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Cheng MQ, Weng ZY, Li R, Song G. Efficacy of adjuvant-associated COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in randomized controlled trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e35201. [PMID: 38363919 PMCID: PMC10869057 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adjuvants may enhance the efficacy of vaccines. however, the efficacy of adjuvant-associated COVID-19 vaccines (ACVs) remains unclear since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of ACVs against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 CoV (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC). METHODS A systematic search was conducted of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the vaccine efficacy (VE) of ACVs against VOC (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, or Omicron), up to May 27, 2023. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model was used to assess VE with 95% confidence intervals (CI) through meta-analysis. Cochrane Risk of Bias tools were used to assess the risk of bias in RCTs. RESULTS Eight RCTs with 113,202 participants were included in the analysis, which incorporated 4 ACVs [Matrix-M (NVX-CoV2373), Alum (BBV152), CpG-1018/Alum (SCB-2019), and AS03 (CoVLP]). The pooled efficacy of full vaccination with ACVs against VOC was 88.0% (95% CI: 83.0-91.5). Full vaccination was effective against Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma variants, with VE values of 93.66% (95% CI: 86.5-100.74), 64.70% (95% CI: 41.87-87.54), 75.95% (95% CI: 67.9-83.99), and 91.26% (95% CI: 84.35-98.17), respectively. Currently, there is a lack of RCT evidence regarding the efficacy of ACVs against the Omicron variant. CONCLUSION In this meta-analysis, it should be that full vaccination with ACVs has high efficacy against Alpha or Gamma variants and moderate efficacy against Beta and Delta variants. Notably, with the exception of the aluminum-adjuvanted vaccine, the other ACVs had moderate to high efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 variant. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of ACVs booster vaccinations against Omicron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-qun Cheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Pu’er People’s Hospital, Pu’er, China
| | - Zhi-Ying Weng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Pu’er People’s Hospital, Pu’er, China
| | - Gao Song
- Department of Pharmacy, The Pu’er People’s Hospital, Pu’er, China
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2
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Mir TH, Zargar PA, Sharma A, Jabeen B, Sharma S, Parvaiz MO, Bashir S, Javeed R. Post COVID-19 AA amyloidosis of the kidneys with rapidly progressive renal failure. Prion 2023; 17:111-115. [PMID: 37055928 PMCID: PMC10114959 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2023.2201151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken the world by a storm, posing a gruelling challenge to the medical fraternity globally. Besides its very high infectivityinfectivity, significant organ dysfunction occurs in critically ill COVID-19 patients, leading to severe morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary involvement is the leading cause of death in these patients to be followed by the cardiovascular involvement. Kidney involvement due to COVID-19 is becoming more discernible with AKI adversely affecting the outcome. Besides AKI, a few cases of collapsing FSGS in genetically vulnerable patients and thrombotic microangiopathies have been reported as well. We report a case of AA amyloidosis of the kidney with a rapidly progressive renal failure and congestive heart failure with preserved left ventricular functions, which complicated a moderate COVID-19 pneumonia providing some clues to a possible association of this novel virus disease with this complication, which needs to be confirmed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tajamul H. Mir
- Department of Nephrology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Department of Nephrology, Khyber Medical Institute Nowpora, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Parvaiz A Zargar
- Department of Cardiology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Alok Sharma
- Department of Renal Pathology, Dr. Lal Path lab/National Reference lab, New Delhi, India
| | - Bushra Jabeen
- Department of Radiology, SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shephali Sharma
- Department of Renal Pathology, Dr. Lal Path lab/National Reference lab, New Delhi, India
| | - M. Omar Parvaiz
- Department of Medicine, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sabah Bashir
- Department of Nephrology, Khyber Medical Institute Nowpora, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Reem Javeed
- Department of Nephrology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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3
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Liu Y, Gu X, Li H, Zhang H, Xu J. Mechanisms of long COVID: An updated review. CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE 2023; 1:231-240. [PMID: 39171285 PMCID: PMC11332859 DOI: 10.1016/j.pccm.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been ongoing for more than 3 years, with an enormous impact on global health and economies. In some patients, symptoms and signs may remain after recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which cannot be explained by an alternate diagnosis; this condition has been defined as long COVID. Long COVID may exist in patients with both mild and severe disease and is prevalent after infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The most common symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, and other symptoms involving multiple organs. Vaccination results in lower rates of long COVID. To date, the mechanisms of long COVID remain unclear. In this narrative review, we summarized the clinical presentations and current evidence regarding the pathogenesis of long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- National Center for Respiratory Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, China
| | - Xiaoying Gu
- Department of Clinical Research and Data Management, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Haibo Li
