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Hamam H, Ramzan Y, Niazai S, Gepreel KA, Awan AU, Ozair M, Hussain T. Deciphering the enigma of Lassa virus transmission dynamics and strategies for effective epidemic control through awareness campaigns and rodenticides. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18079. [PMID: 39103409 PMCID: PMC11300617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68600-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to formulate a mathematical framework to examine how the Lassa virus spreads in humans of opposite genders. The stability of the model is analyzed at an equilibrium point in the absence of the Lassa fever. The model's effectiveness is evaluated using real-life data, and all the parameters needed to determine the basic reproduction number are estimated. Sensitivity analysis is performed to pinpoint the crucial parameters significantly influencing the spread of the infection. The interaction between threshold parameters and the basic reproduction number is simulated. Control theory is employed to devise and evaluate strategies, such as awareness campaigns, advocating condom usage, and deploying rodenticides to reduce the possibility of virus transmission efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haneen Hamam
- Department of Mathematics, Jamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, 24320, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasir Ramzan
- Department of Mathematics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | - Shafiullah Niazai
- Department of Mathematics, Education Faculty, Laghman University, Mehterlam City, Laghman, 2701, Afghanistan.
| | - Khaled A Gepreel
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, 21944, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aziz Ullah Awan
- Department of Mathematics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ozair
- Department of Mathematics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Attock Campus, Attock, Pakistan
| | - Takasar Hussain
- Department of Mathematics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Attock Campus, Attock, Pakistan
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2
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Hashizume M, Takashima A, Iwasaki M. An mRNA-LNP-based Lassa virus vaccine induces protective immunity in mice. J Virol 2024; 98:e0057824. [PMID: 38767352 PMCID: PMC11237644 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00578-24] [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: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The mammarenavirus Lassa virus (LASV) causes the life-threatening hemorrhagic fever disease, Lassa fever. The lack of licensed medical countermeasures against LASV underscores the urgent need for the development of novel LASV vaccines, which has been hampered by the requirement for a biosafety level 4 facility to handle live LASV. Here, we investigated the efficacy of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP)-based vaccines expressing the LASV glycoprotein precursor (LASgpc) or nucleoprotein (LCMnp) of the prototypic mammarenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), in mice. Two doses of LASgpc- or LCMnp-mRNA-LNP administered intravenously (i.v.) protected C57BL/6 mice from a lethal challenge with a recombinant (r) LCMV expressing a modified LASgpc (rLCMV/LASgpc2m) inoculated intracranially. Intramuscular (i.m.) immunization with two doses of LASgpc- or LCMnp-mRNA-LNP significantly reduced the viral load in C57BL/6 mice inoculated i.v. with rLCMV/LASgpc2m. High levels of viremia and lethality were observed in CBA mice inoculated i.v. with rLCMV/LASgpc2m, which were abrogated by i.m. immunization with two doses of LASgpc-mRNA-LNP. The protective efficacy of two i.m. doses of LCMnp-mRNA-LNP was confirmed in a lethal hemorrhagic disease model of FVB mice i.v. inoculated with wild-type rLCMV. In all conditions tested, negligible and high levels of LASgpc- and LCMnp-specific antibodies were detected in mRNA-LNP-immunized mice, respectively, but robust LASgpc- and LCMnp-specific CD8+ T cell responses were induced. Accordingly, plasma from LASgpc-mRNA-LNP-immunized mice did not exhibit neutralizing activity. Our findings and surrogate mouse models of LASV infection, which can be studied at a reduced biocontainment level, provide a critical foundation for the rapid development of mRNA-LNP-based LASV vaccines.IMPORTANCELassa virus (LASV) is a highly pathogenic mammarenavirus responsible for several hundred thousand infections annually in West African countries, causing a high number of lethal Lassa fever (LF) cases. Despite its significant impact on human health, clinically approved, safe, and effective medical countermeasures against LF are not available. The requirement of a biosafety level 4 facility to handle live LASV has been one of the main obstacles to the research and development of LASV countermeasures. Here, we report that two doses of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle-based vaccines expressing the LASV glycoprotein precursor (LASgpc) or nucleoprotein (LCMnp) of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a mammarenavirus genetically closely related to LASV, conferred protection to recombinant LCMV-based surrogate mouse models of lethal LASV infection. Notably, robust LASgpc- and LCMnp-specific CD8+ T cell responses were detected in mRNA-LNP-immunized mice, whereas no virus-neutralizing activity was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Hashizume
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ayako Takashima
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaharu Iwasaki
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and Drug Delivery System, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- RNA Frontier Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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3
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Taniguchi S, Saito T, Paroha R, Huang C, Paessler S, Maruyama J. Unraveling factors responsible for pathogenic differences in Lassa virus strains. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.21.595091. [PMID: 38826374 PMCID: PMC11142057 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.21.595091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is the etiological agent of Lassa fever (LF), a severe hemorrhagic disease with potential for lethal outcomes. Apart from acute symptoms, LF survivors often endure long-term complications, notably hearing loss, which significantly impacts their quality of life and socioeconomic status in endemic regions of West Africa. Classified as a Risk Group 4 agent, LASV poses a substantial public health threat in affected areas. Our laboratory previously developed a novel lethal guinea pig model of LF utilizing the clinical isolate LASV strain LF2384. However, the specific pathogenic factors underlying LF2384 infection in guinea pigs remained elusive. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the differences in the immunological response induced by LF2384 and LF2350, another LASV isolate from a non-lethal LF case within the same outbreak. Through comprehensive immunological gene profiling, we compared the expression kinetics of key genes in guinea pigs infected with LASV LF2384 and LF2350. Our analysis revealed differential expression patterns for several immunological genes, including CD94, CD19-2, CD23, IL-7, and CIITA, during LF2384 and LF2350 infection. Moreover, through the generation of recombinant LASVs, we sought to identify the specific viral genes responsible for the observed pathogenic differences between LF2384 and LF2350. Our investigations pinpointed the L protein as a crucial determinant of pathogenicity in guinea pigs infected with LASV LF2384.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Saito
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ruchi Paroha
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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4
