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Roohi A, Gharagozlou S. Vitamin D supplementation and calcium: Many-faced gods or nobody in fighting against Corona Virus Disease 2019. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2024; 62:172-184. [PMID: 38901939 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.05.015] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
In December 2019, Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified and designated as a pandemic in March 2020 due to rapid spread of the virus globally. At the beginning of the pandemic, only a few treatment options, mainly focused on supportive care and repurposing medications, were available. Due to its effects on immune system, vitamin D was a topic of interest during the pandemic, and researchers investigated its potential impact on COVID-19 outcomes. However, the results of studies about the impact of vitamin D on the disease are inconclusive. In the present narrative review, different roles of vitamin D regarding the COVID-19 have been discussed to show that vitamin D supplementation should be recommended carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Roohi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Hu WH, Cai HL, Yan HC, Wang H, Sun HM, Wei YY, Hao YT. Protective effectiveness of previous infection against subsequent SARS-Cov-2 infection: systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1353415. [PMID: 38966699 PMCID: PMC11222391 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1353415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The protective effectiveness provided by naturally acquired immunity against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection remain controversial. Objective To systematically evaluate the protective effect of natural immunity against subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection with different variants. Methods We searched for related studies published in seven databases before March 5, 2023. Eligible studies included in the analysis reported the risk of subsequent infection for groups with or without a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome was the overall pooled incidence rate ratio (IRR) of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection/infection between the two groups. We also focused on the protective effectiveness of natural immunity against reinfection/infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. We used a random-effects model to pool the data, and obtained the bias-adjusted results using the trim-and-fill method. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding included studies one by one to evaluate the stability of the results. Results We identified 40 eligible articles including more than 20 million individuals without the history of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The bias-adjusted efficacy of naturally acquired antibodies against reinfection was estimated at 65% (pooled IRR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.26-0.47), with higher efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 cases (pooled IRR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.08-0.26) than asymptomatic infection (pooled IRR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.29-0.54). Meta-regression revealed that SARS-CoV-2 variant was a statistically significant effect modifier, which explaining 46.40% of the variation in IRRs. For different SARS-CoV-2 variant, the pooled IRRs for the Alpha (pooled IRR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.06-0.19), Delta (pooled IRR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.15-0.24) and Omicron (pooled IRR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42-0.87) variant were higher and higher. In other subgroup analyses, the pooled IRRs of SARS-CoV-2 infection were statistically various in different countries, publication year and the inclusion end time of population, with a significant difference (p = 0.02, p < 0.010 and p < 0.010), respectively. The risk of subsequent infection in the seropositive population appeared to increase slowly over time. Despite the heterogeneity in included studies, sensitivity analyses showed stable results. Conclusion Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection provides protection against pre-omicron reinfection, but less against omicron. Ongoing viral mutation requires attention and prevention strategies, such as vaccine catch-up, in conjunction with multiple factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hua Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Huan-Le Cai
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan-Chang Yan
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Min Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Yue Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Tao Hao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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3
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Ferreras C, Hernández-Blanco C, Martín-Quirós A, Al-Akioui-Sanz K, Mora-Rillo M, Ibáñez F, Díaz-Almirón M, Cano-Ochando J, Lozano-Ojalvo D, Jiménez-González M, Goterris R, Sánchez-Zapardiel E, de Paz R, Guerra-García P, Queiruga-Parada J, Molina P, Briones ML, Ruz-Caracuel B, Borobia AM, Carcas AJ, Planelles D, Vicario JL, Moreno MÁ, Balas A, Llano M, Llorente A, Del Balzo Á, Cañada C, García MÁ, Calvin ME, Arenas I, Pérez de Diego R, Eguizábal C, Soria B, Solano C, Pérez-Martínez A. Results of phase 2 randomized multi-center study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of infusion of memory T cells as adoptive therapy in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia and/or lymphopenia (RELEASE NCT04578210). Cytotherapy 2024; 26:25-35. [PMID: 37897472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.10.002] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS There are currently no effective anti-viral treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-hospitalized patients with hypoxemia. Lymphopenia is a biomarker of disease severity usually present in patients who are hospitalized. Approaches to increasing lymphocytes exerting an anti-viral effect must be considered to treat these patients. Following our phase 1 study, we performed a phase 2 randomized multicenter clinical trial in which we evaluated the efficacy of the infusion of allogeneic off-the-shelf CD45RA- memory T cells containing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cells from convalescent donors plus the standard of care (SoC) versus just the SoC treatment. METHODS Eighty-four patients were enrolled in three Spanish centers. The patients were randomized into the infusion of 1 × 106/kg CD45RA- memory T cells or the SoC. We selected four unvaccinated donors based on the expression of interferon gamma SARS-CoV-2-specific response within the CD45RA- memory T cells and the most frequent human leukocyte antigen typing in the Spanish population. RESULTS We analyzed data from 81 patients. The primary outcome for recovery, defined as the proportion of participants in each group with normalization of fever, oxygen saturation sustained for at least 24 hours and lymphopenia recovery through day 14 or at discharge, was met for the experimental arm. We also observed faster lymphocyte recovery in the experimental group. We did not observe any treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Adoptive cell therapy with off-the-shelf CD45RA- memory T cells containing SAR-CoV-2-specific T cells is safe, effective and accelerates lymphocyte recovery of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and/or lymphopenia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04578210.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ferreras
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Hernández-Blanco
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Emergencias Enfermera Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Karima Al-Akioui-Sanz
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Mora-Rillo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red CIBER-Infec, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fátima Ibáñez
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jordi Cano-Ochando
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Lozano-Ojalvo
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - María Jiménez-González
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red CIBER-Infec, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Trials Unit (UCICEC) at Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Goterris
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Raquel de Paz
- Hematology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Guerra-García
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Molina
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Ruz-Caracuel
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto M Borobia
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Trials Unit (UCICEC) at Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Pharmacology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio J Carcas
- Clinical Trials Unit (UCICEC) at Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Pharmacology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Planelles
- Department of Histocompatibility, Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luis Vicario
- Histocompatibility, Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Moreno
- Histocompatibility, Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Balas
- Histocompatibility, Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Llano
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital de Emergencias Enfermera Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Llorente
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital de Emergencias Enfermera Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Del Balzo
- Emergency Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Cañada
- Emergency Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel García
- Emergency Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Elena Calvin
- Emergency Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Arenas
- Emergency Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Pérez de Diego
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Human Diseases, IdiPAZ Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Innate Immunity Group, IdiPAZ Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Interdepartmental Group of Immunodeficiencies, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Eguizábal
- Research Unit, Basque Centre for Blood Transfusion and Human Tissues, Osakidetza, Bizkaia, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Bernat Soria
- Health Research Institute-ISABIAL, Alicante University Hospital and Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain; University Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos Solano
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Valencia, Spain; Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Gissot L, Fontaine F, Kelemen Z, Dao O, Bouchez I, Deruyffelaere C, Winkler M, Costa AD, Pierre F, Meziadi C, Faure JD, Froissard M. E and M SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein expression and enrichment with plant lipid droplets. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300512. [PMID: 37986207 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Plants are gaining traction as a cost-effective and scalable platform for producing recombinant proteins. However, expressing integral membrane proteins in plants is challenging due to their hydrophobic nature. In our study, we used transient and stable expression systems in Nicotiana benthamiana and Camelina sativa respectively to express SARS-CoV-2 E and M integral proteins, and target them to lipid droplets (LDs). LDs offer an ideal environment for folding hydrophobic proteins and aid in their purification through flotation. We tested various protein fusions with different linkers and tags and used three dimensional structure predictions to assess their effects. E and M mostly localized in the ER in N. benthamiana leaves but E could be targeted to LDs in oil accumulating tobacco when fused with oleosin, a LD integral protein. In Camelina sativa seeds, E and M were however found associated with purified LDs. By enhancing the accumulation of E and M within LDs through oleosin, we enriched these proteins in the purified floating fraction. This strategy provides an alternative approach for efficiently producing and purifying hydrophobic pharmaceuticals and vaccines using plant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Gissot
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Florent Fontaine
- SAS Core Biogenesis, 850 Bd Sébastien Brant BioParc 3, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Zsolt Kelemen
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Ousmane Dao
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Isabelle Bouchez
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Carine Deruyffelaere