- National Center for Respiratory Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- National Center for Respiratory Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jiuyang Xu
- National Center for Respiratory Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China–Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
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4
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Pezzotti G, Ohgitani E, Fujita Y, Imamura H, Pappone F, Grillo A, Nakashio M, Shin-Ya M, Adachi T, Yamamoto T, Kanamura N, Marin E, Zhu W, Inaba T, Tanino Y, Nukui Y, Higasa K, Yasukochi Y, Okuma K, Mazda O. Raman Fingerprints of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants: Molecular Roots of Virological Characteristics and Evolutionary Directions. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2226-2251. [PMID: 37850869 PMCID: PMC10644350 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00312] [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: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The latest RNA genomic mutation of SARS-CoV-2 virus, termed the Omicron variant, has generated a stream of highly contagious and antibody-resistant strains, which in turn led to classifying Omicron as a variant of concern. We systematically collected Raman spectra from six Omicron subvariants available in Japan (i.e., BA.1.18, BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, XE, and BA.2.75) and applied machine-learning algorithms to decrypt their structural characteristics at the molecular scale. Unique Raman fingerprints of sulfur-containing amino acid rotamers, RNA purines and pyrimidines, tyrosine phenol ring configurations, and secondary protein structures clearly differentiated the six Omicron subvariants. These spectral characteristics, which were linked to infectiousness, transmissibility, and propensity for immune evasion, revealed evolutionary motifs to be compared with the outputs of genomic studies. The availability of a Raman "metabolomic snapshot", which was then translated into a barcode to enable a prompt subvariant identification, opened the way to rationalize in real-time SARS-CoV-2 activity and variability. As a proof of concept, we applied the Raman barcode procedure to a nasal swab sample retrieved from a SARS-CoV-2 patient and identified its Omicron subvariant by coupling a commercially available magnetic bead technology with our newly developed Raman analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pezzotti
- Ceramic
Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Department
of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
- Department
of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- Department
of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, 160-0023 Tokyo, Japan
- Department
of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- Department
of Molecular Science and Nanosystems, Ca’
Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy
- Department
of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico
di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Eriko Ohgitani
- Department
of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yuki Fujita
- Ceramic
Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hayata Imamura
- Ceramic
Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Department
of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Francesco Pappone
- Department
of Mathematical Science, Politecnico di
Torino, Corso Duca degli
Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Alfio Grillo
- Department
of Mathematical Science, Politecnico di
Torino, Corso Duca degli
Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Maiko Nakashio
- Department
of Infection Control & Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Masaharu Shin-Ya
- Department
of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Adachi
- Department
of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- Department
of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- Department
of Microbiology, Kansai Medical University,
School of Medicine, 2-5-1
Shinmachi, Hirakata 573-1010, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Toshiro Yamamoto
- Department
of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Narisato Kanamura
- Department
of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Elia Marin
- Ceramic
Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Department
of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Wenliang Zhu
- Ceramic
Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Tohru Inaba
- Department
of Infection Control & Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yoko Tanino
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, University
Hospital, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yoko Nukui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, University
Hospital, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Koichiro Higasa
- Genome Analysis, Institute of Biomedical
Science, Kansai Medical University, 2-3-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1191, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Yasukochi
- Genome Analysis, Institute of Biomedical
Science, Kansai Medical University, 2-3-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1191, Japan
| | - Kazu Okuma
- Department
of Microbiology, Kansai Medical University,
School of Medicine, 2-5-1
Shinmachi, Hirakata 573-1010, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Osam Mazda
- Department
of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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5
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McGrath A, Pai H, Clack A. Rapid progression of probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with concomitant COVID-19 infection. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e254402. [PMID: 37914169 PMCID: PMC10626914 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254402] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A previously healthy man in his 80s was admitted to a district general hospital with rapidly progressing dementia, gait abnormalities and myoclonus alongside COVID-19 infection. Investigations showed mild elevation of C-reactive protein and neutrophils, unremarkable CT head and mildly raised protein in cerebrospinal spinal fluid (CSF). Brain MRI revealed bilateral cortical and striatal diffusion restriction and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings showed diffuse activity slowing with high amplitude sharp/slow-wave complexes. He was diagnosed with probable sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and management prioritised comfort and care. He passed away two weeks following admission and a mere 8 weeks after the first onset of symptoms.We present the first documented case of probable CJD with concomitant COVID-19 infection in the UK. We identified six other cases worldwide identified in our literature review. These cases suggest a role of COVID-19 in the rapid progression of CJD and add to the growing evidence of its neuroinflammatory role in other forms of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian McGrath
