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Alkafaas SS, Abdallah AM, Hassan MH, Hussien AM, Elkafas SS, Loutfy SA, Mikhail A, Murad OG, Elsalahaty MI, Hessien M, Elshazli RM, Alsaeed FA, Ahmed AE, Kamal HK, Hafez W, El-Saadony MT, El-Tarabily KA, Ghosh S. Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of novel insight about the role of acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors in SARS- CoV-2 infectivity. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:395. [PMID: 38321448 PMCID: PMC10848368 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, caused > 6 million deaths. Symptoms included respiratory strain and complications, leading to severe pneumonia. SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the ACE-2 receptor of the host cell membrane to enter. Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 entry may effectively inhibit infection. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) is a lysosomal protein that catalyzes the conversion of sphingolipid (sphingomyelin) to ceramide. Ceramide molecules aggregate/assemble on the plasma membrane to form "platforms" that facilitate the viral intake into the cell. Impairing the ASMase activity will eventually disrupt viral entry into the cell. In this review, we identified the metabolism of sphingolipids, sphingolipids' role in cell signal transduction cascades, and viral infection mechanisms. Also, we outlined ASMase structure and underlying mechanisms inhibiting viral entry 40 with the aid of inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs). In silico molecular docking analyses of FIASMAs with inhibitors revealed that dilazep (S = - 12.58 kcal/mol), emetine (S = - 11.65 kcal/mol), pimozide (S = - 11.29 kcal/mol), carvedilol (S = - 11.28 kcal/mol), mebeverine (S = - 11.14 kcal/mol), cepharanthine (S = - 11.06 kcal/mol), hydroxyzin (S = - 10.96 kcal/mol), astemizole (S = - 10.81 kcal/mol), sertindole (S = - 10.55 kcal/mol), and bepridil (S = - 10.47 kcal/mol) have higher inhibition activity than the candidate drug amiodarone (S = - 10.43 kcal/mol), making them better options for inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Sami Alkafaas
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Abanoub Mosaad Abdallah
- Narcotic Research Department, National Center for Social and Criminological Research (NCSCR), Giza, 11561, Egypt
| | - Mai H Hassan
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Aya Misbah Hussien
- Biotechnology department at Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Sara Samy Elkafas
- Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menofia University, Menofia, Egypt
- Faculty of Control System and Robotics, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 197101, Russia
| | - Samah A Loutfy
- Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Nanotechnology Research Center, British University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abanoub Mikhail
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Faculty of Physics, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Omnia G Murad
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed I Elsalahaty
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hessien
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Rami M Elshazli
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Horus University - Egypt, New Damietta, 34517, Egypt
| | - Fatimah A Alsaeed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Muhayl, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani K Kamal
- Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael Hafez
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16Th Street, 35233, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Medical Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, 12622, 33 El Buhouth St, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
| | - Mohamed T El-Saadony
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Khaled A El-Tarabily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Soumya Ghosh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
- Natural & Medical Science Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
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Hajjo R, Momani E, Sabbah DA, Baker N, Tropsha A. Identifying a causal link between prolactin signaling pathways and COVID-19 vaccine-induced menstrual changes. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:129. [PMID: 37658087 PMCID: PMC10474200 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00719-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been instrumental tools in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 helping to reduce disease severity and mortality. At the same time, just like any other therapeutic, COVID-19 vaccines were associated with adverse events. Women have reported menstrual cycle irregularity after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and this led to renewed fears concerning COVID-19 vaccines and their effects on fertility. Herein we devised an informatics workflow to explore the causal drivers of menstrual cycle irregularity in response to vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2. Our methods relied on gene expression analysis in response to vaccination, followed by network biology analysis to derive testable hypotheses regarding the causal links between BNT162b2 and menstrual cycle irregularity. Five high-confidence transcription factors were identified as causal drivers of BNT162b2-induced menstrual irregularity, namely: IRF1, STAT1, RelA (p65 NF-kB subunit), STAT2 and IRF3. Furthermore, some biomarkers of menstrual irregularity, including TNF, IL6R, IL6ST, LIF, BIRC3, FGF2, ARHGDIB, RPS3, RHOU, MIF, were identified as topological genes and predicted as causal drivers of menstrual irregularity. Our network-based mechanism reconstruction results indicated that BNT162b2 exerted biological effects similar to those resulting from prolactin signaling. However, these effects were short-lived and didn't raise concerns about long-term infertility issues. This approach can be applied to interrogate the functional links between drugs/vaccines and other side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan.
