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Markovitsi D. On the Use of the Intrinsic DNA Fluorescence for Monitoring Its Damage: A Contribution from Fundamental Studies. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:26826-26837. [PMID: 38947837 PMCID: PMC11209687 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The assessment of DNA damage by means of appropriate fluorescent probes is widely spread. In the specific case of UV-induced damage, it has been suggested to use the emission of dimeric photoproducts as an internal indicator for the efficacy of spermicidal lamps. However, in the light of fundamental studies on the UV-induced processes, outlined in this review, this is not straightforward. It is by now well established that, in addition to photodimers formed via an electronic excited state, photoionization also takes place with comparable or higher quantum yields, depending on the irradiation wavelength. Among the multitude of final lesions, some have been fully characterized, but others remain unknown; some of them may emit, while others go undetected upon monitoring fluorescence, the result being strongly dependent on both the irradiation and the excitation wavelength. In contrast, the fluorescence of undamaged nucleobases associated with emission from ππ* states, localized or excitonic, appearing at wavelengths shorter than 330 nm is worthy of being explored to this end. Despite its low quantum yield, it is readily detected nowadays. Its intensity decreases due to the disappearance of the reacting nucleobases and the loss of exciton coherence provoked by the presence of lesions, independently of their type. Thus, it could potentially provide valuable information about the DNA damage induced, not only by UV radiation but also by other sanitizing or therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Markovitsi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS,
Institut de Chimie Physique, UMR8000, 91405 Orsay, France
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2
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Vandenberghe P, Ladeira LM, Gil M, Cardoso I, Rato F, Hayes JS, Connolly MA, Gala JL. Biosafety Issues in Patient Transport during COVID-19: A Case Study on the Portuguese Emergency Services. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:99. [PMID: 38248562 PMCID: PMC10815323 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders faced significant biosafety challenges, especially while handling patient transport, potentially exposing them to infection. The PANDEM-2 (European project on pandemic preparedness and response) project, funded by the Horizon 2020 program, sought to investigate the challenges confronting Emergency Medical Systems throughout the EU. First responders from Portugal's National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) were considered as a representative operational model of the national first responder agencies of European member states because they played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they were asked to complete an online survey about their COVID-19 pandemic-related professional activities. The survey focused on their perspectives on current biosafety guidelines and their operational practices. It covered opinions on existing protocols, technical concerns during patient transport, and issues after the patients arrived at the hospital. The key findings revealed concerns about risk assessment, the inadequacy of guidelines, and disparities in equipment access. This survey emphasizes the importance of developing streamlined, adaptable biosafety protocols, better coordination between prehospital and in-hospital services, and the development of scalable, cost-effective biosafety solutions. Based on our findings, we propose improvements to national and European biosafety directives and advocate for streamlined adaptation during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Vandenberghe
- Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Institute for Clinical and Experimental Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Tour Claude Bernard, Avenue Hippocrate, 54-55, bte B1.54.01, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium;
| | - Luis Manuel Ladeira
- Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, Rua Almirante Barroso, 36, 1000-013 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.M.L.); (M.G.); (I.C.); (F.R.)
| | - Margarida Gil
- Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, Rua Almirante Barroso, 36, 1000-013 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.M.L.); (M.G.); (I.C.); (F.R.)
| | - Ivo Cardoso
- Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, Rua Almirante Barroso, 36, 1000-013 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.M.L.); (M.G.); (I.C.); (F.R.)
| | - Fatima Rato
- Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, Rua Almirante Barroso, 36, 1000-013 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.M.L.); (M.G.); (I.C.); (F.R.)
