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Yang D, Wang X, Yang X, Qi S, Zhao F, Guo D, Li C, Zhu Q, Xing X, Cao Y, Sun D. Construction and immune effect evaluation of the S protein heptad repeat-based nanoparticle vaccine against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Virology 2024; 596:110113. [PMID: 38801794 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110113] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a highly virulent enteropathogenic coronavirus, is a significant threat to the pig industry. High frequency mutations in the PEDV genome have limited the effectiveness of current vaccines in providing immune protection. Developing efficient vaccines that can quickly adapt to mutant strains is a challenging but crucial task. In this study, we chose the pivotal protein heptad repeat (HR) responsible for coronavirus entry into host cells, as the vaccine antigen. HR-Fer nanoparticles prepared using ferritin were evaluated them as PEDV vaccine candidates. Nanoparticle vaccines elicited stronger neutralizing antibody responses in mice compared to monomer vaccines. Additionally, HR protein delivered via nanoparticles increased antigen uptake by antigen-presenting cells in vitro by 2.75-fold. The collective results suggest that HR can be used as antigens for vaccines, and the HR vaccine based on ferritin nanoparticles significantly enhances immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Xinglin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Shanshan Qi
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Feiyu Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Donghua Guo
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Chunqiu Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Qinghe Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Xiaoxu Xing
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China
| | - Yang Cao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China.
| | - Dongbo Sun
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, No. 5 Xinfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing, 163319, China.
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2
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Máthé D, Szalay G, Cseri L, Kis Z, Pályi B, Földes G, Kovács N, Fülöp A, Szepesi Á, Hajdrik P, Csomos A, Zsembery Á, Kádár K, Katona G, Mucsi Z, Rózsa BJ, Kovács E. Monitoring correlates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture using a two-photon-active calcium-sensitive dye. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:105. [PMID: 39030477 PMCID: PMC11264913 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00619-0] [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: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The organism-wide effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral infection are well studied, but little is known about the dynamics of how the infection spreads in time among or within cells due to the scarcity of suitable high-resolution experimental systems. It has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 infection pathways converge at calcium influx and subcellular calcium distribution changes. Imaging combined with a proper staining technique is an effective tool for studying subcellular calcium-related infection and replication mechanisms at such resolutions. METHODS Using two-photon (2P) fluorescence imaging with our novel Ca-selective dye, automated image analysis and clustering analysis were applied to reveal titer and variant effects on SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells. RESULTS The application of a new calcium sensor molecule is shown, combined with a high-end 2P technique for imaging and identifying the patterns associated with cellular infection damage within cells. Vero E6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants, D614G or B.1.1.7, exhibit elevated cytosolic calcium levels, allowing infection monitoring by tracking the cellular changes in calcium level by the internalized calcium sensor. The imaging provides valuable information on how the level and intracellular distribution of calcium are perturbed during the infection. Moreover, two-photon calcium sensing allowed the distinction of infections by two studied viral variants via cluster analysis of the image parameters. This approach will facilitate the study of cellular correlates of infection and their quantification depending on viral variants and viral load. CONCLUSIONS We propose a new two-photon microscopy-based method combined with a cell-internalized sensor to quantify the level of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We optimized the applied dye concentrations to not interfere with viral fusion and viral replication events. The presented method ensured the proper monitoring of viral infection, replication, and cell fate. It also enabled distinguishing intracellular details of cell damage, such as vacuole and apoptotic body formation. Using clustering analysis, 2P microscopy calcium fluorescence images were suitable to distinguish two different viral variants in cell cultures. Cellular harm levels read out by calcium imaging were quantitatively related to the initial viral multiplicity of infection numbers. Thus, 2P quantitative calcium imaging might be used as a correlate of infection or a correlate of activity in cellular antiviral studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
- In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
- HUN-REN Physical Virology Research Group, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gergely Szalay
- Laboratory of 3D Functional Network and Dendritic Imaging, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony utca 43, 1083, Budapest, Hungary
- BrainVisionCenter, Liliom utca 43-45, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Levente Cseri
- BrainVisionCenter, Liliom utca 43-45, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
- Femtonics Ltd., Tűzoltó utca 59, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kis
- National Center for Public Health, Albert Flórián út 2-6, 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Pályi
- National Center for Public Health, Albert Flórián út 2-6, 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Földes
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor utca. 68, 1122, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Noémi Kovács
- In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Fülöp
- Femtonics Ltd., Tűzoltó utca 59, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Áron Szepesi
- Laboratory of 3D Functional Network and Dendritic Imaging, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony utca 43, 1083, Budapest, Hungary
- BrainVisionCenter, Liliom utca 43-45, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Polett Hajdrik
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Csomos
- Femtonics Ltd., Tűzoltó utca 59, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
- Hevesy György PhD School of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ákos Zsembery
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Kádár
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Katona
- Two-Photon Measurement Technology Group, The Faculty of Information Technology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Szigony utca 50/A, 1083, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Mucsi
- BrainVisionCenter, Liliom utca 43-45, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
- Femtonics Ltd., Tűzoltó utca 59, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Miskolc, Egyetem tér 1, 3515, Miskolc, Hungary.
| | - Balázs József Rózsa
- Laboratory of 3D Functional Network and Dendritic Imaging, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony utca 43, 1083, Budapest, Hungary.
- BrainVisionCenter, Liliom utca 43-45, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
- Two-Photon Measurement Technology Group, The Faculty of Information Technology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Szigony utca 50/A, 1083, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Ervin Kovács
- Two-Photon Measurement Technology Group, The Faculty of Information Technology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Szigony utca 50/A, 1083, Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
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3
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Li Y, Palomares RA, Liu M, Xu J, Koo C, Granberry F, Locke SR, Habing G, Saif LJ, Wang L, Wang Q. Isolation and Characterization of Contemporary Bovine Coronavirus Strains. Viruses 2024; 16:965. [PMID: 38932257 PMCID: PMC11209117 DOI: 10.3390/v16060965] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) poses a threat to cattle health worldwide, contributing to both respiratory and enteric diseases. However, few contemporary strains have been isolated. In this study, 71 samples (10 nasal and 61 fecal) were collected from one farm in Ohio in 2021 and three farms in Georgia in 2023. They were screened by BCoV-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR, and 15 BCoV-positive samples were identified. Among them, five BCoV strains from fecal samples were isolated using human rectal tumor-18 (HRT-18) cells. The genomic sequences of five strains were obtained. The phylogenetic analysis illustrated that these new strains clustered with US BCoVs that have been detected since the 1990s. Sequence analyses of the spike proteins of four pairs of BCoVs, with each pair originally collected from the respiratory and enteric sites of one animal, revealed the potential amino acid residue patterns, such as D1180 for all four enteric BCoVs and G1180 for three of four respiratory BCoVs. This project provides new BCoV isolates and sequences and underscores the genetic diversity of BcoVs, the unknown mechanisms of disease types, and the necessity of sustained surveillance and research for BCoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.); (J.X.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Roberto A. Palomares
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 2200 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30602, USA; (R.A.P.); (C.K.); (F.G.)
| | - Mingde Liu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.); (J.X.); (L.J.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.R.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Jiayu Xu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.); (J.X.); (L.J.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.R.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Chohee Koo
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 2200 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30602, USA; (R.A.P.); (C.K.); (F.G.)
| | - Francesca Granberry
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 2200 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30602, USA; (R.A.P.); (C.K.); (F.G.)
| | - Samantha R. Locke
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.R.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Greg Habing
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.R.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Linda J. Saif
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.); (J.X.); (L.J.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.R.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Leyi Wang
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.); (J.X.); (L.J.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.R.L.); (G.H.)
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Yadav AK, Basavegowda N, Shirin S, Raju S, Sekar R, Somu P, Uthappa UT, Abdi G. Emerging Trends of Gold Nanostructures for Point-of-Care Biosensor-Based Detection of COVID-19. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01157-y. [PMID: 38703305 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01157-y] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
In 2019, a worldwide pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged. SARS-CoV-2 is the deadly microorganism responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has caused millions of deaths and irreversible health problems worldwide. To restrict the spread of SARS-CoV-2, accurate detection of COVID-19 is essential for the identification and control of infected cases. Although recent detection technologies such as the real-time polymerase chain reaction delivers an accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, they require a long processing duration, expensive equipment, and highly skilled personnel. Therefore, a rapid diagnosis with accurate results is indispensable to offer effective disease suppression. Nanotechnology is the backbone of current science and technology developments including nanoparticles (NPs) that can biomimic the corona and develop deep interaction with its proteins because of their identical structures on the nanoscale. Various NPs have been extensively applied in numerous medical applications, including implants, biosensors, drug delivery, and bioimaging. Among them, point-of-care biosensors mediated with gold nanoparticles (GNPSs) have received great attention due to their accurate sensing characteristics, which are widely used in the detection of amino acids, enzymes, DNA, and RNA in samples. GNPS have reconstructed the biomedical application of biosensors because of its outstanding physicochemical characteristics. This review provides an overview of emerging trends in GNP-mediated point-of-care biosensor strategies for diagnosing various mutated forms of human coronaviruses that incorporate different transducers and biomarkers. The review also specifically highlights trends in gold nanobiosensors for coronavirus detection, ranging from the initial COVID-19 outbreak to its subsequent evolution into a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhilesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, 413310, Taiwan
- Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Nagaraj Basavegowda
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38451, Republic of Korea
| | - Saba Shirin
- Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, 221005, India
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Vocational Studies and Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, 201312, India
| | - Shiji Raju
- Bioengineering and Nano Medicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland
| | - Rajkumar Sekar
- Department of Chemistry, Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, GST Road, Chinna Kolambakkam, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, 603308, India
| | - Prathap Somu
- Department of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, School of Civil, Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Dehmi Kalan, Off. Jaipur-Ajmeer Expressway, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India.
| | - U T Uthappa
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Bioengineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - Gholamreza Abdi
- Department of Biotechnology, Persian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, 75169, Iran.
