1
|
Lee JH, Kim JW, Lee HE, Song JY, Cho AH, Hwang JH, Heo K, Lee S. A dual-targeting approach using a human bispecific antibody against the receptor-binding domain of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Virus Res 2024; 345:199383. [PMID: 38697296 PMCID: PMC11074968 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199383] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has posed a significant global health concern due to its severe respiratory illness and high fatality rate. Currently, despite the potential for resurgence, there are no specific treatments for MERS-CoV, and only supportive care is available. Our study aimed to address this therapeutic gap by developing a potent neutralizing bispecific antibody (bsAb) against MERS-CoV. Initially, we isolated four human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically target the MERS-CoV receptor-binding domain (RBD) using phage display technology and an established human antibody library. Among these four selected mAbs, our intensive in vitro functional analyses showed that the MERS-CoV RBD-specific mAb K111.3 exhibited the most potent neutralizing activity against MERS-CoV pseudoviral infection and the molecular interaction between MERS-CoV RBD and human dipeptidyl peptidase 4. Consequently, we engineered a novel bsAb, K207.C, by utilizing K111.3 as the IgG base and fusing it with the single-chain variable fragment of its non-competing pair, K111.1. This engineered bsAb showed significantly enhanced neutralization potential against MERS-CoV compared to its parental mAb. These findings suggest that K207.C may serve as a potential candidate for effective MERS-CoV neutralization, further highlighting the promise of the bsAb dual-targeting approach in MERS-CoV neutralization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyun Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Woong Kim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Eon Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Song
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Hyun Cho
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyeon Hwang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Heo
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea; Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukmook Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea; Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Reed DS, McElroy AK, Barbeau DJ, McMillen CM, Tilston-Lunel NL, Nambulli S, Cottle E, Gilliland TC, Rannulu H, Lundy J, Olsen EL, O’Malley KJ, Xia M, Hartman AL, Luke TC, Egland K, Bausch C, Wu H, Sullivan EJ, Klimstra WB, Duprex WP. No evidence for enhanced disease with human polyclonal SARS-CoV-2 antibody in the ferret model. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0290909. [PMID: 38900732 PMCID: PMC11189238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Since SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019, it spread from China to the rest of the world. An initial concern was the potential for vaccine- or antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of disease as had been reported with other coronaviruses. To evaluate this, we first developed a ferret model by exposing ferrets to SARS-CoV-2 by either mucosal inoculation (intranasal/oral/ocular) or inhalation using a small particle aerosol. Mucosal inoculation caused a mild fever and weight loss that resolved quickly; inoculation via either route resulted in virus shedding detected in the nares, throat, and rectum for 7-10 days post-infection. To evaluate the potential for ADE, we then inoculated groups of ferrets intravenously with 0.1, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg doses of a human polyclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG from hyper-immunized transchromosomic bovines (SAB-185). Twelve hours later, ferrets were challenged by mucosal inoculation with SARS-CoV-2. We found no significant differences in fever, weight loss, or viral shedding after infection between the three antibody groups or the controls. Signs of pathology in the lungs were noted in infected ferrets but no differences were found between control and antibody groups. The results of this study indicate that healthy, young adult ferrets of both sexes are a suitable model of mild COVID-19 and that low doses of specific IgG in SAB-185 are unlikely to enhance the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S. Reed
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anita K. McElroy
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dominique J. Barbeau
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Cynthia M. McMillen
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Natasha L. Tilston-Lunel
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Shamkumar Nambulli
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Emily Cottle
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Theron C. Gilliland
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hasala Rannulu
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jeneveve Lundy
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Emily L. Olsen
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Katherine J. O’Malley
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mengying Xia
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Amy L. Hartman
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Thomas C. Luke
- SAB Biotherapetuics, Sioux Falls, SD, United States of America
| | - Kristi Egland
- SAB Biotherapetuics, Sioux Falls, SD, United States of America
