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Martins M, Nooruzzaman M, Cunningham JL, Ye C, Caserta LC, Jackson N, Martinez-Sobrido L, Fang Y, Diel DG. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike is a virulence determinant and plays a major role on the attenuated phenotype of Omicron virus in a feline model of infection. J Virol 2024; 98:e0190223. [PMID: 38421180 PMCID: PMC10949471 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01902-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.1 Spike (S) on disease pathogenesis was investigated. For this, we generated recombinant viruses harboring the S D614G mutation (rWA1-D614G) and the Omicron BA.1 S gene (rWA1-Omi-S) in the backbone of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 WA1 strain genome. The recombinant viruses were characterized in vitro and in vivo. Viral entry, cell-cell fusion, plaque size, and the replication kinetics of the rWA1-Omi-S virus were markedly impaired when compared to the rWA1-D614G virus, demonstrating a lower fusogenicity and ability to spread cell-to-cell of rWA1-Omi-S. To assess the contribution of the Omicron BA.1 S protein to SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, the pathogenicity of rWA1-D614G and rWA1-Omi-S viruses was compared in a feline model. While the rWA1-D614G-inoculated cats were lethargic and showed increased body temperatures on days 2 and 3 post-infection (pi), rWA1-Omi-S-inoculated cats remained subclinical and gained weight throughout the 14-day experimental period. Animals inoculated with rWA1-D614G presented higher infectious virus shedding in nasal secretions, when compared to rWA1-Omi-S-inoculated animals. In addition, tissue replication of the rWA1-Omi-S was markedly reduced compared to the rWA1-D614G, as evidenced by lower viral load in tissues on days 3 and 5 pi. Histologic examination of the nasal turbinate and lungs revealed intense inflammatory infiltration in rWA1-D614G-inoculated animals, whereas rWA1-Omi-S-inoculated cats presented only mild to modest inflammation. Together, these results demonstrate that the S protein is a major virulence determinant for SARS-CoV-2 playing a major role for the attenuated phenotype of the Omicron virus. IMPORTANCE We have demonstrated that the Omicron BA.1.1 variant presents lower pathogenicity when compared to D614G (B.1) lineage in a feline model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. There are over 50 mutations across the Omicron genome, of which more than two-thirds are present in the Spike (S) protein. To assess the role of the Omicron BA.1 S on virus pathogenesis, recombinant viruses harboring the S D614G mutation (rWA1-D614G) and the Omicron BA.1 Spike gene (rWA1-Omi-S) in the backbone of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 WA1 were generated. While the Omicron BA.1 S promoted early entry into cells, it led to impaired fusogenic activity and cell-cell spread. Infection studies with the recombinant viruses in a relevant naturally susceptible feline model of SARS-CoV-2 infection here revealed an attenuated phenotype of rWA1-Omi-S, demonstrating that the Omi-S is a major determinant of the attenuated disease phenotype of Omicron strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Martins
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Mohammed Nooruzzaman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Jessie Lee Cunningham
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Leonardo Cardia Caserta
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Ying Fang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Diego G. Diel
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Infection and Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Lineage (Delta Variant) among Fully Vaccinated Individuals. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0056322. [PMID: 36165775 PMCID: PMC9602338 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00563-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 lineage (Delta variant) in 2021 was associated with increased case numbers and test positivity rates, including a large number of infections in fully vaccinated individuals. Here, we describe the findings of an investigation conducted in Tompkins County, New York, to evaluate factors underlying a significant uptick in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases observed in the months of July and August 2021. We performed genomic surveillance and genotyping as well as virological assessments to determine infectivity of the virus in a select number of clinical diagnostic samples. Genomic sequence analyses revealed complete replacement of the B.1.1.7 lineage (Alpha variant) with the B.1.617.2 lineage (Delta variant) between July 1 and August 4 2021. We observed a strong association between viral RNA loads detected by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR and infectious virus detected in respiratory secretions by virus titration. A marked increase in positive cases among fully vaccinated individuals was observed. The sequence divergence between two index Delta variant cases in April and May, and the cases after July 1st, revealed independent Delta variant introductions in Tompkins County. Contact tracing information enabled the detection of clusters of connected cases within closely related phylogenetic clusters. We also found evidence of transmission between vaccinated individuals and between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. This was confirmed by detection and isolation of infectious virus from a group of individuals within epidemiologically connected transmission clusters, confirming shedding of high viral loads and transmission of the virus by fully vaccinated individuals. IMPORTANCE The SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) emerged in Asia and rapidly spread to other countries, becoming the dominant circulating lineage. Worldwide infections with B.1.617.2 peaked at a time in which vaccination rates were increasing. In this study, we present data characterizing the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) in Tompkins County, New York, which has one of the highest vaccination rates in the state. We present evidence demonstrating infection, replication, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) between fully vaccinated individuals. Importantly, infectious virus loads were determined in a subset of samples and demonstrated shedding of high viral titers in respiratory secretions of vaccinated individuals.
