1
|
Das T, Luo S, Tang H, Fang J, Mao Y, Yen HH, Dash S, Shajahan A, Pepi L, Huang S, Jones VS, Xie S, Huang GF, Lu J, Anderson B, Zhang B, Azadi P, Huang RP. N-glycosylation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein at Asn331 and Asn343 is involved in spike-ACE2 binding, virus entry, and regulation of IL-6. Microbiol Immunol 2024; 68:165-178. [PMID: 38444370 PMCID: PMC11273356 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.13121] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing global public health crisis. The causative agent, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, enters host cells via molecular interactions between the viral spike protein and the host cell ACE2 surface protein. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is extensively decorated with up to 66 N-linked glycans. Glycosylation of viral proteins is known to function in immune evasion strategies but may also function in the molecular events of viral entry into host cells. Here, we show that N-glycosylation at Asn331 and Asn343 of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is required for it to bind to ACE2 and for the entry of pseudovirus harboring the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into cells. Interestingly, high-content glycan binding screening data have shown that N-glycosylation of Asn331 and Asn343 of the RBD is important for binding to the specific glycan molecule G4GN (Galβ-1,4 GlcNAc), which is critical for spike-RBD-ACE2 binding. Furthermore, IL-6 was identified through antibody array analysis of conditioned media of the corresponding pseudovirus assay. Mutation of N-glycosylation of Asn331 and Asn343 sites of the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) significantly reduced the transcriptional upregulation of pro-inflammatory signaling molecule IL-6. In addition, IL-6 levels correlated with spike protein levels in COVID-19 patients' serum. These findings establish the importance of RBD glycosylation in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, which can be exploited for the development of novel therapeutics for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuhin Das
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Shuhong Luo
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, No. 79 Ruihe Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Tang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, No. 79 Ruihe Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianmin Fang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, No. 79 Ruihe Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinging Mao
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Haw-Han Yen
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Sabyasachi Dash
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Pathology, Center for Vascular Biology, New York. NY. 10065. USA
| | - Asif Shajahan
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Gaithersburg, MD, 20788, USA
| | - Lauren Pepi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Gaithersburg, MD, 20788, USA
| | - Steven Huang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Valerie S. Jones
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Shehuo Xie
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, No. 79 Ruihe Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gordon F. Huang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Jinqiao Lu
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Blake Anderson
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Benyue Zhang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ruo-Pan Huang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., 3607 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, No. 79 Ruihe Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China
- South China Biochip Research Center, Guangzhou, China 510630
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, China 510095
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu R, Natekar JP, Kim KH, Pathak H, Bhatnagar N, Raha JR, Park BR, Guglani A, Shin CH, Kumar M, Kang SM. Multivalent and Sequential Heterologous Spike Protein Vaccinations Effectively Induce Protective Humoral Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:362. [PMID: 38675744 PMCID: PMC11053539 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants continues to cause challenging problems for the effective control of COVID-19. In this study, we tested the hypothesis of whether a strategy of multivalent and sequential heterologous spike protein vaccinations would induce a broader range and higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants and more effective protection than homologous spike protein vaccination in a mouse model. We determined spike-specific IgG, receptor-binding inhibition titers, and protective efficacy in the groups of mice that were vaccinated with multivalent recombinant spike proteins (Wuhan, Delta, Omicron), sequentially with heterologous spike protein variants, or with homologous spike proteins. Trivalent (Wuhan + Delta + Omicron) and sequential heterologous spike protein vaccinations were more effective in inducing serum inhibition activities of receptor binding to spike variants and virus neutralizing antibody titers than homologous spike protein vaccination. The higher efficacy of protection was observed in mice with trivalent and sequential heterologous spike protein vaccination after a challenge with a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 strain compared to homologous spike protein vaccination. This study provides evidence that a strategy of multivalent and sequential heterologous variant spike vaccination might provide more effective protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants than homologous spike vaccination and significantly alleviate severe inflammation due to COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liu
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| | - Janhavi P. Natekar
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (J.P.N.); (H.P.)
