1
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Nambulli S, Escriou N, Rennick LJ, Demers MJ, Tilston‑Lunel NL, McElroy AK, Barbeau DJ, Crossland NA, Hoehl RM, Schrauf S, White AG, Borish HJ, Tomko JA, Frye LJ, Scanga CA, Flynn JL, Martin A, Gerke C, Hartman AL, Duprex WP. A measles-vectored vaccine candidate expressing prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein brought to phase I/II clinical trials: protection of African green monkeys from COVID-19 disease. J Virol 2024; 98:e0176223. [PMID: 38563762 PMCID: PMC11092351 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01762-23] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged at the end of 2019 and is responsible for the largest human pandemic in 100 years. Thirty-four vaccines are currently approved for use worldwide, and approximately 67% of the world population has received a complete primary series of one, yet countries are dealing with new waves of infections, variant viruses continue to emerge, and breakthrough infections are frequent secondary to waning immunity. Here, we evaluate a measles virus (MV)-vectored vaccine expressing a stabilized prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (MV-ATU3-S2PΔF2A; V591) with demonstrated immunogenicity in mouse models (see companion article [J. Brunet, Z. Choucha, M. Gransagne, H. Tabbal, M.-W. Ku et al., J Virol 98:e01693-23, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01693-23]) in an established African green monkey model of disease. Animals were vaccinated with V591 or the control vaccine (an equivalent MV-vectored vaccine with an irrelevant antigen) intramuscularly using a prime/boost schedule, followed by challenge with an early pandemic isolate of SARS-CoV-2 at 56 days post-vaccination. Pre-challenge, only V591-vaccinated animals developed S-specific antibodies that had virus-neutralizing activity as well as S-specific T cells. Following the challenge, V591-vaccinated animals had lower infectious virus and viral (v) RNA loads in mucosal secretions and stopped shedding virus in these secretions earlier. vRNA loads were lower in these animals in respiratory and gastrointestinal tract tissues at necropsy. This correlated with a lower disease burden in the lungs as quantified by PET/CT at early and late time points post-challenge and by pathological analysis at necropsy.IMPORTANCESevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the largest human pandemic in 100 years. Even though vaccines are currently available, countries are dealing with new waves of infections, variant viruses continue to emerge, breakthrough infections are frequent, and vaccine hesitancy persists. This study uses a safe and effective measles vaccine as a platform for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The candidate vaccine was used to vaccinate African green monkeys (AGMs). All vaccinated AGMs developed robust antigen-specific immune responses. After challenge, these AGMs produced less virus in mucosal secretions, for a shorter period, and had a reduced disease burden in the lungs compared to control animals. At necropsy, lower levels of viral RNA were detected in tissue samples from vaccinated animals, and the lungs of these animals lacked the histologic hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 disease observed exclusively in the control AGMs.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/genetics
- COVID-19/prevention & control
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/virology
- Measles virus/immunology
- Measles virus/genetics
- COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
- Humans
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Genetic Vectors
- Vero Cells
- Pandemics/prevention & control
- Female
- Betacoronavirus/immunology
- Betacoronavirus/genetics
- Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control
- Pneumonia, Viral/virology
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/virology
- Coronavirus Infections/veterinary
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/genetics
- Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Disease Models, Animal
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Affiliation(s)
- Sham Nambulli
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicolas Escriou
- Département de Santé Globale, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cite, Paris, France
| | - Linda J. Rennick
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew J. Demers
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Natasha L. Tilston‑Lunel
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anita K. McElroy
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dominique J. Barbeau
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryan M. Hoehl
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sabrina Schrauf
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alexander G. White
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - H. Jacob Borish
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jaime A. Tomko
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lonnie J. Frye
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Charles A. Scanga
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - JoAnne L. Flynn
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Annette Martin
- CNRS UMR3569, Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Christiane Gerke
- Vaccine Programs, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cite, Innovation Office, Paris, France
| | - Amy L. Hartman
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - W. Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Garg A, Hawks S, Pan J, Wang W, Duggal N, Marr LC, Vikesland P, Zhou W. Machine learning-driven SERS fingerprinting of disintegrated viral components for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental dust. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 247:115946. [PMID: 38141443 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115946] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Surveillance of airborne viruses in crowded indoor spaces is crucial for managing outbreaks, as highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, the rapid and on-site detection of fast-mutating viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, in complex environmental backgrounds remains challenging. Our study introduces a machine learning (ML)-driven surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach for detecting viruses within environmental dust matrices. By decomposing intact virions into individual structural components via a Raman-background-free lysis protocol and concentrating them into nanogap SERS hotspots, we significantly enhance the SERS signal intensity and fingerprint information density from viral structural components. Utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we establish a robust connection between the SERS data of these structural components and their biological sequences, laying a solid foundation for virus detection through SERS. Furthermore, we demonstrate reliable quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 using identified SARS-CoV-2 peaks at concentrations down to 102 pfu/ml through Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and a digital SERS methodology. Finally, applying a Principal Component Analysis-Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA) algorithm, we identify SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and Zika virus within an environmental dust background with over 86% accuracy. Therefore, our ML-driven SERS approach holds promise for rapid environmental virus monitoring to manage future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Garg
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Seth Hawks
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Jin Pan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Nisha Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Linsey C Marr
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Peter Vikesland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States.
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States.
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3
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Huerta L, Gamboa-Meraz A, Estrada-Ochoa PS. Relevance of the Entry by Fusion at the Cytoplasmic Membrane vs. Fusion After Endocytosis in the HIV and SARS-Cov-2 Infections. Results Probl Cell Differ 2024; 71:329-344. [PMID: 37996685 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-37936-9_16] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 and SARS-Cov-2 fuse at the cell surface or at endosomal compartments for entry into target cells; entry at the cell surface associates to productive infection, whereas endocytosis of low pH-independent viruses may lead to virus inactivation, slow replication, or alternatively, to productive infection. Endocytosis and fusion at the cell surface are conditioned by cell type-specific restriction factors and the presence of enzymes required for activation of the viral fusogen. Whereas fusion with the plasma membrane is considered the main pathway to productive infection of low pH-independent entry viruses, endocytosis is also productive and may be the main route of the highly efficient cell-to-cell dissemination of viruses. Alternative receptors, membrane cofactors, and the presence of enzymes processing the fusion protein at the cell membrane, determine the balance between fusion and endocytosis in specific target cells. Characterization of the mode of entry in particular cell culture conditions is desirable to better assess the effect of neutralizing and blocking agents and their mechanism of action. Whatever the pathway of virus internalization, production of the viral proteins into the cells can lead to the expression of the viral fusion protein on the cell surface; if this protein is able to induce membrane fusion at physiological pH, it promotes the fusion of the infected cell with surrounding uninfected cells, leading to the formation of syncytia or heterokaryons. Importantly, particular membrane proteins and lipids act as cofactors to support fusion. Virus-induced cell-cell fusion leads to efficient virus replication into fused cells, cell death, inflammation, and severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Huerta
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro Gamboa-Meraz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Pablo Samuel Estrada-Ochoa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Ciudad de México, México
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4
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Zhdanov G, Gambaryan A, Akhmetova A, Yaminsky I, Kukushkin V, Zavyalova E. Nanoisland SERS-Substrates for Specific Detection and Quantification of Influenza A Virus. BIOSENSORS 2023; 14:20. [PMID: 38248397 PMCID: PMC10813417 DOI: 10.3390/bios14010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based aptasensors for virus determination have attracted a lot of interest recently. This approach provides both specificity due to an aptamer component and a low limit of detection due to signal enhancement by a SERS substrate. The most successful SERS-based aptasensors have a limit of detection (LoD) of 10-100 viral particles per mL (VP/mL) that is advantageous compared to polymerase chain reactions. These characteristics of the sensors require the use of complex substrates. Previously, we described silver nanoisland SERS-substrate with a reproducible and uniform surface, demonstrating high potency for industrial production and a suboptimal LoD of 4 × 105 VP/mL of influenza A virus. Here we describe a study of the sensor morphology, revealing an unexpected mechanism of signal enhancement through the distortion of the nanoisland layer. A novel modification of the aptasensor was proposed with chromium-enhanced adhesion of silver nanoparticles to the surface as well as elimination of the buffer-dependent distortion-triggering steps. As a result, the LoD of the Influenza A virus was decreased to 190 VP/mL, placing the nanoisland SERS-based aptasensors in the rank of the most powerful sensors for viral detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb Zhdanov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (G.Z.); (E.Z.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institute of Quantum Technologies, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Alexandra Gambaryan
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Centre for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products RAS, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Assel Akhmetova
- Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.); (I.Y.)
| | - Igor Yaminsky
- Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.); (I.Y.)
