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Chuong C, Cereghino C, Rai P, Bates TA, Oberer M, Weger-Lucarelli J. Enhanced attenuation of chikungunya vaccines expressing antiviral cytokines. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:59. [PMID: 38472211 PMCID: PMC10933427 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00843-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses are vector-borne, medically relevant, positive-stranded RNA viruses that cause disease in animals and humans worldwide. Of this group, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the most significant human pathogen, responsible for generating millions of infections leading to severe febrile illness and debilitating chronic joint pain. Currently, there are limited treatments to protect against alphavirus disease; thus, there is a tremendous need to generate safe and effective vaccines. Live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are cost-effective and potent immunization strategies capable of generating long-term protection in a single dose. However, LAVs often produce systemic viral replication, which can lead to unwanted post-vaccination side effects and pose a risk of reversion to a pathogenic phenotype and transmission to mosquitoes. Here, we utilized a chimeric infectious clone of CHIKV engineered with the domain C of the E2 gene of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) to express IFNγ and IL-21-two potent antiviral and immunomodulatory cytokines-in order to improve the LAV's attenuation while maintaining immunogenicity. The IFNγ- and IL-21-expressing vaccine candidates were stable during passage and significantly attenuated post-vaccination, as mice experienced reduced footpad swelling with minimal systemic replication and dissemination capacity compared to the parental vaccine. Additionally, these candidates provided complete protection to mice challenged with WT CHIKV. Our dual attenuation strategy represents an innovative way to generate safe and effective alphavirus vaccines that could be applied to other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Chuong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Chelsea Cereghino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Pallavi Rai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Tyler A Bates
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Megan Oberer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - James Weger-Lucarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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2
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Henderson Sousa F, Ghaisani Komarudin A, Findlay-Greene F, Bowolaksono A, Sasmono RT, Stevens C, Barlow PG. Evolution and immunopathology of chikungunya virus informs therapeutic development. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049804. [PMID: 37014125 PMCID: PMC10110403 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049804] [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] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, is an emerging global threat identified in more than 60 countries across continents. The risk of CHIKV transmission is rising due to increased global interactions, year-round presence of mosquito vectors, and the ability of CHIKV to produce high host viral loads and undergo mutation. Although CHIKV disease is rarely fatal, it can progress to a chronic stage, during which patients experience severe debilitating arthritis that can last from several weeks to months or years. At present, there are no licensed vaccines or antiviral drugs for CHIKV disease, and treatment is primarily symptomatic. This Review provides an overview of CHIKV pathogenesis and explores the available therapeutic options and the most recent advances in novel therapeutic strategies against CHIKV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Henderson Sousa
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Amalina Ghaisani Komarudin
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Kabupaten Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Fern Findlay-Greene
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Anom Bowolaksono
- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Biological System (CEMBIOS) Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
| | - R. Tedjo Sasmono
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Kabupaten Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Craig Stevens
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Peter G. Barlow
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
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3
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Powers JM, Lyski ZL, Weber WC, Denton M, Streblow MM, Mayo AT, Haese NN, Nix CD, Rodríguez-Santiago R, Alvarado LI, Rivera-Amill V, Messer WB, Streblow DN. Infection with chikungunya virus confers heterotypic cross-neutralizing antibodies and memory B-cells against other arthritogenic alphaviruses predominantly through the B domain of the E2 glycoprotein. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011154. [PMID: 36913428 PMCID: PMC10036167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with Chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne alphavirus, cause an acute febrile syndrome often followed by chronic arthritis that persists for months to years post-infection. Neutralizing antibodies are the primary immune correlate of protection elicited by infection, and the major goal of vaccinations in development. Using convalescent blood samples collected from both endemic and non-endemic human subjects at multiple timepoints following suspected or confirmed chikungunya infection, we identified antibodies with broad neutralizing properties against other alphaviruses within the Semliki Forest complex. Cross-neutralization generally did not extend to the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) complex, although some subjects had low levels of VEEV-neutralizing antibodies. This suggests that broadly neutralizing antibodies elicited following natural infection are largely complex restricted. In addition to serology, we also performed memory B-cell analysis, finding chikungunya-specific memory B-cells in all subjects in this study as remotely as 24 years post-infection. We functionally assessed the ability of memory B-cell derived antibodies to bind to chikungunya virus, and related Mayaro virus, as well as the highly conserved B domain of the E2 glycoprotein thought to contribute to cross-reactivity between related Old-World alphaviruses. To specifically assess the role of the E2 B domain in cross-neutralization, we depleted Mayaro and Chikungunya virus E2 B domain specific antibodies from convalescent sera, finding E2B depletion significantly decreases Mayaro virus specific cross-neutralizing antibody titers with no significant effect on chikungunya virus neutralization, indicating that the E2 B domain is a key target of cross-neutralizing and potentially cross-protective neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Powers
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Zoe L. Lyski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Whitney C. Weber
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michael Denton
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Magdalene M. Streblow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Adam T. Mayo
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Nicole N. Haese
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Chad D. Nix
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | - Luisa I. Alvarado
- Ponce Health Sciences University/ Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | | | - William B. Messer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Program in Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Daniel N. Streblow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
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4
