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Chen X, Balliew J, Bauer CX, Deegan J, Gitter A, Hanson BM, Maresso AW, Tisza MJ, Troisi CL, Rios J, Mena KD, Boerwinkle E, Wu F. Revealing patterns of SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence and evolution using RBD amplicon sequencing of wastewater. J Infect 2024; 89:106284. [PMID: 39341403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106284] [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: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in the emergence of numerous variants, posing significant challenges to public health surveillance. Clinical genome sequencing, while valuable, has limitations in capturing the full epidemiological dynamics of circulating variants in the general population. This study aimed to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 variant community dynamics and evolution using receptor-binding domain (RBD) amplicon sequencing of wastewater samples. METHODS We sequenced wastewater from El Paso, Texas, over 17 months, compared the sequencing data with clinical genome data, and performed biodiversity analysis to reveal SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics and evolution. RESULTS We identified 91 variants and observed waves of dominant variants transitioning from BA.2 to BA.2.12.1, BA.4&5, BQ.1, and XBB.1.5. Comparison with clinical genome sequencing data revealed earlier detection of variants and identification of unreported outbreaks. Our results also showed strong consistency with clinical data for dominant variants at the local, state, and national levels. Alpha diversity analyses revealed significant seasonal variations, with the highest diversity observed in winter. By segmenting the outbreak into lag, growth, stationary, and decline phases, we found higher variant diversity during the lag phase, likely due to lower inter-variant competition preceding outbreak growth. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the importance of low transmission periods in facilitating rapid mutation and variant evolution. Our approach, integrating RBD amplicon sequencing with wastewater surveillance, demonstrates effectiveness in tracking viral evolution and understanding variant emergence, thus enhancing public health preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwen Chen
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Cici X Bauer
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer Deegan
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Gitter
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Blake M Hanson
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anthony W Maresso
- TAILOR Labs, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael J Tisza
- The Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Catherine L Troisi
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Janelle Rios
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristina D Mena
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fuqing Wu
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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2
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Barnes JE, América Chi L, Marty Ytreberg F, Patel JS. Leveraging neural networks to correct FoldX free energy estimates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.23.614615. [PMID: 39386633 PMCID: PMC11463479 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.23.614615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Proteins play a pivotal role in many biological processes, and changes in their amino acid sequences can lead to dysfunction and disease. These changes can affect protein folding or interaction with other biomolecules, such as preventing antibodies from inhibiting a viral infection or causing proteins to misfold. The ability to predict the effects of mutations in proteins is crucial. Although experimental techniques can accurately quantify the effect of mutations on protein folding free energies and protein-protein binding free energies, they are often time-consuming and costly. By contrast, computational techniques offer fast and cost-effective alternatives for estimating free energies, but they typically suffer from lower accuracy. Enhancing the accuracy of computational predictions is therefore of high importance, with the potential to greatly impact fields ranging from drug design to understanding disease mechanisms. One such widely used computational method, FoldX, is capable of rapidly predicting the relative folding stability ( Δ Δ G fold ) for a protein as well as the relative binding affinity ( Δ Δ G bind ) between proteins using a single protein structure as input. However, it can suffer from low accuracy, especially for antibody-antigen systems. In this work, we trained a neural network on FoldX output to enhance its prediction accuracy. We first performed FoldX calculations on the largest datasets available for mutations that affect binding (SKEMPIv2) and folding (ProTherm4) with experimentally measured Δ Δ G . Features were then extracted from the FoldX output files including its prediction for Δ Δ G . We then developed and optimized a neural network framework to predict the difference between FoldX's estimated Δ Δ G and the experimental data, creating a model capable of producing a correction factor. Our approach showed significant improvements in Pearson correlation performance. For single mutations affecting folding, the correlation improved from a baseline of 0.3 to 0.66. In terms of binding, performance increased from 0.37 to 0.61 for single mutations and from 0.52 to 0.81 for double mutations. For epistasis, the correlation for binding affinity (both singles and doubles) improved from 0.19 to 0.59. Our results also indicated that models trained on double mutations enhanced accuracy when predicting higher-order mutations (such as triple or quadruple mutations), whereas models trained on singles did not. This suggests that interaction energy and epistasis effects present in the FoldX output are not fully utilized by FoldX itself. Once trained, these models add minimal computational time but provide a substantial increase in performance, especially for higher-order mutations and epistasis. This makes them a valuable addition to any free energy prediction pipeline using FoldX. Furthermore, we believe this technique can be further optimized and tested for predicting antibody escape, aiding in the efficient development of watch lists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Barnes
