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Escalera A, Laporte M, Turner S, Karakus U, Gonzalez-Reiche AS, van de Guchte A, Farrugia K, Khalil Z, van Bakel H, Smith D, García-Sastre A, Aydillo T. The impact of S2 mutations on Omicron SARS-CoV-2 cell surface expression and fusogenicity. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2297553. [PMID: 38112266 PMCID: PMC10866063 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2297553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants are still emerging and spreading worldwide. These variants contain a high number of polymorphisms in the spike (S) glycoprotein that could potentially impact their pathogenicity and transmission. We have previously shown that the S:655Y and P681H mutations enhance S protein cleavage and syncytia formation. Interestingly, these polymorphisms are present in Omicron S protein. Here, we characterized the cleavage efficiency and fusogenicity of the S protein of different Omicron sublineages. Our results showed that Omicron BA.1 subvariant is efficiently cleaved but it is poorly fusogenic compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 strains. To understand the basis of this phenotype, we generated chimeric S protein using combinations of the S1 and S2 domains from WA1, Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants. We found that the S2 domain of Omicron BA.1 hindered efficient cell-cell fusion. Interestingly, this domain only contains six unique polymorphisms never detected before in ancestral SARS-CoV-2 variants. WA1614G S proteins containing the six individuals S2 Omicron mutations were assessed for their fusogenicity and S surface expression after transfection in cells. Results showed that the S:N856K and N969K substitutions decreased syncytia formation and impacted S protein cell surface levels. However, we observed that "first-generation" Omicron sublineages that emerged subsequently, had convergently evolved to an enhanced fusogenic activity and S expression on the surface of infected cells while "second-generation" Omicron variants have highly diverged and showed lineage-specific fusogenic properties. Importantly, our findings could have potential implications in the improvement and redesign of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Escalera
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manon Laporte
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sam Turner
- Center for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Umut Karakus
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana S. Gonzalez-Reiche
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana van de Guchte
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Keith Farrugia
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zain Khalil
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harm van Bakel
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Derek Smith
- Center for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Teresa Aydillo
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Kumar V, Shefrin S, Sundar D. Molecular insights into the binding interactions and energetics of the omicron spike variant with hACE2 and a neutralizing antibody. J Struct Biol 2024; 216:108087. [PMID: 38494148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2024.108087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The global spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since 2019 has led to a continuous evolution of viral variants, with the latest concern being the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant. In this study, classical molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to elucidate the biophysical aspects of the Omicron spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD) in its interaction with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and a neutralizing antibody, comparing it to the wildtype (WT). To model the Omicron variant, 15 in silico mutations were introduced in the RBD region of WT (retrieved from PDB). The simulations of WT spike-hACE2 and Omicron spike-hACE2 complexes revealed comparable binding stability and dynamics. Notably, the Q493R mutation in the Omicron spike increased interactions with hACE2, particularly with ASP38 and ASP355. Additionally, mutations such as N417K, T478K, and Y505H contributed to enhanced structural stability in the Omicron variant. Conversely, when comparing WT with Omicron in complex with a neutralizing antibody, simulation results demonstrated poorer binding dynamics and stability for the Omicron variant. The E484K mutation significantly decreased binding interactions, resulting in an overall decrease in binding energy (∼-57 kcal/mol) compared to WT (∼-84 kcal/mol). This study provides valuable molecular insights into the heightened infectivity of the Omicron variant, shedding light on the specific mutations influencing its interactions with hACE2 and neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kumar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India.
| | - Seyad Shefrin
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India.
| | - Durai Sundar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India.
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3
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Xia H, Yeung J, Kalveram B, Bills CJ, Chen JYC, Kurhade C, Zou J, Widen SG, Mann BR, Kondor R, Davis CT, Zhou B, Wentworth DE, Xie X, Shi PY. Cross-neutralization and viral fitness of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:e2161422. [PMID: 36594261 PMCID: PMC9848280 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2161422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages mandates a better understanding of viral replication and cross-neutralization among these sublineages. Here we used K18-hACE2 mice and primary human airway cultures to examine the viral fitness and antigenic relationship among Omicron sublineages. In both K18-hACE2 mice and human airway cultures, Omicron sublineages exhibited a replication order of BA.5 ≥ BA.2 ≥ BA.2.12.1 > BA.1; no difference in body weight loss was observed among different sublineage-infected mice. The BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, and BA.5-infected mice developed distinguishable cross-neutralizations against Omicron sublineages, but exhibited little neutralization against the index virus (i.e. USA-WA1/2020) or the Delta variant. Surprisingly, the BA.5-infected mice developed higher neutralization activity against heterologous BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 than that against homologous BA.5; serum neutralizing titres did not always correlate with viral replication levels in infected animals. Our results revealed a distinct antigenic cartography of Omicron sublineages and support the bivalent vaccine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Yeung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cody J. Bills
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - John Yun-Chung Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Steven G. Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Brian R. Mann
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca Kondor
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - C. Todd Davis
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David E. Wentworth
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA, Xuping Xie ; Pei-Yong Shi
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Sealy, Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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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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De A, Bhattacharya S, Debroy B, Bhattacharya A, Pal K. Exploring the pharmacological aspects of natural phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 through an in silico approach. In Silico Pharmacol 2023; 11:12. [PMID: 37131867 PMCID: PMC10141836 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-023-00143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), possesses an important bifunctional nonstructural protein (nsp14) with a C-terminal N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) domain and an N-terminal domain with exoribonuclease (ExoN) activity that is required for maintaining high-fidelity viral replication. Viruses use the error-prone replication mechanism, which results in high mutation rates, to adapt quickly to stressful situations. The efficiency with which nsp14 removes mismatched nucleotides due to the presence of ExoN activity protects viruses from mutagenesis. We investigated the pharmacological role of the phytochemicals (Baicalein, Bavachinin, Emodin, Kazinol F, Lycorine, Sinigrin, Procyanidin A2, Tanshinone IIA, Tanshinone IIB, Tomentin A, and Tomentin E) against the highly conserved nsp14 protein using docking-based computational analyses in search of new potential natural drug targets. The selected eleven phytochemicals failed to bind the active site of N7-Mtase in the global docking study, while the local docking study identified the top five phytochemicals with high binding energy scores ranging from - 9.0 to - 6.4 kcal/mol. Procyanidin A2 and Tomentin A showed the highest docking score of - 9.0 and - 8.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Local docking of isoform variants was also conducted, yielding the top five phytochemicals, with Procyanidin A1 having the highest binding energy value of - 9.1 kcal/mol. The phytochemicals were later tested for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics analysis for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) which resulted in choosing Tomentin A as a potential candidate. The molecular dynamics simulations studies of nsp14 revealed significant conformational changes upon complex formation with the identified compound, implying that these phytochemicals could be used as safe nutraceuticals which will impart long-term immunological competence in the human population against CoVs. Graphical Abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-023-00143-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkajit De
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Somdatta Bhattacharya
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Bishal Debroy
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Arijit Bhattacharya
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
- Anti-Microbial Resistance Laboratory, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Kuntal Pal
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
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An antibody cocktail with broadened mutational resistance and effective protection against SARS-CoV-2. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:165-179. [PMID: 36184693 PMCID: PMC9527072 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2166-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies have been proven to be highly effective in treating mild and moderate COVID-19 patients, but continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses significant challenges. Antibody cocktail treatments reduce the risk of escape mutants and resistance. In this study, a new cocktail composed of two highly potent neutralizing antibodies (HB27 and H89Y) was developed, whose binding epitope is different from those cocktails that received emergency use authorization. This cocktail showed more potent and balanced neutralizing activities (IC50 0.9-11.3 ng mL-1) against a broad spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 variants over individual HB27 or H89Y antibodies. Furthermore, the cocktail conferred more effective protection against the SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant in an aged murine model than monotherapy. It was shown to prevent SARS-CoV-2 mutational escape in vitro and effectively neutralize 61 types of pseudoviruses harbouring single amino acid mutation originated from variants and escape strains of Bamlanivimab, Casirivimab and Imdevimab with IC50 of 0.6-65 ng mL-1. Despite its breadth of variant neutralization, the HB27+H89Y combo and EUA cocktails lost their potencies against Omicron variant. Our results provide important insights that new antibody cocktails covering different epitopes are valuable tools to counter virus mutation and escape, highlighting the need to search for more conserved epitopes to combat Omicron.
