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Di Vincenzo R, Beutel J, Arnold P, Wang Y, Damm D, Tannig P, Lux A, Temchura V, Eichler J, Überla K. Oriented display of HIV-1 Env trimers by a novel coupling strategy enhances B cell activation and phagocytosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1344346. [PMID: 38390320 PMCID: PMC10882061 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1344346] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Conformationally stabilized Env trimers have been developed as antigens for the induction of neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. However, the non-glycosylated immunodominant base of these soluble antigens may compete with the neutralizing antibody response. This has prompted attempts to couple Env trimers to organic or inorganic nanoparticles with the base facing towards the carrier. Such a site-directed coupling could not only occlude the base of the trimer, but also enhance B cell activation by repetitive display. Methods To explore the effect of an ordered display of HIV-1 Env on microspheres on the activation of Env-specific B cells we used Bind&Bite, a novel covalent coupling approach for conformationally sensitive antigens based on heterodimeric coiled-coil peptides. By engineering a trimeric HIV-1 Env protein with a basic 21-aa peptide (Peptide K) extension at the C-terminus, we were able to covalently biotinylate the antigen in a site-directed fashion using an acidic complementary peptide (Peptide E) bearing a reactive site and a biotin molecule. This allowed us to load our antigen onto streptavidin beads in an oriented manner. Results Microspheres coated with HIV-1 Env through our Bind&Bite system showed i) enhanced binding by conformational anti-HIV Env broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), ii) reduced binding activity by antibodies directed towards the base of Env, iii) higher Env-specific B cell activation, and iv) were taken-up more efficiently after opsonization compared to beads presenting HIV-1 Env in an undirected orientation. Discussion In comparison to site-directed biotinylation via the Avi-tag, Bind&Bite, offers greater flexibility with regard to alternative covalent protein modifications, allowing selective modification of multiple proteins via orthogonal coiled-coil peptide pairs. Thus, the Bind&Bite coupling approach via peptide K and peptide E described in this study offers a valuable tool for nanoparticle vaccine design where surface conjugation of correctly folded antigens is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Vincenzo
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jannis Beutel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Arnold
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dominik Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pierre Tannig
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Lux
- Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vladimir Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jutta Eichler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Prelog M, Jeske SD, Asam C, Fuchs A, Wieser A, Gall C, Wytopil M, Mueller-Schmucker SM, Beileke S, Goekkaya M, Kling E, Geldmacher C, Rubio-Acero R, Plank M, Christa C, Willmann A, Vu M, Einhauser S, Weps M, Lampl BMJ, Almanzar G, Kousha K, Schwägerl V, Liebl B, Weber B, Drescher J, Scheidt J, Gefeller O, Messmann H, Protzer U, Liese J, Hoelscher M, Wagner R, Überla K, Steininger P. Clinical and immunological benefits of full primary COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections: A prospective cohort study in non-hospitalized adults. J Clin Virol 2024; 170:105622. [PMID: 38091664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105622] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) may result in breakthrough infections (BTIs) in vaccinated individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of full primary (two-dose) COVID-19 vaccination with wild-type-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on symptoms and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 VOC BTIs. METHODS In a longitudinal multicenter controlled cohort study in Bavaria, Germany, COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated non-hospitalized individuals were prospectively enrolled within 14 days of a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals were visited weekly up to 4 times, performing a structured record of medical data and viral load assessment. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response was characterized by anti-spike-(S)- and anti-nucleocapsid-(N)-antibody concentrations, anti-S-IgG avidity and neutralization capacity. RESULTS A total of 300 individuals (212 BTIs, 88 non-BTIs) were included with VOC Alpha or Delta SARS-CoV-2 infections. Full primary COVID-19 vaccination provided a significant effectiveness against five symptoms (relative risk reduction): fever (33 %), cough (21 %), dysgeusia (22 %), dizziness (52 %) and nausea/vomiting (48 %). Full primary vaccinated individuals showed significantly higher 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) values against the infecting VOC compared to unvaccinated individuals at week 1 (269 vs. 56, respectively), and weeks 5-7 (1,917 vs. 932, respectively) with significantly higher relative anti-S-IgG avidity (78% vs. 27 % at week 4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Full primary COVID-19 vaccination reduced symptom frequencies in non-hospitalized individuals with BTIs and elicited a more rapid and longer lasting neutralization capacity against the infecting VOC compared to unvaccinated individuals. These results support the recommendation to offer at least full primary vaccination to all adults to reduce disease severity caused by immune escape-variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Prelog
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Samuel D Jeske
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Asam
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andre Fuchs
- Internal Medicine III - Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Wieser
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Gall
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Monika Wytopil
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra M Mueller-Schmucker
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mehmet Goekkaya
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Institute of Environmental Medicine Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kling
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christof Geldmacher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Raquel Rubio-Acero
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Plank
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Catharina Christa
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Annika Willmann
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Vu
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Manuela Weps
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt M J Lampl
- Regensburg Department of Public Health, Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Almanzar
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kimia Kousha
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Valeria Schwägerl
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Liebl
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Beatrix Weber
- Institute for Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences Hof, Hof, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Scheidt
- Institute for Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences Hof, Hof, Germany
| | - Olaf Gefeller
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helmut Messmann
- Internal Medicine III - Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany; Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany, and German Center for Infection Research, Munich partner site
| | - Johannes Liese
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Damm D, Suleiman E, Wagner JT, Klessing S, Pfister F, Elsayed H, Walkenfort B, Stobrawe J, Mayer J, Lehner E, Müller-Schmucker SM, Hasenberg M, Wyatt RT, Vorauer-Uhl K, Temchura V, Überla K. Modulation of immune responses to liposomal vaccines by intrastructural help. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 192:112-125. [PMID: 37797679 PMCID: PMC10872448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The encapsulation of HIV-unrelated T helper peptides into liposomal vaccines presenting trimers of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) on the surface (T helper liposomes) may recruit heterologous T cells to provide help for Env-specific B cells. This mechanism called intrastructural help can modulate the HIV-specific humoral immune response. In this study, we used cationic T helper liposomes to induce intrastructural help effects in a small animal model. The liposomes were functionalized with Env trimers by a tag-free approach designed to enable a simplified GMP production. The pre-fusion conformation of the conjugated Env trimers was verified by immunogold electron microscopy (EM) imaging and flow cytometry. The liposomes induced strong activation of Env-specific B cells in vitro. In comparison to previously established anionic liposomes, cationic T helper liposomes were superior in CD4+ T cell activation after uptake by dendritic cells. Moreover, the T helper liposomes were able to target Env-specific B cells in secondary lymphoid organs after intramuscular injection. We also observed efficient T helper cell activation and proliferation in co-cultures with Env-specific B cells in the presence of cationic T helper liposomes. Mouse immunization experiments with cationic T helper liposomes further revealed a modulation of the Env-specific IgG subtype distribution and enhancement of the longevity of antibody responses by ovalbumin- and Hepatitis B (HBV)-specific T cell help. Thus, clinical evaluation of the concept of intrastructural help seems warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Ehsan Suleiman
- Polymun Scientific Immunbiologische Forschung GmbH, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
| | - Jannik T Wagner
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Stephan Klessing
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felix Pfister
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Hassan Elsayed
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Egypt
| | - Bernd Walkenfort
- Imaging Center Essen (IMCES), Electron Microscopy Unit (EMU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
| | - Jule Stobrawe
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Julia Mayer
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Elisabeth Lehner
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sandra M Müller-Schmucker
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Mike Hasenberg
- Imaging Center Essen (IMCES), Electron Microscopy Unit (EMU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
| | | | - Karola Vorauer-Uhl
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Vladimir Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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Stab V, Stahl-Hennig C, Ensser A, Richel E, Fraedrich K, Sauermann U, Tippler B, Klein F, Burton DR, Tenbusch M, Überla K. HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies provide sterilizing immunity by blocking infection of the first cells. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101201. [PMID: 37804829 PMCID: PMC10591032 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101201] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies targeting HIV-1 Env have been shown to protect from systemic infection. To explore whether these antibodies can inhibit infection of the first cells, challenge viruses based on simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) were developed that use HIV-1 Env for entry into target cells during the first replication cycle, but then switch to SIV Env usage. Antibodies binding to Env of HIV-1, but not SIV, block HIV-1 Env-mediated infection events after rectal exposure of non-human primates to the switching challenge virus. After natural exposure to HIV-1, such a reduction of the number of first infection events should be sufficient to provide sterilizing immunity in the strictest sense in most of the exposed individuals. Since blocking infection of the first cells avoids the formation of latently infected cells and reduces the risk of emergence of antibody-resistant mutants, it may be the best mode of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Stab
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Armin Ensser
- University Hospital Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elie Richel
- University Hospital Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Fraedrich
- University Hospital Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Tippler
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dennis R Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; University Hospital Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; University Hospital Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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Richel E, Wagner JT, Klessing S, Di Vincenzo R, Temchura V, Überla K. Antigen-dependent modulation of immune responses to antigen-Fc fusion proteins by Fc-effector functions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275193. [PMID: 37868961 PMCID: PMC10585040 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275193] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fc-fusion proteins have been successfully developed for therapeutic purposes, but are also a promising platform for the fast generation and purification of immunogens capable of inducing strong humoral immune responses in preclinical immunization studies. As the Fc-portion of immunoglobulins fused to an antigen confers functional properties of the parental antibody, such as dimerization, binding to Fc-receptors and complement activation, several studies reported that Fc-fusion proteins elicit stronger antigen-specific antibody responses than the unfused antigen. However, dimerization or half-life extension of an antigen have also been described to enhance immunogenicity. Methods To explore the role of Fc-effector functions for the immunogenicity of fusions proteins of viral glycoproteins and Fc fragments, the HIV-1 gp120 and the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 were fused to the wild type muIgG2a Fc fragment or mutants with impaired (LALA-PG) or improved (GASDIE) Fc-effector functions. Results Immunization of BALB/c mice with DNA vaccines encoding gp120 - Fc LALA-PG induced significantly higher antigen-specific antibody responses than gp120 - Fc WT and GASDIE. In contrast, immunization with DNA vaccines encoding the RBD fused to the same Fc mutants, resulted in comparable anti-RBD antibody levels and similar neutralization activity against several SARS-CoV-2 variants. Conclusion Depending on the antigen, Fc-effector functions either do not modulate or suppress the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding Fc-antigen fusion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Richel
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Peterhoff D, Wiegrebe S, Einhauser S, Patt AJ, Beileke S, Günther F, Steininger P, Niller HH, Burkhardt R, Küchenhoff H, Gefeller O, Überla K, Heid IM, Wagner R. Population-based study of the durability of humoral immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1242536. [PMID: 37868969 PMCID: PMC10585261 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1242536] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantity and quality are key markers of humoral immunity. However, there is substantial uncertainty about their durability. We investigated levels and temporal change of SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantity and quality. We analyzed sera (8 binding, 4 avidity assays for spike-(S-)protein and nucleocapsid-(N-)protein; neutralization) from 211 seropositive unvaccinated participants, from the population-based longitudinal TiKoCo study, at three time points within one year after infection with the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus. We found a significant decline of neutralization titers and binding antibody levels in most assays (linear mixed regression model, p<0.01). S-specific serum avidity increased markedly over time, in contrast to N-specific. Binding antibody levels were higher in older versus younger participants - a difference that disappeared for the asymptomatic-infected. We found stronger antibody decline in men versus women and lower binding and avidity levels in current versus never-smokers. Our comprehensive longitudinal analyses across 13 antibody assays suggest decreased neutralization-based protection and prolonged affinity maturation within one year after infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Simon Wiegrebe
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Arisha J. Patt
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felix Günther
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans H. Niller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Helmut Küchenhoff
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olaf Gefeller
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Iris M. Heid
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Beutel J, Tannig P, Di Vincenzo R, Schumacher T, Überla K, Eichler J. Bind&Bite: covalently stabilized heterodimeric coiled-coil peptides for the site-selective, cysteine-free chemical modification of proteins. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:794-803. [PMID: 37799587 PMCID: PMC10549240 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00122a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ensuring site-selectivity in covalent chemical modification of proteins is one of the major challenges in chemical biology and related biomedical disciplines. Most current strategies either utilize the selectivity of proteases, or are based on reactions involving the thiol groups of cysteine residues. We have modified a pair of heterodimeric coiled-coil peptides to enable the selective covalent stabilization of the dimer without using enzymes or cysteine moieties. Fusion of one peptide to the protein of interest, in combination with linking the desired chemical modification to the complementary peptide, facilitates stable, regio-selective attachment of the chemical moiety to the protein, through the formation of the covalently stabilized coiled-coil. This ligation method, which is based on the formation of isoeptide and squaramide bonds, respectively, between the coiled-coil peptides, was successfully used to selectively modify the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. Covalent stabilization of the coiled-coil also facilitated truncation of the peptides by one heptad sequence. Furthermore, selective addressing of individual positions of the peptides enabled the generation of mutually selective coiled-coils. The established method, termed Bind&Bite, can be expected to be beneficial for a range of biotechnological and biomedical applications, in which chemical moieties need to be stably attached to proteins in a site-selective fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannis Beutel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
- Institut Virion-Serion GmbH Würzburg Germany
| | - Pierre Tannig
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Riccardo Di Vincenzo
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | | | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Jutta Eichler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
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Werner F, Zeschick N, Kühlein T, Steininger P, Überla K, Kaiser I, Sebastião M, Hueber S, Warkentin L. Patient-reported reactogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations vs. comparator vaccinations: a comparative observational cohort study. BMC Med 2023; 21:358. [PMID: 37726711 PMCID: PMC10510262 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03064-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, multiple vaccines were developed. Little was known about reactogenicity and safety in comparison to established vaccines, e.g. influenza, pneumococcus, or herpes zoster. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare self-reported side effects in persons vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 with the incidence of side effects in persons receiving one of the established vaccines. METHODS A longitudinal observational study was conducted over a total of 124 days using web-based surveys. Persons receiving either a vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 or one of the established vaccines (comparator group) were included. In the first questionnaire (short-term survey), 2 weeks after vaccination, mainly local and systemic complaints were evaluated. The long-term survey (42 days after vaccination) and follow-up survey (124 weeks after vaccination) focused on medical consultations for any reason. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the influence of the vaccine type (SARS-CoV-2 vs. comparator) and demographic factors. RESULTS In total, data from 16,636 participants were included. Self-reported reactogenicity was lowest in the comparator group (53.2%) and highest in the ChAdOx1 group (85.3%). Local reactions were reported most frequently after mRNA-1273 (73.9%) and systemic reactions mainly after vector-based vaccines (79.8%). Almost all SARS-CoV-2 vaccines showed increased odds of reporting local or systemic reactions. Approximately equal proportions of participants reported medical consultations. None in the comparator group suspected a link to vaccination, while this was true for just over one in 10 in the mRNA-1273 group. The multivariate analysis showed that people with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were not more likely to report medical consultations; patients who had received a regimen with at least one ChAdOx1 were even less likely to report medical consultations. Younger age, female gender and higher comorbidity were mostly associated with higher odds of medical consultations. CONCLUSION The rate of adverse reactions after established vaccinations was roughly comparable to previous studies. Two weeks after vaccination, participants in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination group reported more local and systemic local reactions than participants in the comparator group. In the further course, however, there were no higher odds of medical consultations in either of the two groups. Thus, altogether, we assume comparable safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS-ID DRKS00025881 and DRKS-ID DRKS00025373.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Werner
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, 91054, Germany.
