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Rai P, Marano JM, Kang L, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Daamen AR, Lipsky PE, Weger-Lucarelli J. Obesity fosters severe disease outcomes in a mouse model of coronavirus infection associated with transcriptomic abnormalities. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29587. [PMID: 38587204 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29587] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for severe outcomes in humans with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases. Here, we established a mouse model of COVID-19 using the murine betacoronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus 1 (MHV-1). C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ mice exposed to MHV-1 developed mild and severe disease, respectively. Obese C57BL/6 mice developed clinical manifestations similar to those of lean controls. In contrast, all obese C3H/HeJ mice succumbed by 8 days postinfection, compared to a 50% mortality rate in lean controls. Notably, both lean and obese C3H/HeJ mice exposed to MHV-1 developed lung lesions consistent with severe human COVID-19, with marked evidence of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). To identify early predictive biomarkers of worsened disease outcomes in obese C3H/HeJ mice, we sequenced RNA from whole blood 2 days postinfection and assessed changes in gene and pathway expression. Many pathways uniquely altered in obese C3H/HeJ mice postinfection aligned with those found in humans with severe COVID-19. Furthermore, we observed altered gene expression related to the unfolded protein response and lipid metabolism in infected obese mice compared to their lean counterparts, suggesting a role in the severity of disease outcomes. This study presents a novel model for studying COVID-19 and elucidating the mechanisms underlying severe disease outcomes in obese and other hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Rai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Marano
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Lin Kang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Biomedical Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Monroe, Louisiana, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana, USA
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | - James Weger-Lucarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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2
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Silva EE, Moioffer SJ, Hassert M, Berton RR, Smith MG, van de Wall S, Meyerholz DK, Griffith TS, Harty JT, Badovinac VP. Defining Parameters That Modulate Susceptibility and Protection to Respiratory Murine Coronavirus MHV1 Infection. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:563-575. [PMID: 38149923 PMCID: PMC10872354 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience variable disease susceptibility, and patients with comorbidities such as sepsis are often hospitalized for COVID-19 complications. However, the extent to which initial infectious inoculum dose determines disease outcomes and whether this can be used for immunological priming in a genetically susceptible host has not been completely defined. We used an established SARS-like murine model in which responses to primary and/or secondary challenges with murine hepatitis virus type 1 (MHV-1) were analyzed. We compared the response to infection in genetically susceptible C3H/HeJ mice, genetically resistant C57BL/6J mice, and genetically diverse, variably susceptible outbred Swiss Webster mice. Although defined as genetically susceptible to MHV-1, C3H/HeJ mice displayed decreasing dose-dependent pathological changes in disease severity and lung infiltrate/edema, as well as lymphopenia. Importantly, an asymptomatic dose (500 PFU) was identified that yielded no measurable morbidity/mortality postinfection in C3H/HeJ mice. Polymicrobial sepsis induced via cecal ligation and puncture converted asymptomatic infections in C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J mice to more pronounced disease, modeling the impact of sepsis as a comorbidity to β-coronavirus infection. We then used low-dose infection as an immunological priming event in C3H/HeJ mice, which provided neutralizing Ab-dependent, but not circulating CD4/CD8 T cell-dependent, protection against a high-dose MHV-1 early rechallenge. Together, these data define how infection dose, immunological status, and comorbidities modulate outcomes of primary and secondary β-coronavirus infections in hosts with variable susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvia E Silva
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | | | - Mariah Hassert
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Roger R Berton
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Matthew G Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | | | | | - Thomas S Griffith
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN
| | - John T Harty
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Vladimir P Badovinac
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
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3