| | - Vladimir Kukushkin
- Osipyan Institute of Solid State Physics of the Russian Academy of Science, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia;
| | - Elena Zavyalova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (G.Z.); (E.Z.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institute of Quantum Technologies, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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5
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de Vries M, Ciabattoni GO, Rodriguez-Rodriguez BA, Crosse KM, Papandrea D, Samanovic MI, Dimartino D, Marier C, Mulligan MJ, Heguy A, Desvignes L, Duerr R, Dittmann M. Generation of quality-controlled SARS-CoV-2 variant stocks. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:3821-3855. [PMID: 37833423 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00897-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stems from the ongoing evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into multiple variants. To address this hurdle, research groups around the world have independently developed protocols to isolate these variants from clinical samples. These isolates are then used in translational and basic research-for example, in vaccine development, drug screening or characterizing SARS-CoV-2 biology and pathogenesis. However, over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned that the introduction of artefacts during both in vitro isolation and subsequent propagation to virus stocks can lessen the validity and reproducibility of data. We propose a rigorous pipeline for the generation of high-quality SARS-CoV-2 variant clonal isolates that minimizes the acquisition of mutations and introduces stringent controls to detect them. Overall, the process includes eight stages: (i) cell maintenance, (ii) isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens, (iii) determination of infectious virus titers by plaque assay, (iv) clonal isolation by plaque purification, (v) whole-virus-genome deep-sequencing, (vi and vii) amplification of selected virus clones to master and working stocks and (viii) sucrose purification. This comprehensive protocol will enable researchers to generate reliable SARS-CoV-2 variant inoculates for in vitro and in vivo experimentation and will facilitate comparisons and collaborative work. Quality-controlled working stocks for most applications can be generated from acquired biorepository virus within 1 month. An additional 5-8 d are required when virus is isolated from clinical swab material, and another 6-7 d is needed for sucrose-purifying the stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren de Vries
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Grace O Ciabattoni
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Keaton M Crosse
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dominick Papandrea
- High Containment Laboratories-Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie I Samanovic
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dacia Dimartino
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Marier
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark J Mulligan
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ludovic Desvignes
- High Containment Laboratories-Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ralf Duerr
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meike Dittmann
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Gilliland T, Dunn M, Liu Y, Alcorn MD, Terada Y, Vasilatos S, Lundy J, Li R, Nambulli S, Larson D, Duprex P, Wu H, Luke T, Bausch C, Egland K, Sullivan E, Wang Z, Klimstra WB. Transchromosomic bovine-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal human antibodies protects hACE2 transgenic hamsters against multiple variants. iScience 2023; 26:107764. [PMID: 37736038 PMCID: PMC10509298 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107764] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pandemic SARS-CoV-2 has undergone rapid evolution resulting in the emergence of many variants with mutations in the spike protein, some of which appear to evade antibody neutralization, transmit more efficiently, and/or exhibit altered virulence. This raises significant concerns regarding the efficacy of anti-S monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics which have failed against variant SARS-CoV-2 viruses. To address this concern, SAB-185, a human anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal antibody was generated in the DiversitAb platform. SAB-185 exhibited equivalent, robust in vitro neutralization for Munich, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Δ144-146 variants and, although diminished, retained PRNT50 and PRNT80 neutralization endpoints for Delta and Omicron variants. Human ACE2 transgenic Syrian hamsters, which exhibit lethal SARS-CoV-2 disease, were protected from mortality after challenge with the Munich, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Δ144-146 variants and clinical signs after non-lethal Omicron BA.1 infection. This suggests that SAB-185 may be an effective immunotherapy even in the presence of ongoing viral mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theron Gilliland
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Matthew Dunn
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Animal Dairy, Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84341, USA
| | - Maria D.H. Alcorn
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yutaka Terada
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Shauna Vasilatos
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Jeneveve Lundy
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Animal Dairy, Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84341, USA
| | - Sham Nambulli
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Deanna Larson
- Department of Animal Dairy, Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84341, USA
| | - Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Hua Wu
- SAb Biotherapeutics, Inc, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Thomas Luke
- SAb Biotherapeutics, Inc, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | | | - Kristi Egland
- SAb Biotherapeutics, Inc, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | | | - Zhongde Wang
- Department of Animal Dairy, Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84341, USA
| | - William B. Klimstra
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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7
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Guo H, Li A, Dong TY, Si HR, Hu B, Li B, Zhu Y, Shi ZL, Letko M. Isolation of ACE2-dependent and -independent sarbecoviruses from Chinese horseshoe bats. J Virol 2023; 97:e0039523. [PMID: 37655938 PMCID: PMC10537568 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00395-23] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While the spike proteins from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses-1 and 2 (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) bind to host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to infect cells, the majority of bat sarbecoviruses cannot use ACE2 from any species. Despite their discovery almost 20 years ago, ACE2-independent sarbecoviruses have never been isolated from field samples, leading to the assumption these viruses pose little risk to humans. We have previously shown how spike proteins from a small group of ACE2-independent bat sarbecoviruses may possess the ability to infect human cells in the presence of exogenous trypsin. Here, we adapted our earlier findings into a virus isolation protocol and recovered two new ACE2-dependent viruses, RsYN2012 and RsYN2016A, as well as an ACE2-independent virus, RsHuB2019A. Although our stocks of RsHuB2019A rapidly acquired a tissue-culture adaption that rendered the spike protein resistant to trypsin, trypsin was still required for viral entry, suggesting limitations on the exogenous entry factors that support bat sarbecoviruses. Electron microscopy revealed that ACE2-independent sarbecoviruses have a prominent spike corona and share similar morphology to other coronaviruses. Our findings demonstrate a broader zoonotic threat posed by sarbecoviruses and shed light on the intricacies of coronavirus isolation and propagation in vitro. IMPORTANCE Several coronaviruses have been transmitted from animals to people, and 20 years of virus discovery studies have uncovered thousands of new coronavirus sequences in nature. Most of the animal-derived sarbecoviruses have never been isolated in culture due to cell incompatibilities and a poor understanding of the in vitro requirements for their propagation. Here, we built on our growing body of work characterizing viral entry mechanisms of bat sarbecoviruses in human cells and have developed a virus isolation protocol that allows for the exploration of these understudied viruses. Our protocol is robust and practical, leading to successful isolation of more sarbecoviruses than previous approaches and from field samples that had been collected over a 10-year longitudinal study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Yi Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Rui Si
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ben Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Bei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng-Li Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Michael Letko
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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8
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Guseman AJ, Rennick LJ, Nambulli S, Roy CN, Martinez DR, Yang DT, Bhinderwala F, Vergara S, Schaefer A, Baric RS, Ambrose Z, Duprex WP, Gronenborn AM. Targeting spike glycans to inhibit SARS-CoV2 viral entry. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301518120. [PMID: 37695910 PMCID: PMC10515186 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301518120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spike harbors glycans which function as ligands for lectins. Therefore, it should be possible to exploit lectins to target SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit cellular entry by binding glycans on the spike protein. Burkholderia oklahomensis agglutinin (BOA) is an antiviral lectin that interacts with viral glycoproteins via N-linked high mannose glycans. Here, we show that BOA binds to the spike protein and is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry at nanomolar concentrations. Using a variety of biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that the interaction is avidity driven and that BOA cross-links the spike protein into soluble aggregates. Furthermore, using virus neutralization assays, we demonstrate that BOA effectively inhibits all tested variants of concern as well as SARS-CoV 2003, establishing that multivalent glycan-targeting molecules have the potential to act as pan-coronavirus inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Guseman
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
| | - Linda J. Rennick
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Sham Nambulli
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Chandra N. Roy
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - David R. Martinez
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Darian T. Yang
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
| | - Fatema Bhinderwala
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
| | - Sandra Vergara
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
| | - Alexandra Schaefer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Zandrea Ambrose
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - W. Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Angela M. Gronenborn
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15261
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9
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Olarte-Castillo XA, Licitra BN, André NM, Sierra MA, Mason CE, Goodman LB, Whittaker GR. Intra-host variation in the spike S1/S2 region of a feline coronavirus type-1 in a cat with persistent infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.31.551356. [PMID: 37577589 PMCID: PMC10418068 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.31.551356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Feline coronavirus type 1 (FCoV-1) is widely known for causing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a systemic infection that is often fatal, with the virus known as the FIPV biotype. However, subclinical disease also occurs, in which cats may not show signs and intermittently shed the virus, including in feces, possibly for long periods of time. This virus is known as the FECV biotype. Progression of FECV to FIPV has been linked to several genomic changes, however a specific region of the viral spike protein at the interface of the spike S1 and S2 domains has been especially implicated. In this study, we followed a cat (#576) for six years from 2017, at which time FCoV-1 was detected in feces and conjunctival swabs, until 2022, when the animal was euthanized based on a diagnosis of alimentary small cell lymphoma. Over this time period, the cat was clinically diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and chronic rhinitis, and cardiac problems were also suspected. Using hybridization capture targeting the spike (S) gene of FCoV followed by next-generation sequencing, we screened 27 clinical samples. We detected FCoV-1 in 4 samples taken in 2017 (intestine and nasal tissue, feces, and conjunctiva), and 3 samples taken in 2022 (feces, and intestinal and heart tissue), but not in fecal samples taken in 2019 and 2020. Next, we focused on the S1/S2 region within S, which contains the furin cleavage site (FCS), a key regulator of viral transmission and pathogenesis. We show that the FCoV-1 variants obtained from feces in 2017 and 2022 were identical, while the ones from conjunctiva (2017), heart (2022), and intestine (2017 and 2022) were distinct. Sequence comparison of all the variants obtained showed that most of the non-synonymous changes in the S1/S2 region occur within the FCS. In the heart, we found two variants that differed by a single nucleotide, resulting in distinct FCS motifs that differ in one amino acid. It is predicted that one of these FCS motifs will down-regulate spike cleavability. The variant from the conjunctiva (2017) had a 6-nucleotide in-frame insertion that resulted in a longer and more exposed S1/S2 loop, which is predicted to be more accessible to the furin protease. Our studies indicate that FCoV-1 can independently persist in the gastrointestinal tract and heart of a cat over a long period of time without evidence of typical FIP signs, with intermittent viral shedding from the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.
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10
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Adler JM, Martin Vidal R, Voß A, Kunder S, Nascimento M, Abdelgawad A, Langner C, Vladimirova D, Osterrieder N, Gruber AD, Kunec D, Trimpert J. A non-transmissible live attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2391-2407. [PMID: 37263272 PMCID: PMC10214529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) administered via the mucosal route may offer better control of the COVID-19 pandemic than non-replicating vaccines injected intramuscularly. Conceptionally, LAVs have several advantages, including presentation of the entire antigenic repertoire of the virus, and the induction of strong mucosal immunity. Thus, immunity induced by LAV could offer superior protection against future surges of COVID-19 cases caused by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, LAVs carry the risk of unintentional transmission. To address this issue, we investigated whether transmission of a SARS-CoV-2 LAV candidate can be blocked by removing the furin cleavage site (FCS) from the spike protein. The level of protection and immunity induced by the attenuated virus with the intact FCS was virtually identical to the one induced by the attenuated virus lacking the FCS. Most importantly, removal of the FCS completely abolished horizontal transmission of vaccine virus between cohoused hamsters. Furthermore, the vaccine was safe in immunosuppressed animals and showed no tendency to recombine in vitro or in vivo with a SARS-CoV-2 field strain. These results indicate that removal of the FCS from SARS-CoV-2 LAV is a promising strategy to increase vaccine safety and prevent vaccine transmission without compromising vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Adler
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Anne Voß
- Institut für Tierpathologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Kunder
- Institut für Tierpathologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Azza Abdelgawad
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Langner
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daria Vladimirova
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Achim D Gruber
- Institut für Tierpathologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dusan Kunec
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
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11
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Schmidt MM, Despres HW, Shirley DJ, Bose ME, McCaul KC, Crothers JW, Henrickson KJ, Lee B, Bruce EA. Viral infectivity in paediatric SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples does not vary by age. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:acmi000547.v4. [PMID: 37323941 PMCID: PMC10267661 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000547.v4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
At the start of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, there was much uncertainty about the role of children in infection and transmission dynamics. Through the course of the pandemic, it became clear that children were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, although they were experiencing a notable lack of severe disease outcomes as compared to the adult population. This trend held true with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, even in paediatric populations that were ineligible to be vaccinated. The difference in disease outcomes has prompted questions about the virological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population. In order to determine if there was any difference in the infectivity of the virus produced by children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we compared viral RNA levels (clinical RT-qPCR C T) and infectious virus titres from 144 SARS-CoV-2-positive clinical samples collected from children aged 0 to 18 years old. We found that age had no impact on the infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 within our cohort, with children of all ages able to produce high levels of infectious virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madaline M. Schmidt
