1
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Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Chen J, Wu J, Wang X, Zhang Y, Wang S, Cui P, Xu Y, Li Y, Shen Z, Xu T, Zhang Q, Cai J, Zhang H, Wang P, Ai J, Jiang N, Qiu C, Zhang W. Vaccination Shapes Within-Host SARS-CoV-2 Diversity of Omicron BA.2.2 Breakthrough Infection. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1711-1721. [PMID: 38149984 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad572] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-frequency intrahost single-nucleotide variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been recognized as predictive indicators of selection. However, the impact of vaccination on the intrahost evolution of SARS-CoV-2 remains uncertain at present. METHODS We investigated the genetic variation of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals who were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated during Shanghai's Omicron BA.2.2 wave. We substantiated the connection between particular amino acid substitutions and immune-mediated selection through a pseudovirus neutralization assay or by cross-verification with the human leukocyte antigen-associated T-cell epitopes. RESULTS In contrast to those with immunologic naivety or partial vaccination, participants who were fully vaccinated had intrahost variant spectra characterized by reduced diversity. Nevertheless, the distribution of mutations in the fully vaccinated group was enriched in the spike protein. The distribution of intrahost single-nucleotide variants in individuals who were immunocompetent did not demonstrate notable signs of positive selection, in contrast to the observed adaptation in 2 participants who were immunocompromised who had an extended period of viral shedding. CONCLUSIONS In SARS-CoV-2 infections, vaccine-induced immunity was associated with decreased diversity of within-host variant spectra, with milder inflammatory pathophysiology. The enrichment of mutations in the spike protein gene indicates selection pressure exerted by vaccination on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiazhen Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Cui
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongliang Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiran Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianpeng Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haocheng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Ai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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2
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Pavia G, Quirino A, Marascio N, Veneziano C, Longhini F, Bruni A, Garofalo E, Pantanella M, Manno M, Gigliotti S, Giancotti A, Barreca GS, Branda F, Torti C, Rotundo S, Lionello R, La Gamba V, Berardelli L, Gullì SP, Trecarichi EM, Russo A, Palmieri C, De Marco C, Viglietto G, Casu M, Sanna D, Ciccozzi M, Scarpa F, Matera G. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral intra- and inter-host evolution in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29708. [PMID: 38804179 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29708] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) persistence in COVID-19 patients could play a key role in the emergence of variants of concern. The rapid intra-host evolution of SARS-CoV-2 may result in an increased transmissibility, immune and therapeutic escape which could be a direct consequence of COVID-19 epidemic currents. In this context, a longitudinal retrospective study on eight consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection, from January 2022 to March 2023, was conducted. To characterize the intra- and inter-host viral evolution, whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on nasopharyngeal samples collected at different time points. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed an accelerated SARS-CoV-2 intra-host evolution and emergence of antigenically divergent variants. The Bayesian inference and principal coordinate analysis analysis showed a host-based genomic structuring among antigenically divergent variants, that might reflect the positive effect of containment practices, within the critical hospital area. All longitudinal antigenically divergent isolates shared a wide range of amino acidic (aa) changes, particularly in the Spike (S) glycoprotein, that increased viral transmissibility (K417N, S477N, N501Y and Q498R), enhanced infectivity (R346T, S373P, R408S, T478K, Q498R, Y505H, D614G, H655Y, N679K and P681H), caused host immune escape (S371L, S375F, T376A, K417N, and K444T/R) and displayed partial or complete resistance to treatments (G339D, R346K/T, S371F/L, S375F, T376A, D405N, N440K, G446S, N460K, E484A, F486V, Q493R, G496S and Q498R). These results suggest that multiple novel variants which emerge in the patient during persistent infection, might spread to another individual and continue to evolve. A pro-active genomic surveillance of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is recommended to identify genetically divergent lineages before their diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Pavia
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angela Quirino
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nadia Marascio
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Claudia Veneziano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Services (CIS), Molecular Genomics and Pathology, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Federico Longhini
- Unit of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Andrea Bruni
- Unit of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Eugenio Garofalo
- Unit of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marta Pantanella
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michele Manno
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Simona Gigliotti
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Aida Giancotti
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giorgio Settimo Barreca
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Branda
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Rotundo
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosaria Lionello
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina La Gamba
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lavinia Berardelli
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sara Palma Gullì
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Trecarichi
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Russo
