1
|
Santisteban Celis IC, Matoba N. Lectibodies as antivirals. Antiviral Res 2024; 227:105901. [PMID: 38734211 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105901] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Growing concerns regarding the emergence of highly transmissible viral diseases highlight the urgent need to expand the repertoire of antiviral therapeutics. For this reason, new strategies for neutralizing and inhibiting these viruses are necessary. A promising approach involves targeting the glycans present on the surfaces of enveloped viruses. Lectins, known for their ability to recognize specific carbohydrate molecules, offer the potential for glycan-targeted antiviral strategies. Indeed, numerous studies have reported the antiviral effects of various lectins of both endogenous and exogenous origins. However, many lectins in their natural forms, are not suitable for use as antiviral therapeutics due to toxicity, other unfavorable pharmacological effects, and/or unreliable manufacturing sources. Therefore, improvements are crucial for employing lectins as effective antiviral therapeutics. A novel approach to enhance lectins' suitability as pharmaceuticals could be the generation of recombinant lectin-Fc fusion proteins, termed "lectibodies." In this review, we discuss the scientific rationale behind lectin-based antiviral strategies and explore how lectibodies could facilitate the development of new antiviral therapeutics. We will also share our perspective on the potential of these molecules to transcend their potential use as antiviral agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Carlosalberto Santisteban Celis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA; Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Nobuyuki Matoba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA; Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA; UofL Health - Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Grewal T, Nguyen MKL, Buechler C. Cholesterol and COVID-19-therapeutic opportunities at the host/virus interface during cell entry. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302453. [PMID: 38388172 PMCID: PMC10883773 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of vaccines to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has been critical to reduce the severity of COVID-19. However, the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 subtypes highlights the need to develop additional approaches that oppose viral infections. Targeting host factors that support virus entry, replication, and propagation provide opportunities to lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and improve COVID-19 outcome. This includes cellular cholesterol, which is critical for viral spike proteins to capture the host machinery for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Once endocytosed, exit of SARS-CoV-2 from the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment occurs in a cholesterol-sensitive manner. In addition, effective release of new viral particles also requires cholesterol. Hence, cholesterol-lowering statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 antibodies, and ezetimibe have revealed potential to protect against COVID-19. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of cholesterol exiting late endosomes/lysosomes identified drug candidates, including antifungals, to block SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review describes the multiple roles of cholesterol at the cell surface and endolysosomes for SARS-CoV-2 entry and the potential of drugs targeting cholesterol homeostasis to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mai Khanh Linh Nguyen
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christa Buechler
- https://ror.org/01226dv09 Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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 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., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
| | - Shuhong Luo
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Tang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianmin Fang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinging Mao
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
| | - Haw-Han Yen
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
| | - Sabyasachi Dash
- Department of Pathology, Center for Vascular Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Asif Shajahan
- Vaccine Research Center, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Lauren Pepi
- Vaccine Research Center, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Huang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Shehuo Xie
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Jinqiao Lu
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Benyue Zhang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ruo-Pan Huang
- RayBiotech Life Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
- RayBiotech Guangzhou Co. Ltd. Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
- South China Biochip Research Center, Guangzhou, China
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Klevanski M, Kim H, Heilemann M, Kuner T, Bartenschlager R. Glycan-directed SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by leek extract and lectins with insights into the mode-of-action of Concanavalin A. Antiviral Res 2024; 225:105856. [PMID: 38447646 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105856] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Four years after its outbreak, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a global challenge for human health. At its surface, SARS-CoV-2 features numerous extensively glycosylated spike proteins. This glycan coat supports virion docking and entry into host cells and at the same time renders the virus less susceptible to neutralizing antibodies. Given the high genetic plasticity of SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid emergence of immune escape variants, targeting the glycan shield by carbohydrate-binding agents emerges as a promising strategy. However, the potential of carbohydrate-targeting reagents as viral inhibitors remains underexplored. Here, we tested seven plant-derived carbohydrate-binding proteins, called lectins, and one crude plant extract for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in two types of human lung cells: A549 cells ectopically expressing the ACE2 receptor and Calu-3 cells. We identified three lectins and an Allium porrum (leek) extract inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in both cell systems with selectivity indices (SI) ranging between >2 and >299. Amongst these, the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) exerted the most potent and broad activity against a panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants. We used multiplex super-resolution microscopy to address lectin interactions with SARS-CoV-2 and its host cells. Notably, we discovered that Con A not only binds to SARS-CoV-2 virions and their host cells, but also causes SARS-CoV-2 aggregation. Thus, Con A exerts a dual mode-of-action comprising both, antiviral and virucidal, mechanisms. These results establish Con A and other plant lectins as candidates for COVID-19 prevention and basis for further drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Klevanski
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Heeyoung Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mike Heilemann
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Partner Site Heidelberg (TLRC), Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Balasco N, Damaggio G, Esposito L, Colonna V, Vitagliano L. A comprehensive analysis of SARS-CoV-2 missense mutations indicates that all possible amino acid replacements in the viral proteins occurred within the first two-and-a-half years of the pandemic. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131054. [PMID: 38522702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131054] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The surveillance of COVID-19 pandemic has led to the determination of millions of genome sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the accumulation of a wealth of information never collected before for an infectious disease. Exploring the information retrieved from the GISAID database reporting at that time >13 million genome sequences, we classified the 141,639 unique missense mutations detected in the first two-and-a-half years (up to October 2022) of the pandemic. Notably, our analysis indicates that 98.2 % of all possible conservative amino acid replacements occurred. Even non-conservative mutations were highly represented (73.9 %). For a significant number of residues (3 %), all possible replacements with the other nineteen amino acids have been observed. These observations strongly indicate that, in this time interval, the virus explored all possible alternatives in terms of missense mutations for all sites of its polypeptide chain and that those that are not observed severely affect SARS-CoV-2 integrity. The implications of the present findings go well beyond the structural biology of SARS-CoV-2 as the huge amount of information here collected and classified may be valuable for the elucidation of the sequence-structure-function relationships in proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR c/o Dep. Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Damaggio
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, CNR, Naples, Italy; Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Vincenza Colonna
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, CNR, Naples, Italy; Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang Y, Bailey TS, Hittmeyer P, Dubois LJ, Theys J, Lambin P. Multiplex genetic manipulations in Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium sporogenes to secrete recombinant antigen proteins for oral-spore vaccination. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:119. [PMID: 38659027 PMCID: PMC11040787 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02389-y] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium spp. has demonstrated therapeutic potential in cancer treatment through intravenous or intratumoral administration. This approach has expanded to include non-pathogenic clostridia for the treatment of various diseases, underscoring the innovative concept of oral-spore vaccination using clostridia. Recent advancements in the field of synthetic biology have significantly enhanced the development of Clostridium-based bio-therapeutics. These advancements are particularly notable in the areas of efficient protein overexpression and secretion, which are crucial for the feasibility of oral vaccination strategies. Here, we present two examples of genetically engineered Clostridium candidates: one as an oral cancer vaccine and the other as an antiviral oral vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS Using five validated promoters and a signal peptide derived from Clostridium sporogenes, a series of full-length NY-ESO-1/CTAG1, a promising cancer vaccine candidate, expression vectors were constructed and transformed into C. sporogenes and Clostridium butyricum. Western blotting analysis confirmed efficient expression and secretion of NY-ESO-1 in clostridia, with specific promoters leading to enhanced detection signals. Additionally, the fusion of a reported bacterial adjuvant to NY-ESO-1 for improved immune recognition led to the cloning difficulties in E. coli. The use of an AUU start codon successfully mitigated potential toxicity issues in E. coli, enabling the secretion of recombinant proteins in C. sporogenes and C. butyricum. We further demonstrate the successful replacement of PyrE loci with high-expression cassettes carrying NY-ESO-1 and adjuvant-fused NY-ESO-1, achieving plasmid-free clostridia capable of secreting the antigens. Lastly, the study successfully extends its multiplex genetic manipulations to engineer clostridia for the secretion of SARS-CoV-2-related Spike_S1 antigens. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully demonstrated that C. butyricum and C. sporogenes can produce the two recombinant antigen proteins (NY-ESO-1 and SARS-CoV-2-related Spike_S1 antigens) through genetic manipulations, utilizing the AUU start codon. This approach overcomes challenges in cloning difficult proteins in E. coli. These findings underscore the feasibility of harnessing commensal clostridia for antigen protein secretion, emphasizing the applicability of non-canonical translation initiation across diverse species with broad implications for medical or industrial biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Zhang
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands.
| | - Tom S Bailey
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
| | - Philip Hittmeyer
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
- LivingMed Biotech BV, Clos Chanmurly 13, Liège, 4000, Belgium
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Theys
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Schwarze M, Volke D, Rojas Echeverri JC, Schick R, Lakowa N, Grünewald T, Wolf J, Borte S, Scholz M, Krizsan A, Hoffmann R. Influence of Mutations and N-Glycosylation Sites in the Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) and the Membrane Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern on Antibody Binding in ELISA. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:207. [PMID: 38666819 PMCID: PMC11047955 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect human cells by first attaching to the ACE-2 receptor via its receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the spike protein. Here, we report the influence of N-glycosylation sites of the RBD and the membrane (M) protein on IgG antibody binding in serum samples from patients infected with the original SARS-CoV-2 strain in Germany. The RBDs of the wildtype, alpha, beta, gamma, and kappa variants expressed in HEK293S GnTI- cells were all N-glycosylated at Asn331, Asn334, Asn343, and Asn360 or Asn370, whereas the M-protein was glycosylated at Asn5. An ELISA using a coated RBD and probed with anti-RBD IgG antibodies gave a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 100% for the wildtype RBD, while the sensitivity decreased by 5% to 10% for the variants of concern, essentially in the order of appearance. Deglycosylation of the wildtype RBD strongly reduced antibody recognition by ~20%, considering the mean of the absorbances recorded for the ELISA. This effect was even stronger for the unglycosylated RBD expressed in Escherichia coli, suggesting structural changes affecting epitope recognition. Interestingly, the N-glycosylated M-protein expressed in HEK293S GnTI- cells gave good sensitivity (95%), which also decreased to 65% after deglycosylation, and selectivity (100%). In conclusion, N-glycosylation of the M-protein, the RBD, and most likely the spike protein are important for proper antibody binding and immunological assays, whereas the type of N-glycosylation is less relevant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Schwarze
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.S.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniela Volke
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.S.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juan Camilo Rojas Echeverri
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.S.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robin Schick
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.S.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Lakowa
- Klinik für Infektions- und Tropenmedizin, Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, 09113 Chemnitz, Germany (T.G.)
| | - Thomas Grünewald
- Klinik für Infektions- und Tropenmedizin, Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, 09113 Chemnitz, Germany (T.G.)
| | - Johannes Wolf
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital St. Georg gGmbH, 04129 Leipzig, Germany
- Immuno Deficiency Center Leipzig, Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases, Hospital St. Georg gGmbH, 04129 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Borte
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital St. Georg gGmbH, 04129 Leipzig, Germany
- Immuno Deficiency Center Leipzig, Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases, Hospital St. Georg gGmbH, 04129 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Scholz
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Universität Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE Research Center of Civilization Diseases, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andor Krizsan
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.S.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.S.)
