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Pellegrinelli L, Luconi E, Marano G, Galli C, Delbue S, Bubba L, Binda S, Castaldi S, Biganzoli E, Pariani E, Boracchi P. A Flexible Regression Modeling Approach Applied to Observational Laboratory Virological Data Suggests That SARS-CoV-2 Load in Upper Respiratory Tract Samples Changes with COVID-19 Epidemiology. Viruses 2023; 15:1988. [PMID: 37896765 PMCID: PMC10610845 DOI: 10.3390/v15101988] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background. Exploring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 load and clearance from the upper respiratory tract samples is important to improving COVID-19 control. Data were collected retrospectively from a laboratory dataset on SARS-CoV-2 load quantified in leftover nasal pharyngeal swabs (NPSs) collected from symptomatic/asymptomatic individuals who tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in the framework of testing activities for diagnostic/screening purpose during the 2020 and 2021 winter epidemic waves. (2) Methods. A Statistical approach (quantile regression and survival models for interval-censored data), novel for this kind of data, was applied. We included in the analysis SARS-CoV-2-positive adults >18 years old for whom at least two serial NPSs were collected. A total of 262 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals and 784 NPSs were included: 193 (593 NPSs) during the 2020 winter wave (before COVID-19 vaccine introduction) and 69 (191 NPSs) during the 2021 winter wave (all COVID-19 vaccinated). We estimated the trend of the median value, as well as the 25th and 75th centiles of the viral load, from the index episode (i.e., first SARS-CoV-2-positive test) until the sixth week (2020 wave) and the third week (2021 wave). Interval censoring methods were used to evaluate the time to SARS-CoV-2 clearance (defined as Ct < 35). (3) Results. At the index episode, the median value of viral load in the 2021 winter wave was 6.25 log copies/mL (95% CI: 5.50-6.70), and the median value in the 2020 winter wave was 5.42 log copies/mL (95% CI: 4.95-5.90). In contrast, 14 days after the index episode, the median value of viral load was 3.40 log copies/mL (95% CI: 3.26-3.54) for individuals during the 2020 winter wave and 2.93 Log copies/mL (95% CI: 2.80-3.19) for those of the 2021 winter wave. A significant difference in viral load shapes was observed among age classes (p = 0.0302) and between symptomatic and asymptomatic participants (p = 0.0187) for the first wave only; the median viral load value is higher at the day of episode index for the youngest (18-39 years) as compared to the older (40-64 years and >64 years) individuals. In the 2021 epidemic, the estimated proportion of individuals who can be considered infectious (Ct < 35) was approximately half that of the 2020 wave. (4) Conclusions. In case of the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, the application of these statistical methods to the analysis of virological laboratory data may provide evidence with which to inform and promptly support public health decision-makers in the modification of COVID-19 control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pellegrinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Ester Luconi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Galli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Serena Delbue
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Bubba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Sandro Binda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Elia Biganzoli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Data Science and Research Center (DSRC), L. Sacco, “Luigi Sacco” University Hospital, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Pariani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Patrizia Boracchi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Data Science and Research Center (DSRC), L. Sacco, “Luigi Sacco” University Hospital, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Wang Z, Zhong K, Wang G, Lu Q, Li H, Wu Z, Zhang Z, Yang N, Zheng M, Wang Y, Nie C, Zhou L, Tong A. Loss of furin site enhances SARS-CoV-2 spike protein pseudovirus infection. Gene X 2023; 856:147144. [PMID: 36577450 PMCID: PMC9790109 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 has a significant impact on healthcare systems all around the world. Due to its high pathogenicity, live SARS-CoV-2 must be handled under biosafety level 3 conditions. Pseudoviruses are useful virological tools because of their safety and versatility, but the low titer of these viruses remains a limitation for their more comprehensive applications. METHOD Here, we constructed a Luc/eGFP based on a pseudotyped lentiviral HIV-1 system to transduce SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein to detect cell entry properties and cellular tropism. RESULTS The furin cleavage site deletion of the S protein removed (SFko) can help SARS-CoV-2 S to be cleaved during viral packaging to improve infection efficiency. The furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2-S mediates membrane fusion and SFko leads to an increased level of S protein and limits S1/S2 cleavage to enhance pseudovirus infection in cells. Full-length S (SFL) pseudotyped with N, M, and E helper packaging can effectively help SFL infect cells. Finally, pseudotyped SFko particles were successfully used to detect neutralizing antibodies in RBD protein-immunized mouse serum. CONCLUSION Overall, our study indicates a series of modifications that result in the production of relatively high-titer SARS-COV-2 pseudo-particles that may be suitable for the detection of neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kunhong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guoqing Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hexian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiguo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zongliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meijun Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuelong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chunlai Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangxue Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Aiping Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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3
