°C. S2 cells were harvested by centrifugation and culture-supernatants were concentrated five-fold, buffer exchanged into Tris-HCI buffer (20 mM Tris-HCI, 21 mM NaCI, pH 7.0) using a Quix Stand Benchtop system (GE Healthcare, Sweden) and sterilized by filtration through a Durapore filter (PVDF, 0.22 pm, Millipore). Polyclonal cell lines containing each construct produced a recombinant protein of the expected MWs (Figure 8A). The following fusion proteins were produced; I-6C (SEQ ID NO: 62), Pro+I-6C (SEQ ID NO: 17), I-CSpep-6C (SEQ ID NO: 64), Pro+I- CSpep-6C (SEQ ID NO: 68), and Pro+I-CSpep-10C (SEQ ID NO: 66). The recombinant fusion proteins were purified by applying culture supernatants to a 5 ml CaptureSelect C-tagXL Affinity (Thermofisher, USA). Bound fusion protein was eluted with 2 M MgCI2 pH 7.0 in Tris-HCI buffer pH 7.0 (20 mM TrisHCI, 21 mM NaCI) at a flow rate of 2.5 ml/min and fractions containing the desired fusion protein were pooled and applied to a 5 ml HiTrap Q HP column (GE Healthcare, Sweden). Bound fusion protein was eluted by a gradient elution in Tris-HCI buffer pH 8.0 (20 mM Tris-HCI, ImM EDTA, 1 M NaCI) and fractions containing monomers were concentrated and buffer exchanged to 20 mM Tris-HCI, 250 mM NaCI and 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0. Purified fusion protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE analysis and immune blotting with mAb45.1 against P/s48/45 conformational epitope I and mAb 15C5 against Pfs230 conformational epitope D1 (herein denoted "domain l" or simply "I") (Figure 8B-D). Purified protein contained a predominance of monomers, which were recognized by mAb45.1 and mAbl5C5 suggesting they contain correctly folded protein species. Yields are given in Table 2.

Conclusion: The S2 expression system can be used for the production of Pfs230- P/S48/45 fusion proteins.

Example 10: G397L mutation in the Pro+I-CSpep-6C fusion protein

The effect of a single point mutation, G397L, on the expression of the Pro+I- CSpep-6C fusion protein was investigated in S2 cells. The mutation replaced Leucine with Glycine (G397L) at position 397 in the C-terminus of the P/S48/45-6C sequence.

Two constructs, Pro+I-CSpep-6C (wildtype, SEQ ID NO: 68) and Pro+I-CSpep-6C G397L (mutant, SEQ ID NO: 70) were produced in S2 cells as described in Example 9. This single point mutation did not affect protein expression (Figure 9A). The folding of the respective recombinant fusion proteins was assessed by immune blotting with mAb45.1 against A/s48/45 (Figure 9B) and mAb 15C5 against Pfs230 conformational epitope D1 (herein denoted "domain l" or simply "I") (Figure 9C). Both the wildtype and the mutant fusion protein were recognized equally well by the two mAbs. The yields of the purified recombinant fusion protein was 5 and 5.5 mg/L for the wildtype and mutant fusion proteins, respectively. Conclusion: The G397L mutation did not affect overall expression yield or the folding of the respective A/s48/45- and A/s230-domains.

References

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• Singh ef al. (2017), Vaccine, 35, 3726-373