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| | - Heather Pathak
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (J.P.N.); (H.P.)
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| | - Jannatul Ruhan Raha
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| | - Anchala Guglani
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (J.P.N.); (H.P.)
| | - Chong Hyun Shin
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (J.P.N.); (H.P.)
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (R.L.); (K.-H.K.); (N.B.); (J.R.R.); (B.R.P.); (C.H.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mostafa HH. Is It Possible to Test for Viral Infectiousness?: The Use Case of (SARS-CoV-2). Clin Lab Med 2024; 44:85-93. [PMID: 38280800 DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2023.10.008] [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: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Identifying and managing individuals with active or chronic disease, implementing appropriate infection control measures, and mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for tests of infectiousness. The gold standard for assessing infectiousness has been the recovery of infectious virus in cell culture. Using cycle threshold values, antigen testing, and SARS-CoV-2, replication intermediate strands were used to assess infectiousness, with many limitations. Infectiousness can be influenced by host factors (eg, preexisting immune responses) and virus factors (eg, evolution).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heba H Mostafa
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Meyer B-121F, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Loi LK, Yang CC, Lin YC, Su YF, Juan YC, Chen YH, Chang HC. Decoy peptides effectively inhibit the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 on oral epithelial cells. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22614. [PMID: 38107325 PMCID: PMC10724569 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22614] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells involves the interaction between the viral spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Given that the spike protein evolves rapidly to evade host immunity, therapeutics that block ACE2 accessibility, such as spike decoys, could serve as an alternative strategy for attenuating viral infection. Here, we constructed a drug screening platform based on oral epithelial cells to rapidly identify peptides or compounds capable of blocking the spike-ACE2 interaction. We engineered short decoy peptides, 8 to 14 amino acids in length, using the spike protein's receptor-binding motif (RBM) and demonstrated that these peptides can effectively inhibit virus attachment to host cells. Additionally, we discovered that diminazene aceturate (DIZE), an ACE2 activator, similarly inhibited virus binding. Our research thus validates the potential of decoy peptides as a new therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infections, opening avenues for further development and study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lai-Keng Loi
- Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Yang
- Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Stomatology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Lin
- Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Fun Su
- iStat Biomedical Co., Ltd, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Juan
- iStat Biomedical Co., Ltd, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Chen
- Institute of Oral Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chuan Chang
- Institute of Oral Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kolesov DE, Gaiamova EA, Orlova NA, Vorobiev II. Dimeric ACE2-FC Is Equivalent to Monomeric ACE2 in the Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1274-1283. [PMID: 37770394 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923090079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the main cellular receptor for the dangerous sarbecoviruses SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Its recombinant extracellular domain is used to monitor the level of protective humoral immune response to a viral infection or vaccine using the surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). Soluble ACE2 is also considered as an option for antiviral therapy potentially insensitive to the changes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Extensive testing of the samples of patient's serum by the sVNT method requires using preparations of ACE2 or ACE2 conjugates with constant properties. We have previously obtained a cell line that is a producer of a soluble monomeric ACE2 and showed that this ACE2 variant can be used in sVNT, preferably as a conjugate with horseradish peroxidase. A cell line that generates an ACE2-Fc fusion protein with high productivity, more than 150 mg/liter of the target protein when cultured in a stirred flask, was obtained for producing a stable and universally applicable form of soluble ACE2. The affinity-purified ACE2-Fc fusion contains a mixture of dimeric and tetrameric forms, but allows obtaining linear response curves for inhibition of binding with the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by antibodies. The ACE2-Fc-HRP-based sVNT testing system can be used for practical measurements of the levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies against various circulating variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis E Kolesov
- Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Elizaveta A Gaiamova
- Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Nadezhda A Orlova
- Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Ivan I Vorobiev
- Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Akahata W, Sekida T, Nogimori T, Ode H, Tamura T, Kono K, Kazami Y, Washizaki A, Masuta Y, Suzuki R, Matsuda K, Komori M, Morey AL, Ishimoto K, Nakata M, Hasunuma T, Fukuhara T, Iwatani Y, Yamamoto T, Smith JF, Sato N. Safety and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 self-amplifying RNA vaccine expressing an anchored RBD: A randomized, observer-blind phase 1 study. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101134. [PMID: 37586325 PMCID: PMC10439244 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
VLPCOV-01 is a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine that expresses a membrane-anchored receptor-binding domain (RBD) derived from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. A phase 1 study of VLPCOV-01 is conducted (jRCT2051210164). Participants who completed two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine previously are randomized to receive one intramuscular vaccination of 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 μg VLPCOV-01, 30 μg BNT162b2, or placebo. No serious adverse events have been reported. VLPCOV-01 induces robust immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers against the RBD protein that are maintained up to 26 weeks in non-elderly participants, with geometric means ranging from 5,037 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1,272-19,940) at 0.3 μg to 12,873 (95% CI 937-17,686) at 3 μg compared with 3,166 (95% CI 1,619-6,191) with 30 μg BNT162b2. Neutralizing antibody titers against all variants of SARS-CoV-2 tested are induced. VLPCOV-01 is immunogenic following low-dose administration. These findings support the potential for saRNA as a vaccine platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Akahata
- VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc., Marunouchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan.
| | - Takashi Sekida
- VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc., Marunouchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan
| | - Takuto Nogimori
- Laboratory of Precision Immunology, Center for Intractable Diseases and ImmunoGenomics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Ode
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0001, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Tamura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kono
- VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc., Marunouchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan
| | - Yoko Kazami
- VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc., Marunouchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan
| | - Ayaka Washizaki
- Laboratory of Precision Immunology, Center for Intractable Diseases and ImmunoGenomics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yuji Masuta
- Laboratory of Precision Immunology, Center for Intractable Diseases and ImmunoGenomics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Rigel Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | - Mai Komori
- VLP Therapeutics, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | | | | | - Misako Nakata
- VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc., Marunouchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan
| | - Tomoko Hasunuma
- Department of Research, Kitasato University, Kitasato Institute Hospital, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0072, Japan
| | - Takasuke Fukuhara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Iwatani
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0001, Japan; Division of Basic Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Precision Immunology, Center for Intractable Diseases and ImmunoGenomics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | | | - Nobuaki Sato
- VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc., Marunouchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rose W, Kang G. Overstated conclusions of a non-inferiority trial testing immunogenicity and safety of homologous and heterologous booster - authors' reply. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2023; 12:100204. [PMID: 37384053 PMCID: PMC10305867 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Winsley Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, India
| | - Gagandeep Kang
- Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Plested JS, Zhu M, Cloney-Clark S, Massuda E, Patel U, Klindworth A, Massare MJ, Cai R, Fries L, Glenn G, Kalkeri R. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Receptor (Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) Binding Inhibition Assay: A Rapid, High-Throughput Assay Useful for Vaccine Immunogenicity Evaluation. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020368. [PMID: 36838333 PMCID: PMC9965183 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020368] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) show immune evasion of vaccine-derived immunity, highlighting the need for better clinical immunogenicity biomarkers. To address this need, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) binding inhibition assay was developed to measure antibodies against the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2 and was validated for precision, specificity, linearity, and other parameters. This assay measures the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein binding to the receptor, hACE2, by serum from vaccine clinical trials. Inter- and intra-assay precision, specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantitation, and assay robustness parameters successfully met the acceptance criteria. Heme and lipid matrix effects showed minimal interference on the assay. Samples were stable for testing in the assay even with 8 freeze/thaws and up to 24 months in -80 °C storage. The assay was also adapted for variants (Delta and Omicron BA.1/BA.5), with similar validation results. The hACE2 assay showed significant correlation with anti-recombinant S immunoglobulin G levels and neutralizing antibody titers. This assay provides a rapid, high-throughput option to evaluate vaccine immunogenicity. Along with other clinical biomarkers, it can provide valuable insights into immune evasion and correlates of protection and enable vaccine development against emerging COVID-19 variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mingzhu Zhu