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5
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Ahn YM, Maddumage JC, Grant EJ, Chatzileontiadou DS, Perera WG, Baker BM, Szeto C, Gras S. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 spike mutation on peptide presentation is HLA allomorph-specific. Curr Res Struct Biol 2024; 7:100148. [PMID: 38742159 PMCID: PMC11089313 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2024.100148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are crucial for viral elimination and recovery from viral infection. Nonetheless, the current understanding of the T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 at the antigen level remains limited. The Spike protein is an external structural protein that is prone to mutations, threatening the efficacy of current vaccines. Therefore, we have characterised the immune response towards the immunogenic Spike-derived peptide (S976-984, VLNDILSRL), restricted to the HLA-A*02:01 molecule, which is mutated in both Alpha (S982A) and Omicron BA.1 (L981F) variants of concern. We determined that the mutation in the Alpha variant (S982A) impacted both the stability and conformation of the peptide, bound to HLA-A*02:01, in comparison to the original S976-984. We identified a longer and overlapping immunogenic peptide (S975-984, SVLNDILSRL) that could be presented by HLA-A*02:01, HLA-A*11:01 and HLA-B*13:01 allomorphs. We showed that S975-specific CD8+ T cells were weakly cross-reactive to the mutant peptides despite their similar conformations when presented by HLA-A*11:01. Altogether, our results show that the impact of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on peptide presentation is HLA allomorph-specific, and that post vaccination there are T cells able to react and cross-react towards the variant of concern peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Min Ahn
- Infection & Immunity Program, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Agriculture (SABE), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Janesha C. Maddumage
- Infection & Immunity Program, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Agriculture (SABE), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma J. Grant
- Infection & Immunity Program, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Agriculture (SABE), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Demetra S.M. Chatzileontiadou
- Infection & Immunity Program, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Agriculture (SABE), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - W.W.J. Gihan Perera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Brian M. Baker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Christopher Szeto
- Infection & Immunity Program, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Agriculture (SABE), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Infection & Immunity Program, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Agriculture (SABE), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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6
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Polo-Megías D, Cano-Muñoz M, Berruezo AG, Laumond G, Moog C, Conejero-Lara F. Investigating vulnerability of the conserved SARS-CoV-2 spike's heptad repeat 2 as target for fusion inhibitors using chimeric miniproteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:130132. [PMID: 38354919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130132] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 membrane fusion is a highly desired target to combat COVID-19. The interaction between the spike's heptad repeat (HR) regions 1 (HR1) and 2 (HR2) is a crucial step during the fusion process and these highly conserved HR regions constitute attractive targets for fusion inhibitors. However, the relative importance of each subregion of the long HR1-HR2 interface for viral inhibition remains unclear. Here, we designed, produced, and characterized a series of chimeric miniproteins that mimic two different half subdomains of HR1. The proteins were designed as single polypeptide chains that spontaneously fold into antiparallel trimeric helical bundles aimed at structurally imitate the molecular surface of each HR1 half subregion. All the miniproteins folded stably as helical structures and could bind complementary HR2 peptides with moderate affinity. However, only the miniproteins mimicking the N-terminal HR1 half subdomain, but not those imitating C-terminal one, could inhibit cell infection by SARS-COV-2 real viruses in cell cultures. Most interestingly, the inhibitory activity of the miniproteins correlated with their structural stability, but not with their relative binding affinity for HR2 peptides. These results are highly relevant for designing more focused and active fusion inhibitors targeting the highly conserved HR2 region of the Spike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Polo-Megías
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mario Cano-Muñoz
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto G Berruezo
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Géraldine Laumond
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR_S 1109, Institut Thématique Interdisciplinaire (ITI) de Médecine de Précision de Strasbourg, Transplantex NG, Faculté de Médecine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christiane Moog
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR_S 1109, Institut Thématique Interdisciplinaire (ITI) de Médecine de Précision de Strasbourg, Transplantex NG, Faculté de Médecine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), F-94000 Créteil, France
| | - Francisco Conejero-Lara
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
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7
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Bi W, Tang K, Chen G, Xie Y, Polizzi NF, DeGrado WF, Yuan S, Dang B. An enhanced broad-spectrum peptide inhibits Omicron variants in vivo. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101418. [PMID: 38340726 PMCID: PMC10897629 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101418] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The continual emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) poses a major challenge to vaccines and antiviral therapeutics due to their extensive evasion of immunity. Aiming to develop potent and broad-spectrum anticoronavirus inhibitors, we generated A1-(GGGGS)7-HR2m (A1L35HR2m) by introducing an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-derived peptide A1 to the N terminus of the viral HR2-derived peptide HR2m through a long flexible linker, which showed significantly improved antiviral activity. Further cholesterol (Chol) modification at the C terminus of A1L35HR2m greatly enhanced the inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) pseudoviruses, with IC50 values ranging from 0.16 to 5.53 nM. A1L35HR2m-Chol also potently inhibits spike-protein-mediated cell-cell fusion and the replication of authentic Omicron BA.2.12.1, BA.5, and EG.5.1. Importantly, A1L35HR2m-Chol distributed widely in respiratory tract tissue and had a long half-life (>10 h) in vivo. Intranasal administration of A1L35HR2m-Chol to K18-hACE2 transgenic mice potently inhibited Omicron BA.5 and EG.5.1 infection both prophylactically and therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Bi
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China; Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310030, China.
| | - Kaiming Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guilin Chen
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Yubin Xie
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nicholas F Polizzi
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Bobo Dang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310030, China.
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8
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Mostafa RH, Moustafa A. Beyond acute infection: molecular mechanisms underpinning cardiovascular complications in long COVID. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1268571. [PMID: 38495940 PMCID: PMC10942004 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1268571] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, has manifested significant cardiovascular implications for the infected population. These cardiovascular repercussions not only linger beyond the initial phase of illness but have also been observed in individuals who remain asymptomatic. This extended and pervasive impact is often called the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) or "Long COVID". With the number of confirmed global cases approaching an alarming 756 million, the multifaceted challenges of Long COVID are undeniable. These challenges span from individual health complications to considerable burdens on worldwide healthcare systems. Our review comprehensively examines the complications of the persistent cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, we shed light on emerging therapeutic strategies that promise to manage and possibly mitigate these complications. We also introduce and discuss the profound concerns regarding the potential transgenerational repercussions of SARS-CoV-2, emphasizing the need for a proactive and informed approach to future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roba Hamed Mostafa
- Systems Genomics Laboratory, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Moustafa
- Systems Genomics Laboratory, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Biology, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
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9
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Aisenbrey C, Bechinger B. Multimerization of the heptad repeat regions of the SARS-CoV 2 spike protein. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184259. [PMID: 38061554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The heptad repeat 1 and 2 (HR1, HR2) regions in the spike protein of SARS-CoV 2 play a key role in the fusogenic mechanism of the virus with the host cell. During the fusion process they are thought to rearrange into an interdomain multimer. Functional fragments of the heptad repeat 1 and 2 regions in the spike protein of SARS-CoV 2 were chemically synthesized, labeled with nitrofurazone (NBD) and their interactions investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Steady state emission, fluorescence quenching, anisotropy and lifetime measurements in combination with a fluorophore dilution scheme were used to dissect multimer formation of HR1 and HR2 in quantitative detail. In addition, the investigation of the multimers by homo-FRET (via anisotropy) and lifetime measurements reveals new insights into the mechanism of fluorophore-fluorophore interactions in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Aisenbrey
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Strasbourg Institute of Chemistry, Membrane Biophysics and NMR, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- University of Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Strasbourg Institute of Chemistry, Membrane Biophysics and NMR, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Institut Universitaire de France, 75231 Paris, France
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10
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Sevinc Ozdemir N, Belyaev D, Castro MN, Balakin S, Opitz J, Wihadmadyatami H, Anggraeni R, Yucel D, Kenar H, Beshchasna N, Ana ID, Hasirci V. Advances in In Vitro Blood-Air Barrier Models and the Use of Nanoparticles in COVID-19 Research. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2024; 30:82-96. [PMID: 37597193 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory infections caused by coronaviruses (CoVs) have become a major public health concern in the past two decades as revealed by the emergence of SARS-CoV in 2002, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. The most severe clinical phenotypes commonly arise from exacerbation of immune response following the infection of alveolar epithelial cells localized at the pulmonary blood-air barrier. Preclinical rodent models do not adequately represent the essential genetic properties of the barrier, thus necessitating the use of humanized transgenic models. However, existing monolayer cell culture models have so far been unable to mimic the complex lung microenvironment. In this respect, air-liquid interface models, tissue engineered models, and organ-on-a-chip systems, which aim to better imitate the infection site microenvironment and microphysiology, are being developed to replace the commonly used monolayer cell culture models, and their use is becoming more widespread every day. On the contrary, studies on the development of nanoparticles (NPs) that mimic respiratory viruses, and those NPs used in therapy are progressing rapidly. The first part of this review describes in vitro models that mimic the blood-air barrier, the tissue interface that plays a central role in COVID-19 progression. In the second part of the review, NPs mimicking the virus and/or designed to carry therapeutic agents are explained and exemplified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neval Sevinc Ozdemir
- Acibadem University (ACU) Biomaterials A&R Center, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, ACU Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
- ACU Department of Pharmaceutical Basic Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dmitry Belyaev
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Maria-Reiche Straße 2, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manuel Nieto Castro
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Maria-Reiche Straße 2, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sascha Balakin
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Maria-Reiche Straße 2, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joerg Opitz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Maria-Reiche Straße 2, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hevi Wihadmadyatami
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Research Collaboration Center for Biomedical Scaffolds, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rahmi Anggraeni
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Research Collaboration Center for Biomedical Scaffolds, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Deniz Yucel
- Acibadem University (ACU) Biomaterials A&R Center, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey
- ACU Graduate Department of Biomaterials, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Histology and Embryology, ACU School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Halime Kenar
- Acibadem University (ACU) Biomaterials A&R Center, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey
- ACU Graduate Department of Biomaterials, Istanbul, Turkey
- ACU Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Natalia Beshchasna
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Maria-Reiche Straße 2, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ika Dewi Ana
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Research Collaboration Center for Biomedical Scaffolds, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Dental Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Vasif Hasirci
- Acibadem University (ACU) Biomaterials A&R Center, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey
- ACU Graduate Department of Biomaterials, Istanbul, Turkey
- ACU Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
- BIOMATEN, METU Ctr. of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Ankara, Turkey
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11
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Yamamoto Y, Inoue T. Current Status and Perspectives of Therapeutic Antibodies Targeting the Spike Protein S2 Subunit against SARS-CoV-2. Biol Pharm Bull 2024; 47:917-923. [PMID: 38692869 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00639] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has devastated public health and the global economy. New variants are continually emerging because of amino acid mutations within the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Existing neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) that target the receptor-binding domain (RBD) within the spike protein have been shown to have reduced neutralizing activity against these variants. In particular, the recently expanding omicron subvariants BQ 1.1 and XBB are resistant to nAbs approved for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, it is essential to develop broad nAbs to combat emerging variants. In contrast to the massive accumulation of mutations within the RBD, the S2 subunit remains highly conserved among variants. Therefore, nAbs targeting the S2 region may provide effective cross-protection against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we provide a detailed summary of nAbs targeting the S2 subunit: the fusion peptide, stem helix, and heptad repeats 1 and 2. In addition, we provide prospects to solve problems such as the weak neutralizing potency of nAbs targeting the S2 subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Tetsuya Inoue
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
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12
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Zannella C, Chianese A, Monti A, Giugliano R, Morone MV, Secci F, Sanna G, Manzin A, De Filippis A, Doti N, Galdiero M. SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Peptide Conjugated to a Tetravalent Dendrimer Selectively Inhibits Viral Infection. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2791. [PMID: 38140131 PMCID: PMC10748278 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122791] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusion is a key event for enveloped viruses, through which viral and cell membranes come into close contact. This event is mediated by viral fusion proteins, which are divided into three structural and functional classes. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein belongs to class I fusion proteins, characterized by a trimer of helical hairpins and an internal fusion peptide (FP), which is exposed once fusion occurs. Many efforts have been directed at finding antivirals capable of interfering with the fusion mechanism, mainly by designing peptides on the two heptad-repeat regions present in class I viral fusion proteins. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of the FP sequence conjugated to a tetravalent dendrimer through a classical organic nucleophilic substitution reaction (SN2) using a synthetic bromoacetylated peptide mimicking the FP and a branched scaffold of poly-L-Lysine functionalized with cysteine residues. We found that the FP peptide conjugated to the dendrimer, unlike the monomeric FP sequence, has virucidal activity by impairing the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to cells. Furthermore, we found that the peptide dendrimer does not have the same effects on other coronaviruses, demonstrating that it is selective against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Annalisa Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Alessandra Monti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Rosa Giugliano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Morone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Francesco Secci
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Aldo Manzin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Anna De Filippis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
- UOC of Virology and Microbiology, University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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13
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Lipskij A, Arbeitman C, Rojas P, Ojeda-May P, Garcia ME. Dramatic Differences between the Structural Susceptibility of the S1 Pre- and S2 Postfusion States of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to External Electric Fields Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Viruses 2023; 15:2405. [PMID: 38140646 PMCID: PMC10748067 DOI: 10.3390/v15122405] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In its prefusion state, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (similarly to other class I viral fusion proteins) is metastable, which is considered to be an important feature for optimizing or regulating its functions. After the binding process of its S1 subunit (S1) with ACE2, the spike protein (S) undergoes a dramatic conformational change where S1 splits from the S2 subunit, which then penetrates the membrane of the host cell, promoting the fusion of the viral and cell membranes. This results in the infection of the host cell. In a previous work, we showed-using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations-that the application of external electric fields (EFs) induces drastic changes and damage in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the wild-type spike protein, as well of the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma variants, leaving a structure which cannot be recognized anymore by ACE2. In this work, we first extend the study to the Delta and Omicron variants and confirm the high sensitivity and extreme vulnerability of the RBD of the prefusion state of S to moderate EF (as weak as 104 V/m), but, more importantly, we also show that, in contrast, the S2 subunit of the postfusion state of the spike protein does not suffer structural damage even if electric field intensities four orders of magnitude higher are applied. These results provide a solid scientific basis to confirm the connection between the prefusion-state metastability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its susceptibility to be damaged by EF. After the virus docks to the ACE2 receptor, the stable and robust postfusion conformation develops, which exhibits a similar resistance to EF (damage threshold higher than 108 V/m) like most globular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lipskij
- Theoretical Physics and Center of Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, FB10, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (A.L.); (C.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Claudia Arbeitman
- Theoretical Physics and Center of Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, FB10, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (A.L.); (C.A.); (P.R.)
