1
|
Port JR, Yinda CK, Riopelle JC, Weishampel ZA, Saturday TA, Avanzato VA, Schulz JE, Holbrook MG, Barbian K, Perry-Gottschalk R, Haddock E, Martens C, Shaia CI, Lambe T, Gilbert SC, van Doremalen N, Munster VJ. Infection- or AZD1222 vaccine-mediated immunity reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission but increases Omicron competitiveness in hamsters. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6592. [PMID: 37852960 PMCID: PMC10584863 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42346-8] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited data is available on the effect of vaccination and previous virus exposure on the nature of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and immune-pressure on variants. To understand the impact of pre-existing immunity on SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission efficiency, we perform a transmission chain experiment using naïve, intranasally or intramuscularly AZD1222 vaccinated, and previously infected hamsters. A clear gradient in transmission efficacy is observed: Transmission in hamsters vaccinated via the intramuscular route was reduced over three airborne chains (approx. 60%) compared to naïve animals, whereas transmission in previously infected hamsters and those vaccinated via the intranasal route was reduced by 80%. We also find that the Delta B.1.617.2 variant outcompeted Omicron B.1.1.529 after dual infection within and between hosts in naïve, vaccinated, and previously infected transmission chains, yet an increase in Omicron B.1.1.529 competitiveness is observed in groups with pre-existing immunity against Delta B.1.617.2. This correlates with an increase in the strength of the humoral response against Delta B.1.617.2, with the strongest response seen in previously infected animals. These data highlight the continuous need to improve vaccination strategies and address the additional evolutionary pressure pre-existing immunity may exert on SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Port
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Claude Kwe Yinda
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jade C Riopelle
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Zachary A Weishampel
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Taylor A Saturday
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Victoria A Avanzato
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jonathan E Schulz
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Myndi G Holbrook
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kent Barbian
- Genomics Research Section, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Rose Perry-Gottschalk
- Rocky Mountain Visual and Medical Arts Unit, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Elaine Haddock
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Craig Martens
- Genomics Research Section, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Carl I Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Teresa Lambe
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science Oxford Institute; Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah C Gilbert
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Neeltje van Doremalen
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Vincent J Munster
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ryan KA, Bewley KR, Watson RJ, Burton C, Carnell O, Cavell BE, Challis A, Coombes NS, Davies ER, Edun-Huges J, Emery K, Fell R, Fotheringham SA, Gooch KE, Gowan K, Handley A, Harris DJ, Hesp R, Hunter L, Humphreys R, Johnson R, Kennard C, Knott D, Lister S, Morley D, Ngabo D, Osman KL, Paterson J, Penn EJ, Pullan ST, Richards KS, Summers S, Thomas SR, Weldon T, Wiblin NR, Rayner EL, Vipond RT, Hallis B, Salguero FJ, Funnell SGP, Hall Y. Syrian hamster convalescence from prototype SARS-CoV-2 confers measurable protection against the attenuated disease caused by the Omicron variant. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011293. [PMID: 37014911 PMCID: PMC10104347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mutation profile of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (lineage BA.1) variant posed a concern for naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immunity. We investigated the ability of prior infection with an early SARS-CoV-2 ancestral isolate (Australia/VIC01/2020, VIC01) to protect against disease caused by BA.1. We established that BA.1 infection in naïve Syrian hamsters resulted in a less severe disease than a comparable dose of the ancestral virus, with fewer clinical signs including less weight loss. We present data to show that these clinical observations were almost absent in convalescent hamsters challenged with the same dose of BA.1 50 days after an initial infection with ancestral virus. These data provide evidence that convalescent immunity against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 is protective against BA.1 in the Syrian hamster model of infection. Comparison with published pre-clinical and clinical data supports consistency of the model and its predictive value for the outcome in humans. Further, the ability to detect protection against the less severe disease caused by BA.1 demonstrates continued value of the Syrian hamster model for evaluation of BA.1-specific countermeasures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy Challis
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Kirsty Emery
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Fell
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Karen E Gooch
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Gowan
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Richard Hesp
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Hunter
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Knott
