1
|
Ameratunga R, Jordan A, Lehnert K, Leung E, Mears ER, Snell R, Steele R, Woon ST. SARS-CoV-2 evolution has increased resistance to monoclonal antibodies and first-generation COVID-19 vaccines: Is there a future therapeutic role for soluble ACE2 receptors for COVID-19? Antiviral Res 2024; 227:105894. [PMID: 38677595 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused calamitous health, economic and societal consequences. Although several COVID-19 vaccines have received full authorization for use, global deployment has faced political, financial and logistical challenges. The efficacy of first-generation COVID-19 vaccines is waning and breakthrough infections are allowing ongoing transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy relies on a functional immune system. Despite receiving three primary doses and three or more heterologous boosters, some immunocompromised patients may not be adequately protected by COVID-19 vaccines and remain vulnerable to severe disease. The evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants has also resulted in the rapid obsolescence of monoclonal antibodies. Convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors has produced inconsistent results. New drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) are beyond the reach of low- and middle-income countries. With widespread use of Paxlovid, it is likely nirmatrelvir-resistant clades of SARS-CoV-2 will emerge in the future. There is thus an urgent need for new effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments. The in vitro efficacy of soluble ACE2 against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants including omicron (B.1.1.529), was recently described using a competitive ELISA assay as a surrogate marker for virus neutralization. This indicates soluble wild-type ACE2 receptors are likely to be resistant to viral evolution. Nasal and inhaled treatment with soluble ACE2 receptors has abrogated severe disease in animal models of COVID-19. There is an urgent need for clinical trials of this new class of antiviral therapeutics, which could complement vaccines and Paxlovid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Anthony Jordan
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emily R Mears
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Russell Snell
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ameratunga R, Mears E, Leung E, Snell R, Woon ST, Kelton W, Medlicott N, Jordan A, Abbott W, Steele R, Rolleston W, Longhurst H, Lehnert K. Soluble wild-type ACE2 molecules inhibit newer SARS-CoV-2 variants and are a potential antiviral strategy to mitigate disease severity in COVID-19. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 214:289-295. [PMID: 37565297 PMCID: PMC10719217 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad096] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), has caused havoc around the world. While several COVID-19 vaccines and drugs have been authorized for use, these antiviral drugs remain beyond the reach of most low- and middle-income countries. Rapid viral evolution is reducing the efficacy of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies and contributing to the deaths of some fully vaccinated persons. Others with normal immunity may have chosen not to be vaccinated and remain at risk if they contract the infection. Vaccines may not protect some immunodeficient patients from SARS-CoV-2, who are also at increased risk of chronic COVID-19 infection, a dangerous stalemate between the virus and a suboptimal immune response. Intra-host viral evolution could rapidly lead to the selection and dominance of vaccine and monoclonal antibody-resistant clades of SARS-CoV-2. There is thus an urgent need to develop new treatments for COVID-19. The NZACE2-Pātari project, comprising modified soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) molecules, seeks to intercept and block SARS-CoV-2 infection of the respiratory mucosa. In vitro data presented here show that soluble wild-type ACE2 molecules retain the ability to effectively block the Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 variants including the ancestral Wuhan, delta (B.1.617.2) and omicron (B.1.1.529) strains. This therapeutic strategy may prove effective if implemented early during the nasal phase of the infection and may act synergistically with other antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid to further mitigate disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, AucklandNew Zealand
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emily Mears
- Applied Translational Genetic Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Russell Snell
- Applied Translational Genetic Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William Kelton
- Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Anthony Jordan
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, AucklandNew Zealand
| | - William Abbott
- Department of Surgery, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Hilary Longhurst
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Applied Translational Genetic Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ameratunga R, Leung E, Woon ST, Lea E, Allan C, Chan L, Steele R, Lehnert K, Longhurst H. Selective IgA Deficiency May Be an Underrecognized Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:181-186. [PMID: 36241155 PMCID: PMC9554200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the agent responsible for COVID-19, has wreaked havoc around the globe. Hundreds of millions of individuals have been infected and well over six million have died from COVID-19. Many COVID-19 survivors have ongoing physical and psychiatric morbidity, which will remain for the rest of their lives. Early in the pandemic, it became apparent that older individuals and those with comorbidities including obesity, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and renal and pulmonary disease were at increased risk of adverse outcomes. It is also clear that some immunodeficient patients, such as those with innate or T cell-immune defects, are at greater risk from COVID-19. Selective IgA deficiency (sIgAD) is generally regarded as a mild disorder in which most patients are asymptomatic because of redundancy in protective immune mechanisms. Recent data indicate that patients with sIgAD may be at high risk of severe COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 gains entry primarily through the upper respiratory tract mucosa, where IgA has a critical protective role. This may underlie the vulnerability of sIgAD patients to adverse outcomes from COVID-19. This perspective highlights the need for ongoing research into mucosal immunity to improve COVID-19 treatments for patients with sIgAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand,Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Edward Lea
