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Ivanusic D, Maier J, Icli S, Falcone V, Bernauer H, Bannert N. tANCHOR-cell-based assay for monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies rapidly adaptive to various receptor-binding domains. iScience 2024; 27:109123. [PMID: 38380248 PMCID: PMC10877956 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional neutralizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mimic the protein-protein interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD). However, an easy and rapidly adaptative ELISA-based system for testing neutralizing antibodies against upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants is urgently needed. In this study, we closed this gap by developing a tANCHOR-cell-based RBD neutralization assay that avoids time-consuming protein expression and purification followed by coating on ELISA plates. This cell-based assay can be rapidly adopted to monitor neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants. We show that the results obtained with the tANCHOR-cell-based assay system strongly correlate with commercially available surrogate assays for testing NAbs. Moreover, this technique can directly measure binding between cell-surface-exposed RBDs and soluble ACE2. With this technique, the degree of antibody escape elicited by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in current vaccination regimens can be determined rapidly and reliably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ivanusic
- Sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Josef Maier
- ATG:biosynthetics GmbH, 79249 Merzhausen, Germany
| | - Suheda Icli
- Sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Falcone
- Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Bannert
- Sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Bernauer H, Maier J, Bannert N, Ivanusic D. tANCHOR cell-based ELISA approach as a surrogate for antigen-coated plates to monitor specific IgG directed to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae001. [PMID: 38332985 PMCID: PMC10850845 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems use plates coated with peptides or expressed and purified proteins to monitor immunoglobulins derived from patient serum. However, there is currently no easy, flexible, and fast adaptive ELISA-based system for testing antibodies directed against new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. In this study, we utilized the tANCHOR protein display system that provides a cell surface decorated with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) to monitor specific antibodies derived from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent and vaccinated individuals directed against it. To test sera from vaccinees or convalescent individuals, only the RBD coding sequence needs to be cloned in the tANCHOR vector system and transfected into HeLa cells. Time-consuming protein expression, isolation, and purification followed by coating assay plates are not necessary. With this technique, the immune evasion of new SARS-CoV-2 variants from current vaccination regimes can be examined quickly and reliably.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josef Maier
- ATG:biosynthetics GmbH, 79249 Merzhausen, Germany
| | - Norbert Bannert
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Ivanusic
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Loi LK, Yang CC, Lin YC, Su YF, Juan YC, Chen YH, Chang HC. Decoy peptides effectively inhibit the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 on oral epithelial cells. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22614. [PMID: 38107325 PMCID: PMC10724569 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells involves the interaction between the viral spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Given that the spike protein evolves rapidly to evade host immunity, therapeutics that block ACE2 accessibility, such as spike decoys, could serve as an alternative strategy for attenuating viral infection. Here, we constructed a drug screening platform based on oral epithelial cells to rapidly identify peptides or compounds capable of blocking the spike-ACE2 interaction. We engineered short decoy peptides, 8 to 14 amino acids in length, using the spike protein's receptor-binding motif (RBM) and demonstrated that these peptides can effectively inhibit virus attachment to host cells. Additionally, we discovered that diminazene aceturate (DIZE), an ACE2 activator, similarly inhibited virus binding. Our research thus validates the potential of decoy peptides as a new therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infections, opening avenues for further development and study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-Keng Loi
- Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Yang
- Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Stomatology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Lin
- Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Fun Su
- iStat Biomedical Co., Ltd, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Juan
- iStat Biomedical Co., Ltd, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Chen
- Institute of Oral Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chuan Chang
- Institute of Oral Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Fogolari M, Leoni BD, De Cesaris M, Italiano R, Davini F, Miccoli GA, Donati D, Clerico L, Stanziale A, Savini G, Petrosillo N, Ciccozzi M, Sommella L, Riva E, Fazii P, Angeletti S. Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron Variants Inhibition Comparison after BNT162b2 mRNA Booster Doses with a New PETIA sVNT Assay. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:889. [PMID: 36900033 PMCID: PMC10000738 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13050889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monitoring antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is strategic, and neutralizing antibodies represent the gold standard. The neutralizing response to Beta and Omicron VOCs was evaluated versus the gold standard by a new commercial automated assay. METHODS Serum samples from 100 healthcare workers from the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Biomedico and the Pescara Hospital were collected. IgG levels were determined by chemiluminescent immunoassay (Abbott Laboratories, Wiesbaden, Germany) and serum neutralization assay as the gold standard. Moreover, a new commercial immunoassay, the PETIA test Nab (SGM, Rome, Italy), was used for neutralization evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed with R software, version 3.6.0. RESULTS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers decayed during the first ninety days after the vaccine second dose. The following booster dose significantly (p < 0.001) increased IgG levels. A correlation between IgG expression and neutralizing activity modulation was found with a significant increase after the second and the third booster dose (p < 0.05. Compared to the Beta variant of the virus, the Omicron VOC was associated with a significantly larger quantity of IgG antibodies needed to achieve the same degree of neutralization. The best Nab test cutoff for high neutralization titer (≥1:80) was set for both Beta and Omicron variants. CONCLUSION This study correlates vaccine-induced IgG expression and neutralizing activity using a new PETIA assay, suggesting its usefulness for SARS-CoV2 infection management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Fogolari
