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Poddar D, Sharma N, Ogino T, Qi X, Kessler PM, Mendries H, Dutta R, Sen GC. The interferon-induced protein, IFIT2, requires RNA-binding activity and neuronal expression to protect mice from intranasal vesicular stomatitis virus infection. mBio 2024; 15:e0056824. [PMID: 38888342 PMCID: PMC11253605 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00568-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The interferon (IFN) system protects mammals from diseases caused by virus infections. IFN synthesis is induced by pattern recognition receptor signaling pathways activated by virus infection. IFN is secreted from the infected cells and acts upon neighboring cells by binding cell surface receptors and triggering induction of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes and proteins, many of which block different steps of virus replication. The IFN-induced tetratricopeptide repeat proteins (IFIT) are a family of RNA-binding proteins. We and others have previously reported that IFIT2 protects mice from many neurotropic RNA viruses; indeed, Ifit2-/- mice are very susceptible to intranasal or subcutaneous infections with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Here, using a newly generated conditional knockout mouse, we report that ablation of Ifit2 expression only in neuronal cells was sufficient to render mice susceptible to neuropathogenesis caused by intranasal, but not subcutaneous, infection of VSV. Another genetically modified mouse line, expressing a mutant IFIT2 that cannot bind RNA, was as susceptible to VSV infection as Ifit2-/- mice. These results demonstrated that IFIT2 RNA-binding activity is essential for protecting mice against neurological diseases caused by intranasal infection of VSV.IMPORTANCEInterferon's (IFN's) antiviral effects are mediated by the proteins encoded by the interferon-stimulated genes. IFN-stimulated genes (IFIT2) is one such protein, which inhibits replication of many RNA viruses in the mouse brain and the resultant neuropathology. Our study sheds light on how IFIT2 works. By ablating Ifit2 expression only in neuronal cells, using a newly generated conditional knockout mouse line, we showed that Ifit2 induction in the neurons of the infected mouse was necessary for antiviral function of interferon. IFIT2 has no known enzyme activity; instead, it functions by binding to cellular or viral proteins or RNAs. We engineered a new mouse line that expressed a mutant IFIT2 that cannot bind RNA. These mice were very susceptible to infection with vesicular stomatitis virus indicating that the RNA-binding property of IFIT2 was essential for its antiviral function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshana Poddar
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nikhil Sharma
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Tomoaki Ogino
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Xu Qi
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Patricia M. Kessler
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Hiran Mendries
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ranjan Dutta
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ganes C. Sen
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Sridhar S, Tonto PB, Lumkong L, Netto EM, Brites C, Wang WK, Herrera BB. Development of RT-RPA-based point-of-care tests for epidemic arthritogenic alphaviruses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594209. [PMID: 38826256 PMCID: PMC11142058 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Chikungunya (CHIKV), o'nyong-nyong (ONNV), and Mayaro (MAYV) viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes and known to cause a debilitating arthritogenic syndrome. These alphaviruses have emerged and re-emerged, leading to outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, South America, and Africa. Despite their prevalence, there persists a critical gap in the availability of sensitive and virus-specific point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. Traditional immunoglobulin-based tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs) often yield cross-reactive results due to the close genetic relationship between these viruses. Molecular diagnostics such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) offer high sensitivity but are limited by the need for specialized laboratory equipment. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), an isothermal amplification method, is a promising alternative to qPCR, providing rapid results with minimal equipment requirements. Here, we report the development and validation of three virus-specific RPA-based POC tests for CHIKV, ONNV, and MAYV. These tests demonstrated both speed and sensitivity, capable of detecting 10 viral copies within 20 minutes of amplification, without exhibiting cross-reactivity. Furthermore, we evaluated the clinical potential of these tests using serum and tissue samples from CHIKV, ONNV, and MAYV-infected mice, as well as CHIKV-infected human patients. We demonstrate that the RPA amplicons derived from the patient samples can be sequenced, enabling cost-effective molecular epidemiological studies. Our findings highlight the significance of these rapid and specific POC diagnostics in improving the early detection and management of these arboviral infections.
