1
|
Khrenova MG, Nikiforova L, Grabovenko F, Orlova N, Sinegubova M, Kolesov D, Zavyalova E, Subach MF, Polyakov IV, Zatzepin T, Zvereva M. A highly specific aptamer for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the authentic strain. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:5936-5947. [PMID: 38973558 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00645c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
DNA aptamers are oligonucleotides that specifically bind to target molecules, similar to how antibodies bind to antigens. We identified an aptamer named MEZ that is highly specific to the receptor-binding domain, RBD, of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain. The SELEX procedure was utilized to enrich the initial 31-mer oligonucleotide library with the target aptamer. The aptamer identification was performed using the novel protocol based on nanopore sequencing developed in this study. The MEZ aptamer was chemically synthesized and tested for binding with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD of the spike protein from different strains. The Kd is 6.5 nM for the complex with the RBD from the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain, which is comparable with known aptamers; the advantage is that the MEZ aptamer is smaller than known analogs. The proposed aptamer is highly selective for the RBD protein from the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain and does not form complexes with the RBD from Beta, Delta and Omicron strains. Experimental and theoretical studies together revealed the molecular mechanism of aptamer binding. The aptamer occupies the same binding site as ACE2 when bound to the RBD. The 3'-end of the MEZ aptamer is important for complex formation and is responsible for the discrimination of the RBD protein from a specific strain. The 5'-end is responsible for the formation of a loop in the 3D structure of the aptamer, which is important for proper binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Khrenova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Lyudmila Nikiforova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Fedor Grabovenko
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Nadezhda Orlova
- Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117312, Russia
| | - Maria Sinegubova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Denis Kolesov
- Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117312, Russia
| | - Elena Zavyalova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Maksim F Subach
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Igor V Polyakov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Timofei Zatzepin
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Maria Zvereva
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Carroll HK, Broderick A, McCarthy O, Bambury RM, Power DG, Collins DC, Connolly RM, Noonan SA, Collins D, Cunningham E, Kennedy M, O'Driscoll K, Nuzum D, Twomey K, O'Riordan A, O'Sullivan F, Roe C, Lowney AC, O'Leary MJ, O'Reilly S. Room to Improve: An Audit of In-Hospital End-of-Life Care for Oncology Patients in a Tertiary Cancer Centre in Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231196620. [PMID: 37670454 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231196620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic compounded isolation for patients through social distancing measures and staff shortages. We were concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of care provided at end-of-life in 2021 in a national cancer centre, and instigated the first ever review of the care of the dying. Quality of care was assessed retrospectively using a validated instrument developed by the United Kingdom's National Quality Board. Sixty-six patient deaths occurred in our cancer centre in 2021. The 'risk of dying' was documented in 65.2% of records. Palliative care services were involved in 77%, and pastoral care in 10.6%. What was important to the patient was documented in 24.2%. The 'quality-of-death' score was satisfactory for most but poor in 21.2%. Our study prompted change, including appointment of an end-of-life coordinator, development of a checklist to ensure comprehensive communication, expansion of the end-of-life committee to include junior doctors, and regular audit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Orfhlaith McCarthy
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Richard M Bambury
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Derek G Power
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Dearbhaile C Collins
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Roisin M Connolly
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sinead A Noonan
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Elaine Cunningham
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary Kennedy
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Daniel Nuzum
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | - Aoife C Lowney
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary Jane O'Leary
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Seamus O'Reilly
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kaczynski M, Benitez G, Mylona EK, Tran QL, Atalla E, Tsikala-Vafea M, Kalagara S, Shehadeh F, Mylonakis E. Factors Associated With Enrollment into Inpatient Coronavirus Disease 2019 Randomized Controlled Trials: A Cross-sectional Analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad197. [PMID: 37180601 PMCID: PMC10173548 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical trials for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have struggled to achieve diverse patient enrollment, despite underrepresented groups bearing the largest burden of the disease and, presumably, being most in need of the treatments under investigation. Methods To assess the willingness of patients to enroll into inpatient COVID-19 clinical trials when invited, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 who were approached regarding enrollment. Associations between patient and temporal factors and enrollment were assessed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 926 patients were included in this analysis. Overall, Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity was associated with a nearly half-fold decrease in the likelihood to enroll (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.60 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .41-.88]). Greater baseline disease severity (aOR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.02-1.17]), age 40-64 years (aOR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.03-3.25]), and age ≥65 years (aOR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.08-3.42]) were each independently associated with higher likelihood to enroll. Over the course of the pandemic, patients were less likely to enroll during the summer 2021 wave in COVID-19-related hospitalizations (aOR, 0.14 [95% CI, .10-.19]) compared with patients from the first wave in winter 2020. Conclusions The decision to enroll into clinical trials is multifactorial. Amid a pandemic disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, Hispanic/Latinx patients were less likely to participate when invited, whereas older adults were more likely. Future recruitment strategies must consider the nuanced perceptions and needs of diverse patient populations to ensure equitable trial participation that advances the quality of healthcare for all.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Kaczynski
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Gregorio Benitez
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Evangelia K Mylona