- Clinical Laboratory Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marina De Cesaris
- Clinical Laboratory Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Flavio Davini
- Clinical Laboratory Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Ginevra Azzurra Miccoli
- Infection Prevention and Control Service, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Donati
- Infection Prevention and Control Service, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Clerico
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital, 65122 Pescara, Italy
| | - Andrea Stanziale
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital, 65122 Pescara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G Caporale’, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Infection Prevention and Control Service, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Sommella
- Health Management, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Riva
- Clinical Laboratory Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Virology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Fazii
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital, 65122 Pescara, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Clinical Laboratory Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
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Valdovino-Navarro BJ, Dueñas S, Flores-Acosta GI, Gasperin-Bulbarela J, Bernaldez-Sarabia J, Cabanillas-Bernal O, Cervantes-Luevano KE, Licea-Navarro AF. Neutralizing Ability of a Single Domain VNAR Antibody: In Vitro Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012267. [PMID: 36293124 PMCID: PMC9603574 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is the causal pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The emergence of new variants with different mutational patterns has limited the therapeutic options available and complicated the development of effective neutralizing antibodies targeting the spike (S) protein. Variable New Antigen Receptors (VNARs) constitute a neutralizing antibody technology that has been introduced into the list of possible therapeutic options against SARS-CoV-2. The unique qualities of VNARs, such as high affinities for target molecules, capacity for paratope reformatting, and relatively high stability, make them attractive molecules to counteract the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this study, we characterized a VNAR antibody (SP240) that was isolated from a synthetic phage library of VNAR domains. In the phage display, a plasma with high antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 was used to selectively displace the VNAR antibodies bound to the antigen SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). In silico data suggested that the SP240 binding epitopes are located within the ACE2 binding interface. The neutralizing ability of SP240 was tested against live Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants and was found to clear the infection of both variants in the lung cell line A549-ACE2-TMPRSS2. This study highlights the potential of VNARs to act as neutralizing antibodies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Haghighi M, Khorasani A, Karimi P, Mahdavi M. Improvement of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine potency through formulation in alum/naloxone adjuvant; Robust T cell and anti-RBD IgG responses. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 25:554-561. [PMID: 35911642 PMCID: PMC9282741 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2022.63527.14015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES SARS-CoV-2, emerging as a major threat to public health, has to be controlled through vaccination. Naloxone (NLX), an opioid receptor antagonist, demonstrated its adjuvant activity for microbial vaccines. In this study, inactivated SARS-CoV-2 was developed in the Alum/NLX adjuvant to increase the potency of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS BALB/c mice were immunized on days 0 and 14 with inactivated SARS-CoV-2-Alum, -Alum + NLX 3 mg/kg, -Alum + NLX 10 mg/kg, and -Freund adjuvant, as well as PBS. IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines and Granzyme-B release were assessed with ELISA. In addition, specific total IgG, IgG1/IgG2a isotypes, and ratio as well as anti-RBD IgG responses were assessed with an optimized ELISA. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX10 group showed a significant increase in the IFN-γ cytokine response versus SARS-CoV-2-Alum, SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX3, and PBS groups. The SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX3 group exhibited a significant decrease in IL-4 cytokine versus SARS-CoV-2-Alum. The mice immunized with SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX10 showed a significant increase in CTL activity versus SARS-CoV-2-Alum and PBS. In addition, mice immunized with SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX3, SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX10 and SARS-CoV-2-Freund demonstrated an increase in IgG response, as compared with SARS-CoV-2-Alum and PBS group. Furthermore, all formulations of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines could induce both IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes. But, the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio in SARS-CoV-2-Freund and SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX10 revealed an increase as compared with that of the SARS-CoV-2-Alum group. Anti-RBD IgG response in the SARS-CoV-2-Alum-NLX10 group showed a significant increase as compared with the Alum-based vaccine. CONCLUSION Formulation of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus in NLX/alum adjuvant improved the potency of humoral and, especially, cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melika Haghighi
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran,Recombinant Vaccine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,These authors contributed eqully to this work
| | - Akbar Khorasani
- Department of FMD Vaccine Production, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education & Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran ,These authors contributed eqully to this work
| | - Pegah Karimi
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran,Recombinant Vaccine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mahdavi
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran,Recombinant Vaccine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Immunotherapy Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding author: Mehdi Mahdavi. ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Tehran, Iran. NO.146, South Gandi Ave, Vanak Sq. Tehran, Iran; Recombinant Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunotherapy Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. Tel/Fax: +98-21-88203915;
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