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Lister
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Morley
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Didier Ngabo
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Karen L Osman
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Sian Summers
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Thomas Weldon
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Emma L Rayner
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Bassam Hallis
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Yper Hall
- UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Knott D, Fell R, Potter JA, Yuille S, Salguero FJ, Graham VA, Hewson R, Howat D, Dowall SD. Use of a Preclinical Natural Transmission Model to Study Antiviral Effects of a Carbohydrate-Binding Module Therapy against SARS-CoV-2 in Hamsters. Viruses 2023; 15:725. [PMID: 36992434 PMCID: PMC10058511 DOI: 10.3390/v15030725] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its expansion to a worldwide pandemic resulted in efforts to assess and develop interventions to reduce the disease burden. Despite the introduction of vaccine programmes against SARS-CoV-2, global incidence levels in early 2022 remained high, demonstrating a need for the development of physiologically relevant models, which are essential for the identification of alternative antiviral strategies. The hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been widely adopted due to similarities with humans in terms of host cell entry mechanism (via ACE2), and aspects of symptomology and virus shedding. We have previously described a natural transmission hamster model that better represents the natural course of infection. In the present study, we have conducted further testing of the model using the first-in-class antiviral Neumifil, which has previously shown promise against SARS-CoV-2 after a direct intranasal challenge. Neumifil is an intranasally delivered carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) which reduces the binding of viruses to their cellular receptor. By targeting the host cell, Neumifil has the potential to provide broad protection against multiple pathogens and variants. This study demonstrates that using a combination of a prophylactic and therapeutic delivery of Neumifil significantly reduces the severity of clinical signs in animals infected via a natural route of transmission and indicates a reduction of viral loads in the upper respiratory tract. Further refinements of the model are required in order to ensure the adequate transmission of the virus. However, our results provide additional data to the evidence base of Neumifil efficacy against respiratory virus infection and demonstrate that the transmission model is a potentially valuable tool for testing antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Knott
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Rachel Fell
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Jane A. Potter
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Samantha Yuille
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Franscisco J. Salguero
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Victoria A. Graham
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Roger Hewson
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - David Howat
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Stuart D. Dowall
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Adlhoch C, Aznar I, Baldinelli F, Boklund A, Broglia A, Gerhards N, Mur L, Nannapaneni P, Ståhl K. SARS-CoV-2 in animals: susceptibility of animal species, risk for animal and public health, monitoring, prevention and control. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07822. [PMID: 36860662 PMCID: PMC9968901 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 in humans and animals is continually evolving. To date, animal species known to transmit SARS-CoV-2 are American mink, raccoon dog, cat, ferret, hamster, house mouse, Egyptian fruit bat, deer mouse and white-tailed deer. Among farmed animals, American mink have the highest likelihood to become infected from humans or animals and further transmit SARS-CoV-2. In the EU, 44 outbreaks were reported in 2021 in mink farms in seven MSs, while only six in 2022 in two MSs, thus representing a decreasing trend. The introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into mink farms is usually via infected humans; this can be controlled by systematically testing people entering farms and adequate biosecurity. The current most appropriate monitoring approach for mink is the outbreak confirmation based on suspicion, testing dead or clinically sick animals in case of increased mortality or positive farm personnel and the genomic surveillance of virus variants. The genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 showed mink-specific clusters with a potential to spill back into the human population. Among companion animals, cats, ferrets and hamsters are those at highest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which most likely originates from an infected human, and which has no or very low impact on virus circulation in the human population. Among wild animals (including zoo animals), mostly carnivores, great apes and white-tailed deer have been reported to be naturally infected by SARS-CoV-2. In the EU, no cases of infected wildlife have been reported so far. Proper disposal of human waste is advised to reduce the risks of spill-over of SARS-CoV-2 to wildlife. Furthermore, contact with wildlife, especially if sick or dead, should be minimised. No specific monitoring for wildlife is recommended apart from testing hunter-harvested animals with clinical signs or found-dead. Bats should be monitored as a natural host of many coronaviruses.
