1
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Golden JW, Kwilas SA, Hooper JW. Glycoprotein-Specific Polyclonal Antibodies Targeting Machupo Virus Protect Guinea Pigs against Lethal Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:674. [PMID: 38932403 PMCID: PMC11209097 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060674] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Convalescent plasma has been shown to be effective at protecting humans against severe diseases caused by New World (NW) arenaviruses, including Junin virus (JUNV) and Machupo virus (MACV). This plasma contains antibodies against the full complement of structural proteins including the nucleocapsid and envelope glycoproteins (GPcs) consisting of GP1 and GP2. To gain insights into the protective and cross-protective properties of anti-GPc-specific polyclonal antibodies, we evaluated the ability of a DNA vaccine-produced anti-GPc rabbit antisera targeting MACV strain Carvallo to provide heterologous protection against another MACV strain termed Chicava in the Hartley guinea pig model. The neutralizing activity of the rabbit antisera against the heterologous MACV strains Chicava and Mallale was found to be 54-fold and 23-fold lower, respectively, compared to the titer against the homologous MACV strain Carvallo in the PRNT50 assay. Despite lower neutralizing activity against the strain Chicava, the rabbit antisera protected 100% of the guinea pigs from this strain when administered up to four days post-infection, whereas all the control animals succumbed to the disease. Using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) particles pseudotyped with MACV GPc, we identified a single amino acid difference at position 122 between the strains Chicava and Carvallo GPc that significantly influenced the neutralization activity of the rabbit antisera. These findings indicate that polyclonal antibodies targeting the MACV glycoproteins can protect against lethal infection in a post-challenge setting. These data will help guide future antibody-based therapeutics development against NW arenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jay W. Hooper
- Department of Molecular Virology, Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA; (J.W.G.); (S.A.K.)
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2
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Jain S, Shrivastava-Ranjan P, Flint M, Montgomery JM, Spiropoulou CF, Albariño CG. Development of reverse genetic tools to study Chapare and Machupo viruses. Virology 2023; 588:109888. [PMID: 37774602 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109888] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Arenaviruses are highly pathogenic viruses that pose a serious public health threat. Chapare virus (CHAV) and Machupo virus (MACV), two New World arenaviruses, cause hemorrhagic fevers with case fatality rates of up to 45%. Research on therapeutic drug targets and vaccines for these viruses is limited because biosafety level 4 containment is required for handling them. In this study, we developed reverse genetics systems, including minigenomes and recombinant viruses, that will facilitate the study of these pathogens. The minigenome system is based on the S segment of CHAV or MACV genomes expressing the fluorescent reporter gene ZsGreen (ZsG). We also generated recombinant CHAV and MACV with and without the ZsG reporter gene. As a proof-of-concept study, we used both minigenomes and recombinant viruses to test the inhibitory effects of previously reported antiviral compounds. The new reverse genetics system described here will facilitate future therapeutic studies for these two life-threatening arenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Jain
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Punya Shrivastava-Ranjan
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mike Flint
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joel M Montgomery
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christina F Spiropoulou
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - César G Albariño
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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3
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Cline C, Zeng X, Bell TM, Shaia C, Facemire P, Williams J, Davis N, Babka A, Picado E, Fitzpatrick C, Golden JW. Temporal changes in pathology and viral RNA distribution in guinea pigs following separate infection with two New World Arenaviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011620. [PMID: 37682988 PMCID: PMC10511090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous arenaviruses have been identified throughout the Americas and a subset of these viruses cause viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. This study compared the pathology and viral RNA distribution in Hartley guinea pigs challenged with two human-disease causing New World arenaviruses, Junin virus (JUNV) or Guanarito virus (GTOV). Histopathologic analysis and RNA in situ hybridization revealed similar pathology and viral RNA distribution for both groups of animals challenged with either JUNV or GTOV on days 3, 7, 10 and 12 post exposure (PE). Gross lesions were first observed on day 7 and primarily involved the lungs and liver. The most severe histologic lesions occurred in the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus and included lymphoid depletion and necrosis which increased in severity over time. Extensive necrosis was also observed in the bone marrow on day 12. Minimal to mild inflammation with and without necrosis was observed in the choroid plexus of the brain, choroid of the eye, intestinal tract, lung and adrenal gland. Significant liver lesions were rare, consisting predominantly of hepatocyte vacuolation. Viral RNA labeling was identified in nearly all organs examined, was often extensive in certain organs and generally increased over time starting on day 7. Our data demonstrate the guinea pig may serve as a useful model to study New World arenavirus infection in humans and for the evaluation and development of medical countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis Cline
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Todd M. Bell
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Paul Facemire
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Janice Williams
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Neil Davis
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - April Babka
