1
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Rafaqat W, Abiad M, Lagazzi E, Argandykov D, Proaño-Zamudio JA, Velmahos GC, Hwabejire JO, Parks JJ, Luckhurst CM, DeWane MP. Analyzing the Impact of Concomitant COVID-19 Infection on Outcomes in Trauma Patients. Am Surg 2024:31348241246176. [PMID: 38613452 DOI: 10.1177/00031348241246176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of COVID-19 infection at the time of traumatic injury remains understudied. Previous studies demonstrate that the rate of COVID-19 vaccination among trauma patients remains lower than in the general population. This study aims to understand the impact of concomitant COVID-19 infection on outcomes in trauma patients. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥18 years old admitted to a level I trauma center from March 2020 to December 2022. Patients tested for COVID-19 infection using a rapid antigen/PCR test were included. We matched patients using 2:1 propensity accounting for age, gender, race, comorbidities, vaccination status, injury severity score (ISS), type and mechanism of injury, and GCS at arrival. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) LOS, 30-day readmission, and major complications. RESULTS Of the 4448 patients included, 168 (3.8%) were positive (COV+). Compared with COVID-19-negative (COV-) patients, COV+ patients were similar in age, sex, BMI, ISS, type of injury, and regional AIS. The proportion of White and non-Hispanic patients was higher in COV- patients. Following matching, 154 COV+ and 308 COV- patients were identified. COVID-19-positive patients had a higher rate of mortality (7.8% vs 2.6%; P = .010), major complications (15.6% vs 8.4%; P = .020), and thrombotic complications (3.9% vs .6%; P = .012). Patients also had a longer hospital LOS (median, 9 vs 5 days; P < .001) and ICU LOS (median, 5 vs 3 days; P = .025). CONCLUSIONS Trauma patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection have higher mortality and morbidity in the matched population. Focused interventions aimed at recognizing this high-risk group and preventing COVID-19 infection within it should be undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wardah Rafaqat
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - May Abiad
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emanuele Lagazzi
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dias Argandykov
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jefferson A Proaño-Zamudio
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George C Velmahos
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John O Hwabejire
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan J Parks
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Casey M Luckhurst
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael P DeWane
- Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Equestre M, Marcantonio C, Marascio N, Centofanti F, Martina A, Simeoni M, Suffredini E, La Rosa G, Bonanno Ferraro G, Mancini P, Veneri C, Matera G, Quirino A, Costantino A, Taffon S, Tritarelli E, Campanella C, Pisani G, Nisini R, Spada E, Verde P, Ciccaglione AR, Bruni R. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Military and Civilian Personnel of an Air Force Airport during Three Pandemic Waves in Italy. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2711. [PMID: 38004723 PMCID: PMC10672769 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating, from November 2020 to March 2022, among military and civilian personnel at an Air Force airport in Italy in order to classify viral isolates in a potential hotspot for virus spread. Positive samples were subjected to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the whole viral genome and Sanger sequencing of the spike coding region. Phylogenetic analysis classified viral isolates and traced their evolutionary relationships. Clusters were identified using 70% cut-off. Sequencing methods yielded comparable results in terms of variant classification. In 2020 and 2021, we identified several variants, including B.1.258 (4/67), B.1.177 (9/67), Alpha (B.1.1.7, 9/67), Gamma (P.1.1, 4/67), and Delta (4/67). In 2022, only Omicron and its sub-lineage variants were observed (37/67). SARS-CoV-2 isolates were screened to detect naturally occurring resistance in genomic regions, the target of new therapies, comparing them to the Wuhan Hu-1 reference strain. Interestingly, 2/30 non-Omicron isolates carried the G15S 3CLpro substitution responsible for reduced susceptibility to protease inhibitors. On the other hand, Omicron isolates carried unusual substitutions A1803V, D1809N, and A949T on PLpro, and the D216N on 3CLpro. Finally, the P323L substitution on RdRp coding regions was not associated with the mutational pattern related to polymerase inhibitor resistance. This study highlights the importance of continuous genomic surveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution in the general population, as well as in restricted communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Equestre
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Marcantonio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Nadia Marascio
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Federica Centofanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Antonio Martina
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Matteo Simeoni
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Giusy Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Angela Quirino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Angela Costantino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Stefania Taffon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Elena Tritarelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Carmelo Campanella
- Clinical Analysis and Molecular Biology Laboratory Rome, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giulio Pisani
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Roberto Nisini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Enea Spada
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Paola Verde
- Aerospace Medicine Department, Aerospace Test Division, Militay Airport Mario De Bernardi, Pratica di Mare, 00040 Rome, Italy;
| | - Anna Rita Ciccaglione
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Roberto Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
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3
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Abebe EC, Dejenie TA. Protective roles and protective mechanisms of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection and their potential clinical implications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1055457. [PMID: 36742320 PMCID: PMC9892939 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1055457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are central players in the humoral immunity that defends the body from SARS-CoV-2 infection by blocking viral entry into host cells and neutralizing their biological effects. Even though NAbs primarily work by neutralizing viral antigens, on some occasions, they may also combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus escaping neutralization by employing several effector mechanisms in collaboration with immune cells like natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes. Besides their prophylactic and therapeutic roles, antibodies can be used for COVID-19 diagnosis, severity evaluation, and prognosis assessment in clinical practice. Furthermore, the measurement of NAbs could have key implications in determining individual or herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2, vaccine effectiveness, and duration of the humoral protective response, as well as aiding in the selection of suitable individuals who can donate convalescent plasma to treat infected people. Despite all these clinical applications of NAbs, using them in clinical settings can present some challenges. This review discusses the protective functions, possible protective mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2, and potential clinical applications of NAbs in COVID-19. This article also highlights the possible challenges and solutions associated with COVID-19 antibody-based prophylaxis, therapy, and vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endeshaw Chekol Abebe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Asmamaw Dejenie
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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4
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Alsafar H, Albreiki M, Mousa M, Azman SK, Vurivi H, Waasia F, Ruta D, Alhosani F, Almazrouei S, Abuyadek R, Selvaraj F, Chaves-Coira I, Zvereff V, Abdel-Malek MAY, Alkaabi N, Uddin M, Al Awadhi T, Al Marzouqi N, Al Attar F, Al Shamsi S, Al Shehhi F, Alteneiji H, Mohamed K, Al Muhairi N, AlRand H, Fikri A, Henschel A. Genomic epidemiology and emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in the United Arab Emirates. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14669. [PMID: 36038563 PMCID: PMC9421632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16967-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the declaration of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as a pandemic, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) public health authorities have adopted strict measures to reduce transmission as early as March 2020. As a result of these measures, flight suspension, nationwide RT-PCR and surveillance of viral sequences were extensively implemented. This study aims to characterize the epidemiology, transmission pattern, and emergence of variants of concerns (VOCs) and variants of interests (VOIs) of SARS-CoV-2 in the UAE, followed by the investigation of mutations associated with hospitalized cases. A total of 1274 samples were collected and sequenced from all seven emirates between the period of 25 April 2020 to 15 February 2021. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into the UAE in the early pandemic, followed by a local spread of root clades (A, B, B.1 and B.1.1). As the international flight resumed, the frequencies of VOCs surged indicating the January peak of positive cases. We observed that the hospitalized cases were significantly associated with the presence of B.1.1.7 (p < 0.001), B.1.351 (p < 0.001) and A.23.1 (p = 0.009). Deceased cases are more likely to occur in the presence of B.1.351 (p < 0.001) and A.23.1 (p = 0.022). Logistic and ridge regression showed that 51 mutations are significantly associated with hospitalized cases with the highest proportion originated from S and ORF1a genes (31% and 29% respectively). Our study provides an epidemiological insight of the emergence of VOCs and VOIs following the borders reopening and worldwide travels. It provides reassurance that hospitalization is markedly more associated with the presence of VOCs. This study can contribute to understand the global transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habiba Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO BOX, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Albreiki
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO BOX, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mira Mousa
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO BOX, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproduction Health, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Syafiq Kamarul Azman
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hema Vurivi
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO BOX, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fathimathuz Waasia
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO BOX, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dymitr Ruta
- Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farida Alhosani
- Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shereena Almazrouei
- Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rowan Abuyadek
- Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Francis Selvaraj
- Department Laboratory Medicine Services, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Irene Chaves-Coira
- Molecular and Genetics Department, UniLabs, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Val Zvereff
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, National Reference Laboratory, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed A Y Abdel-Malek
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Mediclinic Alnoor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Nawal Alkaabi
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maimunah Uddin
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tayba Al Awadhi
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Fatma Al Attar
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Hala Alteneiji
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Noor Al Muhairi
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hussain AlRand
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Asma Fikri
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Andreas Henschel
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO BOX, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. .,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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5
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Genome Similarities between Human-Derived and Mink-Derived SARS-CoV-2 Make Mink a Potential Reservoir of the Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081352. [PMID: 36016239 PMCID: PMC9415835 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has RNA as the genome, which makes the virus more prone to mutations. Occasionally, mutations help a virus to cross the species barrier. SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans and minks (Neovison vison) are examples of zoonotic spillover. Many studies on the mutational analysis of human-derived SARS-CoV-2 have been published, but insight into the mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 genome of mutations is still required. Here, we performed a mutation analysis of the mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences. We analyzed all available full-length mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences on GISAID (214 genome sequences from the Netherlands and 133 genome sequences from Denmark). We found a striking resemblance between human-derived and mink-derived SARS-CoV-2. Our study showed that mutation patterns in the SARS-CoV-2 genome samples from the Netherlands and Denmark were different. Out of the 201 mutations we found, only 13 mutations were shared by the Netherlands' and Denmark's mink-derived samples. We found that six mutations were prevalent in the mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 genomes, and these six mutations are also known to be prevalent in human-derived SARS-CoV-2 variants. Our study reveals that the G27948T mutation in SARS-CoV-2 leads to truncation of ORF8, which was also reported in human-derived SARS-CoV-2, thus indicating that the virus can replicate without the full-length ORF8. These resemblances between mink-derived and human-derived SARS-CoV-2 enable the virus to cross the species barrier and suggest mink a potential reservoir for the virus.