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Sulis G, Peebles A, Basta NE. Lassa fever vaccine candidates: A scoping review of vaccine clinical trials. Trop Med Int Health 2023; 28:420-431. [PMID: 37095630 PMCID: PMC10247453 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lassa fever (LF) is caused by a viral pathogen with pandemic potential. LF vaccines have the potential to prevent significant disease in individuals at risk of infection, but no such vaccine has been licensed or authorised for use thus far. We conducted a scoping review to identify and compare registered phase 1, 2 or 3 clinical trials of LF vaccine candidates, and appraise the current trajectory of LF vaccine development. METHOD We systematically searched 24 trial registries, PubMed, relevant conference abstracts and additional grey literature sources up to 27 October 2022. After extracting key details about each vaccine candidate and each eligible trial, we qualitatively synthesised the evidence. RESULTS We found that four LF vaccine candidates (INO-4500, MV-LASV, rVSV∆G-LASV-GPC, and EBS-LASV) have entered the clinical stage of assessment. Five phase 1 trials (all focused on healthy adults) and one phase 2 trial (involving a broader age group from 18 months to 70 years) evaluating one of these vaccines have been registered to date. Here, we describe the characteristics of each vaccine candidate and trial and compare them to WHO's target product profile for Lassa vaccines. CONCLUSION Though LF vaccine development is still in early stages, current progress towards a safe and effective vaccine is encouraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Sulis
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Alexandra Peebles
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nicole E. Basta
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Stachura P, Stencel O, Lu Z, Borkhardt A, Pandyra AA. Arenaviruses: Old viruses present new solutions for cancer therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1110522. [PMID: 37033933 PMCID: PMC10079900 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1110522] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral-based cancer therapies have tremendous potential, especially in the context of treating poorly infiltrated cold tumors. However, in tumors with intact anti-viral interferon (IFN) pathways, while some oncolytic viruses induce strong innate and adaptive immune responses, they are neutralized before exerting their therapeutic effect. Arenaviruses, particularly the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a noncytopathic virus with preferential cancer tropism and evolutionary mechanisms to escape the immune system for longer and to block early clearance. These escape mechanisms include inhibition of the MAVS dependent IFN pathway and spike protein antigen masking. Regarding its potential for cancer treatment, LCMV is therefore able to elicit long-term responses within the tumor microenvironment (TME), boost anti-tumor immune responses and polarize poorly infiltrating tumors towards a hot phenotype. Other arenaviruses including the attenuated Junin virus vaccine also have anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, the LCMV and Pichinde arenaviruses are currently being used to create vector-based vaccines with attenuated but replicating virus. This review focuses on highlighting the potential of arenaviruses as anti-cancer therapies. This includes providing a molecular understanding of its tropism as well as highlighting past and present preclinical and clinical applications of noncytophatic arenavirus therapies and their potential in bridging the gap in the treatment of cancers weakly responsive or unresponsive to oncolytic viruses. In summary, arenaviruses represent promising new therapies to broaden the arsenal of anti-tumor therapies for generating an immunogenic tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Stachura
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Olivia Stencel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Zhe Lu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Aleksandra A. Pandyra
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Aleksandra A. Pandyra,
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Reyna RA, Maruyama J, Mantlo EK, Manning JT, Taniguchi S, Makishima T, Lukashevich IS, Paessler S. Depletion of CD4 and CD8 T Cells Reduces Acute Disease and Is Not Associated with Hearing Loss in ML29-Infected STAT1-/- Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2433. [PMID: 36289695 PMCID: PMC9598517 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a zoonotic virus endemic to western Africa that can cause a potentially lethal and hemorrhagic disease, Lassa fever (LF). Survivors suffer a myriad of sequelae, most notably sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the mechanism of which remains unclear. Unfortunately, studies aiming to identify the mechanism of these sequelae are limited due to the biosafety level 4 (BSL4) requirements of LASV itself. ML29, a reassortant virus proposed as an experimental vaccine candidate against LASV, is potentially an ideal surrogate model of LF in STAT1-/- mice due to similar phenotype in these animals. We intended to better characterize ML29 pathogenesis and potential sequelae in this animal model. Our results indicate that while both CD4 and CD8 T cells are responsible for acute disease in ML29 infection, ML29 induces significant hearing loss in a mechanism independent of either CD4 or CD8 T cells. We believe that this model could provide valuable information for viral-associated hearing loss in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Emily K. Mantlo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - John T. Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Tomoko Makishima
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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7
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Johnson DM, Cubitt B, Pfeffer TL, de la Torre JC, Lukashevich IS. Lassa Virus Vaccine Candidate ML29 Generates Truncated Viral RNAs Which Contribute to Interfering Activity and Attenuation. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020214. [PMID: 33573250 PMCID: PMC7912207 DOI: 10.3390/v13020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Defective interfering particles (DIPs) are naturally occurring products during virus replication in infected cells. DIPs contain defective viral genomes (DVGs) and interfere with replication and propagation of their corresponding standard viral genomes by competing for viral and cellular resources, as well as promoting innate immune antiviral responses. Consequently, for many different viruses, including mammarenaviruses, DIPs play key roles in the outcome of infection. Due to their ability to broadly interfere with viral replication, DIPs are attractive tools for the development of a new generation of biologics to target genetically diverse and rapidly evolving viruses. Here, we provide evidence that in cells infected with the Lassa fever (LF) vaccine candidate ML29, a reassortant that carries the nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP) dominant antigens of the pathogenic Lassa virus (LASV) together with the L polymerase and Z matrix protein of the non-pathogenic genetically related Mopeia virus (MOPV), L-derived truncated RNA species are readily detected following infection at low multiplicity of infection (MOI) or in persistently-infected cells originally infected at high MOI. In the present study, we show that expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by a tri-segmented form of the mammarenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (r3LCMV-GFP/GFP) was strongly inhibited in ML29-persistently infected cells, and that the magnitude of GFP suppression was dependent on the passage history of the ML29-persistently infected cells. In addition, we found that DIP-enriched ML29 was highly attenuated in immunocompetent CBA/J mice and in Hartley guinea pigs. Likewise, STAT-1-/- mice, a validated small animal model for human LF associated hearing loss sequelae, infected with DIP-enriched ML29 did not exhibit any hearing abnormalities throughout the observation period (62 days).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan M. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.M.J.); (I.S.L.)
| | - Beatrice Cubitt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (B.C.); (J.C.d.l.T.)
| | - Tia L. Pfeffer
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 402042, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (B.C.); (J.C.d.l.T.)
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 402042, USA
- Correspondence: (D.M.J.); (I.S.L.)
