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da Costa HHM, Silva VO, Amorim GC, Guereschi MG, Sergio LM, Gomes CHR, Hong MA, de Oliveira EL, Brígido LFDM, Lindoso JAL, Prudencio CR. Assessment of an in-house IgG ELISA targeting SARS-CoV-2 RBD: Applications in infected and vaccinated individuals. J Immunol Methods 2024; 530:113683. [PMID: 38759864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The study evoluated an in-house Spike Receptor Binding Domain Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (RBD-IgG-ELISA) for detecting SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in infected and vaccinated individuals. The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 99.25%, and accuracy of 95.13%. Precision and reproducibility were highly consistent. The RBD-IgG-ELISA was able to detect 96.25% of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed cases for SARS-CoV-2 infection, demonstrating positive and negative predictive values of 99,18% and 91,69%, respectively. In an epidemiological survey, ELISA, lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA), and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) exhibited diagnostic sensitivities of 68.29%, 63.41%, and 70.73%, respectively, along with specificities of 82.93%, 80.49%, and 80.49%, respectively. Agreement between RBD-IgG-ELISA/PCR was moderate (k index 0.512). However, good agreement between different assays (RBD-IgG-ELISA/LFIA k index 0.875, RBD-IgG-ELISA/ECLIA k index 0.901). Test performance on individuals' samples were inferior due to seroconversion time and chronicity. The IgG-RBD-ELISA assay demonstrated its effectiveness in monitoring antibody levels among healthcare professionals, revealing significant differences both before and after the administration of the third vaccine dose, with heightened protection levels observed following the third dose in five Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine regimens. In conclusion, the RBD-IgG-ELISA exhibits high reproducibility, specificity, and sensitivity, making it a suitable assay validated for serosurveillance and for obtaining information about COVID-19 infections or vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernan Hermes Monteiro da Costa
- Immunology Center, Institute Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil; Program Interunits in Biotechnology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Valeria Oliveira Silva
- Virology Center, Institute Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Public Health Surveillance of the Disease Control Coordination, State Health Department, São Paulo 02146-901, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Carvalho Amorim
- Immunology Center, Institute Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil; Program Interunits in Biotechnology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marisa Ailin Hong
- Immunology Center, Institute Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jose Angelo Lauletta Lindoso
- Institute of Infectology Emilio Ribas, São Paulo 01246-900, Brazil; Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; Laboratory of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos Roberto Prudencio
- Immunology Center, Institute Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil; Program Interunits in Biotechnology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.
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Hodel KVS, Fiuza BSD, Conceição RS, Aleluia ACM, Pitanga TN, Fonseca LMDS, Valente CO, Minafra-Rezende CS, Machado BAS. Pharmacovigilance in Vaccines: Importance, Main Aspects, Perspectives, and Challenges-A Narrative Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:807. [PMID: 38931474 PMCID: PMC11206969 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pharmacovigilance plays a central role in safeguarding public health by continuously monitoring the safety of vaccines, being critical in a climate of vaccine hesitancy, where public trust is paramount. Pharmacovigilance strategies employed to gather information on adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) include pre-registration data, media reports, clinical trials, and societal reporting. Early detection of AEFIs during clinical trials is crucial for thorough safety analysis and preventing serious reactions once vaccines are deployed. This review highlights the importance of societal reporting, encompassing contributions from community members, healthcare workers, and pharmaceutical companies. Technological advancements such as quick response (QR) codes can facilitate prompt AEFI reporting. While vaccines are demonstrably safe, the possibility of adverse events necessitates continuous post-marketing surveillance. However, underreporting remains a challenge, underscoring the critical role of public engagement in pharmacovigilance. This narrative review comprehensively examines and synthesizes key aspects of virus vaccine pharmacovigilance, with special considerations for specific population groups. We explore applicable legislation, the spectrum of AEFIs associated with major vaccines, and the unique challenges and perspectives surrounding pharmacovigilance in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Valéria Saraiva Hodel
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Bianca Sampaio Dotto Fiuza
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Souza Conceição
- Department of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Augusto Cezar Magalhães Aleluia
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Southwestern Bahia State University (UESB), Campus Vitória da Conquista, Vitória da Conquista 45031-300, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Thassila Nogueira Pitanga
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
- Laboratory for Research in Genetics and Translational Hematology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador 40296-710, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Larissa Moraes dos Santos Fonseca
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Camila Oliveira Valente
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Aparecida Souza Machado
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
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Otazu K, Olivos-Ramirez GE, Fernández-Silva PD, Vilca-Quispe J, Vega-Chozo K, Jimenez-Avalos GM, Chenet-Zuta ME, Sosa-Amay FE, Cárdenas Cárdenas RG, Ropón-Palacios G, Dattani N, Camps I. The Malaria Box molecules: a source for targeting the RBD and NTD cryptic pocket of the spike glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2. J Mol Model 2024; 30:217. [PMID: 38888748 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-024-06006-y] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, has led to over 500 million infections and more than 6 million deaths globally. There have been limited effective treatments available. The study aims to find a drug that can prevent the virus from entering host cells by targeting specific sites on the virus's spike protein. METHOD We examined 13,397 compounds from the Malaria Box library against two specific sites on the spike protein: the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and a predicted cryptic pocket. Using virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and MMPBSA techniques, they evaluated the stability of two compounds. TCMDC-124223 showed high stability and binding energy in the RBD, while TCMDC-133766 had better binding energy in the cryptic pocket. The study also identified that the interacting residues are conserved, which is crucial for addressing various virus variants. The findings provide insights into the potential of small molecules as drugs against the spike protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewin Otazu
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gustavo E Olivos-Ramirez
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- HPQC Labs, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Pablo D Fernández-Silva
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Julissa Vilca-Quispe
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Karolyn Vega-Chozo
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Frida E Sosa-Amay
- Laboratorio de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | | | - Georcki Ropón-Palacios
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- HPQC Labs, Waterloo, Canada.
| | - Nike Dattani
- HPQC College, Waterloo, Canada.
- HPQC Labs, Waterloo, Canada.
| | - Ihosvany Camps
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas-UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- HPQC Labs, Waterloo, Canada.
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Suljič A, Zorec TM, Zakotnik S, Vlaj D, Kogoj R, Knap N, Petrovec M, Poljak M, Avšič-Županc T, Korva M. Efficient SARS-CoV-2 variant detection and monitoring with Spike Screen next-generation sequencing. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae263. [PMID: 38833323 PMCID: PMC11149657 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae263] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 prompted the global community to identify innovative approaches to diagnose infection and sequence the viral genome because at several points in the pandemic positive case numbers exceeded the laboratory capacity to characterize sufficient samples to adequately respond to the spread of emerging variants. From week 10, 2020, to week 13, 2023, Slovenian routine complete genome sequencing (CGS) surveillance network yielded 41 537 complete genomes and revealed a typical molecular epidemiology with early lineages gradually being replaced by Alpha, Delta, and finally Omicron. We developed a targeted next-generation sequencing based variant surveillance strategy dubbed Spike Screen through sample pooling and selective SARS-CoV-2 spike gene amplification in conjunction with CGS of individual cases to increase throughput and cost-effectiveness. Spike Screen identifies variant of concern (VOC) and variant of interest (VOI) signature mutations, analyses their frequencies in sample pools, and calculates the number of VOCs/VOIs at the population level. The strategy was successfully applied for detection of specific VOC/VOI mutations prior to their confirmation by CGS. Spike Screen complemented CGS efforts with an additional 22 897 samples sequenced in two time periods: between week 42, 2020, and week 24, 2021, and between week 37, 2021, and week 2, 2022. The results showed that Spike Screen can be applied to monitor VOC/VOI mutations among large volumes of samples in settings with limited sequencing capacity through reliable and rapid detection of novel variants at the population level and can serve as a basis for public health policy planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alen Suljič
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Mark Zorec
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Samo Zakotnik
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Doroteja Vlaj
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Kogoj
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Knap
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miroslav Petrovec
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mario Poljak
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tatjana Avšič-Županc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miša Korva
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Kumar A, Tripathi P, Kumar P, Shekhar R, Pathak R. From Detection to Protection: Antibodies and Their Crucial Role in Diagnosing and Combatting SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:459. [PMID: 38793710 PMCID: PMC11125746 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050459] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is crucial to comprehending disease progression and the significance of vaccine and therapeutic development. The emergence of highly contagious variants poses a significant challenge to humoral immunity, underscoring the necessity of grasping the intricacies of specific antibodies. This review emphasizes the pivotal role of antibodies in shaping immune responses and their implications for diagnosing, preventing, and treating SARS-CoV-2 infection. It delves into the kinetics and characteristics of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 and explores current antibody-based diagnostics, discussing their strengths, clinical utility, and limitations. Furthermore, we underscore the therapeutic potential of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, discussing various antibody-based therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, anti-cytokines, convalescent plasma, and hyperimmunoglobulin-based therapies. Moreover, we offer insights into antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, emphasizing the significance of neutralizing antibodies in order to confer immunity to SARS-CoV-2, along with emerging variants of concern (VOCs) and circulating Omicron subvariants. We also highlight challenges in the field, such as the risks of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and shed light on the challenges associated with the original antigenic sin (OAS) effect and long COVID. Overall, this review intends to provide valuable insights, which are crucial to advancing sensitive diagnostic tools, identifying efficient antibody-based therapeutics, and developing effective vaccines to combat the evolving threat of SARS-CoV-2 variants on a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Kumar
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, National Institute of Biologicals, Noida 201309, India
| | - Prajna Tripathi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA;
| | - Prashant Kumar
- R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Ritu Shekhar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rajiv Pathak
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
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Garg P, Hsueh SCC, Plotkin SS. Testing the feasibility of targeting a conserved region on the S2 domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Biophys J 2024; 123:992-1005. [PMID: 38491772 PMCID: PMC11052916 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus significantly declines with the emergence of mutant strains, prompting investigation into the feasibility of targeting highly conserved but often cryptic regions on the S2 domain of spike protein. Using tools from molecular dynamics, we find that exposure of a conserved S2 epitope located in the central helices below the receptor binding domains would require large-scale motion beyond receptor binding domain up-down motion, but, along the reaction coordinates we explored, it is unlikely to be exposed by such large-scale dynamic fluctuations of the S1 domain without any external facilitating factors, despite some previous computational evidence suggesting transient exposure of this region. Furthermore, glycans, particularly those on N165 and N234, hinder S2-exposing opening dynamics, and thus stabilize spike in addition to immunologically shielding the protein surface. Although the S2 epitope region examined here is central to large-scale conformational changes during viral entry, free energy landscape analysis obtained using the path coordinate formalism reveals no inherent "loaded spring" effect, suggesting that a vaccine immunogen would tend to present the epitope in a prefusion-like conformation and may be effective in neutralization. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamic origins of the function of the spike protein, as well as further characterizing the feasibility of the S2 epitope as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Garg