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Su M, Zheng G, Xu X, Song H. Antigen epitopes of animal coronaviruses: a mini-review. ANIMAL DISEASES 2023; 3:14. [PMID: 37220551 PMCID: PMC10189233 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-023-00080-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are widespread in nature and can infect mammals and poultry, making them a public health concern. Globally, prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging animal coronaviruses is a great challenge. The mechanisms of virus-mediated immune responses have important implications for research on virus prevention and control. The antigenic epitope is a chemical group capable of stimulating the production of antibodies or sensitized lymphocytes, playing an important role in antiviral immune responses. Thus, it can shed light on the development of diagnostic methods and novel vaccines. Here, we have reviewed advances in animal coronavirus antigenic epitope research, aiming to provide a reference for the prevention and control of animal and human coronaviruses. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44149-023-00080-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Su
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology On Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang, A&F University, 666 Wusu Street, Lin’an District, Hangzhou, 311300 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Guanghui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology On Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang, A&F University, 666 Wusu Street, Lin’an District, Hangzhou, 311300 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Xiangwen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology On Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang, A&F University, 666 Wusu Street, Lin’an District, Hangzhou, 311300 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Houhui Song
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology On Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang, A&F University, 666 Wusu Street, Lin’an District, Hangzhou, 311300 Zhejiang Province China
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4
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The GABA and GABA-Receptor System in Inflammation, Anti-Tumor Immune Responses, and COVID-19. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020254. [PMID: 36830790 PMCID: PMC9953446 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
GABA and GABAA-receptors (GABAA-Rs) play major roles in neurodevelopment and neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). There has been a growing appreciation that GABAA-Rs are also present on most immune cells. Studies in the fields of autoimmune disease, cancer, parasitology, and virology have observed that GABA-R ligands have anti-inflammatory actions on T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs), while also enhancing regulatory T cell (Treg) responses and shifting APCs toward anti-inflammatory phenotypes. These actions have enabled GABAA-R ligands to ameliorate autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes (T1D), multiple sclerosis (MS), and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated inflammation in preclinical models. Conversely, antagonism of GABAA-R activity promotes the pro-inflammatory responses of T cells and APCs, enhancing anti-tumor responses and reducing tumor burden in models of solid tumors. Lung epithelial cells also express GABA-Rs, whose activation helps maintain fluid homeostasis and promote recovery from injury. The ability of GABAA-R agonists to limit both excessive immune responses and lung epithelial cell injury may underlie recent findings that GABAA-R agonists reduce the severity of disease in mice infected with highly lethal coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2 and MHV-1). These observations suggest that GABAA-R agonists may provide off-the-shelf therapies for COVID-19 caused by new SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as novel beta-coronaviruses, which evade vaccine-induced immune responses and antiviral medications. We review these findings and further advance the notions that (1) immune cells possess GABAA-Rs to limit inflammation in the CNS, and (2) this natural "braking system" on inflammatory responses may be pharmacologically engaged to slow the progression of autoimmune diseases, reduce the severity of COVID-19, and perhaps limit neuroinflammation associated with long COVID.
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Tian J, Dillion BJ, Henley J, Comai L, Kaufman DL. A GABA-receptor agonist reduces pneumonitis severity, viral load, and death rate in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1007955. [PMID: 36389819 PMCID: PMC9640739 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABA-receptors (GABA-Rs) form a major neurotransmitter system in the brain. GABA-Rs are also expressed by 1) cells of the innate and adaptive immune system and act to inhibit their inflammatory activities, and 2) lung epithelial cells and GABA-R agonists/potentiators have been observed to limit acute lung injuries. These biological properties suggest that GABA-R agonists may have potential for treating COVID-19. We previously reported that GABA-R agonist treatments protected mice from severe disease induced by infection with a lethal mouse coronavirus (MHV-1). Because MHV-1 targets different cellular receptors and is biologically distinct from SARS-CoV-2, we sought to test GABA therapy in K18-hACE2 mice which develop severe pneumonitis with high lethality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We observed that GABA treatment initiated immediately after SARS-CoV-2 infection, or 2 days later near the peak of lung viral load, reduced pneumonitis severity and death rates in K18-hACE2 mice. GABA-treated mice had reduced lung viral loads and displayed shifts in their serum cytokine/chemokine levels that are associated with better outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Thus, GABA-R activation had multiple effects that are also desirable for the treatment of COVID-19. The protective effects of GABA against two very different beta coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2 and MHV-1) suggest that it may provide a generalizable off-the-shelf therapy to help treat diseases induced by new SARS-CoV-2 variants and novel coronaviruses that evade immune responses and antiviral medications. GABA is inexpensive, safe for human use, and stable at room temperature, making it an attractive candidate for testing in clinical trials. We also discuss the potential of GABA-R agonists for limiting COVID-19-associated neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jide Tian
