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Singh A, Adam A, Aditi, Peng BH, Yu X, Zou J, Kulkarni VV, Kan P, Jiang W, Shi PY, Samir P, Cisneros I, Wang T. A murine model of post-acute neurological sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 variant infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1384516. [PMID: 38765009 PMCID: PMC11099216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. In the brain, no detectable viral RNA and minimal residential immune cell activation was observed in the surviving mice post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and gene expression levels associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent systemic T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and strong sera neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants months post-acute infection. Overall, our findings suggest that infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long-COVID patients and provides new insights into the role of systemic and brain residential immune factors in PASC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Awadalkareem Adam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Aditi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Xiaoying Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Vikram V. Kulkarni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Peter Kan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Parimal Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Irma Cisneros
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- NeuroInfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- NeuroInfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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Singh A, Adam A, Aditi, Peng BH, Yu X, Zou J, Kulkarni VV, Kan P, Jiang W, Shi PY, Samir P, Cisneros I, Wang T. A Murine Model of Post-acute Neurological Sequelae Following SARS-CoV-2 Variant Infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.574064. [PMID: 38260531 PMCID: PMC10802283 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.574064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. Surviving mice showed no detectable viral RNA in the brain and minimal neuroinflammation post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and reduced levels of genes associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and high neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants in the periphery for months post-acute infection. Overall, infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long COVID patients and may be useful for future assessment of the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Singh A, Adam A, Rodriguez L, Peng BH, Wang B, Xie X, Shi PY, Homma K, Wang T. Oral Supplementation with AHCC ®, a Standardized Extract of Cultured Lentinula edodes Mycelia, Enhances Host Resistance against SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pathogens 2023; 12:554. [PMID: 37111440 PMCID: PMC10144296 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global public health safety and the economy. Multiple antiviral drugs have been developed, and some have received regulatory approval and/or authorization. The use of nutraceuticals can be beneficial for preventing and treating COVID-19 complications. AHCC is a standardized, cultured extract of an edible mushroom Lentinula edodes of the Basidiomycete family of fungi that is enriched in acylated α-1,4-glucans. Here, we evaluated the effects of the oral administration of AHCC on the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in two murine models, K18-hACE2 transgenic mice and immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Oral administration of AHCC every other day for one week before and one day post SARS-CoV-2 infection in both strains of mice decreased the viral load and attenuated inflammation in the lungs. AHCC treatment also significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2-induced lethality in the K18-hACE2 mice. AHCC administration enhanced the expansion of γδ T cells in the spleen and lungs before and after viral infection and promoted T helper 1-prone mucosal and systemic T cell responses in both models. In AHCC-fed BALB/c mice, SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG responses were also enhanced. In summary, AHCC supplementation enhances host resistance against mild and severe COVID-19 infection primarily via the promotion of innate and adaptive T cell immune responses in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Singh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Awadalkareem Adam
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Leslie Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Binbin Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Kohei Homma
- Research and Development Division, Amino Up Co., Ltd., Sapporo 004-0839, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Wang Y, Wang P, Qin J. Microfluidic Organs-on-a-Chip for Modeling Human Infectious Diseases. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:3550-3562. [PMID: 34459199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases present tremendous challenges to human progress and public health. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continue to pose an imminent threat to humanity. These infectious diseases highlight the importance of developing innovative strategies to study disease pathogenesis and protect human health. Although conventional in vitro cell culture and animal models are useful in facilitating the development of effective therapeutics for infectious diseases, models that can accurately reflect human physiology and human-relevant responses to pathogens are still lacking. Microfluidic organs-on-a-chip (organ chips) are engineered microfluidic cell culture devices lined with living cells, which can resemble organ-level physiology with high fidelity by rebuilding tissue-tissue interfaces, mechanical cues, fluidic flow, and the biochemical cellular microenvironment. They present a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between in vitro experimental models and in vivo human pathophysiology and are thus a promising platform for disease studies and drug testing. In this Account, we first introduce how recent progress in organ chips has enabled the recreation of complex pathophysiological features of human infections in vitro. Next, we describe the progress made by our group in adopting organ chips and other microphysiological systems for the study of infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 viral infections and intrauterine bacterial infections. Respiratory symptoms dominate the clinical manifestations of many COVID-19 patients, even involving the systemic injury of many distinct organs, such as the lung, the gastrointestinal tract, and so forth. We thus particularly highlight our recent efforts to explore how lung-on-a-chip and intestine-on-a-chip might be useful in addressing the ongoing viral pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. These organ chips offer a potential platform for studying virus-host interactions and human-relevant responses as well as accelerating the development of effective therapeutics against COVID-19. Finally, we discuss opportunities and challenges in the development of next-generation organ chips, which are urgently needed for developing effective and affordable therapies to combat infectious diseases. We hope that this Account will promote awareness about in vitro organ microphysiological systems for modeling infections and stimulate joint efforts across multiple disciplines to understand emerging and re-emerging pandemic diseases and rapidly identify innovative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqing Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Jianhua Qin
