1
|
Xia H, Yeung J, Kalveram B, Bills CJ, Chen JYC, Kurhade C, Zou J, Widen SG, Mann BR, Kondor R, Davis CT, Zhou B, Wentworth DE, Xie X, Shi PY. Cross-neutralization and viral fitness of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:e2161422. [PMID: 36594261 PMCID: PMC9848280 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2161422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages mandates a better understanding of viral replication and cross-neutralization among these sublineages. Here we used K18-hACE2 mice and primary human airway cultures to examine the viral fitness and antigenic relationship among Omicron sublineages. In both K18-hACE2 mice and human airway cultures, Omicron sublineages exhibited a replication order of BA.5 ≥ BA.2 ≥ BA.2.12.1 > BA.1; no difference in body weight loss was observed among different sublineage-infected mice. The BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, and BA.5-infected mice developed distinguishable cross-neutralizations against Omicron sublineages, but exhibited little neutralization against the index virus (i.e. USA-WA1/2020) or the Delta variant. Surprisingly, the BA.5-infected mice developed higher neutralization activity against heterologous BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 than that against homologous BA.5; serum neutralizing titres did not always correlate with viral replication levels in infected animals. Our results revealed a distinct antigenic cartography of Omicron sublineages and support the bivalent vaccine approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Yeung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cody J. Bills
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - John Yun-Chung Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Steven G. Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Brian R. Mann
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca Kondor
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - C. Todd Davis
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David E. Wentworth
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA, Xuping Xie ; Pei-Yong Shi
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Sealy, Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hu Y, Zou J, Kurhade C, Deng X, Chang HC, Kim DK, Shi PY, Ren P, Xie X. Less neutralization evasion of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 than XBB sublineages and CH.1.1. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2271089. [PMID: 37824708 PMCID: PMC10606781 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2271089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The highly mutated BA.2.86, with over 30 spike protein mutations in comparison to Omicron BA.2 and XBB.1.5 variants, has raised concerns about its potential to evade COVID-19 vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection-elicited immunity. In this study, we employ a live SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assay to compare the neutralization evasion ability of BA.2.86 with other emerged SARS-CoV-2 subvariants, including BA.2-derived CH.1.1, Delta-Omicron recombinant XBC.1.6, and XBB descendants XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3, EG.5.1 and FL.1.5.1. Our results show that BA.2.86 is less neutralization evasive than XBB sublineages. XBB descendants XBB.1.16, EG.5.1, and FL.1.5.1 continue to significantly evade neutralization induced by the parental COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and a BA.5 Bivalent booster. Notably, when compared to XBB.1.5, the more recent XBB descendants, particularly EG.5.1, display increased resistance to neutralization. Among all the tested variants, CH.1.1 exhibits the greatest neutralization evasion. In contrast, XBC.1.6 shows a slight reduction but remains comparably sensitive to neutralization when compared to BA.5. Furthermore, a recent XBB.1.5-breakthrough infection significantly enhances the breadth and potency of cross-neutralization. These findings reinforce the expectation that the upcoming XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccine would likely boost the neutralization of currently circulating variants, while also underscoring the critical importance of ongoing surveillance to monitor the evolution and immune evasion potential of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xiangxue Deng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hope C. Chang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Debora K. Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zou J, Kurhade C, Chang HC, Hu Y, Meza JA, Beaver D, Trinh K, Omlid J, Elghetany B, Desai R, McCaffrey P, Garcia JD, Shi PY, Ren P, Xie X. An Integrated Research-Clinical BSL-2 Platform for a Live SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Assay. Viruses 2023; 15:1855. [PMID: 37766263 PMCID: PMC10536566 DOI: 10.3390/v15091855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A reliable and efficient serological test is crucial for monitoring neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs). Here, we present an integrated research-clinical platform for a live SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assay, utilizing highly attenuated SARS-CoV-2 (Δ3678_WA1-spike). This strain contains mutations in viral transcription regulation sequences and deletion in the open-reading-frames 3, 6, 7, and 8, allowing