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shawn C C Hsueh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Genome Sciences and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Lintala A, Vapalahti O, Nousiainen A, Kantele A, Hepojoki J. Whole Blood as a Sample Matrix in Homogeneous Time-Resolved Assay-Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Antibody Detection. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:720. [PMID: 38611633 PMCID: PMC11011549 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070720] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The protein-L-utilizing Förster resonance energy transfer (LFRET) assay enables mix-and-read antibody detection, as demonstrated for sera from patients with, e.g., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Zika virus, and orthohantavirus infections. In this study, we compared paired serum and whole blood (WB) samples of COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine recipients. We found that LFRET also detects specific antibodies in WB samples. In 44 serum-WB pairs from patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, LFRET showed a strong correlation between the sample materials. By analyzing 89 additional WB samples, totaling 133 WB samples, we found that LFRET results were moderately correlated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results for samples collected 2 to 14 months after receiving COVID-19 diagnosis. However, the correlation decreased for samples >14 months after receiving a diagnosis. When comparing the WB LFRET results to neutralizing antibody titers, a strong correlation emerged for samples collected 1 to 14 months after receiving a diagnosis. This study also highlights the versatility of LFRET in detecting antibodies directly from WB samples and suggests that it could be employed for rapidly assessing antibody responses to infectious agents or vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Lintala
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital Diagnostic Center, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arttu Nousiainen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Meilahti Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research Center, MeiVac, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Kantele
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Meilahti Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research Center, MeiVac, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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Kumar A, Vashisth H. Quantitative Assessment of Energetic Contributions of Residues in a SARS-CoV-2 Viral Enzyme/Nanobody Interface. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:2068-2076. [PMID: 38460144 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
The highly conserved protease enzyme from SARS-CoV-2 (MPro) is crucial for viral replication and is an attractive target for the design of novel inhibitory compounds. MPro is known to be conformationally flexible and has been stabilized in an extended conformation in a complex with a novel nanobody (NB2B4), which inhibits the dimerization of the enzyme via binding to an allosteric site. However, the energetic contributions of the nanobody residues stabilizing the MPro/nanobody interface remain unresolved. We probed these residues using all-atom MD simulations in combination with alchemical free energy calculations by studying the physical residue-residue interactions and discovered the role of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions in stabilizing the complex. Specifically, we found via mutational analysis that three interfacial nanobody residues (Y59, R106, and L109) contributed significantly, two residues (L107 and P110) contributed moderately, and two residues (H112 and T113) contributed minimally to the overall binding affinity of the nanobody. We also discovered that the nanobody affinity could be enhanced via a charge-reversal mutation (D62R) that alters the local interfacial electrostatic environment of this residue in the complex. These findings are potentially useful in designing novel synthetic nanobodies as allosteric inhibitors of MPro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
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Jung J, Sung JS, Bong JH, Kim TH, Kwon S, Bae HE, Kang MJ, Jose J, Lee M, Shin HJ, Pyun JC. One-step immunoassay of SARS-CoV-2 using screened Fv-antibodies and switching peptides. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 245:115834. [PMID: 37995624 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115834] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The Fv-antibodies were correponded to VH region of immunoglobulin G, which were composed of three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) for the specific binding of antigens. In this work, the Fv-antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) were screened from an autodisplayed Fv-antibody library which was expressed on E. coli outer membrane, and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SP was used as a screening probe. The screened target clones were analyzed to have quantitative binding properties to the RBD, and the Fv-antibodies from the screened target clones were expressed as soluble proteins. The binding affinity (KD) of expressed Fv-antibodies to the RBD was estimated to be 70-85 nM using SPR biosensor. The specific binding properties of Fv-antibodies were analyzed for pseudo-virus particles with SARS-CoV-2 SP on the Lenti-virus envelope, such as wild type (Wuhan-1) and variants (Delta, Omicron BA.2, Omicron BA.4/5) using a SPR biosensor. The detection of real SARS-CoV-2 (Wild type, Wuhan-1) based on a SPR biosensor was also presented using the Fv-antibodies with the binding constant (KD) of cycle threshold value (Ct) = 33.8-32.9 (2.19-4.08 copies/μL) and LOD of 0.67-0.83 copies/μL (Ct = 35.5-35.2). Finally, one-step immunoassay based on switching peptide was demonstrated for the detection of the real SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-1) without any washing step. The binding constant (KD) was estimated to be Ct = 35.2-33.9 (0.83-2.04 copies/μL), and LOD was estimated to be 0.14-0.47 copies/μL (Ct = 37.8-36.0). Considering the LOD of the conventional RT-PCR (Ct = 35), the LOD of the one-step immunoassay based on the switching peptide was determined to be feasible for the medical diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyong Jung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jeong Soo Sung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hong Bong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Tae-Hun Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Soonil Kwon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Hyung Eun Bae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Min-Jung Kang
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02456, South Korea
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Misu Lee
- Institute for New Drug Development, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Shin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, South Korea
| | - Jae-Chul Pyun
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
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10
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Weingarten-Gabbay S, Chen DY, Sarkizova S, Taylor HB, Gentili M, Hernandez GM, Pearlman LR, Bauer MR, Rice CM, Clauser KR, Hacohen N, Carr SA, Abelin JG, Saeed M, Sabeti PC. The HLA-II immunopeptidome of SARS-CoV-2. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113596. [PMID: 38117652 PMCID: PMC10860710 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113596] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted synthetic vaccines have the potential to transform our response to viral outbreaks, yet the design of these vaccines requires a comprehensive knowledge of viral immunogens. Here, we report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) peptides that are naturally processed and loaded onto human leukocyte antigen-II (HLA-II) complexes in infected cells. We identify over 500 unique viral peptides from canonical proteins as well as from overlapping internal open reading frames. Most HLA-II peptides colocalize with known CD4+ T cell epitopes in coronavirus disease 2019 patients, including 2 reported immunodominant regions in the SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein. Overall, our analyses show that HLA-I and HLA-II pathways target distinct viral proteins, with the structural proteins accounting for most of the HLA-II peptidome and nonstructural and noncanonical proteins accounting for the majority of the HLA-I peptidome. These findings highlight the need for a vaccine design that incorporates multiple viral elements harboring CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes to maximize vaccine effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Weingarten-Gabbay
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Da-Yuan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hannah B Taylor
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matteo Gentili
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Leah R Pearlman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew R Bauer
- Harvard Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karl R Clauser
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nir Hacohen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Mohsan Saeed
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pardis C Sabeti
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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11
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Kar A, Jana M, Malik V, Sarkar A, Mandal K. Total Chemical Synthesis of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding Domain. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302969. [PMID: 37815536 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302969] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 and its global spread have created an unprecedented public health crisis. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has gained significant attention due to its crucial role in viral entry into host cells and its potential as both a prophylactic and a target for therapeutic interventions. Herein, we report the first successful total synthesis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD), highlighting the key challenges and the strategies employed to overcome them. Appropriate utilization of advanced solid phase peptide synthesis and cutting-edge native chemical ligation methods have facilitated the synthesis of this moderately large protein molecule. We discuss the problems encountered during the chemical synthesis and approaches taken to optimize the yield and the purity of the synthetic protein molecule. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the chemically synthesized homogeneous spike RBD efficiently binds to the known mini-protein binder LCB1. The successful chemical synthesis of the spike RBD presented here can be utilized to gain valuable insights into SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD biology, advancing our understanding and aiding the development of intervention strategies to combat future coronavirus outbreaks. The modular synthetic approach described in this study can be effectively implemented in the synthesis of other mutated variants or enantiomer of the spike RBD for mirror-image drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhisek Kar
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, 36/p Gopanpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Mrinmoy Jana
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, 36/p Gopanpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Vishal Malik
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, 36/p Gopanpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Arighna Sarkar
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, 36/p Gopanpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Kalyaneswar Mandal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, 36/p Gopanpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
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12
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Wang X, Shi L, Wang Y, Chen J, Yang Z, Liu C, Liu X, Li Y, Zhang C, Sun A, Yan H, Sun H. Effects of the glycosylation of the receptor binding domain (RBD dimer)-based Covid-19 vaccine (ZF2001) on its humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126874. [PMID: 37709229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is a key target for the development of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and vaccines, mediates the binding of the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, the high heterogeneity of RBD glycoforms may lead to an incomplete neutralization effect and impact the immunogenicity of RBD-based vaccines (Ye et al., 2021). Here, our data suggested that the glycosylation significantly affected the humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity of the RBD-dimer-based Covid-19 vaccine (ZF2001) (Yang et al., 2021). Several deglycosylated types of ZF2001 (with sialic acid removed (ZF2001-ΔSA), sialic acid & O-glycans removed (ZF2001-ΔSA&O), N-glycans removed (ZF2001-ΔN), N- & O-glycans removed (ZF2001-ΔN&O)) were obtained by treatment with glycosidases. The binding affinity between deglycosylated types of ZF2001 and ACE2 was slightly weakened and that between deglycosylated types of ZF2001 and several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were also changed compared with ZF2001. The results of pseudovirus neutralization assay and binding affinity assay of all ZF2001 types revealed that the antigens with complex glycosylation had better humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the more complex glycosylation of RBD corresponded to more hydrogen bonds formed between helper T-cell epitopes of RBD and major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II). In summary, these results demonstrated that the glycosylation of RBD affects antigen presentation, humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity, which may be an important consideration for vaccine design and production technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lulu Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zelan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaomei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Can Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Anhui Sun
- Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical, Hefei, China
| | - Huan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China; Hubei Province key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China.
