1
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Brown RE. Measuring the replicability of our own research. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 406:110111. [PMID: 38521128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
In the study of transgenic mouse models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, we use batteries of tests to measure deficits in behaviour and from the results of these tests, we make inferences about the mental states of the mice that we interpret as deficits in "learning", "memory", "anxiety", "depression", etc. This paper discusses the problems of determining whether a particular transgenic mouse is a valid mouse model of disease X, the problem of background strains, and the question of whether our behavioural tests are measuring what we say they are. The problem of the reliability of results is then discussed: are they replicable between labs and can we replicate our results in our own lab? This involves the study of intra- and inter- experimenter reliability. The variables that influence replicability and the importance of conducting a complete behavioural phenotype: sensory, motor, cognitive and social emotional behaviour are discussed. Then the thorny question of failure to replicate is examined: Is it a curse or a blessing? Finally, the role of failure in research and what it tells us about our research paradigms is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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2
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Martin-Lopez E, Brennan B, Mao T, Spence N, Meller SJ, Han K, Yahiaoui N, Wang C, Iwasaki A, Greer CA. Inflammatory Response and Defects on Myelin Integrity in the Olfactory System of K18hACE2 Mice Infected with SARS-CoV-2. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0106-24.2024. [PMID: 38834299 PMCID: PMC11185043 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0106-24.2024] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), use respiratory epithelial cells as an entry point for infection. Within the nasal cavity, the olfactory epithelium (OE) is particularly sensitive to infections which may lead to olfactory dysfunction. In patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019, deficits in olfaction have been characterized as a distinctive symptom. Here, we used the K18hACE2 mice to study the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection and inflammation in the olfactory system (OS) after 7 d of infection. In the OE, we found that SARS-CoV-2 selectively targeted the supporting/sustentacular cells (SCs) and macrophages from the lamina propria. In the brain, SARS-CoV-2 infected some microglial cells in the olfactory bulb (OB), and there was a widespread infection of projection neurons in the OB, piriform cortex (PC), and tubular striatum (TuS). Inflammation, indicated by both elevated numbers and morphologically activated IBA1+ cells (monocyte/macrophage lineages), was preferentially increased in the OE septum, while it was homogeneously distributed throughout the layers of the OB, PC, and TuS. Myelinated OS axonal tracts, the lateral olfactory tract, and the anterior commissure, exhibited decreased levels of 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase, indicative of myelin defects. Collectively, our work supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 infected SC and macrophages in the OE and, centrally, microglia and subpopulations of OS neurons. The observed inflammation throughout the OS areas and central myelin defects may account for the long-lasting olfactory deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Martin-Lopez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
| | - Bowen Brennan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
| | - Tianyang Mao
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, The Anlyan Center, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8043
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-0834
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
| | - Natalie Spence
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
| | - Sarah J Meller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8074
| | - Kimberly Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
| | - Nawal Yahiaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
| | - Chelsea Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, The Anlyan Center, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8043
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-0834
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
| | - Charles A Greer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8074
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Valleriani F, Di Pancrazio C, Spedicato M, Di Teodoro G, Malatesta D, Petrova T, Profeta F, Colaianni ML, Berjaoui S, Puglia I, Caporale M, Rossi E, Marcacci M, Luciani M, Sacchini F, Portanti O, Bencivenga F, Decaro N, Bonfante F, Lorusso A. A cell-adapted SARS-CoV-2 mutant, showing a deletion in the spike protein spanning the furin cleavage site, has reduced virulence at the lung level in K18-hACE2 mice. Virology 2024; 592:109997. [PMID: 38324940 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.109997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Here we investigated the virulence properties of a unique cell-adapted SARS-CoV-2 mutant showing a ten-amino acid deletion encompassing the furin cleavage site of the spike protein (Δ680SPRAARSVAS689; Δ680-689-B.1) in comparison to its parental strain (wt-B.1) and two Delta variants (AY.122 and AY.21) of concern. After intranasal inoculation, transgenic K18-hACE2 mice were monitored for 14 days for weight change, lethality, and clinical score; oral swabs were daily collected and tested for the presence of N protein subgenomic RNA. At 3 and 7 dpi mice were also sacrificed and organs collected for molecular, histopathological, and immune response profile investigations. The Δ680-689-B.1-infected mice exhibited reduced shedding, lower virulence at the lung level, and milder pulmonary lesions. In the lung, infection with Δ680-689-B.1 was associated with a significant lower expression of some cytokines at 3 dpi (IL-4, IL-27, and IL-28) and 7 dpi (IL-4, IL-27, IL-28, IFN-γ and IL-1α).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Valleriani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Pancrazio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Massimo Spedicato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Teodoro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Daniela Malatesta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Tetyana Petrova
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Francesca Profeta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | | | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Ilaria Puglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Marialuigia Caporale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Emanuela Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Maurilia Marcacci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Mirella Luciani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Flavio Sacchini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | - Ottavio Portanti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano-Italy
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro-Italy
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise (IZSAM), Teramo-Italy; IZSVe-IZSAM Joint FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses, Italy.