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - L América Chi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - F Marty Ytreberg
- Department of Physics, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Jagdish Suresh Patel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
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Tamming L, Duque D, Tran A, Lansdell C, Frahm G, Wu J, Fekete EE, Creskey M, Thulasi Raman SN, Laryea E, Zhang W, Pfeifle A, Gravel C, Stalker A, Hashem AM, Chen W, Stuible M, Durocher Y, Safronetz D, Cao J, Wang L, Sauve S, Rosu-Myles M, Zhang X, Johnston MJ, Li X. Lipid nanoparticle encapsulation of a Delta spike-CD40L DNA vaccine improves effectiveness against Omicron challenge in Syrian hamsters. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101325. [PMID: 39309757 PMCID: PMC11416279 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101325] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
The effectiveness of mRNA vaccines largely depends on their lipid nanoparticle (LNP) component. Herein, we investigate the effectiveness of DLin-KC2-DMA (KC2) and SM-102-based LNPs for the intramuscular delivery of a plasmid encoding B.1.617.2 (Delta) spike fused with CD40 ligand. LNP encapsulation of this CD40L-adjuvanted DNA vaccine with either LNP formulation drastically enhanced antibody responses, enabling neutralization of heterologous Omicron variants. The DNA-LNP formulations provided excellent protection from homologous challenge, reducing viral replication, and preventing histopathological changes in the pulmonary tissues. Moreover, the DNA-LNP vaccines maintained a high level of protection against heterologous Omicron BA.5 challenge despite a reduced neutralizing response. In addition, we observed that DNA-LNP vaccination led to the pulmonary downregulation of interferon signaling, interleukin-12 signaling, and macrophage response pathways following SARS-CoV-2 challenge, shedding some light on the mechanisms underlying the prevention of pulmonary injury. These results highlight the potential combination of molecular adjuvants with LNP-based vaccine delivery to induce greater and broader immune responses capable of preventing inflammatory damage and protecting against emerging variants. These findings could be informative for the future design of both DNA and mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi Tamming
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Anh Tran
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Casey Lansdell
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Grant Frahm
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Emily E.F. Fekete
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Marybeth Creskey
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Sathya N. Thulasi Raman
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Laryea
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Wanyue Zhang
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Annabelle Pfeifle
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Caroline Gravel
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Andrew Stalker
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Anwar M. Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wangxue Chen
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Jingxin Cao
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Simon Sauve
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Michael Rosu-Myles
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Xu Zhang
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Michael J.W. Johnston
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Xuguang Li
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
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Schulte B, Richter E, Büning A, Baum M, Breuer A, Zorn J, König J, Geiger M, Eschbach-Bludau M, Heuser J, Zölzer D, Korencak M, Hollstein R, Beins E, Emmert D, Aldabbagh S, Eis-Hübinger AM, Streeck H. A longitudinal study on SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion, reinfection and neutralisation spanning several variant waves and vaccination campaigns, Heinsberg, Germany, April 2020 to November 2022. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2300659. [PMID: 38940003 PMCID: PMC11212458 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.26.2300659] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSince its emergence in December 2019, over 700 million people worldwide have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to May 2024. While early rollout of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has saved many lives, there was increasing immune escape of new virus variants. Longitudinal monitoring of population-wide SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses from regular sample collection irrespective of symptoms provides representative data on infection and seroconversion/seroreversion rates.AimTo examine adaptive and cellular immune responses of a German SARS-CoV-2 outbreak cohort through several waves of infection with different virus variants.MethodsUtilising a 31-month longitudinal seroepidemiological study (n = 1,446; mean age: 50 years, range: 2-103) initiated during the first SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event (February 2020) in Heinsberg, Germany, we analysed acute infection, seroconversion and virus neutralisation at five follow-up visits between October 2020 and November 2022; cellular and cross-protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants were also examined.