for safe handling in biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories. Building on this backbone, we constructed a genetically stable reporter virus (mGFP Δ3678_WA1-spike) by incorporating a modified green fluorescent protein sequence (mGFP). We also constructed mGFP Δ3678_BA.5-spike and mGFP Δ3678_XBB.1.5-spike by substituting the WA1 spike with variants BA.5 and XBB.1.5 spike, respectively. All three viruses exhibit robust fluorescent signals in infected cells and neutralization titers in an optimized fluorescence reduction neutralization assay that highly correlates with a conventional plaque reduction assay. Furthermore, we established that a streamlined robot-aided Bench-to-Clinics COVID-19 Neutralization Test workflow demonstrated remarkably sensitive, specific, reproducible, and accurate characteristics, allowing the assessment of neutralization titers against SARS-CoV-2 variants within 24 h after sample receiving. Overall, our innovative approach provides a valuable avenue for large-scale testing of clinical samples against SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs at BSL-2, supporting pandemic preparedness and response strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Hope C Chang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Yanping Hu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jose A Meza
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - David Beaver
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ky Trinh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Joseph Omlid
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bassem Elghetany
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ragini Desai
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Peter McCaffrey
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Juan D Garcia
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yurkovetskiy L, Egri S, Kurhade C, Diaz-Salinas MA, Jaimes JA, Nyalile T, Xie X, Choudhary MC, Dauphin A, Li JZ, Munro JB, Shi PY, Shen K, Luban J. S:D614G and S:H655Y are gateway mutations that act epistatically to promote SARS-CoV-2 variant fitness. bioRxiv 2023:2023.03.30.535005. [PMID: 37034621 PMCID: PMC10081308 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.535005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants bearing complex combinations of mutations that confer increased transmissibility, COVID-19 severity, and immune escape, were first detected after S:D614G had gone to fixation, and likely originated during persistent infection of immunocompromised hosts. To test the hypothesis that S:D614G facilitated emergence of such variants, S:D614G was reverted to the ancestral sequence in the context of sequential Spike sequences from an immunocompromised individual, and within each of the major SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In all cases, infectivity of the S:D614G revertants was severely compromised. The infectivity of atypical SARS-CoV-2 lineages that propagated in the absence of S:D614G was found to be dependent upon either S:Q613H or S:H655Y. Notably, Gamma and Omicron variants possess both S:D614G and S:H655Y, each of which contributed to infectivity of these variants. Among sarbecoviruses, S:Q613H, S:D614G, and S:H655Y are only detected in SARS-CoV-2, which is also distinguished by a polybasic S1/S2 cleavage site. Genetic and biochemical experiments here showed that S:Q613H, S:D614G, and S:H655Y each stabilize Spike on virions, and that they are dispensable in the absence of S1/S2 cleavage, consistent with selection of these mutations by the S1/S2 cleavage site. CryoEM revealed that either S:D614G or S:H655Y shift the Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) towards the open conformation required for ACE2-binding and therefore on pathway for infection. Consistent with this, an smFRET reporter for RBD conformation showed that both S:D614G and S:H655Y spontaneously adopt the conformation that ACE2 induces in the parental Spike. Data from these orthogonal experiments demonstrate that S:D614G and S:H655Y are convergent adaptations to the polybasic S1/S2 cleavage site which stabilize S1 on the virion in the open RBD conformation and act epistatically to promote the fitness of variants bearing complex combinations of clinically significant mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Yurkovetskiy
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Shawn Egri
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Marco A. Diaz-Salinas
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Javier A. Jaimes
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Thomas Nyalile
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Manish C. Choudhary
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ann Dauphin
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Jonathan Z. Li
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James B. Munro
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Kuang Shen
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Jeremy Luban