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Zhang J, Hom K, Zhang C, Nasr M, Gerzanich V, Zhang Y, Tang Q, Xue F, Simard JM, Zhao RY. SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a Protein as a Therapeutic Target against COVID-19 and Long-Term Post-Infection Effects. Pathogens 2024; 13:75. [PMID: 38251382 PMCID: PMC10819734 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed unparalleled challenges due to its rapid transmission, ability to mutate, high mortality and morbidity, and enduring health complications. Vaccines have exhibited effectiveness, but their efficacy diminishes over time while new variants continue to emerge. Antiviral medications offer a viable alternative, but their success has been inconsistent. Therefore, there remains an ongoing need to identify innovative antiviral drugs for treating COVID-19 and its post-infection complications. The ORF3a (open reading frame 3a) protein found in SARS-CoV-2, represents a promising target for antiviral treatment due to its multifaceted role in viral pathogenesis, cytokine storms, disease severity, and mortality. ORF3a contributes significantly to viral pathogenesis by facilitating viral assembly and release, essential processes in the viral life cycle, while also suppressing the body's antiviral responses, thus aiding viral replication. ORF3a also has been implicated in triggering excessive inflammation, characterized by NF-κB-mediated cytokine production, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death and tissue damage in the lungs, kidneys, and the central nervous system. Additionally, ORF3a triggers the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, inciting a cytokine storm, which is a major contributor to the severity of the disease and subsequent mortality. As with the spike protein, ORF3a also undergoes mutations, and certain mutant variants correlate with heightened disease severity in COVID-19. These mutations may influence viral replication and host cellular inflammatory responses. While establishing a direct link between ORF3a and mortality is difficult, its involvement in promoting inflammation and exacerbating disease severity likely contributes to higher mortality rates in severe COVID-19 cases. This review offers a comprehensive and detailed exploration of ORF3a's potential as an innovative antiviral drug target. Additionally, we outline potential strategies for discovering and developing ORF3a inhibitor drugs to counteract its harmful effects, alleviate tissue damage, and reduce the severity of COVID-19 and its lingering complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Kellie Hom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.H.); (F.X.)
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Mohamed Nasr
- Drug Development and Clinical Sciences Branch, Division of AIDS, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Volodymyr Gerzanich
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (V.G.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Yanjin Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Qiyi Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA;
| | - Fengtian Xue
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (K.H.); (F.X.)
| | - J. Marc Simard
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (V.G.); (J.M.S.)
- Research & Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Richard Y. Zhao
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.Z.); (C.Z.)
- Research & Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Institute of Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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5
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Jangra S, Landers JJ, Laghlali G, Rathnasinghe R, Warang P, Park SC, O'Konek JJ, Singh G, Janczak KW, García-Sastre A, Arya N, Karadag D, Baker JR, Schotsaert M, Wong PT. Multicomponent intranasal adjuvant for mucosal and durable systemic SARS-CoV-2 immunity in young and aged mice. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:96. [PMID: 37386041 PMCID: PMC10310740 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00691-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple FDA-approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines currently provide excellent protection against severe disease. Despite this, immunity can wane relatively fast, particularly in the elderly and novel viral variants capable of evading infection- and vaccination-induced immunity continue to emerge. Intranasal (IN) vaccination more effectively induces mucosal immune responses than parenteral vaccines, which would improve protection and reduce viral transmission. Here, we developed a rationally designed IN adjuvant consisting of a combined nanoemulsion (NE)-based adjuvant and an RNA-based RIG-I agonist (IVT DI) to drive more robust, broadly protective antibody and T cell responses. We previously demonstrated this combination adjuvant (NE/IVT) potently induces protective immunity through synergistic activation of an array of innate receptors. We now demonstrate that NE/IVT with the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), induces robust and durable humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses of equivalent magnitude and quality in young and aged mice. This contrasted with the MF59-like intramuscular adjuvant, Addavax, which showed a decrease in immunogenicity with age. Robust antigen-specific IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α was induced in both young and aged NE/IVT-immunized animals, which is significant as their reduced production is associated with suboptimal protective immunity in the elderly. These findings highlight the potential of adjuvanted mucosal vaccines for improving protection against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Jangra
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Landers
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gabriel Laghlali
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raveen Rathnasinghe
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Prajakta Warang
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seok-Chan Park
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, 54596, Korea
- Biosafety Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, 54596, Korea
| | - Jessica J O'Konek
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katarzyna W Janczak
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nandini Arya
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dilara Karadag
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James R Baker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Pamela T Wong
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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6