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Edwin Picado
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Colin Fitzpatrick
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph W. Golden
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
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4
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Saito T, Reyna RA, Taniguchi S, Littlefield K, Paessler S, Maruyama J. Vaccine Candidates against Arenavirus Infections. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:635. [PMID: 36992218 PMCID: PMC10057967 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030635] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The viral family Arenaviridae contains several members that cause severe, and often lethal, diseases in humans. Several highly pathogenic arenaviruses are classified as Risk Group 4 agents and must be handled in the highest biological containment facility, biosafety level-4 (BSL-4). Vaccines and treatments are very limited for these pathogens. The development of vaccines is crucial for the establishment of countermeasures against highly pathogenic arenavirus infections. While several vaccine candidates have been investigated, there are currently no approved vaccines for arenavirus infection except for Candid#1, a live-attenuated Junin virus vaccine only licensed in Argentina. Current platforms under investigation for use include live-attenuated vaccines, recombinant virus-based vaccines, and recombinant proteins. We summarize here the recent updates of vaccine candidates against arenavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Saito
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Kirsten Littlefield
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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5
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A MOPEVAC multivalent vaccine induces sterile protection against New World arenaviruses in non-human primates. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:64-76. [PMID: 36604507 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01281-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic New World arenaviruses (NWAs) cause haemorrhagic fevers and can have high mortality rates, as shown in outbreaks in South America. Neutralizing antibodies (Abs) are critical for protection from NWAs. Having shown that the MOPEVAC vaccine, based on a hyperattenuated arenavirus, induces neutralizing Abs against Lassa fever, we hypothesized that expression of NWA glycoproteins in this platform might protect against NWAs. Cynomolgus monkeys immunized with MOPEVACMAC, targeting Machupo virus, prevented the lethality of this virus and induced partially NWA cross-reactive neutralizing Abs. We then developed the pentavalent MOPEVACNEW vaccine, expressing glycoproteins from all pathogenic South American NWAs. Immunization of cynomolgus monkeys with MOPEVACNEW induced neutralizing Abs against five NWAs, strong innate followed by adaptive immune responses as detected by transcriptomics and provided sterile protection against Machupo virus and the genetically distant Guanarito virus. MOPEVACNEW may thus be efficient to protect against existing and potentially emerging NWAs.
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6
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Silva-Ramos CR, Montoya-Ruíz C, Faccini-Martínez ÁA, Rodas JD. An updated review and current challenges of Guanarito virus infection, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. Arch Virol 2022; 167:1727-1738. [PMID: 35579715 PMCID: PMC9110938 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05453-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Guanarito virus (GTOV) is a member of the family Arenaviridae and has been designated a category A bioterrorism agent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is endemic to Venezuela's western region, and it is the etiological agent of "Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever" (VHF). Similar to other arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers, VHF is characterized by fever, mild hemorrhagic signs, nonspecific symptoms, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Patients with severe disease usually develop signs of internal bleeding. Due to the absence of reference laboratories that can handle GTOV in endemic areas, diagnosis is primarily clinical and epidemiological. No antiviral therapies are available; thus, treatment includes only supportive analgesia and fluids. GTOV is transmitted by contact with the excreta of its rodent reservoir, Zygodontomys brevicauda. The main reasons for the emergence of the disease may be the increase in the human population, migration, and changes in land use patterns in rural areas. Social and environmental changes could make VHF an important cause of underdiagnosed acute febrile illnesses in regions near the endemic areas. Although there is evidence that GTOV circulates among rodents in different Venezuelan states, VHF cases have only been reported in the states of Portuguesa and Barinas. However, due to the increased frequency of invasions by humans into wildlife habitats, it is probable that VHF could become a public health problem in the nearby regions of Colombia and Brazil. The current Venezuelan political crisis is causing an increase in the migration of people and livestock, representing a risk for the redistribution and re-emergence of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Montoya-Ruíz
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 65, #59a, 110, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
| | - Álvaro A Faccini-Martínez
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Comité de Medicina Tropical, Zoonosis y Medicina del Viajero, Asociación Colombiana de Infectología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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7