- CONICET Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
- GIBIO-Universidad Tecnológica Nacional-Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, Medrano 951, Buenos Aires C1179AAQ, Argentina
| | - Pablo Rojas
- Theoretical Physics and Center of Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, FB10, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (A.L.); (C.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Pedro Ojeda-May
- High Performance Computing Center North (HPC2N), Umeå University, S-90187 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Martin E. Garcia
- Theoretical Physics and Center of Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, FB10, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (A.L.); (C.A.); (P.R.)
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14
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Sanders C, Dzelamonyuy A, Ntemafack A, Alatoom N, Nchinda G, Georgiadis MM, Bopda Waffo A. Mapping immunological and host receptor binding determinants of SARS-CoV spike protein utilizing the Qubevirus platform. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105460. [PMID: 37977224 PMCID: PMC10750099 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105460] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The motifs involved in tropism and immunological interactions of SARS-CoV spike (S) protein were investigated utilizing the Qubevirus platform. We showed that separately, 14 overlapping peptide fragments representing the S protein (F1-14 of 100 residues each) could be inserted into the C terminus of A1 on recombinant Qubevirus without affecting its viability. Additionally, recombinant phage expression resulted in the surface exposure of different engineered fragments in an accessible manner. The F6 from S425-525 was found to contain the binding determinant of the recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, with the shortest active binding motif situated between residues S437-492. Upstream, another fragment, F7, containing an overlapping portion of F6 would not bind to recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, confirming that a contiguous stretch of residues could adopt the appropriate structural orientation of F6 as an insertion within the Qubevirus. The F6 (S441-460) and other inserts, including F7/F8 (S601-620) and F10 (S781-800), were demonstrated to contain important immunological determinants through recognition and binding of S protein specific (anti-S) antibodies. An engineered chimeric insert bearing the fusion of all three anti-S reactive epitopes improved substantially the recognition and binding to their cognate antibodies. These results provide insights into humoral immune relevant epitopes and tropism characteristics of the S protein with implications for the development of subunit vaccines or other biologics against SARS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Sanders
- Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Aristide Dzelamonyuy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Augustin Ntemafack
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Nadia Alatoom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Godwin Nchinda
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Vaccinology and Biobanking, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Millie M Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alain Bopda Waffo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
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15
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Bodakuntla S, Kuhn CC, Biertümpfel C, Mizuno N. Cryo-electron microscopy in the fight against COVID-19-mechanism of virus entry. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1252529. [PMID: 37867557 PMCID: PMC10587472 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1252529] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and electron tomography (cryo-ET) have become a critical tool for studying viral particles. Cryo-EM has enhanced our understanding of viral assembly and replication processes at a molecular resolution. Meanwhile, in situ cryo-ET has been used to investigate how viruses attach to and invade host cells. These advances have significantly contributed to our knowledge of viral biology. Particularly, prompt elucidations of structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its variants have directly impacted the development of vaccines and therapeutic measures. This review discusses the progress made by cryo-EM based technologies in comprehending the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2), the virus responsible for the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with focus on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the mechanisms of the virus entry and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Bodakuntla
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Christopher Cyrus Kuhn
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Christian Biertümpfel
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Naoko Mizuno
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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16
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Wu L, Zheng A, Tang Y, Chai Y, Chen J, Cheng L, Hu Y, Qu J, Lei W, Liu WJ, Wu G, Zeng S, Yang H, Wang Q, Gao GF. A pan-coronavirus peptide inhibitor prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice by intranasal delivery. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2201-2213. [PMID: 37574525 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2410-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) have brought serious threats to humans, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which continually evolves into multiple variants. These variants, especially Omicron, reportedly escape therapeutic antibodies and vaccines, indicating an urgent need for new antivirals with pan-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity. We previously reported that a peptide fusion inhibitor, P3, targeting heptad repeated-1 (HR1) of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, could inhibit viral infections. Here, we further designed multiple derivatives of the P3 based on structural analysis and found that one derivative, the P315V3, showed the most efficient antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants and several other sarbecoviruses, as well as other human-CoVs (HCoVs). P315V3 also exhibited effective prophylactic efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants in mice via intranasal administration. These results suggest that P315V3, which is in Phase II clinical trial, is promising for further development as a nasal pan-SARS-CoV-2 or pan-CoVs inhibitor to prevent or treat CoV diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Anqi Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yangming Tang
- Hybio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518109, China
| | - Yan Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiantao Chen
- Hybio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518109, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Yu Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jing Qu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wenwen Lei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - William Jun Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Guizhen Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Shaogui Zeng
- Hybio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518109, China
| | - Hang Yang
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, 430299, China.
| | - Qihui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - George Fu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing, 102206, China.
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17
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Xue S, Xu W, Wang L, Xu L, Calcul L, Teng P, Lu L, Jiang S, Cai J. Rational Design of Sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides as Highly Potent HIV-1 Fusion Inhibitors with Broad-Spectrum Activity. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13319-13331. [PMID: 37706450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The HIV-1 epidemic has significant social and economic implications for public health. Developing new antivirus drugs to eradicate drug resistance is still urgently needed. Herein, we demonstrated that sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides could be designed to mimic MTSC22EK, one potent HIV fusion inhibitor derived from CHR. The best two sequences revealed comparable activity to MTSC22EK in an authentic HIV-1 infection assay and exhibited broad-spectrum anti-HIV-1 activity to many HIV-1 clinical isolates. Furthermore, sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides show remarkable resistance to proteolysis and favorable permeability in PAMPA-GIT and PAMPA-BBB assays, suggesting that both sequences could control HIV-1 within the central nervous system and possess promising oral bioavailability. Mechanistic investigations suggest that these sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides function by mimicking the CHR of gp41 and tightly bind with NHR, thereby inhibiting the formation of the 6-HB structure necessary for HIV-1 fusion. Overall, our results suggest that sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides represent a new generation of anti-HIV-1 fusion inhibitors. Moreover, this design strategy could be adopted to modulate many of the PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Laurent Calcul
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Peng Teng
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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18
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Ali H, Naseem A, Siddiqui ZI. SARS-CoV-2 Syncytium under the Radar: Molecular Insights of the Spike-Induced Syncytia and Potential Strategies to Limit SARS-CoV-2 Replication. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6079. [PMID: 37763019 PMCID: PMC10531702 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12186079] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection induces non-physiological syncytia when its spike fusogenic protein on the surface of the host cells interacts with the ACE2 receptor on adjacent cells. Spike-induced syncytia are beneficial for virus replication, transmission, and immune evasion, and contribute to the progression of COVID-19. In this review, we highlight the properties of viral fusion proteins, mainly the SARS-CoV-2 spike, and the involvement of the host factors in the fusion process. We also highlight the possible use of anti-fusogenic factors as an antiviral for the development of therapeutics against newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and how the fusogenic property of the spike could be exploited for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashim Ali
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Asma Naseem
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Zaheenul Islam Siddiqui
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, New York, NY 11501, USA
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19
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Nguyen H, Nguyen HL, Lan PD, Thai NQ, Sikora M, Li MS. Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with host cells and antibodies: experiment and simulation. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:6497-6553. [PMID: 37650302 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01170g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic announced by WHO in March 2020. Through unprecedented scientific effort, several vaccines, drugs and antibodies have been developed, saving millions of lives, but the fight against COVID-19 continues as immune escape variants of concern such as Delta and Omicron emerge. To develop more effective treatments and to elucidate the side effects caused by vaccines and therapeutic agents, a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with them and human cells is required. With special interest in computational approaches, we will focus on the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the interaction of its spike protein with human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a prime entry point of the virus into host cells. In addition, other possible viral receptors will be considered. The fusion of viral and human membranes and the interaction of the spike protein with antibodies and nanobodies will be discussed, as well as the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on protein synthesis in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Nguyen
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Hoang Linh Nguyen
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Pham Dang Lan
- Life Science Lab, Institute for Computational Science and Technology, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, 729110 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science, 227, Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, 749000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Quoc Thai
- Dong Thap University, 783 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 6, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap, Vietnam
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
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20