| | - Nikoletta Zeschick
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Thomas Kühlein
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Schloßgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Schloßgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Kaiser
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Waldstraße 6, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Sebastião
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Susann Hueber
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Lisette Warkentin
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
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Reuter N, Chen X, Kropff B, Peter AS, Britt WJ, Mach M, Überla K, Thomas M. SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Is Capable of Inducing Cell-Cell Fusions Independent from Its Receptor ACE2 and This Activity Can Be Impaired by Furin Inhibitors or a Subset of Monoclonal Antibodies. Viruses 2023; 15:1500. [PMID: 37515187 PMCID: PMC10384293 DOI: 10.3390/v15071500] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, efficiently spreads cell-to-cell through mechanisms facilitated by its membrane glycoprotein spike. We established a dual split protein (DSP) assay based on the complementation of GFP and luciferase to quantify the fusogenic activity of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We provide several lines of evidence that the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, but not SARS-CoV-1, induced cell-cell fusion even in the absence of its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This poorly described ACE2-independent cell fusion activity of the spike protein was strictly dependent on the proteasomal cleavage of the spike by furin while TMPRSS2 was dispensable. Previous and current variants of concern (VOCs) differed significantly in their fusogenicity. The Delta spike was extremely potent compared to Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Kappa, while the Omicron spike was almost devoid of receptor-independent fusion activity. Nonetheless, for all analyzed variants, cell fusion was dependent on furin cleavage and could be pharmacologically inhibited with CMK. Mapping studies revealed that amino acids 652-1273 conferred the ACE2-independent fusion activity of the spike. Unexpectedly, residues proximal to the furin cleavage site were not of major relevance, whereas residue 655 critically regulated fusion. Finally, we found that the spike's fusion activity in the absence of ACE2 could be inhibited by antibodies directed against its N-terminal domain (NTD) but not by antibodies targeting its receptor-binding domain (RBD). In conclusion, our BSL-1-compatible DSP assay allowed us to screen for inhibitors or antibodies that interfere with the spike's fusogenic activity and may therefore contribute to both rational vaccine design and development of novel treatment options against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Reuter
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Kropff
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - William J Britt
- Departments of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Neurobiology, Children's Hospital of Alabama, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233-1771, USA
| | - Michael Mach
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marco Thomas
- Virologisches Institut, Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Warkentin L, Werner F, Zeschick N, Kühlein T, Steininger P, Überla K, Kaiser I, Sebastião M, Hueber S. Reactogenicity and safety of COVID-19 primary immunisation and booster vaccination regimens: a comparative observational cohort study. BMC Med 2023; 21:218. [PMID: 37340463 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02924-5] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, recommendations regarding the vaccination have been very dynamic. Although the safety and efficacy of different vaccines have been analysed, data were scarce for vaccine regimens combining different vaccines. We therefore aimed to evaluate and compare the perceived reactogenicity and need for medical consultation after the most frequently applied homologous and heterologous COVID-19 vaccination regimens. METHODS In an observational cohort study, reactogenicity and safety were assessed within a maximum follow-up time of 124 days using web-based surveys. Reactogenicity was assessed for different vaccination regimens 2 weeks after a vaccination (short-term survey). The following surveys, long-term and follow-up surveys, focused on the utilisation of medical services, including those that were not suspected to be vaccine-related. RESULTS Data of 17,269 participants were analysed. The least local reactions were seen after a ChAdOx1 - ChAdOx1 regimen (32.6%, 95% CI [28.2, 37.2]) and the most after the first dose with mRNA-1273 (73.9%, 95% CI [70.5, 77.2]). Systemic reactions were least frequent in participants with a BNT162b2 booster after a homologous primary immunisation with ChAdOx1 (42.9%, 95% CI [32.1, 54.1]) and most frequent after a ChAdOx1 - mRNA-1273 (85.5%, 95% CI [82.9, 87.8]) and mRNA-1273/mRNA-1273 regimen (85.1%, 95% CI [83.2, 87.0]). In the short-term survey, the most common consequences were medication intake and sick leave (after local reactions 0% to 9.9%; after systemic reactions 4.5% to 37.9%). In the long-term and follow-up surveys, between 8.2 and 30.9% of participants reported consulting a doctor and between 0% and 5.4% seeking hospital care. The regression analyses 124 days after the first and after the third dose showed that the odds for reporting medical consultation were comparable between the vaccination regimens. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed differences in reactogenicity between the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination regimens in Germany. The lowest reactogenicity as reported by participants was seen with BNT162b2, especially in homologous vaccination regimens. However, in all vaccination regimens reactogenicity rarely led to medical consultations. Small differences in seeking any medical consultation after 6 weeks diminished during the follow-up period. In the end, none of the vaccination regimens was associated with a higher risk for medical consultation. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS DRKS00025881 ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00025373 ). Registered on 14 October 2021. DRKS DRKS00025373 ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00025881 ). Registered on 21 May 2021. Registered retrospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Warkentin
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Felix Werner
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nikoletta Zeschick
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kühlein
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Schloßgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Schloßgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Kaiser
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Sebastião
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Hueber
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
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Irrgang P, Gerling J, Kocher K, Lapuente D, Steininger P, Habenicht K, Wytopil M, Beileke S, Schäfer S, Zhong J, Ssebyatika G, Krey T, Falcone V, Schülein C, Peter AS, Nganou-Makamdop K, Hengel H, Held J, Bogdan C, Überla K, Schober K, Winkler TH, Tenbusch M. Class switch toward noninflammatory, spike-specific IgG4 antibodies after repeated SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eade2798. [PMID: 36548397 PMCID: PMC9847566 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.ade2798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
RNA vaccines are efficient preventive measures to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. High levels of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are an important component of vaccine-induced immunity. Shortly after the initial two mRNA vaccine doses, the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response mainly consists of the proinflammatory subclasses IgG1 and IgG3. Here, we report that several months after the second vaccination, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were increasingly composed of noninflammatory IgG4, which were further boosted by a third mRNA vaccination and/or SARS-CoV-2 variant breakthrough infections. IgG4 antibodies among all spike-specific IgG antibodies rose, on average, from 0.04% shortly after the second vaccination to 19.27% late after the third vaccination. This induction of IgG4 antibodies was not observed after homologous or heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with adenoviral vectors. Single-cell sequencing and flow cytometry revealed substantial frequencies of IgG4-switched B cells within the spike-binding memory B cell population [median of 14.4%; interquartile range (IQR) of 6.7 to 18.1%] compared with the overall memory B cell repertoire (median of 1.3%; IQR of 0.9 to 2.2%) after three immunizations. This class switch was associated with a reduced capacity of the spike-specific antibodies to mediate antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and complement deposition. Because Fc-mediated effector functions are critical for antiviral immunity, these findings may have consequences for the choice and timing of vaccination regimens using mRNA vaccines, including future booster immunizations against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Irrgang
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juliane Gerling
- Department of Biology, Division of Genetics, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kocher
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dennis Lapuente
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katharina Habenicht
- Department of Biology, Division of Genetics, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Erlangen, Germany
| | - Monika Wytopil
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Schäfer
- Department of Biology, Division of Genetics, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jahn Zhong
- Department of Biology, Division of Genetics, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Erlangen, Germany
| | - George Ssebyatika
- Center of Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Luebeck; Luebeck, Germany
| | - Thomas Krey
- Center of Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Luebeck; Luebeck, Germany
| | - Valeria Falcone
- Institute of Virology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christine Schülein
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Krystelle Nganou-Makamdop
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hartmut Hengel
- Institute of Virology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Held
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Bogdan
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kilian Schober
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Corresponding author. (K.S.); (T.H.W.); (M.T.)
| | - Thomas H. Winkler
- Department of Biology, Division of Genetics, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Corresponding author. (K.S.); (T.H.W.); (M.T.)
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institut für klinische und molekulare Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg; Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Corresponding author. (K.S.); (T.H.W.); (M.T.)