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Jordan CDC, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Ensaf Momani
- Department of Basic Medical sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al Balqa' Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Dima A Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Nancy Baker
- ParlezChem, 123 W Union St., Hillsborough, NC, 27278, USA
| | - Alexander Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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El-Tanani M, Ahmed KAA, Shakya AK, Ammari WG, Al-Shudifat AE. Phase II, Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Investigating the Efficacy of Mebendazole in the Management of Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:799. [PMID: 37375747 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world, affecting almost all nations and territories. The current double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of mebendazole as an adjuvant therapy for outpatients with COVID-19. The patients were recruited and divided into two groups: a Mebendazole-treated group and placebo group. The mebendazole and placebo groups were matched for age, sex, and complete blood count (CBC) with differential and liver and kidney function tests at baseline. On the third day, the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were lower (2.03 ± 1.45 vs. 5.45 ± 3.95, p < 0.001) and the cycle threshold (CT) levels were higher (27.21 ± 3.81 vs. 24.40 ± 3.09, p = 0.046) significantly in the mebendazole group than in the placebo group on the third day. Furthermore, CRP decreased and CT dramatically increased on day three compared to the baseline day in the mebendazole group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). There was a significant inverse correlation between lymphocytes and CT levels in the mebendazole group (r = -0.491, p = 0.039) but not in the placebo group (r = 0.051, p = 0.888). Mebendazole therapy increased innate immunity and returned inflammation to normal levels in COVID-19 outpatients faster than it did in the placebo group in this clinical trial. Our findings add to the growing body of research on the clinical and microbiological benefits of repurposing antiparasitic therapy, specifically mebendazole, for SARS-CoV-2 infection and other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed El-Tanani
- Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre (PDRC), Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Khaled Abdul-Aziz Ahmed
- Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre (PDRC), Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
| | - Ashok K Shakya
- Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre (PDRC), Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
| | - Wesam G Ammari
- Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre (PDRC), Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
| | - Abdel-Elah Al-Shudifat
- Department of Internal and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
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Rotulo GA, Palma P. Understanding COVID-19 in children: immune determinants and post-infection conditions. Pediatr Res 2023:10.1038/s41390-023-02549-7. [PMID: 36879079 PMCID: PMC9987407 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02549-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 in children presents with milder clinical manifestations than in adults. On the other hand, the presence of a wide range of inflammatory manifestations, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), in the period after infection suggests a particular susceptibility of some children toward severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Both protective factors that prevent evolution to severe forms and risk factors for post-infectious conditions are likely to be found in age-related differences in the immune system. The prompt innate response with type I IFN production and the generation of neutralizing antibodies play a crucial role in containing the infection. The greater number of naive and regulatory cells in children helps to avoid the cytokine storm while the causes of the intense inflammatory response in MIS-C need to be elucidated. This review aims to analyze the main results of the recent literature assessing immune response to SARS-CoV-2 over the pediatric age group. We summarized such observations by dividing them into innate and acquired immunity, then reporting how altered immune responses can determine post-infectious conditions. IMPACT: The main immune markers of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in children are summarized in this review. This paper reports a broad overview of age-related differences in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and emerging post-infection conditions. A summary of currently available therapies for the pediatric age group is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioacchino Andrea Rotulo
- Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy. .,Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00185, Rome, Italy.