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-specific IgAs decreased shortly after infection, while IgGs remained stable. Both increased significantly after vaccination. We predict an 18-month half-life of S IgGs upon infection. Nucleocapsid (N)-specific responses declined over 12 months post-infection but increased (p < 0.0001) during Omicron. Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific TNF-alpha+/IFN-gamma+ CD4+ T-cells declined over 12 months after infection (p < 0.01). SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies and neutralisation titres were highest in triple-vaccinated participants infected between April 2021 and November 2022 compared with infections between April 2020 and January 2021. Cross neutralisation against Omicron BQ.1.18 and XBB.1.5 was very low in all groups.ConclusionInfection and/or vaccination did not provide the population with cross-protection against Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Schulte
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Enrico Richter
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antonia Büning
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maximilian Baum
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annika Breuer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jasmin Zorn
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia König
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Melanie Geiger
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Johanna Heuser
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominik Zölzer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marek Korencak
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ronja Hollstein
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eva Beins
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dorian Emmert
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Souhaib Aldabbagh
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Hendrik Streeck
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
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Ivanusic D, Maier J, Icli S, Falcone V, Bernauer H, Bannert N. tANCHOR-cell-based assay for monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies rapidly adaptive to various receptor-binding domains. iScience 2024; 27:109123. [PMID: 38380248 PMCID: PMC10877956 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109123] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional neutralizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mimic the protein-protein interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD). However, an easy and rapidly adaptative ELISA-based system for testing neutralizing antibodies against upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants is urgently needed. In this study, we closed this gap by developing a tANCHOR-cell-based RBD neutralization assay that avoids time-consuming protein expression and purification followed by coating on ELISA plates. This cell-based assay can be rapidly adopted to monitor neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants. We show that the results obtained with the tANCHOR-cell-based assay system strongly correlate with commercially available surrogate assays for testing NAbs. Moreover, this technique can directly measure binding between cell-surface-exposed RBDs and soluble ACE2. With this technique, the degree of antibody escape elicited by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in current vaccination regimens can be determined rapidly and reliably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ivanusic
- Sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Josef Maier
- ATG:biosynthetics GmbH, 79249 Merzhausen, Germany
| | - Suheda Icli
- Sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Falcone
- Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Bannert
- Sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Gupta S, Gupta D, Bhatnagar S. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genome evolutionary patterns. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0265423. [PMID: 38197644 PMCID: PMC10846092 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02654-23] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus accompanied by public availability of abundant sequence data provides a window for the determination of viral evolutionary patterns. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were collected from seven countries in the period January 2020-December 2022. The sequences were classified into three phases, namely, pre-vaccination, post-vaccination, and recent period. Comparison was performed between these phases based on parameters like mutation rates, selection pressure (dN/dS ratio), and transition to transversion ratios (Ti/Tv). Similar comparisons were performed among SARS-CoV-2 variants. Statistical significance was tested using Graphpad unpaired t-test. The analysis showed an increase in the percent genomic mutation rates post-vaccination and in recent periods across all countries from the pre-vaccination sequences. Mutation rates were highest in NSP3, S, N, and NSP12b before and increased further after vaccination. NSP4 showed the largest change in mutation rates after vaccination. The dN/dS ratios showed purifying selection that shifted toward neutral selection after vaccination. N, ORF8, ORF3a, and ORF10 were under highest positive selection before vaccination. Shift toward neutral selection was driven by E, NSP3, and ORF7a in the after vaccination set. In recent sequences, the largest dN/dS change was observed in E, NSP1, and NSP13. The Ti/Tv ratios decreased with time. C→U and G→U were the most frequent transitions and transversions. However, U→G was the most frequent transversion in recent period. The Omicron variant had the highest genomic mutation rates, while Delta showed the highest dN/dS ratio. Protein-wise dN/dS ratio was also seen to vary across the different variants.IMPORTANCETo the best of our knowledge, there exists no other large-scale study of the genomic and protein-wise mutation patterns during the time course of evolution in different countries. Analyzing the SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary patterns in view of the varying spatial, temporal, and biological signals is important for diagnostics, therapeutics, and pharmacovigilance of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhangi Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Computational and Structural Biology Laboratory, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepanshu Gupta
