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Van Rompay KK, Coffey LL, Yee JL, Singapuri A, Stuart J, Lanteri MC, Maria FS, Lu K, Singh I, Bakkour S, Stone M, Williamson PC, Muench MO, Busch MP, Simmons G. Plasma transfusion-transmission of Zika virus in mice and macaques. Transfusion 2023; 63:574-585. [PMID: 36621777 PMCID: PMC10134791 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17243] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemics with infections in pregnant women are associated with severe neurological disease in newborns. Although an arbovirus, ZIKV is also blood transfusion-transmitted (TT). Greater knowledge of the efficiency of ZIKV TT would aid decisions on testing and pathogen reduction technologies (PRT). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Plasma units from ZIKV RNA-reactive blood donors were used to study infectivity in vitro, in mice, and in macaques. Furthermore, plasma units were subjected to PRT using amotosalen/ultraviolet light A (A/UVA) before transfusion. RESULTS In vitro infectivity of ZIKV RNA-reactive plasma varied between 100 and 1000 international units (IU) of ZIKV RNA. Immunodeficient mice were more sensitive with as low as 32 IU sufficient to infect 50% of mice. 50-5500 IU of RNA led to TT in macaques using dose escalation of three different RNA-positive, seronegative plasma units. In contrast, RNA-reactive units collected postseroconversion were not infectious in macaques, even at a dose of 9 million IU RNA. After A/UVA PRT, transfusion of plasma containing up to 18 million IU was no longer infectious in vitro and did not result in ZIKV TT in macaques. CONCLUSION Significant risks of ZIKV TT are likely confined to a relatively short viremic window before seroconversion, and that sensitive nucleic acid amplification testing likely identifies the majority of infectious plasma. PRT was demonstrated to be effective at preventing ZIKV TT. Considering that there is no approved ZIKV vaccine, these data are relevant to mitigate the risk of TT during the future ZIKV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen K.A. Van Rompay
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Lark L. Coffey
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - JoAnn L. Yee
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Anil Singapuri
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Jackson Stuart
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Kai Lu
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Inderdeep Singh
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sonia Bakkour
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mars Stone
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Marcus O. Muench
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Michael P. Busch
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Graham Simmons
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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2
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Gao Y, Tai W, Wang X, Jiang S, Debnath AK, Du L, Chen S. A gossypol derivative effectively protects against Zika and dengue virus infection without toxicity. BMC Biol 2022; 20:143. [PMID: 35706035 PMCID: PMC9202104 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01344-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) cause microcephaly and dengue hemorrhagic fever, respectively, leading to severe problems. No effective antiviral agents are approved against infections of these flaviviruses, calling for the need to develop potent therapeutics. We previously identified gossypol as an effective inhibitor against ZIKV and DENV infections, but this compound is toxic and not suitable for in vivo treatment. Results In this study, we showed that gossypol derivative ST087010 exhibited potent and broad-spectrum in vitro inhibitory activity against infections of at least ten ZIKV strains isolated from different hosts, time periods, and countries, as well as DENV-1-4 serotypes, and significantly reduced cytotoxicity compared to gossypol. It presented broad-spectrum in vivo protective efficacy, protecting ZIKV-infected Ifnar1−/− mice from lethal challenge, with increased survival and reduced weight loss. Ifnar1−/− mice treated with this gossypol derivative decreased viral titers in various tissues, including the brain and testis, after infection with ZIKV at different human isolates. Moreover, ST087010 potently blocked ZIKV vertical transmission in pregnant Ifnar1−/− mice, preventing ZIKV-caused fetal death, and it was safe for pregnant mice and their pups. It also protected DENV-2-challenged Ifnar1−/− mice against viral replication by reducing the viral titers in the brain, kidney, heart, and sera. Conclusions Overall, our data indicate the potential for further development of this gossypol derivative as an effective and safe broad-spectrum therapeutic agent to treat ZIKV and DENV diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01344-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Gao
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.,Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Asim K Debnath
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Shizhong Chen
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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3
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Gambino F, Tai W, Voronin D, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Shi J, Wang X, Wang N, Du L, Qiao L. A vaccine inducing solely cytotoxic T lymphocytes fully prevents Zika virus infection and fetal damage. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109107. [PMID: 33979612 PMCID: PMC8742672 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As vaccine-induced non-neutralizing antibodies may cause antibody-dependent enhancement of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, we test a vaccine that induces only specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) without specific antibodies. We construct a DNA vaccine expressing a ubiquitinated and rearranged ZIKV non-structural protein 3 (NS3). The protein is immediately degraded and processed in the proteasome for presentation via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I for CTL generation. We immunize Ifnar1-/- adult mice with the ubiquitin/NS3 vaccine, impregnate them, and challenge them with ZIKV. Our data show that the vaccine greatly reduces viral titers in reproductive organs and other tissues of adult mice. All mice immunized with the vaccine survived after ZIKV challenge. The vaccine remarkably reduces placenta damage and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and it fully protects fetuses from damage. CD8+ CTLs are essential in protection, as demonstrated via depletion experiments. Our study provides a strategy to develop safe and effective vaccines against viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Gambino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Denis Voronin
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Juan Shi
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Senior author,Correspondence: (L.D.), (L.Q.)
| | - Liang Qiao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA,Senior author,Lead contact,Correspondence: (L.D.), (L.Q.)
