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Yu X, He Q, Kong Q. Multidisciplinary approaches to combat emerging viruses: diagnostics, therapeutic gene and vaccine delivery, and nanotherapeutics. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1387623. [PMID: 38966392 PMCID: PMC11222566 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1387623] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging viruses, such as filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg), SARS and MERS coronaviruses, and Zika, pose significant threats to global public health, particularly for individuals with co-morbidities. To address these challenges, this review article explores multidisciplinary strategies for combatting emerging viruses. We emphasize the importance of developing accurate diagnostics, innovative therapeutic gene and vaccine delivery systems, and long-acting nanotherapeutics. These approaches are designed to enhance the safety and efficacy of treatments against these deadly pathogens. We discuss the collaborative efforts of virologists, geneticists, formulation scientists, clinicians, immunologists, and medicinal chemists in advancing these therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqiang Yu
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qing He
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang province, School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Yang Y, Li F, Du L. Therapeutic nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic human coronaviruses. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:304. [PMID: 38822339 PMCID: PMC11140877 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02573-7] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies, single-domain antibodies derived from variable domain of camelid or shark heavy-chain antibodies, have unique properties with small size, strong binding affinity, easy construction in versatile formats, high neutralizing activity, protective efficacy, and manufactural capacity on a large-scale. Nanobodies have been arisen as an effective research tool for development of nanobiotechnologies with a variety of applications. Three highly pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs), SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, have caused serious outbreaks or a global pandemic, and continue to post a threat to public health worldwide. The viral spike (S) protein and its cognate receptor-binding domain (RBD), which initiate viral entry and play a critical role in virus pathogenesis, are important therapeutic targets. This review describes pathogenic human CoVs, including viral structures and proteins, and S protein-mediated viral entry process. It also summarizes recent advances in development of nanobodies targeting these CoVs, focusing on those targeting the S protein and RBD. Finally, we discuss potential strategies to improve the efficacy of nanobodies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other CoVs with pandemic potential. It will provide important information for rational design and evaluation of therapeutic agents against emerging and reemerging pathogens.
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MESH Headings
- Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/pharmacology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/therapeutic use
- Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry
- Humans
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
- Animals
- COVID-19/virology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/therapy
- Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/virology
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/immunology
- Virus Internalization/drug effects
- Pandemics
- Betacoronavirus/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use
- Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy
- Pneumonia, Viral/virology
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Center for Coronavirus Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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3
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Biswas S, Mita MA, Afrose S, Hasan MR, Shimu MSS, Zaman S, Saleh MA. An in silico approach to develop potential therapies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Heliyon 2024; 10:e25837. [PMID: 38379969 PMCID: PMC10877303 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25837] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A deadly respiratory disease Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is caused by a perilous virus known as MERS-CoV, which has a severe impact on human health. Currently, there is no approved vaccine, prophylaxis, or antiviral therapeutics for preventing MERS-CoV infection. Due to its inexorable and integral role in the maturation and replication of the MERS-CoV virus, the 3C-like protease is unavoidly a viable therapeutic target. In this study, 2369 phytoconstituents were enlisted from Japanese medicinal plants, and these compounds were screened against 3C-like protease to identify feasible inhibitors. The best three compounds were identified as Kihadanin B, Robustaflavone, and 3-beta-O- (trans-p-Coumaroyl) maslinic acid, with binding energies of -9.8, -9.4, and -9.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The top three potential candidates interacted with several active site residues in the targeted protein, including Cys145, Met168, Glu169, Ala171, and Gln192. The best three compounds were assessed by in silico technique to determine their drug-likeness properties, and they exhibited the least harmful features and the greatest drug-like qualities. Various descriptors, such as solvent-accessible surface area, root-mean-square fluctuation, root-mean-square deviation, hydrogen bond, and radius of gyration, validated the stability and firmness of the protein-ligand complexes throughout the 100ns molecular dynamics simulation. Moreover, the top three compounds exhibited better binding energy along with better stability and firmness than the inhibitor (Nafamostat), which was further confirmed by the binding free energy calculation. Therefore, this computational investigation could aid in the development of efficient therapeutics for life-threatening MERS-CoV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvro Biswas
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Mohasana Akter Mita
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Shamima Afrose
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Robiul Hasan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | | | - Shahriar Zaman
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abu Saleh
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
