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Pavlou A, Mulenge F, Gern OL, Busker LM, Greimel E, Waltl I, Kalinke U. Orchestration of antiviral responses within the infected central nervous system. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:943-958. [PMID: 38997413 PMCID: PMC11364666 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Many newly emerging and re-emerging viruses have neuroinvasive potential, underscoring viral encephalitis as a global research priority. Upon entry of the virus into the CNS, severe neurological life-threatening conditions may manifest that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The currently available therapeutic arsenal against viral encephalitis is rather limited, emphasizing the need to better understand the conditions of local antiviral immunity within the infected CNS. In this review, we discuss new insights into the pathophysiology of viral encephalitis, with a focus on myeloid cells and CD8+ T cells, which critically contribute to protection against viral CNS infection. By illuminating the prerequisites of myeloid and T cell activation, discussing new discoveries regarding their transcriptional signatures, and dissecting the mechanisms of their recruitment to sites of viral replication within the CNS, we aim to further delineate the complexity of antiviral responses within the infected CNS. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge in the field of virus infection and neurodegeneration and discuss the potential links of some neurotropic viruses with certain pathological hallmarks observed in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pavlou
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix Mulenge
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Olivia Luise Gern
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Mareike Busker
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Greimel
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Inken Waltl
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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2
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Rosendal E, Lindqvist R, Chotiwan N, Henriksson J, Överby AK. Transcriptional Response to Tick-Borne Flavivirus Infection in Neurons, Astrocytes and Microglia In Vivo and In Vitro. Viruses 2024; 16:1327. [PMID: 39205301 PMCID: PMC11359927 DOI: 10.3390/v16081327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a neurotropic member of the genus Orthoflavivirus (former Flavivirus) and is of significant health concern in Europe and Asia. TBEV pathogenesis may occur directly via virus-induced damage to neurons or through immunopathology due to excessive inflammation. While primary cells isolated from the host can be used to study the immune response to TBEV, it is still unclear how well these reflect the immune response elicited in vivo. Here, we compared the transcriptional response to TBEV and the less pathogenic tick-borne flavivirus, Langat virus (LGTV), in primary monocultures of neurons, astrocytes and microglia in vitro, with the transcriptional response in vivo captured by single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of a whole mouse cortex. We detected similar transcriptional changes induced by both LGTV and TBEV infection in vitro, with the lower response to LGTV likely resulting from slower viral kinetics. Gene set enrichment analysis showed a stronger transcriptional response in vivo than in vitro for astrocytes and microglia, with a limited overlap mainly dominated by interferon signaling. Together, this adds to our understanding of neurotropic flavivirus pathogenesis and the strengths and limitations of available model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebba Rosendal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Richard Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nunya Chotiwan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Samut Prakarn 10540, Thailand
| | - Johan Henriksson
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Biology, Icelab, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna K. Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
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3
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Moin AT, Rani NA, Patil RB, Robin TB, Ullah MA, Rahim Z, Rahman MF, Zubair T, Hossain M, Mollah AKMM, Absar N, Hossain M, Manchur MA, Islam NN. In-silico formulation of a next-generation polyvalent vaccine against multiple strains of monkeypox virus and other related poxviruses. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300778. [PMID: 38758816 PMCID: PMC11101047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) virus and some related poxviruses including smallpox virus pose a significant threat to public health, and effective prevention and treatment strategies are needed. This study utilized a reverse vaccinology approach to retrieve conserved epitopes for monkeypox virus and construct a vaccine that could provide cross-protection against related viruses with similar antigenic properties. The selected virulent proteins of monkeypox virus, MPXVgp165, and Virion core protein P4a, were subjected to epitope mapping for vaccine construction. Two vaccines were constructed using selected T cell epitopes and B cell epitopes with PADRE and human beta-defensins adjuvants conjugated in the vaccine sequence. Both constructs were found to be highly antigenic, non-allergenic, nontoxic, and soluble, suggesting their potential to generate an adequate immune response and be safe for humans. Vaccine construct 1 was selected for molecular dynamic simulation studies. The simulation studies revealed that the TLR8-vaccine complex was more stable than the TLR3-vaccine complex. The lower RMSD and RMSF values of the TLR8 bound vaccine compared to the TLR3 bound vaccine suggested better stability and consistency of hydrogen bonds. The Rg values of the vaccine chain bound to TLR8 indicated overall stability, whereas the vaccine chain bound to TLR3 showed deviations throughout the simulation. These results suggest that the constructed vaccine could be a potential preventive measure against monkeypox and related viruses however, further experimental validation is required to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Tayab Moin
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Clinical Genetics, Genomics and Enzyme Research (LCGGER), University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Nurul Amin Rani
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Rajesh B. Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Sinhgad Technical Education Society’s, Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tanjin Barketullah Robin
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Asad Ullah
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zahidur Rahim
- Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Foyzur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Dhaka International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Mohabbat Hossain
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Clinical Genetics, Genomics and Enzyme Research (LCGGER), University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | | | - Nurul Absar
- Faculty of Basic Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology Chittagong, Khulshi, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Mahboob Hossain
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Microbiology Program, School of Data and Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Abul Manchur
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Nazneen Naher Islam
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Clinical Genetics, Genomics and Enzyme Research (LCGGER), University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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4
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Fan YC, Chen JM, Chen YY, Ke YD, Chang GJJ, Chiou SS. Epitope(s) involving amino acids of the fusion loop of Japanese encephalitis virus envelope protein is(are) important to elicit protective immunity. J Virol 2024; 98:e0177323. [PMID: 38530012 PMCID: PMC11019926 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01773-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue vaccine candidates have been shown to improve vaccine safety and efficacy by altering the residues or accessibility of the fusion loop on the virus envelope protein domain II (DIIFL) in an ex vivo animal study. The current study aimed to comprehensively investigate the impact of DIIFL mutations on the antigenicity, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) virus-like particles (VLPs) in mice. We found the DIIFL G106K/L107D (KD) and W101G/G106K/L107D (GKD) mutations altered the binding activity of JEV VLP to cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies but had no effect on their ability to elicit total IgG antibodies in mice. However, JEV VLPs with KD or GKD mutations induced significantly less neutralizing antibodies against JEV. Only 46% and 31% of the KD and GKD VLPs-immunized mice survived compared to 100% of the wild-type (WT) VLP-immunized mice after a lethal JEV challenge. In passive protection experiments, naïve mice that received sera from WT VLP-immunized mice exhibited a significantly higher survival rate of 46.7% compared to those receiving sera from KD VLP- and GKD VLP-immunized mice (6.7% and 0%, respectively). This study demonstrated that JEV DIIFL is crucial for eliciting potently neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity against JEV. IMPORTANCE Introduction of mutations into the fusion loop is one potential strategy for generating safe dengue and Zika vaccines by reducing the risk of severe dengue following subsequent infections, and for constructing live-attenuated vaccine candidates against newly emerging Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) or Japanese encephalitis (JE) serocomplex virus. The monoclonal antibody studies indicated the fusion loop of JE serocomplex viruses primarily comprised non-neutralizing epitopes. However, the present study demonstrates that the JEV fusion loop plays a critical role in eliciting protective immunity in mice. Modifications to the fusion loop of JE serocomplex viruses might negatively affect vaccine efficacy compared to dengue and zika serocomplex viruses. Further studies are required to assess the impact of mutant fusion loop encoded by commonly used JEV vaccine strains on vaccine efficacy or safety after subsequent dengue virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chin Fan
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Master of Public Health Degree Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Mei Chen
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ying Chen
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Dun Ke
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Gwong-Jen J. Chang
- Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Shyan-Song Chiou
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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5
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Dashti F, Raisi A, Pourali G, Razavi ZS, Ravaei F, Sadri Nahand J, Kourkinejad-Gharaei F, Mirazimi SMA, Zamani J, Tarrahimofrad H, Hashemian SMR, Mirzaei H. A computational approach to design a multiepitope vaccine against H5N1 virus. Virol J 2024; 21:67. [PMID: 38509569 PMCID: PMC10953225 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02337-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Since 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, such as H5N1, have been recognized as a possible pandemic hazard to men and the poultry business. The rapid rate of mutation of H5N1 viruses makes the whole process of designing vaccines extremely challenging. Here, we used an in silico approach to design a multi-epitope vaccine against H5N1 influenza A virus using hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) antigens. B-cell epitopes, Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and Helper T lymphocyte (HTL) were predicted via IEDB, NetMHC-4 and NetMHCII-2.3 respectively. Two adjuvants consisting of Human β-defensin-3 (HβD-3) along with pan HLA DR-binding epitope (PADRE) have been chosen to induce more immune response. Linkers including KK, AAY, HEYGAEALERAG, GPGPGPG and double EAAAK were utilized to link epitopes and adjuvants. This construct encodes a protein having 350 amino acids and 38.46 kDa molecular weight. Antigenicity of ~ 1, the allergenicity of non-allergen, toxicity of negative and solubility of appropriate were confirmed through Vaxigen, AllerTOP, ToxDL and DeepSoluE, respectively. The 3D structure of H5N1 was refined and validated with a Z-Score of - 0.87 and an overall Ramachandran of 99.7%. Docking analysis showed H5N1 could interact with TLR7 (docking score of - 374.08 and by 4 hydrogen bonds) and TLR8 (docking score of - 414.39 and by 3 hydrogen bonds). Molecular dynamics simulations results showed RMSD and RMSF of 0.25 nm and 0.2 for H5N1-TLR7 as well as RMSD and RMSF of 0.45 nm and 0.4 for H5N1-TLR8 complexes, respectively. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) confirmed stability and continuity of interaction between H5N1-TLR7 with the total binding energy of - 29.97 kJ/mol and H5N1-TLR8 with the total binding energy of - 23.9 kJ/mol. Investigating immune response simulation predicted evidence of the ability to stimulate T and B cells of the immunity system that shows the merits of this H5N1 vaccine proposed candidate for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Dashti
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Arash Raisi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Pourali
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Razavi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ravaei
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kourkinejad-Gharaei
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Emam Reza Hospital, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirazimi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Javad Zamani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Hossein Tarrahimofrad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemian
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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6