- Division of Biotechnology, Computational and Structural Biology Laboratory, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonika Bhatnagar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Computational and Structural Biology Laboratory, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi, India
- Division of Biotechnology, Computational and Structural Biology Laboratory, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi, India
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7
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Bernauer H, Maier J, Bannert N, Ivanusic D. tANCHOR cell-based ELISA approach as a surrogate for antigen-coated plates to monitor specific IgG directed to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae001. [PMID: 38332985 PMCID: PMC10850845 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems use plates coated with peptides or expressed and purified proteins to monitor immunoglobulins derived from patient serum. However, there is currently no easy, flexible, and fast adaptive ELISA-based system for testing antibodies directed against new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. In this study, we utilized the tANCHOR protein display system that provides a cell surface decorated with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) to monitor specific antibodies derived from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent and vaccinated individuals directed against it. To test sera from vaccinees or convalescent individuals, only the RBD coding sequence needs to be cloned in the tANCHOR vector system and transfected into HeLa cells. Time-consuming protein expression, isolation, and purification followed by coating assay plates are not necessary. With this technique, the immune evasion of new SARS-CoV-2 variants from current vaccination regimes can be examined quickly and reliably.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josef Maier
- ATG:biosynthetics GmbH, 79249 Merzhausen, Germany
| | - Norbert Bannert
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Ivanusic
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV (FG18), Robert Koch-Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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8
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Tan CY, Chiew CJ, Pang D, Lee VJ, Ong B, Wang LF, Ren EC, Lye DC, Tan KB. Effectiveness of bivalent mRNA vaccines against medically attended symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospital admission among SARS-CoV-2-naive and previously infected individuals: a retrospective cohort study. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 23:1343-1348. [PMID: 37543042 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00373-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) variant with high immune evasion has led to the development and roll-out of bivalent mRNA vaccines targeting original and omicron strains. However, real-world observational data on effectiveness of bivalent vaccines are scarce. We aimed to assess the relative effectiveness of a fourth vaccine dose with the BA.1-adapted or BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent vaccines against medically attended symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospital admission among SARS-CoV-2-naive and previously infected individuals in Singapore. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study among Singapore residents aged 18 years and older who had received three monovalent mRNA vaccine doses and were eligible for a fourth dose. Data were collected from official databases on COVID-19 cases and vaccinations maintained by the Singapore Ministry of Health. We analysed the incidence of medically attended symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospital admission between Oct 14, 2022, and Jan 31, 2023, by previous infection status and type of fourth vaccine dose received. Inverse probability-weighted Cox regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). FINDINGS 2 749 819 individuals were included in the analysis. For the SARS-CoV-2-naive group, a fourth monovalent vaccine dose did not confer additional protection over three monovalent doses against symptomatic infection (HR 1·09 [95% CI 1·07-1·11]), whereas the bivalent vaccine did provide additional protection (0·18 [0·17-0·19]). Among individuals with previous infection, the HR was 0·87 (95% CI 0·84-0·91) and 0·14 (0·13-0·15) with receipt of the fourth monovalent and bivalent doses, respectively. Against COVID-19-related hospital admission, the bivalent vaccine (HR 0·12 [95% CI 0·08-0·18] in SARS-CoV-2-naive participants and 0·04 [0·01-0·15] in previously infected participants) conferred greater benefit compared with the fourth monovalent dose (0·84 [0·77-0·91] in SARS-CoV-2-naive participants and 0·85 [0·69-1·04] in previously infected participants). INTERPRETATION A fourth dose with the bivalent vaccine was substantially more effective against medically attended symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospital admission than four monovalent doses among both SARS-CoV-2-naive and previously infected individuals. Boosters with the bivalent vaccine might be preferred in this omicron-predominant pandemic, regardless of previous infection history. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Y Tan
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore.