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Mosselhy DA, Virtanen J, Kant R, He W, Elbahri M, Sironen T. COVID-19 Pandemic: What about the Safety of Anti-Coronavirus Nanoparticles? NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:796. [PMID: 33808934 PMCID: PMC8003598 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Every day, new information is presented with respect to how to best combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This manuscript sheds light on such recent findings, including new co-factors (i.e., neuropilin-1) and routes (i.e., olfactory transmucosal) allowing cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 and induction of neurological symptoms, as well as the new SARS-CoV-2 variants. We highlight the SARS-CoV-2 human-animal interfaces and elaborate containment strategies using the same vaccination (i.e., nanoparticle "NP" formulations of the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines) for humans, minks, raccoon dogs, cats, and zoo animals. We investigate the toxicity issues of anti-CoV NPs (i.e., plasmonic NPs and quantum dots) on different levels. Namely, nano-bio interfaces (i.e., protein corona), in vitro (i.e., lung cells) and in vivo (i.e., zebrafish embryos) assessments, and impacts on humans are discussed in a narrative supported by original figures. Ultimately, we express our skeptical opinion on the comprehensive administration of such antiviral nanotheranostics, even when integrated into facemasks, because of their reported toxicities and the different NP parameters (e.g., size, shape, surface charge, and purity and chemical composition of NPs) that govern their end toxicity. We believe that more toxicity studies should be performed and be presented, clarifying the odds of the safe administration of nanotoxocological solutions and the relief of a worried public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. Mosselhy
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.V.); (R.K.); (T.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Nanochemistry and Nanoengineering, Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland;
- Microbiological Unit, Fish Diseases Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt
| | - Jenni Virtanen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.V.); (R.K.); (T.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.V.); (R.K.); (T.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Wei He
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China;
- Suzhou Xiangcheng Medical Materials Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Mady Elbahri
- Nanochemistry and Nanoengineering, Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland;
- Nanochemistry and Nanoengineering, Institute for Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Kiel University, 24143 Kiel, Germany
- Center for Nanotechnology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Sheikh Zayed District, Giza 12588, Egypt
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (J.V.); (R.K.); (T.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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do Vale B, Lopes AP, Fontes MDC, Silvestre M, Cardoso L, Coelho AC. Bats, pangolins, minks and other animals - villains or victims of SARS-CoV-2? Vet Res Commun 2021; 45:1-19. [PMID: 33464439 PMCID: PMC7813668 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09787-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute Respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has become unstoppable, spreading rapidly worldwide and, consequently, reaching a pandemic level. This review aims to provide the information available so far on the likely animal origin of SARS-CoV-2 and its possible hosts/reservoirs as well as all natural animal infections and experimental evidence using animal models. Horseshoe bats from the species Rhinolophus affinis seem to be a natural reservoir and pangolins (Manis javanica) appear to be an intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2. Humans remain the most likely spreading source of SARS-CoV-2 to other humans and also to domestic, zoo and farm animals. Indeed, human-to-animal transmission has been reported in cats, dogs, tigers, lions, a puma and minks. Animal-to-human transmission is not a sustained pathway, although mink-to-human transmission remains to be elucidated. Through experimental infections, other animals seem also to be susceptible hosts for SARS-CoV-2, namely ferrets, some non-human primate species, hamsters and transgenic mice, while dogs, pigs and poultry are resistant. A One Health perspective must be implemented in order to develop epidemiological surveillance and establish disease control mechanisms to limit zoonotic transmission. Moreover, research in this field is important to better understand SARS-CoV-2 and to obtain the long-awaited vaccine and specific treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz do Vale
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria da Conceição Fontes
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Mário Silvestre
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Zootechnics, ECAV, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Coelho
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.
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Fisher MA, Lloyd ML. A Review of Murine Cytomegalovirus as a Model for Human Cytomegalovirus Disease-Do Mice Lie? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010214. [PMID: 33379272 PMCID: PMC7795257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) was first described in 1954, it has been used to model human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) diseases. MCMV is a natural pathogen of mice that is present in wild mice populations and has been associated with diseases such as myocarditis. The species-specific nature of HCMV restricts most research to cell culture-based studies or to the investigation of non-invasive clinical samples, which may not be ideal for the study of disseminated disease. Initial MCMV research used a salivary gland-propagated virus administered via different routes of inoculation into a variety of mouse strains. This revealed that the genetic background of the laboratory mice affected the severity of disease and altered the extent of subsequent pathology. The advent of genetically modified mice and viruses has allowed new aspects of disease to be modeled and the opportunistic nature of HCMV infection to be confirmed. This review describes the different ways that MCMV has been used to model HCMV diseases and explores the continuing difficulty faced by researchers attempting to model HCMV congenital cytomegalovirus disease using the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A. Fisher
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia;
| | - Megan L. Lloyd
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia;
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia
- Correspondence:
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