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Hannah W. Despres
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Michael E. Bose
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kate C. McCaul
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jessica W. Crothers
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Benjamin Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Emily A. Bruce
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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12
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Kukushkin V, Ambartsumyan O, Subekin A, Astrakhantseva A, Gushchin V, Nikonova A, Dorofeeva A, Zverev V, Keshek A, Meshcheryakova N, Zaborova O, Gambaryan A, Zavyalova E. Multiplex Lithographic SERS Aptasensor for Detection of Several Respiratory Viruses in One Pot. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098081. [PMID: 37175786 PMCID: PMC10178974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid and reliable techniques for virus identification are required in light of recurring epidemics and pandemics throughout the world. Several techniques have been distributed for testing the flow of patients. Polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription is a reliable and sensitive, though not rapid, tool. The antibody-based strip is a rapid, though not reliable, and sensitive tool. A set of alternative tools is being developed to meet all the needs of the customer. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provides the possibility of single molecule detection taking several minutes. Here, a multiplex lithographic SERS aptasensor was developed aiming at the detection of several respiratory viruses in one pot within 17 min. The four labeled aptamers were anchored onto the metal surface of four SERS zones; the caught viruses affect the SERS signals of the labels, providing changes in the analytical signals. The sensor was able to decode mixes of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two), influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus within a single experiment through a one-stage recognition process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Kukushkin
- Osipyan Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Science, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | | | - Alexei Subekin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Anna Astrakhantseva
- Osipyan Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Science, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Vladimir Gushchin
- N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology & Microbiology, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra Nikonova
- Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Vitaly Zverev
- Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Keshek
- Chemistry Department of Lomonosov, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Olga Zaborova
- Chemistry Department of Lomonosov, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra Gambaryan
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research, Development of Immune and Biological Products RAS, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Zavyalova
- Chemistry Department of Lomonosov, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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13
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Furusawa Y, Kiso M, Iida S, Uraki R, Hirata Y, Imai M, Suzuki T, Yamayoshi S, Kawaoka Y. In SARS-CoV-2 delta variants, Spike-P681R and D950N promote membrane fusion, Spike-P681R enhances spike cleavage, but neither substitution affects pathogenicity in hamsters. EBioMedicine 2023; 91:104561. [PMID: 37043872 PMCID: PMC10083686 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2 lineage) variant was first identified at the end of 2020 and possessed two unique amino acid substitutions in its spike protein: S-P681R, at the S1/S2 cleavage site, and S-D950N, in the HR1 of the S2 subunit. However, the roles of these substitutions in virus phenotypes have not been fully characterized. METHODS We used reverse genetics to generate Wuhan-D614G viruses with these substitutions and delta viruses lacking these substitutions and explored how these changes affected their viral characteristics in vitro and in vivo. FINDINGS S-P681R enhanced spike cleavage and membrane fusion, whereas S-D950N slightly promoted membrane fusion. Although S-681R reduced the virus replicative ability especially in VeroE6 cells, neither substitution affected virus replication in Calu-3 cells and hamsters. The pathogenicity of all recombinant viruses tested in hamsters was slightly but not significantly affected. INTERPRETATION Our observations suggest that the S-P681R and S-D950N substitutions alone do not increase virus pathogenicity, despite of their enhancement of spike cleavage or fusogenicity. FUNDING A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found under Acknowledgments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Furusawa
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Kiso
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Iida
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuta Uraki
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Hirata
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Imai
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadaki Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiya Yamayoshi
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; Pandemic Preparedness, Infection, and Advanced Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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14
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Toelzer C, Gupta K, Berger I, Schaffitzel C. Cryo-EM reveals binding of linoleic acid to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, suggesting an antiviral treatment strategy. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:111-121. [PMID: 36762857 PMCID: PMC9912919 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant lockdowns presented a global health challenge and triggered unprecedented research efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. The spike glycoprotein decorating the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virions is a prime target for vaccine development, antibody therapy and serology as it binds the host cell receptor and is central for viral cell entry. The electron cryo-microscopy structure of the spike protein revealed a hydrophobic pocket in the receptor-binding domain that is occupied by an essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA). The LA-bound spike protein adopts a non-infectious locked conformation which is more stable than the infectious form and shields important immunogenic epitopes. Here, the impact of LA binding on viral infectivity and replication, and the evolutionary conservation of the pocket in other highly pathogenic coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), are reviewed. The importance of LA metabolic products, the eicosanoids, in regulating the human immune response and inflammation is highlighted. Lipid and fatty-acid binding to a hydrophobic pocket in proteins on the virion surface appears to be a broader strategy employed by viruses, including picornaviruses and Zika virus. Ligand binding stabilizes their protein structure and assembly, and downregulates infectivity. In the case of rhinoviruses, this has been exploited to develop small-molecule antiviral drugs that bind to the hydrophobic pocket. The results suggest a COVID-19 antiviral treatment based on the LA-binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Toelzer
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- Bristol Synthetic Biology Centre: BrisSynBio, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kapil Gupta
- Imophoron Ltd, St Philips Central, Albert Road, Bristol BS2 0XJ, United Kingdom
| | - Imre Berger
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- Bristol Synthetic Biology Centre: BrisSynBio, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Christiane Schaffitzel
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- Bristol Synthetic Biology Centre: BrisSynBio, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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15
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Kukushkin V, Kristavchuk O, Andreev E, Meshcheryakova N, Zaborova O, Gambaryan A, Nechaev A, Zavyalova E. Aptamer-coated track-etched membranes with a nanostructured silver layer for single virus detection in biological fluids. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 10:1076749. [PMID: 36704305 PMCID: PMC9871243 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1076749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptasensors based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are of high interest due to the superior specificity and low limit of detection. It is possible to produce stable and cheap SERS-active substrates and portable equipment meeting the requirements of point-of-care devices. Here we combine the membrane filtration and SERS-active substrate in the one pot. This approach allows efficient adsorption of the viruses from the solution onto aptamer-covered silver nanoparticles. Specific determination of the viruses was provided by the aptamer to influenza A virus labeled with the Raman-active label. The SERS-signal from the label was decreased with a descending concentration of the target virus. Even several virus particles in the sample provided an increase in SERS-spectra intensity, requiring only a few minutes for the interaction between the aptamer and the virus. The limit of detection of the aptasensor was as low as 10 viral particles per mL (VP/mL) of influenza A virus or 2 VP/mL per probe. This value overcomes the limit of detection of PCR techniques (∼103 VP/mL). The proposed biosensor is very convenient for point-of-care applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexandra Gambaryan
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Centre for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Elena Zavyalova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia,*Correspondence: Elena Zavyalova,
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16
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Guo C, Tsai SJ, Ai Y, Li M, Anaya E, Pekosz A, Cox A, Gould SJ. The D614G mutation redirects SARS-CoV-2 spike to lysosomes and suppresses deleterious traits of the furin cleavage site insertion mutation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eade5085. [PMID: 36563151 PMCID: PMC9788772 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) egress occurs by lysosomal exocytosis. We show that the Spike D614G mutation enhances Spike trafficking to lysosomes, drives Spike-mediated reprogramming of lysosomes, and reduces cell surface Spike expression by ~3-fold. D614G is not a human-specific adaptation. Rather, it is an adaptation to the earlier furin cleavage site insertion (FCSI) mutation that occurred at the genesis of SARS-CoV-2. While advantageous to the virus, furin cleavage of spike has deleterious effects on spike structure and function, inhibiting its trafficking to lysosomes and impairing its infectivity by the transmembrane serine protease 2(TMPRSS2)-independent, endolysosomal pathway. D614G restores spike trafficking to lysosomes and enhances the earliest events in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, while spike mutations that restore SARS-CoV-2's TMPRSS2-independent infectivity restore spike's trafficking to lysosomes. Together, these and other results show that D614G is an intragenic suppressor of deleterious traits linked to the FCSI and lend additional support to the endolysosomal model of SARS-CoV-2 egress and entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxu Guo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shang-Jui Tsai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yiwei Ai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Maggie Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Eduardo Anaya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrea Cox
- Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stephen J. Gould
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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17
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Guseman AJ, Rennick LJ, Nambulli S, Roy CN, Martinez DR, Yang DT, Bhinderwhala F, Vergara S, Baric RS, Ambrose Z, Duprex WP, Gronenborn AM. Targeting Spike Glycans to Inhibit SARS-CoV2 Viral Entry. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.12.22.521642. [PMID: 36597530 PMCID: PMC9810211 DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.22.521642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Spike harbors glycans which function as ligands for lectins. Therefore, it should be possible to exploit lectins to target SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit cellular entry by binding glycans on the Spike protein. Burkholderia oklahomensis agglutinin (BOA) is an antiviral lectin that interacts with viral glycoproteins via N-linked high mannose glycans. Here, we show that BOA binds to the Spike protein and is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry at nanomolar concentrations. Using a variety of biophysical tools, we demonstrate that the interaction is avidity driven and that BOA crosslinks the Spike protein into soluble aggregates. Furthermore, using virus neutralization assays, we demonstrate that BOA effectively inhibits all tested variants of concern as well as SARS-CoV 2003, establishing that glycan-targeting molecules have the potential to be pan-coronavirus inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Guseman
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Linda J Rennick
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Sham Nambulli
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Chandra N Roy
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - David R Martinez
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Darian T Yang
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Fatema Bhinderwhala
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Sandra Vergara
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zandrea Ambrose
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - W Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Angela M Gronenborn
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA, USA
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18
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Field CJ, Heinly TA, Patel DR, Sim DG, Luley E, Gupta SL, Vanderford TH, Wrammert J, Sutton TC. Immune durability and protection against SARS-CoV-2 re-infection in Syrian hamsters. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1103-1114. [PMID: 35333692 PMCID: PMC9037228 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2058419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic. As immunity to endemic human coronaviruses (i.e. NL63 or OC43) wanes leading to re-infection, it was unknown if SARS-CoV-2 immunity would also decline permitting repeat infections. Recent case reports confirm previously infected individuals can become re-infected; however, re-infection may be due to heterogeneity in the initial infection or the host immune response, or may be the result of infection with a variant strain that escapes pre-existing immunity. To control these variables, we utilized the Syrian hamster model to evaluate the duration of immunity and susceptibility to re-infection with SARS-CoV-2. Hamsters were given a primary mock or SARS-CoV-2 infection (culture media or 105 TCID50 USA/WA1/2020 isolate, respectively). Mock and SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters were then given a secondary SARS-CoV-2 infection at 1, 2, 4, or 6 months post-primary infection (n = 14/time point/group). After the primary SARS-CoV-2 infection, hamsters developed anti-spike protein IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibodies, and these antibodies were maintained for at least 6 months. Upon secondary SARS-CoV-2 challenge, previously SARS-CoV-2 infected animals were protected from weight loss, while all previously mock-infected animals became infected and lost weight. Importantly, despite having high titres of antibodies, one SARS-CoV-2 infected animal re-challenged at 4 months had a breakthrough infection with replicating virus in the upper and lower respiratory tract. These studies demonstrate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is maintained for 6 months; however, protection may be incomplete and, even in the presence of high antibody titres, previously infected hosts may become re-infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Field
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), University Park, PA, USA
| | - T. A. Heinly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), University Park, PA, USA
| | - D. R. Patel
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - D. G. Sim
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - E. Luley
- Animal Diagnostic Lab, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - S. L. Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - T. H. Vanderford
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J. Wrammert
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - T. C. Sutton
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), University Park, PA, USA
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19
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Lim HT, Kok BH, Lim CP, Abdul Majeed AB, Leow CY, Leow CH. Single domain antibodies derived from ancient animals as broadly neutralizing agents for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ADVANCES 2022; 4:100054. [PMID: 36158162 PMCID: PMC9482557 DOI: 10.1016/j.bea.2022.100054] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as an emergent human virus since December 2019, the world population is susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 has higher transmissibility than the previous coronaviruses, associated by the ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus nature with high mutation rate, caused SARS-CoV-2 variants to arise while circulating worldwide. Neutralizing antibodies are identified as immediate and direct-acting therapeutic against COVID-19. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), as small biomolecules with non-complex structure and intrinsic stability, can acquire antigen-binding capabilities comparable to conventional antibodies, which serve as an attractive neutralizing solution. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein attaches to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on lung epithelial cells to initiate viral infection, serves as potential therapeutic target. sdAbs have shown broad neutralization towards SARS-CoV-2 with various mutations, effectively stop and prevent infection while efficiently block mutational escape. In addition, sdAbs can be developed into multivalent antibodies or inhaled biotherapeutics against COVID-19.