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Foo IJH, Chua BY, Clemens EB, Chang SY, Jia X, McQuilten HA, Yap AHY, Cabug AF, Ashayeripanah M, McWilliam HEG, Villadangos JA, Evrard M, Mackay LK, Wakim LM, Fazakerley JK, Kedzierska K, Kedzierski L. Prior infection with unrelated neurotropic virus exacerbates influenza disease and impairs lung T cell responses. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2619. [PMID: 38521764 PMCID: PMC10960853 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46822-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunity to infectious diseases is predominantly studied by measuring immune responses towards a single pathogen, although co-infections are common. In-depth mechanisms on how co-infections impact anti-viral immunity are lacking, but are highly relevant to treatment and prevention. We established a mouse model of co-infection with unrelated viruses, influenza A (IAV) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV), causing disease in different organ systems. SFV infection eight days before IAV infection results in prolonged IAV replication, elevated cytokine/chemokine levels and exacerbated lung pathology. This is associated with impaired lung IAV-specific CD8+ T cell responses, stemming from suboptimal CD8+ T cell activation and proliferation in draining lymph nodes, and dendritic cell paralysis. Prior SFV infection leads to increased blood brain barrier permeability and presence of IAV RNA in brain, associated with increased trafficking of IAV-specific CD8+ T cells and establishment of long-term tissue-resident memory. Relative to lung IAV-specific CD8+ T cells, brain memory IAV-specific CD8+ T cells have increased TCR repertoire diversity within immunodominant DbNP366+CD8+ and DbPA224+CD8+ responses, featuring suboptimal TCR clonotypes. Overall, our study demonstrates that infection with an unrelated neurotropic virus perturbs IAV-specific immune responses and exacerbates IAV disease. Our work provides key insights into therapy and vaccine regimens directed against unrelated pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Jia-Hui Foo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Brendon Y Chua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - E Bridie Clemens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - So Young Chang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Xiaoxiao Jia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Hayley A McQuilten
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Ashley Huey Yiing Yap
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Aira F Cabug
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Mitra Ashayeripanah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Hamish E G McWilliam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Jose A Villadangos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Maximilien Evrard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Laura K Mackay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Linda M Wakim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - John K Fazakerley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Katherine Kedzierska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Lukasz Kedzierski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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Huaman C, Clouse C, Rader M, Yan L, Bai S, Gunn BM, Amaya M, Laing ED, Broder CC, Schaefer BC. An in vivo BSL-2 model for henipavirus infection based on bioluminescence imaging of recombinant Cedar virus replication in mice. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2024; 3:1363498. [PMID: 38770087 PMCID: PMC11105800 DOI: 10.3389/fchbi.2024.1363498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Henipaviruses are enveloped single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses of the paramyxovirus family. Two henipaviruses, Nipah virus and Hendra virus, cause a systemic respiratory and/or neurological disease in humans and ten additional species of mammals, with a high fatality rate. Because of their highly pathogenic nature, Nipah virus and Hendra virus are categorized as BSL-4 pathogens, which limits the number and scope of translational research studies on these important human pathogens. To begin to address this limitation, we are developing a BSL-2 model of authentic henipavirus infection in mice, using the non-pathogenic henipavirus, Cedar virus. Notably, wild-type mice are highly resistant to Hendra virus and Nipah virus infection. However, previous work has shown that mice lacking expression of the type I interferon receptor (IFNAR-KO mice) are susceptible to both viruses. Here, we show that luciferase-expressing recombinant Cedar virus (rCedV-luc) is also able to replicate and establish a transient infection in IFNAR-KO mice, but not in wild-type mice. Using longitudinal bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of luciferase expression, we detected rCedV-luc replication as early as 10 h post-infection. Viral replication peaks between days 1 and 3 post-infection, and declines to levels undetectable by BLI by 7 days post-infection. Immunohistochemistry is consistent with viral infection and replication in endothelial cells and other non-immune cell types within tissue parenchyma. Serology analyses demonstrate significant IgG responses to the Cedar virus surface glycoprotein with potent neutralizing activity in IFNAR-KO mice, whereas antibody responses in wild-type animals were non-significant. Overall, these data suggest that rCedV-luc infection of IFNAR-KO mice represents a viable platform for the study of in vivo henipavirus replication, anti-henipavirus host responses and henipavirus-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Huaman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Caitlyn Clouse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Madeline Rader
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Lianying Yan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Shuangyi Bai
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164 USA
| | - Bronwyn M. Gunn
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164 USA
