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Suleman M, Khan TA, Ejaz H, Maroof S, Alshammari A, Albekairi NA, Khan H, Waheed Y, Khan A, Wei DQ, Crovella S. Structural vaccinology, molecular simulation and immune simulation approaches to design multi-epitopes vaccine against John Cunningham virus. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106572. [PMID: 38354987 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106572] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The JCV (John Cunningham Virus) is known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a condition that results in the formation of tumors. Symptoms of this condition such as sensory defects, cognitive dysfunction, muscle weakness, homonosapobia, difficulties with coordination, and aphasia. To date, there is no specific and effective treatment to completely cure or prevent John Cunningham polyomavirus infections. Since the best way to control the disease is vaccination. In this study, the immunoinformatic tools were used to predict the high immunogenic and non-allergenic B cells, helper T cells (HTL), and cytotoxic T cells (CTL) epitopes from capsid, major capsid, and T antigen proteins of JC virus to design the highly efficient subunit vaccines. The specific immunogenic linkers were used to link together the predicted epitopes and subjected to 3D modeling by using the Robetta server. MD simulation was used to confirm that the newly constructed vaccines are stable and properly fold. Additionally, the molecular docking approach revealed that the vaccines have a strong binding affinity with human TLR-7. The codon adaptation index (CAI) and GC content values verified that the constructed vaccines would be highly expressed in E. coli pET28a (+) plasmid. The immune simulation analysis indicated that the human immune system would have a strong response to the vaccines, with a high titer of IgM and IgG antibodies being produced. In conclusion, this study will provide a pre-clinical concept to construct an effective, highly antigenic, non-allergenic, and thermostable vaccine to combat the infection of the John Cunningham virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Suleman
- Laboratory of Animal Research Center (LARC), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan.
| | - Tariq Aziz Khan
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan.
| | - Hadiqa Ejaz
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Sabahat Maroof
- Sharif Medical and Dental Colllege, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Norah A Albekairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Haji Khan
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan.
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, 1401, Lebanon
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Sunway Microbiome Centre, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Sunway City, Malaysia.
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Laboratory of Animal Research Center (LARC), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Moso MA, Lim CK, Williams E, Marshall C, McCarthy J, Williamson DA. Prevention and post-exposure management of occupational exposure to Ebola virus. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 24:e93-e105. [PMID: 37722397 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
There have been significant advances in the prevention and management of Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by Zaire Ebola virus (ZEBOV), including the development of two effective vaccines, rVSV-ZEBOV and Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN-Filo. In addition, ZEBOV monoclonal antibodies have become first-line therapy for EVD. However, the 2022-23 outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV) in Uganda has highlighted the gap in current therapies and vaccines, whose efficacy is uncertain against non-ZEBOV species. Health-care and laboratory staff working in EVD treatment centres or Ebola virus diagnostic and research laboratories face unique risks relating to potential occupational exposure to Ebola viruses. Given the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with EVD, facilities should have strategies in place to manage occupational exposures, including consideration of post-exposure therapies. In this Review, we discuss currently available evidence for prevention and post-exposure prophylaxis of EVD, including therapies currently under evaluation for SUDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Moso
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Chuan K Lim
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eloise Williams
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Caroline Marshall
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - James McCarthy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Berry N, Mee ET, Almond N, Rose NJ. The Impact and Effects of Host Immunogenetics on Infectious Disease Studies Using Non-Human Primates in Biomedical Research. Microorganisms 2024; 12:155. [PMID: 38257982 PMCID: PMC10818626 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010155] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding infectious disease pathogenesis and evaluating novel candidate treatment interventions for human use frequently requires prior or parallel analysis in animal model systems. While rodent species are frequently applied in such studies, there are situations where non-human primate (NHP) species are advantageous or required. These include studies of animals that are anatomically more akin to humans, where there is a need to interrogate the complexity of more advanced biological systems or simply reflect susceptibility to a specific infectious agent. The contribution of different arms of the immune response may be addressed in a variety of NHP species or subspecies in specific physiological compartments. Such studies provide insights into immune repertoires not always possible from human studies. However, genetic variation in outbred NHP models may confound, or significantly impact the outcome of a particular study. Thus, host factors need to be considered when undertaking such studies. Considerable knowledge of the impact of host immunogenetics on infection dynamics was elucidated from HIV/SIV research. NHP models are now important for studies of emerging infections. They have contributed to delineating the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, which identified differences in outcomes attributable to the selected NHP host. Moreover, their use was crucial in evaluating the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 and establishing putative correlates of vaccine protection. More broadly, neglected or highly pathogenic emerging or re-emergent viruses may be studied in selected NHPs. These studies characterise protective immune responses following infection or the administration of candidate immunogens which may be central to the accelerated licensing of new vaccines. Here, we review selected aspects of host immunogenetics, specifically MHC background and TRIM5 polymorphism as exemplars of adaptive and innate immunity, in commonly used Old and New World host species. Understanding this variation within and between NHP species will ensure that this valuable laboratory source is used most effectively to combat established and emerging virus infections and improve human health worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Berry
- Research & Development—Science, Research and Innovation, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK; (E.T.M.); (N.A.); (N.J.R.)