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Key Words
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γ
, Gamma
-
δ
, Delta
- ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- ADCC, Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
- ADCP, Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis
- ADE, Antibody-dependent enhancement
- Alb, Albumin
- Bat-SL-CoV, Bat SARS-like coronavirus
- Broad neutralization
- CDC, Complement-dependent cytotoxicity
- CDR, Complementarity-determining region
- CH, Constant domain of antibody heavy chain
- CHO, Chinese hamster ovary
- CL, Constant domain of antibody light chain
- CNAR, Constant domain of immunoglobulin new antigen receptor
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019
- Cryo-EM, Cryogenic electron microscopy
- Cu, Copper
- DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid
- DPP4, Dipeptidyl peptidase 4
- E, Envelope
- EC50, Half-maximal effective concentration
- FDA, The United States Food and Drug Administration
- Fab, Antigen-binding fragment
- Fc, Crystallisable fragment
- FcR, Crystallisable fragment receptor
- Fig., Figure
- HCoV, Human coronavirus
- HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus
- HR, Heptad repeat
- HRP, Horseradish peroxidase
- HV, Hypervariable region
- IC50, Half-maximal inhibitory concentration
- Ig, Immunoglobulin
- IgNAR, Immunoglobulin new antigen receptor
- KD, Equilibrium dissociation constant
- L, Litre
- LRT, Lower respiratory tract
- M, Membrane
- MERS, Middle East respiratory syndrome
- MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- N, Nucleocapsid
- ND50, 50% neutralizing dose
- NTD, N-terminal domain
- Nb, Nanobody
- PCR, Polymerase chain reaction
- PEG, Polyethylene glycol
- RBD, Receptor-binding domain
- RBM, Receptor-binding motif
- RNA, Ribonucleic acid
- S, Spike
- SARS, Severe acute respiratory syndrome
- SARS-CoV, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2 mutation
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- SPAAC, Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition
- Single-domain antibody
- Spike protein
- TMPRSS2, Transmembrane serine protease 2
- Therapeutic
- URT, Upper respiratory tract
- VH, Variable domain of antibody heavy chain
- VHH, Variable domain of camelid heavy-chain only antibody
- VL, Variable domain of antibody light chain
- VNAR, Variable domain of immunoglobulin new antigen receptor
- WHO, World Health Organization
- cDNA, Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid
- dpi, Days' post infection
- g, Gram
- kDa, Kilodalton
- koff, Dissociation rate constant
- mAb, Monoclonal antibody
- mRNA, Messenger ribonucleic acid
- nM, Nanomolar
- pM, Picomolar
- scFv, Single-chain variable fragment
- sdAb, Single-domain antibody
- ß, Beta
- α, Alpha
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - B H Kok
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - C P Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang 11800, Malaysia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - A B Abdul Majeed
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kampus Puncak Alam, Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor 42300, Malaysia
| | - C Y Leow
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - C H Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang 11800, Malaysia
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20
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Hao Y, Wang Y, Wang M, Zhou L, Shi J, Cao J, Wang D. The origins of COVID-19 pandemic: A brief overview. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3181-3197. [PMID: 36218169 PMCID: PMC9874793 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak that emerged at the end of 2019 has now swept the world for more than 2 years, causing immeasurable damage to the lives and economies of the world. It has drawn so much attention to discovering how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated and entered the human body. The current argument revolves around two contradictory theories: a scenario of laboratory spillover events and human contact with zoonotic diseases. Here, we reviewed the transmission, pathogenesis, possible hosts, as well as the genome and protein structure of SARS-CoV-2, which play key roles in the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the coronavirus was originally transmitted to human by animals rather than by a laboratory leak. However, there still needs more investigations to determine the source of the pandemic. Understanding how COVID-19 emerged is vital to developing global strategies for mitigating future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Jian Hao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Yu‐Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Mei‐Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Lan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Jian‐Yun Shi
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Ji‐Min Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - De‐Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
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21
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Valleriani F, Jurisic L, Di Pancrazio C, Irelli R, Ciarrocchi E, Martino M, Cocco A, Di Felice E, Colaianni ML, Decaro N, Bonfini B, Lorusso A, Di Teodoro G. A Deletion Encompassing the Furin Cleavage Site in the Spike Encoding Gene Does Not Alter SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Lung Tissues of Mink and Neutralization by Convalescent Human Serum Samples. Pathogens 2022; 11:1152. [PMID: 36297209 PMCID: PMC9609486 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to lose the furin polybasic cleavage site (FCS) following adaptation on cell culture. Deletion occurring in this region, which may include also the FCS flanking regions, seem not to affect virus replication in vitro; however, a chimeric SARS-CoV-2 virus without the sole FCS motif has been associated with lower virulence in mice and lower neutralization values. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 virus lacking the FCS was shed to lower titers from experimentally infected ferrets and was not transmitted to cohoused sentinel animals, unlike wild-type virus. In this study, we investigated the replication kinetics and cellular tropism of a SARS-CoV-2 isolate carrying a 10-amino acid deletion in the spike protein spanning the FCS in lung ex vivo organ cultures of mink. Furthermore, we tested the neutralization capabilities of human convalescent SARS-CoV-2 positive serum samples against this virus. We showed that this deletion did not significantly hamper neither ex vivo replication nor neutralization activity by convalescent serum samples. This study highlights the importance of the preliminary phenotypic characterization of emerging viruses in ex vivo models and demonstrates that mink lung tissues are permissive to the replication of a mutant form of SARS-CoV-2 showing a deletion spanning the FCS. Notably, we also highlight the need for sequencing viral stocks before any infection study as large deletions may occur leading to the misinterpretation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Valleriani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Lucija Jurisic
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Pancrazio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberta Irelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Eugenia Ciarrocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Michele Martino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cocco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Felice
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy
| | - Barbara Bonfini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Teodoro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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22
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Basile K, Rockett RJ, McPhie K, Fennell M, Johnson-Mackinnon J, Agius JE, Fong W, Rahman H, Ko D, Donavan L, Hueston L, Lam C, Arnott A, Chen SCA, Maddocks S, O’Sullivan MV, Dwyer DE, Sintchenko V, Kok J. Improved Neutralisation of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant following a Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 Vaccine. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092023. [PMID: 36146829 PMCID: PMC9501619 DOI: 10.3390/v14092023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In late November 2021, the World Health Organization declared the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.529 the fifth variant of concern, Omicron. This variant has acquired over 30 mutations in the spike protein (with 15 in the receptor-binding domain), raising concerns that Omicron could evade naturally acquired and vaccine-derived immunity. We utilized an authentic virus, multicycle neutralisation assay to demonstrate that sera collected one, three, and six months post-two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 had a limited ability to neutralise SARS-CoV-2. However, four weeks after a third dose, neutralising antibody titres were boosted. Despite this increase, neutralising antibody titres were reduced fourfold for Omicron compared to lineage A.2.2 SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri Basile
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (J.K.)
| | - Rebecca J. Rockett
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kenneth McPhie
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Michael Fennell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jessica Johnson-Mackinnon
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jessica E. Agius
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Winkie Fong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Hossinur Rahman
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Danny Ko
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Linda Donavan
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Linda Hueston
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Connie Lam
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Alicia Arnott
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sharon C.-A. Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Susan Maddocks
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Matthew V. O’Sullivan
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Dominic E. Dwyer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Vitali Sintchenko
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jen Kok
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology—Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (J.K.)
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23
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Frolova EI, Palchevska O, Lukash T, Dominguez F, Britt W, Frolov I. Acquisition of Furin Cleavage Site and Further SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Change the Mechanisms of Viral Entry, Infection Spread, and Cell Signaling. J Virol 2022; 96:e0075322. [PMID: 35876526 PMCID: PMC9364789 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00753-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the human population leads to further viral evolution. The new variants that arise during this evolution are more infectious. Our data suggest that newer variants have shifted from utilizing both cathepsin/endosome- and TMPRSS2-mediated entry mechanisms to rely on a TMPRSS2-dependent entry pathway. Accordingly, only the early lineages of SARS-CoV-2 are capable of infecting and forming syncytia in Vero/ACE2 cells which lack TMPRSS2 expression. The presence of an intact multibasic furin cleavage site (FCS) in the S protein was a key requirement for cell-to-cell fusion. Deletion of FCS makes SARS-CoV-2 more infectious in vitro but renders it incapable of syncytium formation. Cell-to-cell fusion likely represents an alternative means of virus spread and is resistant to the presence of high levels of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and immune sera in the media. In this study, we also noted that cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 with an intact FCS or alphavirus replicon expressing S protein (VEErep/S) released high levels of free S1 subunit. The released S1 is capable of activating the TLR4 receptor and inducing a pro-inflammatory response. Thus, S1 activation of TLR4 may be an important contributor to SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 disease and needs to be considered in the design of COVID mRNA vaccines. Lastly, a VEErep/S-replicon was shown to produce large amounts of infectious, syncytium-forming pseudoviruses and thus could represent alternative experimental system for screening inhibitors of virus entry and syncytium formation. IMPORTANCE The results of this study demonstrate that the late lineages of SARS-CoV-2 evolved to more efficient use of the TMPRSS2-mediated entry pathway and gradually lost an ability to employ the cathepsins/endosome-mediated entry. The acquisition of a furin cleavage site (FCS) by SARS-CoV-2-specific S protein made the virus a potent producer of syncytia. Their formation is also determined by expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is resistant to neutralizing human MAbs and immune sera. Syncytium formation appears to be an alternative means of infection spread following the development of an adaptive immune response. Cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 with an intact FCS secrete high levels of the S1 subunit. The released S1 demonstrates an ability to activate the TLR4 receptor and induce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which represent a hallmark of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Alphavirus replicons encoding SARS-CoV-2 S protein cause spreading, syncytium-forming infection, and they can be applied as an experimental tool for studying the mechanism of syncytium formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I. Frolova
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Oksana Palchevska
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tetyana Lukash
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Francisco Dominguez
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - William Britt
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurobiology, UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ilya Frolov
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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24
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Heitzman-Breen N, Ciupe SM. Modeling within-host and aerosol dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: The relationship with infectiousness. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009997. [PMID: 35913988 PMCID: PMC9371288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the amount of virus present in the proximity of a susceptible host is not understood. Here, we developed a within-host and aerosol mathematical model and used it to determine the relationship between viral kinetics in the upper respiratory track, viral kinetics in the aerosols, and new transmissions in golden hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2. We determined that infectious virus shedding early in infection correlates with transmission events, shedding of infectious virus diminishes late in the infection, and high viral RNA levels late in the infection are a poor indicator of transmission. We further showed that viral infectiousness increases in a density dependent manner with viral RNA and that their relative ratio is time-dependent. Such information is useful for designing interventions. Quantifying the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in upper respiratory tract and in aerosols is key to understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission and evaluating intervention strategies. Of particular interest is the link between the viral RNA measured by PCR and a subject’s infectiousness. Here, we developed a mechanistic model of viral transmission in golden hamsters and used data in upper respiratory tract and aerosols to evaluate key within-host and environment based viral parameters. The significance of our research is in identifying the timing and duration of viral shedding, how long it stays infectious, and the link between infectious virus and total viral RNA. Such knowledge enhances our understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Heitzman-Breen
- Department of Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Stanca M. Ciupe
- Department of Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Espeseth AS, Yuan M, Citron M, Reiserova L, Morrow G, Wilson A, Horton M, Rukhman M, Kinek K, Hou F, Li SL, Li F, Choi Y, Heidecker G, Luo B, Wu G, Zhang L, Strable E, DeStefano J, Secore S, Mukhopadhyay TK, Richardson DD, Sayeed E, Welch LS, Bett AJ, Feinberg MB, Gupta SB, Cooper CL, Parks CL. Preclinical immunogenicity and efficacy of a candidate COVID-19 vaccine based on a vesicular stomatitis virus-SARS-CoV-2 chimera. EBioMedicine 2022; 82:104203. [PMID: 35915046 PMCID: PMC9338221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate a vaccine technology with potential to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reduce transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with a single vaccine dose, we developed a SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccine using the live vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) chimeric virus approach previously used to develop a licensed Ebola virus vaccine. Methods We generated a replication-competent chimeric VSV-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate by replacing the VSV glycoprotein (G) gene with coding sequence for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein (S). Immunogenicity of the lead vaccine candidate (VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2) was evaluated in cotton rats and golden Syrian hamsters, and protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection also was assessed in hamsters. Findings VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 delivered with a single intramuscular (IM) injection was immunogenic in cotton rats and hamsters and protected hamsters from weight loss following SARS-CoV-2 challenge. When mucosal vaccination was evaluated, cotton rats did not respond to the vaccine, whereas mucosal administration of VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 was found to be more immunogenic than IM injection in hamsters and induced immunity that significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 challenge virus loads in both lung and nasal tissues. Interpretation VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 delivered by IM injection or mucosal administration was immunogenic in golden Syrian hamsters, and both vaccination methods effectively protected the lung from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hamsters vaccinated by mucosal application of VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 also developed immunity that controlled SARS-CoV-2 replication in nasal tissue. Funding The study was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme, Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA. Parts of this research was supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the US Department of Defense.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maoli Yuan
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Lucia Reiserova
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Gavin Morrow
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Wilson
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Mark Rukhman
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Fuxiang Hou
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Shui L Li
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Yesle Choi
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Bin Luo
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Guoxin Wu
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lan Zhang
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Joanne DeStefano
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eddy Sayeed
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Lisa S Welch
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA; Currently at Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Mark B Feinberg
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Swati B Gupta
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Christopher L Cooper
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Christopher L Parks
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA.