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Stanzick KJ, Simon J, Zimmermann ME, Schachtner M, Peterhoff D, Niller HH, Überla K, Wagner R, Heid IM, Stark KJ. DNA extraction from clotted blood in genotyping quality. Biotechniques 2023; 74:23-29. [PMID: 36597257 PMCID: PMC9887531 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2022-0061] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA extraction from frozen blood clots is challenging. Here, the authors applied QIAGEN Clotspin Baskets and the Gentra Puregene Blood Kit for DNA extraction to cellular fraction of 5.5 ml whole blood without anticoagulating additives. The amount and quality of extracted DNA were assessed via spectrophotometer and gel electrophoresis. Results from array-based genotyping were analyzed. All steps were compared with DNA isolated from anticoagulated blood samples from a separate study. The quality and concentration of DNA extracted from clotted blood were comparable to those of DNA extracted from anticoagulated blood. DNA yield was on average 27 μg per ml clotted blood, with an average purity of 1.87 (A260/A280). Genotyping quality was similar for both DNA sources (call rate: 99.56% from clotted vs 99.49% from anticoagulated blood).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira J Stanzick
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Josef Simon
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Martina E Zimmermann
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Michael Schachtner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany,Institute of Clinical Microbiology & Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut Niller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical & Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany,Institute of Clinical Microbiology & Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Iris M Heid
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Klaus J Stark
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany,Author for correspondence: Tel.: +49 941 944 5214;
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13
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Günther F, Einhauser S, Peterhoff D, Wiegrebe S, Niller HH, Beileke S, Steininger P, Burkhardt R, Küchenhoff H, Gefeller O, Überla K, Heid IM, Wagner R. Higher Infection Risk among Health Care Workers and Lower Risk among Smokers Persistent across SARS-CoV-2 Waves-Longitudinal Results from the Population-Based TiKoCo Seroprevalence Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:16996. [PMID: 36554876 PMCID: PMC9779618 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was reported as substantially increased in medical personnel and decreased in smokers after the first wave in spring 2020, including in our population-based Tirschenreuth Study (TiKoCo). However, it is unclear whether these associations were limited to the early pandemic and whether the decrease in smokers was due to reduced infection or antibody response. We evaluated the association of occupation and smoking with period-specific seropositivity: for the first wave until July 2020 (baseline, BL), the low infection period in summer (follow-up 1, FU1, November 2020), and the second/third wave (FU2, April 2021). We measured binding antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (N), viral spike protein (S), and neutralizing antibodies at BL, FU1, and FU2. Previous infection, vaccination, smoking, and occupation were assessed by questionnaires. The 4181 participants (3513/3374 at FU1/FU2) included 6.5% medical personnel and 20.4% current smokers. At all three timepoints, new seropositivity was higher in medical personnel with ORs = 1.99 (95%-CI = 1.36-2.93), 1.41 (0.29-6.80), and 3.17 (1.92-5.24) at BL, FU1, and FU2, respectively, and nearly halved among current smokers with ORs = 0.47 (95%-CI = 0.33-0.66), 0.40 (0.09-1.81), and 0.56 (0.33-0.94). Current smokers compared to never-smokers had similar antibody levels after infection or vaccination and reduced odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 result among tested. Our data suggest that decreased seroprevalence among smokers results from fewer infections rather than reduced antibody response. The persistently higher infection risk of medical staff across infection waves, despite improved means of protection over time, underscores the burden for health care personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Günther
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Albanovägen 28, 11419 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Simon Wiegrebe
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, LMU Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Hans Helmut Niller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Helmut Küchenhoff
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, LMU Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Olaf Gefeller
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Waldstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Iris M. Heid
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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14
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Ahmed MIM, Diepers P, Janke C, Plank M, Eser TM, Rubio-Acero R, Fuchs A, Baranov O, Castelletti N, Kroidl I, Olbrich L, Bauer B, Wang D, Prelog M, Liese JG, Reinkemeyer C, Hoelscher M, Steininger P, Überla K, Wieser A, Geldmacher C. Enhanced Spike-specific, but attenuated Nucleocapsid-specific T cell responses upon SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough versus non-breakthrough infections. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1026473. [PMID: 36582222 PMCID: PMC9792977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1026473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections frequently occurred even before the emergence of Omicron variants. Yet, relatively little is known about the impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell and antibody response dynamics upon breakthrough infection. We have therefore studied the dynamics of CD4 and CD8 T cells targeting the vaccine-encoded Spike and the non-encoded Nucleocapsid antigens during breakthrough infections (BTI, n=24) and in unvaccinated control infections (non-BTI, n=30). Subjects with vaccine breakthrough infection had significantly higher CD4 and CD8 T cell responses targeting the vaccine-encoded Spike during the first and third/fourth week after PCR diagnosis compared to non-vaccinated controls, respectively. In contrast, CD4 T cells targeting the non-vaccine encoded Nucleocapsid antigen were of significantly lower magnitude in BTI as compared to non-BTI. Hence, previous vaccination was linked to enhanced T cell responses targeting the vaccine-encoded Spike antigen, while responses against the non-vaccine encoded Nucleocapsid antigen were significantly attenuated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ibraheem Mahmoud Ahmed
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Paulina Diepers
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Janke
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Plank
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tabea M. Eser
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Raquel Rubio-Acero
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Fuchs
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olga Baranov
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Noemi Castelletti
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Inge Kroidl
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Olbrich
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany,Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bernadette Bauer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Danni Wang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Prelog
- Pediatric Rheumatology/Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes G. Liese
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christina Reinkemeyer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Wieser
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Christof Geldmacher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Christof Geldmacher,
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15
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Vogel E, Kocher K, Priller A, Cheng CC, Steininger P, Liao BH, Körber N, Willmann A, Irrgang P, Held J, Moosmann C, Schmidt V, Beileke S, Wytopil M, Heringer S, Bauer T, Brockhoff R, Jeske S, Mijocevic H, Christa C, Salmanton-García J, Tinnefeld K, Bogdan C, Yazici S, Knolle P, Cornely OA, Überla K, Protzer U, Schober K, Tenbusch M. Dynamics of humoral and cellular immune responses after homologous and heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BNT162b2. EBioMedicine 2022; 85:104294. [PMID: 36206622 PMCID: PMC9530590 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104294] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccines are an important means to overcome the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. They induce specific antibody and T-cell responses but it remains open how well vaccine-induced immunity is preserved over time following homologous and heterologous immunization regimens. Here, we compared the dynamics of humoral and cellular immune responses up to 180 days after homologous or heterologous vaccination with either ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 (ChAd) or BNT162b2 (BNT) or both. METHODS Various tests were used to determine the humoral and cellular immune response. To quantify the antibody levels, we used the surrogate neutralization (sVNT) assay from YHLO, which we augmented with pseudo- and real virus neutralization tests (pVNT and rVNT). Antibody avidity was measured by a modified ELISA. To determine cellular reactivity, we used an IFN-γ Elispot, IFN-γ/IL Flurospot, and intracellular cytokine staining. FINDINGS Antibody responses significantly waned after vaccination, irrespective of the regimen. The capacity to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 - including variants of concern such as Delta or Omicron - was superior after heterologous compared to homologous BNT vaccination, both of which resulted in longer-lasting humoral immunity than homologous ChAd immunization. All vaccination regimens induced stable, polyfunctional T-cell responses. INTERPRETATION These findings demonstrate that heterologous vaccination with ChAd and BNT is a potent alternative to induce humoral and cellular immune protection in comparison to the homologous vaccination regimens. FUNDING The study was funded by the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), the European Union's "Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme" under grant agreement No. 101037867 (VACCELERATE), the "Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst" for the CoVaKo-2021 and the For-COVID projects and the Helmholtz Association via the collaborative research program "CoViPa". Further support was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF) through the "Netzwerk Universitätsmedizin", project "B-Fast" and "Cov-Immune". KS is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, 01KI2013) and the Else Kröner-Stiftung (2020_EKEA.127).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Vogel
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Katharina Kocher
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alina Priller
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Cho-Chin Cheng
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bo-Hung Liao
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Nina Körber
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Annika Willmann
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Pascal Irrgang
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Held
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carolin Moosmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Viviane Schmidt
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Monika Wytopil
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Heringer
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Herderstr. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Tanja Bauer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Ronja Brockhoff
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Herderstr. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Samuel Jeske
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Hrvoje Mijocevic
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Catharina Christa
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Jon Salmanton-García
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Herderstr. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Kathrin Tinnefeld
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Christian Bogdan
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Yazici
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites Munich and Cologne
| | - Oliver A. Cornely
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Herderstr. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites Munich and Cologne,University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany,University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), Cologne, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites Munich and Cologne,Corresponding authors.
| | - Kilian Schober
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany,Corresponding authors.
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany,Corresponding authors.
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16
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Zeschick N, Warkentin L, Kühlein T, Steininger P, Überla K, Hueber S, Sebastião M. Active monitoring of adverse reactions following COVID-19 and other vaccinations: a feasibility study as part of the CoVaKo project. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2022; 8:134. [PMID: 35780172 PMCID: PMC9250275 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-022-01088-y] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Corona-Vakzin-Konsortium project (CoVaKo) analyses the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in a real-world setting, as well as breakthrough infections in Bavaria, Germany. A subproject of CoVaKo aims to identify adverse reactions of the COVID-19 vaccine and compare these to adverse reactions of other vaccines in an online survey. In a preceding feasibility study, the study materials were tested for comprehensibility, visual design, and motivation to participate, as well as for their ability to be implemented and carried out in primary care practices and vaccination centres. Methods We used a mixed-methods research design. First, three focus groups consisting of general population participants were organised to evaluate the study materials and survey. Second, a test roll-out was conducted in vaccination centres and primary care practices that involved implementing and quantitatively evaluating the online survey. Third, interviews were conducted with participating general practitioners and heads of vaccination centres four weeks after the test roll-out. Results Parts of the information and registration form proved incomprehensible, specifically regarding the recruitment material and/or online survey. For example, headings were misleading given that, relative to other vaccinations, the COVID-19 vaccination was overemphasised in the title. Participants requested additional information regarding the procedure and completion time. Within 31 days, 2199 participants, who received either a COVID-19 vaccination (99%) or at least one of the control vaccinations (1%), registered for the study. Participants (strongly) agreed that the registration process was easy to understand, that the completion time was reasonable, and that the technical setup was straightforward. Physicians and heads of the vaccination centres perceived the study as easy to integrate into their workflow. The majority expressed willingness to participate in the main study. Conclusions Our study indicated that identifying and documenting adverse reactions following vaccinations using an online survey is feasible. Testing materials and surveys provided valuable insight, enabling subsequent improvements. Participation from health professionals proved essential in ensuring the practicality of procedures. Lastly, adapting the study’s organisation to external fluctuating structures and requirements confirmed necessary for a successful implementation, especially due to dynamic changes in the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination strategies. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered at the “Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien” (DRKS-ID: DRKS00025881) on Oct 14, 2021. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-022-01088-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Zeschick
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Lisette Warkentin
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kühlein
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Hueber
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Sebastião
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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17
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Weißenborn L, Richel E, Hüseman H, Welzer J, Beck S, Schäfer S, Sticht H, Überla K, Eichler J. Smaller, Stronger, More Stable: Peptide Variants of a SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Miniprotein. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116309. [PMID: 35682988 PMCID: PMC9181698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116309] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on the structure of a de novo designed miniprotein (LCB1) in complex with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, we have generated and characterized truncated peptide variants of LCB1, which present only two of the three LCB1 helices, and which fully retained the virus neutralizing potency against different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). This antiviral activity was even 10-fold stronger for a cyclic variant of the two-helix peptides, as compared to the full-length peptide. Furthermore, the proteolytic stability of the cyclic peptide was substantially improved, rendering it a better potential candidate for SARS-CoV-2 therapy. In a more mechanistic approach, the peptides also served as tools to dissect the role of individual mutations in the RBD for the susceptibility of the resulting virus variants to neutralization by the peptides. As the peptides reported here were generated through chemical synthesis, rather than recombinant protein expression, they are amenable to further chemical modification, including the incorporation of a wide range of non-proteinogenic amino acids, with the aim to further stabilize the peptides against proteolytic degradation, as well as to improve the strength, as well the breadth, of their virus neutralizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Weißenborn
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (L.W.); (H.H.); (J.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Elie Richel
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.R.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Helena Hüseman
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (L.W.); (H.H.); (J.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Julia Welzer
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (L.W.); (H.H.); (J.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Silvan Beck
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (L.W.); (H.H.); (J.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Simon Schäfer
- Department of Biology, Genetics Division, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.R.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Jutta Eichler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (L.W.); (H.H.); (J.W.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Warkentin L, Zeschick N, Kühlein T, Steininger P, Überla K, Kaiser I, Gall C, Sebastião M, Hueber S. Reactogenicity after heterologous and homologous COVID-19 prime-boost vaccination regimens: descriptive interim results of a comparative observational cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:504. [PMID: 35641934 PMCID: PMC9152311 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to safety signals after vaccination with COVID-19 vector vaccines, several states recommended to complete the primary immunization series in individuals having received one dose of ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) with an mRNA vaccine. However, data on safety and reactogenicity of this heterologous regimen are still scarce. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the reactogenicity and the frequency of medical consultations after boost vaccination in a heterologous regimen with ChAdOx1 and mRNA-vaccines (BNT162b2, BioNTech/Pfizer or mRNA-1273, Moderna) to homologous regimens with ChAdOx1 or mRNA-vaccines, respectively. METHODS In an observational cohort study reactogenicity and safety were assessed 14-19 days (short-term) and 40 to 56 days (long-term) after the boost vaccination using web-based surveys. In the short-term survey solicited and unsolicited reactions were assessed, while the long-term survey focussed on health problems leading to medical consultation after the vaccination, including those that were not suspected to be vaccine-related. RESULTS In total, 9146 participants completed at least one of the surveys (ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1: n = 552, ChAdOx1/mRNA: n = 2382, mRNA/mRNA: n = 6212). In the short-term survey, 86% with ChAdOx1/mRNA regimen reported at least one reaction, in the ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1 and mRNA/mRNA cohorts 58% and 76%, respectively (age and sex adjusted p < 0.0001). In the long-term survey, comparable proportions of individuals reported medical consultation (ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1 vs. ChAdOx1/mRNA vs. mRNA/mRNA: 15% vs. 18% vs. 16%, age and sex adjusted p = 0.398). Female gender was associated with a higher reactogenicity and more medical consultations. Younger age was associated with a higher reactogenicity, whereas elderly people reported more medical consultations. CONCLUSION Although the short-term reactogenicity was higher with the heterologous regimen than with the homologous regimens, other factors such as higher efficacy and limited resources during the pandemic may prevail in recommending specific regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Warkentin
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Nikoletta Zeschick
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kühlein
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Schloßgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Schloßgarten 4, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Kaiser
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christine Gall
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Sebastião
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Hueber
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 29, Erlangen, Germany
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19
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Einhauser S, Peterhoff D, Beileke S, Günther F, Niller HH, Steininger P, Knöll A, Korn K, Berr M, Schütz A, Wiegrebe S, Stark KJ, Gessner A, Burkhardt R, Kabesch M, Schedl H, Küchenhoff H, Pfahlberg AB, Heid IM, Gefeller O, Überla K, Wagner R. Time Trend in SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity, Surveillance Detection- and Infection Fatality Ratio until Spring 2021 in the Tirschenreuth County-Results from a Population-Based Longitudinal Study in Germany. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061168. [PMID: 35746640 PMCID: PMC9228731 DOI: 10.3390/v14061168] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, we provide results from a prospective population-based longitudinal follow-up (FU) SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance study in Tirschenreuth, the county which was hit hardest in Germany in spring 2020 and early 2021. Of 4203 individuals aged 14 years or older enrolled at baseline (BL, June 2020), 3546 participated at FU1 (November 2020) and 3391 at FU2 (April 2021). Key metrics comprising standardized seroprevalence, surveillance detection ratio (SDR), infection fatality ratio (IFR) and success of the vaccination campaign were derived using the Roche N- and S-Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 test together with a self-administered questionnaire. N-seropositivity at BL was 9.2% (1st wave). While we observed a low new seropositivity between BL and FU1 (0.9%), the combined 2nd and 3rd wave accounted for 6.1% new N-seropositives between FU1 and FU2 (ever seropositives at FU2: 15.4%). The SDR decreased from 5.4 (BL) to 1.1 (FU2) highlighting the success of massively increased testing in the population. The IFR based on a combination of serology and registration data resulted in 3.3% between November 2020 and April 2021 compared to 2.3% until June 2020. Although IFRs were consistently higher at FU2 compared to BL across age-groups, highest among individuals aged 70+ (18.3% versus 10.7%, respectively), observed differences were within statistical uncertainty bounds. While municipalities with senior care homes showed a higher IFR at BL (3.0% with senior care home vs. 0.7% w/o), this effect diminished at FU2 (3.4% vs. 2.9%). In April 2021 (FU2), vaccination rate in the elderly was high (>77.4%, age-group 80+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
| | - David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (A.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Felix Günther
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 6, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.W.); (K.J.S.); (I.M.H.)
