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Mertowska P, Smolak K, Mertowski S, Grywalska E. Immunomodulatory Role of Interferons in Viral and Bacterial Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10115. [PMID: 37373262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferons are a group of immunomodulatory substances produced by the human immune system in response to the presence of pathogens, especially during viral and bacterial infections. Their remarkably diverse mechanisms of action help the immune system fight infections by activating hundreds of genes involved in signal transduction pathways. In this review, we focus on discussing the interplay between the IFN system and seven medically important and challenging viruses (herpes simplex virus (HSV), influenza, hepatitis C virus (HCV), lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and SARS-CoV coronavirus) to highlight the diversity of viral strategies. In addition, the available data also suggest that IFNs play an important role in the course of bacterial infections. Research is currently underway to identify and elucidate the exact role of specific genes and effector pathways in generating the antimicrobial response mediated by IFNs. Despite the numerous studies on the role of interferons in antimicrobial responses, many interdisciplinary studies are still needed to understand and optimize their use in personalized therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Mertowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Konrad Smolak
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Chatterjee B, Singh Sandhu H, Dixit NM. Modeling recapitulates the heterogeneous outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection and quantifies the differences in the innate immune and CD8 T-cell responses between patients experiencing mild and severe symptoms. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010630. [PMID: 35759522 PMCID: PMC9269964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection results in highly heterogeneous outcomes, from cure without symptoms to acute respiratory distress and death. Empirical evidence points to the prominent roles of innate immune and CD8 T-cell responses in determining the outcomes. However, how these immune arms act in concert to elicit the outcomes remains unclear. Here, we developed a mathematical model of within-host SARS-CoV-2 infection that incorporates the essential features of the innate immune and CD8 T-cell responses. Remarkably, by varying the strengths and timings of the two immune arms, the model recapitulated the entire spectrum of outcomes realized. Furthermore, model predictions offered plausible explanations of several confounding clinical observations, including the occurrence of multiple peaks in viral load, viral recrudescence after symptom loss, and prolonged viral positivity. We applied the model to analyze published datasets of longitudinal viral load measurements from patients exhibiting diverse outcomes. The model provided excellent fits to the data. The best-fit parameter estimates indicated a nearly 80-fold stronger innate immune response and an over 200-fold more sensitive CD8 T-cell response in patients with mild compared to severe infection. These estimates provide quantitative insights into the likely origins of the dramatic inter-patient variability in the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The insights have implications for interventions aimed at preventing severe disease and for understanding the differences between viral variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Budhaditya Chatterjee
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Narendra M. Dixit
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Zhou HJ, Cao J, Shi H, Naidoo N, Semba S, Wang P, Fan YF, Zhu SC. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pan-Genotypic Sofosbuvir-Based Regimens for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Infection in China. Front Public Health 2021; 9:779215. [PMID: 34957030 PMCID: PMC8695807 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.779215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 is the most prevalent HCV infection in China. Sofosbuvir-based direct antiviral agent (DAA) regimens are the current mainstays of treatment. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) regimens became reimbursable in China in 2020. Thus, this study aimed to identify the optimal SOF-based regimen and to inform efficient use of healthcare resources by optimizing DAA use in treating HCV genotype 1. Methods and Models: A modeling-based cost-utility analysis was conducted from the payer's perspective targeting adult Chinese patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. Direct medical costs and health utilities were inputted into a Markov model to simulate lifetime experiences of chronically infected HCV patients after receiving SOF/LDV, SOF/VEL or the traditional strategy of pegylated interferon (pegIFN) + ribavirin (RBV). Discounted lifetime cost and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were computed and compared to generate the incremental cost utility ratio (ICUR). An ICUR below the threshold of 31,500 $/QALY suggests cost-effectiveness. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of model findings. Results: Both SOF/LDV and SOF/VEL regimens were dominant to the pegIFN + RBV regimen by creating more QALYs and incurring less cost. SOF/LDV produced 0.542 more QALYs but cost $10,390 less than pegIFN + RBV. Relative to SOF/LDV, SOF/VEL had an ICUR of 168,239 $/QALY which did not meet the cost-effectiveness standard. Therefore SOF/LDV was the optimal strategy. These findings were robust to linear and random variations of model parameters. However, reducing the SOF/VEL price by 40% would make this regimen the most cost-effective option. Conclusions: SOF/LDV was found to be the most cost-effective treatment, and SOF/VEL was also economically dominant to pegIFN + RBV. These findings indicated that replacing pegIFN + RBV with DAA regimens could be a promising strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jun Zhou
- Department of Public Administration, Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Public Administration, Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Public Administration, Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Nasheen Naidoo
- Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sherehe Semba
- Department of Public Administration, Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Faculty of Science, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Pei Wang
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Fan Fan
- Department of Public Administration, Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shui Cheng Zhu
- Department of Public Administration, Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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Munyemana JB, Mukanoheli E, Nsabimana T, Niringiyumukiza JD. HCV Seroprevalence among HIV Patients and Associated Comorbidities at One Primary Health Facility in Rwanda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1747-1750. [PMID: 33720846 PMCID: PMC8103456 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV have emerged as major viral infections within the past two decades, and their coinfection poses a big challenge with a significant impact in terms of morbidity and mortality associated with liver disease and renal failure. The current study aimed at assessing the prevalence of HCV infection and associated comorbidities among HIV patients at one primary health facility in Rwanda. In total, 417 HIV-positive patients were recruited and included in the study from January 1, 2019 up to June 30, 2019. All participants were screened for HCV infection by using the SD Bioline HCV antibody rapid test. In addition, underlying medical conditions were also recorded as comorbidities. Among 417 participants, 52 exhibited HCV-positive results (12.5%). The group of 41- to 50- and 51- to 60-year-olds had higher prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection than other age-groups with 3.6% and 4.6%, respectively. Furthermore, five underlying medical conditions were found as comorbidities among the study participants. Those with HIV/HCV coinfection showed higher comorbidities than those with mono-infection including liver toxicity, P value 0.005; tuberculosis, P value 0.005; renal failure, P value 0.003; hypertension, P value 0.001; and diabetes mellitus, P value 0.001. The relative risk ratio of having comorbidities in those groups was 4.09. To conclude, the prevalence of HCV/HIV coinfection is high, and there was a statistical significant association of having comorbidities in HIV/HCV-coinfected group compared with the group of HIV mono-infection, which suggests more intervention in this vulnerable group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Bosco Munyemana
