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Andronov L, Han M, Zhu Y, Balaji A, Roy AR, Barentine AES, Patel P, Garhyan J, Qi LS, Moerner WE. Nanoscale cellular organization of viral RNA and proteins in SARS-CoV-2 replication organelles. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4644. [PMID: 38821943 PMCID: PMC11143195 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48991-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 viral infection transforms host cells and produces special organelles in many ways, and we focus on the replication organelles, the sites of replication of viral genomic RNA (vgRNA). To date, the precise cellular localization of key RNA molecules and replication intermediates has been elusive in electron microscopy studies. We use super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and specific labeling to reveal the nanoscopic organization of replication organelles that contain numerous vgRNA molecules along with the replication enzymes and clusters of viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). We show that the replication organelles are organized differently at early and late stages of infection. Surprisingly, vgRNA accumulates into distinct globular clusters in the cytoplasmic perinuclear region, which grow and accommodate more vgRNA molecules as infection time increases. The localization of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers and nsp3 (a component of the double-membrane vesicle, DMV) at the periphery of the vgRNA clusters suggests that replication organelles are encapsulated into DMVs, which have membranes derived from the host ER. These organelles merge into larger vesicle packets as infection advances. Precise co-imaging of the nanoscale cellular organization of vgRNA, dsRNA, and viral proteins in replication organelles of SARS-CoV-2 may inform therapeutic approaches that target viral replication and associated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Andronov
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Mengting Han
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yanyu Zhu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ashwin Balaji
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Biophysics PhD Program; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Anish R Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Puja Patel
- In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Service Center, School of Medicine; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jaishree Garhyan
- In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Service Center, School of Medicine; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - W E Moerner
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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2
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Klevanski M, Kim H, Heilemann M, Kuner T, Bartenschlager R. Glycan-directed SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by leek extract and lectins with insights into the mode-of-action of Concanavalin A. Antiviral Res 2024; 225:105856. [PMID: 38447646 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Four years after its outbreak, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a global challenge for human health. At its surface, SARS-CoV-2 features numerous extensively glycosylated spike proteins. This glycan coat supports virion docking and entry into host cells and at the same time renders the virus less susceptible to neutralizing antibodies. Given the high genetic plasticity of SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid emergence of immune escape variants, targeting the glycan shield by carbohydrate-binding agents emerges as a promising strategy. However, the potential of carbohydrate-targeting reagents as viral inhibitors remains underexplored. Here, we tested seven plant-derived carbohydrate-binding proteins, called lectins, and one crude plant extract for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in two types of human lung cells: A549 cells ectopically expressing the ACE2 receptor and Calu-3 cells. We identified three lectins and an Allium porrum (leek) extract inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in both cell systems with selectivity indices (SI) ranging between >2 and >299. Amongst these, the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) exerted the most potent and broad activity against a panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants. We used multiplex super-resolution microscopy to address lectin interactions with SARS-CoV-2 and its host cells. Notably, we discovered that Con A not only binds to SARS-CoV-2 virions and their host cells, but also causes SARS-CoV-2 aggregation. Thus, Con A exerts a dual mode-of-action comprising both, antiviral and virucidal, mechanisms. These results establish Con A and other plant lectins as candidates for COVID-19 prevention and basis for further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Klevanski
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Heeyoung Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mike Heilemann
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Partner Site Heidelberg (TLRC), Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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3
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Andronov L, Han M, Zhu Y, Balaji A, Roy AR, Barentine AES, Patel P, Garhyan J, Qi LS, Moerner W. Nanoscale cellular organization of viral RNA and proteins in SARS-CoV-2 replication organelles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.07.566110. [PMID: 37986994 PMCID: PMC10659379 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 viral infection transforms host cells and produces special organelles in many ways, and we focus on the replication organelle where the replication of viral genomic RNA (vgRNA) occurs. To date, the precise cellular localization of key RNA molecules and replication intermediates has been elusive in electron microscopy studies. We use super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and specific labeling to reveal the nanoscopic organization of replication organelles that contain vgRNA clusters along with viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) clusters and the replication enzyme, encapsulated by membranes derived from the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We show that the replication organelles are organized differently at early and late stages of infection. Surprisingly, vgRNA accumulates into distinct globular clusters in the cytoplasmic perinuclear region, which grow and accommodate more vgRNA molecules as infection time increases. The localization of ER labels and nsp3 (a component of the double-membrane vesicle, DMV) at the periphery of the vgRNA clusters suggests that replication organelles are enclosed by DMVs at early infection stages which then merge into vesicle packets as infection progresses. Precise co-imaging of the nanoscale cellular organization of vgRNA, dsRNA, and viral proteins in replication organelles of SARS-CoV-2 may inform therapeutic approaches that target viral replication and associated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Andronov
- Department of Chemistry; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | - Mengting Han
- Department of Bioengineering; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | - Yanyu Zhu