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universität Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Haynes CA, Keppel TR, Mekonnen B, Osman SH, Zhou Y, Woolfitt AR, Baudys J, Barr JR, Wang D. Inclusion of deuterated glycopeptides provides increased sequence coverage in hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2024; 38:e9690. [PMID: 38355883 PMCID: PMC10871554 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) can provide precise analysis of a protein's conformational dynamics across varied states, such as heat-denatured versus native protein structures, localizing regions that are specifically affected by such conditional changes. Maximizing protein sequence coverage provides high confidence that regions of interest were located by HDX-MS, but one challenge for complete sequence coverage is N-glycosylation sites. The deuteration of peptides post-translationally modified by asparagine-bound glycans (glycopeptides) has not always been identified in previous reports of HDX-MS analyses, causing significant sequence coverage gaps in heavily glycosylated proteins and uncertainty in structural dynamics in many regions throughout a glycoprotein. METHODS We detected deuterated glycopeptides with a Tribrid Orbitrap Eclipse mass spectrometer performing data-dependent acquisition. An MS scan was used to identify precursor ions; if high-energy collision-induced dissociation MS/MS of the precursor indicated oxonium ions diagnostic for complex glycans, then electron transfer low-energy collision-induced dissociation MS/MS scans of the precursor identified the modified asparagine residue and the glycan's mass. As in traditional HDX-MS, the identified glycopeptides were then analyzed at the MS level in samples labeled with D2 O. RESULTS We report HDX-MS analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ectodomain in its trimeric prefusion form, which has 22 predicted N-glycosylation sites per monomer, with and without heat treatment. We identified glycopeptides and calculated their average isotopic mass shifts from deuteration. Inclusion of the deuterated glycopeptides increased sequence coverage of spike ectodomain from 76% to 84%, demonstrated that glycopeptides had been deuterated, and improved confidence in results localizing structural rearrangements. CONCLUSION Inclusion of deuterated glycopeptides improves the analysis of the conformational dynamics of glycoproteins such as viral surface antigens and cellular receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Haynes
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Theodore R Keppel
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Betlehem Mekonnen
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah H Osman
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yu Zhou
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Adrian R Woolfitt
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jakub Baudys
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - John R Barr
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dongxia Wang
- Structure Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dey M, Sharma A, Dhanawat G, Gupta D, Harshan KH, Parveen N. Synergistic Binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 and Gangliosides in Native Lipid Membranes. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:907-916. [PMID: 38412250 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00519] [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: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Viruses utilize cell surface glycans and plasma membrane receptors to attain an adequate attachment strength for initiating cellular entry. We show that SARS-CoV-2 particles bind to endogenous ACE2 receptors and added sialylated gangliosides in near-native membranes. This was explored using supported membrane bilayers (SMBs) that were formed using plasma membrane vesicles having endogenous ACE2 and GD1a gangliosides reconstituted in lipid vesicles. The virus binding rate to the SMBs is influenced by GD1a and inhibition of the ganglioside reduces the extent of virus binding to the membrane receptors. Using combinations of inhibition assays, we confirm that added GD1a in lipid membranes increases the availability of the endogenous ACE2 receptor and results in the synergistic binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the membrane receptors in SMBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manorama Dey
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Anurag Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Garvita Dhanawat
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Divya Gupta
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Krishnan H Harshan
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Nagma Parveen
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang Y, Anbir S, McTiernan J, Li S, Worcester M, Mishra P, Colvin ME, Gopinathan A, Mohideen U, Zandi R, Kuhlman TE. Synthesis, insertion, and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein within lipid bilayers. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7030. [PMID: 38416838 PMCID: PMC10901468 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Throughout history, coronaviruses have posed challenges to both public health and the global economy; nevertheless, methods to combat them remain rudimentary, primarily due to the absence of experiments to understand the function of various viral components. Among these, membrane (M) proteins are one of the most elusive because of their small size and challenges with expression. Here, we report the development of an expression system to produce tens to hundreds of milligrams of M protein per liter of Escherichia coli culture. These large yields render many previously inaccessible structural and biophysical experiments feasible. Using cryo-electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, we image and characterize individual membrane-incorporated M protein dimers and discover membrane thinning in the vicinity, which we validated with molecular dynamics simulations. Our results suggest that the resulting line tension, along with predicted induction of local membrane curvature, could ultimately drive viral assembly and budding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhong Zhang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Sara Anbir
- Biophysics Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Joseph McTiernan
- Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
| | - Siyu Li
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Michael Worcester
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Pratyasha Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Michael E. Colvin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
| | - Ajay Gopinathan
- Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
| | - Umar Mohideen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Biophysics Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Roya Zandi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Biophysics Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Thomas E. Kuhlman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Biophysics Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Microbiology Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hasse T, Mantei E, Shahoei R, Pawnikar S, Wang J, Miao Y, Huang YMM. Mechanistic insights into ligand dissociation from the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011955. [PMID: 38452125 PMCID: PMC10959368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spurred an urgent need for effective therapeutic interventions. The spike glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for infiltrating host cells, rendering it a key candidate for drug development. By interacting with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, the spike initiates the infection of SARS-CoV-2. Linoleate is known to bind the spike glycoprotein, subsequently reducing its interaction with ACE2. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the protein-ligand interaction remain unclear. In this study, we characterized the pathways of ligand dissociation and the conformational changes associated with the spike glycoprotein by using ligand Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (LiGaMD). Our simulations resulted in eight complete ligand dissociation trajectories, unveiling two distinct ligand unbinding pathways. The preference between these two pathways depends on the gate distance between two α-helices in the receptor binding domain (RBD) and the position of the N-linked glycan at N343. Our study also highlights the essential contributions of K417, N121 glycan, and N165 glycan in ligand unbinding, which are equally crucial in enhancing spike-ACE2 binding. We suggest that the presence of the ligand influences the motions of these residues and glycans, consequently reducing accessibility for spike-ACE2 binding. These findings enhance our understanding of ligand dissociation from the spike glycoprotein and offer significant implications for drug design strategies in the battle against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Hasse
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Esra Mantei
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Rezvan Shahoei
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Shristi Pawnikar
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Jinan Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Yu-ming M. Huang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Magazine N, Zhang T, Bungwon AD, McGee MC, Wu Y, Veggiani G, Huang W. Immune Epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Considerations for Universal Vaccine Development. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:214-226. [PMID: 38427047 PMCID: PMC10985062 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2400003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of global vaccination programs in slowing the spread of COVID-19, these efforts have been hindered by the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains capable of evading prior immunity. The mutation and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 have created a demand for persistent efforts in vaccine development. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has been the primary target for COVID-19 vaccine development, but it is also the hotspot of mutations directly involved in host susceptibility and virus immune evasion. Our ability to predict emerging mutants and select conserved epitopes is critical for the development of a broadly neutralizing therapy or a universal vaccine. In this article, we review the general paradigm of immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting the immunological epitopes of Spike protein that are likely associated with eliciting protective immunity resulting from vaccination in humans. Specifically, we analyze the structural and evolutionary characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein related to immune activation and function via the TLRs, B cells, and T cells. We aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of immune epitopes of Spike protein, thereby contributing to the development of new strategies for broad neutralization or universal vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Magazine
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Anang D. Bungwon
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Michael C. McGee
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Gianluca Veggiani
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Weishan Huang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pasala C, Sharma S, Roychowdhury T, Moroni E, Colombo G, Chiosis G. N-Glycosylation as a Modulator of Protein Conformation and Assembly in Disease. Biomolecules 2024; 14:282. [PMID: 38540703 PMCID: PMC10968129 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation, a prevalent post-translational modification, plays a pivotal role in regulating intricate cellular processes by covalently attaching glycans to macromolecules. Dysregulated glycosylation is linked to a spectrum of diseases, encompassing cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, congenital disorders, infections, and inflammation. This review delves into the intricate interplay between glycosylation and protein conformation, with a specific focus on the profound impact of N-glycans on the selection of distinct protein conformations characterized by distinct interactomes-namely, protein assemblies-under normal and pathological conditions across various diseases. We begin by examining the spike protein of the SARS virus, illustrating how N-glycans regulate the infectivity of pathogenic agents. Subsequently, we utilize the prion protein and the chaperone glucose-regulated protein 94 as examples, exploring instances where N-glycosylation transforms physiological protein structures into disease-associated forms. Unraveling these connections provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic avenues and a deeper comprehension of the molecular intricacies that underlie disease conditions. This exploration of glycosylation's influence on protein conformation effectively bridges the gap between the glycome and disease, offering a comprehensive perspective on the therapeutic implications of targeting conformational mutants and their pathologic assemblies in various diseases. The goal is to unravel the nuances of these post-translational modifications, shedding light on how they contribute to the intricate interplay between protein conformation, assembly, and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjeevi Pasala
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (C.P.); (S.S.); (T.R.)
| | - Sahil Sharma
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (C.P.); (S.S.); (T.R.)
| | - Tanaya Roychowdhury
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (C.P.); (S.S.); (T.R.)
| | - Elisabetta Moroni
- The Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies (SCITEC), Italian National Research Council (CNR), 20131 Milano, Italy; (E.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Giorgio Colombo
- The Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies (SCITEC), Italian National Research Council (CNR), 20131 Milano, Italy; (E.M.); (G.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriela Chiosis
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (C.P.); (S.S.); (T.R.)