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Salimović-Bešić I, Dedeić-Ljubović A, Zahirović E, Hasanović M, Šehić M, Vukovikj M, Boshevska G, Vegar-Zubović S, Mehmedika-Suljić E, Izetbegović S. The SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant with spike N501Y mutation in the shadow of Omicron emergence. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12650. [PMID: 36590492 PMCID: PMC9789543 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulation of the Omicron variant with the reemergence of the N501Y mutation along with many others in the spike protein has once again stirred the academic community. Interestingly, tracing the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 shed light on a less frequent N501Y + Delta variant which has been in the global circulation for some time before the Omicron appearance. This paper aims to present the molecular characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike_N501Y + Delta variant detected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study was conducted during November and December 2021. All patients were tested using real-time RT-PCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2. A representative number of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples was pre-screened using VirSNiP SARS-CoV-2 Spike N501Y kit. The characterization of the viruses was carried out with Illumina RNA Prep with enrichment and the Respiratory Virus Oligo Panel kit. Among the analyzed sequences, we found two isolates of the Delta variant that differ from their most related clade- GK AY.4.3 in additional mutations N501Y and L54F. In this study, we described the presence of a rare form of Delta variant with Spike_N501Y mutation in the shadow of the Omicron emergence. Despite the set of mutations in the Spike protein, this form of Delta variant does not indicate the large-scale consequences for the general population. Further functional studies of this form could provide more information about its antigenicity and infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Salimović-Bešić
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amela Dedeić-Ljubović
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Edina Zahirović
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Medina Hasanović
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Merima Šehić
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Maja Vukovikj
- Institute of Public Health of Republic of North Macedonia, 50-ta Divizija 6, 1000, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Golubinka Boshevska
- Faculty for Medical Sciences, University Goce Delchev, Krste Misirkov No.10-A P.O. Box 201, 2000, Shtip, Macedonia
| | - Sandra Vegar-Zubović
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Enra Mehmedika-Suljić
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Sebija Izetbegović
- Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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8
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Schindewolf C, Lokugamage K, Vu MN, Johnson BA, Scharton D, Plante JA, Kalveram B, Crocquet-Valdes PA, Sotcheff S, Jaworski E, Alvarado RE, Debbink K, Daugherty MD, Weaver SC, Routh AL, Walker DH, Plante KS, Menachery VD. SARS-CoV-2 Uses Nonstructural Protein 16 to Evade Restriction by IFIT1 and IFIT3. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.09.26.509529. [PMID: 36203546 PMCID: PMC9536030 DOI: 10.1101/2022.09.26.509529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular basis of innate immune evasion by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important consideration for designing the next wave of therapeutics. Here, we investigate the role of the nonstructural protein 16 (NSP16) of SARS-CoV-2 in infection and pathogenesis. NSP16, a ribonucleoside 2'- O methyltransferase (MTase), catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to mRNA as part of the capping process. Based on observations with other CoVs, we hypothesized that NSP16 2'- O MTase function protects SARS-CoV-2 from cap-sensing host restriction. Therefore, we engineered SARS-CoV-2 with a mutation that disrupts a conserved residue in the active site of NSP16. We subsequently show that this mutant is attenuated both in vitro and in vivo , using a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mechanistically, we confirm that the NSP16 mutant is more sensitive to type I interferon (IFN-I) in vitro . Furthermore, silencing IFIT1 or IFIT3, IFN-stimulated genes that sense a lack of 2'- O methylation, partially restores fitness to the NSP16 mutant. Finally, we demonstrate that sinefungin, a methyltransferase inhibitor that binds the catalytic site of NSP16, sensitizes wild-type SARS-CoV-2 to IFN-I treatment. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of SARS-CoV-2 NSP16 in evading host innate immunity and suggest a possible target for future antiviral therapies. Importance Similar to other coronaviruses, disruption of SARS-CoV-2 NSP16 function attenuates viral replication in a type I interferon-dependent manner. In vivo , our results show reduced disease and viral replication at late times in the hamster lung, but an earlier titer deficit for the NSP16 mutant (dNSP16) in the upper airway. In addition, our results confirm a role for IFIT1, but also demonstrate the necessity of IFIT3 in mediating dNSP16 attenuation. Finally, we show that targeting NSP16 activity with a 2'- O methyltransferase inhibitor in combination with type I interferon offers a novel avenue for antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Schindewolf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kumari Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Michelle N. Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Bryan A. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Dionna Scharton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Stephanea Sotcheff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth Jaworski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - R. Elias Alvarado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kari Debbink
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Scott C. Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew L. Routh
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vineet D. Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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9
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A study protocol for a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of carrageenan nasal and throat spray for COVID-19 prophylaxis—ICE-COVID. Trials 2022; 23:782. [PMID: 36109791 PMCID: PMC9477161 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06685-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction At present, vaccines form the only mode of prophylaxis against COVID-19. The time needed to achieve mass global vaccination and the emergence of new variants warrants continued research into other COVID-19 prevention strategies. The severity of COVID-19 infection is thought to be associated with the initial viral load, and for infection to occur, viruses including SARS-CoV-2 must first penetrate the respiratory mucus and attach to the host cell surface receptors. Carrageenan, a sulphated polysaccharide extracted from red edible seaweed, has shown efficacy against a wide range of viruses in clinical trials through the prevention of viral entry into respiratory host cells. Carrageenan has also demonstrated in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2. Methods and analysis A single-centre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase III trial was designed. Participants randomised in a 1:1 allocation to either the treatment arm, verum Coldamaris plus (1.2 mg iota-carrageenan (Carragelose®), 0.4 mg kappa-carrageenan, 0.5% sodium chloride and purified water), or placebo arm, Coldamaris sine (0.5% sodium chloride) spray applied daily to their nose and throat for 8 weeks, while completing a daily symptom tracker questionnaire for a total of 10 weeks. Primary outcome Acquisition of COVID-19 infection as confirmed by a positive PCR swab taken at symptom onset or seroconversion during the study. Secondary outcomes include symptom type, severity and duration, subsequent familial/household COVID-19 infection and infection with non-COVID-19 upper respiratory tract infections. A within-trial economic evaluation will be undertaken, with effects expressed as quality-adjusted life years. Discussion This is a single-centre, phase III, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess whether carrageenan nasal and throat spray reduces the risk of development and severity of COVID-19. If proven effective, the self-administered prophylactic spray would have wider utility for key workers and the general population. Trial registration NCT04590365; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04590365. Registered on 19 October 2020. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06685-z.
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10
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Focosi D, Franchini M. What a Transfusion Physician Should Know about Monkeypox Virus: Barriers to and Risks for Transmission, and Possible Mitigation Strategies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:2200. [PMID: 36140601 PMCID: PMC9497883 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing monkeypox pandemic is posing new challenges to the transfusion community. While to date most regulatory agencies recommend deferrals for cases and contacts, we summarize here arguments for introduction of universal PCR testing of MPXV in blood donations and donated tissue/organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100 Mantua, Italy
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11
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The SARS-CoV-2 Variants and their Impacts. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.16.3.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus remains a public health concern. Several public health measures have been implemented in an effort to curb the infections. However, the effectiveness of these strategies was threatened with the emergence of numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants in all parts of the globe, due to the persistent mutations as part of the viral evolution. Mutations that usually occur in its spike glycoprotein, allow SARS-CoV-2 to possess advantageous characteristics for its survivability and persistence. This has led to poor performance of diagnostic kits which have caused non-specific and insensitive detection of these variants, resulting in undetermined infection. The variants also have caused the increased severity of COVID-19, involving hospitalisation rates, ICU admissions, and deaths. Many have reported the vaccine-breakthrough infections and reduced effectiveness of vaccination, which is supposed to provide an effective degree of protection against COVID-19 infections. Due to these issues, this review summarises the impacts related to SARS-CoV-2 variants emergence towards the performance of diagnostic kits, transmissibility of the virus, severity of disease, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
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12
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Kumar A, Ladha A, Choudhury A, Ikbal AMA, Bhattacharjee B, Das T, Gupta G, Sharma C, Sarbajna A, Mandal SC, Choudhury MD, Ali N, Slama P, Rezaei N, Palit P, Tiwari ON. The chimera of S1 and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2: can it be a potential vaccine candidate for COVID-19? Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1071-1086. [PMID: 35604776 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2081156] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged as one of the biggest global health issues. Spike protein (S) and nucleoprotein (N), the major immunogenic components of SARS-CoV-2, have been shown to be involved in the attachment and replication of the virus inside the host cell. AREAS COVERED Several investigations have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein can elicit a cell-mediated immune response capable of regulating viral replication and lowering viral burden. However, the development of an effective vaccine that can stop the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains a matter of concern. Literature was retrieved using the keywords COVID-19 vaccine, role of nucleoprotein as vaccine candidate, spike protein, nucleoprotein immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, and chimera vaccine in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google. EXPERT OPINION We have focussed on the use of chimera protein, consisting of N and S-1 protein components of SARS-CoV-2, as a potential vaccine candidate. This may act as a polyvalent mixed recombinant protein vaccine to elicit a strong T and B cell immune response, which will be capable of neutralizing the wild and mutated variants of SARS-CoV-2, and also restricting its attachment, replication, and budding in the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amresh Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | - Amit Ladha
- Area of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, NIIT University, Neemrana, India
| | - Ankita Choudhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Allama TR College of Pharmacy, Hospital Rd, Srigouri, India
| | - Abu Md Ashif Ikbal
- Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar, Tripura (W), India
| | - Bedanta Bhattacharjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Tanmay Das
- Department of Business Administration, Assam University Silchar, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Area of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, NIIT University, Neemrana, India.,Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chhavi Sharma
- Area of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, NIIT University, Neemrana, India
| | - Adity Sarbajna
- Department of Zoology, Surendranath College, Kolkata, India
| | - Subhash C Mandal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Nahid Ali
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, Kolkata, India
| | - Petr Slama
- Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Partha Palit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Drug Discovery research Laboratory, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | - Onkar Nath Tiwari
- Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India
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13
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Juul S, Spiegelhauer MR, Petersen MN, Flugt KK, Hansen NV, Larsen H, Jensen PB, Christensen UB, Petersen RK, Friis-Hansen L. Validation and advantages of using novel RT-qPCR melting curve analysis assays for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13069. [PMID: 35906388 PMCID: PMC9338320 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17339-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays are gold standard in diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection and play a major role in viral subtyping for rapid detection and monitoring of important mutations, containing the spread of new virus variants. We wanted to compare RT-qPCR melting curve analysis assays to Sanger Sequencing for detection of variants within the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and examined their sensitivity and specificity. Samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 663 + 82) were subtyped using both Sanger sequencing and five RT-qPCR melting curve analysis assays specific for the mutations N501Y, P681H, E484K, K417N/T, and N439K. The results of the two methods were compared. The training cohort and the clinical validation cohort showed equally, or significantly better sensitivity of the assays compared to the Sanger sequencing. The agreement of the Sanger sequencing and the assays ranged from 92.6 to 100% for the training cohort and 99.4-100% for the clinical validation. The sensitivity, specificity, and turn-around time of the RT-qPCR melting curve analysis assays are well-suited for clinical monitoring of VOCs, making the assays an important tool in contact tracing and risk stratification. Furthermore, the assays were able to indicate the presence of new mutations in the complementary sequence to the mutation-specific probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Juul
- Research & Development, Pentabase A/S, Petersmindevej 1A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
| | | | - Mette Neve Petersen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Helene Larsen
- Center for Diagnostics, DTU Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Per Bo Jensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark
| | - Ulf Bech Christensen