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6
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Dutta S, Panthi B, Chandra A. All-Atom Simulations of Human ACE2-Spike Protein RBD Complexes for SARS-CoV-2 and Some of its Variants: Nature of Interactions and Free Energy Diagrams for Dissociation of the Protein Complexes. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:5375-5389. [PMID: 35833966 PMCID: PMC9328126 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c00833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is known to interact with the human ACE2 protein via its receptor binding domain (RBD). We have investigated the molecular nature of this interprotein interaction and the associated free energy diagrams for the unbinding of the two proteins for SARS-CoV-2 and some of its known variants through all-atom simulations. The present work involves generation and analysis of 2.5 μs of unbiased and 4.2 μs of biased molecular dynamics trajectories in total for five explicitly solvated RBD-ACE2 systems at full atomic level. First, we have made a comparative analysis of the details of residue-wise specific interactions of the spike protein with ACE2 for SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. It is found that the average numbers of both direct interprotein and water-bridged hydrogen bonds between the RBD and ACE2 are higher for SARS-CoV-2 than SARS-CoV-1. These higher hydrogen bonded interactions are further aided by enhanced nonspecific electrostatic attractions between the two protein surfaces for SARS-CoV-2. The free energy calculations reveal that there is an increase in the free energy barrier by ∼1.5 kcal/mol for the unbinding of RBD from ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 compared to that for SARS-CoV-1. Subsequently, we considered the RBDs of three variants of SARS-CoV-2, namely N501Y, E484Q/L452R, and N440K. The free energy barrier of protein unbinding for the N501Y variant is found to be ∼4 kcal/mol higher than the wild type SARS-CoV-2 which can be attributed to additional specific interactions involving Tyr501 of RBD and Lys353 and Tyr42 of ACE2 and also enhanced nonspecific electrostatic interaction between the protein surfaces. For the other two mutant variants of E484Q/L452R and N440K, the free energy barrier for protein unbinding increases by ∼2 and ∼1 kcal/mol, respectively, compared with the wild type SARS-CoV-2, which can be attributed to an increase in the number of interprotein hydrogen bonds for the former and also to enhanced positive electrostatic potential on the RBD surfaces for both of the variants. The successive breaking of interprotein hydrogen bonds along the free energy pathway of the unbinding process is also found out for all five systems studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saheb Dutta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
| | - Bhavana Panthi
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
| | - Amalendu Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
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7
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Akkız H. The Biological Functions and Clinical Significance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Corcern. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:849217. [PMID: 35669924 PMCID: PMC9163346 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.849217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is continuing to evolve, emerging novel variants with spike protein mutations. Although most mutations emerged in the SARS-CoV-2 genome are neutral or mildly deleterious, a small number of mutations can affect virus phenotype that confers the virus a fitness advantage. These mutations can enhance viral replication, raise the risk of reinfection and blunt the potency of neutralizing antibodies triggered by previous infection and vaccination. Since December 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 has emerged five quickly spreading strains, designated variants of concern (VOCs), including the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant, the Beta (B.1.351) variant, the Gamma (P.1) variant, the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant and the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant. These variants have a high number of the mutations in the spike protein that promotes viral cell entry through the angiotensin-converting enzyme -2 (ACE2). Mutations that have arisen in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein are of great concern due to their potential to evade neutralizing antibodies triggered by previous infection and vaccines. The Alpha variant emerged in the United Kingdom in the second half of 2020 that has spread quickly globally and acquired the E484K mutation in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Beta and Gamma variants emerged in South Africa and Brazil, respectively, that have additional mutations at positions E484 and K417 in the RBD. SARS-CoV-2 variants containing the combination of N501Y, E484K, and K417N/T mutations exhibit remarkably decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies mediated by vaccination or previous infection. The Gamma variant may result in more severe disease than other variants do even in convalescent individuals. The Delta variant emerged in India in December 2020 and has spread to many countries including the United States and the United Kingdom. The Delta variant has 8 mutations in the spike protein, some of which can influence immune responses to the key antigenic regions of RBD. In early November 2021, the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant was first detected in Botswana and South Africa. The Omicron variant harbors more than 30 mutations in the spike protein, many of which are located within the RBD, which have been associated with increased transmissibility and immune evasion after previous infection and vaccination. Additionally, the Omicron variant contains 3 deletions and one insertion in the spike protein. Recently, the Omicron variant has been classified into three sublineages, including BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3, with strikingly different genetic characteristics. The Omicron BA.2 sublineage has different virological landscapes, such as transmissibility, pathogenicity and resistance to the vaccine-induced immunity compared to BA.1 and BA.3 sublineages. Mutations emerged in the RBD of the spike protein of VOCs increase viral replication, making the virus more infectious and more transmissible and enable the virus to evade vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies. Unfortunately, the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 VOCs has tempered early optimism regarding the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. This review addresses the biological and clinical significance of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and their impact on neutralizing antibodies mediated by existing COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Akkız
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
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8
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Niu M, Han Y, Dong X, Yang L, Li F, Zhang Y, Hu Q, Xia X, Li H, Sun Y. Highly Sensitive Detection Method for HV69-70del in SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Omicron Variants Based on CRISPR/Cas13a. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:831332. [PMID: 35497364 PMCID: PMC9039052 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.831332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to evolve, identifying variants with adaptive diagnostic tool is critical to containing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we establish a highly sensitive and portable on-site detection method for the HV69-70del which exist in SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Omicron variants using a PCR-based CRISPR/Cas13a detection system (PCR-CRISPR). The specific crRNA (CRISPR RNA) targeting the HV69-70del is screened using the fluorescence-based CRISPR assay, and the sensitivity and specificity of this method are evaluated using diluted nucleic acids of SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogens. The results show that the PCR-CRISPR detection method can detect 1 copies/μL SARS-CoV-2 HV69-70del mutant RNA and identify 0.1% of mutant RNA in mixed samples, which is more sensitive than the RT-qPCR based commercial SARS-CoV-2 variants detection kits and sanger sequencing. And it has no cross reactivity with ten other pathogens nucleic acids. Additionally, by combined with our previously developed ERASE (Easy-Readout and Sensitive Enhanced) lateral flow strip suitable for CRISPR detection, we provide a novel diagnosis tool to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants in primary and resource-limited medical institutions without professional and expensive fluorescent detector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Youcui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yansong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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9
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Peterson SW, Lidder R, Daigle J, Wonitowy Q, Dueck C, Nagasawa A, Mulvey MR, Mangat CS. RT-qPCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 mutations S 69-70 del, S N501Y and N D3L associated with variants of concern in Canadian wastewater samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022. [PMID: 34756912 DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.20.21257536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoC) have been increasingly detected in clinical surveillance in Canada and internationally. These VoC are associated with higher transmissibility rates and in some cases, increased mortality. In this work we present a national wastewater survey of the distribution of three SARS-CoV-2 mutations found in the B.1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351 (beta), and P.1 (gamma) VoC, namely the S-gene 69-70 deletion, N501Y mutation, and N-gene D3L. RT-qPCR allelic discrimination assays were sufficiently sensitive and specific for detection and relative quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater to allow for rapid population-level screening and surveillance. We tested 261 samples collected from 5 Canadian cities (Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax) and 6 communities in the Northwest Territories from February 16th to March 28th, 2021. VoC were not detected in the Territorial communities, suggesting the absence of VoC SARS-CoV-2 cases in those communities. Percentage of variant remained low throughout the study period in the majority of the sites tested, however the Toronto sites showed a marked increase from ~25% to ~75% over the study period. The results of this study highlight the utility of population level molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 VoC using wastewater. Wastewater monitoring for VoC can be a powerful tool in informing public health responses, including monitoring trends independent of clinical surveillance and providing early warning to communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley W Peterson
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ravinder Lidder
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jade Daigle
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Quinn Wonitowy
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Codey Dueck
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Audra Nagasawa
- Centre for Population Health Data, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael R Mulvey
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. 727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Chand S Mangat
- Wastewater Surveillance, One-Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. 727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P5, Canada.
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10
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Zhai J, He X, Man VH, Sun Y, Ji B, Cai L, Wang J. A multiple-step in silico screening protocol to identify allosteric inhibitors of Spike-hACE2 binding. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:4305-4316. [PMID: 35107459 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04736a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen, effective medicines that target the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 are still under development. As more highly infective and dangerous variants of the coronavirus emerge, the protective power of vaccines will decrease or vanish. Thus, the development of drugs, which are free of drug resistance is direly needed. The aim of this study is to identify allosteric binding modulators from a large compound library to inhibit the binding between the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). The binding of the Spike protein to hACE2 is the first step of the infection of host cells by the coronavirus. We first built a compound library containing 77 448 antiviral compounds. Molecular docking was then conducted to preliminarily screen compounds which can potently bind to the Spike protein at two allosteric binding sites. Next, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to accurately calculate the binding affinity between the spike protein and an identified compound from docking screening and to investigate whether the compound can interfere with the binding between the Spike protein and hACE2. We successfully identified two possible drug binding sites on the Spike protein and discovered a series of antiviral compounds which can weaken the interaction between the Spike protein and hACE2 receptor through conformational changes of the key Spike residues at the Spike-hACE2 binding interface induced by the binding of the ligand at the allosteric binding site. We also applied our screening protocol to another compound library which consists of 3407 compounds for which the inhibitory activities of Spike/hACE2 binding were measured. Encouragingly, in vitro data supports that the identified compounds can inhibit the Spike-ACE2 binding. Thus, we developed a promising computational protocol to discover allosteric inhibitors of the binding of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the hACE2 receptor, and several promising allosteric modulators were discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchen Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Xibing He
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Viet Hoang Man
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Yuchen Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Beihong Ji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Lianjin Cai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Junmei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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11
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Hossain ME, Rahman MM, Alam MS, Sarmin M, Karim Y, Hasan M, Hoque AF, Hasan MM, Rahman MZ, Chisti MJ, Rahman M. A Case Report: Genetically Distinct Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Variant Causing Reinfection. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:792514. [PMID: 34956160 PMCID: PMC8696118 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.792514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The emergence of novel variants has been a great deal of international concern since the recently published data suggest that previous infections with SARS-CoV-2 may not protect an individual from new variants. We report a patient had two distinct episodes of COVID-19 with different variants of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The nasopharyngeal samples collected from the two episodes were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and comparative genome analysis. Results: The first infection presented with mild symptoms, while the second infection presented with severe outcomes which occurred 74 days after the patient recovered from the first episode. He had elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, and bilateral consolidation as a sign of acute infection. Genome analysis revealed that the strains from the first and second episodes belonged to two distinct Nexstrain clades 20B and 20I and Pangolin lineages B.1.1.25 and B.1.1.7, respectively. A total of 36 mutations were observed in the episode-2 strain when compared with the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1. Among them, eight mutations were identified in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). Conclusion: Our findings concern whether the immunity acquired by natural infection or mass vaccination could confer adequate protection against the constantly evolving SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, continuous monitoring of genetic variations of SARS-CoV-2 strains is crucial for interventions such as vaccine and drug designs, treatment using monoclonal antibodies, and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mustafizur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
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12
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Hernandez MM, Banu R, Gonzalez-Reiche AS, van de Guchte A, Khan Z, Shrestha P, Cao L, Chen F, Shi H, Hanna A, Alshammary H, Fabre S, Amoako A, Obla A, Alburquerque B, Patiño LH, Ramírez JD, Sebra R, Gitman MR, Nowak MD, Cordon-Cardo C, Schutzbank TE, Simon V, van Bakel H, Sordillo EM, Paniz-Mondolfi AE. Robust clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants by RT-PCR/MALDI-TOF multitarget approach. J Med Virol 2021; 94:1606-1616. [PMID: 34877674 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has sparked the rapid development of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostics. However, emerging variants pose the risk for target dropout and false-negative results secondary to primer/probe binding site (PBS) mismatches. The Agena MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel combines reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry to probe for five targets across N and ORF1ab genes, which provides a robust platform to accommodate PBS mismatches in divergent viruses. Herein, we utilize a deidentified data set of 1262 SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens from Mount Sinai Health System (New York City) from December 2020 to April 2021 to evaluate target results and corresponding sequencing data. Overall, the level of PBS mismatches was greater in specimens with target dropout. Of specimens with N3 target dropout, 57% harbored an A28095T substitution that is highly specific for the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant of concern. These data highlight the benefit of redundancy in target design and the potential for target performance to illuminate the dynamics of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Hernandez
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Radhika Banu
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ana S Gonzalez-Reiche
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adriana van de Guchte
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zenab Khan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paras Shrestha
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liyong Cao
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Huanzhi Shi
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ayman Hanna
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hala Alshammary
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shelcie Fabre
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Angela Amoako
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ajay Obla
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bremy Alburquerque
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Luz Helena Patiño
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Sema4, a Mount Sinai Venture, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Melissa R Gitman
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael D Nowak
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carlos Cordon-Cardo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ted E Schutzbank
- Senior Scientific Affairs Manager, Infectious Diseases, Agena Bioscience, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Viviana Simon
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,The Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Harm van Bakel
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emilia Mia Sordillo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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13
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Chérifi F, Laraba-Djebari F. Bioactive Molecules Derived from Snake Venoms with Therapeutic Potential for the Treatment of Thrombo-Cardiovascular Disorders Associated with COVID-19. Protein J 2021; 40:799-841. [PMID: 34499333 PMCID: PMC8427918 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-021-10019-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
As expected, several new variants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged and have been detected around the world throughout this Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently, there is no specific developed drug against COVID-19 and the challenge of developing effective antiviral strategies based on natural agents with different mechanisms of action becomes an urgent need and requires identification of genetic differences among variants. Such data is used to improve therapeutics to combat SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nature is known to offer many biotherapeutics from animal venoms, algae and plant that have been historically used in traditional medicine. Among these bioresources, snake venom displays many bioactivities of interest such as antiviral, antiplatelet, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumoral. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory sickness due to SARS-CoV-2 which induces thrombotic disorders due to cytokine storm, platelet hyperactivation and endothelial dysfunction. This review aims to: (1) present an overview on the infection, the developed thrombo-inflammatory responses and mechanisms of induced thrombosis of COVID-19 compared to other similar pathogenesis; (2) underline the role of natural compounds such as anticoagulant, antiplatelet and thrombolytic agents; (3) investigate the management of coagulopathy related to COVID-19 and provide insight on therapeutic such as venom compounds. We also summarize the updated advances on antiviral proteins and peptides derived from snake venoms that could weaken coagulopathy characterizing COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatah Chérifi
- USTHB, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, USTHB, BP 32, El-Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Fatima Laraba-Djebari
- USTHB, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, USTHB, BP 32, El-Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria.