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13
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Lee JD, Menasche BL, Mavrikaki M, Uyemura MM, Hong SM, Kozlova N, Wei J, Alfajaro MM, Filler RB, Müller A, Saxena T, Posey RR, Cheung P, Muranen T, Heng YJ, Paulo JA, Wilen CB, Slack FJ. Differences in syncytia formation by SARS-CoV-2 variants modify host chromatin accessibility and cellular senescence via TP53. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113478. [PMID: 37991919 PMCID: PMC10785701 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113478] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a significant public health threat due to the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants to evade the immune system and cause breakthrough infections. Although pathogenic coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV lead to severe respiratory infections, how these viruses affect the chromatin proteomic composition upon infection remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we use our recently developed integrative DNA And Protein Tagging methodology to identify changes in host chromatin accessibility states and chromatin proteomic composition upon infection with pathogenic coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces TP53 stabilization on chromatin, which contributes to its host cytopathic effect. We mapped this TP53 stabilization to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and its propensity to form syncytia, a consequence of cell-cell fusion. Differences in SARS-CoV-2 spike variant-induced syncytia formation modify chromatin accessibility, cellular senescence, and inflammatory cytokine release via TP53. Our findings suggest that differences in syncytia formation alter senescence-associated inflammation, which varies among SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Lee
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Bridget L Menasche
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Maria Mavrikaki
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Madison M Uyemura
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Su Min Hong
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nina Kozlova
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jin Wei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mia M Alfajaro
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Renata B Filler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Arne Müller
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tanvi Saxena
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ryan R Posey
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Priscilla Cheung
- Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Taru Muranen
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yujing J Heng
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Craig B Wilen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Frank J Slack
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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14
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Quinn RJ, Mak T, Littler DR, Rossjohn J, Liu M. Discovery of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nsp9 Binders from Natural Products by a Native Mass Spectrometry Approach. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:2630-2637. [PMID: 37993134 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The search for effective antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 remains a critical global endeavor. In this study, we focused on the viral nucleocapsid protein Nsp9, which is a key player in viral RNA replication and an attractive drug target. Employing a two-pronged approach, an in-house natural product library was screened using native mass spectrometry to identify compounds capable of binding to Nsp9. From the initial screening, apart from the previously reported hit oridonin (protein binding ratio of 0.56 in the initial screening, Kd = 7.2 ± 1.0 μM), we have identified a second Nsp9-interacting compound, the diterpenoid ryanodine, with a protein binding ratio of 0.3 and a Kd of 48.05 ± 5.03 μM. To gain deeper insights into the binding interactions and to explore potential structural requirements, the collision-induced affinity selection mass spectrometry (CIAS-MS) approach allowed us to identify six known oridonin analogues produced by the plant Rabdosia rubescens, each with varying affinities to Nsp9. Native MS validation of their individual binding activities to Nsp9 revealed that all analogues exhibited reduced affinity compared to oridonin. Structural-activity relationship analysis highlighted key functional groups, including 1-OH, 6-OH, 7-OH, and the enone moiety, which are crucial for Nsp9 binding. Combined data from our native mass spectrometry and CIAS-MS approaches provide valuable insights into the molecular interactions between Nsp9 and these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J Quinn
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Tin Mak
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Dene R Littler
- Infection and Immunity Program & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
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15
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Razali SA, Shamsir MS, Ishak NF, Low CF, Azemin WA. Riding the wave of innovation: immunoinformatics in fish disease control. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16419. [PMID: 38089909 PMCID: PMC10712311 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16419] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of infectious illnesses has been a significant factor restricting aquaculture production. To maximise aquatic animal health, vaccination tactics are very successful and cost-efficient for protecting fish and aquaculture animals against many disease pathogens. However, due to the increasing number of immunological cases and their complexity, it is impossible to manage, analyse, visualise, and interpret such data without the assistance of advanced computational techniques. Hence, the use of immunoinformatics tools is crucial, as they not only facilitate the management of massive amounts of data but also greatly contribute to the creation of fresh hypotheses regarding immune responses. In recent years, advances in biotechnology and immunoinformatics have opened up new research avenues for generating novel vaccines and enhancing existing vaccinations against outbreaks of infectious illnesses, thereby reducing aquaculture losses. This review focuses on understanding in silico epitope-based vaccine design, the creation of multi-epitope vaccines, the molecular interaction of immunogenic vaccines, and the application of immunoinformatics in fish disease based on the frequency of their application and reliable results. It is believed that it can bridge the gap between experimental and computational approaches and reduce the need for experimental research, so that only wet laboratory testing integrated with in silico techniques may yield highly promising results and be useful for the development of vaccines for fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Aisyah Razali
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Biological Security and Sustainability Research Interest Group (BIOSES), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shahir Shamsir
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Farahin Ishak
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Chen-Fei Low
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wan-Atirah Azemin
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
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16
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Trombetta CM, Marchi S, Leonardi M, Coppola C, Benincasa L, Marotta MG, Buonvino N, Maes P, Stufano A, Pontrelli D, Vasinioti VI, Manenti A, Camero M, Montomoli E, Decaro N, Lovreglio P. Evaluation of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages six months after different vaccination regimens in Italy. Acta Trop 2023; 248:107042. [PMID: 37863379 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107042] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The Omicron variant is the most divergent, displaying more mutations than previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly in the gene that encodes the spike protein. This study aimed to assess the persistence of neutralizing antibodies towards the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages (BA.2, BA.5, BQ.1, XBB and XBB1.5) six months after the third dose in different vaccination regimens. Subjects who received 3 doses of mRNA vaccine retained their neutralization activity against BA.2 and BA.5, even though 56.3% and 66.7% showed a ≥ 2-fold reduction in the neutralizing antibody titre, respectively. Subjects who had received the adenovirus-based vaccine plus a booster dose of mRNA vaccine retained their neutralization activity especially against BA.2. With regard to BQ.1, XBB and XBB.1.5, the majority of the subjects showed a ≥ 2-fold reduction in neutralizing antibody titre, with the greatest evasion being observed in the case of XBB. Overall, our results provide further evidence that triple homologous/heterologous vaccination and hybrid immunity result in detectable neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral virus; however, emerging Omicron sublineages, such as XBB and XBB.1.5, show a great evasive capacity, which compromises the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Maria Trombetta
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, Siena 53100, Italy.
| | - Serena Marchi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, Siena 53100, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Coppola
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, Siena 53100, Italy
| | | | - Maria Giovanna Marotta
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, Siena 53100, Italy
| | | | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, Siena 53100, Italy; VisMederi Research Srl, Siena, Italy; VisMederi Srl, Siena, Italy
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17
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O’Reilly S, Kenny G, Alrawahneh T, Francois N, Gu L, Angeliadis M, de Masson d’Autume V, Garcia Leon A, Feeney ER, Yousif O, Cotter A, de Barra E, Horgan M, Mallon PWG, Gautier V. Development of a novel medium throughput flow-cytometry based micro-neutralisation test for SARS-CoV-2 with applications in clinical vaccine trials and antibody screening. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294262. [PMID: 38033116 PMCID: PMC10688860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantifying neutralising capacity of circulating SARS-COV-2 antibodies is critical in evaluating protective humoral immune responses generated post-infection/post-vaccination. Here we describe a novel medium-throughput flow cytometry-based micro-neutralisation test to evaluate Neutralising Antibody (NAb) responses against live SARS-CoV-2 Wild Type and Variants of Concern (VOC) in convalescent/vaccinated populations. Flow Cytometry-Based Micro-Neutralisation Test (Micro-NT) was performed in 96-well plates using clinical isolates WT-B, WT-B.1.177.18 and/or VOCs Beta and Omicron. Plasma samples (All Ireland Infectious Diseases (AIID) Cohort) were serially diluted (8 points, half-log) from 1:20 and pre-incubated with SARS-CoV-2 (1h, 37°C). Virus-plasma mixture were added onto Vero E6 or Vero E6/TMPRSS2 cells for 18h. Percentage infected cells was analysed by automated flow cytometry following trypsinisation, fixation and SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein intracellular staining. Half-maximal Neutralisation Titres (NT50) were determined using non-linear regression. Our assay was compared to Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT) and validated against the First WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin. Both Micro-NT and PRNT achieved comparable NT50 values. Further validation showed adequate correlation with PRNT using a panel of secondary standards of clinical convalescent and vaccinated plasma samples. We found the assay to be reproducible through measuring both repeatability and intermediate precision. Screening 190 convalescent samples and 11 COVID-19 naive controls (AIID cohort) we demonstrated that Micro-NT has broad dynamic range differentiating NT50s <1/20 to >1/5000. We could also characterise immune-escape VOC Beta and Omicron BA.5, achieving fold-reductions in neutralising capacity similar to those published. Our flow cytometry-based Micro-NT is a robust and reliable assay to quantify NAb titres, and has been selected as an endpoint in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie O’Reilly
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Kenny
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tamara Alrawahneh
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nathan Francois
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lili Gu
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Matthew Angeliadis
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Valentin de Masson d’Autume
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alejandro Garcia Leon
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eoin R. Feeney
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Obada Yousif
- Endocrinology Department, Wexford General Hospital, Carricklawn, Wexford, Ireland
| | - Aoife Cotter
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eoghan de Barra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Horgan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patrick W. G. Mallon
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Virginie Gautier
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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18
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Kushwaha ND, Mohan J, Kushwaha B, Ghazi T, Nwabuife JC, Koorbanally N, Chuturgoon AA. A comprehensive review on the global efforts on vaccines and repurposed drugs for combating COVID-19. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115719. [PMID: 37597435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, is a highly contagious and potentially lethal viral infection that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Since the beginning of the pandemic, an unprecedented number of COVID-19 vaccine candidates have been investigated for their potential to manage the pandemic. Herein, we reviewed vaccine development and the associated research effort, both traditional and forward-looking, to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of their technology, in addition to their efficacy limitations against mutant SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we report repurposed drug discovery, which mainly focuses on virus-based and host-based targets, as well as their inhibitors. SARS-CoV-2 targets include the main protease (Mpro), and RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which are the most well-studied and conserved across coronaviruses, enabling the development of broad-spectrum inhibitors of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narva Deshwar Kushwaha
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Jivanka Mohan
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Babita Kushwaha
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Terisha Ghazi
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Joshua C Nwabuife
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Neil Koorbanally
- School of Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Anil A Chuturgoon
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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19
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Elalouf A, Kedarya T, Elalouf H, Rosenfeld A. Computational design and evaluation of mRNA- and protein-based conjugate vaccines for influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:120. [PMID: 37966525 PMCID: PMC10651613 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00574-x] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Israel confirmed the first case of "flurona"-a co-infection of seasonal flu (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 in an unvaccinated pregnant woman. This twindemic has been confirmed in multiple countries and underscores the importance of managing respiratory viral illnesses. RESULTS The novel conjugate vaccine was designed by joining four hemagglutinin, three neuraminidase, and four S protein of B-cell epitopes, two hemagglutinin, three neuraminidase, and four S proteins of MHC-I epitopes, and three hemagglutinin, nine neuraminidase, and five S proteins of MHC-II epitopes with linkers and adjuvants. The constructed conjugate vaccine was found stable, non-toxic, non-allergic, and antigenic with 0.6466 scores. The vaccine contained 14.87% alpha helix, 29.85% extended strand, 9.64% beta-turn, and 45.64% random coil, which was modeled to a 3D structure with 94.7% residues in the most favored region of the Ramachandran plot and Z-score of -3.33. The molecular docking of the vaccine with TLR3 represented -1513.9 kcal/mol of binding energy with 39 hydrogen bonds and 514 non-bonded contacts, and 1.582925e-07 of eigenvalue complex. Immune stimulation prediction showed the conjugate vaccine could activate T and B lymphocytes to produce high levels of Th1 cytokines and antibodies. CONCLUSION The in silico-designed vaccine against IAV and SARS-CoV-2 showed good population coverage and immune response with predicted T- and B-cell epitopes, favorable molecular docking, Ramachandran plot results, and good protein expression. It fulfilled safety criteria, indicating potential for preclinical studies and experimental clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Elalouf
- Department of Management, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel.