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Zhdanov G, Nyhrikova E, Meshcheryakova N, Kristavchuk O, Akhmetova A, Andreev E, Rudakova E, Gambaryan A, Yaminsky I, Aralov A, Kukushkin V, Zavyalova E. A Combination of Membrane Filtration and Raman-Active DNA Ligand Greatly Enhances Sensitivity of SERS-Based Aptasensors for Influenza A Virus. Front Chem 2022; 10:937180. [PMID: 35844641 PMCID: PMC9279936 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.937180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Biosensors combining the ultrahigh sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and the specificity of nucleic acid aptamers have recently drawn attention in the detection of respiratory viruses. The most sensitive SERS-based aptasensors allow determining as low as 104 virus particles per mL that is 100-fold lower than any antibody-based lateral flow tests but 10-100-times higher than a routine polymerase chain reaction with reversed transcription (RT-PCR). Sensitivity of RT-PCR has not been achieved in SERS-based aptasensors despite the usage of sophisticated SERS-active substrates. Here, we proposed a novel design of a SERS-based aptasensor with the limit of detection of just 103 particles per ml of the influenza A virus that approaches closely to RT-PCR sensitivity. The sensor utilizes silver nanoparticles with the simplest preparation instead of sophisticated SERS-active surfaces. The analytical signal is provided by a unique Raman-active dye that competes with the virus for the binding to the G-quadruplex core of the aptamer. The aptasensor functions even with aliquots of the biological fluids due to separation of the off-target molecules by pre-filtration through a polymeric membrane. The aptasensor detects influenza viruses in the range of 1·103-5·1010 virus particles per ml.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb Zhdanov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | | - Assel Akhmetova
- Belozersky Research Institute of Physical Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Elena Rudakova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of Russian Academy of Science, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Alexandra Gambaryan
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Centre for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Yaminsky
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Physical Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Aralov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Kukushkin
- Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Science, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Elena Zavyalova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Research Institute of Physical Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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SARS-CoV-2 Spike Furin Cleavage Site and S2' Basic Residues Modulate the Entry Process in a Host Cell-Dependent Manner. J Virol 2022; 96:e0047422. [PMID: 35678602 PMCID: PMC9278140 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00474-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) envelope glycoprotein constitutes the main determinant of virus entry and the target of host immune response, thus being of great interest for antiviral research. It is constituted of S1 and S2 subunits, which are involved in ACE2 receptor binding and fusion between the viral envelope and host cell membrane, respectively. Induction of the fusion process requires S cleavage at the S1-S2 junction and the S2′ site located upstream of the fusion peptide. Interestingly, the SARS-CoV-2 spike harbors a 4-residue insertion at the S1-S2 junction that is absent in its closest relatives and constitutes a polybasic motif recognized by furin-like proteases. In addition, the S2′ site is characterized by the presence of conserved basic residues. Here, we sought to determine the importance of the furin cleavage site (FCS) and the S2′ basic residues for S-mediated entry functions. We determined the impact of mutations introduced at these sites on S processing, fusogenic activity, and its ability to mediate entry in different cellular backgrounds. Strikingly, mutation phenotypes were highly dependent on the host cell background. We confirmed that although the FCS was not absolutely required for virus entry, it contributed to extending the fusogenic potential of S. Cleavage site mutations, as well as inhibition of furin protease activity, affected the cell surface expression of S in a host cell-dependent manner. Finally, inhibition of furin activity differentially affected SARS-CoV-2 virus infectivity in the tested host cells, thereby confirming the host cell-dependent effect of spike processing for the viral life cycle. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the current global pandemic that has resulted in several million deaths. As the key determinant of virus entry into host cells and the main target of host immune response, the spike glycoprotein constitutes an attractive target for therapeutics development. Entry functions of spike rely on its processing at two sites by host cell proteases. While SARS-CoV-2 spike differs from its closest relatives by the insertion of a basic furin cleavage motif at the first site, it harbors conserved basic residues at the second cleavage site. Characterization of the importance of the basic sequences present at the two cleavage sites revealed that they were influencing spike processing, intracellular localization, induction of fusion, and entry in a host cell-dependent manner. Thus, our results revealed a high heterogeneity in spike sequence requirement for entry functions in the different host cells, in agreement with the high adaptability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Abstract
Measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies after vaccination or natural infection remains a priority in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to determine immunity, especially against newly emerging variants. The gold standard for assessing antibody-mediated immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are cell-based live virus neutralization assays. These assays usually take several days, thereby limiting test capacities and the availability of rapid results. In this study, therefore, we developed a faster live virus assay, which detects neutralizing antibodies through the early measurement of antibody-mediated intracellular virus reduction by SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR. In our assay, Vero E6 cells are infected with virus isolates preincubated with patient sera and controls. After 24 h, the intracellular viral load is determined by qRT-PCR using a standard curve to calculate percent neutralization. Utilizing COVID-19 convalescent-phase sera, we show that our novel assay generates results with high sensitivity and specificity as we detected antiviral activity for all tested convalescent-phase sera, but no antiviral activity in prepandemic sera. The assay showed a strong correlation with a conventional virus neutralization assay (rS = 0.8910), a receptor-binding domain ELISA (rS = 0.8485), and a surrogate neutralization assay (rS = 0.8373), proving that quantifying intracellular viral RNA can be used to measure seroneutralization. Our assay can be adapted easily to new variants, as demonstrated by our cross-neutralization experiments. This characteristic is key for rapidly determining immunity against newly emerging variants. Taken together, the novel assay presented here reduces turnaround time significantly while making use of a highly standardized and sensitive SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR method as a readout.
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Jacobsen H, Sitaras I, Jurgensmeyer M, Mulders MN, Goldblatt D, Feikin DR, Bar-Zeev N, Higdon MM, Knoll MD. Assessing the Reliability of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Studies That Use Post-Vaccination Sera. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10060850. [PMID: 35746460 PMCID: PMC9227377 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial for determining future vaccination strategies and other public health strategies. When clinical effectiveness data are unavailable, a common method of assessing vaccine performance is to utilize neutralization assays using post-vaccination sera. Neutralization studies are typically performed across a wide array of settings, populations and vaccination strategies, and using different methodologies. For any comparison and meta-analysis to be meaningful, the design and methodology of the studies used must at minimum address aspects that confer a certain degree of reliability and comparability. We identified and characterized three important categories in which studies differ (cohort details, assay details and data reporting details) and that can affect the overall reliability and/or usefulness of neutralization assay results. We define reliability as a measure of methodological accuracy, proper study setting concerning subjects, samples and viruses, and reporting quality. Each category comprises a set of several relevant key parameters. To each parameter, we assigned a possible impact (ranging from low to high) on overall study reliability depending on its potential to influence the results. We then developed a reliability assessment tool that assesses the aggregate reliability of a study across all parameters. The reliability assessment tool provides explicit selection criteria for inclusion of comparable studies in meta-analyses of neutralization activity of SARS-CoV-2 variants in post-vaccination sera and can also both guide the design of future neutralization studies and serve as a checklist for including important details on key parameters in publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Jacobsen
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: (H.J.); (I.S.)
| | - Ioannis Sitaras
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Correspondence: (H.J.); (I.S.)
| | - Marley Jurgensmeyer
- International Vaccine Access Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.J.); (N.B.-Z.); (M.M.H.); (M.D.K.)
| | - Mick N. Mulders
- Department of Immunizations, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.N.M.); (D.R.F.)
| | - David Goldblatt
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Daniel R. Feikin
- Department of Immunizations, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.N.M.); (D.R.F.)
| | - Naor Bar-Zeev
- International Vaccine Access Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.J.); (N.B.-Z.); (M.M.H.); (M.D.K.)
| | - Melissa M. Higdon
- International Vaccine Access Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.J.); (N.B.-Z.); (M.M.H.); (M.D.K.)
| | - Maria Deloria Knoll
- International Vaccine Access Center, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.J.); (N.B.-Z.); (M.M.H.); (M.D.K.)
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Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Jabłońska I, Delijewski M. The Reassessed Potential of SARS-CoV-2 Attenuation for COVID-19 Vaccine Development—A Systematic Review. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050991. [PMID: 35632736 PMCID: PMC9146402 DOI: 10.3390/v14050991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines received relatively little attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, several methods of obtaining attenuated coronaviruses are known. In this systematic review, the strategies of coronavirus attenuation, which may potentially be applied to SARS-CoV-2, were identified. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase databases were searched to identify relevant articles describing attenuating mutations tested in vivo. In case of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2, sequence alignment was used to exclude attenuating mutations that cannot be applied to SARS-CoV-2. Potential immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of the attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were discussed based on animal studies data. A total of 27 attenuation strategies, used to create 101 different coronaviruses, have been described in 56 eligible articles. The disruption of the furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was identified as the most promising strategy. The replacement of core sequences of transcriptional regulatory signals, which prevents recombination with wild-type viruses, also appears particularly advantageous. Other important attenuating mutations encompassed mostly the prevention of evasion of innate immunity. Sufficiently attenuated coronaviruses typically caused no meaningful disease in susceptible animals and protected them from challenges with virulent virus. This indicates that attenuated COVID-19 vaccines may be considered as a potential strategy to fight the threat posed by SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Goławski
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland; (P.L.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Piotr Lewandowski
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland; (P.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Iwona Jabłońska
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Marcin Delijewski
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland; (P.L.); (M.D.)
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Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a devastating pandemic. Although most people infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop a mild to moderate disease with virus replication restricted mainly to the upper airways, some progress to having a life-threatening pneumonia. In this Review, we explore recent clinical and experimental advances regarding SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology and discuss potential mechanisms behind SARS-CoV-2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), specifically focusing on new insights obtained using novel technologies such as single-cell omics, organoid infection models and CRISPR screens. We describe how SARS-CoV-2 may infect the lower respiratory tract and cause alveolar damage as a result of dysfunctional immune responses. We discuss how this may lead to the induction of a 'leaky state' of both the epithelium and the endothelium, promoting inflammation and coagulation, while an influx of immune cells leads to overexuberant inflammatory responses and immunopathology. Finally, we highlight how these findings may aid the development of new therapeutic interventions against COVID-19.
