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Keitany GJ, Rubin BER, Garrett ME, Musa A, Tracy J, Liang Y, Ebert P, Moore AJ, Guan J, Eggers E, Lescano N, Brown R, Carbo A, Al-Asadi H, Ching T, Day A, Harris R, Linkem C, Popov D, Wilkins C, Li L, Wang J, Liu C, Chen L, Dines JN, Atyeo C, Alter G, Baldo L, Sherwood A, Howie B, Klinger M, Yusko E, Robins HS, Benzeno S, Gilbert AE. Multimodal, broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 identified by high-throughput native pairing of BCRs from bulk B cells. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1377-1389.e8. [PMID: 37586370 PMCID: PMC10659930 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.07.011] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
TruAB Discovery is an approach that integrates cellular immunology, high-throughput immunosequencing, bioinformatics, and computational biology in order to discover naturally occurring human antibodies for prophylactic or therapeutic use. We adapted our previously described pairSEQ technology to pair B cell receptor heavy and light chains of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-binding antibodies derived from enriched antigen-specific memory B cells and bulk antibody-secreting cells. We identified approximately 60,000 productive, in-frame, paired antibody sequences, from which 2,093 antibodies were selected for functional evaluation based on abundance, isotype and patterns of somatic hypermutation. The exceptionally diverse antibodies included RBD-binders with broad neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants, and S2-binders with broad specificity against betacoronaviruses and the ability to block membrane fusion. A subset of these RBD- and S2-binding antibodies demonstrated robust protection against challenge in hamster and mouse models. This high-throughput approach can accelerate discovery of diverse, multifunctional antibodies against any target of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andrea Musa
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jeff Tracy
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Yu Liang
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Peter Ebert
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | | | - Erica Eggers
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Ryan Brown
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Adria Carbo
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | | | - Austin Day
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Lianqu Li
- GenScript ProBio Biotech, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- GenScript ProBio Biotech, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- GenScript ProBio Biotech, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Chen
- GenScript ProBio Biotech, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | | | - Caroline Atyeo
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lance Baldo
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Bryan Howie
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Mark Klinger
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Erik Yusko
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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Guo H, Li A, Dong TY, Si HR, Hu B, Li B, Zhu Y, Shi ZL, Letko M. Isolation of ACE2-dependent and -independent sarbecoviruses from Chinese horseshoe bats. J Virol 2023; 97:e0039523. [PMID: 37655938 PMCID: PMC10537568 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00395-23] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While the spike proteins from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses-1 and 2 (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) bind to host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to infect cells, the majority of bat sarbecoviruses cannot use ACE2 from any species. Despite their discovery almost 20 years ago, ACE2-independent sarbecoviruses have never been isolated from field samples, leading to the assumption these viruses pose little risk to humans. We have previously shown how spike proteins from a small group of ACE2-independent bat sarbecoviruses may possess the ability to infect human cells in the presence of exogenous trypsin. Here, we adapted our earlier findings into a virus isolation protocol and recovered two new ACE2-dependent viruses, RsYN2012 and RsYN2016A, as well as an ACE2-independent virus, RsHuB2019A. Although our stocks of RsHuB2019A rapidly acquired a tissue-culture adaption that rendered the spike protein resistant to trypsin, trypsin was still required for viral entry, suggesting limitations on the exogenous entry factors that support bat sarbecoviruses. Electron microscopy revealed that ACE2-independent sarbecoviruses have a prominent spike corona and share similar morphology to other coronaviruses. Our findings demonstrate a broader zoonotic threat posed by sarbecoviruses and shed light on the intricacies of coronavirus isolation and propagation in vitro. IMPORTANCE Several coronaviruses have been transmitted from animals to people, and 20 years of