| | - Tomer Kedarya
- Department of Management, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hadas Elalouf
- Information Science Department, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ariel Rosenfeld
- Information Science Department, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel
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20
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Le K, Kannappan S, Kim T, Lee JH, Lee HR, Kim KK. Structural understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry to host cells. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1288686. [PMID: 38033388 PMCID: PMC10683510 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1288686] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a major global health concern associated with millions of fatalities worldwide. Mutant variants of the virus have further exacerbated COVID-19 mortality and infection rates, emphasizing the urgent need for effective preventive strategies. Understanding the viral infection mechanism is crucial for developing therapeutics and vaccines. The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is a key step in the infection pathway and has been targeted for drug development. Despite numerous reviews of COVID-19 and the virus, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews focusing on the structural aspects of viral entry. In this review, we analyze structural changes in Spike proteins during the entry process, dividing the entry process into prebinding, receptor binding, proteolytic cleavage, and membrane fusion steps. By understanding the atomic-scale details of viral entry, we can better target the entry step for intervention strategies. We also examine the impacts of mutations in Spike proteins, including the Omicron variant, on viral entry. Structural information provides insights into the effects of mutations and can guide the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Finally, we discuss available structure-based approaches for the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Overall, this review provides a detailed analysis of the structural aspects of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, highlighting its significance in the development of therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19. Therefore, our review emphasizes the importance of structural information in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Le
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Shrute Kannappan
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Technology Core Research Institute, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Truc Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Heon Lee
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Technology Core Research Institute, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- School of Advanced Materials and Science Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Ra Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, College of Science and Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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21
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Nedaei F, Esmaeili Rastaghi AR, Goodarzi E, Haji Mullah Asadullah H, Mirhadi F, Fateh A. Introduction and effect of natural selection analysis at common mutations of SARS-CoV-2 spike gene in Iran. Virus Res 2023; 336:199202. [PMID: 37595664 PMCID: PMC10491845 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The spike (S) protein of SARS-Cov-2 is composed of two subunits, S1 and S2. This study aimed to describe SARS-CoV-2 haplotypes in Iranians based on the S gene, which plays a key role in the receptor recognition and cell membrane fusion proses. 95 positive saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2 were amplified and sequenced for the S gene. The sequences were classified into 35 haplotypes, which 11 haplotypes were new (H1, H2, H3, H4, H6, H7, H11, H13, H15, H16, H25) and have not been reported so far. Amino acid substitutions were found at 40 positions that 23 were located at S1 subunit and 16 were at S2 subunit and one was at cleavage loop (P681H/R), thus polymorphisms at S1 subunit were found to be higher than S2. The neutrality index (NI) analyses showed a negative departure from the neutral substitution patterns (NI > 1) for S1 and S2 subunit in the studied sequences. The co-occurrence of B-cell epitopes and mutation sites were found in seven positions with more probably to be exposed the immune system pressure. In conclusion, the results provide the significant data to design an effective vaccine based on this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Nedaei
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Esmaeil Goodarzi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Mirhadi
- Department of Medical science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Fateh
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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22
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Suryawanshi YR. An overview of protein-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Vaccine 2023; 41:6174-6193. [PMID: 37699784 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.09.013] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic which, to date, has resulted in an estimated loss of over 15 million human lives globally and continues to have negative social, and economic implications worldwide. Vaccine platforms that can be quickly updated to counter newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are critical in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Messenger RNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can be easily updated and have shown superior efficacy over other vaccine types, yet their high cost, reactogenicity, and stringent need for ultracold storage limit their accessibility. Global access to economic, safe, and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is a critical step toward reducing COVID-19-associated mortality and ending the pandemic. Several protein-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines targeting the spike protein (or its receptor-binding domain) have demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical studies. Moreover, protein-based vaccines can be updated to immunize against new virus variants. Protein-based vaccines do not contain live viruses and are safe to use in immunocompromised and elderly populations, and can be optimized to improve the immune outcome in these poorly immunoresponsive individuals by using adjuvants. SARS-CoV-2 shows high genetic variability, similar to other RNA viruses, and protein-based vaccines are an economically feasible vaccine platform that can be used to design new vaccines with durable protective immunity, in addition to expanding the vaccine coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh R Suryawanshi
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group and Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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23
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Hutchinson GB, Abiona OM, Ziwawo CT, Werner AP, Ellis D, Tsybovsky Y, Leist SR, Palandjian C, West A, Fritch EJ, Wang N, Wrapp D, Boyoglu-Barnum S, Ueda G, Baker D, Kanekiyo M, McLellan JS, Baric RS, King NP, Graham BS, Corbett-Helaire KS. Nanoparticle display of prefusion coronavirus spike elicits S1-focused cross-reactive antibody response against diverse coronavirus subgenera. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6195. [PMID: 37794071 PMCID: PMC10551005 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41661-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multivalent antigen display is a fast-growing area of interest toward broadly protective vaccines. Current nanoparticle-based vaccine candidates demonstrate the ability to confer antibody-mediated immunity against divergent strains of notably mutable viruses. In coronaviruses, this work is predominantly aimed at targeting conserved epitopes of the receptor binding domain. However, targeting conserved non-RBD epitopes could limit the potential for antigenic escape. To explore new potential targets, we engineered protein nanoparticles displaying coronavirus prefusion-stabilized spike (CoV_S-2P) trimers derived from MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, hCoV-HKU1, and hCoV-OC43 and assessed their immunogenicity in female mice. Monotypic SARS-1 nanoparticles elicit cross-neutralizing antibodies against MERS-CoV and protect against MERS-CoV challenge. MERS and SARS nanoparticles elicit S1-focused antibodies, revealing a conserved site on the S N-terminal domain. Moreover, mosaic nanoparticles co-displaying distinct CoV_S-2P trimers elicit antibody responses to distant cross-group antigens and protect male and female mice against MERS-CoV challenge. Our findings will inform further efforts toward the development of pan-coronavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey B Hutchinson
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Olubukola M Abiona
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Cynthia T Ziwawo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anne P Werner
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel Ellis
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sarah R Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Charis Palandjian
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ethan J Fritch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nianshuang Wang
- College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Daniel Wrapp
- College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Seyhan Boyoglu-Barnum
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - George Ueda
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Baker
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Masaru Kanekiyo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jason S McLellan
- College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Neil P King
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Kizzmekia S Corbett-Helaire
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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24
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Kosenko M, Onkhonova G, Susloparov I, Ryzhikov A. SARS-CoV-2 proteins structural studies using synchrotron radiation. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:1185-1194. [PMID: 37974992 PMCID: PMC10643813 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01153-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the process of the development of structural biology, both the size and the complexity of the determined macromolecular structures have grown significantly. As a result, the range of application areas for the results of structural studies of biological macromolecules has expanded. Significant progress in the development of structural biology methods has been largely achieved through the use of synchrotron radiation. Modern sources of synchrotron radiation allow to conduct high-performance structural studies with high temporal and spatial resolution. Thus, modern techniques make it possible to obtain not only static structures, but also to study dynamic processes, which play a key role in understanding biological mechanisms. One of the key directions in the development of structural research is the drug design based on the structures of biomolecules. Synchrotron radiation offers insights into the three-dimensional time-resolved structure of individual viral proteins and their complexes at atomic resolution. The rapid and accurate determination of protein structures is crucial for understanding viral pathogenicity and designing targeted therapeutics. Through the application of experimental techniques, including X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), it is possible to elucidate the structural details of SARS-CoV-2 virion containing 4 structural, 16 nonstructural proteins (nsp), and several accessory proteins. The most studied potential targets for vaccines and drugs are the structural spike (S) protein, which is responsible for entering the host cell, as well as nonstructural proteins essential for replication and transcription, such as main protease (Mpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). This article provides a brief overview of structural analysis techniques, with focus on synchrotron radiation-based methods applied to the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Kosenko
- Federal Budgetary Research Institution State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector” Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, 630559 Russia
| | - Galina Onkhonova
- Federal Budgetary Research Institution State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector” Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, 630559 Russia
| | - Ivan Susloparov
- Federal Budgetary Research Institution State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector” Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, 630559 Russia
| | - Alexander Ryzhikov
- Federal Budgetary Research Institution State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector” Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, 630559 Russia
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25
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Stevanovic V, Kovac S, Borko E, Bogdanic M, Miletic G, Hruskar Z, Ferenc T, Coric I, Vujica Ferenc M, Milasincic L, Antolasic L, Barbic L. Neutralizing Activity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Patients with COVID-19 and Vaccinated Individuals. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:61. [PMID: 37873858 PMCID: PMC10594469 DOI: 10.3390/antib12040061] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serological diagnosis of COVID-19 is complex due to the emergence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. METHODS 164 serum samples from (I) patients who recovered from COVID-19 (n = 62) as well as (II) vaccinated individuals (n = 52) and (III) vaccinated individuals who were infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants after vaccination (n = 50) were included. All samples were tested using EIA (binding antibodies) and a virus neutralization test (VNT) using the Wuhan strain (NT antibodies). Group III was further tested with a VNT using the Alpha/Delta/Omicron strains. RESULTS The highest antibody index (AI) was observed in vaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 (median AI = 50, IQR = 27-71) and the lowest in vaccinated individuals (median AI = 19, IQR = 8-48). Similarly, NT antibody titer was highest in vaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 (median 128; IQR = 32-256) compared to vaccinated individuals (median 32, IQR = 4-128) and patients with COVID-19 (median 32, IQR = 8-64). The correlation between AI and NT titer was strongly positive in vaccinated individuals and moderately positive in patients with COVID-19. No significant correlation was observed in vaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19. In patients infected with Alpha and Delta, the lowest VNT positivity rate was for the Omicron variant (85.0%/83.3%). Patients infected with the Alpha variant showed the lowest NT titer for the Omicron variant (median titer 32) compared to the Wuhan/Delta variants (64/128). Patients infected with the Delta variant had the lowest NT titer to the Omicron variant (median 32), compared to the Wuhan/Alpha variants (64/128). Patients infected with the Omicron variant showed similar titers to the Delta/Wuhan variants (128) and higher to the Alpha variant (256). CONCLUSIONS The cross-immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is lowest for the Omicron variant compared to the Alpha/Delta variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (E.B.); (M.B.); (Z.H.); (L.M.); (L.A.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.K.); (G.M.); (I.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Snjezana Kovac
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.K.); (G.M.); (I.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Ema Borko
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (E.B.); (M.B.); (Z.H.); (L.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (E.B.); (M.B.); (Z.H.); (L.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Gorana Miletic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.K.); (G.M.); (I.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Zeljka Hruskar
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (E.B.); (M.B.); (Z.H.); (L.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Thomas Ferenc
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ivona Coric
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.K.); (G.M.); (I.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Mateja Vujica Ferenc
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ljiljana Milasincic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (E.B.); (M.B.); (Z.H.); (L.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Ljiljana Antolasic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (E.B.); (M.B.); (Z.H.); (L.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.K.); (G.M.); (I.C.); (L.B.)
