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Lin LCW, Huang CY, Yao BY, Lin JC, Agrawal A, Algaissi A, Peng BH, Liu YH, Huang PH, Juang RH, Chang YC, Tseng CT, Chen HW, Hu CMJ. Viromimetic STING Agonist-Loaded Hollow Polymeric Nanoparticles for Safe and Effective Vaccination against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2019; 29:1807616. [PMID: 32313544 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201807676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The continued threat of emerging, highly lethal infectious pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) calls for the development of novel vaccine technology that offers safe and effective prophylactic measures. Here, a novel nanoparticle vaccine is developed to deliver subunit viral antigens and STING agonists in a virus-like fashion. STING agonists are first encapsulated into capsid-like hollow polymeric nanoparticles, which show multiple favorable attributes, including a pH-responsive release profile, prominent local immune activation, and reduced systemic reactogenicity. Upon subsequent antigen conjugation, the nanoparticles carry morphological semblance to native virions and facilitate codelivery of antigens and STING agonists to draining lymph nodes and immune cells for immune potentiation. Nanoparticle vaccine effectiveness is supported by the elicitation of potent neutralization antibody and antigen-specific T cell responses in mice immunized with a MERS-CoV nanoparticle vaccine candidate. Using a MERS-CoV-permissive transgenic mouse model, it is shown that mice immunized with this nanoparticle-based MERS-CoV vaccine are protected against a lethal challenge of MERS-CoV without triggering undesirable eosinophilic immunopathology. Together, the biocompatible hollow nanoparticle described herein provides an excellent strategy for delivering both subunit vaccine candidates and novel adjuvants, enabling accelerated development of effective and safe vaccines against emerging viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chen-Yu Huang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Bing-Yu Yao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chen Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
| | - Anurodh Agrawal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX 77555 USA
| | - Abdullah Algaissi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX 77555 USA
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology Jazan University Jazan 45142 Saudi Arabia
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neurosciences, Cell Biology & Anatomy The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX 77555 USA
| | - Yu-Han Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
| | - Ping-Han Huang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Rong-Huay Juang
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Chih Chang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
| | - Chien-Te Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX 77555 USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Disease The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX 77555 USA
| | - Hui-Wen Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine National Taiwan University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Che-Ming Jack Hu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica Taipei 11529 Taiwan
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Antibody-mediated protection against MERS-CoV in the murine model. Vaccine 2019; 37:4094-4102. [PMID: 31178378 PMCID: PMC7115393 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A novel dual route vaccination using the MERS-CoV RBD sub-unit has been developed. Murine antisera induced to the RBD protein , were neutralising in vitro. MERS-CoV susceptibility was induced in naïve mice with Ad5hDPP4. Passive transfer of anti-RBD sera protected susceptible mice. Protected mice had a significantly reduced viral titre (P = 0.02) in their lungs.
Murine antisera with neutralising activity for the coronavirus causative of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were induced by immunisation of Balb/c mice with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike protein. The murine antisera induced were fully-neutralising in vitro for two separate clinical strains of the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To test the neutralising capacity of these antisera in vivo, susceptibility to MERS-CoV was induced in naive recipient Balb/c mice by the administration of an adenovirus vector expressing the human DPP4 receptor (Ad5-hDPP4) for MERS-CoV, prior to the passive transfer of the RBD-specific murine antisera to the transduced mice. Subsequent challenge of the recipient transduced mice by the intra-nasal route with a clinical isolate of the MERS-CoV resulted in a significantly reduced viral load in their lungs, compared with transduced mice receiving a negative control antibody. The murine antisera used were derived from mice which had been primed sub-cutaneously with a recombinant fusion of RBD with a human IgG Fc tag (RBD-Fc), adsorbed to calcium phosphate microcrystals and then boosted by the oral route with the same fusion protein in reverse micelles. The data gained indicate that this dual-route vaccination with novel formulations of the RBD-Fc, induced systemic and mucosal anti-viral immunity with demonstrated in vitro and in vivo neutralisation capacity for clinical strains of MERS-CoV.
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Mennechet FJD, Paris O, Ouoba AR, Salazar Arenas S, Sirima SB, Takoudjou Dzomo GR, Diarra A, Traore IT, Kania D, Eichholz K, Weaver EA, Tuaillon E, Kremer EJ. A review of 65 years of human adenovirus seroprevalence. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:597-613. [PMID: 31132024 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1588113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Human adenovirus (HAdV)-derived vectors have been used in numerous pre-clinical and clinical trials during the last 40 years. Current research in HAdV-based vaccines focuses on improving transgene immunogenicity and safety. Because pre-existing humoral immunity against HAdV types correlate with reduced vaccine efficacy and safety, many groups are exploring the development of HAdV types vectors with lower seroprevalence. However, global seroepidemiological data are incomplete. Areas covered: The goal of this review is to centralize 65 years of research on (primarily) HAdV epidemiology. After briefly addressing adenovirus biology, we chronical HAdV seroprevalence studies and highlight major milestones. Finally, we analyze data from about 50 studies with respect to HAdVs types that are currently used in the clinic, or are in the developmental pipeline. Expert opinion: Vaccination is among the most efficient tools to prevent infectious disease. HAdV-based vaccines have undeniable potential, but optimization is needed and antivector immunity remains a challenge if the same vectors are to be administrated to different populations. Here, we identify gaps in our knowledge and the need for updated worldwide epidemiological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck J D Mennechet
- a Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier , University of Montpellier - CNRS , Montpellier , France
| | - Océane Paris
- a Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier , University of Montpellier - CNRS , Montpellier , France
| | - Aline Raissa Ouoba
- a Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier , University of Montpellier - CNRS , Montpellier , France.,b UMR 1058, Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections , INSERM - University of Montpellier - Establishment Français du Sang - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier , Montpellier , France.,c Département des sciences et de la recherche clinique , Centre Muraz , Bobo-Dioulasso , Burkina Faso
| | - Sofia Salazar Arenas
- a Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier , University of Montpellier - CNRS , Montpellier , France
| | - Sodiomon B Sirima
- d Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme , Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso.,e Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS) , Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso
| | - Guy R Takoudjou Dzomo
- f Complexe Hospitalo Universitaire « Le Bon Samaritain » , N'Djamena , Republic of Chad
| | - Amidou Diarra
- d Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme , Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso
| | - Isidore T Traore
- c Département des sciences et de la recherche clinique , Centre Muraz , Bobo-Dioulasso , Burkina Faso
| | - Dramane Kania
- c Département des sciences et de la recherche clinique , Centre Muraz , Bobo-Dioulasso , Burkina Faso
| | - Karsten Eichholz
- a Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier , University of Montpellier - CNRS , Montpellier , France
| | - Eric A Weaver
- g University of Nebraska-Lincoln, School of Biological Sciences , Lincoln , NE , USA
| | - Edouard Tuaillon
- b UMR 1058, Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections , INSERM - University of Montpellier - Establishment Français du Sang - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier , Montpellier , France
| | - Eric J Kremer
- a Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier , University of Montpellier - CNRS , Montpellier , France
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): Infection, Immunological Response, and Vaccine Development. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:6491738. [PMID: 31089478 PMCID: PMC6476043 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6491738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) first emerged in late 2012. Since its emergence, a total of 2279 patients from 27 countries have been infected across the globe according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report (Feb. 12th, 2019). Approximately 806 patients have died. The virus uses its spike proteins as adhesive factors that are proinflammatory for host entry through a specific receptor called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4). This receptor is considered a key factor in the signaling and activation of the acquired and innate immune responses in infected patients. Using potent antigens in combination with strong adjuvants may effectively trigger the activation of specific MERS-CoV cellular responses as well as the production of neutralizing antibodies. Unfortunately, to date, there is no effective approved treatment or vaccine for MERS-CoV. Thus, there are urgent needs for the development of novel MERS-CoV therapies as well as vaccines to help minimize the spread of the virus from infected patients, thereby mitigating the risk of any potential pandemics. Our main goals are to highlight and describe the current knowledge of both the innate and adaptive immune responses to MERS-CoV and the current state of MERS-CoV vaccine development. We believe this study will increase our understanding of the mechanisms that enhance the MERS-CoV immune response and subsequently contribute to the control of MERS-CoV infections.