- Research & Development, Pentabase A/S, Petersmindevej 1A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | | | - Lennart Friis-Hansen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Chen Y, Sun L, Ullah I, Beaudoin-Bussières G, Anand SP, Hederman AP, Tolbert WD, Sherburn R, Nguyen DN, Marchitto L, Ding S, Wu D, Luo Y, Gottumukkala S, Moran S, Kumar P, Piszczek G, Mothes W, Ackerman ME, Finzi A, Uchil PD, Gonzalez FJ, Pazgier M. Engineered ACE2-Fc counters murine lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection through direct neutralization and Fc-effector activities. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn4188. [PMID: 35857504 PMCID: PMC9278865 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn4188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) constitutes an attractive antiviral capable of targeting a wide range of coronaviruses using ACE2 as their receptor. Using structure-guided approaches, we developed a series of bivalent ACE2-Fcs harboring functionally and structurally validated mutations that enhance severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor binding domain recognition by up to ~12-fold and remove angiotensin enzymatic activity. The lead variant M81 potently cross-neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron, at subnanomolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration and was capable of robust Fc-effector functions, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, and complement deposition. When tested in a stringent K18-hACE2 mouse model, Fc-enhanced ACE2-Fc delayed death by 3 to 5 days or effectively resolved lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings via the combined effects of neutralization and Fc-effector functions. These data add to the demonstrated utility of soluble ACE2 as a valuable SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and indicate that Fc-effector functions may constitute an important component of ACE2-Fc therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaozong Chen
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Lulu Sun
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Guillaume Beaudoin-Bussières
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Sai Priya Anand
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - William D. Tolbert
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Rebekah Sherburn
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Dung N. Nguyen
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Lorie Marchitto
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Shilei Ding
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Di Wu
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yuhong Luo
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Suneetha Gottumukkala
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Sean Moran
- Biomedical Instrumentation Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Priti Kumar
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Grzegorz Piszczek
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Walther Mothes
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pradeep D. Uchil
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Frank J. Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
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15
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Chakraborty C, Bhattacharya M, Sharma AR, Dhama K, Lee SS. Continent-wide evolutionary trends of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants: dynamic profiles from Alpha to Omicron. GeroScience 2022; 44:2371-2392. [PMID: 35831773 PMCID: PMC9281186 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 evolution process has generated several variants due to its continuous mutations, making pandemics more critical. The present study illustrates SARS-CoV-2 evolution and its emerging mutations in five directions. First, the significant mutations in the genome and S-glycoprotein were analyzed in different variants. Three linear models were developed with the regression line to depict the mutational load for S-glycoprotein, total genome excluding S-glycoprotein, and whole genome. Second, the continent-wide evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants with their clades and divergence were evaluated. It showed the region-wise evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 variants and their clustering event. The major clades for each variant were identified. One example is clade 21K, a major clade of the Omicron variant. Third, lineage dynamics and comparison between SARS-CoV-2 lineages across different countries are also illustrated, demonstrating dominant variants in various countries over time. Fourth, gene-wise mutation patterns and genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 variants across various countries are illustrated. High mutation patterns were found in the ORF10, ORF6, S, and low mutation pattern E genes. Finally, emerging AA point mutations (T478K, L452R, N501Y, S477N, E484A, Q498R, and Y505H), their frequencies, and country-wise occurrence were identified, and the highest event of two mutations (T478K and L452R) was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore, 756020 Odisha India
| | - Ashish Ranjan Sharma
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si, 24252 Gangwon-do Republic of Korea
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si, 24252 Gangwon-do Republic of Korea
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16
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Lazniewski M, Dermawan D, Hidayat S, Muchtaridi M, Dawson WK, Plewczynski D. Drug repurposing for identification of potential spike inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Methods 2022; 203:498-510. [PMID: 35167916 PMCID: PMC8839799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
For the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to bring consternation on most of the world. According to recent WHO estimates, there have been more than 5.6 million deaths worldwide. The virus continues to evolve all over the world, thus requiring both vigilance and the necessity to find and develop a variety of therapeutic treatments, including the identification of specific antiviral drugs. Multiple studies have confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 utilizes its membrane-bound spike protein to recognize human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Thus, preventing spike-ACE2 interactions is a potentially viable strategy for COVID-19 treatment as it would block the virus from binding and entering into a host cell. This work aims to identify potential drugs using an in silico approach. Molecular docking was carried out on both approved drugs and substances previously tested in vivo. This step was followed by a more detailed analysis of selected ligands by molecular dynamics simulations to identify the best molecules that thwart the ability of the virus to interact with the ACE2 receptor. Because the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolves rapidly due to a plethora of immunocompromised hosts, the compounds were tested against five different known lineages. As a result, we could identify substances that work well on individual lineages and those showing broader efficacy. The most promising candidates among the currently used drugs were zafirlukast and simeprevir with an average binding affinity of -22 kcal/mol for spike proteins originating from various lineages. The first compound is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that is used to treat asthma, while the latter is a protease inhibitor used for hepatitis C treatment. From among the in vivo tested substances that concurrently exhibit promising free energy of binding and ADME parameters (indicating a possible oral administration) we selected the compound BDBM50136234. In conclusion, these molecules are worth exploring further by in vitro and in vivo studies against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Lazniewski
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland,Corresponding authors
| | - Doni Dermawan
- Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
| | - Syahrul Hidayat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
| | - Muchtaridi Muchtaridi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
| | - Wayne K. Dawson
- Veritas In Silico, 1-11-1 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Dariusz Plewczynski
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland,Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland,Corresponding authors
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17
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Matsui Y, Li L, Prahl M, Cassidy AG, Ozarslan N, Golan Y, Gonzalez VJ, Lin CY, Jigmeddagva U, Chidboy MA, Montano M, Taha TY, Khalid MM, Sreekumar B, Hayashi JM, Chen PY, Kumar GR, Warrier L, Wu AH, Song D, Jegatheesan P, Rai DS, Govindaswami B, Needens J, Rincon M, Myatt L, Asiodu IV, Flaherman VJ, Afshar Y, Jacoby VL, Murtha AP, Robinson JF, Ott M, Greene WC, Gaw SL. Neutralizing antibody activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants in gestational age-matched mother-infant dyads after infection or vaccination. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e157354. [PMID: 35579965 PMCID: PMC9309042 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.157354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy confers unique immune responses to infection and vaccination across gestation. To date, there are limited data comparing vaccine- and infection-induced neutralizing Abs (nAbs) against COVID-19 variants in mothers during pregnancy. We analyzed paired maternal and cord plasma samples from 60 pregnant individuals. Thirty women vaccinated with mRNA vaccines (from December 2020 through August 2021) were matched with 30 naturally infected women (from March 2020 through January 2021) by gestational age of exposure. Neutralization activity against the 5 SARS-CoV-2 spike sequences was measured by a SARS-CoV-2-pseudotyped spike virion assay. Effective nAbs against SARS-CoV-2 were present in maternal and cord plasma after both infection and vaccination. Compared with WT spike protein, these nAbs were less effective against the Delta and Mu spike variants. Vaccination during the third trimester induced higher cord-nAb levels at delivery than did infection during the third trimester. In contrast, vaccine-induced nAb levels were lower at the time of delivery compared with infection during the first trimester. The transfer ratio (cord nAb level divided by maternal nAb level) was greatest in mothers vaccinated in the second trimester. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection in pregnancy elicits effective nAbs with differing neutralization kinetics that are influenced by gestational time of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Matsui
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lin Li
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mary Prahl
- Department of Pediatrics
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health
| | | | - Nida Ozarslan
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yarden Golan
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
| | | | | | - Unurzul Jigmeddagva
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Megan A. Chidboy
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mauricio Montano
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Taha Y. Taha
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mir M. Khalid
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bharath Sreekumar
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Hayashi
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pei-Yi Chen
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - G. Renuka Kumar
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Alan H.B. Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Dongli Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California, USA
| | - Priya Jegatheesan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California, USA
| | - Daljeet S. Rai
- Stanford-O’Connor Family Medicine Residency Program, Division of Family Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | - Jordan Needens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
| | - Monica Rincon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Leslie Myatt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | | | - Yalda Afshar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | - Joshua F. Robinson
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, and
| | - Warner C. Greene
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Gaw
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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18
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Lekana-Douki SE, N'dilimabaka N, Levasseur A, Colson P, Andeko JC, Zong Minko O, Banga Mve-Ella O, Fournier PE, Devaux C, Ondo BM, Akombi FL, Yacka Mouele Bolo L, Ngonga Dikongo AM, Diané A, Mabika Mabika A, Mathouet JF, Dzembo C, Atiga NC, Mouity Matoumba A, Ndjangangoye NK, Bréchard L, Bedotto-Buffet M, Mangombi Pambou JB, Kandet Yattara M, Mbongo Nkama EA, Mintsa Ndong A, Adegnika AA, Raoult D, Fenollar F, Lekana-Douki JB. Screening and Whole Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Circulating During the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Libreville and the Haut-Ogooué Province in Gabon. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:877391. [PMID: 35655849 PMCID: PMC9152426 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.877391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 viral dynamics in Africa have been less documented than on other continents. In Gabon, a Central African country, a total number of 37,511 cases of COVID-19 and 281 deaths have been reported as of December 8, 2021. After the first COVID-19 case was reported on March 12, 2020, in the capital Libreville, the country experienced two successive waves. The first one, occurred in March 2020 to August 2020, and the second one in January 2021 to May 2021. The third wave began in September 2021 and ended in November 2021. In order to reduce the data gap regarding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Central Africa, we performed a retrospective genotyping study using 1,006 samples collected from COVID-19 patients in Gabon from 2020 to 2021. Using SARS-CoV-2 variant screening by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), we genotyped 809 SARS-CoV-2 samples through qRT-PCR and identified to generated 291 new genomes. It allowed us to describe specific mutations and changes in the SARS-CoV-2 variants in Gabon. The qRT-PCR screening of 809 positive samples from March 2020 to September 2021 showed that 119 SARS-CoV-2 samples (14.7%) were classified as VOC Alpha (Pangolin lineage B.1.1.7), one (0.1%) was a VOC Beta (B.1.351), and 198 (24.5 %) were VOC Delta (B.1.617.2), while 491 samples (60.7%) remained negative for the variants sought. The B1.1 variant was predominant during the first wave while the VOC Alpha dominated the second wave. The B1.617.2 Delta variant is currently the dominant variant of the third wave. Similarly, the analysis of the 291 genome sequences indicated that the dominant variant during the first wave was lineage B.1.1, while the dominant variants of the second wave were lineages B.1.1.7 (50.6%) and B.1.1.318 (36.4%). The third wave started with the circulation of the Delta variant (B.1.617). Finally, we compared these results to the SARS-CoV-2 sequences reported in other African, European, American and Asian countries. Sequences of Gabonese SARS-CoV-2 strains presented the highest similarities with those of France, Belgium and neighboring countries of Central Africa, as well as West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadine N'dilimabaka
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.,Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Anthony Levasseur
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Julia Cyrielle Andeko
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Ornella Zong Minko
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Octavie Banga Mve-Ella
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Abdoulaye Diané
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Arsène Mabika Mabika
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Jenny Francine Mathouet
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Cresh Dzembo
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Nick Chenis Atiga
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Anicet Mouity Matoumba
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ayola Akim Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institute of Tropical Medecine, University of Tübingen and German Center for Infectious Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Bernard Lekana-Douki