| | - Moushimi Amaya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric D. Laing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher C. Broder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian C. Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Jenika D, Pounraj S, Wibowo D, Flaxl LM, Rehm BHA, Mintern JD. In vivo assembly of epitope-coated biopolymer particles that induce anti-tumor responses. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:18. [PMID: 38263169 PMCID: PMC10805745 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00787-8] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet need for antigen delivery systems that elicit efficient T cell priming to prevent infectious diseases or for treatment of cancers. Here, we explored the immunogenic potential of biologically assembled biopolymer particles (BPs) that have been bioengineered to display the antigenic MHC I and MHC II epitopes of model antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Purified dendritic cells (DCs) captured BP-OVA and presented the associated antigenic epitopes to CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. Vaccination with BP-OVA in the absence of adjuvant elicited antigen presentation to OVA-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and cross-primed effective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) killers. BP-OVA induction of CTL killing did not require CD4+ T cell help, with active CTLs generated in BP-OVA vaccinated I-Ab-/- and CD40-/- mice. In contrast, IL-15 and type I IFN were required, with abrogated CTL activity in vaccinated IL-15-/- and IFNAR1-/- mice. cDC1 and/or CD103+ DCs were not essential for BP-OVA specific CTL with immunization eliciting responses in Batf3-/- mice. Poly I:C, but not LPS or CpG, co-administered as an adjuvant with BP-OVA boosted CTL responses. Finally, vaccination with BP-OVA protected against B16-OVA melanoma and Eμ-myc-GFP-OVA lymphoma inoculation. In summary, we have demonstrated that epitope-displaying BPs represent an antigen delivery platform exhibiting a unique mechanism to effectively engage T cell immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Jenika
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Saranya Pounraj
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - David Wibowo
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Leonhard M Flaxl
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4215, Australia.
| | - Justine D Mintern
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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6
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Fletcher P, Feldmann F, Takada A, Crossland NA, Hume AJ, Albariño C, Kemenesi G, Feldmann H, Mühlberger E, Marzi A. Pathogenicity of Lloviu and Bombali Viruses in Type I Interferon Receptor Knockout Mice. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S548-S553. [PMID: 37352146 PMCID: PMC10651197 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I interferon receptor knockout (IFNAR-/-) mice are not able to generate a complete innate immune response; therefore, these mice are often considered to assess the pathogenicity of emerging viruses. We infected IFNAR-/- mice with a low or high dose of Lloviu virus (LLOV) or Bombali virus (BOMV) by the intranasal (IN) or intraperitoneal (IP) route and compared virus loads at early and late time points after infection. No signs of disease and no viral RNA were detected after IN infection regardless of LLOV dose. In contrast, IP infections resulted in increased viral loads in the high-dose LLOV and BOMV groups at the early time point. The low-dose LLOV and BOMV groups achieved higher viral loads at the late time point. However, there was 100% survival in all groups and no signs of disease. In conclusion, our results indicate a limited value of the IFNAR-/- mouse model for investigation of the pathogenicity of LLOV and BOMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Fletcher
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Friederike Feldmann
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Ayato Takada
- Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Nicholas A Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam J Hume
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - César Albariño
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Elke Mühlberger
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea Marzi
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
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7
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Progressive evolution of secondary aquatic adaptation in hippos and cetaceans. Cell Discov 2022; 8:134. [PMID: 36539412 PMCID: PMC9768135 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00483-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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8
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Xu Z, Ho M, Bordoloi D, Kudchodkar S, Khoshnejad M, Giron L, Zaidi F, Jeong M, Roberts CC, Park YK, Maslow J, Abdel-Mohsen M, Muthumani K. Techniques for Developing and Assessing Immune Responses Induced by Synthetic DNA Vaccines for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2410:229-263. [PMID: 34914050 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1884-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are one of mankind's greatest medical advances, and their use has drastically reduced and in some cases eliminated (e.g., smallpox) disease and death caused by infectious agents. Traditional vaccine modalities including live-attenuated pathogen vaccines, wholly inactivated pathogen vaccines, and protein-based pathogen subunit vaccines have successfully been used to create efficacious vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and yellow fever. These traditional vaccine modalities, however, take many months to years to develop and have thus proven less effective for use in creating vaccines to emerging or reemerging infectious diseases (EIDs) including influenza, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 1 and 2 (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2). As factors such as climate change and increased globalization continue to increase the pace of EID development, newer vaccine modalities are required to develop vaccines that can prevent or attenuate EID outbreaks throughout the world. One such modality, DNA vaccines, has been studied for over 30 years and has numerous qualities that make them ideal for meeting the challenge of EIDs including; (1) DNA vaccine candidates can be designed within hours of publishing of a pathogens genetic sequence; (2) they can be manufactured cheaply and rapidly in large quantities; (3) they are thermostable and have reduced requirement for a cold-chain during distribution, and (4) they have a remarkable safety record in the clinic. Optimizations made in plasmid design as well as in DNA vaccine delivery have greatly improved the immunogenicity of these vaccines. Here we describe the process of making a DNA vaccine to an EID pathogen and describe methods used for assessing the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA vaccines in small animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Xu
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Ho
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Devivasha Bordoloi
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Makan Khoshnejad
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leila Giron
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Faraz Zaidi
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Joel Maslow
- GeneOne Life Science Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Kar Muthumani
- Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- GeneOne Life Science Inc., Seoul, South Korea.
