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Green AL, De Bellis D, Cowell E, Lenchine RV, Penn T, Kris LP, McEvoy-May J, Bihari S, Dixon DL, Carr JM. The Y498T499-SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein interacts poorly with rat ACE2 and does not affect the rat lung. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000839.v3. [PMID: 39346684 PMCID: PMC11432600 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000839.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The rat is a useful laboratory model for respiratory diseases. SARS-CoV-2 proteins, such as the spike (S) protein, can induce inflammation. This study has investigated the ability of the Q498Y, P499T (QP-YT) amino acid change, described in the S-protein of the mouse-adapted laboratory SARS-CoV-2 MA strain, to interact with rat angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and stimulate responses in rat lungs. A real-time S-ACE2 quantitative fusion assay shows that ancestral and L452R S-proteins fuse with human but not rat ACE2 expressed on HEK293 (human embryonic kidney-293) cells. The QP-YT S-protein retains the ability to fuse with human ACE2 and increases the binding to rat ACE2. Although lower lung of the rat contains both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2) target cells, intratracheal delivery of ancestral or QP-YT S-protein pseudotyped lentivirus did not induce measurable respiratory changes, inflammatory infiltration or innate mRNA responses. Isolation of primary cells from rat alveoli demonstrated the presence of cells expressing ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Infection of these cells, however, with ancestral or QP-YT S-protein pseudotyped lentivirus was not observed, and the QP-YT S-protein pseudotyped lentivirus poorly infected HEK293 cells expressing rat ACE2. Analysis of the amino acid changes across the S-ACE2 interface highlights not only the Y498 interaction with H353 as a likely facilitator of binding to rat ACE2 but also other amino acids that could improve this interaction. Thus, rat lungs contain cells expressing receptors for SARS-CoV-2, and the QP-YT S-protein variant can bind to rat ACE2, but this does not result in infection or stimulate responses in the lung. Further, amino acid changes in S-protein may enhance this interaction to improve the utility of the rat model for defining the role of the S-protein in driving lung inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Green
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dylan De Bellis
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Evangeline Cowell
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Roman V Lenchine
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Timothy Penn
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Luke P Kris
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - James McEvoy-May
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Shailesh Bihari
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Dani-Louise Dixon
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Jillian M Carr
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Carolin A, Frazer D, Yan K, Bishop CR, Tang B, Nguyen W, Helman SL, Horvat J, Larcher T, Rawle DJ, Suhrbier A. The effects of iron deficient and high iron diets on SARS-CoV-2 lung infection and disease. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1441495. [PMID: 39296289 PMCID: PMC11408339 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1441495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The severity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is often dictated by a range of comorbidities. A considerable literature suggests iron deficiency and iron overload may contribute to increased infection, inflammation and disease severity, although direct causal relationships have been difficult to establish. Methods Here we generate iron deficient and iron loaded C57BL/6 J mice by feeding standard low and high iron diets, with mice on a normal iron diet representing controls. All mice were infected with a primary SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB isolate and lung inflammatory responses were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry and RNA-Seq. Results Compared with controls, iron deficient mice showed no significant changes in lung viral loads or histopathology, whereas, iron loaded mice showed slightly, but significantly, reduced lung viral loads and histopathology. Transcriptional changes were modest, but illustrated widespread dysregulation of inflammation signatures for both iron deficient vs. controls, and iron loaded vs. controls. Some of these changes could be associated with detrimental outcomes, whereas others would be viewed as beneficial. Discussion Diet-associated iron deficiency or overload thus induced modest modulations of inflammatory signatures, but no significant histopathologically detectable disease exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Carolin
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David Frazer
- Molecular Nutrition, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Cameron R Bishop
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wilson Nguyen
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sheridan L Helman
- Molecular Nutrition, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jay Horvat
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Daniel J Rawle
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- GVN Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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3