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von Beck T, Navarrete K, Arce NA, Gao M, Dale GA, Davis-Gardner ME, Floyd K, Mena Hernandez L, Mullick N, Vanderheiden A, Skountzou I, Kuchipudi SV, Saravanan R, Li R, Skolnick J, Suthar MS, Jacob J. A wild boar cathelicidin peptide derivative inhibits severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and its drifted variants. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14650. [PMID: 37670110 PMCID: PMC10480232 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41850-7] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a clear threat to humanity. It has infected over 200 million and killed 4 million people worldwide, and infections continue with no end in sight. To control the pandemic, multiple effective vaccines have been developed, and global vaccinations are in progress. However, the virus continues to mutate. Even when full vaccine coverage is achieved, vaccine-resistant mutants will likely emerge, thus requiring new annual vaccines against drifted variants analogous to influenza. A complimentary solution to this problem could be developing antiviral drugs that inhibit SARS CoV-2 and its drifted variants. Host defense peptides represent a potential source for such an antiviral as they possess broad antimicrobial activity and significant diversity across species. We screened the cathelicidin family of peptides from 16 different species for antiviral activity and identified a wild boar peptide derivative that inhibits SARS CoV-2. This peptide, which we named Yongshi and means warrior in Mandarin, acts as a viral entry inhibitor. Following the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to its receptor, the spike protein is cleaved, and heptad repeats 1 and 2 multimerize to form the fusion complex that enables the virion to enter the cell. A deep learning-based protein sequence comparison algorithm and molecular modeling suggest that Yongshi acts as a mimetic to the heptad repeats of the virus, thereby disrupting the fusion process. Experimental data confirm the binding of Yongshi to the heptad repeat 1 with a fourfold higher affinity than heptad repeat 2 of SARS-CoV-2. Yongshi also binds to the heptad repeat 1 of SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. Interestingly, it inhibits all drifted variants of SARS CoV-2 that we tested, including the alpha, beta, gamma, delta, kappa and omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy von Beck
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Karla Navarrete
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Nicholas A Arce
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Mu Gao
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Gordon A Dale
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Meredith E Davis-Gardner
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Katharine Floyd
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Luis Mena Hernandez
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Nikita Mullick
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Abigail Vanderheiden
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Ioanna Skountzou
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Suresh V Kuchipudi
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Rathi Saravanan
- Centre of Regulatory Excellence (CoRE), Duke-NUS Medical School, Level 6, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Renhao Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jeffrey Skolnick
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Mehul S Suthar
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Joshy Jacob
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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21
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Stincarelli MA, Quagliata M, Di Santo A, Pacini L, Fernandez FR, Arvia R, Rinaldi S, Papini AM, Rovero P, Giannecchini S. SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity of a short peptide derived from internal fusion peptide of S2 subunit of spike glycoprotein. Virus Res 2023; 334:199170. [PMID: 37422270 PMCID: PMC10384657 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199170] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a great concern in human population. To fight coronavirus emergence, we have dissected the conserved amino acid region of the internal fusion peptide in the S2 subunit of Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to design new inhibitory peptides. Among the 11 overlapping peptides (9-23-mer), PN19, a 19-mer peptide, exhibited a powerful inhibitory activity against different SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolate variants in absence of cytotoxicity. The PN19 inhibitory activity was found to be dependent on conservation of the central Phe and C-terminal Tyr residues in the peptide sequence. Circular dichroism spectra of the active peptide exhibited an alpha-helix propensity, confirmed by secondary structure prediction analysis. The PN19 inhibitory activity, exerted in the first step of virus infection, was reduced after peptide adsorption treatment with virus-cell substrate during fusion interaction. Additionally, PN19 inhibitory activity was reduced by adding S2 membrane-proximal region derived peptides. PN19 showed binding ability to the S2 membrane proximal region derived peptides, confirmed by molecular modelling, playing a role in the mechanism of action. Collectively, these results confirm that the internal fusion peptide region is a good candidate on which develop peptidomimetic anti SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alfreda Stincarelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Michael Quagliata
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Santo
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of NeuroFarBa, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pacini
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Feliciana Real Fernandez
- CNR - Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019, Italy
| | - Rosaria Arvia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Silvia Rinaldi
- CNR - Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Papini
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Paolo Rovero
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of NeuroFarBa, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Simone Giannecchini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, Florence 50134, Italy.
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22
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Su X, Huang Z, Xu W, Wang Q, Xing L, Lu L, Jiang S, Xia S. IgG Fc-Binding Peptide-Conjugated Pan-CoV Fusion Inhibitor Exhibits Extended In Vivo Half-Life and Synergistic Antiviral Effect When Combined with Neutralizing Antibodies. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1283. [PMID: 37759683 PMCID: PMC10526447 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091283] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The peptide-based pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitor EK1 is in phase III clinical trials, and it has, thus far, shown good clinical application prospects against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. To further improve its in vivo long-acting property, we herein developed an Fc-binding strategy by conjugating EK1 with human immunoglobulin G Fc-binding peptide (IBP), which can exploit the long half-life advantage of IgG in vivo. The newly engineered peptide IBP-EK1 showed potent and broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including various Omicron sublineages and other human coronaviruses (HCoVs) with low cytotoxicity. In mouse models, IBP-EK1 possessed potent prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against lethal HCoV-OC43 challenge, and it showed good safety profile and low immunogenicity. More importantly, IBP-EK1 exhibited a significantly extended in vivo half-life in rhesus monkeys of up to 37.7 h, which is about 20-fold longer than that reported for EK1. Strikingly, IBP-EK1 displayed strong in vitro or ex vivo synergistic anti-HCoV effect when combined with monoclonal neutralizing antibodies, including REGN10933 or S309, suggesting that IBP-conjugated EK1 can be further developed as a long-acting, broad-spectrum anti-HCoV agent, either alone or in combination with neutralizing antibodies, to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic or future outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging highly pathogenic HCoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.S.); (Z.H.); (W.X.); (Q.W.); (L.X.); (L.L.)
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.S.); (Z.H.); (W.X.); (Q.W.); (L.X.); (L.L.)
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23
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Strizzi S, Bernardo L, D'Ursi P, Urbinati C, Bianco A, Limanaqi F, Manconi A, Milanesi M, Macchi A, Di Silvestre D, Cavalleri A, Pareschi G, Rusnati M, Clerici M, Mauri P, Biasin M. An innovative strategy to investigate microbial protein modifications in a reliable fast and sensitive way: A therapy oriented proof of concept based on UV-C irradiation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106862. [PMID: 37479104 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
The characterization of modifications of microbial proteins is of primary importance to dissect pathogen lifecycle mechanisms and could be useful in identifying therapeutic targets. Attempts to solve this issue yielded only partial and non-exhaustive results. We developed a multidisciplinary approach by coupling in vitro infection assay, mass spectrometry (MS), protein 3D modelling, and surface plasma resonance (SPR). As a proof of concept, the effect of low UV-C (273 nm) irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein was investigated. Following UV-C exposure, MS analysis identified, among other modifications, the disruption of a disulphide bond within the conserved S2 subunit of S protein. Computational analyses revealed that this bond breakage associates with an allosteric effect resulting in the generation of a closed conformation with a reduced ability to bind the ACE2 receptor. The UV-C-induced reduced affinity of S protein for ACE2 was further confirmed by SPR analyses and in vitro infection assays. This comprehensive approach pinpoints the S2 domain of S protein as a potential therapeutic target to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Notably, this workflow could be used to screen a wide variety of microbial protein domains, resulting in a precise molecular fingerprint and providing new insights to adequately address future epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Strizzi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Bernardo
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Pasqualina D'Ursi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Chiara Urbinati
- Unit of Macromolecular Interaction Analysis, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Brera Astronomical Observatory, Via E. Bianchi, 46, Merate, 23807 Lecco, Italy
| | - Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi, 20122 Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Manconi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Maria Milanesi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy; Unit of Macromolecular Interaction Analysis, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Macchi
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Brera Astronomical Observatory, Via E. Bianchi, 46, Merate, 23807 Lecco, Italy
| | - Dario Di Silvestre
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Adalberto Cavalleri
- Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, IRCCS Foundation, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Giacomo Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pareschi
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Brera Astronomical Observatory, Via E. Bianchi, 46, Merate, 23807 Lecco, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Unit of Macromolecular Interaction Analysis, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 20122 Milan, Italy; Don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Foundation, Via A. Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, íItaly
| | - PierLuigi Mauri
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy; Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Mara Biasin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi, 20122 Milan, Italy
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24
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Sanders C, Dzelamonyuy A, Ntemafack A, Alatoom N, Nchinda G, Georgiadis M, Waffo AB. Mapping immunological and host receptor binding determinants of SARS-CoV spike protein utilizing the Qubevirus platform. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.27.550841. [PMID: 37546816 PMCID: PMC10402108 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.27.550841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The motifs involved in tropism and immunological interactions of SARS-CoV spike (S) protein were investigated utilizing the Qubevirus platform. We showed that separately, 14 overlapping peptide fragments representing the S protein (F1-14 of 100 residues each) could be inserted into the C-terminus of A1 on recombinant Qubevirus without affecting its viability. Additionally, recombinant phage expression resulted in the surface exposure of different engineered fragments in an accessible manner. The F6 from S 425-525 , was found to contain the binding determinant of the recombinant human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2), with the shortest active binding motif situated between residues S 437-492 . Upstream, another fragment, F7, containing an overlapping portion of F6 would not bind to rhACE2, confirming not just only that residues were linear but equally also the appropriate structural orientation of F6 upon the Qubevirus. The F6 (S 441-460 ) and other inserts, including F7/F8 (S 601-620 ) and F10 (S 781-800 ), were demonstrated to contain important immunological determinants through recognition and binding of S protein specific (anti-S) antibodies. An engineered chimeric insert bearing the fusion of all three anti-S reactive epitopes, improved substantially the recognition and binding to their cognate antibodies. These results provide insights into humoral immune relevant epitopes and tropism characteristics of the S protein with implications for the development of subunit vaccines or other biologics against SARS-CoV. Significance Mapping epitopes within the receptor binding domains of viruses which are essential for viral tropism is critical for developing antiviral agents and subunit vaccines. In this study we have engineered the surface of Qubevirus to display a peptide library derived from the SARS-CoV S protein. In biopanning with S protein antibodies, we have identified three peptide fragments (EP1, EP2 and EP3) which reacted selectively with antibodies specific to the S protein. We demonstrated that all recombinant phage displayed peptide fragments both individually and as chimera exposed important immunological epitopes to their cognate antibodies. A peptide fragment F6 situated at S 425-525 , was found containing the binding determinant of the recombinant human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2), with the shortest active binding motif situated between residues S 437-492 . The platform is rapidly to identify epitopes and receptor binding sites within viral receptors found in target host cell. Thus, this platform holds great significance.