Collapse
|
5
|
Lista MJ, Winstone H, Wilson HD, Dyer A, Pickering S, Galao RP, De Lorenzo G, Cowton VM, Furnon W, Suarez N, Orton R, Palmarini M, Patel AH, Snell L, Nebbia G, Swanson C, Neil SJD. The P681H Mutation in the Spike Glycoprotein of the Alpha Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Escapes IFITM Restriction and Is Necessary for Type I Interferon Resistance. J Virol 2022; 96:e0125022. [PMID: 36350154 PMCID: PMC9749455 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01250-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The appearance of new dominant variants of concern (VOC) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) threatens the global response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Of these, the alpha variant (also known as B.1.1.7), which appeared initially in the United Kingdom, became the dominant variant in much of Europe and North America in the first half of 2021. The spike (S) glycoprotein of alpha acquired seven mutations and two deletions compared to the ancestral virus, including the P681H mutation adjacent to the polybasic cleavage site, which has been suggested to enhance S cleavage. Here, we show that the alpha spike protein confers a level of resistance to beta interferon (IFN-β) in human lung epithelial cells. This correlates with resistance to an entry restriction mediated by interferon-induced transmembrane protein 2 (IFITM2) and a pronounced infection enhancement by IFITM3. Furthermore, the P681H mutation is essential for resistance to IFN-β and context-dependent resistance to IFITMs in the alpha S. P681H reduces dependence on endosomal cathepsins, consistent with enhanced cell surface entry. However, reversion of H681 does not reduce cleaved spike incorporation into particles, indicating that it exerts its effect on entry and IFN-β downstream of furin cleavage. Overall, we suggest that, in addition to adaptive immune escape, mutations associated with VOC may well also confer a replication and/or transmission advantage through adaptation to resist innate immune mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Accumulating evidence suggests that variants of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2 evolve to evade the human immune response, with much interest focused on mutations in the spike protein that escape from antibodies. However, resistance to the innate immune response is essential for efficient viral replication and transmission. Here, we show that the alpha (B.1.1.7) VOC of SARS-CoV-2 is substantially more resistant to type I interferons than the parental Wuhan-like virus. This correlates with resistance to the antiviral protein IFITM2 and enhancement by its paralogue IFITM3. The key determinant of this is a proline-to-histidine change at position 681 in S adjacent to the furin cleavage site, which in the context of the alpha spike modulates cell entry pathways of SARS-CoV-2. Reversion of the mutation is sufficient to restore interferon and IFITM2 sensitivity, highlighting the dynamic nature of the SARS CoV-2 as it adapts to both innate and adaptive immunity in the humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Lista
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helena Winstone
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry D. Wilson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Dyer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Pickering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rui Pedro Galao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giuditta De Lorenzo
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa M. Cowton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Wilhelm Furnon
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Suarez
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Orton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Palmarini
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Snell
- Centre for Clinical Infection and Diagnostics Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gaia Nebbia
- Centre for Clinical Infection and Diagnostics Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chad Swanson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J. D. Neil
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- UKRI Genotype-2-Phenotype Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao H, Lu L, Peng Z, Chen LL, Meng X, Zhang C, Ip JD, Chan WM, Chu AWH, Chan KH, Jin DY, Chen H, Yuen KY, To KKW. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant shows less efficient replication and fusion activity when compared with Delta variant in TMPRSS2-expressed cells. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:277-283. [PMID: 34951565 PMCID: PMC8774049 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.2023329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 126.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The novel SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), first found in early November 2021, has sparked considerable global concern and it has >50 mutations, many of which are known to affect transmissibility or cause immune escape. In this study, we sought to investigate the virological characteristics of the Omicron variant and compared it with the Delta variant which has dominated the world since mid-2021. Omicron variant replicated more slowly than the Delta variant in transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2)-overexpressing VeroE6 (VeroE6/TMPRSS2) cells. Notably, the Delta variant replicated well in Calu3 cell line which has robust TMPRSS2 expression, while the Omicron variant replicated poorly in this cell line. Competition assay showed that Delta variant outcompeted Omicron variant in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 and Calu3 cells. To confirm the difference in entry pathway between the Omicron and Delta variants, we assessed the antiviral effect of bafilomycin A1, chloroquine (inhibiting endocytic pathway), and camostat (inhibiting TMPRSS2 pathway). Camostat potently inhibited the Delta variant but not the Omicron variant, while bafilomycin A1 and chloroquine could inhibit both Omicron and Delta variants. Moreover, the Omicron variant also showed weaker cell-cell fusion activity when compared with Delta variant in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. Collectively, our results suggest that Omicron variant infection is not enhanced by TMPRSS2 but is largely mediated via the endocytic pathway. The difference in entry pathway between Omicron and Delta variants may have an implication on the clinical manifestations or disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanjun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin-Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinjin Meng