| | - Jessica S. Hayes
- School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (J.S.H.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Maire A. Connolly
- School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (J.S.H.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Jean-Luc Gala
- Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Institute for Clinical and Experimental Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Tour Claude Bernard, Avenue Hippocrate, 54-55, bte B1.54.01, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium;
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3
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Manfredi F, Chiozzini C, Ferrantelli F, Leone P, Pugliese K, Spada M, Di Virgilio A, Giovannelli A, Valeri M, Cara A, Michelini Z, Andreotti M, Federico M. Antiviral effect of SARS-CoV-2 N-specific CD8 + T cells induced in lungs by engineered extracellular vesicles. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:83. [PMID: 37268624 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00686-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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of effective immunity in the lungs should be a requisite for any vaccine designed to control the severe pathogenic effects generated by respiratory infectious agents. We recently provided evidence that the generation of endogenous extracellular vesicles (EVs) engineered for the incorporation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 Nucleocapsid (N) protein induced immunity in the lungs of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice, which then can survive the lethal virus infection. However, nothing is known about the ability of the N-specific CD8+ T cell immunity in controlling viral replication in the lungs, a major pathogenic signature of severe disease in humans. To fill the gap, we investigated the immunity generated in the lungs by N-engineered EVs in terms of induction of N-specific effectors and resident memory CD8+ T lymphocytes before and after virus challenge carried out three weeks and three months after boosting. At the same time points, viral replication extents in the lungs were evaluated. Three weeks after the second immunization, virus replication was reduced in mice best responding to vaccination by more than 3-logs compared to the control group. The impaired viral replication matched with a reduced induction of Spike-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes. The antiviral effect appeared similarly strong when the viral challenge was carried out 3 months after boosting, and associated with the persistence of N-specific CD8+ T-resident memory lymphocytes. In view of the quite low mutation rate of the N protein, the present vaccine strategy has the potential to control the replication of all emerging variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Manfredi
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Chiozzini
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Ferrantelli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Katherina Pugliese
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Spada
- National Center for Animal Experimentation and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Virgilio
- National Center for Animal Experimentation and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Giovannelli
- National Center for Animal Experimentation and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Valeri
- National Center for Animal Experimentation and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cara
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuleika Michelini
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Andreotti
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Federico
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Borghi M, Gallinaro A, Pirillo MF, Canitano A, Michelini Z, De Angelis ML, Cecchetti S, Tinari A, Falce C, Mariotti S, Capocefalo A, Chiantore MV, Iacobino A, Di Virgilio A, van Gils MJ, Sanders RW, Lo Presti A, Nisini R, Negri D, Cara A. Different configurations of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein delivered by integrase-defective lentiviral vectors induce persistent functional immune responses, characterized by distinct immunogenicity profiles. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147953. [PMID: 37090707 PMCID: PMC10113491 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147953] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several COVID-19 vaccine strategies utilizing new formulations for the induction of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and T cell immunity are still under evaluation in preclinical and clinical studies. Here we used Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)-based integrase defective lentiviral vector (IDLV) delivering different conformations of membrane-tethered Spike protein in the mouse immunogenicity model, with the aim of inducing persistent nAbs against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoC). Spike modifications included prefusion-stabilizing double proline (2P) substitutions, mutations at the furin cleavage site (FCS), D614G mutation and truncation of the cytoplasmic tail (delta21) of ancestral and Beta (B.1.351) Spike, the latter mutation to markedly improve IDLV membrane-tethering. BALB/c mice were injected once with IDLV delivering the different forms of Spike or the recombinant trimeric Spike protein with 2P substitutions and FCS mutations in association with a squalene-based adjuvant. Anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) binding Abs, nAbs and T cell responses were detected up to six months from a single immunization with escalating doses of vaccines in all mice, but with different levels and kinetics. Results indicated that IDLV delivering the Spike protein with all the combined modifications, outperformed the other candidates in terms of T cell immunity and level of both binding Abs and nAbs soon after the single immunization and persistence over time, showing the best capacity to neutralize all formerly circulating VoC Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. Although present, the lowest response was detected against Omicron variants (BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5), suggesting that the magnitude of immune evasion may be related to the higher genetic distance of Omicron as indicated by increased number of amino acid substitutions in Spike acquired during virus evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Borghi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Canitano