- Emergency Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Hari Pai
- Neurology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Aidan Clack
- Acute Medicine, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK
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6
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Bitran A, Park K, Serebryany E, Shakhnovich EI. Co-translational formation of disulfides guides folding of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain. Biophys J 2023; 122:3238-3253. [PMID: 37422697 PMCID: PMC10465708 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.002] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many secreted proteins, including viral proteins, contain multiple disulfide bonds. How disulfide formation is coupled to protein folding in the cell remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we combine experiment and simulation to address this question as it pertains to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). We show that the RBD can only refold reversibly if its native disulfides are present before folding. But in their absence, the RBD spontaneously misfolds into a nonnative, molten-globule-like state that is structurally incompatible with complete disulfide formation and that is highly prone to aggregation. Thus, the RBD native structure represents a metastable state on the protein's energy landscape with reduced disulfides, indicating that nonequilibrium mechanisms are needed to ensure native disulfides form before folding. Our atomistic simulations suggest that this may be achieved via co-translational folding during RBD secretion into the endoplasmic reticulum. Namely, at intermediate translation lengths, native disulfide pairs are predicted to come together with high probability, and thus, under suitable kinetic conditions, this process may lock the protein into its native state and circumvent highly aggregation-prone nonnative intermediates. This detailed molecular picture of the RBD folding landscape may shed light on SARS-CoV-2 pathology and molecular constraints governing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Bitran
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; PhD Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Kibum Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Eugene Serebryany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Eugene I Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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7
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Parry PI, Lefringhausen A, Turni C, Neil CJ, Cosford R, Hudson NJ, Gillespie J. 'Spikeopathy': COVID-19 Spike Protein Is Pathogenic, from Both Virus and Vaccine mRNA. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2287. [PMID: 37626783 PMCID: PMC10452662 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused much illness, many deaths, and profound disruption to society. The production of 'safe and effective' vaccines was a key public health target. Sadly, unprecedented high rates of adverse events have overshadowed the benefits. This two-part narrative review presents evidence for the widespread harms of novel product COVID-19 mRNA and adenovectorDNA vaccines and is novel in attempting to provide a thorough overview of harms arising from the new technology in vaccines that relied on human cells producing a foreign antigen that has evidence of pathogenicity. This first paper explores peer-reviewed data counter to the 'safe and effective' narrative attached to these new technologies. Spike protein pathogenicity, termed 'spikeopathy', whether from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or produced by vaccine gene codes, akin to a 'synthetic virus', is increasingly understood in terms of molecular biology and pathophysiology. Pharmacokinetic transfection through body tissues distant from the injection site by lipid-nanoparticles or viral-vector carriers means that 'spikeopathy' can affect many organs. The inflammatory properties of the nanoparticles used to ferry mRNA; N1-methylpseudouridine employed to prolong synthetic mRNA function; the widespread biodistribution of the mRNA and DNA codes and translated spike proteins, and autoimmunity via human production of foreign proteins, contribute to harmful effects. This paper reviews autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, potential oncological effects, and autopsy evidence for spikeopathy. With many gene-based therapeutic technologies planned, a re-evaluation is necessary and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter I. Parry
- Children’s Health Research Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Astrid Lefringhausen
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Conny Turni
- Microbiology Research, QAAFI (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Christopher J. Neil
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Robyn Cosford
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Nicholas J. Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Julian Gillespie
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
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8