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5
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Malinowska JK, Żuradzki T. Reductionist methodology and the ambiguity of the categories of race and ethnicity in biomedical research: an exploratory study of recent evidence. MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2023; 26:55-68. [PMID: 36352325 PMCID: PMC9646278 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-022-10122-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we analyse how researchers use the categories of race and ethnicity with reference to genetics and genomics. We show that there is still considerable conceptual "messiness" (despite the wide-ranging and popular debate on the subject) when it comes to the use of ethnoracial categories in genetics and genomics that among other things makes it difficult to properly compare and interpret research using ethnoracial categories, as well as draw conclusions from them. Finally, we briefly reconstruct some of the biases of reductionism to which geneticists (as well as other researchers referring to genetic methods and explanations) are particularly exposed to, and we analyse the problem in the context of the biologization of ethnoracial categories. Our work constitutes a novel, in-depth contribution to the debate about reporting race and ethnicity in biomedical and health research. First, we reconstruct the theoretical background assumptions about racial ontology which researchers implicitly presume in their studies with the aid of a sample of recent papers published in medical journals about COVID-19. Secondly, we use the typology of the biases of reductionism to the problem of biologization of ethnoracial categories with reference to genetics and genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna K. Malinowska
- Faculty of Philosophy, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Szamarzewskiego 89C, 60-568 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Żuradzki
- Institute of Philosophy & Interdisciplinary Centre for Ethics, Jagiellonian University, Ul. Grodzka 52, 31-044 Kraków, Poland
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Analyzing the Systems Biology Effects of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines to Assess Their Safety and Putative Side Effects. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070743. [PMID: 35889989 PMCID: PMC9320269 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been instrumental tools in reducing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections around the world by preventing 80% to 90% of hospitalizations and deaths from reinfection, in addition to preventing 40% to 65% of symptomatic illnesses. However, the simultaneous large-scale vaccination of the global population will indubitably unveil heterogeneity in immune responses as well as in the propensity to developing post-vaccine adverse events, especially in vulnerable individuals. Herein, we applied a systems biology workflow, integrating vaccine transcriptional signatures with chemogenomics, to study the pharmacological effects of mRNA vaccines. First, we derived transcriptional signatures and predicted their biological effects using pathway enrichment and network approaches. Second, we queried the Connectivity Map (CMap) to prioritize adverse events hypotheses. Finally, we accepted higher-confidence hypotheses that have been predicted by independent approaches. Our results reveal that the mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine affects immune response pathways related to interferon and cytokine signaling, which should lead to vaccine success, but may also result in some adverse events. Our results emphasize the effects of BNT162b2 on calcium homeostasis, which could be contributing to some frequently encountered adverse events related to mRNA vaccines. Notably, cardiac side effects were signaled in the CMap query results. In summary, our approach has identified mechanisms underlying both the expected protective effects of vaccination as well as possible post-vaccine adverse effects. Our study illustrates the power of systems biology approaches in improving our understanding of the comprehensive biological response to vaccination against COVID-19.
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Panahi Y, Dadkhah M, Talei S, Gharari Z, Asghariazar V, Abdolmaleki A, Matin S, Molaei S. Can anti-parasitic drugs help control COVID-19? Future Virol 2022. [PMID: 35359702 PMCID: PMC8940209 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Novel COVID-19 is a public health emergency that poses a serious threat to people worldwide. Given the virus spreading so quickly, novel antiviral medications are desperately needed. Repurposing existing drugs is the first strategy. Anti-parasitic drugs were among the first to be considered as a potential treatment option for this disease. Even though many papers have discussed the efficacy of various anti-parasitic drugs in treating COVID-19 separately, so far, no single study comprehensively discussed these drugs. This study reviews some anti-parasitic recommended drugs to treat COVID-19, in terms of function and in vitro as well as clinical results. Finally, we briefly review the advanced techniques, such as artificial intelligence, that have been used to find effective drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasin Panahi
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Sahand Talei
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Gharari
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Al-Zahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Asghariazar
- Deputy of Research & Technology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Arash Abdolmaleki
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Technologies, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Namin, Iran.,Bio Science & Biotechnology Research center (BBRC), Sabalan University of Advanced Technologies (SUAT), Namin, Iran
