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Buoninfante A, Andeweg A, Genov G, Cavaleri M. Myocarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:122. [PMID: 38942751 PMCID: PMC11213864 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00893-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Following the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the adverse events of myocarditis and pericarditis were linked mainly to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines by the regulatory authorities worldwide. COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to several million people and the risk of myocarditis post COVID-19 vaccination has been characterised in great detail. At the present time the research data available are scarce and there is still no clear understanding of the biological mechanism/s responsible for this disease. This manuscript provides a concise overview of the epidemiology of myocarditis and the most prominent mechanistic insights in the pathophysiology of the disease. Most importantly it underscores the needed next steps in the research agenda required to characterize the pathophysiology of this disease post-COVID-19 vaccination. Finally, it shares our perspectives and considerations for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arno Andeweg
- Public Health Threats, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Georgy Genov
- Pharmacovigilance Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Cavaleri
- Public Health Threats, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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2
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Durairaj J, Follonier OM, Leuzinger K, Alexander LT, Wilhelm M, Pereira J, Hillenbrand CA, Weissbach FH, Schwede T, Hirsch HH. Structural implications of BK polyomavirus sequence variations in the major viral capsid protein Vp1 and large T-antigen: a computational study. mSphere 2024; 9:e0079923. [PMID: 38501831 PMCID: PMC11036806 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00799-23] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a double-stranded DNA virus causing nephropathy, hemorrhagic cystitis, and urothelial cancer in transplant patients. The BKPyV-encoded capsid protein Vp1 and large T-antigen (LTag) are key targets of neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T-cells, respectively. Our single-center data suggested that variability in Vp1 and LTag may contribute to failing BKPyV-specific immune control and impact vaccine design. We, therefore, analyzed all available entries in GenBank (1516 VP1; 742 LTAG) and explored potential structural effects using computational approaches. BKPyV-genotype (gt)1 was found in 71.18% of entries, followed by BKPyV-gt4 (19.26%), BKPyV-gt2 (8.11%), and BKPyV-gt3 (1.45%), but rates differed according to country and specimen type. Vp1-mutations matched a serotype different than the assigned one or were serotype-independent in 43%, 18% affected more than one amino acid. Notable Vp1-mutations altered antibody-binding domains, interactions with sialic acid receptors, or were predicted to change conformation. LTag-sequences were more conserved, with only 16 mutations detectable in more than one entry and without significant effects on LTag-structure or interaction domains. However, LTag changes were predicted to affect HLA-class I presentation of immunodominant 9mers to cytotoxic T-cells. These global data strengthen single center observations and specifically our earlier findings revealing mutant 9mer epitopes conferring immune escape from HLA-I cytotoxic T cells. We conclude that variability of BKPyV-Vp1 and LTag may have important implications for diagnostic assays assessing BKPyV-specific immune control and for vaccine design. IMPORTANCE Type and rate of amino acid variations in BKPyV may provide important insights into BKPyV diversity in human populations and an important step toward defining determinants of BKPyV-specific immunity needed to protect vulnerable patients from BKPyV diseases. Our analysis of BKPyV sequences obtained from human specimens reveals an unexpectedly high genetic variability for this double-stranded DNA virus that strongly relies on host cell DNA replication machinery with its proof reading and error correction mechanisms. BKPyV variability and immune escape should be taken into account when designing further approaches to antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines for patients at risk of BKPyV diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Durairaj
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Océane M. Follonier
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
- Transplantation & Clinical Virology, Department of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karoline Leuzinger
- Transplantation & Clinical Virology, Department of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinical Virology, Laboratory Medicine, Department Theragnostic, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leila T. Alexander
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maud Wilhelm