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Camillo Palmieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmela De Marco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Services (CIS), Molecular Genomics and Pathology, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viglietto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Services (CIS), Molecular Genomics and Pathology, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marco Casu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Daria Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy
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3
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D’Acunto E, Muzi A, Marchese S, Donnici L, Chiarini V, Bucci F, Pavoni E, Ferrara FF, Cappelletti M, Arriga R, Serrao SM, Peluzzi V, Principato E, Compagnone M, Pinto E, Luberto L, Stoppoloni D, Lahm A, Groß R, Seidel A, Wettstein L, Münch J, Goodhead A, Parisot J, De Francesco R, Ciliberto G, Marra E, Aurisicchio L, Roscilli G. Isolation and Characterization of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies from a Large Panel of Murine Antibodies against RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:5. [PMID: 38247569 PMCID: PMC10801580 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, once a global crisis, is now largely under control, a testament to the extraordinary global efforts involving vaccination and public health measures. However, the relentless evolution of SARS-CoV-2, leading to the emergence of new variants, continues to underscore the importance of remaining vigilant and adaptable. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have stood out as a powerful and immediate therapeutic response to COVID-19. Despite the success of mAbs, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose challenges and the available antibodies are no longer effective. New variants require the ongoing development of effective antibodies. In the present study, we describe the generation and characterization of neutralizing mAbs against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by combining plasmid DNA and recombinant protein vaccination. By integrating genetic immunization for rapid antibody production and the potent immune stimulation enabled by protein vaccination, we produced a rich pool of antibodies, each with unique binding and neutralizing specificities, tested with the ELISA, BLI and FACS assays and the pseudovirus assay, respectively. Here, we present a panel of mAbs effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variants up to Omicron BA.1 and BA.5, with the flexibility to target emerging variants. This approach ensures the preparedness principle is in place to address SARS-CoV-2 actual and future infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela D’Acunto
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Alessia Muzi
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Silvia Marchese
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi”, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.D.); (R.D.F.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorena Donnici
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi”, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.D.); (R.D.F.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Bucci
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Emiliano Pavoni
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Fabiana Fosca Ferrara
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Manuela Cappelletti
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Roberto Arriga
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Silvia Maria Serrao
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Valentina Peluzzi
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia Principato
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Pinto
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Laura Luberto
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Daniela Stoppoloni
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Armin Lahm
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Alina Seidel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Andrew Goodhead
- Carterra, 825 N. 300 W., Suite C309, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Judicael Parisot
- Carterra, 825 N. 300 W., Suite C309, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi”, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.D.); (R.D.F.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Marra
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Roscilli
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
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4
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Pondé RADA. Physicochemical effects of emerging exchanges on the spike protein's RBM of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.1-BA.5 and its influence on the biological properties and attributes developed by these subvariants. Virology 2023; 587:109850. [PMID: 37562286 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Emerging in South Africa, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was marked by the expression of an exaggerated number of mutations throughout its genome and by the emergence of subvariants, whose attributes developed by them have been associated with amino acid exchanges that occur mainly in the RBM region of the spike protein. The RBM comprises a region within the RBD and is directly involved in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interaction with the host cell ACE2 receptor, during the infection mechanism and viral transmission. Defined as the region from aa 437 to aa 508, there are several residues in certain positions that interact directly with the human ACE-2 receptor during these processes. The occurrence of amino acid exchanges in these positions causes physicochemical alterations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which confer additional advantages and attributes to the agent. In addition, these exchanges serve as a basis for the characterization of new variants and subvariants of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, the amino acid exchanges that have occurred in the RBM of the subvariants BA.1 to BA.5 of SARS-CoV-2 that emerged from the Omicron are described. The physicochemical effects caused by them on spike protein are also described, as well as their influence on the biological properties and attributes developed by the subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robério Amorim de Almeida Pondé
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde -SES/Superintendência de Vigilância em Saúde-SUVISA/GO, Gerência de Vigilância Epidemiológica de Doenças Transmissíveis-GVEDT/Coordenação de Análises e Pesquisas-CAP, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Laboratory of Human Virology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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5