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Michèle Winkler
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Anais Da Costa
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Fabienne Pierre
- SAS Core Biogenesis, 850 Bd Sébastien Brant BioParc 3, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Chouaib Meziadi
- SAS Core Biogenesis, 850 Bd Sébastien Brant BioParc 3, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Jean-Denis Faure
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
| | - Marine Froissard
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
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5
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Kia P, Katagirya E, Kakembo FE, Adera DA, Nsubuga ML, Yiga F, Aloyo SM, Aujat BR, Anguyo DF, Katabazi FA, Kigozi E, Joloba ML, Kateete DP. Genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 from Uganda using MinION nanopore sequencing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20507. [PMID: 37993530 PMCID: PMC10665338 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47379-z] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 undergoes frequent mutations, affecting COVID-19 diagnostics, transmission and vaccine efficacy. Here, we describe the genetic diversity of 49 SARS-CoV-2 samples from Uganda, collected during the COVID-19 waves of 2020/2021. Overall, the samples were similar to previously reported SARS-CoV-2 from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The main lineages were AY.46 and A.23, which are considered to be Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further, a total of 268 unique single nucleotide variants and 1456 mutations were found, with more than seventy percent mutations in the ORF1ab and S genes. The most common mutations were 2042C>G (83.4%), 14143C>T (79.5%), 245T>C (65%), and 1129G>T (51%), which occurred in the S, ORF1ab, ORF7a and N genes, respectively. As well, 28 structural variants-21 insertions and 7 deletions, occurred in 16 samples. Our findings point to the possibility that most SARS-CoV-2 infections in Uganda at the time arose from local spread and were not newly imported. Moreover, the relatedness of variants from Uganda and the DRC reflects high human mobility and interaction between the two countries, which is peculiar to this region of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praiscillia Kia
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Eric Katagirya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fredrick Elishama Kakembo
- The African Centers of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Date Intensive Sciences, Infectious Disease Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Doreen Ato Adera
- Multifunctional Research Laboratories, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Moses Luutu Nsubuga
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fahim Yiga
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sharley Melissa Aloyo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Brendah Ronah Aujat
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Fred Ashaba Katabazi
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edgar Kigozi
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses L Joloba
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Patrick Kateete
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
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Equestre M, Marcantonio C, Marascio N, Centofanti F, Martina A, Simeoni M, Suffredini E, La Rosa G, Bonanno Ferraro G, Mancini P, Veneri C, Matera G, Quirino A, Costantino A, Taffon S, Tritarelli E, Campanella C, Pisani G, Nisini R, Spada E, Verde P, Ciccaglione AR, Bruni R. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Military and Civilian Personnel of an Air Force Airport during Three Pandemic Waves in Italy. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2711. [PMID: 38004723 PMCID: PMC10672769 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112711] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating, from November 2020 to March 2022, among military and civilian personnel at an Air Force airport in Italy in order to classify viral isolates in a potential hotspot for virus spread. Positive samples were subjected to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the whole viral genome and Sanger sequencing of the spike coding region. Phylogenetic analysis classified viral isolates and traced their evolutionary relationships. Clusters were identified using 70% cut-off. Sequencing methods yielded comparable results in terms of variant classification. In 2020 and 2021, we identified several variants, including B.1.258 (4/67), B.1.177 (9/67), Alpha (B.1.1.7, 9/67), Gamma (P.1.1, 4/67), and Delta (4/67). In 2022, only Omicron and its sub-lineage variants were observed (37/67). SARS-CoV-2 isolates were screened to detect naturally occurring resistance in genomic regions, the target of new therapies, comparing them to the Wuhan Hu-1 reference strain. Interestingly, 2/30 non-Omicron isolates carried the G15S 3CLpro substitution responsible for reduced susceptibility to protease inhibitors. On the other hand, Omicron isolates carried unusual substitutions A1803V, D1809N, and A949T on PLpro, and the D216N on 3CLpro. Finally, the P323L substitution on RdRp coding regions was not associated with the mutational pattern related to polymerase inhibitor resistance. This study highlights the importance of continuous genomic surveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution in the general population, as well as in restricted communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Equestre
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Marcantonio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Nadia Marascio
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Federica Centofanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Antonio Martina
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Matteo Simeoni
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Giusy Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Angela Quirino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Angela Costantino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Stefania Taffon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Elena Tritarelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Carmelo Campanella
- Clinical Analysis and Molecular Biology Laboratory Rome, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giulio Pisani
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Roberto Nisini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Enea Spada
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Paola Verde
- Aerospace Medicine Department, Aerospace Test Division, Militay Airport Mario De Bernardi, Pratica di Mare, 00040 Rome, Italy;
| | - Anna Rita Ciccaglione
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Roberto Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
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Manoussopoulos Y, Anastassopoulou C, Ioannidis JPA, Tsakris A. Paired associated SARS-CoV-2 spike variable positions: a network analysis approach to emerging variants. mSystems 2023; 8:e0044023. [PMID: 37432011 PMCID: PMC10469592 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00440-23] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acids in variable positions of proteins may be correlated, with potential structural and functional implications. Here, we apply exact tests of independence in R × C contingency tables to examine noise-free associations between variable positions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, using as a paradigm sequences from Greece deposited in GISAID (N = 6,683/1,078 full length) for the period 29 February 2020 to 26 April 2021 that essentially covers the first three pandemic waves. We examine the fate and complexity of these associations by network analysis, using associated positions (exact P ≤ 0.001 and Average Product Correction ≥ 2) as links and the corresponding positions as nodes. We found a temporal linear increase of positional differences and a gradual expansion of the number of position associations over time, represented by a temporally evolving intricate web, resulting in a non-random complex network of 69 nodes and 252 links. Overconnected nodes corresponded to the most adapted variant positions in the population, suggesting a direct relation between network degree and position functional importance. Modular analysis revealed 25 k-cliques comprising 3 to 11 nodes. At different k-clique resolutions, one to four communities were formed, capturing epistatic associations of circulating variants (Alpha, Beta, B.1.1.318), but also Delta, which dominated the evolutionary landscape later in the pandemic. Cliques of aminoacidic positional associations tended to occur in single sequences, enabling the recognition of epistatic positions in real-world virus populations. Our findings provide a novel way of understanding epistatic relationships in viral proteins with potential applications in the design of virus control procedures. IMPORTANCE Paired positional associations of adapted amino acids in virus proteins may provide new insights for understanding virus evolution and variant formation. We investigated potential intramolecular relationships between variable SARS-CoV-2 spike positions by exact tests of independence in R × C contingency tables, having applied Average Product Correction (APC) to eliminate background noise. Associated positions (exact P ≤ 0.001 and APC ≥ 2) formed a non-random, epistatic network of 25 cliques and 1-4 communities at different clique resolutions, revealing evolutionary ties between variable positions of circulating variants and a predictive potential of previously unknown network positions. Cliques of different sizes represented theoretical combinations of changing residues in sequence space, allowing the identification of significant aminoacidic combinations in single sequences of real-world populations. Our analytic approach that links network structural aspects to mutational aminoacidic combinations in the spike sequence population offers a novel way to understand virus epidemiology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiannis Manoussopoulos
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- ELGO-Demeter, Plant Protection Division of Patras, Laboratory of Virology, Patras, Greece
| | - Cleo Anastassopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - John P. A. Ioannidis
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Departments of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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8
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Alam MM, Hannan SB, Saikat TA, Limon MBH, Topu MR, Rana MJ, Salauddin A, Bosu S, Rahman MZ. Beta, Delta, and Omicron, Deadliest Among SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Computational Repurposing Approach. Evol Bioinform Online 2023; 19:11769343231182258. [PMID: 37457042 PMCID: PMC10338667 DOI: 10.1177/11769343231182258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has been highly susceptible to mutations since its emergence in Wuhan, China, and its subsequent propagation due to containing an RNA as its genome. The emergence of variants with improved transmissibility still poses a grave threat to global health. The spike protein mutation is mainly responsible for higher transmissibility and risk severity. This study retrieved SARS-CoV-2 variants structural and nonstructural proteins (NSPs) sequences from several geographic locations, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North and South America. First, multiple sequence alignments with BioEdit and protein homology modeling were performed using the SWISS Model. Then the structure visualization and structural analysis were performed by superimposing against the Wuhan sequence by Pymol to retrieve the RMSD values. Sequence alignment revealed familiar, uncommon regional among variants and, interestingly, a few unique mutations in Beta, Delta, and Omicron. Structural analysis of such unique mutations revealed that they caused structural deviations in Beta, Delta, and Omicron spike proteins. In addition, these variants were more severe in terms of hospitalization, sickness, and higher mortality, which have a substantial relationship with the structural deviations because of those unique mutations. Such evidence provides insight into the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vulnerability toward mutation and their structural and functional deviations, particularly in Beta, Delta, and Omicron, which might be the cause of their broader coverage. This knowledge can help us with regional vaccine strain selection, virus pathogenicity testing, diagnosis, and treatment with more specific vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mamun Alam
- Mohammad Mamun Alam, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
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9