| | | | - Hua Wu
- SAB Biotherapetuics, Sioux Falls, SD, United States of America
| | | | - William B. Klimstra
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - W. Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kanduc D. Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Infantile Diseases. Glob Med Genet 2023; 10:72-78. [PMID: 37144240 PMCID: PMC10154082 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in newborns and children after prophylactic immunization is currently a relevant research topic. The present study analyzes the issue by examining the possibility that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses are not uniquely directed against the virus but can-via molecular mimicry and the consequent cross-reactivity-also hit human proteins involved in infantile diseases. Methods Human proteins that-if altered-associate with infantile disorders were searched for minimal immune pentapeptide determinants shared with SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (gp). Then, the shared pentapeptides were analyzed for immunologic potential and immunologic imprinting phenomena. Results Comparative sequence analysis shows that: (1) numerous pentapeptides (namely, 54) are common to SARS-CoV-2 spike gp and human proteins that, when altered, are linked to infantile diseases; (2) all the shared peptides have an immunologic potential since they are present in experimentally validated SARS-CoV-2 spike gp-derived epitopes; and (3) many of the shared peptides are also hosted in infectious pathogens to which children can have already been exposed, thus making immunologic imprint phenomena feasible. Conclusion Molecular mimicry and the consequent cross-reactivity can represent the mechanism that connects exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and various pediatric diseases, with a fundamental role of the immunologic memory and the history of the child's infections in determining and specifying the immune response and the pathologic autoimmune sequela.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Address for correspondence Darja Kanduc, PhD Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari70126 BariItaly
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alhetheel A, Albarrag A, Shakoor Z, Somily A, Barry M, Altalhi H, Bakhrebah M, Nassar M, Alfageeh M, Assiri A, Alfaraj S, Memish Z. Chemokine Levels among Patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1048. [PMID: 37376437 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to intense pulmonary inflammation. Enhanced chemokine-mediated leukocyte infiltration in lungs has been linked with unfavorable outcomes with respect to the disease. This cross-sectional study assessed the levels of chemokines among 46 MERS-CoV-infected patients (19 asymptomatic and 27 symptomatic) and 52 healthy controls using a customized Luminex human chemokine magnetic multiplex panel. The plasma levels of interferon-inducible protein (IP)-10 (568.5 ± 114.7 vs. 55.19 ± 5.85 pg/mL; p < 0.0001), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha (MIP-1A) (30.78 ± 2.81 vs. 18.16 ± 0.91 pg/mL; p < 0.0001), MIP-1B (36.63 ± 4.25 vs. 25.26 ± 1.51 pg/mL; p < 0.003), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (1267 ± 309.5 vs. 390.0 ± 35.51 pg/mL; p < 0.0002), and monokine-induced gamma interferon (MIG) (28.96 ± 3.93 vs. 16.29 ± 1.69 pg/mL; p < 0.001), interleukin (IL)-8 (147.9 ± 21.57 vs. 84.63 ± 10.62 pg/mL; p < 0.004) were significantly higher in symptomatic patients than healthy controls. Likewise, the levels of IP-10 (247.6 ± 80.09 vs. 55.19 ± 5.85 pg/mL; p < 0.0002) and MCP-1 (650.7 ± 149 pg/mL vs. 390 ± 35.51 pg/mL; p < 0.02) were also significantly higher in asymptomatic patients compared to healthy controls. However, no differences were observed in the plasma levels of MIP-1A, MIP-1B, MIG, and IL-8 between asymptomatic patients and uninfected controls. Conversely, the mean plasma levels of regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) (3039 ± 301.0 vs. 4390 ± 223 pg/mL; p < 0.001) and eotaxin (176.9 ± 30.20 vs. 296.2 ± 28.11 pg/mL; p < 0.01) were significantly lower in symptomatic MERS-CoV-infected patients compared to healthy controls. Likewise, the levels of eotaxin (162.7 ± 21.60 vs. 296.2 ± 28.11 pg/mL; p < 0.01) were also significantly lower in asymptomatic patients. Interestingly, the level of MCP-1 (2139 ± 548.2 vs. 776.5 ± 165.3 pg/mL; p < 0.004) was significantly higher in deceased symptomatic patients compared to recovered symptomatic patients. MCP-1 was the only chemokine associated with a higher risk of mortality. Symptomatic MERS-CoV-infected patients had a significant elevation of plasma chemokines and elevated MCP-1 levels were found to be associated with fatal outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkarim Alhetheel
- King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Albarrag
- King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zahid Shakoor
- King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Somily
- King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin Barry
- King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Haifa Altalhi
- King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammed Bakhrebah
- Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Institute, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed Nassar
- Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Institute, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Alfageeh
- Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Institute, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayed Assiri