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Mantlo EK, Maruyama J, Manning JT, Wanninger TG, Huang C, Smith JN, Patterson M, Paessler S, Koma T. Machupo Virus with Mutations in the Transmembrane Domain and Glycosylation Sites of the Glycoprotein Is Attenuated and Immunogenic in Animal Models of Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever. J Virol 2022; 96:e0020922. [PMID: 35343792 PMCID: PMC9044957 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00209-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Several highly pathogenic mammarenaviruses cause severe hemorrhagic and neurologic disease in humans for which vaccines and antivirals are limited or unavailable. New World (NW) mammarenavirus Machupo virus (MACV) infection causes Bolivian hemorrhagic fever in humans. We previously reported that the disruption of specific N-linked glycan sites on the glycoprotein (GPC) partially attenuates MACV in an interferon alpha/beta and gamma (IFN-α/β and -γ) receptor knockout (R-/-) mouse model. However, some capability to induce neurological pathology still remained. The highly pathogenic Junin virus (JUNV) is another NW arenavirus closely related to MACV. An F427I substitution in the GPC transmembrane domain (TMD) rendered JUNV attenuated in a lethal mouse model after intracranial inoculation. In this study, we rationally designed and rescued a MACV containing mutations at two glycosylation sites and the corresponding F438I substitution in the GPC TMD. The MACV mutant is fully attenuated in IFN-α/β and -γ R-/- mice and outbred guinea pigs. Furthermore, inoculation with this mutant MACV completely protected guinea pigs from wild-type MACV lethal challenge. Last, we found the GPC TMD F438I substitution greatly impaired MACV growth in neuronal cell lines of mouse and human origins. Our results highlight the critical roles of the glycans and the TMD on the GPC in arenavirus virulence, which provide insight into the rational design of potential vaccine candidates for highly pathogenic arenaviruses. IMPORTANCE For arenaviruses, the only vaccine available is the live attenuated Candid#1 vaccine, a JUNV vaccine approved in Argentina. We and others have found that the glycans on GPC and the F427 residue in the GPC TMD are important for virulence of JUNV. Nevertheless, mutating either of them is not sufficient for full and stable attenuation of JUNV. Using reverse genetics, we disrupted specific glycosylation sites on MACV GPC and also introduced the corresponding F438I substitution in the GPC TMD. This MACV mutant is fully attenuated in two animal models and protects animals from lethal infection. Thus, our studies highlight the feasibility of rational attenuation of highly pathogenic arenaviruses for vaccine development. Another important finding from this study is that the F438I substitution in GPC TMD could substantially affect MACV replication in neurons. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanism and the implication of this mutation in arenavirus neural tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K. Mantlo
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - John T. Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy G. Wanninger
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeanon N. Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael Patterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Takaaki Koma
- Department of Microbiology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
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8
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Hashizume M, Takashima A, Iwasaki M. A small stem-loop-forming region within the 3'-UTR of a non-polyadenylated LCMV mRNA promotes translation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101576. [PMID: 35026225 PMCID: PMC8888456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101576] [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: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian arenavirus (mammarenavirus) mRNAs are characterized by 5′-capped and 3′-nonpolyadenylated untranslated regions (UTRs). We previously reported that the nonpolyadenylated 3′-UTR of viral mRNA (vmRNA), which is derived from the noncoding intergenic region (IGR), regulates viral protein levels at the posttranscriptional level. This finding provided the basis for the development of novel live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) against human pathogenic mammarenaviruses. Detailed information about the roles of specific vmRNA 3′-UTR sequences in controlling translation efficiency will help in understanding the mechanism underlying attenuation by IGR manipulations. Here, we characterize the roles of cis-acting mRNA regulatory sequences of a prototypic mammarenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), in modulating translational efficiency. Using in vitro transcribed RNA mimics encoding a reporter gene, we demonstrate that the 3′-UTR of nucleoprotein (NP) mRNA without a poly(A) tail promotes translation in a poly(A)-binding protein-independent manner. Comparison with the 3′-UTR of glycoprotein precursor mRNA, which is translated less efficiently, revealed that a 10-nucleotide sequence proximal to the NP open reading frame is essential for promoting translation. Modification of this 10-nucleotide sequence also impacted reporter gene expression in recombinant LCMV. Our findings will enable rational design of the 10-nucleotide sequence to further improve our mammarenavirus LAV candidates and to develop a novel LCMV vector capable of controlling foreign gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Hashizume
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ayako Takashima
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masaharu Iwasaki
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, 2-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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9
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Wang N, Yang L, Li G, Zhang X, Shao J, Ma J, Chen S, Liu Q. Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Wenzhou virus in rodents in Guangzhou, China. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:301. [PMID: 34496846 PMCID: PMC8424800 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03009-2] [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: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wenzhou virus (WENV), a newly discovered mammarenavirus in rodents, is associated with fever and respiratory symptoms in humans. This study was aimed to detect and characterize the emerging virus in rodents in Guangzhou, China. Results A total of 100 small mammals, including 70 Rattus norvegicus, 22 Suncus murinus, 4 Bandicota indica, 3 Rattus flavipectus, and 1 Rattus losea, were captured in Guangzhou, and their brain tissues were collected and pooled for metagenomic analysis, which generated several contigs targeting the genome of WENV. Two R. norvegicus (2.9%) were further confirmed to be infected with WENV by RT-PCR. The complete genome (RnGZ37-2018 and RnGZ40-2018) shared 85.1–88.9% nt and 83.2–96.3% aa sequence identities to the Cambodian strains that have been shown to be associated with human disease. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all identified WENV could be grouped into four different lineages, and the two Guangzhou strains formed an independent clade. We also analyzed the potential recombinant events occurring in WENV strains. Conclusions Our study showed a high genetic diversity of WENV strains in China, emphasizing the relevance of surveillance of this emerging mammarenavirus in both natural reservoirs and humans. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-021-03009-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lichao Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guohui Li