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Sutandhio S, Furukawa K, Kurahashi Y, Marini MI, Effendi GB, Hasegawa N, Ishimaru H, Nishimura M, Arii J, Mori Y. Fourth mRNA vaccination increases cross-neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including BQ.1.1 and XBB, in a very elderly population. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:1064-1072. [PMID: 37196370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Omicron variants with immune evasion have emerged, and they continue to mutate rapidly, raising concerns about the weakening of vaccine efficacy, and the very elderly populations are vulnerable to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, to investigate the effect of multiple doses of mRNA vaccine for the newly emerged variants on these populations, cross-neutralizing antibody titers were examined against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, including BQ.1.1 and XBB. METHODS Blood samples were taken from residents at four long-term care facilities in Hyogo prefecture, Japan (median age, 91 years), after 3rd (n = 67) and 4th (n = 48) mRNA vaccinations, from April to October 2022. A live virus microneutralization assay was performed to determine the neutralizing antibody titers in participants' sera. RESULTS After 3rd vaccination, cross-neutralizing antibody prevalence against conventional (D614G) virus, Delta, Omicron BA.2, BA.5, BA.2.75, BQ.1.1, and XBB were 100%, 97%, 81%, 51%, 67%, 4%, and 21%, respectively. After 4th vaccination, the antibody positivity rates increased to 100%, 100%, 98%, 79%, 92%, 31%, and 52%, respectively. The 4th vaccination significantly increased cross-neutralizing antibody titers against all tested variants. CONCLUSION The positivity rates for BQ.1.1 and XBB increased after 4th vaccination, although the titer value was lower than those of BA.5 and BA.2.75. Considering the rapid mutation of viruses and the efficacy of vaccines, it may be necessary to create a system that can develop vaccines suitable for each epidemic in consideration of the epidemic of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Sutandhio
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Koichi Furukawa
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yukiya Kurahashi
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Maria Istiqomah Marini
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Gema Barlian Effendi
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Natsumi Hasegawa
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hanako Ishimaru
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Nishimura
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Jun Arii
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yasuko Mori
- Division of Clinical Virology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan.
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10
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Heggestad JT, Britton RJ, Kinnamon DS, Liu J, Anderson JG, Joh DY, Quinn Z, Fontes CM, Hucknall AM, Parks R, Sempowski GD, Denny TN, Burke TW, Haynes BF, Woods CW, Chilkoti A. COVID-19 Diagnosis and SARS-CoV-2 Strain Identification by a Rapid, Multiplexed, Point-of-Care Antibody Microarray. Anal Chem 2023; 95:5610-5617. [PMID: 36961989 PMCID: PMC10068875 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05180] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Antigen tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 have emerged as a promising rapid diagnostic method for COVID-19, but they are unable to differentiate between variants of concern (VOCs). Here, we report a rapid point-of-care test (POC-T), termed CoVariant-SPOT, that uses a set of antibodies that are either tolerant or intolerant to spike protein mutations to identify the likely SARS-CoV-2 strain concurrent with COVID-19 diagnosis using antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein. All reagents are incorporated into a portable, multiplexed, and sensitive diagnostic platform built upon a nonfouling polymer brush. To validate CoVariant-SPOT, we tested recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins, inactivated viruses, and nasopharyngeal swab samples from COVID-19 positive and negative individuals and showed that CoVariant-SPOT can readily distinguish between two VOCs: Delta and Omicron. We believe that CoVariant-SPOT can serve as a valuable adjunct to next-generation sequencing to rapidly identify variants using a scalable and deployable POC-T, thereby enhancing community surveillance efforts worldwide and informing treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Heggestad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Rhett J. Britton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - David S. Kinnamon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Jason Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Jack G. Anderson
- Center for Applied Genomics and Precision Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Daniel Y. Joh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Zachary Quinn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Cassio M. Fontes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Angus M. Hucknall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Robert Parks
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gregory D. Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas N. Denny
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas W. Burke
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Barton F. Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher W. Woods
- Center for Applied Genomics and Precision Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ashutosh Chilkoti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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11
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Verkhivker G, Alshahrani M, Gupta G. Coarse-Grained Molecular Simulations and Ensemble-Based Mutational Profiling of Protein Stability in the Different Functional Forms of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Trimers: Balancing Stability and Adaptability in BA.1, BA.2 and BA.2.75 Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076642. [PMID: 37047615 PMCID: PMC10094791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary and functional studies have suggested that the emergence of Omicron variants can be determined by multiple fitness tradeoffs including immune escape, binding affinity, conformational plasticity, protein stability, and allosteric modulation. In this study, we embarked on a systematic comparative analysis of the conformational dynamics, electrostatics, protein stability, and allostery in the different functional states of spike trimers for BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.75 variants. Using efficient and accurate coarse-grained simulations and atomistic reconstruction of the ensembles, we examined the conformational dynamics of the spike trimers that agree with the recent functional studies, suggesting that BA.2.75 trimers are the most stable among these variants. A systematic mutational scanning of the inter-protomer interfaces in the spike trimers revealed a group of conserved structural stability hotspots that play a key role in the modulation of functional dynamics and are also involved in the inter-protomer couplings through local contacts and interaction networks with the Omicron mutational sites. The results of mutational scanning provided evidence that BA.2.75 trimers are more stable than BA.2 and comparable in stability to the BA.1 variant. Using dynamic network modeling of the S Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.75 trimers, we showed that the key network mediators of allosteric interactions are associated with the major stability hotspots that are interconnected along potential communication pathways. The network analysis of the BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.75 trimers suggested that the increased thermodynamic stability of the BA.2.75 variant may be linked with the organization and modularity of the residue interaction network that allows for allosteric communications between structural stability hotspots and Omicron mutational sites. This study provided a plausible rationale for a mechanism in which Omicron mutations may evolve by targeting vulnerable sites of conformational adaptability to elicit immune escape while maintaining their control on balancing protein stability and functional fitness through robust allosteric communications with the stability hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA
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12
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Marascio N, Cilburunoglu M, Torun EG, Centofanti F, Mataj E, Equestre M, Bruni R, Quirino A, Matera G, Ciccaglione AR, Yalcinkaya KT. Molecular Characterization and Cluster Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Isolates in Kahramanmaraş City, Turkey: The Delta VOC Wave within One Month. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030802. [PMID: 36992510 PMCID: PMC10054778 DOI: 10.3390/v15030802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has seriously affected the population in Turkey. Since the beginning, phylogenetic analysis has been necessary to monitor public health measures against COVID-19 disease. In any case, the analysis of spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) gene mutations was crucial in determining their potential impact on viral spread. We screened S and N regions to detect usual and unusual substitutions, whilst also investigating the clusters among a patient cohort resident in Kahramanmaraş city, in a restricted time span. Sequences were obtained by Sanger methods and genotyped by the PANGO Lineage tool. Amino acid substitutions were annotated comparing newly generated sequences to the NC_045512.2 reference sequence. Clusters were defined using phylogenetic analysis with a 70% cut-off. All sequences were classified as Delta. Eight isolates carried unusual mutations on the S protein, some of them located in the S2 key domain. One isolate displayed the unusual L139S on the N protein, while few isolates carried the T24I and A359S N substitutions able to destabilize the protein. Phylogeny identified nine monophyletic clusters. This study provided additional information about SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in Turkey, suggesting local transmission of infection in the city by several transmission routes, and highlighting the necessity to improve the power of sequencing worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Marascio
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, "Magna Grecia" University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Merve Cilburunoglu
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcü Imam University, 46050 Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Elif Gulsum Torun
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcü Imam University, 46050 Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Federica Centofanti
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Elida Mataj
- Instituti i Shendetit Publik (ISHP), 1000 Tirana, Albania
| | - Michele Equestre
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Quirino
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, "Magna Grecia" University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, "Magna Grecia" University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Kezban Tulay Yalcinkaya
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcü Imam University, 46050 Kahramanmaras, Turkey
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13
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Mayer ADM, Gröhs Ferrareze PA, de Oliveira LFV, Gregianini TS, Neves CLAM, Caldana GD, Kmetzsch L, Thompson CE. Genomic characterization and molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Virology 2023; 582:1-11. [PMID: 36989935 PMCID: PMC10018445 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 and has afflicted the world since the end of 2019. Different lineages have been discovered and the Gamma lineage, which started the second wave of infections, was first described in Brazil, one of the most affected countries by pandemic. Therefore, this study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 sequenced genomes from Esteio city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. We also comparatively analyzed genomes of the two first years of the pandemic from Rio Grande do Sul state for understanding their genomic and evolutionary patterns. The phylogenomic analysis showed monophyletic groups for Alpha, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, as well as for other circulating lineages in the state. Molecular evolutionary analysis identified several sites under adaptive selection in membrane and nucleocapsid proteins which could be related to a prevalent stabilizing effect on membrane protein structure, as well as majoritarily destabilizing effects on C-terminal nucleocapsid domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda de Menezes Mayer
- Center of Biotechnology, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology (PPGBCM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Aline Gröhs Ferrareze
