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Ueno S, Amarbayasgalan S, Sugiura Y, Takahashi T, Shimizu K, Nakagawa K, Kawabata-Iwakawa R, Kamitani W. Eight-amino-acid sequence at the N-terminus of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 is involved in stabilizing viral genome replication. Virology 2024; 595:110068. [PMID: 38593595 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) enveloped virus with a single-stranded positive-sense ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome. The CoV non-structural protein (nsp) 1 is a multifunctional protein that undergoes translation shutoff, messenger RNA (mRNA) cleavage, and RNA binding. The C-terminal region is involved in translational shutoff and RNA cleavage. The N-terminal region of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 is highly conserved among isolated SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, the I-004 variant, isolated during the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, lost eight amino acids in the nsp1 region. In this study, we showed that the eight amino acids are important for viral replication in infected interferon-incompetent cells and that the recombinant virus that lost these amino acids had low pathogenicity in the lungs of hamster models. The loss of eight amino acids-induced mutations occurred in the 5' untranslated region (UTR), suggesting that nsp1 contributes to the stability of the viral genome during replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Ueno
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | | | - Yoshiro Sugiura
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Takahashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Kenta Shimizu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nakagawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Gifu University, Yanagido, Gifu, Japan
| | - Reika Kawabata-Iwakawa
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Wataru Kamitani
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan.
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2
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Cerneckis J, Cai H, Shi Y. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): molecular mechanisms of induction and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:112. [PMID: 38670977 PMCID: PMC11053163 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01809-0] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has transformed in vitro research and holds great promise to advance regenerative medicine. iPSCs have the capacity for an almost unlimited expansion, are amenable to genetic engineering, and can be differentiated into most somatic cell types. iPSCs have been widely applied to model human development and diseases, perform drug screening, and develop cell therapies. In this review, we outline key developments in the iPSC field and highlight the immense versatility of the iPSC technology for in vitro modeling and therapeutic applications. We begin by discussing the pivotal discoveries that revealed the potential of a somatic cell nucleus for reprogramming and led to successful generation of iPSCs. We consider the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of somatic cell reprogramming as well as the numerous methods available to induce pluripotency. Subsequently, we discuss various iPSC-based cellular models, from mono-cultures of a single cell type to complex three-dimensional organoids, and how these models can be applied to elucidate the mechanisms of human development and diseases. We use examples of neurological disorders, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and cancer to highlight the diversity of disease-specific phenotypes that can be modeled using iPSC-derived cells. We also consider how iPSC-derived cellular models can be used in high-throughput drug screening and drug toxicity studies. Finally, we discuss the process of developing autologous and allogeneic iPSC-based cell therapies and their potential to alleviate human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Cerneckis
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hongxia Cai
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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3
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Tang WF, Chang YH, Lin CC, Jheng JR, Hsieh CF, Chin YF, Chang TY, Lee JC, Liang PH, Lin CY, Lin GH, Cai JY, Chen YL, Chen YS, Tsai SK, Liu PC, Yang CM, Shadbahr T, Tang J, Hsu YL, Huang CH, Wang LY, Chen CC, Kau JH, Hung YJ, Lee HY, Wang WC, Tsai HP, Horng JT. BPR3P0128, a non-nucleoside RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and exerts synergistic antiviral activity in combination with remdesivir. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0095623. [PMID: 38446062 PMCID: PMC10989008 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00956-23] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a highly conserved molecule in RNA viruses, has recently emerged as a promising drug target for broad-acting inhibitors. Through a Vero E6-based anti-cytopathic effect assay, we found that BPR3P0128, which incorporates a quinoline core similar to hydroxychloroquine, outperformed the adenosine analog remdesivir in inhibiting RdRp activity (EC50 = 0.66 µM and 3 µM, respectively). BPR3P0128 demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern. When introduced after viral adsorption, BPR3P0128 significantly decreased SARS-CoV-2 replication; however, it did not affect the early entry stage, as evidenced by a time-of-drug-addition assay. This suggests that BPR3P0128's primary action takes place during viral replication. We also found that BPR3P0128 effectively reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking analysis showed that BPR3P0128 targets the RdRp channel, inhibiting substrate entry, which implies it operates differently-but complementary-with remdesivir. Utilizing an optimized cell-based minigenome RdRp reporter assay, we confirmed that BPR3P0128 exhibited potent inhibitory activity. However, an enzyme-based RdRp assay employing purified recombinant nsp12/nsp7/nsp8 failed to corroborate this inhibitory activity. This suggests that BPR3P0128 may inhibit activity by targeting host-related RdRp-associated factors. Moreover, we discovered that a combination of BPR3P0128 and remdesivir had a synergistic effect-a result likely due to both drugs interacting with separate domains of the RdRp. This novel synergy between the two drugs reinforces the potential clinical value of the BPR3P0128-remdesivir combination in combating various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fang Tang
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiu Chang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chin Lin
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rong Jheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Fan Hsieh
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Fan Chin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tein-Yao Chang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology and Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Ching Lee
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Huang Liang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Lin
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Hua Lin
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jie-Yun Cai
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Li Chen
- Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Siao Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Ko Tsai
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Cheng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Mi Yang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tolou Shadbahr
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yu-Lin Hsu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Heng Huang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng Cheung Chen
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Hwa Kau
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Hung
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, Value-Added MedChem Innovation Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, Value-Added MedChem Innovation Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ping Tsai
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jim-Tong Horng
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Kim D, Kim M, Kim J, Baek K, Park H, Park S, Kang BM, Kim S, Kim MJ, Mostafa MN, Maharjan S, Shin HE, Lee MH, Il Kim J, Park MS, Kim YS, Choi EK, Lee Y, Kwon HJ. A mouse xenograft long-term replication yields a SARS-CoV-2 Delta mutant with increased lethality. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29459. [PMID: 38345153 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29459] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
We recently established a long-term SARS-CoV-2 infection model using lung-cancer xenograft mice and identified mutations that arose in the SARS-CoV-2 genome during long-term propagation. Here, we applied our model to the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which has increased transmissibility and immune escape compared with ancestral SARS-CoV-2. We observed limited mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Delta during long-term propagation, including two predominant mutations: R682W in the spike protein and L330W in the nucleocapsid protein. We analyzed two representative isolates, Delta-10 and Delta-12, with both predominant mutations and some additional mutations. Delta-10 and Delta-12 showed lower replication capacity compared with SARS-CoV-2 Delta in cultured cells; however, Delta-12 was more lethal in K18-hACE2 mice compared with SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Delta-10. Mice infected with Delta-12 had higher viral titers, more severe histopathology in the lungs, higher chemokine expression, increased astrocyte and microglia activation, and extensive neutrophil infiltration in the brain. Brain tissue hemorrhage and mild vacuolation were also observed, suggesting that the high lethality of Delta-12 was associated with lung and brain pathology. Our long-term infection model can provide mutant viruses derived from SARS-CoV-2 Delta and knowledge about the possible contributions of emergent mutations to the properties of new variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongbum Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyoung Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsoo Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeongbin Baek
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Heedo Park
- Department of Microbiology, Vaccine Innovation Center College of Medicine, Institute for Viral Diseases, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangkyu Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Min Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suyeon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mo-Jong Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohd Najib Mostafa
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sony Maharjan
- Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Eun Shin
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeong-Heon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Il Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Vaccine Innovation Center College of Medicine, Institute for Viral Diseases, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Man-Seong Park
- Department of Microbiology, Vaccine Innovation Center College of Medicine, Institute for Viral Diseases, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghee Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Joo Kwon
- Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
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5
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Kwon T. Utilizing non-human primate models to combat recent COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 and viral infectious disease outbreaks. J Med Primatol 2024; 53:e12689. [PMID: 38084001 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12689] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
In recent times, global viral outbreaks and diseases, such as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), Zika (ZIKV), monkeypox (MPOX), Ebola (EBOV), and Marburg (MARV), have been extensively documented. Swiftly deciphering the mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and devising vaccines or therapeutic interventions to curtail these outbreaks stand as paramount imperatives. Amidst these endeavors, animal models emerge as pivotal tools. Among these models, non-human primates (NHPs) hold a position of particular importance. Their proximity in evolutionary lineage and physiological resemblances to humans render them a primary model for comprehending human viral infections. This review encapsulates the pivotal role of various NHP species-such as rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), african green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus/aethiops), pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina/Macaca leonina), baboons (Papio hamadryas/Papio anubis), and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)-in investigations pertaining to the abovementioned viral outbreaks. These NHP models play a pivotal role in illuminating key aspects of disease dynamics, facilitating the development of effective countermeasures, and contributing significantly to our overall understanding of viral pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeho Kwon
- Primate Resources Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea National University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Korea
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6
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Li H, Zhao X, Peng S, Li Y, Li J, Zheng H, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Tian Y, Yang J, Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu L. The Abundant Distribution and Duplication of SARS-CoV-2 in the Cerebrum and Lungs Promote a High Mortality Rate in Transgenic hACE2-C57 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:997. [PMID: 38256071 PMCID: PMC10815841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020997] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with COVID-19 have been reported to experience neurological complications, although the main cause of death in these patients was determined to be lung damage. Notably, SARS-CoV-2-induced pathological injuries in brains with a viral presence were also found in all fatal animal cases. Thus, an appropriate animal model that mimics severe infections in the lungs and brain needs to be developed. In this paper, we compared SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics and pathological injuries between C57BL/6Smoc-Ace2em3(hACE2-flag-Wpre-pA)Smoc transgenic hACE2-C57 mice and Syrian hamsters. Importantly, the greatest viral distribution in mice occurred in the cerebral cortex neuron area, where pathological injuries and cell death were observed. In contrast, in hamsters, viral replication and distribution occurred mainly in the lungs but not in the cerebrum, although obvious ACE2 expression was validated in the cerebrum. Consistent with the spread of the virus, significant increases in IL-1β and IFN-γ were observed in the lungs of both animals. However, in hACE2-C57 mice, the cerebrum showed noticeable increases in IL-1β but only mild increases in IFN-γ. Notably, our findings revealed that both the cerebrum and the lungs were prominent infection sites in hACE2 mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 with obvious pathological damage. Furthermore, hamsters exhibited severe interstitial pneumonia from 3 dpi to 5 dpi, followed by gradual recovery. Conversely, all the hACE2-C57 mice experienced severe pathological injuries in the cerebrum and lungs, leading to mortality before 5 dpi. According to these results, transgenic hACE2-C57 mice may be valuable for studying SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and clearance in the cerebrum. Additionally, a hamster model could serve as a crucial resource for exploring the mechanisms of recovery from infection at different dosage levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Longding Liu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China; (H.L.); (X.Z.); (S.P.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Y.T.); (J.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.)