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kurhade C, Kang S, Biering SB, Hwang S, Randall G. CAPRIN1 Is Required for Control of Viral Replication Complexes by Interferon Gamma. mBio 2023:e0017223. [PMID: 37052473 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00172-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication complexes (RCs), formed by positive-strand (+) RNA viruses through rearrangements of host endomembranes, protect their replicating RNA from host innate immune defenses. We have shown that two evolutionarily conserved defense systems, autophagy and interferon (IFN), target viral RCs and inhibit viral replication collaboratively. However, the mechanism by which autophagy proteins target viral RCs and the role of IFN-inducible GTPases in the disruption of RCs remains poorly understood. Here, using murine norovirus (MNV) as a model (+) RNA virus, we show that the guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1) is the human GTPase responsible for inhibiting RCs. Furthermore, we found that ATG16L1 mediates the LC3 targeting of MNV RC by binding to WIPI2B and CAPRIN1, and that IFN gamma-mediated control of MNV replication was dependent on CAPRIN1. Collectively, this study identifies a novel mechanism for the autophagy machinery-mediated recognition and inhibition of viral RCs, a hallmark of (+) RNA virus replication. IMPORTANCE Replication complexes provide a microenvironment important for (+) RNA virus replication and shield it from host immune response. Previously we have shown that interferon gamma (IFNG) disrupts the RC of MNV via evolutionarily conserved autophagy proteins and IFN-inducible GTPases. Elucidating the mechanism of targeting of viral RC by ATG16L1 and IFN-induced GTPase will pave the way for development of therapeutics targeting the viral replication complexes. Here, we have identified GBP1 as the sole GBP targeting viral RC and uncovered the novel role of CAPRIN1 in recruiting ATG16L1 to the viral RC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Soowon Kang
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Scott B Biering
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Seungmin Hwang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Glenn Randall
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zou J, Kurhade C, Patel S, Kitchin N, Tompkins K, Cutler M, Cooper D, Yang Q, Cai H, Muik A, Zhang Y, Lee DY, Şahin U, Anderson AS, Gruber WC, Xie X, Swanson KA, Shi PY. Neutralization of BA.4-BA.5, BA.4.6, BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1, and XBB.1 with Bivalent Vaccine. N Engl J Med 2023; 388:854-857. [PMID: 36734885 PMCID: PMC9891359 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2214916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zou
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark Cutler
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | - David Cooper
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | - Qi Yang
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | - Hui Cai
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | | | - Ying Zhang
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | - Dung-Yang Lee
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | | | | | | | - Xuping Xie
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | - Kena A Swanson
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kurhade C, Zou J, Xia H, Liu M, Chang HC, Ren P, Xie X, Shi PY. Low neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 by parental mRNA vaccine or a BA.5 bivalent booster. Nat Med 2023; 29:344-347. [PMID: 36473500 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02162-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 188.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron sublineages, including the BA.2-derived BA.2.75.2 and the BA.5-derived BQ.1.1 and XBB.1, have accumulated additional spike mutations that may affect vaccine effectiveness. Here we report neutralizing activities of three human serum panels collected from individuals 23-94 days after dose 4 of a parental mRNA vaccine; 14-32 days after a BA.5 bivalent booster from individuals with 2-4 previous doses of parental mRNA vaccine; or 14-32 days after a BA.5 bivalent booster from individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and 2-4 doses of parental mRNA vaccine. The results showed that a BA.5 bivalent booster elicited a high neutralizing titer against BA.4/5 measured at 14-32 days after boost; however, the BA.5 bivalent booster did not produce robust neutralization against the newly emerged BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1 or XBB.1. Previous infection substantially enhanced the magnitude and breadth of BA.5 bivalent booster-elicited neutralization. Our data support a vaccine update strategy that future boosters should match newly emerged circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mingru Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hope C Chang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kurhade C, Xie X, Shi PY. Reverse genetic systems of SARS-CoV-2 for antiviral research. Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105486. [PMID: 36657881 PMCID: PMC9776485 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Reverse genetic systems are widely used to engineer recombinant viruses with desired mutations. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, four types of reverse genetic systems have been developed for SARS-CoV-2: (i) a full-length infectious clone that can be used to prepare recombinant SARS-CoV-2 at biosafety level 3 (BSL3), (ii) a trans-complementation system that can be used to produce single-round infectious SARS-CoV-2 at BSL2, (iii) an attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate (with deletions of viral accessory genes) that may be developed for veterinary use as well as for antiviral screening at BSL2, and (iv) replicon systems with deletions of viral structural genes that can be used at BSL2. Each of these genetic systems has its advantages and disadvantages that can be used to address different questions for basic and translational research. Due to the long genomic size and bacteria-toxic sequences of SARS-CoV-2, several experimental approaches have been established to rescue recombinant viruses and replicons, including (i) in vitro DNA ligation, (ii) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) system, (iii) yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) system, and (iv) circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER). This review summarizes the current status of SARS-CoV-2 genetic systems and their applications for studying viral replication, pathogenesis, vaccines, and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kurhade C, Zou J, Xia H, Liu M, Yang Q, Cutler M, Cooper D, Muik A, Sahin U, Jansen KU, Ren P, Xie X, Swanson KA, Shi PY. Neutralization of Omicron sublineages and Deltacron SARS-CoV-2 by three doses of BNT162b2 vaccine or BA.1 infection. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1828-1832. [PMID: 35792746 PMCID: PMC9331225 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2099305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages have evolved showing increased fitness and immune evasion than the original Omicron variant BA.1. Here, we report the neutralization activity of sera from BNT162b2 vaccinated individuals or unimmunized Omicron BA.1-infected individuals against Omicron sublineages and "Deltacron" variant (XD). BNT162b2 post-dose 3 immune sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, Omicron BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, BA.3-, BA.4/5-, and XD-spike SARS-CoV-2s with geometric mean titres (GMTs) of 1335, 393, 298, 315, 216, 103, and 301, respectively; thus, BA.4/5 SARS-CoV-2 spike variant showed the highest propensity to evade vaccine neutralization compared to the original Omicron variants BA.1. BA.1-convalescent sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, BA.3-, BA.4/5-, and Deltacron-spike SARS-CoV-2s with GMTs of 15, 430, 110, 109, 102, 25, and 284, respectively. The unique mutation F486V in the BA.4/5 spike contributes to the increased evasion of antibody neutralization by sublineage BA.4/5. The low neutralization titres of vaccinated sera or convalescent sera from BA.1 infected individuals against the emerging and rapidly spreading Omicron BA.4/5 variants provide important results for consideration in the selection of an updated vaccine in the current Omicron wave.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; identifier: NCT04368728.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mingru Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Qi Yang
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Mark Cutler
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - David Cooper
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kena A. Swanson
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xie X, Zou J, Kurhade C, Liu M, Ren P, Pei-Yong Shi. Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages by 4 doses of the original mRNA vaccine. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111729. [PMID: 36402138 PMCID: PMC9647030 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the initial emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.1, several Omicron sublineages have emerged, leading to BA.5 as the current dominant sublineage. Here, we report the neutralization of different Omicron sublineages by human sera collected from individuals who had distinct mRNA vaccination and/or BA.1 infection. Four-dose-vaccine sera neutralize the original USA-WA1/2020, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.3, and BA.4/5 viruses with geometric mean titers (GMTs) of 1,554, 357, 236, 236, 165, and 95, respectively; two-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection sera exhibit GMTs of 2,114, 1,705, 730, 961, 813, and 274, respectively; and three-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection sera show GMTs of 2,962, 2,038, 983, 1,190, 1,019, and 297, respectively. Thus, the four-dose vaccine elicits the lowest neutralization against BA.5; the two-dose vaccine plus BA.1 infection elicits significantly higher GMTs against Omicron sublineages than the four-dose-vaccine; and the three-dose vaccine plus BA.1 infection elicits slightly higher GMTs (statistically insignificant) than the two-dose vaccine plus BA.1 infection. Finally, the BA.2.75 is more susceptible than BA.5 to four-dose-vaccine-elicited neutralization and three-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection-elicited neutralization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mingru Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Qu P, Evans JP, Kurhade C, Zeng C, Zheng YM, Xu K, Shi PY, Xie X, Liu SL. Determinants and Mechanisms of the Low Fusogenicity and Endosomal Entry of Omicron Subvariants. bioRxiv 2022:2022.10.15.512322. [PMID: 36299433 PMCID: PMC9603825 DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.15.512322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread and strong immune