- Clinical Immunology, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | | | - Edmond Massuda
- Clinical Immunology, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Urvashi Patel
- Clinical Immunology, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | | | | | - Rongman Cai
- Biostatistics, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Louis Fries
- Clinical Immunology, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Greg Glenn
- Discovery, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Raj Kalkeri
- Clinical Immunology, Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chavda VP, Mishra T, Vuppu S. Immunological Studies to Understand Hybrid/Recombinant Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:45. [PMID: 36679891 PMCID: PMC9867374 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010045] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 virus was present before the onset of the pandemic. It undergoes evolution, adaptation, and selection to develop variants that gain high transmission rates and virulence, resulting in the pandemic. Structurally, the spike protein of the virus is required for binding to ACE2 receptors of the host cells. The gene coding for the spike is known to have a high propensity of mutations, as a result generating numerous variants. The variants can be generated by random point mutations or recombination during replication. However, SARS-CoV-2 can also produce hybrid variants on co-infection of the host by two distinct lineages of the virus. The genomic sequences of the two variants undergo recombination to produce the hybrid variants. Additionally, these sub-variants also contain numerous mutations from both the parent variants, as well as some novel mutations unique to the hybrids. The hybrid variants (XD, XE, and XF) can be identified through numerous techniques, such as peak PCR, NAAT, and hybrid capture SARS-CoV-2 NGS (next generation sequencing) assay, etc., but the most accurate approach is genome sequencing. There are numerous immunological diagnostic assays, such as ELISA, chemiluminescence immunoassay, flow-cytometry-based approaches, electrochemiluminescence immunoassays, neutralization assays, etc., that are also designed and developed to provide an understanding of the hybrid variants, their pathogenesis, and other reactions. The objective of our study is to comprehensively analyze the variants of SARS-CoV-2, especially the hybrid variants. We have also discussed the techniques available for the identification of hybrids, as well as the immunological assays and studies for analyzing the hybrid variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivek P. Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, LM College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Toshika Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, Science, Innovation, and Society Research Lab. 115, Hexagon (SMV), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Suneetha Vuppu
- Department of Biotechnology, Science, Innovation, and Society Research Lab. 115, Hexagon (SMV), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ceballo Y, López A, González CE, Ramos O, Andújar I, Martínez RU, Hernández A. Transient production of receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants induces specific antibodies in immunized mice. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:6113-6123. [PMID: 35526244 PMCID: PMC9079970 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has currently affected millions of people around the world. To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 there is an urgent need to implement technological platforms for the production of vaccines, drugs and diagnostic systems by the scientific community and pharmaceutical companies. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the cells by the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) present in the viral surface spike protein and its human receptor ACE2. The RBD protein is therefore considered as the target for potential subunit-based vaccines. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluate the use of Nicotiana benthamiana plants as the host to transiently-producing recombinant RBD (RBDr) protein. The identity of the plant-produced RBDr was confirmed by immune assays and mass spectrometry. Immunogenicity was confirmed through the specific antibodies generated in all of the immunized mice compared to the PBS treated group. CONCLUSIONS In conclusions, the immunogenicity of the RBDr produced in N. benthamiana was confirmed. These findings support the use of plants as an antigen expression system for the rapid development of vaccine candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanaysi Ceballo
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba.
- Plant Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, PO Box 6162, 10600, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Alina López
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Carlos E González
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Osmany Ramos
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Iván Andújar
- Proteomic Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Ricardo U Martínez
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Abel Hernández
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| |
Collapse
|