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Barbara J. Dillion
- High Containment Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jill Henley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lucio Comai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Daniel L. Kaufman
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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6
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Use of compressed sensing to expedite high-throughput diagnostic testing for COVID-19 and beyond. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010629. [PMID: 36279287 PMCID: PMC9632879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has placed a significant burden on public health systems to provide swift and accurate diagnostic testing highlighting the critical need for innovative testing approaches for future pandemics. In this study, we present a novel sample pooling procedure based on compressed sensing theory to accurately identify virally infected patients at high prevalence rates utilizing an innovative viral RNA extraction process to minimize sample dilution. At prevalence rates ranging from 0-14.3%, the number of tests required to identify the infection status of all patients was reduced by 69.26% as compared to conventional testing in primary human SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swabs and a coronavirus model system. Our method provided quantification of individual sample viral load within a pool as well as a binary positive-negative result. Additionally, our modified pooling and RNA extraction process minimized sample dilution which remained constant as pool sizes increased. Compressed sensing can be adapted to a wide variety of diagnostic testing applications to increase throughput for routine laboratory testing as well as a means to increase testing capacity to combat future pandemics.
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7
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T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 in humans and animals. J Microbiol 2022; 60:276-289. [PMID: 35157219 PMCID: PMC8852923 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-022-1624-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, first emerged in 2019. Antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 have been given a lot of attention. However, the armamentarium of humoral and T cells may have differing roles in different viral infections. Though the exact role of T cells in COVID-19 remains to be elucidated, prior experience with human coronavirus has revealed an essential role of T cells in the outcomes of viral infections. Moreover, an increasing body of evidence suggests that T cells might be effective against SARS-CoV-2. This review summarizes the role of T cells in mouse CoV, human pathogenic respiratory CoV in general and SARS-CoV-2 in specific.
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8
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Cox G, Gonzalez AJ, Ijezie EC, Rodriguez A, Miller CR, Van Leuven JT, Miura TA. Priming With Rhinovirus Protects Mice Against a Lethal Pulmonary Coronavirus Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886611. [PMID: 35711419 PMCID: PMC9196734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhinoviruses (RV) have been shown to inhibit subsequent infection by heterologous respiratory viruses, including influenza viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To better understand the mechanisms whereby RV protects against pulmonary coronavirus infection, we used a native murine virus, mouse hepatitis virus strain 1 (MHV-1), that causes severe disease in the lungs of infected mice. We found that priming of the respiratory tract with RV completely prevented mortality and reduced morbidity of a lethal MHV-1 infection. Replication of MHV-1 was reduced in RV-primed mouse lungs although expression of antiviral type I interferon, IFN-β, was more robust in mice infected with MHV-1 alone. We further showed that signaling through the type I interferon receptor was required for survival of mice given a non-lethal dose of MHV-1. RV-primed mice had reduced pulmonary inflammation and hemorrhage and influx of leukocytes, especially neutrophils, in the airways upon MHV-1 infection. Although MHV-1 replication was reduced in RV-primed mice, RV did not inhibit MHV-1 replication in coinfected lung epithelial cells in vitro. In summary, RV-mediated priming in the respiratory tract reduces viral replication, inflammation, and tissue damage, and prevents mortality of a pulmonary coronavirus infection in mice. These results contribute to our understanding of how distinct respiratory viruses interact with the host to affect disease pathogenesis, which is a critical step in understanding how respiratory viral coinfections impact human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrison Cox
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Andres J. Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Emmanuel C. Ijezie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Andres Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Craig R. Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - James T. Van Leuven