- Critical Care Unit, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 11553, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Alfaraj
- Corona Center, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 11553, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziad Memish
- Research and Innovation Center, King Saud Medical City, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 11553, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11553, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gao N, Rezaee F. Airway Epithelial Cell Junctions as Targets for Pathogens and Antimicrobial Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2619. [PMID: 36559113 PMCID: PMC9786141 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular contacts between epithelial cells are established and maintained by the apical junctional complexes (AJCs). AJCs conserve cell polarity and build epithelial barriers to pathogens, inhaled allergens, and environmental particles in the respiratory tract. AJCs consist of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs), which play a key role in maintaining the integrity of the airway barrier. Emerging evidence has shown that different microorganisms cause airway barrier dysfunction by targeting TJ and AJ proteins. This review discusses the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which several microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) lead to the disruption of AJCs in airway epithelial cells. We present recent progress in understanding signaling pathways involved in the formation and regulation of cell junctions. We also summarize the potential chemical inhibitors and pharmacological approaches to restore the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier. Understanding the AJCs-pathogen interactions and mechanisms by which microorganisms target the AJC and impair barrier function may further help design therapeutic innovations to treat these infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Gao
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Fariba Rezaee
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Center for Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kanduc D. SARS-CoV-2-Induced Immunosuppression: A Molecular Mimicry Syndrome. Glob Med Genet 2022; 9:191-199. [PMID: 35846107 PMCID: PMC9282940 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Contrary to immunological expectations, decay of adaptive responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) characterizes recovered patients compared with patients who had a severe disease course or died following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This raises the question of the causes of the virus-induced immune immunosuppression. Searching for molecular link(s) between SARS-CoV-2 immunization and the decay of the adaptive immune responses, SARS-CoV-2 proteome was analyzed for molecular mimicry with human proteins related to immunodeficiency. The aim was to verify the possibility of cross-reactions capable of destroying the adaptive immune response triggered by SARS-CoV-2.
Materials and Methods
Human immunodeficiency–related proteins were collected from UniProt database and analyzed for sharing of minimal immune determinants with the SARS-CoV-2 proteome.
Results
Molecular mimicry and consequent potential cross-reactivity exist between SARS-CoV-2 proteome and human immunoregulatory proteins such as nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB), and variable diversity joining V(D)J recombination-activating gene (RAG).
Conclusion
The data (1) support molecular mimicry and the associated potential cross-reactivity as a mechanism that can underlie self-reactivity against proteins involved in B- and T-cells activation/development, and (2) suggest that the extent of the immunosuppression is dictated by the extent of the immune responses themselves. The higher the titer of the immune responses triggered by SARS-CoV-2 immunization, the more severe can be the cross-reactions against the human immunodeficiency–related proteins, the more severe the immunosuppression. Hence, SARS-CoV-2-induced immunosuppression can be defined as a molecular mimicry syndrome. Clinically, the data imply that booster doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may have opposite results to those expected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Irani S. Immune Responses in SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV Infections: A Comparative Review. Int J Prev Med 2022; 13:45. [PMID: 35529506 PMCID: PMC9069147 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_429_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus, discovered in the 1960s, is able to infect human hosts and causes mild to serious respiratory problems. In the last two decades, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been recognized. It has long been demonstrated that MERS-CoV binds to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 and SARS-CoV binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. A "cytokine storm" is the main pathophysiology of aforementioned viruses. Infiltration of neutrophils at the site of the infection is a risk factor for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has infected more people than SARS-Cov and MERS-CoV as it can easily be transmitted from person to person. Epidemiological studies indicate that majority of individuals are asymptomatic; therefore, an effective and an efficient tool is required for rapid testing. Identification of various cytokine and inflammatory factor expression levels can help in outcome prediction. In this study we reviewed immune responses in SARS-CoV, Mers-CoV, and SARS-COV-2 infections and the role of inflammatory cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soussan Irani