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiana Schäffer Gregianini
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Centro Estadual de Vigilância em Saúde da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (LACEN/CEVS/SES-RS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Dickin Caldana
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lívia Kmetzsch
- Center of Biotechnology, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology (PPGBCM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Claudia Elizabeth Thompson
- Center of Biotechnology, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology (PPGBCM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Pharmacosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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14
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Zhou S, Lv P, Li M, Chen Z, Xin H, Reilly S, Zhang X. SARS-CoV-2 E protein: Pathogenesis and potential therapeutic development. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114242. [PMID: 36652729 PMCID: PMC9832061 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a devastating global pandemic, which has seriously affected human health worldwide. The discovery of therapeutic agents is extremely urgent, and the viral structural proteins are particularly important as potential drug targets. SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein is one of the main structural proteins of the virus, which is involved in multiple processes of the virus life cycle and is directly related to pathogenesis process. In this review, we present the amino acid sequence of the E protein and compare it with other two human coronaviruses. We then explored the role of E protein in the viral life cycle and discussed the pathogenic mechanisms that E protein may be involved in. Next, we summarize the potential drugs against E protein discovered in the current studies. Finally, we described the possible effects of E protein mutation on virus and host. This established a knowledge system of E protein to date, aiming to provide theoretical insights for mitigating the current COVID-19 pandemic and potential future coronavirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Panpan Lv
- Clinical Laboratory, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Mingxue Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zihui Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hong Xin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Svetlana Reilly
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Maghsood F, Ghorbani A, Yadegari H, Golsaz-Shirazi F, Amiri MM, Shokri F. SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid: Biological functions and implication for disease diagnosis and vaccine design. Rev Med Virol 2023; 33:e2431. [PMID: 36790816 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is transmitted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has affected millions of people all around the world, leading to more than 6.5 million deaths. The nucleocapsid (N) phosphoprotein plays important roles in modulating viral replication and transcription, virus-infected cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and regulation of host innate immunity. As an immunodominant protein, N protein induces strong humoral and cellular immune responses in COVID-19 patients, making it a key marker for studying N-specific B cell and T cell responses and the development of diagnostic serological assays and efficient vaccines. In this review, we focus on the structural and functional features and the kinetic and epitope mapping of B cell and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 N protein to extend our understanding on the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic immunological tests and effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Maghsood
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ghorbani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Yadegari
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Golsaz-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Amiri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Shokri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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González-Vázquez LD, Arenas M. Molecular Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:407. [PMID: 36833334 PMCID: PMC9956206 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) produced diverse molecular variants during its recent expansion in humans that caused different transmissibility and severity of the associated disease as well as resistance to monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal sera, among other treatments. In order to understand the causes and consequences of the observed SARS-CoV-2 molecular diversity, a variety of recent studies investigated the molecular evolution of this virus during its expansion in humans. In general, this virus evolves with a moderate rate of evolution, in the order of 10-3-10-4 substitutions per site and per year, which presents continuous fluctuations over time. Despite its origin being frequently associated with recombination events between related coronaviruses, little evidence of recombination was detected, and it was mostly located in the spike coding region. Molecular adaptation is heterogeneous among SARS-CoV-2 genes. Although most of the genes evolved under purifying selection, several genes showed genetic signatures of diversifying selection, including a number of positively selected sites that affect proteins relevant for the virus replication. Here, we review current knowledge about the molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in humans, including the emergence and establishment of variants of concern. We also clarify relationships between the nomenclatures of SARS-CoV-2 lineages. We conclude that the molecular evolution of this virus should be monitored over time for predicting relevant phenotypic consequences and designing future efficient treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Daniel González-Vázquez
- Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Miguel Arenas
- Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), 36310 Vigo, Spain
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17
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Morinaga Y, Yamada H, Yoshida Y, Kawasuji H, Yamamoto Y. Analytical sensitivity of six lateral flow antigen test kits for variant strains of SARS-CoV-2. J Infect Chemother 2023; 29:131-135. [PMID: 36265820 PMCID: PMC9575572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The lateral flow antigen test is a useful tool for rapid diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The analytical sensitivity of six lateral flow antigen test kits was compared. METHODS The limit of detection (LoD) and time to positive results were evaluated for six lateral flow tests including ImmunoArrow®, ESPLINE® SARS-CoV-2, QuickNavi™ COVID19 Ag, ImmunoAce® SARS-CoV-2, Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device, and SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test using the heat-inactivated virus. The LoD of ImmunoArrow® against the Omicron variants was compared with that against the wild-type using recombinant proteins. RESULTS ImmunoArrow® and ESPLINE® showed the lowest LoD. The time to positive results of all tests except for ESPLINE® was within 200 s in the evaluation at high dose of antigens (2.5 × 105 TCID50/mL) and 500 s in the evaluation at low dose of antigens (2.5 × 104 TCID50/mL). The LoD of ImmunoArrow® against the Omicron variants was the same concentration against the wild-type antigen. CONCLUSIONS ImmunoArrow® detected SARS-CoV-2 antigens including the Omicron variants with good sensitivity among the six lateral flow antigen tests. These finding support that it can support the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 with the good sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitomo Morinaga
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan,Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan,Corresponding author. Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamada
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshida
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kawasuji
- Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yamamoto
- Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan,Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan
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18
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Van Puyvelde B, Van Uytfanghe K, Van Oudenhove L, Gabriels R, Van Royen T, Matthys A, Razavi M, Yip R, Pearson T, Drouin N, Claereboudt J, Foley D, Wardle R, Wyndham K, Hankemeier T, Jones D, Saelens X, Martens G, Stove CP, Deforce D, Martens L, Vissers JPC, Anderson NL, Dhaenens M. Cov 2MS: An Automated and Quantitative Matrix-Independent Assay for Mass Spectrometric Measurement of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein. Anal Chem 2022; 94:17379-17387. [PMID: 36490367 PMCID: PMC9773173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic readiness toolbox needs to be extended, targeting different biomolecules, using orthogonal experimental set-ups. Here, we build on our Cov-MS effort using LC-MS, adding SISCAPA technology to enrich proteotypic peptides of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein from trypsin-digested patient samples. The Cov2MS assay is compatible with most matrices including nasopharyngeal swabs, saliva, and plasma and has increased sensitivity into the attomole range, a 1000-fold improvement compared to direct detection in a matrix. A strong positive correlation was observed with qPCR detection beyond a quantification cycle of 30-31, the level where no live virus can be cultured. The automatable sample preparation and reduced LC dependency allow analysis of up to 500 samples per day per instrument. Importantly, peptide enrichment allows detection of the N protein in pooled samples without sensitivity loss. Easily multiplexed, we detect variants and propose targets for Influenza A and B detection. Thus, the Cov2MS assay can be adapted to test for many different pathogens in pooled samples, providing longitudinal epidemiological monitoring of large numbers of pathogens within a population as an early warning system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Van Puyvelde
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Uytfanghe
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Ralf Gabriels
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tessa Van Royen
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Arne Matthys
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Morteza Razavi
- SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., Box 53309, Washington, DC 20009, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Richard Yip
- SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., Box 53309, Washington, DC 20009, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Terry Pearson
- SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., Box 53309, Washington, DC 20009, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Nicolas Drouin
- Division of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dominic Foley
- Waters Corporation, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, United Kingdom.,Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Robert Wardle
- Waters Corporation, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, United Kingdom.,Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Kevin Wyndham
- Waters Corporation, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, United Kingdom.,Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Thomas Hankemeier
- Division of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Donald Jones
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, RKCSB, Cardiovascular Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.,John and Lucille van Geest Biomarker Facility, Leicester LE3 9QP, United Kingdom.,The Department of Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Diseases, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Level 4, Sandringham Building, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Geert Martens
- AZ Delta Medical Laboratories, AZ Delta General Hospital, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lennart Martens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johannes P C Vissers
- Waters Corporation, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, United Kingdom.,Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - N Leigh Anderson
- SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., Box 53309, Washington, DC 20009, United States
| | - Maarten Dhaenens