evasion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants has raised serious concerns for the global COVID-19 pandemic. These new variants exhibit reduced fusogenicity and increased endosomal entry pathway utilization compared to the ancestral D614G variant, the underlying mechanisms of which remain elusive. Here we show that the C-terminal S1 mutations of the BA.1.1 subvariant, H655Y and T547K, critically govern the low fusogenicity of Omicron. Notably, H655Y also dictates the enhanced endosome entry pathway utilization. Mechanistically, T547K and H655Y likely stabilize the spike trimer conformation, as shown by increased molecular interactions in structural modeling as well as reduced S1 shedding. Importantly, the H655Y mutation also determines the low fusogenicity and high dependence on the endosomal entry pathway of other Omicron subvariants, including BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5 and BA.2.75. These results uncover mechanisms governing Omicron subvariant entry and provide insights into altered Omicron tissue tropism and pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panke Qu
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - John P. Evans
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Cong Zeng
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yi-Min Zheng
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kai Xu
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Shan-Lu Liu
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Viruses and Emerging Pathogens Program, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Corresponding Author:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu Y, Zhang X, Liu J, Xia H, Zou J, Muruato AE, Periasamy S, Kurhade C, Plante JA, Bopp NE, Kalveram B, Bukreyev A, Ren P, Wang T, Menachery VD, Plante KS, Xie X, Weaver SC, Shi PY. Publisher Correction: A live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with accessory protein deletions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6060. [PMID: 36229471 PMCID: PMC9559146 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xianwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jianying Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Antonio E Muruato
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Sivakumar Periasamy
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nathen E Bopp
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Since the initial emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1, several Omicron sublineages have emerged, leading to BA.5 as the current dominant sublineage. Here we report the neutralization of different Omicron sublineages by human sera collected from individuals who had distinct mRNA vaccination and/or BA.1 infection. Four-dose-vaccine sera neutralize the original USA-WA1/2020, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.212.1, BA.3, and BA.4/5 viruses with geometric mean titers (GMTs) of 1554, 357, 236, 236, 165, and 95, respectively; 2-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection sera exhibit GMTs of 2114, 1705, 730, 961, 813, and 274, respectively; and 3-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection sera show GMTs of 2962, 2038, 983, 1190, 1019, and 297, respectively. Thus, 4-dose-vaccine elicits the lowest neutralization against BA.5; 2-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection elicits significantly higher GMTs against Omicron sublineages than 4-dose-vaccine; and 3-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection elicits slightly higher GMTs (statistically insignificant) than the 2-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection. Finally, compared with BA.5, the newly emerged BA.2.75 is equally evasive of 4-dose-vaccine-elicited neutralization, but more susceptible to 3-dose-vaccine-plus-BA.1-infection-elicited neutralization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mingru Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Pei Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu Y, Zhang X, Liu J, Xia H, Zou J, Muruato AE, Periasamy S, Kurhade C, Plante JA, Bopp NE, Kalveram B, Bukreyev A, Ren P, Wang T, Menachery VD, Plante KS, Xie X, Weaver SC, Shi PY. A live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with accessory protein deletions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4337. [PMID: 35896528 PMCID: PMC9326133 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31930-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with (i) re-engineered viral transcription regulator sequences and (ii) deleted open-reading-frames (ORF) 3, 6, 7, and 8 (∆3678). The ∆3678 virus replicates about 7,500-fold lower than wild-type SARS-CoV-2 on primary human airway cultures, but restores its replication on interferon-deficient Vero-E6 cells that are approved for vaccine production. The ∆3678 virus is highly attenuated in both hamster and K18-hACE2 mouse models. A single-dose immunization of the ∆3678 virus protects hamsters from wild-type virus challenge and transmission. Among the deleted ORFs in the ∆3678 virus, ORF3a accounts for the most attenuation through antagonizing STAT1 phosphorylation during type-I interferon signaling. We also developed an mNeonGreen reporter ∆3678 virus for high-throughput neutralization and antiviral testing. Altogether, the results suggest that ∆3678 SARS-CoV-2 may serve as a live-attenuated vaccine candidate and a research tool for potential biosafety level-2 use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xianwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jianying Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Antonio E Muruato