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Bishop CR, Yan K, Nguyen W, Rawle DJ, Tang B, Larcher T, Suhrbier A. Microplastics dysregulate innate immunity in the SARS-CoV-2 infected lung. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1382655. [PMID: 38803494 PMCID: PMC11128561 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1382655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Global microplastic (MP) pollution is now well recognized, with humans and animals consuming and inhaling MPs on a daily basis, with a growing body of concern surrounding the potential impacts on human health. Methods Using a mouse model of mild COVID-19, we describe herein the effects of azide-free 1 μm polystyrene MP beads, co-delivered into lungs with a SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 inoculum. The effect of MPs on the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection was analysed using histopathology and RNA-Seq at 2 and 6 days post-infection (dpi). Results Although infection reduced clearance of MPs from the lung, virus titres and viral RNA levels were not significantly affected by MPs, and overt MP-associated clinical or histopathological changes were not observed. However, RNA-Seq of infected lungs revealed that MP exposure suppressed innate immune responses at 2 dpi and increased pro-inflammatory signatures at 6 dpi. The cytokine profile at 6 dpi showed a significant correlation with the 'cytokine release syndrome' signature observed in some COVID-19 patients. Discussion The findings are consistent with the recent finding that MPs can inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic cells via binding of Tim4. They also add to a growing body of literature suggesting that MPs can dysregulate inflammatory processes in specific disease settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R. Bishop
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wilson Nguyen
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Daniel J. Rawle
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Thibaut Larcher
- Institut National de Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche, Oniris, Nantes, France
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Global Virus Network (GVN) Center of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Carrascosa-Sàez M, Marqués MC, Geller R, Elena SF, Rahmeh A, Dufloo J, Sanjuán R. Cell type-specific adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae032. [PMID: 38779130 PMCID: PMC11110937 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various human tissues and cell types, principally via interaction with its cognate receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). However, how the virus evolves in different cellular environments is poorly understood. Here, we used experimental evolution to study the adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to four human cell lines expressing different levels of key entry factors. After twenty passages of a spike-expressing recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), cell-type-specific phenotypic changes were observed and sequencing allowed the identification of sixteen adaptive spike mutations. We used VSV pseudotyping to measure the entry efficiency, ACE2 affinity, spike processing, TMPRSS2 usage, and entry pathway usage of all the mutants, alone or in combination. The fusogenicity of the mutant spikes was assessed with a cell-cell fusion assay. Finally, mutant recombinant VSVs were used to measure the fitness advantage associated with selected mutations. We found that the effects of these mutations varied across cell types, both in terms of viral entry and replicative fitness. Interestingly, two spike mutations (L48S and A372T) that emerged in cells expressing low ACE2 levels increased receptor affinity, syncytia induction, and entry efficiency under low-ACE2 conditions. Our results demonstrate specific adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to different cell types and have implications for understanding SARS-CoV-2 tissue tropism and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Carrascosa-Sàez
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - María-Carmen Marqués
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Ron Geller
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Santiago F Elena
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Amal Rahmeh
- Departament de Medicina i Ciències de La Vida (MELIS), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Jérémy Dufloo
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
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5
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Li K, Verma A, Li P, Ortiz ME, Hawkins GM, Schnicker NJ, Szachowicz PJ, Pezzulo AA, Wohlford-Lenane CL, Kicmal T, Meyerholz DK, Gallagher T, Perlman S, McCray PB. Adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 H353K mice reveals new spike residues that drive mouse infection. J Virol 2024; 98:e0151023. [PMID: 38168680 PMCID: PMC10804960 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01510-23] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to cause extraordinary loss of life and economic damage. Animal models of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are needed to better understand disease pathogenesis and evaluate preventive measures and therapies. While mice are widely used to model human disease, mouse angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) does not bind the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to mediate viral entry. To overcome this limitation, we "humanized" mouse Ace2 using CRISPR gene editing to introduce a single amino acid substitution, H353K, predicted to facilitate S protein binding. While H353K knockin Ace2 (mACE2H353K) mice supported SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication, they exhibited minimal disease manifestations. Following 30 serial passages of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 in mACE2H353K mice, we generated and cloned a more virulent virus. A single isolate (SARS2MA-H353K) was prepared for detailed studies. In 7-11-month-old mACE2H353K mice, a 104 PFU inocula resulted in diffuse alveolar disease manifested as edema, hyaline membrane formation, and interstitial cellular infiltration/thickening. Unexpectedly, the mouse-adapted virus also infected standard BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and caused severe disease. The mouse-adapted virus acquired five new missense mutations including two in spike (K417E, Q493K), one each in nsp4, nsp9, and M and a single nucleotide change in the 5' untranslated region. The Q493K spike mutation arose early in serial passage and is predicted to provide affinity-enhancing molecular interactions with mACE2 and further increase the stability and affinity to the receptor. This new model and mouse-adapted virus will be useful to evaluate COVID-19 disease and prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.IMPORTANCEWe developed a new mouse model with a humanized angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) locus that preserves native regulatory elements. A single point mutation in mouse ACE2 (H353K) was sufficient to confer in vivo