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Singh P, Sharma K, Shaw D, Bhargava A, Negi SS. Mosaic Recombination Inflicted Various SARS-CoV-2 Lineages to Emerge into Novel Virus Variants: a Review Update. Indian J Clin Biochem 2022; 38:1-8. [PMID: 36569378 PMCID: PMC9759274 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-022-01109-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Human Coronaviruses (hCoVs) belongs to the enormous and dissimilar family of positive-sense, non-segmented, single-stranded RNA viruses. The RNA viruses are prone to high rates of mutational recombination resulting in emergence of evolutionary variant to alter various features including transmissibility and severity. The evolutionary changes affect the immune escape and reduce effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic measures by becoming undetectable by the currently available diagnostics and refractory to therapeutics and vaccines. Whole genome sequencing studies from various countries have adequately reported mosaic recombination between different lineage strain of SARS-CoV-2 whereby RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene reconnects with a homologous RNA strand at diverse position. This all lead to evolutionary emergence of new variant/ lineage as evident with the emergence of XBB in India at the time of writing this review. The continuous periodical genomic surveillance is utmost required for understanding the various lineages involved in recombination to emerge into hybrid variant. This may further help in assessing virus transmission dynamics, virulence and severity factor to help health authorities take appropriate timely action for prevention and control of any future COVID-19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpendra Singh
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh India
| | - Kuldeep Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh India
| | - Dipika Shaw
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh India
| | - Anudita Bhargava
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh India
| | - Sanjay Singh Negi
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh India
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20
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Bhadane R, Salo-Ahen OMH. High-Throughput Molecular Dynamics-Based Alchemical Free Energy Calculations for Predicting the Binding Free Energy Change Associated with the Selected Omicron Mutations in the Spike Receptor-Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2779. [PMID: 36359299 PMCID: PMC9687918 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has gone through various phases. Since the initial outbreak, the virus has mutated several times, with some lineages showing even stronger infectivity and faster spread than the original virus. Among all the variants, omicron is currently classified as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization, as the previously circulating variants have been replaced by it. In this work, we have focused on the mutations observed in omicron sub lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5, particularly at the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein that is responsible for the interactions with the host ACE2 receptor and binding of antibodies. Studying such mutations is particularly important for understanding the viral infectivity, spread of the disease and for tracking the escape routes of this virus from antibodies. Molecular dynamics (MD) based alchemical free energy calculations have been shown to be very accurate in predicting the free energy change, due to a mutation that could have a deleterious or a stabilizing effect on either the protein itself or its binding affinity to another protein. Here, we investigated the significance of five spike RBD mutations on the stability of the spike protein binding to ACE2 by free energy calculations using high throughput MD simulations. For comparison, we also used conventional MD simulations combined with a Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) based approach, and compared our results with the available experimental data. Overall, the alchemical free energy calculations performed far better than the MM-GBSA approach in predicting the individual impact of the mutations. When considering the experimental variation, the alchemical free energy method was able to produce a relatively accurate prediction for N501Y, the mutant that has previously been reported to increase the binding affinity to hACE2. On the other hand, the other individual mutations seem not to have a significant effect on the spike RBD binding affinity towards hACE2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Bhadane
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Pharmacy, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Outi M. H. Salo-Ahen
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Pharmacy, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
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21
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García-Machorro J, Ramírez-Salinas GL, Martinez-Archundia M, Correa-Basurto J. The Advantage of Using Immunoinformatic Tools on Vaccine Design and Development for Coronavirus. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1844. [PMID: 36366353 PMCID: PMC9693616 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
After the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 by the end of 2019, the vaccine development strategies became a worldwide priority. Furthermore, the appearances of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants challenge researchers to develop new pharmacological or preventive strategies. However, vaccines still represent an efficient way to control the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic worldwide. This review describes the importance of bioinformatic and immunoinformatic tools (in silico) for guide vaccine design. In silico strategies permit the identification of epitopes (immunogenic peptides) which could be used as potential vaccines, as well as nonacarriers such as: vector viral based vaccines, RNA-based vaccines and dendrimers through immunoinformatics. Currently, nucleic acid and protein sequential as well structural analyses through bioinformatic tools allow us to get immunogenic epitopes which can induce immune response alone or in complex with nanocarriers. One of the advantages of in silico techniques is that they facilitate the identification of epitopes, while accelerating the process and helping to economize some stages of the development of safe vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmín García-Machorro
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Gema Lizbeth Ramírez-Salinas
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 11340, Mexico
| | - Marlet Martinez-Archundia
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 11340, Mexico
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 11340, Mexico
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22
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Stability and expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein mutations. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 478:1269-1280. [PMID: 36302994 PMCID: PMC9612610 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04588-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Protein fold stability likely plays a role in SARS-CoV-2 S-protein evolution, together with ACE2 binding and antibody evasion. While few thermodynamic stability data are available for S-protein mutants, many systematic experimental data exist for their expression. In this paper, we explore whether such expression levels relate to the thermodynamic stability of the mutants. We studied mutation-induced SARS-CoV-2 S-protein fold stability, as computed by three very distinct methods and eight different protein structures to account for method- and structure-dependencies. For all methods and structures used (24 comparisons), computed stability changes correlate significantly (99% confidence level) with experimental yeast expression from the literature, such that higher expression is associated with relatively higher fold stability. Also significant, albeit weaker, correlations were seen between stability and ACE2 binding effects. The effect of thermodynamic fold stability may be direct or a correlate of amino acid or site properties, notably the solvent exposure of the site. Correlation between computed stability and experimental expression and ACE2 binding suggests that functional properties of the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein mutant space are largely determined by a few simple features, due to underlying correlations. Our study lends promise to the development of computational tools that may ideally aid in understanding and predicting SARS-CoV-2 S-protein evolution.
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23
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Torio EA, Ressler VT, Kincaid VA, Hurst R, Hall MP, Encell LP, Zimmerman K, Forsyth SK, Rehrauer WM, Accola MA, Hsu CC, Machleidt T, Dart ML. Development of a rapid, simple, and sensitive point-of-care technology platform utilizing ternary NanoLuc. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:970233. [PMID: 36386626 PMCID: PMC9643700 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.970233] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Point-of-care tests are highly valuable in providing fast results for medical decisions for greater flexibility in patient care. Many diagnostic tests, such as ELISAs, that are commonly used within clinical laboratory settings require trained technicians, laborious workflows, and complex instrumentation hindering their translation into point-of-care applications. Herein, we demonstrate the use of a homogeneous, bioluminescent-based, split reporter platform that enables a simple, sensitive, and rapid method for analyte detection in clinical samples. We developed this point-of-care application using an optimized ternary, split-NanoLuc luciferase reporter system that consists of two small reporter peptides added as appendages to analyte-specific affinity reagents. A bright, stable bioluminescent signal is generated as the affinity reagents bind to the analyte, allowing for proximity-induced complementation between the two reporter peptides and the polypeptide protein, in addition to the furimazine substrate. Through lyophilization of the stabilized reporter system with the formulated substrate, we demonstrate a shelf-stable, all-in-one, add-and-read analyte-detection system for use in complex sample matrices at the point-of-care. We highlight the modularity of this platform using two distinct SARS-CoV-2 model systems: SARS-CoV-2 N-antigen detection for active infections and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies for immunity status detection using chemically conjugated or genetically fused affinity reagents, respectively. This technology provides a simple and standardized method to develop rapid, robust, and sensitive analyte-detection assays with flexible assay formatting making this an ideal platform for research, clinical laboratory, as well as point-of-care applications utilizing a simple handheld luminometer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robin Hurst
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Mary P Hall
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | | | | | - William M Rehrauer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Clinical Laboratories, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Molly A Accola
- University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Clinical Laboratories, Madison, WI, United States
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24
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Singh R, Nagpal S, Pinna NK, Mande SS. Tracking mutational semantics of SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15704. [PMID: 36127400 PMCID: PMC9487856 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20000-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms process linguistic data in order to discover the associated word semantics and develop models that can describe or even predict the latent meanings of the data. The applications of NLP become multi-fold while dealing with dynamic or temporally evolving datasets (e.g., historical literature). Biological datasets of genome-sequences are interesting since they are sequential as well as dynamic. Here we describe how SARS-CoV-2 genomes and mutations thereof can be processed using fundamental algorithms in NLP to reveal the characteristics and evolution of the virus. We demonstrate applicability of NLP in not only probing the temporal mutational signatures through dynamic topic modelling, but also in tracing the mutation-associations through tracing of semantic drift in genomic mutation records. Our approach also yields promising results in unfolding the mutational relevance to patient health status, thereby identifying putative signatures linked to known/highly speculated mutations of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Singh
- TCS Research, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Pune, 411013, India
| | - Sunil Nagpal
- TCS Research, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Pune, 411013, India.