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Tai W, Zheng J, Zhang X, Shi J, Wang G, Guan X, Zhu J, Perlman S, Du L. MERS-CoV RBD-mRNA vaccine induces potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies with protection against MERS-CoV infection. Virus Res 2023; 334:199156. [PMID: 37336390 PMCID: PMC10278997 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199156] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a highly pathogenic coronavirus in the same Betacoronavirus genus and Coronaviridae family as SARS-CoV-2, continues to post a threat to human health. Mortality remains high; therefore, there is a need to develop effective vaccines to prevent MERS-CoV infection. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) within the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein is a critical vaccine target. The latest mRNA technology has enabled rapid development of much-needed vaccines with high efficiency and scalable manufacturing capacity. Here, we designed a mRNA vaccine encoding the RBD of MERS-CoV S protein (RBD-mRNA) and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in a mouse model. The data showed that nucleoside-modified RBD-mRNA, but not RBD-mRNA lacking the nucleoside modification, was stable and elicited broadly and durable neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses, which neutralized the original strain and multiple MERS-CoV variants. Among all immunization routes tested, the intradermal route was appropriate for this RBD-mRNA to induce strong B-cell responses and the highest neutralizing antibody titers. Importantly, injection of nucleoside-modified RBD-mRNA through the intradermal route protected immunized mice against challenge with MERS-CoV. This protection correlated with serum neutralizing antibody titers. Overall, we have developed an effective MERS-CoV RBD-based mRNA vaccine (with potential for further development) that prevents infection by divergent strains of MERS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan Shi
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gang Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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5
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Chattopadhyay A, Jailani AAK, Mandal B. Exigency of Plant-Based Vaccine against COVID-19 Emergence as Pandemic Preparedness. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1347. [PMID: 37631915 PMCID: PMC10458178 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081347] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
After two years since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than six million deaths have occurred due to SARS-CoV-2, leading to an unprecedented disruption of the global economy. Fortunately, within a year, a wide range of vaccines, including pathogen-based inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines, replicating and non-replicating vector-based vaccines, nucleic acid (DNA and mRNA)-based vaccines, and protein-based subunit and virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines, have been developed to mitigate the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These vaccines have proven highly effective in reducing the severity of illness and preventing deaths. However, the availability and supply of COVID-19 vaccines have become an issue due to the prioritization of vaccine distribution in most countries. Additionally, as the virus continues to mutate and spread, questions have arisen regarding the effectiveness of vaccines against new strains of SARS-CoV-2 that can evade host immunity. The urgent need for booster doses to enhance immunity has been recognized. The scarcity of "safe and effective" vaccines has exacerbated global inequalities in terms of vaccine coverage. The development of COVID-19 vaccines has fallen short of the expectations set forth in 2020 and 2021. Furthermore, the equitable distribution of vaccines at the global and national levels remains a challenge, particularly in developing countries. In such circumstances, the exigency of plant virus-based vaccines has become apparent as a means to overcome supply shortages through fast manufacturing processes and to enable quick and convenient distribution to millions of people without the reliance on a cold chain system. Moreover, plant virus-based vaccines have demonstrated both safety and efficacy in eliciting robust cellular immunogenicity against COVID-19 pathogens. This review aims to shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of vaccines developed against SARS-CoV-2 and provide an update on the current status of plant-based vaccines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirudha Chattopadhyay
- Pulses Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar 385506, India;
| | - A. Abdul Kader Jailani
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL 32351, USA
| | - Bikash Mandal
- Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
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Oligonucleotide usage in coronavirus genomes mimics that in exon regions in host genomes. Virol J 2023; 20:39. [PMID: 36859385 PMCID: PMC9976658 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01995-3] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viruses use various host factors for their growth, and efficient growth requires efficient use of these factors. Our previous study revealed that the occurrence frequency of oligonucleotides in the influenza virus genome is distinctly different among derived hosts, and the frequency tends to adapt to the host cells in which they grow. We aimed to study the adaptation mechanisms of a zoonotic virus to host cells. METHODS Herein, we compared the frequency of oligonucleotides in the genome of alpha- and betacoronavirus with those in the genomes of humans and bats, which are typical hosts of the viruses. RESULTS By comparing the oligonucleotide frequency in coronaviruses and their host genomes, we found a statistically tested positive correlation between the frequency of coronaviruses and that of the exon regions of the host from which the virus is derived. To examine the characteristics of early-stage changes in the viral genome, which are assumed to accompany the host change from non-humans to humans, we compared the oligonucleotide frequency between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the beginning of the pandemic and the prevalent variants thereafter, and found changes towards the frequency of the host exon regions. CONCLUSIONS In alpha- and betacoronaviruses, the genome oligonucleotide frequency is thought to change in response to the cellular environment in which the virus is replicating, and actually the frequency has approached the frequency in exon regions in the host.