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25
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Gerencer M, McGuffin LJ. Are the integrin binding motifs within SARS CoV-2 spike protein and MHC class II alleles playing the key role in COVID-19? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1177691. [PMID: 37492575 PMCID: PMC10364474 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1177691] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The previous studies on the RGD motif (aa403-405) within the SARS CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD) suggest that the RGD motif binding integrin(s) may play an important role in infection of the host cells. We also discussed the possible role of two other integrin binding motifs that are present in S protein: LDI (aa585-587) and ECD (661-663), the motifs used by some other viruses in the course of infection. The MultiFOLD models for protein structure analysis have shown that the ECD motif is clearly accessible in the S protein, whereas the RGD and LDI motifs are partially accessible. Furthermore, the amino acids that are present in Epstein-Barr virus protein (EBV) gp42 playing very important role in binding to the HLA-DRB1 molecule and in the subsequent immune response evasion, are also present in the S protein heptad repeat-2. Our MultiFOLD model analyses have shown that these amino acids are clearly accessible on the surface in each S protein chain as monomers and in the homotrimer complex and bind to HLA-DRB1 β chain. Therefore, they may have the identical role in SARS CoV-2 immune evasion as in EBV infection. The prediction analyses of the MHC class II binding peptides within the S protein have shown that the RGD motif is present in the core 9-mer peptide IRGDEVRQI within the two HLA-DRB1*03:01 and HLA-DRB3*01.01 strong binding 15-mer peptides suggesting that RGD motif may be the potential immune epitope. Accordingly, infected HLA-DRB1*03:01 or HLA-DRB3*01.01 positive individuals may develop high affinity anti-RGD motif antibodies that react with the RGD motif in the host proteins, like fibrinogen, thrombin or von Willebrand factor, affecting haemostasis or participating in autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liam J. McGuffin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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26
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Hamdy ME, El Deeb AH, Hagag NM, Shahein MA, Alaidi O, Hussein HA. Interspecies transmission of SARS CoV-2 with special emphasis on viral mutations and ACE-2 receptor homology roles. Int J Vet Sci Med 2023; 11:55-86. [PMID: 37441062 PMCID: PMC10334861 DOI: 10.1080/23144599.2023.2222981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 outbreak was first reported in 2019, Wuhan, China. The spillover of the disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), to a wide range of pet, zoo, wild, and farm animals has emphasized potential zoonotic and reverse zoonotic viral transmission. Furthermore, it has evoked inquiries about susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2 infection and role of these animals as viral reservoirs. Therefore, studying susceptible and non-susceptible hosts for SARS-CoV-2 infection could give a better understanding for the virus and will help in preventing further outbreaks. Here, we review structural aspects of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the effect of the different mutations observed in the spike protein, and the impact of ACE2 receptor variations in different animal hosts on inter-species transmission. Moreover, the SARS-CoV-2 spillover chain was reviewed. Combination of SARS-CoV-2 high mutation rate and homology of cellular ACE2 receptors enable the virus to transcend species barriers and facilitate its transmission between humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervat E. Hamdy
- Genome Research Unit, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman H. El Deeb
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, King Salman International University, South Sinai, Egypt
| | - Naglaa M. Hagag
- Genome Research Unit, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Momtaz A. Shahein
- Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Osama Alaidi
- Biocomplexity for Research and Consulting Co., Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hussein A. Hussein
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Li G, Hilgenfeld R, Whitley R, De Clercq E. Therapeutic strategies for COVID-19: progress and lessons learned. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:449-475. [PMID: 37076602 PMCID: PMC10113999 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00672-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 146.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has stimulated tremendous efforts to develop therapeutic strategies that target severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and/or human proteins to control viral infection, encompassing hundreds of potential drugs and thousands of patients in clinical trials. So far, a few small-molecule antiviral drugs (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, remdesivir and molnupiravir) and 11 monoclonal antibodies have been marketed for the treatment of COVID-19, mostly requiring administration within 10 days of symptom onset. In addition, hospitalized patients with severe or critical COVID-19 may benefit from treatment with previously approved immunomodulatory drugs, including glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone, cytokine antagonists such as tocilizumab and Janus kinase inhibitors such as baricitinib. Here, we summarize progress with COVID-19 drug discovery, based on accumulated findings since the pandemic began and a comprehensive list of clinical and preclinical inhibitors with anti-coronavirus activities. We also discuss the lessons learned from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases with regard to drug repurposing strategies, pan-coronavirus drug targets, in vitro assays and animal models, and platform trial design for the development of therapeutics to tackle COVID-19, long COVID and pathogenic coronaviruses in future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangdi Li
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University; Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China.
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Richard Whitley
- Department of Paediatrics, Microbiology, Medicine and Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Erik De Clercq
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Lu Y, Shen F, He W, Li A, Li M, Feng X, Zheng Y, Pang W. HR121 targeting HR2 domain in S2 subunit of spike protein can serve as a broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor via intranasal administration. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023:S2211-3835(23)00192-2. [PMID: 37360013 PMCID: PMC10219671 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.030] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuously emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants pose a great challenge to the efficacy of current drugs, this necessitates the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. In the previous study, we designed a recombinant protein, heptad repeat (HR) 121, as a variant-proof vaccine. Here, we found it can act as a fusion inhibitor and demonstrated broadly neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its main variants. Structure analysis suggested that HR121 targets the HR2 domain in SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) 2 subunit to block virus-cell fusion. Functional experiments demonstrated that HR121 can bind HR2 at serological-pH and endosomal-pH, highlighting its inhibition capacity when SARS-CoV-2 enters via either cellular membrane fusion or endosomal route. Importantly, HR121 can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant pseudoviruses entering the cells, as well as block authentic SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron BA.2 replications in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells. After intranasal administration to Syrian golden hamsters, it can protect hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron BA.2 infection. Together, our results suggest that HR121 is a potent drug candidate with broadly neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenqiang He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Anqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Minghua Li
- Kunming National High-level Biosafety Research Center for Non-human Primates, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Kunming National High-level Biosafety Research Center for Non-human Primates, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China
| | - Yongtang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Pang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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29
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Guo L, Lin S, Chen Z, Cao Y, He B, Lu G. Targetable elements in SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunit for the design of pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitors and vaccines. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:197. [PMID: 37164987 PMCID: PMC10170451 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01472-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused devastating impacts on the public health and the global economy. Rapid viral antigenic evolution has led to the continual generation of new variants. Of special note is the recently expanding Omicron subvariants that are capable of immune evasion from most of the existing neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). This has posed new challenges for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, exploring broad-spectrum antiviral agents to combat the emerging variants is imperative. In sharp contrast to the massive accumulation of mutations within the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD), the S2 fusion subunit has remained highly conserved among variants. Hence, S2-based therapeutics may provide effective cross-protection against new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we summarize the most recently developed broad-spectrum fusion inhibitors (e.g., nAbs, peptides, proteins, and small-molecule compounds) and candidate vaccines targeting the conserved elements in SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunit. The main focus includes all the targetable S2 elements, namely, the fusion peptide, stem helix, and heptad repeats 1 and 2 (HR1-HR2) bundle. Moreover, we provide a detailed summary of the characteristics and action-mechanisms for each class of cross-reactive fusion inhibitors, which should guide and promote future design of S2-based inhibitors and vaccines against new coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Zimin Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Disaster Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Bin He
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Guangwen Lu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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30
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Yang K, Wang C, Kreutzberger AJB, White KI, Pfuetzner RA, Esquivies L, Kirchhausen T, Brunger AT. Structure-based design of a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-specific inhibitor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300360120. [PMID: 36940324 PMCID: PMC10068829 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300360120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) introduced a relatively large number of mutations, including three mutations in the highly conserved heptad repeat 1 (HR1) region of the spike glycoprotein (S) critical for its membrane fusion activity. We show that one of these mutations, N969K induces a substantial displacement in the structure of the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) backbone in the HR1HR2 postfusion bundle. Due to this mutation, fusion-entry peptide inhibitors based on the Wuhan strain sequence are less efficacious. Here, we report an Omicron-specific peptide inhibitor designed based on the structure of the Omicron HR1HR2 postfusion bundle. Specifically, we inserted an additional residue in HR2 near the Omicron HR1 K969 residue to better accommodate the N969K mutation and relieve the distortion in the structure of the HR1HR2 postfusion bundle it introduced. The designed inhibitor recovers the loss of inhibition activity of the original longHR2_42 peptide with the Wuhan strain sequence against the Omicron variant in both a cell-cell fusion assay and a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-SARS-CoV-2 chimera infection assay, suggesting that a similar approach could be used to combat future variants. From a mechanistic perspective, our work suggests the interactions in the extended region of HR2 may mediate the initial landing of HR2 onto HR1 during the transition of the S protein from the prehairpin intermediate to the postfusion state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailu Yang
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Chuchu Wang
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Alex J. B. Kreutzberger
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - K. Ian White
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Richard A. Pfuetzner
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Luis Esquivies
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Tomas Kirchhausen
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Axel T. Brunger
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
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31
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Pozzi C, Vanet A, Francesconi V, Tagliazucchi L, Tassone G, Venturelli A, Spyrakis F, Mazzorana M, Costi MP, Tonelli M. Antitarget, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Leads, Drugs, and the Drug Discovery-Genetics Alliance Perspective. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3664-3702. [PMID: 36857133 PMCID: PMC10005815 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The most advanced antiviral molecules addressing major SARS-CoV-2 targets (Main protease, Spike protein, and RNA polymerase), compared with proteins of other human pathogenic coronaviruses, may have a short-lasting clinical efficacy. Accumulating knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the target structural basis, its mutational progression, and the related biological significance to virus replication allows envisaging the development of better-targeted therapies in the context of COVID-19 epidemic and future coronavirus outbreaks. The identification of evolutionary patterns based solely on sequence information analysis for those targets can provide meaningful insights into the molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions and adaptation, leading to drug resistance phenomena. Herein, we will explore how the study of observed and predicted mutations may offer valuable suggestions for the application of the so-called "synthetic lethal" strategy to SARS-CoV-2 Main protease and Spike protein. The synergy between genetics evidence and drug discovery may prioritize the development of novel long-lasting antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy,
University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena,
Italy
| | - Anne Vanet
- Université Paris Cité,
CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris,
France
| | - Valeria Francesconi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of
Genoa, viale Benedetto XV n.3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Science, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena,
Italy
- Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine
(CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287,
41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giusy Tassone
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy,
University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena,
Italy
| | - Alberto Venturelli
- Department of Life Science, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena,
Italy
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology,
University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin,
Italy
| | - Marco Mazzorana
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and
Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE,
U.K.