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.,Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médecine Tropicale, Faculté de Médecine, Université des Sciences de la Sante, Libreville, Gabon
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19
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López-Cortés GI, Palacios-Pérez M, Veledíaz HF, Hernández-Aguilar M, López-Hernández GR, Zamudio GS, José MV. The Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Is Adapting Because of Selective Pressures. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:864. [PMID: 35746472 PMCID: PMC9230601 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The global scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the clues of adaptation. After two years and two months since the declaration of the pandemic, several variants have emerged and become fixed in the human population thanks to extrinsic selective pressures but also to the inherent mutational capacity of the virus. Here, we applied a neutral substitution evolution test to the spike (S) protein of Omicron's protein and compared it to the others' variant of concern (VOC) neutral evolution. We carried out comparisons among the interactions between the S proteins from the VOCs (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron) and the receptor ACE2. The shared amino acids among all the ACE2 binding S proteins remain constant, indicating that these amino acids are essential for the accurate binding to the receptor. The complexes of the RBD for every variant with the receptor were used to identify the amino acids involved in the protein-protein interaction (PPI). The RBD of Omicron establishes 82 contacts, compared to the 74 of the Wuhan original viral protein. Hence, the mean number of contacts per residue is higher, making the contact thermodynamically more stable. The RBDs of the VOCs are similar in sequence and structure; however, Omicron's RBD presents the largest deviation from the structure by 1.11 Å RMSD, caused by a set of mutations near the glycosylation N343. The chemical properties and structure near the glycosylation N343 of the Omicron S protein are different from the original protein, which provoke reduced recognition by the neutralizing antibodies. Our results hint that selective pressures are induced by mass vaccination throughout the world and by the persistence of recurrent infections in immunosuppressed individuals, who did not eliminate the infection and ended up facilitating the selection of viruses whose characteristics are different from the previous VOCs, less pathogenic but with higher transmissibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina I. López-Cortés
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
- Network of Researchers on the Chemical Evolution of Life, NoRCEL, Leeds LS7 3RB, UK
| | - Miryam Palacios-Pérez
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
- Network of Researchers on the Chemical Evolution of Life, NoRCEL, Leeds LS7 3RB, UK
| | - Hannya F. Veledíaz
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
| | - Margarita Hernández-Aguilar
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
| | - Gerardo R. López-Hernández
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
| | - Gabriel S. Zamudio
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
| | - Marco V. José
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.P.-P.); (H.F.V.); (M.H.-A.); (G.R.L.-H.); (G.S.Z.)
- Network of Researchers on the Chemical Evolution of Life, NoRCEL, Leeds LS7 3RB, UK
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20
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Hoter A, Naim HY. Biochemical Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD Mutations and Their Impact on ACE2 Receptor Binding. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:893843. [PMID: 35677879 PMCID: PMC9168323 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.893843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of mammalian cells by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus requires primary interaction between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein and the host cell surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) glycoprotein. Several mutations in the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been reported for several variants and resulted in wide spread of the COVID pandemic. For instance, the double mutations L452R and E484Q present in the Indian B.1.617 variant have been suggested to cause evasion of the host immune response. The common RBD mutations N501Y and E484K were found to enhance the interaction with the ACE2 receptor. In the current study, we analyzed the biosynthesis and secretion of the RBD double mutants L452R and E484Q in comparison to the wild-type RBD and the individual mutations N501 and E484K in mammalian cells. Moreover, we evaluated the interaction of these variants with ACE2 by means of expression of the S protein and co-immunoprecipitation with ACE2. Our results revealed that the double RBD mutations L452R and E484Q resulted in a higher expression level and secretion of spike S1 protein than other mutations. In addition, an increased interaction of these mutant forms with ACE2 in Calu3 cells was observed. Altogether, our findings highlight the impact of continuous S1 mutations on the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 and provide further biochemical evidence for the dominance and high transmissibility of the double Indian mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Hoter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hassan Y. Naim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Hassan Y. Naim,
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21
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Ortiz-Pineda PA, Sierra-Torres CH. Evolutionary Traits and Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in South America. Glob Health Epidemiol Genom 2022; 2022:8551576. [PMID: 35655960 PMCID: PMC9132712 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8551576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the zoonotic event from which SARS-CoV-2 started infecting humans late in 2019, the virus has caused more than 5 million deaths and has infected over 500 million people around the world. The pandemic has had a severe impact on social and economic activities, with greater repercussions in low-income countries. South America, with almost 5% of the world's population, has reckoned with almost a fifth of the total people infected and more than 26% (>1/4) of the deceased. Fortunately, the full genome structure and sequence of SARS-CoV-2 have been rapidly obtained and studied thanks to all the scientific efforts and data sharing around the world. Such molecular analysis of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics showed that rates of mutation, similar to other members of the Coronaviridae family, along with natural selection forces, could result in the emergence of new variants; few of them might be of high consequence. However, this is a serious threat to controlling the pandemic and, of course, enduring the process of returning to normalization with the implicit monetary cost of such a contingency. The lack of updated knowledge in South America justifies the need to develop a structured genomic surveillance program of current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The modeling of the molecular events and microevolution of the virus will contribute to making better decisions on public health management of the pandemic and developing accurate treatments and more efficient vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo A. Ortiz-Pineda
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genomics, InnovaGen Foundation, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Carlos H. Sierra-Torres
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genomics, InnovaGen Foundation, Popayán, Colombia
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
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22
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Johnson BA, Zhou Y, Lokugamage KG, Vu MN, Bopp N, Crocquet-Valdes PA, Kalveram B, Schindewolf C, Liu Y, Scharton D, Plante JA, Xie X, Aguilar P, Weaver SC, Shi PY, Walker DH, Routh AL, Plante KS, Menachery VD. Nucleocapsid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 augment replication and pathogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2021.10.14.464390. [PMID: 34671771 PMCID: PMC8528077 DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.14.464390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
While SARS-CoV-2 continues to adapt for human infection and transmission, genetic variation outside of the spike gene remains largely unexplored. This study investigates a highly variable region at residues 203-205 in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Recreating a mutation found in the alpha and omicron variants in an early pandemic (WA-1) background, we find that the R203K+G204R mutation is sufficient to enhance replication, fitness, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. The R203K+G204R mutant corresponds with increased viral RNA and protein both in vitro and in vivo . Importantly, the R203K+G204R mutation increases nucleocapsid phosphorylation and confers resistance to inhibition of the GSK-3 kinase, providing a molecular basis for increased virus replication. Notably, analogous alanine substitutions at positions 203+204 also increase SARS-CoV-2 replication and augment phosphorylation, suggesting that infection is enhanced through ablation of the ancestral 'RG' motif. Overall, these results demonstrate that variant mutations outside spike are key components in SARS-CoV-2's continued adaptation to human infection. AUTHOR SUMMARY Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 has continued to adapt for human infection resulting in the emergence of variants with unique genetic profiles. Most studies of genetic variation have focused on spike, the target of currently available vaccines, leaving the importance of variation elsewhere understudied. Here, we characterize a highly variable motif at residues 203-205 in nucleocapsid. Recreating the prominent nucleocapsid R203K+G204R mutation in an early pandemic background, we show that this mutation is alone sufficient to enhance SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis. We also link augmentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by the R203K+G204R mutation to its modulation of nucleocapsid phosphorylation. Finally, we characterize an analogous alanine double substitution at positions 203-204. This mutant was found to mimic R203K+G204R, suggesting augmentation of infection occurs by disrupting the ancestral sequence. Together, our findings illustrate that mutations outside of spike are key components of SARS-CoV-2's adaptation to human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yiyang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kumari G. Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle N. Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nathen Bopp
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Craig Schindewolf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dionna Scharton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patricia Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andrew L. Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kenneth S. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vineet D. Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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23
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Islam MA, Haque MA, Rahman MA, Hossen F, Reza M, Barua A, Marzan AA, Das T, Kumar Baral S, He C, Ahmed F, Bhattacharya P, Jakariya M. A Review on Measures to Rejuvenate Immune System: Natural Mode of Protection Against Coronavirus Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:837290. [PMID: 35371007 PMCID: PMC8965011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.837290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, a novel Corona virus strain, was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. As of December 16, 2021, almost 4,822,472 people had died and over 236,132,082 were infected with this lethal viral infection. It is believed that the human immune system is thought to play a critical role in the initial phase of infection when the viruses invade the host cells. Although some effective vaccines have already been on the market, researchers and many bio-pharmaceuticals are still working hard to develop a fully functional vaccine or more effective therapeutic agent against the COVID-19. Other efforts, in addition to functional vaccines, can help strengthen the immune system to defeat the corona virus infection. Herein, we have reviewed some of those proven measures, following which a more efficient immune system can be better prepared to fight viral infection. Among these, dietary supplements like- fresh vegetables and fruits offer a plentiful of vitamins and antioxidants, enabling to build of a healthy immune system. While the pharmacologically active components of medicinal plants directly aid in fighting against viral infection, supplementary supplements combined with a healthy diet will assist to regulate the immune system and will prevent viral infection. In addition, some personal habits, like- regular physical exercise, intermittent fasting, and adequate sleep, had also been proven to aid the immune system in becoming an efficient one. Maintaining each of these will strengthen the immune system, allowing innate immunity to become a more defensive and active antagonistic mechanism against corona-virus infection. However, because dietary treatments take longer to produce beneficial effects in adaptive maturation, personalized nutrition cannot be expected to have an immediate impact on the global outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Aminul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
- Department of Microbiology President Abdul Hamid Medical College, Karimganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Atiqul Haque
- Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonoses of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Arifur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Foysal Hossen
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Mahin Reza
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Abanti Barua
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Al Marzan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Tuhin Das
- Department of Microbiology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | | | - Cheng He
- Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonoses of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Firoz Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- COVID-19 Research@KTH, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Md. Jakariya
- Department of Environmental Science and Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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24
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Thakur S, Sasi S, Pillai SG, Nag A, Shukla D, Singhal R, Phalke S, Velu GSK. SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and Their Impact on Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccines. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:815389. [PMID: 35273977 PMCID: PMC8902153 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.815389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the high rate of COVID-19 infections worldwide, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants was inevitable. Several mutations have been identified in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, with the spike protein as one of the mutational hot spots. Specific amino acid substitutions such as D614G and N501Y were found to alter the transmissibility and virulence of the virus. The WHO has classified the variants identified with fitness-enhancing mutations as variants of concern (VOC), variants of interest (VOI) or variants under monitoring (VUM). The VOCs pose an imminent threat as they exhibit higher transmissibility, disease severity and ability to evade vaccine-induced and natural immunity. Here we review the mutational landscape on the SARS-CoV-2 structural and non-structural proteins and their impact on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. We also look at the effectiveness of approved vaccines, antibody therapy and convalescent plasma on the currently prevalent VOCs, which are B.1.17, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529. We further discuss the possible factors influencing mutation rates and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Thakur
- Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd., Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Shalitha Sasi
- Blue Horizon International Therapeutic Sciences, Hackensack, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Dhananjay Shukla
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur, India
| | - Ritu Singhal
- Department of Microbiology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease, New Delhi, India
| | - Sameer Phalke
- Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd., Visakhapatnam, India
| | - G. S. K. Velu
- Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd., Visakhapatnam, India
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25
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Liu Y, Zhang X, Liu J, Xia H, Zou J, Muruato AE, Periasamy S, Plante JA, Bopp NE, Kurhade C, Bukreyev A, Ren P, Wang T, Menachery VD, Plante KS, Xie X, Weaver SC, Shi PY. A live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with accessory protein deletions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.02.14.480460. [PMID: 35194609 PMCID: PMC8863145 DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.14.480460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with (i) re-engineered viral transcriptional regulator sequences and (ii) deleted open-reading-frames (ORF) 3, 6, 7, and 8 (Δ3678). The Δ3678 virus replicates about 7,500-fold lower than wild-type SARS-CoV-2 on primary human airway cultures, but restores its replication on interferon-deficient Vero-E6 cells that are approved for vaccine production. The Δ3678 virus is highly attenuated in both hamster and K18-hACE2 mouse models. A single-dose immunization of the Δ3678 virus protects hamsters from wild-type virus challenge and transmission. Among the deleted ORFs in the Δ3678 virus, ORF3a accounts for the most attenuation through antagonizing STAT1 phosphorylation during type-I interferon signaling. We also developed an mNeonGreen reporter Δ3678 virus for high-throughput neutralization and antiviral testing. Altogether, the results suggest that Δ3678 SARS-CoV-2 may serve as a live-attenuated vaccine candidate and a research tool for potential biosafety level-2 use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Xianwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Jianying Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Antonio E. Muruato
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Sivakumar Periasamy
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nathen E. Bopp
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vineet D. Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 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
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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26
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Zou J, Xia H, Xie X, Kurhade C, Machado RRG, Weaver SC, Ren P, Shi PY. Neutralization against Omicron SARS-CoV-2 from previous non-Omicron infection. Nat Commun 2022; 13:852. [PMID: 35140233 PMCID: PMC8828871 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28544-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant underscores the importance of analyzing the cross-protection from previous non-Omicron infection. We have developed a high-throughput neutralization assay for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 by engineering the Omicron spike gene into an mNeonGreen USA-WA1/2020 SARS-CoV-2 (isolated in January 2020). Using this assay, we determine the neutralization titers (defined as the maximal serum dilution that inhibited 50% of infectious virus) of patient sera collected at 1- or 6-months after infection with non-Omicron SARS-CoV-2. From 1- to 6-month post-infection, the neutralization titers against USA-WA1/2020 decrease from 601 to 142 (a 4.2-fold reduction), while the neutralization titers against Omicron-spike SARS-CoV-2 remain low at 38 and 32, respectively. Thus, at 1- and 6-months after non-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection, the neutralization titers against Omicron are 15.8- and 4.4-fold lower than those against USA-WA1/2020, respectively. The low cross-neutralization against Omicron from previous non-Omicron infection supports vaccination of formerly infected individuals to mitigate the health impact of the ongoing Omicron surge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rafael R G Machado
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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27
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Immunodominant Linear B-Cell Epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 Spike, Identified by Sera from K18-hACE2 Mice Infected with the WT or Variant Viruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020251. [PMID: 35214711 PMCID: PMC8875268 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 surface spike protein mediates the viral entry into the host cell and represents the primary immunological target of COVID-19 vaccines as well as post-exposure immunotherapy. Establishment of the highly immunogenic B-cell epitope profile of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in general, and that of the spike protein in particular, may contribute to the development of sensitive diagnostic tools and identification of vaccine` candidate targets. In the current study, the anti-viral antibody response in transgenic K18-hACE-2 mice was examined by implementing an immunodominant epitope mapping approach of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Serum samples for probing an epitope array covering the entire spike protein were collected from mice following infection with the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as the B.1.1.7 Alpha and B.1.351 Beta genetic variants of concern. The analysis resulted in distinction of six linear epitopes common to the humoral response against all virus variants inspected at a frequency of more than 20% of the serum samples. Finally, the universality of the response was probed by cross-protective in vitro experiments using plaque-reducing neutralization tests. The data presented here has important implications for prediction of the efficacy of immune countermeasures against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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28
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Salehi-Vaziri M, Fazlalipour M, Seyed Khorrami SM, Azadmanesh K, Pouriayevali MH, Jalali T, Shoja Z, Maleki A. The ins and outs of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Arch Virol 2022; 167:327-344. [PMID: 35089389 PMCID: PMC8795292 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05365-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, a newly emerging coronavirus that caused the COVID-19 epidemic, has been spreading quickly throughout the world. Despite immunization and some fairly effective therapeutic regimens, SARS-CoV-2 has been ravaging patients, health workers, and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 mutates and evolves to adapt to its host as a result of extreme selection pressure. As a consequence, new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged, some of which are classified as variants of concern (VOC) because they exhibit greater transmissibility, cause more-severe disease, are better able to escape immunity, or cause higher mortality than the original Wuhan strain. Here, we introduce these VOCs and review their characteristics, such as transmissibility, immune escape, mortality risk, and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri
- COVID-19 National Reference Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave, 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Fazlalipour
- COVID-19 National Reference Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave, 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kayhan Azadmanesh
- Research Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hassan Pouriayevali
- COVID-19 National Reference Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave, 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Jalali
- COVID-19 National Reference Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave, 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zabihollah Shoja
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Maleki
- COVID-19 National Reference Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave, 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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29
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da Silva SJR, de Lima SC, da Silva RC, Kohl A, Pena L. Viral Load in COVID-19 Patients: Implications for Prognosis and Vaccine Efficacy in the Context of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:836826. [PMID: 35174189 PMCID: PMC8841511 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.836826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused an unprecedented public health crisis in the 21st century. As the pandemic evolves, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has been characterized by the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs), which resulted in a catastrophic impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection. In light of this, research groups around the world are unraveling key aspects of the associated illness, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A cumulative body of data has indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 viral load may be a determinant of the COVID-19 severity. Here we summarize the main characteristics of the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, discussing their impact on viral transmissibility, viral load, disease severity, vaccine breakthrough, and lethality among COVID-19 patients. We also provide a rundown of the rapidly expanding scientific evidence from clinical studies and animal models that indicate how viral load could be linked to COVID-19 prognosis and vaccine efficacy among vaccinated individuals, highlighting the differences compared to unvaccinated individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severino Jefferson Ribeiro da Silva
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Suelen Cristina de Lima
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Celerino da Silva
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Lindomar Pena
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapy (LAVITE), Department of Virology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
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30
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Jiang Y, Wu Q, Song P, You C. The Variation of SARS-CoV-2 and Advanced Research on Current Vaccines. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:806641. [PMID: 35118097 PMCID: PMC8804231 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.806641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 2 years, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rapidly spread worldwide. In the process of evolution, new mutations of SARS-CoV-2 began to appear to be more adaptable to the diverse changes of various cellular environments and hosts. Generally, the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are characterized by high infectivity, augmented virulence, and fast transmissibility, posing a serious threat to the prevention and control of the global epidemic. At present, there is a paucity of effective measurements to cure COVID-19. It is extremely crucial to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants to enhance individual immunity, but it is not yet known whether they are approved by the authority. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the main characteristics of the emerging various variants of SARS-CoV-2, including their distribution, mutations, transmissibility, severity, and susceptibility to immune responses, especially the Delta variant and the new emerging Omicron variant. Furthermore, we overviewed the suitable crowd, the efficacy, and adverse events (AEs) of current vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chongge You
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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31
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Prathiviraj R, Chellapandi P, Begum A, Kiran GS, Selvin J. Identification of genotypic variants and its proteomic mutations of Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Virus Res 2022; 307:198618. [PMID: 34740719 PMCID: PMC8563081 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The second wave of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) is rapidly spreading over the world. Mechanisms behind the flee from current antivirals are still unclear due to the continuous occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants. Brazil is the world's second-most COVID-19 affected country. In the present study, we identified the genomic and proteomic variants of Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 isolates. We identified 16 different genotypic variants were found among the 27 isolates. The genotypes of three isolates such as Bra/1236/2021 (G15), Bra/MASP2C844R2/2020 (G11), and Bra/RJ-DCVN5/2020 (G9) have a unique mutant in NSP4 (S184N), 2'O-Mutase (R216N), membrane protein (A2V) and Envelope protein (V5A). A mutation in RdRp of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the change of Pro-to Leu-at 323 resulted in the stabilization of the structure in BRA/CD1739-P4/2020. NSP4, NSP5 protein mutants are more virulent in genotype 15 and 16. A fast protein folding rate changes the structural stability and leads to escape for current antivirals. Thus, our findings help researchers to develop the best potent antivirals based on the new mutant of Brazilian isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulchamy Chellapandi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, India
| | - Ajima Begum
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - George Seghal Kiran
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Joseph Selvin
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
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32
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Zhao H, Yuen KY. Broad-spectrum Respiratory Virus Entry Inhibitors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1366:137-153. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-8702-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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33
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de Souza GAP, Le Bideau M, Boschi C, Ferreira L, Wurtz N, Devaux C, Colson P, La Scola B. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Genotypes Show Different Replication Patterns in Human Pulmonary and Intestinal Epithelial Cells. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010023. [PMID: 35062227 PMCID: PMC8777977 DOI: 10.3390/v14010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) quickly spread worldwide following its emergence in Wuhan, China, and hit pandemic levels. Its tremendous incidence favoured the emergence of viral variants. The current genome diversity of SARS-CoV-2 has a clear impact on epidemiology and clinical practice, especially regarding transmission rates and the effectiveness of vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the replication of different SARS-CoV-2 isolates representing different virus genotypes which have been isolated throughout the pandemic. We used three distinct cell lines, including Vero E6 cells originating from monkeys; Caco-2 cells, an intestinal epithelium cell line originating from humans; and Calu-3 cells, a pulmonary epithelium cell line also originating from humans. We used RT-qPCR to replicate different SARS-CoV-2 genotypes by quantifying the virus released in the culture supernatant of infected cells. We found that the different viral isolates replicate similarly in Caco-2 cells, but show very different replicative capacities in Calu-3 cells. This was especially highlighted for the lineages B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1, which are considered to be variants of concern. These results underscore the importance of the evaluation and characterisation of each SARS-CoV-2 isolate in order to establish the replication patterns before performing tests, and of the consideration of the ideal SARS-CoV-2 genotype-cell type pair for each assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Augusto Pires de Souza
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Marion Le Bideau
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Celine Boschi
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Lorène Ferreira
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Wurtz