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Babaeimarzangou SS, Zaker H, Soleimannezhadbari E, Gamchi NS, Kazeminia M, Tarighi S, Seyedian H, Tsatsakis A, Spandidos DA, Margina D. Vaccine development for zoonotic viral diseases caused by positive‑sense single‑stranded RNA viruses belonging to the Coronaviridae and Togaviridae families (Review). Exp Ther Med 2022; 25:42. [PMID: 36569444 PMCID: PMC9768462 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of zoonotic viral diseases pose a severe threat to public health and economies worldwide, with this currently being more prominent than it previously was human history. These emergency zoonotic diseases that originated and transmitted from vertebrates to humans have been estimated to account for approximately one billion cases of illness and have caused millions of deaths worldwide annually. The recent emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (coronavirus disease 2019) is an excellent example of the unpredictable public health threat causing a pandemic. The present review summarizes the literature data regarding the main vaccine developments in human clinical phase I, II and III trials against the zoonotic positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the Coronavirus and Alphavirus genera, including severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle east respiratory syndrome, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, Chikungunya virus and O'nyong-nyong virus. That there are neither vaccines nor effective antiviral drugs available against most of these viruses is undeniable. Therefore, new explosive outbreaks of these zoonotic viruses may surely be expected. The present comprehensive review provides an update on the status of vaccine development in different clinical trials against these viruses, as well as an overview of the present results of these trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Sajjad Babaeimarzangou
- Division of Poultry Health and Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia 5756151818, Iran
| | - Himasadat Zaker
- Histology and Microscopic Analysis Division, RASTA Specialized Research Institute (RSRI), West Azerbaijan Science and Technology Park (WASTP), Urmia 5756115322, Iran
| | | | - Naeimeh Shamsi Gamchi
- Histology and Microscopic Analysis Division, RASTA Specialized Research Institute (RSRI), West Azerbaijan Science and Technology Park (WASTP), Urmia 5756115322, Iran
| | - Masoud Kazeminia
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417935840, Iran
| | - Shima Tarighi
- Veterinary Office of West Azerbaijan Province, Urmia 5717617695, Iran
| | - Homayon Seyedian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia 5756151818, Iran
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, University of Crete, 71307 Heraklion, Greece,Correspondence to: Professor Denisa Margina, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Denisa Margina
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania,Correspondence to: Professor Denisa Margina, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
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Taha MJJ, Abuawwad MT, Alrubasy WA, Sameer SK, Alsafi T, Al-Bustanji Y, Abu-Ismail L, Nashwan AJ. Ocular manifestations of recent viral pandemics: A literature review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1011335. [PMID: 36213628 PMCID: PMC9537761 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1011335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral pandemics often take the world by storm, urging the medical community to prioritize the most evident systemic manifestations, often causing ocular manifestations to go unnoticed. This literature review highlights the ocular complications of the Monkeypox, SARS-CoV-2, MERS, Ebola, H1N1, and Zika viruses as the most recent viral pandemics. Research into the effects of these pandemics began immediately. Moreover, it also discusses the ocular complications of the vaccines and treatments that were used in the scope of the viral pandemics. Additionally, this review discusses the role of the eye as an important route of viral transmission, and thereafter, the International recommendations to reduce the incidence of viral transmission were mentioned. Lastly, this paper wants to lay out a platform for researchers who want to learn more about how viruses show up in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad J. J. Taha
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammad T. Abuawwad
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Warda A. Alrubasy
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shams Khalid Sameer
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Taleb Alsafi
- Department of Optometry, Western University College of Optometry, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Yaqeen Al-Bustanji
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Luai Abu-Ismail
- Department of Ophthalmology, Islamic Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdulqadir J. Nashwan
- Department of Nursing Education and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Abdulqadir J. Nashwan