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Tanya A. Miura
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- *Correspondence: Tanya A. Miura,
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Khanolkar A. Elucidating T Cell and B Cell Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Humans: Gaining Insights into Protective Immunity and Immunopathology. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010067. [PMID: 35011627 PMCID: PMC8750814 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an unprecedented epochal event on at least two fronts. Firstly, in terms of the rapid spread and the magnitude of the outbreak, and secondly, on account of the equally swift response of the scientific community that has galvanized itself into action and has successfully developed, tested and deployed highly effective and novel vaccines in record time to combat the virus. The sophistication and diversification of the scientific toolbox we now have at our disposal has enabled us to interrogate both the breadth and the depth of the immune response to a degree that is unparalleled in recent memory. In terms of our understanding of what is critical to contain the virus and mitigate the effects the pandemic, neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 garner most of the attention, however, it is essential to recognize that it is the quality and the fitness of the virus-specific T cell and B cell response that lays the foundation and the backdrop for an effective neutralizing antibody response. In this report, we will review some of the key findings that have helped define and delineate some of the essential attributes of T and B cell responses in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaruni Khanolkar
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Box 82, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; ; Tel.: +1-312-227-8073
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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10
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Waldstein KA, Yi J, Cho MM, Mudumbai R, Wu X, Varga SM, Xu W. Use of compressed sensing to expedite high-throughput diagnostic testing for COVID-19 and beyond. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2021:2021.08.09.21261669. [PMID: 34401889 PMCID: PMC8366810 DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.09.21261669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has placed a significant burden on public health systems to provide rapid and accurate diagnostic testing highlighting the critical need for innovative testing approaches for future pandemics. In this study, we present a novel sample pooling procedure based on compressed sensing theory to accurately identify virally infected patients at high prevalence rates utilizing an innovative viral RNA extraction process to minimize sample dilution. At prevalence rates ranging from 0-14.3%, the number of tests required to identify the infection status of all patients was reduced by 75.6% as compared to conventional testing in primary human SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swabs and a coronavirus model system. Additionally, our modified pooling and RNA extraction process minimized sample dilution which remained constant as pool sizes increased. Our use of compressed sensing can be adapted to a wide variety of diagnostic testing applications to increase throughput for routine laboratory testing as well as a means to increase testing throughput to combat future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kody A. Waldstein
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jirong Yi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Michael Myung Cho
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Penn State Behrend, Erie, PA 16563, USA
| | - Raghu Mudumbai
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Steven M. Varga
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Weiyu Xu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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11
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GABA A-Receptor Agonists Limit Pneumonitis and Death in Murine Coronavirus-Infected Mice. Viruses 2021; 13:v13060966. [PMID: 34071034 PMCID: PMC8224554 DOI: 10.3390/v13060966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new approaches to limit the severity of coronavirus infections. Many cells of the immune system express receptors for the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and GABA-receptor (GABA-R) agonists have anti-inflammatory effects. Lung epithelial cells also express GABA-Rs, and GABA-R modulators have been shown to limit acute lung injuries. There is currently, however, no information on whether GABA-R agonists might impact the course of a viral infection. Here, we assessed whether clinically applicable GABA-R agonists could be repurposed for the treatment of a lethal coronavirus (murine hepatitis virus 1, MHV-1) infection in mice. We found that oral GABA administration before, or after the appearance of symptoms, very effectively limited MHV-1-induced pneumonitis, severe illness, and death. GABA treatment also reduced viral load in the lungs, suggesting that GABA-Rs may provide a new druggable target to limit coronavirus replication. Treatment with the GABAA-R-specific agonist homotaurine, but not the GABAB-R-specific agonist baclofen, significantly reduced the severity of pneumonitis and death rates in MHV-1-infected mice, indicating that the therapeutic effects were mediated primarily through GABAA-Rs. Since GABA and homotaurine are safe for human consumption, they are promising candidates to help treat coronavirus infections.