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Unité de Recherche Microbe Phylogeny and Evoluition (MEPHI), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (G.A.P.d.S.); (M.L.B.); (C.B.); (L.F.); (N.W.); (C.D.); (P.C.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-0413-732-401
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Perez-Gomez R. The Development of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: The Gene Makes the Disease. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:58. [PMID: 34940505 PMCID: PMC8705434 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged towards the end of 2019 that caused a severe respiratory disease in humans called COVID-19. It led to a pandemic with a high rate of morbidity and mortality that is ongoing and threatening humankind. Most of the mutations occurring in SARS-CoV-2 are synonymous or deleterious, but a few of them produce improved viral functions. The first known mutation associated with higher transmissibility, D614G, was detected in early 2020. Since then, the virus has evolved; new mutations have occurred, and many variants have been described. Depending on the genes affected and the location of the mutations, they could provide altered infectivity, transmissibility, or immune escape. To date, mutations that cause variations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been among the most studied because of the protein's role in the initial virus-cell contact and because it is the most variable region in the virus genome. Some concerning mutations associated with an impact on viral fitness have been described in the Spike protein, such as D614G, N501Y, E484K, K417N/T, L452R, and P681R, among others. To understand the impact of the infectivity and antigenicity of the virus, the mutation landscape of SARS-CoV-2 has been under constant global scrutiny. The virus variants are defined according to their origin, their genetic profile (some characteristic mutations prevalent in the lineage), and the severity of the disease they produce, which determines the level of concern. If they increase fitness, new variants can outcompete others in the population. The Alpha variant was more transmissible than previous versions and quickly spread globally. The Beta and Gamma variants accumulated mutations that partially escape the immune defenses and affect the effectiveness of vaccines. Nowadays, the Delta variant, identified around March 2021, has spread and displaced the other variants, becoming the most concerning of all lineages that have emerged. The Delta variant has a particular genetic profile, bearing unique mutations, such as T478K in the spike protein and M203R in the nucleocapsid. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the different mutations that have appeared in SARS-CoV-2, mainly on the spike protein. It analyzes their impact on the protein function and, subsequently, on the level of concern of different variants and their importance in the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Perez-Gomez
- Translational Genomics Group, Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia y Biomedicina BIOTECMED, Universitat de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
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35
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Heijnen L, Elsinga G, de Graaf M, Molenkamp R, Koopmans MPG, Medema G. Droplet digital RT-PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 signature mutations of variants of concern in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149456. [PMID: 34371414 PMCID: PMC8332926 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance has shown to be a valuable and efficient tool to obtain information about the trends of COVID-19 in the community. Since the recent emergence of new variants, associated with increased transmissibility and/or antibody escape (variants of concern), there is an urgent need for methods that enable specific and timely detection and quantification of the occurrence of these variants in the community. In this study, we demonstrate the use of RT-ddPCR on wastewater samples for specific detection of mutation N501Y. This assay enabled simultaneous enumeration of lineage B.1.351 (containing the 501Y mutation) and Wild Type (WT, containing 501N) SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Detection of N501Y was possible in samples with mixtures of WT with low proportions of B.1.351 (0.5%) and could accurately determine the proportion of N501Y and WT in mixtures of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The application to raw sewage samples from the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht demonstrated that this method can be applied to wastewater samples. The emergence of N501Y in Amsterdam and Utrecht wastewater aligned with the emergence of B.1.1.7 as causative agent of COVID-19 in the Netherlands, indicating that RT-ddPCR of wastewater samples can be used to monitor the emergence of the N501Y mutation in the community. It also indicates that RT-ddPCR could be used for sensitive and accurate monitoring of current (like K417N, K417T, E484K, L452R) or future mutations present in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Monitoring these mutations can be used to obtain insight in the introduction and spread of VOC and support public health decision-making regarding measures to limit viral spread or allocation of testing or vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Heijnen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
| | - Goffe Elsinga
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda de Graaf
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Molenkamp
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
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36
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Heijnen L, Elsinga G, de Graaf M, Molenkamp R, Koopmans MPG, Medema G. Droplet digital RT-PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 signature mutations of variants of concern in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149456. [PMID: 34371414 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.25.21254324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance has shown to be a valuable and efficient tool to obtain information about the trends of COVID-19 in the community. Since the recent emergence of new variants, associated with increased transmissibility and/or antibody escape (variants of concern), there is an urgent need for methods that enable specific and timely detection and quantification of the occurrence of these variants in the community. In this study, we demonstrate the use of RT-ddPCR on wastewater samples for specific detection of mutation N501Y. This assay enabled simultaneous enumeration of lineage B.1.351 (containing the 501Y mutation) and Wild Type (WT, containing 501N) SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Detection of N501Y was possible in samples with mixtures of WT with low proportions of B.1.351 (0.5%) and could accurately determine the proportion of N501Y and WT in mixtures of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The application to raw sewage samples from the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht demonstrated that this method can be applied to wastewater samples. The emergence of N501Y in Amsterdam and Utrecht wastewater aligned with the emergence of B.1.1.7 as causative agent of COVID-19 in the Netherlands, indicating that RT-ddPCR of wastewater samples can be used to monitor the emergence of the N501Y mutation in the community. It also indicates that RT-ddPCR could be used for sensitive and accurate monitoring of current (like K417N, K417T, E484K, L452R) or future mutations present in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Monitoring these mutations can be used to obtain insight in the introduction and spread of VOC and support public health decision-making regarding measures to limit viral spread or allocation of testing or vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Heijnen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
| | - Goffe Elsinga
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda de Graaf
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Molenkamp
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
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37
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Miller NL, Clark T, Raman R, Sasisekharan R. Insights on the mutational landscape of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.12.06.471499. [PMID: 34909771 PMCID: PMC8669838 DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.06.471499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-COV2 Omicron variant has sparked global concern due to the possibility of enhanced transmissibility and escape from vaccines and therapeutics. In this study, we describe the mutational landscape of the Omicron variant using amino acid interaction (AAI) networks. AAI network analysis is particularly well suited for interrogating the impact of constellations of mutations as occur on Omicron that may function in an epistatic manner. Our analyses suggest that as compared to previous variants of concern, the Omicron variant has increased antibody escape breadth due to mutations in class 3 and 4 antibody epitopes as well as increased escape depth due to accumulated mutations in class 1 antibody epitopes. We note certain RBD mutations that might further enhance Omicron's escape, and in particular advise careful surveillance of two subclades bearing R346S/K mutations with relevance for certain therapeutic antibodies. Further, AAI network analysis suggests that the function of certain therapeutic monoclonal antibodies may be disrupted by Omicron mutations as a result of the cumulative indirect perturbations to the epitope surface properties, despite point-mutation analyses suggesting these antibodies are tolerant of the set of Omicron mutations in isolation. Finally, for several Omicron mutations that do not appear to contribute meaningfully to antibody escape, we find evidence for a plausible role in enhanced transmissibility via disruption of RBD-down conformational stability at the RBD-RBD interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel L. Miller
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Thomas Clark
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Rahul Raman
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ram Sasisekharan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Singapore-MIT Alliance in Research and Technology (SMART), Singapore 138602, Singapore
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38
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Aggarwal A, Naskar S, Maroli N, Gorai B, Dixit NM, Maiti PK. Mechanistic insights into the effects of key mutations on SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 binding. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:26451-26458. [PMID: 34806722 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04005g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Some recent SARS-CoV-2 variants appear to have increased transmissibility compared to the original strain. An underlying mechanism could be the improved ability of the variants to bind receptors on the target cells and infect them. In this study, we provide atomic-level insights into the binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its single (N501Y), double (E484Q, L452R) and triple (N501Y, E484Q, L452R) mutated variants to the human ACE2 receptor. Using extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and advanced free energy calculations, we estimate the associated binding affinities and binding hotspots. We observe significant secondary structural changes in the RBD of the mutants, which lead to different binding affinities. We find higher binding affinities for the double (E484Q, L452R) and triple (N501Y, E484Q, L452R) mutated variants than for the wild type and the N501Y variant, which could contribute to the higher transmissibility of recent variants containing these mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Aggarwal
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Supriyo Naskar
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Nikhil Maroli
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Biswajit Gorai
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Narendra M Dixit
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.,Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Prabal K Maiti
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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Tao K, Tzou PL, Nouhin J, Gupta RK, de Oliveira T, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Fera D, Shafer RW. The biological and clinical significance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:757-773. [PMID: 34535792 PMCID: PMC8447121 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00408-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 642] [Impact Index Per Article: 214.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The past several months have witnessed the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with novel spike protein mutations that are influencing the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These variants can increase rates of virus transmission and/or increase the risk of reinfection and reduce the protection afforded by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and vaccination. These variants can therefore enable SARS-CoV-2 to continue its spread in the face of rising population immunity while maintaining or increasing its replication fitness. The identification of four rapidly expanding virus lineages since December 2020, designated variants of concern, has ushered in a new stage of the pandemic. The four variants of concern, the Alpha variant (originally identified in the UK), the Beta variant (originally identified in South Africa), the Gamma variant (originally identified in Brazil) and the Delta variant (originally identified in India), share several mutations with one another as well as with an increasing number of other recently identified SARS-CoV-2 variants. Collectively, these SARS-CoV-2 variants complicate the COVID-19 research agenda and necessitate additional avenues of laboratory, epidemiological and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiming Tao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Philip L Tzou
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Janin Nouhin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ravindra K Gupta
- Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tulio de Oliveira
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Daniela Fera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Robert W Shafer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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40
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Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and emergence of variants of concern. Arch Virol 2021; 167:293-305. [PMID: 34846601 PMCID: PMC8629736 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05295-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The high transmission and mortality rates associated with SARS-CoV-2 have led to tragic consequences worldwide. Large-scale whole-genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 genome since its identification in late 2019 has identified many sequence changes and the emergence of novel strains, each described by co-segregation of a particular set of sequence variations. Variants designated G, alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), gamma (P.1), and delta (B.1.617.2) are important lineages that emerged sequentially and are considered variants of concern. A notable feature of the last four, each of which ultimately evolved from clade G, is the large number (≥ 20) of co-segregating sequence variations associated with them. Several variations are in the spike gene, and some variations are shared among or between strains. Meanwhile, observation of recurrent infections with the same or different SARS-CoV-2 lineages has raised concerns about the duration of the immune responses induced by the initial infection or the vaccine that was administered. While the alpha strain is sensitive to immune responses induced by earlier strains, the beta, gamma, and delta strains can escape antibody neutralization. Apart from random replication errors, intra-host RNA editing, chronic infections, and recombination are processes that may promote the accumulation of sequence changes in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The known contribution of recombination to coronavirus evolution and recent data pertaining to SARS-CoV-2 suggest that recombination may be particularly important. Continued surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 genome is imperative.