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14
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Yap C, Ali A, Prabhakar A, Prabhakar A, Pal A, Lim YY, Kakodkar P. Comprehensive literature review on COVID-19 vaccines and role of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the pandemic. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2021; 9:25151355211059791. [PMID: 34870090 PMCID: PMC8637774 DOI: 10.1177/25151355211059791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rapid expansion in vaccine research focusing on exploiting the novel discoveries on the pathophysiology, genomics, and molecular biology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Although the current preventive measures are primarily socially distancing by maintaining a 1 m distance, it is supplemented using facial masks and other personal hygiene measures. However, the induction of vaccines as primary prevention is crucial to eradicating the disease to attempt restoration to normalcy. This literature review aims to describe the physiology of the vaccines and how the spike protein is used as a target to elicit an antibody-dependent immune response in humans. Furthermore, the overview, dosing strategies, efficacy, and side effects will be discussed for the notable vaccines: BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Gamaleya, and SinoVac. In addition, the development of other prominent COVID-19 vaccines will be highlighted alongside the sustainability of the vaccine-mediated immune response and current contraindications. As the research is rapidly expanding, we have looked at the association between pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccinations, in addition to the current reviews on the mixing of vaccines. Finally, the prominent emerging variants of concern are described, and the efficacy of the notable vaccines toward these variants has been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Yap
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Abulhassan Ali
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Amogh Prabhakar
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Akul Prabhakar
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Aman Pal
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ying Yi Lim
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Pramath Kakodkar
- School of Medicine, National University of
Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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15
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SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (alpha) and B.1.351 (beta) variants induce pathogenic patterns in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice distinct from early strains. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6559. [PMID: 34772941 PMCID: PMC8589842 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26803-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 (alpha) and B.1.351 (beta) show increased transmissibility and enhanced antibody neutralization resistance. Here we demonstrate in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice that B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 are 100-fold more lethal than the original SARS-CoV-2 bearing 614D. B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 cause more severe organ lesions in K18-hACE2 mice than early SARS-CoV-2 strains bearing 614D or 614G, with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 infection resulting in distinct tissue-specific cytokine signatures, significant D-dimer depositions in vital organs and less pulmonary hypoxia signaling before death. However, K18-hACE2 mice with prior infection of early SARS-CoV-2 strains or intramuscular immunization of viral spike or receptor binding domain are resistant to the lethal reinfection of B.1.1.7 or B.1.351, despite having reduced neutralization titers against these VOC than early strains. Our results thus distinguish pathogenic patterns in K18-hACE2 mice caused by B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 infection from those induced by early SARS-CoV-2 strains, and help inform potential medical interventions for combating COVID-19. Mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains such as B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 have been termed variants of concerns (VoC) due to their enhanced virulence. Here the authors show, using K18-hACE2 transgenic mouse models, that these two VoCs are also more pathogenic in mice, and induce immunity and pathology distinct from those from the earlier variants.
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16
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Baker AN, Richards SJ, Pandey S, Guy CS, Ahmad A, Hasan M, Biggs CI, Georgiou PG, Zwetsloot AJ, Straube A, Dedola S, Field RA, Anderson NR, Walker M, Grammatopoulos D, Gibson MI. Glycan-Based Flow-Through Device for the Detection of SARS-COV-2. ACS Sens 2021; 6:3696-3705. [PMID: 34634204 PMCID: PMC8525701 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c01470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, and future pandemics, require diagnostic tools to track disease spread and guide the isolation of (a)symptomatic individuals. Lateral-flow diagnostics (LFDs) are rapid and of lower cost than molecular (genetic) tests, with current LFDs using antibodies as their recognition units. Herein, we develop a prototype flow-through device (related, but distinct to LFDs), utilizing N-acetyl neuraminic acid-functionalized, polymer-coated, gold nanoparticles as the detection/capture unit for SARS-COV-2, by targeting the sialic acid-binding site of the spike protein. The prototype device can give rapid results, with higher viral loads being faster than lower viral loads. The prototype's effectiveness is demonstrated using spike protein, lentiviral models, and a panel of heat-inactivated primary patient nasal swabs. The device was also shown to retain detection capability toward recombinant spike proteins from several variants (mutants) of concern. This study provides the proof of principle that glyco-lateral-flow devices could be developed to be used in the tracking monitoring of infectious agents, to complement, or as alternatives to antibody-based systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarojini Pandey
- Institute of Precision Diagnostics and Translational
Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS
Trust, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX,
U.K.
| | - Collette S. Guy
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- School of Life Sciences, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Ashfaq Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Warwick Medical School, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Muhammad Hasan
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Warwick Medical School, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Caroline I. Biggs
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | | | | | - Anne Straube
- Warwick Medical School, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Simone Dedola
- Iceni Diagnostics Ltd., Norwich
Research Park, Norwich NR4 7GJ, U.K.
| | - Robert A. Field
- Iceni Diagnostics Ltd., Norwich
Research Park, Norwich NR4 7GJ, U.K.
- Department of Chemistry and Manchester Institute of
Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN,
U.K.
| | - Neil R. Anderson
- Institute of Precision Diagnostics and Translational
Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS
Trust, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX,
U.K.
| | - Marc Walker
- Department of Physics, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Dimitris Grammatopoulos
- Warwick Medical School, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Institute of Precision Diagnostics and Translational
Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS
Trust, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX,
U.K.
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Warwick Medical School, University of
Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
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17
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Ramesh S, Govindarajulu M, Parise RS, Neel L, Shankar T, Patel S, Lowery P, Smith F, Dhanasekaran M, Moore T. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Review of Its Mutations, Its Implications and Vaccine Efficacy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1195. [PMID: 34696303 PMCID: PMC8537675 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread increase in multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants is causing a significant health concern in the United States and worldwide. These variants exhibit increased transmissibility, cause more severe disease, exhibit evasive immune properties, impair neutralization by antibodies from vaccinated individuals or convalescence sera, and reinfection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified SARS-CoV-2 variants into variants of interest, variants of concern, and variants of high consequence. Currently, four variants of concern (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and B.1.617.2) and several variants of interests (B.1.526, B.1.525, and P.2) are characterized and are essential for close monitoring. In this review, we discuss the different SARS-CoV-2 variants, emphasizing variants of concern circulating the world and highlight the various mutations and how these mutations affect the characteristics of the virus. In addition, we discuss the most common vaccines and the various studies concerning the efficacy of these vaccines against different variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Ramesh
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Manoj Govindarajulu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Rachel S. Parise
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Logan Neel
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Tharanath Shankar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru 560054, Karnataka, India;
| | - Shriya Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA;
| | - Payton Lowery
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Forrest Smith
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Timothy Moore
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (S.R.); (M.G.); (R.S.P.); (L.N.); (P.L.); (F.S.); (M.D.)
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18
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von Bartheld CS, Hagen MM, Butowt R. The D614G Virus Mutation Enhances Anosmia in COVID-19 Patients: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Studies from South Asia. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:3535-3549. [PMID: 34533304 PMCID: PMC8482322 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 varies greatly between populations. It is unclear whether such differences are due to factors at the level of the human host, or at the level of the coronavirus, or both. At the host level, the entry proteins which allow virus binding and entry have variants with distinct properties, and the frequency of such variants differs between ethnicities. At the level of the virus, the D614G mutation enhances virus entry to the host cell. Since the two virus strains (D614 and G614) coexisted in the first six months of the pandemic in most populations, it has been difficult to distinguish between contributions of the virus and contributions of the host for anosmia. To answer this question, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in South Asian populations when either the D614 or the G614 virus was dominant. We show that populations infected predominantly with the G614 virus had a much higher prevalence of anosmia (pooled prevalence of 31.8%) compared with the same ethnic populations infected mostly with the D614 virus strain (pooled anosmia prevalence of 5.3%). We conclude that the D614G mutation is a major contributing factor that increases the prevalence of anosmia in COVID-19, and that this enhanced effect on olfaction constitutes a previously unrecognized phenotype of the D614G mutation. The new virus strains that have additional mutations on the background of the D614G mutation can be expected to cause a similarly increased prevalence of chemosensory dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S. von Bartheld
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - Molly M. Hagen
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - Rafal Butowt
- L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
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19
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Volkan E. COVID-19: Structural Considerations for Virus Pathogenesis, Therapeutic Strategies and Vaccine Design in the Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variants Era. Mol Biotechnol 2021; 63:885-897. [PMID: 34145550 PMCID: PMC8213040 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00353-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 globally impacted the humanity causing tragic outcomes; costing millions of lives, destroying economies and demolishing public health infrastructures. The emergence of vaccines using various ingenious approaches in less than a year was deemed the light at the end of the tunnel. However, recent emergence of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in several parts of the world revealed that another hurdle is ahead in the fight against COVID-19. This review will highlight how SARS-CoV-2 mutations, creating different virus variants could potentially impact virus pathogenesis as well as different therapy approaches and vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ender Volkan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, via Mersin 10, 99258, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus, Turkey.
- Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, via Mersin 10, 99258, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus, Turkey.
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20
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Nörz D, Grunwald M, Tang HT, Olearo F, Günther T, Robitaille A, Fischer N, Grundhoff A, Aepfelbacher M, Pfefferle S, Lütgehetmann M. Rapid Automated Screening for SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 Lineage Variants (Delta/Kappa) through a Versatile Toolset of qPCR-Based SNP Detection. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1818. [PMID: 34679517 PMCID: PMC8534837 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11101818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recent emergence of distinct and highly successful SARS-CoV-2 lineages has substantial implications for individual patients and public health measures. While next-generation-sequencing is routinely performed for surveillance purposes, RT-qPCR can be used to rapidly rule-in or rule-out relevant variants, e.g., in outbreak scenarios. The objective of this study was to create an adaptable and comprehensive toolset for multiplexed Spike-gene SNP detection, which was applied to screen for SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 lineage variants. METHODS We created a broad set of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-assays including del-Y144/145, E484K, E484Q, P681H, P681R, L452R, and V1176F based on a highly specific multi-LNA (locked nucleic acid)-probe design to maximize mismatch discrimination. As proof-of-concept, a multiplex-test was compiled and validated (SCOV2-617VOC-UCT) including SNP-detection for L452R, P681R, E484K, and E484Q to provide rapid screening capabilities for the novel B.1.617 lineages. RESULTS For the multiplex-test (SCOV2-617VOC-UCT), the analytic lower limit of detection was determined as 182 IU/mL for L452R, 144 IU/mL for P681R, and 79 IU/mL for E484Q. A total of 233 clinical samples were tested with the assay, including various on-target and off-target sequences. All SNPs (179/179 positive) were correctly identified as determined by SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing. CONCLUSION The recurrence of SNP locations and flexibility of methodology presented in this study allows for rapid adaptation to current and future variants. Furthermore, the ability to multiplex various SNP-assays into screening panels improves speed and efficiency for variant testing. We show 100% concordance with whole genome sequencing for a B.1.617.2 screening assay on the cobas6800 high-throughput system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Nörz
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Moritz Grunwald
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Hui Ting Tang
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Flaminia Olearo
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Thomas Günther
- Virus Genomics, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (T.G.); (A.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexis Robitaille
- Virus Genomics, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (T.G.); (A.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Nicole Fischer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Adam Grundhoff
- Virus Genomics, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (T.G.); (A.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Martin Aepfelbacher
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Susanne Pfefferle
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (D.N.); (M.G.); (H.T.T.); (F.O.); (N.F.); (M.A.); (S.P.)