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianwei Shao
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jun Ma
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shouyi Chen
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 510440, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Quan Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, 440605, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
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10
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Golden JW, Zeng X, Cline CR, Garrison AR, White LE, Fitzpatrick CJ, Kwilas SA, Bowling PA, Fiallos JO, Moore JL, Sifford WB, Ricks KM, Mucker EM, Smith JM, Hooper JW. Human convalescent plasma protects K18-hACE2 mice against severe respiratory disease. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 33961540 PMCID: PMC8295914 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and human infections have resulted in a global health emergency. Small animal models that reproduce key elements of SARS-CoV-2 human infections are needed to rigorously screen candidate drugs to mitigate severe disease and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We and others have reported that transgenic mice expressing the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) viral receptor under the control of the Keratin 18 (K18) promoter develop severe and lethal respiratory disease subsequent to SARS-CoV-2 intranasal challenge. Here we report that some infected mice that survive challenge have residual pulmonary damages and persistent brain infection on day 28 post-infection despite the presence of anti-SARS-COV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Because of the hypersensitivity of K18-hACE2 mice to SARS-CoV-2 and the propensity of virus to infect the brain, we sought to determine if anti-infective biologics could protect against disease in this model system. We demonstrate that anti-SARS-CoV-2 human convalescent plasma protects K18-hACE2 against severe disease. All control mice succumbed to disease by day 7; however, all treated mice survived infection without observable signs of disease. In marked contrast to control mice, viral antigen and lesions were reduced or absent from lungs and absent in brains of antibody-treated mice. Our findings support the use of K18-hACE2 mice for protective efficacy studies of anti-SARS-CoV-2 medical countermeasures (MCMs). They also support the use of this system to study SARS-CoV-2 persistence and host recovery.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Lung Injury/prevention & control
- Acute Lung Injury/virology
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/genetics
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Brain/pathology
- Brain/virology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/pathology
- COVID-19/therapy
- COVID-19/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Humans
- Immunization, Passive
- Lung/pathology
- Lung/virology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Receptors, Coronavirus/genetics
- Receptors, Coronavirus/metabolism
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification
- SARS-CoV-2/physiology
- Severity of Illness Index
- Viral Load
- Virus Replication
- COVID-19 Serotherapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Golden
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- Pathology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Curtis R Cline
- Pathology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Aura R Garrison
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Lauren E White
- Veterinary Medicine Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Collin J Fitzpatrick
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Steven A Kwilas
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Philip A Bowling
- Veterinary Medicine Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jimmy O Fiallos
- Veterinary Medicine Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Joshua L Moore
- Veterinary Medicine Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Willie B Sifford
- Veterinary Medicine Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Keersten M Ricks
- Diagnostic Services Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Eric M Mucker
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Smith
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jay W Hooper
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
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Pathogen Dose in Animal Models of Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infections and the Potential Impact on Studies of the Immune Response. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030275. [PMID: 33804381 PMCID: PMC7999429 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic fever viruses come from a wide range of virus families and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide each year. Animal models of infection with a number of these viruses have contributed to our knowledge of their pathogenesis and have been crucial for the development of therapeutics and vaccines that have been approved for human use. Most of these models use artificially high doses of virus, ensuring lethality in pre-clinical drug development studies. However, this can have a significant effect on the immune response generated. Here I discuss how the dose of antigen or pathogen is a critical determinant of immune responses and suggest that the current study of viruses in animal models should take this into account when developing and studying animal models of disease. This can have implications for determination of immune correlates of protection against disease as well as informing relevant vaccination and therapeutic strategies.