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Schindewolf C, Menachery VD. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Vaccine Candidates: Cautious Optimism. Viruses 2019; 11:E74. [PMID: 30658390 PMCID: PMC6356267 DOI: 10.3390/v11010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts towards developing a vaccine for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have yielded promising results. Utilizing a variety of platforms, several vaccine approaches have shown efficacy in animal models and begun to enter clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the current progress towards a MERS-CoV vaccine and highlight potential roadblocks identified from previous attempts to generate coronavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Schindewolf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555 TX, USA.
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555 TX, USA.
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Ozharovskaia TA, Zubkova OV, Dolzhikova IV, Gromova AS, Grousova DM, Tukhvatulin AI, Popova O, Shcheblyakov DV, Scherbinin DN, Dzharullaeva AS, Erokhova AS, Shmarov MM, Loginova SY, Borisevich SV, Naroditsky BS, Logunov DY, Gintsburg AL. Immunogenicity of Different Forms of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome S Glycoprotein. Acta Naturae 2019; 11:38-47. [PMID: 31024747 PMCID: PMC6475872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 during the first Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks. MERS-CoV causes an acute lower-respiratory infection in humans, with a fatality rate of ~35.5%. Currently, there are no registered vaccines or means of therapeutic protection against MERS in the world. The MERS-CoV S glycoprotein plays the most important role in the viral life cycle (virus internalization). The S protein is an immunodominant antigen and the main target for neutralizing antibodies. In the present study, the immunogenicities of five different forms of the MERS-CoV S glycoprotein were compared: the full-length S glycoprotein, the full-length S glycoprotein with the transmembrane domain of the G glycoprotein of VSV (S-G), the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S glycoprotein, the membrane-fused RBD (the RBD fused with the transmembrane domain of the VSV G glycoprotein (RBD-G)), and the RBD fused with Fc of human IgG1 (RBD-Fc). Recombinant vectors based on human adenoviruses type 5 (rAd5) were used as delivery vehicles. Vaccination with all of the developed rAd5 vectors elicited a balanced Th1/Th2 response in mice. The most robust humoral immune response was induced after the animal had been vaccinated with the membrane-fused RBD (rAd5-RBD-G). Only immunization with membrane forms of the glycoprotein (rAd5-S, rAd5-S-G, and rAd5-RBD-G) elicited neutralizing antibodies among all vaccinated animals. The most significant cellular immune response was induced after vaccination of the animals with the full-length S (rAd5-S). These investigations suggest that the full-length S and the membrane form of the RBD (RBD-G) are the most promising vaccine candidates among all the studied forms of S glycoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. A. Ozharovskaia
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - O. V. Zubkova
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - I. V. Dolzhikova
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Gromova
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - D. M. Grousova
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. I. Tukhvatulin
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - O. Popova
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - D. V. Shcheblyakov
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - D. N. Scherbinin
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Dzharullaeva
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Erokhova
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - M. M. Shmarov
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - S. Y. Loginova
- «48 Central Research Institute», Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation, Oktyabrskaya Str. 11, 141306 , Sergiev Posad, Russia
| | - S. V. Borisevich
- «48 Central Research Institute», Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation, Oktyabrskaya Str. 11, 141306 , Sergiev Posad, Russia
| | - B. S. Naroditsky
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - D. Y. Logunov
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. L. Gintsburg
- Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str. 18, 123098, Moscow, Russia
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Al-Omari A, Rabaan AA, Salih S, Al-Tawfiq JA, Memish ZA. MERS coronavirus outbreak: Implications for emerging viral infections. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 93:265-285. [PMID: 30413355 PMCID: PMC7127703 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In September 2012, a novel coronavirus was isolated from a patient who died in Saudi Arabia after presenting with acute respiratory distress and acute kidney injury. Analysis revealed the disease to be due to a novel virus which was named Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). There have been several MERS-CoV hospital outbreaks in KSA, continuing to the present day, and the disease has a mortality rate in excess of 35%. Since 2012, the World Health Organization has been informed of 2220 laboratory-confirmed cases resulting in at least 790 deaths. Cases have since arisen in 27 countries, including an outbreak in the Republic of Korea in 2015 in which 36 people died, but more than 80% of cases have occurred in Saudi Arabia.. Human-to-human transmission of MERS-CoV, particularly in healthcare settings, initially caused a ‘media panic’, however human-to-human transmission appears to require close contact and thus far the virus has not achieved epidemic potential. Zoonotic transmission is of significant importance and evidence is growing implicating the dromedary camel as the major animal host in spread of disease to humans. MERS-CoV is now included on the WHO list of priority blueprint diseases for which there which is an urgent need for accelerated research and development as they have the potential to cause a public health emergency while there is an absence of efficacious drugs and/or vaccines. In this review we highlight epidemiological, clinical, and infection control aspects of MERS-CoV as informed by the Saudi experience. Attention is given to recommended treatments and progress towards vaccine development. 2220 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV resulting in at least 790 deaths since 2012 MERS-CoV is on the WHO list of priority blueprint diseases Zoonotic and human-to-human transmission modes need further clarification. No specific therapy has yet been approved. There is a need for well-controlled clinical trials on potential direct therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awad Al-Omari
- Critical Care and Infection Control Department, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, and Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Samer Salih
- Internal Medicine Department, Dr.Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq
- Medical Department, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ziad A Memish
- College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Six years have passed since Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a newly emerging infectious virus, was first reported in 2012. Although MERS-CoV has had a consistently high mortality rate in humans, no vaccines have been approved to prevent MERS-CoV infection in humans. MERS-CoV spike (S) protein is a key target for development of MERS vaccines. AREAS COVERED In this review, we illustrate the structure and function of S protein as a vaccine target, describe available animal models for evaluating MERS vaccines, and summarize recent progress on MERS-CoV S-based vaccines, focusing on their ability to elicit antibody and/or cellular immune responses, neutralizing antibodies, and protection against MERS-CoV infection in different models. Prospects for future MERS-CoV S-based vaccines are discussed. EXPERT COMMENTARY The majority of MERS vaccines under development are based on MERS-CoV S protein, including full-length S, S1, and receptor-binding domain (RBD). While it is essential to evaluate the safety of full-length S and S1-based MERS vaccines, further improvement of the efficacy of RBD-based vaccines using novel strategies would be necessary. Overall, this review provides informative guidance for designing and developing safe and effective MERS vaccines based on viral S protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusen Zhou
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity , Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- b Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center , New York , NY , USA.,c Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, Shanghai Medical College and Institute of Medical Microbiology , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
| | - Lanying Du
- b Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center , New York , NY , USA
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Jung SY, Kang KW, Lee EY, Seo DW, Kim HL, Kim H, Kwon T, Park HL, Kim H, Lee SM, Nam JH. Heterologous prime-boost vaccination with adenoviral vector and protein nanoparticles induces both Th1 and Th2 responses against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Vaccine 2018; 36:3468-3476. [PMID: 29739720 PMCID: PMC7115429 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.04.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunization with MERS spike protein nanoparticles induced only Th2-biased response. Heterologous prime-boost immunization induced both Th1 and Th2-biased responses. Our vaccination strategy showed the protective effect against MERS-CoV.