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Wang S, Wu D, Xiong H, Wang J, Tang Z, Chen Z, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Ying D, Lin X, Liu C, Guo S, Tian W, Lin Y, Zhang X, Yuan Q, Yu H, Zhang T, Zheng Z, Xia N. Potential of conserved antigenic sites in development of universal SARS-like coronavirus vaccines. Front Immunol 2022; 13:952650. [PMID: 36203593 PMCID: PMC9530325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.952650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given pandemic risks of zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 variants and other SARS-like coronaviruses in the future, it is valuable to perform studies on conserved antigenic sites to design universal SARS-like coronavirus vaccines. By using antibodies obtained from convalescent COVID-19 patients, we succeeded in functional comparison of conserved antigenic sites at multiple aspects with each other, and even with SARS-CoV-2 unique antigenic sites, which promotes the cognition of process of humoral immune response to the conserved antigenic sites. The conserved antigenic sites between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV can effectively induce affinity maturation of cross-binding antibodies, finally resulting in broadly neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants of concern, which provides an important basis for universal vaccine design, however they are subdominant, putatively due to their lower accessibility relative to SARS-CoV-2 unique antigenic sites. Furthermore, we preliminarily design RBDs to improve the immunogenicity of these conserved antigenic sites. Our study focusing on conserved antigenic sites provides insights for promoting the development of universal SARS-like coronavirus vaccines, thereby enhancing our pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dinghui Wu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hualong Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Juan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zimin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yizhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dong Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xue Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shaoqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Weikun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yajie Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Tianying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Tianying Zhang, ; Zizheng Zheng, ; Ningshao Xia,
| | - Zizheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Tianying Zhang, ; Zizheng Zheng, ; Ningshao Xia,
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Tianying Zhang, ; Zizheng Zheng, ; Ningshao Xia,
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4
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Liang R, Ye ZW, Ong CP, Qin Z, Xie Y, Fan Y, Tang K, Poon VKM, Chan CCS, Yang X, Cao H, Wang K, Sun H, Hu B, Cai JP, Luo C, Chik KKH, Chu H, Zheng Y, Yuen KY, Chan JFW, Jin DY, Yuan S. The spike receptor-binding motif G496S substitution determines the replication fitness of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2093-2101. [PMID: 35943779 PMCID: PMC9448440 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2111977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe replication and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 is comparable to that of BA.1 in experimental animal models. However, BA.2 has rapidly emerged to overtake BA.1 to become the predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant worldwide. Here, we compared the replication fitness of BA.1 and BA.2 in cell culture and in the Syrian hamster model of COVID-19. Using a reverse genetics approach, we found that the BA.1-specific spike mutation G496S compromises its replication fitness, which may contribute to BA.1 being outcompeted by BA.2 in the real world. Additionally, the BA.1-unique G496S substitution confers differentiated sensitivity to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, which partially recapitulates the immunoevasive phenotype of BA.1 and BA.2. In summary, our study identified G496S as an important determinant during the evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chon Phin Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zhenzhi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yubin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yilan Fan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kaiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Vincent Kwok-Man Poon
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chris Chung-Sing Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Hehe Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Haoran Sun
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bodan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Cuiting Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kenn Ka-Heng Chik
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) glycoprotein mediates viral entry and membrane fusion. Its cleavage at S1/S2 and S2′ sites during the biosynthesis in virus producer cells and viral entry are critical for viral infection and transmission. In contrast, the biological significance of the junction region between both cleavage sites for S protein synthesis and function is less understood. By analyzing the conservation and structure of S protein, we found that intrachain contacts formed by the conserved tyrosine (Y) residue 756 (Y756) with three α-helices contribute to the spike’s conformational stability. When Y756 is mutated to an amino acid residue that can provide hydrogen bonds, S protein could be expressed as a cleaved form, but not vice versa. Also, the L753 mutation linked to the Y756 hydrogen bond prevents the S protein from being cleaved. Y756 and L753 mutations alter S protein subcellular localization. Importantly, Y756 and L753 mutations are demonstrated to reduce the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses by interfering with the incorporation of S protein into pseudovirus particles and causing the pseudoviruses to lose their sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, both mutations affect the assembly and production of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles in cell culture. Together, our findings reveal for the first time a critical role for the conserved