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Liu KS, Yang YY, Hwang KL, Wu HJ. Investigating the Current Status of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Hospital Staff. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050688. [PMID: 37242357 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050688] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 had reported over 676 million cases by March 2023. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether the levels of anti-S and anti-N antibodies could precisely indicate the degree of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and affect the probability or time of contracting COVID-19. In this study, a serosurveillance study was conducted in healthcare workers (HCWs) at a regional hospital in Taiwan to evaluate their antibody levels based on infection and vaccination status. Of 245 HCWs enrolled, all have been vaccinated prior to infection. Of these, 85 participants were infected by SARS-CoV-2, while 160 participants were not infected at the time of blood sample collection. The level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody was significantly higher in the infected HCWs than in the non-infected participants (p < 0.001). It is worth noting that the mean duration between the administration of the last dose of the vaccine and the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.61 ± 2.95 months. Our follow-up survey revealed that the non-infected group had significantly higher levels of antibodies compared to the infected group (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study suggests that the level of antibodies could serve as a reflection of the protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has the implication for vaccine decision-making policies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keh-Sen Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ying Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Lin Hwang
- Department of Health Business Administration, Hungkuang University, Taichung 433, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Ju Wu
- Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Lukang Township, Changhua County 505, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Da-Lin Township, Chiayi County 622, Taiwan
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9
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Chiarini A, Gui L, Viviani C, Armato U, Dal Prà I. NLRP3 Inflammasome’s Activation in Acute and Chronic Brain Diseases—An Update on Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives with Respect to Other Inflammasomes. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11040999. [PMID: 37189617 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11040999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasingly prevalent acute and chronic human brain diseases are scourges for the elderly. Besides the lack of therapies, these ailments share a neuroinflammation that is triggered/sustained by different innate immunity-related protein oligomers called inflammasomes. Relevant neuroinflammation players such as microglia/monocytes typically exhibit a strong NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Hence the idea that NLRP3 suppression might solve neurodegenerative ailments. Here we review the recent Literature about this topic. First, we update conditions and mechanisms, including RNAs, extracellular vesicles/exosomes, endogenous compounds, and ethnic/pharmacological agents/extracts regulating NLRP3 function. Second, we pinpoint NLRP3-activating mechanisms and known NLRP3 inhibition effects in acute (ischemia, stroke, hemorrhage), chronic (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, MS, ALS), and virus-induced (Zika, SARS-CoV-2, and others) human brain diseases. The available data show that (i) disease-specific divergent mechanisms activate the (mainly animal) brains NLRP3; (ii) no evidence proves that NLRP3 inhibition modifies human brain diseases (yet ad hoc trials are ongoing); and (iii) no findings exclude that concurrently activated other-than-NLRP3 inflammasomes might functionally replace the inhibited NLRP3. Finally, we highlight that among the causes of the persistent lack of therapies are the species difference problem in disease models and a preference for symptomatic over etiologic therapeutic approaches. Therefore, we posit that human neural cell-based disease models could drive etiological, pathogenetic, and therapeutic advances, including NLRP3’s and other inflammasomes’ regulation, while minimizing failure risks in candidate drug trials.
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10
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Nigh G, McCullough PA. A Potential Role of the Spike Protein in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e34872. [PMID: 36788995 PMCID: PMC9922164 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human prion protein and prion-like protein misfolding are widely recognized as playing a causal role in many neurodegenerative diseases. Based on in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence relating to prion and prion-like disease, we extrapolate from the compelling evidence that the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 contains extended amino acid sequences characteristic of a prion-like protein to infer its potential to cause neurodegenerative disease. We propose that vaccine-induced spike protein synthesis can facilitate the accumulation of toxic prion-like fibrils in neurons. We outline various pathways through which these proteins could be expected to distribute throughout the body. We review both cellular pathologies and the expression of disease that could become more frequent in those who have undergone mRNA vaccination. Specifically, we describe the spike protein's contributions, via its prion-like properties, to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases; to clotting disorders within the vasculature; to further disease risk due to suppressed prion protein regulation in the context of widely prevalent insulin resistance; and to other health complications. We explain why these prion-like characteristics are more relevant to vaccine-related mRNA-induced spike proteins than natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. We note with an optimism an apparent loss of prion-like properties among the current Omicron variants. We acknowledge that the chain of pathological events described throughout this paper is only hypothetical and not yet verified. We also acknowledge that the evidence we usher in, while grounded in the research literature, is currently largely circumstantial, not direct. Finally, we describe the implications of our findings for the general public, and we briefly discuss public health recommendations we feel need urgent consideration. An earlier version of this article was previously posted to the Authorea preprint server on August 16, 2022.