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Ware BC, Parks MG, da Silva MOL, Morrison TE. Chikungunya virus infection disrupts MHC-I antigen presentation via nonstructural protein 2. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011794. [PMID: 38483968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection by chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, causes severe polyarthralgia and polymyalgia, which can last in some people for months to years. Chronic CHIKV disease signs and symptoms are associated with the persistence of viral nucleic acid and antigen in tissues. Like humans and nonhuman primates, CHIKV infection in mice results in the development of robust adaptive antiviral immune responses. Despite this, joint tissue fibroblasts survive CHIKV infection and can support persistent viral replication, suggesting that they escape immune surveillance. Here, using a recombinant CHIKV strain encoding the fluorescent protein VENUS with an embedded CD8+ T cell epitope, SIINFEKL, we observed a marked loss of both MHC class I (MHC-I) surface expression and antigen presentation by CHIKV-infected joint tissue fibroblasts. Both in vivo and ex vivo infected joint tissue fibroblasts displayed reduced cell surface levels of H2-Kb and H2-Db MHC-I proteins while maintaining similar levels of other cell surface proteins. Mutations within the methyl transferase-like domain of the CHIKV nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) increased MHC-I cell surface expression and antigen presentation efficiency by CHIKV-infected cells. Moreover, expression of WT nsP2 alone, but not nsP2 with mutations in the methyltransferase-like domain, resulted in decreased MHC-I antigen presentation efficiency. MHC-I surface expression and antigen presentation was rescued by replacing VENUS-SIINFEKL with SIINFEKL tethered to β2-microglobulin in the CHIKV genome, which bypasses the requirement for peptide processing and TAP-mediated peptide transport into the endoplasmic reticulum. Collectively, this work suggests that CHIKV escapes the surveillance of antiviral CD8+ T cells, in part, by nsP2-mediated disruption of MHC-I antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Ware
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - M Guston Parks
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Mariana O L da Silva
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thomas E Morrison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
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7
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Munna MMR, Islam MA, Shanta SS, Monty MA. Structural, functional, molecular docking analysis of a hypothetical protein from Talaromyces marneffei and its molecular dynamic simulation: an in-silico approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38345137 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2314264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Telaromyces marneffei (formerly Penicillium marneffei) is an endemic pathogenic fungus in Southern China and Southeast Asia. It can cause disease in patients with travel-related exposure to this organism and high morbidity and mortality in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study, we analyzed the structure and function of a hypothetical protein from T. marneffei using several bioinformatics tools and servers to unveil novel pharmacological targets and design a peptide vaccine against specific epitopes. A total of seven functional epitopes were screened on the protein, and 'STGVDMWSV' was the most antigenic, non-allergenic and non-toxic. Molecular docking showed stronger affinity between the CTL epitope 'STGVDMWSV' and the MHC I allele HLA-A*02:01, a higher docking score -234.98 kcal/mol, revealed stable interactions during a 100 ns molecular dynamic simulation. Overall, the results of this study revealed that this hypothetical protein is crucial for comprehending biochemical, physiological pathways and identifying novel therapeutic targets for human health. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Masudur Rahman Munna
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ariful Islam
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Saima Sajnin Shanta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Masuma Akter Monty
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
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8
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Reagin KL, Lee RL, Cocciolone L, Funk KE. Antigen non-specific CD8 + T cells accelerate cognitive decline in aged mice following respiratory coronavirus infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.02.573675. [PMID: 38260669 PMCID: PMC10802364 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.02.573675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Primarily a respiratory infection, numerous patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 present with neurologic symptoms, some continuing long after viral clearance as a persistent symptomatic phase termed "long COVID". Advanced age increases the risk of severe disease, as well as incidence of long COVID. We hypothesized that perturbations in the aged immune response predispose elderly individuals to severe coronavirus infection and post-infectious sequelae. Using a murine model of respiratory coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59), we found that aging increased clinical illness and lethality to MHV infection, with aged animals harboring increased virus in the brain during acute infection. This was coupled with an unexpected increase in activated CD8+ T cells within the brains of aged animals but reduced antigen specificity of those CD8+ T cells. Aged animals demonstrated spatial learning impairment following MHV infection, which correlated with increased neuronal cell death and reduced neuronal regeneration in aged hippocampus. Using primary cell culture, we demonstrated that activated CD8+ T cells induce neuronal death, independent of antigen-specificity. Specifically, higher levels of CD8+ T cell-derived IFN-γ correlated with neuronal death. These results support the evidence that CD8+ T cells in the brain directly contribute to cognitive dysfunction following coronavirus infection in aged individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L. Reagin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
| | - Rae-Ling Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
| | - Loren Cocciolone
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
| | - Kristen E. Funk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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9
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Sharma R, Salimi E, D’Assumpcao C, Valdez M, Chaudhry A, Heidari A, Kuran R, Bhandohal J. Catastrophic Case of West Nile Virus Rhombencephalitis in AIDS. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2024; 12:23247096241267132. [PMID: 39077811 PMCID: PMC11289818 DOI: 10.1177/23247096241267132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family of viruses. It was first isolated and identified in 1937. Patients typically present with flu-like symptoms or are asymptomatic; however, neuroinvasive West Nile can lead to significant neurological impairment. Herein presented is a catastrophic case of WNV rhombencephalitis in a male patient newly diagnosed with AIDS. This report sheds light on the potential for severe neurological complications in co-infected patients and emphasizes the importance of early recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupam Sharma
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elika Salimi
- Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Carlos D’Assumpcao
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael Valdez
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Akriti Chaudhry
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arash Heidari
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rasha Kuran
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Janpreet Bhandohal
- Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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10
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Ware BC, Parks MG, Morrison TE. Chikungunya virus infection disrupts MHC-I antigen presentation via nonstructural protein 2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.03.565436. [PMID: 37961400 PMCID: PMC10635105 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Infection by chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, causes severe polyarthralgia and polymyalgia, which can last in some people for months to years. Chronic CHIKV disease signs and symptoms are associated with the persistence of viral nucleic acid and antigen in tissues. Like humans and nonhuman primates, CHIKV infection in mice results in the development of robust adaptive antiviral immune responses. Despite this, joint tissue fibroblasts survive CHIKV infection and can support persistent viral replication, suggesting that they escape immune surveillance. Here, using a recombinant CHIKV strain encoding a chimeric protein of VENUS fused to a CD8+ T cell epitope, SIINFEKL, we observed a marked loss of both MHC class I (MHC-I) surface expression and antigen presentation by CHIKV-infected joint tissue fibroblasts. Both in vivo and ex vivo infected joint tissue fibroblasts displayed reduced cell surface levels of H2-Kb and H2-Db MHC proteins while maintaining similar levels of other cell surface proteins. Mutations within the methyl transferase-like domain of the CHIKV nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) increased MHC-I cell surface expression and antigen presentation efficiency by CHIKV-infected cells. Moreover, expression of WT nsP2 alone, but not nsP2 with mutations in the methyltransferase-like domain, resulted in decreased MHC-I antigen presentation efficiency. MHC-I surface expression and antigen presentation could be rescued by replacing VENUS-SIINFEKL with SIINFEKL tethered to β2-microglobulin in the CHIKV genome, which bypasses the need for peptide processing and TAP-mediated peptide transport into the endoplasmic reticulum. Collectively, this work suggests that CHIKV escapes the surveillance of antiviral CD8+ T cells, in part, by nsP2-mediated disruption of MHC-I antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Ware
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - M. Guston Parks
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Thomas E. Morrison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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11
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Norris GT, Ames JM, Ziegler SF, Oberst A. Oligodendrocyte-derived IL-33 functions as a microglial survival factor during neuroinvasive flavivirus infection. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011350. [PMID: 37983247 PMCID: PMC10695366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to recover from infection, organisms must balance robust immune responses to pathogens with the tolerance of immune-mediated pathology. This balance is particularly critical within the central nervous system, whose complex architecture, essential function, and limited capacity for self-renewal render it susceptible to both pathogen- and immune-mediated pathology. Here, we identify the alarmin IL-33 and its receptor ST2 as critical for host survival to neuroinvasive flavivirus infection. We identify oligodendrocytes as the critical source of IL-33, and microglia as the key cellular responders. Notably, we find that the IL-33/ST2 axis does not impact viral control or adaptive immune responses; rather, it is required to promote the activation and survival of microglia. In the absence of intact IL-33/ST2 signaling in the brain, neuroinvasive flavivirus infection triggered aberrant recruitment of monocyte-derived peripheral immune cells, increased neuronal stress, and neuronal cell death, effects that compromised organismal survival. These findings identify IL-33 as a critical mediator of CNS tolerance to pathogen-initiated immunity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey T. Norris
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, United States of America
| | - Joshua M. Ames
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven F. Ziegler
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, United States of America
- Center for Fundamental Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle Washington, United States of America
| | - Andrew Oberst
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, United States of America
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12
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Blackhurst BM, Funk KE. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Neurologic Manifestations of Mosquito-Borne Flavivirus Infections. Viruses 2023; 15:2200. [PMID: 38005878 PMCID: PMC10674799 DOI: 10.3390/v15112200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are a family of enveloped viruses with a positive-sense RNA genome, transmitted by arthropod vectors. These viruses are known for their broad cellular tropism leading to infection of multiple body systems, which can include the central nervous system. Neurologic effects of flavivirus infection can arise during both acute and post-acute infectious periods; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae are not fully understood. Here, we review recent studies that have examined molecular and cellular mechanisms that may contribute to neurologic sequelae following infection with the West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Zika virus, dengue virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Neuronal death, either from direct infection or due to the resultant inflammatory response, is a common mechanism by which flavivirus infection can lead to neurologic impairment. Other types of cellular damage, such as oxidative stress and DNA damage, appear to be more specific to certain viruses. This article aims to highlight mechanisms of cellular damage that are common across several flavivirus members and mechanisms that are more unique to specific members. Our goal is to inspire further research to improve understanding of this area in the hope of identifying treatment options for flavivirus-associated neurologic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen E. Funk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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13