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Slifka DK, Raué HP, Weber WC, Andoh TF, Kreklywich CN, DeFilippis VR, Streblow DN, Slifka MK, Amanna IJ. Development of a next-generation chikungunya virus vaccine based on the HydroVax platform. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010695. [PMID: 35788221 PMCID: PMC9286250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging/re-emerging mosquito-borne pathogen responsible for explosive epidemics of febrile illness characterized by debilitating polyarthralgia and the risk of lethal infection among the most severe cases. Despite the public health risk posed by CHIKV, no vaccine is currently available. Using a site-directed hydrogen peroxide-based inactivation approach, we developed a new CHIKV vaccine, HydroVax-CHIKV. This vaccine technology was compared to other common virus inactivation approaches including β-propiolactone (BPL), formaldehyde, heat, and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Heat, UV, and BPL were efficient at inactivating CHIKV-181/25 but caused substantial damage to neutralizing epitopes and failed to induce high-titer neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated mice. HydroVax-CHIKV and formaldehyde-inactivated CHIKV retained intact neutralizing epitopes similar to live virus controls but the HydroVax-CHIKV approach demonstrated a more rapid rate of virus inactivation. HydroVax-CHIKV vaccination induced high neutralizing responses to homologous and heterologous CHIKV clades as well as to other alphaviruses including Mayaro virus, O’nyong’nyong virus, and Una virus. Following heterologous infection with CHIKV-SL15649, HydroVax-CHIKV-immunized mice were protected against viremia, CHIKV-associated arthritic disease, and lethal CHIKV infection by an antibody-dependent mechanism. In contrast, animals vaccinated with Heat- or UV-inactivated virus showed no protection against viremia in addition to demonstrating significantly exacerbated CD4+ T cell-mediated footpad swelling after CHIKV infection. Together, these results demonstrate the risks associated with using suboptimal inactivation methods that fail to elicit protective neutralizing antibody responses and show that HydroVax-CHIKV represents a promising new vaccine candidate for prevention of CHIKV-associated disease. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that has gained significant attention due to its ability to cause large epidemics and to spread beyond endemic countries through international travelers. Despite substantial efforts over the course of many years, a licensed CHIKV vaccine remains unavailable for protecting at-risk populations. Our research group has established an advanced site-directed oxidation system, termed HydroVax, for the development of new vaccines. Here, we describe a novel CHIKV vaccine that utilizes this peroxide-based vaccine platform and demonstrates greatly improved antiviral immunity compared to other traditional virus inactivation approaches as well as complete protection against viremia, CHIKV-associated arthritic disease and lethal CHIKV infection in robust preclinical mouse models. The HydroVax-CHIKV vaccine not only induced neutralizing antibodies to geographically diverse strains of CHIKV, but also elicited neutralizing antibody responses to other clinically important alphaviruses including, Mayaro, O’nyong’nyong, and Una virus. Together, this indicates that this vaccine not only protects against CHIKV infection but may potentially provide immunity across a broader range of virulent alphaviruses as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn K. Slifka
- Najít Technologies, Incorporated, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Hans-Peter Raué
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Whitney C. Weber
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Takeshi F. Andoh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Craig N. Kreklywich
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Victor R. DeFilippis
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Daniel N. Streblow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Mark K. Slifka
- Najít Technologies, Incorporated, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Ian J. Amanna
- Najít Technologies, Incorporated, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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5
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Lucas CJ, Davenport BJ, Carpentier KS, Tinega AN, Morrison TE. Two Conserved Phenylalanine Residues in the E1 Fusion Loop of Alphaviruses Are Essential for Viral Infectivity. J Virol 2022; 96:e0006422. [PMID: 35416719 PMCID: PMC9093095 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00064-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses infect cells by a low pH-dependent fusion reaction between viral and host cell membranes that is mediated by the viral E1 glycoprotein. Most reported alphavirus E1 sequences include two phenylalanines (F87 and F95) in the fusion loop, yet the role of these residues in viral infectivity remains to be defined. Following introduction of wild type (WT), E1-F87A, and E1-F95A chikungunya virus (CHIKV) RNA genomes into cells, viral particle production was similar in magnitude. However, CHIKV E1-F87A and E1-F95A virions displayed impaired infectivity compared with WT CHIKV particles. Although WT, E1-F87A, and E1-F95A particles bound cells with similar efficiencies, E1-F87A and E1-F95A particles were unable to undergo fusion and entry into cells. Introduction of an F95A mutation in the E1 fusion loop of Mayaro virus or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus also resulted in poorly infectious virions. We further tested whether an E1-F87A or E1-F95A mutation could be incorporated into a live-attenuated vaccine strain, CHIKV 181/25, to enhance vaccine safety. Infection of immunocompromised Ifnar1-/- and Irf3-/-Irf5-/-Irf7-/- mice with 181/25E1-F87A or 181/25E1-F95A resulted in 0% mortality, compared with 100% mortality following 181/25 infection. Despite this enhanced attenuation, surviving Ifnar1-/- and Irf3-/-Irf5-/-Irf7-/- mice were protected against virulent virus re-challenge. Moreover, single-dose immunization of WT mice with either 181/25, 181/25E1-F87A, or 181/25E1-F95A elicited CHIKV-specific antibody responses and protected against pathogenic CHIKV challenge. These studies define a critical function for residues E1-F87 and E1-F95 in alphavirus fusion and entry into target cells and suggest that incorporation of these mutations could enhance the safety of live-attenuated alphavirus vaccine candidates. IMPORTANCE Alphaviruses are human pathogens that cause both debilitating acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease and potentially fatal encephalitis. In this study, we determined that two highly conserved phenylalanine residues in the alphavirus E1 glycoprotein are required for fusion of viral and host cell membranes and viral entry into target cells. We further demonstrated that mutation of these phenylalanines results in a substantial loss of viral virulence but not immunogenicity. These data enhance an understanding of the viral determinants of alphavirus entry into host cells and could contribute to the development of new antivirals targeting these conserved phenylalanines or new live-attenuated alphavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cormac J. Lucas
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Bennett J. Davenport
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kathryn S. Carpentier
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Alex N. Tinega
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Thomas E. Morrison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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6