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21
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Jaworski E, Langsjoen RM, Mitchell B, Judy B, Newman P, Plante JA, Plante KS, Miller AL, Zhou Y, Swetnam D, Sotcheff S, Morris V, Saada N, Machado RR, McConnell A, Widen SG, Thompson J, Dong J, Ren P, Pyles RB, Ksiazek TG, Menachery VD, Weaver SC, Routh AL. Tiled-ClickSeq for targeted sequencing of complete coronavirus genomes with simultaneous capture of RNA recombination and minority variants. eLife 2021; 10:68479. [PMID: 34581669 PMCID: PMC8478411 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput genomics of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to characterize virus evolution and to identify adaptations that affect pathogenicity or transmission. While single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) are commonly considered as driving virus adaption, RNA recombination events that delete or insert nucleic acid sequences are also critical. Whole genome targeting sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 is typically achieved using pairs of primers to generate cDNA amplicons suitable for next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, paired-primer approaches impose constraints on where primers can be designed, how many amplicons are synthesized and requires multiple PCR reactions with non-overlapping primer pools. This imparts sensitivity to underlying SNVs and fails to resolve RNA recombination junctions that are not flanked by primer pairs. To address these limitations, we have designed an approach called ‘Tiled-ClickSeq’, which uses hundreds of tiled-primers spaced evenly along the virus genome in a single reverse-transcription reaction. The other end of the cDNA amplicon is generated by azido-nucleotides that stochastically terminate cDNA synthesis, removing the need for a paired-primer. A sequencing adaptor containing a Unique Molecular Identifier (UMI) is appended to the cDNA fragment using click-chemistry and a PCR reaction generates a final NGS library. Tiled-ClickSeq provides complete genome coverage, including the 5’UTR, at high depth and specificity to the virus on both Illumina and Nanopore NGS platforms. Here, we analyze multiple SARS-CoV-2 isolates and clinical samples to simultaneously characterize minority variants, sub-genomic mRNAs (sgmRNAs), structural variants (SVs) and D-RNAs. Tiled-ClickSeq therefore provides a convenient and robust platform for SARS-CoV-2 genomics that captures the full range of RNA species in a single, simple assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Jaworski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,ClickSeq Technologies LLC, Galveston, United States
| | - Rose M Langsjoen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Brooke Mitchell
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Barbara Judy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Patrick Newman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Jessica A Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Kenneth S Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Aaron L Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Yiyang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Daniele Swetnam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Stephanea Sotcheff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Victoria Morris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Nehad Saada
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Rafael Rg Machado
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Allan McConnell
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Steven G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Next-Generation Sequencing Core, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Jill Thompson
- Next-Generation Sequencing Core, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Jianli Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Rick B Pyles
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Thomas G Ksiazek
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Scott C Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Andrew L Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States.,Sealy Centre for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
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22
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OmniSARS2: A Highly Sensitive and Specific RT-qPCR-Based COVID-19 Diagnostic Method Designed to Withstand SARS-CoV-2 Lineage Evolution. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101314. [PMID: 34680431 PMCID: PMC8533632 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the generation of thousands of mutations within its genome. While several of these become rare, others largely increase in prevalence, potentially jeopardizing the sensitivity of PCR-based diagnostics. Taking advantage of SARS-CoV-2 genomic knowledge, we designed a one-step probe-based multiplex RT-qPCR (OmniSARS2) to simultaneously detect short fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in ORF1ab, E gene and S gene. Comparative genomics of the most common SARS-CoV-2 lineages, other human betacoronavirus and alphacoronavirus, was the basis for this design, targeting both highly conserved regions across SARS-CoV-2 lineages and variable or absent in other Coronaviridae viruses. The highest analytical sensitivity of this method for SARS-CoV-2 detection was 94.2 copies/mL at 95% detection probability (~1 copy per total reaction volume) for the S gene assay, matching the most sensitive available methods. In vitro specificity tests, performed using reference strains, showed no cross-reactivity with other human coronavirus or common pathogens. The method was compared with commercially available methods and detected the virus in clinical samples encompassing different SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including B.1, B.1.1, B.1.177 or B.1.1.7 and rarer lineages. OmniSARS2 revealed a sensitive and specific viral detection method that is less likely to be affected by lineage evolution oligonucleotide–sample mismatch, of relevance to ensure the accuracy of COVID-19 molecular diagnostic methods.
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23
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Long S. SARS-CoV-2 Subgenomic RNAs: Characterization, Utility, and Perspectives. Viruses 2021; 13:1923. [PMID: 34696353 PMCID: PMC8539008 DOI: 10.3390/v13101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent at the root of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, harbors a large RNA genome from which a tiered ensemble of subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) is generated. Comprehensive definition and investigation of these RNA products are important for understanding SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. This review summarizes the recent progress on SARS-CoV-2 sgRNA identification, characterization, and application as a viral replication marker. The significance of these findings and potential future research areas of interest are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Long
- Independent Researcher, Clarksburg, MD 20871, USA
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24
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Auth J, Fröba M, Große M, Rauch P, Ruetalo N, Schindler M, Morokutti-Kurz M, Graf P, Dolischka A, Prieschl-Grassauer E, Setz C, Schubert U. Lectin from Triticum vulgaris (WGA) Inhibits Infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Its Variants of Concern Alpha and Beta. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910205. [PMID: 34638545 PMCID: PMC8508056 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Even in the face of global vaccination campaigns, there is still an urgent need for effective antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 and its rapidly spreading variants. Several natural compounds show potential as antiviral substances and have the advantages of broad availabilities and large therapeutic windows. Here, we report that lectin from Triticum vulgaris (Wheat Germ Agglutinin) displays antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its major Variants of Concern (VoC), Alpha and Beta. In Vero B4 cells, WGA potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection with an IC50 of <10 ng/mL. WGA is effective upon preincubation with the virus or when added during infection. Pull-down assays demonstrate direct binding of WGA to SARS-CoV-2, further strengthening the hypothesis that inhibition of viral entry by neutralizing free virions might be the mode of action behind its antiviral effect. Furthermore, WGA exhibits antiviral activity against human coronavirus OC43, but not against other non-coronaviruses causing respiratory tract infections. Finally, WGA inhibits infection of the lung cell line Calu-3 with wild type and VoC viruses with comparable IC50 values. Altogether, our data indicate that topical administration of WGA might be effective for prophylaxis or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Auth
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.A.); (M.F.); (M.G.); (P.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Maria Fröba
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.A.); (M.F.); (M.G.); (P.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Maximilian Große
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.A.); (M.F.); (M.G.); (P.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Pia Rauch
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.A.); (M.F.); (M.G.); (P.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Natalia Ruetalo
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael Schindler
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Philipp Graf
- Marinomed Biotech AG, 2100 Korneuburg, Austria; (M.M.-K.); (P.G.); (A.D.); (E.P.-G.)
| | - Andrea Dolischka
- Marinomed Biotech AG, 2100 Korneuburg, Austria; (M.M.-K.); (P.G.); (A.D.); (E.P.-G.)
| | | | - Christian Setz
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.A.); (M.F.); (M.G.); (P.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Ulrich Schubert
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.A.); (M.F.); (M.G.); (P.R.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8526-478
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25
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Carcereny A, Martínez-Velázquez A, Bosch A, Allende A, Truchado P, Cascales J, Romalde JL, Lois M, Polo D, Sánchez G, Pérez-Cataluña A, Díaz-Reolid A, Antón A, Gregori J, Garcia-Cehic D, Quer J, Palau M, Ruano CG, Pintó RM, Guix S. Monitoring Emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant through the Spanish National SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance System (VATar COVID-19). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:11756-11766. [PMID: 34397216 PMCID: PMC8404293 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Since its first identification in the United Kingdom in late 2020, the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has become dominant in several countries raising great concern. We developed a duplex real-time RT-qPCR assay to detect, discriminate, and quantitate SARS-CoV-2 variants containing one of its mutation signatures, the ΔHV69/70 deletion, and used it to trace the community circulation of the B.1.1.7 variant in Spain through the Spanish National SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance System (VATar COVID-19). The B.1.1.7 variant was detected earlier than clinical epidemiological reporting by the local authorities, first in the southern city of Málaga (Andalucía) in week 20_52 (year_week), and multiple introductions during Christmas holidays were inferred in different parts of the country. Wastewater-based B.1.1.7 tracking showed a good correlation with clinical data and provided information at the local level. Data from wastewater treatment plants, which reached B.1.1.7 prevalences higher than 90% for ≥2 consecutive weeks showed that 8.1 ± 2.0 weeks were required for B.1.1.7 to become dominant. The study highlights the applicability of RT-qPCR-based strategies to track specific mutations of variants of concern as soon as they are identified by clinical sequencing and their integration into existing wastewater surveillance programs, as a cost-effective approach to complement clinical testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Carcereny
- Enteric
Virus laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics,
Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Research
Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona, Santa
Coloma de Gramenet 08921, Spain
| | - Adán Martínez-Velázquez
- Enteric
Virus laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics,
Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Research
Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona, Santa
Coloma de Gramenet 08921, Spain
| | - Albert Bosch
- Enteric
Virus laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics,
Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Research
Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona, Santa
Coloma de Gramenet 08921, Spain
| | - Ana Allende
- Research
Group on Microbiology and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Pilar Truchado
- Research
Group on Microbiology and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Jenifer Cascales
- Research
Group on Microbiology and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Jesús L Romalde
- Department
of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology & Institute
CRETUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Marta Lois
- Department
of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology & Institute
CRETUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - David Polo
- Department
of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology & Institute
CRETUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Gloria Sánchez
- Department
of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, IATA-CSIC, Paterna 46980, Spain
| | - Alba Pérez-Cataluña
- Department
of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, IATA-CSIC, Paterna 46980, Spain
| | - Azahara Díaz-Reolid
- Department
of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, IATA-CSIC, Paterna 46980, Spain
| | - Andrés Antón
- Microbiology
Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut
de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital
Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Josep Gregori
- Liver
Unit, Liver Diseases - Viral Hepatitis, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas
y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud
Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Damir Garcia-Cehic
- Liver
Unit, Liver Diseases - Viral Hepatitis, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas
y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud
Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Josep Quer
- Liver
Unit, Liver Diseases - Viral Hepatitis, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas
y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud
Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Margarita Palau
- General
Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Madrid 28014, Spain
| | - Cristina González Ruano
- Subdirección
General de Protección de las Aguas y Gestión de Riesgos,
Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, Madrid 28071, Spain
| | - Rosa M Pintó
- Enteric
Virus laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics,
Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Research
Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona, Santa
Coloma de Gramenet 08921, Spain
| | - Susana Guix
- Enteric
Virus laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics,
Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Research
Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona, Santa
Coloma de Gramenet 08921, Spain
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26
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Zelyas N, Pabbaraju K, Croxen MA, Lynch T, Buss E, Murphy SA, Shokoples S, Wong A, Kanji JN, Tipples G. Precision Response to the Rise of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant of Concern by Combining Novel PCR Assays and Genome Sequencing for Rapid Variant Detection and Surveillance. Microbiol Spectr 2021. [PMID: 34378966 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00315-21/suppl_file/reviewer-comments.pdf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged as a global threat to the COVID-19 pandemic response. We implemented a combined approach to quickly detect known VOCs while continuously monitoring for evolving mutations of the virus. To rapidly detect VOCs, two real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assays were designed and implemented, targeting the spike gene H69/V70 deletion and the N501Y mutation. The H69/V70 deletion and N501Y mutation assays demonstrated accuracies of 98.3% (95% CI 93.8 to 99.8) and 100% (95% CI 96.8 to 100), limits of detection of 1,089 and 294 copies/ml, and percent coefficients of variation of 0.08 to 1.16% and 0 to 2.72% for the two gene targets, respectively. No cross-reactivity with common respiratory pathogens was observed with either assay. Implementation of these tests allowed the swift escalation in testing for VOCs from 2.2% to ∼100% of all SARS-CoV-2-positive samples over 12 January to 9 February 2021, and resulted in the detection of a rapid rise of B.1.1.7 cases within the province of Alberta, Canada. A prospective comparison of the VOC assays to genome sequencing for the detection of B.1.1.7, combined detection of P.1 and B.1.351, and wild-type (i.e., non-VOC) lineages showed sensitivities of 98.2 to 100%, specificities of 98.9 to 100%, positive predictive values of 76.9% to 100%, and negative predictive values of 96 to 100%. Variant screening results inform sampling strategies for regular surveillance by genome sequencing, thus allowing rapid identification of known VOCs while continuously monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the province. IMPORTANCE Different strains, or variants, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19) have emerged that have higher levels of transmission, less susceptibility to our immune response, and possibly cause more severe disease than previous strains of the virus. Rapid detection of these variants of concern is important to help contain them and prevent them from spreading widely within the population. This study describes two newly developed tests that are able to identify and differentiate the variants of concern from regular strains of SARS-CoV-2. These tests are faster and simpler than the main, gold standard method of identifying variants of concern (genome sequencing). These tests also demonstrated a high correlation with genome sequencing and allowed for the rapid and accurate detection of the rise of B.1.1.7 (one of the variants of concern) in the province of Alberta, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Zelyas
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kanti Pabbaraju
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthew A Croxen
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tarah Lynch
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Emily Buss
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Murphy
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandy Shokoples
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anita Wong
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jamil N Kanji
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Graham Tipples
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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27