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Moin AT, Rani NA, Ullah MA, Patil RB, Robin TB, Nawal N, Zubair T, Mahamud SI, Sakib MN, Islam NN, Khaleque MA, Absar N, Shohael AM. An immunoinformatics and extended molecular dynamics approach for designing a polyvalent vaccine against multiple strains of Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287416. [PMID: 37682972 PMCID: PMC10490984 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), a group of retroviruses belonging to the oncovirus family, has long been associated with various inflammatory and immunosuppressive disorders. At present, there is no approved vaccine capable of effectively combating all the highly pathogenic strains of HTLV that makes this group of viruses a potential threat to human health. To combat the devastating impact of any potential future outbreak caused by this virus group, our study employed a reverse vaccinology approach to design a novel polyvalent vaccine targeting the highly virulent subtypes of HTLV. Moreover, we comprehensively analyzed the molecular interactions between the designed vaccine and corresponding Toll-like receptors (TLRs), providing valuable insights for future research on preventing and managing HTLV-related diseases and any possible outbreaks. The vaccine was designed by focusing on the envelope glycoprotein gp62, a crucial protein involved in the infectious process and immune mechanisms of HTLV inside the human body. Epitope mapping identified T cell and B cell epitopes with low binding energies, ensuring their immunogenicity and safety. Linkers and adjuvants were incorporated to enhance the vaccine's stability, antigenicity, and immunogenicity. Initially, two vaccine constructs were formulated, and among them, vaccine construct-2 exhibited superior solubility and structural stability. Molecular docking analyses also revealed strong binding affinity between the vaccine construct-2 and both targeted TLR2 and TLR4. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated enhanced stability, compactness, and consistent hydrogen bonding within TLR-vaccine complexes, suggesting a strong binding affinity. The stability of the complexes was further corroborated by contact, free energy, structure, and MM-PBSA analyses. Consequently, our research proposes a vaccine targeting multiple HTLV subtypes, offering valuable insights into the molecular interactions between the vaccine and TLRs. These findings should contribute to developing effective preventive and treatment approaches against HTLV-related diseases and preventing possible outbreaks. However, future research should focus on in-depth validation through experimental studies to confirm the interactions identified in silico and to evaluate the vaccine's efficacy in relevant animal models and, eventually, in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Tayab Moin
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Nurul Amin Rani
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Asad Ullah
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rajesh B. Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Sinhgad Technical Education Society’s, Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tanjin Barketullah Robin
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Nafisa Nawal
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | | | - Syed Iftakhar Mahamud
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Najmul Sakib
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Nafisa Nawal Islam
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abdul Khaleque
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nurul Absar
- Faculty of Basic Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology Chittagong, Khulshi, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Mohammad Shohael
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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14
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Paul B, Alam J, Hossain MMK, Hoque SF, Bappy MNI, Akter H, Ahmed N, Akter M, Ali Zinnah M, Das S, Mia MM, Parvej MS, Sarkar S, Ghosh H, Hasan M, Ashour HM, Rahman MM. Immunoinformatics for Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Development in Canine Parvovirus Infections. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2180. [PMID: 37626677 PMCID: PMC10452229 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) is one of the most important pathogens of dogs of all ages, causing pandemic infections that are characterized by fatal hemorrhagic enteritis. The CPV-2 vaccine is recommended as a core vaccine for pet animals. Despite the intensive practice of active immunization, CPV-2 remains a global threat. In this study, a multi-epitope vaccine against CPV-2 was designed, targeting the highly conserved capsid protein (VP2) via in silico approaches. Several immunoinformatics methods, such as epitope screening, molecular docking, and simulation were used to design a potential vaccine construct. The partial protein sequences of the VP2 gene of CPV-2 and protein sequences retrieved from the NCBI were screened to predict highly antigenic proteins through antigenicity, trans-membrane-topology screening, an allergenicity assessment, and a toxicity analysis. Homologous VP2 protein sequences typically linked to the disease were identified using NCBI BLAST, in which four conserved regions were preferred. Overall, 10 epitopes, DPIGGKTGI, KEFDTDLKP, GTDPDDVQ, GGTNFGYIG, GTFYFDCKP, NRALGLPP, SGTPTN, LGLPPFLNSL, IGGKTG, and VPPVYPN, were selected from the conserved regions to design the vaccine construct. The molecular docking demonstrated the higher binding affinity of these epitopes with dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) molecules. The selected epitopes were linked with Salmonella enterica flagellin FliC adjuvants, along with the PADRE sequence, by GGS linkers to construct a vaccine candidate with 272 nucleotides. The codon adaptation and in silico cloning showed that the generated vaccine can be expressed by the E. coli strain, K12, and the sequence of the vaccine construct showed no similarities with dog protein. Our results suggest that the vaccine construct might be useful in preventing canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) in dogs. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed for the validation of the vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashudeb Paul
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Jahangir Alam
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh
| | | | - Syeda Farjana Hoque
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Md. Nazmul Islam Bappy
- Department of Animal and Fish Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Hafsa Akter
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Nadim Ahmed
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Margia Akter
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Ali Zinnah
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Shobhan Das
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
| | - Md. Mukthar Mia
- Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | | | - Sonjoy Sarkar
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Hiren Ghosh
- Institute for Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mahmudul Hasan
- Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Hossam M. Ashour
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Md. Masudur Rahman
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
- ABEx Bio-Research Center, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
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15
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Reemtsma H, Holicki CM, Fast C, Bergmann F, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. A Prior Usutu Virus Infection Can Protect Geese from Severe West Nile Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:959. [PMID: 37513806 PMCID: PMC10386565 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related pathogens circulating between mosquitoes and birds, but also infecting mammals as dead-end hosts. Both viruses share the same susceptible hosts, vectors, and even distribution areas in Central Europe. The aim of the study was, therefore, to understand their amplification potential and interference upon a successive infection. Two-week old geese were initially infected with an USUV isolate from Germany and with a German WNV isolate17 days later. The geese were susceptible to the USUV and the WNV infections, as evidenced by specific flavivirus antibodies in all of the birds. Furthermore, in half of the USUV-inoculated geese, USUV genomes were detected in the blood and swab samples 2-4 days post-infection. Additionally, most of the examined organs contained USUV genomes and showed signs of encephalitis and ganglioneuritis. Interestingly, upon a sequential infection with WNV, the genome copy numbers in all of the examined samples were significantly lower and less frequent than after a WNV mono-infection. Similarly, the histopathological lesions were less severe. Therefore, it can be concluded that a previous USUV infection can protect birds from clinical disease in a subsequent WNV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Reemtsma
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cora M Holicki
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Felicitas Bergmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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16
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van Bree JW, Visser I, Duyvestyn JM, Aguilar-Bretones M, Marshall EM, van Hemert MJ, Pijlman GP, van Nierop GP, Kikkert M, Rockx BH, Miesen P, Fros JJ. Novel approaches for the rapid development of rationally designed arbovirus vaccines. One Health 2023; 16:100565. [PMID: 37363258 PMCID: PMC10288159 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases, including those transmitted by mosquitoes, account for more than 17% of infectious diseases worldwide. This number is expected to rise with an increased spread of vector mosquitoes and viruses due to climate change and man-made alterations to ecosystems. Among the most common, medically relevant mosquito-borne infections are those caused by arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), especially members of the genera Flavivirus and Alphavirus. Arbovirus infections can cause severe disease in humans, livestock and wildlife. Severe consequences from infections include congenital malformations as well as arthritogenic, haemorrhagic or neuroinvasive disease. Inactivated or live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are available for a small number of arboviruses; however there are no licensed vaccines for the majority of these infections. Here we discuss recent developments in pan-arbovirus LAV approaches, from site-directed attenuation strategies targeting conserved determinants of virulence to universal strategies that utilize genome-wide re-coding of viral genomes. In addition to these approaches, we discuss novel strategies targeting mosquito saliva proteins that play an important role in virus transmission and pathogenesis in vertebrate hosts. For rapid pre-clinical evaluations of novel arbovirus vaccine candidates, representative in vitro and in vivo experimental systems are required to assess the desired specific immune responses. Here we discuss promising models to study attenuation of neuroinvasion, neurovirulence and virus transmission, as well as antibody induction and potential for cross-reactivity. Investigating broadly applicable vaccination strategies to target the direct interface of the vertebrate host, the mosquito vector and the viral pathogen is a prime example of a One Health strategy to tackle human and animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce W.M. van Bree
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Imke Visser
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jo M. Duyvestyn
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Eleanor M. Marshall
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn J. van Hemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marjolein Kikkert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Barry H.G. Rockx
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pascal Miesen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jelke J. Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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17
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Norris GT, Ames JM, Ziegler SF, Oberst A. Oligodendrocyte-derived IL-33 functions as a microglial survival factor during neuroinvasive flavivirus infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.11.536332. [PMID: 37090518 PMCID: PMC10120631 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.11.536332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
In order to recover from infection, organisms must balance robust immune responses to pathogens with the tolerance of immune-mediated pathology. This balance is particularly critical within the central nervous system, whose complex architecture, essential function, and limited capacity for self-renewal render it susceptible to both pathogen- and immune-mediated pathology. Here, we identify the alarmin IL-33 and its receptor ST2 as critical for host survival to neuroinvasive flavivirus infection. We identify oligodendrocytes as the critical source of IL-33, and microglia as the key cellular responders. Notably, we find that the IL-33/ST2 axis does not impact viral control or adaptive immune responses; rather, it is required to promote the activation and survival of microglia. In the absence of intact IL-33/ST2 signaling in the brain, neuroinvasive flavivirus infection triggered aberrant recruitment of monocyte-derived peripheral immune cells, increased neuronal stress, and neuronal cell death, effects that compromised organismal survival. These findings identify IL-33 as a critical mediator of CNS tolerance to pathogen-initiated immunity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey T. Norris
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
| | - Joshua M. Ames
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
| | - Steven F. Ziegler
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
- Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle WA 98101, USA
| | - Andrew Oberst
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
- Lead Contact
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18