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8
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Ibukun FI. Inter-Lineage Variation of Lassa Virus Glycoprotein Epitopes: A Challenge to Lassa Virus Vaccine Development. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040386. [PMID: 32244402 PMCID: PMC7232328 DOI: 10.3390/v12040386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), which causes considerable morbidity and mortality annually, has a high genetic diversity across West Africa. LASV glycoprotein (GP) expresses this diversity, but most LASV vaccine candidates utilize only the Lineage IV LASV Josiah strain GP antigen as an immunogen and homologous challenge with Lineage IV LASV. In addition to the sequence variation amongst the LASV lineages, these lineages are also distinguished in their presentations. Inter-lineage variations within previously mapped B-cell and T-cell LASV GP epitopes and the breadth of protection in LASV vaccine/challenge studies were examined critically. Multiple alignments of the GP primary sequence of strains from each LASV lineage showed that LASV GP has diverging degrees of amino acid conservation within known epitopes among LASV lineages. Conformational B-cell epitopes spanning different sites in GP subunits were less impacted by LASV diversity. LASV GP diversity should influence the approach used for LASV vaccine design. Expression of LASV GP on viral vectors, especially in its prefusion configuration, has shown potential for protective LASV vaccines that can overcome LASV diversity. Advanced vaccine candidates should demonstrate efficacy against all LASV lineages for evidence of a pan-LASV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Ifedayo Ibukun
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21201, MD, USA
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9
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Asogun DA, Günther S, Akpede GO, Ihekweazu C, Zumla A. Lassa Fever: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Management and Prevention. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2020; 33:933-951. [PMID: 31668199 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Lassa fever outbreaks West Africa have caused up to 10,000 deaths annually. Primary infection occurs from contact with Lassa virus-infected rodents and exposure to their excreta, blood, or meat. Incubation takes 2 to 21 days. Symptoms are difficult to distinguish from malaria, typhoid, dengue, yellow fever, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic, to mild, to severe fulminant disease. Ribavirin can improve outcomes. Overall mortality is between 1% and 15%. Lassa fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis with travel to West Africa. There is an urgent need for rapid field-friendly diagnostics and preventive vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny A Asogun
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria; Department of Public Health, Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 008, Kilometre 87, Benin City-Auchi Road, Irrua, Nigeria.
| | - Stephan Günther
- Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Strab 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - George O Akpede
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
| | - Chikwe Ihekweazu
- Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Plot 801, Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Center for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, Royal Free Campus 2nd Floor, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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10
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Lethal Infection of Lassa Virus Isolated from a Human Clinical Sample in Outbred Guinea Pigs without Adaptation. mSphere 2019; 4:4/5/e00428-19. [PMID: 31554720 PMCID: PMC6763766 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00428-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus, the causative agent of Lassa fever, is a zoonotic pathogen causing annual outbreaks in West African countries. Human patients can develop lethal hemorrhagic fever in severe cases. Although Lassa virus is one of the most alarming pathogens from a public health perspective, there are few available countermeasures, such as antiviral drugs or vaccines. Moreover, the fact that animal models are not readily accessible and the fact that mostly laboratory viruses, which have been passaged many times after isolation, are used for studies further limits the successful development of countermeasures. In this study, we demonstrate that a human isolate of Lassa virus causes lethal infection uniformly in Hartley guinea pigs. This novel animal model of Lassa fever may contribute to Lassa fever research and the development of vaccines and therapeutics. Lassa virus (LASV), a member of the family Arenaviridae, is the causative agent of Lassa fever. Lassa virus is endemic in West African countries, such as Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and causes outbreaks annually. Lassa fever onset begins with “flu-like” symptoms and may develop into lethal hemorrhagic disease in severe cases. Although Lassa virus is one of the most alarming pathogens from a public health perspective, there are few licensed vaccines or therapeutics against Lassa fever. The fact that animal models are limited and the fact that mostly laboratory-derived viruses are used for studies limit the successful development of countermeasures. In this study, we demonstrated that the LASV isolate LF2384-NS-DIA-1 (LF2384), which was directly isolated from a serum sample from a fatal human Lassa fever case in the 2012 Sierra Leone outbreak, causes uniformly lethal infection in outbred Hartley guinea pigs without virus-host adaptation. This is the first report of a clinically isolated strain of LASV causing lethal infection in outbred guinea pigs. This novel guinea pig model of Lassa fever may contribute to Lassa fever research and the development of vaccines and therapeutics. IMPORTANCE Lassa virus, the causative agent of Lassa fever, is a zoonotic pathogen causing annual outbreaks in West African countries. Human patients can develop lethal hemorrhagic fever in severe cases. Although Lassa virus is one of the most alarming pathogens from a public health perspective, there are few available countermeasures, such as antiviral drugs or vaccines. Moreover, the fact that animal models are not readily accessible and the fact that mostly laboratory viruses, which have been passaged many times after isolation, are used for studies further limits the successful development of countermeasures. In this study, we demonstrate that a human isolate of Lassa virus causes lethal infection uniformly in Hartley guinea pigs. This novel animal model of Lassa fever may contribute to Lassa fever research and the development of vaccines and therapeutics.
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11
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Kulkarni PA, Chew D, Youssef-Bessler M, Hamdi HA, Montoya LA, Cervantes KB, Mazur NL, Lucas D, Wells JW, Cennimo D, Sutherland A, Di Domenico LM, Miller LP, Pierre-Louis F, Rokosz G, Nazir A, de Perio MA, Lowe L, Manning C, Mead KR, Christensen BE, Albariño CG, Ströher U, Glover M, Lifshitz EI, Tan CG, Rollin PE, Semple S. Case Report: Imported Case of Lassa Fever - New Jersey, May 2015. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 99:1062-1065. [PMID: 30062993 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a fatal case of Lassa fever diagnosed in the United States in a Liberian traveler. We describe infection control protocols and public health response. One contact at high risk became symptomatic, but her samples tested negative for Lassa virus; no secondary cases occurred among health care, family, and community contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathit A Kulkarni
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.,Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Debra Chew
- University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey.,Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | | | - Hanaa A Hamdi
- Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Lindsay A Montoya
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Kimberly B Cervantes
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Nicole L Mazur
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Diana Lucas
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Julia W Wells
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - David Cennimo
- University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey.,Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Anne Sutherland
- University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey.,Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | | | | | | | | | - Atif Nazir
- Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, Newark, New Jersey
| | | | - Luis Lowe
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Craig Manning
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kenneth R Mead
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | | | - Ute Ströher
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Maleeka Glover
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Edward I Lifshitz
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Christina G Tan
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Pierre E Rollin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shereen Semple
- Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
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12