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4
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Tai W, He L, Zhang X, Pu J, Voronin D, Jiang S, Zhou Y, Du L. Characterization of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of 2019 novel coronavirus: implication for development of RBD protein as a viral attachment inhibitor and vaccine. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:613-620. [PMID: 32203189 PMCID: PMC7091888 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0400-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1094] [Impact Index Per Article: 273.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a serious threat to global public health, calling for the development of safe and effective prophylactics and therapeutics against infection of its causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The CoV spike (S) protein plays the most important roles in viral attachment, fusion and entry, and serves as a target for development of antibodies, entry inhibitors and vaccines. Here, we identified the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in SARS-CoV-2 S protein and found that the RBD protein bound strongly to human and bat angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. SARS-CoV-2 RBD exhibited significantly higher binding affinity to ACE2 receptor than SARS-CoV RBD and could block the binding and, hence, attachment of SARS-CoV-2 RBD and SARS-CoV RBD to ACE2-expressing cells, thus inhibiting their infection to host cells. SARS-CoV RBD-specific antibodies could cross-react with SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein, and SARS-CoV RBD-induced antisera could cross-neutralize SARS-CoV-2, suggesting the potential to develop SARS-CoV RBD-based vaccines for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lei He
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Pu
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Denis Voronin
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yusen Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Chen Y, Li Y, Wang X, Zou P. Montelukast, an Anti-asthmatic Drug, Inhibits Zika Virus Infection by Disrupting Viral Integrity. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3079. [PMID: 32082265 PMCID: PMC7002393 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and severe complications including neurological sequelae especially fetal microcephaly has aroused global attentions since its outbreak in 2015. Currently, there are no vaccines or therapeutic drugs clinically approved for treatments of ZIKV infection, however. And the drugs used for treating ZIKV in pregnant women require a higher safety profile. Here, we identified an anti-asthmatic drug, montelukast, which is of safety profile for pregnant women and exhibited antiviral efficacy against ZIKV infection in vitro and in vivo. And we showed that montelukast could disrupt the integrity of the virions to release the viral genomic RNA, hence irreversibly inhibiting viral infectivity. In consideration of the neuro-protective activity that montelukast possessed, which was previously reported, it is promising that montelukast could be used for patients with ZIKV infection, particularly for pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peng Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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6
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Poveda-Cuevas SA, Etchebest C, Barroso da Silva FL. Identification of Electrostatic Epitopes in Flavivirus by Computer Simulations: The PROCEEDpKa Method. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:944-963. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Poveda-Cuevas
- Universidade de São Paulo, Programa Interunidades em Bioinformática, Rua do Matão, 1010, BR, 05508-090 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Av. Café, s/no−Campus da USP, BR, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- University of São Paulo-Université Sorbonne Paris Cité International Laboratory in Structural Bioinformatics, Av. do Café, s/no−FCFRP, Bloco B, BR, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Catherine Etchebest
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015 Paris, France
- Equipe 2, Dynamique des Structures et des Interactions Moléculaires, Université Paris Diderot−Paris 7, INTS, 6 Rue Alexandre Cabanel, 75015 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
- University of São Paulo-Université Sorbonne Paris Cité International Laboratory in Structural Bioinformatics, Av. do Café, s/no−FCFRP, Bloco B, BR, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando L. Barroso da Silva
- Universidade de São Paulo, Programa Interunidades em Bioinformática, Rua do Matão, 1010, BR, 05508-090 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Av. Café, s/no−Campus da USP, BR, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- University of São Paulo-Université Sorbonne Paris Cité International Laboratory in Structural Bioinformatics, Av. do Café, s/no−FCFRP, Bloco B, BR, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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7
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Gao Y, Tai W, Wang N, Li X, Jiang S, Debnath AK, Du L, Chen S. Identification of Novel Natural Products as Effective and Broad-Spectrum Anti-Zika Virus Inhibitors. Viruses 2019; 11:E1019. [PMID: 31684080 PMCID: PMC6893700 DOI: 10.3390/v11111019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy leads to severe congenital Zika syndrome, which includes microcephaly and other neurological malformations. No therapeutic agents have, so far, been approved for the treatment of ZIKV infection in humans; as such, there is a need for a continuous effort to develop effective and safe antiviral drugs to treat ZIKV-caused diseases. After screening a natural product library, we have herein identified four natural products with anti-ZIKV activity in Vero E6 cells, including gossypol, curcumin, digitonin, and conessine. Except for curcumin, the other three natural products have not been reported before to have anti-ZIKV activity. Among them, gossypol exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against