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Maity S, Acharya A. Many Roles of Carbohydrates: A Computational Spotlight on the Coronavirus S Protein Binding. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:646-656. [PMID: 36947738 PMCID: PMC10880061 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylation is one of the post-translational modifications with more than 50% of human proteins being glycosylated. The exact nature and chemical composition of glycans are inaccessible to X-ray or cryo-electron microscopy imaging techniques. Therefore, computational modeling studies and molecular dynamics must be used as a "computational microscope". The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is heavily glycosylated, and a few glycans play a more functional role "beyond shielding". In this mini-review, we discuss computational investigations of the roles of specific S-protein and ACE2 glycans in the overall ACE2-S protein binding. We highlight different functions of specific glycans demonstrated in myriad computational models and simulations in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binding to the receptor. We also discuss interactions between glycocalyx and the S protein, which may be utilized to design prophylactic polysaccharide-based therapeutics targeting the S protein. In addition, we underline the recent emergence of coronavirus variants and their impact on the S protein and its glycans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suman Maity
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Atanu Acharya
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- BioInspired
Syracuse, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cummings MJ, Bakamutumaho B, Lutwama JJ, Owor N, Che X, Astorkia M, Postler TS, Kayiwa J, Kiconco J, Muwanga M, Nsereko C, Rwamutwe E, Nayiga I, Kyebambe S, Haumba M, Bosa HK, Ocom F, Watyaba B, Kikaire B, Tomoiaga AS, Kisaka S, Kiwanuka N, Lipkin WI, O'Donnell MR. COVID-19 immune signatures in Uganda persist in HIV co-infection and diverge by pandemic phase. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1475. [PMID: 38368384 PMCID: PMC10874401 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45204-3] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the pathobiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in sub-Saharan Africa, where severe COVID-19 fatality rates are among the highest in the world and the immunological landscape is unique. In a prospective cohort study of 306 adults encompassing the entire clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Uganda, we profile the peripheral blood proteome and transcriptome to characterize the immunopathology of COVID-19 across multiple phases of the pandemic. Beyond the prognostic importance of myeloid cell-driven immune activation and lymphopenia, we show that multifaceted impairment of host protein synthesis and redox imbalance define core biological signatures of severe COVID-19, with central roles for IL-7, IL-15, and lymphotoxin-α in COVID-19 respiratory failure. While prognostic signatures are generally consistent in SARS-CoV-2/HIV-coinfection, type I interferon responses uniquely scale with COVID-19 severity in persons living with HIV. Throughout the pandemic, COVID-19 severity peaked during phases dominated by A.23/A.23.1 and Delta B.1.617.2/AY variants. Independent of clinical severity, Delta phase COVID-19 is distinguished by exaggerated pro-inflammatory myeloid cell and inflammasome activation, NK and CD8+ T cell depletion, and impaired host protein synthesis. Combining these analyses with a contemporary Ugandan cohort of adults hospitalized with influenza and other severe acute respiratory infections, we show that activation of epidermal and platelet-derived growth factor pathways are distinct features of COVID-19, deepening translational understanding of mechanisms potentially underlying SARS-CoV-2-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, our findings provide biological rationale for use of broad and targeted immunotherapies for severe COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, illustrate the relevance of local viral and host factors to SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology, and highlight underemphasized yet therapeutically exploitable immune pathways driving COVID-19 severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Cummings
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Barnabas Bakamutumaho
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Julius J Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Nicholas Owor
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Xiaoyu Che
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maider Astorkia
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas S Postler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Kayiwa
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jocelyn Kiconco
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Irene Nayiga
- Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Mercy Haumba
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Henry Kyobe Bosa
- Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces, Kampala, Uganda
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Benjamin Watyaba
- European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership-Eastern Africa Consortium for Clinical Research, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bernard Kikaire
- European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership-Eastern Africa Consortium for Clinical Research, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Pediatrics, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alin S Tomoiaga
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Accounting, Business Analytics, Computer Information Systems, and Law, Manhattan College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stevens Kisaka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Noah Kiwanuka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - W Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Max R O'Donnell
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhou Y, Tan C, Zenobi R. Rapid Profiling of the Glycosylation Effects on the Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Using MALDI-MS with High Mass Detection. Anal Chem 2024; 96:1898-1905. [PMID: 38279913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 binds directly to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), mediating the host cell entry of SARS-CoV-2. Both spike protein and ACE2 are highly glycosylated, which can regulate the binding. Here, we utilized high-mass MALDI-MS with chemical cross-linking for profiling the glycosylation effects on the binding between RBD and ACE2. Overall, it was found that ACE2 glycosylation affects the binding more strongly than does RBD glycosylation. The binding affinity was improved after desialylation or partial deglycosylation (N690) of ACE2, while it decreased after degalactosylation. ACE2 can form dimers in solution, which bind more tightly to the RBD than the ACE2 monomers. The ACE2 dimerization and the binding of RBD to dimeric ACE2 can also be improved by the desialylation or deglycosylation of ACE2. Partial deglycosylation of ACE2 increased the dimerization of ACE2 and the binding affinity of RBD and ACE2 by more than a factor of 2, suggesting its high potential for neutralizing SARS-CoV-2. The method described in the work provided a simple way to analyze the protein-protein interaction without sample purification. It can be widely used for rapid profiling of glycosylation effects on protein-protein interaction for glycosylation-related diseases and the study of multiple interactions between protein and protein aggregates in a single system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuye Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Chemistry, Division of Applied Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Congrui Tan
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Renato Zenobi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Matveev EV, Ponomarev GV, Kazanov MD. Genome-wide bioinformatics analysis of human protease capacity for proteolytic cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0353023. [PMID: 38189333 PMCID: PMC10846095 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03530-23] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily enters the cell by binding the virus's spike (S) glycoprotein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor on the cell surface, followed by proteolytic cleavage by host proteases. Studies have identified furin and transmembrane protease serine 2 proteases in priming and triggering cleavages of the S glycoprotein, converting it into a fusion-competent form and initiating membrane fusion, respectively. Alternatively, SARS-CoV-2 can enter the cell through the endocytic pathway, where activation is triggered by lysosomal cathepsin L. However, other proteases are also suspected to be involved in both entry routes. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide bioinformatics analysis to explore the capacity of human proteases in hydrolyzing peptide bonds of the S glycoprotein. Predictive models of sequence specificity for 169 human proteases were constructed and applied to the S glycoprotein together with the method for predicting structural susceptibility to proteolysis of protein regions. After validating our approach on extensively studied S2' and S1/S2 cleavage sites, we applied our method to each peptide bond of the S glycoprotein across all 169 proteases. Our results indicate that various members of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type, type II transmembrane family serine protease, and kallikrein families, as well as specific coagulation factors, are capable of cleaving S2' or S1/S2 sites. We have also identified a potential cleavage site of cathepsin L at the K790 position within the S2' loop. Structural analysis suggests that cleavage of this site induces conformational changes similar to the cleavage at the R815 (S2') position, leading to the exposure of the fusion peptide and subsequent fusion with the membrane. Other potential cleavage sites and the influence of mutations in common SARS-CoV-2 variants on proteolytic efficiency are discussed.IMPORTANCEThe entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the cell, activated by host proteases, is considerably more complex in coronaviruses than in most other viruses and is not fully understood. There is evidence that other proteases beyond the known furin and transmembrane protease serine 2 can activate the spike protein. Another example of uncertainty is the cleavage site for the alternative endocytic route of SARS-CoV-2 entrance, which is still unknown. Bioinformatics methods, modeling protease specificity and estimating the structural susceptibility of protein regions to proteolysis, can aid in studying this topic by predicting the involved proteases and their cleavage sites, thereby substantially reducing the amount of experimental work. Elucidating the mechanisms of spike protein activation is crucial for preventing possible future coronavirus pandemics and developing antiviral drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii V. Matveev
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Research and Training Center on Bioinformatics, A.A.Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Gennady V. Ponomarev
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Research and Training Center on Bioinformatics, A.A.Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marat D. Kazanov
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Research and Training Center on Bioinformatics, A.A.Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Loh SN, Anthony IR, Gavor E, Lim XS, Kini RM, Mok YK, Sivaraman J. Recognition of Aedes aegypti Mosquito Saliva Protein LTRIN by the Human Receptor LTβR for Controlling the Immune Response. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:42. [PMID: 38248473 PMCID: PMC10813304 DOI: 10.3390/biology13010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Salivary proteins from mosquitoes have received significant attention lately due to their potential to develop therapeutic treatments or vaccines for mosquito-borne diseases. Here, we report the characterization of LTRIN (lymphotoxin beta receptor inhibitor), a salivary protein known to enhance the pathogenicity of ZIKV by interrupting the LTβR-initiated NF-κB signaling pathway and, therefore, diminish the immune responses. We demonstrated that the truncated C-terminal LTRIN (ΔLTRIN) is a dimeric protein with a stable alpha helix-dominant secondary structure, which possibly aids in withstanding the temperature fluctuations during blood-feeding events. ΔLTRIN possesses two Ca2+ binding EF-hand domains, with the second EF-hand motif playing a more significant role in interacting with LTβR. Additionally, we mapped the primary binding regions of ΔLTRIN on LTβR using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and identified that 91QEKAHIAEHMDVPIDTSKMSEQELQFHY118 from the N-terminal of ΔLTRIN is the major interacting region. Together, our studies provide insight into the recognition of LTRIN by LTβR. This finding may aid in a future therapeutic and transmission-blocking vaccine development against ZIKV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Ning Loh
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
| | - Ian Russell Anthony
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
| | - Edem Gavor
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
| | - Xin Shan Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Yu Keung Mok
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
| | - J. Sivaraman
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (S.N.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hanisch FG. Site-Specific O-glycosylation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Its Impact on Immune and Autoimmune Responses. Cells 2024; 13:107. [PMID: 38247799 PMCID: PMC10814047 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020107] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The world-wide COVID-19 pandemic has promoted a series of alternative vaccination strategies aiming to elicit neutralizing adaptive immunity in the human host. However, restricted efficacies of these vaccines targeting epitopes on the spike (S) protein that is involved in primary viral entry were observed and putatively assigned to viral glycosylation as an effective escape mechanism. Besides the well-recognized N-glycan shield covering SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) proteins, immunization strategies may be hampered by heavy O-glycosylation and variable O-glycosites fluctuating depending on the organ sites of primary infection and those involved in immunization. A further complication associated with viral glycosylation arises from the development of autoimmune antibodies to self-carbohydrates, including O-linked blood group antigens, as structural parts of viral proteins. This outline already emphasizes the importance of viral glycosylation in general and, in particular, highlights the impact of the site-specific O-glycosylation of virions, since this modification is independent of sequons and varies strongly in dependence on cell-specific repertoires of peptidyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases with their varying site preferences and of glycan core-specific glycosyltransferases. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the viral O-glycosylation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its impact on virulence and immune modulation in the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franz-Georg Hanisch