| | - Hans-Helmut Niller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (A.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Antje Knöll
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (A.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (A.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Melanie Berr
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Anja Schütz
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Simon Wiegrebe
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.W.); (K.J.S.); (I.M.H.)
| | - Klaus J. Stark
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.W.); (K.J.S.); (I.M.H.)
| | - André Gessner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstraße 1-3, 93049 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Holger Schedl
- Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz, Kreisverband Tirschenreuth, Egerstraße 21, 95643 Tirschenreuth, Germany;
| | - Helmut Küchenhoff
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, LMU Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Annette B. Pfahlberg
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Waldstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Iris M. Heid
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.W.); (K.J.S.); (I.M.H.)
| | - Olaf Gefeller
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Waldstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (A.K.); (K.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.Ü.); (R.W.); Tel.: +49-9131-85-23563 (K.Ü.); +49-941-944-6452 (R.W.)
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.-H.N.); (M.B.); (A.S.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (K.Ü.); (R.W.); Tel.: +49-9131-85-23563 (K.Ü.); +49-941-944-6452 (R.W.)
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20
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Peter AS, Roth E, Schulz SR, Fraedrich K, Steinmetz T, Damm D, Hauke M, Richel E, Mueller‐Schmucker S, Habenicht K, Eberlein V, Issmail L, Uhlig N, Dolles S, Grüner E, Peterhoff D, Ciesek S, Hoffmann M, Pöhlmann S, McKay PF, Shattock RJ, Wölfel R, Socher E, Wagner R, Eichler J, Sticht H, Schuh W, Neipel F, Ensser A, Mielenz D, Tenbusch M, Winkler TH, Grunwald T, Überla K, Jäck H. A pair of noncompeting neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies protecting from disease in a SARS-CoV-2 infection model. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:770-783. [PMID: 34355795 PMCID: PMC8420377 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
TRIANNI mice carry an entire set of human immunoglobulin V region gene segments and are a powerful tool to rapidly isolate human monoclonal antibodies. After immunizing these mice with DNA encoding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and boosting with spike protein, we identified 29 hybridoma antibodies that reacted with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Nine antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection at IC50 values in the subnanomolar range. ELISA-binding studies and DNA sequence analyses revealed one cluster of three clonally related neutralizing antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain and compete with the cellular receptor hACE2. A second cluster of six clonally related neutralizing antibodies bind to the N-terminal domain of the spike protein without competing with the binding of hACE2 or cluster 1 antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 mutants selected for resistance to an antibody from one cluster are still neutralized by an antibody from the other cluster. Antibodies from both clusters markedly reduced viral spread in mice transgenic for human ACE2 and protected the animals from SARS-CoV-2-induced weight loss. The two clusters of potent noncompeting SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies provide potential candidates for therapy and prophylaxis of COVID-19. The study further supports transgenic animals with a human immunoglobulin gene repertoire as a powerful platform in pandemic preparedness initiatives.
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21
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Damm D, Kostka K, Weingärtner C, Wagner JT, Rojas-Sánchez L, Gensberger-Reigl S, Sokolova V, Überla K, Epple M, Temchura V. Covalent coupling of HIV-1 glycoprotein trimers to biodegradable calcium phosphate nanoparticles via genetically encoded aldehyde-tags. Acta Biomater 2022; 140:586-600. [PMID: 34968725 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The usage of antigen-functionalized nanoparticles has become a major focus in the field of experimental HIV-1 vaccine research during the last decade. Various molecular mechanisms to couple native-like trimers of the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) onto nanoparticle surfaces have been reported, but many come with disadvantages regarding the coupling efficiency and stability. In this study, a short amino acid sequence ("aldehyde-tag") was introduced at the C-terminus of a conformationally stabilized native-like Env. The post-translational conversion of a tag-associated cysteine to formylglycine creates a site-specific aldehyde group without alteration of the Env antigenicity. This aldehyde group was further utilized for bioconjugation of Env trimers. We demonstrated that the low acidic environment necessary for this bioconjugation is not affecting the trimer conformation. Furthermore, we developed a two-step coupling method for pH-sensitive nanoparticles. To this end, we conjugated aldehyde-tagged Env with Propargyl-PEG3-aminooxy linker (oxime ligation; Step-one) and coupled these conjugates by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (Click reaction; Step-two) to calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPs) functionalized with terminal azide groups. CaPs displaying orthogonally arranged Env trimers on their surface (o-CaPs) were superior in activation of Env-specific B-cells (in vitro) and induction of Env-specific antibody responses (in vivo) compared to CaPs with Env trimers coupled in a randomly oriented manner. Taken together, we present a reliable method for the site-specific, covalent coupling of HIV-1 Env native-like trimers to the surface of nanoparticle delivery systems. This method can be broadly applied for functionalization of nanoparticle platforms with conformationally stabilized candidate antigens for both vaccination and diagnostic approaches. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: During the last decade antigen-functionalized nanoparticles have become a major focus in the field of experimental HIV-1 vaccines. Rational design led to the production of conformationally stabilized HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) trimers - the only target for the humoral immune system. Various molecular mechanisms to couple Env trimers onto nanoparticle surfaces have been reported, but many come with disadvantages regarding the coupling efficiency and stability. In this paper, we describe a highly selective bio-conjugation of Env trimers to the surface of medically relevant calcium phosphate nanoparticles. This method maintains the native-like protein conformation and has a broad potential application in functionalization of nanoparticle platforms with stabilized candidate antigens (including stabilized spike proteins of coronaviruses) for both vaccination and diagnostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - K Kostka
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - C Weingärtner
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - J T Wagner
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - L Rojas-Sánchez
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - S Gensberger-Reigl
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - V Sokolova
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - K Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - M Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - V Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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22
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Wachter F, Regensburger AP, Antonia Sophia Peter, Knieling F, Wagner AL, Simon D, Hoerning A, Woelfle J, Überla K, Neubert A, Rauh M. Continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children using residual blood samples from routine clinical chemistry. Clin Chem Lab Med 2022; 60:941-951. [PMID: 35218170 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children is still challenging, but essential for appropriate political decisions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether residual blood samples can be used for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence monitoring in pediatrics. METHODS In this repeated cross-sectional cohort study, anonymous residual blood samples from pediatric patients aged 0-17 years were collected in three time-periods (Oct.-Nov. 2020, April 2021, and June-July 2021) and analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (anti-S) and nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibodies using commercial antibody assays. 28 reactive samples were used to compare antibody levels with a pseudotyped neutralization assay. The results were further compared to the official national COVID-19 surveillance data to calculate the number of unreported cases. RESULTS In total, n=2,626 individual blood samples were analyzed. In this unvaccinated pediatric cohort anti-S and anti-N antibody seroprevalence increased over the three time periods (anti-S: 1.38-9.16%, and 14.59%; anti-N: 1.26%, to 6.19%, and 8.56%). Compared to the national surveillance data this leads to a 3.93-5.66-fold increase in the number of unreported cases. However, a correlation between the cumulative incidence of the individual provinces and our assigned data was found (r=0.74, p=0.0151). In addition, reactive samples with anti-S and anti-N and samples with only anti-S showed neutralization capabilities (11/14 and 8/14, respectively). Anti-S levels were not significantly different between age groups and sexes (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that residual blood samples from routine laboratory chemistry could be included in the estimation of the total SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Wachter
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Adrian P Regensburger
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Knieling
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandra L Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David Simon
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Hoerning
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antje Neubert
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Rauh
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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23
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Peterhoff D, Einhauser S, Beileke S, Niller HH, Günther F, Schachtner M, Asbach B, Steininger P, Tenbusch M, Peter AS, Gessner A, Burkhardt R, Heid IM, Wagner R, Überla K. Comparative Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccines in a Population-Based Cohort Study with SARS-CoV-2-Infected and Uninfected Participants. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020324. [PMID: 35214782 PMCID: PMC8875516 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020324] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess vaccine immunogenicity in non-infected and previously infected individuals in a real-world scenario, SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses were determined during follow-up 2 (April 2021) of the population-based Tirschenreuth COVID-19 cohort study comprising 3378 inhabitants of the Tirschenreuth county aged 14 years or older. Seronegative participants vaccinated once with Vaxzevria, Comirnaty, or Spikevax had median neutralizing antibody titers ranging from ID50 = 25 to 75. Individuals with two immunizations with Comirnaty or Spikevax had higher median ID50s (of 253 and 554, respectively). Regression analysis indicated that both increased age and increased time since vaccination independently decreased RBD binding and neutralizing antibody levels. Unvaccinated participants with detectable N-antibodies at baseline (June 2020) revealed a median ID50 of 72 at the April 2021 follow-up. Previously infected participants that received one dose of Vaxzevria or Comirnaty had median ID50 to 929 and 2502, respectively. Individuals with a second dose of Comirnaty given in a three-week interval after the first dose did not have higher median antibody levels than individuals with one dose. Prior infection also primed for high systemic IgA levels in response to one dose of Comirnaty that exceeded IgA levels observed after two doses of Comirnaty in previously uninfected participants. Neutralizing antibody levels targeting the spike protein of Beta and Delta variants were diminished compared to the wild type in vaccinated and infected participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (M.T.); (A.S.P.)
| | - Hans-Helmut Niller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Felix Günther
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 6, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Michael Schachtner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (M.T.); (A.S.P.)