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Stonedahl S, Leser JS, Clarke P, Potter H, Boyd TD, Tyler KL. Treatment with Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Reduces Viral Titers in the Brains of West Nile Virus-Infected Mice and Improves Survival. J Virol 2023; 97:e0180522. [PMID: 36802227 PMCID: PMC10062152 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01805-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of epidemic arboviral encephalitis in the United States. As there are currently no proven antiviral therapies or licensed human vaccines, understanding the neuropathogenesis of WNV is critical for rational therapeutic design. In WNV-infected mice, the depletion of microglia leads to enhanced viral replication, increased central nervous system (CNS) tissue injury, and increased mortality, suggesting that microglia play a critical role in protection against WNV neuroinvasive disease. To determine if augmenting microglial activation would provide a potential therapeutic strategy, we administered granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to WNV-infected mice. Recombinant human GM-CSF (rHuGMCSF) (sargramostim [Leukine]) is an FDA-approved drug used to increase white blood cells following leukopenia-inducing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Daily treatment of both uninfected and WNV-infected mice with subcutaneous injections of GM-CSF resulted in microglial proliferation and activation as indicated by the enhanced expression of the microglia activation marker ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and several microglia-associated inflammatory cytokines, including CCL2 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10. In addition, more microglia adopted an activated morphology as demonstrated by increased sizes and more pronounced processes. GM-CSF-induced microglial activation in WNV-infected mice was associated with reduced viral titers and apoptotic activity (caspase 3) in the brains of WNV-infected mice and significantly increased survival. WNV-infected ex vivo brain slice cultures (BSCs) treated with GM-CSF also showed reduced viral titers and caspase 3 apoptotic cell death, indicating that GM-CSF specifically targets the CNS and that its actions are not dependent on peripheral immune activity. Our studies suggest that stimulation of microglial activation may be a viable therapeutic approach for the treatment of WNV neuroinvasive disease. IMPORTANCE Although rare, WNV encephalitis poses a devastating health concern, with few treatment options and frequent long-term neurological sequelae. Currently, there are no human vaccines or specific antivirals against WNV infections, so further research into potential new therapeutic agents is critical. This study presents a novel treatment option for WNV infections using GM-CSF and lays the foundation for further studies into the use of GM-CSF as a treatment for WNV encephalitis as well as a potential treatment for other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Stonedahl
- Department of Immunology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - J. Smith Leser
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Penny Clarke
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Huntington Potter
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Timothy D. Boyd
- University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kenneth L. Tyler
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Denver VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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19
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Benzarti E, Murray KO, Ronca SE. Interleukins, Chemokines, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily Ligands in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030806. [PMID: 36992514 PMCID: PMC10053297 DOI: 10.3390/v15030806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that can lead to encephalitis and death in susceptible hosts. Cytokines play a critical role in inflammation and immunity in response to WNV infection. Murine models provide evidence that some cytokines offer protection against acute WNV infection and assist with viral clearance, while others play a multifaceted role WNV neuropathogenesis and immune-mediated tissue damage. This article aims to provide an up-to-date review of cytokine expression patterns in human and experimental animal models of WNV infections. Here, we outline the interleukins, chemokines, and tumor necrosis factor superfamily ligands associated with WNV infection and pathogenesis and describe the complex roles they play in mediating both protection and pathology of the central nervous system during or after virus clearance. By understanding of the role of these cytokines during WNV neuroinvasive infection, we can develop treatment options aimed at modulating these immune molecules in order to reduce neuroinflammation and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Benzarti
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kristy O Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shannon E Ronca
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Rahman MN, Ahmed S, Hasan M, Shuvo MSA, Islam MA, Hasan R, Roy S, Hossain H, Mia MM. Immunoselective progression of a multi-epitope-based subunit vaccine candidate to convey protection against the parasite Onchocerca lupi. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2023.101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
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Identification of B and T Cell Epitopes to Design an Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine against the Cell Surface Binding Protein of Monkeypox Virus: An Immunoinformatics Study. J Immunol Res 2023; 2023:2274415. [PMID: 36874624 PMCID: PMC9977553 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2274415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although the monkeypox virus-associated illness was previously confined to Africa, recently, it has started to spread across the globe and become a significant threat to human lives. Hence, this study was designed to identify the B and T cell epitopes and develop an epitope-based peptide vaccine against this virus's cell surface binding protein through an in silico approach to combat monkeypox-associated diseases. Results The analysis revealed that the cell surface binding protein of the monkeypox virus contains 30 B cell and 19 T cell epitopes within the given parameter. Among the T cell epitopes, epitope "ILFLMSQRY" was found to be one of the most potential peptide vaccine candidates. The docking analysis revealed an excellent binding affinity of this epitope with the human receptor HLA-B∗15:01 with a very low binding energy (-7.5 kcal/mol). Conclusion The outcome of this research will aid the development of a T cell epitope-based peptide vaccine, and the discovered B and T cell epitopes will facilitate the creation of other epitope and multi-epitope-based vaccines in the future. This research will also serve as a basis for further in vitro and in vivo analysis to develop a vaccine that is effective against the monkeypox virus.
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Mia MM, Hasan M, Ahmed S, Rahman MN. Insight into the first multi-epitope-based peptide subunit vaccine against avian influenza A virus (H5N6): An immunoinformatics approach. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2022; 104:105355. [PMID: 36007760 PMCID: PMC9394107 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The rampant spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N6) virus has drawn additional concerns along with ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Due to its migration-related diffusion, the situation is deteriorating. Without an existing effective therapy and vaccines, it will be baffling to take control measures. In this regard, we propose a revers vaccinology approach for prediction and design of a multi-epitope peptide based vaccine. The induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity seems to be the paramount concern for a peptide vaccine candidate; thus, antigenic B and T cell epitopes were screened from the surface, membrane and envelope proteins of the avian influenza A (H5N6) virus, and passed through several immunological filters to determine the best possible one. Following that, the selected antigenic with immunogenic epitopes and adjuvant were linked to finalize the multi-epitope-based peptide vaccine by appropriate linkers. For the prediction of an effective binding, molecular docking was carried out between the vaccine and immunological receptors (TLR8). Strong binding affinity and good docking scores clarified the stringency of the vaccines. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation was performed within the highest binding affinity complex to observe the stability, and minimize the designed vaccine's high mobility region to order to increase its stability. Then, Codon optimization and other physicochemical properties were performed to reveal that the vaccine would be suitable for a higher expression at cloning level and satisfactory thermostability condition. In conclusion, predicting the overall in silico assessment, we anticipated that our designed vaccine would be a plausible prevention against avian influenza A (H5N6) virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mukthar Mia
- Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh; Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mahamudul Hasan
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Shakil Ahmed
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Nahian Rahman
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
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Mazumder L, Hasan MR, Fatema K, Islam MZ, Tamanna SK. Structural and Functional Annotation and Molecular Docking Analysis of a Hypothetical Protein from Neisseria gonorrhoeae: An In-Silico Approach. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:4302625. [PMID: 36105928 PMCID: PMC9467719 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4302625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Worldwide, Neisseria gonorrhoeae-related sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be of significant public health concern. This obligate-human pathogen has developed a number of defenses against both innate and adaptive immune responses during infection, some of which are mediated by the pathogen's proteins. Hence, the uncharacterized proteins of N. gonorrhoeae can be annotated to get insight into the unique functions of this organism related to its pathogenicity and to find a more efficient therapeutic target. Methods In this study, a hypothetical protein (HP) of N. gonorrhoeae was chosen for analysis and an in-silico approach was used to explore various properties such as physicochemical characteristics, subcellular localization, secondary structure, 3D structures, and functional annotation of that HP. Finally, a molecular docking analysis was performed to design an epitope-based vaccine against that HP. Results This study has identified the potential role of the chosen HP of N. gonorrhoeae in plasmid transfer, cell cycle control, cell division, and chromosome partitioning. Acidic nature, thermal stability, cytoplasmic localization of the protein, and some of its other physicochemical properties have also been identified through this study. Molecular docking analysis has demonstrated that one of the T cell epitopes of the protein has a significant binding affinity with the human leukocyte antigen HLA-B∗15 : 01. Conclusions The in-silico characterization of this protein will help us understand molecular mechanism of action of N. gonorrhoeae and get an insight into novel therapeutic identification processes. This research will, therefore, enhance our knowledge to find new medications to tackle this potential threat to humankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincon Mazumder
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Rakibul Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Kanij Fatema
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Zahirul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
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Meng R, Yang B, Feng C, Huang J, Wang X, Zhang D. The difference in CD4+ T cell immunity between high- and low-virulence Tembusu viruses is mainly related to residues 151 and 304 in the envelope protein. Front Immunol 2022; 13:890263. [PMID: 36016955 PMCID: PMC9395619 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.890263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tembusu virus (TMUV) can result in a severe disease affecting domestic ducks. The role of T cells in protection from TMUV infection and the molecular basis of T cell-mediated protection against TMUV remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we used the high-virulence TMUV strain Y and the low-virulence TMUV strain PS to investigate the protective role for TMUV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. When tested in a 5-day-old Pekin duck model, Y and PS induced comparable levels of neutralizing antibody, whereas Y elicited significantly stronger cellular immune response relative to PS. Using a duck adoptive transfer model, we showed that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells provided significant protection from TMUV-related disease, with CD8+ T cell conferring more robust protection to recipient ducklings. For TMUV, CD4+ T cells mainly provided help for neutralizing antibody response, whereas CD8+ T cells mainly mediated viral clearance from infected tissues. The difference in T cell immunity between Y and PS was primarily attributed to CD4+ T cells; adoptive transfer of Y-specific CD4+ T cells resulted in significantly enhanced protective ability, neutralizing antibody response, and viral clearance from the brain relative to PS-specific CD4+ T cells. Further investigations with chimeric viruses, mutant viruses, and their parental viruses identified two mutations (T151A and R304M) in the envelope (E) protein that contributed significantly to TMUV-specific CD4+ T cell-mediated protective ability and neutralizing antibody response, with more beneficial effects being conferred by R304M. These data indicate T cell-mediated immunity is important for protection from disease, for viral clearance from tissues, and for the production of neutralizing antibodies, and that the difference in CD4+T cell immunity between high- and low-virulence TMUV strains is primarily related to residues 151 and 304 in the E protein.
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Immunoinformatics approach for designing a universal multiepitope vaccine against Chandipura Virus. Microb Pathog 2021; 162:105358. [PMID: 34902539 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV) is a fast-emerging virus that causes acute encephalitis with a high death rate. Because of its extensive prevalence in African and Asian countries, this infection has become a global hazard, and there is an urgent need to create an effective and non-allergenic vaccine or appropriate treatment to combat it. A vaccine candidate is offered utilizing a computational technique in this study. To build a potential vaccine candidate, viral protein sequences were acquired from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database and evaluated with several bioinformatics techniques to identify B-cell and T-cell epitopes. V1 was shown to be superior in terms of various physicochemical qualities, as well as highly immunogenic and non-allergic. Molecular docking revealed that the CHPV vaccine construct had a greater binding affinity with human Toll-like receptors (TLR-3 and TLR-8) and that it was stable in molecular dynamics simulations. MEC-CHPV was in silico cloned in the pET28a (+) expression vector using codon optimization. The current research identifies potential antigenic epitopes that could be used as vaccine candidates to eradicate the CHPV. This in-silico development of a CHPV vaccine with multiple epitopes could open the path for future rapid laboratory tests.