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Shukla M, Chandley P, Tapryal S, Kumar N, Mukherjee SP, Rohatgi S. Expression, Purification, and Refolding of Chikungunya Virus Full-Length Envelope E2 Protein along with B-Cell and T-Cell Epitope Analyses Using Immuno-Informatics Approaches. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:3491-3513. [PMID: 35128258 PMCID: PMC8811930 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus, which causes severe illness in humans and is responsible for epidemic outbreaks in Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Europe. Despite its increased global prevalence, no licensed vaccines are available to date for treating or preventing CHIKV infection. The envelope E2 protein is one of the promising subunit vaccine candidates against CHIKV. In this study, we describe successful cloning, expression, and purification of CHIKV E2 full-length (E2-FL) and truncated (E2-ΔC and E2-ΔNC) proteins in the Escherichia coli expression system. The recombinant E2 proteins were purified from inclusion bodies using Ni-NTA chromatography. Further, we describe a detailed refolding procedure for obtaining the CHIKV E2-FL protein in native conformation, which was confirmed using circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. BALB/c mice immunized with the three different E2 proteins exhibited increased E2-specific antibody titers compared to sham-immunized controls, suggesting induction of strong humoral immune response. On analyzing the E2-specific antibody response generated in immunized mice, the CHIKV E2-FL protein was observed to be the most immunogenic among the three different CHIKV E2 antigens used in the study. Our B-cell and T-cell epitope mapping results indicate that the presence of specific immunogenic peptides located in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the CHIKV E2-FL protein may contribute to its increased immunogenicity, compared to truncated CHIKV E2 proteins. In summary, our study provides a detailed protocol for expressing, purifying, and refolding of the CHIKV E2-FL protein and provides an understanding of its immunogenic epitopes, which can be exploited for the development of novel multiepitope-based anti-CHIKV vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Shukla
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Pankaj Chandley
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Suman Tapryal
- Department
of Biotechnology, Central University of
Rajasthan, Bandersindri,
Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Narendra Kumar
- Jaypee
University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan 173234, India
| | - Sulakshana P. Mukherjee
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Soma Rohatgi
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
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7
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Kim AS, Kafai NM, Winkler ES, Gilliland TC, Cottle EL, Earnest JT, Jethva PN, Kaplonek P, Shah AP, Fong RH, Davidson E, Malonis RJ, Quiroz JA, Williamson LE, Vang L, Mack M, Crowe JE, Doranz BJ, Lai JR, Alter G, Gross ML, Klimstra WB, Fremont DH, Diamond MS. Pan-protective anti-alphavirus human antibodies target a conserved E1 protein epitope. Cell 2021; 184:4414-4429.e19. [PMID: 34416146 PMCID: PMC8382027 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alphaviruses are emerging, mosquito-transmitted pathogens that cause musculoskeletal and neurological disease in humans. Although neutralizing antibodies that inhibit individual alphaviruses have been described, broadly reactive antibodies that protect against both arthritogenic and encephalitic alphaviruses have not been reported. Here, we identify DC2.112 and DC2.315, two pan-protective yet poorly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that avidly bind to viral antigen on the surface of cells infected with arthritogenic and encephalitic alphaviruses. These mAbs engage a conserved epitope in domain II of the E1 protein proximal to and within the fusion peptide. Treatment with DC2.112 or DC2.315 protects mice against infection by both arthritogenic (chikungunya and Mayaro) and encephalitic (Venezuelan, Eastern, and Western equine encephalitis) alphaviruses through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of viral egress and monocyte-dependent Fc effector functions. These findings define a conserved epitope recognized by weakly neutralizing yet protective antibodies that could be targeted for pan-alphavirus immunotherapy and vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur S Kim
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Natasha M Kafai
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Emma S Winkler
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Theron C Gilliland
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Emily L Cottle
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - James T Earnest
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Prashant N Jethva
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Paulina Kaplonek
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Aadit P Shah
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Rachel H Fong
- Integral Molecular, Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Ryan J Malonis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jose A Quiroz
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Lauren E Williamson
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Lo Vang
- Emergent BioSolutions, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, USA
| | - Matthias Mack
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - James E Crowe
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Jonathan R Lai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - William B Klimstra
- Center for Vaccine Research and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Daved H Fremont
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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8
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Varikkodan MM, Chen CC, Wu TY. Recombinant Baculovirus: A Flexible Drug Screening Platform for Chikungunya Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157891. [PMID: 34360656 PMCID: PMC8347121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted infectious agent that causes an endemic or epidemic outbreak(s) of Chikungunya fever that is reported in almost all countries. This virus is an intense global threat, due to its high rate of contagion and the lack of effective remedies. In this study, we developed two baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS)-based approaches for the screening of anti-CHIKV drugs in Spodoptera frugiperda insect (Sf21) cells and U-2OS cells. First, structural protein of CHIKV was co-expressed through BEVS and thereby induced cell fusion in Sf21 cells. We used an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) to co-express the green fluorescent protein (EGFP) for identifying these fusion events. The EGFP-positive Sf21 cells fused with each other and with uninfected cells to form syncytia. We identified that ursolic acid has potential anti-CHIKV activity in vitro, by using this approach. Second, BacMam virus-based gene delivery has been successfully applied for the transient expression of non-structural proteins with a subgenomic promoter-EGFP (SP-EGFP) cassette in U-2OS cells to act as an in vitro CHIKV replicon system. Our BacMam-based screening system has identified that the potential effects of baicalin and baicalein phytocompounds can inhibit the replicon activity of CHIKV in U-2OS cells. In conclusion, our results suggested that BEVS can be a potential tool for screening drugs against CHIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammed Muhsin Varikkodan
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan;
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan;
| | - Chun-Chung Chen
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan;
| | - Tzong-Yuan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan;
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-2653520
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9