L753-LQ-Y756 motif between S1/S2 and S2′ cleavage sites in S protein synthesis and processing as well as virus assembly and infection. IMPORTANCE The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the delta or lambda lineage caused the continuation of the COVID-19 epidemic and challenged the effectiveness of the existing vaccines. Logically, the spike (S) protein mutation has attracted much concern. However, the key amino acids in S protein for its structure and function are still not very clear. In this study, we discovered for the first time that the conserved residues Y756 and L753 at the junction between the S1/S2 and S2′ sites are very important, like the S2′ cleavage site R815, for the synthesis and processing of S protein such as protease cleavage, and that the mutations severely interfered with the incorporation of S protein into pseudotyped virus particles and SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles. Consequently, we delineate the novel potential target for the design of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs in the future, especially in the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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6
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Bhattacharya M, Chatterjee S, Sharma AR, Agoramoorthy G, Chakraborty C. D614G mutation and SARS-CoV-2: impact on S-protein structure, function, infectivity, and immunity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:9035-9045. [PMID: 34755213 PMCID: PMC8578012 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11676-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The progression of the COVID-19 pandemic has generated numerous emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 on a global scale. These variants have gained evolutionary advantages, comprising high virulence and serious infectivity due to multiple spike glycoprotein mutations. As a reason, variants are demonstrating significant abilities to escape the immune responses of the host. The D614G mutation in the S-glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 variants has shown the most efficient interaction with the ACE2 receptor of the cells. This explicit mutation at amino acid position 614 (aspartic acid-to-glycine substitution) is the prime cause of infection and re-infection. It changes the conformation of RBD and cleavage patterns S-glycoprotein with higher stability, replication fitness, and fusion efficiencies. Therefore, this review aims to provide several crucial pieces of information associated with the D614 mutational occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their infectivity patterns. This review will also effectively emphasize the mechanism of action of D614G mutant variants, immune escape, and partial vaccine escape of this virus. Furthermore, the viral characteristic changes leading to the current global pandemic condition have been highlighted. Here, we have tried to illustrate a novel direction for future researchers to develop effective therapeutic approaches and counterweight strategies to minimize the spread of COVID-19.Key points• D614G mutation arises within the S-glycoprotein of significant SARS-CoV-2 variants.• The D614G mutation affects infection, re-infection, cleavage patterns of S-glycoprotein, and replication fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variants.• The D614G mutation influences the immunity and partial vaccine escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore, 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Srijan Chatterjee
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700126, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan Sharma
- Institute for Skeletal Aging and Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si, 24252, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700126, India.
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7
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Grosche VR, Santos IA, Ferreira GM, Dutra JVR, Costa LC, Nicolau-Junior N, Queiroz ATL, José DP, Jardim ACG. Insights on the SARS-CoV-2 genome variability: the lesson learned in Brazil and its impacts on the future of pandemics. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000656. [PMID: 34730486 PMCID: PMC8743548 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 spread in Brazil, few studies have been published analysing the variability of viral genome. Herein, we described the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in Brazil from May to September 2020, to better understand viral changes that may affect the ongoing pandemic. Our data demonstrate that some of the mutations identified are currently observed in variants of interest and variants of concern, and emphasize the importance of studying previous periods in order to comprehend the emergence of new variants. From 720 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, we found few sites under positive selection pressure, such as the D614G (98.5 %) in the spike, that has replaced the old variant; the V1167F in the spike (41 %), identified in the P.2 variant that emerged from Brazil during the period of analysis; and I292T (39 %) in the N protein. There were a few alterations in the UTRs, which was expected, however, our data suggest that the emergence of new variants was not influenced by mutations in UTR regions, since it maintained its conformational structure in most analysed sequences. In phylogenetic analysis, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from the large urban centres to the countryside during these months could be explained by the flexibilization of social isolation measures and also could be associated with possible new waves of infection. These results allow a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 strains that have circulated in Brazil, and thus, with relevant infomation, provide the potential viral changes that may have affected and/or contributed to the current and future scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória Riquena Grosche
- São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Larissa Catharina Costa
- Center of Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Artur Trancoso Lopo Queiroz
- Center of Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Diego Pandeló José
- Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Campus Universitário Iturama, Iturama, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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8
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Ding C, He J, Zhang X, Jiang C, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Chen Q, He H, Li W, Xie J, Liu Z, Gao Y. Crucial Mutations of Spike Protein on SARS-CoV-2 Evolved to Variant Strains Escaping Neutralization of Convalescent Plasmas and RBD-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:693775. [PMID: 34484190 PMCID: PMC8416052 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.693775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Small number of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic lineages did not efficiently exhibit a neutralization profile, while single amino acid mutation in the spike protein has not been confirmed in altering viral antigenicity resulting in immune escape. To identify crucial mutations in spike protein that escape humoral immune response, we evaluated the cross-neutralization of convalescent plasmas and RBD-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against various spike protein-based pseudoviruses. Three of 24 SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses containing different mutations in spike protein, including D614G, A475V, and E484Q, consistently showed an altered sensitivity to neutralization by convalescent plasmas. A475V and E484Q mutants are highly resistant to neutralization by mAb B38 and 2-4, suggesting that some crucial mutations in spike protein might evolve SARS-CoV-2 variants capable of escaping humoral immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchao Ding
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Chengcheng Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Qingqing Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, China
| | - Hongliang He
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Wenting Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Jiajia Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, China
| | - Yong Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
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9
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Fareh M, Zhao W, Hu W, Casan JML, Kumar A, Symons J, Zerbato JM, Fong D, Voskoboinik I, Ekert PG, Rudraraju R, Purcell DFJ, Lewin SR, Trapani JA. Reprogrammed CRISPR-Cas13b suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication and circumvents its mutational escape through mismatch tolerance. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4270. [PMID: 34257311 PMCID: PMC8277810 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24577-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent dramatic appearance of variants of concern of SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the need for innovative approaches that simultaneously suppress viral replication and circumvent viral escape from host immunity and antiviral therapeutics. Here, we employ genome-wide computational prediction and single-nucleotide resolution screening to reprogram CRISPR-Cas13b against SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Reprogrammed Cas13b effectors targeting accessible regions of Spike and Nucleocapsid transcripts achieved >98% silencing efficiency in virus-free models. Further, optimized and multiplexed Cas13b CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) suppress viral replication in mammalian cells infected with replication-competent SARS-CoV-2, including the recently emerging dominant variant of concern B.1.1.7. The comprehensive mutagenesis of guide-target interaction demonstrated that single-nucleotide mismatches does not impair the capacity of a potent single crRNA to simultaneously suppress ancestral and mutated SARS-CoV-2 strains in infected mammalian cells, including the Spike D614G mutant. The specificity, efficiency and rapid deployment properties of reprogrammed Cas13b described here provide a molecular blueprint for antiviral drug development to suppress and prevent a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, and is readily adaptable to other emerging pathogenic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Fareh
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Wei Zhao
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wenxin Hu
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Joshua M L Casan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Amit Kumar
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jori Symons
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jennifer M Zerbato
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Danielle Fong
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ilia Voskoboinik
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Paul G Ekert
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Rajeev Rudraraju
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Reference in Influenza, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Damian F J Purcell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon R Lewin
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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10
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Duerr R, Crosse KM, Valero-Jimenez AM, Dittmann M. SARS-CoV-2 Portrayed against HIV: Contrary Viral Strategies in Similar Disguise. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1389. [PMID: 34198973 PMCID: PMC8307803 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 and HIV are zoonotic viruses that rapidly reached pandemic scale, causing global losses and fear. The COVID-19 and AIDS pandemics ignited massive efforts worldwide to develop antiviral strategies and characterize viral architectures, biological and immunological properties, and clinical outcomes. Although both viruses have a comparable appearance as enveloped viruses with positive-stranded RNA and envelope spikes mediating cellular entry, the entry process, downstream biological and immunological pathways, clinical outcomes, and disease courses are strikingly different. This review provides a systemic comparison of both viruses' structural and functional characteristics, delineating their distinct strategies for efficient spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Duerr
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (K.M.C.); (A.M.V.-J.); (M.D.)