- Transplantation & Clinical Virology, Department of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joana Pereira
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline A. Hillenbrand
- Transplantation & Clinical Virology, Department of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabian H. Weissbach
- Transplantation & Clinical Virology, Department of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Torsten Schwede
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hans H. Hirsch
- Transplantation & Clinical Virology, Department of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, Department Acute Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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3
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Kamath S, Gomah MHT, Stepman G, DiMartino P, Adetula I. COVID-19-Associated Acute Myocarditis: Risk Factors, Clinical Outcomes, and Implications for Early Detection and Management. Cureus 2023; 15:e44617. [PMID: 37799242 PMCID: PMC10547603 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus causing acute respiratory distress with multisystem complications, including cardiac complications. Acute myocarditis is one possible complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Previous studies revealed that mortality from COVID-19 was higher in patients with cardiac complications. Objectives We aim to identify if patients with COVID-19 develop myocarditis and if this condition is associated with an increased incidence of ventilatory support and mortality. We also aim to identify if preexisting cardiac conditions are associated with an increased incidence of ventilatory support and mortality in those who developed COVID-19. Methods This is a multicenter, retrospective study including patients aged 18 years and older. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the incidence of in-hospital mortality and ventilatory support in COVID-19-positive patients with and without myocarditis. In this study, we defined myocarditis using elevated troponin-T (TnT) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels as proxy. Results A total of 8,162 patients with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test were identified. Of those, 1,643 (20.1%) were found to have new-onset acute myocarditis. The risk of ventilation and mortality in these patients was significantly elevated (p<0.001) compared to patients without acute myocarditis. Underlying heart failure was associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality, which was 1.6 times greater when compared to patients without heart failure. The odds of in-hospital mortality were 2.33 times as likely for those who had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy as opposed to those who did not. Conclusion Myocarditis is a serious and potentially fatal complication of COVID-19. The results of this study highlight the importance of routine testing of troponin-T and BNP levels to identify those at risk. Furthermore, underlying heart conditions are associated with a worse outcome, and those patients should be watched closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwani Kamath
- Internal Medicine, Medical Center of Trinity, Trinity, USA
| | - Mohamad-Hamood T Gomah
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Florida Trinity Hospital, Trinity, USA
| | | | - Peter DiMartino
- Cardiology, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Florida Trinity Hospital, Trinity, USA
| | - Itioye Adetula
- Internal Medicine, Medical Center of Trinity, Trinity, USA
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Brociek E, Tymińska A, Giordani AS, Caforio ALP, Wojnicz R, Grabowski M, Ozierański K. Myocarditis: Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Their Implications in Clinical Practice. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:874. [PMID: 37372158 PMCID: PMC10295542 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium caused by infectious or non-infectious agents. It can lead to serious short-term and long-term sequalae, such as sudden cardiac death or dilated cardiomyopathy. Due to its heterogenous clinical presentation and disease course, challenging diagnosis and limited evidence for prognostic stratification, myocarditis poses a great challenge to clinicians. As it stands, the pathogenesis and etiology of myocarditis is only partially understood. Moreover, the impact of certain clinical features on risk assessment, patient outcomes and treatment options is not entirely clear. Such data, however, are essential in order to personalize patient care and implement novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the possible etiologies of myocarditis, outline the key processes governing its pathogenesis and summarize best available evidence regarding patient outcomes and state-of-the-art therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Brociek
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Agata Tymińska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Andrea Silvio Giordani
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.L.P.C.)
| | - Alida Linda Patrizia Caforio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.L.P.C.)