virus discovery studies have uncovered thousands of new coronavirus sequences in nature. Most of the animal-derived sarbecoviruses have never been isolated in culture due to cell incompatibilities and a poor understanding of the in vitro requirements for their propagation. Here, we built on our growing body of work characterizing viral entry mechanisms of bat sarbecoviruses in human cells and have developed a virus isolation protocol that allows for the exploration of these understudied viruses. Our protocol is robust and practical, leading to successful isolation of more sarbecoviruses than previous approaches and from field samples that had been collected over a 10-year longitudinal study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Yi Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Rui Si
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ben Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Bei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng-Li Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Michael Letko
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Cellular electrical impedance to profile SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors and to assess the fusogenic potential of spike mutants. Antiviral Res 2023; 213:105587. [PMID: 36977434 PMCID: PMC10040089 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105587] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite the vaccination campaigns for COVID-19, we still cannot control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as evidenced by the ongoing circulation of the Omicron variants of concern. This highlights the need for broad-spectrum antivirals to further combat COVID-19 and to be prepared for a new pandemic with a (re-)emerging coronavirus. An interesting target for antiviral drug development is the fusion of the viral envelope with host cell membranes, a crucial early step in the replication cycle of coronaviruses. In this study, we explored the use of cellular electrical impedance (CEI) to quantitatively monitor morphological changes in real time, resulting from cell-cell fusion elicited by SARS-CoV-2 spike. The impedance signal in CEI-quantified cell-cell fusion correlated with the expression level of SARS-CoV-2 spike in transfected HEK293T cells. For antiviral assessment, we validated the CEI assay with the fusion inhibitor EK1 and measured a concentration-dependent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 spike mediated cell-cell fusion (IC50 value of 0.13 μM). In addition, CEI was used to confirm the fusion inhibitory activity of the carbohydrate-binding plant lectin UDA against SARS-CoV-2 (IC50 value of 0.55 μM), which complements prior in-house profiling activities. Finally, we explored the utility of CEI in quantifying the fusogenic potential of mutant spike proteins and in comparing the fusion efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In summary, we demonstrate that CEI is a powerful and sensitive technology that can be applied to studying the fusion process of SARS-CoV-2 and to screening and characterizing fusion inhibitors in a label-free and non-invasive manner.
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4
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Zhao M, Slotkin R, Sheth AH, Pischel L, Kyriakides TC, Emu B, McNamara C, Shi Q, Delgobbo J, Xu J, Marhoffer E, Mercer-Falkoff A, Holleck J, Ardito D, Sutton RE, Gupta S. Serum Neutralizing Antibody Titers 12 Months After Coronavirus Disease 2019 Messenger RNA Vaccination: Correlation to Clinical Variables in an Adult, US Population. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:e391-e399. [PMID: 35639598 PMCID: PMC9278145 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We studied whether comorbid conditions affect strength and duration of immune responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) messenger RNA vaccination in a US-based, adult population. METHODS Sera (before and after BNT162b2 vaccination) were tested serially up to 12 months after 2 doses of vaccine for SARS-CoV-2-anti-Spike neutralizing capacity by pseudotyping assay in 124 individuals; neutralizing titers were correlated to clinical variables with multivariate regression. Postbooster (third dose) effect was measured at 1 and 3 months in 72 and 88 subjects, respectively. RESULTS After completion of primary vaccine series, neutralizing antibody half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were high at 1 month (14-fold increase from prevaccination), declined at 6 months (3.3-fold increase), and increased at 1 month postbooster (41.5-fold increase). Three months postbooster, IC50 decreased in coronavirus disease (COVID)-naïve individuals (18-fold increase) and increased in prior COVID 2019 (COVID-19+) individuals (132-fold increase). Age >65 years (β = -0.94, P = .001) and malignancy (β = -0.88, P = .002) reduced strength of response at 1 month. Both neutralization strength and durability at 6 months, respectively, were negatively affected by end-stage renal disease ([β = -1.10, P = .004]; [β = -0.66, P = .014]), diabetes mellitus ([β = -0.57, P = .032]; [β = -0.44, P = .028]), and systemic steroid use ([β = -0.066, P = .032]; [β = -0.55, P = .037]). Postbooster IC50 was robust against WA-1 and B.1.617.2. Postbooster neutralization increased with prior COVID-19 (β = 2.9, P < .0001), and malignancy reduced neutralization response (β = -0.68, P = .03), regardless of infection status. CONCLUSIONS Multiple clinical factors affect the strength and duration of neutralization response after primary series vaccination, but not the postbooster dose strength. Malignancy was associated with lower booster-dose response regardless of prior COVID infection, suggesting a need for clinically guided vaccine regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Amar H Sheth