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Quynh-Lam Tran
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Eleftheria Atalla
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Maria Tsikala-Vafea
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Saisanjana Kalagara
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Fadi Shehadeh
- Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Correspondence: Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, FIDSA, 6550 Fannin, Smith Tower 1001, Houston, TX 77030 ()
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Putter JS, Seghatchian J. T-cell lymphocytopenia: an omnipresent predictor of morbidity and mortality in consequence of SARS-CoV disease and influenza A infections. Cytokine 2023; 165:156163. [PMID: 36989654 PMCID: PMC9933323 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156163] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
We proposed T-cell lymphocytopenia as a strategic predictor of serious coronavirus and influenza infections. Our preeminent goal was to determine whether a degree of T-cell lymphopenia would identify a distinct threshold cell count to differentiate between severe and non-severe infections. We codified an Index Severity Score to exploit an association between T-cell cytopenia and the grade of disease activity. Principal result A T-cell count of 560 cells/uL or below signified a trend towards advanced disease. Key findings and conclusions The T-cell threshold >560 cells/uL discriminated 85.7% specificity of the lesser viral infections and <=560 cells/uL identified 100% sensitivity of severe infections or death. The positive predictive value of this threshold test was 92.9%.T-cell apoptosis and sequestration are two of the primary mechanisms of T-cell lymphodepletion. There is potential for the T-cell threshold at <=560 cells/uL to become a standard to differentiate disease severity. Future research should explore correlations between the T-cell threshold, medical outcomes of treatment, Cytokine Release Syndromes, cytokine levels, inflammatory and coagulation markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S. Putter
- Medical Biomechanics Inc., 100 E. San Marcos Blvd. #400, North San Diego County, CA 92069 United States of America,Corresponding author
| | - Jerard Seghatchian
- International Consultancyin modern precision personalized blood component therapies. London, England UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nagpal D, Nagpal S, Kaushik D, Kathuria H. Current clinical status of new COVID-19 vaccines and immunotherapy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:70772-70807. [PMID: 36063274 PMCID: PMC9442597 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22661-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a positive-strand RNA belonging to Coronaviridae family, along with MERS and SARS. Since its first report in 2019 in Wuhan, China, it has affected over 530 million people and led to 6.3 million deaths worldwide until June 2022. Despite eleven vaccines being used worldwide already, new variants are of concern. Therefore, the governing bodies are re-evaluating the strategies for achieving universal vaccination. Initially, the WHO expected that vaccines showing around 50-80% efficacy would develop in 1-2 years. However, US-FDA announced emergency approval of the two m-RNA vaccines within 11 months of vaccine development, which enabled early vaccination for healthcare workers in many countries. Later, in January 2021, 63 vaccine candidates were under human clinical trials and 172 under preclinical development. Currently, the number of such clinical studies is still increasing. In this review, we have summarized the updates on the clinical status of the COVID-19 and the available treatments. Additionally, COVID-19 had created negative impacts on world's economy; affected agriculture, industries, and tourism service sectors; and majorly affected low-income countries. The review discusses the clinical outcomes, latest statistics, socio-economic impacts of pandemic and treatment approaches against SARS-CoV-2, and strategies against the new variant of concern. The review will help understand the current status of vaccines and other therapies while also providing insights about upcoming vaccines and therapies for COVID-19 management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Nagpal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
| | - Shakti Nagpal
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543 Republic of Singapore
| | - Deepak Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
| | - Himanshu Kathuria
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543 Republic of Singapore
- Nusmetics Pte Ltd, Makerspace, i4 building, 3 Research Link, Singapore, 117602 Republic of Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Madariaga-Mazón A, Naveja JJ, Becerra A, Alberto Campillo-Balderas J, Hernández-Morales R, Jácome R, Lazcano A, Martinez-Mayorga K. Subtle structural differences of nucleotide analogs may impact SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and exoribonuclease activity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5181-5192. [PMID: 36097553 PMCID: PMC9452397 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread and public health impact of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variants that cause COVID-19 continue to produce major global impacts and social distress. Several vaccines were developed in record time to prevent and limit the spread of the infection, thus playing a pivotal role in controlling the pandemic. Although the repurposing of available drugs attempts to provide therapies of immediate access against COVID-19, there is still a need for developing specific treatments for this disease. Remdesivir, molnupiravir and Paxlovid remain the only evidence-supported antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19 patients, and only in severe cases. To contribute on the search of potential Covid-19 therapeutic agents, we targeted the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the exoribonuclease (ExoN) following two strategies. First, we modeled and analyzed nucleoside analogs sofosbuvir, remdesivir, favipiravir, ribavirin, and molnupiravir at three key binding sites on the RdRp-ExoN complex. Second, we curated and virtually screened a database containing 517 nucleotide analogs in the same binding sites. Finally, we characterized key interactions and pharmacophoric features presumably involved in viral replication halting at multiple sites. Our results highlight structural modifications that might lead to more potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors against an expansive range of variants and provide a collection of nucleotide analogs useful for screening campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Madariaga-Mazón
- Instituto de Química Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz Km. 4.5, Ucú, Yucatán, Mexico.,Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sierra Papacál Mérida, Yucatán 97302, Mexico
| | - José J Naveja
- Instituto de Química Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz Km. 4.5, Ucú, Yucatán, Mexico.,Institute for Molecular Biology and University Cancer Center (UCT) Mainz, Germany
| | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,El Colegio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karina Martinez-Mayorga
- Instituto de Química Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz Km. 4.5, Ucú, Yucatán, Mexico.,Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sierra Papacál Mérida, Yucatán 97302, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|