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Agarwal G, Gabrani R. Identification of Peptide Binders to Truncated Recombinant Chikungunya Virus Envelope Protein 2 Using Phage Display Technology and Their In Silico Characterization. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:508-519. [PMID: 33121397 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666201029144245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM To identify and characterize peptide binders to truncated recombinant chikungunya virus envelope protein 2. BACKGROUND Despite extensive research on the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the specific antiviral treatment's unavailability has stressed the need for the urgent development of therapeutics. The Envelope protein 2 (E2) of CHIKV that displays putative receptor binding sites and specific epitopes for virus neutralizing antibodies is a critical target for the therapeutic intervention. OBJECTIVE The study aims to identify the unique peptides that can bind to truncated E2 protein of CHIKV and further explore their properties as potential therapeutic candidate. METHODS A stretch of CHIKV-E2 (rE2), which is prominently exposed on the surface of virion, was used as bait protein to identify peptide binders to the CHIKV-rE2 using a 12-mer phage display peptide library. Three rounds of biopanning yielded several peptide binders to CHIKV-rE2 and their binding affinities were compared by phage ELISA. Additionally, a fully flexible-blind docking simulation investigated the possible binding modes of the selected peptides. Furthermore, the selected peptides were characterized and their ADMET properties were explored in silico. RESULTS Five peptides were identified as potential binders based on their robust reactivity to the bait protein. The selected peptides appeared to interact with the crucial residues that were notably exposed on the surface of E1-E2 trimeric structure. The explored in silico studies suggested their non-allergenicity, non-toxicity and likeliness to be antiviral. CONCLUSION The potential binding peptides of CHIKV-rE2 protein were identified using phage display technology and characterized in silico. The selected peptides could be further used for the development of therapeutics against the CHIKV infection.>.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Agarwal
- Center for Emerging Diseases, Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, UP 201309, India
| | - Reema Gabrani
- Center for Emerging Diseases, Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, UP 201309, India
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10
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Group-size effects on virus prevalence depend on the presence of an invasive species. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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11
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Powell LA, Miller A, Fox JM, Kose N, Klose T, Kim AS, Bombardi R, Tennekoon RN, Dharshan de Silva A, Carnahan RH, Diamond MS, Rossmann MG, Kuhn RJ, Crowe JE. Human mAbs Broadly Protect against Arthritogenic Alphaviruses by Recognizing Conserved Elements of the Mxra8 Receptor-Binding Site. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 28:699-711.e7. [PMID: 32783883 PMCID: PMC7666055 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito inoculation of humans with arthritogenic alphaviruses results in a febrile syndrome characterized by debilitating musculoskeletal pain and arthritis. Despite an expanding global disease burden, no approved therapies or licensed vaccines exist. Here, we describe human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to and neutralize multiple distantly related alphaviruses. These mAbs compete for an antigenic site and prevent attachment to the recently discovered Mxra8 alphavirus receptor. Three cryoelectron microscopy structures of Fab in complex with Ross River (RRV), Mayaro, or chikungunya viruses reveal a conserved footprint of the broadly neutralizing mAb RRV-12 in a region of the E2 glycoprotein B domain. This mAb neutralizes virus in vitro by preventing virus entry and spread and is protective in vivo in mouse models. Thus, the RRV-12 mAb and its defined epitope have potential as a therapeutic agent or target of vaccine design against multiple emerging arthritogenic alphavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Powell
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Julie M Fox
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nurgun Kose
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Thomas Klose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Arthur S Kim
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Robin Bombardi
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rashika N Tennekoon
- Genetech Research Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - A Dharshan de Silva
- Genetech Research Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Robert H Carnahan
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael G Rossmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Markey Center for Structural Biology and Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - James E Crowe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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12
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Anwar S, Mourosi JT, Khan MF, Hosen MJ. Prediction of Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine Against the Chikungunya Virus by Immuno-informatics Approach. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2020; 21:325-340. [PMID: 31721709 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666191112161743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chikungunya is an arthropod-borne viral disease characterized by abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain, which has been identified in over 60 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. METHODS Regardless of the availability of molecular knowledge of this virus, no definite vaccine or other remedial agents have been developed yet. In the present study, a combination of B-cell and T-cell epitope predictions, followed by molecular docking simulation approach has been carried out to design a potential epitope-based peptide vaccine, which can trigger a critical immune response against the viral infections. RESULTS A total of 52 sequences of E1 glycoprotein from the previously reported isolates of Chikungunya outbreaks were retrieved and examined through in silico methods to identify a potential B-cell and T-cell epitope. From the two separate epitope prediction servers, five potential B-cell epitopes were selected, among them "NTQLSEAHVEKS" was found highly conserved across strains and manifests high antigenicity with surface accessibility, flexibility, and hydrophilicity. Similarly, two highly conserved, non-allergenic, non-cytotoxic putative T-cell epitopes having maximum population coverage were screened to bind with the HLA-C 12*03 molecule. Molecular docking simulation revealed potential T-cell based epitope "KTEFASAYR" as a vaccine candidate for this virus. CONCLUSION A combination of these B-cell and T-cell epitope-based vaccine can open up a new skyline with broader therapeutic application against Chikungunya virus with further experimental and clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Anwar
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh.,Maternal and Child Health Program, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 8440 112 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - Jarin T Mourosi
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh.,Microbial and Cellular Biology Program, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, DC, 20064, United States
| | - Md Fahim Khan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad J Hosen
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
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13
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Alphavirus Replication: The Role of Cardiac Glycosides and Ion Concentration in Host Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2813253. [PMID: 32461975 PMCID: PMC7232666 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2813253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses that can cause fever, rash, arthralgias, and encephalitis. The mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the most frequent transmitters of alphaviruses. There are no effective vaccines or specific antivirals available for the treatment of alphavirus-related infections. Interestingly, changes in ion concentration in host cells have been characterized as critical regulators of the alphavirus life cycle, including fusion with the host cell, glycoprotein trafficking, genome translation, and viral budding. Cardiac glycosides, which are classical inhibitors of the Na+ K+ ATPase (NKA), can inhibit alphavirus replication although their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Nonetheless, results from multiple studies suggest that inhibition of NKA may be a suitable strategy for the development of alphavirus-specific antiviral treatments. This review is aimed at exploring the role of changes in ion concentration during alphavirus replication and at considering the possibility of NKA as a potential therapeutic target for antiviral drugs.