infection with ancestral severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 virus. Through in vivo serial passage, a virulent mouse-adapted strain was obtained. In aged mACE2H353K mice, the mouse-adapted strain caused diffuse alveolar disease. The mouse-adapted virus also infected standard BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, causing severe disease. The mouse-adapted virus acquired five new missense mutations including two in spike (K417E, Q493K), one each in nsp4, nsp9, and M and a single nucleotide change in the 5' untranslated region. The Q493K spike mutation arose early in serial passage and is predicted to provide affinity-enhancing molecular interactions with mACE2 and further increase the stability and affinity to the receptor. This new model and mouse-adapted virus will be useful to evaluate COVID-19 disease and prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Abhishek Verma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Miguel E. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Grant M. Hawkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Peter J. Szachowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | | | - Tom Kicmal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Paul B. McCray
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Liu X, Guo Y, Pan W, Xue Q, Fu J, Qu G, Zhang A. Exogenous Chemicals Impact Virus Receptor Gene Transcription: Insights from Deep Learning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:18038-18047. [PMID: 37186679 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been disrupting human life and health worldwide since the outbreak in late 2019, the impact of exogenous substance exposure on the viral infection remains unclear. It is well-known that, during viral infection, organism receptors play a significant role in mediating the entry of viruses to enter host cells. A major receptor of SARS-CoV-2 is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study proposes a deep learning model based on the graph convolutional network (GCN) that enables, for the first time, the prediction of exogenous substances that affect the transcriptional expression of the ACE2 gene. It outperforms other machine learning models, achieving an area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.712 and 0.703 on the validation and internal test set, respectively. In addition, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) experiments provided additional supporting evidence for indoor air pollutants identified by the GCN model. More broadly, the proposed methodology can be applied to predict the effect of environmental chemicals on the gene transcription of other virus receptors as well. In contrast to typical deep learning models that are of black box nature, we further highlight the interpretability of the proposed GCN model and how it facilitates deeper understanding of gene change at the structural level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
| | - Yunhe Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
| | - Wenxiao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
| | - Qiao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
| | - Jianjie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310012, P. R. China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, P.R. China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310012, P. R. China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Aiqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310012, P. R. China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, P.R. China
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7
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Pollak NM, Rawle DJ, Yan K, Buckley C, Le TT, Wang CYT, Ertl NG, van Huyssteen K, Crkvencic N, Hashmi M, Lyons RE, Whiley DM, Suhrbier A, Macdonald J. Rapid inactivation and sample preparation for SARS-CoV-2 PCR-based diagnostics using TNA-Cifer Reagent E. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1238542. [PMID: 37869655 PMCID: PMC10590215 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1238542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
RT-qPCR remains a key diagnostic methodology for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Typically, nasal or saliva swabs from patients are placed in virus transport media (VTM), RNA is extracted at the pathology laboratory, and viral RNA is measured using RT-qPCR. In this study, we describe the use of TNA-Cifer Reagent E in a pre-clinical evaluation study to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 as well as prepare samples for RT-qPCR. Adding 1 part TNA-Cifer Reagent E to 5 parts medium containing SARS-CoV-2 for 10 min at room temperature inactivated the virus and permitted RT-qPCR detection. TNA-Cifer Reagent E was compared with established column-based RNA extraction and purification methodology using a panel of human clinical nasal swab samples (n = 61), with TNA-Cifer Reagent E showing high specificity (100%) and sensitivity (97.37%). Mixtures of SARS-CoV-2 virus and TNA-Cifer Reagent E could be stored for 3 days at room temperature or for 2 weeks at 4°C without the loss of RT-qPCR detection sensitivity. The detection sensitivity was preserved when TNA-Cifer Reagent E was used in conjunction with a range of VTM for saliva samples but only PBS (Gibco) and Amies Orange for nasal samples. Thus, TNA-Cifer Reagent E improves safety by rapidly inactivating the virus during sample processing, potentially providing a safe means for molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing outside traditional laboratory settings. The reagent also eliminates the need for column-based and/or automated viral RNA extraction/purification processes, thereby providing cost savings for equipment and reagents, as well as reducing processing and handling times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina M. Pollak
- Center for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- DMTC Limited, Kew, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel J. Rawle
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Cameron Buckley
- Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Thuy T. Le
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Claire Y. T. Wang
- Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Centre for Children's Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole G. Ertl
- Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Misha Hashmi
- Bio Molecular Systems, Potts Point, NSW, Australia
| | | | - David M. Whiley
- Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
- Microbiology Department, Pathology Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- GVN Center of Excellence, Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Joanne Macdonald
- Center for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- BioCifer Pty Ltd., Auchenflower, QLD, Australia
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Dumenil T, Le TT, Rawle DJ, Yan K, Tang B, Nguyen W, Bishop C, Suhrbier A. Warmer ambient air temperatures reduce nasal turbinate and brain infection, but increase lung inflammation in the K18-hACE2 mouse model of COVID-19. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160163. [PMID: 36395835 PMCID: PMC9659553 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Warmer climatic conditions have been associated with fewer COVID-19 cases. Herein we infected K18-hACE2 mice housed at the standard animal house temperature of ∼22 °C, or at ∼31 °C, which is considered to be thermoneutral for mice. On day 2 post infection, RNA-Seq analyses showed no significant differential gene expression lung in lungs of mice housed at the two temperatures, with almost identical viral loads and type I interferon responses. There was also no significant difference in viral loads in lungs on day 5, but RNA-Seq and histology analyses showed clearly elevated inflammatory signatures and infiltrates. Thermoneutrality thus promoted lung inflammation. On day 2 post infection mice housed at 31 °C showed reduced viral loads in nasal turbinates, consistent with increased mucociliary clearance at the warmer ambient temperature. These mice also had reduced virus levels in the brain, and an ensuing amelioration of weight loss and a delay in mortality. Warmer air temperatures may thus reduce infection of the upper respiratory track and the olfactory epithelium, resulting in reduced brain infection. Potential relevance for anosmia and neurological sequelae in COVID-19 patients is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Dumenil
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Thuy T Le
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Daniel J Rawle
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Wilson Nguyen
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Cameron Bishop
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia; Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, 4072, Australia.
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9
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Morgan MS, Yan K, Le TT, Johnston RA, Amarilla AA, Muller DA, McMillan CLD, Modhiran N, Watterson D, Potter JR, Sng JD, Lor M, Paramitha D, Isaacs A, Khromykh AA, Hall RA, Suhrbier A, Rawle DJ, Hobson-Peters J. Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Suitable for Multiple Applications for Current Variants of Concern. Viruses 2022; 15:139. [PMID: 36680179 PMCID: PMC9863740 DOI: 10.3390/v15010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spawned an ongoing demand for new research reagents and interventions. Herein we describe a panel of monoclonal antibodies raised against SARS-CoV-2. One antibody showed excellent utility for immunohistochemistry, clearly staining infected cells in formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded lungs and brains of mice infected with the original and the omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate the reactivity to multiple variants of concern using ELISAs and describe the use of the antibodies in indirect immunofluorescence assays, Western blots, and rapid antigen tests. Finally, we illustrate the ability of two antibodies to reduce significantly viral tissue titers in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice infected with the original and an omicron isolate of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahali S. Morgan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Thuy T. Le
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Ryan A. Johnston
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alberto A. Amarilla
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David A. Muller
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Christopher L. D. McMillan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Naphak Modhiran
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - James R. Potter
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Julian D.J. Sng
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mary Lor
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Devina Paramitha
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ariel Isaacs
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander A. Khromykh
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Roy A. Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Daniel J. Rawle
- Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
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10
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Lin MH, Li D, Tang B, Li L, Suhrbier A, Harrich D. Defective Interfering Particles with Broad-Acting Antiviral Activity for Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, Respiratory Syncytial and SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0394922. [PMID: 36445148 PMCID: PMC9769664 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03949-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 100 arboviruses, almost all of which have an RNA genome, cause disease in humans. RNA viruses are causing unprecedented health system challenges worldwide, many with little or no specific therapies or vaccines available. Certain species of mosquito can carry dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV) and yellow fever virus (YFV), where co-infection of these viruses has occurred. Here, we found that purified synthetic defective interfering particles (DIPs) derived from DENV type 2 (DENV-2) strongly suppressed replication of the aforementioned viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and also the novel emerging virus SARS-CoV-2 in human cells. DENV DIPs produced in bioreactors, purified by column chromatography, and concentrated are virus-like particles that are about half the diameter of a typical DENV particle, but with similar ratios of the viral structural proteins envelope and