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Genzer SC, Huynh T, Coleman-Mccray JD, Harmon JR, Welch SR, Spengler JR. Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Reference Intervals for Inbred Strain 13/n Guinea Pigs ( Cavia Porcellus ). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019; 58:293-303. [PMID: 31010455 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-18-000118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Inbred Strain 13/N Guinea Pigs are Frequently Used As Animal Models in Studies of Emerging and High-pathogenicity Viruses. To Date, Clinical Reference Intervals Have Not Been Established for Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Parameters in This Strain. We Obtained Whole-blood Samples from the Cranial Vena Cava of Healthy Strain 13/N Colony Animals for Inhouse Cbc and Clinical Chemistry Analyses. Analyte Values Were Investigated to Determine Subpopulation Differences According to Age and Sex. Glucose, Albumin, Alp, Lymphocyte Percentage, Hgb, and Mchc Decreased with Age, Whereas Neutrophil and Monocyte Percentages, Bun, Creatinine, Calcium, and Amylase Increased with Age. Total Protein and Wbc Counts Increased Over the First 300 D of Life Before Stabilizing. Across All Age Categories, Female Guinea Pigs Consistently Had Lower Rbc, Hct, Hgb, Alt, Alp, and Amylase Levels and Higher Mcv Values Than Males. These Trends Were Strongest in Adults (age, 151 Through 900 D). Most Parameters Stabilized by 300 D; Previous Studies Used 60 D or 120 D As Adult Age and 90 to 120 D As Sexual Maturity. We Recommend Age Group Definitions of 0 Through 150 D for Juveniles, 151 Through 900 D for Adults, and Older Than 900 D for Geriatric Adult Strain 13/N Guinea Pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Genzer
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;,
| | - Thanhthao Huynh
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joann D Coleman-Mccray
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jessica R Harmon
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephen R Welch
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jessica R Spengler
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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13
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Emperador DM, Yimer SA, Mazzola LT, Norheim G, Kelly-Cirino C. Diagnostic applications for Lassa fever in limited-resource settings. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001119. [PMID: 30899576 PMCID: PMC6407552 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever, caused by arenavirus Lassa virus (LASV), is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease that affects up to an estimated 300 000 individuals and causes up to 5000 deaths per year in West Africa. Currently available LASV diagnostic methods are difficult to operationalise in low-resource health centres and may be less sensitive to detecting all known or emerging LASV strains. To prioritise diagnostic development for LASV, we assessed the diagnostic applications for case detection, clinical management, surveillance, outbreak response, and therapeutic and vaccine development at various healthcare levels. Diagnostic development should prioritise point-of-care and near-patient diagnostics, especially those with the ability to detect all lineages of LASV, as they would allow for rapid detection in resource-limited health facilities closer to the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devy M Emperador
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Emerging Threats Programme, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Solomon A Yimer
- Department of Vaccine Science, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), Oslo, Norway
| | - Laura T Mazzola
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Emerging Threats Programme, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gunnstein Norheim
- Department of Vaccine Science, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), Oslo, Norway
| | - Cassandra Kelly-Cirino
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Emerging Threats Programme, Geneva, Switzerland
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14
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Lukashevich IS, Paessler S, de la Torre JC. Lassa virus diversity and feasibility for universal prophylactic vaccine. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 30774934 PMCID: PMC6357994 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16989.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a highly prevalent mammarenavirus in West Africa and is maintained in nature in a persistently infected rodent host, Mastomys natalensis, which is widely spread in sub-Saharan Africa. LASV infection of humans can cause Lassa fever (LF), a disease associated with high morbidity and significant mortality. Recent evidence indicates an LASV expansion outside its traditional endemic areas. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) included LASV in top-priority pathogens and released a Target Product Profile (TPP) for vaccine development. Likewise, in 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration added LF to a priority review voucher program to encourage the development of preventive and therapeutics measures. In this article, we review recent progress in LASV vaccine research and development with a focus on the impact of LASV genetic and biological diversity on the design and development of vaccine candidates meeting the WHO's TPP for an LASV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology IMM-6, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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15
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Attenuated Replication of Lassa Virus Vaccine Candidate ML29 in STAT-1 -/- Mice. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8010009. [PMID: 30650607 PMCID: PMC6470856 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), a highly prevalent mammalian arenavirus endemic in West Africa, can cause Lassa fever (LF), which is responsible for thousands of deaths annually. LASV is transmitted to humans from naturally infected rodents. At present, there is not an effective vaccine nor treatment. The genetic diversity of LASV is the greatest challenge for vaccine development. The reassortant ML29 carrying the L segment from the nonpathogenic Mopeia virus (MOPV) and the S segment from LASV is a vaccine candidate under current development. ML29 demonstrated complete protection in validated animal models against a Nigerian strain from clade II, which was responsible for the worst outbreak on record in 2018. This study demonstrated that ML29 was more attenuated than MOPV in STAT1-/- mice, a small animal model of human LF and its sequelae. ML29 infection of these mice resulted in more than a thousand-fold reduction in viremia and viral load in tissues and strong LASV-specific adaptive T cell responses compared to MOPV-infected mice. Persistent infection of Vero cells with ML29 resulted in generation of interfering particles (IPs), which strongly interfered with the replication of LASV, MOPV and LCMV, the prototype of the Arenaviridae. ML29 IPs induced potent cell-mediated immunity and were fully attenuated in STAT1-/- mice. Formulation of ML29 with IPs will improve the breadth of the host’s immune responses and further contribute to development of a pan-LASV vaccine with full coverage meeting the WHO requirements.
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16
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Abstract
Several arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease in humans and have a vast impact on public health in their endemic regions. In addition, evidence indicates that the worldwide-distributed arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected human pathogen. Current medical countermeasures to treat human pathogenic arenaviruses are very limited. Progress in arenavirus molecular genetics has made it possible to manipulate the arenavirus genome, which has contributed to significant progress in understanding arenavirus molecular and cell biology, as well as arenavirus-host interactions underlying arenavirus-induced disease in humans. Likewise, these advances in arenavirus biology might facilitate the development of novel vaccines and antiviral drugs to combat human pathogenic arenaviruses.
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17
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Almeida-Guerrero A, Olaya-Gómez JC, Sánchez-Ramírez N, Murillo-García DR, Cardona-Ospina JA, Lagos-Grisales GJ, Rodríguez-Morales AJ. Mitigation of the global impact of Lassa fever: Have we investigated enough about this Arenavirus? - A bibliometric analysis of Lassa Fever research. Travel Med Infect Dis 2018; 24:13-14. [PMID: 29944957 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Almeida-Guerrero
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Juan C Olaya-Gómez
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Nicolás Sánchez-Ramírez
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - David R Murillo-García
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Jaime A Cardona-Ospina
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia; Infection and Immunity Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Guillermo J Lagos-Grisales
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Alfonso J Rodríguez-Morales
- Public Health and Infection Research and Incubator Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia; Medical School, Universidad Franz Tamayo/UNIFRANZ, Bolivia.