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Gruber MF, Rubin S, Krause PR. Approaches to demonstrating the effectiveness of filovirus vaccines: Lessons from Ebola and COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1109486. [PMID: 36817425 PMCID: PMC9932497 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1109486] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) and Marburg virus (MARV), are members of the Filoviridae family that can cause severe disease and death in humans and animals. The reemergence of Ebola, Sudan and Marburg virus disease highlight the need for continued availability of safe and effectives vaccines as well as development of new vaccines. While randomized controlled trials using disease endpoints provide the most robust assessment of vaccine effectiveness, challenges to this approach include the unpredictable size, location, occurrence and duration of filovirus disease outbreaks. Thus, other approaches to demonstrating vaccine effectiveness have been considered. These approaches are discussed using examples of preventive vaccines against other infectious diseases. In addition, this article proposes a clinical immunobridging strategy using licensed EBOV vaccines as comparators for demonstrating the effectiveness of filovirus vaccine candidates that are based on the same licensed vaccine platform technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion F. Gruber
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Marion F. Gruber,
| | - Steven Rubin
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSk), Rockville, MD, United States
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Albaqami FF, Altharawi A, Althurwi HN, Alharthy KM, Qasim M, Muhseen ZT, Tahir ul Qamar M. Computational Modeling and Evaluation of Potential mRNA and Peptide-Based Vaccine against Marburg Virus (MARV) to Provide Immune Protection against Hemorrhagic Fever. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:5560605. [PMID: 37101690 PMCID: PMC10125739 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5560605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
A hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) belongs to the Filoviridae family and has been classified as a risk group 4 pathogen. To this day, there are no approved effective vaccinations or medications available to prevent or treat MARV infections. Reverse vaccinology-based approach was formulated to prioritize B and T cell epitopes utilizing a numerous immunoinformatics tools. Potential epitopes were systematically screened based on various parameters needed for an ideal vaccine such as allergenicity, solubility, and toxicity. The most suitable epitopes capable of inducing immune response were shortlisted. Epitopes with population coverage of 100% and fulfilling set parameters were selected for docking with human leukocyte antigen molecules, and binding affinity of each peptide was analyzed. Finally, 4 CTL and HTL each while 6 B cell 16-mers were used for designing multiepitope subunit (MSV) and mRNA vaccine joined via suitable linkers. Immune simulations were used to validate the constructed vaccine's capacity to induce a robust immune response whereas molecular dynamics simulations were used to confirm epitope-HLA complex stability. Based on these parameter's studies, both the vaccines constructed in this study offer a promising choice against MARV but require further experimental verification. This study provides a rationale point to begin with the development of an efficient vaccine against Marburg virus; however, the findings need further experimental validation to confirm the computational finding of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal F. Albaqami
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Altharawi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan N. Althurwi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid M. Alharthy
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Ziyad Tariq Muhseen
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hillah, Babylon 51001, Iraq
| | - Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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Ibrahim SK, Ndwandwe DE, Thomas K, Sigfrid L, Norton A. Sudan virus disease outbreak in Uganda: urgent research gaps. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:e010982. [PMID: 36585031 PMCID: PMC9809242 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) outbreak highlights our ongoing vulnerability to re-emerging high-consequence infectious diseases. Although the Minister of health in Uganda has initiated public health measures in collaboration with neighbouring countries and with support of the WHO, cases have continued to spread to several regions including the capital. The ongoing transmission, uncertain case numbers and no licensed vaccine or therapeutics available are a cause for concern. We searched four databases for SUDV research using the search terms "SUDV", "Sudan Virus" and "Ebola Sudan". Our analysis identified only 20 SUDV research studies. Most were implemented in the USA and only one in Uganda. Nine studies were on therapeutics, eight on vaccines, one on diagnostics, one in one health and one in social science. Our data highlight a lack of SUDV research and an urgent need for investment to identify an effective vaccine, and optimal supportive care and therapeutic strategies for all at risk groups as a key research priority. Research investments should be prioritised into vaccines and treatment strategies that will be accessible to high-risk populations in affected regions during the outbreak, to protect populations, improve individual outcomes and facilitate outbreak control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Khader Ibrahim
- GloPID-R Research and Policy Team, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Louise Sigfrid
- GloPID-R Research and Policy Team, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- ISARIC Global Support Centre, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alice Norton
- GloPID-R Research and Policy Team, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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