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7
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Rauch S, Lutz J, Mühe J, Kowalczyk A, Schlake T, Heidenreich R. Sequence-Optimized mRNA Vaccines Against Infectious Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2786:183-203. [PMID: 38814395 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3770-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Developing effective mRNA vaccines poses certain challenges concerning mRNA stability and ability to induce sufficient immune stimulation and requires a specific panel of techniques for production and testing. Here, we describe the production of stabilized mRNA vaccines (RNActive® technology) with enhanced immunogenicity, generated using conventional nucleotides only, by introducing changes to the mRNA sequence and by formulation into lipid nanoparticles. Methods described here include the synthesis, purification, and formulation of mRNA vaccines as well as a comprehensive panel of in vitro and in vivo methods for evaluation of vaccine quality and immunogenicity.
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8
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Reinke PYA, de Souza EE, Günther S, Falke S, Lieske J, Ewert W, Loboda J, Herrmann A, Rahmani Mashhour A, Karničar K, Usenik A, Lindič N, Sekirnik A, Botosso VF, Santelli GMM, Kapronezai J, de Araújo MV, Silva-Pereira TT, Filho AFDS, Tavares MS, Flórez-Álvarez L, de Oliveira DBL, Durigon EL, Giaretta PR, Heinemann MB, Hauser M, Seychell B, Böhler H, Rut W, Drag M, Beck T, Cox R, Chapman HN, Betzel C, Brehm W, Hinrichs W, Ebert G, Latham SL, Guimarães AMDS, Turk D, Wrenger C, Meents A. Calpeptin is a potent cathepsin inhibitor and drug candidate for SARS-CoV-2 infections. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1058. [PMID: 37853179 PMCID: PMC10584882 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05317-9] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Several drug screening campaigns identified Calpeptin as a drug candidate against SARS-CoV-2. Initially reported to target the viral main protease (Mpro), its moderate activity in Mpro inhibition assays hints at a second target. Indeed, we show that Calpeptin is an extremely potent cysteine cathepsin inhibitor, a finding additionally supported by X-ray crystallography. Cell infection assays proved Calpeptin's efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected Golden Syrian hamsters with sulfonated Calpeptin at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight reduces the viral load in the trachea. Despite a higher risk of side effects, an intrinsic advantage in targeting host proteins is their mutational stability in contrast to highly mutable viral targets. Here we show that the inhibition of cathepsins, a protein family of the host organism, by calpeptin is a promising approach for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Y A Reinke
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Edmarcia Elisa de Souza
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sebastian Günther
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Falke
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Lieske
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wiebke Ewert
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jure Loboda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Aida Rahmani Mashhour
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katarina Karničar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Usenik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Lindič
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Sekirnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Viviane Fongaro Botosso
- Virology Laboratory, Center of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gláucia Maria Machado Santelli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Josana Kapronezai
- Virology Laboratory, Center of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Valdemir de Araújo
- Virology Laboratory, Center of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Taiana Tainá Silva-Pereira
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Silva Tavares
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lizdany Flórez-Álvarez
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Edison Luiz Durigon
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Roberta Giaretta
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4474 TAMU, School Station, TX, USA
| | - Marcos Bryan Heinemann
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maurice Hauser
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and BMWZ, Leibniz University of Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Brandon Seychell
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Universität Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Böhler
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Universität Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wioletta Rut
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marcin Drag
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tobias Beck
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Universität Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Russell Cox
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and BMWZ, Leibniz University of Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Henry N Chapman
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Betzel
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, c/o DESY, Universität Hamburg, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Brehm
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Hinrichs
- Universität Greifswald, Institute of Biochemistry, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gregor Ebert
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sharissa L Latham
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dusan Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Alke Meents
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science CFEL, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany.
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9
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Abd El-Hack ME, Abdelnour SA, Kamal M, Khafaga AF, Shakoori AM, Bagadood RM, Naffadi HM, Alyahyawi AY, Khojah H, Alghamdi S, Jaremko M, Świątkiewicz S. Lactoferrin: Antimicrobial impacts, genomic guardian, therapeutic uses and clinical significance for humans and animals. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114967. [PMID: 37290189 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein found in several bodily fluids, such as milk. This protein has a diverse range of functions and is evolutionarily conserved. Lactoferrin is a multifunction protein with distinct biological abilities affecting mammals' immune structures. Reports indicated that the daily uptake of LF from dairy products is unsatisfactory in detecting further health-promoting abilities. Research has shown that it protects against infection, mitigates cellular senescence, and improves nutritional quality. Additionally, LF is being studied as a potential treatment for various diseases and conditions, including gastrointestinal issues and infections. Studies have also demonstrated its effectiveness against various viruses and bacteria. In this article, we'll look closer at the structure of LF and its various biological activities, including its antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporotic, detoxifying, and immunomodulatory properties. More specifically, the protective effect of LF against oxidative DNA damage was also clarified through its ability to abolish DNA damaging issues without interfacing with host genetic material. Fortification with LF protects mitochondria dysfunction syndromes via sustaining redox status and biogenesis and suppressing apoptosis and autophagy singling. Additionally, we'll examine the potential benefits of lactoferrin and provide an overview of recent clinical trials conducted to examine its use in laboratory and living models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed E Abd El-Hack
- Department of Poultry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
| | - Sameh A Abdelnour
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Kamal
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt
| | - Asmaa F Khafaga
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina 22758, Egypt
| | - Afnan M Shakoori
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab M Bagadood
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind M Naffadi
- Department of medical genetics,college of medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Areej Y Alyahyawi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan Khojah
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alghamdi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of clinical pharmacy, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Rakhmetullina A, Akimniyazova A, Niyazova T, Pyrkova A, Kamenova S, Kondybayeva A, Ryskulova AG, Ivashchenko A, Zielenkiewicz P. Endogenous piRNAs Can Interact with the Omicron Variant of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2950-2964. [PMID: 37185717 PMCID: PMC10136802 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, can still infect populations in many countries around the globe. The Omicron strain is the most mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2. The high transmissibility of the strain and its ability to evade immunity necessitate a priority study of its properties in order to quickly create effective means of preventing its spread. The current research aimed to examine the in silico interaction between PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and the SARS-CoV-2 genome (gRNA) to identify endogenous piRNAs and propose synthetic piRNAs with strong antiviral activity for drug development. This study used validated bioinformatic approaches regarding the interaction of more than eight million piRNAs with the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The piRNAs’ binding sites (BSs) in the 5′UTR were located with overlapping nucleotide sequences termed clusters of BSs. Several BSs clusters have been found in the nsp3, nsp7, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, endoRNAse, S surface glycoprotein, ORF7a, and nucleocapsid. Sixteen synthetic piRNAs that interact with gRNA have been proposed with free binding energy ranging from −170 kJ/mol to −175 kJ/mol, which can be used to create drugs that suppress the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aizhan Rakhmetullina
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Technology of Production of Livestock Products, A. Baitursynov Kostanay Regional University, Kostanay 110000, Kazakhstan
| | - Aigul Akimniyazova
- Higher School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Togzhan Niyazova
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Anna Pyrkova
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- Center for Bioinformatics and Nanomedicine, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Saltanat Kamenova
- Higher School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Aida Kondybayeva
- Higher School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Alma-Gul Ryskulova