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Roe TL, Brady T, Schuko N, Nguyen A, Beloor J, Guest JD, Aksyuk AA, Tuffy KM, Zhang T, Streicher K, Kelly EJ, Kijak GH. Molecular Characterization of AZD7442 (Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab) Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0033323. [PMID: 36877050 PMCID: PMC10100701 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00333-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) provide immunosuppressed and vulnerable populations with prophylactic and treatment interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). AZD7442 (tixagevimab-cilgavimab) is a combination of extended-half-life neutralizing MAbs that bind to distinct epitopes on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The Omicron variant of concern carries mutations at >35 positions in the spike protein and has undergone further genetic diversification since its emergence in November 2021. Here, we characterize the in vitro neutralization activity of AZD7442 toward major viral subvariants circulating worldwide during the first 9 months of the Omicron wave. BA.2 and its derived subvariants showed the highest susceptibility to AZD7442, while BA.1 and BA.1.1 showed a lower susceptibility. BA.4/BA.5 had a susceptibility level intermediate between BA.1 and BA.2. Mutagenesis of parental Omicron subvariant spike proteins was performed to establish a molecular model to describe the underlying determinants of neutralization by AZD7442 and its component MAbs. The concurrent mutation of residues at positions 446 and 493, located in the tixagevimab and cilgavimab binding sites, was sufficient to enhance in vitro susceptibility of BA.1 to AZD7442 and its component MAbs to levels similar to the Wuhan-Hu-1+D614G virus. AZD7442 maintained neutralization activity against all Omicron subvariants tested up to and including BA.5. The evolving nature of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic warrants continuing real-time molecular surveillance and assessment of in vitro activity of MAbs used in prophylaxis against and the treatment of COVID-19. IMPORTANCE MAbs are key therapeutic options for COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment in immunosuppressed and vulnerable populations. Due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, it is vital to ensure that neutralization is maintained for MAb-based interventions. We studied the in vitro neutralization of AZD7442 (tixagevimab-cilgavimab), a cocktail of two long-acting MAbs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, toward Omicron subvariants circulating from November 2021 to July 2022. AZD7442 neutralized major Omicron subvariants up to and including BA.5. The mechanism of action responsible for the lower in vitro susceptibility of BA.1 to AZD7442 was investigated using in vitro mutagenesis and molecular modeling. A combination of mutations at two spike protein positions, namely, 446 and 493, was sufficient to enhance BA.1 susceptibility to AZD7442 to levels similar to the Wuhan-Hu-1+D614G ancestral virus. The evolving nature of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic warrants continuing real-time global molecular surveillance and mechanistic studies of therapeutic MAbs for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany L. Roe
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Tyler Brady
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicolette Schuko
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Amy Nguyen
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Jagadish Beloor
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Johnathan D. Guest
- Virology and Vaccine Discovery, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Anastasia A. Aksyuk
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin M. Tuffy
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Tianhui Zhang
- Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Katie Streicher
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth J. Kelly
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Gustavo H. Kijak
- Translational Medicine, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
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6
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Ong CP, Ye ZW, Tang K, Liang R, Xie Y, Zhang H, Qin Z, Sun H, Wang TY, Cheng Y, Chu H, Chan JFW, Jin DY, Yuan S. Comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.12.1 and BA.5.2 variants. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28326. [PMID: 36411262 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The initial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2, are being progressively displaced by BA.5 in many countries. To provide insight on the replacement of BA.2 by BA.5 as the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, we performed a comparative analysis of Omicron BA.2.12.1 and BA.5.2 variants in cell culture and hamster models. We found that BA.5.2 exhibited enhanced replicative kinetics over BA.2.12.1 in vitro and in vivo, which is evidenced by the dominant BA.5.2 viral genome detected at different time points, regardless of immune selection pressure with vaccine-induced serum antibodies. Utilizing reverse genetics, we constructed a mutant SARS-CoV-2 carrying spike F486V substitution, which is an uncharacterized mutation that concurrently discriminates Omicron BA.5.2 from BA.2.12.1 variant. We noticed that the 486th residue does not confer viral replication advantage to the virus. We also found that 486V displayed generally reduced immune evasion capacity when compared with its predecessor, 486F. However, the surge of fitness in BA.5.2 over BA.2.12.1 was not due to stand-alone F486V substitution but as a result of the combination of multiple mutations. Our study upholds the urgency for continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants with enhanced replication fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chon Phin Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Kaiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Ronghui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Yubin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Hongzhuo Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Zhenzhi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Haoran Sun
- Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Tong-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Yun Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Jasper F-W Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, P.R. China
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