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Prediction of suitable T and B cell epitopes for eliciting immunogenic response against SARS-CoV-2 and its mutant. NETWORK MODELING AND ANALYSIS IN HEALTH INFORMATICS AND BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 11:1. [PMID: 34849327 PMCID: PMC8619655 DOI: 10.1007/s13721-021-00348-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is mainly responsible for the recognition and membrane fusion within the host and this protein has an ability to mutate. Hence, T cell and B cell epitopes were derived from the spike glycoprotein sequence of wild SARS-CoV-2. The proposed T cell and B cell epitopes were found to be antigenic and conserved in the sequence of SARS-CoV-2 mutant (B.1.1.7). Thus, the proposed epitopes are effective against SARS-CoV-2 and its B.1.1.7 mutant. MHC-I that best interacts with the proposed T cell epitopes were found, using immune epitope database. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations were done for ensuring a good binding between the proposed MHC-I and T cell epitopes. The finally proposed T cell epitope was found to be antigenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic and stable. Further, the finally proposed B cell epitopes were also found to be antigenic. The population conservation analysis has ensured the presence of MHC-I molecule (respective to the finally proposed T cell) in human population of most affected countries with SARS-CoV-2. Thus the proposed T and B cell epitope could be effective in designing an epitope-based vaccine, which is effective on SARS-CoV-2 and its B.1.1.7mutant. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13721-021-00348-w.
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Salgado R, Hawks SA, Frere F, Vázquez A, Huang CYH, Duggal NK. West Nile Virus Vaccination Protects against Usutu Virus Disease in Mice. Viruses 2021; 13:2352. [PMID: 34960621 PMCID: PMC8704473 DOI: 10.3390/v13122352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne flaviviruses that can cause neuroinvasive disease in humans. WNV and USUV circulate in both Africa and Europe and are closely related. Due to antigenic similarity, WNV-specific antibodies and USUV-specific antibodies have the potential to bind heterologous viruses; however, it is unclear whether this interaction may offer protection against infection. To investigate how prior WNV exposure would influence USUV infection, we used an attenuated WNV vaccine that contains the surface proteins of WNV in the backbone of a dengue virus 2 vaccine strain and protects against WNV disease. We hypothesized that vaccination with this attenuated WNV vaccine would protect against USUV infection. Neutralizing responses against WNV and USUV were measured in vitro using sera following vaccination. Sera from vaccinated CD-1 and Ifnar1-/- mice cross-neutralized with WNV and USUV. All mice were then subsequently challenged with an African or European USUV strain. In CD-1 mice, there was no difference in USUV titers between vaccinated and mock-vaccinated mice. However, in the Ifnar1-/- model, vaccinated mice had significantly higher survival rates and significantly lower USUV viremia compared to mock-vaccinated mice. Our results indicate that exposure to an attenuated form of WNV protects against severe USUV disease in mice and elicits a neutralizing response to both WNV and USUV. Future studies will investigate the immune mechanisms responsible for the protection against USUV infection induced by WNV vaccination, providing critical insight that will be essential for USUV and WNV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Salgado
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (R.S.); (S.A.H.); (F.F.)
| | - Seth A. Hawks
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (R.S.); (S.A.H.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesca Frere
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (R.S.); (S.A.H.); (F.F.)
| | - Ana Vázquez
- National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), CIBERESP, CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, 28220 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Claire Y.-H. Huang
- Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA;
| | - Nisha K. Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (R.S.); (S.A.H.); (F.F.)
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Wessel AW, Dowd KA, Biering SB, Zhang P, Edeling MA, Nelson CA, Funk KE, DeMaso CR, Klein RS, Smith JL, Cao TM, Kuhn RJ, Fremont DH, Harris E, Pierson TC, Diamond MS. Levels of Circulating NS1 Impact West Nile Virus Spread to the Brain. J Virol 2021; 95:e0084421. [PMID: 34346770 PMCID: PMC8475509 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00844-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are arthropod-transmitted flaviviruses that cause systemic vascular leakage and encephalitis syndromes, respectively, in humans. However, the viral factors contributing to these specific clinical disorders are not completely understood. Flavivirus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is required for replication, expressed on the cell surface, and secreted as a soluble glycoprotein, reaching high levels in the blood of infected individuals. Extracellular DENV NS1 and WNV NS1 interact with host proteins and cells, have immune evasion functions, and promote endothelial dysfunction in a tissue-specific manner. To characterize how differences in DENV NS1 and WNV NS1 might function in pathogenesis, we generated WNV NS1 variants with substitutions corresponding to residues found in DENV NS1. We discovered that the substitution NS1-P101K led to reduced WNV infectivity in the brain and attenuated lethality in infected mice, although the virus replicated efficiently in cell culture and peripheral organs and bound at wild-type levels to brain endothelial cells and complement components. The P101K substitution resulted in reduced NS1 antigenemia in mice, and this was associated with reduced WNV spread to the brain. Because exogenous administration of NS1 protein rescued WNV brain infectivity in mice, we conclude that circulating WNV NS1 facilitates viral dissemination into the central nervous system and impacts disease outcomes. IMPORTANCE Flavivirus NS1 serves as an essential scaffolding molecule during virus replication but also is expressed on the cell surface and is secreted as a soluble glycoprotein that circulates in the blood of infected individuals. Although extracellular forms of NS1 are implicated in immune modulation and in promoting endothelial dysfunction at blood-tissue barriers, it has been challenging to study specific effects of NS1 on pathogenesis without disrupting its key role in virus replication. Here, we assessed WNV NS1 variants that do not affect virus replication and evaluated their effects on pathogenesis in mice. Our characterization of WNV NS1-P101K suggests that the levels of NS1 in the circulation facilitate WNV dissemination to the brain and affect disease outcomes. Our findings facilitate understanding of the role of NS1 during flavivirus infection and support antiviral strategies for targeting circulating forms of NS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W. Wessel
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Dowd
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Scott B. Biering
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Melissa A. Edeling
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Christopher A. Nelson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kristen E. Funk
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Christina R. DeMaso
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robyn S. Klein
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Janet L. Smith
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Thu Minh Cao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard J. Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Daved H. Fremont
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Eva Harris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Theodore C. Pierson
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Geerling E, Stone ET, Steffen TL, Hassert M, Brien JD, Pinto AK. Obesity Enhances Disease Severity in Female Mice Following West Nile Virus Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:739025. [PMID: 34531877 PMCID: PMC8439568 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.739025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A rise in adiposity in the United States has resulted in more than 70% of adults being overweight or obese, and global obesity rates have tripled since 1975. Following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, obesity was characterized as a risk factor that could predict severe infection outcomes to viral infection. Amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, obesity has remained a significant risk factor for severe viral disease as obese patients have a higher likelihood for developing severe symptoms and requiring hospitalization. However, the mechanism by which obesity enhances viral disease is unknown. In this study, we utilized a diet-induced obesity mouse model of West Nile virus (WNV) infection, a flavivirus that cycles between birds and mosquitoes and incidentally infects both humans and mice. Likelihood for severe WNV disease is associated with risk factors such as diabetes that are comorbidities also linked to obesity. Utilizing this model, we showed that obesity-associated chronic inflammation increased viral disease severity as obese female mice displayed higher mortality rates and elevated viral titers in the central nervous system. In addition, our studies highlighted that obesity also dysregulates host acute adaptive immune responses, as obese female mice displayed significant dysfunction in neutralizing antibody function. These studies highlight that obesity-induced immunological dysfunction begins at early time points post infection and is sustained through memory phase, thus illuminating a potential for obesity to alter the differentiation landscape of adaptive immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Geerling
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - E Taylor Stone
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tara L Steffen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Mariah Hassert
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - James D Brien
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Amelia K Pinto
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Mia MM, Hasan M, Hasan MM, Khan SS, Rahman MN, Ahmed S, Basak A, Sakib MN, Banik S. Multi-epitope based subunit vaccine construction against Banna virus targeting on two outer proteins (VP4 and VP9): A computational approach. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:105076. [PMID: 34500093 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recently, RNA viruses have gained a mammoth concern for causing various outbreaks, and due to pandemics, they are acquiring additional attention throughout the world. An emerging RNA as well as vector-borne Banna Virus (BAV) is a human pathogen resulting in encephalitis, fever, headache, muscle aches, and severe coma. Besides human, pathogenic BAV was also detected from pigs, cattle, ticks, midges, and mosquitoes in Indonesia, China, and Vietnam. Due to high mutation tendency and dearth of a species barrier, this virus will consider as a significant threat in the near future throughout the planet, particularly in Africa. Despite of severe human case fatalities in several countries, there are no specific therapeutics, available vaccines, and other preventive measures against BAV. Thus, to find out the effective therapeutics and preventive strategies are crying exigency. In the present study, a unique multi-epitope-based peptide vaccine candidate is constructed using bioinformatics' tools that efficiently instigate immune cells for generating BAV antibodies. The potential vaccine candidates were developed using both T and B -cell epitopes. UniprotKB database was used to retrieve of two outer proteins (VP9 and VP4), and homologous sequences of BAV taxid: 7763, 649,604, 77,763, and 8453 were searched by NCBI BLAST. These serotypes are the most closely associated with the disease. Then combining the best-selected epitopes in various combinations with different adjuvants, three distinct vaccine candidates were formed. The validity tests were performed for the screened vaccine candidate regarding stability, allergenicity, and antigenicity parameters. Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations of the selected vaccine with TLR-8 immune receptor confirmed the stability of the binding pose and showed a significant response to immune cells. Thus, the results established that the designed chimeric peptide vaccine could enhance the immune response against BAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mukthar Mia
- Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh; Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh..
| | - Mahamudul Hasan
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh..
| | - Md Mahadi Hasan
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Sumaya Shargin Khan
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Nahian Rahman
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Shakil Ahmed
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Ankita Basak
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nazmuj Sakib
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Shrabonti Banik
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
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Virus-Induced CD8 + T-Cell Immunity and Its Exploitation to Contain the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080922. [PMID: 34452047 PMCID: PMC8402519 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The current battle against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-Coronavirus-2 benefits from the worldwide distribution of different vaccine formulations. All anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in use are conceived to induce anti-Spike neutralizing antibodies. However, this strategy still has unresolved issues, the most relevant of which are: (i) the resistance to neutralizing antibodies of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and (ii) the waning of neutralizing antibodies. On the other hand, both pre-clinical evidence and clinical evidence support the idea that the immunity sustained by antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes can complement and also surrogate the antiviral humoral immunity. As a distinctive feature, anti-SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T-driven immunity maintains its efficacy even in the presence of viral protein mutations. In addition, on the basis of data obtained in survivors of the SARS-CoV epidemic, this immunity is expected to last for several years. In this review, both the mechanisms and role of CD8+ T-cell immunity in viral infections, particularly those induced by SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, are analyzed. Moreover, a CD8+ T-cell-based vaccine platform relying on in vivo engineered extracellular vesicles is described. When applied to SARS-CoV-2, this strategy was proven to induce a strong immunogenicity, holding great promise for its translation into the clinic.