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12
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Koma T, Huang C, Coscia A, Hallam S, Manning JT, Maruyama J, Walker AG, Miller M, Smith JN, Patterson M, Abraham J, Paessler S. Glycoprotein N-linked glycans play a critical role in arenavirus pathogenicity. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009356. [PMID: 33647064 PMCID: PMC7951981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fevers in humans with high case fatality rates. A vaccine named Candid#1 is available only against Junin virus (JUNV) in Argentina. Specific N-linked glycans on the arenavirus surface glycoprotein (GP) mask important epitopes and help the virus evade antibody responses. However the role of GPC glycans in arenavirus pathogenicity is largely unclear. In a lethal animal model of hemorrhagic fever-causing Machupo virus (MACV) infection, we found that a chimeric MACV with the ectodomain of GPC from Candid#1 vaccine was partially attenuated. Interestingly, mutations resulting in acquisition of N-linked glycans at GPC N83 and N166 frequently occurred in late stages of the infection. These glycosylation sites are conserved in the GPC of wild-type MACV, indicating that this is a phenotypic reversion for the chimeric MACV to gain those glycans crucial for infection in vivo. Further studies indicated that the GPC mutant viruses with additional glycans became more resistant to neutralizing antibodies and more virulent in animals. On the other hand, disruption of these glycosylation sites on wild-type MACV GPC rendered the virus substantially attenuated in vivo and also more susceptible to antibody neutralization, while loss of these glycans did not affect virus growth in cultured cells. We also found that MACV lacking specific GPC glycans elicited higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against wild-type MACV. Our findings revealed the critical role of specific glycans on GPC in arenavirus pathogenicity and have important implications for rational design of vaccines against this group of hemorrhagic fever-causing viruses. Several arenaviruses cause severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans. The only vaccine against arenavirus infections is Candid#1, a live attenuated vaccine against Argentine hemorrhagic fever. So far, we have successfully attenuated additional one of the arenaviruses, Machupo virus, the causative agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever. Unraveling this attenuation mechanism might help the development of live-attenuated vaccines for other arenaviruses. In this study, we revealed that the specific glycans of the viral glycoproteins play an important role in pathogenicity in vivo. The glycans facilitate the virus to evade neutralizing antibodies. This study would contribute to the development of arenavirus vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Koma
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Adrian Coscia
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Steven Hallam
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - John T. Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Aida G. Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Milagros Miller
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jeanon N. Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael Patterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Abraham
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Frank MG, Beitscher A, Webb CM, Raabe V. South American Hemorrhagic Fevers: A summary for clinicians. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 105:505-515. [PMID: 33610781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This article is one of a series on acute, severe diseases of humans caused by emerging viruses for which there are no or limited licensed medical countermeasures. We approached this summary on South American Hemorrhagic Fevers (SAHF) from a clinical perspective that focuses on pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnostics with an emphasis on therapies and vaccines that have demonstrated potential for use in an emergency situation through their evaluation in nonhuman primates (NHPs) and/or in humans. METHODS A standardized literature review was conducted on the clinical, pathological, vaccine, and treatment factors for SAHF as a group and for each individual virus/disease. RESULTS We identified 2 treatments and 1 vaccine platform that have demonstrated potential benefit for treating or preventing infection in humans and 4 other potential treatments currently under investigation. CONCLUSION We provide succinct summaries of these countermeasures to give the busy clinician a head start in reviewing the literature if faced with a patient with South American Hemorrhagic Fever. We also provide links to other authoritative sources of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Frank
- Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, United States.