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11
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Bitran A, Park K, Serebryany E, Shakhnovich EI. Cotranslational formation of disulfides guides folding of the SARS COV-2 receptor binding domain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.11.10.516025. [PMID: 36380756 PMCID: PMC9665344 DOI: 10.1101/2022.11.10.516025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Many secreted proteins contain multiple disulfide bonds. How disulfide formation is coupled to protein folding in the cell remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we combine experiment and simulation to address this question as it pertains to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). We show that, whereas RBD can refold reversibly when its disulfides are intact, their disruption causes misfolding into a nonnative molten-globule state that is highly prone to aggregation and disulfide scrambling. Thus, non-equilibrium mechanisms are needed to ensure disulfides form prior to folding in vivo. Our simulations suggest that co-translational folding may accomplish this, as native disulfide pairs are predicted to form with high probability at intermediate lengths, ultimately committing the RBD to its metastable native state and circumventing nonnative intermediates. This detailed molecular picture of the RBD folding landscape may shed light on SARS-CoV-2 pathology and molecular constraints governing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
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Aksenova AY, Likhachev IV, Grishin SY, Galzitskaya OV. The Increased Amyloidogenicity of Spike RBD and pH-Dependent Binding to ACE2 May Contribute to the Transmissibility and Pathogenic Properties of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron as Suggested by In Silico Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13502. [PMID: 36362302 PMCID: PMC9655063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a rapidly evolving pathogen that has caused a global pandemic characterized by several consecutive waves. Based on epidemiological and NGS data, many different variants of SARS-CoV-2 were described and characterized since the original variant emerged in Wuhan in 2019. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 variants differ in transmissibility and pathogenicity in the human population, although the molecular basis for this difference is still debatable. A significant role is attributed to amino acid changes in the binding surface of the Spike protein to the ACE2 receptor, which may facilitate virus entry into the cell or contribute to immune evasion. We modeled in silico the interaction between Spike RBDs of Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta, and Omicron BA.1 variants and ACE2 at different pHs (pH 5 and pH 7) and showed that the strength of this interaction was higher for the Omicron BA.1 RBD compared to Wuhan-Hu-1 or Delta RBDs and that the effect was more profound at pH 5. This finding is strikingly related to the increased ability of Omicron variants to spread in the population. We also noted that during its spread in the population, SARS-CoV-2 evolved to a more charged, basic composition. We hypothesize that the more basic surface of the Omicron variant may facilitate its spread in the upper respiratory tract but not in the lower respiratory tract, where pH estimates are different. We calculated the amyloidogenic properties of Spike RBDs in different SARS-CoV-2 variants and found eight amyloidogenic regions in the Spike RBDs for each of the variants predicted by the FoldAmyloid program. Although all eight regions were almost identical in the Wuhan to Gamma variants, two of them were significantly longer in both Omicron variants, making the Omicron RBD more amyloidogenic. We discuss how the increased predicted amyloidogenicity of the Omicron variants RBDs may be important for protein stability, influence its interaction with ACE2 and contribute to immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y. Aksenova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Likhachev
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology RAS, The Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Sergei Y. Grishin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia
| | - Oxana V. Galzitskaya
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
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13
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Zhao Y, Jaber VR, Lukiw WJ. SARS-CoV-2, long COVID, prion disease and neurodegeneration. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1002770. [PMID: 36238082 PMCID: PMC9551214 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1002770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhai Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- LSU Neuroscience Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Vivian R. Jaber
- LSU Neuroscience Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Walter J. Lukiw
- LSU Neuroscience Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
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14
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Inchingolo AD, Malcangi G, Ceci S, Patano A, Corriero A, Azzollini D, Marinelli G, Coloccia G, Piras F, Barile G, Settanni V, Mancini A, De Leonardis N, Garofoli G, Palmieri G, Isacco CG, Rapone B, Jones M, Bordea IR, Tartaglia GM, Scarano A, Lorusso F, Macchia L, Larocca AMV, Tafuri S, Migliore G, Brienza N, Dipalma G, Inchingolo F. Antispike Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) Titer Response of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-Vaccine (BNT162b2): A Monitoring Study on Healthcare Workers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2402. [PMID: 36289664 PMCID: PMC9598246 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The secretion of IgG SARS-CoV-2 antispike antibodies after vaccination with BNT162b2 and the protection represent the response of the human organism to the viral vector symptomatic infections. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the immune reaction in health workers of the Polyclinic of Bari to identify the relationship of antispike titers with blood type, sex, age, and comorbidities. This prospective observational study (RENAISSANCE) had as its primary endpoint the assessment of serologic response to BNT162b2 at three blood titers: the first at 60 days after the second dose (3 February 2021); the second titer at 75 days after the first titer; and the third titer at 130 days after the second titer. Out of 230 enrolled staff members, all responded excellently to the mRna Pfizer (BNT162b) vaccine. Only one patient, 40 days after the second dose (3 February 2021), was positive on the swab control performed on 15 March 2021, although completely asymptomatic, and was negative on the subsequent molecular swab performed on 30 March 2021. All the patients responded to the mRNA Pfizer (BNT162b) vaccine with an antispike IgG level above 500 BAU/mL at the first antispike protein essay (60 days after the second dose on 3 April 2021); at the second titer (75 days after the first titer on 20 June 2021), 4 (1.7% of 230 enrolled) patients showed an antispike IgG level under 500 BAU/mL; at the third titer (130 days after the second titer on 30 June 2021, which means 9 months after the second dose), 37 (16.1% of 230 enrolled) patients showed an antispike IgG level under 500 BAU/mL. The data analysis demonstrated that patients belonging to blood group 0, regardless of their rhesus factor, showed the strongest level of antibodies compared to the other groups. No dependency was found between low antibodies level and sex or age. Molecular swab controls were performed every 15th of the month continuously. However, the enrolled patients' activity was at high risk because they carried out medical activities such as dental and surgical as well with droplets of water vaporized by the effect of turbines, piezosurgery. The vaccination campaign among health workers of the Policlinico of the University of Bari "Aldo Moro" led to an excellent serological response and the complete absence of COVID-19 incident cases, so the antibody response was excellent. The COVID-19 vaccine booster shot should be administered after 9 months and not without prompt antispike titer detection to assess if any sign of waning immunity is present in that specific patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Malcangi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Ceci