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, 110025, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
| | - Nishal K Pinna
- TCS Research, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Pune, 411013, India
| | - Sharmila S Mande
- TCS Research, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Pune, 411013, India.
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25
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Patel RS, Agrawal B. Heterologous immunity induced by 1 st generation COVID-19 vaccines and its role in developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine. Front Immunol 2022; 13:952229. [PMID: 36045689 PMCID: PMC9420909 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.952229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative infectious agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to multiple (4-6) waves of infections worldwide during the past two years. The development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has led to successful mass immunizations worldwide, mitigating the worldwide mortality due the pandemic to a great extent. Yet the evolution of new variants highlights a need to develop a universal vaccine which can prevent infections from all virulent SARS-CoV-2. Most of the current first generation COVID-19 vaccines are based on the Spike protein from the original Wuhan-hu-1 virus strain. It is encouraging that they still protect from serious illnesses, hospitalizations and mortality against a number of mutated viral strains, to varying degrees. Understanding the mechanisms by which these vaccines provide heterologous protection against multiple highly mutated variants can reveal strategies to develop a universal vaccine. In addition, many unexposed individuals have been found to harbor T cells that are cross-reactive against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, with a possible protective role. In this review, we will discuss various aspects of natural or vaccine-induced heterologous (cross-reactive) adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and their role in achieving the concept of a pan-coronavirus vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Babita Agrawal
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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26
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Schoeman D, Cloete R, Fielding BC. The Flexible, Extended Coil of the PDZ-Binding Motif of the Three Deadly Human Coronavirus E Proteins Plays a Role in Pathogenicity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081707. [PMID: 36016329 PMCID: PMC9416557 DOI: 10.3390/v14081707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The less virulent human (h) coronaviruses (CoVs) 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 cause mild, self-limiting respiratory tract infections, while the more virulent SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 have caused severe outbreaks. The CoV envelope (E) protein, an important contributor to the pathogenesis of severe hCoV infections, may provide insight into this disparate severity of the disease. We, therefore, generated full-length E protein models for SARS-CoV-1 and -2, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-NL63 and docked C-terminal peptides of each model to the PDZ domain of the human PALS1 protein. The PDZ-binding motif (PBM) of the SARS-CoV-1 and -2 and MERS-CoV models adopted a more flexible, extended coil, while the HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63 models adopted a less flexible alpha helix. All the E peptides docked to PALS1 occupied the same binding site and the more virulent hCoV E peptides generally interacted more stably with PALS1 than the less virulent ones. We hypothesize that the increased flexibility of the PBM in the more virulent hCoVs facilitates more stable binding to various host proteins, thereby contributing to more severe disease. This is the first paper to model full-length 3D structures for both the more virulent and less virulent hCoV E proteins, providing novel insights for possible drug and/or vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewald Schoeman
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa;
| | - Ruben Cloete
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa;
| | - Burtram C. Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa;
- Correspondence:
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27
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Yamacli S, Avci M. Density functional theory computation of the binding free energies between various mutations of SARS-CoV-2 RBD and human ACE2: molecular level roots of the contagiousness. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10128. [PMID: 35971531 PMCID: PMC9365710 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10128] [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: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the human ACE2 to initiate binding of SARS-CoV-2 to human cell and leads to the infection process afterwards. In this study, various mutations of SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and human ACE2 complexes are investigated via density functional theory (DFT) computations to obtain binding free energies. The DFT computations are performed without fragmenting the interfaces to involve longer-range quantum mechanical interactions for improving accuracy. The vibrational free energies, van der Waals dispersion forces and basis set superposition error corrections are also included in the calculations. The results show that the absolute value of the binding energy of B.1.1.7 mutated spike RBD-ACE2 complex is more than five times higher than that of the original strain. The results of this study are expected to be useful for a deeper understanding of the relation of the binding free energies and the level of contagiousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serhan Yamacli
- Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Department of Electrical-Electronics Engineering, 38090, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Mutlu Avci
- Cukurova University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 01330, Adana, Turkey
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28
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Ward B, Yombi JC, Balligand JL, Cani PD, Collet JF, de Greef J, Dewulf JP, Gatto L, Haufroid V, Jodogne S, Kabamba B, Pyr dit Ruys S, Vertommen D, Elens L, Belkhir L. HYGIEIA: HYpothesizing the Genesis of Infectious Diseases and Epidemics through an Integrated Systems Biology Approach. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071373. [PMID: 35891354 PMCID: PMC9318602 DOI: 10.3390/v14071373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
More than two years on, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world and has battle-tested the pandemic-situation responses of all major global governments. Two key areas of investigation that are still unclear are: the molecular mechanisms that lead to heterogenic patient outcomes, and the causes of Post COVID condition (AKA Long-COVID). In this paper, we introduce the HYGIEIA project, designed to respond to the enormous challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through a multi-omic approach supported by network medicine. It is hoped that in addition to investigating COVID-19, the logistics deployed within this project will be applicable to other infectious agents, pandemic-type situations, and also other complex, non-infectious diseases. Here, we first look at previous research into COVID-19 in the context of the proteome, metabolome, transcriptome, microbiome, host genome, and viral genome. We then discuss a proposed methodology for a large-scale multi-omic longitudinal study to investigate the aforementioned biological strata through high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and mass-spectrometry (MS) technologies. Lastly, we discuss how a network medicine approach can be used to analyze the data and make meaningful discoveries, with the final aim being the translation of these discoveries into the clinics to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Ward
- Integrated Pharmacometrics, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacokinetics Group (PMGK), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (B.W.); (S.P.d.R.)
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (J.d.G.); (J.P.D.); (V.H.)
| | - Jean Cyr Yombi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jean-Luc Balligand
- WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology), Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC), Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Patrice D. Cani
- WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jean-François Collet
- WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology), de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Julien de Greef
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (J.d.G.); (J.P.D.); (V.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Joseph P. Dewulf
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (J.d.G.); (J.P.D.); (V.H.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Biochemistry, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurent Gatto
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Unit (CBIO), de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Vincent Haufroid
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (J.d.G.); (J.P.D.); (V.H.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Sébastien Jodogne
- Computer Science and Engineering Department (INGI), Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics (ICTEAM), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium;
| | - Benoît Kabamba
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
- Pôle de Microbiologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Pyr dit Ruys
- Integrated Pharmacometrics, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacokinetics Group (PMGK), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (B.W.); (S.P.d.R.)
| | - Didier Vertommen
- De Duve Institute, and MASSPROT Platform, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Laure Elens
- Integrated Pharmacometrics, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacokinetics Group (PMGK), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (B.W.); (S.P.d.R.)
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (J.d.G.); (J.P.D.); (V.H.)
- Correspondence: (L.E.); (L.B.)
| | - Leïla Belkhir
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (LTAP), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (J.d.G.); (J.P.D.); (V.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (L.E.); (L.B.)