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9
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Bradfute SB. The discovery and development of novel treatment strategies for filoviruses. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 17:139-149. [PMID: 34962451 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2013800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Filoviruses are negative-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans and include Ebola and Marburg viruses. Lethality rates can reach 90% in isolated outbreaks. The 2013-2016 Ebola virus epidemic demonstrated the global threat of filoviruses and hastened development of vaccines and therapeutics. There are six known filoviruses that cause disease in humans, but still few therapeutics are available for treatment. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes identification, testing, and development of therapeutics based on the peer-reviewed scientific literature beginning with the discovery of filoviruses in 1967. Small molecules, antibodies, cytokines, antisense, post-exposure vaccination, and host-targeted therapeutic approaches are discussed. An emphasis is placed on therapeutics that have shown promise in in vivo studies. EXPERT OPINION Two monoclonal antibody regimens are approved for use in humans for one filovirus (Ebola virus), and preclinical nonhuman primate studies suggest that other monoclonal-based therapies are likely to be effective against other filoviruses. Significant progress has been made in small-molecule antivirals and host-targeted approaches. An important consideration is the necessity of pan-filovirus therapeutics via broadly effective small molecules, antibody cocktails, and cross-reactive antibodies. The use of filovirus therapeutics as prophylactic treatment or in chronically infected individuals should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven B Bradfute
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, USA
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10
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Modeling SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Mice Using Lentiviral hACE2 Vectors Infers Two Modes of Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010011. [PMID: 35062215 PMCID: PMC8778683 DOI: 10.3390/v14010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a severe global pandemic. Mice models are essential to investigate infection pathology, antiviral drugs, and vaccine development. However, wild-type mice lack the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) that mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells and consequently are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. hACE2 transgenic mice could provide an efficient COVID-19 model, but are not always readily available, and practically restricted to specific strains. Therefore, there is a dearth of additional mouse models for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We applied lentiviral vectors to generate hACE2 expression in interferon receptor knock-out (IFNAR1−/−) mice. Lenti-hACE2 transduction supported SARS-CoV-2 replication in vivo, simulating mild acute lung disease. Gene expression analysis revealed two modes of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection: one in response to the exposure of mouse lungs to SARS-CoV-2 particles in the absence of productive viral replication, and the second in response to productive SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results infer that immune response to immunogenic elements on incoming virus or in productively infected cells stimulate diverse immune effectors, even in absence of type I IFN signaling. Our findings should contribute to a better understanding of the immune response triggered by SARS-CoV-2 and to further elucidate COVID-19.