| | - Maria P. Costi
- Department of Life Science, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena,
Italy
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of
Genoa, viale Benedetto XV n.3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Essalmani R, Andréo U, Evagelidis A, Le Dévéhat M, Pereira Ramos OH, Fruchart Gaillard C, Susan-Resiga D, Cohen ÉA, Seidah NG. SKI-1/S1P Facilitates SARS-CoV-2 Spike Induced Cell-to-Cell Fusion via Activation of SREBP-2 and Metalloproteases, Whereas PCSK9 Enhances the Degradation of ACE2. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020360. [PMID: 36851576 PMCID: PMC9959508 DOI: 10.3390/v15020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases activate various envelope glycoproteins and participate in cellular entry of many viruses. We recently showed that the convertase furin is critical for the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, which requires cleavage of its spike protein (S) at two sites: S1/S2 and S2'. This study investigates the implication of the two cholesterol-regulating convertases SKI-1 and PCSK9 in SARS-CoV-2 entry. The assays used were cell-to-cell fusion in HeLa cells and pseudoparticle entry into Calu-3 cells. SKI-1 increased cell-to-cell fusion by enhancing the activation of SREBP-2, whereas PCSK9 reduced cell-to-cell fusion by promoting the cellular degradation of ACE2. SKI-1 activity led to enhanced S2' formation, which was attributed to increased metalloprotease activity as a response to enhanced cholesterol levels via activated SREBP-2. However, high metalloprotease activity resulted in the shedding of S2' into a new C-terminal fragment (S2″), leading to reduced cell-to-cell fusion. Indeed, S-mutants that increase S2″ formation abolished S2' and cell-to-cell fusion, as well as pseudoparticle entry, indicating that the formation of S2″ prevents SARS-CoV-2 cell-to-cell fusion and entry. We next demonstrated that PCSK9 enhanced the cellular degradation of ACE2, thereby reducing cell-to-cell fusion. However, different from the LDLR, a canonical target of PCSK9, the C-terminal CHRD domain of PCSK9 is dispensable for the PCSK9-induced degradation of ACE2. Molecular modeling suggested the binding of ACE2 to the Pro/Catalytic domains of mature PCSK9. Thus, both cholesterol-regulating convertases SKI-1 and PCSK9 can modulate SARS-CoV-2 entry via two independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Essalmani
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Ursula Andréo
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Alexandra Evagelidis
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Maïlys Le Dévéhat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Oscar Henrique Pereira Ramos
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SI-MoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Carole Fruchart Gaillard
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SI-MoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Éric A. Cohen
- Laboratory of Human Retrovirology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-987-5609
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33
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Tang M, Zhang X, Huang Y, Cheng W, Qu J, Gui S, Li L, Li S. Peptide-based inhibitors hold great promise as the broad-spectrum agents against coronavirus. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1093646. [PMID: 36741878 PMCID: PMC9893414 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1093646] [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: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the recent SARS-CoV-2 are lethal coronaviruses (CoVs) that have caused dreadful epidemic or pandemic in a large region or globally. Infections of human respiratory systems and other important organs by these pathogenic viruses often results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Efficient anti-viral drugs are needed. Herein, we firstly take SARS-CoV-2 as an example to present the molecular mechanism of CoV infection cycle, including the receptor binding, viral entry, intracellular replication, virion assembly, and release. Then according to their mode of action, we provide a summary of anti-viral peptides that have been reported in peer-reviewed publications. Even though CoVs can rapidly evolve to gain resistance to the conventional small molecule drugs, peptide-based inhibitors targeting various steps of CoV lifecycle remain a promising approach. Peptides can be continuously modified to improve their antiviral efficacy and spectrum along with the emergence of new viral variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Tang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China,Department of Otolaryngology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China,School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanhong Huang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China,School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenxiang Cheng
- Center for Translational Medicine Research and Development, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Qu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuiqing Gui
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Shuiqing Gui, ✉
| | - Liang Li
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China,Liang Li, ✉
| | - Shuo Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China,Shuo Li, ✉
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34
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Zhao Y, Ni W, Liang S, Dong L, Xiang M, Cai Z, Niu D, Zhang Q, Wang D, Zheng Y, Zhang Z, Zhou D, Guo W, Pan Y, Wu X, Yang Y, Jing Z, Jiang Y, Chen Y, Yan H, Zhou Y, Xu K, Lan K. Vaccination with S pan, an antigen guided by SARS-CoV-2 S protein evolution, protects against challenge with viral variants in mice. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabo3332. [PMID: 36599007 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo3332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 continues to accumulate mutations to evade immunity, leading to breakthrough infections after vaccination. How researchers can anticipate the evolutionary trajectory of the virus in advance in the design of next-generation vaccines requires investigation. Here, we performed a comprehensive study of 11,650,487 SARS-CoV-2 sequences, which revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein evolved not randomly but into directional paths of either high infectivity plus low immune resistance or low infectivity plus high immune resistance. The viral infectivity and immune resistance of variants are generally incompatible, except for limited variants such as Beta and Kappa. The Omicron variant has the highest immune resistance but showed high infectivity in only one of the tested cell lines. To provide cross-clade immunity against variants that undergo diverse evolutionary pathways, we designed a new pan-vaccine antigen (Span). Span was designed by analyzing the homology of 2675 SARS-CoV-2 S protein sequences from the NCBI database before the Delta variant emerged. The refined Span protein harbors high-frequency residues at given positions that reflect cross-clade generality in sequence evolution. Compared with a prototype wild-type (Swt) vaccine, which, when administered to mice, induced serum with decreased neutralization activity against emerging variants, Span vaccination of mice elicited broad immunity to a wide range of variants, including those that emerged after our design. Moreover, vaccinating mice with a heterologous Span booster conferred complete protection against lethal infection with the Omicron variant. Our results highlight the importance and feasibility of a universal vaccine to fight against SARS-CoV-2 antigenic drift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Wenjia Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Simeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Lianghui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Min Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zeng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Danping Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Qiuhan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Dehe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yucheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Dan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Wenhua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yongbing Pan
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Wu
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yimin Yang
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhaofei Jing
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yongzhong Jiang
- Hubei Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Huan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ke Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China.,Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, P.R. China
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35
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Lan Q, Wang L, Jiao F, Lu L, Xia S, Jiang S. Pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitors to combat COVID-19 and other emerging coronavirus infectious diseases. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28143. [PMID: 36098460 PMCID: PMC9539121 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the currently ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has posed a serious threat to global public health. Recently, several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged and caused numerous cases of reinfection in convalescent COVID-19 patients, as well as breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals. This calls for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs. Pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitors, targeting the conserved heptad repeat 1 (HR1) in spike protein S2 subunit, can broadly and potently inhibit infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as other human coronaviruses. In this review, we summarized the most recent development of pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitors, such as EK1, EK1C4, and EKL1C, and highlighted their potential application in combating current COVID-19 infection and reinfection, as well as future emerging coronavirus infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoshuai Lan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and BiosecurityFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lijue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and BiosecurityFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Fanke Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and BiosecurityFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and BiosecurityFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and BiosecurityFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and BiosecurityFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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36
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Abulsoud AI, El-Husseiny HM, El-Husseiny AA, El-Mahdy HA, Ismail A, Elkhawaga SY, Khidr EG, Fathi D, Mady EA, Najda A, Algahtani M, Theyab A, Alsharif KF, Albrakati A, Bayram R, Abdel-Daim MM, Doghish AS. Mutations in SARS-CoV-2: Insights on structure, variants, vaccines, and biomedical interventions. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:113977. [PMID: 36370519 PMCID: PMC9637516 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic caused by SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Less than a year after the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, many vaccines have arrived on the market with innovative technologies in the field of vaccinology. Based on the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the Spike SARS-Cov-2 protein or on the use of recombinant adenovirus vectors enabling the gene encoding the Spike protein to be introduced into our cells, these strategies make it possible to envisage the vaccination in a new light with tools that are more scalable than the vaccine strategies used so far. Faced with the appearance of new variants, which will gradually take precedence over the strain at the origin of the pandemic, these new strategies will allow a much faster update of vaccines to fight against these new variants, some of which may escape neutralization by vaccine antibodies. However, only a vaccination policy based on rapid and massive vaccination of the population but requiring a supply of sufficient doses could make it possible to combat the emergence of these variants. Indeed, the greater the number of infected individuals, the faster the virus multiplies, with an increased risk of the emergence of variants in these RNA viruses. This review will discuss SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology and evolution approaches in altered transmission platforms and emphasize the different mutations and how they influence the virus characteristics. Also, this article summarizes the common vaccines and the implication of the mutations and genetic variety of SARS-CoV-2 on the COVID-19 biomedical arbitrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Hussein M El-Husseiny
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai Cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan; Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, Elqaliobiya 13736, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed A El-Husseiny
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hesham A El-Mahdy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samy Y Elkhawaga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Emad Gamil Khidr
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa Fathi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Eman A Mady
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai Cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan; Department of Animal Hygiene, Behavior and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, Elqaliobiya 13736, Egypt
| | - Agnieszka Najda
- Department of Vegetable Crops and Medicinal Plants University of Life Sciences, Lublin 50A Doświadczalna Street, 20-280, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Mohammad Algahtani
- Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, P.O. Box 14799, Mecca 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Theyab
- Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, P.O. Box 14799, Mecca 21955, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalaf F Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory sciences, College of Applied medical sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf Albrakati
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roula Bayram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia; Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
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Ko SH, Chen WY, Su SC, Lin HT, Ke FY, Liang KH, Hsu FF, Kumari M, Fu CY, Wu HC. Monoclonal antibodies against S2 subunit of spike protein exhibit broad reactivity toward SARS-CoV-2 variants. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:108. [PMID: 36550570 PMCID: PMC9774083 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00891-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) harbor diverse spike (S) protein sequences, which can greatly influence the efficacies of therapeutics. Therefore, it would be of great value to develop neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that can broadly recognize multiple variants. METHODS Using an mRNA-LNP immunization strategy, we generated several mAbs that specifically target the conserved S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 (B-S2-mAbs). These mAbs were assessed for their neutralizing activity with pseudotyped viruses and binding ability for SARS-CoV-2 variants. RESULTS Among these mAbs, five exhibited strong neutralizing ability toward the Gamma variant and also recognized viral S proteins from the Wuhan, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron (BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5) variants. Furthermore, we demonstrated the broad reactivities of these B-S2-mAbs in several different applications, including immunosorbent, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting assays. In particular, B-S2-mAb-2 exhibited potent neutralization of Gamma variant (IC50 = 0.048 µg/ml) in a pseudovirus neutralization assay. The neutralizing epitope of B-S2-mAb-2 was identified by phage display as amino acid residues 1146-1152 (DSFKEEL) in the S2 subunit HR2 domain of SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION Since there are not many mAbs that can bind the S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 variants, our set of B-S2-mAbs may provide important materials for basic research and potential clinical applications. Importantly, our study results demonstrate that the viral S2 subunit can be targeted for the production of cross-reactive antibodies, which may be used for coronavirus detection and neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Han Ko
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yu Chen
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chieh Su
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Ting Lin
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yi Ke
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Kang-Hao Liang
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Fu-Fei Hsu
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Monika Kumari
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yu Fu
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
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Lancemaside A from Codonopsis lanceolata: Studies on Antiviral Activity and Mechanism of Action against SARS-CoV-2 and Its Variants of Concern. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0120122. [PMID: 36374087 PMCID: PMC9765103 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01201-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several plant-derived natural products with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity have been evaluated for the potential to serve as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19. Codonopsis lanceolata (CL) has long been used as a medicinal herb in East Asian countries to treat inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system but its antiviral activity has not been investigated so far. Here, we showed that CL extract and its active compound lancemaside A (LA) displayed potent inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection using a pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 entry assay system. We demonstrated that this inhibitory effect of LA was due to the alteration of membrane cholesterol and blockade of the membrane fusion between SARS-CoV-2 and host cells by filipin staining and cell-based membrane fusion assays. Our findings also showed that LA, as a membrane fusion blocker, could impede the endosomal entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs), including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529), in Vero cells with similar of IC50 values ranging from 2.23 to 3.37 μM as well as the TMPRSS2-mediated viral entry pathway in A549 cells overexpressing ACE2 and TMPRSS2 with IC50 value of 3.92 μM. We further demonstrated that LA could prevent the formation of multinucleated syncytia arising from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated membrane fusion. Altogether, the findings reported here suggested that LA could be a broad-spectrum anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agent by targeting the fusion of viral envelope with the host cell membrane.