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11
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Winger A, Caspari T. The Spike of Concern-The Novel Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2021; 13:1002. [PMID: 34071984 PMCID: PMC8229995 DOI: 10.3390/v13061002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The high sequence identity of the first SARS-CoV-2 samples collected in December 2019 at Wuhan did not foretell the emergence of novel variants in the United Kingdom, North and South America, India, or South Africa that drive the current waves of the pandemic. The viral spike receptor possesses two surface areas of high mutagenic plasticity: the supersite in its N-terminal domain (NTD) that is recognised by all anti-NTD antibodies and its receptor binding domain (RBD) where 17 residues make contact with the human Ace2 protein (angiotensin I converting enzyme 2) and many neutralising antibodies bind. While NTD mutations appear at first glance very diverse, they converge on the structure of the supersite. The mutations within the RBD, on the other hand, hone in on only a small number of key sites (K417, L452, E484, N501) that are allosteric control points enabling spike to escape neutralising antibodies while maintaining or even gaining Ace2-binding activity. The D614G mutation is the hallmark of all variants, as it promotes viral spread by increasing the number of open spike protomers in the homo-trimeric receptor complex. This review discusses the recent spike mutations as well as their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Winger
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Thomas Caspari
- Faculty of Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
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12
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Doulberis M, Papaefthymiou A, Kotronis G, Gialamprinou D, Soteriades ES, Kyriakopoulos A, Chatzimichael E, Kafafyllidou K, Liatsos C, Chatzistefanou I, Anagnostis P, Semenin V, Ntona S, Gkolia I, Papazoglou DD, Tsinonis N, Papamichos S, Kirbas H, Zikos P, Niafas D, Kountouras J. Does COVID-19 Vaccination Warrant the Classical Principle " ofelein i mi vlaptin"? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:253. [PMID: 33803295 PMCID: PMC7999356 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57030253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic warrants an imperative necessity for effective and safe vaccination, to restrain Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality. In this regard, intensive medical and biological research leading to the development of an arsenal of vaccines, albeit incomplete preconditioned evaluation, due to emergency. The subsequent scientific gap raises some concerns in the medical community and the general public. More specifically, the accelerated vaccine development downgraded the value of necessary pre-clinical studies to elicit medium- and long-term beneficial or harmful consequences. Previous experience and pathophysiological background of coronaviruses' infections and vaccine technologies, combined with the global vaccines' application, underlined the obligation of a cautious and qualitative approach, to illuminate potential vaccination-related adverse events. Moreover, the high SARS-CoV-2 mutation potential and the already aggregated genetical alterations provoke a rational vagueness and uncertainty concerning vaccines' efficacy against dominant strains and the respective clinical immunity. This review critically summarizes existing evidence and queries regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, to motivate scientists' and clinicians' interest for an optimal, individualized, and holistic management of this unprecedented pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Doulberis
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, 54652 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.D.); (A.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Apostolis Papaefthymiou
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, 54652 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.D.); (A.P.); (S.P.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Larisa, Mezourlo, 41110 Larisa, Greece
| | - Georgios Kotronis
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Aghios Pavlos of Thessaloniki, 55134 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitra Gialamprinou
- Second Neonatal Department and NICU, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Elpidoforos S. Soteriades
- Healthcare Management Program, School of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2252, Cyprus;
- Department of Environmental Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology (EOME), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anthony Kyriakopoulos
- Nasco AD Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Research and Development, 18536 Piraeus, Greece;
| | - Eleftherios Chatzimichael
- Center for Integrative Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Kyriaki Kafafyllidou
- Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Christos Liatsos
- Department of Gastroenterology, 401 Army General Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece;
| | - Ioannis Chatzistefanou
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, 424 General Military Hospital, Ring Road Efkarpia, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Paul Anagnostis
- ORL and Psychiatry Private Practice, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Vitalii Semenin
- Neurology and Psychiatry Private Practice, 2502 Biel, Switzerland;
| | - Smaragda Ntona
- Alexandrovska University Hospital, Medical University Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Ioanna Gkolia
- Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, Stavroupolis, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios David Papazoglou
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, Bürgerspital Solothurn, 4500 Solothurn, Switzerland;
| | | | - Spyros Papamichos
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, 54652 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.D.); (A.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Hristos Kirbas
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, “Thegeneio” Cancer Hospital, 54007 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Petros Zikos
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | - Jannis Kountouras
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, 54652 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.D.); (A.P.); (S.P.)