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Jaworski E, Langsjoen RM, Mitchell B, Judy B, Newman P, Plante JA, Plante KS, Miller AL, Zhou Y, Swetnam D, Sotcheff S, Morris V, Saada N, Machado R, McConnell A, Widen S, Thompson J, Dong J, Ren P, Pyles RB, Ksiazek T, Menachery VD, Weaver SC, Routh A. Tiled-ClickSeq for targeted sequencing of complete coronavirus genomes with simultaneous capture of RNA recombination and minority variants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.03.10.434828. [PMID: 33758846 PMCID: PMC7987005 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.10.434828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput genomics of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to characterize virus evolution and to identify adaptations that affect pathogenicity or transmission. While single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) are commonly considered as driving virus adaption, RNA recombination events that delete or insert nucleic acid sequences are also critical. Whole genome targeting sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 is typically achieved using pairs of primers to generate cDNA amplicons suitable for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). However, paired-primer approaches impose constraints on where primers can be designed, how many amplicons are synthesized and requires multiple PCR reactions with non-overlapping primer pools. This imparts sensitivity to underlying SNVs and fails to resolve RNA recombination junctions that are not flanked by primer pairs. To address these limitations, we have designed an approach called 'Tiled-ClickSeq', which uses hundreds of tiled-primers spaced evenly along the virus genome in a single reverse-transcription reaction. The other end of the cDNA amplicon is generated by azido-nucleotides that stochastically terminate cDNA synthesis, removing the need for a paired-primer. A sequencing adaptor containing a Unique Molecular Identifier (UMI) is appended to the cDNA fragment using click-chemistry and a PCR reaction generates a final NGS library. Tiled-ClickSeq provides complete genome coverage, including the 5'UTR, at high depth and specificity to the virus on both Illumina and Nanopore NGS platforms. Here, we analyze multiple SARS-CoV-2 isolates and clinical samples to simultaneously characterize minority variants, sub-genomic mRNAs (sgmRNAs), structural variants (SVs) and D-RNAs. Tiled-ClickSeq therefore provides a convenient and robust platform for SARS-CoV-2 genomics that captures the full range of RNA species in a single, simple assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Jaworski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- ClickSeq Technologies LLC, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rose M. Langsjoen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Brooke Mitchell
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Barbara Judy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Patrick Newman
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Aaron L. Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Yiyang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Daniele Swetnam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Stephanea Sotcheff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Victoria Morris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nehad Saada
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rafael Machado
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Allan McConnell
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Steve Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Next-Generation Sequencing Core, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jill Thompson
- Next-Generation Sequencing Core, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jianli Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rick B. Pyles
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Ksiazek
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Vineet D. Menachery
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Centre for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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28
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Brejová B, Boršová K, Hodorová V, Čabanová V, Reizigová L, Paul ED, Čekan P, Klempa B, Nosek J, Vinař T. A SARS-CoV-2 mutant from B.1.258 lineage with ∆H69/∆V70 deletion in the Spike protein circulating in Central Europe in the fall 2020. Virus Genes 2021; 57:556-560. [PMID: 34448987 PMCID: PMC8390540 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-021-01866-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 mutants carrying the ∆H69/∆V70 deletion in the amino-terminal domain of the Spike protein emerged independently in at least six lineages of the virus (namely, B.1.1.7, B.1.1.298, B.1.160, B.1.177, B.1.258, B.1.375). We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 samples collected from various regions of Slovakia between November and December 2020 that were presumed to contain B.1.1.7 variant due to drop-out of the Spike gene target in an RT-qPCR test caused by this deletion. Sequencing of these samples revealed that although in some cases the samples were indeed confirmed as B.1.1.7, a substantial fraction of samples contained another ∆H69/∆V70 carrying mutant belonging to the lineage B.1.258, which has been circulating in Central Europe since August 2020, long before the import of B.1.1.7. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the early sublineage of B.1.258 acquired the N439K substitution in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the Spike protein and, later on, also the deletion ∆H69/∆V70 in the Spike N-terminal domain (NTD). This variant was particularly common in several European countries including the Czech Republic and Slovakia but has been quickly replaced by B.1.1.7 early in 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Broňa Brejová
- Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Kristína Boršová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Hodorová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Čabanová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lenka Reizigová
- Regional Authority of Public Health, Trenčín, Slovak Republic
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Healthcare and Social Work, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovak Republic
| | - Evan D Paul
- MultiplexDX, s.r.o., Comenius University in Bratislava Science Park, Ilkovičova 8, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Pavol Čekan
- MultiplexDX, s.r.o., Comenius University in Bratislava Science Park, Ilkovičova 8, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Tomáš Vinař
- Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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29
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Kraemer MUG, Hill V, Ruis C, Dellicour S, Bajaj S, McCrone JT, Baele G, Parag KV, Battle AL, Gutierrez B, Jackson B, Colquhoun R, O'Toole Á, Klein B, Vespignani A, Volz E, Faria NR, Aanensen DM, Loman NJ, du Plessis L, Cauchemez S, Rambaut A, Scarpino SV, Pybus OG. Spatiotemporal invasion dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 emergence. Science 2021; 373:889-895. [PMID: 34301854 PMCID: PMC9269003 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the causes and consequences of the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern is crucial to pandemic control yet difficult to achieve because they arise in the context of variable human behavior and immunity. We investigated the spatial invasion dynamics of lineage B.1.1.7 by jointly analyzing UK human mobility, virus genomes, and community-based polymerase chain reaction data. We identified a multistage spatial invasion process in which early B.1.1.7 growth rates were associated with mobility and asymmetric lineage export from a dominant source location, enhancing the effects of B.1.1.7's increased intrinsic transmissibility. We further explored how B.1.1.7 spread was shaped by nonpharmaceutical interventions and spatial variation in previous attack rates. Our findings show that careful accounting of the behavioral and epidemiological context within which variants of concern emerge is necessary to interpret correctly their observed relative growth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz U G Kraemer
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Verity Hill
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher Ruis
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sumali Bajaj
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - John T McCrone
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Guy Baele
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris V Parag
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anya Lindström Battle
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bernardo Gutierrez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ben Jackson
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rachel Colquhoun
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Áine O'Toole
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brennan Klein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Alessandro Vespignani
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Erik Volz
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nuno R Faria
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - David M Aanensen
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas J Loman
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Louis du Plessis
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon Cauchemez
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Andrew Rambaut
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR2000, CNRS, Paris, France.
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Samuel V Scarpino
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- Vermont Complex Systems Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, USA
| | - Oliver G Pybus
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College London, London, UK
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30
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Singh J, Pandit P, McArthur AG, Banerjee A, Mossman K. Evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants. Virol J 2021; 18:166. [PMID: 34389034 PMCID: PMC8361246 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01633-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and more recently, the independent evolution of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants has generated renewed interest in virus evolution and cross-species transmission. While all known human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are speculated to have originated in animals, very little is known about their evolutionary history and factors that enable some CoVs to co-exist with humans as low pathogenic and endemic infections (HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1), while others, such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have evolved to cause severe disease. In this review, we highlight the origins of all known HCoVs and map positively selected for mutations within HCoV proteins to discuss the evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we discuss emerging mutations within SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern (VOC), along with highlighting the demonstrated or speculated impact of these mutations on virus transmission, pathogenicity, and neutralization by natural or vaccine-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalen Singh
- School of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Pranav Pandit
- EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics, One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Andrew G McArthur
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Arinjay Banerjee
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
| | - Karen Mossman
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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31
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Malladi S, Patel UR, Rajmani RS, Singh R, Pandey S, Kumar S, Khaleeq S, van Vuren PJ, Riddell S, Goldie S, Gayathri S, Chakraborty D, Kalita P, Pramanick I, Agarwal N, Reddy P, Girish N, Upadhyaya A, Khan MS, Kanjo K, Bhat M, Mani S, Bhattacharyya S, Siddiqui S, Tyagi A, Jha S, Pandey R, Tripathi S, Dutta S, McAuley AJ, Singanallur N, Vasan SS, Ringe RP, Varadarajan R. Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of a Highly Thermotolerant, Trimeric SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain Derivative. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2546-2564. [PMID: 34260218 PMCID: PMC8996237 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. We designed a trimeric, highly thermotolerant glycan engineered RBD by fusion to a heterologous, poorly immunogenic disulfide linked trimerization domain derived from cartilage matrix protein. The protein expressed at a yield of ∼80-100 mg/L in transiently transfected Expi293 cells, as well as CHO and HEK293 stable cell lines and formed homogeneous disulfide-linked trimers. When lyophilized, these possessed remarkable functional stability to transient thermal stress of up to 100 °C and were stable to long-term storage of over 4 weeks at 37 °C unlike an alternative RBD-trimer with a different trimerization domain. Two intramuscular immunizations with a human-compatible SWE adjuvanted formulation elicited antibodies with pseudoviral neutralizing titers in guinea pigs and mice that were 25-250 fold higher than corresponding values in human convalescent sera. Against the beta (B.1.351) variant of concern (VOC), pseudoviral neutralization titers for RBD trimer were ∼3-fold lower than against wildtype B.1 virus. RBD was also displayed on a designed ferritin-like Msdps2 nanoparticle. This showed decreased yield and immunogenicity relative to trimeric RBD. Replicative virus neutralization assays using mouse sera demonstrated that antibodies induced by the trimers neutralized all four VOC to date, namely B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and B.1.617.2 without significant differences. Trimeric RBD immunized hamsters were protected from viral challenge. The excellent immunogenicity, thermotolerance, and high yield of these immunogens suggest that they are a promising modality to combat COVID-19, including all SARS-CoV-2 VOC to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer
Kumar Malladi
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Unnatiben Rajeshbhai Patel
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Raju S. Rajmani
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Randhir Singh
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Suman Pandey
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Sahil Kumar
- Virology
Unit, Institute of Microbial Technology,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Sara Khaleeq
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Petrus Jansen van Vuren
- Australian
Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shane Riddell
- Australian
Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Goldie
- Australian
Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia
| | - Savitha Gayathri
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Debajyoti Chakraborty
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Parismita Kalita
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Ishika Pramanick
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Nupur Agarwal
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Poorvi Reddy
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Nidhi Girish
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Aditya Upadhyaya
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Mohammad Suhail Khan
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Kawkab Kanjo
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Madhuraj Bhat
- Mynvax
Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Shailendra Mani
- Translational
Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Third Milestone, Gurugram-Faridabad
Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Sankar Bhattacharyya
- Translational
Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Third Milestone, Gurugram-Faridabad
Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Samreen Siddiqui
- Max Super
Speciality Hospital (A Unit of Devki Devi Foundation), Max Healthcare, Delhi 1100017, India
| | - Akansha Tyagi
- Max Super
Speciality Hospital (A Unit of Devki Devi Foundation), Max Healthcare, Delhi 1100017, India
| | - Sujeet Jha
- Max Super
Speciality Hospital (A Unit of Devki Devi Foundation), Max Healthcare, Delhi 1100017, India
| | - Rajesh Pandey
- Integrative
Genomics of Host-Pathogen (INGEN-HOPE) Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Shashank Tripathi
- Department
of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian
Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
- Centre
for Infectious Disease Research, Indian
Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Somnath Dutta
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Alexander J. McAuley
- Australian
Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nagendrakumar
Balasubramanian Singanallur
- Australian
Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seshadri S. Vasan
- Australian
Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia
- Department
of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Rajesh P. Ringe
- Virology
Unit, Institute of Microbial Technology,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Raghavan Varadarajan
- Molecular
Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute
of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
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32
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Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus (CoV), is known to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, and a number of non-respiratory complications, particularly in older male patients with prior health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. These prior health conditions are associated with vascular dysfunction, and the CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications include multiorgan failure and neurological problems. While the main route of entry into the body is inhalation, this virus has been found in many tissues, including the choroid plexus and meningeal vessels, and in neurons and CSF. MAIN BODY We reviewed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, ACE2 distribution and beneficial effects, the CNS vascular barriers, possible mechanisms by which the virus enters the brain, outlined prior health conditions (obesity, hypertension and diabetes), neurological COVID-19 manifestation and the aging cerebrovascualture. The overall aim is to provide the general reader with a breadth of information on this type of virus and the wide distribution of its main receptor so as to better understand the significance of neurological complications, uniqueness of the brain, and the pre-existing medical conditions that affect brain. The main issue is that there is no sound evidence for large flux of SARS-CoV-2 into brain, at present, compared to its invasion of the inhalation pathways. CONCLUSIONS While SARS-CoV-2 is detected in brains from severely infected patients, it is unclear on how it gets there. There is no sound evidence of SARS-CoV-2 flux into brain to significantly contribute to the overall outcomes once the respiratory system is invaded by the virus. The consensus, based on the normal route of infection and presence of SARS-CoV-2 in severely infected patients, is that the olfactory mucosa is a possible route into brain. Studies are needed to demonstrate flux of SARS-CoV-2 into brain, and its replication in the parenchyma to demonstrate neuroinvasion. It is possible that the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are a consequence of mainly cardio-respiratory distress and multiorgan failure. Understanding potential SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion pathways could help to better define the non-respiratory neurological manifestation of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor McQuaid