- Department of Population Health and Social Sciences, Kazakhstan’s Medical University “KSPH”, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Piotr Zielenkiewicz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Clever S, Volz A. Mouse models in COVID-19 research: analyzing the adaptive immune response. Med Microbiol Immunol 2023; 212:165-183. [PMID: 35661253 PMCID: PMC9166226 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-022-00735-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 causing the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a major necessity for scientific countermeasures. Investigations revealing the exact mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis provide the basis for the development of therapeutic measures and protective vaccines against COVID-19. Animal models are inevitable for infection and pre-clinical vaccination studies as well as therapeutic testing. A well-suited animal model, mimicking the pathology seen in human COVID-19 patients, is an important basis for these investigations. Several animal models were already used during SARS-CoV-2 studies with different clinical outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we give an overview of different animal models used in SARS-CoV-2 infection studies with a focus on the mouse model. Mice provide a well-established animal model for laboratory use and several different mouse models have been generated and are being used in SARS-CoV-2 studies. Furthermore, the analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells during infection and in vaccination studies in mice is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Clever
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Asisa Volz
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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12
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Knott D, Fell R, Potter JA, Yuille S, Salguero FJ, Graham VA, Hewson R, Howat D, Dowall SD. Use of a Preclinical Natural Transmission Model to Study Antiviral Effects of a Carbohydrate-Binding Module Therapy against SARS-CoV-2 in Hamsters. Viruses 2023; 15:725. [PMID: 36992434 PMCID: PMC10058511 DOI: 10.3390/v15030725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its expansion to a worldwide pandemic resulted in efforts to assess and develop interventions to reduce the disease burden. Despite the introduction of vaccine programmes against SARS-CoV-2, global incidence levels in early 2022 remained high, demonstrating a need for the development of physiologically relevant models, which are essential for the identification of alternative antiviral strategies. The hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been widely adopted due to similarities with humans in terms of host cell entry mechanism (via ACE2), and aspects of symptomology and virus shedding. We have previously described a natural transmission hamster model that better represents the natural course of infection. In the present study, we have conducted further testing of the model using the first-in-class antiviral Neumifil, which has previously shown promise against SARS-CoV-2 after a direct intranasal challenge. Neumifil is an intranasally delivered carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) which reduces the binding of viruses to their cellular receptor. By targeting the host cell, Neumifil has the potential to provide broad protection against multiple pathogens and variants. This study demonstrates that using a combination of a prophylactic and therapeutic delivery of Neumifil significantly reduces the severity of clinical signs in animals infected via a natural route of transmission and indicates a reduction of viral loads in the upper respiratory tract. Further refinements of the model are required in order to ensure the adequate transmission of the virus. However, our results provide additional data to the evidence base of Neumifil efficacy against respiratory virus infection and demonstrate that the transmission model is a potentially valuable tool for testing antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Knott
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Rachel Fell
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Jane A. Potter
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Samantha Yuille
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Franscisco J. Salguero
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Victoria A. Graham
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Roger Hewson
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
| | - David Howat
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Stuart D. Dowall
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (D.K.); (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (V.A.G.); (R.H.)
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13
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In Vitro Pharmacokinetic Behavior of Antiviral 3-Amidinophenylalanine Derivatives in Rat, Dog and Monkey Hepatocytes. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030682. [PMID: 36979660 PMCID: PMC10045298 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Type II transmembrane serine proteases represent pharmacological targets for blocking entry and spread of influenza or coronaviruses. In this study, the depletion rates of the 3-amidinophenylalanine (3-APhA)-derived matriptase/TMPRSS2 inhibitors MI-463, MI-472, MI-485 or MI-1900 were determined by LC-MS/MS measurements over a period of 300 min using suspensions of rat, dog and cynomolgus monkey primary hepatocytes. From these in vitro pharmacokinetic (PK) experiments, intrinsic clearance values (Clint) were evaluated, and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters (hepatic clearance, hepatic extraction ratio and bioavailability) were predicted. It was found that rat hepatocytes were the most active in the metabolism of 3-APhA derivatives (Clint 31.9–37.8 mL/min/kg), whereas dog and monkey cells displayed somewhat lower clearance of these compounds (Clint 6.6–26.7 mL/min/kg). These data support elucidation of important PK properties of anti-TMPRSS2/anti-matriptase 3-APhAs using mammalian hepatocyte models and thus contribute to the optimization of lead compounds.
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14
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Lyoo KS, Yeo YH, Lee SG, Yeom M, Lee JY, Kim KC, Song D. Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Beagle Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040624. [PMID: 36830411 PMCID: PMC9951710 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in unprecedented challenges to healthcare worldwide. In particular, the anthroponotic transmission of human coronaviruses has become a common concern among pet owners. Here, we experimentally inoculated beagle dogs with SARS-CoV-2 or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) to compare their susceptibility to and the pathogenicity of these viruses. The dogs in this study exhibited weight loss and increased body temperatures and shed the viruses in their nasal secretions, feces, and urine. Pathologic changes were observed in the lungs of the dogs inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-CoV. Additionally, clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, such as increased lactate dehydrogenase levels, were identified in the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Soo Lyoo
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Hwan Yeo
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Geun Lee
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjoo Yeom
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Virology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Yeon Lee
- Division of Emerging Infectious Disease and Vector Research, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Chang Kim
- Division of Emerging Infectious Disease and Vector Research, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Daesub Song
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Virology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence:
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15
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He S, Qin H, Guan L, Liu K, Hong B, Zhang X, Lou F, Li M, Lin W, Chen Y, He C, Liu F, Lu S, Luo S, Zhu S, An X, Song L, Fan H, Tong Y. Bovine lactoferrin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 by targeting the RdRp complex and alleviates viral infection in the hamster model. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28281. [PMID: 36329614 PMCID: PMC9878033 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Breast milk has been found to inhibit coronavirus infection, while the key components and mechanisms are unknown. We aimed to determine the components that contribute to the antiviral effects of breastmilk and explore their potential mechanism. Lactoferrin (Lf) and milk fat globule membrane inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related coronavirus GX_P2V and transcription- and replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles in vitro and block viral entry into cells. We confirmed that bovine Lf (bLf) blocked the binding between human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by combining receptor-binding domain (RBD). Importantly, bLf inhibited RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity of both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in vitro in the nanomolar range. So far, no biological macromolecules have been reported to inhibit coronavirus RdRp. Our result indicated that bLf plays a major role in inhibiting viral replication. bLf treatment reduced viral load in lungs and tracheae and alleviated pathological damage. Our study provides evidence that bLf prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection by combining SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD and inhibiting coronaviruses' RdRp activity, and may be a promising candidate for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi‐ting He
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Hongbo Qin
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Lin Guan
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Ke Liu
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Bixia Hong
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoxu Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Fuxing Lou
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Maochen Li
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Wei Lin
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Yangzhen Chen
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Chengzhi He
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Feitong Liu
- H&H Group, H&H ResearchChina Research and InnovationGuangzhouChina
| | - Shanshan Lu
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Shengdong Luo
- The Fifth Medical CenterChinese PLA People's Liberation Army General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Shaozhou Zhu
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoping An
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Lihua Song
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and TechnologyBeijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijingChina
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16
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Animal Models to Test SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Which Ones Are in Use and Future Expectations. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010020. [PMID: 36678369 PMCID: PMC9861368 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since late 2019 and early 2020, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists are rushing to develop treatment and prevention methods to combat SARS-CoV-2. Among these are vaccines. In view of this, the use of animals as experimental models, both to investigate the immunopathology of the disease and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vaccines, is mandatory. This work aims to describe, through recent scientific articles found in reliable databases, the animal models used for the in vivo testing of COVID-19 vaccines, demonstrating some possibilities of more advantageous/gold-standard models for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The majority of the studies use rodents and primates. Meanwhile, the most adequate model to be used as the gold standard for in vivo tests of COVID-19 vaccines is not yet conclusive. Promising options are being discussed as new tests are being carried out and new SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging.
