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Wang D, Chen Y, Xiang S, Hu H, Zhan Y, Yu Y, Zhang J, Wu P, Liu FY, Kai T, Ding P. Recent advances in immunoassay technologies for the detection of human coronavirus infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1040248. [PMID: 36683684 PMCID: PMC9845787 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1040248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the seventh coronavirus (CoV) that has spread in humans and has become a global pandemic since late 2019. Efficient and accurate laboratory diagnostic methods are one of the crucial means to control the development of the current pandemic and to prevent potential future outbreaks. Although real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is the preferred laboratory method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for diagnosing and screening SARS-CoV-2 infection, the versatile immunoassays still play an important role for pandemic control. They can be used not only as supplemental tools to identify cases missed by rRT-PCR, but also for first-line screening tests in areas with limited medical resources. Moreover, they are also indispensable tools for retrospective epidemiological surveys and the evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination. In this review, we summarize the mainstream immunoassay methods for human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and address their benefits, limitations, and applications. Then, technical strategies based on bioinformatics and advanced biosensors were proposed to improve the performance of these methods. Finally, future suggestions and possibilities that can lead to higher sensitivity and specificity are provided for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqi Wang
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuejun Chen
- Breast Surgery Department I, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shan Xiang
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiting Hu
- Breast Surgery Department I, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yujuan Zhan
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pian Wu
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fei Yue Liu
- Department of Economics and Management, ChangSha University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tianhan Kai
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Ding
- Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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2
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Dobaño C, Vidal M, Santano R, Jiménez A, Chi J, Barrios D, Ruiz-Olalla G, Rodrigo Melero N, Carolis C, Parras D, Serra P, Martínez de Aguirre P, Carmona-Torre F, Reina G, Santamaria P, Mayor A, García-Basteiro AL, Izquierdo L, Aguilar R, Moncunill G. Highly Sensitive and Specific Multiplex Antibody Assays To Quantify Immunoglobulins M, A, and G against SARS-CoV-2 Antigens. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e01731-20. [PMID: 33127841 PMCID: PMC8111153 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01731-20] [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: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reliable serological tests are required to determine the prevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to characterize immunity to the disease in order to address key knowledge gaps in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Quantitative suspension array technology (qSAT) assays based on the xMAP Luminex platform overcome the limitations of rapid diagnostic tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with their higher precision, dynamic range, throughput, miniaturization, cost-efficiency, and multiplexing capacity. We developed three qSAT assays for IgM, IgA, and IgG against a panel of eight SARS-CoV-2 antigens, including spike protein (S), nucleocapsid protein (N), and membrane protein (M) constructs. The assays were optimized to minimize the processing time and maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. We evaluated their performances using 128 prepandemic plasma samples (negative controls) and 104 plasma samples from individuals with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (positive controls), of whom 5 were asymptomatic, 51 had mild symptoms, and 48 were hospitalized. Preexisting IgG antibodies recognizing N, M, and S proteins were detected in negative controls, which is suggestive of cross-reactivity to common-cold coronaviruses. The best-performing antibody/antigen signatures had specificities of 100% and sensitivities of 95.78% at ≥14 days and 95.65% at ≥21 days since the onset of symptoms, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.977 and 0.999, respectively. Combining multiple markers as assessed by qSAT assays has the highest efficiency, breadth, and versatility to accurately detect low-level antibody responses for obtaining reliable data on the prevalence of exposure to novel pathogens in a population. Our assays will allow gaining insights into antibody correlates of immunity and their kinetics, required for vaccine development to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Vidal
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Santano
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alfons Jiménez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Chi
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Diana Barrios
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gemma Ruiz-Olalla
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Natalia Rodrigo Melero
- Biomolecular Screening and Protein Technologies Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlo Carolis
- Biomolecular Screening and Protein Technologies Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Parras
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Serra
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Carmona-Torre
- Infectious Diseases Division, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Clinical Microbiology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Reina
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pere Santamaria
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Alberto L García-Basteiro
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
- International Health Department, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ruth Aguilar
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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3