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Collette N, Dhungel P, Lund SJ, Schwedler JL, Saada EA, Light YK, Sinha A, Schoeniger JS, Negrete OA. Immunocompromised Cas9 transgenic mice for rapid in vivo assessment of host factors involved in highly pathogenic virus infection. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:286-295. [PMID: 34729376 PMCID: PMC8526419 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Targeting host factors for anti-viral development offers several potential advantages over traditional countermeasures that include broad-spectrum activity and prevention of resistance. Characterization of host factors in animal models provides strong evidence of their involvement in disease pathogenesis, but the feasibility of performing high-throughput in vivo analyses on lists of genes is problematic. To begin addressing the challenges of screening candidate host factors in vivo, we combined advances in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing with an immunocompromised mouse model used to study highly pathogenic viruses. Transgenic mice harboring a constitutively expressed Cas9 allele (Cas9tg/tg) with or without knockout of type I interferon receptors served to optimize in vivo delivery of CRISPR single-guide RNA (sgRNA) using Invivofectamine 3.0, a simple and easy-to-use lipid nanoparticle reagent. Invivofectamine 3.0-mediated liver-specific editing to remove activity of the critical Ebola virus host factor Niemann-Pick disease type C1 in an average of 74% of liver cells protected immunocompromised Cas9tg/tg mice from lethal surrogate Ebola virus infection. We envision that immunocompromised Cas9tg/tg mice combined with straightforward sgRNA in vivo delivery will enable efficient host factor loss-of-function screening in the liver and other organs to rapidly study their effects on viral pathogenesis and help initiate development of broad-spectrum, host-directed therapies against emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Collette
- Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Pragyesh Dhungel
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Sean J Lund
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Jennifer L Schwedler
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Edwin A Saada
- Department of Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Yooli K Light
- Department of Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Anupama Sinha
- Department of Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Joseph S Schoeniger
- Department of Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Oscar A Negrete
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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12
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Barrett JP, Knoblach SM, Bhattacharya S, Gordish-Dressman H, Stoica BA, Loane DJ. Traumatic Brain Injury Induces cGAS Activation and Type I Interferon Signaling in Aged Mice. Front Immunol 2021; 12:710608. [PMID: 34504493 PMCID: PMC8423402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.710608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging adversely affects inflammatory processes in the brain, which has important implications in the progression of neurodegenerative disease. Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), aged animals exhibit worsened neurological function and exacerbated microglial-associated neuroinflammation. Type I Interferons (IFN-I) contribute to the development of TBI neuropathology. Further, the Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS) and Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway, a key inducer of IFN-I responses, has been implicated in neuroinflammatory activity in several age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we set out to investigate the effects of TBI on cGAS/STING activation, IFN-I signaling and neuroinflammation in young and aged C57Bl/6 male mice. Using a controlled cortical impact model, we evaluated transcriptomic changes in the injured cortex at 24 hours post-injury, and confirmed activation of key neuroinflammatory pathways in biochemical studies. TBI induced changes were highly enriched for transcripts that were involved in inflammatory responses to stress and host defense. Deeper analysis revealed that TBI increased expression of IFN-I related genes (e.g. Ifnb1, Irf7, Ifi204, Isg15) and IFN-I signaling in the injured cortex of aged compared to young mice. There was also a significant age-related increase in the activation of the DNA-recognition pathway, cGAS, which is a key mechanism to propagate IFN-I responses. Finally, enhanced IFN-I signaling in the aged TBI brain was confirmed by increased phosphorylation of STAT1, an important IFN-I effector molecule. This age-related activation of cGAS and IFN-I signaling may prove to be a mechanistic link between microglial-associated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the aged TBI brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Barrett
- Department of Anesthesiology and Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR) Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Susan M Knoblach
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Surajit Bhattacharya
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Center for Translational Science, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Bogdan A Stoica
- Department of Anesthesiology and Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR) Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David J Loane
- Department of Anesthesiology and Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research (STAR) Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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13
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Choi JA, Wu K, Kim GN, Saeedian N, Seon SH, Park G, Jung DI, Jeong HW, Kim NH, Seo SH, Lee S, Song M, Kang CY. Induction of protective immune responses against a lethal Zika virus challenge post-vaccination with a dual serotype of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus carrying the genetically modified Zika virus E protein gene. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 33913804 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of a vaccine to prevent Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been one of the priorities in infectious disease research in recent years. There have been numerous attempts to develop an effective vaccine against ZIKV. It is imperative to choose the safest and the most effective ZIKV vaccine from all candidate vaccines to control this infection globally. We have employed a dual serotype of prime-boost recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine strategy, to develop a ZIKV vaccine candidate, using a type 1 IFN-receptor knock-out (Ifnar -/-) mouse model for challenge studies. Prime vaccination with an attenuated recombinant VSV Indiana serotype (rVSVInd) carrying a genetically modified ZIKV envelope (E) protein gene followed by boost vaccination with attenuated recombinant VSV New Jersey serotype (rVSVNJ) carrying the same E gene induced robust adaptive immune responses. In particular, rVSV carrying the ZIKV E gene with the honeybee melittin signal peptide (msp) at the N terminus and VSV G protein transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail (Gtc) at the C terminus of the E gene induced strong protective immune responses. This vaccine regimen induced highly potent neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses in the absence of an adjuvant and protected Ifnar -/- mice from a lethal dose of the ZIKV challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Ah Choi