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17
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Ni K, Che B, Yang C, Qin Y, Gu R, Wang C, Luo M, Deng L. Emerging toolset of three-dimensional pulmonary cell culture models for simulating lung pathophysiology towards mechanistic elucidation and therapeutic treatment of SARS-COV-2 infection. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1033043. [PMID: 36578545 PMCID: PMC9790924 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1033043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a never before seen challenge to human health and the world economy. However, it is difficult to widely use conventional animal and cell culture models in understanding the underlying pathological mechanisms of COVID-19, which in turn hinders the development of relevant therapeutic treatments, including drugs. To overcome this challenge, various three-dimensional (3D) pulmonary cell culture models such as organoids are emerging as an innovative toolset for simulating the pathophysiology occurring in the respiratory system, including bronchial airways, alveoli, capillary network, and pulmonary interstitium, which provide a robust and powerful platform for studying the process and underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the potential primary targets in the lung. This review introduces the key features of some of these recently developed tools, including organoid, lung-on-a-chip, and 3D bioprinting, which can recapitulate different structural compartments of the lung and lung function, in particular, accurately resembling the human-relevant pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo. In addition, the recent progress in developing organoids for alveolar and airway disease modeling and their applications for discovering drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection are highlighted. These innovative 3D cell culture models together may hold the promise to fully understand the pathogenesis and eventually eradicate the pandemic of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mingzhi Luo
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Linhong Deng
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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18
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Zhang X, Chen S, Cao Z, Yao Y, Yu J, Zhou J, Gao G, He P, Dong Z, Zhong J, Luo J, Wei H, Zhang H. Increased pathogenicity and aerosol transmission for one SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta variant over the wild-type strain in hamsters. Virol Sin 2022; 37:796-803. [PMID: 36182073 PMCID: PMC9519367 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During the two-year pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been evolving. SARS-CoV-2 Delta, a variant of concern, has become the dominant circulating strain worldwide within just a few months. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of a new B.1.617.2 Delta strain (Delta630) compared with the early WIV04 strain (WIV04) in vitro and in vivo, in terms of replication, infectivity, pathogenicity, and transmission in hamsters. When inoculated intranasally, Delta630 led to more pronounced weight loss and more severe disease in hamsters. Moreover, 40% mortality occurred about one week after infection with 104 PFU of Delta630, whereas no deaths occurred even after infection with 105 PFU of WIV04 or other strains belonging to the Delta variant. Moreover, Delta630 outgrew over WIV04 in the competitive aerosol transmission experiment. Taken together, the Delta630 strain showed increased replication ability, pathogenicity, and transmissibility over WIV04 in hamsters. To our knowledge, this is the first SARS-CoV-2 strain that causes death in a hamster model, which could be an asset for the efficacy evaluation of vaccines and antivirals against infections of SARS-CoV-2 Delta strains. The underlying molecular mechanisms of increased virulence and transmission await further analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China,Corresponding authors
| | - Shaohong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101409, China
| | - Zengguo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yanfeng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Junping Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Junhui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101409, China
| | - Ge Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ping He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101409, China
| | - Zhuo Dong
- Hubei International Travel Healthcare Center (Wuhan Customs Port Outpatient Department), Wuhan, 430040, China
| | - Jie Zhong
- Hubei International Travel Healthcare Center (Wuhan Customs Port Outpatient Department), Wuhan, 430040, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Hubei International Travel Healthcare Center (Wuhan Customs Port Outpatient Department), Wuhan, 430040, China
| | - Hongping Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China,Corresponding authors
| | - Huajun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China,Corresponding authors
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19
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Ueha R, Ito T, Ueha S, Furukawa R, Kitabatake M, Ouji-Sageshima N, Uranaka T, Tanaka H, Nishijima H, Kondo K, Yamasoba T. Evidence for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and olfactory cell lineage impairment in close-contact infection Syrian hamster models. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1019723. [PMCID: PMC9634532 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1019723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Close contact with patients with COVID-19 is speculated to be the most common cause of viral transmission, but the pathogenesis of COVID-19 by close contact remains to be elucidated. In addition, despite olfactory impairment being a unique complication of COVID-19, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the olfactory cell lineage has not been fully validated. This study aimed to elucidate close-contact viral transmission to the nose and lungs and to investigate the temporal damage in the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) lineage caused by SARS-CoV-2. Methods Syrian hamsters were orally administered SARS-CoV-2 nonvariant nCoV-19/JPN/TY/WK521/2020 as direct-infection models. On day 3 after inoculation, infected and uninfected hamsters were housed in the same cage for 30 minutes. These uninfected hamsters were subsequently assigned to a close-contact group. First, viral presence in the nose and lungs was verified in the infection and close-contact groups at several time points. Next, the impacts on the olfactory epithelium, including olfactory progenitors, immature ORNs, and mature ORNs were examined histologically. Then, the viral transmission status and chronological changes in tissue damage were compared between the direct-infection and close-contact groups. Results In the close-contact group, viral presence could not be detected in both the nose and lungs on day 3, and the virus was identified in both tissues on day 7. In the direct-infection group, the viral load was highest in the nose and lungs on day 3, decreased on day 7, and was no longer detectable on day 14. Histologically, in the direct-infection group, mature ORNs were most depleted on day 3 (p <0.001) and showed a recovery trend on day 14, with similar trends for olfactory progenitors and immature ORNs. In the close-contact group, there was no obvious tissue damage on day 3, but on day 7, the number of all ORN lineage cells significantly decreased (p <0.001). Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted even after brief contact and subsequent olfactory epithelium and lung damage occurred more than 3 days after the trigger of infection. The present study also indicated that SARS-CoV-2 damages all ORN lineage cells, but this damage can begin to recover approximately 14 days post infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Ueha
- Swallowing Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Rumi Ueha, ;
| | - Toshihiro Ito
- Department of Immunology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ueha
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Tsukasa Uranaka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Tanaka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironobu Nishijima
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Kondo
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Jha A, Barker D, Lew J, Manoharan V, van Kessel J, Haupt R, Toth D, Frieman M, Falzarano D, Kodihalli S. Efficacy of COVID-HIGIV in animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16956. [PMID: 36216961 PMCID: PMC9549041 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21223-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In late 2019 the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus emerged in China and quickly spread into a worldwide pandemic. It has caused millions of hospitalizations and deaths, despite the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Convalescent plasma and monoclonal antibodies emerged as major therapeutic options for treatment of COVID-19. We have developed an anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin intravenous (Human) (COVID-HIGIV), a potential improvement from using convalescent plasma. In this report the efficacy of COVID-HIGIV was evaluated in hamster and mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-HIGIV treatment in both mice and hamsters significantly reduced the viral load in the lungs. Among COVID-HIGIV treated animals, infection-related body weight loss was reduced and the animals regained their baseline body weight faster than the PBS controls. In hamsters, COVID-HIGIV treatment reduced infection-associated lung pathology including lung inflammation, and pneumocyte hypertrophy in the lungs. These results support ongoing trials for outpatient treatment with COVID-HIGIV for safety and efficacy evaluation (NCT04910269, NCT04546581).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruni Jha
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolutions, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Douglas Barker
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolutions, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jocelyne Lew
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Vinoth Manoharan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jill van Kessel
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Robert Haupt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Derek Toth
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolutions, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Matthew Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Darryl Falzarano
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Shantha Kodihalli
- Research and Development, Emergent BioSolutions, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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21
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Abstract
The continued spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in humans necessitates evaluation of variants for enhanced virulence and transmission. We used the ferret model to perform a comparative analysis of four SARS-CoV-2 strains, including an early pandemic isolate from the United States (WA1), and representatives of the Alpha, Beta, and Delta lineages. While Beta virus was not capable of pronounced replication in ferrets, WA1, Alpha, and Delta viruses productively replicated in the ferret upper respiratory tract, despite causing only mild disease with no overt histopathological changes. Strain-specific transmissibility was observed; WA1 and Delta viruses transmitted in a direct contact setting, whereas Delta virus was also capable of limited airborne transmission. Viral RNA was shed in exhaled air particles from all inoculated animals but was highest for Delta virus. Prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 offered varied protection against reinfection with either homologous or heterologous variants. Notable genomic variants in the spike protein were most frequently detected following WA1 and Delta virus infection.