- Dental Research Centre, Oral Pathology Department, Dental Faculty, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Pathology Department of Faculty of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kanduc D. From Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immune Response to the Cytokine Storm via Molecular Mimicry. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:36. [PMID: 34698069 PMCID: PMC8544210 DOI: 10.3390/antib10040036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of molecular mimicry in the cytokine storms associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Human proteins endowed with anti-inflammatory activity were assembled and analyzed for peptide sharing with the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (gp) using public databases. It was found that the SARS-CoV-2 spike gp shares numerous pentapeptides with anti-inflammatory proteins that, when altered, can lead to cytokine storms characterized by diverse disorders such as systemic multiorgan hyperinflammation, macrophage activation syndrome, ferritinemia, endothelial dysfunction, and acute respiratory syndrome. Immunologically, many shared peptides are part of experimentally validated epitopes and are also present in pathogens to which individuals may have been exposed following infections or vaccinal routes and of which the immune system has stored memory. Such an immunologic imprint might trigger powerful anamnestic secondary cross-reactive responses, thus explaining the raging of the cytokine storm that can occur following exposure to SARS-CoV-2. In conclusion, the results support molecular mimicry and the consequent cross-reactivity as a potential mechanism in SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storms, and highlight the role of immunological imprinting in determining high-affinity, high-avidity, autoimmune cross-reactions as a pathogenic sequela associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Barth RF, Buja LM, Barth AL, Carpenter DE, Parwani AV. A Comparison of the Clinical, Viral, Pathologic, and Immunologic Features of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Diseases. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2021; 145:1194-1211. [PMID: 34232978 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0820-sa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT -The purpose of this review is to compare three coronavirus diseases: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, respectively. OBJECTIVE -To cover the following topics: clinical considerations, viral characteristics, pathology, immune response, pathogenesis, and the prognosis associated with each coronavirus human disease in humans. DATA SOURCES -Clinically, flu-like symptoms are usual at the time of presentation for all 3 diseases, but these vary from asymptomatic to severe multi-system involvement. The pathology associated with symptomatic SARS and COVID-19 has been well described, the most prominent of which is diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). The immune response to each of these viruses is highly complex and includes both humoral and cellular components that can have a significant impact on prognosis. In severe cases of COVID-19, a dysregulated innate host immune system can initiate a hyperinflammatory syndrome dominated by endothelial dysfunction that can lead to a hypercoagulable state with microthrombi, resulting in a systemic micro- and macro-vascular disease. CONCLUSIONS -The SARS and MERS epidemics have been limited, involving 7,500 and 2,500 individuals, respectively. In contrast, COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide pandemic with over 177 million cases and 3.9 million deaths as of June 15, 2021, and fatality rates ranging from <0.1% to ~10% depending upon the country. Ending on a positive note, the development of a number of vaccines, at least six of which now are in clinical use, should mitigate and eventually control the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rolf F Barth
- Department of Pathology (RF Barth, Parwani), S.P. Technical Editor (Retired) Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology (Carpenter), The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - L Maximillian Buja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas (Buja)
| | - Alison L Barth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (AL Barth)
| | - David E Carpenter
- Department of Pathology (RF Barth, Parwani), S.P. Technical Editor (Retired) Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology (Carpenter), The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| | - Anil V Parwani