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14
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Nguyen W, Nakayama E, Yan K, Tang B, Le TT, Liu L, Cooper TH, Hayball JD, Faddy HM, Warrilow D, Allcock RJN, Hobson-Peters J, Hall RA, Rawle DJ, Lutzky VP, Young P, Oliveira NM, Hartel G, Howley PM, Prow NA, Suhrbier A. Arthritogenic Alphavirus Vaccines: Serogrouping Versus Cross-Protection in Mouse Models. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020209. [PMID: 32380760 PMCID: PMC7349283 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Ross River virus (RRV), o’nyong nyong virus (ONNV), Mayaro virus (MAYV) and Getah virus (GETV) represent arthritogenic alphaviruses belonging to the Semliki Forest virus antigenic complex. Antibodies raised against one of these viruses can cross-react with other serogroup members, suggesting that, for instance, a CHIKV vaccine (deemed commercially viable) might provide cross-protection against antigenically related alphaviruses. Herein we use human alphavirus isolates (including a new human RRV isolate) and wild-type mice to explore whether infection with one virus leads to cross-protection against viremia after challenge with other members of the antigenic complex. Persistently infected Rag1-/- mice were also used to assess the cross-protective capacity of convalescent CHIKV serum. We also assessed the ability of a recombinant poxvirus-based CHIKV vaccine and a commercially available formalin-fixed, whole-virus GETV vaccine to induce cross-protective responses. Although cross-protection and/or cross-reactivity were clearly evident, they were not universal and were often suboptimal. Even for the more closely related viruses (e.g., CHIKV and ONNV, or RRV and GETV), vaccine-mediated neutralization and/or protection against the intended homologous target was significantly more effective than cross-neutralization and/or cross-protection against the heterologous virus. Effective vaccine-mediated cross-protection would thus likely require a higher dose and/or more vaccinations, which is likely to be unattractive to regulators and vaccine manufacturers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Nguyen
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
| | - Eri Nakayama
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-0052, Japan
| | - Kexin Yan
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
| | - Bing Tang
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
| | - Thuy T. Le
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
| | - Liang Liu
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, SA 5000, Australia; (L.L.); (T.H.C.); (J.D.H.)
| | - Tamara H. Cooper
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, SA 5000, Australia; (L.L.); (T.H.C.); (J.D.H.)
| | - John D. Hayball
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, SA 5000, Australia; (L.L.); (T.H.C.); (J.D.H.)
| | - Helen M. Faddy
- Research and Development Laboratory, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Kelvin Grove, Qld 4059, Australia;
| | - David Warrilow
- Public Health Virology Laboratory, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, PO Box 594, Archerfield, Qld 4108, Australia;
| | - Richard J. N. Allcock
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia;
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia; (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.); (P.Y.)
| | - Roy A. Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia; (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.); (P.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Qld 4027 & 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel J. Rawle
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
| | - Viviana P. Lutzky
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
| | - Paul Young
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia; (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.); (P.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Qld 4027 & 4072, Australia
| | - Nidia M. Oliveira
- Deptartment of Microbiology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Gunter Hartel
- Statistics Unit, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia;
| | | | - Natalie A. Prow
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, SA 5000, Australia; (L.L.); (T.H.C.); (J.D.H.)
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Qld 4027 & 4072, Australia
- Correspondence: (N.A.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia; (W.N.); (E.N.); (K.Y.); (B.T.); (T.T.L.); (D.J.R.); (V.P.L.)
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Qld 4027 & 4072, Australia
- Correspondence: (N.A.P.); (A.S.)
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15
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Earnest JT, Basore K, Roy V, Bailey AL, Wang D, Alter G, Fremont DH, Diamond MS. Neutralizing antibodies against Mayaro virus require Fc effector functions for protective activity. J Exp Med 2019; 216:2282-2301. [PMID: 31337735 PMCID: PMC6781005 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite causing outbreaks of fever and arthritis in multiple countries, no countermeasures exist against Mayaro virus (MAYV), an emerging mosquito-transmitted alphavirus. We generated 18 neutralizing mAbs against MAYV, 11 of which had "elite" activity that inhibited infection with EC50 values of <10 ng/ml. Antibodies with the greatest inhibitory capacity in cell culture mapped to epitopes near the fusion peptide of E1 and in domain B of the E2 glycoproteins. Unexpectedly, many of the elite neutralizing mAbs failed to prevent MAYV infection and disease in vivo. Instead, the most protective mAbs bound viral antigen on the cell surface with high avidity and promoted specific Fc effector functions, including phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes. In subclass switching studies, murine IgG2a and humanized IgG1 mAb variants controlled infection better than murine IgG1 and humanized IgG1-N297Q variants. An optimally protective antibody response to MAYV and possibly other alphaviruses may require tandem virus neutralization by the Fab moiety and effector functions of the Fc region.