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Tai W, Zhang X, Yang Y, Zhu J, Du L. Advances in mRNA and other vaccines against MERS-CoV. Transl Res 2022; 242:20-37. [PMID: 34801748 PMCID: PMC8603276 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic human coronavirus (CoV). Belonging to the same beta-CoV genus as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) and SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV has a significantly higher fatality rate with limited human-to-human transmissibility. MERS-CoV causes sporadic outbreaks, but no vaccines have yet been approved for use in humans, thus calling for continued efforts to develop effective vaccines against this important CoV. Similar to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV contains 4 structural proteins, among which the surface spike (S) protein has been used as a core component in the majority of currently developed MERS-CoV vaccines. Here, we illustrate the importance of the MERS-CoV S protein as a key vaccine target and provide an update on the currently developed MERS-CoV vaccines, including those based on DNAs, proteins, virus-like particles or nanoparticles, and viral vectors. Additionally, we describe approaches for designing MERS-CoV mRNA vaccines and explore the role and importance of naturally occurring pseudo-nucleosides in the design of effective MERS-CoV mRNA vaccines. This review also provides useful insights into designing and evaluating mRNA vaccines against other viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York
| | - Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Califonia; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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10
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Feng Z, Chen Y, Wu Y, Wang J, Zhang H, Zhang W. Kidney involvement in coronavirus-associated diseases (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:361. [PMID: 33732334 PMCID: PMC7903379 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2003, coronaviruses have caused multiple global pandemic diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Clinical and autopsy findings suggest that the occurrence of kidney injury during infection may negatively affect the clinical outcomes of infected patients. The authoritative model predicts that outbreaks of other novel coronavirus pneumonias will continue to threaten human health in the future. The aim of the present systematic review was to summarize the basic knowledge of coronavirus, coronavirus infection-associated kidney injury and the corresponding therapies, in order to provide new insights for clinicians to better understand the kidney involvement of coronavirus so that more effective therapeutic strategies can be employed against coronavirus infection in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicai Feng
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Yuqing Chen
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| | - Yuqin Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Jianwen Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
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Smith MJ, Ahmad A, Arawi T, Dawson A, Emanuel EJ, Garani-Papadatos T, Ghimire P, Iliyasu Z, Lei R, Mastroleo I, Mathur R, Okeibunor J, Parker M, Saenz C, Thomé B, Upshur REG, Voo TC. Top five ethical lessons of COVID-19 that the world must learn. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 6:17. [PMID: 33693063 PMCID: PMC7919608 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16568.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As the world reflects upon one year since the first cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and prepare for and experience surges in cases, it is important to identify the most crucial ethical issues that might lie ahead so that countries are able to plan accordingly. Some ethical issues are rather obvious to predict, such as the ethical issues surrounding the use of immunity certificates, contact tracing, and the fair allocation of vaccines globally. Yet, the most significant ethical challenge that the world must address in the next year and beyond is to ensure that we learn the ethical lessons of the first year of this pandemic. Learning from our collective experiences thus far constitutes our greatest moral obligation. Appreciating that decision-making in the context of a pandemic is constrained by unprecedented complexity and uncertainty, beginning in June 2020, an international group of 17 experts in bioethics spanning 15 countries (including low-, middle-, and high-income countries) met virtually to identify what we considered to be the most significant ethical challenges and accompanying lessons faced thus far in the COVID-19 pandemic. Once collected, the group met over the course of several virtual meetings to identify challenges and lessons that are analytically distinct in order to identify common ethical themes under which different challenges and lessons could be grouped. The result, described in this paper, is what this expert group consider to be the top five ethical lessons from the initial experience with COVID-19 that must be learned.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aasim Ahmad
- The Kidney Centre Post Graduate Training Institute, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Angus Dawson
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Ruipeng Lei
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ignacio Mastroleo
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roli Mathur
- National Center for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), Bengaluru, India
| | | | | | - Carla Saenz
- Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Beatriz Thomé