| | - Romuald Wojnicz
- Department of Histology and Cell Pathology in Zabrze, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Marcin Grabowski
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Krzysztof Ozierański
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
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Hromić-Jahjefendić A, Sezer A, Aljabali AAA, Serrano-Aroca Á, Tambuwala MM, Uversky VN, Redwan EM, Barh D, Lundstrom K. COVID-19 Vaccines and Myocarditis: An Overview of Current Evidence. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051469. [PMID: 37239140 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been widely used to reduce the incidence and disease severity of COVID-19. Questions have lately been raised about the possibility of an association between COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis, an inflammatory condition affecting the myocardium, or the middle layer of the heart. Myocarditis can be caused by infections, immune reactions, or toxic exposure. The incidence rate of myocarditis and pericarditis was calculated to be 5.98 instances per million COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered, which is less than half of the incidences after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Myocarditis rates in people aged 12 to 39 years are around 12.6 cases per million doses following the second dose of mRNA vaccination. Adolescent men are more likely than women to develop myocarditis after receiving mRNA vaccines. The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis are to find out how often myocarditis occurs after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the risk factors and clinical repercussions of this condition. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between vaccination and myocarditis has been difficult to establish, and further research is required. It is also essential to distinguish between suggested cases of myocarditis and those confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altijana Hromić-Jahjefendić
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnicka cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Abas Sezer
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnicka cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, P.O. Box 566, Irbid 21163, Jordan
| | - Ángel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, c/Guillem de Castro 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, Brayford Pool Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg EL-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur 721172, India
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
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Barmada A, Klein J, Ramaswamy A, Brodsky NN, Jaycox JR, Sheikha H, Jones KM, Habet V, Campbell M, Sumida TS, Kontorovich A, Bogunovic D, Oliveira CR, Steele J, Hall EK, Pena-Hernandez M, Monteiro V, Lucas C, Ring AM, Omer SB, Iwasaki A, Yildirim I, Lucas CL. Cytokinopathy with aberrant cytotoxic lymphocytes and profibrotic myeloid response in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadh3455. [PMID: 37146127 PMCID: PMC10468758 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adh3455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Rare immune-mediated cardiac tissue inflammation can occur after vaccination, including after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. However, the underlying immune cellular and molecular mechanisms driving this pathology remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated a cohort of patients who developed myocarditis and/or pericarditis with elevated troponin, B-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein levels as well as cardiac imaging abnormalities shortly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Contrary to early hypotheses, patients did not demonstrate features of hypersensitivity myocarditis, nor did they have exaggerated SARS-CoV-2-specific or neutralizing antibody responses consistent with a hyperimmune humoral mechanism. We additionally found no evidence of cardiac-targeted autoantibodies. Instead, unbiased systematic immune serum profiling revealed elevations in circulating interleukins (IL-1β, IL-1RA, and IL-15), chemokines (CCL4, CXCL1, and CXCL10), and matrix metalloproteases (MMP1, MMP8, MMP9, and TIMP1). Subsequent deep immune profiling using single-cell RNA and repertoire sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during acute disease revealed expansion of activated CXCR3+ cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, both phenotypically resembling cytokine-driven killer cells. In addition, patients displayed signatures of inflammatory and profibrotic CCR2+ CD163+ monocytes, coupled with elevated serum-soluble CD163, that may be linked to the late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac MRI, which can persist for months after vaccination. Together, our results demonstrate up-regulation in inflammatory cytokines and corresponding lymphocytes with tissue-damaging capabilities, suggesting a cytokine-dependent pathology, which may further be accompanied by myeloid cell-associated cardiac fibrosis. These findings likely rule out some previously proposed mechanisms of mRNA vaccine--associated myopericarditis and point to new ones with relevance to vaccine development and clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Barmada
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jon Klein
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anjali Ramaswamy
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nina N. Brodsky
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jillian R. Jaycox
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hassan Sheikha
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kate M. Jones
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Victoria Habet
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Melissa Campbell
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tomokazu S. Sumida
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amy Kontorovich
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute; Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dusan Bogunovic
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute; Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Inborn Errors of Immunity; Precision Immunology Institute; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute; Department of Pediatrics; Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carlos R. Oliveira
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jeremy Steele
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - E. Kevin Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mario Pena-Hernandez
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Valter Monteiro
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carolina Lucas
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Center for Infection and Immunity, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Aaron M. Ring
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Saad B. Omer
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Yale Center for Infection and Immunity, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Inci Yildirim
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Center for Infection and Immunity, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carrie L. Lucas
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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COVID-19-Induced Myocarditis: Pathophysiological Roles of ACE2 and Toll-like Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065374. [PMID: 36982447 PMCID: PMC10049267 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical manifestations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commonly include dyspnoea and fatigue, and they primarily involve the lungs. However, extra-pulmonary organ dysfunctions, particularly affecting the cardiovascular system, have also been observed following COVID-19 infection. In this context, several cardiac complications have been reported, including hypertension, thromboembolism, arrythmia and heart failure, with myocardial injury and myocarditis being the most frequent. These secondary myocardial inflammatory responses appear to be associated with a poorer disease course and increased mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. In addition, numerous episodes of myocarditis have been reported as a complication of COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations, especially in young adult males. Changes in the cell surface expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and direct injury to cardiomyocytes resulting from exaggerated immune responses to COVID-19 are just some of the mechanisms that may explain the pathogenesis of COVID-19-induced myocarditis. Here, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying myocarditis associated with COVID-19 infection, with a particular focus on the involvement of ACE2 and Toll-like receptors (TLRs).