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic and zoonotic virus with a fatality rate in humans of over 35%. Although several vaccine candidates have been developed, there is still no clinically available vaccine for MERS-CoV. In this study, we developed two types of MERS-CoV vaccines: a recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 encoding the MERS-CoV spike gene (Ad5/MERS) and spike protein nanoparticles formulated with aluminum (alum) adjuvant. Next, we tested a heterologous prime–boost vaccine strategy, which compared priming with Ad5/MERS and boosting with spike protein nanoparticles and vice versa, with homologous prime–boost vaccination comprising priming and boosting with either spike protein nanoparticles or Ad5/MERS. Although both types of vaccine could induce specific immunoglobulin G against MERS-CoV, neutralizing antibodies against MERS-CoV were induced only by heterologous prime–boost immunization and homologous immunization with spike protein nanoparticles. Interestingly, Th1 cell activation was induced by immunization schedules including Ad5/MERS, but not by those including only spike protein nanoparticles. Heterologous prime–boost vaccination regimens including Ad5/MERS elicited simultaneous Th1 and Th2 responses, but homologous prime–boost regimens did not. Thus, heterologous prime–boost may induce longer-lasting immune responses against MERS-CoV because of an appropriate balance of Th1/Th2 responses. However, both heterologous prime–boost and homologous spike protein nanoparticles vaccinations could provide protection from MERS-CoV challenge in mice. Our results demonstrate that heterologous immunization by priming with Ad5/MERS and boosting with spike protein nanoparticles could be an efficient prophylactic strategy against MERS-CoV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Yeon Jung
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Won Kang
- Division of Biotechnology, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Young Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Won Seo
- Division of Biotechnology, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Lim Kim
- Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Kim
- Division of VAX R&D, Life Science Research Institute, SK Chemical, Seongnam 12771, Republic of Korea
| | - TaeWoo Kwon
- Division of VAX R&D, Life Science Research Institute, SK Chemical, Seongnam 12771, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Lim Park
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Kim
- Division of VAX R&D, Life Science Research Institute, SK Chemical, Seongnam 12771, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Myeong Lee
- Division of Biotechnology, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hwan Nam
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Republic of Korea.
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Deng Y, Lan J, Bao L, Huang B, Ye F, Chen Y, Yao Y, Wang W, Qin C, Tan W. Enhanced protection in mice induced by immunization with inactivated whole viruses compare to spike protein of middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:60. [PMID: 29618723 PMCID: PMC5884803 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The persistent public health threat of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) highlights the need for an effective and safe MERS-CoV vaccine. In this study, we prepared and vaccinated mice with either a Spike (S) protein or inactivated whole MERS-CoV (IV) with a combined adjuvant (alum+CpG) as a vaccine formulation. Similar levels of the anti-S protein IgG response and neutralizing activity were induced by both the S protein and IV vaccines. In addition, immune responses against three other structural proteins, the envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins, were also detected in sera of mice that received IV. No antigen-specific T-cell immunity was detected after vaccination based on the interferon-γ ELISpot assay. Mice were transduced with Ad5-hDPP4 after the final immunization and were then challenged with MERS-CoV (1 × 105 plaque-forming units). Compared with the control group (adjuvant alone), mice immunized with the S protein or IV showed slightly lower pathological damage in the lung, as well as reduced antigen expression and lung virus titers. Mice that received IV formulations also showed increased protective immunity (almost no live virus was isolated from the lung). In conclusion, our data indicate that immunization with our IV formulation induced enhanced protection in mice compared to immunization with the S protein against MERS-CoV, which should be further tested in camels and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Deng
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jiaming Lan
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Heibei Province, 050017, China
| | - Linlin Bao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), MOH Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Baoying Huang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Fei Ye
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yingzhu Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yanfeng Yao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), MOH Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wenling Wang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), MOH Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Al-Qahtani AA, Lyroni K, Aznaourova M, Tseliou M, Al-Anazi MR, Al-Ahdal MN, Alkahtani S, Sourvinos G, Tsatsanis C. Middle east respiratory syndrome corona virus spike glycoprotein suppresses macrophage responses via DPP4-mediated induction of IRAK-M and PPARγ. Oncotarget 2018; 8:9053-9066. [PMID: 28118607 PMCID: PMC5354714 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) is transmitted via the respiratory tract and causes severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by infecting lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Macrophages can readily recognize the virus and eliminate it. MERS-CoV infects cells via its Spike (S) glycoprotein that binds on Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 4 (DPP4) receptor present on macrophages. Whether this Spike/DPP4 association affects macrophage responses remains unknown. Herein we demonstrated that infection of macrophages with lentiviral particles pseudotyped with MERS-CoV S glycoprotein results in suppression of macrophage responses since it reduced the capacity of macrophages to produce TNFα and IL-6 in naive and LPS-activated THP-1 macrophages and augmented LPS-induced production of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. MERS-CoV S glycoprotein induced the expression of the negative regulator of TLR signaling IRAK-M as well as of the transcriptional repressor PPARγ. Inhibition of DPP4 by its inhibitor sitagliptin or siRNA abrogated the effects of MERS-CoV S glycoprotein on IRAK-M, PPARγ and IL-10, confirming that its immunosuppressive effects were mediated by DPP4 receptor. The effect was observed both in THP-1 macrophages and human primary peripheral blood monocytes. These findings support a DPP4-mediated suppressive action of MERS-CoV in macrophages and suggest a potential target for effective elimination of its pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Qahtani
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Konstantina Lyroni
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Marina Aznaourova
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Melpomeni Tseliou
- Laboratory of Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Mashael R Al-Anazi
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed N Al-Ahdal
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alkahtani
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - George Sourvinos
- Laboratory of Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christos Tsatsanis
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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62
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Excler JL, Delvecchio CJ, Wiley RE, Williams M, Yoon IK, Modjarrad K, Boujelal M, Moorthy VS, Hersi AS, Kim JH. Toward Developing a Preventive MERS-CoV Vaccine-Report from a Workshop Organized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health and the International Vaccine Institute, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 14-15, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22. [PMID: 27439020 PMCID: PMC4982192 DOI: 10.3201/eid2208.160229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) remains a serious international public health threat. With the goal of accelerating the development of countermeasures against MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), funding agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and researchers across the world assembled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 14-15, 2015, to discuss vaccine development challenges. The meeting was spearheaded by the Saudi Ministry of Health and co-organized by the International Vaccine Institute, South Korea. Accelerating the development of a preventive vaccine requires a better understanding of MERS epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis in humans and animals. A combination of rodent and nonhuman primate models should be considered in evaluating and developing preventive and therapeutic vaccine candidates. Dromedary camels should be considered for the development of veterinary vaccines. Several vaccine technology platforms targeting the MERS-CoV spike protein were discussed. Mechanisms to maximize investment, provide robust data, and affect public health are urgently needed.
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63
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64
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Yang WX, Zou XH, Jiang SY, Lu NN, Han M, Zhao JH, Guo XJ, Zhao SC, Lu ZZ. Prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) and 41 (Ad41) in children is associated with age and sanitary conditions. Vaccine 2017; 34:5579-5586. [PMID: 27682509 PMCID: PMC7115419 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Serum neutralizing antibodies to Ad5 and Ad41 in adults and children were titrated. Prevalence of NAb in children was associated with age and sanitary conditions. NAb titer distribution pattern was very different between Ad5 an Ad41. Ad41 vectored vaccine candidates might have a bright future.