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Dobaño C, Vidal M, Santano R, Jiménez A, Chi J, Barrios D, Ruiz-Olalla G, Rodrigo Melero N, Carolis C, Parras D, Serra P, Martínez de Aguirre P, Carmona-Torre F, Reina G, Santamaria P, Mayor A, García-Basteiro AL, Izquierdo L, Aguilar R, Moncunill G. Highly Sensitive and Specific Multiplex Antibody Assays To Quantify Immunoglobulins M, A, and G against SARS-CoV-2 Antigens. J Clin Microbiol 2021. [PMID: 33127841 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.11.147363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable serological tests are required to determine the prevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to characterize immunity to the disease in order to address key knowledge gaps in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Quantitative suspension array technology (qSAT) assays based on the xMAP Luminex platform overcome the limitations of rapid diagnostic tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with their higher precision, dynamic range, throughput, miniaturization, cost-efficiency, and multiplexing capacity. We developed three qSAT assays for IgM, IgA, and IgG against a panel of eight SARS-CoV-2 antigens, including spike protein (S), nucleocapsid protein (N), and membrane protein (M) constructs. The assays were optimized to minimize the processing time and maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. We evaluated their performances using 128 prepandemic plasma samples (negative controls) and 104 plasma samples from individuals with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (positive controls), of whom 5 were asymptomatic, 51 had mild symptoms, and 48 were hospitalized. Preexisting IgG antibodies recognizing N, M, and S proteins were detected in negative controls, which is suggestive of cross-reactivity to common-cold coronaviruses. The best-performing antibody/antigen signatures had specificities of 100% and sensitivities of 95.78% at ≥14 days and 95.65% at ≥21 days since the onset of symptoms, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.977 and 0.999, respectively. Combining multiple markers as assessed by qSAT assays has the highest efficiency, breadth, and versatility to accurately detect low-level antibody responses for obtaining reliable data on the prevalence of exposure to novel pathogens in a population. Our assays will allow gaining insights into antibody correlates of immunity and their kinetics, required for vaccine development to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Vidal
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Santano
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alfons Jiménez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Chi
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Diana Barrios
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gemma Ruiz-Olalla
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Natalia Rodrigo Melero
- Biomolecular Screening and Protein Technologies Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlo Carolis
- Biomolecular Screening and Protein Technologies Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Parras
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Serra
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Carmona-Torre
- Infectious Diseases Division, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Clinical Microbiology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Reina
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pere Santamaria
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Alberto L García-Basteiro
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
- International Health Department, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ruth Aguilar
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Shen L, Wang C, Zhao J, Tang X, Shen Y, Lu M, Ding Z, Huang C, Zhang J, Li S, Lan J, Wong G, Zhu Y. Delayed specific IgM antibody responses observed among COVID-19 patients with severe progression. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 9:1096-1101. [PMID: 32476607 PMCID: PMC8284968 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1766382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly worldwide since it was confirmed as the causative agent of COVID-19. Molecular diagnosis of the disease is typically performed via nucleic acid-based detection of the virus from swabs, sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). However, the positive rate from the commonly used specimens (swabs or sputum) was less than 75%. Immunological assays for SARS-CoV-2 are needed to accurately diagnose COVID-19. Sera were collected from patients or healthy people in a local hospital in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China. The SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM antibodies were then detected using a SARS-CoV-2 IgM colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA). Results were analysed in combination with sera collection date and clinical information. The GICA was found to be positive with the detected 82.2% (37/45) of RT-qPCR confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as 32.0% (8/25) of clinically confirmed, RT-qPCR negative patients (4–14 days after symptom onset). Investigation of IgM-negative, RT-qPCR-positive COVID-19 patients showed that half of them developed severe disease. The GICA was found to be a useful test to complement existing PCR-based assays for confirmation of COVID-19, and a delayed specific IgM antibody response was observed among COVID-19 patients with severe progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shen
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhua Wang
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Zhao
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyong Tang
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Shen
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingqing Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Canping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shichao Li
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaming Lan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Gary Wong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Department of Microbiology-Infectiology and Immunology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Yufang Zhu
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China
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Mavrikou S, Moschopoulou G, Tsekouras V, Kintzios S. Development of a Portable, Ultra-Rapid and Ultra-Sensitive Cell-Based Biosensor for the Direct Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 Spike Protein Antigen. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20113121. [PMID: 32486477 PMCID: PMC7309076 DOI: 10.3390/s20113121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
One of the key challenges of the recent COVID-19 pandemic is the ability to accurately estimate the number of infected individuals, particularly asymptomatic and/or early-stage patients. We herewith report the proof-of-concept development of a biosensor able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein expressed on the surface of the virus. The biosensor is based on membrane-engineered mammalian cells bearing the human chimeric spike S1 antibody. We demonstrate that the attachment of the protein to the membrane-bound antibodies resulted in a selective and considerable change in the cellular bioelectric properties measured by means of a Bioelectric Recognition Assay. The novel biosensor provided results in an ultra-rapid manner (3 min), with a detection limit of 1 fg/mL and a semi-linear range of response between 10 fg and 1 μg/mL. In addition, no cross-reactivity was observed against the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Furthermore, the biosensor was configured as a ready-to-use platform, including a portable read-out device operated via smartphone/tablet. In this way, we demonstrate that the novel biosensor can be potentially applied for the mass screening of SARS-CoV-2 surface antigens without prior sample processing, therefore offering a possible solution for the timely monitoring and eventual control of the global coronavirus pandemic.