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32
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Liu Z, Wu H, Egland KA, Gilliland TC, Dunn MD, Luke TC, Sullivan EJ, Klimstra WB, Bausch CL, Whelan SPJ. Human immunoglobulin from transchromosomic bovines hyperimmunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen efficiently neutralizes viral variants. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:1940652. [PMID: 34228597 PMCID: PMC8290372 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1940652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with amino-acid substitutions and deletions in spike protein (S) can reduce the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and may compromise immunity induced by vaccines. We report a polyclonal, fully human, anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin produced in transchromosomic bovines (Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2) hyperimmunized with two doses of plasmid DNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain S gene, followed by repeated immunization with S protein purified from insect cells. The resulting Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2, termed SAB-185, efficiently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) SARS-CoV-2 chimeras in vitro. Neutralization potency was retained for S variants including S477N, E484K, and N501Y, substitutions present in recent variants of concern. In contrast to the ease of selection of escape variants with mAbs and convalescent human plasma, we were unable to isolate VSV-SARS-CoV-2 mutants resistant to Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2 neutralization. This fully human immunoglobulin that potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection may provide an effective therapeutic to combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hua Wu
- , SAB Biotherapeutics Inc, Sioux Fall, SD, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew D. Dunn
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sean P. J. Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Mautner L, Hoyos M, Dangel A, Berger C, Ehrhardt A, Baiker A. Replication kinetics and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in common cell culture models. Virol J 2022; 19:76. [PMID: 35473640 PMCID: PMC9038516 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01802-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic caused by the emerging virus SARS-CoV-2, research in the field of coronaviruses has expanded tremendously. The genome of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly acquired numerous mutations, giving rise to several Variants of Concern (VOCs) with altered epidemiological, immunological, and pathogenic properties. METHODS As cell culture models are important tools to study viruses, we investigated replication kinetics and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in the African Green Monkey-derived Vero E6 kidney cell line and the two human cell lines Caco-2, a colon epithelial carcinoma cell line, and the airway epithelial carcinoma cell line Calu-3. We assessed viral RNA copy numbers and infectivity of viral particles in cell culture supernatants at different time points ranging from 2 to 96 h post-infection. RESULTS We here describe a systematic comparison of growth kinetics of the five SARS-CoV-2 VOCs Alpha/B.1.1.7, Beta/B.1.351, Gamma/P.1, Delta/B.1.617.2, and Omicron/B.1.1.529 and a non-VOC/B.1.1 strain on three different cell lines to provide profound information on the differential behaviour of VOCs in different cell lines for researchers worldwide. We show distinct differences in viral replication kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 non-VOC and five VOCs on the three cell culture models Vero E6, Caco-2, and Calu-3. CONCLUSION This is the first systematic comparison of all SARS-CoV-2 VOCs on three different cell culture models. This data provides support for researchers worldwide in their experimental design for work on SARS-CoV-2. It is recommended to perform virus isolation and propagation on Vero E6 while infection studies or drug screening and antibody-based assays should rather be conducted on the human cell lines Caco-2 and Calu-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Mautner
- Unit of Molecular Biologic Analytics and Biogenetics, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinaerstrasse 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Mona Hoyos
- Unit of Molecular Biologic Analytics and Biogenetics, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinaerstrasse 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Alexandra Dangel
- Public Health Microbiology Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Carola Berger
- Public Health Microbiology Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Anja Ehrhardt
- Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453, Witten, Germany
| | - Armin Baiker
- Unit of Molecular Biologic Analytics and Biogenetics, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinaerstrasse 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany. .,Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453, Witten, Germany.
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Detection of the ORF1 Gene Is an Indicator of the Possible Isolation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030302. [PMID: 35335626 PMCID: PMC8953321 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the ongoing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), real-time RT-PCR based diagnostic assays have been used for the detection of infection, but the positive signal of real-time RT-PCR does not necessarily indicate the infectivity of the patient. Due to the unique replication system of the coronavirus, primer/probe sets targeted nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) protein detect the abundantly synthesized subgenomic RNAs as well as the virus genome, possibly making the assay unsuitable for estimation of the infectivity of the specimen, although it has an advantage for the diagnostic tests. In this study, the primer/probe set targeting the open reading frame 1a (ORF1a) gene was developed to specifically detect viral genomic RNA. Then the relation between the ORF1a signal and infectivity of the clinical specimens was validated by virus isolation using VeroE6 cells, which constitutively express transmembrane protease, serine 2, (VeroE6/TMPRSS2). The analytical sensitivity of developed ORF1a set was similar to that of previously developed N and S sets. Nevertheless, in the assay of the clinical specimen, detection rate of the ORF1a gene was lower than that of the N and S genes. These data indicated that clinical specimens contain a significant amount of subgenomic RNAs. However, as expected, the isolation-succeeded specimen always showed an RT-PCR-positive signal for the ORF1a gene, suggesting ORF1a detection in combination with N and S sets could be a more rational indicator for the possible infectivity of the clinical specimens.
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Yahalom-Ronen Y, Erez N, Fisher M, Tamir H, Politi B, Achdout H, Melamed S, Glinert I, Weiss S, Cohen-Gihon I, Israeli O, Izak M, Mandelboim M, Caraco Y, Madar-Balakirski N, Mechaly A, Shinar E, Zichel R, Cohen D, Beth-Din A, Zvi A, Marcus H, Israely T, Paran N. Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants by rVSV-ΔG-Spike-Elicited Human Sera. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:291. [PMID: 35214749 PMCID: PMC8879449 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of rapidly spreading variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a major challenge to the ability of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies to provide immunity. These variants contain mutations of specific amino acids that might impede vaccine efficacy. BriLife® (rVSV-ΔG-spike) is a newly developed SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate currently in phase II clinical trials. It is based on a replication-competent vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) platform. The rVSV-ΔG-spike contains several spontaneously acquired spike mutations that correspond to SARS-CoV-2 variants' mutations. We show that human sera from BriLife® vaccinees preserve comparable neutralization titers towards alpha, gamma, and delta variants and show less than a three-fold reduction in the neutralization capacity of beta and omicron compared to the original virus. Taken together, we show that human sera from BriLife® vaccinees overall maintain a neutralizing antibody response against all tested variants. We suggest that BriLife®-acquired mutations may prove advantageous against future SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yfat Yahalom-Ronen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Noam Erez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Morly Fisher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Hadas Tamir
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Boaz Politi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Hagit Achdout
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Sharon Melamed
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Itai Glinert
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Shay Weiss
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Inbar Cohen-Gihon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (I.C.-G.); (O.I.); (A.B.-D.); (A.Z.)
| | - Ofir Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (I.C.-G.); (O.I.); (A.B.-D.); (A.Z.)
| | - Marina Izak
- Magen David Adom, National Blood Services, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (M.I.); (E.S.)
| | - Michal Mandelboim
- Sheba Medical Center, Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel;
| | | | - Noa Madar-Balakirski
- Department of Pharmacology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Adva Mechaly
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Eilat Shinar
- Magen David Adom, National Blood Services, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (M.I.); (E.S.)
| | - Ran Zichel
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (R.Z.); (H.M.)
| | - Daniel Cohen
- School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | - Adi Beth-Din
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (I.C.-G.); (O.I.); (A.B.-D.); (A.Z.)
| | - Anat Zvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (I.C.-G.); (O.I.); (A.B.-D.); (A.Z.)
| | - Hadar Marcus
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (R.Z.); (H.M.)
| | - Tomer Israely
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
| | - Nir Paran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (Y.Y.-R.); (N.E.); (M.F.); (H.T.); (B.P.); (H.A.); (S.M.); (I.G.); (S.W.); (A.M.); (T.I.)
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Bhat T, Cao A, Yin J. Virus-like Particles: Measures and Biological Functions. Viruses 2022; 14:383. [PMID: 35215979 PMCID: PMC8877645 DOI: 10.3390/v14020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles resemble infectious virus particles in size, shape, and molecular composition; however, they fail to productively infect host cells. Historically, the presence of virus-like particles has been inferred from total particle counts by microscopy, and infectious particle counts or plaque-forming-units (PFUs) by plaque assay; the resulting ratio of particles-to-PFUs is often greater than one, easily 10 or 100, indicating that most particles are non-infectious. Despite their inability to hijack cells for their reproduction, virus-like particles and the defective genomes they carry can exhibit a broad range of behaviors: interference with normal virus growth during co-infections, cell killing, and activation or inhibition of innate immune signaling. In addition, some virus-like particles become productive as their multiplicities of infection increase, a sign of cooperation between particles. Here, we review established and emerging methods to count virus-like particles and characterize their biological functions. We take a critical look at evidence for defective interfering virus genomes in natural and clinical isolates, and we review their potential as antiviral therapeutics. In short, we highlight an urgent need to better understand how virus-like genomes and particles interact with intact functional viruses during co-infection of their hosts, and their impacts on the transmission, severity, and persistence of virus-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Yin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 330 N. Orchard Street, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (T.B.); (A.C.)
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Bamford CGG, Broadbent L, Aranday-Cortes E, McCabe M, McKenna J, Courtney DG, Touzelet O, Ali A, Roberts G, Lopez Campos G, Simpson D, McCaughey C, Fairley D, Mills K, Power UF. Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Evolution in Paediatric Primary Airway Epithelial Cell Cultures Compared with Vero-Derived Cell Lines. Viruses 2022; 14:325. [PMID: 35215919 PMCID: PMC8877208 DOI: 10.3390/v14020325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 can efficiently infect both children and adults, albeit with morbidity and mortality positively associated with increasing host age and presence of co-morbidities. SARS-CoV-2 continues to adapt to the human population, resulting in several variants of concern (VOC) with novel properties, such as Alpha and Delta. However, factors driving SARS-CoV-2 fitness and evolution in paediatric cohorts remain poorly explored. Here, we provide evidence that both viral and host factors co-operate to shape SARS-CoV-2 genotypic and phenotypic change in primary airway cell cultures derived from children. Through viral whole-genome sequencing, we explored changes in genetic diversity over time of two pre-VOC clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 during passage in paediatric well-differentiated primary nasal epithelial cell (WD-PNEC) cultures and in parallel, in unmodified Vero-derived cell lines. We identified a consistent, rich genetic diversity arising in vitro, variants of which could rapidly rise to near fixation within two passages. Within isolates, SARS-CoV-2 evolution was dependent on host cells, with paediatric WD-PNECs showing a reduced diversity compared to Vero (E6) cells. However, mutations were not shared between strains. Furthermore, comparison of both Vero-grown isolates on WD-PNECs disclosed marked growth attenuation mapping to the loss of the polybasic cleavage site (PBCS) in Spike, while the strain with mutations in Nsp12 (T293I), Spike (P812R) and a truncation of Orf7a remained viable in WD-PNECs. Altogether, our work demonstrates that pre-VOC SARS-CoV-2 efficiently infects paediatric respiratory epithelial cells, and its evolution is restrained compared to Vero (E6) cells, similar to the case of adult cells. We highlight the significant genetic plasticity of SARS-CoV-2 while uncovering an influential role for collaboration between viral and host cell factors in shaping viral evolution and ultimately fitness in human respiratory epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor G. G. Bamford
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Lindsay Broadbent
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Elihu Aranday-Cortes
- Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Mary McCabe
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - James McKenna
- Regional Virus Laboratory, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK; (J.M.); (C.M.); (D.F.)
| | - David G. Courtney
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Olivier Touzelet
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Ahlam Ali
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
| | - Grace Roberts
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Guillermo Lopez Campos
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - David Simpson
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Conall McCaughey
- Regional Virus Laboratory, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK; (J.M.); (C.M.); (D.F.)
| | - Derek Fairley
- Regional Virus Laboratory, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK; (J.M.); (C.M.); (D.F.)
| | - Ken Mills
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
| | - Ultan F. Power
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.B.); (M.M.); (D.G.C.); (O.T.); (A.A.); (G.R.); (G.L.C.); (D.S.)