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Jangra S, Landers JJ, Laghlali G, Rathnasinghe R, O’Konek JJ, Janczak KW, García-Sastre A, Baker JR, Schotsaert M, Wong PT. A multicomponent intranasal adjuvant drives durable humoral, cellular, and mucosal immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in young and aged mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2457013. [PMID: 36711479 PMCID: PMC9882683 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2457013/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Multiple FDA-approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide excellent protection against severe disease. Despite this, immunity can wane relatively fast, particularly in the elderly and novel viral variants capable of evading infection- and vaccination-induced immunity continue to emerge. Intranasal (IN) vaccination more effectively induces mucosal immune responses than parenteral vaccines, which would improve protection and reduce viral transmission. Here, we developed a rationally designed IN adjuvant consisting of a combined nanoemulsion (NE)-based adjuvant and an RNA-based RIG-I agonist (IVT DI) to drive more robust, broadly protective antibody and T cell responses. We previously demonstrated this combination adjuvant (NE/IVT) potently induces protective immunity through synergistic activation of an array of innate receptors. We now demonstrate that NE/IVT with the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), induces robust and durable humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses of equivalent magnitude and quality in young and aged mice. This contrasted with the MF59-like intramuscular adjuvant, Addavax, which showed a marked decrease in immunogenicity with age. Robust antigen-specific IFNγ/IL-2/TNF-α was induced in both young and aged NE/IVT-immunized animals, which is significant as their reduced production is associated with suboptimal protective immunity in the elderly. These findings highlight the potential of adjuvanted mucosal vaccines for improving protection against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Jangra
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jeffrey J. Landers
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gabriel Laghlali
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Raveen Rathnasinghe
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jessica. J. O’Konek
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Katarzyna W. Janczak
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Department of of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - James R. Baker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pamela T. Wong
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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7
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Advances in Molecular Genetics Enabling Studies of Highly Pathogenic RNA Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122682. [PMID: 36560685 PMCID: PMC9784166 DOI: 10.3390/v14122682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental work with viruses that are highly pathogenic for humans and animals requires specialized Biosafety Level 3 or 4 facilities. Such pathogens include some spectacular but also rather seldomly studied examples such as Ebola virus (requiring BSL-4), more wide-spread and commonly studied viruses such as HIV, and the most recent example, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. A common characteristic of these virus examples is that their genomes consist of single-stranded RNA, which requires the conversion of their genomes into a DNA copy for easy manipulation; this can be performed to study the viral life cycle in detail, develop novel therapies and vaccines, and monitor the disease course over time for chronic virus infections. We summarize the recent advances in such new genetic applications for RNA viruses in Switzerland over the last 25 years, from the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic to the most recent developments in research on the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. We highlight game-changing collaborative efforts between clinical and molecular disciplines in HIV research on the path to optimal clinical disease management. Moreover, we summarize how the modern technical evolution enabled the molecular studies of emerging RNA viruses, confirming that Switzerland is at the forefront of SARS-CoV-2 research and potentially other newly emerging viruses.
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Tretiakova DS, Alekseeva AS, Onishchenko NR, Boldyrev IA, Egorova NS, Vasina DV, Gushchin VA, Chernov AS, Telegin GB, Kazakov VA, Plokhikh KS, Konovalova MV, Svirshchevskaya EV, Vodovozova EL. Proof-of-Concept Study of Liposomes with a Set of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Peptidic T-Cell Epitopes as a Vaccine. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2022; 48. [PMCID: PMC9977101 DOI: 10.1134/s1068162022060255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Potential nonameric epitopes of CD8+ T lymphocytes were selected from the composition of structural, accessory, and nonstructural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (13 peptides) and a 15-mer epitope of CD4+ T lymphocytes, from the S-protein, based on the analysis of publications on genome-wide immunoinformatic analysis of T-cell epitopes of the virus (Wuhan strain), as well as a number of clinical studies of immunodominant epitopes among patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. The peptides were synthesized and five compositions of 6–7 peptides were included in liposomes from egg phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol (~200 nm size) obtained by extrusion. After double subcutaneous immunization of conventional mice, activation of cellular immunity was assessed by the level of cytokine synthesis by splenocytes in vitro in response to stimulation with relevant peptide compositions. Liposomal formulation exhibiting the best result in terms of the formation of specific cellular immunity in response to vaccination was selected for further experiments. Evaluation of the protective efficacy of this formulation in an infectious mouse model showed a positive trend in the frequency of occurrence of hyaline-like membranes in the lumen of the alveoli, as well as a somewhat lower severity of microcirculatory disorders. The latter circumstance can potentially help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent its adverse outcomes. A method to produce liposome preparations with peptide compositions for long-term storage is under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. S. Tretiakova
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Alekseeva
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - N. R. Onishchenko
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - I. A. Boldyrev
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - N. S. Egorova
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - D. V. Vasina
- Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - V. A. Gushchin
- Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Chernov
- Pushchino Branch of Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - G. B. Telegin
- Pushchino Branch of Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - V. A. Kazakov
- Pushchino Branch of Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - K. S. Plokhikh
- National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - M. V. Konovalova
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - E. V. Svirshchevskaya
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - E. L. Vodovozova
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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