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (M.T.); (A.S.P.)
| | - Antonia S. Peter
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (M.T.); (A.S.P.)
| | - Andre Gessner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Iris M. Heid
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (S.E.); (H.-H.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (R.W.); (K.Ü.); Tel.: +49-941-944-6452 (R.W.); +49-9131-85-23563 (K.Ü.)
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (M.T.); (A.S.P.)
- Correspondence: (R.W.); (K.Ü.); Tel.: +49-941-944-6452 (R.W.); +49-9131-85-23563 (K.Ü.)
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24
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Wratil PR, Stern M, Priller A, Willmann A, Almanzar G, Vogel E, Feuerherd M, Cheng CC, Yazici S, Christa C, Jeske S, Lupoli G, Vogt T, Albanese M, Mejías-Pérez E, Bauernfried S, Graf N, Mijocevic H, Vu M, Tinnefeld K, Wettengel J, Hoffmann D, Muenchhoff M, Daechert C, Mairhofer H, Krebs S, Fingerle V, Graf A, Steininger P, Blum H, Hornung V, Liebl B, Überla K, Prelog M, Knolle P, Keppler OT, Protzer U. Three exposures to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 by either infection or vaccination elicit superior neutralizing immunity to all variants of concern. Nat Med 2022; 28:496-503. [PMID: 35090165 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01715-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Infection-neutralizing antibody responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination are an essential component of antiviral immunity. Antibody-mediated protection is challenged by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) with immune escape properties, such as omicron (B.1.1.529) that is rapidly spreading worldwide. Here, we report neutralizing antibody dynamics in a longitudinal cohort of COVID-19 convalescent and infection-naive individuals vaccinated with mRNA BNT162b2 by quantifying anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike antibodies and determining their avidity and neutralization capacity in serum. Using live-virus neutralization assays, we show that a superior infection-neutralizing capacity against all VoCs, including omicron, developed after either two vaccinations in convalescents or after a third vaccination or breakthrough infection of twice-vaccinated, naive individuals. These three consecutive spike antigen exposures resulted in an increasing neutralization capacity per anti-spike antibody unit and were paralleled by stepwise increases in antibody avidity. We conclude that an infection-plus-vaccination-induced hybrid immunity or a triple immunization can induce high-quality antibodies with superior neutralization capacity against VoCs, including omicron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Wratil
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcel Stern
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Alina Priller
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Annika Willmann
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Giovanni Almanzar
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Pediatrics Department, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Emanuel Vogel
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Feuerherd
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Cho-Chin Cheng
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah Yazici
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Catharina Christa
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Samuel Jeske
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Gaia Lupoli
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Tim Vogt
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Pediatrics Department, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Albanese
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany.,National Institute of Molecular Genetics (INGM), Milano, Italy
| | - Ernesto Mejías-Pérez
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Bauernfried
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Natalia Graf
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Hrvoje Mijocevic
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Vu
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Tinnefeld
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Wettengel
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Hoffmann
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Muenchhoff
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Christopher Daechert
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Helga Mairhofer
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL (LGL), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Graf
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helmut Blum
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Veit Hornung
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Liebl
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL (LGL), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martina Prelog
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Pediatrics Department, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver T Keppler
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany. .,Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.
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25
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Lapuente D, Fuchs J, Willar J, Vieira Antão A, Eberlein V, Uhlig N, Issmail L, Schmidt A, Oltmanns F, Peter AS, Mueller-Schmucker S, Irrgang P, Fraedrich K, Cara A, Hoffmann M, Pöhlmann S, Ensser A, Pertl C, Willert T, Thirion C, Grunwald T, Überla K, Tenbusch M. Protective mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after heterologous systemic prime-mucosal boost immunization. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6871. [PMID: 34836955 PMCID: PMC8626513 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27063-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [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: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are currently in use, but effective boosters are needed to maintain or increase immunity due to waning responses and the emergence of novel variants. Here we report that intranasal vaccinations with adenovirus 5 and 19a vectored vaccines following a systemic plasmid DNA or mRNA priming result in systemic and mucosal immunity in mice. In contrast to two intramuscular applications of an mRNA vaccine, intranasal boosts with adenoviral vectors induce high levels of mucosal IgA and lung-resident memory T cells (TRM); mucosal neutralization of virus variants of concern is also enhanced. The mRNA prime provokes a comprehensive T cell response consisting of circulating and lung TRM after the boost, while the plasmid DNA prime induces mostly mucosal T cells. Concomitantly, the intranasal boost strategies lead to complete protection against a SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. Our data thus suggest that mucosal booster immunizations after mRNA priming is a promising approach to establish mucosal immunity in addition to systemic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Lapuente
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jana Fuchs
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jonas Willar
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ana Vieira Antão
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anna Schmidt
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friederike Oltmanns
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra Mueller-Schmucker
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pascal Irrgang
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Fraedrich
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Cara
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Grunwald
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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26
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Gomes D, Beyerlein A, Katz K, Hoelscher G, Nennstiel U, Liebl B, Überla K, von Kries R. Is the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine effective in elderly populations? Results from population data from Bavaria, Germany. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259370. [PMID: 34739520 PMCID: PMC8570490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The efficacy of the BioNTech-Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccination in the elderly (≥80 years) could not be fully assessed in the BioNTech-Pfizer trial due to low numbers in this age group. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the BioNTech-Pfizer (BNT162b2) vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes in octo- and novo-generians in a German state setting. Methods and findings A prospective observational study of 708,187 persons aged ≥80 years living in Bavaria, Germany, was conducted between Jan 9 to Apr 11, 2021. We assessed the vaccine effectiveness (VE) for two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalisations and mortality. Additionally, differences in VE by age groups ≥80 to ≤89 years and ≥90 years were studied. Analyses were adjusted by sex. By the end of follow-up, 63.8% of the Bavarian population ≥80 years had received one dose, and 52.7% two doses, of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine lowered the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections and related outcomes, resulting in VE estimates of 68.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 65.5%, 70.9%) for infection, 73.2% (95% CI 65.3%, 79.3%) for hospitalisation, and 85.1% (95% CI 80.0%, 89.0%) for mortality. Sex differences in the risk of COVID-19 outcomes observed among unvaccinated persons disappeared after two BNT162b2 vaccine doses. Overall, the BNT162b2 vaccine was equally effective in octo- and novo-genarians. Conclusions Two doses of BioNTech-Pfizer’s BNT162b2 vaccine is highly effective against COVID-19 outcomes in elderly persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphina Gomes
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Beyerlein
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Katz
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | | | - Uta Nennstiel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Bernhard Liebl
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger von Kries
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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27
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Einhauser S, Peterhoff D, Niller HH, Beileke S, Günther F, Steininger P, Burkhardt R, Heid IM, Pfahlberg AB, Überla K, Gefeller O, Wagner R. Spectrum Bias and Individual Strengths of SARS-CoV-2 Serological Tests-A Population-Based Evaluation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1843. [PMID: 34679541 PMCID: PMC8534748 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11101843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody testing for determining the SARS-CoV-2 serostatus was rapidly introduced in early 2020 and since then has been gaining special emphasis regarding correlates of protection. With limited access to representative samples with known SARS-CoV-2 infection status during the initial period of test development and validation, spectrum bias has to be considered when moving from a "test establishment setting" to population-based settings, in which antibody testing is currently implemented. To provide insights into the presence and magnitude of spectrum bias and to estimate performance measures of antibody testing in a population-based environment, we compared SARS-CoV-2 neutralization to a battery of serological tests and latent class analyses (LCA) in a subgroup (n = 856) of the larger population based TiKoCo-19 cohort (n = 4185). Regarding spectrum bias, we could proof notable differences in test sensitivities and specificities when moving to a population-based setting, with larger effects visible in earlier registered tests. While in the population-based setting the two Roche ELECSYS anti-SARS-CoV-2 tests outperformed every other test and even LCA regarding sensitivity and specificity in dichotomous testing, they didn't provide satisfying quantitative correlation with neutralization capacity. In contrast, our in-house anti SARS-CoV-2-Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG-ELISA (enzyme-linked-immunosorbant assay) though inferior in dichotomous testing, provided satisfactory quantitative correlation and may thus represent a better correlate of protection. In summary, all tests, led by the two Roche tests, provided sufficient accuracy for dichotomous identification of neutralizing sera, with increasing spectrum bias visible in earlier registered tests, while the majority of tests, except the RBD-ELISA, didn't provide satisfactory quantitative correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.H.N.)
| | - David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.H.N.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hans Helmut Niller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.H.N.)
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Felix Günther
- Department of Statistics, Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, LMU Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany;
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Iris M. Heid
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Annette B. Pfahlberg
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Waldstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.B.); (P.S.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Olaf Gefeller
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Waldstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.E.); (D.P.); (H.H.N.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus F Neurath
- First Department of Medicine & Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie DZI, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology & Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Siew C Ng
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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29
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Kremer AE, Kremer AN, Willam C, Völkl S, Verhagen J, Achenbach S, van der Meijden ED, Lang V, Aigner M, Maier C, Tenbusch M, Korn K, Lutzny-Geier G, Spoerl S, Strauß R, Vetter M, Überla K, Neurath MF, Mackensen A, Schiffer M, Hackstein H. Successful treatment of COVID-19 infection with convalescent plasma in B-cell-depleted patients may promote cellular immunity. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2478-2484. [PMID: 34350584 PMCID: PMC8420096 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with convalescent plasma has been shown to be safe in coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID‐19) infection, although efficacy reported in immunocompetent patients varies. Nevertheless, neutralizing antibodies are a key requisite in the fight against viral infections. Patients depleted of antibody‐producing B cells, such as those treated with rituximab (anti‐CD20) for hematological malignancies, lack a fundamental part of their adaptive immunity. Treatment with convalescent plasma appears to be of general benefit in this particularly vulnerable cohort. We analyzed clinical course and inflammation markers of three B‐cell‐depleted patients suffering from COVID‐19 who were treated with convalescent plasma. In addition, we measured serum antibody levels as well as peripheral blood CD38/HLA‐DR‐positive T‐cells ex vivo and CD137‐positive T‐cells after in vitro stimulation with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐derived peptides in these patients. We observed that therapy with convalescent plasma was effective in all three patients and analysis of CD137‐positive T‐cells after stimulation with SARS‐CoV‐2 peptides showed an increase in peptide‐specific T‐cells after application of convalescent plasma. In conclusion, we here demonstrate efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in three B‐cell‐depleted patients and present data that suggest that while application of convalescent plasma elevates systemic antibody levels only transiently, it may also boost specific T‐cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas E Kremer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carsten Willam
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johan Verhagen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Achenbach
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Lang
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Aigner
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Maier
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gloria Lutzny-Geier
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silvia Spoerl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Richard Strauß
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marcel Vetter