| | - Calvin J Chiew
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore; National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore
| | - Deanette Pang
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore
| | - Vernon J Lee
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benjamin Ong
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ee Chee Ren
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - David Chien Lye
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kelvin Bryan Tan
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Le K, Kannappan S, Kim T, Lee JH, Lee HR, Kim KK. Structural understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry to host cells. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1288686. [PMID: 38033388 PMCID: PMC10683510 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1288686] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a major global health concern associated with millions of fatalities worldwide. Mutant variants of the virus have further exacerbated COVID-19 mortality and infection rates, emphasizing the urgent need for effective preventive strategies. Understanding the viral infection mechanism is crucial for developing therapeutics and vaccines. The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is a key step in the infection pathway and has been targeted for drug development. Despite numerous reviews of COVID-19 and the virus, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews focusing on the structural aspects of viral entry. In this review, we analyze structural changes in Spike proteins during the entry process, dividing the entry process into prebinding, receptor binding, proteolytic cleavage, and membrane fusion steps. By understanding the atomic-scale details of viral entry, we can better target the entry step for intervention strategies. We also examine the impacts of mutations in Spike proteins, including the Omicron variant, on viral entry. Structural information provides insights into the effects of mutations and can guide the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Finally, we discuss available structure-based approaches for the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Overall, this review provides a detailed analysis of the structural aspects of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, highlighting its significance in the development of therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19. Therefore, our review emphasizes the importance of structural information in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Le
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Shrute Kannappan
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Technology Core Research Institute, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Truc Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Heon Lee
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Technology Core Research Institute, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- School of Advanced Materials and Science Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Ra Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, College of Science and Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Institute of Antibacterial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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10
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Bhattacharya M, Chatterjee S, Lee SS, Dhama K, Chakraborty C. Antibody evasion associated with the RBD significant mutations in several emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and its subvariants. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 71:101008. [PMID: 37757651 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101008] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Since the origin of the wild strain of SARS-CoV-2, several variants have emerged, which were designated as VOC, VOI, and VUM from time to time. The Omicron variant is noted as the recent VOC. After the origin of the Omicron variant on November 2021, several subvariants of Omicron have originated subsequently, like BA.1/2, BA.2.75/2.75.2, BA.4/5, BF.7, BQ.1/1.1, XBB.1/1.5, etc. which are circulated throughout the globe. Scientists reported that antibody escape is a common phenomenon observed in all the previous VOCs, VOIs, including Omicron and its subvariants. The mutations in the NTD (N-terminal domain) and RBD (Receptor-binding domain) of the spike of these variants and subvariants are responsible for antibody escape. At the same time, it has been noted that spike RBD mutations have been increasing in the last few months. This review illustrates significant RBD mutations namely R346T, K417N/T, L452R, N460K E484A/K/Q, and N501Y found in the previous emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron and its subvariants in high frequency and their role in antibody evasion and immune evasion. The review also describes the different classes of nAb responsible for antibody escape in SARS-CoV-2 variants and the molecular perspective of the mutation in nAb escape. It will help the future researchers to develop efficient vaccines which can finally prevent the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Srijan Chatterjee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si 24252, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si 24252, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata 700126, West Bengal, India.
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11
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Rigby CV, Sabsay KR, Bisht K, Eggink D, Jalal H, te Velthuis AJW. Evolution of transient RNA structure-RNA polymerase interactions in respiratory RNA virus genomes. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead056. [PMID: 37692892 PMCID: PMC10492445 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA viruses are important human pathogens that cause seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. Examples are influenza A viruses (IAV) and coronaviruses (CoV). When emerging IAV and CoV spill over to humans, they adapt to evade immune responses and optimize their replication and spread in human cells. In IAV, adaptation occurs in all viral proteins, including the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. RNPs consist of a copy of the viral RNA polymerase, a double-helical coil of nucleoprotein, and one of the eight segments of the IAV RNA genome. The RNA segments and their transcripts are partially structured to coordinate the packaging of the viral genome and modulate viral mRNA translation. In addition, RNA structures can affect the efficiency of viral RNA synthesis and the activation of host innate immune response. Here, we investigated if RNA structures that modulate IAV replication processivity, so-called template loops (t-loops), vary during the adaptation of pandemic and emerging IAV to humans. Using cell culture-based replication assays and in silico sequence analyses, we find that the sensitivity of the IAV H3N2 RNA polymerase to t-loops increased between isolates from 1968 and 2017, whereas the total free energy of t-loops in the IAV H3N2 genome was reduced. This reduction is particularly prominent in the PB1 gene. In H1N1 IAV, we find two separate reductions in t-loop free energy, one following the 1918 pandemic and one following the 2009 pandemic. No destabilization of t-loops is observed in the influenza B virus genome, whereas analysis of SARS-CoV-2 isolates reveals destabilization of viral RNA structures. Overall, we propose that a loss of free energy in the RNA genome of emerging respiratory RNA viruses may contribute to the adaption of these viruses to the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte V Rigby