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Khan N, Chen X, Geiger JD. Possible Therapeutic Use of Natural Compounds Against COVID-19. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR SIGNALING 2021; 2:63-79. [PMID: 33768214 PMCID: PMC7990267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19); a pandemic disease that has resulted in devastating social, economic, morbidity and mortality burdens. SARS-CoV-2 infects cells following receptor-mediated endocytosis and priming by cellular proteases. Following uptake, SARS-CoV-2 replicates in autophagosome-like structures in the cytosol following its escape from endolysosomes. Accordingly, the greater endolysosome pathway including autophagosomes and the mTOR sensor may be targets for therapeutic interventions against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pathogenesis. Naturally existing compounds (phytochemicals) through their actions on endolysosomes and mTOR signaling pathways might provide therapeutic relief against COVID-19. Here, we discuss evidence that some natural compounds through actions on the greater endolysosome system can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and thereby might be repurposed for use against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabab Khan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58203, USA
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58203, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Geiger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58203, USA
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Khan N, Chen X, Geiger JD. Role of Endolysosomes in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pathogenesis: Implications for Potential Treatments. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:595888. [PMID: 33324224 PMCID: PMC7723437 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.595888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus. Humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop a disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with symptoms and consequences including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiovascular disorders, and death. SARS-CoV-2 appears to infect cells by first binding viral spike proteins with host protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors; the virus is endocytosed following priming by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). The process of virus entry into endosomes and its release from endolysosomes are key features of enveloped viruses. Thus, it is important to focus attention on the role of endolysosomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Indeed, coronaviruses are now known to hijack endocytic machinery to enter cells such that they can deliver their genome at replication sites without initiating host detection and immunological responses. Hence, endolysosomes might be good targets for developing therapeutic strategies against coronaviruses. Here, we focus attention on the involvement of endolysosomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pathogenesis. Further, we explore endolysosome-based therapeutic strategies to restrict SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jonathan D. Geiger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, United States
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Xu Z, Patel A, Tursi NJ, Zhu X, Muthumani K, Kulp DW, Weiner DB. Harnessing Recent Advances in Synthetic DNA and Electroporation Technologies for Rapid Vaccine Development Against COVID-19 and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:571030. [PMID: 35047878 PMCID: PMC8757735 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.571030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccines are considered as a third-generation vaccination approach in which antigenic materials are encoded as DNA plasmids for direct in vivo production to elicit adaptive immunity. As compared to other platforms, DNA vaccination is considered to have a strong safety profile, as DNA plasmids neither replicate nor elicit vector-directed immune responses in hosts. While earlier work found the immune responses induced by DNA vaccines to be sub-optimal in larger mammals and humans, recent developments in key synthetic DNA and electroporation delivery technologies have now allowed DNA vaccines to elicit significantly more potent and consistent responses in several clinical studies. This paper will review findings from the recent clinical and preclinical studies on DNA vaccines targeting emerging infectious diseases (EID) including COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the technological advancements pivotal to the improved responses-including the use of the advanced delivery technology, DNA-encoded cytokine/mucosal adjuvants, and innovative concepts in immunogen design. With continuous advancement over the past three decades, the DNA approach is now poised to develop vaccines against COVID-19, as well as other EIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Xu
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ami Patel
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nicholas J Tursi
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xizhou Zhu
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kar Muthumani
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel W Kulp
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - David B Weiner