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Alipoor R, Ranjbar R. Small-molecule metabolites in SARS-CoV-2 treatment: a comprehensive review. Biol Chem 2022; 404:569-584. [PMID: 36490203 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has quickly spread all over the world. In this respect, traditional medicinal chemistry, repurposing, and computational approaches have been exploited to develop novel medicines for treating this condition. The effectiveness of chemicals and testing methods in the identification of new promising therapies, and the extent of preparedness for future pandemics, have been further highly advantaged by recent breakthroughs in introducing noble small compounds for clinical testing purposes. Currently, numerous studies are developing small-molecule (SM) therapeutic products for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication, as well as managing the disease-related outcomes. Transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2)-inhibiting medicinal products can thus prevent the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into the cells, and constrain its spreading along with the morbidity and mortality due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly when co-administered with inhibitors such as chloroquine (CQ) and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). The present review demonstrates that the clinical-stage therapeutic agents, targeting additional viral proteins, might improve the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatment if applied as an adjuvant therapy side-by-side with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Alipoor
- Student Research Committee , Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences , Bandar Abbas , Iran
| | - Reza Ranjbar
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute , Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
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40
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Novel chimeric proteins mimicking SARS-CoV-2 spike epitopes with broad inhibitory activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:2467-2478. [PMID: 36220405 PMCID: PMC9546781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein mediates virus attachment to the cells and fusion between viral and cell membranes. Membrane fusion is driven by mutual interaction between the highly conserved heptad-repeat regions 1 and 2 (HR1 and HR2) of the S2 subunit of the spike. For this reason, these S2 regions are interesting therapeutic targets for COVID-19. Although HR1 and HR2 have been described as transiently exposed during the fusion process, no significant antibody responses against these S2 regions have been reported. Here we designed chimeric proteins that imitate highly stable HR1 helical trimers and strongly bind to HR2. The proteins have broad inhibitory activity against WT B.1 and BA.1 viruses. Sera from COVID-19 convalescent donors showed significant levels of reactive antibodies (IgG and IgA) against the HR1 mimetic proteins, whereas these antibody responses were absent in sera from uninfected donors. Moreover, both inhibitory activity and antigenicity of the proteins correlate positively with their structural stability but not with the number of amino acid changes in their HR1 sequences, indicating a conformational and conserved nature of the involved epitopes. Our results reveal previously undetected spike epitopes that may guide the design of new robust COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.
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41
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Edward PR, Lorenzo-Redondo R, Reyna ME, Simons LM, Hultquist JF, Patel AB, Ozer EA, Muller WJ, Heald-Sargent T, McHugh M, Dean T, Dalal RM, John J, Manz SC, Kociolek LK. Severity of Illness Caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants of Concern in Children: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2022; 11:440-447. [PMID: 35924454 PMCID: PMC9384683 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent COVID-19 surges are attributed to emergence of more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). The relative severity of VOCs in children is unknown. METHODS We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of children ≤18 years old diagnosed with COVID-19 from October 2020-February 2022 and whose SARS-CoV-2 isolate underwent Illumina sequencing. We measured the frequency of five markers of COVID-19 severity. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the odds of each severity marker with each VOC. RESULTS Among 714 children, 471 (66.0%) were infected with a VOC: 96 (13.4%) alpha, 38 (5.3%) gamma, 119 (16.7%) delta, and 215 (30.1%) omicron. High-risk medical conditions and increasing age were independently associated with COVID-19 severity. After adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, high-risk medical conditions, and COVID-19 community incidence, neither alpha, delta, nor omicron was associated with severe COVID-19. Gamma was independently associated with hospitalization (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.0-22.1); pharmacologic treatment (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.2-26.8); respiratory support (OR 11.9, 95% CI 2.7-62.4); and severe disease per the WHO Clinical Progression Scale (OR 11.7, 95% CI 2.1-90.5). Upon subgroup analyses, omicron was independently associated with ICU admission and severe disease per the WHO Clinical Progression Scale in children without SARS-CoV-2 immunization or prior COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS Compared to non-VOC COVID-19, the gamma VOC was independently associated with increased COVID-19 severity, as was omicron in children without SARS-CoV-2 immunization or prior COVID-19 infection. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and prior COVID-19 prevented severe outcomes during the omicron surge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya R Edward
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Megan E Reyna
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lacy M Simons
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Judd F Hultquist
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ami B Patel
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Egon A Ozer
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - William J Muller
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Taylor Heald-Sargent
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthew McHugh
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Taylor Dean
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raj M Dalal
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jordan John
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shannon C Manz
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Larry K Kociolek
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Yang K, Wang C, Kreutzberger AJB, Ojha R, Kuivanen S, Couoh-Cardel S, Muratcioglu S, Eisen TJ, White KI, Held RG, Subramanian S, Marcus K, Pfuetzner RA, Esquivies L, Doyle CA, Kuriyan J, Vapalahti O, Balistreri G, Kirchhausen T, Brunger AT. Nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by an unmodified peptide targeting the prehairpin intermediate of the spike protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210990119. [PMID: 36122200 PMCID: PMC9546559 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210990119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) challenge currently available coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies through epitope change on the receptor binding domain of the viral spike glycoprotein. Hence, there is a specific urgent need for alternative antivirals that target processes less likely to be affected by mutation, such as the membrane fusion step of viral entry into the host cell. One such antiviral class includes peptide inhibitors, which block formation of the so-called heptad repeat 1 and 2 (HR1HR2) six-helix bundle of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and thus interfere with viral membrane fusion. We performed structural studies of the HR1HR2 bundle, revealing an extended, well-folded N-terminal region of HR2 that interacts with the HR1 triple helix. Based on this structure, we designed an extended HR2 peptide that achieves single-digit nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in cell-based and virus-based assays without the need for modifications such as lipidation or chemical stapling. The peptide also strongly inhibits all major SARS-CoV-2 variants to date. This extended peptide is ∼100-fold more potent than all previously published short, unmodified HR2 peptides, and it has a very long inhibition lifetime after washout in virus infection assays, suggesting that it targets a prehairpin intermediate of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Together, these results suggest that regions outside the HR2 helical region may offer new opportunities for potent peptide-derived therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, and even more distantly related viruses, and provide further support for the prehairpin intermediate of the S protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailu Yang
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Chuchu Wang
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Alex J. B. Kreutzberger
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Ravi Ojha
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Suvi Kuivanen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Sergio Couoh-Cardel
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Serena Muratcioglu
- HHMI, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Timothy J. Eisen
- HHMI, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - K. Ian White
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Richard G. Held
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Subu Subramanian
- HHMI, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Kendra Marcus
- HHMI, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Richard A. Pfuetzner
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Luis Esquivies
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Catherine A. Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - John Kuriyan
- HHMI, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital Diagnostic Center, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | | | - Tom Kirchhausen
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Axel T. Brunger
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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43
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Obeng EM, Fianu I, Danquah MK. Multivalent ACE2 engineering-A promising pathway for advanced coronavirus nanomedicine development. NANO TODAY 2022; 46:101580. [PMID: 35942040 PMCID: PMC9350675 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The spread of coronavirus diseases has resulted in a clarion call to develop potent drugs and vaccines even as different strains appear beyond human prediction. An initial step that is integral to the viral entry into host cells results from an active-targeted interaction of the viral spike (S) proteins and the cell surface receptor, called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Thus, engineered ACE2 has been an interesting decoy inhibitor against emerging coronavirus infestation. This article discusses promising innovative ACE2 engineering pathways for current and emerging coronavirus therapeutic development. First, we provide a brief discussion of some ACE2-associated human coronaviruses and their cell invasion mechanism. Then, we describe and contrast the individual spike proteins and ACE2 receptor interactions, highlighting crucial hotspots across the ACE2-associated coronaviruses. Lastly, we address the importance of multivalency in ACE2 nanomedicine engineering and discuss novel approaches to develop and achieve multivalent therapeutic outcomes. Beyond coronaviruses, these approaches will serve as a paradigm to develop new and improved treatment technologies against pathogens that use ACE2 receptor for invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene M Obeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Isaac Fianu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
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44
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Zhou H, Møhlenberg M, Thakor JC, Tuli HS, Wang P, Assaraf YG, Dhama K, Jiang S. Sensitivity to Vaccines, Therapeutic Antibodies, and Viral Entry Inhibitors and Advances To Counter the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0001422. [PMID: 35862736 PMCID: PMC9491202 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00014-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) keeps evolving and mutating into newer variants over time, which gain higher transmissibility, disease severity, and spread in communities at a faster rate, resulting in multiple waves of surge in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. A highly mutated and transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has recently emerged, driving the extremely high peak of infections in almost all continents at an unprecedented speed and scale. The Omicron variant evades the protection rendered by vaccine-induced antibodies and natural infection, as well as overpowers the antibody-based immunotherapies, raising the concerns of current effectiveness of available vaccines and monoclonal antibody-based therapies. This review outlines the most recent advancements in studying the virology and biology of the Omicron variant, highlighting its increased resistance to current antibody-based therapeutics and its immune escape against vaccines. However, the Omicron variant is highly sensitive to viral fusion inhibitors targeting the HR1 motif in the spike protein, enzyme inhibitors, involving the endosomal fusion pathway, and ACE2-based entry inhibitors. Omicron variant-associated infectivity and entry mechanisms of Omicron variant are essentially distinct from previous characterized variants. Innate sensing and immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 and T cell immunity to the virus provide new perspectives of vaccine and drug development. These findings are important for understanding SARS-CoV-2 viral biology and advances in developing vaccines, antibody-based therapies, and more effective strategies to mitigate the transmission of the Omicron variant or the next SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Michelle Møhlenberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jigarji C. Thakor
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Pengfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yehuda G. Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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45
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da Silva SJR, do Nascimento JCF, Germano Mendes RP, Guarines KM, Targino Alves da Silva C, da Silva PG, de Magalhães JJF, Vigar JRJ, Silva-Júnior A, Kohl A, Pardee K, Pena L. Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1758-1814. [PMID: 35940589 PMCID: PMC9380879 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and virulent human-infecting coronavirus that emerged in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, causing a respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has massively impacted global public health and caused widespread disruption to daily life. The crisis caused by COVID-19 has mobilized scientists and public health authorities across the world to rapidly improve our knowledge about this devastating disease, shedding light on its management and control, and spawned the development of new countermeasures. Here we provide an overview of the state of the art of knowledge gained in the last 2 years about the virus and COVID-19, including its origin and natural reservoir hosts, viral etiology, epidemiology, modes of transmission, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, emerging variants, and vaccines, highlighting important differences from previously known highly pathogenic coronaviruses. We also discuss selected key discoveries from each topic and underline the gaps of knowledge for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severino Jefferson Ribeiro da Silva
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Jessica Catarine Frutuoso do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Renata Pessôa Germano Mendes
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Klarissa Miranda Guarines
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Caroline Targino Alves da Silva
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Poliana Gomes da Silva
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jurandy Júnior Ferraz de Magalhães
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.,Department of Virology, Pernambuco State Central Laboratory (LACEN/PE), 52171-011 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.,University of Pernambuco (UPE), Serra Talhada Campus, 56909-335 Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil.,Public Health Laboratory of the XI Regional Health, 56912-160 Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Justin R J Vigar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Abelardo Silva-Júnior
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), 57072-900 Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Pardee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada.,Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Lindomar Pena
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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46
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Gentile D, Coco A, Patamia V, Zagni C, Floresta G, Rescifina A. Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 HR1 with Small Molecules as Inhibitors of the Fusion Process. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710067. [PMID: 36077465 PMCID: PMC9456533 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid and global propagation of the novel human coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has produced an immediate urgency to discover promising targets for the treatment of this virus. In this paper, we studied the spike protein S2 domain of SARS-CoV-2 as it is the most conserved component and controls the crucial fusion process of SARS-CoV-2 as a target for different databases of small organic compounds. Our in silico methodology, based on pharmacophore modeling, docking simulation and molecular dynamics simulations, was first validated with ADS-J1, a potent small-molecule HIV fusion inhibitor that has already proved effective in binding the HR1 domain and inhibiting the fusion core of SARS-CoV-1. It then focused on finding novel small molecules and new peptides as fusion inhibitors. Our methodology identified several small molecules and peptides as potential inhibitors of the fusion process. Among these, NF 023 hydrate (MolPort-006-822-583) is one of the best-scored compounds. Other compounds of interest are ZINC00097961973, Salvianolic acid, Thalassiolin A and marine_160925_88_2. Two interesting active peptides were also identified: AP00094 (Temporin A) and AVP1227 (GBVA5). The inhibition of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a valid target to inhibit the virus entry in human cells. The discussed compounds reported in this paper led to encouraging results for future in vitro tests against SARS-CoV-2.