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Andrade SA, Batalha-Carvalho JV, Curi R, Wen FH, Covas DT, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM, Moro AM. Equine Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Serum (ECIG) Binds to Mutated RBDs and N Proteins of Variants of Concern and Inhibits the Binding of RBDs to ACE-2 Receptor. Front Immunol 2022; 13:871874. [PMID: 35898497 PMCID: PMC9310548 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.871874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been around since November 2019. As of early June 2022, more than 527 million cases were diagnosed, with more than 6.0 million deaths due to this disease. Coronaviruses accumulate mutations and generate greater diversity through recombination when variants with different mutations infect the same host. Consequently, this virus is predisposed to constant and diverse mutations. The SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern/interest (VOCs/VOIs) such as Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (B.1.1.28/P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) have quickly spread across the world. These VOCs and VOIs have accumulated mutations within the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) which interacts with the angiotensin-2 converting enzyme (ACE-2) receptor, increasing cell entry and infection. The RBD region is the main target for neutralizing antibodies; however, other notable mutations have been reported to enhance COVID-19 infectivity and lethality. Considering the urgent need for alternative therapies against this virus, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 equine immunoglobulin F(ab’)2, called ECIG, was developed by the Butantan Institute using the whole gamma-irradiated SARS-CoV-2 virus. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that ECIG binds to wild-type and mutated RBD, S1+S2 domains, and nucleocapsid proteins of known VOCs, including Alpha, Gamma, Beta, Delta, Delta Plus, and Omicron. Additionally, it was observed that ECIG attenuates the binding of RBD (wild-type, Beta, and Omicron) to human ACE-2, suggesting that it could prevent viral entry into the host cell. Furthermore, the ability to concomitantly bind to the wild-type and mutated nucleocapsid protein likely enhances its neutralizing activity of SARS-CoV-2. We postulate that ECIG benefits COVID-19 patients by reducing the infectivity of the original virus and existing variants and may be effective against future ones. Impacting the course of the disease, mainly in the more vulnerable, reduces infection time and limits the appearance of new variants by new recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rui Curi
- Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
- Immunobiological Production Section, Bioindustrial Center, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fan Hui Wen
- Immunobiological Production Section, Bioindustrial Center, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi, ; Ana Maria Moro,
| | - Ana Maria Moro
- Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Research and Development in Immunobiologicals (CeRDI), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi, ; Ana Maria Moro,
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Verberk JDM, de Hoog MLA, Westerhof I, van Goethem S, Lammens C, Ieven G, de Bruin E, Eggink D, Bielicki JA, Coenen S, van Beek J, Bonten MJM, Goossens H, Bruijning-Verhagen PCJL. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within households: a remote prospective cohort study in European countries. Eur J Epidemiol 2022; 37:549-561. [PMID: 35644003 PMCID: PMC9146817 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-022-00870-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Household transmission studies are useful to quantify SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. We conducted a remote prospective household study to quantify transmission, and the effects of subject characteristics, household characteristics, and implemented infection control measures on transmission. Households with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 index case were enrolled < 48 h following test result. Follow-up included digitally daily symptom recording, regular nose-throat self-sampling and paired dried blood spots from all household members. Samples were tested for virus detection and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Secondary attack rates (SARs) and associated factors were estimated using logistic regression. In 276 households with 920 participants (276 index cases and 644 household members) daily symptom diaries and questionnaires were completed by 95%, and > 85% completed sample collection. 200 secondary SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected, yielding a household SAR of 45.7% (95% CI 39.7–51.7%) and per-person SAR of 32.6% (95%CI: 28.1-37.4%). 126 (63%) secondary cases were detected at enrollment. Mild (aRR = 0.57) and asymptomatic index cases (aRR = 0.29) were less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2, compared to index cases with an acute respiratory illness (p = 0.03 for trend), and child index cases (< 12 years aRR = 0.60 and 12-18 years aRR = 0.85) compared to adults (p = 0.03 for trend). Infection control interventions in households had no significant effect on transmission. We found high SARs with the majority of transmissions occuring early after SARS-CoV-2 introduction into the household. This may explain the futile effect of implemented household measures. Age and symptom status of the index case influence secondary transmission. Remote, digitally-supported study designs with self-sampling are feasible for studying transmission under pandemic restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke D M Verberk
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke L A de Hoog
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ilse Westerhof
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sam van Goethem
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christine Lammens
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Greet Ieven
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Erwin de Bruin
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Eggink
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, WHO COVID-19 Reference Laboratory, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Julia A Bielicki
- Infection Prevention and Control, University of Basel Childrens Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Coenen
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Janko van Beek
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc J M Bonten
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Herman Goossens
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patricia C J L Bruijning-Verhagen