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12
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Pathak L, Gayan S, Pal B, Talukdar J, Bhuyan S, Sandhya S, Yeger H, Baishya D, Das B. Coronavirus Activates an Altruistic Stem Cell-Mediated Defense Mechanism that Reactivates Dormant Tuberculosis: Implications in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:1255-1268. [PMID: 33887214 PMCID: PMC8054533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We postulate that similar to bacteria, adult stem cells may also exhibit an altruistic defense mechanism to protect their niche against external threat. Herein, we report mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)–based altruistic defense against a mouse model of coronavirus, murine hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1) infection of lung. MHV-1 infection led to reprogramming of CD271+ MSCs in the lung to an enhanced stemness phenotype that exhibits altruistic behavior, as per previous work in human embryonic stem cells. The reprogrammed MSCs exhibited transient expansion for 2 weeks, followed by apoptosis and expression of stemness genes. The conditioned media of the reprogrammed MSCs exhibited direct antiviral activity in an in vitro model of MHV-1–induced toxicity to type II alveolar epithelial cells by increasing their survival/proliferation and decreasing viral load. Thus, the reprogrammed MSCs can be identified as altruistic stem cells (ASCs), which exert a unique altruistic defense against MHV-1. In a mouse model of MSC-mediated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) dormancy, MHV-1 infection in the lung exhibited 20-fold lower viral loads than the MTB-free control mice on the third week of viral infection, and exhibited six-fold increase of ASCs, thereby enhancing the altruistic defense. Notably, these ASCs exhibited intracellular replication of MTB, and their extracellular release. Animals showed tuberculosis reactivation, suggesting that dormant MTB may exploit ASCs for disease reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekhika Pathak
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
| | - Sukanya Gayan
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
| | - Bidisha Pal
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India; Department of Stem Cell and Infection, Thoreau Lab for Global Health, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts
| | - Joyeeta Talukdar
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
| | - Seema Bhuyan
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
| | - Sorra Sandhya
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
| | - Herman Yeger
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Debabrat Baishya
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India; Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India
| | - Bikul Das
- Department of Stem Cell and Infectious Diseases, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Guwahati Biotech Park, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India; Department of Stem Cell and Infection, Thoreau Lab for Global Health, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts.
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13
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Tian J, Middleton B, Kaufman DL. GABA administration prevents severe illness and death following coronavirus infection in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.10.04.325423. [PMID: 33024975 PMCID: PMC7536896 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.04.325423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new treatments to prevent and ameliorate severe illness and death induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients. The coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)-1 causes pneumonitis in mice which shares many pathological characteristics with human SARS-CoV infection. Previous studies have shown that the amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has anti-inflammatory effects. We tested whether oral treatment with GABA could modulate the MHV-1 induced pneumonitis in susceptible A/J mice. As expected, MHV-1-inoculated control mice became severely ill (as measured by weight loss, clinical score, and the ratio of lung weight to body weight) and >60% of them succumbed to the infection. In contrast, mice that received GABA immediately after MHV-1 inoculation became only mildly ill and all of them recovered. When GABA treatment was initiated after the appearance of illness (3 days post-MHV-1 infection), we again observed that GABA treatment significantly reduced the severity of illness and greatly increased the frequency of recovery. Therefore, the engagement of GABA receptors (GABA-Rs) prevented the MHV-1 infection-induced severe pneumonitis and death in mice. Given that GABA-R agonists, like GABA and homotaurine, are safe for human consumption, stable, inexpensive, and available worldwide, they are promising candidates to help prevent severe illness stemming from SARS-CoV-2 infection and other coronavirus strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jide Tian
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Blake Middleton
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Daniel L Kaufman
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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14
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Körner RW, Majjouti M, Alcazar MAA, Mahabir E. Of Mice and Men: The Coronavirus MHV and Mouse Models as a Translational Approach to Understand SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2020; 12:E880. [PMID: 32806708 PMCID: PMC7471983 DOI: 10.3390/v12080880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The fatal acute respiratory coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, infection and mortality rates have been rising steadily worldwide. The lack of a vaccine, as well as preventive and therapeutic strategies, emphasize the need to develop new strategies to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission and pathogenesis. Since mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 share a common genus, lessons learnt from MHV and SARS-CoV could offer mechanistic insights into SARS-CoV-2. This review provides a comprehensive review of MHV in mice and SARS-CoV-2 