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Affiliation(s)
- James T Earnest
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Katherine Basore
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Vicky Roy
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Adam L Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - David Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Daved H Fremont
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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16
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Rodrigues RL, Menezes GDL, Saivish MV, Costa VGD, Pereira M, Moreli ML, Silva RAD. Prediction of MAYV peptide antigens for immunodiagnostic tests by immunoinformatics and molecular dynamics simulations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13339. [PMID: 31527652 PMCID: PMC6746749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50008-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mayaro virus is endemic to South America, and the possible involvement of Aedes spp. mosquitoes in its transmission is a risk factor for outbreaks of greater proportions. The virus causes a potentially disabling illness known as Mayaro fever, which is similar to that caused by the chikungunya virus. The cocirculation of both viruses, with their clinical and structural similarities, and the absence of prophylactic and therapeutic measures highlight the need for studies that seek to understand the Mayaro virus. Using approaches in silico, we identified an antigenic and specific epitope (p_MAYV4) in domain A of the E2 glycoprotein of the Mayaro virus. This epitope was theoretically predicted to be stable and exposed on the surface of the protein, where it showed key properties that enable its interaction with neutralizing antibodies. These characteristics make it an interesting target for the development of immunodiagnostic platforms. Molecular dynamics simulation-based structural analysis showed that the PHE95 residue in the E1 fusion loop region is conserved among Alphavirus family members. PHE95 interacts with the hydrophobic residues of the E2 glycoprotein to form a cage-shaped structure that is critical to assemble and stabilize the E1/E2 heterodimer. These results provide important insights useful for the advancement of diagnostic platforms and the study of therapeutic alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Luiz Rodrigues
- Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Virologia, Jataí, GO, 75801-615, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vivaldo Gomes Da Costa
- Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Goiânia, GO, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Marcos Lázaro Moreli
- Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Virologia, Jataí, GO, 75801-615, Brazil.
| | - Roosevelt Alves Da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Goiás, Núcleo Colaborativo de BioSistemas, Jataí, GO, 75801-615, Brazil.
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17
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Chuong C, Bates TA, Weger-Lucarelli J. Infectious cDNA clones of two strains of Mayaro virus for studies on viral pathogenesis and vaccine development. Virology 2019; 535:227-231. [PMID: 31325837 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mayaro virus (MAYV; family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus) is an emerging global threat that can cause severe clinical manifestations similar to Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Currently, there is a lack of molecular tools to enable a better understanding of the transmission and pathogenesis of MAYV. Here, we detail the development and characterization of infectious clones of two strains of MAYV that produce infectious virus and replicate in mammalian and mosquito cells similarly to wild-type virus. Additionally, clone-derived viruses produced identical infection rates and phenotypes in CD-1 mice compared to the parental strains. This infectious clone system will provide a resource to the research community to analyze MAYV genetic determinants of virulence, determine vector competence, and develop vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Chuong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Tyler A Bates
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - James Weger-Lucarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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18
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Kim J, Yang J, Kim YB, Lee HJ, Kim S, Poo H. Development of a Specific CHIKV-E2 Monoclonal Antibody for Chikungunya Diagnosis. Virol Sin 2019; 34:563-571. [PMID: 31214999 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-019-00135-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya fever is a vector-borne viral disease transmitted to humans by chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-infected mosquitoes. There have been many outbreaks of CHIKV infection worldwide, and the virus poses ongoing risks to global health. To prevent and control CHIKV infection, it is important to improve the current CHIKV diagnostic approaches to allow for the detection of low CHIKV concentrations and to correctly distinguish CHIKV infections from those due to other mosquito-transmitted viruses, including dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Here, we produced monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the CHIKV envelope 2 protein (CHIKV-E2) and compared their sensitivity and specificity with commercially available mAbs using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Two anti-CHIKV-E2 mAbs, 19-1 and 21-1, showed higher binding affinities to CHIKV-E2 protein than the commercial mAbs did. In particular, the 19-1 mAb had the strongest binding affinity to inactivated CHIKV. Moreover, the 19-1 mAb had very little cross-reactivity with other mosquito-borne viruses, such as ZIKV, JEV, and DENV. These results suggest that the newly produced anti-CHIKV-E2 mAb, 19-1, could be used for CHIKV diagnostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaemoo Kim
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Yang
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Bong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.,Department of Bio-Industrial Technologies, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyun Kim
- Department of Bio-Industrial Technologies, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Haryoung Poo
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Abstract
Chikungunya is a clinically and economically important arbovirus that has spread globally in the twenty-first century. While uncommonly fatal, infection with the virus can lead to incapacitating arthralgia that can persist for months to years. The adverse impacts of viral spread are most severe in developing low- and middle-income countries in which medical infrastructure is insufficient and manual labor is an economic driver. Unfortunately, no prophylactic or therapeutic treatments are approved for human use to combat the virus. Historically, vaccination has proven to be the most efficient and successful strategy for protecting populations and eradicating infectious disease. A large and diverse range of promising vaccination approaches for use against Chikungunya has emerged in recent years and been shown to safely elicit protective immune responses in animal models and humans. Importantly, many of these are based on technologies that have been clinically approved for use against other pathogens. Furthermore, clinical trials are currently ongoing for a subset of these. The purpose of this review is to provide a description of the relevant immunobiology of Chikungunya infection, to present immune-stimulating technologies that have been successfully employed to protect against infection, and discuss priorities and challenges regarding the future development of a vaccine for clinical use.