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18
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Baseline mapping of Lassa fever virology, epidemiology and vaccine research and development. NPJ Vaccines 2018; 3:11. [PMID: 29581897 PMCID: PMC5861057 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0049-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a zoonotic disease associated with acute and potentially fatal hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), a member of the family Arenaviridae. It is generally assumed that a single infection with LASV will produce life-long protective immunity. This suggests that protective immunity induced by vaccination is an achievable goal and that cell-mediated immunity may play a more important role in protection, at least following natural infection. Seropositive individuals in endemic regions have been shown to have LASV-specific T cells recognizing epitopes for nucleocapsid protein (NP) and glycoprotein precursor (GPC), suggesting that these will be important vaccine immunogens. The role of neutralizing antibodies in protective immunity is still equivocal as recent studies suggest a role for neutralizing antibodies. There is extensive genetic heterogeneity among LASV strains that is of concern in the development of assays to detect and identify all four LASV lineages. Furthermore, the gene disparity may complicate the synthesis of effective vaccines that will provide protection across multiple lineages. Non-human primate models of LASV infection are considered the gold standard for recapitulation of human LF. The most promising vaccine candidates to date are the ML29 (a live attenuated reassortant of Mopeia and LASV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and vaccinia-vectored platforms based on their ability to induce protection following single doses, high rates of survival following challenge, and the use of live virus platforms. To date no LASV vaccine candidates have undergone clinical evaluation.
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19
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Wang M, Jokinen J, Tretyakova I, Pushko P, Lukashevich IS. Alphavirus vector-based replicon particles expressing multivalent cross-protective Lassa virus glycoproteins. Vaccine 2018; 36:683-690. [PMID: 29287681 PMCID: PMC5806529 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is the most prevalent rodent-borne arenavirus circulated in West Africa. With population at risk from Senegal to Nigeria, LASV causes Lassa fever and is responsible for thousands of deaths annually. High genetic diversity of LASV is one of the challenges for vaccine R&D. We developed multivalent virus-like particle vectors (VLPVs) derived from the human Venezuelan equine encephalitis TC-83 IND vaccine (VEEV) as the next generation of alphavirus-based bicistronic RNA replicon particles. The genes encoding VEEV structural proteins were replaced with LASV glycoproteins (GPC) from distantly related clades I and IV with individual 26S promoters. Bicistronic RNA replicons encoding wild-type LASV GPC (GPCwt) and C-terminally deleted, non-cleavable modified glycoprotein (ΔGPfib), were encapsidated into VLPV particles using VEEV capsid and glycoproteins provided in trans. In transduced cells, VLPVs induced simultaneous expression of LASV GPCwt and ΔGPfib from 26S alphavirus promoters. LASV ΔGPfib was predominantly expressed as trimers, accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum, induced ER stress and apoptosis promoting antigen cross-priming. VLPV vaccines were immunogenic and protective in mice and upregulated CD11c+/CD8+ dendritic cells playing the major role in cross-presentation. Notably, VLPV vaccination resulted in induction of cross-reactive multifunctional T cell responses after stimulation of immune splenocytes with peptide cocktails derived from LASV from clades I-IV. Multivalent RNA replicon-based LASV vaccines can be applicable for first responders, international travelers visiting endemic areas, military and lab personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jenny Jokinen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | | | - Igor S Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA.
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20
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Cashman KA, Wilkinson ER, Shaia CI, Facemire PR, Bell TM, Bearss JJ, Shamblin JD, Wollen SE, Broderick KE, Sardesai NY, Schmaljohn CS. A DNA vaccine delivered by dermal electroporation fully protects cynomolgus macaques against Lassa fever. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:2902-2911. [PMID: 29045192 PMCID: PMC5718832 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1356500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is an ambisense RNA virus in the Arenaviridae family and is the etiological agent of Lassa fever, a severe hemorrhagic disease endemic to West and Central Africa.1,2 There are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed vaccines available to prevent Lassa fever.1,2 in our previous studies, we developed a gene-optimized DNA vaccine that encodes the glycoprotein precursor gene of LASV (Josiah strain) and demonstrated that 3 vaccinations accompanied by dermal electroporation protected guinea pigs from LASV-associated illness and death. Here, we describe an initial efficacy experiment in cynomolgus macaque nonhuman primates (NHPs) in which we followed an identical 3-dose vaccine schedule that was successful in guinea pigs, and a follow-on experiment in which we used an accelerated vaccination strategy consisting of 2 administrations, spaced 4 weeks apart. In both studies, all of the LASV DNA-vaccinated NHPs survived challenge and none of them had measureable, sustained viremia or displayed weight loss or other disease signs post-exposure. Three of 10 mock-vaccinates survived exposure to LASV, but all of them became acutely ill post-exposure and remained chronically ill to the study end point (45 d post-exposure). Two of the 3 survivors experienced sensorineural hearing loss (described elsewhere). These results clearly demonstrate that the LASV DNA vaccine combined with dermal electroporation is a highly effective candidate for eventual use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Cashman
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Eric R Wilkinson
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Carl I Shaia
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Paul R Facemire
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Todd M Bell
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Jeremy J Bearss
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Joshua D Shamblin
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Suzanne E Wollen
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | | | | | - Connie S Schmaljohn
- d Office of the Chief Scientists, Headquarters, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
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21
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An LASV GPC pseudotyped virus based reporter system enables evaluation of vaccines in mice under non-BSL-4 conditions. Vaccine 2017; 35:5172-5178. [PMID: 28797730 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) causes a severe hemorrhagic fever endemic throughout western Africa. Because of the ability to cause lethal disease in humans, limited treatment options, and potential as a bioweapon, the need for vaccines to prevent LASV epidemic is urgent. However, LASV vaccine development has been hindered by the lack of appropriate small animal models for efficacy evaluation independent of biosafety level four (BSL-4) facilities. Here we generated an LASV-glycoprotein precursor (GPC)-pseudotyped Human immunodeficiency virus containing firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene as surrogate to develop a bioluminescent-imaging-based BALB/c mouse model for one-round infection under non-BSL-4 conditions, in which the bioluminescent intensity of Fluc was utilized as endpoint when evaluating vaccine efficacy. Electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that LASV GPC pseudotyped virus appeared structurally similar to native virion. Meanwhile, we constructed DNA vaccine (pSV1.0-LASVGPC) and pseudoparticle-based vaccine (LASVpp) that displayed conformational GPC protein of LASV strain Josiah to vaccinate BALB/c mice using intramuscular electroporation and by intraperitoneal routes, respectively. Vaccinated mice in LASVpp alone and DNA prime+LASVpp boost schedules were protected against 100 AID50 of LASV pseudovirus challenge, and it was found that in vivo efficiencies correlated with their anti-LASV neutralizing activities and MCP-1 cytokine levels in serum sampled before infection. The bioluminescence pseudovirus infection model can be useful tool for the preliminary evaluation of immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccine candidates against LASV outside of BSL-4 containments, and the results with pseudoparticle-based vaccine provided very helpful information for LASV vaccine design.