in humans, thereby highlighting further translational avenues in the development of innovative strategies in controlling the detrimental course of SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, we have focused on various aspects, including host species, organotropism, transmission, clinical disease, pathogenesis, control and therapy, MHV as a model for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 as well as mouse models for infection with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. While MHV in mice and SARS-CoV-2 in humans share various similarities, there are also differences that need to be addressed when studying murine models. Translational approaches, such as humanized mouse models are pivotal in studying the clinical course and pathology observed in COVID-19 patients. Lessons from prior murine studies on coronavirus, coupled with novel murine models could offer new promising avenues for treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Körner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Mohamed Majjouti
- Comparative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Miguel A. Alejandre Alcazar
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Translational Experimental Pediatrics—Experimental Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany;
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Institute for Lung Health, University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Esther Mahabir
- Comparative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
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15
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Teo TH, Chan YH, Lee WWL, Lum FM, Amrun SN, Her Z, Rajarethinam R, Merits A, Rötzschke O, Rénia L, Ng LFP. Fingolimod treatment abrogates chikungunya virus-induced arthralgia. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/375/eaal1333. [PMID: 28148838 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aal1333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is one of the many rheumatic arthropod-borne alphaviruses responsible for debilitating joint inflammation in humans. Despite the severity in many endemic regions, clinically approved intervention targeting the virus remains unavailable. CD4+ T cells have been shown to mediate CHIKV-induced joint inflammation in mice. We demonstrate here that transfer of splenic CD4+ T cells from virus-infected C57BL/6 mice into virus-infected T cell receptor-deficient (TCR-/-) mice recapitulated severe joint pathology including inflammation, vascular leakages, subcutaneous edema, and skeletal muscle necrosis. Proteome-wide screening identified dominant CD4+ T cell epitopes in nsP1 and E2 viral antigens. Transfer of nsP1- or E2-specific primary CD4+ T cell lines into CHIKV-infected TCR-/- recipients led to severe joint inflammation and vascular leakage. This pathogenic role of virus-specific CD4+ T cells in CHIKV infections led to the assessment of clinically approved T cell-suppressive drugs for disease intervention. Although drugs targeting interleukin-2 pathway were ineffective, treatment with fingolimod, an agonist of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, successfully abrogated joint pathology in CHIKV-infected animals by blocking the migration of CD4+ T cells into the joints without any effect on viral replication. These results set the stage for further clinical evaluation of fingolimod in the treatment of CHIKV-induced joint pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teck-Hui Teo
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi-Hao Chan
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wendy W L Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fok-Moon Lum
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siti Naqiah Amrun
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhisheng Her
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Olaf Rötzschke
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Lisa F P Ng
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, U.K
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16
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Khanolkar A, Kirschmann DA, Caparelli EA, Wilks JD, Cerullo JM, Bergerson JRE, Jennings LJ, Fuleihan RL. CD4 T cell-restricted IL-2 signaling defect in a patient with a novel IFNGR1 deficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 141:435-439.e7. [PMID: 28927822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaruni Khanolkar
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill; Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.
| | - Dawn A Kirschmann
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Edward A Caparelli
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Jeffrey D Wilks
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Jillian M Cerullo
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Jenna R E Bergerson
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Lawrence J Jennings
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill
| | - Ramsay L Fuleihan
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
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17
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VanLeuven JT, Ridenhour BJ, Gonzalez AJ, Miller CR, Miura TA. Lung epithelial cells have virus-specific and shared gene expression responses to infection by diverse respiratory viruses. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178408. [PMID: 28575086 PMCID: PMC5456070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The severity of respiratory viral infections is partially determined by the cellular response mounted by infected lung epithelial cells. Disease prevention and treatment is dependent on our understanding of the shared and unique responses elicited by diverse viruses, yet few studies compare host responses to viruses from different families while controlling other experimental parameters. Murine models are commonly used to study the pathogenesis of respiratory viral infections, and in vitro studies using murine cells provide mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis observed in vivo. We used microarray analysis to compare changes in gene expression of murine lung epithelial cells infected individually by three respiratory viruses causing mild (rhinovirus, RV1B), moderate (coronavirus, MHV-1), and severe (influenza A virus, PR8) disease in mice. RV1B infection caused numerous gene expression changes, but the differential effect peaked at 12 hours post-infection. PR8 altered an intermediate number of genes whose expression continued to change through 24 hours. MHV-1 had comparatively few effects on host gene expression. The viruses elicited highly overlapping responses in antiviral genes, though MHV-1 induced a lower type I interferon response than the other two viruses. Signature genes were identified for each virus and included host defense genes for PR8, tissue remodeling genes for RV1B, and transcription factors for MHV-1. Our comparative approach identified universal and specific transcriptional signatures of virus infection that can be used to distinguish shared and virus-specific mechanisms of pathogenesis in the respiratory tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- James T. VanLeuven