| | - Adam Beitscher
- Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, United States.
| | - Camille M Webb
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.
| | - Vanessa Raabe
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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Ye C, de la Torre JC, Martinez-Sobrido L. Reverse genetics approaches for the development of mammarenavirus live-attenuated vaccines. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 44:66-72. [PMID: 32721864 PMCID: PMC7755828 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Several mammarenaviruses can cause severe hemorrhagic fever disease with a very high case fatality rate, representing important threats to human health within the viruses' endemic regions. To date, there are no United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed vaccines available to combat mammarenavirus infections in humans, and current anti-mammarenavirus therapy is limited to off-label use of the guanosine analog ribavirin, which has limited efficacy and has been associated with significant side effects. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent viral diseases, and live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) have been shown to often provide long-term protection against a subsequent natural infection by the corresponding virulent form of the virus. The development of mammarenavirus reverse genetics systems has provided investigators with a powerful approach for the investigation of the molecular and cell biology of mammarenaviruses and also for the generation of recombinant viruses containing predetermined mutations in their genome for their implementation as LAVs for the treatment of mammarenavirus infections. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the mammarenavirus molecular and cell biology, and the use of reverse genetic approaches for the generation of recombinant mammarenaviruses. Moreover, we briefly discus some novel LAV approaches for the treatment of mammarenavirus infections based on the use of reverse genetics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Juan C de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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15
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Development of Reverse Genetics for the Prototype New World Mammarenavirus Tacaribe Virus. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01014-20. [PMID: 32669332 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01014-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The New World mammarenavirus Tacaribe virus (TCRV) has been isolated from fruit bats, mosquitoes, and ticks, whereas all other known New World mammarenaviruses are maintained in rodents. TCRV has not been linked to human disease, but it has been shown to protect against Argentine hemorrhagic fever-like disease in marmosets infected with the New World mammarenavirus Junín virus (JUNV), indicating the potential of TCRV as a live-attenuated vaccine for the treatment of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Implementation of TCRV as a live-attenuated vaccine or a vaccine vector would be facilitated by the establishment of reverse genetics systems for the genetic manipulation of the TCRV genome. In this study, we developed, for the first time, reverse genetics approaches for the generation of recombinant TCRV (rTCRV). We successfully rescued a wild-type (WT) rTCRV (a trisegmented form of TCRV expressing two reporter genes [r3TCRV]) and a bisegmented TCRV expressing a single reporter gene from a bicistronic viral mRNA (rTCRV/GFP). These reverse genetics approaches represent an excellent tool to investigate the biology of TCRV and to explore its potential use as a live-attenuated vaccine or a vaccine vector for the treatment of other viral infections. Notably, we identified a 39-nucleotide (nt) deletion (Δ39) in the noncoding intergenic region (IGR) of the viral large (L) segment that is required for optimal virus multiplication. Accordingly, an rTCRV containing this 39-nt deletion in the L-IGR (rTCRV/Δ39) exhibited decreased viral fitness in cultured cells, suggesting the feasibility of using this deletion in the L-IGR as an approach to attenuate TCRV, and potentially other mammarenaviruses, for their implementation as live-attenuated vaccines or vaccine vectors.IMPORTANCE To date, no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccines are available to combat hemorrhagic fever caused by mammarenavirus infections in humans. Treatment of mammarenavirus infections is limited to the off-label use of ribavirin, which is partially effective and associated with significant side effects. Tacaribe virus (TCRV), the prototype member of the New World mammarenaviruses, is nonpathogenic in humans but able to provide protection against Junín virus (JUNV), the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, demonstrating the feasibility of using TCRV as a live-attenuated vaccine vector for the treatment of JUNV and potentially other viral infections. Here, we describe for the first time the feasibility of generating recombinant TCRV (rTCRV) using reverse genetics approaches, which paves the way to study the biology of TCRV and also its potential use as a live-attenuated vaccine or a vaccine vector for the treatment of mammarenavirus and/or other viral infections in humans.