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, URMC, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Molly Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, URMC, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Rashid Deane
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, URMC, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
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33
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Salleh MZ, Derrick JP, Deris ZZ. Structural Evaluation of the Spike Glycoprotein Variants on SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Immune Evasion. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7425. [PMID: 34299045 PMCID: PMC8306177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents significant social, economic and political challenges worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 3.5 million deaths since late 2019. Mutations in the spike (S) glycoprotein are of particular concern because it harbours the domain which recognises the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and is the target for neutralising antibodies. Mutations in the S protein may induce alterations in the surface spike structures, changing the conformational B-cell epitopes and leading to a potential reduction in vaccine efficacy. Here, we summarise how the more important variants of SARS-CoV-2, which include cluster 5, lineages B.1.1.7 (Alpha variant), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (B.1.1.28/Gamma), B.1.427/B.1.429 (Epsilon), B.1.526 (Iota) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) confer mutations in their respective spike proteins which enhance viral fitness by improving binding affinity to the ACE2 receptor and lead to an increase in infectivity and transmission. We further discuss how these spike protein mutations provide resistance against immune responses, either acquired naturally or induced by vaccination. This information will be valuable in guiding the development of vaccines and other therapeutics for protection against the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Zulkifli Salleh
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia;
| | - Jeremy P. Derrick
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
| | - Zakuan Zainy Deris
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia;
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34
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Bhattarai N, Baral P, Gerstman BS, Chapagain PP. Structural and Dynamical Differences in the Spike Protein RBD in the SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:7101-7107. [PMID: 34110159 PMCID: PMC8204914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c01626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic that started in late 2019 is responsible for hundreds of millions of cases worldwide and millions of fatalities. Though vaccines are available, the virus is mutating to form new strains among which are the variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 that demonstrate increased transmissivity and infectivity. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to explore the role of the mutations in the interaction of the virus spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) with the host receptor ACE2. We find that the hydrogen bond networks are rearranged in the variants and also that new hydrogen bonds are established between the RBD and ACE2 as a result of mutations. We investigated three variants: the wild-type (WT), B.1.1.7, and B.1.351. We find that the B.1.351 variant (also known as 501Y.V2) shows larger flexibility in the RBD loop segment involving residue K484, yet the RBD-ACE2 complex shows higher stability. Mutations that allow a more flexible interface that can result in a more stable complex may be a factor contributing to the increased infectivity of the mutated variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Bhattarai
- Department of Physics, Florida
International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United
States
| | - Prabin Baral
- Department of Physics, Florida
International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United
States
| | - Bernard S. Gerstman
- Department of Physics, Florida
International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United
States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida
International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United
States
| | - Prem P. Chapagain
- Department of Physics, Florida
International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United
States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida
International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United
States
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35
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Greaney AJ, Starr TN, Barnes CO, Weisblum Y, Schmidt F, Caskey M, Gaebler C, Cho A, Agudelo M, Finkin S, Wang Z, Poston D, Muecksch F, Hatziioannou T, Bieniasz PD, Robbiani DF, Nussenzweig MC, Bjorkman PJ, Bloom JD. Mapping mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD that escape binding by different classes of antibodies. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4196. [PMID: 34234131 PMCID: PMC8263750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies targeting a variety of epitopes have been isolated from individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, but the relative contributions of these different antibody classes to the polyclonal response remains unclear. Here we use a yeast-display system to map all mutations to the viral spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) that escape binding by representatives of three potently neutralizing classes of anti-RBD antibodies with high-resolution structures. We compare the antibody-escape maps to similar maps for convalescent polyclonal plasmas, including plasmas from individuals from whom some of the antibodies were isolated. While the binding of polyclonal plasma antibodies are affected by mutations across multiple RBD epitopes, the plasma-escape maps most resemble those of a single class of antibodies that target an epitope on the RBD that includes site E484. Therefore, although the human immune system can produce antibodies that target diverse RBD epitopes, in practice the polyclonal response to infection is skewed towards a single class of antibodies targeting an epitope that is already undergoing rapid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Greaney
- Basic Sciences Division and Computational Biology Program, 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 and Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Christopher O Barnes
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Yiska Weisblum
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fabian Schmidt
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marina Caskey
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Gaebler
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alice Cho
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marianna Agudelo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shlomo Finkin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zijun Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Poston
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frauke Muecksch
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Paul D Bieniasz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Davide F Robbiani
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Universita della Svizzera italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michel C Nussenzweig
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jesse D Bloom
- Basic Sciences Division and Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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36
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Harvey WT, Carabelli AM, Jackson B, Gupta RK, Thomson EC, Harrison EM, Ludden C, Reeve R, Rambaut A, Peacock SJ, Robertson DL. SARS-CoV-2 variants, spike mutations and immune escape. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:409-424. [PMID: 34075212 PMCID: PMC8167834 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00573-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2130] [Impact Index Per Article: 710.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although most mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome are expected to be either deleterious and swiftly purged or relatively neutral, a small proportion will affect functional properties and may alter infectivity, disease severity or interactions with host immunity. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 was followed by a period of relative evolutionary stasis lasting about 11 months. Since late 2020, however, SARS-CoV-2 evolution has been characterized by the emergence of sets of mutations, in the context of 'variants of concern', that impact virus characteristics, including transmissibility and antigenicity, probably in response to the changing immune profile of the human population. There is emerging evidence of reduced neutralization of some SARS-CoV-2 variants by postvaccination serum; however, a greater understanding of correlates of protection is required to evaluate how this may impact vaccine effectiveness. Nonetheless, manufacturers are preparing platforms for a possible update of vaccine sequences, and it is crucial that surveillance of genetic and antigenic changes in the global virus population is done alongside experiments to elucidate the phenotypic impacts of mutations. In this Review, we summarize the literature on mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the primary antigen, focusing on their impacts on antigenicity and contextualizing them in the protein structure, and discuss them in the context of observed mutation frequencies in global sequence datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Harvey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Ben Jackson
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ravindra K Gupta
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emma C Thomson
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ewan M Harrison
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Richard Reeve
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew Rambaut
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | |
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37
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Harvey WT, Carabelli AM, Jackson B, Gupta RK, Thomson EC, Harrison EM, Ludden C, Reeve R, Rambaut A, Peacock SJ, Robertson DL. SARS-CoV-2 variants, spike mutations and immune escape. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:409-424. [PMID: 34075212 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00573-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Although most mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome are expected to be either deleterious and swiftly purged or relatively neutral, a small proportion will affect functional properties and may alter infectivity, disease severity or interactions with host immunity. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 was followed by a period of relative evolutionary stasis lasting about 11 months. Since late 2020, however, SARS-CoV-2 evolution has been characterized by the emergence of sets of mutations, in the context of 'variants of concern', that impact virus characteristics, including transmissibility and antigenicity, probably in response to the changing immune profile of the human population. There is emerging evidence of reduced neutralization of some SARS-CoV-2 variants by postvaccination serum; however, a greater understanding of correlates of protection is required to evaluate how this may impact vaccine effectiveness. Nonetheless, manufacturers are preparing platforms for a possible update of vaccine sequences, and it is crucial that surveillance of genetic and antigenic changes in the global virus population is done alongside experiments to elucidate the phenotypic impacts of mutations. In this Review, we summarize the literature on mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the primary antigen, focusing on their impacts on antigenicity and contextualizing them in the protein structure, and discuss them in the context of observed mutation frequencies in global sequence datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Harvey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Ben Jackson
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ravindra K Gupta
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emma C Thomson
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ewan M Harrison
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Richard Reeve
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew Rambaut
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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38
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Lassaunière R, Fonager J, Rasmussen M, Frische A, Polacek C, Rasmussen TB, Lohse L, Belsham GJ, Underwood A, Winckelmann AA, Bollerup S, Bukh J, Weis N, Sækmose SG, Aagaard B, Alfaro-Núñez A, Mølbak K, Bøtner A, Fomsgaard A. In vitro Characterization of Fitness and Convalescent Antibody Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Cluster 5 Variant Emerging in Mink at Danish Farms. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:698944. [PMID: 34248922 PMCID: PMC8267889 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.698944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to humans, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can transmit to animals that include hamsters, cats, dogs, mink, ferrets, tigers, lions, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, and treeshrew. Among these, mink are particularly susceptible. Indeed, 10 countries in Europe and North America reported SARS-CoV-2 infection among mink on fur farms. In Denmark, SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly among mink farms and spilled-over back into humans, acquiring mutations/deletions with unknown consequences for virulence and antigenicity. Here we describe a mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variant (Cluster 5) characterized by 11 amino acid substitutions and four amino acid deletions relative to Wuhan-Hu-1. Temporal virus titration, together with genomic and subgenomic viral RNA quantitation, demonstrated a modest in vitro fitness attenuation of the Cluster 5 virus in the Vero-E6 cell line. Potential alterations in antigenicity conferred by amino acid changes in the spike protein that include three substitutions (Y453F, I692V, and M1229I) and a loss of two amino acid residues 69 and 70 (ΔH69/V70), were evaluated in a virus microneutralization assay. Compared to a reference strain, the Cluster 5 variant showed reduced neutralization in a proportion of convalescent human COVID-19 samples. The findings underscore the need for active surveillance SARS-CoV-2 infection and virus evolution in susceptible animal hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Lassaunière
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannik Fonager
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Rasmussen
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Frische
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotta Polacek
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bruun Rasmussen
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Lohse
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Graham J Belsham
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Underwood
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anni Assing Winckelmann
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Bollerup
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nina Weis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Bitten Aagaard
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kåre Mølbak
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Division of Infectious Diseases Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anette Bøtner
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Fomsgaard
- Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kim Y, Kim EJ, Lee SW, Kwon D. Review of the early reports of the epidemiological characteristics of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 and its spread worldwide. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2021; 12:139-148. [PMID: 34218651 PMCID: PMC8256300 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The variant B.1.1.7 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the RNA virus causing the pandemic more than a year worldwide, was reported from United Kingdom (UK) in late December 2020. It was reported that mortality increases by 65% and transmissibility increases by 70%, which may result in an increase of reproduction number to 1.13-1.55 from 0.75-0.85. To analyze the global increasing trend of the variant B.1.1.7, we extracted results of B.1.1.7 from GISAID on May 11 and May 12, 2021, and conducted a doseresponse regression. It took 47 days to reach 20% and 121 days to reach 50% among the sequence submitted from UK. In Korea, cases of B.1.1.7 have increased since the first report of three cases on December 28, 2020. Positive rate of B.1.1.7 in Korea was 21.6% in the week from May 9 to May 15, 2021. Detection rate of the variants is expected to increase further and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging, so a close monitoring and control would be maintained for months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonju Kim
- Division of Public Health Emergency Response Research, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Kim
- Division of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Director General for Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Donghyok Kwon
- Division of Public Health Emergency Response Research, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
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40
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Lazarevic I, Pravica V, Miljanovic D, Cupic M. Immune Evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Emerging Variants: What Have We Learnt So Far? Viruses 2021; 13:1192. [PMID: 34206453 PMCID: PMC8310325 DOI: 10.3390/v13071192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the slow evolutionary rate of SARS-CoV-2 relative to other RNA viruses, its massive and rapid transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled it to acquire significant genetic diversity since it first entered the human population. This led to the emergence of numerous variants, some of them recently being labeled "variants of concern" (VOC), due to their potential impact on transmission, morbidity/mortality, and the evasion of neutralization by antibodies elicited by infection, vaccination, or therapeutic application. The potential to evade neutralization is the result of diversity of the target epitopes generated by the accumulation of mutations in the spike protein. While three globally recognized VOCs (Alpha or B.1.1.7, Beta or B.1.351, and Gamma or P.1) remain sensitive to neutralization albeit at reduced levels by the sera of convalescent individuals and recipients of several anti-COVID19 vaccines, the effect of spike variability is much more evident on the neutralization capacity of monoclonal antibodies. The newly recognized VOC Delta or lineage B.1.617.2, as well as locally accepted VOCs (Epsilon or B.1.427/29-US and B1.1.7 with the E484K-UK) are indicating the necessity of close monitoring of new variants on a global level. The VOCs characteristics, their mutational patterns, and the role mutations play in immune evasion are summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Lazarevic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.P.); (D.M.); (M.C.)