- Center for Modeling Complex Interactions, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Benjamin J. Ridenhour
- Center for Modeling Complex Interactions, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Andres J. Gonzalez
- Center for Modeling Complex Interactions, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Craig R. Miller
- Center for Modeling Complex Interactions, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Mathematics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Tanya A. Miura
- Center for Modeling Complex Interactions, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Abstract
Emerging respiratory coronaviruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) pose potential biological threats to humans. SARS and MERS are manifested as severe atypical pneumonia associated with high morbidity and mortality in humans. The majority of studies carried out in SARS-CoV-infected humans and animals attribute a dysregulated/exuberant innate response as a leading contributor to SARS-CoV-mediated pathology. A decade after the 2002–2003 SARS epidemic, we do not have any approved preventive or therapeutic agents available in case of re-emergence of SARS-CoV or other related viruses. A strong neutralizing antibody response generated against the spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV is completely protective in the susceptible host. However, neutralizing antibody titers and the memory B cell response are short lived in SARS-recovered patients and the antibody will target primary homologous strain. Interestingly, the acute phase of SARS in humans is associated with a severe reduction in the number of T cells in the blood. Surprisingly, only a limited number of studies have explored the role of the T cell-mediated adaptive immune response in respiratory coronavirus pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the role of anti-virus CD4 and CD8 T cells during respiratory coronavirus infections with a special emphasis on emerging coronaviruses.
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19
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McGruder B, Leibowitz JL. A review of genetic methods and models for analysis of coronavirus-induced severe pneumonitis. J Gen Virol 2014; 96:494-506. [PMID: 25252685 PMCID: PMC4811657 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.069732-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been studied for over 60 years, but have only recently gained notoriety as deadly human pathogens with the emergence of severe respiratory syndrome CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome virus. The rapid emergence of these viruses has demonstrated the need for good models to study severe CoV respiratory infection and pathogenesis. There are, currently, different methods and models for the study of CoV disease. The available genetic methods for the study and evaluation of CoV genetics are reviewed here. There are several animal models, both mouse and alternative animals, for the study of severe CoV respiratory disease that have been examined, each with different pros and cons relative to the actual pathogenesis of the disease in humans. A current limitation of these models is that no animal model perfectly recapitulates the disease seen in humans. Through the review and analysis of the available disease models, investigators can employ the most appropriate available model to study various aspects of CoV pathogenesis and evaluate possible antiviral treatments that may potentially be successful in future treatment and prevention of severe CoV respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna McGruder
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A & M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Julian L Leibowitz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A & M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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20
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Depletion of alveolar macrophages ameliorates virus-induced disease following a pulmonary coronavirus infection. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90720. [PMID: 24608125 PMCID: PMC3946553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses cause respiratory disease in humans that can range from mild to severe. However, the pathogenesis of pulmonary coronavirus infections is poorly understood. Mouse hepatitis virus type 1 (MHV-1) is a group 2 coronavirus capable of causing severe morbidity and mortality in highly susceptible C3H/HeJ mice. We have previously shown that both CD4 and CD8 T cells play a critical role in mediating MHV-1-induced disease. Here we evaluated the role of alveolar macrophages (AM) in modulating the adaptive immune response and subsequent disease. Depletion of AM using clodronate liposomes administered prior to MHV-1 infection was associated with a significant amelioration of MHV-1-induced morbidity and mortality. AM depletion resulted in a decreased number of virus-specific CD4 T cells in the lung airways. In addition, a significant increase in the frequency and total number of Tregs in the lung tissue and lung airways was observed following MHV-1 infection in mice depleted of AM. Our results indicate that AM play a critical role in modulating MHV-1-induced morbidity and mortality.
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