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22
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SARS-CoV-2 VOC type and biological sex affect molnupiravir efficacy in severe COVID-19 dwarf hamster model. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4416. [PMID: 35906230 PMCID: PMC9338273 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) have triggered infection waves. Oral antivirals such as molnupiravir promise to improve disease management, but efficacy against VOC delta was questioned and potency against omicron is unknown. This study evaluates molnupiravir against VOC in human airway epithelium organoids, ferrets, and a lethal Roborovski dwarf hamster model of severe COVID-19-like lung injury. VOC were equally inhibited by molnupiravir in cells and organoids. Treatment reduced shedding in ferrets and prevented transmission. Pathogenicity in dwarf hamsters was VOC-dependent and highest for delta, gamma, and omicron. All molnupiravir-treated dwarf hamsters survived, showing reduction in lung virus load from one (delta) to four (gamma) orders of magnitude. Treatment effect size varied in individual dwarf hamsters infected with omicron and was significant in males, but not females. The dwarf hamster model recapitulates mixed efficacy of molnupiravir in human trials and alerts that benefit must be reassessed in vivo as VOC evolve. Molnupiravir was the first orally available SARS-CoV-2 antiviral approved for outpatient use against SARS-CoV-2, but its efficacy against variants of concern, especially delta, was questioned. Here the authors evaluate molnupiravir against variant of concern in numerous models, including human airway epithelium organoids, ferrets and Roborovski dwarf hamsters.
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23
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Tioni MF, Jordan R, Pena AS, Garg A, Wu D, Phan SI, Weiss CM, Cheng X, Greenhouse J, Orekov T, Valentin D, Kar S, Pessaint L, Andersen H, Stobart CC, Bloodworth MH, Stokes Peebles R, Liu Y, Xie X, Shi PY, Moore ML, Tang RS. Mucosal administration of a live attenuated recombinant COVID-19 vaccine protects nonhuman primates from SARS-CoV-2. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:85. [PMID: 35906244 PMCID: PMC9334537 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00509-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the COVID-19 global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped RNA virus that relies on its trimeric surface glycoprotein spike for entry into host cells. Here we describe the COVID-19 vaccine candidate MV-014-212, a live, attenuated, recombinant human respiratory syncytial virus expressing a chimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike as the only viral envelope protein. MV-014-212 was attenuated and immunogenic in African green monkeys (AGMs). One mucosal administration of MV-014-212 in AGMs protected against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, reducing by more than 200-fold the peak shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in the nose. MV-014-212 elicited mucosal immunoglobulin A in the nose and neutralizing antibodies in serum that exhibited cross-neutralization against virus variants of concern Alpha, Beta, and Delta. Intranasally delivered, live attenuated vaccines such as MV-014-212 entail low-cost manufacturing suitable for global deployment. MV-014-212 is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials as an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Jordan
- Meissa Vaccines Inc, Redwood City, CA, USA.,Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Danlu Wu
- Meissa Vaccines Inc, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Xing Cheng
- Meissa Vaccines Inc, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Melissa H Bloodworth
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - R Stokes Peebles
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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24
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Andreotti S, Altmüller J, Quedenau C, Borodina T, Nouailles G, Teixeira Alves LG, Landthaler M, Bieniara M, Trimpert J, Wyler E. De Novo Whole Genome Assembly of the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) Genome, an Animal Model for Severe/Critical COVID-19. Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:6626084. [PMID: 35778793 PMCID: PMC9254642 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Roborovski dwarf hamster Phodopus roborovskii belongs to the Phodopus genus, one of seven within Cricetinae subfamily. Like other rodents such as mice, rats or ferrets, hamsters can be important animal models for a range of diseases. Whereas the Syrian hamster from the genus Mesocricetus is now widely used as a model for mild to moderate COVID-19, Roborovski dwarf hamster show a severe to lethal course of disease upon infection with the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Andreotti
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Institute of Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 9, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne. Present address: Scientific Genomics Platforms, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Quedenau
- Scientific Genomics Platforms, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tatiana Borodina
- Scientific Genomics Platforms, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Geraldine Nouailles
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of Pulmonary Inflammation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luiz Gustavo Teixeira Alves
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Hannoversche Str 28, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Landthaler
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Hannoversche Str 28, 10115 Berlin, Germany.,Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bieniara
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Institute of Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 9, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emanuel Wyler
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Hannoversche Str 28, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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25
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Ueha R, Ito T, Furukawa R, Kitabatake M, Ouji-Sageshima N, Ueha S, Koyama M, Uranaka T, Kondo K, Yamasoba T. Oral SARS-CoV-2 Inoculation Causes Nasal Viral Infection Leading to Olfactory Bulb Infection: An Experimental Study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:924725. [PMID: 35770069 PMCID: PMC9234459 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.924725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections can cause long-lasting anosmia, but the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can spread to the nasal cavity via the oral route, on the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) lineage and olfactory bulb (OB) remains undetermined. Using Syrian hamsters, we explored whether oral SARS-CoV-2 inoculation can lead to nasal viral infection, examined how SARS-CoV-2 affects the ORN lineage by site, and investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection can spread to the OB and induce inflammation. On post-inoculation day 7, SARS-CoV-2 presence was confirmed in the lateral area (OCAM-positive) but not the nasal septum of NQO1-positive and OCAM-positive areas. The virus was observed partially infiltrating the olfactory epithelium, and ORN progenitor cells, immature ORNs, and mature ORNs were fewer than in controls. The virus was found in the olfactory nerve bundles to the OB, suggesting the nasal cavity as a route for SARS-CoV-2 brain infection. We demonstrated that transoral SARS-CoV-2 infection can spread from the nasal cavity to the central nervous system and the possibility of central olfactory dysfunction due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus was localized at the infection site and could damage all ORN-lineage cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Ueha
- Swallowing Center, the University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Rumi Ueha, ;
| | - Toshihiro Ito
- Department of Immunology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Satoshi Ueha
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Misaki Koyama
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Uranaka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Kondo
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Lamoureux L, Sajesh B, Slota JA, Medina SJ, Mayor M, Frost KL, Warner B, Manguiat K, Wood H, Kobasa D, Booth SA. Non-Productive Infection of Glial Cells with SARS-CoV-2 in Hamster Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures. Viruses 2022; 14:1218. [PMID: 35746689 PMCID: PMC9227386 DOI: 10.3390/v14061218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The numerous neurological syndromes associated with COVID-19 implicate an effect of viral pathogenesis on neuronal function, yet reports of direct SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain are conflicting. We used a well-established organotypic brain slice culture to determine the permissivity of hamster brain tissues to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found levels of live virus waned after inoculation and observed no evidence of cell-to-cell spread, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 infection was non-productive. Nonetheless, we identified a small number of infected cells with glial phenotypes; however, no evidence of viral infection or replication was observed in neurons. Our data corroborate several clinical studies that have assessed patients with COVID-19 and their association with neurological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Lamoureux
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Babu Sajesh
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Jessy A. Slota
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 730 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada;
| | - Sarah J. Medina
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Matthew Mayor
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Kathy L. Frost
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Bryce Warner
- Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada;
| | - Kathy Manguiat
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Heidi Wood
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Darwyn Kobasa
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 730 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada;
- Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada;
| | - Stephanie A. Booth
- One Health Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (L.L.); (B.S.); (J.A.S.); (S.J.M.); (M.M.); (K.L.F.); (K.M.); (H.W.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 730 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada;
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27
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SARS CoV-2 (Delta Variant) Infection Kinetics and Immunopathogenesis in Domestic Cats. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061207. [PMID: 35746678 PMCID: PMC9230585 DOI: 10.3390/v14061207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants highlights the critical need for adaptable and translational animal models for acute COVID-19. Limitations to current animal models for SARS CoV-2 (e.g., transgenic mice, non-human primates, ferrets) include subclinical to mild lower respiratory disease, divergence from clinical COVID-19 disease course, and/or the need for host genetic modifications to permit infection. We therefore established a feline model to study COVID-19 disease progression and utilized this model to evaluate infection kinetics and immunopathology of the rapidly circulating Delta variant (B.1.617.2) of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, specific-pathogen-free domestic cats (n = 24) were inoculated intranasally and/or intratracheally with SARS CoV-2 (B.1.617.2). Infected cats developed severe clinical respiratory disease and pulmonary lesions at 4- and 12-days post-infection (dpi), even at 1/10 the dose of previously studied wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Infectious virus was isolated from nasal secretions of delta-variant infected cats in high amounts at multiple timepoints, and viral antigen was co-localized in ACE2-expressing cells of the lungs (pneumocytes, vascular endothelium, peribronchial glandular epithelium) and strongly associated with severe pulmonary inflammation and vasculitis that were more pronounced than in wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection. RNA sequencing of infected feline lung tissues identified upregulation of multiple gene pathways associated with cytokine receptor interactions, chemokine signaling, and viral protein–cytokine interactions during acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) of differentially expressed genes identified several distinct clusters of dysregulated hub genes that are significantly correlated with both clinical signs and lesions during acute infection. Collectively, the results of these studies help to delineate the role of domestic cats in disease transmission and response to variant emergence, establish a flexible translational model to develop strategies to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and identify potential targets for downstream therapeutic development.
