Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells

Abstract Squalene-based emulsion (SE) adjuvants like MF59 and AS03 are used in protein subunit vaccines against influenza virus (e.g., Fluad, Pandemrix, Arepanrix) and SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., Covifenz, SKYCovione). We demonstrate the critical role of uric acid (UA), a damage-associated molecular pattern (...

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Main Authors: Sun Min Lee, Junghwa Lee, Dong-In Kim, Jonathan P. Avila, Helder Nakaya, Kihyuck Kwak, Eui Ho Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:npj Vaccines
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-025-01130-z
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author Sun Min Lee
Junghwa Lee
Dong-In Kim
Jonathan P. Avila
Helder Nakaya
Kihyuck Kwak
Eui Ho Kim
author_facet Sun Min Lee
Junghwa Lee
Dong-In Kim
Jonathan P. Avila
Helder Nakaya
Kihyuck Kwak
Eui Ho Kim
author_sort Sun Min Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Squalene-based emulsion (SE) adjuvants like MF59 and AS03 are used in protein subunit vaccines against influenza virus (e.g., Fluad, Pandemrix, Arepanrix) and SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., Covifenz, SKYCovione). We demonstrate the critical role of uric acid (UA), a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), in triggering immunogenicity by SE adjuvants. In mice, SE adjuvants elevated DAMP levels in draining lymph nodes. Strikingly, inhibition of UA synthesis reduced vaccine-induced innate immunity, subsequently impairing optimal antibody and T cell responses. In vivo treatment with UA crystals elicited partial adjuvant effects. In vitro stimulation with UA crystals augmented the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells and altered multiple pathways in these cells, including inflammation and antigen presentation in DCs and cell proliferation in B cells. In an influenza vaccine model, UA contributed to protection against influenza viral infection. These results demonstrate the importance of DAMPs, specifically the versatile role of UA in the immunogenicity of SE adjuvants, by regulating DCs and B cells.
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publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Vaccines
spelling doaj-art-be1b44632630489d9f6bf968cf694d432025-08-20T02:24:26ZengNature Portfolionpj Vaccines2059-01052025-04-0110111510.1038/s41541-025-01130-zEmulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cellsSun Min Lee0Junghwa Lee1Dong-In Kim2Jonathan P. Avila3Helder Nakaya4Kihyuck Kwak5Eui Ho Kim6Viral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur KoreaViral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur KoreaViral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur KoreaDepartment of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São PauloDepartment of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São PauloDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Yonsei University College of MedicineViral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur KoreaAbstract Squalene-based emulsion (SE) adjuvants like MF59 and AS03 are used in protein subunit vaccines against influenza virus (e.g., Fluad, Pandemrix, Arepanrix) and SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., Covifenz, SKYCovione). We demonstrate the critical role of uric acid (UA), a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), in triggering immunogenicity by SE adjuvants. In mice, SE adjuvants elevated DAMP levels in draining lymph nodes. Strikingly, inhibition of UA synthesis reduced vaccine-induced innate immunity, subsequently impairing optimal antibody and T cell responses. In vivo treatment with UA crystals elicited partial adjuvant effects. In vitro stimulation with UA crystals augmented the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells and altered multiple pathways in these cells, including inflammation and antigen presentation in DCs and cell proliferation in B cells. In an influenza vaccine model, UA contributed to protection against influenza viral infection. These results demonstrate the importance of DAMPs, specifically the versatile role of UA in the immunogenicity of SE adjuvants, by regulating DCs and B cells.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-025-01130-z
spellingShingle Sun Min Lee
Junghwa Lee
Dong-In Kim
Jonathan P. Avila
Helder Nakaya
Kihyuck Kwak
Eui Ho Kim
Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells
npj Vaccines
title Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells
title_full Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells
title_fullStr Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells
title_full_unstemmed Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells
title_short Emulsion adjuvant-induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and B cells
title_sort emulsion adjuvant induced uric acid release modulates optimal immunogenicity by targeting dendritic cells and b cells
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-025-01130-z
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