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lauren Pischel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tassos C Kyriakides
- Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development, Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brinda Emu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Cynthia McNamara
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Qiaosu Shi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jaden Delgobbo
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elizabeth Marhoffer
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aleagia Mercer-Falkoff
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jürgen Holleck
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - David Ardito
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard E Sutton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shaili Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Xu C, Ren XH, Han D, Peng Y, Lei JJ, Yu LX, Liu LJ, Xu WC, Cheng SX. Precise Detection on Cell-Cell Fusion by a Facile Molecular Beacon-Based Method. Anal Chem 2022; 94:17334-17340. [PMID: 36456915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell fusion studies provide an experimental platform for evaluating disease progression and investigating cell infection. However, to realize sensitive and quantitative detection on cell-cell fusion is still a challenge. Herein, we report a facile molecular beacon (MB)-based method for precise detection on cell-cell fusion. By transfection of the spike protein (S protein) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in HEK 293 cells, the virus-mimicking fusogenic effector cells 293-S-EGFP cells were constructed to interact with target cells. Before mixing the effector cells with the target cells, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression in 293-S-EGFP cells was silenced, and the MB for GAPDH mRNA detection was delivered into the GAPDH silenced 293-S-EGFP cells. Once cell-cell fusion occurred, MB migrated from the GAPDH silenced effector cells to the target cells and hybridized with GAPDH mRNA in the target cells to induce fluorescence emission. The cell-cell fusion can be easily visualized and quantitated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The fluorescence intensity is strongly dependent on the number of fused target cells. This MB-based method can easily identify the differences in the cell fusions for various target cells with different angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) expression levels, resulting in dramatically different fluorescence intensities in fused target cells. Our study provides a convenient and efficient quantitative detection approach to study cell-cell fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-He Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Di Han
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Yan Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Ju Lei
- Cancer Center, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P. R. China
| | - Luo-Xiao Yu
- Cancer Center, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P. R. China
| | - Ling-Juan Liu
- Cancer Center, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Chao Xu
- Cancer Center, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P. R. China
| | - Si-Xue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
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Chan SW. Fusion assays for screening of fusion inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 entry and syncytia formation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1007527. [PMID: 36438831 PMCID: PMC9691968 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1007527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus fusion process is evolutionarily conserved and provides a promising pan-viral target. Cell-cell fusion leads to syncytial formation and has implications in pathogenesis, virus spread and immune evasion. Drugs that target these processes can be developed into anti-virals. Here, we have developed sensitive, rapid, adaptable fusion reporter gene assays as models for plasma membrane and alternative fusion pathways as well as syncytial fusion in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and have confirmed their specificity using neutralizing antibodies