- Center of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chatterjee S, Zaia J. Proteomics-based mass spectrometry profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infection from human nasopharyngeal samples. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2024; 43:193-229. [PMID: 36177493 PMCID: PMC9538640 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the on-going global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that continues to pose a significant threat to public health worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 encodes four structural proteins namely membrane, nucleocapsid, spike, and envelope proteins that play essential roles in viral entry, fusion, and attachment to the host cell. Extensively glycosylated spike protein efficiently binds to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 initiating viral entry and pathogenesis. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swab is the preferred method of sample collection and viral detection because it is a rapid, specific, and high-throughput technique. Alternate strategies such as proteomics and glycoproteomics-based mass spectrometry enable a more detailed and holistic view of the viral proteins and host-pathogen interactions and help in detection of potential disease markers. In this review, we highlight the use of mass spectrometry methods to profile the SARS-CoV-2 proteome from clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples. We also highlight the necessity for a comprehensive glycoproteomics mapping of SARS-CoV-2 from biological complex matrices to identify potential COVID-19 markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayantani Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass SpectrometryBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Joseph Zaia
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass SpectrometryBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Bioinformatics ProgramBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jia J, Garbarino E, Wang Y, Li J, Song M, Zhang X, Wang X, Li L, Chi J, Cui L, Tang H. Generation of SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain mutants and functional screening for immune evaders using a novel lentivirus-based system. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29425. [PMID: 38258313 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29425] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of rapid and continuous mutations of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein that increased with the Omicron variant points out the necessity to anticipate such mutations for conceiving specific and adaptable therapies to avoid another pandemic. The crucial target for the antibody treatment and vaccine design is the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. It is also the site where the virus has shown its high ability to mutate and consequently escape immune response. We developed a robust and simple method for generating a large number of functional SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD mutants by error-prone PCR and a novel nonreplicative lentivirus-based system. We prepared anti-RBD wild type (WT) polyclonal antibodies and used them to screen and select for mutant libraries that escape inhibition of virion entry into recipient cells expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2. We isolated, cloned, and sequenced six mutants totally bearing nine mutation sites. Eight mutations were found in successive WT variants, including Omicron and other recombinants, whereas one is novel. These results, together with the detailed functional analyses of two mutants provided the proof of concept for our approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junli Jia
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Emanuela Garbarino
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuhang Wang
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaming Li
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minmin Song
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinjie Wang
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingyun Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Chi
- Department of Microbiological Laboratory, Baoan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lunbiao Cui
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Huamin Tang
- Department of Immunology, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- The Laboratory Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Gutierrez Reyes CD, Sanni A, Adeniyi M, Mogut D, Najera Gonzalez HR, Ahmadi P, Atashi M, Onigbinde S, Mechref Y. Targeted Glycoproteomics Analysis Using MRM/PRM Approaches. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2762:231-250. [PMID: 38315369 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3666-4_14] [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: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
MS-target analyses are frequently utilized to analyze and validate structural changes of biomolecules across diverse fields of study such as proteomics, glycoproteomics, glycomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. Targeted studies are commonly conducted using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) techniques. A reliable glycoproteomics analysis in intricate biological matrices is possible with these techniques, which streamline the analytical workflow, lower background interference, and enhance selectivity and specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Akeem Sanni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Moyinoluwa Adeniyi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Damir Mogut
- Department of Food Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Hector R Najera Gonzalez
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Parisa Ahmadi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Mojgan Atashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Sherifdeen Onigbinde
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Upadhyay V, Panja S, Lucas A, Patrick C, Mallela KMG. Biophysical evolution of the receptor-binding domains of SARS-CoVs. Biophys J 2023; 122:4489-4502. [PMID: 37897042 PMCID: PMC10719049 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With hundreds of coronaviruses (CoVs) identified in bats that can infect humans, it is essential to understand how CoVs that affected the human population have evolved. Seven known CoVs have infected humans, of which three CoVs caused severe disease with high mortalities: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV emerged in 2002, Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 belong to the same family, follow the same receptor pathway, and use their receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein to bind to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the human epithelial cell surface. The sequence of the two RBDs is divergent, especially in the receptor-binding motif that directly interacts with ACE2. We probed the biophysical differences between the two RBDs in terms of their structure, stability, aggregation, and function. Since RBD is being explored as an antigen in protein subunit vaccines against CoVs, determining these biophysical properties will also aid in developing stable protein subunit vaccines. Our results show that, despite RBDs having a similar three-dimensional structure, they differ in their thermodynamic stability. RBD of SARS-CoV-2 is significantly less stable than that of SARS-CoV. Correspondingly, SARS-CoV-2 RBD shows a higher aggregation propensity. Regarding binding to ACE2, less stable SARS-CoV-2 RBD binds with a higher affinity than more stable SARS-CoV RBD. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RBD is more homogenous in terms of its binding stoichiometry toward ACE2 compared to SARS-CoV RBD. These results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 RBD differs from SARS-CoV RBD in terms of its stability, aggregation, and function, possibly originating from the diverse receptor-binding motifs. Higher aggregation propensity and decreased stability of SARS-CoV-2 RBD warrant further optimization of protein subunit vaccines that use RBD as an antigen by inserting stabilizing mutations or formulation screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Upadhyay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sudipta Panja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Alexandra Lucas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Casey Patrick
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Krishna M G Mallela
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Magazine N, Zhang T, Bungwon AD, McGee MC, Wu Y, Veggiani G, Huang W. Immune Epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Considerations for Universal Vaccine Development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.26.564184. [PMID: 37961687 PMCID: PMC10634854 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the success of global vaccination programs in slowing the spread of COVID-19, these efforts have been hindered by the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains capable of evading prior immunity. The mutation and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 have created a demand for persistent efforts in vaccine development. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has been the primary target for COVID-19 vaccine development, but it is also the hotspot of mutations directly involved in host susceptibility and immune evasion. Our ability to predict emerging mutants and select conserved epitopes is critical for the development of a broadly neutralizing therapy or a universal vaccine. In this article, we review the general paradigm of immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting the immunological epitopes of Spike protein that are likely associated with eliciting protective immunity resulting from vaccination. Specifically, we analyze the structural and evolutionary characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein related to immune activation and function via the toll-like receptors (TLRs), B cells, and T cells. We aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of immune epitopes of Spike protein, thereby contributing to the development of new strategies for broad neutralization or universal vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Magazine
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Anang D. Bungwon
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Michael C. McGee
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Gianluca Veggiani
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Weishan Huang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Woodall DW, Thomson CA, Dillon TM, McAuley A, Green LB, Foltz IN, Bondarenko PV. Native SEC and Reversed-Phase LC-MS Reveal Impact of Fab Glycosylation of Anti-SARS-COV-2 Antibodies on Binding to the Receptor Binding Domain. Anal Chem 2023; 95:15477-15485. [PMID: 37812809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The binding affinity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for their intended therapeutic targets is often affected by chemical and post-translational modifications in the antigen binding (Fab) domains. A new two-dimensional analytical approach is described here utilizing native size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to separate populations of antibodies and bound antibody-antigen complexes for subsequent characterization of these modifications by reversed-phase (RP) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) at the intact antibody level. Previously, we utilized peptide mapping to measure modifications impacting binding. However, in this study, the large size of the modification (N-glycosylation) allowed assessing its impact from small amounts (∼20 ug) of intact antibody, without the need for peptide mapping. Here, we apply the native SEC-based competitive binding assay to quickly and qualitatively investigate the effects of Fab glycosylation of four antispike protein mAbs that were developed for use in the treatment of COVID-19 disease. Three of the mAbs were observed to have consensus N-glycosylation sites (N-X-T/S) in the Fab domains, a relatively rare occurrence in therapeutic mAbs. The goal of the study was to characterize the levels of Fab glycosylation present, as well as determine the impact of glycosylation on binding to the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) and the ability of the mAbs to inhibit RBD-ACE2 interaction at the intact antibody level, with minimal sample treatment and preparation. The three mAbs with Fab N-glycans were found to have glycosylation profiles ranging from full occupancy at each Fab (in one mAb) to partially glycosylated with mixed populations of two, one, or no glycan moieties. Competitive SEC analysis of mAb-RBD revealed that the glycosylated antibody populations outcompete their nonglycosylated counterparts for the available RBD molecules. This competitive SEC binding analysis was applied to investigate the three-body interaction of a glycosylated mAb blocking the interaction between endogenous binding partners RBD-ACE2, finding that both glycosylated and nonglycosylated mAb populations bound to RBD with high enough affinity to block RBD-ACE2 binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Woodall
- Attribute Sciences, Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Christy A Thomson
- Discovery Protein Science, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Burnaby, BC V5A1 V7, Canada
| | - Thomas M Dillon
- Attribute Sciences, Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Arnold McAuley
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Lydia B Green
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Burnaby, BC V5A1 V7, Canada
| | - Ian N Foltz
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Burnaby, BC V5A1 V7, Canada
| | - Pavel V Bondarenko
- Attribute Sciences, Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Nagar G, Jain S, Rajurkar M, Lothe R, Rao H, Majumdar S, Gautam M, Rodriguez-Aponte SA, Crowell LE, Love JC, Dandekar P, Puranik A, Gairola S, Shaligram U, Jain R. Large-Scale Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Expressed in Yeast. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1602. [PMID: 37897004 PMCID: PMC10610970 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101602] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is an essential component of numerous protein-based vaccines for COVID-19. The receptor-binding domain of this spike protein is a promising antigen with ease of expression in microbial hosts and scalability at comparatively low production costs. This study describes the production, purification, and characterization of RBD of SARS-CoV-2 protein, which is currently in clinical trials, from a commercialization perspective. The protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris in a large-scale bioreactor of 1200 L capacity. Protein capture and purification are conducted through mixed-mode chromatography followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. This two-step purification process produced RBD with an overall productivity of ~21 mg/L at >99% purity. The protein's primary, secondary, and tertiary structures were also verified using LCMS-based peptide mapping, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The glycoprotein was further characterized for quality attributes such as glycosylation, molecular weight, purity, di-sulfide bonding, etc. Through structural analysis, it was confirmed that the product maintained a consistent quality across different batches during the large-scale production process. The binding capacity of RBD of spike protein was also assessed using human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. A low binding constant range of KD values, ranging between 3.63 × 10-8 to 6.67 × 10-8, demonstrated a high affinity for the ACE2 receptor, revealing this protein as a promising candidate to prevent the entry of COVID-19 virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Nagar
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Siddharth Jain
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Meghraj Rajurkar
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Rakesh Lothe
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Harish Rao
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Sourav Majumdar
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Manish Gautam
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Sergio A. Rodriguez-Aponte
- Department of Biological Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
| | - Laura E. Crowell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (L.E.C.); (J.C.L.)