- Department of Pathology (RF Barth, Parwani), S.P. Technical Editor (Retired) Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology (Carpenter), The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rehan M, Ahmed F, Howladar SM, Refai MY, Baeissa HM, Zughaibi TA, Kedwa KM, Jamal MS. A Computational Approach Identified Andrographolide as a Potential Drug for Suppressing COVID-19-Induced Cytokine Storm. Front Immunol 2021; 12:648250. [PMID: 34248936 PMCID: PMC8264290 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.648250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The newly identified betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the causative pathogen of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) that killed more than 3.5 million people till now. The cytokine storm induced in severe COVID-19 patients causes hyper-inflammation, is the primary reason for respiratory and multi-organ failure and fatality. This work uses a rational computational strategy to identify the existing drug molecules to target host pathways to reduce the cytokine storm. RESULTS We used a "host response signature network" consist of 36 genes induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated with cytokine storm. In order to attenuate the cytokine storm, potential drug molecules were searched against "host response signature network". Our study identified that drug molecule andrographolide, naturally present in a medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, has the potential to bind with crucial proteins to block the TNF-induced NFkB1 signaling pathway responsible for cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. The molecular docking method showed the binding of andrographolide with TNF and covalent binding with NFkB1 proteins of the TNF signaling pathway. CONCLUSION We used a rational computational approach to repurpose existing drugs targeting host immunomodulating pathways. Our study suggests that andrographolide could bind with TNF and NFkB1 proteins, block TNF-induced cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients, and warrant further experimental validation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Rehan
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Firoz Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- University of Jeddah Center for Research and Product Development, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad M. Howladar
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Y. Refai
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- University of Jeddah Center for Research and Product Development, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanadi M. Baeissa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Torki A. Zughaibi
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ozyurt F, Tuncer T, Subasi A. An automated COVID-19 detection based on fused dynamic exemplar pyramid feature extraction and hybrid feature selection using deep learning. Comput Biol Med 2021; 132:104356. [PMID: 33799219 PMCID: PMC7997855 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 is currently a pandemic that is spread out the whole world. Several methods have been presented to detect COVID-19 disease. Computer vision methods have been widely utilized to detect COVID-19 by using chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) images. This work introduces a model for the automatic detection of COVID-19 using CT images. A novel handcrafted feature generation technique and a hybrid feature selector are used together to achieve better performance. The primary goal of the proposed framework is to achieve a higher classification accuracy than convolutional neural networks (CNN) using handcrafted features of the CT images. In the proposed framework, there are four fundamental phases, which are preprocessing, fused dynamic sized exemplars based pyramid feature generation, ReliefF, and iterative neighborhood component analysis based feature selection and deep neural network classifier. In the preprocessing phase, CT images are converted into 2D matrices and resized to 256 × 256 sized images. The proposed feature generation network uses dynamic-sized exemplars and pyramid structures together. Two basic feature generation functions are used to extract statistical and textural features. The selected most informative features are forwarded to artificial neural networks (ANN) and deep neural network (DNN) for classification. ANN and DNN models achieved 94.10% and 95.84% classification accuracies respectively. The proposed fused feature generator and iterative hybrid feature selector achieved the best success rate, according to the results obtained by using CT images.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Ozyurt
- Department of Software Engineering, College of Engineering, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - Turker Tuncer
- Department of Digital Forensics Engineering, College of Technology, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - Abdulhamit Subasi
- Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, 20520, Finland; Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Effat University, Jeddah, 21478, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shahrajabian MH, Sun W, Cheng Q. Product of natural evolution (SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2); deadly diseases, from SARS to SARS-CoV-2. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:62-83. [PMID: 32783700 PMCID: PMC7872062 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1797369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the order Nidovirales, family Coronaviridae, and subfamily Coronavirinae. SARS-CoV-2 entry to cellsis initiated by the binding of the viral spike protein (S) to its cellular receptor. The roles of S protein in receptor binding and membrane fusion makes it a prominent target for vaccine development. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence analysis has shown that this virus belongs to the beta-coronavirus genus, which includes Bat SARS-like coronavirus, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. A vaccine should induce a balanced immune response to elicit protective immunity. In this review, we compare and contrast these three important CoV diseases and how they inform on vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenli Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China