Neutralizing antibody (NAb) can dampen the immunogenicity of adenovirus (Ad) vector-based vaccine. Vector systems based on human adenovirus type 41 (Ad41) have been constructed and used to develop recombinant vaccines. Here, we attempted to study the seroprevalence of NAbs to Ad5 and Ad41 among children and adults in Qinghai province, China. The positive rates (titer ⩾ 40) of Ad5 and Ad41 NAb in adults from Xining city were 75.7% and 94.7%, respectively. The moderate/high-positive rates (titer ⩾ 160) of NAb were quite close between the two viruses in adults (70.4% for Ad5 and 73.5% for Ad41). Age-dependent increase of NAb seroprevalence was observed for both viruses in children. NAb-positive rate of Ad41 reached 50% at 3.3–4.6 years of age for children from Chengxi district, Xining city, approximately 1.5 years earlier than that of Ad5 did. Interestingly, NAb level was also associated with sanitary conditions among young children. For Ad5, 8–15% children (0.2–3.0 years of age) from city or town, where the sanitations were relatively better, had moderate/high-positive NAb, while the same rate was 62% for children from villages. For Ad41, 22% children from city, 47% from town and 88% from villages possessed moderate/high-positive NAb. The possible influence of NAb titer distributions on the application of Ad41-vectored vaccines was discussed in detail. Our results suggested that children from places with poor sanitations should be included for comprehensive Ad NAb seroprevalence studies, and provided insights to the applications of Ad41 vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xiong Yang
- Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, Qinghai 810007, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China
| | - Shuang-Ying Jiang
- Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, Qinghai 810007, China
| | - Nan-Nan Lu
- Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, Qinghai 810007, China
| | - Mei Han
- Qinghai Provincial Kangle Hospital, Xining, Qinghai 810006, China
| | - Jian-Hai Zhao
- Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, Qinghai 810007, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China
| | - Sheng-Cang Zhao
- Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, Qinghai 810007, China.
| | - Zhuo-Zhuang Lu
- Qinghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, Qinghai 810007, China; State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China.
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65
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An Opportunistic Pathogen Afforded Ample Opportunities: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Viruses 2017; 9:v9120369. [PMID: 29207494 PMCID: PMC5744144 DOI: 10.3390/v9120369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human coronaviruses (CoV) include HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1, some of which have been known for decades. The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV briefly emerged into the human population but was controlled. In 2012, another novel severely human pathogenic CoV—the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV—was identified in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 80% of over 2000 human cases have been recorded over five years. Targeted research remains key to developing control strategies for MERS-CoV, a cause of mild illness in its camel reservoir. A new therapeutic toolbox being developed in response to MERS is also teaching us more about how CoVs cause disease. Travel-related cases continue to challenge the world’s surveillance and response capabilities, and more data are needed to understand unexplained primary transmission. Signs of genetic change have been recorded, but it remains unclear whether there is any impact on clinical disease. How camels came to carry the virus remains academic to the control of MERS. To date, human-to-human transmission has been inefficient, but virus surveillance, characterisation, and reporting are key to responding to any future change. MERS-CoV is not currently a pandemic threat; it is spread mainly with the aid of human habit and error.
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66
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Cho H, Excler JL, Kim JH, Yoon IK. Development of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus vaccines - advances and challenges. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 14:304-313. [PMID: 29048984 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1389362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging pathogen with the potential to pose a threat to global public health. Sporadic cases and outbreaks continue to be reported in the Middle East, and case fatality rates remain high at approximately 36% globally. No specific preventive or therapeutic countermeasures currently exist. A safe and effective vaccine could play an important role in protecting against the threat from MERS-CoV. This review discusses human vaccine candidates currently under development, and explores viral characteristics, molecular epidemiology and immunology relevant to MERS-CoV vaccine development. At present, a DNA vaccine candidate has begun a human clinical trial, while two vector-based candidates will very soon begin human trials. Protein-based vaccines are still at pre-clinical stage. Challenges to successful development include incomplete understanding of viral transmission, pathogenesis and immune response (in particular at the mucosal level), no optimal animal challenge models, lack of standardized immunological assays, and insufficient sustainable funding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heeyoun Cho
- a Department of Clinical Development and Regulatory , International Vaccine Institute , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Jean-Louis Excler
- a Department of Clinical Development and Regulatory , International Vaccine Institute , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Jerome H Kim
- a Department of Clinical Development and Regulatory , International Vaccine Institute , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - In-Kyu Yoon
- a Department of Clinical Development and Regulatory , International Vaccine Institute , Seoul , Republic of Korea
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67
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Rabaan AA, Alahmed SH, Bazzi AM, Alhani HM. A review of candidate therapies for Middle East respiratory syndrome from a molecular perspective. J Med Microbiol 2017; 66:1261-1274. [PMID: 28855003 PMCID: PMC7079582 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been 2040 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 27 countries, with a mortality rate of 34.9 %. There is no specific therapy. The current therapies have mainly been adapted from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) treatments, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids, interferons, ribavirin, lopinavir–ritonavir or mycophenolate mofetil, and have not been subject to well-organized clinical trials. The development of specific therapies and vaccines is therefore urgently required. We examine existing and potential therapies and vaccines from a molecular perspective. These include viral S protein targeting; inhibitors of host proteases, including TMPRSS2, cathepsin L and furin protease, and of viral M(pro) and the PL(pro) proteases; convalescent plasma; and vaccine candidates. The Medline database was searched using combinations and variations of terms, including ‘Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus’, ‘MERS-CoV’, ‘SARS’, ‘therapy’, ‘molecular’, ‘vaccine’, ‘prophylactic’, ‘S protein’, ‘DPP4’, ‘heptad repeat’, ‘protease’, ‘inhibitor’, ‘anti-viral’, ‘broad-spectrum’, ‘interferon’, ‘convalescent plasma’, ‘lopinavir ritonavir’, ‘antibodies’, ‘antiviral peptides’ and ‘live attenuated viruses’. There are many options for the development of MERS-CoV-specific therapies. Currently, MERS-CoV is not considered to have pandemic potential. However, the high mortality rate and potential for mutations that could increase transmissibility give urgency to the search for direct, effective therapies. Well-designed and controlled clinical trials are needed, both for existing therapies and for prospective direct therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shamsah H Alahmed
- Specialty Paediatric Medicine, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali M Bazzi
- Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatem M Alhani
- Maternity and Children Hospital, and Directorate of Infection Control at Eastern Province, Ministry of Health, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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68
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the past five years, there have been 1,936 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 27 countries, with a mortality rate of 35.6%. Most cases have arisen in the Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, however there was a large hospital-associated outbreak in the Republic of Korea in 2015. Exposure to dromedary camels has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a risk factor in primary cases, but the exact mechanisms of transmission are not clear. Rigorous application of nationally defined infection prevention and control measures has reduced the levels of healthcare facility-associated outbreaks. There is currently no approved specific therapy or vaccine available. Areas covered: This review presents an overview of MERS-CoV within the last five years, with a particular emphasis on the key areas of transmission, infection control and prevention, and therapies and vaccines. Expert commentary: MERS-CoV remains a significant threat to public health as transmission mechanisms are still not completely understood. There is the potential for mutations that could increase viral transmission and/or virulence, and zoonotic host range. The high mortality rate highlights the need to expedite well-designed randomized clinical trials for direct, effective therapies and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory , Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare , Dhahran , Saudi Arabia
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69
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Rabaan AA, Bazzi AM, Al-Ahmed SH, Al-Tawfiq JA. Molecular aspects of MERS-CoV. Front Med 2017; 11:365-377. [PMID: 28500431 PMCID: PMC7089120 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0521-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a betacoronavirus which can cause acute respiratory distress in humans and is associated with a relatively high mortality rate. Since it was first identified in a patient who died in a Jeddah hospital in 2012, the World Health Organization has been notified of 1735 laboratory-confirmed cases from 27 countries, including 628 deaths. Most cases have occurred in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoVancestors may be found in OldWorld bats of the Vespertilionidae family. After a proposed bat to camel switching event, transmission of MERS-CoV to humans is likely to have been the result of multiple zoonotic transfers from dromedary camels. Human-to-human transmission appears to require close contact with infected persons, with outbreaks mainly occurring in hospital environments. Outbreaks have been associated with inadequate infection prevention and control implementation, resulting in recommendations on basic and more advanced infection prevention and control measures by the World Health Organization, and issuing of government guidelines based on these recommendations in affected countries including Saudi Arabia. Evolutionary changes in the virus, particularly in the viral spike protein which mediates virus-host cell contact may potentially increase transmission of this virus. Efforts are on-going to identify specific evidence-based therapies or vaccines. The broad-spectrum antiviral nitazoxanide has been shown to have in vitro activity against MERS-CoV. Synthetic peptides and candidate vaccines based on regions of the spike protein have shown promise in rodent and non-human primate models. GLS-5300, a prophylactic DNA-plasmid vaccine encoding S protein, is the first MERS-CoV vaccine to be tested in humans, while monoclonal antibody, m336 has given promising results in animal models and has potential for use in outbreak situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, 31311, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ali M Bazzi
- Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shamsah H Al-Ahmed
- Specialty Paediatric Medicine, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq
- Specialty Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, 31311, Saudi Arabia.,University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
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70
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Okba NM, Raj VS, Haagmans BL. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus vaccines: current status and novel approaches. Curr Opin Virol 2017; 23:49-58. [PMID: 28412285 PMCID: PMC7102752 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
MERS-CoV vaccines for dromedary camels and their human contacts can potentially stop virus transmission in the community. Both neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses are required for protection MERS-CoV vaccines should aim at inducing (long term) mucosal immunity in the different target populations. The spike protein induces both neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses and is the main target of the current vaccine candidates. Epitope-based vaccines, focusing at (cross)-protective epitopes, could induce higher and/or broader responses.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a cause of severe respiratory infection in humans, specifically the elderly and people with comorbidities. The re-emergence of lethal coronaviruses calls for international collaboration to produce coronavirus vaccines, which are still lacking to date. Ongoing efforts to develop MERS-CoV vaccines should consider the different target populations (dromedary camels and humans) and the correlates of protection. Extending on our current knowledge of MERS, vaccination of dromedary camels to induce mucosal immunity could be a promising approach to diminish MERS-CoV transmission to humans. In addition, it is equally important to develop vaccines for humans that induce broader reactivity against various coronaviruses to be prepared for a potential next CoV outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Ma Okba
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - V Stalin Raj
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart L Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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71
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Al-Amri SS, Abbas AT, Siddiq LA, Alghamdi A, Sanki MA, Al-Muhanna MK, Alhabbab RY, Azhar EI, Li X, Hashem AM. Immunogenicity of Candidate MERS-CoV DNA Vaccines Based on the Spike Protein. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44875. [PMID: 28332568 PMCID: PMC5362948 DOI: 10.1038/srep44875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MERS-coronavirus is a novel zoonotic pathogen which spread rapidly to >25 countries since 2012. Its apparent endemicity and the wide spread of its reservoir host (dromedary camels) in the Arabian Peninsula highlight the ongoing public health threat of this virus. Therefore, development of effective prophylactic vaccine needs to be urgently explored given that there are no approved prophylactics or therapeutics for humans or animals to date. Different vaccine candidates have been investigated but serious safety concerns remain over protein or full-length spike (S) protein-based vaccines. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of naked DNA vaccines expressing different fragments of MERS-CoV S protein in mice. We found that plasmids expressing full-length (pS) or S1-subunit (pS1) could induce significant levels of S1-specific antibodies (Abs) but with distinct IgG isotype patterns. Specifically, pS1 immunization elicited a balanced Th1/Th2 response and generally higher levels of all IgG isotypes compared to pS vaccination. Interestingly, only mice immunized with pS1 demonstrated significant S1-specific cellular immune response. Importantly, both constructs induced cross-neutralizing Abs against multiple strains of human and camel origins. These results indicate that vaccines expressing S1-subunit of the MERS-CoV S protein could represent a potential vaccine candidate without the possible safety concerns associated with full-length protein-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan S Al-Amri
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman T Abbas
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Gastroenterology Surgery Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Loai A Siddiq
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Alghamdi
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad A Sanki
- Hematology Laboratory, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhanna K Al-Muhanna
- Materials Science Research Institute, National Nanotechnology Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rowa Y Alhabbab
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Esam I Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xuguang Li
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation; Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate; Health Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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72
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Chi H, Zheng X, Wang X, Wang C, Wang H, Gai W, Perlman S, Yang S, Zhao J, Xia X. DNA vaccine encoding Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus S1 protein induces protective immune responses in mice. Vaccine 2017; 35:2069-2075. [PMID: 28314561 PMCID: PMC5411280 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccine encoding MERS-CoV S1 gene induced humoral and cellular immune responses. High titers of neutralizing antibodies were generated without adjuvant. Virus loads in lungs significantly decreased in vaccinated and serum received mice.
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is an emerging pathogen that continues to cause outbreaks in the Arabian peninsula and in travelers from this region, raising the concern that a global pandemic could occur. Here, we show that a DNA vaccine encoding the first 725 amino acids (S1) of MERS-CoV spike (S) protein induces antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. With three immunizations, high titers of neutralizing antibodies (up to 1: 104) were generated without adjuvant. DNA vaccination with the MERS-CoV S1 gene markedly increased the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells secreting IFN-γ and other cytokines. Both pcDNA3.1-S1 DNA vaccine immunization and passive transfer of immune serum from pcDNA3.1-S1 vaccinated mice protected Ad5-hDPP4-transduced mice from MERS-CoV challenge. These results demonstrate that a DNA vaccine encoding MERS-CoV S1 protein induces strong protective immune responses against MERS-CoV infection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/genetics
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Viral Vaccines/genetics
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Chi
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China
| | - Xuexing Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China; School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China
| | - Hualei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Gai
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Songtao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xianzhu Xia
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.
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73
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Choi J, Kim MG, Oh YK, Kim YB. Progress of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus vaccines: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2017; 27:721-731. [PMID: 28121202 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1281248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has emerged as a new pathogen, causing severe complications and a high case fatality rate. No direct treatments are available as yet, highlighting the importance of prevention through suitable vaccination regimes. The viral spike (S) protein has been characterized as a key target antigen for vaccines. In particular, S protein domains have been utilized to produce high titers of neutralizing antibodies. Areas covered: Since the first report of MERS-CoV infection, a limited number of MERS-CoV-specific patents have been filed. Patents related to MERS-CoV are categorized into three areas: treatments, antibodies, and vaccines (receptor-related). This review mainly focuses on the types and efficacies of vaccines, briefly covering treatments and antibodies against the virus. MERS-CoV vaccine forms and delivery systems, together with comparable development strategies against SARS-CoV are additionally addressed. Expert opinion: Vaccines must be combined with delivery systems, administration routes, and adjuvants to maximize T-cell responses as well as neutralizing antibody production. High immune responses require further study in animal models, such as human receptor-expressing mice, non-human primates, and camels. Such a consideration of integrated actions should contribute to the rapid development of vaccines against MERS-CoV and related coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Choi
- a College of Animal Bioscience & Technology , Konkuk University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Gyeong Kim
- b College of Pharmacy , Seoul National University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Kyoung Oh
- b College of Pharmacy , Seoul National University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Young Bong Kim
- a College of Animal Bioscience & Technology , Konkuk University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
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74