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Despres HW, Mills MG, Shirley DJ, Schmidt MM, Huang ML, Roychoudhury P, Jerome KR, Greninger AL, Bruce EA. Measuring infectious SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples reveals a higher viral titer:RNA ratio for Delta and Epsilon vs. Alpha variants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116518119. [PMID: 35058348 PMCID: PMC8812544 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116518119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants pose a challenge to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies indicate that clinical samples collected from individuals infected with the Delta variant may contain higher levels of RNA than previous variants, but the relationship between levels of viral RNA and infectious virus for individual variants is unknown. We measured infectious viral titer (using a microfocus-forming assay) and total and subgenomic viral RNA levels (using RT-PCR) in a set of 162 clinical samples containing SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Delta, and Epsilon variants that were collected in identical swab kits from outpatient test sites and processed soon after collection. We observed a high degree of variation in the relationship between viral titers and RNA levels. Despite this, the overall infectivity differed among the three variants. Both Delta and Epsilon had significantly higher infectivity than Alpha, as measured by the number of infectious units per quantity of viral E gene RNA (5.9- and 3.0-fold increase; P < 0.0001, P = 0.014, respectively) or subgenomic E RNA (14.3- and 6.9-fold increase; P < 0.0001, P = 0.004, respectively). In addition to higher viral RNA levels reported for the Delta variant, the infectivity (amount of replication competent virus per viral genome copy) may be increased compared to Alpha. Measuring the relationship between live virus and viral RNA is an important step in assessing the infectivity of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. An increase in the infectivity for Delta may further explain increased spread, suggesting a need for increased measures to prevent viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah W Despres
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Margaret G Mills
- Virology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105
| | - David J Shirley
- Data Science Department, Faraday, Inc., Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Madaline M Schmidt
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Meei-Li Huang
- Virology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105
| | - Pavitra Roychoudhury
- Virology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Keith R Jerome
- Virology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Alexander L Greninger
- Virology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Emily A Bruce
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405;
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Abstract
Arboviruses are medically important arthropod-borne viruses that cause a range of diseases in humans from febrile illness to arthritis, encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever. Given their transmission cycles, these viruses face the challenge of replicating in evolutionarily divergent organisms that can include ticks, flies, mosquitoes, birds, rodents, reptiles and primates. Furthermore, their cell attachment receptor utilization may be affected by the opposing needs for generating high and sustained serum viremia in vertebrates such that virus particles are efficiently collected during a hematophagous arthropod blood meal but they must also bind sufficiently to cellular structures on divergent organisms such that productive infection can be initiated and viremia generated. Sulfated polysaccharides of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) groups, primarily heparan sulfate (HS), have been identified as cell attachment moieties for many arboviruses. Original identification of GAG binding as a phenotype of arboviruses appeared to involve this attribute arising solely as a consequence of adaptation of virus isolates to growth in cell culture. However, more recently, naturally circulating strains of at least one arbovirus, eastern equine encephalitis, have been shown to bind HS efficiently and the GAG binding phenotype continues to be associated with arbovirus infection in published studies. If GAGs are attachment receptors for many naturally circulating arboviruses, this could lead to development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapies through blocking of the virus-GAG interaction. This review summarizes the available data for GAG/HS binding as a phenotype of naturally circulating arbovirus strains emphasizing the importance of avoiding tissue culture amplification and artifactual phenotypes during their isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D H Alcorn
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - William B Klimstra
- Center for Vaccine Research, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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40
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Structural insights in cell-type specific evolution of intra-host diversity by SARS-CoV-2. Nat Commun 2022; 13:222. [PMID: 35017512 PMCID: PMC8752678 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27881-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
As the global burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections escalates, so does the evolution of viral variants with increased transmissibility and pathology. In addition to this entrenched diversity, RNA viruses can also display genetic diversity within single infected hosts with co-existing viral variants evolving differently in distinct cell types. The BriSΔ variant, originally identified as a viral subpopulation from SARS-CoV-2 isolate hCoV-19/England/02/2020, comprises in the spike an eight amino-acid deletion encompassing a furin recognition motif and S1/S2 cleavage site. We elucidate the structure, function and molecular dynamics of this spike providing mechanistic insight into how the deletion correlates to viral cell tropism, ACE2 receptor binding and infectivity of this SARS-CoV-2 variant. Our results reveal long-range allosteric communication between functional domains that differ in the wild-type and the deletion variant and support a view of SARS-CoV-2 probing multiple evolutionary trajectories in distinct cell types within the same infected host.
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Rowe LA, Beddingfield BJ, Goff K, Killeen SZ, Chirichella NR, Melton A, Roy CJ, Maness NJ. Intra-Host SARS-CoV-2 Evolution in the Gut of Mucosally-Infected Chlorocebus aethiops (African Green Monkeys). Viruses 2022; 14:77. [PMID: 35062281 PMCID: PMC8777858 DOI: 10.3390/v14010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent months, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged that enhance transmissibility and escape host humoral immunity. Hence, the tracking of viral evolutionary trajectories is clearly of great importance. Little is known about SARS-CoV-2 evolution in nonhuman primate models used to test vaccines and therapies and to model human disease. Viral RNA was sequenced from rectal swabs from Chlorocebus aethiops (African green monkeys) after experimental respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two distinct patterns of viral evolution were identified that were shared between all collected samples. First, mutations in the furin cleavage site that were initially present in the virus as a consequence of VeroE6 cell culture adaptation were not detected in viral RNA recovered in rectal swabs, confirming the necessity of this motif for viral infection in vivo. Three amino acid changes were also identified; ORF 1a S2103F, and spike D215G and H655Y, which were detected in rectal swabs from all sampled animals. These findings are demonstrative of intra-host SARS-CoV-2 evolution and may identify a host-adapted variant of SARS-CoV-2 that would be useful in future primate models involving SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori A. Rowe
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
| | - Brandon J. Beddingfield
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
| | - Kelly Goff
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
| | - Stephanie Z. Killeen
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
| | - Nicole R. Chirichella
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
| | - Alexandra Melton
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
| | - Chad J. Roy
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Maness
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (L.A.R.); (B.J.B.); (K.G.); (S.Z.K.); (N.R.C.); (A.M.); (C.J.R.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Takeda M. Proteolytic activation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Microbiol Immunol 2022; 66:15-23. [PMID: 34561887 PMCID: PMC8652499 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Spike (S) protein cleavage is a crucial step in coronavirus infection. In this review, this process is discussed, with particular focus on the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Compared with influenza virus and paramyxovirus membrane fusion proteins, the cleavage activation mechanism of coronavirus S protein is much more complex. The S protein has two cleavage sites (S1/S2 and S2'), and the cleavage motif for furin protease at the S1/S2 site that results from a unique four-amino acid insertion is one of the distinguishing features of SARS-CoV-2. The viral particle incorporates the S protein, which has already undergone S1/S2 cleavage by furin, and then undergoes further cleavage at the S2' site, mediated by the type II transmembrane serine protease transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), after binding to the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to facilitate membrane fusion at the plasma membrane. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 can enter the cell by endocytosis and be proteolytically activated by cathepsin L, although this is not a major mode of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 variants with enhanced infectivity have been emerging throughout the ongoing pandemic, and there is a close relationship between enhanced infectivity and changes in S protein cleavability. All four variants of concern carry the D614G mutation, which indirectly enhances S1/S2 cleavability by furin. The P681R mutation of the delta variant directly increases S1/S2 cleavability, enhancing membrane fusion and SARS-CoV-2 virulence. Changes in S protein cleavability can significantly impact viral infectivity, tissue tropism, and virulence. Understanding these mechanisms is critical to counteracting the coronavirus pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Takeda
- Department of Virology 3National Institute of Infectious DiseasesTokyoJapan
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43
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Abstract
The unprecedented public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been met with an equally unprecedented scientific response. Much of this response has focused, appropriately, on the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, and in particular the binding of the spike (S) protein to its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and subsequent membrane fusion. This Review provides the structural and cellular foundations for understanding the multistep SARS-CoV-2 entry process, including S protein synthesis, S protein structure, conformational transitions necessary for association of the S protein with ACE2, engagement of the receptor-binding domain of the S protein with ACE2, proteolytic activation of the S protein, endocytosis and membrane fusion. We define the roles of furin-like proteases, transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and cathepsin L in these processes, and delineate the features of ACE2 orthologues in reservoir animal species and S protein adaptations that facilitate efficient human transmission. We also examine the utility of vaccines, antibodies and other potential therapeutics targeting SARS-CoV-2 entry mechanisms. Finally, we present key outstanding questions associated with this critical process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody B Jackson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Michael Farzan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Bing Chen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hyeryun Choe
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA.
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44
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Chen RE, Gorman MJ, Zhu DY, Carreño JM, Yuan D, VanBlargan LA, Burdess S, Lauffenburger DA, Kim W, Turner JS, Droit L, Handley SA, Chahin S, Deepak P, O'Halloran JA, Paley MA, Presti RM, Wu GF, Krammer F, Alter G, Ellebedy AH, Kim AHJ, Diamond MS. Reduced antibody activity against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 delta virus in serum of mRNA-vaccinated individuals receiving tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. MED 2021; 2:1327-1341.e4. [PMID: 34812429 PMCID: PMC8599018 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although vaccines effectively prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthy individuals, they appear to be less immunogenic in individuals with chronic inflammatory disease (CID) or receiving chronic immunosuppression therapy. METHODS Here we assessed a cohort of 77 individuals with CID treated as monotherapy with chronic immunosuppressive drugs for antibody responses in serum against historical and variant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viruses after immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. FINDINGS Longitudinal analysis showed the greatest reductions in neutralizing antibodies and Fc effector function capacity in individuals treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors (TNFi), and this pattern appeared to be worse against the B.1.617.2 delta virus. Within 5 months of vaccination, serum neutralizing titers of all TNFi-treated individuals tested fell below the presumed threshold correlate for antibody-mediated protection. However, TNFi-treated individuals receiving a third mRNA vaccine dose boosted their serum neutralizing antibody titers by more than 16-fold. CONCLUSIONS Vaccine boosting or administration of long-acting prophylaxis (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) will likely be required to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in this susceptible population. FUNDING This study was supported by grants and contracts from the NIH (R01 AI157155, R01AI151178, and HHSN75N93019C00074; NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) contracts HHSN272201400008C and 75N93021C00014; and Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers [CIVIC] contract 75N93019C00051).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita E Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Daniel Y Zhu
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Juan Manuel Carreño
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dansu Yuan
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura A VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samantha Burdess
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Wooseob Kim
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jackson S Turner
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lindsay Droit
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Scott A Handley
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Salim Chahin
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Parakkal Deepak
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jane A O'Halloran
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael A Paley
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel M Presti
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gregory F Wu
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ali H Ellebedy
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alfred H J Kim
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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45
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Tian Y, Parsons LM, Jankowska E, Cipollo JF. Site-Specific Glycosylation Patterns of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Derived From Recombinant Protein and Viral WA1 and D614G Strains. Front Chem 2021; 9:767448. [PMID: 34869209 PMCID: PMC8640487 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.767448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is heavily glycosylated, having 22 predicted N-glycosylation sites per monomer. It is also O-glycosylated, although the number of O-glycosites is less defined. Recent studies show that spike protein glycans play critical roles in viral entry and infection. The spike monomer has two subdomains, S1 and S2, and a receptor-binding domain (RBD) within the S1 domain. In this study, we have characterized the site-specific glycosylation patterns of the HEK293 recombinant spike RBD and S1 domains as well as the intact spike derived from the whole virus produced in Vero cells. The Vero cell-derived spike from the WA1 strain and a D614G variant was analyzed. All spike proteins, S1, and RBDs were analyzed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and LC-MS/MS on an Orbitrap Eclipse Tribrid mass spectrometer. N-glycans identified in HEK293-derived S1 were structurally diverse. Those found in the HEK293-derived RBD were highly similar to those in HEK293 S1 where N-glycosites were shared. Comparison of the whole cell-derived WA1 and D614G spike proteins revealed that N-glycosites local to the mutation site appeared to be more readily detected, hinting that these sites are more exposed to glycosylation machinery. Moreover, recombinant HEK293-derived S1 was occupied almost completely with complex glycan, while both WA1 and D614G derived from the Vero E6 cell whole virus were predominantly high-mannose glycans. This stands in stark contrast to glycosylation patterns seen in both CHO- and HEK cell-derived recombinant S1, S2, and the whole spike previously reported. Concerning O-glycosylation, our analyses revealed that HEK293 recombinant proteins possessed a range of O-glycosites with compositions consistent with Core type 1 and 2 glycans. The O-glycosites shared between the S1 and RBD constructs, sites T323 and T523, were occupied by a similar range of Core 1 and 2 type O-glycans. Overall, this study reveals that the sample nature and cell substrate used for production of these proteins can have a dramatic impact on the glycosylation profile. SARS-CoV-2 spike glycans are associated with host ACE2 receptor interaction efficiency. Therefore, understanding such differences will serve to better understand these host–pathogen interactions and inform the choice of cell substrates to suite downstream investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Lisa M Parsons
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Ewa Jankowska
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - John F Cipollo
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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46
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Baczenas JJ, Andersen H, Rashid S, Yarmosh D, Puthuveetil N, Parker M, Bradford R, Florence C, Stemple KJ, Lewis MG, O’Connor SL. Propagation of SARS-CoV-2 in Calu-3 Cells to Eliminate Mutations in the Furin Cleavage Site of Spike. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122434. [PMID: 34960703 PMCID: PMC8704555 DOI: 10.3390/v13122434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, vaccine, and therapeutic studies rely on the use of animals challenged with highly pathogenic virus stocks produced in cell cultures. Ideally, these virus stocks should be genetically and functionally similar to the original clinical isolate, retaining wild-type properties to be reliably used in animal model studies. It is well-established that SARS-CoV-2 isolates serially passaged on Vero cell lines accumulate mutations and deletions in the furin cleavage site; however, these can be eliminated when passaged on Calu-3 lung epithelial cell lines, as presented in this study. As numerous stocks of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern are being grown in cell cultures with the intent for use in animal models, it is essential that propagation methods generate virus stocks that are pathogenic in vivo. Here, we found that the propagation of a B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 stock on Calu-3 cells eliminated viruses that previously accumulated mutations in the furin cleavage site. Notably, there were alternative variants that accumulated at the same nucleotide positions in virus populations grown on Calu-3 cells at multiple independent facilities. When a Calu-3-derived B.1.351 virus stock was used to infect hamsters, the virus remained pathogenic and the Calu-3-specific variants persisted in the population. These results suggest that Calu-3-derived virus stocks are pathogenic but care should still be taken to evaluate virus stocks for newly arising mutations during propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanne Andersen
- BIOQUAL, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA; (H.A.); (M.G.L.)