| | - J. Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (L.E.C.); (J.C.L.)
| | - Prajakta Dandekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India;
| | - Amita Puranik
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India
| | - Sunil Gairola
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Umesh Shaligram
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Hadapsar, Pune 411028, India; (G.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Ratnesh Jain
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bejoy J, Williams CI, Cole HJ, Manzoor S, Davoodi P, Battaile JI, Kaushik A, Nikolaienko SI, Brelidze TI, Gychka SG, Suzuki YJ. Effects of spike proteins on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 748:109769. [PMID: 37769892 PMCID: PMC10615800 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109769] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which enters host cells through interactions of its spike protein to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is a peptidase that cleaves Angiotensin II, a critical pathological mediator. This study investigated if the spike protein binding to ACE2 compromises its peptidase activity. Spike/ACE2 Binding Assays suggested that spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but not HKU1, bind to ACE2. S1 and receptor-binding domain (RBD), but not S2, extracellular domain (ECD) or CendR domain, bind to ACE2. While glycosylated spike proteins prepared in HEK293 cells bind to ACE2, non-glycosylated proteins produced in E. coli do not. Cysteine residues of the spike protein expressed in HEK293 cells are fully oxidized, while those of the protein expressed in E. coli are reduced. The deglycosylation of HEK cell-produced protein attenuates the ACE2 binding, while the oxidation of the E. coli protein does not promote the binding. The S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 enhances the ACE2 peptidase activity, while SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV or HKU1 does not. The ACE2 activity is enhanced by RBD, but not ECD or CendR. In contrast to distinct ACE2 binding capacities of proteins expressed in HEK293 cells and in E. coli, spike proteins expressed in both systems enhance the ACE2 activity. Thus, the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, but not other coronaviruses, enhances the ACE2 peptidase activity through its RBD in a glycosylation-independent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennyfer Bejoy
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Charlye I Williams
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Hattie J Cole
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Shavaiz Manzoor
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Parsa Davoodi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Jacqueline I Battaile
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Arjun Kaushik
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Sofia I Nikolaienko
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine
| | - Tinatin I Brelidze
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Sergiy G Gychka
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine
| | - Yuichiro J Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ruocco V, Vavra U, König-Beihammer J, Bolaños−Martínez OC, Kallolimath S, Maresch D, Grünwald-Gruber C, Strasser R. Impact of mutations on the plant-based production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBDs. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1275228. [PMID: 37868317 PMCID: PMC10588190 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1275228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines based on recombinant viral antigens are valuable interventions to fight existing and evolving viruses and can be produced at large-scale in plant-based expression systems. The recombinant viral antigens are often derived from glycosylated envelope proteins of the virus and glycosylation plays an important role for the immunogenicity by shielding protein epitopes. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike is a principal target for vaccine development and has been produced in plants, but the yields of recombinant RBD variants were low and the role of the N-glycosylation in RBD from different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is less studied. Here, we investigated the expression and glycosylation of six different RBD variants transiently expressed in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. All of the purified RBD variants were functional in terms of receptor binding and displayed almost full N-glycan occupancy at both glycosylation sites with predominately complex N-glycans. Despite the high structural sequence conservation of the RBD variants, we detected a variation in yield which can be attributed to lower expression and differences in unintentional proteolytic processing of the C-terminal polyhistidine tag used for purification. Glycoengineering towards a human-type complex N-glycan profile with core α1,6-fucose, showed that the reactivity of the neutralizing antibody S309 differs depending on the N-glycan profile and the RBD variant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ruocco
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Vavra
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia König-Beihammer
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Omayra C. Bolaños−Martínez
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Somanath Kallolimath
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Maresch
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald-Gruber
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Guruprasad L, Naresh GKRS, Boggarapu G. Taking stock of the mutations in human SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins: From early days to nearly the end of COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Res Struct Biol 2023; 6:100107. [PMID: 37841365 PMCID: PMC10569959 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2023.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causative agent of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in several deaths and severe economic losses throughout the world. The spike protein in the virus binds to the human ACE-2 receptor in order to mediate virus-host interactions required for the viral transmission. Since first report of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence during December 2019 from patient infected with the virus in Wuhan, China, the virus has undergone rapid changes leading to mutations comprising substitutions, deletions and insertions in the sequence resulting in several variants of the virus that were more virulent and transmissible or less virulent but highly transmissible. The timely intervention with COVID-19 vaccines proved to be effective in controlling the number of infections. However, rapid mutations in the virus led to the lowering of vaccine efficacies being administered to people. In May 2023, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 was not a public health emergency of international concern anymore. In order to take stock of mutations in the virus from early days to nearly end of COVID-19 pandemic, sequence analyses of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins available in the NCBI Virus database was carried out. The mutations and invariant residues in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences relative to the reference sequence were analysed. The location of the invariant residues and residues at interface of the protein chains in the spike protein trimer complex structure were examined. A total of 111,298 non-redundant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences representing 2,345,585 spike proteins in the NCBI Virus database showed mutations at 1252 of the 1273 positions in the amino acid sequence. The mutations represented 6129 different mutation types in the sequences analysed. Besides, some sequences also contained insertion mutations. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences represented 1435 lineages. In addition, several spike protein sequences with mutations whose lineages were either 'not classified' or were 'unclassifiable' indicated the virus could still be evolving.