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Wirblich C, Coleman CM, Kurup D, Abraham TS, Bernbaum JG, Jahrling PB, Hensley LE, Johnson RF, Frieman MB, Schnell MJ. One-Health: a Safe, Efficient, Dual-Use Vaccine for Humans and Animals against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and Rabies Virus. J Virol 2017; 91:e02040-16. [PMID: 27807241 PMCID: PMC5215356 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02040-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012 and is a highly pathogenic respiratory virus. There are no treatment options against MERS-CoV for humans or animals, and there are no large-scale clinical trials for therapies against MERS-CoV. To address this need, we developed an inactivated rabies virus (RABV) that contains the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein expressed on its surface. Our initial recombinant vaccine, BNSP333-S, expresses a full-length wild-type MERS-CoV S protein; however, it showed significantly reduced viral titers compared to those of the parental RABV strain and only low-level incorporation of full-length MERS-CoV S into RABV particles. Therefore, we developed a RABV-MERS vector that contained the MERS-CoV S1 domain of the MERS-CoV S protein fused to the RABV G protein C terminus (BNSP333-S1). BNSP333-S1 grew to titers similar to those of the parental vaccine vector BNSP333, and the RABV G-MERS-CoV S1 fusion protein was efficiently expressed and incorporated into RABV particles. When we vaccinated mice, chemically inactivated BNSP333-S1 induced high-titer neutralizing antibodies. Next, we challenged both vaccinated mice and control mice with MERS-CoV after adenovirus transduction of the human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4) receptor and then analyzed the ability of mice to control MERS-CoV infection. Our results demonstrated that vaccinated mice were fully protected from the MERS-CoV challenge, as indicated by the significantly lower MERS-CoV titers and MERS-CoV and mRNA levels in challenged mice than those in unvaccinated controls. These data establish that an inactivated RABV-MERS S-based vaccine may be effective for use in animals and humans in areas where MERS-CoV is endemic. IMPORTANCE Rabies virus-based vectors have been proven to be efficient dual vaccines against rabies and emergent infectious diseases such as Ebola virus. Here we show that inactivated rabies virus particles containing the MERS-CoV S1 protein induce potent immune responses against MERS-CoV and RABV. This novel vaccine is easy to produce and may be useful to protect target animals, such as camels, as well as humans from deadly MERS-CoV and RABV infections. Our results indicate that this vaccine approach can prevent disease, and the RABV-based vaccine platform may be a valuable tool for timely vaccine development against emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Wirblich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher M Coleman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Drishya Kurup
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tara S Abraham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John G Bernbaum
- Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter B Jahrling
- Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
- Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa E Hensley
- Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Reed F Johnson
- Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthias J Schnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Jefferson Vaccine Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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75
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Liu WJ, Lan J, Liu K, Deng Y, Yao Y, Wu S, Chen H, Bao L, Zhang H, Zhao M, Wang Q, Han L, Chai Y, Qi J, Zhao J, Meng S, Qin C, Gao GF, Tan W. Protective T Cell Responses Featured by Concordant Recognition of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-Derived CD8+ T Cell Epitopes and Host MHC. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 198:873-882. [PMID: 27903740 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The coordinated recognition of virus-derived T cell epitopes and MHC molecules by T cells plays a pivotal role in cellular immunity-mediated virus clearance. It has been demonstrated that the conformation of MHC class I (MHC I) molecules can be adjusted by the presented peptide, which impacts T cell activation. However, it is still largely unknown whether the conformational shift of MHC I influences the protective effect of virus-specific T cells. In this study, utilizing the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus-infected mouse model, we observed that through the unusual secondary anchor Ile5, a CD8+ T cell epitope drove the conformational fit of Trp73 on the α1 helix of murine MHC I H-2Kd In vitro renaturation and circular dichroism assays indicated that this shift of the structure did not influence the peptide/MHC I binding affinity. Nevertheless, the T cell recognition and the protective effect of the peptide diminished when we made an Ile to Ala mutation at position 5 of the original peptide. The molecular bases of the concordant recognition of T cell epitopes and host MHC-dependent protection were demonstrated through both crystal structure determination and tetramer staining using the peptide-MHC complex. Our results indicate a coordinated MHC I/peptide interaction mechanism and provide a beneficial reference for T cell-oriented vaccine development against emerging viruses such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Liu
- College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute of Medical Virology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jiaming Lan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Kefang Liu
- College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute of Medical Virology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yao Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yanfeng Yao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shaolian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lingling Bao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute of Medical Virology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Min Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qihui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lingxia Han
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yan Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China; and
| | - Songdong Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing 100021, China
| | - George F Gao
- College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute of Medical Virology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; .,Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Research Network of Immunity and Health, Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute of Medical Virology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; .,Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
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76
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Jiaming L, Yanfeng Y, Yao D, Yawei H, Linlin B, Baoying H, Jinghua Y, Gao GF, Chuan Q, Wenjie T. The recombinant N-terminal domain of spike proteins is a potential vaccine against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Vaccine 2016; 35:10-18. [PMID: 27899228 PMCID: PMC7115548 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.11.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The persistent public health threat of infection with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) highlights the need for an effective MERS-CoV vaccine. Previous studies have focused mainly on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) on the spike protein of MERS-CoV. Herein, we investigated the immunogenicity and protective potential of the recombinant N-terminal domain (rNTD) of spike proteins as a vaccine candidate. BALB/c mice vaccinated with 5 or 10 μg of rNTD protein demonstrated a significant humoral immune response (serum IgG and neutralizing activity). Additionally, according to the enzyme-linked immunospot, intracellular cytokine staining, and cytometric bead array assays, significant and functional T-cell immunity was induced by 10 μg of the rNTD vaccination with aluminum and CpG adjuvant. Furthermore, rNTD-immunized mice showed reduced lung abnormalities in a MERS-CoV-challenge mouse model transfected with an adenoviral vector expressing human DPP4, showing protection consistent with that found with rRBD vaccination. These data show that rNTD induced potent cellular immunity and antigen-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice and that it demonstrated protective capacity against a viral challenge, indicating that rNTD is a vaccine candidate against MERS-CoV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Jiaming
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing 102206, China; Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yao Yanfeng
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China
| | - Deng Yao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Hu Yawei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bao Linlin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China
| | - Huang Baoying
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yan Jinghua
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - George F Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing 102206, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qin Chuan
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China
| | - Tan Wenjie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing 102206, China.
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77
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Alharbi NK. Vaccines against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus for humans and camels. Rev Med Virol 2016; 27. [PMID: 27786402 PMCID: PMC7169231 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is caused by a novel betacoronavirus that was isolated in late 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The viral infections have been reported in more than 1700 humans, ranging from asymptomatic or mild cases to severe pneumonia with a mortality rate of 40%. It is well documented now that dromedary camels contract the infection and shed the virus without notable symptoms, and such animals had been infected by at least the early 1980s. The mechanism of camel to human transmission is still not clear, but several primary cases have been associated with camel contact. There is no approved antiviral drug or vaccine against MERS‐CoV despite the active research in this area. Vaccine candidates have been developed using various platforms and regimens and have been tested in several animal models. Here, this article reviews the published studies on MERS‐CoV vaccines with more focus on vaccines tested in large animals, including camels. It is foreseeable that the 1‐health approach could be the best way of tackling the MERS‐CoV endemic in the Arabian Peninsula, by using the mass vaccination of camels in the affected areas to block camel to human transmission. Camel vaccines can be developed in a faster time with fewer regulations and lower costs and could clear this virus from the Arabian Peninsula if accompanied by efficient public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naif Khalaf Alharbi
- Infectious Diseases Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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78
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Enjuanes L, Zuñiga S, Castaño-Rodriguez C, Gutierrez-Alvarez J, Canton J, Sola I. Molecular Basis of Coronavirus Virulence and Vaccine Development. Adv Virus Res 2016; 96:245-286. [PMID: 27712626 PMCID: PMC7112271 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Virus vaccines have to be immunogenic, sufficiently stable, safe, and suitable to induce long-lasting immunity. To meet these requirements, vaccine studies need to provide a comprehensive understanding of (i) the protective roles of antiviral B and T-cell-mediated immune responses, (ii) the complexity and plasticity of major viral antigens, and (iii) virus molecular biology and pathogenesis. There are many types of vaccines including subunit vaccines, whole-inactivated virus, vectored, and live-attenuated virus vaccines, each of which featuring specific advantages and limitations. While nonliving virus vaccines have clear advantages in being safe and stable, they may cause side effects and be less efficacious compared to live-attenuated virus vaccines. In most cases, the latter induce long-lasting immunity but they may require special safety measures to prevent reversion to highly virulent viruses following vaccination. The chapter summarizes the recent progress in the development of coronavirus (CoV) vaccines, focusing on two zoonotic CoVs, the severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV), and the Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV, both of which cause deadly disease and epidemics in humans. The development of attenuated virus vaccines to combat infections caused by highly pathogenic CoVs was largely based on the identification and characterization of viral virulence proteins that, for example, interfere with the innate and adaptive immune response or are involved in interactions with specific cell types, such as macrophages, dendritic and epithelial cells, and T lymphocytes, thereby modulating antiviral host responses and viral pathogenesis and potentially resulting in deleterious side effects following vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Enjuanes