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Schouest B, Beddingfield BJ, Gilbert MH, Bohm RP, Schiro F, Aye PP, Panganiban AT, Magnani DM, Maness NJ. Zika virus infection during pregnancy protects against secondary infection in the absence of CD8 + cells. Virology 2021; 559:100-110. [PMID: 33865073 PMCID: PMC8212702 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
While T cell immunity is an important component of the immune response to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection generally, the efficacy of these responses during pregnancy remains unknown. Here, we tested the capacity of CD8 lymphocytes to protect from secondary challenge in four macaques, two of which were depleted of CD8+ cells prior to rechallenge with a heterologous ZIKV isolate. The initial challenge during pregnancy produced transcriptional signatures suggesting complex patterns of immune modulation as well as neutralizing antibodies that persisted until rechallenge, which all animals efficiently controlled, demonstrating that the primary infection conferred adequate protection. The secondary challenge promoted activation of innate and adaptive immune cells, possibly suggesting a brief period of infection prior to clearance. These data confirm that ZIKV infection during pregnancy induces sufficient immunity to protect from a secondary challenge and suggest that this protection is not dependent on CD8 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Schouest
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Training Program, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Margaret H Gilbert
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Rudolf P Bohm
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Faith Schiro
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Pyone P Aye
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Antonito T Panganiban
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Diogo M Magnani
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Maness
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Khan MT, Islam R, Jerin TJ, Mahmud A, Khatun S, Kobir A, Islam MN, Akter A, Mondal SI. Immunoinformatics and molecular dynamics approaches: Next generation vaccine design against West Nile virus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253393. [PMID: 34138958 PMCID: PMC8211291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a life threatening flavivirus that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. No preventive therapeutics including vaccines against WNV are available for human use. In this study, immunoinformatics approach was performed to design a multi epitope-based subunit vaccine against this deadly pathogen. Human (HLA) and Mice (H-2) allele specific potential T-cell and B-cell epitopes were shortlisted through a stringent procedure. Molecular docking showed selected epitopes that have stronger binding affinity with human TLR-4. Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stable nature of the docked complex. Furthermore, in silico cloning analysis ensures efficient expression of desired gene in the microbial system. Interestingly, previous studies showed that two of our selected epitopes have strong immune response against WNV. Therefore, selected epitopes could be strong vaccine candidates to prevent WNV infections in human. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations could be strengthening the validation of the vaccine candidate against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Tahsin Khan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Rahatul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Tarhima Jahan Jerin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
| | - Araf Mahmud
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Sahara Khatun
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Ahasanul Kobir
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Md Nahidul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Arzuba Akter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- * E-mail: (SIM); (AA)
| | - Shakhinur Islam Mondal
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- * E-mail: (SIM); (AA)
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Integrated Core Proteomics, Subtractive Proteomics, and Immunoinformatics Investigation to Unveil a Potential Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Schistosomiasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060658. [PMID: 34208663 PMCID: PMC8235758 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that causes considerable morbidity and mortality in the world. Infections of parasitic blood flukes, known as schistosomes, cause the disease. No vaccine is available yet and thus there is a need to design an effective vaccine against schistosomiasis. Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni, and Schistosoma haematobium are the main pathogenic species that infect humans. In this research, core proteomics was combined with a subtractive proteomics pipeline to identify suitable antigenic proteins for the construction of a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) against human-infecting Schistosoma species. The pipeline revealed two antigenic proteins-calcium binding and mycosubtilin synthase subunit C-as promising vaccine targets. T and B cell epitopes from the targeted proteins were predicted using multiple bioinformatics and immunoinformatics databases. Seven cytotoxic T cell lymphocytes (CTL), three helper T cell lymphocytes (HTL), and four linear B cell lymphocytes (LBL) epitopes were fused with a suitable adjuvant and linkers to design a 217 amino-acid-long MEV. The vaccine was coupled with a TLR-4 agonist (RS-09; Sequence: APPHALS) adjuvant to enhance the immune responses. The designed MEV was stable, highly antigenic, and non-allergenic to human use. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) analysis were performed to study the binding affinity and molecular interactions of the MEV with human immune receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) and MHC molecules (MHC I and MHC II). The MEV expression capability was tested in an Escherichia coli (strain-K12) plasmid vector pET-28a(+). Findings of these computer assays proved the MEV as highly promising in establishing protective immunity against the pathogens; nevertheless, additional validation by in vivo and in vitro experiments is required to discuss its real immune-protective efficacy.
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Pathogenesis of Two Western Mediterranean West Nile Virus Lineage 1 Isolates in Experimentally Infected Red-Legged Partridges ( Alectoris rufa). Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060748. [PMID: 34199167 PMCID: PMC8231501 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widespread flavivirus in the world with a wide vertebrate host range. Its geographic expansion and activity continue to increase with important human and equine outbreaks and local bird mortality. In a previous experiment, we demonstrated the susceptibility of 7-week-old red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) to Mediterranean WNV isolates Morocco/2003 and Spain/2007, which varied in virulence for this gallinaceous species. Here we study the pathogenesis of the infection with these two strains to explain the different course of infection and mortality. Day six post-inoculation was critical in the course of infection, with the highest viral load in tissues, the most widespread virus antigen, and more severe lesions. The most affected organs were the heart, liver, and spleen. Comparing infections with Morocco/2003 and Spain/2007, differences were observed in the viral load, virus antigen distribution, and lesion nature and severity. A more acute and marked inflammatory reaction (characterized by participation of microglia and CD3+ T cells) as well as neuronal necrosis in the brain were observed in partridges infected with Morocco/2003 as compared to those infected with Spain/2007. This suggests a higher neurovirulence of Morocco/2003, probably related to one or more specific molecular determinants of virulence different from Spain/2007.
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Crooke SN, Ovsyannikova IG, Kennedy RB, Poland GA. Identification of naturally processed Zika virus peptides by mass spectrometry and validation of memory T cell recall responses in Zika convalescent subjects. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252198. [PMID: 34077451 PMCID: PMC8171893 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Once an obscure pathogen, Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a significant global public health concern. Several studies have linked ZIKV infection in pregnant women with the development of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities, emphasizing the need for a safe and effective vaccine to combat the spread of this disease. Preclinical studies and vaccine development efforts have largely focused on the role of humoral immunity in disease protection. Consequently, relatively little is known in regard to cellular immunity against ZIKV, although an effective vaccine will likely need to engage both the humoral and cellular arms of the immune system. To that end, we utilized two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to identify 90 ZIKV peptides that were naturally processed and presented on HLA class I and II molecules (HLA-A*02:01/HLA-DRB1*04:01) of an immortalized B cell line infected with ZIKV (strain PRVABC59). Sequence identity clustering was used to filter the number of candidate peptides prior to evaluating memory T cell recall responses in ZIKV convalescent subjects. Peptides that individually elicited broad (4 of 7 subjects) and narrow (1 of 7 subjects) T cell responses were further analyzed using a suite of predictive algorithms and in silico modeling to evaluate HLA binding and peptide structural properties. A subset of nine broadly reactive peptides was predicted to provide robust global population coverage (97.47% class I; 70.74% class II) and to possess stable structural properties amenable for vaccine formulation, highlighting the potential clinical benefit for including ZIKV T cell epitopes in experimental vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen N. Crooke
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Inna G. Ovsyannikova
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Kennedy
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Poland
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
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Tembusu Virus entering the central nervous system caused nonsuppurative encephalitis without disrupting the blood-brain barrier. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.02191-20. [PMID: 33472933 PMCID: PMC8092698 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02191-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tembusu Virus (TMUV) is an emerging and re-emerging zoonotic pathogen that adversely affects poultry industry in recent years. TMUV disease is characterized by nonsuppurative encephalitis in ducklings. The duckling infection model was established to study the mechanism of TMUV crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we showed that no obvious clinical symptoms and enhancement of BBB permeability occurred at the early stage of infection (3∼5 dpi). While simultaneously virus particles were observed by transmission electron microscopy in the brain, inducing the accumulation of inflammatory cytokines. Neurological symptoms and disruption of BBB appeared at the intermediate stage of infection (7∼9 dpi). It was confirmed that TMUV could survive and propagate in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), but did not affect the permeability of BBB in vivo and in vitro at an early date. In conclusion, TMUV enters the CNS then causes encephalitis, and finally destruct the BBB, which may be due to the direct effect of TMUV on BMECs and the subsequent response of "inflammatory storm".IMPORTANCE The TMUV disease has caused huge losses to the poultry industry in Asia, which is potentially harmful to public health. Neurological symptoms and their sequelae are the main characters of this disease. However, the mechanism of how this virus enters the brain and causes encephalitis is unclear. In this study, we confirmed that the virus entered the CNS and then massively destroyed BBB and the BBB damage was closely associated with the subsequent outbreak of inflammation. TMUV may enter the CNS through the transcellular and "Trojan horse" pathways. These findings can fill the knowledge gap in the pathogenesis of TMUV-infected poultry and be benefit for the treatment of TMUV disease. What's more, TMUV is a representative to study the infection of avian flavivirus. Therefore, our studies have significances both for understanding of the full scope of mechanisms of TMUV and other flavivirus infection, and conceivably, for therapeutics.