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8
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Frasca L, Ocone G, Palazzo R. Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases, in Patients with Cardiac Issues, and in the Healthy Population. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020233. [PMID: 36839505 PMCID: PMC9964607 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a challenge for the whole world since the beginning of 2020, and COVID-19 vaccines were considered crucial for disease eradication. Instead of producing classic vaccines, some companies pointed to develop products that mainly function by inducing, into the host, the production of the antigenic protein of SARS-CoV-2 called Spike, injecting an instruction based on RNA or a DNA sequence. Here, we aim to give an overview of the safety profile and the actual known adverse effects of these products in relationship with their mechanism of action. We discuss the use and safety of these products in at-risk people, especially those with autoimmune diseases or with previously reported myocarditis, but also in the general population. We debate the real necessity of administering these products with unclear long-term effects to at-risk people with autoimmune conditions, as well as to healthy people, at the time of omicron variants. This, considering the existence of therapeutic interventions, much more clearly assessed at present compared to the past, and the relatively lower aggressive nature of the new viral variants.
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9
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Lake CM, Breen JJ. Sequence similarity between SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and multiple sclerosis-associated proteins provides insight into viral neuropathogenesis following infection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:389. [PMID: 36617594 PMCID: PMC9825799 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause death and disease throughout the world, underscoring the necessity of understanding the virus and host immune response. From the start of the pandemic, a prominent pattern of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, including demyelination, has emerged, suggesting an underlying mechanism of viral mimicry to CNS proteins. We hypothesized that immunodominant epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 share homology with proteins associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Using PEPMatch, a newly developed bioinformatics package which predicts peptide similarity within specific amino acid mismatching parameters consistent with published MHC binding capacity, we discovered that nucleocapsid protein shares significant overlap with 22 MS-associated proteins, including myelin proteolipid protein (PLP). Further computational evaluation demonstrated that this overlap may have critical implications for T cell responses in MS patients and is likely unique to SARS-CoV-2 among the major human coronaviruses. Our findings substantiate the hypothesis of viral molecular mimicry in the pathogenesis of MS and warrant further experimental exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille M Lake
- Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Joseph J Breen
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA
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10
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Vago H, Szabo L, Szabo Z, Ulakcsai Z, Szogi E, Budai G, Toth A, Juhasz V, Dohy Z, Hoffer K, Becker D, Kiss RG, Nagy GG, Nagy G, Merkely B. Immunological response and temporal associations in myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: An amplified T-cell response at the heart of it? Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:961031. [PMID: 36186968 PMCID: PMC9520979 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.961031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although myocarditis after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is increasingly recognized, we have little data regarding the course of the disease and, consequently, the imaging findings, including the tissue-specific features. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical, immunological, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) features of myocarditis after COVID-19 immunization in the acute phase and during follow-up. We aimed to compare the trajectory of the disease to myocarditis cases unrelated to COVID-19. Methods We assembled a CMR-based registry of potentially COVID-19 vaccination-related myocarditis cases. All patients who experienced new-onset chest pain and troponin elevation after COVID-19 vaccination and imaging confirming the clinical suspicion of acute myocarditis were enrolled in our study. Participants underwent routine laboratory testing and testing of their humoral and cellular immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. Clinical and CMR follow-up was performed after 3–6 months. We included two separate, sex- and age-matched control groups: (1) individuals with myocarditis unrelated to COVID-19 infection or vaccination confirmed by CMR and (2) volunteers with similar immunological exposure to SARS-CoV-2 compared to our group of interest (no difference in the number of doses, types and the time since anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and no difference in anti-nucleocapsid levels). Results We report 16 CMR-confirmed cases of myocarditis presenting (mean ± SD) 4 ± 2 days after administration of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (male patients, 22 ± 7 years), frequently with predisposing