- Global Alliance of HeBAU-CLS&HeQiS for BioAl-Manufacturing, Baoding, Hebei, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ahmed F, Sharma M, Al-Ghamdi AA, Al-Yami SM, Al-Salami AM, Refai MY, Warsi MK, Howladar SM, Baeshen MN. A Comprehensive Analysis of cis-Acting RNA Elements in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome by a Bioinformatics Approach. Front Genet 2020; 11:572702. [PMID: 33424918 PMCID: PMC7786107 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.572702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of a new coronavirus (CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for severe respiratory disease in humans termed coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), became a new global threat for health and the economy. The SARS-CoV-2 genome is about a 29,800-nucleotide-long plus-strand RNA that can form functionally important secondary and higher-order structures called cis-acting RNA elements. These elements can interact with viral proteins, host proteins, or other RNAs and be involved in regulating translation and replication processes of the viral genome and encapsidation of the virus. However, the cis-acting RNA elements and their biological roles in SARS-CoV-2 as well as their comparative analysis in the closely related viral genome have not been well explored, which is very important to understand the molecular mechanism of viral infection and pathogenies. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify the cis-acting RNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Initially, we aligned the full genomic sequence of six different CoVs, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed to understand their evolutionary relationship. Next, we predicted the cis-acting RNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome using the structRNAfinder tool. Then, we annotated the location of these cis-acting RNA elements in different genomic regions of SARS-CoV-2. After that, we analyzed the sequence conservation patterns of each cis-acting RNA element among the six CoVs. Finally, the presence of cis-acting RNA elements across different CoV genomes and their comparative analysis was performed. Our study identified 12 important cis-acting RNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome; among them, Corona_FSE, Corona_pk3, and s2m are highly conserved across most of the studied CoVs, and Thr_leader, MAT2A_D, and MS2 are uniquely present in SARS-CoV-2. These RNA structure elements can be involved in viral translation, replication, and encapsidation and, therefore, can be potential targets for better treatment of COVID-19. It is imperative to further characterize these cis-acting RNA elements experimentally for a better mechanistic understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Firoz Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- University of Jeddah Center for Scientific and Medical Research, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Monika Sharma
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India
| | | | | | | | - Mohammed Y. Refai
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- University of Jeddah Center for Scientific and Medical Research, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohiuddin Khan Warsi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- University of Jeddah Center for Scientific and Medical Research, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad M. Howladar
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed N. Baeshen
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ahmed F. A Network-Based Analysis Reveals the Mechanism Underlying Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm and Virus in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:590459. [PMID: 33362771 PMCID: PMC7756074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.590459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 causes ongoing pandemic coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), infects the cells of the lower respiratory tract that leads to a cytokine storm in a significant number of patients resulting in severe pneumonia, shortness of breathing, respiratory and organ failure. Extensive studies suggested the role of Vitamin D in suppressing cytokine storm in COVID-19 and reducing viral infection; however, the precise molecular mechanism is not clearly known. In this work, bioinformatics and systems biology approaches were used to understand SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine pathways and the potential mechanism of Vitamin D in suppressing cytokine storm and enhancing antiviral response. Results This study used transcriptome data and identified 108 differentially expressed host genes (DEHGs) in SARS-CoV-2 infected normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells compared to control. Then, the DEHGs was integrated with the human protein-protein interaction data to generate a SARS-CoV-2 induced host gene regulatory network (SiHgrn). Analysis of SiHgrn identified a sub-network "Cluster 1" with the highest MCODE score, 31 up-regulated genes, and predominantly associated immune and inflammatory response. Interestingly, the iRegulone tool identified that "Cluster 1" is under the regulation of transcription factors STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, POU2F2, and NFkB1, collectively referred to as "host response signature network". Functional enrichment analysis with NDEx revealed that the "host response signature network" is predominantly associated with critical pathways, including "cytokines and inflammatory response", "non-genomic action of Vitamin D", "the human immune response to tuberculosis", and "lung fibrosis". Finally, in-depth analysis and literature mining revealed that Vitamin D binds with its receptor and could work through two different pathways: (i) it inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines through blocking the TNF induced NFkB1 signaling pathway; and (ii) it initiates the expression of interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs) for antiviral defense program through activating the IFN-α induced Jak-STAT signaling pathway. Conclusion This comprehensive study identified the pathways associated with cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The proposed underlying mechanism of Vitamin D could be promising in suppressing the cytokine storm and inducing a robust antiviral response in severe COVID-19 patients. The finding in this study urgently needs further experimental validations for the suitability of Vitamin D in combination with IFN-α to control severe COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Firoz Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,University of Jeddah Center for Scientific and Medical Research, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kappert K, Jahić A, Tauber R. Assessment of serum ferritin as a biomarker in COVID-19: bystander or participant? Insights by comparison with other infectious and non-infectious diseases. Biomarkers 2020; 25:616-625. [PMID: 32700561 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2020.1797880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has an impact on all aspects of patient care. Serum ferritin generally represents a biomarker of choice when iron deficiency is suspected. However, ferritin is also an acute-phase-protein exhibiting elevated serum concentration in various inflammatory diseases. Here we focus on the role of serum ferritin for diagnostic and clinical management of patients with COVID-19 in comparison with other infectious and non-infectious diseases. METHODS We examined scientific articles listed in PubMed reporting on ferritin in various infectious and non-infectious diseases. We then compared these results with nine current COVID-19 ferritin reports published in 2020. RESULTS Several non-infectious, as well as non-COVID-19 infectious diseases, are characterised by a partly dramatic elevation of serum ferritin levels. All COVID-19 studies published between February and May 2020, which documented laboratory serum ferritin, indicate ferritin as a biomarker of COVID-19 severity in hospitalised patients. CONCLUSIONS Serum ferritin may be considered both a prognostic and stratifying biomarker that can also contribute to therapeutic decision-making concerning patients with COVID-19. It should be emphasised, however, that most scientific reports refer to cohorts in the Asian region. Further validation in other cohorts is urgently required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Kappert
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Labor Berlin - Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Amir Jahić
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Labor Berlin - Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rudolf Tauber
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Labor Berlin - Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Contribution of monocytes and macrophages to the local tissue inflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19: Lessons from SARS and MERS, and potential therapeutic interventions. Life Sci 2020; 257:118102. [PMID: 32687918 PMCID: PMC7367812 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19-, SARS- and MERS-related coronaviruses share many genomic and structural similarities. However, the SARS-CoV-2 is less pathogenic than SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Despite some differences in the cytokine patterns, it seems that the cytokine storm plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-, SARS- and MERS. Monocytes and macrophages may be infected by SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2-dependent and ACE2-independent pathways. SARS-CoV-2 can effectively suppress the anti-viral IFN response in monocytes and macrophages. Since macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) act as antigen presenting cells (APCs), the infection of these cells by SARS-CoV-2 impairs the adaptive immune responses against the virus. Upon infection, monocytes migrate to the tissues where they become infected resident macrophages, allowing viruses to spread through all organs and tissues. The SARS-CoV-2-infected monocytes and macrophages can produce large amounts of numerous types of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which contribute to local tissue inflammation and a dangerous systemic inflammatory response called cytokine storm. Both local tissue inflammation and the cytokine storm play a fundamental role in the development of COVID-19-related complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is a main cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Here, we describe the monocytes and macrophage responses during severe coronavirus infections, while highlighting potential therapeutic interventions to attenuate macrophage-related inflammatory reactions in possible approaches for COVID-19 treatment.