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kunyu Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 2V4, Canada
| | - Gyoung Nyoun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 2V4, Canada
| | - Nasrin Saeedian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 2V4, Canada
| | - Seung Han Seon
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Gayoung Park
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Im Jung
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoe Won Jeong
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Hyung Kim
- Sumagen, 4F Dongwon Bldg, Teheran-ro 77-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06159, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hwan Seo
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangkyun Lee
- Sumagen, 4F Dongwon Bldg, Teheran-ro 77-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06159, Republic of Korea
| | - Manki Song
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - C Yong Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 2V4, Canada
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14
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Hibl BM, Dailey Garnes NJM, Kneubehl AR, Vogt MB, Spencer Clinton JL, Rico-Hesse RR. Mosquito-bite infection of humanized mice with chikungunya virus produces systemic disease with long-term effects. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009427. [PMID: 34106915 PMCID: PMC8189471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging, mosquito-borne alphavirus responsible for acute to chronic arthralgias and neuropathies. Although it originated in central Africa, recent reports of disease have come from many parts of the world, including the Americas. While limiting human CHIKV cases through mosquito control has been used, it has not been entirely successful. There are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments specific for CHIKV disease, thus more work is needed to develop effective countermeasures. Current animal research on CHIKV is often not representative of human disease. Most models use CHIKV needle inoculation via unnatural routes to create immediate viremia and localized clinical signs; these methods neglect the natural route of transmission (the mosquito vector bite) and the associated human immune response. Since mosquito saliva has been shown to have a profound effect on viral pathogenesis, we evaluated a novel model of infection that included the natural vector, Aedes species mosquitoes, transmitting CHIKV to mice containing components of the human immune system. Humanized mice infected by 3-6 mosquito bites showed signs of systemic infection, with demonstrable viremia (by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent antibody assay), mild to moderate clinical signs (by observation, histology, and immunohistochemistry), and immune responses consistent with human infection (by flow cytometry and IgM ELISA). This model should give a better understanding of human CHIKV disease and allow for more realistic evaluations of mechanisms of pathogenesis, prophylaxis, and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianne M. Hibl
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Natalie J. M. Dailey Garnes
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alexander R. Kneubehl
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Megan B. Vogt
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Spencer Clinton
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rebecca R. Rico-Hesse
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Rasiuk AS, Walsh SR, Chan L, Viloria-Petit AM, Wootton SK, Karimi K, Bridle BW. The Role of Type I Interferon Signaling in Regulating Cytokine Production and Cell Survival in Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages. Viral Immunol 2021; 34:470-482. [PMID: 34097550 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2020.0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During viral infections, cells produce type I interferons (IFNs), which are detected by the IFNα/β receptor (IFNAR). To survive in hosts, viruses have strategies to downregulate IFN-mediated signaling. We hypothesized that macrophages, which are among the first myeloid cells to respond to viral infections, would produce a different cytokine profile if responding to ligation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) while IFNAR-mediated signaling was compromised. Specifically, IFNAR-mediated regulation of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α was studied in cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. Since viruses like vesicular stomatitis virus can ligate PRRs such as Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and 7, macrophages were stimulated with the TLR4 and TLR7 agonists lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or imiquimod, respectively, with or without antibody-mediated IFNAR-blockade. Cytokines and viability were assessed for 3 days poststimulation. Blocking IFNARs acutely exacerbated cytokine production by macrophages and aided their survival when they were treated with LPS. In contrast, cytokine concentrations were unaffected or slightly reduced by IFNAR blockade, but macrophages died at a greater rate when imiquimod was the stimulus. This demonstrated a differential role of IFNAR signaling in regulating PRR-induced cytokines. This suggests potential mechanisms whereby macrophages responding to viruses that inhibit type I IFN responses might contribute to excessive inflammation in some cases and inappropriately low-magnitude responses in others. This also provides a well-defined cell-based model for further dissecting the role of type I IFN signaling in macrophages responding to viral and other infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott R Walsh
- Department of Pathobiology and University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Lily Chan
- Department of Pathobiology and University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | | | - Sarah K Wootton