- Department of Bioengineering; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | - Ashwin Balaji
- Department of Chemistry; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
- Biophysics PhD Program; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | - Anish R. Roy
- Department of Chemistry; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | | | - Puja Patel
- In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Service Center, School of Medicine; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | - Jaishree Garhyan
- In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Service Center, School of Medicine; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
| | - Lei S. Qi
- Department of Bioengineering; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
- Sarafan ChEM-H; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub – San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 U.S.A
| | - W.E. Moerner
- Department of Chemistry; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
- Sarafan ChEM-H; Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 U.S.A
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4
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Quaranta P, Scabia G, Storti B, Dattilo A, Quintino L, Perrera P, Di Primio C, Costa M, Pistello M, Bizzarri R, Maffei M. SARS-CoV-2 Infection Alters the Phenotype and Gene Expression of Adipocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2086. [PMID: 38396763 PMCID: PMC10889321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence emphasizes that excess fat mass is associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Nevertheless, the intricate interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and adipocytes remains poorly understood. It is crucial to decipher the progression of COVID-19 both in the acute phase and on long-term outcomes. In this study, an in vitro model using the human SGBS cell line (Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome) was developed to investigate the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in adipocytes, and the effects of virus exposure on adipocyte function. Our results show that SGBS adipocytes expressing ACE2 are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as evidenced by the release of the viral genome into the medium, detection of the nucleocapsid in cell lysates, and positive immunostaining for the spike protein. Infected adipocytes show remarkable changes compared to uninfected controls: increased surface area of lipid droplets, upregulated expression of genes of inflammation (Haptoglobin, MCP-1, IL-6, PAI-1), increased oxidative stress (MnSOD), and a concomitant reduction of transcripts related to adipocyte function (leptin, fatty acid synthase, perilipin). Moreover, exogenous expression of spike protein in SGBS adipocytes also led to an increase in lipid droplet size. In conclusion using the human SGBS cell line, we detected SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in adipocytes, revealing substantial morphological and functional changes in infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Quaranta
- Retrovirus Center, Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.Q.); (P.P.); (M.P.)
- National Research Council—Institute of Neuroscience, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Gaia Scabia
- National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (L.Q.)
- Center for Obesity and Lipodystrophy, Pisa University-Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Barbara Storti
- National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology, Scuola Normale Superiore, National Research Council—Institute of Nanoscience, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Alessia Dattilo
- Center for Obesity and Lipodystrophy, Pisa University-Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Lara Quintino
- National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (L.Q.)
| | - Paola Perrera
- Retrovirus Center, Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.Q.); (P.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Cristina Di Primio
- National Research Council—Institute of Neuroscience, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mario Costa
- National Research Council—Institute of Neuroscience, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Center, Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.Q.); (P.P.); (M.P.)
- Virology Unit, Pisa University-Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ranieri Bizzarri
- National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology, Scuola Normale Superiore, National Research Council—Institute of Nanoscience, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Margherita Maffei
- National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (L.Q.)
- Center for Obesity and Lipodystrophy, Pisa University-Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, Via Filippo Buonarroti 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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5
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Furini G, De Carli A, Fonnesu R, Spezia PG, Scebba F, Pistello M, Lai M, Lionetti V. Gene silencing of endothelial von Willebrand factor reduces the susceptibility of human endothelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. FEBS J 2023; 290:4300-4315. [PMID: 37098810 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying vascular endothelial susceptibility to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not fully understood. Emerging evidence indicates that patients lacking von Willebrand factor (vWF), an endothelial hallmark, are less severely affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet the precise role of endothelial vWF in modulating coronavirus entry into endothelial cells is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that effective gene silencing by short interfering RNA (siRNA) for vWF expression in resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) significantly reduced by 56% the cellular levels of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA. Similar reduction in intracellular SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA levels was observed in non-activated HUVECs treated with siRNA targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the cellular gateway to coronavirus. By integrating quantitative information from real-time PCR and high-resolution confocal imaging, we demonstrated that ACE2 gene expression and its plasma membrane localization in HUVECs were both markedly reduced after treatment with siRNA anti-vWF or anti-ACE2. Conversely, siRNA anti-ACE2 did not reduce endothelial vWF gene expression and protein levels. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 infection of viable HUVECs was enhanced by overexpression of vWF, which increased ACE2 levels. Of note, we found a similar increase in interferon-β mRNA levels following transfection with untargeted, anti-vWF or anti-ACE2 siRNA and pcDNA3.1-WT-VWF. We envision that siRNA targeting endothelial vWF will protect against productive endothelial infection by SARS-CoV-2 through downregulation of ACE2 expression and might serve as a novel tool to induce disease resistance by modulating the regulatory role of vWF on ACE2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Furini