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26
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Pflumm D, Seidel A, Klein F, Groß R, Krutzke L, Kochanek S, Kroschel J, Münch J, Stifter K, Schirmbeck R. Heterologous DNA-prime/protein-boost immunization with a monomeric SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen redundantizes the trimeric receptor-binding domain structure to induce neutralizing antibodies in old mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1231274. [PMID: 37753087 PMCID: PMC10518615 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1231274] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A multitude of alterations in the old immune system impair its functional integrity. Closely related, older individuals show, for example, a reduced responsiveness to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines. However, systematic strategies to specifically improve the efficacy of vaccines in the old are missing or limited to simple approaches like increasing the antigen concentration or injection frequencies. We here asked whether the intrinsic, trimeric structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) antigen and/or a DNA- or protein-based antigen delivery platform affects priming of functional antibody responses particularly in old mice. The used S-antigens were primarily defined by the presence/absence of the membrane-anchoring TM domain and the closely interlinked formation/non-formation of a trimeric structure of the receptor binding domain (S-RBD). Among others, we generated vectors expressing prefusion-stabilized, cell-associated (TM+) trimeric "S2-P" or secreted (TM-) monomeric "S6-PΔTM" antigens. These proteins were produced from vector-transfected HEK-293T cells under mild conditions by Strep-tag purification, revealing that cell-associated but not secreted S proteins tightly bound Hsp73 and Grp78 chaperones. We showed that both, TM-deficient S6-PΔTM and full-length S2-P antigens elicited very similar S-RBD-specific antibody titers and pseudovirus neutralization activities in young (2-3 months) mice through homologous DNA-prime/DNA-boost or protein-prime/protein-boost vaccination. The trimeric S2-P antigen induced high S-RBD-specific antibody responses in old (23-24 months) mice through DNA-prime/DNA-boost vaccination. Unexpectedly, the monomeric S6-PΔTM antigen induced very low S-RBD-specific antibody titers in old mice through homologous DNA-prime/DNA-boost or protein-prime/protein-boost vaccination. However, old mice efficiently elicited an S-RBD-specific antibody response after heterologous DNA-prime/protein-boost immunization with the S6-PΔTM antigen, and antibody titers even reached similar levels and neutralizing activities as in young mice and also cross-reacted with different S-variants of concern. The old immune system thus distinguished between trimeric and monomeric S protein conformations: it remained antigen responsive to the trimeric S2-P antigen, and a simple change in the vaccine delivery regimen was sufficient to unleash its reactivity to the monomeric S6-PΔTM antigen. This clearly shows that both the antigen structure and the delivery platform are crucial to efficiently prime humoral immune responses in old mice and might be relevant for designing "age-adapted" vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Pflumm
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alina Seidel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Fabrice Klein
- Department of Gene Therapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lea Krutzke
- Department of Gene Therapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Kochanek
- Department of Gene Therapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Joris Kroschel
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katja Stifter
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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27
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Shah S, Paudel K, Bhattarai A, Thapa S, Bhusal S, Adhikari YR, Adhikari TB, Bhatta N, Mandal P, Sharma P, Budha B, Aryal S, Das SK, Pant P. Association of vaccination status with the clinicobiochemical profile, hospital stay, and mortality in COVID-19: A case-control study. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1579. [PMID: 37752972 PMCID: PMC10519156 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1579] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in reducing symptoms, disease advancement, complications, and mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been well-established. This case-control study aimed to compare different blood parameters, and prognostic and survival outcomes of COVID-19 patients based on vaccination status. Methods We performed a case-control study that included hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Individuals who received vaccination were designated as cases and unvaccinated individuals as controls. Demographics, co-morbidity, clinical data, laboratory data, and disease outcomes were recorded for both groups. Multivariate, Cox, and linear regression were used for analysing blood parameters, hospital admission, survival, and hospital stay, respectively, between cases and controls. Results Out of 100 participants enrolled, 46 were vaccinated, and 54 weren't. At admission, ferritin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were significantly lower in cases. At discharge, cases showed a higher monocyte than controls. Ferritin, ESR, and d-imer showed excellent performance in determining the severity of symptoms. Significant correlation and regression of ferritin and ESR with the length of hospital stay was observed. Length of hospital stay was significantly lower in cases than in controls. No significant differences between cases and controls were observed in mortality. Conclusion COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduced hospitalization duration. Ferritin and ESR were significantly lower in vaccinated individuals and showed the best utility in monitoring the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangam Shah
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Kiran Paudel
- Nepal Health FrontiersKathmanduTokhaNepal
- Department of Allied Health SciencesUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldStorrsConnecticutUSA
| | - Abhinav Bhattarai
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
- Medical DatabaseIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Sandesh Bhusal
- Nepal Health FrontiersKathmanduTokhaNepal
- Department of Allied Health SciencesUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldStorrsConnecticutUSA
| | | | - Tara B. Adhikari
- Nepal Health FrontiersKathmanduTokhaNepal
- Department of Public HealthAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Nikita Bhatta
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Prince Mandal
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Pratima Sharma
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Bishal Budha
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Shova Aryal
- Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Santa K. Das
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
| | - Pankaj Pant
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Institute of MedicineTribhuvan UniversityMaharajgunjNepal
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28
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Lee JD, Menasche BL, Mavrikaki M, Uyemura MM, Hong SM, Kozlova N, Wei J, Alfajaro MM, Filler RB, Müller A, Saxena T, Posey RR, Cheung P, Muranen T, Heng YJ, Paulo JA, Wilen CB, Slack FJ. Differences in syncytia formation by SARS-CoV-2 variants modify host chromatin accessibility and cellular senescence via TP53. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.31.555625. [PMID: 37693555 PMCID: PMC10491142 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.555625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 remains a significant public health threat due to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 variants to evade the immune system and cause breakthrough infections. Although pathogenic coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV lead to severe respiratory infections, how these viruses affect the chromatin proteomic composition upon infection remains largely uncharacterized. Here we used our recently developed integrative DNA And Protein Tagging (iDAPT) methodology to identify changes in host chromatin accessibility states and chromatin proteomic composition upon infection with pathogenic coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces TP53 stabilization on chromatin, which contributes to its host cytopathic effect. We mapped this TP53 stabilization to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and its propensity to form syncytia, a consequence of cell-cell fusion. Differences in SARS-CoV-2 spike variant-induced syncytia formation modify chromatin accessibility, cellular senescence, and inflammatory cytokine release via TP53. Our findings suggest that differences in syncytia formation alter senescence-associated inflammation, which varies among SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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29
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Shishir TA, Saha O, Rajia S, Mondol SM, Masum MHU, Rahaman MM, Hossen F, Bahadur NM, Ahmed F, Naser IB, Amin MR. Genome-wide study of globally distributed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) strains implicates diversification utilizing phylodynamics and mutational analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13531. [PMID: 37598270 PMCID: PMC10439963 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40760-y] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory pathogen that causes mild cold-like symptoms and severe lower respiratory tract infections, causing hospitalizations in children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Due to genetic variability, this virus causes life-threatening pneumonia and bronchiolitis in young infants. Thus, we examined 3600 whole genome sequences submitted to GISAID by 31 December 2022 to examine the genetic variability of RSV. While RSVA and RSVB coexist throughout RSV seasons, RSVA is more prevalent, fatal, and epidemic-prone in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China. Additionally, the virus's attachment glycoprotein and fusion protein were highly mutated, with RSVA having higher Shannon entropy than RSVB. The genetic makeup of these viruses contributes significantly to their prevalence and epidemic potential. Several strain-specific SNPs co-occurred with specific haplotypes of RSVA and RSVB, followed by different haplotypes of the viruses. RSVA and RSVB have the highest linkage probability at loci T12844A/T3483C and G13959T/C2198T, respectively. The results indicate that specific haplotypes and SNPs may significantly affect their spread. Overall, this analysis presents a promising strategy for tracking the evolving epidemic situation and genetic variants of RSV, which could aid in developing effective control, prophylactic, and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar Ahmed Shishir
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Otun Saha
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh.
| | - Sultana Rajia
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | | | - Md Habib Ullah Masum
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | | | - Foysal Hossen
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | | | - Firoz Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Iftekhar Bin Naser
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Ruhul Amin
- Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh.
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30
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Liu C, Wang L, Merriam JS, Shi W, Yang ES, Zhang Y, Chen M, Kong WP, Cheng C, Tsybovsky Y, Stephens T, Verardi R, Leung K, Stein C, Olia AS, Harris DR, Choe M, Zhang B, Graham BS, Kwong PD, Koup RA, Pegu A, Mascola JR. Self-assembling SARS-CoV-2 spike-HBsAg nanoparticles elicit potent and durable neutralizing antibody responses via genetic delivery. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:111. [PMID: 37553406 PMCID: PMC10409857 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00707-w] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
While several COVID-19 vaccines have been in use, more effective and durable vaccines are needed to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we report highly immunogenic self-assembling SARS-CoV-2 spike-HBsAg nanoparticles displaying a six-proline-stabilized WA1 (wild type, WT) spike S6P on a HBsAg core. These S6P-HBsAgs bound diverse domain-specific SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies. In mice with and without a HBV pre-vaccination, DNA immunization with S6P-HBsAgs elicited significantly more potent and durable neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses against diverse SARS-CoV-2 strains than that of soluble S2P or S6P, or full-length S2P with its coding sequence matching mRNA-1273. The nAb responses elicited by S6P-HBsAgs persisted substantially longer than by soluble S2P or S6P and appeared to be enhanced by HBsAg pre-exposure. These data show that genetic delivery of SARS-CoV-2 S6P-HBsAg nanoparticles can elicit greater and more durable nAb responses than non-nanoparticle forms of stabilized spike. Our findings highlight the potential of S6P-HBsAgs as next generation genetic vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Liu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lingshu Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jonah S Merriam
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Wei Shi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Eun Sung Yang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Man Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Wing-Pui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Tyler Stephens
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Raffaello Verardi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kwanyee Leung
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Cody Stein
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Adam S Olia
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Darcy R Harris
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Misook Choe
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Baoshan Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Peter D Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Richard A Koup
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Amarendra Pegu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - John R Mascola
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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31
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Yan D, Yan B. Viral target and metabolism-based rationale for combined use of recently authorized small molecule COVID-19 medicines: Molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir, and remdesivir. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2023; 37:726-738. [PMID: 36931725 PMCID: PMC10505250 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a major health concern worldwide, and SARS-CoV-2 is continuously evolving. There is an urgent need to identify new antiviral drugs and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Combined use of newly authorized COVID-19 medicines including molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir, and remdesivir has been actively pursued. Mechanistically, nirmatrelvir inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting the viral main protease (Mpro ), a critical enzyme in the processing of the immediately translated coronavirus polyproteins for viral replication. Molnupiravir and remdesivir, on the other hand, inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which is directly responsible for genome replication and production of subgenomic RNAs. Molnupiravir targets RdRp and induces severe viral RNA mutations (genome), commonly referred to as error catastrophe. Remdesivir, in contrast, targets RdRp and causes chain termination and arrests RNA synthesis of the viral genome. In addition, all three medicines undergo extensive metabolism with strong therapeutic significance. Molnupiravir is hydrolytically activated by carboxylesterase-2 (CES2), nirmatrelvir is inactivated by cytochrome P450-based oxidation (e.g., CYP3A4), and remdesivir is hydrolytically activated by CES1 but covalently inhibits CES2. Additionally, remdesivir and nirmatrelvir are oxidized by the same CYP enzymes. The distinct mechanisms of action provide strong rationale for their combined use. On the other hand, these drugs undergo extensive metabolism that determines their therapeutic potential. This review discusses how metabolism pathways and enzymes involved should be carefully considered during their combined use for therapeutic synergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Yan
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine 609 Albany Street Boston, MA 02118
| | - Bingfang Yan
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229
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32
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Gupta SL, Goswami S, Anand A, Naman N, Kumari P, Sharma P, Jaiswal RK. An assessment of the strategy and status of COVID-19 vaccination in India. Immunol Res 2023; 71:565-577. [PMID: 37041424 PMCID: PMC10089693 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09373-5] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 disease continues to cause devastation for almost 3 years of its identification. India is one of the leading countries to set clinical trials, production, and administration of COVID-19 vaccination. Recent COVID-19 vaccine tracker record suggests that 12 vaccines are approved in India, including protein subunit, RNA/DNA, non-replicating viral vector, and inactivated vaccine. Along with that 16 more vaccines are undergoing clinical trials to counter COVID-19. The availability of different vaccines gives alternate and broad perspectives to fight against viral immune resistance and, thus, viruses escaping the immune system by mutations. Using the recently published literature on the Indian vaccine and clinical trial sites, we have reviewed the development, clinical evaluation, and registration of vaccines trial used in India against COVID-19. Moreover, we have also summarized the status of all approved vaccines in India, their associated registered clinical trials, manufacturing, efficacy, and their related safety and immunogenicity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Surbhi Goswami