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28
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Käufer C, Schreiber CS, Hartke AS, Denden I, Stanelle-Bertram S, Beck S, Kouassi NM, Beythien G, Becker K, Schreiner T, Schaumburg B, Beineke A, Baumgärtner W, Gabriel G, Richter F. Microgliosis and neuronal proteinopathy in brain persist beyond viral clearance in SARS-CoV-2 hamster model. EBioMedicine 2022; 79:103999. [PMID: 35439679 PMCID: PMC9013202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurological symptoms such as cognitive decline and depression contribute substantially to post-COVID-19 syndrome, defined as lasting symptoms several weeks after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pathogenesis is still elusive, which hampers appropriate treatment. Neuroinflammatory responses and neurodegenerative processes may occur in absence of overt neuroinvasion. METHODS Here we determined whether intranasal SARS-CoV-2 infection in male and female syrian golden hamsters results in persistent brain pathology. Brains 3 (symptomatic) or 14 days (viral clearance) post infection versus mock (n = 10 each) were immunohistochemically analyzed for viral protein, neuroinflammatory response and accumulation of tau, hyperphosphorylated tau and alpha-synuclein protein. FINDINGS Viral protein in the nasal cavity led to pronounced microglia activation in the olfactory bulb beyond viral clearance. Cortical but not hippocampal neurons accumulated hyperphosphorylated tau and alpha-synuclein, in the absence of overt inflammation and neurodegeneration. Importantly, not all brain regions were affected, which is in line with selective vulnerability. INTERPRETATION Thus, despite the absence of virus in brain, neurons develop signatures of proteinopathies that may contribute to progressive neuronal dysfunction. Further in depth analysis of this important mechanism is required. FUNDING Federal Ministry of Health (BMG; ZMV I 1-2520COR501), Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF 01KI1723G), Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony in Germany (14 - 76103-184 CORONA-15/20), German Research Foundation (DFG; 398066876/GRK 2485/1), Luxemburgish National Research Fund (FNR, Project Reference: 15686728, EU SC1-PHE-CORONAVIRUS-2020 MANCO, no > 101003651).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Käufer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Cara S Schreiber
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna-Sophia Hartke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ivo Denden
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Beck
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Georg Beythien
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Becker
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tom Schreiner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gülsah Gabriel
- Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany; Institute for Virology, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Richter
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
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A single intranasal dose of human parainfluenza virus type 3-vectored vaccine induces effective antibody and memory T cell response in the lungs and protects hamsters against SARS-CoV-2. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:47. [PMID: 35468973 PMCID: PMC9038905 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00471-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory tract vaccination has an advantage of needle-free delivery and induction of mucosal immune response in the portal of SARS-CoV-2 entry. We utilized human parainfluenza virus type 3 vector to generate constructs expressing the full spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, its S1 subunit, or the receptor-binding domain, and tested them in hamsters as single-dose intranasal vaccines. The construct bearing full-length S induced high titers of neutralizing antibodies specific to S protein domains critical to the protein functions. Robust memory T cell responses in the lungs were also induced, which represent an additional barrier to infection and should be less sensitive than the antibody responses to mutations present in SARS-CoV-2 variants. Following SARS-CoV-2 challenge, animals were protected from the disease and detectable viral replication. Vaccination prevented induction of gene pathways associated with inflammation. These results indicate advantages of respiratory vaccination against COVID-19 and inform the design of mucosal SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
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Ma Q, Lei B, Chen R, Liu B, Lu W, Jiang H, Chen Z, Guo X, Wang Y, Zhang L, Chen Q, Li X, Yang Z. Liushen Capsules, a promising clinical candidate for COVID-19, alleviates SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary in vivo and inhibits the proliferation of the variant virus strains in vitro. Chin Med 2022; 17:40. [PMID: 35365215 PMCID: PMC8972667 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a global pandemic and has devastating effects around the world, however, there are no specific antiviral drugs and vaccines for the constant mutation of SARS-CoV-2. Purpose In this study, we evaluted the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of Liushen Capsules (LS) on different novel coronavirus in vitro, studied its therapeutic effects on novel SARS-CoV-2 infected mice and observed the LS’s clinical efficacy and safety in COVID-19. Methods The antiviral and aiti-inflammatory effects of LS on the 501Y.V2/B.1.35 and G/478K.V1/ B.1.617.2 strains were determined in vitro. A hACE2 mouse model of novel SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was established. Survival rates, histological changes, inflammatory markers, lung virus titers and the expression of the key proteins in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway was detected by western blotting and immumohistochemical staining in the lungs were measured. Subsequently, the disease duration, prognosis of disease, time of negative nucleic acid and the cytokines levels in serum were used to assess the efficacy of treatment with LS in patients. Results The results showed that LS (2, 1, 0.5 μg/mL) could significantly inhibit the replication of the two SARS-CoV-2 variants and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, CCL-5, MIP-1α, IL-1α) induced by the virus in vitro. As for the survival experiment in mice, the survival rate of virus group was 20%, while LS-treatment groups (40, 80, 160 mg/kg) could increase the survival rate to 60, 100 and 100%, respectively. LS (40, 80, 160 mg/kg) could significantly decrease the lung titers in mice and it could improve the pathological changes, inhibit the excessive inflammatory mediators (IFN-α, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1) and the protein expression of p-NF-κB p65 in mice. Moreover, LS could significantly decrease SARS-CoV-2-induced activation of p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, and p-p38 MAPK and increase the protein expression of the IκBα. In addition, the patient got complete relief of symptoms after being treated with LS for 6 days and was proven with negative PCR test after being treated for 23 days. Finally, treatment with LS could reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, PDGF-AA/BB, Eotaxin, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, GRO, CCL-5, MCP-3, IP-10, IL-1α). Conclusion LS effectively alleviated novel SARS-CoV-2 or variants induced pneumonia in vitro and in vivo, and improved the prognosis of COVID-19. In light of the efficacy and safety profiles, LS could be considered for the treatment of COVID-19 with a broad-spectrum antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinhai Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Biao Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruihan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wencong Lu
- Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zexing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yutao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Technology Centre, Guangzhou Customs, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiaoyan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Technology Centre, Guangzhou Customs, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zifeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. .,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Potency, toxicity and protection evaluation of PastoCoAd candidate vaccines: Novel preclinical mix and match rAd5 S, rAd5 RBD-N and SOBERANA dimeric-RBD protein. Vaccine 2022; 40:2856-2868. [PMID: 35393148 PMCID: PMC8977851 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite substantial efforts, no effective treatment has been discovered for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Therefore, vaccination to reach herd immunity is the ultimate solution to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the potency, toxicity, and protection of candidate PastoCoAd vaccines as novel mix and match of recombinant adenovirus type 5 (rAd5) containing the full-length spike protein (rAd5-S), rAd5 containing the receptor-binding domain of S protein and nucleoprotein (rAd5 RBD-N), and SOBERANA dimeric RBD protein of SARS-CoV-2. Three vaccine candidates were developed against SARS-CoV-2 using adenoviral vectors, including the prime-boost (rAd5-S/rAd5 RBD-N), heterologous prime-boost (rAd5-S/ SOBERANA vaccine), and prime only (mixture of rAd5-S and rAd5 RBD-N). The rAd5-S and rAd5 RBD-N were produced with a Cytomegalovirus promoter and the human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) leader sequence. The immunogenicity of vaccine candidates was also evaluated in mouse, rabbit, and hamster models and protection was evaluated in a hamster model. Following the injection of vaccine candidates, no significant toxicity was observed in the tissues of animal models. The immunogenicity studies of mice, rabbits, and hamsters showed that responses of total IgG antibodies were significantly higher with the prime-only and heterologous prime-boost vaccines as compared to the other groups (P < 0.009). Virus neutralizing antibodies were detected, and the level of cytokines related to humoral and cellular immunity increased significantly in all vaccinated models. A high cellular immunity response was found in the vaccinated groups compared to the controls. On the other hand, the vaccine challenge test showed that the virus titers significantly decreased in the pharynx and lung tissues of vaccinated hamsters compared to the control group. These successful findings suggest the safety and protection produced by the heterologous prime-boost vaccine (adenovector/ SOBERANA RBD), as well as a single dose of adenovector vaccine in animal models.