factors such as immune-mediated disease and previous myocarditis. We found that 75% received mRNA vaccines, and 25% received vector vaccines. During follow-up, CMR metrics depicting myocardial injury, including oedema and necrosis, decreased or completely disappeared. There was no difference regarding the CMR metrics between myocarditis after immunization and myocarditis unrelated to COVID-19. We found an increased T-cell response among myocarditis patients compared to matched controls (p < 0.01), while there was no difference in the humoral immune response. Conclusion In our cohort, myocarditis occurred after both mRNA and vector anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, frequently in individuals with predisposing factors. Upon follow-up, the myocardial injury had healed. Notably, an amplified cellular immune response was found in acute myocarditis cases occurring 4 days after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajnalka Vago
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Hajnalka Vago
| | - Liliana Szabo
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zsofia Szabo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Ulakcsai
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Gizella Budai
- Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Central Hospital and University Teaching Hospital, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Toth
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vencel Juhasz
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsofia Dohy
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Hoffer
- Department of Radiology, Erzsébet Teaching Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary
| | - David Becker
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Gergely Gyorgy Nagy
- Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Central Hospital and University Teaching Hospital, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Nagy
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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11
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Ramirez GA, Batani V, Moroni L, De Luca G, Pizzetti G, Sala S, Peretto G, Campochiaro C, Della-Torre E, Bozzolo EP, Dagna L. Cardiac Safety of mRNA-Based Vaccines in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus-like Disorders with a History of Myocarditis. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11091001. [PMID: 36145434 PMCID: PMC9502100 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11091001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines may trigger immune-mediated adverse events, including myocarditis. Evidence of vaccine safety in patients with rheumatic disorders and underlying autoimmune myocarditis is scarce. To address this issue, we studied 13 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and allied conditions with a history of myocarditis and receiving mRNA-based vaccines. Data about general and cardiac laboratory tests, treatment, and disease status were collected during routine consultations before and after the primary vaccination course and after each vaccine dose administration, while myocarditis symptoms were closely monitored. A significant increase in troponin levels from baseline was found after 13 (6–20) days from the first (p = 0.046) and 17 (4–29) days after the second dose (p = 0.013). Troponin levels progressively decreased within 3 (1–6) months in the absence of typical symptoms or signs of myocarditis. A significant increase in the constitutional domain of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index (p = 0.046) was observed in SLE patients. However, no patient needed any treatment change. mRNA-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can apparently be safely administered to patients with SLE and lupus-like disorders with previous myocarditis despite potential subclinical and transient rises in cardiac damage markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe A. Ramirez
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Veronica Batani
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Luca Moroni
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | | | - Simone Sala
- Unit of Cardiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Giovanni Peretto
- Unit of Cardiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Emanuel Della-Torre
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Enrica P. Bozzolo
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
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12
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Bart NK. Editorial for "Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Myocarditis: A Pooled Analysis of 468 Patients". J Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 57:1531-1532. [PMID: 36043520 PMCID: PMC9539307 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K. Bart
- Heart Transplant UnitSt Vincent's HospitalDarlinghurstNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- School of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteDarlinghurstNew South WalesAustralia
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13