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Pervin T, Oany AR. Vaccinomics approach for scheming potential epitope-based peptide vaccine by targeting l-protein of Marburg virus. In Silico Pharmacol 2021; 9:21. [PMID: 33717824 PMCID: PMC7936589 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-021-00080-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Marburg virus is one of the world’s most threatening diseases, causing extreme hemorrhagic fever, with a death rate of up to 90%. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently not authorized any treatments or vaccinations for the hindrance and post-exposure of the Marburg virus. In the present study, the vaccinomics methodology was adopted to design a potential novel peptide vaccine against the Marburg virus, targeting RNA-directed RNA polymerase (l). A total of 48 l-proteins from diverse variants of the Marburg virus were collected from the NCBI GenBank server and used to classify the best antigenic protein leading to predict equally T and B-cell epitopes. Initially, the top 26 epitopes were evaluated for the attraction with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II alleles. Finally, four prospective central epitopes NLSDLTFLI, FRYEFTRHF, YRLRNSTAL, and YRVRNVQTL were carefully chosen. Among these, FRYEFTRHF and YRVRNVQTL peptides showed 100% conservancy. Though YRLRNSTAL showed 95.74% conservancy, it demonstrated the highest combined score as T cell epitope (2.5461) and population coverage of 94.42% among the whole world population. The epitope was found non-allergenic, and docking interactions with human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) also verified. Finally, in vivo analysis of the recommended peptides might contribute to the advancement of an efficient and exclusively prevalent vaccine that would be an active route to impede the virus spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahmina Pervin
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208 Bangladesh
| | - Arafat Rahman Oany
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Life Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, 1902 Bangladesh.,Aristopharma Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Desai P, Janova H, White JP, Reynoso GV, Hickman HD, Baldridge MT, Urban JF, Stappenbeck TS, Thackray LB, Diamond MS. Enteric helminth coinfection enhances host susceptibility to neurotropic flaviviruses via a tuft cell-IL-4 receptor signaling axis. Cell 2021; 184:1214-1231.e16. [PMID: 33636133 PMCID: PMC7962748 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.01.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although enteric helminth infections modulate immunity to mucosal pathogens, their effects on systemic microbes remain less established. Here, we observe increased mortality in mice coinfected with the enteric helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (Hpb) and West Nile virus (WNV). This enhanced susceptibility is associated with altered gut morphology and transit, translocation of commensal bacteria, impaired WNV-specific T cell responses, and increased virus infection in the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. These outcomes were due to type 2 immune skewing, because coinfection in Stat6-/- mice rescues mortality, treatment of helminth-free WNV-infected mice with interleukin (IL)-4 mirrors coinfection, and IL-4 receptor signaling in intestinal epithelial cells mediates the susceptibility phenotypes. Moreover, tuft cell-deficient mice show improved outcomes with coinfection, whereas treatment of helminth-free mice with tuft cell-derived cytokine IL-25 or ligand succinate worsens WNV disease. Thus, helminth activation of tuft cell-IL-4-receptor circuits in the gut exacerbates infection and disease of a neurotropic flavivirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritesh Desai
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hana Janova
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - James P White
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Glennys V Reynoso
- Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Heather D Hickman
- Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Megan T Baldridge
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph F Urban
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Services, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory, and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | | | - Larissa B Thackray
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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40
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Pezhman L, Tahrani A, Chimen M. Dysregulation of Leukocyte Trafficking in Type 2 Diabetes: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Avenues. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:624184. [PMID: 33692997 PMCID: PMC7937619 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.624184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and impaired insulin signaling which in addition to be caused by common metabolic dysregulations, have also been associated to changes in various immune cell number, function and activation phenotype. Obesity plays a central role in the development of T2DM. The inflammation originating from obese adipose tissue develops systemically and contributes to insulin resistance, beta cell dysfunction and hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can also contribute to chronic, low-grade inflammation resulting in compromised immune function. In this review, we explore how the trafficking of innate and adaptive immune cells under inflammatory condition is dysregulated in T2DM. We particularly highlight the obesity-related accumulation of leukocytes in the adipose tissue leading to insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction and resulting in hyperglycemia and consequent changes of adhesion and migratory behavior of leukocytes in different vascular beds. Thus, here we discuss how potential therapeutic targeting of leukocyte trafficking could be an efficient way to control inflammation as well as diabetes and its vascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laleh Pezhman
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Abd Tahrani
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Myriam Chimen
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Mesquita LP, Costa RC, Zanatto DA, Bruhn FRP, Mesquita LLR, Lara MCCSH, Villalobos EMC, Massoco CO, Mori CMC, Mori E, Maiorka PC. Equine herpesvirus 1 elicits a strong pro-inflammatory response in the brain of mice. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 33528354 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an emerging pathogen that causes encephalomyelitis in horses and non-equid species. Several aspects of the immune response in the central nervous system (CNS), mainly regarding the role of inflammatory mediators during EHV-1 encephalitis, remain unknown. Moreover, understanding the mechanisms underlying extensive neuropathology induced by viruses would be helpful to establish therapeutic strategies. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate some aspects of the innate immune response during highly neurovirulent EHV-1 infection. C57BL/6 mice infected intranasally with A4/72 and A9/92 EHV-1 strains developed a fulminant neurological disease at 3 days post-inoculation with high viral titres in the brain. These mice developed severe encephalitis with infiltration of monocytes and CD8+ T cells to the brain. The inflammatory infiltrate followed the detection of the chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CXCL2, CXCL9 and CXCL-10 in the brain. Notably, the levels of CCL3, CCL4, CCL5 and CXCL9 were higher in A4/72-infected mice, which presented higher numbers of inflammatory cells within the CNS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins (ILs) IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12β, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), were also detected in the CNS, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) TLR2, TLR3 and TLR9 genes were also upregulated within the brain of EHV-1-infected mice. However, no expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-12α, which are important for controlling the replication of other herpesviruses, was detected in EHV-1-infected mice. The results show that the activated innate immune mechanisms could not prevent EHV-1 replication within the CNS, but most likely contributed to the extensive neuropathology. The mouse model of viral encephalitis proposed here will also be useful to study the mechanisms underlying extensive neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo P Mesquita
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Rafael C Costa
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Dennis A Zanatto
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Fábio R P Bruhn
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, RS, 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Laís L R Mesquita
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - M C C S H Lara
- Biological Institute, Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1252, São Paulo, SP, 04014-002, Brazil
| | - E M C Villalobos
- Biological Institute, Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1252, São Paulo, SP, 04014-002, Brazil
| | - Cristina O Massoco
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Claudia M C Mori
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Enio Mori
- Pasteur Institute, Av. Paulista, 393, São Paulo, SP, 01311-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Maiorka
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
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42
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Rahmani A, Baee M, Saleki K, Moradi S, Nouri HR. Applying high throughput and comprehensive immunoinformatics approaches to design a trivalent subunit vaccine for induction of immune response against emerging human coronaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:6097-6113. [PMID: 33509045 PMCID: PMC7852294 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1876774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) cause diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study was conducted to combat major CoVs via a trivalent subunit vaccine, which was engineered by implementing sequences of spike (S) protein, nucleocapsid (N), envelope (E), membrane (M) protein, non-structural protein (nsp) 3, and nsp8 antigens. The CTL, HTL, MHC I, and IFN-γ epitopes were predicted via CTLPRED, IEDB, and IFN epitope servers, respectively. Also, to stimulate strong helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) responses, Pan HLA DR-binding epitope (PADRE) was used. Also, for boosting the immune response, β-defensin 2 was added to the construct as an adjuvant. Furthermore, TAT was applied to the vaccine to facilitate the intracellular delivery. Finally, TAT, adjuvant, PADRE, and selected epitopes were appropriately assembled. Based on the predicted epitopes, a trivalent multi-epitope vaccine with a molecular weight of 74.8 kDa was constructed. Further analyses predicted the molecule to be a strong antigen, and a non-allergenic and soluble protein. Secondary and tertiary structures were predicted. Additionally, analyses validated the stability of the proposed vaccine. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) showed binding affinity and stability of the vaccine-TLR3 complex was favorable. The predicted epitopes demonstrated a strong potential to stimulate T and B-cell mediated immune responses. Furthermore, codon optimization and in silico cloning guaranteed increased expression. In summary, investigations demonstrated that this next-generation approach might provide a new horizon for the development of a highly immunogenic vaccine against SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Rahmani
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Masoud Baee
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Kiarash Saleki
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Saead Moradi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Nouri
- USERN Office, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Hossain MS, Hossan MI, Mizan S, Moin AT, Yasmin F, Akash AS, Powshi SN, Hasan AR, Chowdhury AS. Immunoinformatics approach to designing a multi-epitope vaccine against Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2020.100500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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44
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Akhand MRN, Azim KF, Hoque SF, Moli MA, Joy BD, Akter H, Afif IK, Ahmed N, Hasan M. Genome based evolutionary lineage of SARS-CoV-2 towards the development of novel chimeric vaccine. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 85:104517. [PMID: 32882432 PMCID: PMC7462568 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to predict a novel chimeric vaccine by simultaneously targeting four major structural proteins via the establishment of ancestral relationship among different strains of coronaviruses. Conserved regions from the homologous protein sets of spike glycoprotein, membrane protein, envelope protein and nucleocapsid protein were identified through multiple sequence alignment. The phylogeny analyses of whole genome stated that four proteins reflected the close ancestral relation of SARS-CoV-2 to SARS-COV-1 and bat coronavirus. Numerous immunogenic epitopes (both T cell and B cell) were generated from the common fragments which were further ranked on the basis of antigenicity, transmembrane topology, conservancy level, toxicity and allergenicity pattern and population coverage analysis. Top putative epitopes were combined with appropriate adjuvants and linkers to construct a novel multiepitope subunit vaccine against COVID-19. The designed constructs were characterized based on physicochemical properties, allergenicity, antigenicity and solubility which revealed the superiority of construct V3 in terms safety and efficacy. Essential molecular dynamics and normal mode analysis confirmed minimal deformability of the refined model at molecular level. In addition, disulfide engineering was investigated to accelerate the stability of the protein. Molecular docking study ensured high binding affinity between construct V3 and HLA cells, as well as with different host receptors. Microbial expression and translational efficacy of the constructs were checked using pET28a(+) vector of E. coli strain K12. However, the in vivo and in vitro validation of suggested vaccine molecule might be ensured with wet lab trials using model animals for the implementation of the presented data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mst Rubaiat Nazneen Akhand
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh,Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Kazi Faizul Azim
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Syeda Farjana Hoque
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh,Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmuda Akther Moli
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh,Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Bijit Das Joy
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh,Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Hafsa Akter
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Ibrahim Khalil Afif
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Nadim Ahmed
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmudul Hasan
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.
