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Qian J, Zhang S, Wang F, Li J, Zhang J. What makes SARS-CoV-2 unique? Focusing on the spike protein. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:404-430. [PMID: 38263600 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12130] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seriously threatens public health and safety. Genetic variants determine the expression of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, which are associated with enhanced transmissibility, enhanced virulence, and immune escape. Vaccination is encouraged as a public health intervention, and different types of vaccines are used worldwide. However, new variants continue to emerge, especially the Omicron complex, and the neutralizing antibody responses are diminished significantly. In this review, we outlined the uniqueness of SARS-CoV-2 from three perspectives. First, we described the detailed structure of the spike (S) protein, which is highly susceptible to mutations and contributes to the distinct infection cycle of the virus. Second, we systematically summarized the immunoglobulin G epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 and highlighted the central role of the nonconserved regions of the S protein in adaptive immune escape. Third, we provided an overview of the vaccines targeting the S protein and discussed the impact of the nonconserved regions on vaccine effectiveness. The characterization and identification of the structure and genomic organization of SARS-CoV-2 will help elucidate its mechanisms of viral mutation and infection and provide a basis for the selection of optimal treatments. The leaps in advancements regarding improved diagnosis, targeted vaccines and therapeutic remedies provide sound evidence showing that scientific understanding, research, and technology evolved at the pace of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Qian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shichang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinming Li
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiexin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Zheng G, Qiu G, Qian H, Shu Q, Xu J. Multifaceted role of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins in lung injury. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332440. [PMID: 38375473 PMCID: PMC10875085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332440] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third human coronavirus to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and contains four structural proteins: spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that all four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are capable of causing lung injury, even without the presence of intact virus. Therefore, the topic of SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-evoked lung injury warrants more attention. In the current article, we first synopsize the structural features of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Second, we discuss the mechanisms for structural protein-induced inflammatory responses in vitro. Finally, we list the findings that indicate structural proteins themselves are toxic and sufficient to induce lung injury in vivo. Recognizing mechanisms of lung injury triggered by SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins may facilitate the development of targeted modalities in treating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guanguan Qiu
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huifeng Qian
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Xu K, Li J, Lu X, Ge X, Wang K, Wang J, Qiao Z, Quan Y, Li C. The Immunogenicity of CpG, MF59-like, and Alum Adjuvant Delta Strain Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:60. [PMID: 38250873 PMCID: PMC10819607 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010060] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The continuous evolution and mutation of SARS-CoV-2 have highlighted the need for more effective vaccines. In this study, CpG, MF59-like, and Alum adjuvant Delta strain inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were prepared, and the immunogenicity of these vaccines in mice was evaluated. The Delta + MF59-like vaccine group produced the highest levels of S- and RBD-binding antibodies and live Delta virus neutralization levels after one shot of immunization, while mice in the Delta + Alum vaccine group had the highest levels of these antibodies after two doses, and the Delta + MF59-like and Delta + Alum vaccine groups produced high levels of cross-neutralization antibodies against prototype, Beta, and Gamma strain SARS-CoV-2 viruses. There was no significant decrease in neutralizing antibody levels in any vaccine group during the observation period. CpG, MF59-like, and Alum adjuvant Delta strain inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines excited different antibody subtypes compared with unadjuvanted vaccines; the Delta + CpG vaccine group had a higher proportion of IgG2b antibodies, indicating bias towards Th1 immunity. The proportions of IgG1 and IgG2b in the Delta + MF59-like vaccine group were similar to those of the unadjuvanted vaccine. However, the Delta + Alum vaccine group had a higher proportion of IgG1 antibodies, indicating bias towards Th2 immunity. Antigen-specific cytokine secretion CD4/8+ T cells were analyzed. In conclusion, the results of this study show differences in the immune efficacy of CpG, MF59-like, and Alum adjuvant Delta strain inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in mice, which have significant implications for the selection strategy for vaccine adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangwei Xu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China; (K.X.)
| | - Jing Li
- Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., No. 21, Tianfu St., Daxing Biomedicine Industrial Base of Zhongguancun Science Park, Daxing District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xu Lu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China; (K.X.)
| | - Xiaoqin Ge
- Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., No. 21, Tianfu St., Daxing Biomedicine Industrial Base of Zhongguancun Science Park, Daxing District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Kaiqin Wang
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China; (K.X.)
| | - Jiahao Wang
- Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., No. 21, Tianfu St., Daxing Biomedicine Industrial Base of Zhongguancun Science Park, Daxing District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhizhong Qiao
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China; (K.X.)
| | - Yaru Quan
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China; (K.X.)
| | - Changgui Li
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China; (K.X.)
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Xu K, Sun H, Wang K, Quan Y, Qiao Z, Hu Y, Li C. The Quantification of Spike Proteins in the Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines of the Prototype, Delta, and Omicron Variants by LC-MS. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11051002. [PMID: 37243106 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11051002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing variant vaccines or multivalent vaccines is a feasible way to address the epidemic as the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) posed an increased risk to global public health. The spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was usually used as the main antigen in many types of vaccines to produce neutralizing antibodies against the virus. However, the spike (S) proteins of different variants were only differentiated by a few amino acids, making it difficult to obtain specific antibodies that can distinguish different VOCs, thereby challenging the accurate distinction and quantification of the variants using immunological methods such as ELISA. Here, we established a method based on LC-MS to quantify the S proteins in inactivated monovalent vaccines or trivalent vaccines (prototype, Delta, and Omicron strains). By analyzing the S protein sequences of the prototype, Delta, and Omicron strains, we identified peptides that were different and specific among the three strains and synthesized them as references. The synthetic peptides were isotopically labeled as internal targets. Quantitative analysis was performed by calculating the ratio between the reference and internal target. The verification results have shown that the method we established had good specificity, accuracy, and precision. This method can not only accurately quantify the inactivated monovalent vaccine but also could be applied to each strain in inactivated trivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Hence, the LC-MS method established in this study can be applied to the quality control of monovalent and multivalent SARS-CoV-2 variation vaccines. By enabling more accurate quantification, it will help to improve the protection of the vaccine to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangwei Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Huang Sun
- Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., No. 21, Tianfu St., Daxing Biomedicine Industrial Base of Zhongguancun Science Park, Daxing District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Kaiqin Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yaru Quan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhizhong Qiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yaling Hu
- Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., No. 21, Tianfu St., Daxing Biomedicine Industrial Base of Zhongguancun Science Park, Daxing District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Changgui Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, No. 2, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050, China
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