| | - Somayeh Matin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Soheila Molaei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.,Zoonoses Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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Brueggeman JM, Zhao J, Schank M, Yao ZQ, Moorman JP. Trained Immunity: An Overview and the Impact on COVID-19. Front Immunol 2022; 13:837524. [PMID: 35251030 PMCID: PMC8891531 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.837524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Effectively treating infectious diseases often requires a multi-step approach to target different components involved in disease pathogenesis. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a global health crisis that requires a comprehensive understanding of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to develop effective therapeutics. One potential strategy to instill greater immune protection against COVID-19 is boosting the innate immune system. This boosting, termed trained immunity, employs immune system modulators to train innate immune cells to produce an enhanced, non-specific immune response upon reactivation following exposure to pathogens, a process that has been studied in the context of in vitro and in vivo clinical studies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation of the underlying pathways that are essential to inducing protective trained immunity will provide insight into identifying potential therapeutic targets that may alleviate the COVID-19 crisis. Here we review multiple immune training agents, including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), β-glucan, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the two most popular cell types involved in trained immunity, monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, and compare the signaling pathways involved in innate immunity. Additionally, we discuss COVID-19 trained immunity clinical trials, emphasizing the potential of trained immunity to fight SARS-CoV-2 infection. Understanding the mechanisms by which training agents activate innate immune cells to reprogram immune responses may prove beneficial in developing preventive and therapeutic targets against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Brueggeman
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States,Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson City, TN, United States,Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Juan Zhao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States,Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Madison Schank
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States,Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Zhi Q. Yao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States,Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson City, TN, United States,Hepatitis (HCV/HBV/HIV) Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Moorman
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States,Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson City, TN, United States,Hepatitis (HCV/HBV/HIV) Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN, United States,*Correspondence: Jonathan P. Moorman,
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Thompson KM, Badizadegan K. Health economic analyses of secondary vaccine effects: a systematic review and policy insights. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 21:297-312. [PMID: 34927511 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2017287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Numerous analyses demonstrate substantial health economic impacts of primary vaccine effects (preventing or mitigating clinical manifestations of the diseases they target), but vaccines may also be associated with secondary effects, previously known as non-specific, heterologous, or off-target effects. AREAS COVERED : We define key concepts to distinguish primary and secondary vaccine effects for health economic analyses, summarized terminology used in different fields, and perform a systematic review of health economic analyses focused on secondary vaccine effects (SVEs). EXPERT OPINION : Health economists integrate evidence from multiple fields, which often use incomplete or inconsistent definitions. Like regulators and policy makers, health economists require high-quality evidence of specific effects. Consistent with the limited evidence on mechanisms of action for SVEs, the associated health economic literature remains highly limited, with 4 studies identified by our systematic review. The lack of specific and well-controlled evidence that supports quantification of specific SVEs limits the consideration of these effects in vaccine research, development, regulatory, and recommendation decisions and health economic analyses.
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Onozuka D, Tanoue Y, Nomura S, Kawashima T, Yoneoka D, Eguchi A, Ng CFS, Matsuura K, Shi S, Makiyama K, Uryu S, Kawamura Y, Takayanagi S, Gilmour S, Hayashi TI, Miyata H, Sera F, Sunagawa T, Takahashi T, Tsuchihashi Y, Kobayashi Y, Arima Y, Kanou K, Suzuki M, Hashizume M. Reduced mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan, 2020: a two-stage interrupted time-series design. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 51:75-84. [PMID: 34718594 PMCID: PMC8856001 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a major global health burden. This study aims to estimate the all-cause excess mortality occurring in the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan, 2020, by sex and age group. Methods Daily time series of mortality for the period January 2015–December 2020 in all 47 prefectures of Japan were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. A two-stage interrupted time-series design was used to calculate excess mortality. In the first stage, we estimated excess mortality by prefecture using quasi-Poisson regression models in combination with distributed lag non-linear models, adjusting for seasonal and long-term variations, weather conditions and influenza activity. In the second stage, we used a random-effects multivariate meta-analysis to synthesize prefecture-specific estimates at the nationwide level. Results In 2020, we estimated an all-cause excess mortality of −20 982 deaths [95% empirical confidence intervals (eCI): −38 367 to −5472] in Japan, which corresponded to a percentage excess of −1.7% (95% eCI: −3.1 to −0.5) relative to the expected value. Reduced deaths were observed for both sexes and in all age groups except those aged <60 and 70–79 years. Conclusions All-cause mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan in 2020 was decreased compared with a historical baseline. Further evaluation of cause-specific excess mortality is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Onozuka
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuta Tanoue
- Institute for Business and Finance, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kawashima
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Mathematical and Computing Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yoneoka
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chris Fook Sheng Ng
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Management Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan.,HOXO-M Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoi Shi
- Department of Systems Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory for Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Shinya Uryu
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Kawamura
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Stuart Gilmour
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiko I Hayashi
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Miyata
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Francesco Sera
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Applications 'G. Parenti', University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Tomimasa Sunagawa
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuri Takahashi