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Tanabe ISB, Tanabe ELL, Santos EC, Martins WV, Araújo IMTC, Cavalcante MCA, Lima ARV, Câmara NOS, Anderson L, Yunusov D, Bassi ÊJ. Cellular and Molecular Immune Response to Chikungunya Virus Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:345. [PMID: 30364124 PMCID: PMC6191487 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emergent arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) that causes a disease characterized primarily by fever, rash and severe persistent polyarthralgia. In the last decade, CHIKV has become a serious public health problem causing several outbreaks around the world. Despite the fact that CHIKV has been around since 1952, our knowledge about immunopathology, innate and adaptive immune response involved in this infectious disease is incomplete. In this review, we provide an updated summary of the current knowledge about immune response to CHIKV and about soluble immunological markers associated with the morbidity, prognosis and chronicity of this arbovirus disease. In addition, we discuss the progress in the research of new vaccines for preventing CHIKV infection and the use of monoclonal antibodies as a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ithallo S B Tanabe
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Eloiza L L Tanabe
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Elane C Santos
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Wanessa V Martins
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Isadora M T C Araújo
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Maria C A Cavalcante
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Ana R V Lima
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Niels O S Câmara
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia dos Transplantes, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia Anderson
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil.,Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Dinar Yunusov
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Genome Research Center, Woodbury, NY, United States
| | - Ênio J Bassi
- IMUNOREG-Grupo de Pesquisa em Regulação da Resposta Imune, Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
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21
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Mutations in the E2 Glycoprotein and the 3' Untranslated Region Enhance Chikungunya Virus Virulence in Mice. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00816-17. [PMID: 28747508 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00816-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that causes debilitating musculoskeletal pain and inflammation and can persist for months to years after acute infection. Although studies of humans and experimentally infected animals suggest that CHIKV infection persists in musculoskeletal tissues, the mechanisms for this remain poorly understood. To evaluate this further, we isolated CHIKV from the serum of persistently infected Rag1 -/- mice at day 28. When inoculated into naive wild-type (WT) mice, this persistently circulating CHIKV strain displayed a capacity for earlier dissemination and greater pathogenicity than the parental virus. Sequence analysis revealed a nonsynonymous mutation in the E2 glycoprotein (E2 K200R) and a deletion within the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR). The introduction of these changes into the parental virus conferred enhanced virulence in mice, although primary tropism for musculoskeletal tissues was maintained. The E2 K200R mutation was largely responsible for enhanced viral dissemination and pathogenicity, although these effects were augmented by the 3'-UTR deletion. Finally, studies with Irf3/Irf7 -/- and Ifnar1 -/- mice suggest that the E2 K200R mutation enhances viral dissemination from the site of inoculation independently of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)-, IRF7-, and IFNAR1-mediated responses. As our findings reveal viral determinants of CHIKV dissemination and pathogenicity, their further study should help to elucidate host-virus interactions that determine acute and chronic CHIKV infection.IMPORTANCE CHIKV is a globally spreading, mosquito-transmitted virus that causes debilitating acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease in humans. The viral genetic determinants that dictate the severity of acute and chronic diseases are not understood. To improve our understanding of CHIKV pathogenesis, we evaluated a CHIKV strain isolated from the serum of chronically infected immunocompromised mice. Sequence analysis of this persistent CHIKV strain identified two mutations, an amino acid change in the E2 viral attachment protein and a deletion within the 3'-UTR of the viral genome. We identified roles for these mutations in the enhancement of viral dissemination from the inoculation site and in disease severity. These data improve our understanding of the viral determinants of CHIKV pathogenesis and adaptive changes that occur during viral persistence.
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Clayton AM. Monoclonal Antibodies as Prophylactic and Therapeutic Agents Against Chikungunya Virus. J Infect Dis 2017; 214:S506-S509. [PMID: 27920182 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that is responsible for considerable epidemics worldwide and recently emerged in the Americas in 2013. CHIKV may cause long-lasting arthralgia after acute infection. With currently no licensed vaccines or antivirals, the design of effective therapies to prevent or treat CHIKV infection is of utmost importance and will be facilitated by increased understanding of the dynamics of chikungunya. In this article, monoclonal antibodies against CHIKV as viable prophylactic and therapeutic agents will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- April M Clayton
- Office of Global Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Vu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, G312, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Donald Jungkind
- St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Angelle Desiree LaBeaud
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, G312, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Weber C, Berberich E, von Rhein C, Henß L, Hildt E, Schnierle BS. Identification of Functional Determinants in the Chikungunya Virus E2 Protein. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005318. [PMID: 28114368 PMCID: PMC5289616 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that causes high fever, rash, and recurrent arthritis in humans. It has efficiently adapted to Aedes albopictus, which also inhabits temperate regions, including Europe and the United States of America. In the past, CHIKV has mainly affected developing countries, but has recently caused large outbreaks in the Caribbean and Latin America. No treatment or licensed CHIKV vaccine exists. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we have identified determinants in the CHIKV cell-attachment protein E2 that facilitate cell binding. The extracellular part of the E2 gene is subdivided into the three domains, A, B, and C. These domains were expressed in E. coli and as Fc-fusion proteins generated from HEK293T cells and used for cell-binding assays. Domains A and B bound to all cells tested, independently of their permissiveness to CHIKV infection. Domain C did not bind to cells at all. Furthermore, CHIKV cell entry was promoted by cell-surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and domain B interacted exclusively with GAG-expressing cells. Domain A also bound, although only moderately, to GAG-deficient cells. Soluble GAGs were able to inhibit CHIKV infection up to 90%; however, they enhanced the transduction rate of CHIKV Env pseudotyped vectors in GAG-negative cells. Conclusion/Significance These data imply that CHIKV uses at least two mechanisms to enter cells, one GAG-dependent, via initial attachment through domain B, and the other GAG-independent, via attachment of domain A. These data give indications that CHIKV uses multiple mechanisms to enter cells and shows the potential of GAGs as lead structures for developing antiviral drugs. The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) glycoprotein E2 mediates cell attachment and consists of three domains A, B and C. Since the cell entry process of CHIKV is not understood in detail, we analyzed the binding properties of the three E2 domains with proteins expressed in E. coli or as Fc-fusion proteins and the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on E2 cell binding and CHIKV entry. The two surface-exposed E2 domains, A and B, both bound to cells and domain B bound only to cells expressing GAGs. Domain A bound additionally to GAG-deficient cells and domain C did not bind to cells. CHIKV-pseudotyped lentiviral vector and CHIKV entry were enhanced in cells expressing GAGs. Our results suggest that CHIKV uses at least two entry mechanisms, one GAG-dependent, via attachment through E2 domain B, and the other GAG-independent, via binding of domain A. These data give indications that CHIKV uses multiple mechanisms to enter cells and shows the potential of GAGs as lead structures for developing antiviral drugs. In addition, it shows that domain A and B might constitute good targets for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Weber