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Kawano H, Motokawa T, Kurohama H, Okano S, Akashi R, Yonekura T, Ikeda S, Izumikawa K, Maemura K. Fulminant Myocarditis 24 Days after Coronavirus Disease Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Vaccination. Intern Med 2022; 61:2319-2325. [PMID: 35650138 PMCID: PMC9424077 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9800-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A 60-year-old Japanese woman was hospitalized for cardiogenic shock 24 days after receiving the second dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 BNT162b2 vaccine. Impella CP left ventricular assist device implantation and venoarterial peripheral extracorporeal membranous oxygenation were immediately initiated along with inotropic support and steroid pulse therapy, as an endomyocardial biopsy specimen showed myocarditis. Three weeks later, her cardiac function had recovered, and she was discharged. An immune response associated with the presence of spike protein in cardiac myocytes may be related to myocarditis in the present case because of positive immunostaining for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein and C4d in the myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Kawano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Tetsufumi Motokawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | | | - Shinji Okano
- Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan
| | - Ryohei Akashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Yonekura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ikeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan
| | - Koji Maemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
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14
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Huffman A, Ong E, Hur J, D’Mello A, Tettelin H, He Y. COVID-19 vaccine design using reverse and structural vaccinology, ontology-based literature mining and machine learning. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:bbac190. [PMID: 35649389 PMCID: PMC9294427 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational vaccine design, especially vaccine antigen identification and optimization, is critical to successful and efficient vaccine development against various infectious diseases including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In general, computational vaccine design includes three major stages: (i) identification and annotation of experimentally verified gold standard protective antigens through literature mining, (ii) rational vaccine design using reverse vaccinology (RV) and structural vaccinology (SV) and (iii) post-licensure vaccine success and adverse event surveillance and its usage for vaccine design. Protegen is a database of experimentally verified protective antigens, which can be used as gold standard data for rational vaccine design. RV predicts protective antigen targets primarily from genome sequence analysis. SV refines antigens through structural engineering. Recently, RV and SV approaches, with the support of various machine learning methods, have been applied to COVID-19 vaccine design. The analysis of post-licensure vaccine adverse event report data also provides valuable results in terms of vaccine safety and how vaccines should be used or paused. Ontology standardizes and incorporates heterogeneous data and knowledge in a human- and computer-interpretable manner, further supporting machine learning and vaccine design. Future directions on rational vaccine design are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Huffman
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Edison Ong
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA
| | - Adonis D’Mello
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yongqun He
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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15
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Dattner AM. Potential Immunologic and Integrative Methods to Enhance Vaccine Safety. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1108. [PMID: 35891272 PMCID: PMC9322796 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine safety is measured by the disease protection it confers compared to the harm it may cause; both factors and their relative numbers have been the subject of disagreement. Cross-reactive attack of analogous self-antigens modified by dietary and microbiome factors is one of the poorly explored likely causes of harm. Screening for that and other risk factors might point out those most likely to develop severe vaccine reactions. Cooperation from those with opinions for and against vaccination in data gathering and vetting will lead to greater safety. Screening should include an integrative medical perspective regarding diet, microbiome, leaky gut, and other antigen sources. It might include emerging electronic technology or integrative energetic techniques vetted ultimately by cross-reactive lymphocyte testing or genetic evaluation. The knowledge gained from evaluating those with reactions could enhance the screening process and, since similar antigenic stimuli and reactions are involved, help long COVID sufferers. Centers for early identification and rescue from vaccine reactions could lower morbidity and mortality, and increase the percentage of people choosing to be vaccinated. Additional platforms for boosting; using lower dosage; other routes of administration, such as intranasal or intradermal needles; and possibly different antigens could make it easier to vaccinate globally to address the new variants of viruses rapidly arising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan M Dattner
- Integrative Dermatology and Medicine, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA
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16