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29
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Schneider UV, Forsberg MW, Leineweber TD, Jensen CB, Ghathian K, Agergaard CN, Mortensen KK, Cohen A, Jørgensen CS, Larsen H, Hansen MB, Saleme U, Koch A, Kirkby NS, Kallemose T, Schaadt ML, Jensen FH, Jørgensen RL, Ma CMG, Steenhard N, Knudsen JD, Lisby JG. A nationwide analytical and clinical evaluation of 44 rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 compared to RT-qPCR. J Clin Virol 2022; 153:105214. [PMID: 35738151 PMCID: PMC9173826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in massive testing by Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) without solid independent data regarding clinical performance being available. Thus, decision on purchase of a specific RAT may rely on manufacturer-provided data and limited peer-reviewed data. Methods This study consists of two parts. In the retrospective analytical part, 33 RAT from 25 manufacturers were compared to RT-PCR on 100 negative and 204 positive deep oropharyngeal cavity samples divided into four groups based on RT-PCR Cq levels. In the prospective clinical part, nearly 200 individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2 and nearly 200 individuals negative for SARS-CoV-2 by routine RT-PCR testing were retested within 72 h for each of 44 included RAT from 26 manufacturers applying RT-PCR as the reference method. Results The overall analytical sensitivity differed significantly between the 33 included RAT; from 2.5% (95% CI 0.5–4.8) to 42% (95% CI 35–49). All RAT presented analytical specificities of 100%. Likewise, the overall clinical sensitivity varied significantly between the 44 included RAT; from 2.5% (95% CI 0.5–4.8) to 94% (95% CI 91–97). All RAT presented clinical specificities between 98 and 100%. Conclusion The study presents analytical as well as clinical performance data for 44 commercially available RAT compared to the same RT-PCR test. The study enables identification of individual RAT that has significantly higher sensitivity than other included RAT and may aid decision makers in selecting between the included RAT. Funding The study was funded by a participant fee for each test and the Danish Regions.
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30
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SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Targets a Conserved Surface Groove of the NTF2-like Domain of G3BP1. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167516. [PMID: 35240128 PMCID: PMC8882607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stress granule (SG) formation mediated by Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1) constitutes a key obstacle for viral replication, which makes G3BP1 a frequent target for viruses. For instance, the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein interacts with G3BP1 directly to suppress SG assembly and promote viral production. However, the molecular basis for the SARS-CoV-2 N - G3BP1 interaction remains elusive. Here we report biochemical and structural analyses of the SARS-CoV-2 N - G3BP1 interaction, revealing differential contributions of various regions of SARS-CoV-2 N to G3BP1 binding. The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of G3BP1 (G3BP1NTF2) in complex with a peptide derived from SARS-CoV-2 N (residues 1-25, N1-25) reveals that SARS-CoV-2 N1-25 occupies a conserved surface groove of G3BP1NTF2 via surface complementarity. We show that a φ-x-F (φ, hydrophobic residue) motif constitutes the primary determinant for G3BP1NTF2-targeting proteins, while the flanking sequence underpins diverse secondary interactions. We demonstrate that mutation of key interaction residues of the SARS-CoV-2 N1-25 - G3BP1NTF2 complex leads to disruption of the SARS-CoV-2 N - G3BP1 interaction in vitro. Together, these results provide a molecular basis of the strain-specific interaction between SARS-CoV-2 N and G3BP1, which has important implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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31
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Li J, Jia H, Tian M, Wu N, Yang X, Qi J, Ren W, Li F, Bian H. SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Variants: Unmasking Structure, Function, Infection, and Immune Escape Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:869832. [PMID: 35646741 PMCID: PMC9134119 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.869832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As of April 1, 2022, over 468 million COVID-19 cases and over 6 million deaths have been confirmed globally. Unlike the common coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 has highly contagious and attracted a high level of concern worldwide. Through the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 structural, non-structural, and accessory proteins, we can gain a deeper understanding of structure-function relationships, viral infection mechanisms, and viable strategies for antiviral therapy. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the first widely acknowledged SARS-CoV-2 receptor, but researches have shown that there are additional co-receptors that can facilitate the entry of SARS-CoV-2 to infect humans. We have performed an in-depth review of published papers, searching for co-receptors or other auxiliary membrane proteins that enhance viral infection, and analyzing pertinent pathogenic mechanisms. The genome, and especially the spike gene, undergoes mutations at an abnormally high frequency during virus replication and/or when it is transmitted from one individual to another. We summarized the main mutant strains currently circulating global, and elaborated the structural feature for increased infectivity and immune evasion of variants. Meanwhile, the principal purpose of the review is to update information on the COVID-19 outbreak. Many countries have novel findings on the early stage of the epidemic, and accruing evidence has rewritten the timeline of the outbreak, triggering new thinking about the origin and spread of COVID-19. It is anticipated that this can provide further insights for future research and global epidemic prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Feifei Li
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongjun Bian
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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32
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COVID-19 Vaccines: Current and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040608. [PMID: 35455357 PMCID: PMC9025326 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently available vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are highly effective but not able to keep the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic completely under control. Alternative R&D strategies are required to induce a long-lasting immunological response and to reduce adverse events as well as to favor rapid development and large-scale production. Several technological platforms have been used to develop COVID-19 vaccines, including inactivated viruses, recombinant proteins, DNA- and RNA-based vaccines, virus-vectored vaccines, and virus-like particles. In general, mRNA vaccines, protein-based vaccines, and vectored vaccines have shown a high level of protection against COVID-19. However, the mutation-prone nature of the spike (S) protein affects long-lasting vaccine protection and its effectiveness, and vaccinated people can become infected with new variants, also showing high virus levels. In addition, adverse effects may occur, some of them related to the interaction of the S protein with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2). Thus, there are some concerns that need to be addressed and challenges regarding logistic problems, such as strict storage at low temperatures for some vaccines. In this review, we discuss the limits of vaccines developed against COVID-19 and possible innovative approaches.
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33
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Aguilera P, Mascardi MF, Belforte FS, Rosso AD, Quesada S, Llovet I, Iraola G, Trinks J, Penas-Steinhardt A. A Two-Time Point Analysis of Gut Microbiota in the General Population of Buenos Aires and Its Variation Due to Preventive and Compulsory Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:803121. [PMID: 35401432 PMCID: PMC8988235 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.803121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge to global public health. The extraordinary daily use of household disinfectants and cleaning products, social distancing and the loss of everyday situations that allow contact between individuals, have a direct impact on the transfer of microorganisms within the population. Together, these changes, in addition to those that occur in eating habits, can affect the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. A two-time point analysis of the fecal microbiota of 23 Metropolitan Buenos Aires (BA) inhabitants was carried out, to compare pre-pandemic data and its variation during preventive and compulsory social isolation (PCSI) in 2020. To this end, 23 healthy subjects, who were previously studied by our group in 2016, were recruited for a second time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and stool samples were collected from each subject at each time point (n = 46). The hypervariable region V3-V4 of the 16S rRNA gene was high-throughput sequenced. We found significant differences in the estimated number of observed features (p < 0.001), Shannon entropy index (p = 0.026) and in Faith phylogenetic diversity (p < 0.001) between pre-pandemic group (PPG) vs. pandemic group (PG), being significantly lower in the PG. Although no strong change was observed in the core microbiota between the groups in this study, a significant decrease was observed during PCSI in the phylum Verrucomicrobia, which contributes to intestinal health and glucose homeostasis. Microbial community structure (beta diversity) was also compared between PPG and PG. The differences observed in the microbiota structure by unweighted UniFrac PCoA could be explained by six differential abundant genera that were absent during PCSI. Furthermore, putative functional genes prediction using PICRUSt infers a smaller predicted prevalence of genes in the intestinal tryptophan, glycine-betaine, taurine, benzoate degradation, as well as in the synthesis of vitamin B12 during PCSI. This data supports the hypothesis that the microbiome of the inhabitants of BA changed in the context of isolation during PCSI. Therefore, these results could increase the knowledge necessary to propose strategic nutraceutical, functional food, probiotics or similar interventions that contribute to improving public health in the post-pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Aguilera
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Mascardi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica (IMTIB), CONICET, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano (IUHI), Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fiorella Sabrina Belforte
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Genómica Computacional (GEC-UNLu), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-UNLu, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
| | - Ayelén Daiana Rosso
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Genómica Computacional (GEC-UNLu), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-UNLu, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
| | - Sofía Quesada
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Genómica Computacional (GEC-UNLu), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Llovet
- Departamento de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
| | - Gregorio Iraola
- Microbial Genomics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Center for Integrative Biology, Universidad Mayor, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Julieta Trinks
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica (IMTIB), CONICET, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano (IUHI), Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Penas-Steinhardt
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Genómica Computacional (GEC-UNLu), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina
- Fundación H.A. Barceló, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Alberto Penas-Steinhardt,
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Jadali Z. SARS-CoV-19 Mutations: is a Blessing or a Curse for Human Being? Ethiop J Health Sci 2022; 32:467-468. [PMID: 35693581 PMCID: PMC9175233 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i2.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Jadali
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran
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35
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Negru PA, Radu AF, Vesa CM, Behl T, Abdel-Daim MM, Nechifor AC, Endres L, Stoicescu M, Pasca B, Tit DM, Bungau SG. Therapeutic dilemmas in addressing SARS-CoV-2 infection: Favipiravir versus Remdesivir. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 147:112700. [PMID: 35131656 PMCID: PMC8813547 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents an unmet clinical need, due to a high mortality rate, rapid mutation rate in the virus, increased chances of reinfection, lack of effectiveness of repurposed drugs and economic damage. COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent need for effective molecules. Clinically proven efficacy and safety profiles have made favipiravir (FVP) and remdesivir (RDV) promising therapeutic options for use against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Even though both are prodrug molecules with an antiviral role based on a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and pharmacotoxicological mechanisms have been identified. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive comparative assessment of FVP and RDV against SARS-CoV-2 infections, by centralizing medical data provided by significant literature and authorized clinical trials, focusing on the importance of a better understanding of the interactions between drug molecules and infectious agents in order to improve the global management of COVID-19 patients and to reduce the risk of antiviral resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Andrei Negru
- Doctoral School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Andrei-Flavius Radu
- Doctoral School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Cosmin Mihai Vesa
- Department of Preclinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India.