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45
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Martin MF, Nisole S. West Nile Virus Restriction in Mosquito and Human Cells: A Virus under Confinement. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E256. [PMID: 32485916 PMCID: PMC7350012 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging neurotropic flavivirus that naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds. However, WNV has a broad host range and can be transmitted from mosquitoes to several mammalian species, including humans, through infected saliva during a blood meal. Although WNV infections are mostly asymptomatic, 20% to 30% of cases are symptomatic and can occasionally lead to severe symptoms, including fatal meningitis or encephalitis. Over the past decades, WNV-carrying mosquitoes have become increasingly widespread across new regions, including North America and Europe, which constitutes a public health concern. Nevertheless, mosquito and human innate immune defenses can detect WNV infection and induce the expression of antiviral effectors, so-called viral restriction factors, to control viral propagation. Conversely, WNV has developed countermeasures to escape these host defenses, thus establishing a constant arms race between the virus and its hosts. Our review intends to cover most of the current knowledge on viral restriction factors as well as WNV evasion strategies in mosquito and human cells in order to bring an updated overview on WNV-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sébastien Nisole
- Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling Team, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France;
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Funk KE, Lotz SK. Assessing the Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I on Primary Murine Hippocampal Neurons by Flow Cytometry. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 32510500 DOI: 10.3791/61436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that neuro-immune interactions impact nervous system function in both homeostatic and pathologic conditions. A well-studied function of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) is the presentation of cell-derived peptides to the adaptive immune system, particularly in response to infection. More recently it has been shown that the expression of MHCI molecules on neurons can modulate activity-dependent changes in the synaptic connectivity during normal development and neurologic disorders. The importance of these functions to the brain health supports the need for a sensitive assay that readily detects MHCI expression on neurons. Here we describe a method for primary culture of murine hippocampal neurons and then assessment of MHCI expression by flow cytometric analysis. Murine hippocampus is microdissected from prenatal mouse pups at the embryonic day 18. Tissue is dissociated into a single cell suspension using enzymatic and mechanical techniques, then cultured in a serum-free media that limits growth of non-neuronal cells. After 7 days in vitro, MHCI expression is stimulated by treating cultured cells pharmacologically with beta interferon. MHCI molecules are labeled in situ with a fluorescently tagged antibody, then cells are non-enzymatically dissociated into a single cell suspension. To confirm the neuronal identity, cells are fixed with paraformaldehyde, permeabilized, and labeled with a fluorescently tagged antibody that recognizes neuronal nuclear antigen NeuN. MHCI expression is then quantified on neurons by flow cytometric analysis. Neuronal cultures can easily be manipulated by either genetic modifications or pharmacologic interventions to test specific hypotheses. With slight modifications, these methods can be used to culture other neuronal populations or to assess expression of other proteins of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Funk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte;
| | - Sarah K Lotz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Lee CA, Beasley E, Sundar K, Smelkinson M, Vinton C, Deleage C, Matsuda K, Wu F, Estes JD, Lafont BAP, Brenchley JM, Hirsch VM. Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Memory CD4 + T Cells Infiltrate to the Site of Infected Macrophages in the Neuroparenchyma of a Chronic Macaque Model of Neurological Complications of AIDS. mBio 2020; 11:e00602-20. [PMID: 32317323 PMCID: PMC7175093 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00602-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected nonhuman primates can serve as a relevant model for AIDS neuropathogenesis. Current SIV-induced encephalitis (SIVE)/neurological complications of AIDS (neuroAIDS) models are generally associated with rapid progression to neuroAIDS, which does not reflect the tempo of neuroAIDS progression in humans. Recently, we isolated a neuropathogenic clone, SIVsm804E-CL757 (CL757), obtained from an SIV-infected rhesus macaque (RM). CL757 causes a more protracted progression to disease, inducing SIVE in 50% of inoculated animals, with high cerebral spinal fluid viral loads, multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs), and perivascular lymphocytic cuffing in the central nervous system (CNS). This latter finding is reminiscent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis in humans but not generally observed in rapid progressor animals with neuroAIDS. Here, we studied which subsets of cells within the CNS were targeted by CL757 in animals with neurological symptoms of SIVE. Immunohistochemistry of brain sections demonstrated infiltration of CD4+ T cells (CD4) and macrophages (MΦs) to the site of MNGCs. Moreover, an increase in mononuclear cells isolated from the brain tissues of RMs with SIVE correlated with increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral load. Subset analysis showed a specific increase in brain CD4+ memory T cells (Br-mCD4), brain-MΦs (Br-MΦs), and brain B cells (Br-B cells). Both Br-mCD4s and Br-MΦs harbored replication-competent viral DNA, as demonstrated by virus isolation by coculture. However, only in animals exhibiting SIVE/neuroAIDS was virus isolated from Br-MΦs. These findings support the use of CL757 to study the pathogenesis of AIDS viruses in the central nervous system and indicate a previously unanticipated role of CD4s cells as a potential reservoir in the brain.IMPORTANCE While the use of combination antiretroviral therapy effectively suppresses systemic viral replication in the body, neurocognitive disorders as a result of HIV infection of the central nervous system (CNS) remain a clinical problem. Therefore, the use of nonhuman primate models is necessary to study mechanisms of neuropathogenesis. The neurotropic, molecular clone SIVsm804E-CL757 (CL757) results in neuroAIDS in 50% of infected rhesus macaques approximately 1 year postinfection. Using CL757-infected macaques, we investigate disease progression by examining subsets of cells within the CNS that were targeted by CL757 and could potentially serve as viral reservoirs. By isolating mononuclear cells from the brains of SIV-infected rhesus macaques with and without encephalitis, we show that immune cells invade the neuroparenchyma and increase in number in the CNS in animals with SIV-induced encephalitis (SIVE). Of these cells, both brain macrophages and brain memory CD4+ T cells harbor replication-competent SIV DNA; however, only brain CD4+ T cells harbored SIV DNA in animals without SIVE. These findings support use of CL757 as an important model to investigate disease progression in the CNS and as a model to study virus reservoirs in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Erin Beasley
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Sundar
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Margery Smelkinson
- Biological Imaging, Research Technology Branch, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Carol Vinton
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claire Deleage
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenta Matsuda
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fan Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jake D Estes
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Bernard A P Lafont
- Viral Immunology Section, Office of the Scientific Director, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Vanessa M Hirsch
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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48
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Subramaniam KS, Lant S, Goodwin L, Grifoni A, Weiskopf D, Turtle L. Two Is Better Than One: Evidence for T-Cell Cross-Protection Between Dengue and Zika and Implications on Vaccine Design. Front Immunol 2020; 11:517. [PMID: 32269575 PMCID: PMC7109261 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV, family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus) exists as four distinct serotypes. Generally, immunity after infection with one serotype is protective and lifelong, though exceptions have been described. However, secondary infection with a different serotype can result in more severe disease for a minority of patients. Host responses to the first DENV infection involve the development of both cross-reactive antibody and T cell responses, which, depending upon their precise balance, may mediate protection or enhance disease upon secondary infection with a different serotype. Abundant evidence now exists that responses elicited by DENV infection can cross-react with other members of the genus Flavivirus, particularly Zika virus (ZIKV). Cohort studies have shown that prior DENV immunity is associated with protection against Zika. Cross-reactive antibody responses may enhance infection with flaviviruses, which likely accounts for the cases of severe disease seen during secondary DENV infections. Data for T cell responses are contradictory, and even though cross-reactive T cell responses exist, their clinical significance is uncertain. Recent mouse experiments, however, show that cross-reactive T cells are capable of mediating protection against ZIKV. In this review, we summarize and discuss the evidence that T cell responses may, at least in part, explain the cross-protection seen against ZIKV from DENV infection, and that T cell antigens should therefore be included in putative Zika vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishanthi S Subramaniam
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Centre for Global Vaccine Research, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Suzannah Lant
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Centre for Global Vaccine Research, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey Goodwin
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Centre for Global Vaccine Research, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Alba Grifoni
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Daniela Weiskopf
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Lance Turtle
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Centre for Global Vaccine Research, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Comparative Pathology of West Nile Virus in Humans and Non-Human Animals. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9010048. [PMID: 31935992 PMCID: PMC7168622 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be a major cause of human arboviral neuroinvasive disease. Susceptible non-human vertebrates are particularly diverse, ranging from commonly affected birds and horses to less commonly affected species such as alligators. This review summarizes the pathology caused by West Nile virus during natural infections of humans and non-human animals. While the most well-known findings in human infection involve the central nervous system, WNV can also cause significant lesions in the heart, kidneys and eyes. Time has also revealed chronic neurologic sequelae related to prior human WNV infection. Similarly, neurologic disease is a prominent manifestation of WNV infection in most non-human non-host animals. However, in some avian species, which serve as the vertebrate host for WNV maintenance in nature, severe systemic disease can occur, with neurologic, cardiac, intestinal and renal injury leading to death. The pathology seen in experimental animal models of West Nile virus infection and knowledge gains on viral pathogenesis derived from these animal models are also briefly discussed. A gap in the current literature exists regarding the relationship between the neurotropic nature of WNV in vertebrates, virus propagation and transmission in nature. This and other knowledge gaps, and future directions for research into WNV pathology, are addressed.
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50
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Inflammation During Virus Infection: Swings and Roundabouts. DYNAMICS OF IMMUNE ACTIVATION IN VIRAL DISEASES 2020. [PMCID: PMC7121364 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-1045-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation constitutes a concerted series of cellular and molecular responses that follow disturbance of systemic homeostasis, by either toxins or infectious organisms. Leukocytes modulate inflammation through production of secretory mediators, like cytokines and chemokines, which work in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. These mediators can either promote or attenuate the inflammatory response and depending on differential temporal and spatial expression play a crucial role in the outcome of infection. Even though the objective is clearance of the pathogen with minimum damage to host, the pathogenesis of multiple human pathogenic viruses has been suggested to emanate from a dysregulation of the inflammatory response, sometimes with fatal consequences. This review discusses the nature and the outcome of inflammatory response, which is triggered in the human host subsequent to infection by single-sense plus-strand RNA viruses. In view of such harmful effects of a dysregulated inflammatory response, an exogenous regulation of these reactions by either interference or supplementation of critical regulators has been suggested. Currently multiple such factors are being tested for their beneficial and adverse effects. A successful use of such an approach in diseases of viral etiology can potentially protect the affected individual without directly affecting the virus life cycle. Further, such approaches whenever applicable would be useful in mitigating death and/or debility that is caused by the infection of those viruses which have proven particularly difficult to control by either prophylactic vaccines and/or therapeutic strategies using specific antiviral drugs.
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