almost all 10 ZIKV strains tested, including six recent epidemic human strains. The mechanistic study indicated that gossypol could neutralize ZIKV infection by targeting the envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of ZIKV. In contrast, the other natural products inhibited ZIKV infection by targeting the host cell or cell-associated entry and replication stages of ZIKV. A combination of gossypol with any of the three natural products identified in this study, as well as with bortezomib, a previously reported anti-ZIKV compound, exhibited significant combinatorial inhibitory effects against three ZIKV human strains tested. Importantly, gossypol also demonstrated marked potency against all four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) human strains in vitro. Taken together, this study indicates the potential for further development of these natural products, particularly gossypol, as the lead compound or broad-spectrum inhibitors against ZIKV and other flaviviruses, such as DENV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Gao
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Ning Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Asim K Debnath
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Shizhong Chen
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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8
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Effects of Adjuvants on the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Zika Virus Envelope Domain III Subunit Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040161. [PMID: 31717890 PMCID: PMC6963592 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has attracted global attention due to its close association with congenital Zika syndrome and neurological diseases, and transmission through additional routes, such as sexual contact. Currently there are no vaccines approved for ZIKV, and thus, there is an urgent need to develop an effective and safe ZIKV vaccine. Domain III (DIII) of the ZIKV envelope (E) protein is an important vaccine target, and a vaccine developed using a mutant DIII of E (EDIII) protein protects adult and pregnant mice, and unborn offspring, against ZIKV infection. Here, we have used immunocompetent BALB/c mice treated with anti-interferon-α/β receptor 1 (Ifnar1) antibodies to investigate whether three adjuvants (aluminum (Alum), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), and MF59), either alone or in combination, could improve the efficacy of this EDIII subunit vaccine. Our data show that, although vaccine formulated with a single adjuvant induced a specific antibody and cellular immune response, and reduced viral load in mice challenged with ZIKV, the combination of Alum and MPL adjuvants led to a more robust and balanced immune response, stronger neutralizing activity against three recent ZIKV human strains, and greater protection against a high-dose ZIKV challenge. Particularly, the combination of Alum with MPL significantly reduced viral titers and viral RNA copy numbers in sera and tissues, including the male reproductive organs. Overall, this study has identified the combination of Alum and MPL as the most effective adjuvant for ZIKV EDIII subunit vaccines, and it has important implications for subunit vaccines against other enveloped viruses, including non-ZIKV flaviviruses.
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9
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Si L, Meng Y, Tian F, Li W, Zou P, Wang Q, Xu W, Wang Y, Xia M, Hu J, Jiang S, Lu L. A Peptide-Based Virus Inactivator Protects Male Mice Against Zika Virus-Induced Damage of Testicular Tissue. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2250. [PMID: 31611865 PMCID: PMC6777420 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) was a re-emerging arbovirus associated with Guillain–Barré Syndrome in adult and congenital Zika syndrome in fetus and infant. Although ZIKV was mainly transmitted by mosquito bites, many sexual transmission cases have been reported since the outbreak in 2015. ZIKV can persist in testis and semen for a long time, causing testicular tissue damage and reducing sperm quality. However, no drug has been approved for prevention or treatment of ZIKV infection, especially infection in male testicular tissue. Previously reported peptide Z2 could inactivate ZIKV, inhibiting ZIKV infection in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, Z2 could inhibit vertical transmission of ZIKV in pregnant mice, reducing ZIKV infection in fetus. Here we showed that intraperitoneally administered Z2 could also be distributed to testis and epididymis, resulting in the reduction of ZIKV RNA copies in testicular tissue and protection of testis and epididymis against ZIKV-induced pathological damage and poor sperm quality in type I interferon receptor-deficient A129 mice. Thus, Z2, a ZIKV inactivator, could serve as an antiviral agent for treatment of ZIKV infection and attenuation of ZIKV-induced testicular tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Si
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Meng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Tian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihua Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Zou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minjie Xia
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingying Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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10