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mario Schiffer
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Tascilar K, Simon D, Krönke G, Kleyer A, Ramming A, Atreya R, Tenbusch M, Überla K, Berking C, Sticherling M, Neurath MF, Schett G. POS1426 PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES ARE OVERREPRESENTED IN LOW- FREQUENCY VIRAL SYMPTOM CLUSTERS. Ann Rheum Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.1598] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background:Viral respiratory infections are common in the general population and result in a spectrum of outcomes ranging from effective viral clearance with no symptoms, to a maladaptive immune response that can result in severe symptomatic disease and death. Although patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) are considered susceptible to poor outcomes from infectious syndromes, it is not known whether IMID patients are overall more prone to manifest common viral infection symptoms.Objectives:To explore frequency patterns of common viral infection symptoms in IMID patients.Methods:We previously recruited patients with IMIDs and individuals with no IMIDs for a seroprevalence study between February 1st and April 30th 2020 (1). Participants were questioned for the presence of eleven common viral disease symptoms. We clustered these data using an unsupervised binary data clustering algorithm (2) into 6 symptom clusters based on symptom frequency. Three major clusters (broadly symptomatic, intermediately symptomatic and oligo-/asymptomatic) and 2 sub-clusters (higher and lower frequency) for each major cluster. In addition, qualitative symptom clustering was done. We estimated standardized residuals to quantify the over/underrepresentation of IMID diagnosis frequencies in each subject cluster. We used Poisson regression to compare symptom counts by diagnosis.Results:We analyzed 1909 participants (757 with IMIDs; 1152 non-IMID controls; Table 1). Within each major subject cluster (Figure 1A), IMID patients showed the highest positive deviation from the expected frequencies in lower frequency sub-clusters while non IMID controls showed the highest positive deviations in the higher frequency sub-clusters (Figure 1B). Inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis were remarkably overrepresented in the lower frequency sub-cluster of the broadly-symptomatic cluster while RA was overrepresented in the lower frequency sub-clusters of intermediate and oligo-/asymptomatic clusters. X axis of Figure 1A presents qualitative symptom clusters. Regression analysis shows that RA patients among other IMIDs reported overall less symptoms (RR= 0.69, 95%CI, 0.58 - 0.80) compared to non-IMID controls.Figure 1.A) distribution of common viral respiratory disease symptoms across patient and symptom clusters. B) Standardized residuals indicating deviation from expected frequencies of IMID diagnoses across patient clusters. sob: shortness of breath, mskpain: musculoskeletal painConclusion:This analysis shows that symptoms of common respiratory viral infections are less frequent in RA patients and to a lesser extent in other IMID patient. As major clusters in this analysis can also be considered to represent exposure categories, these data suggest that IMIDs or their treatments may mitigate common respiratory viral infection symptoms.References:[1]Simon D. et al. Nat Commun (2020) 11, 3774[2]Bhatia P. et al. J. Stat. Softw (2017) 76(9)Table 1.Participant characteristics and distribution of IMID diagnoses across subject clusters.ClustersBroad SymptomaticIntermediate SymptomaticOligo-AsymptomaticOverallHigherLowerHigherLowerHigherLowerN190910185412259283769Age, years, mean (SD)45.4(15.2)42.4(13.3)47.3 (15.2)42.4(12.9)50.4(15.5)41.8(14.9)46.8(15.9)Male1080 (56.6)42 (41.6)38 (44.7)196 (47.6)137 (52.9)178 (62.9)489 (63.6)Diagnosis, n(%)No-IMID1152 (60.3)72 (71.3)44 (51.8)280 (68.0)112 (43.2)207 (73.1)437 (56.8)RA226 (11.8)7 (6.9)5 (5.9)29 (7.0)56 (21.6)17 (6.0)112 (14.6)IBD178 (9.3)5 (5.0)15 (17.6)46 (11.2)29 (11.2)19 (6.7)64 (8.3)SpA142 (7.4)7 (6.9)5 (5.9)23 (5.6)25 (9.7)14 (4.9)68 (8.8)Psoriasis89 (4.7)4 (4.0)9 (10.6)14 (3.4)8 (3.1)13 (4.6)41 (5.3)Other122 (6.4)6 (5.9)7 (8.2)20 (4.9)29 (11.2)13 (4.6)47 (6.1)Symptom count/patient, mean (SD)1.2 (1.7)6.0 (1.3)3.9 (1.1)2.2 (1.0)1.5 (0.6)0.5 (0.5)0.0 (0.0)IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.Acknowledgements:This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG- FOR2886 PANDORA and the CRC1181), the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF; project MASCARA), the H2020 GA 810316 - 4D-Nanoscope ERC Synergy Project, the IMI funded project RTCure, the Emerging Fields Initiative MIRACLE of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg as well as the Schreiber Stiftung gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mbH.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
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Grewe B, Vogt C, Horstkötter T, Tippler B, Xiao H, Müller B, Überla K, Wagner R, Asbach B, Bohne J. The HIV 5' Gag Region Displays a Specific Nucleotide Bias Regulating Viral Splicing and Infectivity. Viruses 2021; 13:v13060997. [PMID: 34071819 PMCID: PMC8227319 DOI: 10.3390/v13060997] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing and the expression of intron-containing mRNAs is one hallmark of HIV gene expression. To facilitate the otherwise hampered nuclear export of non-fully processed mRNAs, HIV encodes the Rev protein, which recognizes its intronic response element and fuels the HIV RNAs into the CRM-1-dependent nuclear protein export pathway. Both alternative splicing and Rev-dependency are regulated by the primary HIV RNA sequence. Here, we show that these processes are extremely sensitive to sequence alterations in the 5’coding region of the HIV genomic RNA. Increasing the GC content by insertion of either GFP or silent mutations activates a cryptic splice donor site in gag, entirely deregulates the viral splicing pattern, and lowers infectivity. Interestingly, an adaptation of the inserted GFP sequence toward an HIV-like nucleotide bias reversed these phenotypes completely. Of note, the adaptation yielded completely different primary sequences although encoding the same amino acids. Thus, the phenotypes solely depend on the nucleotide composition of the two GFP versions. This is a strong indication of an HIV-specific mRNP code in the 5′ gag region wherein the primary RNA sequence bias creates motifs for RNA-binding proteins and controls the fate of the HIV-RNA in terms of viral gene expression and infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Grewe
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (B.G.); (B.T.); (H.X.); (B.M.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Carolin Vogt
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (C.V.); (T.H.)
| | - Theresa Horstkötter
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (C.V.); (T.H.)
| | - Bettina Tippler
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (B.G.); (B.T.); (H.X.); (B.M.); (K.Ü.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Ruhr-University, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Han Xiao
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (B.G.); (B.T.); (H.X.); (B.M.); (K.Ü.)
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Clinics Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bianca Müller
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (B.G.); (B.T.); (H.X.); (B.M.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Klaus Überla
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (B.G.); (B.T.); (H.X.); (B.M.); (K.Ü.)
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Clinics Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (R.W.); (B.A.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (R.W.); (B.A.)
| | - Jens Bohne
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (C.V.); (T.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-4308
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Schmidt KG, Nganou-Makamdop K, Tenbusch M, El Kenz B, Maier C, Lapuente D, Überla K, Spriewald B, Bergmann S, Harrer EG, Harrer T. SARS-CoV-2-Seronegative Subjects Target CTL Epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein Cross-Reactive to Common Cold Coronaviruses. Front Immunol 2021; 12:627568. [PMID: 33995351 PMCID: PMC8113865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.627568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The beta-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 induces severe disease (COVID-19) mainly in elderly persons with risk factors, whereas the majority of patients experience a mild course of infection. As the circulating common cold coronaviruses OC43 and HKU1 share some homologous sequences with SARS-CoV-2, beta-coronavirus cross-reactive T-cell responses could influence the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of COVID-19. To investigate the role of beta-coronavirus cross-reactive T-cells, we analyzed the T-cell response against a 15 amino acid long peptide (SCoV-DP15: DLSPRWYFYYLGTGP) from the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein sequence with a high homology to the corresponding sequence (QLLPRWYFYYLGTGP) in OC43 and HKU1. SCoV-DP15-specific T-cells were detected in 4 out of 23 (17.4%) SARS-CoV-2-seronegative healthy donors. As HIV-1 infection is a potential risk factor for COVID-19, we also studied a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. 44 out of these 116 HIV-1-infected patients (37.9%) showed a specific recognition of the SCoV-DP15 peptide or of shorter peptides within SCoV-DP15 by CD4+ T-cells and/or by CD8+ T-cells. We could define several new cross-reactive HLA-I-restricted epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein such as SPRWYFYYL (HLA-B*07, HLA-B*35), DLSPRWYFYY (HLA-A*02), LSPRWYFYY (HLA-A*29), WYFYYLGTGP and WYFYYLGT. Epitope specific CD8+ T-cell lines recognized corresponding epitopes within OC43 and HKU1 to a similar degree or even at lower peptide concentrations suggesting that they were induced by infection with OC43 or HKU1. Our results confirm that SARS-CoV-2-seronegative subjects can target SARS-CoV-2 not only by beta-coronavirus cross-reactive CD4+ T-cells but also by cross-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells (CTL). The delineation of cross-reactive T-cell epitopes contributes to an efficient epitope-specific immunomonitoring of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells. Further prospective studies are needed to prove a protective role of cross-reactive T-cells and their restricting HLA alleles for control of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The frequent observation of SARS-CoV-2-reactive T-cells in HIV-1-infected subjects could be a reason that treated HIV-1 infection does not seem to be a strong risk factor for the development of severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja G. Schmidt
- Infectious Disease and Immunodeficiency Section, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Krystelle Nganou-Makamdop
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Boutaina El Kenz
- Infectious Disease and Immunodeficiency Section, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Maier
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dennis Lapuente
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Spriewald
- Department of Medicine 5, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silke Bergmann
- Infectious Disease and Immunodeficiency Section, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ellen G. Harrer
- Infectious Disease and Immunodeficiency Section, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Harrer
- Infectious Disease and Immunodeficiency Section, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Spoerl S, Kremer AN, Aigner M, Eisenhauer N, Koch P, Meretuk L, Löffler P, Tenbusch M, Maier C, Überla K, Heinzerling L, Frey B, Lutzny-Geier G, Winkler TH, Krönke G, Vetter M, Bruns H, Neurath MF, Mackensen A, Kremer AE, Völkl S. Upregulation of CCR4 in activated CD8 + T cells indicates enhanced lung homing in patients with severe acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1436-1448. [PMID: 33784417 PMCID: PMC8250120 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
COVID‐19 is a life‐threatening disease leading to bilateral pneumonia and respiratory failure. The underlying reasons why a smaller percentage of patients present with severe pulmonary symptoms whereas the majority is only mildly affected are to date not well understood. Comparing the immunological phenotype in healthy donors and patients with mild versus severe COVID‐19 shows that in COVID‐19 patients, NK‐/B‐cell activation and proliferation are enhanced independent of severity. As an important precondition for effective antibody responses, T‐follicular helper cells and antibody secreting cells are increased both in patients with mild and severe SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Beyond this, T cells in COVID‐19 patients exhibit a stronger activation profile with differentiation toward effector cell phenotypes. Importantly, when looking at the rates of pulmonary complications in COVID‐19 patients, the chemokine receptor CCR4 is higher expressed by both CD4 and CD8 T cells of patients with severe COVID‐19. This raises the hypothesis that CCR4 upregulation on T cells in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19 promotes stronger T‐cell attraction to the lungs leading to increased immune activation with presumably higher pulmonary toxicity. Our study contributes significantly to the understanding of the immunological changes during COVID‐19, as new therapeutic agents, preferentially targeting the immune system, are highly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Spoerl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Aigner
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nina Eisenhauer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pauline Koch
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lina Meretuk
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Löffler
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Maier
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lucie Heinzerling
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gloria Lutzny-Geier
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas H Winkler
- Division of Genetics, Department of Biology, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Krönke
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology, and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marcel Vetter
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology, and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heiko Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology, and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas E Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology, and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology, and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Pfister F, Vonbrunn E, Ries T, Jäck HM, Überla K, Lochnit G, Sheriff A, Herrmann M, Büttner-Herold M, Amann K, Daniel C. Complement Activation in Kidneys of Patients With COVID-19. Front Immunol 2021; 11:594849. [PMID: 33584662 PMCID: PMC7878379 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most patients who became critically ill following infection with COVID-19 develop severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) attributed to a maladaptive or inadequate immune response. The complement system is an important component of the innate immune system that is involved in the opsonization of viruses but also in triggering further immune cell responses. Complement activation was seen in plasma adsorber material that clogged during the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Apart from the lung, the kidney is the second most common organ affected by COVID-19. Using immunohistochemistry for complement factors C1q, MASP-2, C3c, C3d, C4d, and C5b-9 we investigated the involvement of the complement system in six kidney biopsies with acute kidney failure in different clinical settings and three kidneys from autopsy material of patients with COVID-19. Renal tissue was analyzed for signs of renal injury by detection of thrombus formation using CD61, endothelial cell rarefaction using the marker E-26 transformation specific-related gene (ERG-) and proliferation using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-staining. SARS-CoV-2 was detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Biopsies from patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS, n = 5), severe acute tubular injury (ATI, n = 7), zero biopsies with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC, n = 7) and 1 year protocol biopsies from renal transplants (Ctrl, n = 7) served as controls. In the material clogging plasma adsorbers used for extracorporeal therapy of patients with COVID-19 C3 was the dominant protein but collectin 11 and MASP-2 were also identified. SARS-CoV-2 was sporadically present in varying numbers in some biopsies from patients with COVID-19. The highest frequency of CD61-positive platelets was found in peritubular capillaries and arteries of COVID-19 infected renal specimens as compared to all controls. Apart from COVID-19 specimens, MASP-2 was detected in glomeruli with DIC and ATI. In contrast, the classical pathway (i.e. C1q) was hardly seen in COVID-19 biopsies. Both C3 cleavage products C3c and C3d were strongly detected in renal arteries but also occurs in glomerular capillaries of COVID-19 biopsies, while tubular C3d was stronger than C3c in biopsies from COVID-19 patients. The membrane attack complex C5b-9, demonstrating terminal pathway activation, was predominantly deposited in COVID-19 biopsies in peritubular capillaries, renal arterioles, and tubular basement membrane with similar or even higher frequency compared to controls. In conclusion, various complement pathways were activated in COVID-19 kidneys, the lectin pathway mainly in peritubular capillaries and in part the classical pathway in renal arteries whereas the alternative pathway seem to be crucial for tubular complement activation. Therefore, activation of the complement system might be involved in the worsening of renal injury. Complement inhibition might thus be a promising treatment option to prevent deregulated activation and subsequent collateral tissue injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Pfister