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16
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Cai Y, Iwasaki M, Motooka D, Liu DX, Yu S, Cooper K, Hart R, Adams R, Burdette T, Postnikova EN, Kurtz J, St Claire M, Ye C, Kuhn JH, Martínez-Sobrido L, de la Torre JC. A Lassa Virus Live-Attenuated Vaccine Candidate Based on Rearrangement of the Intergenic Region. mBio 2020; 11:e00186-20. [PMID: 32209677 PMCID: PMC7157513 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00186-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) poses a significant public health problem within the regions of Lassa fever endemicity in Western Africa. LASV infects several hundred thousand individuals yearly, and a considerable number of Lassa fever cases are associated with high morbidity and lethality. No approved LASV vaccine is available, and current therapy is limited to an off-label usage of ribavirin that is only partially effective and associated with significant side effects. The impact of Lassa fever on human health, together with the limited existing countermeasures, highlights the importance of developing effective vaccines against LASV. Here, we present the development and characterization of a recombinant LASV (rLASV) vaccine candidate [rLASV(IGR/S-S)], which is based on the presence of the noncoding intergenic region (IGR) of the small (S) genome segment (S-IGR) in both large (L) and S LASV segments. In cultured cells, rLASV(IGR/S-S) was modestly less fit than wild-type rLASV (rLASV-WT). rLASV(IGR/S-S) was highly attenuated in guinea pigs, and a single subcutaneous low dose of the virus completely protected against otherwise lethal infection with LASV-WT. Moreover, rLASV(IGR/S-S) was genetically stable during serial passages in cultured cells. These findings indicate that rLASV(IGR/S-S) can be developed into a LASV live-attenuated vaccine (LAV) that has the same antigenic composition as LASV-WT and a well-defined mechanism of attenuation that overcomes concerns about increased virulence that could be caused by genetic changes in the LAV during multiple rounds of multiplication.IMPORTANCE Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever, infects several hundred thousand people in Western Africa, resulting in many lethal Lassa fever cases. No U.S. Food and Drug Administration-licensed countermeasures are available to prevent or treat LASV infection. We describe the generation of a novel LASV live-attenuated vaccine candidate rLASV(IGR/S-S), which is based on the replacement of the large genomic segment noncoding intergenic region (IGR) with that of the small genome segment. rLASV(IGR/S-S) is less fit in cell culture than wild-type virus and does not cause clinical signs in inoculated guinea pigs. Importantly, rLASV(IGR/S-S) protects immunized guinea pigs against an otherwise lethal exposure to LASV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyun Cai
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Masaharu Iwasaki
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Laboratory of Pathogen Detection and Identification, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - David X Liu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Shuiqing Yu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kurt Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Randy Hart
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricky Adams
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Tracey Burdette
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena N Postnikova
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan Kurtz
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Marisa St Claire
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jens H Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Luis Martínez-Sobrido
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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Johnson DM, Jokinen JD, Wang M, Pfeffer T, Tretyakova I, Carrion R, Griffiths A, Pushko P, Lukashevich IS. Bivalent Junin & Machupo experimental vaccine based on alphavirus RNA replicon vector. Vaccine 2020; 38:2949-2959. [PMID: 32111526 PMCID: PMC7112472 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Junin (JUNV) and Machupo (MACV), two mammalian arenaviruses placed on the 2018 WHO watch list, are prevalent in South America causing Argentine and Bolivian hemorrhagic fevers (AHF and BHF), respectively. The live attenuated JUNV vaccine, Candid #1, significantly reduced the incidence of AHF. Vaccination induces neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses which effectively target GP1 (the viral attachment glycoprotein) pocket which accepts the tyrosine residue of the cellular receptor, human transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). In spite of close genetic relationships between JUNV and MACV, variability in the GP1 receptor binding site (e.g., MACV GP1 loop 10) results in poor MACV neutralization by Candid #1-induced nAbs. Candid #1 is not recommended for vaccination of children younger than 15 years old (a growing "at risk" group), pregnant women, or other immunocompromised individuals. Candid #1's primary reliance on limited missense mutations for attenuation, genetic heterogeneity, and potential stability concerns complicate approval of this vaccine in the US. To address these issues, we applied alphavirus RNA replicon vector technology based on the human Venezuelan equine encephalitis vaccine (VEEV) TC-83 to generate replication restricted virus-like-particles vectors (VLPVs) simultaneously expressing cellular glycoprotein precursors (GPC) of both viruses, JUNV and MACV. Resulting JV&MV VLPVs were found safe and immunogenic in guinea pigs. Immunization with VLPVs induced humoral responses which correlated with complete protection against lethal disease after challenge with pathogenic strains of JUNV (Romero) and MACV (Carvallo).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan M Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jenny D Jokinen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Tia Pfeffer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Carrion
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute (TBRI), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Igor S Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA.