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Ling RR, Ramanathan K, Tan FL, Tai BC, Somani J, Fisher D, MacLaren G. Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and non-COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis. THE LANCET. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2022; 10:679-688. [PMID: 35421376 PMCID: PMC9000914 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(22)00059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myopericarditis is a rare complication of vaccination. However, there have been increasing reports of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, especially among adolescents and young adults. We aimed to characterise the incidence of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, and compare this with non-COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS We did a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching four international databases from Jan 1, 1947, to Dec 31, 2021, for studies in English reporting on the incidence of myopericarditis following vaccination (the primary outcome). We included studies reporting on people in the general population who had myopericarditis in temporal relation to receiving vaccines, and excluded studies on a specific subpopulation of patients, non-human studies, and studies in which the number of doses was not reported. Random-effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian and Laird) were conducted, and the intra-study risk of bias (Joanna Briggs Institute checklist) and certainty of evidence (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach) were assessed. We analysed the difference in incidence of myopericarditis among subpopulations, stratifying by the type of vaccine (COVID-19 vs non-COVID-19) and age group (adult vs paediatric). Among COVID-19 vaccinations, we examined the effect of the type of vaccine (mRNA or non-mRNA), sex, age, and dose on the incidence of myopericarditis. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021275477). FINDINGS The overall incidence of myopericarditis from 22 studies (405 272 721 vaccine doses) was 33·3 cases (95% CI 15·3-72·6) per million vaccine doses, and did not differ significantly between people who received COVID-19 vaccines (18·2 [10·9-30·3], 11 studies [395 361 933 doses], high certainty) and those who received non-COVID-19 vaccines (56·0 [10·7-293·7], 11 studies [9 910 788 doses], moderate certainty, p=0·20). Compared with COVID-19 vaccination, the incidence of myopericarditis was significantly higher following smallpox vaccinations (132·1 [81·3-214·6], p<0·0001) but was not significantly different after influenza vaccinations (1·3 [0·0-884·1], p=0·43) or in studies reporting on various other non-smallpox vaccinations (57·0 [1·1-3036·6], p=0·58). Among people who received COVID-19 vaccines, the incidence of myopericarditis was significantly higher in males (vs females), in people younger than 30 years (vs 30 years or older), after receiving an mRNA vaccine (vs non-mRNA vaccine), and after a second dose of vaccine (vs a first or third dose). INTERPRETATION The overall risk of myopericarditis after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is low. However, younger males have an increased incidence of myopericarditis, particularly after receiving mRNA vaccines. Nevertheless, the risks of such rare adverse events should be balanced against the risks of COVID-19 infection (including myopericarditis). FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Ruiyang Ling
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Kollengode Ramanathan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore.
| | - Felicia Liying Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Bee Choo Tai
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Jyoti Somani
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Dale Fisher
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Graeme MacLaren
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore; Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore
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17
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Potential Autoimmunity Resulting from Molecular Mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Human Proteins. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071415. [PMID: 35891400 PMCID: PMC9318917 DOI: 10.3390/v14071415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular mimicry between viral antigens and host proteins can produce cross-reacting antibodies leading to autoimmunity. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, a disease curiously resulting in varied symptoms and outcomes, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. Autoimmunity due to cross-reacting antibodies resulting from molecular mimicry between viral antigens and host proteins may provide an explanation. Thus, we computationally investigated molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 Spike and known epitopes. We discovered molecular mimicry hotspots in Spike and highlight two examples with tentative high autoimmune potential and implications for understanding COVID-19 complications. We show that a TQLPP motif in Spike and thrombopoietin shares similar antibody binding properties. Antibodies cross-reacting with thrombopoietin may induce thrombocytopenia, a condition observed in COVID-19 patients. Another motif, ELDKY, is shared in multiple human proteins, such as PRKG1 involved in platelet activation and calcium regulation, and tropomyosin, which is linked to cardiac disease. Antibodies cross-reacting with PRKG1 and tropomyosin may cause known COVID-19 complications such as blood-clotting disorders and cardiac disease, respectively. Our findings illuminate COVID-19 pathogenesis and highlight the importance of considering autoimmune potential when developing therapeutic interventions to reduce adverse reactions.
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