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Vonbrunn
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tajana Ries
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Jäck
- Nikolaus-Fiebinger-Center FAU, Department of Medicine 3, Division of Molecular Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Department of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Günter Lochnit
- Department of Biochemistry, Division Protein Analystics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Martin Herrmann
- Department of Medicine 3, Institute for Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maike Büttner-Herold
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Daniel
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Laub O, Leipold G, Toncheva AA, Peterhoff D, Einhauser S, Neckermann P, Borchers N, Santos-Valente E, Kheiroddin P, Buntrock-Döpke H, Laub S, Schöberl P, Schweiger-Kabesch A, Ewald D, Horn M, Niggel J, Ambrosch A, Überla K, Gerling S, Brandstetter S, Wagner R, Kabesch M. Symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, and Neutralization Capacity in a Cross Sectional-Population of German Children. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:678937. [PMID: 34671582 PMCID: PMC8522552 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.678937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Children and youth are affected rather mildly in the acute phase of COVID-19 and thus, SARS-CoV-2 infection infection may easily be overlooked. In the light of current discussions on the vaccinations of children it seems necessary to better identify children who are immune against SARS-CoV-2 due to a previous infection and to better understand COVID-19 related immune reactions in children. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, children aged 1-17 were recruited through primary care pediatricians for the study (a) randomly, if they had an appointment for a regular health check-up or (b) if parents and children volunteered and actively wanted to participate in the study. Symptoms were recorded and two antibody tests were performed in parallel directed against S (in house test) and N (Roche Elecsys) viral proteins. In children with antibody response in either test, neutralization activity was determined. Results: We identified antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 162 of 2,832 eligible children (5.7%) between end of May and end of July 2020 in three, in part strongly affected regions of Bavaria in the first wave of the pandemic. Approximately 60% of antibody positive children (n = 97) showed high levels (>97th percentile) of antibodies against N-protein, and for the S-protein, similar results were found. Sufficient neutralizing activity was detected for only 135 antibody positive children (86%), irrespective of age and sex. Initial COVID-19 symptoms were unspecific in children except for the loss of smell and taste and unrelated to antibody responses or neutralization capacity. Approximately 30% of PCR positive children did not show seroconversion in our small subsample in which PCR tests were performed. Conclusions: Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are unspecific in children and antibody responses show a dichotomous structure with strong responses in many and no detectable antibodies in PCR positive children and missing neutralization activity in a relevant proportion of the young population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Laub
- Pediatric Office Laub, Rosenheim, Germany
| | | | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natascha Borchers
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisangela Santos-Valente
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Parastoo Kheiroddin
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Heike Buntrock-Döpke
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Laub
- Pediatric Office Laub, Rosenheim, Germany
| | - Patricia Schöberl
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Schweiger-Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Ewald
- Pediatric Office Dr. Heuschmann & Dr. Ewald, Regenstauf, Germany
| | | | | | - Andreas Ambrosch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Gerling
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
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Strasser EF, Steininger PA, Korn K, Achenbach S, Tenbusch M, Cunningham S, Zimmermann R, Überla K, Hackstein H. Validation of a SARS-CoV-2 RNA RT-PCR assay for high-throughput testing in blood of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors and patients. Transfusion 2020; 61:368-374. [PMID: 33125162 DOI: 10.1111/trf.16178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNAemia in blood donors is uncertain. Thus, assays for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in blood, validated on commercially available polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems, are required to allow a good comparability of data. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The cobas SARS-CoV-2 dual-target reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay, licensed for respiratory swab SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing, was validated for detection of viral RNA in blood. For the validation panel, SARS-CoV-2-positive plasma samples were prepared by spiking SARS-CoV-2-positive respiratory specimens in negative human plasma. The 95% limit of detection (LOD95) was determined by probit analysis. For clinical validation, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) donors and patients with COVID-19 with a severe disease course treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) were included. RESULTS The validation of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay for blood demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity and intra- and inter-assay precision and efficiency. The LOD95 for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was 5.0 genome copies/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-12 copies/mL) for target 1 and 4.3 genome copies/mL (95% CI, 2.9-10 copies/mL) for target 2. In a cohort of 39 CCP donors with 66 CCP donations no SARS-CoV-2 RNA in plasma was detected. Screening of 25 blood samples of 19 ICU patients with COVID-19 showed six positive results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in at least one target of the assay. CONCLUSION The SARS-CoV-2 RNA assay, only licensed for respiratory swabs, performed on a PCR system for high-throughput testing, showed a good assay performance for blood testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin F Strasser
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostaseology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp A Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Achenbach
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostaseology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Cunningham
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostaseology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert Zimmermann
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostaseology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostaseology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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37
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Lapuente D, Maier C, Irrgang P, Hübner J, Peter AS, Hoffmann M, Ensser A, Ziegler K, Winkler TH, Birkholz T, Kremer AE, Steininger P, Korn K, Neipel F, Überla K, Tenbusch M. Rapid response flow cytometric assay for the detection of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 40:751-759. [PMID: 33078221 PMCID: PMC7572153 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-04072-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a previously unknown zoonotic coronavirus that spread worldwide causing a serious pandemic. While reliable nucleic acid–based diagnostic assays were rapidly available, only a limited number of validated serological assays were available in the early phase of the pandemic. Here, we evaluated a novel flow cytometric approach to assess spike-specific antibody responses.HEK 293T cells expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in its natural confirmation on the surface were used to detect specific IgG and IgM antibody responses in patient sera by flow cytometry. A soluble angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE-2) variant was developed as external standard to quantify spike-specific antibody responses on different assay platforms. Analyses of 201 pre-COVID-19 sera proved a high assay specificity in comparison to commercially available CLIA and ELISA systems, while also revealing the highest sensitivity in specimens from PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. The external standard allowed robust quantification of antibody responses among different assay platforms. In conclusion, our newly established flow cytometric assay allows sensitive and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, which can be easily adopted in different laboratories and does not rely on external supply of assay kits. The flow cytometric assay also provides a blueprint for rapid development of serological tests to other emerging viral infections
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Lapuente
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Maier
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pascal Irrgang
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julian Hübner
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katharina Ziegler
- Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Thomas H Winkler
- Department of Biology, Division of Genetics, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Torsten Birkholz
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas E Kremer
- Department of Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Frank Neipel
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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38
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Suleiman E, Mayer J, Lehner E, Kohlhauser B, Katholnig A, Batzoni M, Damm D, Temchura V, Wagner A, Überla K, Vorauer-Uhl K. Conjugation of Native-Like HIV-1 Envelope Trimers onto Liposomes Using EDC/Sulfo-NHS Chemistry: Requirements and Limitations. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E979. [PMID: 33081278 PMCID: PMC7589475 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The display of native-like human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope (HIV-1 Env) trimers on liposomes has gained wide attention over the last few years. Currently, available methods have enabled the preparation of Env-liposome conjugates of unprecedented quality. However, these protocols require the Env trimer to be tagged and/or to carry a specific functional group. For this reason, we have investigated N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide/N-Hydroxysulfosuccinimide (EDC/Sulfo-NHS) chemistry for its potential to covalently conjugate tag-free, non-functionalized native-like Env trimers onto the surface of carboxyl-functionalized liposomes. The preservation of the liposome's physical integrity and the immunogen's conformation required a fine-tuned two-step approach based on the controlled use of β-mercaptoethanol. The display of Env trimers was strictly limited to activated liposomes of positive charge, i.e., liposomes with a positive zeta potential that carry amine-reactive Sulfo-NHS esters on their surface. In agreement with that, conjugation was found to be highly ionic strength- and pH-dependent. Overall, we have identified electrostatic pre-concentration (i.e., close proximity between negatively charged Env trimers and positively charged liposomes established through electrostatic attraction) to be crucial for conjugation reactions to proceed. The present study highlights the requirements and limitations of potentially scalable EDC/Sulfo-NHS-based approaches and represents a solid basis for further research into the controlled conjugation of tag-free, non-functionalized native-like Env trimers on the surface of liposomes, and other nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Suleiman
- Polymun Scientific Immunbiologische Forschung GmbH, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria;
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
| | - Julia Mayer
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
| | - Elisabeth Lehner
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
| | - Bianca Kohlhauser
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
- University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Katholnig
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
| | - Mirjam Batzoni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
- FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1100 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (D.D.); (V.T.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Vladimir Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (D.D.); (V.T.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Andreas Wagner
- Polymun Scientific Immunbiologische Forschung GmbH, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria;
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (D.D.); (V.T.); (K.Ü.)
| | - Karola Vorauer-Uhl
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (J.M.); (E.L.); (B.K.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (K.V.-U.)
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39
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Tannig P, Peter AS, Lapuente D, Klessing S, Schmidt A, Damm D, Tenbusch M, Überla K, Temchura V. Genetic Co-Administration of Soluble PD-1 Ectodomains Modifies Immune Responses against Influenza A Virus Induced by DNA Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040570. [PMID: 33019546 PMCID: PMC7712647 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the low efficacy and the need for seasonal adaptation of currently licensed influenza A vaccines, the importance of alternative vaccination strategies is increasingly recognized. Considering that DNA vaccines can be rapidly manufactured and readily adapted with novel antigen sequences, genetic vaccination is a promising immunization platform. However, the applicability of different genetic adjuvants to this approach still represents a complex challenge. Immune checkpoints are a class of molecules involved in adaptive immune responses and germinal center reactions. In this study, we immunized mice by intramuscular electroporation with a DNA-vaccine encoding hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP) of the influenza A virus. The DNA-vaccine was applied either alone or in combination with genetic adjuvants encoding the soluble ectodomains of programmed cell death protein-1 (sPD-1) or its ligand (sPD-L1). Co-administration of genetic checkpoint adjuvants did not significantly alter immune responses against NP. In contrast, sPD-1 co-electroporation elevated HA-specific CD4+ T cell responses, decreased regulatory CD4+ T cell pools, and modulated the IgG2a-biased HA antibody pattern towards an isotype-balanced IgG response with a trend to higher influenza neutralization in vitro. Taken together, our data demonstrate that a genetic DNA-adjuvant encoding soluble ectodomains of sPD-1 was able to modulate immune responses induced by a co-administered influenza DNA vaccine.