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jonathan Daniel Ip
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wan-Mui Chan
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Allen Wing-Ho Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kwok-Hung Chan
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Honglin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Niemeyer D, Stenzel S, Veith T, Schroeder S, Friedmann K, Weege F, Trimpert J, Heinze J, Richter A, Jansen J, Emanuel J, Kazmierski J, Pott F, Jeworowski LM, Olmer R, Jaboreck MC, Tenner B, Papies J, Walper F, Schmidt ML, Heinemann N, Möncke-Buchner E, Baumgardt M, Hoffmann K, Widera M, Thao TTN, Balázs A, Schulze J, Mache C, Jones TC, Morkel M, Ciesek S, Hanitsch LG, Mall MA, Hocke AC, Thiel V, Osterrieder K, Wolff T, Martin U, Corman VM, Müller MA, Goffinet C, Drosten C. SARS-CoV-2 variant Alpha has a spike-dependent replication advantage over the ancestral B.1 strain in human cells with low ACE2 expression. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001871. [PMID: 36383605 PMCID: PMC9710838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological data demonstrate that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha and Delta are more transmissible, infectious, and pathogenic than previous variants. Phenotypic properties of VOC remain understudied. Here, we provide an extensive functional study of VOC Alpha replication and cell entry phenotypes assisted by reverse genetics, mutational mapping of spike in lentiviral pseudotypes, viral and cellular gene expression studies, and infectivity stability assays in an enhanced range of cell and epithelial culture models. In almost all models, VOC Alpha spread less or equally efficiently as ancestral (B.1) SARS-CoV-2. B.1. and VOC Alpha shared similar susceptibility to serum neutralization. Despite increased relative abundance of specific sgRNAs in the context of VOC Alpha infection, immune gene expression in infected cells did not differ between VOC Alpha and B.1. However, inferior spreading and entry efficiencies of VOC Alpha corresponded to lower abundance of proteolytically cleaved spike products presumably linked to the T716I mutation. In addition, we identified a bronchial cell line, NCI-H1299, which supported 24-fold increased growth of VOC Alpha and is to our knowledge the only cell line to recapitulate the fitness advantage of VOC Alpha compared to B.1. Interestingly, also VOC Delta showed a strong (595-fold) fitness advantage over B.1 in these cells. Comparative analysis of chimeric viruses expressing VOC Alpha spike in the backbone of B.1, and vice versa, showed that the specific replication phenotype of VOC Alpha in NCI-H1299 cells is largely determined by its spike protein. Despite undetectable ACE2 protein expression in NCI-H1299 cells, CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out and antibody-mediated blocking experiments revealed that multicycle spread of B.1 and VOC Alpha required ACE2 expression. Interestingly, entry of VOC Alpha, as opposed to B.1 virions, was largely unaffected by treatment with exogenous trypsin or saliva prior to infection, suggesting enhanced resistance of VOC Alpha spike to premature proteolytic cleavage in the extracellular environment of the human respiratory tract. This property may result in delayed degradation of VOC Alpha particle infectivity in conditions typical of mucosal fluids of the upper respiratory tract that may be recapitulated in NCI-H1299 cells closer than in highly ACE2-expressing cell lines and models. Our study highlights the importance of cell model evaluation and comparison for in-depth characterization of virus variant-specific phenotypes and uncovers a fine-tuned interrelationship between VOC Alpha- and host cell-specific determinants that may underlie the increased and prolonged virus shedding detected in patients infected with VOC Alpha.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Niemeyer
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Saskia Stenzel
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Talitha Veith
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Schroeder
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirstin Friedmann
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friderike Weege
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Heinze
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Richter
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Jansen
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jackson Emanuel
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Kazmierski
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Pott
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lara M. Jeworowski
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, REBIRTH — Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark-Christian Jaboreck
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, REBIRTH — Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Beate Tenner
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Papies
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Walper
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marie L. Schmidt
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Heinemann
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Möncke-Buchner
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Morris Baumgardt
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karen Hoffmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Anita Balázs
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jessica Schulze
- Unit 17 “Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christin Mache
- Unit 17 “Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Terry C. Jones
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Morkel
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Bioportal Single Cells, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Braunschweig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leif G. Hanitsch
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas C. Hocke
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Osterrieder
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Unit 17 “Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, REBIRTH — Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Victor M. Corman