- Department of Clinical Biology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda;,Address correspondence to Jean Bosco Munyemana, Department of Clinical Biology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, KK 737 St., P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda, E-mail: or Theoneste Nsabimana, Department of Internal Medicine, Kibagabaga District Hospital, KG 19 Ave., PO Box 6260, Kigali, Rwanda, E-mail:
| | - Esperance Mukanoheli
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Fundamental Sciences, INES-Ruhengeri, Musanze, Rwanda
| | - Theoneste Nsabimana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kibagabaga District Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda;,Address correspondence to Jean Bosco Munyemana, Department of Clinical Biology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, KK 737 St., P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda, E-mail: or Theoneste Nsabimana, Department of Internal Medicine, Kibagabaga District Hospital, KG 19 Ave., PO Box 6260, Kigali, Rwanda, E-mail:
| | - Jean Damascene Niringiyumukiza
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
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Desikan R, Antia R, Dixit NM. Physical 'strength' of the multi-protein chain connecting immune cells: Does the weakest link limit antibody affinity maturation?: The weakest link in the multi-protein chain facilitating antigen acquisition by B cells in germinal centres limits antibody affinity maturation. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000159. [PMID: 33448042 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The affinities of antibodies (Abs) for their target antigens (Ags) gradually increase in vivo following an infection or vaccination, but reach saturation at values well below those realisable in vitro. This 'affinity ceiling' could in many cases restrict our ability to fight infections and compromise vaccines. What determines the affinity ceiling has been an unresolved question for decades. Here, we argue that it arises from the strength of the chain of protein complexes that is pulled by B cells during the process of Ag acquisition. The affinity ceiling is determined by the strength of the weakest link in the chain. We identify the weakest link and show that the resulting affinity ceiling can explain the Ab affinities realized in vivo, providing a conceptual understanding of Ab affinity maturation. We explore plausible evolutionary underpinnings of the affinity ceiling, examine supporting evidence and alternative hypotheses and discuss implications for vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Desikan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rustom Antia
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Narendra M Dixit
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.,Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
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Padmanabhan P, Desikan R, Dixit NM. Targeting TMPRSS2 and Cathepsin B/L together may be synergistic against SARS-CoV-2 infection. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008461. [PMID: 33290397 PMCID: PMC7748278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into target cells requires the activation of its surface spike protein, S, by host proteases. The host serine protease TMPRSS2 and cysteine proteases Cathepsin B/L can activate S, making two independent entry pathways accessible to SARS-CoV-2. Blocking the proteases prevents SARS-CoV-2 entry in vitro. This blockade may be achieved in vivo through 'repurposing' drugs, a potential treatment option for COVID-19 that is now in clinical trials. Here, we found, surprisingly, that drugs targeting the two pathways, although independent, could display strong synergy in blocking virus entry. We predicted this synergy first using a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 entry and dynamics in vitro. The model considered the two pathways explicitly, let the entry efficiency through a pathway depend on the corresponding protease expression level, which varied across cells, and let inhibitors compromise the efficiency in a dose-dependent manner. The synergy predicted was novel and arose from effects of the drugs at both the single cell and the cell population levels. Validating our predictions, available in vitro data on SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV entry displayed this synergy. Further, analysing the data using our model, we estimated the relative usage of the two pathways and found it to vary widely across cell lines, suggesting that targeting both pathways in vivo may be important and synergistic given the broad tissue tropism of SARS-CoV-2. Our findings provide insights into SARS-CoV-2 entry into target cells and may help improve the deployability of drug combinations targeting host proteases required for the entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queesnsland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rajat Desikan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Narendra M. Dixit
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
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A dynamical motif comprising the interactions between antigens and CD8 T cells may underlie the outcomes of viral infections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17393-17398. [PMID: 31413198 PMCID: PMC6717250 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902178116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Some viral infections culminate in very different outcomes in different individuals. They can be rapidly cleared in some, cause persistent infection in others, and cause mortality from immunopathology in yet others. The conventional view is that the different outcomes arise as a consequence of the complex interactions between a large number of different factors (virus, different immune cells, and cytokines). Here, we identify a simple dynamical motif comprising the essential interactions between antigens and CD8 T cells and posit it as predominantly determining the outcomes. Viral antigen can activate CD8 T cells, which in turn, can kill infected cells. Sustained antigen stimulation, however, can cause CD8 T-cell exhaustion, compromising effector function. Using mathematical modeling, we show that the motif comprising these interactions recapitulates all of the outcomes observed. The motif presents a conceptual framework to understand the variable outcomes of infection. It also explains a number of confounding experimental observations, including the variation in outcomes with the viral inoculum size, the evolutionary advantage of exhaustion in preventing lethal pathology, the ability of natural killer (NK) cells to act as rheostats tuning outcomes, and the role of the innate immune response in the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C. Interventions that modulate the interactions in the motif may present routes to clear persistent infections or limit immunopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan S Perelson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Ruy M Ribeiro
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Laboratorio de Biomatematica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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