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Sivakumar Periasamy
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nathen E Bopp
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ping Ren
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kurhade C, Zou J, Xia H, Cai H, Yang Q, Cutler M, Cooper D, Muik A, Jansen KU, Xie X, Swanson KA, Shi PY. Neutralization of Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 SARS-CoV-2 by 3 doses of BNT162b2 vaccine. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3602. [PMID: 35739094 PMCID: PMC9225806 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30681-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The newly emerged Omicron SARS-CoV-2 has several distinct sublineages including BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3. BA.1 accounts for the initial surge and is being replaced by BA.2, whereas BA.3 is at a low prevalence at this time. Here we report the neutralization of BNT162b2-vaccinated sera (collected 1 month after dose 3) against the three Omicron sublineages. To facilitate the neutralization testing, we have engineered the complete BA.1, BA.2, or BA.3 spike into an mNeonGreen USA-WA1/2020 SRAS-CoV-2. All BNT162b2-vaccinated sera neutralize USA-WA1/2020, BA.1-, BA.2-, and BA.3-spike SARS-CoV-2s with titers of >20; the neutralization geometric mean titers (GMTs) against the four viruses are 1211, 336, 300, and 190, respectively. Thus, the BA.1-, BA.2-, and BA.3-spike SARS-CoV-2s are 3.6-, 4.0-, and 6.4-fold less efficiently neutralized than the USA-WA1/2020, respectively. Our data have implications in vaccine strategy and understanding the biology of Omicron sublineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hui Cai
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qi Yang
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark Cutler
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Cooper
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kathrin U Jansen
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Kena A Swanson
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Xia H, Zou J, Kurhade C, Cai H, Yang Q, Cutler M, Cooper D, Muik A, Jansen KU, Xie X, Swanson KA, Shi PY. Neutralization and durability of 2 or 3 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine against Omicron SARS-CoV-2. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:485-488.e3. [PMID: 35245438 PMCID: PMC8853806 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine are highly effective against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we tested the antibody neutralization against Omicron SARS-CoV-2 after 2 and 3 doses of BNT162b2. Serum from vaccinated individuals was serially tested for its ability to neutralize wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (USA-WA1/2020) and an engineered USA-WA1/2020 bearing the Omicron spike glycoprotein. At 2 or 4 weeks post dose 2, the neutralization geometric mean titers (GMTs) against the wild-type and Omicron-spike viruses were 511 and 20, respectively; at 1 month post dose 3, the neutralization GMTs increased to 1,342 and 336; and at 4 months post dose 3, the neutralization GMTs decreased to 820 and 171. The data support a 3-dose vaccination strategy and provide a glimpse into the durability of the neutralization response against Omicron.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hui Cai
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Qi Yang
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Mark Cutler
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - David Cooper
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Kena A Swanson
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA.
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Liu Y, Zhang X, Liu J, Xia H, Zou J, Muruato AE, Periasamy S, Plante JA, Bopp NE, Kurhade C, Bukreyev A, Ren P, Wang T, Vineet D. M, Plante KS, Xie X, Weaver SC, Shi P. A live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with accessory protein deletions.. [PMID: 35194609 PMCID: PMC8863145 DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.14.480460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with (i) re-engineered viral transcriptional regulator sequences and (ii) deleted open-reading-frames (ORF) 3, 6, 7, and 8 (Δ3678). The Δ3678 virus replicates about 7,500-fold lower than wild-type SARS-CoV-2 on primary human airway cultures, but restores its replication on interferon-deficient Vero-E6 cells that are approved for vaccine production. The Δ3678 virus is highly attenuated in both hamster and K18-hACE2 mouse models. A single-dose immunization of the Δ3678 virus protects hamsters from wild-type virus challenge and transmission. Among the deleted ORFs in the Δ3678 virus, ORF3a accounts for the most attenuation through antagonizing STAT1 phosphorylation during type-I interferon signaling. We also developed an mNeonGreen reporter Δ3678 virus for high-throughput neutralization and antiviral testing. Altogether, the results suggest that Δ3678 SARS-CoV-2 may serve as a live-attenuated vaccine candidate and a research tool for potential biosafety level-2 use.