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Assunta Patano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Alberto Corriero
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Intensive Care Unit Section, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Azzollini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Marinelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Coloccia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Piras
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Barile
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Settanni
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Mancini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicole De Leonardis
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Garofoli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Palmieri
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro Gargiulo Isacco
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Biagio Rapone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Megan Jones
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ioana Roxana Bordea
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Scarano
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Felice Lorusso
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi Macchia
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (D.E.T.O.), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Maria Vittoria Larocca
- Hygiene Complex Operating Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Place Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Brienza
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Intensive Care Unit Section, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianna Dipalma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
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15
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Lukiw WJ, Jaber VR, Pogue AI, Zhao Y. SARS-CoV-2 Invasion and Pathological Links to Prion Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1253. [PMID: 36139092 PMCID: PMC9496025 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the COVID-19 disease, is a highly infectious and transmissible viral pathogen that continues to impact human health globally. Nearly ~600 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and about half exhibit some degree of continuing health complication, generically referred to as long COVID. Lingering and often serious neurological problems for patients in the post-COVID-19 recovery period include brain fog, behavioral changes, confusion, delirium, deficits in intellect, cognition and memory issues, loss of balance and coordination, problems with vision, visual processing and hallucinations, encephalopathy, encephalitis, neurovascular or cerebrovascular insufficiency, and/or impaired consciousness. Depending upon the patient’s age at the onset of COVID-19 and other factors, up to ~35% of all elderly COVID-19 patients develop a mild-to-severe encephalopathy due to complications arising from a SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm and a surge in cytokine-mediated pro-inflammatory and immune signaling. In fact, this cytokine storm syndrome: (i) appears to predispose aged COVID-19 patients to the development of other neurological complications, especially those who have experienced a more serious grade of COVID-19 infection; (ii) lies along highly interactive and pathological pathways involving SARS-CoV-2 infection that promotes the parallel development and/or intensification of progressive and often lethal neurological conditions, and (iii) is strongly associated with the symptomology, onset, and development of human prion disease (PrD) and other insidious and incurable neurological syndromes. This commentary paper will evaluate some recent peer-reviewed studies in this intriguing area of human SARS-CoV-2-associated neuropathology and will assess how chronic, viral-mediated changes to the brain and CNS contribute to cognitive decline in PrD and other progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter J. Lukiw
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Alchem Biotek Research, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, LSU Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department Neurology, LSU Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Vivian R. Jaber
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | | - Yuhai Zhao
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, LSU Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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16
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He X, Su J, Ma Y, Zhang W, Tang S. A comprehensive analysis of the efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Front Immunol 2022; 13:945930. [PMID: 36090988 PMCID: PMC9459021 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.945930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It is urgently needed to update the comprehensive analysis about the efficacy or effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines especially during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants. In general, the current COVID-19 vaccines showed a cumulative efficacy of 66.4%, 79.7%, and 93.6% to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic COVID-19, and severe COVID-19, respectively, but could not prevent the asymptomatic infection of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the current COVID-19 vaccines could effectively prevent COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant although the incidence of breakthrough infection of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant increased when the intervals post full vaccination extended, suggesting the waning effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, one-dose booster immunization showed an effectiveness of 74.5% to prevent COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant. However, current COVID-19 vaccines could not prevent the infection of Omicron sub-lineage BA.1.1.529 and had about 50% effectiveness to prevent COVID-19 caused by Omicron sub-lineage BA.1.1.529. Furthermore, the effectiveness was 87.6% and 90.1% to prevent severe COVID-19 and COVID-19-related death caused by Omicron sub-lineage BA.2, respectively, while one-dose booster immunization could enhance the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent the infection and COVID-19 caused by Omicron sub-lineage BA.1.1.529 and sub-lineage BA.2. Two-dose booster immunization showed an increased effectiveness of 81.8% against severe COVID-19 caused by the Omicron sub-lineage BA.1.1.529 variant compared with one-dose booster immunization. The effectiveness of the booster immunization with RNA-based vaccine BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 was over 75% against severe COVID-19 more than 17 weeks after booster immunization whereas the heterogenous booster immunization showed better effectiveness than homologous booster immunization. In summary, the current COVID-19 vaccines could effectively protect COVID-19 caused by Delta and Omicron variants but was less effective against Omicron variant infection. One-dose booster immunization could enhance protection capability, and two-dose booster immunization could provide additional protection against severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Evidence-Based Medicine, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China