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22
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Coyle
- Amanda Coyle is an assistant professor at The College at Brockport in Brockport, N.Y
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23
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lassa virus (LASV), the most prominent human pathogen of the Arenaviridae, is transmitted to humans from infected rodents and can cause Lassa Fever (LF). The sizeable disease burden in West Africa, numerous imported LF cases worldwide, and the possibility that LASV can be used as an agent of biological warfare make a strong case for vaccine development. There are no licensed LASV vaccines and the antiviral treatment is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that is only partially effective. AREAS COVERED LASV vaccine development is hampered by high cost of biocontainment requirement, the absence of appropriate small animal models, genetic diversity of LASV species, and by high HIV-1 prevalence in LASV endemic areas. Over the past 15 years several vaccine platforms have been developed. Natural history of LASV and pathogenesis of the disease provide strong justification for replication-competent (RC) vaccine as one of the most feasible approaches to control LF. Development of LASV vaccine candidates based on reassortant, recombinant, and alphavirus replicon technologies is covered in this review. Expert commentary: Two lead RC vaccine candidates, reassortant ML29 and recombinant VSV/LASV, have been successfully tested in non-human primates and have been recommended by international vaccine experts for rapid clinical development. Both platforms have powerful molecular tools to further secure safety, improve immunogenicity, and cross-protection. These platforms are well positioned to design multivalent vaccines to protect against all LASV strains citculatrd in West Africa. The regulatory pathway of Candid #1, the first live-attenuated arenaviral vaccine against Argentine hemorrhagic, will be a reasonable guideline for LASV vaccine efficacy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, and the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
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24
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Oestereich L, Lüdtke A, Ruibal P, Pallasch E, Kerber R, Rieger T, Wurr S, Bockholt S, Pérez-Girón JV, Krasemann S, Günther S, Muñoz-Fontela C. Chimeric Mice with Competent Hematopoietic Immunity Reproduce Key Features of Severe Lassa Fever. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005656. [PMID: 27191716 PMCID: PMC4871546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LASF) is a highly severe viral syndrome endemic to West African countries. Despite the annual high morbidity and mortality caused by LASF, very little is known about the pathophysiology of the disease. Basic research on LASF has been precluded due to the lack of relevant small animal models that reproduce the human disease. Immunocompetent laboratory mice are resistant to infection with Lassa virus (LASV) and, to date, only immunodeficient mice, or mice expressing human HLA, have shown some degree of susceptibility to experimental infection. Here, transplantation of wild-type bone marrow cells into irradiated type I interferon receptor knockout mice (IFNAR-/-) was used to generate chimeric mice that reproduced important features of severe LASF in humans. This included high lethality, liver damage, vascular leakage and systemic virus dissemination. In addition, this model indicated that T cell-mediated immunopathology was an important component of LASF pathogenesis that was directly correlated with vascular leakage. Our strategy allows easy generation of a suitable small animal model to test new vaccines and antivirals and to dissect the basic components of LASF pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Oestereich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja Lüdtke
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute For Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paula Ruibal
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute For Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisa Pallasch
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Romy Kerber
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Toni Rieger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wurr
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Bockholt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - José V. Pérez-Girón
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute For Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute for Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Günther
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - César Muñoz-Fontela
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute For Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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25
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Abstract
Mammalian arenaviruses are zoonotic viruses that cause asymptomatic, persistent infections in their rodent hosts but can lead to severe and lethal hemorrhagic fever with bleeding and multiorgan failure in human patients. Lassa virus (LASV), for example, is endemic in several West African countries, where it is responsible for an estimated 500,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually. There are currently no FDA-licensed therapeutics or vaccines available to combat arenavirus infection. A hallmark of arenavirus infection (e.g., LASV) is general immunosuppression that contributes to high viremia. Here, we discuss the early host immune responses to arenavirus infection and the recently discovered molecular mechanisms that enable pathogenic viruses to suppress host immune recognition and to contribute to the high degree of virulence. We also directly compare the innate immune evasion mechanisms between arenaviruses and other hemorrhagic fever-causing viruses, such as Ebola, Marburg, Dengue, and hantaviruses. A better understanding of the immunosuppression and immune evasion strategies of these deadly viruses may guide the development of novel preventative and therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Meyer
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
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26
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Stefan CP, Chase K, Coyne S, Kulesh DA, Minogue TD, Koehler JW. Development of real-time reverse transcriptase qPCR assays for the detection of Punta Toro virus and Pichinde virus. Virol J 2016; 13:54. [PMID: 27029488 PMCID: PMC4815133 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0509-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Research with high biocontainment pathogens such as Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Lassa virus (LASV) is expensive, potentially hazardous, and limited to select institutions. Surrogate pathogens such as Punta Toro virus (PTV) for RVFV infection and Pichinde virus (PICV) for LASV infection allow research to be performed under more permissive BSL-2 conditions. Although used as infection models, PTV and PICV have no standard real-time RT-qPCR assays to detect and quantify pathogenesis. PTV is also a human pathogen, making a standardized detection assay essential for biosurveillance. Here, we developed and characterized two real-time RT-qPCR assays for PICV and PTV by optimizing assay conditions and measuring the limit of detection (LOD) and performance in multiple clinical matrices. Methods Total nucleic acid from virus-infected Vero E6 cells was used to optimize TaqMan-minor groove binder (MGB) real-time RT-qPCR assays. A 10-fold dilution series of nucleic acid was used to perform analytical experiments with 60 replicates used to confirm assay LODs. Serum and whole blood spiked with 10-fold dilutions of PTV and PICV virus were assessed as matrices in a mock clinical context. The Cq, or cycle at which the fluoresce of each sample first crosses a threshold line, was determined using the second derivative method using Roche LightCycler 480 software version 1.5.1. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) was utilized to quantitatively determine RNA target counts/μl for PTV and PICV. Results Optimized PTV and PICV assays had LODs of 1000 PFU/ml and 100 PFU/ml, respectively, and this LOD was confirmed in 60/60 (PTV) and 58/60 (PICV) positive replicates. Preliminary mock clinical LODs remained consistent in serum and whole blood for PTV and PICV at 1000 PFU/ml and 100 PFU/ml. An exclusivity panel showed no cross reaction with near neighbors. Conclusions PTV and PICV Taq-man MGB based real-time RT-qPCR assays developed here showed relevant sensitivity and reproducibility in samples extracted from a variety of clinical matrices. These assays will be useful as a standard by researchers for future experiments utilizing PTV and PICV as infection models, offering the ability to track infection and viral replication kinetics during research studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12985-016-0509-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Stefan
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Kitty Chase
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Susan Coyne
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - David A Kulesh
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Timothy D Minogue
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Koehler
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
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Human hemorrhagic Fever causing arenaviruses: molecular mechanisms contributing to virus virulence and disease pathogenesis. Pathogens 2015; 4:283-306. [PMID: 26011826 PMCID: PMC4493475 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens4020283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses include multiple human pathogens ranging from the low-risk lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to highly virulent hemorrhagic fever (HF) causing viruses such as Lassa (LASV), Junin (JUNV), Machupo (MACV), Lujo (LUJV), Sabia (SABV), Guanarito (GTOV), and Chapare (CHPV), for which there are limited preventative and therapeutic measures. Why some arenaviruses can cause virulent human infections while others cannot, even though they are isolated from the same rodent hosts, is an enigma. Recent studies have revealed several potential pathogenic mechanisms of arenaviruses, including factors that increase viral replication capacity and suppress host innate immunity, which leads to high viremia and generalized immune suppression as the hallmarks of severe and lethal arenaviral HF diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge of the roles of each of the four viral proteins and some known cellular factors in the pathogenesis of arenaviral HF as well as of some human primary cell-culture and animal models that lend themselves to studying arenavirus-induced HF disease pathogenesis. Knowledge gained from these studies can be applied towards the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines against these deadly human pathogens.