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Ananya Anand
- Department of Zoology, Patna Science College, Patna University, Bihar, India
| | - Namrata Naman
- Department of Zoology, Patna Science College, Patna University, Bihar, India
| | - Priya Kumari
- Department of Zoology, Patna Science College, Patna University, Bihar, India
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- Department of Zoology, Patna Science College, Patna University, Bihar, India
| | - Rishi K. Jaiswal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
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33
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Pasquevich KA, Coria LM, Ceballos A, Mazzitelli B, Rodriguez JM, Demaría A, Pueblas Castro C, Bruno L, Saposnik L, Salvatori M, Varese A, González S, González Martínez VV, Geffner J, Álvarez D, Feleder E, Halabe K, Perez Lera PE, de Oca FM, Vega JC, Lombardo M, Yerino GA, Fló J, Cassataro J. Safety and immunogenicity of a SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant RBD-based protein adjuvanted vaccine used as booster in healthy adults. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4551. [PMID: 37507392 PMCID: PMC10382514 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40272-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A Gamma Variant RBD-based aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted vaccine called ARVAC CG was selected for a first in human clinical trial. Healthy male and female participants (18-55 years old) with a complete COVID-19-primary vaccine scheme were assigned to receive two intramuscular doses of either a low-dose or a high-dose of ARVAC CG. The primary endpoint was safety. The secondary objective was humoral immunogenicity. Cellular immune responses were studied as an exploratory objective. The trial was prospectively registered in PRIISA.BA (Registration Code 6564) and ANMAT and retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05656508). Samples from participants of a surveillance strategy implemented by the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires that were boosted with BNT162b2 were also analyzed to compare with the booster effect of ARVAC CG. ARVAC CG exhibits a satisfactory safety profile, a robust and broad booster response of neutralizing antibodies against the Ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the Gamma, Delta, Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BA.5 variants of concern and a booster effect on T cell immunity in individuals previously immunized with different COVID-19 vaccine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina A Pasquevich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lorena M Coria
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Ceballos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, INBIRS-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bianca Mazzitelli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, INBIRS-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Manuel Rodriguez
- Fundación Pablo Cassará - Unidad de I + D de Biofármacos, Saladillo 2452 C1440FFX, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agostina Demaría
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celeste Pueblas Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Bruno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas Saposnik
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melina Salvatori
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, INBIRS-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Augusto Varese
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, INBIRS-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Soledad González
- Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Jorge Geffner
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, INBIRS-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ethel Feleder
- FP CLINICAL PHARMA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina Halabe
- FP CLINICAL PHARMA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Perez Lera
- FP CLINICAL PHARMA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Montes de Oca
- Laboratorio Pablo Cassará - Unidad de I + D de Biofármacos, Saladillo 2452 C1440FFX, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julio C Vega
- Laboratorio Pablo Cassará - Unidad de I + D de Biofármacos, Saladillo 2452 C1440FFX, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Gustavo A Yerino
- FP CLINICAL PHARMA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Fló
- Laboratorio Pablo Cassará - Unidad de I + D de Biofármacos, Saladillo 2452 C1440FFX, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana Cassataro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín (1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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34
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Wei WC, Tsai KC, Liaw CC, Chiou CT, Tseng YH, Liao GY, Lin YC, Chiou WF, Liou KT, Yu IS, Shen YC, Su YC. NRICM101 ameliorates SARS-CoV-2-S1-induced pulmonary injury in K18-hACE2 mice model. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1125414. [PMID: 37416063 PMCID: PMC10320700 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1125414] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to represent a challenge for public health globally since transmission of different variants of the virus does not seem to be effectively affected by the current treatments and vaccines. During COVID-19 the outbreak in Taiwan, the patients with mild symptoms were improved after the treatment with NRICM101, a traditional Chinese medicine formula developed by our institute. Here, we investigated the effect and mechanism of action of NRICM101 on improval of COVID-19-induced pulmonary injury using S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-induced diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) of hACE2 transgenic mice. The S1 protein induced significant pulmonary injury with the hallmarks of DAD (strong exudation, interstitial and intra-alveolar edema, hyaline membranes, abnormal pneumocyte apoptosis, strong leukocyte infiltration, and cytokine production). NRICM101 effectively reduced all of these hallmarks. We then used next-generation sequencing assays to identify 193 genes that were differentially expressed in the S1+NRICM101 group. Of these, three (Ddit4, Ikbke, Tnfaip3) were significantly represented in the top 30 enriched downregulated gene ontology (GO) terms in the S1+NRICM101 group versus the S1+saline group. These terms included the innate immune response, pattern recognition receptor (PRR), and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. We found that NRICM101 disrupted the interaction of the spike protein of various SARS-CoV-2 variants with the human ACE2 receptor. It also suppressed the expression of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1β, IP-10, and MIP-1α in alveolar macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide. We conclude that NRICM101 effectively protects against SARS-CoV-2-S1-induced pulmonary injury via modulation of the innate immune response, pattern recognition receptor, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways to ameliorate DAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chi Wei
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Chang Tsai
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ching Liaw
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Tang Chiou
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hwei Tseng
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Geng-You Liao
- Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fei Chiou
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Tong Liou
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Shing Yu
- Laboratory Animal Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Chiang Shen
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chang Su
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
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35
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Weingarten-Gabbay S, Chen DY, Sarkizova S, Taylor HB, Gentili M, Pearlman LR, Bauer MR, Rice CM, Clauser KR, Hacohen N, Carr SA, Abelin JG, Saeed M, Sabeti PC. The HLA-II immunopeptidome of SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.26.542482. [PMID: 37398281 PMCID: PMC10312465 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.542482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Targeted synthetic vaccines have the potential to transform our response to viral outbreaks; yet the design of these vaccines requires a comprehensive knowledge of viral immunogens, including T-cell epitopes. Having previously mapped the SARS-CoV-2 HLA-I landscape, here we report viral peptides that are naturally processed and loaded onto HLA-II complexes in infected cells. We identified over 500 unique viral peptides from canonical proteins, as well as from overlapping internal open reading frames (ORFs), revealing, for the first time, the contribution of internal ORFs to the HLA-II peptide repertoire. Most HLA-II peptides co-localized with the known CD4+ T cell epitopes in COVID-19 patients. We also observed that two reported immunodominant regions in the SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein are formed at the level of HLA-II presentation. Overall, our analyses show that HLA-I and HLA-II pathways target distinct viral proteins, with the structural proteins accounting for most of the HLA-II peptidome and non-structural and non-canonical proteins accounting for the majority of the HLA-I peptidome. These findings highlight the need for a vaccine design that incorporates multiple viral elements harboring CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes to maximize the vaccine effectiveness.
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36
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Strine MS, Cai WL, Wei J, Alfajaro MM, Filler RB, Biering SB, Sarnik S, Chow RD, Patil A, Cervantes KS, Collings CK, DeWeirdt PC, Hanna RE, Schofield K, Hulme C, Konermann S, Doench JG, Hsu PD, Kadoch C, Yan Q, Wilen CB. DYRK1A promotes viral entry of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses in a kinase-independent manner. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002097. [PMID: 37310920 PMCID: PMC10263356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying host genes essential for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has the potential to reveal novel drug targets and further our understanding of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We previously performed a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen to identify proviral host factors for highly pathogenic human coronaviruses. Few host factors were required by diverse coronaviruses across multiple cell types, but DYRK1A was one such exception. Although its role in coronavirus infection was previously undescribed, DYRK1A encodes Dual Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation Regulated Kinase 1A and is known to regulate cell proliferation and neuronal development. Here, we demonstrate that DYRK1A regulates ACE2 and DPP4 transcription independent of its catalytic kinase function to support SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) entry. We show that DYRK1A promotes DNA accessibility at the ACE2 promoter and a putative distal enhancer, facilitating transcription and gene expression. Finally, we validate that the proviral activity of DYRK1A is conserved across species using cells of nonhuman primate and human origin. In summary, we report that DYRK1A is a novel regulator of ACE2 and DPP4 expression that may dictate susceptibility to multiple highly pathogenic human coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison S. Strine
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Wesley L. Cai
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jin Wei
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mia Madel Alfajaro
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Renata B. Filler
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Scott B. Biering
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Sarnik
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ryan D. Chow
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Ajinkya Patil
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kasey S. Cervantes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Clayton K. Collings
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Peter C. DeWeirdt
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ruth E. Hanna
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kevin Schofield
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Christopher Hulme
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Division of Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Silvana Konermann
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - John G. Doench
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Patrick D. Hsu
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Cigall Kadoch
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Qin Yan
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Craig B. Wilen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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37
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Brand M, Keşmir C. Evolution of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 + T cell epitopes. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:283-293. [PMID: 36719467 PMCID: PMC9887569 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-023-01295-8] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination clearly decreases coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality; however, they also impose selection pressure on the virus, which promotes the evolution of immune escape variants. For example, despite the high vaccination level in especially Western countries, the Omicron variant caused millions of breakthrough infections, suggesting that the highly mutated spike protein in the Omicron variant can escape antibody immunity much more efficiently than the other variants of concern (VOCs). In this study, we investigated the resistance/susceptibility of T helper cell responses that are necessary for generating efficient long-lasting antibody immunity, in several VOCs. By predicting T helper cell epitopes on the spike protein for most common HLA-DRB1 alleles worldwide, we found that although most of high frequency HLA-DRB1 alleles have several potential T helper cell epitopes, few alleles like HLA-DRB1 13:01 and 11:01 are not predicted to have any significant T helper cell responses after vaccination. Using these predictions, a population based on realistic human leukocyte antigen-II (HLA-II) frequencies were simulated to visualize the T helper cell immunity on the population level. While a small fraction of this population had alarmingly little predicted CD4 T cell epitopes, the majority had several epitopes that should be enough to generate efficient B cell responses. Moreover, we show that VOC spike mutations hardly affect T helper epitopes and mainly occur in other residues of the spike protein. These results suggest that lack of long-lasting antibody responses is not likely due to loss of T helper cell epitopes in new VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Brand
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Can Keşmir
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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38
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Yang JX, Tseng JC, Tien CF, Lee CY, Liu YL, Lin JJ, Tsai PJ, Liao HC, Liu SJ, Su YW, Hsu LC, Chen JK, Huang MH, Yu GY, Chuang TH. TLR9 and STING agonists cooperatively boost the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine through an increased germinal center B cell response and reshaped T helper responses. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:2897-2913. [PMID: 37324951 PMCID: PMC10266083 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.81210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are a powerful medical intervention for preventing epidemic diseases. Efficient inactivated or protein vaccines typically rely on an effective adjuvant to elicit an immune response and boost vaccine activity. In this study, we investigated the adjuvant activities of combinations of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists in a SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain protein vaccine. Adjuvants formulated with a TLR9 agonist, CpG-2722, with various cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) that are STING agonists increased germinal center B cell response and elicited humoral immune responses in immunized mice. An adjuvant containing CpG-2722 and 2'3'-c-di-AM(PS)2 effectively boosted the immune response to both intramuscularly and intranasally administrated vaccines. Vaccines adjuvanted with CpG-2722 or 2'3'-c-di-AM(PS)2 alone were capable of inducing an immune response, but a cooperative adjuvant effect was observed when both were combined. CpG-2722 induced antigen-dependent T helper (Th)1 and Th17 responses, while 2'3'-c-di-AM(PS)2 induced a Th2 response. The combination of CpG-2722 and 2'3'-c-di-AM(PS)2 generated a distinct antigen-dependent Th response profile characterized by higher Th1 and Th17, but lower Th2 responses. In dendritic cells, CpG-2722 and 2'3'-c-di-AM(PS)2 showed a cooperative effect on inducing expression of molecules critical for T cell activation. CpG-2722 and 2'3'-c-di-AM(PS)2 have distinct cytokine inducing profiles in different cell populations. The combination of these two agonists enhanced the expression of cytokines for Th1 and Th17 responses and suppressed the expression of cytokines for Th2 response in these cells. Thus, the antigen-dependent Th responses observed in the animals immunized with different vaccines were shaped by the antigen-independent cytokine-inducing profiles of their adjuvant. The expanded targeting cell populations, the increased germinal center B cell response, and reshaped T helper responses are the molecular bases for the cooperative adjuvant effect of the combination of TLR9 and STING agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Xing Yang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Chih Tseng