| | - Jiao Su
- Department of biochemistry, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China
| | - Yu’nan Ma
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenping Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China
| | - Shixing Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shixing Tang,
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17
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Zhang Z, Zhang J, Wang J. Surface charge changes in spike RBD mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and its variant strains alter the virus evasiveness via HSPGs: A review and mechanistic hypothesis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:952916. [PMID: 36091499 PMCID: PMC9449321 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.952916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, more contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, have been emerging. The mutations, especially those that occurred on the spike (S) protein receptor-binding domain (RBD), are of significant concern due to their potential capacity to increase viral infectivity, virulence, and breakthrough antibodies' protection. However, the molecular mechanism involved in the pathophysiological change of SARS-CoV-2 mutations remains poorly understood. Here, we summarized 21 RBD mutations and their human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and/or neutralizing antibodies' binding characteristics. We found that most RBD mutations, which could increase surface positive charge or polarity, enhanced their hACE2 binding affinity and immune evasion. Based on the dependence of electrostatic interaction of the epitope residue of virus and docking protein (like virus receptors or antibodies) for its invasion, we postulated that the charge and/or polarity changes of novel mutations on the RBD domain of S protein could affect its affinity for the hACE2 and antibodies. Thus, we modeled mutant S trimers and RBD-hACE2 complexes and calculated their electrotactic distribution to study surface charge changes. Meanwhile, we emphasized that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) might play an important role in the hACE2-mediated entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells. Those hypotheses provide some hints on how SARS-CoV-2 mutations enhance viral fitness and immune evasion, which may indicate potential ways for drug design, next-generation vaccine development, and antibody therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyun Zhang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqiu Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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18
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Wu S, Zhang L, Wang W. Screened α-Helix Peptide Inhibitor toward SARS-CoV-2 by Blocking a Prion-like Domain in the Receptor Binding Domain. Anal Chem 2022; 94:11464-11469. [PMID: 35816660 PMCID: PMC9305731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A new peptide inhibitor was designed and optimized from an α-helix-rich peptide library specifically toward the critical prion-like domain (PLD) of SARS-CoV-2. It compactly blocked the S1 protein and potently neutralized the pseudovirus which shows promising potential for prophylactic and treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and
Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Key Laboratory
of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of
Photoelectronic/Electro-photonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of
Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Limin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and
Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Key Laboratory
of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of
Photoelectronic/Electro-photonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of
Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Weizhi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and
Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Key Laboratory
of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of
Photoelectronic/Electro-photonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of
Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
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19
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Inchingolo AD, Malcangi G, Ceci S, Patano A, Corriero A, Vimercati L, Azzollini D, Marinelli G, Coloccia G, Piras F, Barile G, Settanni V, Mancini A, De Leonardis N, Garofoli G, Palmieri G, Isacco CG, Rapone B, Scardapane A, Curatoli L, Quaranta N, Ribezzi M, Massaro M, Jones M, Bordea IR, Tartaglia GM, Scarano A, Lorusso F, Macchia L, Larocca AMV, Aityan SK, Tafuri S, Stefanizzi P, Migliore G, Brienza N, Dipalma G, Favia G, Inchingolo F. Effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines for Short- and Long-Term Immunity: A General Overview for the Pandemic Contrast. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158485. [PMID: 35955621 PMCID: PMC9369331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic produced a significant increase in cases and an emergency state was induced worldwide. The current knowledge about the COVID-19 disease concerning diagnoses, patient tracking, the treatment protocol, and vaccines provides a consistent contribution for the primary prevention of the viral infection and decreasing the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 disease. The aim of the present investigation was to produce a general overview about the current findings for the COVID-19 disease, SARS-CoV-2 interaction mechanisms with the host, therapies and vaccines’ immunization findings. Methods: A literature overview was produced in order to evaluate the state-of-art in SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses, prognoses, therapies, and prevention. Results: Concerning to the interaction mechanisms with the host, the virus binds to target with its Spike proteins on its surface and uses it as an anchor. The Spike protein targets the ACE2 cell receptor and enters into the cells by using a special enzyme (TMPRSS2). Once the virion is quietly accommodated, it releases its RNA. Proteins and RNA are used in the Golgi apparatus to produce more viruses that are released. Concerning the therapies, different protocols have been developed in observance of the disease severity and comorbidity with a consistent reduction in the mortality rate. Currently, different vaccines are currently in phase IV but a remarkable difference in efficiency has been detected concerning the more recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Conclusions: Among the many questions in this pandemic state, the one that recurs most is knowing why some people become more seriously ill than others who instead contract the infection as if it was a trivial flu. More studies are necessary to investigate the efficiency of the treatment protocols and vaccines for the more recent detected SARS-CoV-2 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppina Malcangi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Sabino Ceci
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Assunta Patano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Alberto Corriero
- Unit of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Department of Emergencies and Organ Transplantations, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (N.B.)