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A recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based Lassa fever vaccine protects guinea pigs and macaques against challenge with geographically and genetically distinct Lassa viruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003736. [PMID: 25884628 PMCID: PMC4401668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lassa virus (LASV) is endemic in several West African countries and is the etiological agent of Lassa fever. Despite the high annual incidence and significant morbidity and mortality rates, currently there are no approved vaccines to prevent infection or disease in humans. Genetically, LASV demonstrates a high degree of diversity that correlates with geographic distribution. The genetic heterogeneity observed between geographically distinct viruses raises concerns over the potential efficacy of a “universal” LASV vaccine. To date, several experimental LASV vaccines have been developed; however, few have been evaluated against challenge with various genetically unique Lassa virus isolates in relevant animal models. Methodologies/principle findings Here we demonstrate that a single, prophylactic immunization with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the glycoproteins of LASV strain Josiah from Sierra Leone protects strain 13 guinea pigs from infection / disease following challenge with LASV isolates originating from Liberia, Mali and Nigeria. Similarly, the VSV-based LASV vaccine yields complete protection against a lethal challenge with the Liberian LASV isolate in the gold-standard macaque model of Lassa fever. Conclusions/significance Our results demonstrate the VSV-based LASV vaccine is capable of preventing morbidity and mortality associated with non-homologous LASV challenge in two animal models of Lassa fever. Additionally, this work highlights the need for the further development of disease models for geographical distinct LASV strains, particularly those from Nigeria, in order to comprehensively evaluate potential vaccines and therapies against this prominent agent of viral hemorrhagic fever. Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral infection which is often associated with hemorrhagic manifestations and multi-organ failure in humans. The etiological agent responsible for LF is Lassa virus (LASV), a rodent-borne Arenavirus which is endemic in several West African countries. Up to 500,000 cases of LF are diagnosed annually, primarily in Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The high incidence rate combined with the significant morbidity and mortality associated with LASV infection highlights the need for an effective prophylactic vaccine for LF. Importantly, an ideal LASV vaccine should provide protection against genetically and geographical divergent viral strains. Previously a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based LF vaccine using the glycoproteins of LASV strain Josiah as the immunogen, was shown to completely protect non-human primates against a homologous (LASV strain Josiah) challenge. Here, we have expanded the original studies and tested the VSV-LASV vaccine against challenge with LASV isolates from Mali, Liberia and Nigeria in the strain 13 guinea pig and cynomolgus macaque disease models. Our results suggest that the VSV-based LF vaccine affords complete protection against geographically and genetically distinct viral isolates.
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Beier JI, Jokinen JD, Holz GE, Whang PS, Martin AM, Warner NL, Arteel GE, Lukashevich IS. Novel mechanism of arenavirus-induced liver pathology. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122839. [PMID: 25822203 PMCID: PMC4378851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) encompass a group of diseases with cardinal symptoms of fever, hemorrhage, and shock. The liver is a critical mediator of VHF disease pathogenesis and high levels of ALT/AST transaminases in plasma correlate with poor prognosis. In fact, Lassa Fever (LF), the most prevalent VHF in Africa, was initially clinically described as hepatitis. Previous studies in non-human primate (NHP) models also correlated LF pathogenesis with a robust proliferative response in the liver. The purpose of the current study was to gain insight into the mechanism of liver injury and to determine the potential role of proliferation in LF pathogenesis. C57Bl/6J mice were infected with either the pathogenic (for NHPs) strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV, the prototypic arenavirus), LCMV-WE, or with the non-pathogenic strain, LCMV-ARM. As expected, LCMV-WE, but not ARM, caused a hepatitis-like infection. LCMV-WE also induced a robust increase in the number of actively cycling hepatocytes. Despite this increase in proliferation, there was no significant difference in liver size between LCMV-WE and LCMV-ARM, suggesting that cell cycle was incomplete. Indeed, cells appeared arrested in the G1 phase and LCMV-WE infection increased the number of hepatocytes that were simultaneously stained for proliferation and apoptosis. LCMV-WE infection also induced expression of a non-conventional virus receptor, AXL-1, from the TAM (TYRO3/AXL/MERTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases and this expression correlated with proliferation. Taken together, these results shed new light on the mechanism of liver involvement in VHF pathogenesis. Specifically, it is hypothesized that the induction of hepatocyte proliferation contributes to expansion of the infection to parenchymal cells. Elevated levels of plasma transaminases are likely explained, at least in part, by abortive cell cycle arrest induced by the infection. These results may lead to the development of new therapies to prevent VHF progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane I. Beier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jenny D. Jokinen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Gretchen E. Holz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Patrick S. Whang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Amah M. Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Nikole L. Warner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Falcinelli S, Gowen BB, Trost B, Napper S, Kusalik A, Johnson RF, Safronetz D, Prescott J, Wahl-Jensen V, Jahrling PB, Kindrachuk J. Characterization of the host response to pichinde virus infection in the Syrian golden hamster by species-specific kinome analysis. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:646-57. [PMID: 25573744 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.045443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Syrian golden hamster has been increasingly used to study viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) pathogenesis and countermeasure efficacy. As VHFs are a global health concern, well-characterized animal models are essential for both the development of therapeutics and vaccines as well as for increasing our understanding of the molecular events that underlie viral pathogenesis. However, the paucity of reagents or platforms that are available for studying hamsters at a molecular level limits the ability to extract biological information from this important animal model. As such, there is a need to develop platforms/technologies for characterizing host responses of hamsters at a molecular level. To this end, we developed hamster-specific kinome peptide arrays to characterize the molecular host response of the Syrian golden hamster. After validating the functionality of the arrays using immune agonists of defined signaling mechanisms (lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), we characterized the host response in a hamster model of VHF based on Pichinde virus (PICV(1)) infection by performing temporal kinome analysis of lung tissue. Our analysis revealed key roles for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL) responses, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in the response to PICV infection. These findings were validated through phosphorylation-specific Western blot analysis. Overall, we have demonstrated that hamster-specific kinome arrays are a robust tool for characterizing the species-specific molecular host response in a VHF model. Further, our results provide key insights into the hamster host response to PICV infection and will inform future studies with high-consequence VHF pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Falcinelli