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Labor Berlin – Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel A. Müller
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Goffinet
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, associated partner Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Labor Berlin – Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee KS, Russ BP, Wong TY, Horspool AM, Winters MT, Barbier M, Bevere JR, Martinez I, Damron FH, Cyphert HA. Obesity and metabolic dysfunction drive sex-associated differential disease profiles in hACE2-mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2. iScience 2022; 25:105038. [PMID: 36068847 PMCID: PMC9436780 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105038] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection are highly associated with preexisting comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. We utilized the diet-induced obesity (DIO) model of metabolic dysfunction in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice to model obesity as a COVID-19 comorbidity. Female DIO, but not male DIO mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2 were observed to have shortened time to morbidity compared to controls. Increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in female DIO was associated with increased viral RNA burden and interferon production compared to males. Transcriptomic analysis of the lungs from all mouse cohorts revealed sex- and DIO-associated differential gene expression profiles. Male DIO mice after challenge had decreased expression of antibody-related genes compared to controls, suggesting antibody producing cell localization in the lung. Collectively, this study establishes a preclinical comorbidity model of COVID-19 in mice where we observed sex- and diet-specific responses that begin explaining the effects of obesity and metabolic disease on COVID-19 pathology. Transcriptomic analysis of infected lungs revealed unique sex-dependent differences Obese female mice have high viral RNA burden and interferon production in the lung Male mice have altered antibody and T cell response gene profiles after viral challenge Metabolic dysfunction comorbidity can be studied in the hACE2 mouse model of COVID-19
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S. Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brynnan P. Russ
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ting Y. Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Alexander M. Horspool
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Michael T. Winters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Justin R. Bevere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ivan Martinez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - F. Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Holly A. Cyphert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
SARS-CoV-2 Variant-Specific Infectivity and Immune Profiles Are Detectable in a Humanized Lung Mouse Model. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102272. [PMID: 36298826 PMCID: PMC9612296 DOI: 10.3390/v14102272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Small animal models that accurately model pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 variants are required for ongoing research efforts. We modified our human immune system mouse model to support replication of SARS-CoV-2 by implantation of human lung tissue into the mice to create TKO-BLT-Lung (L) mice and compared infection with two different variants in a humanized lung model. Infection of TKO-BLT-L mice with SARS-CoV-2 recapitulated the higher infectivity of the B.1.1.7 variant with more animals becoming infected and higher sustained viral loads compared to mice challenged with an early B lineage (614D) virus. Viral lesions were observed in lung organoids but no differences were detected between the viral variants as expected. Partially overlapping but distinct immune profiles were also observed between the variants with a greater Th1 profile in VIDO-01 and greater Th2 profile in B.1.1.7 infection. Overall, the TKO-BLT-L mouse supported SARS-CoV-2 infection, recapitulated key known similarities and differences in infectivity and pathogenesis as well as revealing previously unreported differences in immune responses between the two viral variants. Thus, the TKO-BLT-L model may serve as a useful animal model to study the immunopathobiology of newly emerging variants in the context of genuine human lung tissue and immune cells.
Collapse
|
10
|
Bestion E, Halfon P, Mezouar S, Mège JL. Cell and Animal Models for SARS-CoV-2 Research. Viruses 2022; 14:1507. [PMID: 35891487 PMCID: PMC9319816 DOI: 10.3390/v14071507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last two years following the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, development of potent antiviral drugs and vaccines has been a global health priority. In this context, the understanding of virus pathophysiology, the identification of associated therapeutic targets, and the screening of potential effective compounds have been indispensable advancements. It was therefore of primary importance to develop experimental models that recapitulate the aspects of the human disease in the best way possible. This article reviews the information concerning available SARS-CoV-2 preclinical models during that time, including cell-based approaches and animal models. We discuss their evolution, their advantages, and drawbacks, as well as their relevance to drug effectiveness evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eloïne Bestion
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Genoscience Pharma, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Halfon
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Genoscience Pharma, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Mezouar
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Genoscience Pharma, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mège