and specific protease inhibitors. The fusion report gene assays are more sensitive and unbiased than morphological fusion assay. The fusion assays can differentiate between transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2)-dependency in TMPRSS2(+) cells and trypsin-dependency in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)(+)TMPRSS2(-) cells. Moreover, we have identified putative novel fusion processes that are triggered by an acidic pH with and without trypsin. Coupled with morphological fusion criteria, we have found that syncytia formation is enhanced by TMPRSS2 or trypsin. By testing against our top drug hits previously shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection, we have identified several fusion inhibitors including structurally related lopsided kite-shaped molecules. Our results have important implications in the development of universal blockers and synergistic therapeutics and the small molecule inhibitors can provide important tools in elucidating the fusion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiu-Wan Chan
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Ssenyange G, Kerfoot M, Zhao M, Farhadian S, Chen S, Peng L, Ren P, Dela Cruz CS, Gupta S, Sutton RE. Development of an efficient reproducible cell-cell transmission assay for rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 spike interaction with hACE2. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100252. [PMID: 35757815 PMCID: PMC9213030 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Efficient quantitative assays for measurement of viral replication and infectivity are indispensable for future endeavors to develop prophylactic or therapeutic antiviral drugs or vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We developed a SARS-CoV-2 cell-cell transmission assay that provides a rapid and quantitative readout to assess SARS-CoV-2 spike hACE2 interaction in the absence of pseudotyped particles or live virus. We established two well-behaved stable cell lines, which demonstrated a remarkable correlation with standard cell-free viral pseudotyping for inhibition by convalescent sera, small-molecule drugs, and murine anti-spike monoclonal antibodies. The assay is rapid, reliable, and highly reproducible, without a requirement for any specialized research reagents or laboratory equipment and should be easy to adapt for use in most investigative and clinical settings. It can be effectively used or modified for high-throughput screening for compounds and biologics that interfere with virus-cell binding and entry to complement other neutralization assays currently in use.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ssenyange
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Maya Kerfoot
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shelli Farhadian
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Lei Peng
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Charles S. Dela Cruz
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shaili Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Richard E. Sutton
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems of Connecticut, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
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Broadly Applicable, Virus-Free Dual Reporter Assay to Identify Compounds Interfering with Membrane Fusion: Performance for HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071354. [PMID: 35891336 PMCID: PMC9322530 DOI: 10.3390/v14071354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion constitutes an essential step in the replication cycle of numerous viral pathogens, hence it represents an important druggable target. In the present study, we established a virus-free, stable reporter fusion inhibition assay (SRFIA) specifically designed to identify compounds interfering with virus-induced membrane fusion. The dual reporter assay is based on two stable Vero cell lines harboring the third-generation tetracycline (Tet3G) transactivator and a bicistronic reporter gene cassette under the control of the tetracycline responsive element (TRE3G), respectively. Cell–cell fusion by the transient transfection of viral fusogens in the presence of doxycycline results in the expression of the reporter enzyme secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and the fluorescent nuclear localization marker EYFPNuc. A constitutively expressed, secreted form of nanoluciferase (secNLuc) functioned as the internal control. The performance of the SRFIA was tested for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2- and HSV-1-induced cell–cell fusion, respectively, showing high sensitivity and specificity, as well as the reliable identification of known fusion inhibitors. Parallel quantification of secNLuc enabled the detection of cytotoxic compounds or insufficient transfection efficacy. In conclusion, the SRFIA reported here is well suited for high-throughput screening for new antiviral agents and essentially will be applicable to all viral fusogens causing cell–cell fusion in Vero cells.