- Department of Pathobiology and University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Khalil Karimi
- Department of Pathobiology and University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Byram W Bridle
- Department of Pathobiology and University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
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16
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Bhatia B, Haddock E, Shaia C, Rosenke R, Meade-White K, Griffin AJ, Marzi A, Feldmann H. Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus causes lethal disease in IFNAR -/- mice. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:1077-1087. [PMID: 34013842 PMCID: PMC8183530 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1932609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV), a tick-borne flavivirus closely related to Kyasanur Forest disease virus, is the causative agent of a severe, sometimes fatal haemorrhagic/encephalitic disease in humans. To date, there are no specific treatments or vaccines available to combat AHFV infections. A challenge for the development of countermeasures is the absence of a reliable AHFV animal disease model for efficacy testing. Here, we used mice lacking the type I interferon (IFN) receptor (IFNAR-/-). AHFV strains Zaki-2 and 2003 both caused uniform lethality in these mice after intraperitoneal injection, but strain 2003 seemed more virulent with a median lethal dose of 0.4 median tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50). Disease manifestation in this animal model was similar to case reports of severe human AHFV infections with early generalized signs leading to haemorrhagic and neurologic complications. AHFV infection resulted in early high viremia followed by high viral loads (<108 TCID50/g tissue) in all analyzed organs. Despite systemic viral replication, virus-induced pathology was mainly found in the spleen, lymph nodes, liver and heart. This uniformly lethal AHFV disease model will be instrumental for pathogenesis studies and countermeasure development against this neglected zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Bhatia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Elaine Haddock
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Rebecca Rosenke
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kimberly Meade-White
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Amanda J Griffin
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Andrea Marzi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
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17
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Dowall SD, Graham VA, Aram M, Findlay-Wilson S, Salguero FJ, Emery K, Hewson R. Hantavirus infection in type I interferon receptor-deficient (A129) mice. J Gen Virol 2021; 101:1047-1055. [PMID: 32667279 PMCID: PMC7660455 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferon receptor knockout mice (strain A129) were assessed as a disease model of hantavirus infection. A range of infection routes (intramuscular, intraperitoneal and intranasal) were assessed using minimally passaged Seoul virus (strain Humber). Dissemination of virus to the spleen, kidney and lung was observed at 5 days after intramuscular and intraperitoneal challenge, which was resolved by day 14. In contrast, intranasal challenge of A129 mice demonstrated virus tropism to the lung, which was maintained to day 14 post-challenge. These data support the use of the A129 mouse model for future infection studies and the in vivo evaluation of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart D Dowall
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Victoria A Graham
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Marilyn Aram
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Stephen Findlay-Wilson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Francisco J Salguero
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Kirsty Emery
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Roger Hewson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
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18
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Sarkar S, Heise MT. Mouse Models as Resources for Studying Infectious Diseases. Clin Ther 2019; 41:1912-1922. [PMID: 31540729 PMCID: PMC7112552 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models are important tools both for studying the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and for the preclinical evaluation of vaccines and therapies against a wide variety of human pathogens. The use of genetically defined inbred mouse strains, humanized mice, and gene knockout mice has allowed the research community to explore how pathogens cause disease, define the role of specific host genes in either controlling or promoting disease, and identify potential targets for the prevention or treatment of a wide range of infectious agents. This review discusses several of the most commonly used mouse model systems, as well as new resources such as the Collaborative Cross as models for studying infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Sarkar
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mark T Heise
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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19
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Bricker TL, Shafiuddin M, Gounder AP, Janowski AB, Zhao G, Williams GD, Jagger BW, Diamond MS, Bailey T, Kwon JH, Wang D, Boon ACM. Therapeutic efficacy of favipiravir against Bourbon virus in mice. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007790. [PMID: 31194854 PMCID: PMC6564012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bourbon virus (BRBV) is an emerging tick-borne RNA virus in the orthomyxoviridae family that was discovered in 2014. Although fatal human cases of BRBV have been described, little is known about its pathogenesis, and no antiviral therapies or vaccines exist. We obtained serum from a fatal case in 2017 and successfully recovered the second human infectious isolate of BRBV. Next-generation sequencing of the St. Louis isolate of BRBV (BRBV-STL) showed >99% nucleotide identity to the original reference isolate. Using BRBV-STL, we developed a small animal model to study BRBV-STL tropism in vivo and evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of the experimental antiviral drug favipiravir against BRBV-induced disease. Infection of Ifnar1-/- mice lacking the type I interferon receptor, but not congenic wild-type animals, resulted in uniformly fatal disease 6 to 10 days after infection. RNA in situ hybridization and viral yield assays demonstrated a broad tropism of BRBV-STL with highest levels detected in liver and spleen. In vitro replication and polymerase activity of