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Caroline Allan
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lydia Chan
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hilary Longhurst
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ameratunga R, Woon ST, Steele R, Lehnert K, Leung E, Brooks AES. Critical role of diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 T cell assays for immunodeficient patients. J Clin Pathol 2022; 75:793-797. [PMID: 36216482 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2022-208305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
After almost 3 years of intense study, the immunological basis of COVID-19 is better understood. Patients who suffer severe disease have a chaotic, destructive immune response. Many patients with severe COVID-19 produce high titres of non-neutralising antibodies, which are unable to sterilise the infection. In contrast, there is increasing evidence that a rapid, balanced cellular immune response is required to eliminate the virus and mitigate disease severity. In the longer term, memory T cell responses, following infection or vaccination, play a critical role in protection against SARS-CoV-2.Given the pivotal role of cellular immunity in the response to COVID-19, diagnostic T cell assays for SARS-CoV-2 may be of particular value for immunodeficient patients. A diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 T cell assay would be of utility for immunocompromised patients who are unable to produce antibodies or have passively acquired antibodies from subcutaneous or intravenous immunoglobulin (SCIG/IVIG) replacement. In many antibody-deficient patients, cellular responses are preserved. SARS-CoV-2 T cell assays may identify breakthrough infections if reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) or rapid antigen tests (RATs) are not undertaken during the window of viral shedding. In addition to utility in patients with immunodeficiency, memory T cell responses could also identify chronically symptomatic patients with long COVID-19 who were infected early in the pandemic. These individuals may have been infected before the availability of reliable RT-qPCR and RAT tests and their antibodies may have waned. T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 have greater durability than antibodies and can also distinguish patients with infection from vaccinated individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand .,Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Centre for brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Cancer Research, Faculty of Medical and health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna E S Brooks
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ameratunga R, Leung E, Woon ST, Chan L, Steele R, Lehnert K, Longhurst H. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Light at the End of the Long Pandemic Tunnel or Another False Dawn for Immunodeficient Patients? THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2267-2273. [PMID: 35752434 PMCID: PMC9220855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has had a disastrous impact on the world. Apart from at least 6 million deaths, countless COVID-19 survivors are suffering long-term physical and psychiatric morbidity. Hundreds of millions have been plunged into poverty caused by economic misery, particularly in developing nations. Early in the pandemic, it became apparent certain groups of individuals such as the elderly and those with comorbidities were more likely to suffer severe disease. In addition, patients with some forms of immunodeficiency, including those with T-cell and innate immune defects, were at risk of poor outcomes. Patients with immunodeficiencies are also disadvantaged as they may not respond optimally to COVID-19 vaccines and often have pre-existing lung damage. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.529) and its subvariants (BA.1, BA.2, etc) have emerged recently and are dominating COVID-19 infections globally. Omicron is associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization and appears to have a lower case fatality rate compared with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants. Omicron has offered hope the pandemic may finally be coming to an end, particularly for vaccinated, healthy individuals. The situation is less clear for individuals with vulnerabilities, particularly immunodeficient patients. This perspective offers insight into potential implications of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant for patients with immunodeficiencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. E%
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lydia Chan
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hilary Longhurst
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ameratunga R, Woon ST, Steele R, Lehnert K, Leung E, Edwards ESJ, Brooks AES. Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorders as a Model for Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine Responses in Immunocompromised Patients. Front Immunol 2022; 12:798389. [PMID: 35116031 PMCID: PMC8805700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.798389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Rohan Ameratunga, E
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emily S. J. Edwards
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna E. S. Brooks
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|