Collapse
|
30
|
van der Donk LEH, Bermejo-Jambrina M, van Hamme JL, Volkers MMW, van Nuenen AC, Kootstra NA, Geijtenbeek TBH. SARS-CoV-2 suppresses TLR4-induced immunity by dendritic cells via C-type lectin receptor DC-SIGN. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011735. [PMID: 37844099 PMCID: PMC10602378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, an infectious disease with symptoms ranging from a mild cold to severe pneumonia, inflammation, and even death. Although strong inflammatory responses are a major factor in causing morbidity and mortality, superinfections with bacteria during severe COVID-19 often cause pneumonia, bacteremia and sepsis. Aberrant immune responses might underlie increased sensitivity to bacteria during COVID-19 but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 directly suppresses immune responses to bacteria. We studied the functionality of human dendritic cells (DCs) towards a variety of bacterial triggers after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein and SARS-CoV-2 primary isolate (hCoV-19/Italy). Notably, pre-exposure of DCs to either SARS-CoV-2 S protein or a SARS-CoV-2 isolate led to reduced type I interferon (IFN) and cytokine responses in response to Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas other TLR agonists were not affected. SARS-CoV-2 S protein interacted with the C-type lectin receptor DC-SIGN and, notably, blocking DC-SIGN with antibodies restored type I IFN and cytokine responses to LPS. Moreover, blocking the kinase Raf-1 by a small molecule inhibitor restored immune responses to LPS. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 modulates DC function upon TLR4 triggering via DC-SIGN-induced Raf-1 pathway. These data imply that SARS-CoV-2 actively suppresses DC function via DC-SIGN, which might account for the higher mortality rates observed in patients with COVID-19 and bacterial superinfections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lieve E. H. van der Donk
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Bermejo-Jambrina
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - John L. van Hamme
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mette M. W. Volkers
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ad C. van Nuenen
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Neeltje A. Kootstra
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teunis B. H. Geijtenbeek
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Reyes CDG, Onigbinde S, Sanni A, Bennett AI, Jiang P, Daramola O, Ahmadi P, Fowowe M, Atashi M, Sandilya V, Hakim MA, Mechref Y. N-Glycome Profile of the Spike Protein S1: Systemic and Comparative Analysis from Eleven Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1421. [PMID: 37759821 PMCID: PMC10526240 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly spread worldwide, threatening public health. Since it emerged, the scientific community has been engaged in the development of effective therapeutics and vaccines. The subunit S1 in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 mediates the viral entry into the host and is therefore one of the major research targets. The S1 protein is extensively glycosylated, and there is compelling evidence that glycans protect the virus' active site from the human defense system. Therefore, investigation of the S1 protein glycome alterations in the different virus variants will provide a view of the glycan evolution and its relationship with the virus pathogenesis. In this study, we explored the N-glycosylation expression of the S1 protein for eleven SARS-CoV-2 variants: five variants of concern (VOC), including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron, and six variants of interest (VOI), including epsilon, eta, iota, lambda, kappa, and mu. The results showed significant differences in the N-glycome abundance of all variants. The N-glycome of the VOC showed a large increase in the abundance of sialofucosylated glycans, with the greatest abundance in the omicron variant. In contrast, the results showed a large abundance of fucosylated glycans for most of the VOI. Two glycan compositions, GlcNAc4,Hex5,Fuc,NeuAc (4-5-1-1) and GlcNAc6,Hex8,Fuc,NeuAc (6-8-1-1), were the most abundant structures across all variants. We believe that our data will contribute to understanding the S1 protein's structural differences between SARS-CoV-2 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (C.D.G.R.); (S.O.); (A.S.); (A.I.B.); (P.J.); (O.D.); (P.A.); (M.F.); (M.A.); (V.S.); (M.A.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Connor RI, Sakharkar M, Rappazzo CG, Kaku CI, Curtis NC, Shin S, Wieland-Alter WF, Weiner JA, Ackerman ME, Walker LM, Lee J, Wright PF. Characteristics and functions of infection-enhancing antibodies to the N-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558444. [PMID: 37786672 PMCID: PMC10541592 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Characterization of functional antibody responses to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein has included identification of both potent neutralizing activity and putative enhancement of infection. Fcγ-receptor (FcγR)-independent enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 infection mediated by NTD-binding monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has been observed in vitro , but the functional significance of these antibodies in vivo is not clear. Here we studied 1,213 S-binding mAbs derived from longitudinal sampling of B-cells collected from eight COVID-19 convalescent patients and identified 72 (5.9%) mAbs that enhanced infection in a VSV-SARS-CoV-2-S-Wuhan pseudovirus (PV) assay. The majority (68%) of these mAbs recognized the NTD, were identified in patients with mild and severe disease, and persisted for at least five months post-infection. Enhancement of PV infection by NTD-binding mAbs was not observed using intestinal (Caco-2) and respiratory (Calu-3) epithelial cells as infection targets and was diminished or lost against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). Proteomic deconvolution of the serum antibody repertoire from two of the convalescent subjects identified, for the first time, NTD-binding, infection-enhancing mAbs among the circulating immunoglobulins directly isolated from serum ( i.e ., functionally secreted antibody). Functional analysis of these mAbs demonstrated robust activation of FcγRIIIa associated with antibody binding to recombinant S proteins. Taken together, these findings suggest functionally active NTD-specific mAbs arise frequently during natural infection and can last as major serum clonotypes during convalescence. These antibodies display diverse attributes that include FcγR activation, and may be selected against by mutations in NTD associated with SARS-CoV-2 VOC.
Collapse
|
33
|
Xu Y, Zheng R, Prasad A, Liu M, Wan Z, Zhou X, Porter RM, Sample M, Poppleton E, Procyk J, Liu H, Li Y, Wang S, Yan H, Sulc P, Stephanopoulos N. High-affinity binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer by a nanostructured, trivalent protein-DNA synthetic antibody. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558353. [PMID: 37790307 PMCID: PMC10542138 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Multivalency enables nanostructures to bind molecular targets with high affinity. Although antibodies can be generated against a wide range of antigens, their shape and size cannot be tuned to match a given target. DNA nanotechnology provides an attractive approach for designing customized multivalent scaffolds due to the addressability and programmability of the nanostructure shape and size. Here, we design a nanoscale synthetic antibody ("nano-synbody") based on a three-helix bundle DNA nanostructure with one, two, or three identical arms terminating in a mini-binder protein that targets the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The nano-synbody was designed to match the valence and distance between the three receptor binding domains (RBDs) in the spike trimer, in order to enhance affinity. The protein-DNA nano-synbody shows tight binding to the wild-type, Delta, and several Omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer, with affinity increasing as the number of arms increases from one to three. The effectiveness of the nano-synbody was also verified using a pseudovirus neutralization assay, with the three-arm nanostructure inhibiting two Omicron variants against which the structures with only one or two arms are ineffective. The structure of the three-arm nano-synbody bound to the Omicron variant spike trimer was solved by negative-stain transmission electron microscopy reconstruction, and shows the protein-DNA nanostructure with all three arms attached to the RBD domains, confirming the intended trivalent attachment. The ability to tune the size and shape of the nano-synbody, as well as its potential ability to attach two or more different binding ligands, will enable the high-affinity targeting of a range of proteins not possible with traditional antibodies.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ho C, Nazarie WFWM, Lee PC. An In Silico Design of Peptides Targeting the S1/S2 Cleavage Site of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Viruses 2023; 15:1930. [PMID: 37766336 PMCID: PMC10536081 DOI: 10.3390/v15091930] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, invades host cells via its spike protein, which includes critical binding regions, such as the receptor-binding domain (RBD), the S1/S2 cleavage site, the S2 cleavage site, and heptad-repeat (HR) sections. Peptides targeting the RBD and HR1 inhibit binding to host ACE2 receptors and the formation of the fusion core. Other peptides target proteases, such as TMPRSS2 and cathepsin L, to prevent the cleavage of the S protein. However, research has largely ignored peptides targeting the S1/S2 cleavage site. In this study, bioinformatics was used to investigate the binding of the S1/S2 cleavage site to host proteases, including furin, trypsin, TMPRSS2, matriptase, cathepsin B, and cathepsin L. Peptides targeting the S1/S2 site were designed by identifying binding residues. Peptides were docked to the S1/S2 site using HADDOCK (High-Ambiguity-Driven protein-protein DOCKing). Nine peptides with the lowest HADDOCK scores and strong binding affinities were selected, which was followed by molecular dynamics simulations (MDSs) for further investigation. Among these peptides, BR582 and BR599 stand out. They exhibited relatively high interaction energies with the S protein at -1004.769 ± 21.2 kJ/mol and -1040.334 ± 24.1 kJ/mol, respectively. It is noteworthy that the binding of these peptides to the S protein remained stable during the MDSs. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential of peptides targeting the S1/S2 cleavage site as a means to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells, and contributes to the development of therapeutic interventions against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chian Ho
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (C.H.); (W.F.W.M.N.)
| | - Wan Fahmi Wan Mohamad Nazarie
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (C.H.); (W.F.W.M.N.)
| | - Ping-Chin Lee
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (C.H.); (W.F.W.M.N.)
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Grosche VR, Souza LPF, Ferreira GM, Guevara-Vega M, Carvalho T, Silva RRDS, Batista KLR, Abuna RPF, Silva JS, Calmon MDF, Rahal P, da Silva LCN, Andrade BS, Teixeira CS, Sabino-Silva R, Jardim ACG. Mannose-Binding Lectins as Potent Antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2023; 15:1886. [PMID: 37766292 PMCID: PMC10536204 DOI: 10.3390/v15091886] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is mainly mediated by the interactions between the viral spike protein (S) and the ACE-2 cell receptor, which are highly glycosylated. Therefore, carbohydrate binding agents may represent potential candidates to abrogate virus infection. Here, we evaluated the in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of two mannose-binding lectins isolated from the Brazilian plants Canavalia brasiliensis and Dioclea violacea (ConBR and DVL). These lectins inhibited SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 strain and variants Gamma and Omicron infections, with selectivity indexes (SI) of 7, 1.7, and 6.5, respectively for ConBR; and 25, 16.8, and 22.3, for DVL. ConBR and DVL inhibited over 95% of the early stages of the viral infection, with strong virucidal effect, and also protected cells from infection and presented post-entry inhibition. The presence of mannose resulted in the complete lack of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity by ConBR and DVL, recovering virus titers. ATR-FTIR, molecular docking, and dynamic simulation between SARS-CoV-2 S and either lectins indicated molecular interactions with predicted binding energies of -85.4 and -72.0 Kcal/Mol, respectively. Our findings show that ConBR and DVL lectins possess strong activities against SARS-CoV-2, potentially by interacting with glycans and blocking virus entry into cells, representing potential candidates for the development of novel antiviral drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victória Riquena Grosche
- Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science (ICBIM), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38405-317, Brazil; (V.R.G.); (G.M.F.)
- Institute of Biosciences, Languages, and Exact Sciences (Ibilce), São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, Brazil; (T.C.); (M.d.F.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Leandro Peixoto Ferreira Souza
- Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Science (ICBIM), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38405-317, Brazil; (L.P.F.S.); (M.G.-V.)
| | - Giulia Magalhães Ferreira
- Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science (ICBIM), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38405-317, Brazil; (V.R.G.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Marco Guevara-Vega
- Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Science (ICBIM), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38405-317, Brazil; (L.P.F.S.); (M.G.-V.)
| | - Tamara Carvalho
- Institute of Biosciences, Languages, and Exact Sciences (Ibilce), São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, Brazil; (T.C.); (M.d.F.C.); (P.R.)
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Paolo Flores Abuna
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil; (R.P.F.A.); (J.S.S.)
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Bi-Institutional Platform for Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil
| | - João Santana Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil; (R.P.F.A.); (J.S.S.)
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Bi-Institutional Platform for Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Marília de Freitas Calmon
- Institute of Biosciences, Languages, and Exact Sciences (Ibilce), São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, Brazil; (T.C.); (M.d.F.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Paula Rahal
- Institute of Biosciences, Languages, and Exact Sciences (Ibilce), São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, Brazil; (T.C.); (M.d.F.C.); (P.R.)
| | | | - Bruno Silva Andrade
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, State University of Southwest of Bahia, Jequié 45205-490, Brazil;
| | - Claudener Souza Teixeira
- Center of Agrarian Science and Biodiversity, Federal University of Cariri (UFCA), Crato 63130-025, Brazil; (R.R.d.S.S.); (C.S.T.)
| | - Robinson Sabino-Silva
- Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Science (ICBIM), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38405-317, Brazil; (L.P.F.S.); (M.G.-V.)