- National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Zuñiga
- National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Castaño-Rodriguez
- National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Gutierrez-Alvarez
- National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Canton
- National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Sola
- National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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79
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Lee HY, Nyon MP, Strych U. Vaccine Development Against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2016; 3:80-86. [PMID: 32226714 PMCID: PMC7099997 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-016-0084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Various types of vaccines are under pre-clinical and clinical development to address the recent appearance of Middle East respiratory syndrome or MERS, an emerging infectious disease that has already caused over 600 deaths and remains a threat to world health. The causative agent for this respiratory disease is a member of the betacoronavirus genus, phylogenetically closely related to the SARS coronavirus that caused an international health emergency in 2002. With lessons learned from the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, and with undeniable technological advances, vaccine development against MERS was initially fast-paced and has produced several DNA and protein vaccine candidates with promising results during early pre-clinical testing. At least one vaccine candidate has even entered first-in-humans clinical trials now. With the number of MERS cases declining though and other infectious diseases attracting increased attention, the question remains, whether, similar to the situation after the SARS pandemic, vaccine development is halted or remains the priority it rightfully should.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Yen Lee
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Mun Peak Nyon
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
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80
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Zumla A, Chan JFW, Azhar EI, Hui DSC, Yuen KY. Coronaviruses - drug discovery and therapeutic options. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2016. [PMID: 26868298 DOI: 10.1038/nrd201537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In humans, infections with the human coronavirus (HCoV) strains HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 usually result in mild, self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold. By contrast, the CoVs responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which were discovered in Hong Kong, China, in 2003, and in Saudi Arabia in 2012, respectively, have received global attention over the past 12 years owing to their ability to cause community and health-care-associated outbreaks of severe infections in human populations. These two viruses pose major challenges to clinical management because there are no specific antiviral drugs available. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiology, virology, clinical features and current treatment strategies of SARS and MERS, and discuss the discovery and development of new virus-based and host-based therapeutic options for CoV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 307 Euston Road, London NW1 3AD, UK
| | - Jasper F W Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, University Pathology Building, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
| | - Esam I Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, and Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 128442, Jeddah - 21362, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - David S C Hui
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, University Pathology Building, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
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81
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Zhang C, Zhou D. Adenoviral vector-based strategies against infectious disease and cancer. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:2064-2074. [PMID: 27105067 PMCID: PMC4994731 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1165908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenoviral vectors are widely employed against infectious diseases or cancers, as they can elicit specific antibody responses and T cell responses when they are armed with foreign genes as vaccine carriers, and induce apoptosis of the cancer cells when they are genetically modified for cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics of adenovirus (Ad) and the latest development of Ad vector-based strategies for the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases or cancers. Strategies to circumvent the pre-existing neutralizing antibodies which dampen the immunogenicity of Ad-based vaccines are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- a Vaccine Research Center, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai , China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- a Vaccine Research Center, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai , China
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82
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MERS-CoV vaccine candidates in development: The current landscape. Vaccine 2016; 34:2982-2987. [PMID: 27083424 PMCID: PMC7115572 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.03.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), an emerging infectious disease of growing global importance, has caused severe acute respiratory disease in more than 1600 people, resulting in more than 600 deaths. The high case fatality rate, growing geographic distribution and vaguely defined epidemiology of MERS-CoV have created an urgent need for effective public health countermeasures, paramount of which is an effective means of prevention through a vaccine or antibody prophylaxis. Despite the relatively few number of cases to-date, research and development of MERS-CoV vaccine candidates is advancing quickly. This review surveys the landscape of these efforts across multiple groups in academia, government and industry.
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83
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Abstract
First identified in 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is listed as a new Category C Priority Pathogen. While the high mortality of MERS-CoV infection is further intensified by potential human-to-human transmissibility, no MERS vaccines are available for human use. This review explains immune responses resulting from MERS-CoV infection, describes MERS vaccine criteria, and presents available small animal models to evaluate the efficacy of MERS vaccines. Current advances in vaccine development are summarized, focusing on specific applications and limitations of each vaccine category. Taken together, this review provides valuable guidelines toward the development of an effective and safe MERS vaccine. This article is written for a Special Focus Issue of Expert Review of Vaccines on 'Vaccines for Biodefence'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Du
- a Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute , New York Blood Center , New York , NY , USA
| | - Wanbo Tai
- a Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute , New York Blood Center , New York , NY , USA.,b State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity , Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yusen Zhou
- b State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity , Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- a Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute , New York Blood Center , New York , NY , USA.,c Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
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84
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Zumla A, Chan JFW, Azhar EI, Hui DSC, Yuen KY. Coronaviruses - drug discovery and therapeutic options. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2016; 15:327-47. [PMID: 26868298 PMCID: PMC7097181 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2015.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1125] [Impact Index Per Article: 140.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are examples of emerging zoonotic coronavirus infections capable of person-to-person transmission that result in large-scale epidemics with substantial effects on patient health and socioeconomic factors. Unlike patients with mild illnesses that are caused by other human-pathogenic coronaviruses, patients with SARS or MERS coronavirus infections may develop severe acute respiratory disease with multi-organ failure. The case–fatality rates of SARS and MERS are approximately 10% and 35%, respectively. Both SARS and MERS pose major clinical management challenges because there is no specific antiviral treatment that has been proven to be effective in randomized clinical trials for either infection. Substantial efforts are underway to discover new therapeutic agents for coronavirus infections. Virus-based therapies include monoclonal antibodies and antiviral peptides that target the viral spike glycoprotein, viral enzyme inhibitors, viral nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors and inhibitors of other viral structural and accessory proteins. Host-based therapies include agents that potentiate the interferon response or affect either host signalling pathways involved in viral replication or host factors utilized by coronaviruses for viral replication. The major challenges in the clinical development of novel anti-coronavirus drugs include the limited number of suitable animal models for the evaluation of potential treatments for SARS and MERS, the current absence of new SARS cases, the limited number of MERS cases — which are also predominantly geographically confined to the Middle East — as well as the lack of industrial incentives to develop antivirals for mild infections caused by other, less pathogenic coronaviruses. The continuing threat of MERS-CoV to global health 3 years after its discovery presents a golden opportunity to tackle current obstacles in the development of new anti-coronavirus drugs. A well-organized, multidisciplinary, international collaborative network consisting of clinicians, virologists and drug developers, coupled to political commitment, should be formed to carry out clinical trials using anti-coronavirus drugs that have already been shown to be safe and effective in vitro and/or in animal models, particularly lopinavir–ritonavir, interferon beta-1b and monoclonal antibodies and antiviral peptides targeting the viral spike glycoprotein.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which are caused by coronaviruses, have attracted substantial attention owing to their high mortality rates and potential to cause epidemics. Yuen and colleagues discuss progress with treatment options for these syndromes, including virus- and host-targeted drugs, and the challenges that need to be overcome in their further development. In humans, infections with the human coronavirus (HCoV) strains HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 usually result in mild, self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold. By contrast, the CoVs responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which were discovered in Hong Kong, China, in 2003, and in Saudi Arabia in 2012, respectively, have received global attention over the past 12 years owing to their ability to cause community and health-care-associated outbreaks of severe infections in human populations. These two viruses pose major challenges to clinical management because there are no specific antiviral drugs available. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiology, virology, clinical features and current treatment strategies of SARS and MERS, and discuss the discovery and development of new virus-based and host-based therapeutic options for CoV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 307 Euston Road, London NW1 3AD, UK