- Unit of Translational Critical Care Medicine, Laboratory of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- UOSVD Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Fondazione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Carli
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Fonnesu
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Scebba
- BioMedicine Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
- Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Michele Lai
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
- CISUP - Centre for Instrumentation Sharing - University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Unit of Translational Critical Care Medicine, Laboratory of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- UOSVD Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Fondazione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Pisa, Italy
- BioMedicine Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
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6
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Zheng L, Zhang L, Zheng Y, An J, Wen G, Jin H, Tuo B. Digestive system infection by SARS‑CoV‑2: Entry mechanism, clinical symptoms and expression of major receptors (Review). Int J Mol Med 2023; 51:19. [PMID: 36660939 PMCID: PMC9911086 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS‑coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) also harms the digestive system. Given the appearance of numerous cases of SARS‑CoV‑2, it has been demonstrated that SARS‑CoV‑2 is able to harm target organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, and either worsen the condition of patients with basic digestive illnesses or make their prognosis poor. According to several previously published studies, angiotensin‑converting enzyme II (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease II (TMPRSS2) are expressed either singly or in combination in the digestive system and in other regions of the human body. In order to change the viral conformation, create a fusion hole and release viral RNA into the host cell for replication and transcription, SARS‑CoV‑2 is capable of binding to these two proteins through the spike protein on its surface. As a result, the body experiences an immune reaction and an inflammatory reaction, which may lead to nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and even gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated levels of liver enzymes, acute liver injury, pancreatitis and other serious lesions. In order to provide possible strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases during the COVID‑19 pandemic, the molecular structure of SARS‑CoV‑2 and the mechanism via which SARS‑CoV‑2 enters the human body through ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were discussed in the present review, and the clinical manifestations of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection in the digestive system were also summarized. Finally, the expression characteristics of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the main target organs of the digestive system were described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Zunyi, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Guorong Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Hai Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Biguang Tuo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China,Correspondence to: Dr Biguang Tuo, Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Huichuan, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China, E-mail:
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7
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Deroubaix A, Kramvis A. Imaging Techniques: Essential Tools for the Study of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:794264. [PMID: 35937687 PMCID: PMC9355083 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.794264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The world has seen the emergence of a new virus in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, causing the COVID-19 pandemic and millions of deaths worldwide. Microscopy can be much more informative than conventional detection methods such as RT-PCR. This review aims to present the up-to-date microscopy observations in patients, the in vitro studies of the virus and viral proteins and their interaction with their host, discuss the microscopy techniques for detection and study of SARS-CoV-2, and summarize the reagents used for SARS-CoV-2 detection. From basic fluorescence microscopy to high resolution techniques and combined technologies, this article shows the power and the potential of microscopy techniques, especially in the field of virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Deroubaix
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Life Sciences Imaging Facility, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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8
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Robb NC. Virus morphology: Insights from super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166347. [PMID: 35032594 PMCID: PMC8755447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
As epitomised by the COVID-19 pandemic, diseases caused by viruses are one of the greatest health and economic burdens to human society. Viruses are ‘nanostructures’, and their small size (typically less than 200 nm in diameter) can make it challenging to obtain images of their morphology and structure. Recent advances in fluorescence microscopy have given rise to super-resolution techniques, which have enabled the structure of viruses to be visualised directly at a resolution in the order of 20 nm. This mini-review discusses how recent state-of-the-art super-resolution imaging technologies are providing new nanoscale insights into virus structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C Robb
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
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9
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Foffa I, Losi P, Quaranta P, Cara A, Al Kayal T, D'Acunto M, Presciuttini G, Pistello M, Soldani G. A Copper nanoparticles-based polymeric spray coating: Nanoshield against Sars-Cov-2. J Appl Biomater Funct Mater 2022; 20:22808000221076326. [PMID: 35611488 DOI: 10.1177/22808000221076326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Face masks are an effective protection tool to prevent bacterial and viral transmission. However, commercial face masks contain filters made of materials that are not capable of inactivating either SARS-CoV-2. In this regard, we report the development of an antiviral coating of polyurethane and Copper nanoparticles on a face mask filter fabricated with a spray technology that is capable of inactivating more than 99% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in 30 min of contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Foffa
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Massa, Italy
| | - Paola Losi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Massa, Italy
| | - Paola Quaranta
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alice Cara
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tamer Al Kayal
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Massa, Italy
| | - Mario D'Acunto
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Soldani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Massa, Italy
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