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41
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Bayarri-Olmos R, Johnsen LB, Idorn M, Reinert LS, Rosbjerg A, Vang S, Hansen CB, Helgstrand C, Bjelke JR, Bak-Thomsen T, Paludan SR, Garred P, Skjoedt MO. The alpha/B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant exhibits significantly higher affinity for ACE-2 and requires lower inoculation doses to cause disease in K18-hACE2 mice. eLife 2021; 10:e70002. [PMID: 34821555 PMCID: PMC8635972 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The alpha/B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 lineage emerged in autumn 2020 in the United Kingdom and transmitted rapidly until winter 2021 when it was responsible for most new COVID-19 cases in many European countries. The incidence domination was likely due to a fitness advantage that could be driven by the receptor-binding domain (RBD) residue change (N501Y), which also emerged independently in other variants of concern such as the beta/B.1.351 and gamma/P.1 strains. Here, we present a functional characterization of the alpha/B.1.1.7 variant and show an eightfold affinity increase towards human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). In accordance with this, transgenic hACE2 mice showed a faster disease progression and severity after infection with a low dose of B.1.1.7, compared to an early 2020 SARS-CoV-2 isolate. When challenged with sera from convalescent individuals or anti-RBD monoclonal antibodies, the N501Y variant showed a minor, but significant elevated evasion potential of ACE-2/RBD antibody neutralization. The data suggest that the single asparagine to tyrosine substitution remarkable rise in affinity may be responsible for the higher transmission rate and severity of the B.1.1.7 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Bayarri-Olmos
- Recombinant Protein and Antibody Laboratory, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Manja Idorn
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityÅrhusDenmark
| | - Line S Reinert
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityÅrhusDenmark
| | - Anne Rosbjerg
- Recombinant Protein and Antibody Laboratory, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Søren Vang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
| | - Cecilie Bo Hansen
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Mikkel-Ole Skjoedt
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Villa A, Brunialti E, Dellavedova J, Meda C, Rebecchi M, Conti M, Donnici L, De Francesco R, Reggiani A, Lionetti V, Ciana P. DNA aptamers masking angiotensin converting enzyme 2 as an innovative way to treat SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:105982. [PMID: 34798263 PMCID: PMC8594078 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
All the different coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 variants isolated so far share the same mechanism of infection mediated by the interaction of their spike (S) glycoprotein with specific residues on their cellular receptor: the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Therefore, the steric hindrance on this cellular receptor created by a bulk macromolecule may represent an effective strategy for the prevention of the viral spreading and the onset of severe forms of Corona Virus disease 19 (COVID-19). Here, we applied a systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) procedure to identify two single strand DNA molecules (aptamers) binding specifically to the region surrounding the K353, the key residue in human ACE2 interacting with the N501 amino acid of the SARS-CoV-2 S. 3D docking in silico experiments and biochemical assays demonstrated that these aptamers bind to this region, efficiently prevent the SARS-CoV-2 S/human ACE2 interaction and the viral infection in the nanomolar range, regardless of the viral variant, thus suggesting the possible clinical development of these aptamers as SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibitors. Our approach brings a significant innovation to the therapeutic paradigm of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by protecting the target cell instead of focusing on the virus; this is particularly attractive in light of the increasing number of viral mutants that may potentially escape the currently developed immune-mediated neutralization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Villa
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan 20146, Italy
| | - Electra Brunialti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan 20146, Italy
| | | | - Clara Meda
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan 20146, Italy
| | - Monica Rebecchi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan 20146, Italy
| | - Matteo Conti
- INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Lorena Donnici
- INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan 20122, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Angelo Reggiani
- D3 Validation Research Line, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciana
- D3 Validation Research Line, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa 16163, Italy.
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43
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A Comparative Study between Spanish and British SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:2036-2047. [PMID: 34889898 PMCID: PMC8929045 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is key to understanding binding affinity and stability. In the present report, we sought to investigate the differences between two already sequenced genome variants (Spanish and British) of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: In silico model evaluating the homology, identity and similarity in the genome sequence and the structure and alignment of the predictive spike by computational docking methods. Results: The identity results between the Spanish and British variants of the Spike protein were 28.67%. This close correspondence in the results between the Spanish and British SARS-CoV-2 variants shows that they are very similar (99.99%). The alignment obtained results in four deletions. There were 23 nucleotide substitutions also predicted which could affect the functionality of the proteins produced from this sequence. The interaction between the binding receptor domain from the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor produces some of the mutations found and, therefore, the energy of this ligand varies. However, the estimated antigenicity of the British variant is higher than its Spanish counterpart. Conclusions: Our results indicate that minimal mutations could interfere in the infectivity of the virus due to changes in the fitness between host cell recognition and interaction proteins. In particular, the N501Y substitution, situated in the RBD of the spike of the British variant, might be the reason for its extraordinary infective potential.
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Melo-González F, Soto JA, González LA, Fernández J, Duarte LF, Schultz BM, Gálvez NMS, Pacheco GA, Ríos M, Vázquez Y, Rivera-Pérez D, Moreno-Tapia D, Iturriaga C, Vallejos OP, Berríos-Rojas RV, Hoppe-Elsholz G, Urzúa M, Bruneau N, Fasce RA, Mora J, Grifoni A, Sette A, Weiskopf D, Zeng G, Meng W, González-Aramundiz JV, González PA, Abarca K, Ramírez E, Kalergis AM, Bueno SM. Recognition of Variants of Concern by Antibodies and T Cells Induced by a SARS-CoV-2 Inactivated Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:747830. [PMID: 34858404 PMCID: PMC8630786 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.747830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible of the current pandemic ongoing all around the world. Since its discovery in 2019, several circulating variants have emerged and some of them are associated with increased infections and death rate. Despite the genetic differences among these variants, vaccines approved for human use have shown a good immunogenic and protective response against them. In Chile, over 70% of the vaccinated population is immunized with CoronaVac, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The immune response elicited by this vaccine has been described against the first SARS-CoV-2 strain isolated from Wuhan, China and the D614G strain (lineage B). To date, four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern described have circulated worldwide. Here, we describe the neutralizing capacities of antibodies secreted by volunteers in the Chilean population immunized with CoronaVac against variants of concern Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351) Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.617.2). Methods Volunteers enrolled in a phase 3 clinical trial were vaccinated with two doses of CoronaVac in 0-14 or 0-28 immunization schedules. Sera samples were used to evaluate the capacity of antibodies induced by the vaccine to block the binding between Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) from variants of concern and the human ACE2 receptor by an in-house ELISA. Further, conventional microneutralization assays were used to test neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, interferon-γ-secreting T cells against Spike from variants of concern were evaluated in PBMCs from vaccinated subjects using ELISPOT. Results CoronaVac promotes the secretion of antibodies able to block the RBD of all the SARS-CoV-2 variants studied. Seropositivity rates of neutralizing antibodies in the population evaluated were over 97% for the lineage B strain, over 80% for Alpha and Gamma variants, over 75% for Delta variant and over 60% for the Beta variant. Geometric means titers of blocking antibodies were reduced when tested against SARS-CoV-2 variants as compared to ancestral strain. We also observed that antibodies from vaccinated subjects were able to neutralize the infection of variants D614G, Alpha, Gamma and Delta in a conventional microneutralization assay. Importantly, after SARS-CoV-2 infection, we observed that the blocking capacity of antibodies from vaccinated volunteers increased up to ten times for all the variants tested. We compared the number of interferon-γ-secreting T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 Spike WT and variants of concern from vaccinated subjects and we did not detect significant differences. Conclusion Immunization with CoronaVac in either immunization schedule promotes the secretion of antibodies able to block SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and partially neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, it stimulates cellular responses against all variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Melo-González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge A. Soto
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Liliana A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Fernández
- Departamento de Laboratorio Biomédico, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luisa F. Duarte
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bárbara M. Schultz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicolás M. S. Gálvez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gaspar A. Pacheco
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mariana Ríos
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yaneisi Vázquez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Rivera-Pérez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Moreno-Tapia
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Iturriaga
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, División de Pediatría, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Omar P. Vallejos
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roslye V. Berríos-Rojas
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Guillermo Hoppe-Elsholz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcela Urzúa
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, División de Pediatría, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicole Bruneau
- Departamento de Laboratorio Biomédico, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A. Fasce
- Departamento de Laboratorio Biomédico, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Judith Mora
- Departamento de Laboratorio Biomédico, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alba Grifoni
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Daniela Weiskopf
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | | | - José V. González-Aramundiz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Katia Abarca
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, División de Pediatría, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eugenio Ramírez
- Departamento de Laboratorio Biomédico, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Tasbent FE, Özdemir M, Akcan ÖM, Kurt EK. SARS-CoV-2 Genome Analysis of Pediatric Patients in Konya Region, Turkey. J PEDIAT INF DIS-GER 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective Genome sequencing is useful for following the change in mutation and variants in viral agent during pandemics. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) complete genomes on pediatric patients.