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41
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Trinité B, Pradenas E, Marfil S, Rovirosa C, Urrea V, Tarrés-Freixas F, Ortiz R, Rodon J, Vergara-Alert J, Segalés J, Guallar V, Lepore R, Izquierdo-Useros N, Trujillo G, Trapé J, González-Fernández C, Flor A, Pérez-Vidal R, Toledo R, Chamorro A, Paredes R, Blanco I, Grau E, Massanella M, Carrillo J, Clotet B, Blanco J. Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increases B.1.1.7 Cross-Neutralization by Vaccinated Individuals. Viruses 2021; 13:1135. [PMID: 34204754 PMCID: PMC8231627 DOI: 10.3390/v13061135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With the spread of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there is a need to assess the protection conferred by both previous infections and current vaccination. Here we tested the neutralizing activity of infected and/or vaccinated individuals against pseudoviruses expressing the spike of the original SARS-CoV-2 isolate Wuhan-Hu-1 (WH1), the D614G mutant and the B.1.1.7 variant. Our data show that parameters of natural infection (time from infection and nature of the infecting variant) determined cross-neutralization. Uninfected vaccinees showed a small reduction in neutralization against the B.1.1.7 variant compared to both the WH1 strain and the D614G mutant. Interestingly, upon vaccination, previously infected individuals developed more robust neutralizing responses against B.1.1.7, suggesting that vaccines can boost the neutralization breadth conferred by natural infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Trinité
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Edwards Pradenas
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Silvia Marfil
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Carla Rovirosa
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Víctor Urrea
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Ferran Tarrés-Freixas
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Raquel Ortiz
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Jordi Rodon
- Institute de Recerca i Tecnologia Agrària (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (J.R.); (J.V.-A.)
| | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Institute de Recerca i Tecnologia Agrària (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (J.R.); (J.V.-A.)
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la UAB, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Victor Guallar
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (R.L.)
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosalba Lepore
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (R.L.)
| | - Nuria Izquierdo-Useros
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Glòria Trujillo
- Fundació Althaia, Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, 08243 Manresa, Spain; (G.T.); (J.T.); (C.G.-F.); (A.F.); (R.P.-V.)
| | - Jaume Trapé
- Fundació Althaia, Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, 08243 Manresa, Spain; (G.T.); (J.T.); (C.G.-F.); (A.F.); (R.P.-V.)
| | - Carolina González-Fernández
- Fundació Althaia, Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, 08243 Manresa, Spain; (G.T.); (J.T.); (C.G.-F.); (A.F.); (R.P.-V.)
| | - Antonia Flor
- Fundació Althaia, Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, 08243 Manresa, Spain; (G.T.); (J.T.); (C.G.-F.); (A.F.); (R.P.-V.)
| | - Rafel Pérez-Vidal
- Fundació Althaia, Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, 08243 Manresa, Spain; (G.T.); (J.T.); (C.G.-F.); (A.F.); (R.P.-V.)
| | - Ruth Toledo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Fight against AIDS Foundation (FLS), Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Anna Chamorro
- Infectious Diseases Department, Fight against AIDS Foundation (FLS), Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Roger Paredes
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
- Infectious Diseases Department, Fight against AIDS Foundation (FLS), Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.T.); (A.C.)
| | | | - Eulàlia Grau
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Marta Massanella
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Jorge Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
- Infectious Diseases Department, Fight against AIDS Foundation (FLS), Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.T.); (A.C.)
- Chair of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, University of Vic–Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Julià Blanco
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (E.P.); (S.M.); (C.R.); (V.U.); (F.T.-F.); (R.O.); (N.I.-U.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.M.); (J.C.); (B.C.)
- Chair of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, University of Vic–Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), 08500 Vic, Spain
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42
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Chrysostomou AC, Vrancken B, Koumbaris G, Themistokleous G, Aristokleous A, Masia C, Eleftheriou C, Iοannou C, Stylianou DC, Ioannides M, Petrou P, Georgiou V, Hatziyianni A, Lemey P, Vandamme AM, Patsalis PP, Kostrikis LG. A Comprehensive Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cyprus from April 2020 to January 2021: Evidence of a Highly Polyphyletic and Evolving Epidemic. Viruses 2021; 13:1098. [PMID: 34207490 PMCID: PMC8227210 DOI: 10.3390/v13061098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in an extraordinary global public health crisis. In early 2020, Cyprus, among other European countries, was affected by the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and adopted lockdown measures in March 2020 to limit the initial outbreak on the island. In this study, we performed a comprehensive retrospective molecular epidemiological analysis (genetic, phylogenetic, phylodynamic and phylogeographic analyses) of SARS-CoV-2 isolates in Cyprus from April 2020 to January 2021, covering the first ten months of the SARS-CoV-2 infection epidemic on the island. The primary aim of this study was to assess the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Cyprus. Whole SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences were generated from 596 clinical samples (nasopharyngeal swabs) obtained from community-based diagnostic testing centers and hospitalized patients. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a total of 34 different lineages in Cyprus, with B.1.258, B.1.1.29, B.1.177, B.1.2, B.1 and B.1.1.7 (designated a Variant of Concern 202012/01, VOC) being the most prevalent lineages on the island during the study period. Phylodynamic analysis showed a highly dynamic epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with three consecutive surges characterized by specific lineages (B.1.1.29 from April to June 2020; B.1.258 from September 2020 to January 2021; and B.1.1.7 from December 2020 to January 2021). Genetic analysis of whole SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences of the aforementioned lineages revealed the presence of mutations within the S protein (L18F, ΔH69/V70, S898F, ΔY144, S162G, A222V, N439K, N501Y, A570D, D614G, P681H, S982A and D1118H) that confer higher transmissibility and/or antibody escape (immune evasion) upon the virus. Phylogeographic analysis indicated that the majority of imports and exports were to and from the United Kingdom (UK), although many other regions/countries were identified (southeastern Asia, southern Europe, eastern Europe, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Chile, the USA, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Finland, Switzerland and Pakistan). Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 infection epidemic in Cyprus is being maintained by a continuous influx of lineages from many countries, resulting in the establishment of an ever-evolving and polyphyletic virus on the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas C. Chrysostomou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (A.C.C.); (A.A.); (D.C.S.); (V.G.)
| | - Bram Vrancken
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.); (P.L.); (A.-M.V.)
| | - George Koumbaris
- NIPD Genetics Limited, Nicosia 2409, Cyprus; (G.K.); (M.I.); (P.P.P.)
| | - George Themistokleous
- Medical Laboratory of Ammochostos General Hospital, Ammochostos General Hospital, Paralimni 5386, Cyprus; (G.T.); (C.M.); (C.I.); (P.P.); (A.H.)
| | - Antonia Aristokleous
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (A.C.C.); (A.A.); (D.C.S.); (V.G.)
| | - Christina Masia
- Medical Laboratory of Ammochostos General Hospital, Ammochostos General Hospital, Paralimni 5386, Cyprus; (G.T.); (C.M.); (C.I.); (P.P.); (A.H.)
| | - Christina Eleftheriou
- Department of Health and Safety, University of Cyprus, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus;
| | - Costakis Iοannou
- Medical Laboratory of Ammochostos General Hospital, Ammochostos General Hospital, Paralimni 5386, Cyprus; (G.T.); (C.M.); (C.I.); (P.P.); (A.H.)
| | - Dora C. Stylianou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (A.C.C.); (A.A.); (D.C.S.); (V.G.)
| | - Marios Ioannides
- NIPD Genetics Limited, Nicosia 2409, Cyprus; (G.K.); (M.I.); (P.P.P.)
| | - Panagiotis Petrou
- Medical Laboratory of Ammochostos General Hospital, Ammochostos General Hospital, Paralimni 5386, Cyprus; (G.T.); (C.M.); (C.I.); (P.P.); (A.H.)
| | - Vasilis Georgiou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (A.C.C.); (A.A.); (D.C.S.); (V.G.)
| | - Amalia Hatziyianni
- Medical Laboratory of Ammochostos General Hospital, Ammochostos General Hospital, Paralimni 5386, Cyprus; (G.T.); (C.M.); (C.I.); (P.P.); (A.H.)
| | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.); (P.L.); (A.-M.V.)
| | - Anne-Mieke Vandamme
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.); (P.L.); (A.-M.V.)
- Center for Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Unidade de Microbiologia, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Philippos P. Patsalis
- NIPD Genetics Limited, Nicosia 2409, Cyprus; (G.K.); (M.I.); (P.P.P.)
- Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Leondios G. Kostrikis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus; (A.C.C.); (A.A.); (D.C.S.); (V.G.)
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Abstract
Initial optimism regarding the development of COVID-19 vaccines has been tempered by the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Will vaccination be able to contain the pandemic? How can we best optimize the limited supplies of vaccines available and what should future COVID-19 vaccines look like? This Comment discusses how the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern could impact on the hopes of long-term pandemic control through vaccination and the mutations that might be relevant to the design of modified vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra K Gupta
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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44
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Pérez-Lago L, Sola Campoy PJ, Buenestado-Serrano S, Pharmacy PC, Estévez A, de la Cueva Technician VM, López MG, Tecnichian MH, Suárez-González J, Alcalá L, Comas I, González-Candelas F, Muñoz P, García de Viedma D. Epidemiological, clinical and genomic snapshot of the first 100 B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 cases in Madrid. J Travel Med 2021; 28:taab044. [PMID: 33763697 PMCID: PMC8083647 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
We present clinical, genomic and epidemiological data on the first 106 cases with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in Madrid. Even from the start, the increase of this variant was due to transmission events within the community, some causing extensive clusters, rather than further imports. Most cases developed non-severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pérez-Lago
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro J Sola Campoy
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Buenestado-Serrano
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Catalán Pharmacy
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Estévez
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Manuel de la Cueva Technician
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana G López
- Tuberculosis Genomics Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV-CSIC), SeqCOVID Consortium, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Herranz Tecnichian
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Suárez-González
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Genomics Unit, Gregorio Marañón General University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alcalá
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñaki Comas
- Tuberculosis Genomics Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV-CSIC), SeqCOVID Consortium, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando González-Candelas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Joint Research Unit "Infection and Public Health" FISABIO-University of Valencia, Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Valencia, Spain
| | - Patricia Muñoz
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Darío García de Viedma
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
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45
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Cheng Y, Ma N, Witt C, Rapp S, Wild PS, Andreae MO, Pöschl U, Su H. Face masks effectively limit the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Science 2021; 372:eabg6296. [PMID: 34016743 PMCID: PMC8168616 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg6296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Airborne transmission by droplets and aerosols is important for the spread of viruses. Face masks are a well-established preventive measure, but their effectiveness for mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission is still under debate. We show that variations in mask efficacy can be explained by different regimes of virus abundance and related to population-average infection probability and reproduction number. For SARS-CoV-2, the viral load of infectious individuals can vary by orders of magnitude. We find that most environments and contacts are under conditions of low virus abundance (virus-limited) where surgical masks are effective at preventing virus spread. More advanced masks and other protective equipment are required in potentially virus-rich indoor environments including medical centers and hospitals. Masks are particularly effective in combination with other preventive measures like ventilation and distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafang Cheng
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Nan Ma
- Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Christian Witt
- Department of Outpatient Pneumology and Institute of Physiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Rapp
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp S Wild
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Meinrat O Andreae
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ulrich Pöschl
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hang Su
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China.