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Thapsigargin: key to new host-directed coronavirus antivirals? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:557-568. [PMID: 35534355 PMCID: PMC9013669 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.04.004] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite the great success of vaccines that protect against RNA virus infections, and the development and clinical use of a limited number of RNA virus-specific drugs, there is still an urgent need for new classes of antiviral drugs against circulating or emerging RNA viruses. To date, it has proved difficult to efficiently suppress RNA virus replication by targeting host cell functions, and there are no approved drugs of this type. This opinion article discusses the recent discovery of a pronounced and sustained antiviral activity of the plant-derived natural compound thapsigargin against enveloped RNA viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and influenza A virus. Based on its mechanisms of action, thapsigargin represents a new prototype of compounds with multimodal host-directed antiviral activity.
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He S, Gui J, Xiong K, Chen M, Gao H, Fu Y. A roadmap to pulmonary delivery strategies for the treatment of infectious lung diseases. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:101. [PMID: 35241085 PMCID: PMC8892824 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01307-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary drug delivery is a highly attractive topic for the treatment of infectious lung diseases. Drug delivery via the pulmonary route offers unique advantages of no first-pass effect and high bioavailability, which provides an important means to deliver therapeutics directly to lung lesions. Starting from the structural characteristics of the lungs and the biological barriers for achieving efficient delivery, we aim to review literatures in the past decade regarding the pulmonary delivery strategies used to treat infectious lung diseases. Hopefully, this review article offers new insights into the future development of therapeutic strategies against pulmonary infectious diseases from a delivery point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqin He
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiajia Gui
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Kun Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Meiwan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Huile Gao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yao Fu
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Pasquero S, Gugliesi F, Griffante G, Dell’Oste V, Biolatti M, Albano C, Bajetto G, Delbue S, Signorini L, Dolci M, Landolfo S, De Andrea M. Novel antiviral activity of PAD inhibitors against human beta-coronaviruses HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral Res 2022; 200:105278. [PMID: 35288208 PMCID: PMC8915624 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, along with the likelihood that new coronavirus strains will appear in the nearby future, highlights the urgent need to develop new effective antiviral agents. In this scenario, emerging host-targeting antivirals (HTAs), which act on host-cell factors essential for viral replication, are a promising class of antiviral compounds. Here we show that a new class of HTAs targeting peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), a family of calcium-dependent enzymes catalyzing protein citrullination, is endowed with a potent inhibitory activity against human beta-coronaviruses (HCoVs). Specifically, we show that infection of human fetal lung fibroblasts with HCoV-OC43 leads to enhanced protein citrullination through transcriptional activation of PAD4, and that inhibition of PAD4-mediated citrullination with either of the two pan-PAD inhibitors Cl-A and BB-Cl or the PAD4-specific inhibitor GSK199 curbs HCoV-OC43 replication. Furthermore, we show that either Cl-A or BB-Cl treatment of African green monkey kidney Vero-E6 cells, a widely used cell system to study beta-CoV replication, potently suppresses HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 replication. Overall, our results demonstrate the potential efficacy of PAD inhibitors, in suppressing HCoV infection, which may provide the rationale for the repurposing of this class of inhibitors for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
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Ganti K, Ferreri LM, Lee CY, Bair CR, Delima GK, Holmes KE, Suthar MS, Lowen AC. Timing of exposure is critical in a highly sensitive model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010181. [PMID: 35333914 PMCID: PMC8986102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission efficiency is a critical factor determining the size of an outbreak of infectious disease. Indeed, the propensity of SARS-CoV-2 to transmit among humans precipitated and continues to sustain the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the number of new cases among contacts is highly variable and underlying reasons for wide-ranging transmission outcomes remain unclear. Here, we evaluated viral spread in golden Syrian hamsters to define the impact of temporal and environmental conditions on the efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through the air. Our data show that exposure periods as brief as one hour are sufficient to support robust transmission. However, the timing after infection is critical for transmission success, with the highest frequency of transmission to contacts occurring at times of peak viral load in the donor animals. Relative humidity and temperature had no detectable impact on transmission when exposures were carried out with optimal timing and high inoculation dose. However, contrary to expectation, trends observed with sub-optimal exposure timing and lower inoculation dose suggest improved transmission at high relative humidity or high temperature. In sum, among the conditions tested, our data reveal the timing of exposure to be the strongest determinant of SARS-CoV-2 transmission success and implicate viral load as an important driver of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketaki Ganti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lucas M. Ferreri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Chung-Young Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Camden R. Bair
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Gabrielle K. Delima
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kate E. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mehul S. Suthar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Childhood Infections and Vaccines of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance [CEIRS], Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Anice C. Lowen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance [CEIRS], Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Lieber CM, Cox RM, Sourimant J, Wolf JD, Juergens K, Phung Q, Saindane MT, Natchus MG, Painter GR, Sakamoto K, Greninger AL, Plemper RK. SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern type and biological sex affect efficacy of molnupiravir in dwarf hamster model of severe COVID-19. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022. [PMID: 35169793 DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.04.479171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) have triggered distinct infection waves in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, culminating in currently all-time high incidence rates of VOC omicron. Orally available direct-acting antivirals such as molnupiravir promise to improve disease management and limit SARS-CoV-2 spread. However, molnupiravir efficacy against VOC delta was questioned based on clinical trial results and its potency against omicron is unknown. This study evaluates molnupiravir against a panel of relevant VOC in three efficacy models: primary human airway epithelium organoids, the ferret model of upper respiratory disease, and a lethal Roborovski dwarf hamster efficacy model of severe COVID-19-like acute lung injury. All VOC were equally efficiently inhibited by molnupiravir in cultured cells and organoids. Treatment consistently reduced upper respiratory VOC shedding in ferrets and prevented viral transmission. Pathogenicity in the dwarf hamsters was VOC-dependent and highest for gamma, omicron, and delta with fulminant lung histopathology. Oral molnupiravir started 12 hours after infection resulted in complete survival of treated dwarf hamsters independent of challenge VOC. However, reduction in lung virus differed VOC-dependently, ranging from one (delta) to four (gamma) orders of magnitude compared to vehicle-treated animals. Dwarf hamsters infected with VOC omicron showed significant individual variation in response to treatment. Virus load reduction was significant in treated males, but not females. The dwarf hamster model recapitulates mixed efficacy of molnupiravir seen in human trials and alerts that therapeutic benefit of approved antivirals must be continuously reassessed in vivo as new VOC emerge.