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Radosavljevic V, Banjari I, Belojevic G. Rapid and Low-Cost Tools Derived from Plants to Face Emerging/Re-emerging Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism Agents. DEFENCE AGAINST BIOTERRORISM 2018. [PMCID: PMC7123727 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1263-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Whether naturally occurring or man-made, biological threats pose a severe risk in an increasingly globalized world. The dual-use nature of biological research, with its most recent advances in biotechnology (‘synthetic biology’, gene editing, nanotechnologies etc.) and the rapid diffusion of knowledge, raise proliferation concerns of biological weapons by non-state actors. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop measures intended to enhance diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic capabilities and capacities to improve the ability of society to combat infectious diseases outbreaks, as well as to alleviate the effects of bioterrorism attacks. We present here two examples of biotechnology usage for biodefence purposes: (i) plants as biofactories for the rapid production of improved biopharmaceuticals (‘Plant Molecular Farming’), and (ii) plant sequences as immune-modulating agents to enhance the efficacy of genetic vaccines. These platforms represent two promising (and complementary) approaches for the rapid and low-cost production of countermeasures (diagnostics and vaccine candidates) against emerging, re-emerging and bioterrorism-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ines Banjari
- Faculty of Food Technology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Goran Belojevic
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Demurtas OC, Massa S, Illiano E, De Martinis D, Chan PKS, Di Bonito P, Franconi R. Antigen Production in Plant to Tackle Infectious Diseases Flare Up: The Case of SARS. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:54. [PMID: 26904039 PMCID: PMC4742786 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a dangerous infection with pandemic potential. It emerged in 2002 and its aetiological agent, the SARS Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), crossed the species barrier to infect humans, showing high morbidity and mortality rates. No vaccines are currently licensed for SARS-CoV and important efforts have been performed during the first outbreak to develop diagnostic tools. Here we demonstrate the transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana of two important antigenic determinants of the SARS-CoV, the nucleocapsid protein (N) and the membrane protein (M) using a virus-derived vector or agro-infiltration, respectively. For the M protein, this is the first description of production in plants, while for plant-derived N protein we demonstrate that it is recognized by sera of patients from the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003. The availability of recombinant N and M proteins from plants opens the way to further evaluation of their potential utility for the development of diagnostic and protection/therapy tools to be quickly manufactured, at low cost and with minimal risk, to face potential new highly infectious SARS-CoV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C. Demurtas
- Department of Sustainability, Biotechnology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
| | - Silvia Massa
- Department of Sustainability, Biotechnology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
| | - Elena Illiano
- Department of Sustainability, Biomedical Technology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilan, Italy
| | - Domenico De Martinis
- International Relations Office, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
| | - Paul K. S. Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales HospitalHong Kong, China
- Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales HospitalHong Kong, China
| | - Paola Di Bonito
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated DiseasesRome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Rosella Franconi, ; Paola Di Bonito,
| | - Rosella Franconi
- Department of Sustainability, Biomedical Technology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Rosella Franconi, ; Paola Di Bonito,