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuleika Michelini
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Laura De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Cecchetti
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Tinari
- Center for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Falce
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Mariotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Capocefalo
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Iacobino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Virgilio
- Center for Animal Research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marit J. van Gils
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rogier W. Sanders
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Roberto Nisini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Negri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Donatella Negri, ; Andrea Cara,
| | - Andrea Cara
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Donatella Negri, ; Andrea Cara,
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5
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Epelle E, Macfarlane A, Cusack M, Burns A, Mackay WG, Rateb ME, Yaseen M. Application of Ultraviolet-C Radiation and Gaseous Ozone for Microbial Inactivation on Different Materials. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:43006-43021. [PMID: 36467929 PMCID: PMC9713795 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global incentive for applying environmentally sustainable and rapid sterilization methods, such as ultraviolet-C radiation (UVC) and ozonation. Material sterilization is a requirement for a variety of industries, including food, water treatment, clothing, healthcare, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals. It becomes inevitable when devices and items like protective equipment are to be reused on/by different persons. This study presents novel findings on the performance of these sterilization methods using four microorganisms (Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Candida albicans , and Aspergillus fumigatus) and six material substrates (stainless steel, polymethyl methacrylate, copper, surgical facemask, denim, and a cotton-polyester fabric). The combination of both ozone and UVC generally yields improved performance compared to their respective applications for the range of materials and microorganisms considered. Furthermore, the effectiveness of both UVC and ozone was higher when the fungi utilized were smeared onto the nonabsorbent materials than when 10 μL droplets were placed on the material surfaces. This dependence on the contaminating liquid surface area was not exhibited by the bacteria. This study highlights the necessity of adequate UVC and ozone dosage control as well as their synergistic and multifunctional attributes when sterilizing different materials contaminated with a wide range of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel
I. Epelle
- School
of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
- ACS
Clothing, 6 Dovecote
Road Central Point Logistics Park, Glasgow ML1 4GP, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Macfarlane
- ACS
Clothing, 6 Dovecote
Road Central Point Logistics Park, Glasgow ML1 4GP, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Cusack
- ACS
Clothing, 6 Dovecote
Road Central Point Logistics Park, Glasgow ML1 4GP, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Burns
- ACS
Clothing, 6 Dovecote
Road Central Point Logistics Park, Glasgow ML1 4GP, United Kingdom
| | - William G. Mackay
- School
of Health & Life Sciences, University
of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - Mostafa E. Rateb
- School
of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Yaseen
- School
of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
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6
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Strong SARS-CoV-2 N-Specific CD8+ T Immunity Induced by Engineered Extracellular Vesicles Associates with Protection from Lethal Infection in Mice. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020329. [PMID: 35215922 PMCID: PMC8879411 DOI: 10.3390/v14020329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell immunity is expected to counteract viral variants in both efficient and durable ways. We recently described a way to induce a potent SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T immune response through the generation of engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerging from muscle cells. This method relies on intramuscular injection of DNA vectors expressing different SARS-CoV-2 antigens fused at their N-terminus with the Nefmut protein, i.e., a very efficient EV-anchoring protein. However, quality, tissue distribution, and efficacy of these SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells remained uninvestigated. To fill the gaps, antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes induced by the immunization through the Nefmut-based method were characterized in terms of their polyfunctionality and localization at lung airways, i.e., the primary targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found that injection of vectors expressing Nefmut/S1 and Nefmut/N generated polyfunctional CD8+ T lymphocytes in both spleens and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs). When immunized mice were infected with 4.4 lethal doses of 50% of SARS-CoV-2, all S1-immunized mice succumbed, whereas those developing the highest percentages of N-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes resisted the lethal challenge. We also provide evidence that the N-specific immunization coupled with the development of antigen-specific CD8+ T-resident memory cells in lungs, supporting the idea that the Nefmut-based immunization can confer a long-lasting, lung-specific immune memory. In view of the limitations of current anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in terms of antibody waning and efficiency against variants, our CD8+ T cell-based platform could be considered for a new combination prophylactic strategy.
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