| | - Jasper F W Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, University Pathology Building, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
| | - Esam I Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, and Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 128442, Jeddah - 21362, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - David S C Hui
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, University Pathology Building, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
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Shehata MM, Gomaa MR, Ali MA, Kayali G. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: a comprehensive review. Front Med 2016; 10:120-36. [PMID: 26791756 PMCID: PMC7089261 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-016-0430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus was first identified in 2012 and has since then remained uncontrolled. Cases have been mostly reported in the Middle East, however travel-associated cases and outbreaks have also occurred. Nosocomial and zoonotic transmission of the virus appear to be the most important routes. The infection is severe and highly fatal thus necessitating rapid and efficacious interventions. Here, we performed a comprehensive review of published literature and summarized the epidemiology of the virus. In addition, we summarized the virological aspects of the infection and reviewed the animal models used as well as vaccination and antiviral tested against it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M Shehata
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mokhtar R Gomaa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ghazi Kayali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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Epitope-Based Vaccine Target Screening against Highly Pathogenic MERS-CoV: An In Silico Approach Applied to Emerging Infectious Diseases. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144475. [PMID: 26641892 PMCID: PMC4671582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) with pandemic potential is a major worldwide threat to public health. However, vaccine development for this pathogen lags behind as immunity associated with protection is currently largely unknown. In this study, an immunoinformatics-driven genome-wide screening strategy of vaccine targets was performed to thoroughly screen the vital and effective dominant immunogens against MERS-CoV. Conservancy and population coverage analysis of the epitopes were done by the Immune Epitope Database. The results showed that the nucleocapsid (N) protein of MERS-CoV might be a better protective immunogen with high conservancy and potential eliciting both neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses compared with spike (S) protein. Further, the B-cell, helper T-cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes were screened and mapped to the N protein. A total of 15 linear and 10 conformal B-cell epitopes that may induce protective neutralizing antibodies were obtained. Additionally, a total of 71 peptides with 9-mer core sequence were identified as helper T-cell epitopes, and 34 peptides were identified as CTL epitopes. Based on the maximum HLA binding alleles, top 10 helper T-cell epitopes and CTL epitopes that may elicit protective cellular immune responses against MERS-CoV were selected as MERS vaccine candidates. Population coverage analysis showed that the putative helper T-cell epitopes and CTL epitopes could cover the vast majority of the population in 15 geographic regions considered where vaccine would be employed. The B- and T-cell stimulation potentials of the screened epitopes is to be further validated for their efficient use as vaccines against MERS-CoV. Collectively, this study provides novel vaccine target candidates and may prompt further development of vaccines against MERS-CoV and other emerging infectious diseases.
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87
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Du L, Jiang S. Middle East respiratory syndrome: current status and future prospects for vaccine development. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15:1647-51. [PMID: 26414077 PMCID: PMC4636333 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1092518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) previously in Middle East and recently in South Korea have raised serious concerns worldwide, reinforcing the importance of developing effective and safe vaccines against MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). A number of vaccine candidates have been developed on the basis of viral vectors, recombinant proteins, DNAs, nanoparticles, and recombinant MERS-CoV, and some of them have shown efficacy in laboratory animals. However, the paucity of financial support has made it difficult to transfer effective candidates from the preclinical stage to clinical trials. Here, we summarize currently available MERS vaccine candidates and illustrate strategies for future development, with the aim of provoking government agencies and Big Pharma to invest more funds for developing efficacious and safe MERS vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Du
- a 1 Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center , NY, USA +1 212 570 3459 ;
| | - Shibo Jiang
- a 1 Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center , NY, USA +1 212 570 3459 ; .,b 2 Fudan University, Shanghai Medical College and Institute of Medical Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health , Shanghai, China +1 212 570 3058 ;
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van Doremalen N, Munster VJ. Animal models of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection. Antiviral Res 2015; 122:28-38. [PMID: 26192750 PMCID: PMC4561025 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
MERS-CoV has infected >1100 patients to date, with an associated case fatality rate of approximately 40%. Animals ranging from mice to rabbits to nonhuman primates have been inoculated with MERS-CoV, with varying outcomes. Mice expressing human DPP4 are susceptible to infection and develop severe disease. Rhesus macaques and marmosets are also susceptible, but marmosets develop more severe disease. Further development of appropriate animal models to conduct medical countermeasure research is a public health priority.
The emergence of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 marked the second time that a new, highly pathogenic coronavirus has emerged in the human population in the 21st century. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge of animal models of MERS-CoV infection. Commonly used laboratory animal species such as Syrian hamsters, mice and ferrets are not susceptible to MERS-CoV, due to differences in the MERS-CoV receptor dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). The initially developed animal models comprise two nonhuman primate species, the rhesus macaque and the common marmoset. Rhesus macaques develop a mild to moderate respiratory disease upon inoculation, reminiscent of milder MERS cases, whereas marmosets develop a moderate to severe respiratory disease, recapitulating the severe disease observed in some patients. Dromedary camels, considered to be the reservoir for MERS-CoV, develop a mild upper respiratory tract infection with abundant viral shedding. Although normal mice are not susceptible to MERS-CoV, expression of the human DPP4 (hDPP4) overcomes the lack of susceptibility. Transgenic hDPP4 mice develop severe and lethal respiratory disease upon inoculation with MERS-CoV. These hDPP4 transgenic mice are potentially the ideal first line animal model for efficacy testing of therapeutic and prophylactic countermeasures. Further characterization of identified countermeasures would ideally be performed in the common marmoset model, due to the more severe disease outcome. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on “From SARS to MERS: research on highly pathogenic human coronaviruses.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeltje van Doremalen
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Vincent J Munster
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
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A Coronavirus E Protein Is Present in Two Distinct Pools with Different Effects on Assembly and the Secretory Pathway. J Virol 2015; 89:9313-23. [PMID: 26136577 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01237-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Coronaviruses (CoVs) assemble by budding into the lumen of the early Golgi complex prior to exocytosis. The small CoV envelope (E) protein plays roles in assembly, virion release, and pathogenesis. CoV E has a single hydrophobic domain (HD), is targeted to Golgi complex membranes, and has cation channel activity in vitro. However, the precise functions of the CoV E protein during infection are still enigmatic. Structural data for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV E protein suggest that it assembles into a homopentamer. Specific residues in the HD regulate the ion-conducting pore formed by SARS-CoV E in artificial bilayers and the pathogenicity of the virus during infection. The E protein from the avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) has dramatic effects on the secretory system which require residues in the HD. Here, we use the known structural data from SARS-CoV E to infer the residues important for ion channel activity and the oligomerization of IBV E. We present biochemical data for the formation of two distinct oligomeric pools of IBV E in transfected and infected cells and the residues required for their formation. A high-order oligomer of IBV E is required for the production of virus-like particles (VLPs), implicating this form of the protein in virion assembly. Additionally, disruption of the secretory pathway by IBV E correlates with a form that is likely monomeric, suggesting that the effects on the secretory pathway are independent of E ion channel activity. IMPORTANCE CoVs are important human pathogens with significant zoonotic potential, as demonstrated by the emergence of SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV. Progress has been made toward identifying potential vaccine candidates in mouse models of CoV infection, including the use of attenuated viruses that lack the CoV E protein or express E-protein mutants. However, no approved vaccines or antiviral therapeutics exist. We previously reported that the hydrophobic domain of the IBV E protein, a putative viroporin, causes disruption of the mammalian secretory pathway when exogenously expressed in cells. Understanding the mechanism of this disruption could lead to the identification of novel antiviral therapeutics. Here, we present biochemical evidence for two distinct oligomeric forms of IBV E, one essential for assembly and the other with a role in disruption of the secretory pathway. Discovery of two forms of CoV E protein will provide additional targets for antiviral therapeutics.
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