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Agnihothram S, Gopal R, Yount BL, Donaldson EF, Menachery VD, Graham RL, Scobey TD, Gralinski LE, Denison MR, Zambon M, Baric RS. Evaluation of serologic and antigenic relationships between middle eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus and other coronaviruses to develop vaccine platforms for the rapid response to emerging coronaviruses. J Infect Dis 2013; 209:995-1006. [PMID: 24253287 PMCID: PMC3952667 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012, causing severe acute respiratory disease and pneumonia, with 44% mortality among 136 cases to date. Design of vaccines to limit the virus spread or diagnostic tests to track newly emerging strains requires knowledge of antigenic and serologic relationships between MERS-CoV and other CoVs. Methods. Using synthetic genomics and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicons (VRPs) expressing spike and nucleocapsid proteins from MERS-CoV and other human and bat CoVs, we characterize the antigenic responses (using Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and serologic responses (using neutralization assays) against 2 MERS-CoV isolates in comparison with those of other human and bat CoVs. Results. Serologic and neutralization responses against the spike glycoprotein were primarily strain specific, with a very low level of cross-reactivity within or across subgroups. CoV N proteins within but not across subgroups share cross-reactive epitopes with MERS-CoV isolates. Our findings were validated using a convalescent-phase serum specimen from a patient infected with MERS-CoV (NA 01) and human antiserum against SARS-CoV, human CoV NL63, and human CoV OC43. Conclusions. Vaccine design for emerging CoVs should involve chimeric spike protein containing neutralizing epitopes from multiple virus strains across subgroups to reduce immune pathology, and a diagnostic platform should include a panel of nucleocapsid and spike proteins from phylogenetically distinct CoVs.
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Zhou W, Wang W, Wang H, Lu R, Tan W. First infection by all four non-severe acute respiratory syndrome human coronaviruses takes place during childhood. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:433. [PMID: 24040960 PMCID: PMC3848659 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-severe acute respiratory syndrome (non-SARS)-related human coronaviruses (HCoVs), including HCoV-229E, -HKU1, -NL63, and -OC43, have been detected in respiratory tract samples from children and adults. However, the natural prevalence of antibodies against these viruses in serum among population is unknown. Methods To measure antibodies to the spike (S) protein of the four common non-SARS HCoVs, recombinant S proteins of the four HCoVs were expressed and characterised in 293 T cell. An S-protein-based indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was then developed to detect anti-S IgG and IgM for the four individual HCoVs and applied to serum samples from a general asymptomatic population (218 children and 576 adults) in Beijing. Results Of 794 blood samples tested, only 29 (3.65%) were negative for anti-S IgG. The seropositivity of the four anti-S IgG antibodies was >70% within the general population. The majority of seroconversions to four-HCoV positivity first occurred in children. Both S-IgG and S-IgM antibodies were detectable among children and increased with age, reaching a plateau at 6 years of age. However, no anti-S IgM was detected in healthy adults. Conclusion Large proportions of children and adults in Beijing have evidence of anti-S IgG against four the HCoVs, and first infections by all four non-SARS HCoVs takes place during childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health; National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
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10
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Sunwoo HH, Palaniyappan A, Ganguly A, Bhatnagar PK, Das D, El-Kadi AOS, Suresh MR. Quantitative and sensitive detection of the SARS-CoV spike protein using bispecific monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunoassay. J Virol Methods 2012; 187:72-8. [PMID: 22995576 PMCID: PMC7112864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) spike protein is known to mediate receptor interaction and immune recognition and thus it is considered as a major target for vaccine design. The spike protein plays an important role in virus entry, virus receptor interactions, and virus tropism. Sensitive diagnosis of SARS is essential for the control of the disease in humans. Recombinant SARS-CoV S1 antigen was produced and purified for the development of monoclonal and bi-specific monoclonal antibodies. The hybridomas secreting anti-S1 antibodies, F26G18 and P136.8D12, were fused respectively with the YP4 hybridoma to generate quadromas. The sandwich ELISA was formed by using F26G18 as a coating antibody and biotinylated F26G18 as a detection antibody with a detection limit of 0.037 μg/ml (p < 0.02). The same detection limit was found with P136.8D12 as a coating antibody and biotinylated F26G18 as a detection antibody. The sensitivity was improved (detection limit of 0.019 μg/ml), however, when using bi-specific monoclonal antibody (F157) as the detection antibody. In conclusion, the method described in this study allows sensitive detection of a recombinant SARS spike protein by sandwich ELISA with bi-specific monoclonal antibody and could be used for the diagnosis of patients suspected with SARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoon H Sunwoo
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, 11361-87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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