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13
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Piras G, Grandi N, Monne M, Asproni R, Fancello T, Fiamma M, Mameli G, Casu G, lo Maglio I, Palmas AD, Tramontano E. Early Diffusion of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Inner Area of the Italian Sardinia Island. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:628194. [PMID: 33643227 PMCID: PMC7907441 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.628194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which started as a severe pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Italy has been the first European country affected by the pandemic, registering a total of 300,363 cases and 35,741 deaths until September 24, 2020. The geographical distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy during early 2020 has not been homogeneous, including regions severely affected as well as administrative areas being only slightly interested by the infection. Among the latter, Sardinia represents one of the lowest incidence areas likely due to its insular nature. METHODS Next-generation sequencing of a small number of complete viral genomes from clinical samples and their virologic and phylogenetic characterization was performed. RESULTS We provide a first overview of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic diversity in Sardinia in the early phase of the March-May 2020 pandemic based on viral genomes isolated in the most inner regional hospital of the island. Our analysis revealed a remarkable genetic diversity in local SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes, showing the presence of at least four different clusters that can be distinguished by specific amino acid substitutions. Based on epidemiological information, these sequences can be linked to at least eight different clusters of infection, four of which likely originates from imported cases. In addition, the presence of amino acid substitutions that were not previously reported in Italian patients has been observed, asking for further investigations in a wider population to assess their prevalence and dynamics of emergence during the pandemic. CONCLUSION The present study provides a snapshot of the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in inner area of the Sardinia Island, showing an unexpected genomic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Piras
- UOC Ematologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Monne
- UOC Ematologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Rosanna Asproni
- UOC Ematologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Tatiana Fancello
- UOC Cardiologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Maura Fiamma
- UOC Laboratorio Analisi Clinico-Chimiche e Microbiologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mameli
- UOC Laboratorio Analisi Clinico-Chimiche e Microbiologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Gavino Casu
- UOC Cardiologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Iana lo Maglio
- UOC Laboratorio Analisi Clinico-Chimiche e Microbiologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Angelo D. Palmas
- UOC Ematologia, P.O. “San Francesco,” Azienda Tutela Salute, ASSL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
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14
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Zhou B, Thao TTN, Hoffmann D, Taddeo A, Ebert N, Labroussaa F, Pohlmann A, King J, Portmann J, Halwe NJ, Ulrich L, Trüeb BS, Kelly JN, Fan X, Hoffmann B, Steiner S, Wang L, Thomann L, Lin X, Stalder H, Pozzi B, de Brot S, Jiang N, Cui D, Hossain J, Wilson M, Keller M, Stark TJ, Barnes JR, Dijkman R, Jores J, Benarafa C, Wentworth DE, Thiel V, Beer M. SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G variant confers enhanced replication and transmissibility. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.10.27.357558. [PMID: 33140052 PMCID: PMC7605563 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.27.357558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in humans a D614G substitution in the spike (S) protein emerged and became the predominant circulating variant (S-614G) of the COVID-19 pandemic 1 . However, whether the increasing prevalence of the S-614G variant represents a fitness advantage that improves replication and/or transmission in humans or is merely due to founder effects remains elusive. Here, we generated isogenic SARS-CoV-2 variants and demonstrate that the S-614G variant has (i) enhanced binding to human ACE2, (ii) increased replication in primary human bronchial and nasal airway epithelial cultures as well as in a novel human ACE2 knock-in mouse model, and (iii) markedly increased replication and transmissibility in hamster and ferret models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Collectively, our data show that while the S-614G substitution results in subtle increases in binding and replication in vitro , it provides a real competitive advantage in vivo , particularly during the transmission bottle neck, providing an explanation for the global predominance of S-614G variant among the SARS-CoV-2 viruses currently circulating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Tran Thi Nhu Thao
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Biomedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Adriano Taddeo
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Ebert
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Labroussaa
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jacqueline King
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jasmine Portmann
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nico Joel Halwe
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Lorenz Ulrich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Bettina Salome Trüeb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jenna N. Kelly
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Xiaoyu Fan
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Silvio Steiner
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Biomedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Li Wang
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lisa Thomann
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Xudong Lin
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hanspeter Stalder
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Berta Pozzi
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Simone de Brot
- COMPATH, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nannan Jiang
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Dan Cui
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jaber Hossain
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Malania Wilson
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Matthew Keller
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Stark
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John R. Barnes
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ronald Dijkman
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joerg Jores
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Charaf Benarafa
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - David E. Wentworth
- CDC COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern and Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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