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Public Health England, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
| | - Kimberly R Sabsay
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute, Princeton University, South Drive, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Karishma Bisht
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Dirk Eggink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Hamid Jalal
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Public Health England, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
| | - Aartjan J W te Velthuis
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands
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12
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Rigby C, Sabsay K, Bisht K, Eggink D, Jalal H, te Velthuis AJ. Evolution of transient RNA structure-RNA polymerase interactions in respiratory RNA virus genomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.25.542331. [PMID: 37292879 PMCID: PMC10245964 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA viruses are important human pathogens that cause seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. Examples are influenza A viruses (IAV) and coronaviruses (CoV). When emerging IAV and CoV spill over to humans, they adapt to evade immune responses and optimize their replication and spread in human cells. In IAV, adaptation occurs in all viral proteins, including the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. RNPs consists of a copy of the viral RNA polymerase, a double-helical coil of nucleoprotein, and one of the eight segments of the IAV RNA genome. The RNA segments and their transcripts are partially structured to coordinate the packaging of the viral genome and modulate viral mRNA translation. In addition, RNA structures can affect the efficiency of viral RNA synthesis and the activation of host innate immune response. Here, we investigated if RNA structures that modulate IAV replication processivity, so called template loops (t-loops), vary during the adaptation of pandemic and emerging IAV to humans. Using cell culture-based replication assays and in silico sequence analyses, we find that the sensitivity of the IAV H3N2 RNA polymerase to t-loops increased between isolates from 1968 and 2017, whereas the total free energy of t-loops in the IAV H3N2 genome was reduced. This reduction is particularly prominent in the PB1 gene. In H1N1 IAV, we find two separate reductions in t-loop free energy, one following the 1918 pandemic and one following the 2009 pandemic. No destabilization of t-loops is observed in the IBV genome, whereas analysis of SARS-CoV-2 isolates reveals destabilization of viral RNA structures. Overall, we propose that a loss of free energy in the RNA genome of emerging respiratory RNA viruses may contribute to the adaption of these viruses to the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Rigby
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 08544 New Jersey, United States
- University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
- Public Health England, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberly Sabsay
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 08544 New Jersey, United States
- Sigler Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Karishma Bisht
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 08544 New Jersey, United States
| | - Dirk Eggink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hamid Jalal
- Public Health England, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Aartjan J.W. te Velthuis
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 08544 New Jersey, United States
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13
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Chatterjee S, Bhattacharya M, Dhama K, Lee SS, Chakraborty C. Resistance to nirmatrelvir due to mutations in the Mpro in the subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Another concern? MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:263-266. [PMID: 37041859 PMCID: PMC10078092 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
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14
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Bhattacharya M, Alshammari A, Alharbi M, Dhama K, Lee SS, Chakraborty C. A novel mutation-proof, next-generation vaccine to fight against upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants, designed through AI enabled approaches and tools, along with the machine learning based immune simulation: A vaccine breakthrough. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124893. [PMID: 37207746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124893] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants are great concerns for their significant mutations, which are also responsible for vaccine escape. Therefore, the study was undertaken to develop a mutation-proof, next-generation vaccine to protect against all upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants. We used advanced computational and bioinformatics approaches to develop a multi-epitopic vaccine, especially the AI model for mutation selection and machine learning (ML) strategies for immune simulation. AI-enabled and the top-ranked antigenic selection approaches were used to select nine mutations from 835 RBD mutations. We selected twelve common antigenic B cell and T cell epitopes (CTL and HTL) containing the nine RBD mutations and joined them with the adjuvants, PADRE sequence, and suitable linkers. The constructs' binding affinity was confirmed through docking with TLR4/MD2 complex and showed significant binding free energy (-96.67 kcal mol-1) with positive binding affinity. Similarly, the calculated eigenvalue (2.428517e-05) from the NMA of the complex reveals proper molecular motion and superior residues' flexibility. Immune simulation shows that the candidate can induce a robust immune response. The designed mutation-proof, multi-epitopic vaccine could be a remarkable candidate for upcoming SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants. The study method might guide researchers in developing AI-ML and immunoinformatics-based vaccines for infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Metab Alharbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si 24252, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126, India.