capsid. Overall, DIP-treated cells inhibited DENV, ZIKV, YFV, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 by at least 98% by mechanisms which included interferon (IFN)-dependent cellular antiviral responses. IMPORTANCE DIPs are spontaneously derived virus mutants with deletions in genes that block viral replication. DIPs play important roles in modulation of viral disease, innate immune responses, virus persistence and virus evolution. Here, we investigated the antiviral activity of highly purified synthetic DIPs derived from DENV, which were produced in bioreactors. DENV DIPs purified by column chromatography strongly inhibited five different RNA viruses, including DENV, ZIKV, YFV, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 in human cells. DENV DIPs inhibited virus replication via delivery of a small, noninfectious viral RNA that activated cellular innate immunity, resulting in robust type 1 interferon responses. The work here presents a pathway for DIP production which is adaptable to Good Manufacturing Practice, so that their preclinical testing should be suitable for evaluation in subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hsuan Lin
- Program of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dongsheng Li
- Program of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- Program of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Li Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Program of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Harrich
- Program of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Mahilkar S, Agrawal S, Chaudhary S, Parikh S, Sonkar SC, Verma DK, Chitalia V, Mehta D, Koner BC, Vijay N, Shastri J, Sunil S. SARS-CoV-2 variants: Impact on biological and clinical outcome. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:995960. [PMID: 36438034 PMCID: PMC9685312 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.995960] [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: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in December 2019, in Wuhan, China was found to be the etiological agent for a novel respiratory infection that led to a Coronavirus Induced Disease named COVID-19. The disease spread to pandemic magnitudes within a few weeks and since then we have been dealing with several waves across the world, due to the emergence of variants and novel mutations in this RNA virus. A direct outcome of these variants apart from the spike of cases is the diverse disease presentation and difficulty in employing effective diagnostic tools apart from confusing disease outcomes. Transmissibility rates of the variants, host response, and virus evolution are some of the features found to impact COVID-19 disease management. In this review, we will discuss the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, notable mutations in the viral genome, the possible impact of these mutations on detection, disease presentation, and management as well as the recent findings in the mechanisms that underlie virus-host interaction. Our aim is to invigorate a scientific debate on how pathogenic potential of the new pandemic viral strains contributes toward development in the field of virology in general and COVID-19 disease in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakuntala Mahilkar
- Vector-Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Sachee Agrawal
- Department of Microbiology, Topiwala National Medical College (TNMC) and Bai Yamunabai Laxman Nair (BYL) Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sakshi Chaudhary
- Vector-Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Swapneil Parikh
- Molecular Diagnostic Reference Laboratory, Kasturba Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Subash C. Sonkar
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Dileep Kumar Verma
- Vector-Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Vidushi Chitalia
- Molecular Diagnostic Reference Laboratory, Kasturba Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Divya Mehta
- Vector-Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Bidhan Chandra Koner
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Neetu Vijay
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, India
| | - Jayanthi Shastri
- Department of Microbiology, Topiwala National Medical College (TNMC) and Bai Yamunabai Laxman Nair (BYL) Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sujatha Sunil
- Vector-Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
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12
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Bishop CR, Dumenil T, Rawle DJ, Le TT, Yan K, Tang B, Hartel G, Suhrbier A. Mouse models of COVID-19 recapitulate inflammatory pathways rather than gene expression. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010867. [PMID: 36155667 PMCID: PMC9536645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
How well mouse models recapitulate the transcriptional profiles seen in humans remains debatable, with both conservation and diversity identified in various settings. Herein we use RNA-Seq data and bioinformatics approaches to analyze the transcriptional responses in SARS-CoV-2 infected lungs, comparing 4 human studies with the widely used K18-hACE2 mouse model, a model where hACE2 is expressed from the mouse ACE2 promoter, and a model that uses a mouse adapted virus and wild-type mice. Overlap of single copy orthologue differentially expressed genes (scoDEGs) between human and mouse studies was generally poor (≈15-35%). Rather than being associated with batch, sample treatment, viral load, lung damage or mouse model, the poor overlaps were primarily due to scoDEG expression differences between species. Importantly, analyses of immune signatures and inflammatory pathways illustrated highly significant concordances between species. As immunity and immunopathology are the focus of most studies, these mouse models can thus be viewed as representative and relevant models of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R. Bishop
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Troy Dumenil
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Daniel J. Rawle
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thuy T. Le
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gunter Hartel
- Statistics Unit, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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