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuuki Tsuchihashi
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kobayashi
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuzo Arima
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kanou
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoi Suzuki
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Bardaweel SK, Tropsha A. Shedding the Light on Post-Vaccine Myocarditis and Pericarditis in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101186. [PMID: 34696294 PMCID: PMC8541143 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis and pericarditis have been linked recently to COVID-19 vaccines without exploring the underlying mechanisms, or compared to cardiac adverse events post-non-COVID-19 vaccines. We introduce an informatics approach to study post-vaccine adverse events on the systems biology level to aid the prioritization of effective preventive measures and mechanism-based pharmacotherapy by integrating the analysis of adverse event reports from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) with systems biology methods. Our results indicated that post-vaccine myocarditis and pericarditis were associated most frequently with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines followed by live or live-attenuated non-COVID-19 vaccines such as smallpox and anthrax vaccines. The frequencies of cardiac adverse events were affected by vaccine, vaccine type, vaccine dose, sex, and age of the vaccinated individuals. Systems biology results suggested a central role of interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) in the biological processes leading to cardiac adverse events, by impacting MAPK and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. We suggest that increasing the time interval between vaccine doses minimizes the risks of developing inflammatory adverse reactions. We also propose glucocorticoids as preferred treatments based on system biology evidence. Our informatics workflow provides an invaluable tool to study post-vaccine adverse events on the systems biology level to suggest effective mechanism-based pharmacotherapy and/or suitable preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, Jordan;
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carlina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA;
- National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Correspondence:
| | - Dima A. Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, Jordan;
| | - Sanaa K. Bardaweel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan;
| | - Alexander Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carlina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, USA;
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12
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Loas G, Le Corre P. Update on Functional Inhibitors of Acid Sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:691. [PMID: 34358117 PMCID: PMC8308787 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is characterized by the need of the search for curative drugs for treatment. In this paper, we present an update of knowledge about the interest of the functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Forty-nine FIASMAs have been suggested in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection using in silico, in vitro or in vivo studies. Further studies using large-sized, randomized and double-blinded controlled clinical trials are needed to evaluate FIASMAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection as off-label therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenolé Loas
- Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Research Unit (ULB 266), Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal Le Corre
- Pôle Pharmacie, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Pharmacie, CHU de Rennes, 35033 Rennes, France;
- Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-Inserm UMR 1085, University of Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, 35000 Rennes, France
- Laboratoire de Biopharmacie et Pharmacie Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Rennes 1, 35043 Rennes, France
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13
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Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Bardaweel SK. Chemocentric Informatics Analysis: Dexamethasone Versus Combination Therapy for COVID-19. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:29765-29779. [PMID: 33251412 PMCID: PMC7689662 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a biphasic infectious disease with no approved vaccine or pharmacotherapy. The first drug that has shown promise in reducing COVID-19 mortality in severely-ill patients is dexamethasone, a cheap, well-known anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid, approved for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including respiratory diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis. However, about 80% of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygenation, and about 67% of patients on ventilators, are not responsive to dexamethasone therapy mainly. Additionally, using higher doses of dexamethasone for prolonged periods of time can lead to severe side effects and some patients may develop corticosteroid resistance leading to treatment failure. In order to increase the therapeutic efficacy of dexamethasone in COVID-19 patients, while minimizing dexamethasone-related complications that could result from using higher doses of the drug, we applied a chemocentric informatics approach to identify combination therapies. Our results indicated that combining dexamethasone with fast long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonists (LABAs), such as formoterol and salmeterol, can ease respiratory symptoms hastily, until dexamethasone's anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects kick in. Our studies demonstrated that LABAs and dexamethasone (or other glucocorticoids) exert synergistic effects that will augment both anti-inflammatory and fibronectin-mediated anticoagulant effects. We also propose other alternatives to LABAs that are supported by sound systems biology evidence, such as nitric oxide. Other drugs such as sevoflurane and treprostinil interact with the SARS-CoV-2 interactome and deserve further exploration. Moreover, our chemocentric informatics approach provides systems biology evidence that combination therapies for COVID-19 will have higher chances of perturbing the SARS-CoV-2 human interactome, which may negatively impact COVID-19 disease pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah
University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Dima A. Sabbah
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah
University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Sanaa K. Bardaweel
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
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