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15
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Peka M, Balatsky V. The impact of mutation sets in receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 variants on the stability of RBD–ACE2 complex. Future Virol 2023. [PMID: 37064325 PMCID: PMC10089296 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2022-0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Aim: Bioinformatic analysis of mutation sets in receptor-binding domain (RBD) of currently and previously circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and interest (VOIs) to assess their ability to bind the ACE2 receptor. Methods: In silico sequence and structure-oriented approaches were used to evaluate the impact of single and multiple mutations. Results: Mutations detected in VOCs and VOIs led to the reduction of binding free energy of the RBD–ACE2 complex, forming additional chemical bonds with ACE2, and to an increase of RBD–ACE2 complex stability. Conclusion: Mutation sets characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 variants have complex effects on the ACE2 receptor-binding affinity associated with amino acid interactions at mutation sites, as well as on the acquisition of other viral adaptive advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mykyta Peka
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine
- Institute of Pig Breeding & Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Poltava, 36013, Ukraine
| | - Viktor Balatsky
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine
- Institute of Pig Breeding & Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Poltava, 36013, Ukraine
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Lan S, Neilsen G, Slack RL, Cantara WA, Castaner AE, Lorson ZC, Lulkin N, Zhang H, Lee J, Cilento ME, Tedbury PR, Sarafianos SG. Nirmatrelvir Resistance in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron_BA.1 and WA1 Replicons and Escape Strategies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2022.12.31.522389. [PMID: 36656782 PMCID: PMC9844013 DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.31.522389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The antiviral component of Paxlovid, nirmatrelvir (NIR), forms a covalent bond with Cys145 of SARS-CoV-2 nsp5. To explore NIR resistance we designed mutations to impair binding of NIR over substrate. Using 12 Omicron (BA.1) and WA.1 SARS-CoV-2 replicons, cell-based complementation and enzymatic assays, we showed that in both strains, E166V imparted high NIR resistance (∼55-fold), with major decrease in WA1 replicon fitness (∼20-fold), but not BA.1 (∼2-fold). WA1 replicon fitness was restored by L50F. These differences may contribute to a potentially lower barrier to resistance in Omicron than WA1. E166V is rare in untreated patients, albeit more prevalent in paxlovid-treated EPIC-HR clinical trial patients. Importantly, NIR-resistant replicons with E166V or E166V/L50F remained susceptible to a) the flexible GC376, and b) PF-00835231, which forms additional interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations show steric clashes between the rigid and bulky NIR t-butyl and β-branched V166 distancing the NIR warhead from its Cys145 target. In contrast, GC376, through "wiggling and jiggling" accommodates V166 and still covalently binds Cys145. PF-00835231 uses its strategically positioned methoxy-indole to form a β-sheet and overcome E166V. Drug design based on strategic flexibility and main chain-targeting may help develop second-generation nsp5-targeting antivirals efficient against NIR-resistant viruses.