Methods Six pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were included in this study. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing was performed using Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION, following the ARTIC Network protocols. Sequencing data were obtained using the FASTQ program and quality assessment was evaluated. The sequence information of all samples was uploaded to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. Genome, variant, clade, and phylogenetic tree analyses were performed with bioinformatic analysis.
Results Two of these six samples were at 20A, two were at 20B, and two were at 19A in the nextstrain clade. According to Pango lineages, B.1.36, B.1.218, B.1, and B.1.260 lineages were detected. A total of 84 mutations were observed in all samples. None of the variants were classified as variants of concern (VOC) nor variants of interest (VOI) according to the Pango database.
Conclusion This study is the first comprehensively sequence analysis registered in the GISAID database reported from the Konya region in Turkey. Similar studies will be informative to track changes in the virus genome, obtain epidemiological data, guide studies on diagnosis and treatment, and evaluate vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Esenkaya Tasbent
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özdemir
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Division of Medical Virology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Özge M. Akcan
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Esma K. Kurt
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
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Abstract
The development of mouse models for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has enabled testing of vaccines and therapeutics and defining aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 disease is severe in K18 transgenic mice (K18-hACE2 Tg) expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, under an ectopic cytokeratin promoter, with high levels of infection measured in the lung and brain. Here, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2 infection in hACE2 knock-in (KI) mice that express hACE2 under an endogenous promoter in place of murine ACE2 (mACE2). Intranasal inoculation of hACE2 KI mice with SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 resulted in substantial viral replication within the upper and lower respiratory tracts with limited spread to extrapulmonary organs. However, SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 KI mice did not lose weight and developed limited pathology. Moreover, no significant differences in viral burden were observed in hACE2 KI mice infected with B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 variants compared to the WA1/2020 strain. Because the entry mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in mice remain uncertain, we evaluated the impact of the naturally occurring, mouse-adapting N501Y mutation by comparing infection of hACE2 KI, K18-hACE2 Tg, ACE2-deficient, and wild-type C57BL/6 mice. The N501Y mutation minimally affected SARS-CoV-2 infection in hACE2 KI mice but was required for viral replication in wild-type C57BL/6 mice in a mACE2-dependent manner and augmented pathogenesis in the K18-hACE2 Tg mice. Thus, the N501Y mutation likely enhances interactions with mACE2 or hACE2 in vivo. Overall, our study highlights the hACE2 KI mice as a model of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease and clarifies the requirement of the N501Y mutation in mice. IMPORTANCE Mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis have facilitated the rapid evaluation of countermeasures. While the first generation of models developed pneumonia and severe disease after SARS-CoV-2 infection, they relied on ectopic expression of supraphysiological levels of human ACE2 (hACE2). This has raised issues with their relevance to humans, as the hACE2 receptor shows a more restricted expression pattern in the respiratory tract. Here, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease with viruses containing or lacking a key mouse-adapting mutation in the spike gene in hACE2 KI mice, which express hACE2 under an endogenous promoter in place of murine ACE2. While infection of hACE2 KI mice with multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2 including variants of concern resulted in viral replication within the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the animals did not sustain severe lung injury. Thus, hACE2 KI mice serve as a model of mild infection with both ancestral and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant strains.
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Mutational Hotspot in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein N-Terminal Domain Conferring Immune Escape Potential. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112114. [PMID: 34834921 PMCID: PMC8618472 DOI: 10.3390/v13112114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Global efforts are being made to monitor the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, aiming for early identification of genotypes providing increased infectivity or virulence. However, viral lineage-focused tracking might fail in early detection of advantageous mutations emerging independently across phylogenies. Here, the emergence patterns of Spike mutations were investigated in sequences deposited in local and global databases to identify mutational hotspots across phylogenies and we evaluated their impact on SARS-CoV-2 evolution. We found a striking increase in the frequency of recruitment of diverse substitutions at a critical residue (W152), positioned in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the Spike protein, observed repeatedly across independent phylogenetic and geographical contexts. These mutations might have an impact on the evasion of neutralizing antibodies. Finally, we found that NTD is a region exhibiting particularly high frequency of mutation recruitments, suggesting an evolutionary path in which the virus maintains optimal efficiency of ACE2 binding combined with the flexibility facilitating the immune escape. We conclude that adaptive mutations, frequently present outside of the receptor-binding domain, can emerge in virtually any SARS-CoV-2 lineage and at any geographical location. Therefore, surveillance should not be restricted to monitoring defined lineages alone.
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Bayarri-Olmos R, Jarlhelt I, Johnsen LB, Hansen CB, Helgstrand C, Rose Bjelke J, Matthiesen F, Nielsen SD, Iversen KK, Ostrowski SR, Bundgaard H, Frikke-Schmidt R, Garred P, Skjoedt MO. Functional Effects of Receptor-Binding Domain Mutations of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 and P.1 Variants. Front Immunol 2021; 12:757197. [PMID: 34691078 PMCID: PMC8529273 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.757197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent identification and rise to dominance of the P.1 and B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variants have brought international concern because they may confer fitness advantages. The same three positions in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) are affected in both variants, but where the 417 substitution differs, the E484K/N501Y have co-evolved by convergent evolution. Here we characterize the functional and immune evasive consequences of the P.1 and B.1.351 RBD mutations. E484K and N501Y result in gain-of-function with two different outcomes: The N501Y confers a ten-fold affinity increase towards ACE-2, but a modest antibody evasion potential of plasma from convalescent or vaccinated individuals, whereas the E484K displays a significant antibody evasion capacity without a major impact on affinity. On the other hand, the two different 417 substitutions severely impair the RBD/ACE-2 affinity, but in the combined P.1 and B.1.351 RBD variants, this effect is partly counterbalanced by the effect of the E484K and N501Y. Our results suggest that the combination of these three mutations is a two-step forward and one step back in terms of viral fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Bayarri-Olmos
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Jarlhelt
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Cecilie Bo Hansen
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Karmark Iversen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sisse Rye Ostrowski
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Blood Bank, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 2034, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henning Bundgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ruth Frikke-Schmidt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel-Ole Skjoedt
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Fan LQ, Hu XY, Chen YY, Peng XL, Fu YH, Zheng YP, Yu JM, He JS. Biological Significance of the Genomic Variation and Structural Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:750725. [PMID: 34691002 PMCID: PMC8529246 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.750725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have been emerging and circulating globally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, of which B.1.617 lineage that was first reported in India at the end of 2020, soon became predominant. Tracing genomic variations and understanding their impact on the viral properties are the foundations for the vaccine and drug development and for the mitigation measures to be taken or lifted. In this study, 1,051 near-complete genomes and 1,559 spike (S) sequences belonging to the B.1.617 were analyzed. A genome-wide spread of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was identified. Of the high frequency mutations identified, 61% (11/18) involved structural proteins, despite two third of the viral genome encoding nonstructural proteins. There were 22 positive selection sites, mostly distributed across the S protein, of which 16 were led by non-C to U transition and should be of a special attention. Haplotype network revealed that a large number of daughter haplotypes were continually derived throughout the pandemic, of which H177, H181 H219 and H286 from the ancestor haplotype H176 of B.1.617.2 were widely prevalent. Besides the well known substitutions of L452R, P681R and deletions of E156 and F157, as well as the potential biological significance, structural analysis in this study still indicated that new amino acid changes in B.1.617, such as E484Q and N501Y, had reshaped the viral bonding network, and increasingly sequenced N501Y mutant with a potential enhanced binding ability was detected in many other countries in the follow-up monitoring. Although we can't conclude the properties of all the mutants including N501Y thoroughly, it merits focusing on their spread epidemically and biologically.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jie-mei Yu
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-sheng He
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
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Lennerstrand J, Palanisamy N. Global Prevalence of Adaptive and Prolonged Infections' Mutations in the Receptor-Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Viruses 2021; 13:1974. [PMID: 34696404 PMCID: PMC8538289 DOI: 10.3390/v13101974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several vaccines with varying efficacies have been developed and are currently administered globally to minimize the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite having an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase with a proofreading activity, new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are on the rise periodically. Some of the mutations in these variants, especially mutations on the spike protein, aid the virus in transmission, infectivity and host immune evasion. Further, these mutations also reduce the effectiveness of some of the current vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In the present study, using the available 984,769 SARS-CoV-2 nucleotide sequences on the NCBI database from the end of 2019 till 28 July 2021, we have estimated the global prevalence of so-called 'adaptive mutations' and 'mutations identified in the prolonged infections', in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein. Irrespective of the geographical region, in the case of the adaptive mutations, N501Y (48.38%) was found to be the dominant mutation followed by L452R (17.52%), T478K (14.31%), E484K (4.69%), S477N (3.29%), K417T (1.64%), N439K (0.7%) and S494P (0.7%). Other mutations were found to be less prevalent (less than 0.7%). Since the last two months, there has been a massive increase of L452R and T478K mutations (delta variant) in certain areas. In the case of prolonged infections' mutations (long-term SARS-CoV-2 infections), V483A (0.009%) was found to be dominant followed by Q493R (0.009%), while other mutations were found in less than 0.007% of the studied sequences. The data obtained in this study will aid in the development of better infection control policies, thereby curbing the spread of this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Lennerstrand
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden;
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