Collapse
|
18
|
Reimer L, Betzer C, Kofoed RH, Volbracht C, Fog K, Kurhade C, Nilsson E, Överby AK, Jensen PH. PKR kinase directly regulates tau expression and Alzheimer's disease-related tau phosphorylation. Brain Pathol 2020; 31:103-119. [PMID: 32716602 PMCID: PMC8018097 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Deposition of extensively hyperphosphorylated tau in specific brain cells is a clear pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease and a number of other neurodegenerative disorders, collectively termed the tauopathies. Furthermore, hyperphosphorylation of tau prevents it from fulfilling its physiological role as a microtubule‐stabilizing protein and leaves it increasingly vulnerable to self‐assembly, suggestive of a central underlying role of hyperphosphorylation as a contributing factor in the etiology of these diseases. Via in vitro phosphorylation and regulation of kinase activity within cells and acute brain tissue, we reveal that the inflammation associated kinase, protein kinase R (PKR), directly phosphorylates numerous abnormal and disease‐modifying residues within tau including Thr181, Ser199/202, Thr231, Ser262, Ser396, Ser404 and Ser409. Similar to disease processes, these PKR‐mediated phosphorylations actively displace tau from microtubules in cells. In addition, PKR overexpression and knockdown, respectively, increase and decrease tau protein and mRNA levels in cells. This regulation occurs independent of noncoding transcriptional elements, suggesting an underlying mechanism involving intra‐exonic regulation of the tau‐encoding microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) gene. Finally, acute encephalopathy in wild type mice, induced by intracranial Langat virus infection, results in robust inflammation and PKR upregulation accompanied by abnormally phosphorylated full‐length‐ and truncated tau. These findings indicate that PKR, independent of other kinases and upon acute brain inflammation, is capable of triggering pathological modulation of tau, which, in turn, might form the initial pathologic seed in several tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease and Chronic traumatic encephalopathy where inflammation is severe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lasse Reimer
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cristine Betzer
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Hahn Kofoed
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Emma Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Anna K Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kurhade C, Schreier S, Lee YP, Zegenhagen L, Hjertqvist M, Dobler G, Kröger A, Överby AK. Correlation of Severity of Human Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Disease and Pathogenicity in Mice. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1709-1712. [PMID: 30124404 PMCID: PMC6106420 DOI: 10.3201/eid2409.171825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We compared 2 tick-borne encephalitis virus strains isolated from 2 different foci that cause different symptoms in tick-borne encephalitis patients, from neurologic to mild gastrointestinal symptoms. We compared neuroinvasiveness, neurovirulence, and proinflammatory cytokine response in mice and found unique differences that contribute to our understanding of pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
20
|
Lindqvist R, Kurhade C, Gilthorpe JD, Överby AK. Cell-type- and region-specific restriction of neurotropic flavivirus infection by viperin. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:80. [PMID: 29544502 PMCID: PMC5856362 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1119-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Flaviviruses are a group of diverse and emerging arboviruses and an immense global health problem. A number of flaviviruses are neurotropic, causing severe encephalitis and even death. Type I interferons (IFNs) are the first line of defense of the innate immune system against flavivirus infection. IFNs elicit the concerted action of numerous interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to restrict both virus infection and replication. Viperin (virus-inhibitory protein, endoplasmic reticulum-associated, IFN-inducible) is an ISG with broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple flaviviruses in vitro. Its activity in vivo restricts neurotropic infections to specific regions of the central nervous system (CNS). However, the cell types in which viperin activity is required are unknown. Here we have examined both the regional and cell-type specificity of viperin in the defense against infection by several model neurotropic flaviviruses. Methods Viral burden and IFN induction were analyzed in vivo in wild-type and viperin−/− mice infected with Langat virus (LGTV). The effects of IFN pretreatment were tested in vitro in primary neural cultures from different brain regions in response to infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Results Viperin activity restricted nonlethal LGTV infection in the spleen and the olfactory bulb following infection via a peripheral route. Viperin activity was also necessary to restrict LGTV replication in the olfactory bulb and the cerebrum following CNS infection, but not in the cerebellum. In vitro, viperin could restrict TBEV replication in primary cortical neurons, but not in the cerebellar granule cell neurons. Interferon-induced viperin was also very important in primary cortical neurons to control TBEV, WNV, and ZIKV. Conclusions Our findings show that viperin restricts replication of neurotropic flaviviruses in the CNS in a region- and cell-type-specific manner. The most important sites of activity are the olfactory bulb and cerebrum. Activity within the cerebrum is required in the cortical neurons in order to restrict spread. This study exemplifies cell type and regional diversity of the IFN response within the CNS and shows the importance of a potent broad-spectrum antiviral ISG. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-018-1119-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.,The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.,The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonathan D Gilthorpe