- From the ‡Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian B Gowen
- §Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Brett Trost
- ¶Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Scott Napper
- ‡‡Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, ‖Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Anthony Kusalik
- ¶Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Reed F Johnson
- From the ‡Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David Safronetz
- **Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Joseph Prescott
- **Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Victoria Wahl-Jensen
- §§Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA; ¶¶National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Peter B Jahrling
- From the ‡Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; §§Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jason Kindrachuk
- §§Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA;
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Zapanta PE, Ghorab S. Age of Bioterrorism: Are You Prepared? Review of Bioweapons and Their Clinical Presentation for Otolaryngologists. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014; 151:208-14. [PMID: 24757076 DOI: 10.1177/0194599814531907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review on Category A bioweapons is intended to help otolaryngologists (1) understand the concepts of bioterrorism, (2) identify a bioterrorism attack, and (3) recognize specific otolaryngologic symptoms and signs of Category A bioweapons. DATA SOURCES PubMed and Medline databases. REVIEW METHODS Review of current literature regarding Category A agents of biological warfare and their relationships to otolaryngology was performed using PubMed, Medline, and articles written by experts in the field of bioterrorism. Each Category A agent was paired with the term otolaryngology and then paired with epistaxis, sinusitis, airway obstruction, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, hearing loss, otitis media, and lymphadenopathy individually. For the latest accepted treatment and diagnostic strategies, bioterrorism was searched with filters for human studies, English language, and the past 5 years. Titles, abstracts, and papers were read for relevancy. CONCLUSION While the use of bioweapons initially leads to nonspecific symptoms, a high index of suspicion and clustering of abnormal pathology will often lead the astute physician to the correct diagnosis of bioweapons. Some disease presentations of Category A agents (anthrax, smallpox, tularemia, botulism, plague, hemorrhagic fever) will involve the realm of otolaryngology. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The head and neck manifestations of a Category A bioweapon attack will require knowledgeable otolaryngologists for prompt diagnosis, treatment, and notification of public authorities. This will help decrease the morbidity and mortality of any potential bioterrorism attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip E Zapanta
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA Army Reserve Medical Command, Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Professional Management Command, Forest Park, Georgia, USA
| | - Saba Ghorab
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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McLay L, Liang Y, Ly H. Comparative analysis of disease pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of New World and Old World arenavirus infections. J Gen Virol 2014; 95:1-15. [PMID: 24068704 PMCID: PMC4093776 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.057000-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses can cause fatal human haemorrhagic fever (HF) diseases for which vaccines and therapies are extremely limited. Both the New World (NW) and Old World (OW) groups of arenaviruses contain HF-causing pathogens. Although these two groups share many similarities, important differences with regard to pathogenicity and molecular mechanisms of virus infection exist. These closely related pathogens share many characteristics, including genome structure, viral assembly, natural host selection and the ability to interfere with innate immune signalling. However, members of the NW and OW viruses appear to use different receptors for cellular entry, as well as different mechanisms of virus internalization. General differences in disease signs and symptoms and pathological lesions in patients infected with either NW or OW arenaviruses are also noted and discussed herein. Whilst both the OW Lassa virus (LASV) and the NW Junin virus (JUNV) can cause disruption of the vascular endothelium, which is an important pathological feature of HF, the immune responses to these related pathogens seem to be quite distinct. Whereas LASV infection results in an overall generalized immune suppression, patients infected with JUNV seem to develop a cytokine storm. Additionally, the type of immune response required for recovery and clearance of the virus is different between NW and OW infections. These differences may be important to allow the viruses to evade host immune detection. Understanding these differences will aid the development of new vaccines and treatment strategies against deadly HF viral infections.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arenaviridae Infections/immunology
- Arenaviridae Infections/pathology
- Arenaviridae Infections/virology
- Arenaviruses, New World/classification
- Arenaviruses, New World/genetics
- Arenaviruses, New World/immunology
- Arenaviruses, New World/pathogenicity
- Arenaviruses, Old World/classification
- Arenaviruses, Old World/genetics
- Arenaviruses, Old World/immunology
- Arenaviruses, Old World/pathogenicity
- Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral/immunology
- Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral/pathology
- Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral/virology
- Humans
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa McLay
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN 55108, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN 55108, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN 55108, USA
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Koma T, Huang C, Kolokoltsova OA, Brasier AR, Paessler S. Innate immune response to arenaviral infection: a focus on the highly pathogenic New World hemorrhagic arenaviruses. J Mol Biol 2013; 425:4893-903. [PMID: 24075870 PMCID: PMC3864108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses are enveloped, negative-stranded RNA viruses that belong to the family Arenaviridae. This diverse family can be further classified into OW (Old World) and NW (New World) arenaviruses based on their antigenicity, phylogeny, and geographical distribution. Many of the NW arenaviruses are highly pathogenic viruses that cause systemic human infections characterized by hemorrhagic fever and/or neurological manifestations, constituting public health problems in their endemic regions. NW arenavirus infection induces a variety of host innate immune responses, which could contribute to the viral pathogenesis and/or influence the final outcome of virus infection in vitro and in vivo. On the other hand, NW arenaviruses have also developed several strategies to counteract the host innate immune response. We will review current knowledge regarding the interplay between the host innate immune response and NW arenavirus infection in vitro and in vivo, with emphasis on viral-encoded proteins and their effect on the type I interferon response. NW arenaviruses induce a variety of host innate immune responses. The arenaviruses have several strategies to counteract host innate immune response. We review the interplay between host innate immunity and the arenavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Koma
- Department of Pathology and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
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