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Tien
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yin Lee
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Liu
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jhe-Jhih Lin
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Tsai
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chun Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Su
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chung Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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39
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Richez B, Cantarel C, Durrieu F, Soubeyran I, Blanchi J, Pernot S, Chakiba Brugère C, Roubaud G, Cousin S, Etienne G, Floquet A, Babre F, Rivalan J, Lalet C, Narbonne M, Belaroussi Y, Bellera C, Mathoulin-Pélissier S. One-Year Follow-Up of Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Anxiety among Health Workers of a French Cancer Center: The PRO-SERO-COV Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5949. [PMID: 37297553 PMCID: PMC10252859 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Infection of SARS-CoV-2 among health workers (HWs) in contact with cancer patients has been a major issue since the beginning of the pandemic. We aimed to assess the serological immune status of SARS-CoV-2 infection among these HWs. A prospective cohort study was initiated in the comprehensive cancer center of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (NA, France). Volunteer HWs working on March 2020 without active infection or symptoms of COVID-19 completed a self-questionnaire and had a blood test at inclusion, at 3 and 12 months. Positive serological status of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined by anti-nucleocapsid antibodies and/or IgG anti-spike antibodies, except at 12 months due to vaccine. Half of the HWs were included (N = 517) and 89% were followed for three months (N = 500) and one year (N = 462). Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 3.5% (95% CI: 1.9-5.1), 6.2% (95% CI: 4.1-8.3), and 10% (95% CI: 7.2-12.7) on June-September 2020, September 2020-January 2021, and June-October 2021, respectively. At 12 months, 93.3% had detectable antibodies with 80% vaccinated in the first three months of vaccine availability. The COVID-19-free policy of the institution, respect for barrier gestures, high and early vaccination of HWs, and low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in NA may explain the low rate of seropositivity among the HWs of the Institut Bergonié.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Richez
- Department of Anesthesia—Intensive Care, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Coralie Cantarel
- Inserm CIC1401, Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Françoise Durrieu
- Department of Biopathology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Isabelle Soubeyran
- Department of Biopathology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Julie Blanchi
- Department of Biopathology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Simon Pernot
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Camille Chakiba Brugère
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Guilhem Roubaud
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sophie Cousin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Gabriel Etienne
- Hematology Department, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Floquet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Florence Babre
- Department of Anesthesia—Intensive Care, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Julie Rivalan
- Department of Anesthesia—Intensive Care, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Caroline Lalet
- Inserm CIC1401, Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Marine Narbonne
- Department PRISME, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Yaniss Belaroussi
- Inserm CIC1401, Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Carine Bellera
- Inserm CIC1401, Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Epicene Team, UMR 1219, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, University Bordeaux, Inserm, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Simone Mathoulin-Pélissier
- Inserm CIC1401, Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Epicene Team, UMR 1219, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, University Bordeaux, Inserm, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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40
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Liang F. Quantitative Mutation Analysis of Genes and Proteins of Major SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern and Interest. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051193. [PMID: 37243278 DOI: 10.3390/v15051193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Of various SARS-CoV-2 variants, some have drawn special concern or interest because of their heightened disease threat. The mutability of individual SARS-CoV-2 genes/proteins presumably varies. The present study quantified gene/protein mutations in 13 major SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern/interest, and analyzed viral protein antigenicity using bioinformatics. The results from 187 carefully perused genome clones showed significantly higher mean percent mutations in the spike, ORF8, nucleocapsid, and NSP6 than in other viral proteins. The ORF8 and spike proteins also tolerated higher maximal percent mutations. The omicron variant presented more percent mutations in the NSP6 and structural proteins, whereas the delta featured more in the ORF7a. Omicron subvariant BA.2 exhibited more mutations in ORF6, and omicron BA.4 had more in NSP1, ORF6, and ORF7b, relative to omicron BA.1. Delta subvariants AY.4 and AY.5 bore more mutations in ORF7b and ORF8 than delta B.1.617.2. Predicted antigen ratios of SARS-CoV-2 proteins significantly vary (range: 38-88%). To overcome SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion, the relatively conserved, potentially immunogenic NSP4, NSP13, NSP14, membrane, and ORF3a viral proteins may serve as more suitable targets for molecular vaccines or therapeutics than the mutation-prone NSP6, spike, ORF8, or nucleocapsid protein. Further investigation into distinct mutations of the variants/subvariants may help understand SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Liang
- Department of Anatomy, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore
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41
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Halma MTJ, Plothe C, Marik P, Lawrie TA. Strategies for the Management of Spike Protein-Related Pathology. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1308. [PMID: 37317282 PMCID: PMC10222799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051308] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, a need has arisen to prevent and treat two related conditions, COVID-19 vaccine injury and long COVID-19, both of which can trace at least part of their aetiology to the spike protein, which can cause harm through several mechanisms. One significant mechanism of harm is vascular, and it is mediated by the spike protein, a common element of the COVID-19 illness, and it is related to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Given the significant number of people experiencing these two related conditions, it is imperative to develop treatment protocols, as well as to consider the diversity of people experiencing long COVID-19 and vaccine injury. This review summarizes the known treatment options for long COVID-19 and vaccine injury, their mechanisms, and their evidentiary basis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christof Plothe
- Center for Biophysical Osteopathy, Am Wegweiser 27, 55232 Alzey, Germany
| | - Paul Marik
- Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), 2001 L St. NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, USA;
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42
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Pankhurst TE, Buick KH, Lange JL, Marshall AJ, Button KR, Palmer OR, Farrand KJ, Montgomerie I, Bird TW, Mason NC, Kuang J, Compton BJ, Comoletti D, Salio M, Cerundolo V, Quiñones-Mateu ME, Painter GF, Hermans IF, Connor LM. MAIT cells activate dendritic cells to promote T FH cell differentiation and induce humoral immunity. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112310. [PMID: 36989114 PMCID: PMC10045373 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112310] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protective immune responses against respiratory pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus, are initiated by the mucosal immune system. However, most licensed vaccines are administered parenterally and are largely ineffective at inducing mucosal immunity. The development of safe and effective mucosal vaccines has been hampered by the lack of a suitable mucosal adjuvant. In this study we explore a class of adjuvant that harnesses mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. We show evidence that intranasal immunization of MAIT cell agonists co-administered with protein, including the spike receptor binding domain from SARS-CoV-2 virus and hemagglutinin from influenza virus, induce protective humoral immunity and immunoglobulin A production. MAIT cell adjuvant activity is mediated by CD40L-dependent activation of dendritic cells and subsequent priming of T follicular helper cells. In summary, we show that MAIT cells are promising vaccine targets that can be utilized as cellular adjuvants in mucosal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa E Pankhurst
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Kaitlin H Buick
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Joshua L Lange
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Andrew J Marshall
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Kaileen R Button
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Olga R Palmer
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn J Farrand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Isabelle Montgomerie
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Thomas W Bird
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Ngarangi C Mason
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Joanna Kuang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin J Compton
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Davide Comoletti
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Mariolina Salio
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Vincenzo Cerundolo
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | | | - Gavin F Painter
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Ian F Hermans
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Lisa M Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
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43
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Villarraza J, Fuselli A, Gugliotta A, Garay E, Rodríguez MC, Fontana D, Antuña S, Gastaldi V, Battagliotti JM, Tardivo MB, Alvarez D, Castro E, Cassataro J, Ceaglio N, Prieto C. A COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and immune-stimulating complexes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:3429-3441. [PMID: 37093307 PMCID: PMC10124706 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12520-5] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 pandemic disease, constitutes a structural protein that proved to be the main responsible for neutralizing antibody production. Thus, its sequence is highly considered for the design of candidate vaccines. Animal cell culture represents the best option for the production of subunit vaccines based on recombinant proteins since they introduce post-translational modifications that are important to mimic the natural antigenic epitopes. Particularly, the human cell line HEK293T has been explored and used for the production of biotherapeutics since the products derived from them present human-like post-translational modifications that are important for the protein's activity and immunogenicity. The aim of this study was to produce and characterize a potential vaccine for COVID-19 based on the spike ectodomain (S-ED) of SARS-CoV-2 and two different adjuvants: aluminum hydroxide (AH) and immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs). The S-ED was produced in sHEK293T cells using a 1-L stirred tank bioreactor operated in perfusion mode and purified. S-ED characterization revealed the expected size and morphology. High N-glycan content was confirmed. S-ED-specific binding with the hACE2 (human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor was verified. The immunogenicity of S-ED was evaluated using AH and ISCOMs. Both formulations demonstrated the presence of anti-RBD antibodies in the plasma of immunized mice, being significantly higher for the latter adjuvant. Also, higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were detected after the ex vivo immune stimulation of spleen-derived MNCs from ISCOMs immunized mice. Further analysis confirmed that S-ED/ISCOMs elicit neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. KEY POINTS: Trimeric SARS-CoV-2 S-ED was produced in stable recombinant sHEK cells in serum-free medium. A novel S-ED vaccine formulation induced potent humoral and cellular immunity. S-ED formulated with ISCOMs adjuvant elicited a highly neutralizing antibody titer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Villarraza
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Antonela Fuselli
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Agustina Gugliotta
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Ernesto Garay
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Diego Fontana
- Biotecnofe S.A. PTLC, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
- UNL, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Victoria Gastaldi
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
- Biotecnofe S.A. PTLC, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | | | - Diego Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eliana Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana Cassataro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Ceaglio
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Claudio Prieto
- Biotecnofe S.A. PTLC, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
- UNL, FBCB, Centro Biotecnológico del Litoral, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cellargen Biotech SRL, Santa Fe, Pcia., Santa Fe, Argentina
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44
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Montgomerie I, Bird TW, Palmer OR, Mason NC, Pankhurst TE, Lawley B, Hernández LC, Harfoot R, Authier-Hall A, Anderson DE, Hilligan KL, Buick KH, Mbenza NM, Mittelstädt G, Maxwell S, Sinha S, Kuang J, Subbarao K, Parker EJ, Sher A, Hermans IF, Ussher JE, Quiñones-Mateu ME, Comoletti D, Connor LM. Incorporation of SARS-CoV-2 spike NTD to RBD protein vaccine improves immunity against viral variants. iScience 2023; 26:106256. [PMID: 36845030 PMCID: PMC9940465 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106256] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants pose a threat to human health worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)-based vaccines are suitable candidates for booster vaccines, eliciting a focused antibody response enriched for virus neutralizing activity. Although RBD proteins are manufactured easily, and have excellent stability and safety properties, they are poorly immunogenic compared to the full-length spike protein. We have overcome this limitation by engineering a subunit vaccine composed of an RBD tandem dimer fused to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein. We found that inclusion of the NTD (1) improved the magnitude and breadth of the T cell and anti-RBD response, and (2) enhanced T follicular helper cell and memory B cell generation, antibody potency, and cross-reactive neutralization activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, including B.1.1.529 (Omicron BA.1). In summary, our uniquely engineered RBD-NTD-subunit protein vaccine provides a promising booster vaccination strategy capable of protecting against known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Montgomerie
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Thomas W Bird
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Olga R Palmer
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Blair Lawley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Leonor C Hernández
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rhodri Harfoot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Danielle E Anderson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kerry L Hilligan
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kaitlin H Buick
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Naasson M Mbenza