BRBV-STL were inhibited by favipiravir. Moreover, administration of favipiravir as a prophylaxis or as post-exposure therapy three days after infection prevented BRBV-STL-induced mortality in immunocompromised Ifnar1-/- mice. These results suggest that favipiravir may be a candidate treatment for humans who become infected with BRBV. Bourbon virus (BRBV) is a novel tick-borne RNA virus that can cause fatal disease in humans. No approved antiviral treatment is available. We have cultured the second human isolate of BRBV and with it developed a small animal disease model. In this mouse model, BRBV causes severe disease as measured by weight loss after infection and uniform death 6 to 10 days after infection. Virus replication occurred predominantly in the spleen and the liver of the infected animals, with additional organs infected at later time points after infection. This disease model was used to test the efficacy of favipiravir, a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor that was developed for the related Influenza A virus. Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with favipiravir resulted in complete protection from a lethal BRBV infection. These data suggest that favipiravir and perhaps other RNA polymerase inhibitors could be used to treat BRBV infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Traci L. Bricker
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Md. Shafiuddin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Anshu P. Gounder
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Andrew B. Janowski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Guoyan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Graham D. Williams
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Brett W. Jagger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Thomas Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jennie H. Kwon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - David Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Adrianus C. M. Boon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Comer JE, Escaffre O, Neef N, Brasel T, Juelich TL, Smith JK, Smith J, Kalveram B, Perez DD, Massey S, Zhang L, Freiberg AN. Filovirus Virulence in Interferon α/β and γ Double Knockout Mice, and Treatment with Favipiravir. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020137. [PMID: 30717492 PMCID: PMC6410141 DOI: 10.3390/v11020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2014 Ebolavirus outbreak in West Africa highlighted the need for vaccines and therapeutics to prevent and treat filovirus infections. A well-characterized small animal model that is susceptible to wild-type filoviruses would facilitate the screening of anti-filovirus agents. To that end, we characterized knockout mice lacking α/β and γ interferon receptors (IFNAGR KO) as a model for wild-type filovirus infection. Intraperitoneal challenge of IFNAGR KO mice with several known human pathogenic species from the genus Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, except Bundibugyo ebolavirus and Taï Forest ebolavirus, caused variable mortality rate. Further characterization of the prototype Ebola virus Kikwit isolate infection in this KO mouse model showed 100% lethality down to a dilution equivalent to 1.0 × 10−1 pfu with all deaths occurring between 7 and 9 days post-challenge. Viral RNA was detectable in serum after challenge with 1.0 × 102 pfu as early as one day after infection. Changes in hematology and serum chemistry became pronounced as the disease progressed and mirrored the histological changes in the spleen and liver that were also consistent with those described for patients with Ebola virus disease. In a proof-of-principle study, treatment of Ebola virus infected IFNAGR KO mice with favipiravir resulted in 83% protection. Taken together, the data suggest that IFNAGR KO mice may be a useful model for early screening of anti-filovirus medical countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason E Comer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Science, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Olivier Escaffre
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Natasha Neef
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Sterling, VA 20167, USA.
| | - Trevor Brasel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Science, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Terry L Juelich
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Jennifer K Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Jeanon Smith
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - David D Perez
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Shane Massey
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Science, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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Modeling Arboviral Infection in Mice Lacking the Interferon Alpha/Beta Receptor. Viruses 2019; 11:v11010035. [PMID: 30625992 PMCID: PMC6356211 DOI: 10.3390/v11010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses are arthropod-borne viruses that exhibit worldwide distribution and are a constant threat, not only for public health but also for wildlife, domestic animals, and even plants. To study disease pathogenesis and to develop efficient and safe therapies, the use of an appropriate animal model is a critical concern. Adult mice with gene knockouts of the interferon α/β (IFN-α/β) receptor (IFNAR(-/-)) have been described as a model of arbovirus infections. Studies with the natural hosts of these viruses are limited by financial and ethical issues, and in some cases, the need to have facilities with a biosafety level 3 with sufficient space to accommodate large animals. Moreover, the number of animals in the experiments must provide results with statistical significance. Recent advances in animal models in the last decade among other gaps in knowledge have contributed to the better understanding of arbovirus infections. A tremendous advantage of the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model is the availability of a wide variety of reagents that can be used to study many aspects of the immune response to the virus. Although extrapolation of findings in mice to natural hosts must be done with care due to differences in the biology between mouse and humans, experimental infections of IFNAR(-/-) mice with several studied arboviruses closely mimics hallmarks of these viruses in their natural host. Therefore, IFNAR(-/-) mice are a good model to facilitate studies on arbovirus transmission, pathogenesis, virulence, and the protective efficacy of new vaccines. In this review article, the most important arboviruses that have been studied using the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model will be reviewed.
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