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Da Costa CBP, Cruz ACDM, Penha JCQ, Castro HC, Da Cunha LER, Ratcliffe NA, Cisne R, Martins FJ. Using in vivo animal models for studying SARS-CoV-2. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:121-137. [PMID: 34727803 PMCID: PMC8567288 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.1995352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The search for an animal model capable of reproducing the physiopathology of the COVID-19, and also suitable for evaluating the efficacy and safety of new drugs has become a challenge for many researchers. AREAS COVERED This work reviews the current animal models for in vivo tests with SARS-CoV-2 as well as the challenges involved in the safety and efficacy trials. EXPERT OPINION Studies have reported the use of nonhuman primates, ferrets, mice, Syrian hamsters, lagomorphs, mink, and zebrafish in experiments that aimed to understand the course of COVID-19 or test vaccines and other drugs. In contrast, the assays with animal hyperimmune sera have only been used in in vitro assays. Finding an animal that faithfully reproduces all the characteristics of the disease in humans is difficult. Some models may be more complex to work with, such as monkeys, or require genetic manipulation so that they can express the human ACE2 receptor, as in the case of mice. Although some models are more promising, possibly the use of more than one animal model represents the best scenario. Therefore, further studies are needed to establish an ideal animal model to help in the development of other treatment strategies besides vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila B. P. Da Costa
- Technological Development and Innovation Laboratory of the Industrial Board, Instituto Vital Brazil, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, IB, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Julio Cesar Q Penha
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, IB, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helena C Castro
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, IB, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luis E. R. Da Cunha
- Technological Development and Innovation Laboratory of the Industrial Board, Instituto Vital Brazil, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Norman A Ratcliffe
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, IB, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biociences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Rafael Cisne
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, IB, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Cecon E, Izabelle C, Poder SL, Real F, Zhu A, Tu L, Ghigna MR, Klonjkowski B, Bomsel M, Jockers R, Dam J. Therapeutic potential of melatonin and melatonergic drugs on K18-hACE2 mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. J Pineal Res 2022; 72:e12772. [PMID: 34586649 PMCID: PMC8646885 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows, several therapeutic candidates are being tested or undergoing clinical trials. Although prophylactic vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has been shown to be effective, no definitive treatment exists to date in the event of infection. The rapid spread of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants fully warrants the continued evaluation of drug treatments for COVID-19, especially in the context of repurposing of already available and safe drugs. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of melatonin and melatonergic compounds in attenuating COVID-19 pathogenesis in mice expressing human ACE2 receptor (K18-hACE2), strongly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Daily administration of melatonin, agomelatine, or ramelteon delays the occurrence of severe clinical outcome with improvement of survival, especially with high melatonin dose. Although no changes in most lung inflammatory cytokines are observed, treatment with melatonergic compounds limits the exacerbated local lung production of type I and type III interferons, which is likely associated with the observed improved symptoms in treated mice. The promising results from this preclinical study should encourage studies examining the benefits of repurposing melatonergic drugs to treat COVID-19 and related diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Cecon
- Institut CochinINSERMCNRSUniversité de ParisParisFrance
| | | | - Sophie Le Poder
- UMR VirologieINRAEANSESÉcole Nationale Vétérinaire d'AlfortMaisons‐AlfortFrance
| | - Fernando Real
- Institut CochinINSERMCNRSUniversité de ParisParisFrance
| | - Aiwei Zhu
- Institut CochinINSERMCNRSUniversité de ParisParisFrance
| | - Ly Tu
- School of Medicine Le Kremlin‐BicêtreHôpital Marie Lannelongue, INSERM UMRS 999Université Paris‐SaclayLe Plessis‐RobinsonFrance
| | - Maria Rosa Ghigna
- School of Medicine Le Kremlin‐BicêtreHôpital Marie Lannelongue, INSERM UMRS 999Université Paris‐SaclayLe Plessis‐RobinsonFrance
| | - Bernard Klonjkowski
- UMR VirologieINRAEANSESÉcole Nationale Vétérinaire d'AlfortMaisons‐AlfortFrance
| | | | - Ralf Jockers
- Institut CochinINSERMCNRSUniversité de ParisParisFrance
| | - Julie Dam
- Institut CochinINSERMCNRSUniversité de ParisParisFrance
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39
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van de Ven K, van Dijken H, Wijsman L, Gomersbach A, Schouten T, Kool J, Lenz S, Roholl P, Meijer A, van Kasteren PB, de Jonge J. Pathology and Immunity After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Male Ferrets Is Affected by Age and Inoculation Route. Front Immunol 2021; 12:750229. [PMID: 34745122 PMCID: PMC8566349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.750229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving COVID-19 intervention strategies partly relies on animal models to study SARS-CoV-2 disease and immunity. In our pursuit to establish a model for severe COVID-19, we inoculated young and adult male ferrets intranasally or intratracheally with SARS-CoV-2. Intranasal inoculation established an infection in all ferrets, with viral dissemination into the brain and gut. Upon intratracheal inoculation only adult ferrets became infected. However, neither inoculation route induced observable COVID-19 symptoms. Despite this, a persistent inflammation in the nasal turbinates was prominent in especially young ferrets and follicular hyperplasia in the bronchi developed 21 days post infection. These effects -if sustained- might resemble long-COVID. Respiratory and systemic cellular responses and antibody responses were induced only in animals with an established infection. We conclude that intranasally-infected ferrets resemble asymptomatic COVID-19 and possibly aspects of long-COVID. Combined with the increasing portfolio to measure adaptive immunity, ferrets are a relevant model for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen van de Ven
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Harry van Dijken
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Lisa Wijsman
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Angéla Gomersbach
- Animal Research Centre, Poonawalla Science Park, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Tanja Schouten
- Animal Research Centre, Poonawalla Science Park, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Kool
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Lenz
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | - Adam Meijer
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Puck B van Kasteren
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jørgen de Jonge
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
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40
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Development of a Hamster Natural Transmission Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112251. [PMID: 34835057 PMCID: PMC8625437 DOI: 10.3390/v13112251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an international thrust to study pathogenesis and evaluate interventions. Experimental infection of hamsters and the resulting respiratory disease is one of the preferred animal models since clinical signs of disease and virus shedding are similar to more severe cases of human COVID-19. The main route of challenge has been direct inoculation of the virus via the intranasal route. To resemble the natural infection, we designed a bespoke natural transmission cage system to assess whether recipient animals housed in physically separate adjacent cages could become infected from a challenged donor animal in a central cage, with equal airflow across the two side cages. To optimise viral shedding in the donor animals, a low and moderate challenge dose were compared after direct intranasal challenge, but similar viral shedding responses were observed and no discernible difference in kinetics. The results from our natural transmission set-up demonstrate that most recipient hamsters are infected within the system developed, with variation in the kinetics and levels of disease between individual animals. Common clinical outputs used for the assessment in directly-challenged hamsters, such as weight loss, are less obvious in hamsters who become infected from naturally acquiring the infection. The results demonstrate the utility of a natural transmission model for further work on assessing the differences between virus strains and evaluating interventions using a challenge system which more closely resembles human infection.
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41
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SARS-CoV-2 Bearing a Mutation at the S1/S2 Cleavage Site Exhibits Attenuated Virulence and Confers Protective Immunity. mBio 2021; 12:e0141521. [PMID: 34425707 PMCID: PMC8406294 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01415-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) possesses a discriminative polybasic cleavage motif in its spike protein that is recognized by the host furin protease. Proteolytic cleavage activates the spike protein, thereby affecting both the cellular entry pathway and cell tropism of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated the impact of the furin cleavage site on viral growth and pathogenesis using a hamster animal model infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants bearing mutations at the furin cleavage site (S gene mutants). In the airway tissues of hamsters, the S gene mutants exhibited low growth properties. In contrast to parental pathogenic SARS-CoV-2, hamsters infected with the S gene mutants showed no body weight loss and only a mild inflammatory response, thereby indicating the attenuated variant nature of S gene mutants. This transient infection was sufficient for inducing protective neutralizing antibodies that cross-react with different SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Consequently, hamsters inoculated with S gene mutants showed resistance to subsequent infection with both the parental strain and the currently emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants belonging to lineages B.1.1.7 and P.1. Taken together, our findings revealed that the loss of the furin cleavage site causes attenuation in the airway tissues of hamsters and highlighted the potential benefits of S gene mutants as potential immunogens.
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42
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Plemper RK. Editorial overview: Special issue on antiviral strategies in Current Opinion in Virology. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 50:95-96. [PMID: 34419858 PMCID: PMC8376291 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard K Plemper
- Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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43
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Suresh V, Mohanty V, Avula K, Ghosh A, Singh B, Reddy RK, Parida D, Suryawanshi AR, Raghav SK, Chattopadhyay S, Prasad P, Swain RK, Dash R, Parida A, Syed GH, Senapati S. Quantitative proteomics of hamster lung tissues infected with SARS-CoV-2 reveal host factors having implication in the disease pathogenesis and severity. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21713. [PMID: 34105201 PMCID: PMC8206718 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100431r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) manifests lung pathology. In this study, efforts were made to check the infectivity of a local SARS‐CoV‐2 isolate in a self‐limiting and non‐lethal hamster model and evaluate the differential expression of lung proteins during acute infection and convalescence. The findings of this study confirm the infectivity of this isolate in vivo. Analysis of clinical parameters and tissue samples show the pathophysiological manifestation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection similar to that reported earlier in COVID‐19 patients and hamsters infected with other isolates. However, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), a common histopathological feature of human COVID‐19 was only occasionally noticed. The lung‐associated pathological changes were very prominent on the 4th day post‐infection (dpi), mostly resolved by 14 dpi. Here, we carried out the quantitative proteomic analysis of the lung tissues from SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected hamsters on day 4 and day 14 post‐infection. This resulted in the identification of 1585 proteins of which 68 proteins were significantly altered between both the infected groups. Pathway analysis revealed complement and coagulation cascade, platelet activation, ferroptosis, and focal adhesion as the top enriched pathways. In addition, we also identified altered expression of two pulmonary surfactant‐associated proteins (Sftpd and Sftpb), known for their protective role in lung function. Together, these findings will aid in understanding the mechanism(s) involved in SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis and progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Voddu Suresh
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.,Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | | | - Kiran Avula
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.,Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Arup Ghosh
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.,Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Bharati Singh
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.,Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, India
| | | | - Deepti Parida
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India.,Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rupesh Dash
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Ajay Parida
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
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