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Daniela Azzollini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Grazia Marinelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Giovanni Coloccia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Fabio Piras
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Barile
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Vito Settanni
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Antonio Mancini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Nicole De Leonardis
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Grazia Garofoli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Giulia Palmieri
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Ciro Gargiulo Isacco
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Biagio Rapone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Arnaldo Scardapane
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Luigi Curatoli
- Department Neurosciences & Sensory Organs & Musculoskeletal System, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Nicola Quaranta
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
- Department Neurosciences & Sensory Organs & Musculoskeletal System, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Mario Ribezzi
- Unit of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Department of Emergencies and Organ Transplantations, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (N.B.)
| | - Maria Massaro
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Megan Jones
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Ioana Roxana Bordea
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy;
| | - Antonio Scarano
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Felice Lorusso
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.I.); Tel.: +39-3282132586 (F.L.)
| | - Luigi Macchia
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (D.E.T.O.), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Angela Maria Vittoria Larocca
- Hygiene Complex Operating Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Place Giulio Cesare 11 BARI CAP, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | | | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy; (P.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Giovanni Migliore
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy; (P.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Nicola Brienza
- Unit of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Department of Emergencies and Organ Transplantations, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (N.B.)
| | - Gianna Dipalma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianfranco Favia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (L.V.); (D.A.); (G.M.); (G.C.); (F.P.); (G.B.); (V.S.); (A.M.); (N.D.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (C.G.I.); (B.R.); (A.S.); (N.Q.); (M.J.); (G.D.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.I.); Tel.: +39-3282132586 (F.L.)
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Seneff S, Nigh G, Kyriakopoulos AM, McCullough PA. Innate immune suppression by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations: The role of G-quadruplexes, exosomes, and MicroRNAs. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 164:113008. [PMID: 35436552 PMCID: PMC9012513 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were brought to market in response to the public health crises of Covid-19. The utilization of mRNA vaccines in the context of infectious disease has no precedent. The many alterations in the vaccine mRNA hide the mRNA from cellular defenses and promote a longer biological half-life and high production of spike protein. However, the immune response to the vaccine is very different from that to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this paper, we present evidence that vaccination induces a profound impairment in type I interferon signaling, which has diverse adverse consequences to human health. Immune cells that have taken up the vaccine nanoparticles release into circulation large numbers of exosomes containing spike protein along with critical microRNAs that induce a signaling response in recipient cells at distant sites. We also identify potential profound disturbances in regulatory control of protein synthesis and cancer surveillance. These disturbances potentially have a causal link to neurodegenerative disease, myocarditis, immune thrombocytopenia, Bell's palsy, liver disease, impaired adaptive immunity, impaired DNA damage response and tumorigenesis. We show evidence from the VAERS database supporting our hypothesis. We believe a comprehensive risk/benefit assessment of the mRNA vaccines questions them as positive contributors to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Seneff
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA, 02139.
| | - Greg Nigh
- Immersion Health, Portland, OR, 97214, USA.
| | - Anthony M Kyriakopoulos
- Research and Development, Nasco AD Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Research and Development, Sachtouri 11, 18536, Piraeus, Greece.
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Shahzad S, Willcox M. The Possible Role of Prion-Like Viral Protein Domains on the Emergence of Novel Viruses as SARS-CoV-2. J Mol Evol 2022; 90:227-230. [PMID: 35362781 PMCID: PMC8972983 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-022-10054-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Self-replicating proteins or prions deviate from the central dogma of replication. The discovery of prion-like domains in coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 suggests their possible role in viral evolution. Here, we have outlined the possible role of self-replicating protein-like domains in the emergence of novel viruses. Further studies are needed to understand the function of these viral self-replicating protein-like domains and whether they could be antiviral target(s) for the development of effective antiviral agents in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakeel Shahzad
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Mark Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
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