| | - Sujatha Rashid
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (S.R.); (D.Y.); (N.P.); (M.P.); (R.B.)
- The Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository (BEI Resources), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - David Yarmosh
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (S.R.); (D.Y.); (N.P.); (M.P.); (R.B.)
- The Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository (BEI Resources), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Nikhita Puthuveetil
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (S.R.); (D.Y.); (N.P.); (M.P.); (R.B.)
- The Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository (BEI Resources), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Michael Parker
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (S.R.); (D.Y.); (N.P.); (M.P.); (R.B.)
- The Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository (BEI Resources), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Rebecca Bradford
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (S.R.); (D.Y.); (N.P.); (M.P.); (R.B.)
- The Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository (BEI Resources), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Clint Florence
- Office of Biodefense, Research Resources and Translational Research, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.F.); (K.J.S.)
| | - Kimberly J. Stemple
- Office of Biodefense, Research Resources and Translational Research, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.F.); (K.J.S.)
| | - Mark G. Lewis
- BIOQUAL, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA; (H.A.); (M.G.L.)
| | - Shelby L. O’Connor
- Wisconsin National Primate Center, UW-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA;
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UW-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-608-890-0843
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47
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Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin used alone or combined are not effective against SARS-CoV-2 ex vivo and in a hamster model. Antiviral Res 2021; 197:105212. [PMID: 34838583 PMCID: PMC8611861 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Drug repositioning has been used extensively since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in an attempt to identify antiviral molecules for use in human therapeutics. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin have shown inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 replication in different cell lines. Based on such in vitro data and despite the weakness of preclinical assessment, many clinical trials were set up using these molecules. In the present study, we show that hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin alone or combined does not block SARS-CoV-2 replication in human bronchial airway epithelia. When tested in a Syrian hamster model, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin administrated alone or combined displayed no significant effect on viral replication, clinical course of the disease and lung impairments, even at high doses. Hydroxychloroquine quantification in lung tissues confirmed strong exposure to the drug, above in vitro inhibitory concentrations. Overall, this study does not support the use of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as antiviral drugs for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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48
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Zupin L, Licen S, Milani M, Clemente L, Martello L, Semeraro S, Fontana F, Ruscio M, Miani A, Crovella S, Barbieri P. Evaluation of Residual Infectivity after SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in a Controlled Laboratory Setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11172. [PMID: 34769691 PMCID: PMC8582643 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with fomites from an infected subject. It has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 is stable and viable in aerosol up to 16 h in controlled laboratory conditions. However, the aerosolization conditions varied a lot between the studies. In this work, an experimental laboratory model of SARS-CoV-2 aerosolization was established, employing an impinger nebulizer, a cylindrical chamber for aerosol travel, and a SKC biosampler for the collection of particles. The efficiency of the system was assessed based on the molecular determination of the viral load in the nebulizer after the aerosolization and in the aerosol collected at the end of the travel. Moreover, the residual infectivity was tested in vitro on the Vero E6 cell line, through the observation of the cytopathic effect (CPE), and the quantification of the viral load in the supernatants at 7 days post inoculation (dpi). A high RNA viral load was found in the SKC biosampler after aerosolization, indicating that it was possible to transport a high virus titer through the 30-cm chamber with all the dilutions (initial 105, 104, 103 plaque forming unit-PFU/mL). At the 7 dpi, an increment of the RNA viral load was determined for the dilutions 105 and 104 PFU/mL tested, while only the initial 105 PFU/mL resulted in visible CPE. Our findings allowed us to achieve the resilience of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol form, at a concentration comparable to those reported for clinical samples. This mode of transmission should be considered for the mitigation and preventive measures to counteract SARS-CoV-2 spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabina Licen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.L.); (L.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Margherita Milani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34137 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Libera Clemente
- Ospedale San Polo, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Via Luigi Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone, Italy; (L.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Martello
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.L.); (L.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Francesco Fontana
- Ospedale San Polo, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Via Luigi Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone, Italy; (L.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- Ospedale Maggiore, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Piazza dell’Ospitale 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano, Italy;
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Qatar, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.L.); (L.M.); (P.B.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
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49
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Natural and Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Isolates Rapidly Evolve In Vitro to Higher Infectivity through More Efficient Binding to Heparan Sulfate and Reduced S1/S2 Cleavage. J Virol 2021; 95:e0135721. [PMID: 34406867 PMCID: PMC8513475 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01357-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virulence factors is the ability to interact with high affinity to the ACE2 receptor, which mediates viral entry into cells. The results of our study demonstrate that within a few passages in cell culture, both the natural isolate of SARS-CoV-2 and the recombinant cDNA-derived variant acquire an additional ability to bind to heparan sulfate (HS). This promotes a primary attachment of viral particles to cells before their further interactions with the ACE2. Interaction with HS is acquired through multiple mechanisms. These include (i) accumulation of point mutations in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the S protein, which increases the positive charge of the surface of this domain, (ii) insertions into the NTD of heterologous peptides containing positively charged amino acids, and (iii) mutation of the first amino acid downstream of the furin cleavage site. This last mutation affects S protein processing, transforms the unprocessed furin cleavage site into the heparin-binding peptide, and makes viruses less capable of syncytium formation. These viral adaptations result in higher affinity of viral particles to heparin, dramatic increase in plaque sizes, more efficient viral spread, higher infectious titers, and 2 orders of magnitude higher infectivity. The detected adaptations also suggest an active role of NTD in virus attachment and entry. As in the case of other RNA-positive (RNA+) viruses, evolution to HS binding may result in virus attenuation in vivo. IMPORTANCE The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a major determinant of viral pathogenesis. It mediates binding to the ACE2 receptor and, later, fusion of viral envelope and cellular membranes. The results of our study demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 rapidly evolves during propagation in cultured cells. Its spike protein acquires mutations in the NTD and in the P1′ position of the furin cleavage site (FCS). The amino acid substitutions or insertions of short peptides in NTD are closely located on the protein surface and increase its positive charge. They strongly increase affinity of the virus to heparan sulfate, make it dramatically more infectious for the cultured cells, and decrease the genome equivalent to PFU (GE/PFU) ratio by orders of magnitude. The S686G mutation also transforms the FCS into the heparin-binding peptide. Thus, the evolved SARS-CoV-2 variants efficiently use glycosaminoglycans on the cell surface for primary attachment before the high-affinity interaction of the spikes with the ACE2 receptor.
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50
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Dong J, Zost SJ, Greaney AJ, Starr TN, Dingens AS, Chen EC, Chen RE, Case JB, Sutton RE, Gilchuk P, Rodriguez J, Armstrong E, Gainza C, Nargi RS, Binshtein E, Xie X, Zhang X, Shi PY, Logue J, Weston S, McGrath ME, Frieman MB, Brady T, Tuffy KM, Bright H, Loo YM, McTamney PM, Esser MT, Carnahan RH, Diamond MS, Bloom JD, Crowe JE. Genetic and structural basis for SARS-CoV-2 variant neutralization by a two-antibody cocktail. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:1233-1244. [PMID: 34548634 PMCID: PMC8543371 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00972-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular basis for immune recognition of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antigenic sites will inform the development of improved therapeutics. We determined the structures of two human monoclonal antibodies-AZD8895 and AZD1061-which form the basis of the investigational antibody cocktail AZD7442, in complex with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 to define the genetic and structural basis of neutralization. AZD8895 forms an 'aromatic cage' at the heavy/light chain interface using germ line-encoded residues in complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) 2 and 3 of the heavy chain and CDRs 1 and 3 of the light chain. These structural features explain why highly similar antibodies (public clonotypes) have been isolated from multiple individuals. AZD1061 has an unusually long LCDR1; the HCDR3 makes interactions with the opposite face of the RBD from that of AZD8895. Using deep mutational scanning and neutralization escape selection experiments, we comprehensively mapped the crucial binding residues of both antibodies and identified positions of concern with regards to virus escape from antibody-mediated neutralization. Both AZD8895 and AZD1061 have strong neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern with antigenic substitutions in the RBD. We conclude that germ line-encoded antibody features enable recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and demonstrate the utility of the cocktail AZD7442 in neutralizing emerging variant viruses.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/genetics
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/chemistry
- Antibodies, Viral/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antigenic Variation
- Binding Sites
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/virology
- Complementarity Determining Regions/chemistry
- Complementarity Determining Regions/genetics
- Humans
- Mutation
- Protein Domains
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Dong
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Seth J Zost
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Allison J Greaney
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences & Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tyler N Starr
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adam S Dingens
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elaine C Chen
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rita E Chen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - James Brett Case
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel E Sutton
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Pavlo Gilchuk
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jessica Rodriguez
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erica Armstrong
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Christopher Gainza
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rachel S Nargi
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Elad Binshtein
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xianwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - James Logue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Stuart Weston
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Marisa E McGrath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Tyler Brady
- Microbial Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Kevin M Tuffy
- Microbial Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Helen Bright
- Microbial Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Yueh-Ming Loo
- Microbial Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | - Mark T Esser
- Microbial Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Robert H Carnahan
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jesse D Bloom
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences & Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James E Crowe
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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