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gerd Mittelstädt
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Samara Maxwell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Shubhra Sinha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Joanna Kuang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Emily J Parker
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alan Sher
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ian F Hermans
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - James E Ussher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Miguel E Quiñones-Mateu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Webster Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Davide Comoletti
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Lisa M Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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45
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Soares SR, da Silva Torres MK, Lima SS, de Sarges KML, Santos EFD, de Brito MTFM, da Silva ALS, de Meira Leite M, da Costa FP, Cantanhede MHD, da Silva R, de Oliveira Lameira Veríssimo A, Vallinoto IMVC, Feitosa RNM, Quaresma JAS, Chaves TDSS, Viana GMR, Falcão LFM, Santos EJMD, Vallinoto ACR, da Silva ANMR. Antibody Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins in Patients with Different COVID-19 Clinical Profiles. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040898. [PMID: 37112878 PMCID: PMC10141342 DOI: 10.3390/v15040898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in Brazil was diagnosed on February 26, 2020. Due to the important epidemiological impact of COVID-19, the present study aimed to analyze the specificity of IgG antibody responses to the S1, S2 and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in different COVID-19 clinical profiles. This study enrolled 136 individuals who were diagnosed with or without COVID-19 based on clinical findings and laboratory results and classified as asymptomatic or as having mild, moderate or severe disease. Data collection was performed through a semistructured questionnaire to obtain demographic information and main clinical manifestations. IgG antibody responses to the S1 and S2 subunits of the spike (S) protein and the nucleocapsid (N) protein were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The results showed that among the participants, 87.5% (119/136) exhibited IgG responses to the S1 subunit and 88.25% (120/136) to N. Conversely, only 14.44% of the subjects (21/136) displayed S2 subunit responses. When analyzing the IgG antibody response while considering the different proteins of the virus, patients with severe disease had significantly higher antibody responses to N and S1 than asymptomatic individuals (p ≤ 0.0001), whereas most of the participants had low antibody titers against the S2 subunit. In addition, individuals with long COVID-19 showed a greater IgG response profile than those with symptomatology of a short duration. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that levels of IgG antibodies may be related to the clinical evolution of COVID-19, with high levels of IgG antibodies against S1 and N in severe cases and in individuals with long COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinei Ramos Soares
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Maria Karoliny da Silva Torres
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Sandra Souza Lima
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Kevin Matheus Lima de Sarges
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Erika Ferreira dos Santos
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Andréa Luciana Soares da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Mauro de Meira Leite
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Flávia Póvoa da Costa
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Rosilene da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Izaura Maria Vieira Cayres Vallinoto
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Rosimar Neris Martins Feitosa
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Juarez Antônio Simões Quaresma
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém 66050-540, Brazil
| | - Tânia do Socorro Souza Chaves
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Básicas em Malária em Malária, Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Insumos Estratégicos, Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, Ananindeua 70068-900, Brazil
| | - Giselle Maria Rachid Viana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Básicas em Malária em Malária, Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Insumos Estratégicos, Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, Ananindeua 70068-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém 66050-540, Brazil
| | - Eduardo José Melo dos Santos
- Laboratório de Genética de Doenças Complexas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Andréa Nazaré Monteiro Rangel da Silva
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
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46
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Koopman G, Amacker M, Stegmann T, Verschoor EJ, Verstrepen BE, Bhoelan F, Bemelman D, Böszörményi KP, Fagrouch Z, Kiemenyi-Kayere G, Mortier D, Verel DE, Niphuis H, Acar RF, Kondova I, Kap YS, Bogers WMJM, Mooij P, Fleury S. A low dose of RBD and TLR7/8 agonist displayed on influenza virosome particles protects rhesus macaque against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5074. [PMID: 36977691 PMCID: PMC10044094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31818-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza virosomes serve as antigen delivery vehicles and pre-existing immunity toward influenza improves the immune responses toward antigens. Here, vaccine efficacy was evaluated in non-human primates with a COVID-19 virosome-based vaccine containing a low dose of RBD protein (15 µg) and the adjuvant 3M-052 (1 µg), displayed together on virosomes. Vaccinated animals (n = 6) received two intramuscular administrations at week 0 and 4 and challenged with SARS-CoV-2 at week 8, together with unvaccinated control animals (n = 4). The vaccine was safe and well tolerated and serum RBD IgG antibodies were induced in all animals and in the nasal washes and bronchoalveolar lavages in the three youngest animals. All control animals became strongly sgRNA positive in BAL, while all vaccinated animals were protected, although the oldest vaccinated animal (V1) was transiently weakly positive. The three youngest animals had also no detectable sgRNA in nasal wash and throat. Cross-strain serum neutralizing antibodies toward Wuhan-like, Alpha, Beta, and Delta viruses were observed in animals with the highest serum titers. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, CXCL-10 and IL-6 were increased in BALs of infected control animals but not in vaccinated animals. Virosomes-RBD/3M-052 prevented severe SARS-CoV-2, as shown by a lower total lung inflammatory pathology score than control animals.
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Grants
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
- TRANSVAC2 2002-08-AVVAX-COVID-19, TRANSVAC2_TNA2002-08 European Commission
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerrit Koopman
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
| | - Mario Amacker
- Mymetics SA, 4 Route de La Corniche, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Toon Stegmann
- Mymetics BV, JH Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ernst J Verschoor
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Babs E Verstrepen
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Farien Bhoelan
- Mymetics BV, JH Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Denzel Bemelman
- Mymetics BV, JH Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kinga P Böszörményi
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Zahra Fagrouch
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | | | - Daniella Mortier
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Dagmar E Verel
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Niphuis
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Roja Fidel Acar
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Ivanela Kondova
- Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda S Kap
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Willy M J M Bogers
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Mooij
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvain Fleury
- Mymetics SA, 4 Route de La Corniche, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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Tavukcuoglu E, Yanik H, Parveen M, Uluturk S, Durusu-Tanriover M, Inkaya AC, Akova M, Unal S, Esendagli G. Human memory T cell dynamics after aluminum-adjuvanted inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4610. [PMID: 36944716 PMCID: PMC10028771 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31347-8] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the functional capacity of CD4+ and CD8+ terminally-differentiated effector (TEMRA), central memory (TCM), and effector memory (TEM) cells obtained from the volunteers vaccinated with an aluminum-adjuvanted inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac). The volunteers were followed for T cell immune responses following the termination of a randomized phase III clinical trial. Seven days and four months after the second dose of the vaccine, the memory T cell subsets were collected and stimulated by autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mDCs) loaded with SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein S1. Compared to the placebo group, memory T cells from the vaccinated individuals significantly proliferated in response to S1-loaded mDCs. CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cell proliferation was detected in 86% and 78% of the vaccinated individuals, respectively. More than 73% (after a short-term) and 62% (after an intermediate-term) of the vaccinated individuals harbored TCM and/or TEM cells that responded to S1-loaded mDCs by secreting IFN-γ. The expression of CD25, CD38, 4-1BB, PD-1, and CD107a indicated a modulation in the memory T cell subsets. Especially on day 120, PD-1 was upregulated on CD4+ TEMRA and TCM, and on CD8+ TEM and TCM cells; accordingly, proliferation and IFN-γ secretion capacities tended to decline after 4 months. In conclusion, the combination of inactivated whole-virion particles with aluminum adjuvants possesses capacities to induce functional T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Tavukcuoglu
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hamdullah Yanik
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mubaida Parveen
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sila Uluturk
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mine Durusu-Tanriover
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Cagkan Inkaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Murat Akova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Serhat Unal
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gunes Esendagli
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
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48
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SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines, Vaccine Development Technologies, and Significant Efforts in Vaccine Development during the Pandemic: The Lessons Learned Might Help to Fight against the Next Pandemic. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030682. [PMID: 36992266 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We are currently approaching three years since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 has caused extensive disruptions in everyday life, public health, and the global economy. Thus far, the vaccine has worked better than expected against the virus. During the pandemic, we experienced several things, such as the virus and its pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatments; emerging variants; different vaccines; and the vaccine development processes. This review describes how each vaccine has been developed and approved with the help of modern technology. We also discuss critical milestones during the vaccine development process. Several lessons were learned from different countries during the two years of vaccine research, development, clinical trials, and vaccination. The lessons learned during the vaccine development process will help to fight the next pandemic.
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49
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Yang KS, Blankenship LR, Kuo STA, Sheng YJ, Li P, Fierke CA, Russell DH, Yan X, Xu S, Liu WR. A Novel Y-Shaped, S-O-N-O-S-Bridged Cross-Link between Three Residues C22, C44, and K61 Is Frequently Observed in the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:449-455. [PMID: 36629751 PMCID: PMC10023456 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pathogen, SARS-CoV-2 relies on its main protease (MPro) for pathogenesis and replication. During crystallographic analyses of MPro crystals that were exposed to the air, a uniquely Y-shaped, S-O-N-O-S-bridged post-translational cross-link that connects three residues C22, C44, and K61 at their side chains was frequently observed. As a novel covalent modification, this cross-link serves potentially as a redox switch to regulate the catalytic activity of MPro, a demonstrated drug target of COVID-19. The formation of this linkage leads to a much more open active site that can potentially be targeted for the development of novel SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. The structural rearrangement of MPro by this cross-link indicates that small molecules that lock MPro in the cross-linked form can potentially be used with other active-site-targeting molecules such as paxlovid for synergistic effects in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai S. Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Syuan-Ting Alex Kuo
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yan J. Sheng
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Pingwei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Carol A. Fierke
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - David H. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xin Yan
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Shiqing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Wenshe Ray Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology and Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Al-Akioui-Sanz K, Pascual-Miguel B, Díaz-Almirón M, Mestre-Durán C, Navarro-Zapata A, Clares-Villa L, Martín-Cortázar C, Vicario JL, Moreno MÁ, Balas A, De Paz R, Minguillón J, Pérez-Martínez A, Ferreras C. Donor selection for adoptive cell therapy with CD45RA - memory T cells for patients with coronavirus disease 2019, and dexamethasone and interleukin-15 effects on the phenotype, proliferation and interferon gamma release. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:330-340. [PMID: 36585293 PMCID: PMC9742221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.12.001] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS We have previously demonstrated the safety and feasibility of adoptive cell therapy with CD45RA- memory T cells containing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific T cells for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 from an unvaccinated donor who was chosen based on human leukocyte antigen compatibility and cellular response. In this study, we examined the durability of cellular and humoral immunity within CD45RA- memory T cells and the effect of dexamethasone, the current standard of care treatment, and interleukin-15, a cytokine critically involved in T-cell maintenance and survival. METHODS We performed a longitudinal analysis from previously severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected and infection-naïve individuals covering 21 months from infection and 10 months after full vaccination with the BNT162b2 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. RESULTS We observed that cellular responses are maintained over time. Humoral responses increased after vaccination but were gradually lost. In addition, dexamethasone did not alter cell functionality or proliferation of CD45RA- T cells, and interleukin-15 increased the memory T-cell activation state, regulatory T cell expression, and interferon gamma release. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the best donors for adoptive cell therapy would be recovered individuals and 2 months after vaccination, although further studies with larger cohorts would be needed to confirm this finding. Dexamethasone did not affect the characteristics of the memory T cells at a concentration used in the clinical practice and IL-15 showed a positive effect on SARS-CoV-2-specific CD45RA- T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Al-Akioui-Sanz
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bárbara Pascual-Miguel
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Mestre-Durán
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Navarro-Zapata
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Clares-Villa
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carla Martín-Cortázar
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Vicario
- Histocompatibility Unit, Transfusion Center of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Balas
- Histocompatibility Unit, Transfusion Center of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel De Paz
- Cell Therapy Unit, Hematology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Minguillón
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Hemato-oncology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine Autonomous, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ferreras
- IdiPAZ, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
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