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science (ICBIM), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38405-317, Brazil; (V.R.G.); (G.M.F.)
- Institute of Biosciences, Languages, and Exact Sciences (Ibilce), São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, Brazil; (T.C.); (M.d.F.C.); (P.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Arakawa K, Ono T, Aoki-Kinoshita KF, Yamamoto Y. Development of an integrated and inferenceable RDF database of glycan, pathogen and disease resources. Sci Data 2023; 10:582. [PMID: 37673902 PMCID: PMC10482848 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02442-2] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycans are known to play extremely important roles in infections by viruses and pathogens. In fact, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown to have evolved due to a single change in glycosylation. However, data resources on glycans, pathogens and diseases are not well organized. To accurately obtain such information from these various resources, we have constructed a foundation for discovering glycan and virus interaction data using Semantic Web technologies to be able to semantically integrate such heterogeneous data. Here, we created an ontology to encapsulate the semantics of virus-glycan interactions, and used Resource Description Framework (RDF) to represent the data we obtained from non-RDF related databases and data associated with literature. These databases include PubChem, SugarBind, and PSICQUIC, which made it possible to refer to other RDF resources such as UniProt and GlyTouCan. We made these data publicly available as open data and provided a service that allows anyone to freely perform searches using SPARQL. In addition, the RDF resources created in this study are available at the GlyCosmos Portal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Arakawa
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, 1-236 Tangi-machi, Hachioji City, Tokyo, 192-8577, Japan
| | - Tamiko Ono
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, 1-236 Tangi-machi, Hachioji City, Tokyo, 192-8577, Japan
| | - Kiyoko F Aoki-Kinoshita
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, 1-236 Tangi-machi, Hachioji City, Tokyo, 192-8577, Japan.
- Glycan and Life Systems Integration Center (GaLSIC), Soka University, 1-236 Tangi-machi, Hachioji City, Tokyo, 192-8577, Japan.
| | - Yasunori Yamamoto
- Database Center for Life Science, Research Organization of Information and Systems, 178-4-4 Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0871, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Samanta P, Mishra SK, Pomin VH, Doerksen RJ. Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Clarify Binding Sites for Interactions of Novel Marine Sulfated Glycans with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein. Molecules 2023; 28:6413. [PMID: 37687244 PMCID: PMC10490367 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176413] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell is mediated by its S-glycoprotein (SGP). Sulfated glycans bind to the SGP receptor-binding domain (RBD), which forms a ternary complex with its receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2. Here, we have conducted a thorough and systematic computational study of the binding of four oligosaccharide building blocks from novel marine sulfated glycans (isolated from Pentacta pygmaea and Isostichopus badionotus) to the non-glycosylated and glycosylated RBD. Blind docking studies using three docking programs identified five potential cryptic binding sites. Extensive site-targeted docking and molecular dynamics simulations using two force fields confirmed only two binding sites (Sites 1 and 5) for these novel, highly charged sulfated glycans, which were also confirmed by previously published reports. This work showed the structural features and key interactions driving ligand binding. A previous study predicted Site 2 to be a potential binding site, which was not observed here. The use of several molecular modeling approaches gave a comprehensive assessment. The detailed comparative study utilizing multiple modeling approaches is the first of its kind for novel glycan-SGP interaction characterization. This study provided insights into the key structural features of these novel glycans as they are considered for development as potential therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Samanta
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
| | - Sushil K. Mishra
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
| | - Vitor H. Pomin
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Robert J. Doerksen
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Alpuche-Lazcano SP, Stuible M, Akache B, Tran A, Kelly J, Hrapovic S, Robotham A, Haqqani A, Star A, Renner TM, Blouin J, Maltais JS, Cass B, Cui K, Cho JY, Wang X, Zoubchenok D, Dudani R, Duque D, McCluskie MJ, Durocher Y. Preclinical evaluation of manufacturable SARS-CoV-2 spike virus-like particles produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:116. [PMID: 37612423 PMCID: PMC10447459 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00340-7] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, novel vaccines need to be developed that are readily manufacturable and provide clinical efficacy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Virus-like particles (VLPs) presenting the spike antigen at their surface offer remarkable benefits over other vaccine antigen formats; however, current SARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccines candidates in clinical development suffer from challenges including low volumetric productivity, poor spike antigen density, expression platform-driven divergent protein glycosylation and complex upstream/downstream processing requirements. Despite their extensive use for therapeutic protein manufacturing and proven ability to produce enveloped VLPs, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are rarely used for the commercial production of VLP-based vaccines. METHODS Using CHO cells, we aimed to produce VLPs displaying the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike. Affinity chromatography was used to capture VLPs released in the culture medium from engineered CHO cells expressing spike. The structure, protein content, and glycosylation of spikes in VLPs were characterized by several biochemical and biophysical methods. In vivo, the generation of neutralizing antibodies and protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection was tested in mouse and hamster models. RESULTS We demonstrate that spike overexpression in CHO cells is sufficient by itself to generate high VLP titers. These VLPs are evocative of the native virus but with at least three-fold higher spike density. In vivo, purified VLPs elicit strong humoral and cellular immunity at nanogram dose levels which grant protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that CHO cells are amenable to efficient manufacturing of high titers of a potently immunogenic spike protein-based VLP vaccine antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio P Alpuche-Lazcano
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Anh Tran
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - John Kelly
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Sabahudin Hrapovic
- Aquatic and Crop Resources Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Anna Robotham
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Arsalan Haqqani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Alexandra Star
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Tyler M Renner
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Julie Blouin
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Maltais
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Brian Cass
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Kai Cui
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jae-Young Cho
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Daria Zoubchenok
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bitran A, Park K, Serebryany E, Shakhnovich EI. Co-translational formation of disulfides guides folding of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain. Biophys J 2023; 122:3238-3253. [PMID: 37422697 PMCID: PMC10465708 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many secreted proteins, including viral proteins, contain multiple disulfide bonds. How disulfide formation is coupled to protein folding in the cell remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we combine experiment and simulation to address this question as it pertains to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). We show that the RBD can only refold reversibly if its native disulfides are present before folding. But in their absence, the RBD spontaneously misfolds into a nonnative, molten-globule-like state that is structurally incompatible with complete disulfide formation and that is highly prone to aggregation. Thus, the RBD native structure represents a metastable state on the protein's energy landscape with reduced disulfides, indicating that nonequilibrium mechanisms are needed to ensure native disulfides form before folding. Our atomistic simulations suggest that this may be achieved via co-translational folding during RBD secretion into the endoplasmic reticulum. Namely, at intermediate translation lengths, native disulfide pairs are predicted to come together with high probability, and thus, under suitable kinetic conditions, this process may lock the protein into its native state and circumvent highly aggregation-prone nonnative intermediates. This detailed molecular picture of the RBD folding landscape may shed light on SARS-CoV-2 pathology and molecular constraints governing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Bitran
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; PhD Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Kibum Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Eugene Serebryany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Eugene I Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Blochouse E, Eid R, Araji N, Tuo W, Châtre R, Papot S, Lévêque N, Thuillier R, Poinot P. VOC-Based Probes, a New Set of Analytical Tools to Monitor Patient Health from Blood Sample. Proof of Concept on Tracking COVID-19 Infection. Anal Chem 2023; 95:11572-11577. [PMID: 37405898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Induced volatolomics is an emerging field that holds promise for many biomedical applications including disease detection and prognosis. In this pilot study, we report the first use of a cocktail of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-based probes to highlight new metabolic markers allowing disease prognosis. In this pilot study, we specifically targeted a set of circulating glycosidases whose activities could be associated with critical COVID-19 illness. Starting from blood sample collection, our approach relies on the incubation of VOC-based probes in plasma samples. Once activated, the probes released a set of VOCs in the sample headspace. The dynamic monitoring of the signals of VOC tracers enabled the identification of three dysregulated glycosidases in the initial phase after infection, for which preliminary machine learning analyses suggested an ability to anticipate critical disease development. This study demonstrates that our VOC-based probes are a new set of analytical tools that can provide access to biological signals until now unavailable to biologists and clinicians and which could be included in biomedical research to properly construct multifactorial therapy algorithms, necessary for personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Blochouse
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Rony Eid
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Nahla Araji
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Wei Tuo
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Rémi Châtre
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Sébastien Papot
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Nicolas Lévêque
- University of Poitiers, Laboratoire de Virologie et Mycobactériologie, CHU de Poitiers, UR 15560/LITEC, 2 rue Milétrie, 86000 Poitiers, France
| | - Raphaël Thuillier
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Poitiers, F-86021 Poitiers, France
- Inserm UMR U1313, Ischémie Reperfusion, Métabolisme et Inflammation Stérile en Transplantation (IRMETIST), F-86021 Poitiers, France
- Biochemistry Department, CHU Poitiers, F-86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Pauline Poinot
- University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), 4 rue Michel-Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Chen S, Wang S. The immune mechanism of the nasal epithelium in COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1045009. [PMID: 37529051 PMCID: PMC10387544 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1045009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During the first waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, olfactory dysfunction (OD) was reported as a frequent clinical sign. The nasal epithelium is one of the front-line protections against viral infections, and the immune responses of the nasal mucosa may be associated with OD. Two mechanisms underlying OD occurrence in COVID-19 have been proposed: the infection of sustentacular cells and the inflammatory reaction of the nasal epithelium. The former triggers OD and the latter likely prolongs OD. These two alternative mechanisms may act in parallel; the infection of sustentacular cells is more important for OD occurrence because sustentacular cells are more likely to be the entry point of SARS-CoV-2 than olfactory neurons and more susceptible to early injury. Furthermore, sustentacular cells abundantly express transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and play a major role in the olfactory epithelium. OD occurrence in COVID-19 has revealed crucial roles of sustentacular cells. This review aims to elucidate how immune responses of the nasal epithelium contribute to COVID-19-related OD. Understanding the underlying immune mechanisms of the nasal epithelium in OD may aid in the development of improved medical treatments for COVID-19-related OD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shufen Wang