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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46
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Pymm P, Adair A, Chan LJ, Cooney JP, Mordant FL, Allison CC, Lopez E, Haycroft ER, O'Neill MT, Tan LL, Dietrich MH, Drew D, Doerflinger M, Dengler MA, Scott NE, Wheatley AK, Gherardin NA, Venugopal H, Cromer D, Davenport MP, Pickering R, Godfrey DI, Purcell DFJ, Kent SJ, Chung AW, Subbarao K, Pellegrini M, Glukhova A, Tham WH. Nanobody cocktails potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 D614G N501Y variant and protect mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2101918118. [PMID: 33893175 PMCID: PMC8126837 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2101918118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies are important for immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and as therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Here, we identified high-affinity nanobodies from alpacas immunized with coronavirus spike and receptor-binding domains (RBD) that disrupted RBD engagement with the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and potently neutralized SARS-CoV-2. Epitope mapping, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy revealed two distinct antigenic sites and showed two neutralizing nanobodies from different epitope classes bound simultaneously to the spike trimer. Nanobody-Fc fusions of the four most potent nanobodies blocked ACE2 engagement with RBD variants present in human populations and potently neutralized both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the N501Y D614G variant at concentrations as low as 0.1 nM. Prophylactic administration of either single nanobody-Fc or as mixtures reduced viral loads by up to 104-fold in mice infected with the N501Y D614G SARS-CoV-2 virus. These results suggest a role for nanobody-Fc fusions as prophylactic agents against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Pymm
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Amy Adair
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Li-Jin Chan
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - James P Cooney
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Francesca L Mordant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Cody C Allison
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ester Lopez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Ebene R Haycroft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Matthew T O'Neill
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Li Lynn Tan
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Melanie H Dietrich
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Damien Drew
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Marcel Doerflinger
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Michael A Dengler
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Nichollas E Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Adam K Wheatley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Gherardin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hariprasad Venugopal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Deborah Cromer
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Miles P Davenport
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Raelene Pickering
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Dale I Godfrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Damian F J Purcell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Stephen J Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Amy W Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Marc Pellegrini
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alisa Glukhova
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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47
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González-Puelma J, Aldridge J, Montes de Oca M, Pinto M, Uribe-Paredes R, Fernández-Goycoolea J, Alvarez-Saravia D, Álvarez H, Encina G, Weitzel T, Muñoz R, Olivera-Nappa Á, Pantano S, Navarrete MA. Mutation in a SARS-CoV-2 Haplotype from Sub-Antarctic Chile Reveals New Insights into the Spike's Dynamics. Viruses 2021; 13:883. [PMID: 34064904 PMCID: PMC8151058 DOI: 10.3390/v13050883] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, as observed with the D614G spike protein mutant and, more recently, with B.1.1.7 (501Y.V1), B.1.351 (501Y.V2) and B.1.1.28.1 (P.1) lineages, represent a continuous threat and might lead to strains of higher infectivity and/or virulence. We report on the occurrence of a SARS-CoV-2 haplotype with nine mutations including D614G/T307I double-mutation of the spike. This variant expanded and completely replaced previous lineages within a short period in the subantarctic Magallanes Region, southern Chile. The rapid lineage shift was accompanied by a significant increase of cases, resulting in one of the highest incidence rates worldwide. Comparative coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations indicated that T307I and D614G belong to a previously unrecognized dynamic domain, interfering with the mobility of the receptor binding domain of the spike. The T307I mutation showed a synergistic effect with the D614G. Continuous surveillance of new mutations and molecular analyses of such variations are important tools to understand the molecular mechanisms defining infectivity and virulence of current and future SARS-CoV-2 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge González-Puelma
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.G.-P.); (M.P.); (D.A.-S.); (H.Á.); (R.M.)
- Centro Asistencial Docente y de Investigación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210005, Chile
| | - Jacqueline Aldridge
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Computación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.A.); (M.M.d.O.); (R.U.-P.)
| | - Marco Montes de Oca
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Computación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.A.); (M.M.d.O.); (R.U.-P.)
| | - Mónica Pinto
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.G.-P.); (M.P.); (D.A.-S.); (H.Á.); (R.M.)
- Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínico de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210005, Chile
| | - Roberto Uribe-Paredes
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Computación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.A.); (M.M.d.O.); (R.U.-P.)
| | | | - Diego Alvarez-Saravia
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.G.-P.); (M.P.); (D.A.-S.); (H.Á.); (R.M.)
- Centro Asistencial Docente y de Investigación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210005, Chile
| | - Hermy Álvarez
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.G.-P.); (M.P.); (D.A.-S.); (H.Á.); (R.M.)
- Centro Asistencial Docente y de Investigación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210005, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Encina
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile;
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile;
- Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Muñoz
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.G.-P.); (M.P.); (D.A.-S.); (H.Á.); (R.M.)
- Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínico de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210005, Chile
| | - Álvaro Olivera-Nappa
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8370456, Chile;
- Facultad de Ciencias, Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8370456, Chile
| | - Sergio Pantano
- Biomolecular Simulations Group, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A. Navarrete
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile; (J.G.-P.); (M.P.); (D.A.-S.); (H.Á.); (R.M.)
- Centro Asistencial Docente y de Investigación, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210005, Chile
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48
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Novelli G, Biancolella M, Mehrian-Shai R, Colona VL, Brito AF, Grubaugh ND, Vasiliou V, Luzzatto L, Reichardt JKV. COVID-19 one year into the pandemic: from genetics and genomics to therapy, vaccination, and policy. Hum Genomics 2021; 15:27. [PMID: 33966626 PMCID: PMC8107019 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-021-00326-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has engulfed the world and it will accompany us all for some time to come. Here, we review the current state at the milestone of 1 year into the pandemic, as declared by the WHO (World Health Organization). We review several aspects of the on-going pandemic, focusing first on two major topics: viral variants and the human genetic susceptibility to disease severity. We then consider recent and exciting new developments in therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies, and in prevention strategies, such as vaccines. We also briefly discuss how advances in basic science and in biotechnology, under the threat of a worldwide emergency, have accelerated to an unprecedented degree of the transition from the laboratory to clinical applications. While every day we acquire more and more tools to deal with the on-going pandemic, we are aware that the path will be arduous and it will require all of us being community-minded. In this respect, we lament past delays in timely full investigations, and we call for bypassing local politics in the interest of humankind on all continents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Novelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, 00133, Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
| | | | - Ruty Mehrian-Shai
- Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Vito Luigi Colona
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Anderson F Brito
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Nathan D Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Lucio Luzzatto
- Haematology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Juergen K V Reichardt
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Queensland, 4878, Australia
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49
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De Maio N, Walker CR, Turakhia Y, Lanfear R, Corbett-Detig R, Goldman N. Mutation Rates and Selection on Synonymous Mutations in SARS-CoV-2. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab087. [PMID: 33895815 PMCID: PMC8135539 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an unprecedented response from the sequencing community. Leveraging the sequence data from more than 140,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes, we study mutation rates and selective pressures affecting the virus. Understanding the processes and effects of mutation and selection has profound implications for the study of viral evolution, for vaccine design, and for the tracking of viral spread. We highlight and address some common genome sequence analysis pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate inference of mutation rates and selection, such as ignoring skews in the genetic code, not accounting for recurrent mutations, and assuming evolutionary equilibrium. We find that two particular mutation rates, G →U and C →U, are similarly elevated and considerably higher than all other mutation rates, causing the majority of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and are possibly the result of APOBEC and ROS activity. These mutations also tend to occur many times at the same genome positions along the global SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny (i.e., they are very homoplasic). We observe an effect of genomic context on mutation rates, but the effect of the context is overall limited. Although previous studies have suggested selection acting to decrease U content at synonymous sites, we bring forward evidence suggesting the opposite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola De Maio
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Conor R Walker
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Yatish Turakhia
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Robert Lanfear
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Russell Corbett-Detig
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Nick Goldman
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
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50
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Collier DA, De Marco A, Ferreira IATM, Meng B, Datir RP, Walls AC, Kemp SA, Bassi J, Pinto D, Silacci-Fregni C, Bianchi S, Tortorici MA, Bowen J, Culap K, Jaconi S, Cameroni E, Snell G, Pizzuto MS, Pellanda AF, Garzoni C, Riva A, Elmer A, Kingston N, Graves B, McCoy LE, Smith KGC, Bradley JR, Temperton N, Ceron-Gutierrez L, Barcenas-Morales G, Harvey W, Virgin HW, Lanzavecchia A, Piccoli L, Doffinger R, Wills M, Veesler D, Corti D, Gupta RK. Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 to mRNA vaccine-elicited antibodies. Nature 2021; 593:136-141. [PMID: 33706364 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 500] [Impact Index Per Article: 166.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is uncontrolled in many parts of the world; control is compounded in some areas by the higher transmission potential of the B.1.1.7 variant1, which has now been reported in 94 countries. It is unclear whether the response of the virus to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of the prototypic strain will be affected by the mutations found in B.1.1.7. Here we assess the immune responses of individuals after vaccination with the mRNA-based vaccine BNT162b22. We measured neutralizing antibody responses after the first and second immunizations using pseudoviruses that expressed the wild-type spike protein or a mutated spike protein that contained the eight amino acid changes found in the B.1.1.7 variant. The sera from individuals who received the vaccine exhibited a broad range of neutralizing titres against the wild-type pseudoviruses that were modestly reduced against the B.1.1.7 variant. This reduction was also evident in sera from some patients who had recovered from COVID-19. Decreased neutralization of the B.1.1.7 variant was also observed for monoclonal antibodies that target the N-terminal domain (9 out of 10) and the receptor-binding motif (5 out of 31), but not for monoclonal antibodies that recognize the receptor-binding domain that bind outside the receptor-binding motif. Introduction of the mutation that encodes the E484K substitution in the B.1.1.7 background to reflect a newly emerged variant of concern (VOC 202102/02) led to a more-substantial loss of neutralizing activity by vaccine-elicited antibodies and monoclonal antibodies (19 out of 31) compared with the loss of neutralizing activity conferred by the mutations in B.1.1.7 alone. The emergence of the E484K substitution in a B.1.1.7 background represents a threat to the efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccine.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/isolation & purification
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/isolation & purification
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/metabolism
- COVID-19/therapy
- COVID-19/virology
- COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
- Female
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Immune Evasion/genetics
- Immune Evasion/immunology
- Immunization, Passive
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Models, Molecular
- Mutation
- Neutralization Tests
- SARS-CoV-2/genetics
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- COVID-19 Serotherapy
- mRNA Vaccines
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Affiliation(s)
- Dami A Collier
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna De Marco
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Isabella A T M Ferreira
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bo Meng
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rawlings P Datir
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandra C Walls
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Steven A Kemp
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jessica Bassi
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Dora Pinto
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Siro Bianchi
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - John Bowen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Katja Culap
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Jaconi
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Cameroni
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Matteo S Pizzuto
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Christian Garzoni
- Clinic of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Clinica Luganese Moncucco, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Agostino Riva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anne Elmer
- NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Laura E McCoy
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kenneth G C Smith
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R Bradley
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Bioresource, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Gabriela Barcenas-Morales
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Laboratorio de Inmunologia, UNAM, Cuautitlán, Mexico
| | - William Harvey
- Institute of Biodiversity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Luca Piccoli
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Doffinger
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark Wills
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Davide Corti
- Humabs Biomed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Ravindra K Gupta
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK.
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