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47
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Parker E, Anderson C, Zeller M, Tibi A, Havens JL, Laroche G, Benlarbi M, Ariana A, Robles-Sikisaka R, Latif AA, Watts A, Awidi A, Jaradat SA, Gangavarapu K, Ramesh K, Kurzban E, Matteson NL, Han AX, Hughes LD, McGraw M, Spencer E, Nicholson L, Khan K, Suchard MA, Wertheim JO, Wohl S, Côté M, Abdelnour A, Andersen KG, Abu-Dayyeh I. Regional connectivity drove bidirectional transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Middle East during travel restrictions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4784. [PMID: 35970983 PMCID: PMC9376901 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32536-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regional connectivity and land travel have been identified as important drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, the generalizability of this finding is understudied outside of well-sampled, highly connected regions. In this study, we investigated the relative contributions of regional and intercontinental connectivity to the source-sink dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 for Jordan and the Middle East. By integrating genomic, epidemiological and travel data we show that the source of introductions into Jordan was dynamic across 2020, shifting from intercontinental seeding in the early pandemic to more regional seeding for the travel restrictions period. We show that land travel, particularly freight transport, drove introduction risk during the travel restrictions period. High regional connectivity and land travel also drove Jordan's export risk. Our findings emphasize regional connectedness and land travel as drivers of transmission in the Middle East.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyth Parker
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Catelyn Anderson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark Zeller
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ahmad Tibi
- Biolab Diagnostic Laboratories, Amman, Jordan
| | - Jennifer L Havens
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Geneviève Laroche
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mehdi Benlarbi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ardeshir Ariana
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Refugio Robles-Sikisaka
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alaa Abdel Latif
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Abdalla Awidi
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Thrombosis, haemostasis laboratory, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Saied A Jaradat
- Princess Haya Biotechnology Center, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Karthik Gangavarapu
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Karthik Ramesh
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ezra Kurzban
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathaniel L Matteson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alvin X Han
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura D Hughes
- Department of Integrative, Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michelle McGraw
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Emily Spencer
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Marc A Suchard
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joel O Wertheim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shirlee Wohl
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marceline Côté
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Center for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Kristian G Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Issa Abu-Dayyeh
- Biolab Diagnostic Laboratories, Amman, Jordan.
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
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48
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Yang K, Wang C, Kreutzberger AJB, Ojha R, Kuivanen S, Couoh-Cardel S, Muratcioglu S, Eisen TJ, White KI, Held RG, Subramanian S, Marcus K, Pfuetzner RA, Esquivies L, Doyle CA, Kuriyan J, Vapalahti O, Balistreri G, Kirchhausen T, Brunger AT. Nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by an unmodified peptide targeting the pre-hairpin intermediate of the spike protein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.08.11.503553. [PMID: 35982670 PMCID: PMC9387137 DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.11.503553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) challenge currently available COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies through epitope change on the receptor binding domain of the viral spike glycoprotein. Hence, there is a specific urgent need for alternative antivirals that target processes less likely to be affected by mutation, such as the membrane fusion step of viral entry into the host cell. One such antiviral class includes peptide inhibitors which block formation of the so-called HR1HR2 six-helix bundle of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and thus interfere with viral membrane fusion. Here we performed structural studies of the HR1HR2 bundle, revealing an extended, well-folded N-terminal region of HR2 that interacts with the HR1 triple helix. Based on this structure, we designed an extended HR2 peptide that achieves single-digit nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in cell-based fusion, VSV-SARS-CoV-2 chimera, and authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection assays without the need for modifications such as lipidation or chemical stapling. The peptide also strongly inhibits all major SARS-CoV-2 variants to date. This extended peptide is ~100-fold more potent than all previously published short, unmodified HR2 peptides, and it has a very long inhibition lifetime after washout in virus infection assays, suggesting that it targets a pre-hairpin intermediate of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Together, these results suggest that regions outside the HR2 helical region may offer new opportunities for potent peptide-derived therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, and even more distantly related viruses, and provide further support for the pre-hairpin intermediate of the S protein. Significance Statement SARS-CoV-2 infection requires fusion of viral and host membranes, mediated by the viral spike glycoprotein (S). Due to the importance of viral membrane fusion, S has been a popular target for developing vaccines and therapeutics. We discovered a simple peptide that inhibits infection by all major variants of SARS-CoV-2 with nanomolar efficacies. In marked contrast, widely used shorter peptides that lack a key N-terminal extension are about 100 x less potent than this peptide. Our results suggest that a simple peptide with a suitable sequence can be a potent and cost-effective therapeutic against COVID-19 and they provide new insights at the virus entry mechanism.
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49
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Monroe MK, Wang H, Anderson CF, Jia H, Flexner C, Cui H. Leveraging the therapeutic, biological, and self-assembling potential of peptides for the treatment of viral infections. J Control Release 2022; 348:1028-1049. [PMID: 35752254 PMCID: PMC11022941 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Peptides and peptide-based materials have an increasing role in the treatment of viral infections through their use as active pharmaceutical ingredients, targeting moieties, excipients, carriers, or structural components in drug delivery systems. The discovery of peptide-based therapeutic compounds, coupled with the development of new stabilization and formulation strategies, has led to a resurgence of antiviral peptide therapeutics over the past two decades. The ability of peptides to bind cell receptors and to facilitate membrane penetration and subsequent intracellular trafficking enables their use in various antiviral systems for improved targeting efficiency and treatment efficacy. Importantly, the self-assembly of peptides into well-defined nanostructures provides a vast library of discrete constructs and supramolecular biomaterials for systemic and local delivery of antiviral agents. We review here the recent progress in exploiting the therapeutic, biological, and self-assembling potential of peptides, peptide conjugates, and their supramolecular assemblies in treating human viral infections, with an emphasis on the treatment strategies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya K Monroe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America
| | - Caleb F Anderson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America
| | - Hongpeng Jia
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Charles Flexner
- Divisions of Clinical Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America.
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America; Deptartment of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America; Center for Nanomedicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States of America.
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Holanda VN, Lima EMDA, da Silva WV, Maia RT, Medeiros RDL, Ghosh A, Lima VLDM, de Figueiredo RCBQ. Identification of 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives as potential drugs against COVID-19: a virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamic study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:5462-5480. [PMID: 33459182 PMCID: PMC7832388 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1871073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In this work we aimed to perform an in silico predictive screening, docking and molecular dynamic study to identify 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives as drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2. The in silico prediction of pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of hundred one 1,2,3-triazole-phtalimide derivatives, obtained from SciFinder® library, were investigated. Compounds that did not show good gastrointestinal absorption, violated the Lipinski's rules, proved to be positive for the AMES test, and showed to be hepatotoxic or immunotoxic in our ADMET analysis, were filtered out of our study. The hit compounds were further subjected to molecular docking on SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. The ADMET analysis revealed that 43 derivatives violated the Lipinski's rules and 51 other compounds showed to be positive for the toxicity test. Seven 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives (A7, A8, B05, E35, E38, E39, and E40) were selected for molecular docking and MFCC-ab initio analysis. The results of molecular docking pointed the derivative E40 as a promising compound interacting with multiple target proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The complex E40-Mpro was found to have minimum binding energy of -10.26 kcal/mol and a general energy balance, calculated by the quantum mechanical analysis, of -8.63 eV. MD simulation and MMGBSA calculations confirmed that the derivatives E38 and E40 have high binding energies of -63.47 ± 3 and -63.31 ± 7 kcal/mol against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In addition, the derivative E40 exhibited excellent interaction values and inhibitory potential against SAR-Cov-2 main protease and viral nucleocapsid proteins, suggesting this derivative as a potent antiviral for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanderlan Nogueira Holanda
- Laboratório de Lipídios e Aplicação de Biomoléculas em Doenças Prevalentes e Negligenciadas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Elton Marlon de Araújo Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Laboratório de Polímeros Não-Convencionais, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Welson Vicente da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael Trindade Maia
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Semiárido, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Sumé, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Arabinda Ghosh
- Microbiology Division, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Vera Lúcia de Menezes Lima
- Laboratório de Lipídios e Aplicação de Biomoléculas em Doenças Prevalentes e Negligenciadas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Regina Celia Bressan Queiroz de Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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