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jedah 21442, Saudi Arabia,Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Aurelia Cristina Nechifor
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Laura Endres
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Manuela Stoicescu
- Department of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Bianca Pasca
- Doctoral School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Delia Mirela Tit
- Doctoral School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania.
| | - Simona Gabriela Bungau
- Doctoral School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania.
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36
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Anjum F, Mohammad T, Asrani P, Shafie A, Singh S, Yadav DK, Uversky VN, Hassan MI. Identification of intrinsically disorder regions in non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2: New insights into drug and vaccine resistance. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:1607-1619. [PMID: 35211823 PMCID: PMC8869350 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04393-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 and caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. It is a highly infectious pathogen that promptly spread. Like other beta coronaviruses, SARS‐CoV‐2 encodes some non-structural proteins (NSPs), playing crucial roles in viral transcription and replication. NSPs likely have essential roles in viral pathogenesis by manipulating many cellular processes. We performed a sequence-based analysis of NSPs to get insights into their intrinsic disorders, and their functions in viral replication were annotated and discussed in detail. Here, we provide newer insights into the structurally disordered regions of SARS-CoV-2 NSPs. Our analysis reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 proteome has a chunk of the disordered region that might be responsible for increasing its virulence. In addition, mutations in these regions are presumably responsible for drug and vaccine resistance. These findings suggested that the structurally disordered regions of SARS-CoV-2 NSPs might be invulnerable in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Anjum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taj Mohammad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Purva Asrani
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Alaa Shafie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP, Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City, 21924, South Korea.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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37
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Thakur S, Sasi S, Pillai SG, Nag A, Shukla D, Singhal R, Phalke S, Velu GSK. SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and Their Impact on Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccines. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:815389. [PMID: 35273977 PMCID: PMC8902153 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.815389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the high rate of COVID-19 infections worldwide, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants was inevitable. Several mutations have been identified in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, with the spike protein as one of the mutational hot spots. Specific amino acid substitutions such as D614G and N501Y were found to alter the transmissibility and virulence of the virus. The WHO has classified the variants identified with fitness-enhancing mutations as variants of concern (VOC), variants of interest (VOI) or variants under monitoring (VUM). The VOCs pose an imminent threat as they exhibit higher transmissibility, disease severity and ability to evade vaccine-induced and natural immunity. Here we review the mutational landscape on the SARS-CoV-2 structural and non-structural proteins and their impact on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. We also look at the effectiveness of approved vaccines, antibody therapy and convalescent plasma on the currently prevalent VOCs, which are B.1.17, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529. We further discuss the possible factors influencing mutation rates and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Thakur
- Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd., Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Shalitha Sasi
- Blue Horizon International Therapeutic Sciences, Hackensack, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Dhananjay Shukla
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur, India
| | - Ritu Singhal
- Department of Microbiology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease, New Delhi, India
| | - Sameer Phalke
- Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd., Visakhapatnam, India
| | - G. S. K. Velu
- Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd., Visakhapatnam, India
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38
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Rustagi V, Bajaj M, Tanvi, Singh P, Aggarwal R, AlAjmi MF, Hussain A, Hassan MI, Singh A, Singh IK. Analyzing the Effect of Vaccination Over COVID Cases and Deaths in Asian Countries Using Machine Learning Models. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:806265. [PMID: 35223534 PMCID: PMC8877421 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.806265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading across the world, and vaccinations are running parallel. Coronavirus has mutated into a triple-mutated virus, rendering it deadlier than before. It spreads quickly from person to person by contact and nasal or pharyngeal droplets. The COVID-19 database ‘Our World in Data’ was analyzed from February 24, 2020, to September 26, 2021, and predictions on the COVID positives and their mortality rate were made. Factors such as Vaccine data for the First and Second Dose vaccinated individuals and COVID positives that influence the fluctuations in the COVID-19 death ratio were investigated and linear regression analysis was performed. Based on vaccination doses (partial or complete vaccinated), models are created to estimate the number of patients who die from COVID infection. The estimation of variance in the datasets was investigated using Karl Pearson’s coefficient. For COVID-19 cases and vaccination doses, a quartic polynomial regression model was also created. This predictor model helps to predict the number of deaths due to COVID-19 and determine the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection based on the number of vaccine doses received. SVM was used to analyze the efficacy of models generated.
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39
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Impact of Single Amino Acid Substitutions in Parkinsonism-Associated Deglycase-PARK7 and Their Association with Parkinson’s Disease. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020220. [PMID: 35207708 PMCID: PMC8878504 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinsonism-associated deglycase-PARK7/DJ-1 (PARK7) is a multifunctional protein having significant roles in inflammatory and immune disorders and cell protection against oxidative stress. Mutations in PARK7 may result in the onset and progression of a few neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. This study has analyzed the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) resulting in single amino acid substitutions in PARK7 to explore its disease-causing variants and their structural dysfunctions. Initially, we retrieved the mutational dataset of PARK7 from the Ensembl database and performed detailed analyses using sequence-based and structure-based approaches. The pathogenicity of the PARK7 was then performed to distinguish the destabilizing/deleterious variants. Aggregation propensity, noncovalent interactions, packing density, and solvent accessible surface area analyses were carried out on the selected pathogenic mutations. The SODA study suggested that mutations in PARK7 result in aggregation, inducing disordered helix and altering the strand propensity. The effect of mutations alters the number of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions in PARK7, as calculated from the Arpeggio server. The study indicated that the alteration in the hydrophobic contacts and frustration of the protein could alter the stability of the missense variants of the PARK7, which might result in disease progression. This study provides a detailed understanding of the destabilizing effects of single amino acid substitutions in PARK7.
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40
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Naqvi AAT, Anjum F, Shafie A, Badar S, Elasbali AM, Yadav DK, Hassan MI. Investigating host-virus interaction mechanism and phylogenetic analysis of viral proteins involved in the pathogenesis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261497. [PMID: 34914801 PMCID: PMC8675761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of yellow fever in the Americas and the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic, biologists and clinicians have been drawn to human infecting viruses to understand their mechanisms of infection better and develop effective therapeutics against them. However, the complex molecular and cellular processes that these viruses use to infect and multiply in human cells have been a source of great concern for the scientific community since the discovery of the first human infecting virus. Viral disease outbreaks, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus, have claimed millions of lives and caused significant economic damage worldwide. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of host-virus interaction and the molecular machinery involved in the pathogenesis of some common human viruses. We also performed a phylogenetic analysis of viral proteins involved in host-virus interaction to understand the changes in the sequence organization of these proteins during evolution for various strains of viruses to gain insights into the viral origin's evolutionary perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farah Anjum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Shafie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sufian Badar
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Abdelbaset Mohamed Elasbali
- Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Sakakah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City, South Korea
| | - Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India
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