Collapse
|
17
|
Nowakowska J, Sobocińska J, Lewicki M, Lemańska Ż, Rzymski P. When science goes viral: The research response during three months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 129:110451. [PMID: 32603887 PMCID: PMC7309857 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we present the results of a bibliometric survey of peer-reviewed and pre-print papers published in the English language on issues related to COVID-19 within the first three months since a cluster of a severe acute respiratory disease of unknown etiology was officially confirmed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on 31 December 2019. A systematic search using PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases and preprint servers was performed. The articles were classified according to their type, subject and country of origin. Up to 31 March 2020, a total of 2062 papers published in 578 peer-reviewed journals and 1425 preprints posted mostly on medRxiv (55.4 %), were identified. The mean number of published journal papers and preprints per day in the considered period was 27 and 12, respectively, and reached a maximum of 51 and 46 per day in March, respectively. The identified articles, journal papers and preprints, mostly covered the epidemiology of COVID-19 (35.7 %), clinical aspects of infection (21.0 %), preventative measures (12.8 %), treatment options (12.5 %), diagnostics (12.2 %), mathematical modeling of disease transmission and mitigation (9.6 %), and molecular biology and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 (8.7 %). The majority of the journal papers were commentaries (38.5 %), reviews (33.6 %) and original research (21.3 %), while preprints predominantly presented original results (89.8 %). Chinese scientists contributed the highest share of original research and were responsible for 32.9 % journal papers and 43.9 % preprints published in the considered period. A high number of contributions was also seen from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy. The benefits and potential risks of such a massive publication output are discussed. The scientific response seen during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 outbreak is a demonstration of the capabilities of modern science to react rapidly to emerging global health threats by providing and discussing the essential information for understanding the etiological factor, its spread, preventative measures, and mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Nowakowska
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Fredry 10, 61-701, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Sobocińska
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Fredry 10, 61-701, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mateusz Lewicki
- Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Rybacka 1, 70-204, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Żaneta Lemańska
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Fredry 10, 61-701, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznań, Poland; Integrated Science Association (ISA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Poznań, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tiwari SK, Dicks LMT, Popov IV, Karaseva A, Ermakov AM, Suvorov A, Tagg JR, Weeks R, Chikindas ML. Probiotics at War Against Viruses: What Is Missing From the Picture? Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1877. [PMID: 32973697 PMCID: PMC7468459 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our world is now facing a multitude of novel infectious diseases. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, albeit with increasing difficulty as many of the more common causes of infection have now developed broad spectrum antimicrobial resistance. However, there is now an even greater challenge from both old and new viruses capable of causing respiratory, enteric, and urogenital infections. Reports of viruses resistant to frontline therapeutic drugs are steadily increasing and there is an urgent need to develop novel antiviral agents. Although this all makes sense, it seems rather strange that relatively little attention has been given to the antiviral capabilities of probiotics. Over the years, beneficial strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been successfully used to treat gastrointestinal, oral, and vaginal infections, and some can also effect a reduction in serum cholesterol levels. Some probiotics prevent gastrointestinal dysbiosis and, by doing so, reduce the risk of developing secondary infections. Other probiotics exhibit anti-tumor and immunomodulating properties, and in some studies, antiviral activities have been reported for probiotic bacteria and/or their metabolites. Unfortunately, the mechanistic basis of the observed beneficial effects of probiotics in countering viral infections is sometimes unclear. Interestingly, in COVID-19 patients, a clear decrease has been observed in cell numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp., both of which are common sources of intestinal probiotics. The present review, specifically motivated by the need to implement effective new counters to SARS-CoV-2, focusses attention on viruses capable of co-infecting humans and other animals and specifically explores the potential of probiotic bacteria and their metabolites to intervene with the process of virus infection. The goal is to help to provide a more informed background for the planning of future probiotic-based antiviral research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Tiwari
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India,*Correspondence: Santosh Kumar Tiwari,
| | - Leon M. T. Dicks
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Igor V. Popov
- Center for Agro-Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Alena Karaseva
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey M. Ermakov
- Center for Agro-Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Alexander Suvorov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia,Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Richard Weeks
- Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Michael L. Chikindas
- Center for Agro-Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia,Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Brunswick, NJ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Amerio P, Prignano F, Giuliani F, Gualdi G. COVID-19 and psoriasis: Should we fear for patients treated with biologics? Dermatol Ther 2020; 33:e13434. [PMID: 32314483 PMCID: PMC7235531 DOI: 10.1111/dth.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The new coronavirus pandemic poses question and challenges for dermatologists. One of question is if psoriasis patients treated with immunomodulating and immunosuppressive drugs have to discontinue their treatment in the midst of fears for the infection and its consequences. One of the challenges is how can we support our patients in this critical time. Previous coronaviruses outbreaks reports, current published evidences on pathogenesis and on clinical reports of COVID infection in immunosuppressed patients are used to make a scientifically based decision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Amerio
- Clinic of Dermatology, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesca Prignano
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Giuliani
- Clinic of Dermatology, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulio Gualdi
- Clinic of Dermatology, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|