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Zhao M, Slotkin R, Sheth AH, Pischel L, Kyriakides TC, Emu B, McNamara C, Shi Q, Delgobbo J, Xu J, Marhoffer E, Mercer-Falkoff A, Holleck J, Ardito D, Sutton RE, Gupta S. Clinical Variables Correlate with Serum Neutralizing Antibody Titers after COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in an Adult, US-based Population. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.04.03.22273355. [PMID: 35411347 PMCID: PMC8996621 DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.03.22273355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background We studied whether comorbid conditions impact strength and duration of immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in a US-based, adult population. Methods Sera (pre-and-post-BNT162b2 vaccination) were tested serially up to 12 months after two doses of vaccine for SARS-CoV-2-anti-Spike neutralizing capacity by pseudotyping assay in 124 individuals; neutralizing titers were correlated to clinical variables with multivariate regression. Post-booster (third dose) effect was measured at 1 and 3 months in 72 and 88 subjects respectively. Results After completion of primary vaccine series, neutralizing antibody IC50 values were high at one month (14-fold increase from pre-vaccination), declined at six months (3.3-fold increase), and increased at one month post-booster (41.5-fold increase). Three months post-booster, IC50 decreased in COVID-naïve individuals (18-fold increase) and increased in prior COVID-19+ individuals (132-fold increase). Age >65 years (β=-0.94, p=0.001) and malignancy (β=-0.88, p=0.002) reduced strength of response at 1 month. Both strength and durability of response at 6 months, respectively, were negatively impacted by end-stage renal disease [(β=-1.10, p=0.004); (β=-0.66, p=0.014)], diabetes mellitus [(β=-0.57, p=0.032); (β=-0.44, p=0.028)], and systemic steroid use [(β=-0.066, p=0.032); (β=-0.55, p=0.037)]. Post-booster IC50 was robust against WA-1 and B.1.617.2, but the immune response decreased with malignancy (β =-0.68, p=0.03) and increased with prior COVID-19 (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion Multiple clinical factors impact the strength and duration of neutralization response post-primary series vaccination, but not the post-booster dose strength. Prior COVID-19 infection enhances the booster-dose response except in individuals with malignancy, suggesting a need for clinically guiding vaccine dosing regimens. Summary Multiple clinical factors impact the strength and duration of neutralization response post-primary series vaccination. All subjects, irrespective of prior COVID infection, benefited from a third dose. Malignancy decreased response following third dose, suggesting the importance of clinically guided vaccine regimens.
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The FDA-Approved Drug Cobicistat Synergizes with Remdesivir To Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Replication In Vitro and Decreases Viral Titers and Disease Progression in Syrian Hamsters. mBio 2022; 13:e0370521. [PMID: 35229634 PMCID: PMC8941859 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03705-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Combinations of direct-acting antivirals are needed to minimize drug resistance mutations and stably suppress replication of RNA viruses. Currently, there are limited therapeutic options against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and testing of a number of drug regimens has led to conflicting results. Here, we show that cobicistat, which is an FDA-approved drug booster that blocks the activity of the drug-metabolizing proteins cytochrome P450-3As (CYP3As) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication. Two independent cell-to-cell membrane fusion assays showed that the antiviral effect of cobicistat is exerted through inhibition of spike protein-mediated membrane fusion. In line with this, incubation with low-micromolar concentrations of cobicistat decreased viral replication in three different cell lines including cells of lung and gut origin. When cobicistat was used in combination with remdesivir, a synergistic effect on the inhibition of viral replication was observed in cell lines and in a primary human colon organoid. This was consistent with the effects of cobicistat on two of its known targets, CYP3A4 and P-gp, the silencing of which boosted the in vitro antiviral activity of remdesivir in a cobicistat-like manner. When administered in vivo to Syrian hamsters at a high dose, cobicistat decreased viral load and mitigated clinical progression. These data highlight cobicistat as a therapeutic candidate for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection and as a potential building block of combination therapies for COVID-19.