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Zhang N, Shang J, Li C, Zhou K, Du L. An overview of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus vaccines in preclinical studies. Expert Rev Vaccines 2020; 19:817-829. [PMID: 32842811 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1813574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes high mortality in humans. No vaccines are approved for use in humans; therefore, a consistent effort to develop safe and effective MERS vaccines is needed. AREAS COVERED This review describes the structure of MERS-CoV and the function of its proteins, summarizes MERS vaccine candidates under preclinical study (based on spike and non-spike structural proteins, inactivated virus, and live-attenuated virus), and highlights potential problems that could prevent these vaccines entering clinical trials. It provides guidance for the development of safe and effective MERS-CoV vaccines. EXPERT OPINION Although many MERS-CoV vaccines have been developed, most remain at the preclinical stage. Some vaccines demonstrate immunogenicity and efficacy in animal models, while others have potential adverse effects or low efficacy against high-dose or divergent virus strains. Novel strategies are needed to design safe and effective MERS vaccines to induce broad-spectrum immune responses and improve protective efficacy against multiple strains of MERS-CoV and MERS-like coronaviruses with pandemic potential. More funds should be invested to move vaccine candidates into human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naru Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College , Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Shang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Chaoqun Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College , Hangzhou, China
| | - Kehui Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College , Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center , New York, NY, USA
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Alnemare AK. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - What Every Otolaryngologist Should Know: A Review. Int J Gen Med 2020; 13:483-489. [PMID: 32801842 PMCID: PMC7403436 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s252796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we illustrate the history of Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV) infection from the first reported case to the disease's outbreak and subsequent worldwide decline, with the aim of briefly defining the problem for the benefit of otolaryngologists. MERS-CoV belongs to the Coronaviridae family and causes a zoonotic disease, MERS, with strong camel to human and weak human to human transmission. The first documented case of MERS was reported in Saudi Arabia in June 2012. Viral replication produces inflammatory markers targeting T lymphocytes, with apoptosis being the end result. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of this virus is not yet fully understood. The main symptomatic appearance is of mild lower respiratory tract infection with dyspnea and persistent cough in addition to systemic manifestations. The diagnosis is mainly based on the use of polymerase chain reaction for the detection of viral ribonucleic acid in the sputum or tracheal fluids. Otolaryngologic treatment mainly involves supportive adjuvant usage of interferon or antiviral drugs; however, approximately one-third of patients may not survive, and, therefore, otolaryngologists should be familiar with and remain mindful of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad K Alnemare
- Otolaryngology Department, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah11952, Saudi Arabia
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Wang N, Shang J, Jiang S, Du L. Subunit Vaccines Against Emerging Pathogenic Human Coronaviruses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:298. [PMID: 32265848 PMCID: PMC7105881 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seven coronaviruses (CoVs) have been isolated from humans so far. Among them, three emerging pathogenic CoVs, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and a newly identified CoV (2019-nCoV), once caused or continue to cause severe infections in humans, posing significant threats to global public health. SARS-CoV infection in humans (with about 10% case fatality rate) was first reported from China in 2002, while MERS-CoV infection in humans (with about 34.4% case fatality rate) was first reported from Saudi Arabia in June 2012. 2019-nCoV was first reported from China in December 2019, and is currently infecting more than 70000 people (with about 2.7% case fatality rate). Both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are zoonotic viruses, using bats as their natural reservoirs, and then transmitting through intermediate hosts, leading to human infections. Nevertheless, the intermediate host for 2019-nCoV is still under investigation and the vaccines against this new CoV have not been available. Although a variety of vaccines have been developed against infections of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, none of them has been approved for use in humans. In this review, we have described the structure and function of key proteins of emerging human CoVs, overviewed the current vaccine types to be developed against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and summarized recent advances in subunit vaccines against these two pathogenic human CoVs. These subunit vaccines are introduced on the basis of full-length spike (S) protein, receptor-binding domain (RBD), non-RBD S protein fragments, and non-S structural proteins, and the potential factors affecting these subunit vaccines are also illustrated. Overall, this review will be helpful for rapid design and development of vaccines against the new 2019-nCoV and any future CoVs with pandemic potential. This review was written for the topic of Antivirals for Emerging Viruses: Vaccines and Therapeutics in the Virology section of Frontiers in Microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jian Shang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, United States
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, United States
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