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mohandas S, Yadav PD, Sapkal G, Shete AM, Deshpande G, Nyayanit DA, Patil D, Kadam M, Kumar A, Mote C, Jain R. Pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (R346K) variant in Syrian hamsters and its cross-neutralization with different variants of concern. EBioMedicine 2022; 79:103997. [PMID: 35405385 PMCID: PMC8993158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is rampantly spreading across the globe. We assessed the pathogenicity and immune response generated by BA.1.1 sub-lineage of SARS-CoV-2 [Omicron (R346K) variant] in 5 to 6-week old Syrian hamsters and compared the observations with that of Delta variant infection. Methods Virus shedding, organ viral load, lung disease and immune response generated in hamsters were sequentially assessed. Findings The disease characteristics of the Omicron (R346K) variant were found to be similar to that of the Delta variant infection in hamsters like viral replication in the respiratory tract and interstitial pneumonia. The Omicron (R346K) infected hamsters demonstrated lesser body weight reduction and viral RNA load in the throat swab and nasal wash samples in comparison to the Delta variant infection. The viral load in the lungs and nasal turbinate samples and the lung disease severity of the Omicron (R346K) infected hamsters were found comparable with that of the Delta variant infected hamsters. Neutralizing antibody response against Omicron (R346K) variant was detected from day 5 and the cross-neutralization titre of the sera against other variants showed severe reduction ie., 7 fold reduction against Alpha and no titers against B.1, Beta and Delta. Interpretation This preliminary data shows that Omicron (R346K) variant infection can produce moderate to severe lung disease similar to that of the Delta variant and the neutralizing antibodies produced in response to Omicron (R346K) variant infection shows poor neutralizing ability against other co-circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants like Delta which necessitates caution as it may lead to increased cases of reinfection. Funding This study was supported by 10.13039/501100001411Indian Council of Medical Research as an intramural grant (COVID-19) to ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sreelekshmy Mohandas
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| | - Pragya D Yadav
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India.
| | - Gajanan Sapkal
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| | - Anita M Shete
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| | - Gururaj Deshpande
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| | - Dimpal A Nyayanit
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| | - Deepak Patil
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| | - Manoj Kadam
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India; Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Maharashtra 412801, India
| | - Abhimanyu Kumar
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India; Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Maharashtra 412801, India
| | - Chandrashekhar Mote
- Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Maharashtra 412801, India
| | - Rajlaxmi Jain
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
The SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant exhibits comparable fitness to the D614G strain in a Syrian hamster model. Commun Biol 2022; 5:225. [PMID: 35273335 PMCID: PMC8913834 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03171-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Late 2020, SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant emerged in United Kingdom and gradually replaced G614 strains initially involved in the global spread of the pandemic. In this study, we use a Syrian hamster model to compare a clinical strain of Alpha variant with an ancestral G614 strain. The Alpha variant succeed to infect animals and to induce a pathology that mimics COVID-19. However, both strains replicate to almost the same level and induced a comparable disease and immune response. A slight fitness advantage is noted for the G614 strain during competition and transmission experiments. These data do not corroborate the epidemiological situation observed during the first half of 2021 in humans nor reports that showed a more rapid replication of Alpha variant in human reconstituted bronchial epithelium. This study highlights the need to combine data from different laboratories using various animal models to decipher the biological properties of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant exhibits similar transmission dynamics to an ancestral D614G variant in a Syrian hamster model, suggesting the limitations of using the hamster as the sole model to assess differences between SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Collapse
|
13
|
Kim YI, Casel MAB, Choi YK. Transmissibility and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants in animal models. J Microbiol 2022; 60:255-267. [PMID: 35235177 PMCID: PMC8890026 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-022-2033-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As of February 2022, SARS-CoV-2 is still one of the most serious public health threats due to its high mortality rate and rapid spread of novel variants. Since the first outbreak in 2019, general understanding of SARS-CoV-2 has been improved through basic and clinical studies; however, knowledge gaps still exist in our understanding of the emerging novel SARSCoV-2 variants, which impacts the corresponding development of vaccines and therapeutics. Especially, accumulation of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 and rapid spread in populations with previous immunity has resulted in selection of variants that evade the host immune response. This phenomenon threatens to render current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines ineffective for controlling the pandemic. Proper animal models are essential for detailed investigations into the viral etiology, transmission and pathogenesis mechanisms, as well as evaluation of the efficacy of vaccine candidates against recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further, the choice of animal model for each research topic is important for researchers to gain better knowledge of recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we review the advantages and limitations of each animal model, including mice, hamsters, ferrets, and non-human primates, to elucidate variant SARS-CoV-2 etiology and transmission and to evaluate therapeutic and vaccine efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young-Il Kim
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Mark Anthony B Casel
- College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ki Choi
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea.
- College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|