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse, Langen, Germany
| | - Eva Berberich
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse, Langen, Germany
| | - Christine von Rhein
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse, Langen, Germany
| | - Lisa Henß
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse, Langen, Germany
| | - Eberhard Hildt
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse, Langen, Germany
| | - Barbara S. Schnierle
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse, Langen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Hawman DW, Fox JM, Ashbrook AW, May NA, Schroeder KMS, Torres RM, Crowe JE, Dermody TS, Diamond MS, Morrison TE. Pathogenic Chikungunya Virus Evades B Cell Responses to Establish Persistence. Cell Rep 2016; 16:1326-1338. [PMID: 27452455 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.06.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and related alphaviruses cause epidemics of acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the failure of immune clearance of CHIKV, we studied mice infected with an attenuated CHIKV strain (181/25) and the pathogenic parental strain (AF15561), which differ by five amino acids. Whereas AF15561 infection of wild-type mice results in viral persistence in joint tissues, 181/25 is cleared. In contrast, 181/25 infection of μMT mice lacking mature B cells results in viral persistence in joint tissues, suggesting that virus-specific antibody is required for clearance of infection. Mapping studies demonstrated that a highly conserved glycine at position 82 in the A domain of the E2 glycoprotein impedes clearance and neutralization of multiple CHIKV strains. Remarkably, murine and human antibodies targeting E2 domain B failed to neutralize pathogenic CHIKV strains efficiently. Our data suggest that pathogenic CHIKV strains evade E2 domain-B-neutralizing antibodies to establish persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Hawman
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Julie M Fox
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alison W Ashbrook
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Elizabeth B. Lamb Center for Pediatric Research, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nicholas A May
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kristin M S Schroeder
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Raul M Torres
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - James E Crowe
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Terence S Dermody
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Elizabeth B. Lamb Center for Pediatric Research, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs and School of Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Thomas E Morrison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Rodas JD, Kautz T, Camacho E, Paternina L, Guzmán H, Díaz FJ, Blanco P, Tesh R, Weaver SC. Genetic Characterization of Northwestern Colombian Chikungunya Virus Strains from the 2014-2015 Epidemic. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:639-46. [PMID: 27430542 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya fever, an acute and often chronic arthralgic disease caused by the mosquito-borne alphavirus, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), spread into the Americas in late 2013. Since then it has caused epidemics in nearly all New World countries, the second largest being Colombia with over 450,000 suspected cases beginning in September, 2014, and focused in Bolivar Department in the north. We examined 32 human sera from suspected cases, including diverse age groups and both genders, and sequenced the CHIKV envelope glycoprotein genes, known determinants of vector host range. As expected for Asian lineage CHIKV strains, these isolates lacked known Aedes albopictus-adaptive mutations. All the Colombian strains were closely related to those from the Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, consistent with a single, point-source introduction from the southeast Asia/Pacific region. Two substitutions in the E2 and E1 envelope glycoprotein genes were found in the Colombian strains, especially E1-K211E involving a residue shown previously to affect epistatically the penetrance of the E1-A226V A. albopictus-adaptive substitution. We also identified two amino acid substitutions unique to all American CHIKV sequences: E2-V368A and 6K-L20M. Only one codon, 6K-47, had a high nonsynonymous substitution rate suggesting positive selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rodas
- Grupo Centauro, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Tiffany Kautz
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Erwin Camacho
- Grupo de Investigaciónes Biomédicas, Universidad de Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Luis Paternina
- Grupo de Investigaciónes Biomédicas, Universidad de Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Hilda Guzmán
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Francisco J Díaz
- Grupo de Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Pedro Blanco
- Grupo de Investigaciónes Biomédicas, Universidad de Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Robert Tesh
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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Dissecting the Role of E2 Protein Domains in Alphavirus Pathogenicity. J Virol 2015; 90:2418-33. [PMID: 26676771 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02792-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Alphaviruses represent a diverse set of arboviruses, many of which are important pathogens. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arthritis-inducing alphavirus, is the cause of a massive ongoing outbreak in the Caribbean and South America. In contrast to CHIKV, other related alphaviruses, such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV), can cause encephalitic disease. E2, the receptor binding protein, has been implicated as a determinant in cell tropism, host range, pathogenicity, and immunogenicity. Previous reports also have demonstrated that E2 contains residues important for host range expansions and monoclonal antibody binding; however, little is known about what role each protein domain (e.g., A, B, and C) of E2 plays on these factors. Therefore, we constructed chimeric cDNA clones between CHIKV and VEEV or SFV to probe the effect of each domain on pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo. CHIKV chimeras containing each of the domains of the E2 (ΔDomA, ΔDomB, and ΔDomC) from SFV, but not VEEV, were successfully rescued. Interestingly, while all chimeric viruses were attenuated compared to CHIKV in mice, ΔDomB virus showed similar rates of infection and dissemination in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, suggesting differing roles for the E2 protein in different hosts. In contrast to CHIKV; ΔDomB, and to a lesser extent ΔDomA, caused neuron degeneration and demyelination in mice infected intracranially, suggesting a shift toward a phenotype similar to SFV. Thus, chimeric CHIKV/SFV provide insights on the role the alphavirus E2 protein plays on pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused large outbreaks of acute and chronic arthritis throughout Africa and Southeast Asia and has now become a massive public health threat in the Americas, causing an estimated 1.2 million human cases in just over a year. No approved vaccines or antivirals exist for human use against CHIKV or any other alphavirus. Despite the threat, little is known about the role the receptor binding protein (E2) plays on disease outcome in an infected host. To study this, our laboratory generated chimeric CHIKV containing corresponding regions of the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) E2 (domains A, B, and C) substituted into the CHIKV genome. Our results demonstrate that each domain of E2 likely plays a critical, but dissimilar role in the viral life cycle. Our experiments show that manipulation of E2 domains can be useful for studies on viral pathogenesis and potentially the production of vaccines and/or antivirals.
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