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40
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Simon D, Tascilar K, Krönke G, Kleyer A, Zaiss MM, Heppt F, Meder C, Atreya R, Klenske E, Dietrich P, Abdullah A, Kliem T, Corte G, Morf H, Leppkes M, Kremer AE, Ramming A, Pachowsky M, Schuch F, Ronneberger M, Kleinert S, Maier C, Hueber AJ, Manger K, Manger B, Berking C, Tenbusch M, Überla K, Sticherling M, Neurath MF, Schett G. Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases receiving cytokine inhibitors have low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3774. [PMID: 32709909 PMCID: PMC7382482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17703-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) of the joints, gut and skin are treated with inhibitors of inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Investigating anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in IMIDs we observe a reduced incidence of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in IMID patients treated with cytokine inhibitors compared to patients receiving no such inhibitors and two healthy control populations, despite similar social exposure. Hence, cytokine inhibitors seem to at least partially protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Simon
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Koray Tascilar
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Krönke
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Kleyer
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mario M Zaiss
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franz Heppt
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christine Meder
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raja Atreya
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Entcho Klenske
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Dietrich
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Abdullah Abdullah
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Kliem
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Giulia Corte
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harriet Morf
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Moritz Leppkes
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas E Kremer
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Ramming
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Milena Pachowsky
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Krankenhausstraße 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Schuch
- Rheumatology Clinical Practice Erlangen, Möhrendorferstraße 1c, 91056, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Monika Ronneberger
- Rheumatology Clinical Practice Erlangen, Möhrendorferstraße 1c, 91056, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kleinert
- Rheumatology Clinical Practice Erlangen, Möhrendorferstraße 1c, 91056, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Maier
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Schlossgarten 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Axel J Hueber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Rheumatology Section, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Buger Straße 80-82, 96049, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Karin Manger
- Rheumatology Practice Bamberg, Hainstraße 6, 96047, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Manger
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Schlossgarten 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Schlossgarten 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Sticherling
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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Goerig NL, Frey B, Korn K, Fleckenstein B, Überla K, Schmidt MA, Dörfler A, Engelhorn T, Eyüpoglu I, Rühle PF, Putz F, Semrau S, Gaipl US, Fietkau R. Early Mortality of Brain Cancer Patients and its Connection to Cytomegalovirus Reactivation During Radiochemotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3259-3270. [PMID: 32060103 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE If routine diagnostics are inconclusive, neurologic deterioration and death of patients with brain cancer are attributed to tumor or therapy. Therefore, diagnosing symptoms of encephalopathy caused by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation remains uncommon. We investigated the role of HCMV reactivation in neurologic decline and clinical outcome after the start of radiochemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN HCMV analyses and extended MRI studies including additional independent retrospective neuroradiologic evaluation were performed at predetermined intervals and in case of sudden neurologic decline for 118 adult patients: 63 histologically proven high-grade gliomas, 55 with brain metastases. Immunophenotyping from simultaneously taken whole-blood samples was carried out to detect immune cells serving as prognostic marker for HCMV-associated complications. Symptomatic viremia and overall survival (OS) were the endpoints. RESULTS Twenty-four percent (28/118) of all patients (12/44 glioblastoma, 3/13 anaplastic astrocytoma; 8/31 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 13/24 other brain metastases) developed HCMV-viremia during or within 4 weeks after radiotherapy; 21 of 28 patients experienced concurrent major neurologic decline, reversible by antiviral treatment. Identified by immunophenotyping, pretherapeutically low basophil counts predicted a high-risk for HCMV-associated encephalopathy (glioblastoma: P = 0.002, NSCLC: P = 0.02). Median OS was substantially reduced after HCMV-associated encephalopathy without MRI signs of tumor progression [glioblastoma: 99 vs. 570 days (calculated 1-year OS: 22% vs. 69%; P = 0.01) and NSCLC: 47 vs. 219 days (calculated 1-year OS: 0% vs. 32%; P = 0.02)]. CONCLUSIONS For patients with brain cancer, HCMV reactivation after the start of radiochemotherapy is a frequent risk for cognitively detrimental but treatable encephalopathy and premature death. Routinely performed HCMV diagnostics, assessing basophil counts and study-based anti-viral regimens, are necessary to combat this hidden threat.See related commentary by Lawler et al., p. 3077.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Goerig
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Fleckenstein
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuel A Schmidt
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Dörfler
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Engelhorn
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ilker Eyüpoglu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul F Rühle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Putz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sabine Semrau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Udo S Gaipl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Nagel A, Dimitrakopoulou E, Teig N, Kern P, Lücke T, Michna D, Korn K, Steininger P, Shahada K, Neumann K, Überla K. Characterization of a universal screening approach for congenital CMV infection based on a highly-sensitive, quantitative, multiplex real-time PCR assay. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227143. [PMID: 31917817 PMCID: PMC6952102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infections are asymptomatic at birth and therefore not diagnosed. Approximately 10–15% of these infants develop late-onset hearing loss and other developmental disorders. Implementation of a universal screening approach at birth may allow early initiation of symptomatic interventions due to a closer follow-up of infants at risk and offers the opportunity to consider treatment of late-onset disease. Real-time PCR assays for the detection of CMV DNA in buccal swab samples demonstrated feasibility and good clinical sensitivity in comparison to a rapid culture screening assay. Because most cCMV infections remain asymptomatic, a universal screening assay that stratifies CMV infected infants according to low and high risk of late-onset cCMV disease could limit the parental anxiety and reduce follow-up costs. We therefore developed and characterized a screening algorithm based on a highly-sensitive quantitative real-time PCR assay that is compatible with centralized testing of samples from universal screening and allows to determine CMV DNA load of saliva samples either as International Units (IU)/ml saliva or IU/105 cell equivalents. 18 of 34 saliva samples of newborns that tested positively by the screening algorithm were confirmed by detection of CMV DNA in blood and/or urine samples obtained during the first weeks of life. All screening samples that could not be confirmed had viral loads of <2.3x105 IU/ml saliva (median: 6.8x103) or 1.3x105 IU/105 cell equivalents (median: 4.0x102). The viral load of screening samples with confirmed cCMV infection ranged from 7.5x102 to 8.2x109 IU/ml saliva (median: 9.3x107) or 1.5x102 to 5.6x1010 IU/105 cell equivalents (median: 3.5x106). Clinical follow-up of these newborns with confirmed cCMV infection should reveal whether the risk of late-onset cCMV disease correlates with CMV DNA load in early life saliva samples and whether a cut-off can be defined identifying cCMV infected infants with or without risk for late-onset cCMV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Nagel
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Emmanouela Dimitrakopoulou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Norbert Teig
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Peter Kern
- Department of Gynecology, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Lücke
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dariusz Michna
- Department of Pediatrics, Elisabeth-Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Khalid Shahada
- Audiology and Balance Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Katrin Neumann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Damm D, Rojas-Sánchez L, Theobald H, Sokolova V, Wyatt RT, Überla K, Epple M, Temchura V. Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines as a Platform for Improvement of HIV-1 Env Antibody Responses by Intrastructural Help. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2019; 9:E1389. [PMID: 31569763 PMCID: PMC6835376 DOI: 10.3390/nano9101389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Incorporation of immunodominant T-helper epitopes of licensed vaccines into virus-like particles (VLP) allows to harness T-helper cells induced by the licensed vaccines to provide intrastructural help (ISH) for B-cell responses against the surface proteins of the VLPs. To explore whether ISH could also improve antibody responses to calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticle vaccines we loaded the nanoparticle core with a universal T-helper epitope of Tetanus toxoid (p30) and functionalized the surface of CaP nanoparticles with stabilized trimers of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) resulting in Env-CaP-p30 nanoparticles. In contrast to soluble Env trimers, Env containing CaP nanoparticles induced activation of naïve Env-specific B-cells in vitro. Mice previously vaccinated against Tetanus raised stronger humoral immune responses against Env after immunization with Env-CaP-p30 than mice not vaccinated against Tetanus. The enhancing effect of ISH on anti-Env antibody levels was not attended with increased Env-specific IFN-γ CD4 T-cell responses that otherwise may potentially influence the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Thus, CaP nanoparticles functionalized with stabilized HIV-1 Env trimers and heterologous T-helper epitopes are able to recruit heterologous T-helper cells induced by a licensed vaccine and improve anti-Env antibody responses by intrastructural help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Leonardo Rojas-Sánchez
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany.
| | - Hannah Theobald
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Viktoriya Sokolova
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany.
| | - Richard T Wyatt
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany.
| | - Vladimir Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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44
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Siedler A, Koch J, Garbe E, Hengel H, von Kries R, Ledig T, Mertens T, Zepp F, Überla K. Background paper to the decision to recommend the vaccination with the inactivated herpes zoster subunit vaccine : Statement of the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2019; 62:352-376. [PMID: 30848293 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-019-02882-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Siedler
- Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
| | - J Koch
- Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Garbe
- Bremen Institute for Prevention Research and Social Medicine, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - H Hengel
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.,German Consulting Laboratory for HSV and VZV, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - R von Kries
- Institute of Social Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - T Ledig
- General Practice, Ditzingen, Germany
| | - T Mertens
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - F Zepp
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medicine Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - K Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
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45
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lydia Goerig
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Udo Gaipl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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46
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Breddin K, Loew D, Lechner K, Überla K, Walter E. Secondary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction Comparison of Acetylsalicylic Acid, Phenprocoumon and Placebo. Thromb Haemost 2019. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1687191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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47
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Heß R, Storcksdieck Genannt Bonsmann M, Lapuente D, Maaske A, Kirschning C, Ruland J, Lepenies B, Hannaman D, Tenbusch M, Überla K. Glycosylation of HIV Env Impacts IgG Subtype Responses to Vaccination. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020153. [PMID: 30781796 PMCID: PMC6410111 DOI: 10.3390/v11020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The envelope protein (Env) is the only surface protein of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and as such the exclusive target for protective antibody responses. Experimental evidences from mouse models suggest a modulating property of Env to steer antibody class switching towards the less effective antibody subclass IgG1 accompanied with strong TH2 helper responses. By simple physical linkage we were able to imprint this bias, exemplified by a low IgG2a/IgG1 ratio of antigen-specific antibodies, onto an unrelated antigen, namely the HIV capsid protein p24. Here, our results indicate the glycan moiety of Env as the responsible immune modulating activity. Firstly, in Card9−/− mice lacking specific C-Type lectin responsiveness, DNA immunization significantly increased the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio for the Env-specific antibodies while the antibody response against the F-protein of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) serving as control antigen remained unchanged. Secondly, sequential shortening of the Env encoding sequence revealed the C2V3 domain as responsible for the strong IgG1 responses and TH2 cytokine production. Removing all potential N-glycosylation sites from the C2V3 domain by site-specific mutagenesis reversed the vaccine-induced immune response towards a Th1-dominated T-cell response and a balanced IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. Accordingly, the stretch of oligomannose glycans in the C2V3 domain of Env might mediate a specific uptake and/or signaling modus in antigen presenting cells by involving interaction with an as yet unknown C-type lectin receptor. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of Env glycosylation on HIV antigen-specific immune responses, which will further support HIV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Heß
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | | | - Dennis Lapuente
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany; Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Andre Maaske
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Carsten Kirschning
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Ruland
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany.
| | - Bernd Lepenies
- Immunology Unit & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine (TiHo) Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Drew Hannaman
- Ichor Medical Systems, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany; Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany; Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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Suleiman E, Batzoni M, Damm D, Kohlhauser B, Temchura V, Wagner A, Überla K, Vorauer-Uhl K. Controlled encapsulation of T helper peptides into functionalised liposomes. N Biotechnol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.05.1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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49
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GierI L, Greiller R, Landersdorfer T, Müller H, Überla K. A User-oriented Protocol for Integrating Heterogeneous Communication Systems of Medical Facilities Using Ports. Methods Inf Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1635549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:The crucial feature of future communication systems in hospitals will be the heterogeneity between the individual systems. People working in a hospital do not communicate via data objects, but via highly complex functions like preparation of a patient report or diagnosis of patients’ symptoms and signs. Essentially such tasks are accomplished by initiating remote functions in various modes of a communication system. The aim of the MEDAS protocol developed by our group is to propose a definition of such a high-level medical protocol and then to implement it. Our user-oriented protocol permits information exchange between heterogeneous systems. Modules and functions are defined. Message passing to and from a processor is realized using ports. The protocol sequence of every communication request is described. The relation of ports to the ISO model is specified. First experiences in a network for a medical school are reported.
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50
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Ahlborn W, Tuz HJ, Überla K. Estimating Relative Risk from Heterogeneous Strata. Methods Inf Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1635527] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
SummaryThe uncritical use of risk estimators can lead to serious bias. The estimation of overall risk ratios for heterogeneous strata and the weights used have been discussed recently. This paper starts with the definition of relative risk in the population, considering heterogeneous strata and a cofactor, using weight functions. From this general formula four different weight functions leading to four different overall measures of relative risk (RR1, RR1, RR3, RR4
) are. derived as special cases. The estimability of the parameters in relation to the underlying sampling design is investigated. Consistent estimators are provided and the asymptotic distributions of the estimators are given for prospective cohort studies, case control studies with fixed strata and case control studies with given sample sizes. For some of the estimates the . asymptotic variances are given. It is shown that for case control studies with fixed strata neither the Mantel-Haenszel estimator nor another estimator of this class is consistent. An extension to more than two risk levels is provided and the relationships between various risk measures and other implications are commented on. A way is described to improve risk estimation by using information from the population. An example for cohort studies is given. Generally we propose to use RR3
, which lies between RR1
and RR2
and can be estimated more precisely using the sometimes available distribution of the cofactor in the population. If the relative risk across strata is heterogeneous, logistic models for the construction of a single risk indicator have some drawbacks.
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