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Rational Design of Zika Virus Subunit Vaccine with Enhanced Efficacy. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.02187-18. [PMID: 31189716 PMCID: PMC6694833 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02187-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women can lead to fetal deaths and malformations. We have previously reported that ZIKV envelope protein domain III (EDIII) is a subunit vaccine candidate with cross-neutralization activity; however, like many other subunit vaccines, its efficacy is limited. To improve the efficacy of this subunit vaccine, we identified a nonneutralizing epitope on ZIKV EDIII surrounding residue 375, which is buried in the full-length envelope protein but becomes exposed in recombinant EDIII. We then shielded this epitope with an engineered glycan probe. Compared to the wild-type EDIII, the mutant EDIII induced significantly stronger neutralizing antibodies in three mouse strains and also demonstrated significantly improved efficacy by fully protecting mice, particularly pregnant mice and their fetuses, against high-dose lethal ZIKV challenge. Moreover, the mutant EDIII immune sera significantly enhanced the passive protective efficacy by fully protecting mice against lethal ZIKV challenge; this passive protection was positively associated with neutralizing antibody titers. We further showed that the enhanced efficacy of the mutant EDIII was due to the shielding of the immunodominant nonneutralizing epitope surrounding residue 375, which led to immune refocusing on the neutralizing epitopes. Taken together, the results of this study reveal that an intrinsic limitation of subunit vaccines is their artificially exposed immunodominant nonneutralizing epitopes, which can be overcome through glycan shielding. Additionally, the mutant ZIKV protein generated in this study is a promising subunit vaccine candidate with high efficacy in preventing ZIKV infections in mice.IMPORTANCE Viral subunit vaccines generally show low efficacy. In this study, we revealed an intrinsic limitation of subunit vaccine designs: artificially exposed surfaces of subunit vaccines contain epitopes unfavorable for vaccine efficacy. More specifically, we identified an epitope on Zika virus (ZIKV) envelope protein domain III (EDIII) that is buried in the full-length envelope protein but becomes exposed in recombinant EDIII. We further shielded this epitope with a glycan, and the resulting mutant EDIII vaccine demonstrated significantly enhanced efficacy over the wild-type EDIII vaccine in protecting animal models from ZIKV infections. Therefore, the intrinsic limitation of subunit vaccines can be overcome through shielding these artificially exposed unfavorable epitopes. The engineered EDIII vaccine generated in this study is a promising vaccine candidate that can be further developed to battle ZIKV infections.
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Singh PK, Kasetti RB, Zode GS, Goyal A, Juzych MS, Kumar A. Zika Virus Infects Trabecular Meshwork and Causes Trabeculitis and Glaucomatous Pathology in Mouse Eyes. mSphere 2019; 4:e00173-19. [PMID: 31068433 PMCID: PMC6506617 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00173-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy leads to devastating fetal outcomes, including neurological (microcephaly) and ocular pathologies such as retinal lesions, optic nerve abnormalities, chorioretinal atrophy, and congenital glaucoma. Only clinical case reports have linked ZIKV infection to causing glaucoma, a major blinding eye disease. In the present study, we have investigated the role of ZIKV in glaucoma pathophysiology using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. We showed that human primary trabecular meshwork (Pr. TM) cells, as well as a human GTM3 cell line, were permissive to ZIKV infection. ZIKV induced the transcription of various genes expressing pattern recognition receptors (TLR2, TLR3, and RIG-I), cytokines/chemokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, CCL5, and CXCL10), interferons (IFN-α2, IFN-β1, and IFN-γ), and interferon-stimulated genes (ISG15 and OAS2) in Pr. TM cells. ZIKV infection in IFNAR1-/- and wild-type (WT) mouse eyes resulted in increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and the development of chorioretinal atrophy. Anterior chamber (AC) inoculation of ZIKV caused infectivity in iridocorneal angle and TM, leading to the death of TM cells in the mouse eyes. Moreover, anterior segment tissue of infected eyes exhibited increased expression of inflammatory mediators and interferons. Furthermore, ZIKV infection in IFNAR1-/- mice resulted in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and loss, coinciding with optic nerve infectivity and disruption of anterograde axonal transport. Because of similarity in glaucomatous pathologies in our study and other experimental glaucoma models, ZIKV infection can be used to study infectious triggers of glaucoma, currently an understudied area of investigation.IMPORTANCE Ocular complications due to ZIKV infection remains a major public health concern because of their ability to cause visual impairment or blindness. Most of the previous studies have shown ZIKV-induced ocular pathology in the posterior segment (i.e., retina) of the eye. However, some recent clinical reports from affected countries highlighted the importance of ZIKV in affecting the anterior segment of the eye and causing congenital glaucoma. Because glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, it is imperative to study ZIKV infection in causing glaucoma to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we discovered that ZIKV permissively infects human TM cells and evokes inflammatory responses causing trabeculitis. Using a mouse model, we demonstrated that ZIKV infection resulted in higher IOP, increased RGC loss, and optic nerve abnormalities, the classical hallmarks of glaucoma. Collectively, our study provides new insights into ocular ZIKV infection resulting in glaucomatous pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences/Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ramesh B Kasetti
- The North Texas Eye Research Institute and the Department of Pharmacology and Neurosciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Gulab S Zode
- The North Texas Eye Research Institute and the Department of Pharmacology and Neurosciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Anju Goyal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences/Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Mark S Juzych
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences/Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences/Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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