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18
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Assessing cross-reactivity of Junín virus-directed neutralizing antibodies. Antiviral Res 2019; 163:106-116. [PMID: 30668977 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses cause several viral hemorrhagic fevers endemic to Africa and South America. The respective causative agents are classified as biosafety level (BSL) 4 pathogens. Unlike for most other BSL4 agents, for the New World arenavirus Junín virus (JUNV) both a highly effective vaccination (Candid#1) and a post-exposure treatment, based on convalescent plasma transfer, are available. In particular, neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) represent a key protective determinant in JUNV infection, which is supported by the correlation between successful passive antibody therapy and the levels of nAbs administered. Unfortunately, comparable resources for the management of other closely related arenavirus infections are not available. Given the significant challenges inherent in studying BSL4 pathogens, our goal was to first assess the suitability of a JUNV transcription and replication-competent virus-like particle (trVLP) system for measuring virus neutralization under BSL1/2 conditions. Indeed, we could show that infection with JUNV trVLPs is glycoprotein (GP) dependent, that trVLP input has a direct correlation to reporter readout, and that these trVLPs can be neutralized by human serum with kinetics similar to those obtained using authentic virus. These properties make trVLPs suitable for use as a proxy for virus in neutralization assays. Using this platform we then evaluated the potential of JUNV nAbs to cross-neutralize entry mediated by GPs from other arenaviruses using JUNV (strain Romero)-based trVLPs bearing GPs either from other JUNV strains, other closely related New World arenaviruses (e.g. Tacaribe, Machupo, Sabiá), or the distantly related Lassa virus. While nAbs against the JUNV vaccine strain are also active against a range of other JUNV strains, they appear to have little or no capacity to neutralize other arenavirus species, suggesting that therapy with whole plasma directed against another species is unlikely to be successful and that the targeted development of cross-specific monoclonal antibody-based resources is likely needed. Such efforts will be supported by the availability of this BSL1/2 screening platform which provides a rapid and easy means to characterize the potency and reactivity of anti-arenavirus neutralizing antibodies against a range of arenavirus species.
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Zaza AD, Herbreteau CH, Peyrefitte CN. Description and characterization of a novel live-attenuated tri-segmented Machupo virus in Guinea pigs. Virol J 2018; 15:99. [PMID: 29879985 PMCID: PMC5992841 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1009-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Machupo virus (MACV) is a member of the Mammarenavirus genus, Arenaviridae family and is the etiologic agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, which causes small outbreaks or sporadic cases. Several other arenaviruses in South America Junín virus (JUNV) in Argentina, Guanarito in Venezuela, Sabiá in Brazil and Chapare in Bolivia, also are responsible for human hemorrhagic fevers. Among these arenaviruses, JUNV caused thousands of human cases until 1991, when the live attenuated Candid #1 vaccine, was used. Other than Candid #1 vaccine, few other therapeutic or prophylactic treatments exist. Therefore, new strategies for production of safe countermeasures with broad spectrum activity are needed. Findings We tested a tri-segmented MACV, a potential vaccine candidate with several mutations, (r3MACV). In cell culture, r3MACV showed a 2-log reduction in infectious virus particle production and the MACV inhibition of INF-1β was removed from the construct and produced by infected cells. Furthermore, in an animal experiment, r3MACV was able to protect 50% of guinea pigs from a simultaneous lethal JUNV challenge. Protected animals didn’t display clinical symptoms nor were virus particles found in peripheral blood (day 14) or in organs (day 28 post-inoculation). The r3MACV provided a higher protection than the Candid #1 vaccine. Conclusions The r3MACV provides a potential countermeasure against two South America arenaviruses responsible of human hemorrhagic fever. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12985-018-1009-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie D Zaza
- , Fab'entech, 24 rue Jean Baldassini Bat B 69007, Lyon, France. .,Unité de virologie, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 1 place Valérie André, 91220, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.
| | | | - Christophe N Peyrefitte
- Unité de virologie, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 1 place Valérie André, 91220, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,UMR 190, Faculté de Médecine-Timone, 27 boulevard Jean-Moulin, 13385, Marseille, France
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