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Agwa SHA, Elghazaly H, El Meteini MS, Yahia YA, Khaled R, Abd Elsamee AM, Darwish RM, Elsayed SM, Hafez H, Mahmoud BS, EM F, Matboli M. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 Lineage Mutation Hallmarks and Correlating Them With Clinical Outcomes in Egypt: A Pilot Study. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:817735. [PMID: 35350713 PMCID: PMC8958014 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.817735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to over 4.9 million deaths as of October 2021. One of the main challenges of creating vaccines, treatment, or diagnostic tools for the virus is its mutations and emerging variants. A couple of variants were declared as more virulent and infectious than others. Some approaches were used as nomenclature for SARS-CoV-2 variants and lineages. One of the most used is the Pangolin nomenclature. In our study, we enrolled 35 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients and sequenced the viral RNA in their samples. We also aimed to highlight the hallmark mutations in the most frequent lineage. We identified a seven-mutation signature for the SARS-CoV-2 C36 lineage, detected in 56 countries and an emerging lineage in Egypt. In addition, we identified one mutation which was highly negatively correlated with the lineage. On the other hand, we found no significant correlation between our clinical outcomes and the C36 lineage. In conclusion, the C36 lineage is an emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant that needs more investigation regarding its clinical outcomes compared to other strains. Our study paves the way for easier diagnosis of variants of concern using mutation signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H. A. Agwa
- Clinical Pathology and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Sara H. A. Agwa, ; Marwa Matboli,
| | - Hesham Elghazaly
- Oncology Department, Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Shawky El Meteini
- Department of General Surgery, The School of Medicine, University of Ain Shams, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yahia A. Yahia
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Radwa Khaled
- Biotechnology/Biomolecular Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aya M. Abd Elsamee
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham M. Darwish
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa M. Elsayed
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala Hafez
- Clinical Pathology Department, Infection Control Unit, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Basma S. Mahmoud
- Clinical Pathology Department, Infection Control Unit, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fouda EM
- Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Matboli
- Medicinal Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Sara H. A. Agwa, ; Marwa Matboli,
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6
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Wu H, Xing N, Meng K, Fu B, Xue W, Dong P, Tang W, Xiao Y, Liu G, Luo H, Zhu W, Lin X, Meng G, Zhu Z. Nucleocapsid mutations R203K/G204R increase the infectivity, fitness, and virulence of SARS-CoV-2. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1788-1801.e6. [PMID: 34822776 PMCID: PMC8590493 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Previous work found that the co-occurring mutations R203K/G204R on the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein are increasing in frequency among emerging variants of concern or interest. Through a combination of in silico analyses, this study demonstrates that R203K/G204R are adaptive, while large-scale phylogenetic analyses indicate that R203K/G204R associate with the emergence of the high-transmissibility SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7. Competition experiments suggest that the 203K/204R variants possess a replication advantage over the preceding R203/G204 variants, possibly related to ribonucleocapsid (RNP) assembly. Moreover, the 203K/204R virus shows increased infectivity in human lung cells and hamsters. Accordingly, we observe a positive association between increased COVID-19 severity and sample frequency of 203K/204R. Our work suggests that the 203K/204R mutations contribute to the increased transmission and virulence of select SARS-CoV-2 variants. In addition to mutations in the spike protein, mutations in the nucleocapsid protein are important for viral spreading during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Na Xing
- Institute of Virology, Free University of Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, Berlin 14163, Germany
| | - Kaiwen Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Beibei Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Pan Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Wanyan Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, No. 181 Hanyu Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Gexin Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Haitao Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Wenzhuang Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China.
| | - Geng Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing 100094, China.
| | - Zhenglin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 55 Daxuecheng South Road, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331, China.
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Mitchell PK, Martins M, Reilly T, Caserta LC, Anderson RR, Cronk BD, Murphy J, Goodrich EL, Diel DG. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant Infection in Malayan Tigers, Virginia, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:3171-3173. [PMID: 34808082 PMCID: PMC8632162 DOI: 10.3201/eid2712.211234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We report infection of 3 Malayan tigers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant at a zoologic park in Virginia, USA. All tigers exhibited respiratory signs consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings show that tigers are susceptible to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.
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Hu Y, Liu L, Lu X. Regulation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2: A Potential Target to Prevent COVID-19? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:725967. [PMID: 34745001 PMCID: PMC8569797 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.725967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is crucially involved in the physiology and pathology of all organs in mammals. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is a homolog of ACE, acts as a negative regulator in the homeostasis of RAS. ACE2 has been proven to be the receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cells through binding of viral spike protein with ACE2 in humans, the distribution and expression level of ACE2 may be critical for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Growing evidence shows the implication of ACE2 in pathological progression in tissue injury and several chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; this suggests that ACE2 is essential in the progression and clinical prognosis of COVID-19 as well. Therefore, we summarized the expression and activity of ACE2 under various conditions and regulators. We further discussed its potential implication in susceptibility to COVID-19 and its potential for being a therapeutic target in COVID-19.
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