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Hu Y, Jo H, DeGrado WF, Wang J. Brilacidin, a COVID‐19 Drug Candidate, demonstrates broad‐spectrum antiviral activity against human coronaviruses OC43, 229E and NL63 through targeting both the virus and the host cell. J Med Virol 2022; 94:2188-2200. [PMID: 35080027 PMCID: PMC8930451 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Brilacidin, a mimetic of host defense peptides (HDPs), is currently in Phase 2 clinical trial as an antibiotic drug candidate. A recent study reported that brilacidin has antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) by inactivating the virus. In this study, we discovered an additional mechanism of action of brilacidin by targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) on the host cell surface. Brilacidin, but not acetyl brilacidin, inhibits the entry of SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus into multiple cell lines, and heparin, an HSPG mimetic, abolishes the inhibitory activity of brilacidin on SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus cell entry. In addition, we found that brilacidin has broad‐spectrum antiviral activity against multiple human coronaviruses (HCoVs) including HCoV‐229E, HCoV‐OC43, and HCoV‐NL63. Mechanistic studies revealed that brilacidin has a dual antiviral mechanism of action including virucidal activity and binding to coronavirus attachment factor HSPGs on the host cell surface. Brilacidin partially loses its antiviral activity when heparin was included in the cell cultures, supporting the host‐targeting mechanism. Drug combination therapy showed that brilacidin has a strong synergistic effect with remdesivir against HCoV‐OC43 in cell culture. Taken together, this study provides appealing findings for the translational potential of brilacidin as a broad‐spectrum antiviral for coronaviruses including SARS‐CoV‐2. Brilacidin has broad‐spectrum antiviral activity against multiple human coronaviruses (HCoVs) including HCoV‐229E, HCoV‐OC43, and HCoV‐NL63 Brilacidin, but not acetyl brilacidin, inhibits the entry of SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus into multiple cell lines Heparin, an heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) mimetic, abolishes the inhibitory activity of brilacidin on SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus cell entry Brilacidin has a dual antiviral mechanism of action including virucidal activity and binding to coronavirus attachment factor HSPGs on the host cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of Pharmacy, The University of ArizonaTucsonArizona85721United States
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistrySchool of PharmacyUniversity of California, San FranciscoCalifornia94158United States
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistrySchool of PharmacyUniversity of California, San FranciscoCalifornia94158United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of Pharmacy, The University of ArizonaTucsonArizona85721United States
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12
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Meyrath M, Szpakowska M, Plesseria JM, Domingues O, Langlet J, Weber B, Krüger R, Ollert M, Chevigné A. Nanoluciferase-based cell fusion assay for rapid and high-throughput assessment of SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies in patient samples. Methods Enzymol 2022; 675:351-381. [PMID: 36220277 PMCID: PMC9459433 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Max Meyrath
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; Laboratoires Réunis Luxembourg, Z.A.C. Laangwiss, Junglinster, Luxembourg
| | - Martyna Szpakowska
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jean-Marc Plesseria
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Olivia Domingues
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jérémie Langlet
- Business Development Office, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Bernard Weber
- Laboratoires Réunis Luxembourg, Z.A.C. Laangwiss, Junglinster, Luxembourg
| | - Rejko Krüger
- Transversal Translational Medicine (TTM), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg; Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-Belval, Luxembourg; Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Markus Ollert
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Andy Chevigné
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
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13
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Valiente PA, Wen H, Nim S, Lee J, Kim HJ, Kim J, Perez-Riba A, Paudel YP, Hwang I, Kim KD, Kim S, Kim PM. Computational Design of Potent D-Peptide Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14955-14967. [PMID: 34624194 PMCID: PMC8525337 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Blocking the association between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an attractive therapeutic approach to prevent the virus from entering human cells. While antibodies and other modalities have been developed to this end, d-amino acid peptides offer unique advantages, including serum stability, low immunogenicity, and low cost of production. Here, we designed potent novel D-peptide inhibitors that mimic the ACE2 α1-binding helix by searching a mirror-image version of the PDB. The two best designs bound the RBD with affinities of 29 and 31 nM and blocked the infection of Vero cells by SARS-CoV-2 with IC50 values of 5.76 and 6.56 μM, respectively. Notably, both D-peptides neutralized with a similar potency the infection of two variants of concern: B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in vitro. These potent D-peptide inhibitors are promising lead candidates for developing SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic or therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Valiente
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular
Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
| | - Han Wen
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular
Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
| | - Satra Nim
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular
Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
| | - JinAh Lee
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory, Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,
Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Ju Kim
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory, Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,
Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Kim
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory, Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,
Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Albert Perez-Riba
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular
Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
| | - Yagya Prasad Paudel
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular
Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
| | - Insu Hwang
- Center for Convergent Research of Emerging Virus
Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology,
Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun-Do Kim
- Center for Convergent Research of Emerging Virus
Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology,
Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungtaek Kim
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory, Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,
Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Philip M. Kim
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular
Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
- Department of Computer Science,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1,
Canada
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