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Astrakhantseva IV, Krut’ VG, Chuvpilo SA, Shevyrev DV, Shumeev AN, Rybtsov SA, Nedospasov SA. On Immunological Studies at Sirius University of Science and Technology. Mol Biol 2023; 57:225-234. [PMID: 37128212 PMCID: PMC10131554 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893323020036] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This short report summarizes the results of recent immunological studies performed at new Sirius University of Science and Technology. The report focuses on studying the features of the immune response to vaccination and revaccination against SARS-CoV-2, as well as on a search of potential agents to prevent infection with this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. V. Astrakhantseva
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
| | - V. G. Krut’
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
| | - S. A. Chuvpilo
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
| | - D. V. Shevyrev
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
| | - A. N. Shumeev
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
| | - S. A. Rybtsov
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
| | - S. A. Nedospasov
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sirius, Krasnodar region Russia
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Chakraborty C, Bhattacharya M, Sharma AR, Dhama K, Lee SS. The rapid emergence of multiple sublineages of Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant: Dynamic profiling via molecular phylogenetics and mutational landscape studies. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:1234-1258. [PMID: 36270226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.10.004] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The recent Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant poses a significant threat to global health. This variant has spread worldwide, and several sublineages have rapidly emerged. Study tried to analyze the microevolution of this variant. METHODS We studied the molecular phylogenetics, divergence, geographical distributions, frequencies, risk mutations for antibody affinity, and mutational landscape for Omicron sublineages using in silico analysis and statistical models. The risk mutation of spike for nAb affinity was analyzed and illustrated by statistical plots. Finally, the mutational properties of the spike mutations and their stability were predicted and demonstrated. RESULTS First, we studied the microevolutionary Omicron sublineages using molecular phylogenetics. Simultaneously, we revealed divergence events of the Omicron sublineages and observed the lowest minimum divergence of 51 in clade 21K and the highest maximum divergence of 90 in clade 21L. We have demonstrated cluster analyses, geographical distributions, frequencies of Omicron and its sublineages. Finally, we evaluated the mutational landscape of the Omicron sublineages. In this mutational study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of general mutations, mutations in the non-spike genome, and spike mutations of Omicron sublineages. The risk mutation of S-glycoprotein for nAb affinity has been analyzed for Omicron sublineages. Here, we found that some sublineages have all four significant highly destabilizing mutations. Such sublineages are BA.1 (G446S, E484A, T95I, and D614G), BA.2 (H655Y, Q493R, G493S, and D614G), BA.4 (N501Y, Y505H, N969K, and D614G), and BA.2.75 (Q454H, T547K, N764K, D614G and G446S). Finally, from the mutation stability prediction through ΔΔG, we observed that BA.1 and BA.4 had two destabilizing and two stabilizing mutations. Similarly, BA.2, BA.5, and BA.2.12.1 have one destabilizing and three stabilizing mutations. However, all four mutations in BA.2.75 are stabilizing mutations. CONCLUSIONS Our molecular phylogenetic studies provided a deeper understanding of the microevolution of sublineages and the creation of Omicron. Similarly, this study might help scientists develop pan-coronavirus vaccines that consider their mutational properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126, India.
| | - Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan Sharma
- Institute for Skeletal Aging &Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging &Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do 24252, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Filimonov AS, Yarovaya OI, Zaykovskaya AV, Rudometova NB, Shcherbakov DN, Chirkova VY, Baev DS, Borisevich SS, Luzina OA, Pyankov OV, Maksyutov RA, Salakhutdinov NF. (+)-Usnic Acid and Its Derivatives as Inhibitors of a Wide Spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:2154. [PMID: 36298709 PMCID: PMC9611092 DOI: 10.3390/v14102154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to test the antiviral activity, a series of usnic acid derivatives were synthesized, including new, previously undescribed compounds. The activity of the derivatives against three strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus was studied. To understand the mechanism of antiviral action, the inhibitory activity of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 virus was studied using the developed model as well as the antiviral activity against the pseudoviral system with glycoprotein S of SARS-CoV-2 virus on its surface. It was shown that usnic acid exhibits activity against three strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus: Wuhan, Delta, and Omicron. Compounds 10 and 13 also showed high activity against the three strains. The performed biological studies and molecular modeling allowed us to assume that the derivatives of usnic acid bind in the N-terminal domain of the surface glycoprotein S at the binding site of the hemoglobin decay metabolite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr S. Filimonov
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Olga I. Yarovaya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Anna V. Zaykovskaya
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Nadezda B. Rudometova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Dmitriy N. Shcherbakov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Varvara Yu. Chirkova
- Department of Physical-Chemistry Biology and Biotechnology, Altay State University, 656049 Barnaul, Russia
| | - Dmitry S. Baev
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Sophia S. Borisevich
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, Ufa Institute of Chemistry Ufa Federal Research Center, 450078 Ufa, Russia
| | - Olga A. Luzina
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Oleg V. Pyankov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Rinat A. Maksyutov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Nariman F. Salakhutdinov
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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