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna K Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden. .,The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zegenhagen L, Kurhade C, Koniszewski N, Överby AK, Kröger A. Brain heterogeneity leads to differential innate immune responses and modulates pathogenesis of viral infections. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 30:95-101. [PMID: 27009077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is a highly complex organ with highly specialized cell subtypes. Viral infections often target specific structures of the brain and replicate in certain regions. Studies in mice deficient in type I Interferon (IFN) receptor or IFN-β have highlighted the importance of the type I IFN system against viral infections and non-viral autoimmune disorders in the CNS. Direct antiviral effects of type I IFNs appear to be crucial in limiting early spread of a number of viruses in CNS tissues. Increased efforts have been made to characterize IFN expression and responses in the brain. In this context, it is important to identify cells that produce IFN, decipher pathways leading to type I IFN expression and to characterize responding cells. In this review we give an overview about region specific aspects that influence local innate immune responses. The route of entry is critical, but also the susceptibility of different cell types, heterogeneity in subpopulations and micro-environmental cues play an important role in antiviral responses. Recent work has outlined the tremendous importance of type I IFNs, particularly in the limitation of viral spread within the CNS. This review will address recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of local type I IFN production and response, in the particular context of the CNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loreen Zegenhagen
- Innate Immunity and Infection, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Chaitanya Kurhade
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nikolaus Koniszewski
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anna K Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andrea Kröger
- Innate Immunity and Infection, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kurhade C, Zegenhagen L, Weber E, Nair S, Michaelsen-Preusse K, Spanier J, Gekara NO, Kröger A, Överby AK. Type I Interferon response in olfactory bulb, the site of tick-borne flavivirus accumulation, is primarily regulated by IPS-1. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:22. [PMID: 26819220 PMCID: PMC4730761 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0487-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although type I interferons (IFNs)-key effectors of antiviral innate immunity are known to be induced via different pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), the cellular source and the relative contribution of different PRRs in host protection against viral infection is often unclear. IPS-1 is a downstream adaptor for retinoid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor signaling. In this study, we investigate the relative contribution of IPS-1 in the innate immune response in the different brain regions during infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a flavivirus that causes a variety of severe symptoms like hemorrhagic fevers, encephalitis, and meningitis in the human host. METHODS IPS-1 knockout mice were infected with TBEV/Langat virus (LGTV), and viral burden in the peripheral and the central nervous systems, type I IFN induction, brain infiltrating cells, and inflammatory response was analyzed. RESULTS We show that IPS-1 is indispensable for controlling TBEV and LGTV infections in the peripheral and central nervous system. Our data indicate that IPS-1 regulates neuropathogenicity in mice. IFN response is differentially regulated in distinct regions of the central nervous system (CNS) influencing viral tropism, as LGTV replication was mainly restricted to olfactory bulb in wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast to the other brain regions, IFN upregulation in the olfactory bulb was dependent on IPS-1 signaling. IPS-1 regulates basal levels of antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) like viperin and IRF-1 which contributes to the establishment of early viral replication which inhibits STAT1 activation. This diminishes the antiviral response even in the presence of high IFN-β levels. Consequently, the absence of IPS-1 causes uncontrolled virus replication, in turn resulting in apoptosis, activation of microglia and astrocytes, elevated proinflammatory response, and recruitment of inflammatory cells into the CNS. CONCLUSIONS We show that LGTV replication is restricted to the olfactory bulb and that IPS-1 is a very important player in the olfactory bulb in shaping the innate immune response by inhibiting early viral replication and viral spread throughout the central nervous system. In the absence of IPS-1, higher viral replication leads to the evasion of antiviral response by inhibiting interferon signaling. Our data suggest that the local microenvironment of distinct brain regions is critical to determine virus permissiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kurhade
- Virology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Loreen Zegenhagen
- Innate Immunity and Infection, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Elvira Weber
- Virology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Present Address: Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sharmila Nair
- Innate Immunity and Infection, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Present Address: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Julia Spanier
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nelson O Gekara
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andrea Kröger
- Innate Immunity and Infection, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anna K Överby
- Virology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
|