- *Correspondence: Shunmei Chen, ; Shufen Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Negi G, Sharma A, Chaudhary M, Gupta D, Harshan KH, Parveen N. SARS-CoV-2 Binding to Terminal Sialic Acid of Gangliosides Embedded in Lipid Membranes. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1346-1361. [PMID: 37145972 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple recent reports indicate that the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 specifically interacts with membrane receptors and attachment factors other than ACE2. They likely have an active role in cellular attachment and entry of the virus. In this article, we examined the binding of SARS-CoV-2 particles to gangliosides embedded in supported lipid bilayers (SLBs), mimicking the cell membrane-like environment. We show that the virus specifically binds to sialylated (sialic acid (SIA)) gangliosides, i.e., GD1a, GM3, and GM1, as determined from the acquired single-particle fluorescence images using a time-lapse total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope. The data of virus binding events, the apparent binding rate constant, and the maximum virus coverage on the ganglioside-rich SLBs show that the virus particles have a higher binding affinity toward the GD1a and GM3 compared to the GM1 ganglioside. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the SIA-Gal bond of the gangliosides confirms that the SIA sugar unit of GD1a and GM3 is essential for virus attachment to the SLBs and even the cell surface sialic acid is critical for the cellular attachment of the virus. The structural difference between GM3/GD1a and GM1 is the presence of SIA at the main or branched chain. We conclude that the number of SIA per ganglioside can weakly influence the initial binding rate of SARS-CoV-2 particles, whereas the terminal or more exposed SIA is critical for the virus binding to the gangliosides in SLBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Negi
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 208016 Kanpur, India
| | - Anurag Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 208016 Kanpur, India
| | - Monika Chaudhary
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 208016 Kanpur, India
| | - Divya Gupta
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, 500007 Hyderabad, India
| | - Krishnan H Harshan
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, 500007 Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Nagma Parveen
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 208016 Kanpur, India
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wang D, Baudys J, Osman SH, Barr JR. Analysis of the N-glycosylation profiles of the spike proteins from the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023:10.1007/s00216-023-04771-y. [PMID: 37354227 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04771-y] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
N-Glycosylation plays an important role in the structure and function of membrane and secreted proteins. Viral proteins used in cell entry are often extensively glycosylated to assist in protein folding, provide stability, and shield the virus from immune recognition by its host (described as a "glycan shield"). The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) is a prime example, having 22 potential sites of N-glycosylation per protein protomer, as predicted from the primary sequence. In this report, we conducted mass spectrometric analysis of the N-glycosylation profiles of recombinant spike proteins derived from four common SARS-CoV-2 variants classified as Variant of Concern, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta along with D614G variant spike as a control. Our data reveal that the amino acid substitutions and deletions between variants impact the abundance and type of glycans on glycosylation sites of the spike protein. Some of the N-glycosylation sequons in S show differences between SARS-CoV-2 variants in the distribution of glycan forms. In comparison with our previously reported site-specific glycan analysis on the S-D614G and its ancestral protein, glycan types on later variants showed high similarity on the site-specific glycan content to S-D614G. Additionally, we applied multiple digestion methods on each sample, and confirmed the results for individual glycosylation sites from different experiment conditions to improve the identification and quantification of glycopeptides. Detailed site-specific glycan analysis of a wide variety of SARS-CoV-2 variants provides useful information toward the understanding of the role of protein glycosylation on viral protein structure and function and development of effective vaccines and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Wang
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Jakub Baudys
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah H Osman
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John R Barr
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Le HT, Liu M, Grimes CL. Application of bioanalytical and computational methods in decoding the roles of glycans in host-pathogen interactions. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 74:102301. [PMID: 37080155 PMCID: PMC10296625 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102301] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions (HPIs) are complex processes that require tight regulation. A common regulatory mechanism of HPIs is through glycans of either host cells or pathogens. Due to their diverse sequences, complex structures, and conformations, studies of glycans require highly sensitive and powerful tools. Recent improvements in technology have enabled the application of many bioanalytical techniques and modeling methods to investigate glycans and their mechanisms in HPIs. This mini-review highlights how these advances have been used to understand the role glycans play in HPIs in the past 2 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha T Le
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Catherine L Grimes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Franco EJ, Drusano GL, Hanrahan KC, Warfield KL, Brown AN. Combination Therapy with UV-4B and Molnupiravir Enhances SARS-CoV-2 Suppression. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051175. [PMID: 37243261 DOI: 10.3390/v15051175] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The host targeting antiviral, UV-4B, and the RNA polymerase inhibitor, molnupiravir, are two orally available, broad-spectrum antivirals that have demonstrated potent activity against SARS-CoV-2 as monotherapy. In this work, we evaluated the effectiveness of UV-4B and EIDD-1931 (molnupiravir's main circulating metabolite) combination regimens against the SARS-CoV-2 beta, delta, and omicron BA.2 variants in a human lung cell line. Infected ACE2 transfected A549 (ACE2-A549) cells were treated with UV-4B and EIDD-1931 both as monotherapy and in combination. Viral supernatant was sampled on day three when viral titers peaked in the no-treatment control arm, and levels of infectious virus were measured by plaque assay. The drug-drug effect interaction between UV-4B and EIDD-1931 was also defined using the Greco Universal Response Surface Approach (URSA) model. Antiviral evaluations demonstrated that treatment with UV-4B plus EIDD-1931 enhanced antiviral activity against all three variants relative to monotherapy. These results were in accordance with those obtained from the Greco model, as these identified the interaction between UV-4B and EIDD-1931 as additive against the beta and omicron variants and synergistic against the delta variant. Our findings highlight the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of UV-4B and EIDD-1931 combination regimens, and present combination therapy as a promising therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn J Franco
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - George L Drusano
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Kaley C Hanrahan
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | | | - Ashley N Brown
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Xie X, Kong S, Cao W. Targeting protein glycosylation to regulate inflammation in the respiratory tract: novel diagnostic and therapeutic candidates for chronic respiratory diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1168023. [PMID: 37256139 PMCID: PMC10225578 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1168023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein glycosylation is a widespread posttranslational modification that can impact the function of proteins. Dysregulated protein glycosylation has been linked to several diseases, including chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). CRDs pose a significant public health threat globally, affecting the airways and other lung structures. Emerging researches suggest that glycosylation plays a significant role in regulating inflammation associated with CRDs. This review offers an overview of the abnormal glycoenzyme activity and corresponding glycosylation changes involved in various CRDs, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and lung cancer. Additionally, this review summarizes recent advances in glycomics and glycoproteomics-based protein glycosylation analysis of CRDs. The potential of glycoenzymes and glycoproteins for clinical use in the diagnosis and treatment of CRDs is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Xie
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyuan Kong
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqian Cao
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zhu H, Byrnes C, Lee YT, Tuymetova G, Duffy HBD, Bakir JY, Pettit SN, Angina J, Springer DA, Allende ML, Kono M, Proia RL. SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a expression in brain disrupts the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, impairs sphingolipid homeostasis, and drives neuropathogenesis. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22919. [PMID: 37071464 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300149r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes injury to multiple organ systems, including the brain. SARS-CoV-2's neuropathological mechanisms may include systemic inflammation and hypoxia, as well as direct cell damage resulting from viral infections of neurons and glia. How the virus directly causes injury to brain cells, acutely and over the long term, is not well understood. In order to gain insight into this process, we studied the neuropathological effects of open reading frame 3a (ORF3a), a SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein that is a key pathological factor of the virus. Forced ORF3a brain expression in mice caused the rapid onset of neurological impairment, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation-key neuropathological features found in coronavirus disease (COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection). Furthermore, ORF3a expression blocked autophagy progression in the brain and caused the neuronal accumulation of α-synuclein and glycosphingolipids, all of which are linked to neurodegenerative disease. Studies with ORF3-expressing HeLa cells confirmed that ORF3a disrupted the autophagy-lysosomal pathway and blocked glycosphingolipid degradation, resulting in their accumulation. These findings indicate that, in the event of neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2, ORF3a expression in brain cells may drive neuropathogenesis and be an important mediator of both short- and long-term neurological manifestations of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Zhu
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Colleen Byrnes
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Y Terry Lee
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Galina Tuymetova
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah B D Duffy
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jenna Y Bakir
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sydney N Pettit
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jabili Angina
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle A Springer
- Murine Phenotyping Core, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria L Allende
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mari Kono
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard L Proia
- Genetics of Development and Disease Section, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Karavanaki K, Rodolaki K, Soldatou A, Karanasios S, Kakleas K. Covid-19 infection in children and adolescents and its association with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1d) presentation and management. Endocrine 2023; 80:237-252. [PMID: 36462147 PMCID: PMC9734866 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03266-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Children seem to be affected by the new SARS-CoV-2 virus less severely than adults, with better prognosis and low mortality. Serious complications of COVID-19 infection in children include multisystem inflammatory response syndrome in COVID-19 infection (MIS-C), myo-or pericarditis and, less frequently, long COVID syndrome. On the other hand, adults with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) are among the most vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19, with increased morbidity and mortality. Moreover, an association of SARS-CoV-2 with diabetes has been observed, possibly affecting the frequency and severity of the first clinical presentation of T1D or T2D, as well as the development of acute diabetes after COVID-19 infection. The present review summarizes the current data on the incidence of T1D among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its severity. Moreover, it reports on the types of newly diagnosed diabetes after COVID infection and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms. Additionally, this study presents current data on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes control in patients with known T1D and on the severity of clinical presentation of COVID infection in these patients. Finally, this review discusses the necessity of immunization against COVID 19 in children and adolescents with T1D.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Karavanaki
- Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Rodolaki
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Soldatou
- Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Karanasios
- Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kostas Kakleas
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Liu J, Lv J, Liu Z, Fang Z, Lai C, Zhao S, Ye M, Wang F. Enhanced Interfacial H-Bond Networks Promote Glycan-Glycan Recognition and Interaction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:17592-17600. [PMID: 36988558 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
H-bond networks at heterogeneous interfaces play crucial roles in bioseparation, biocatalysis, biochip array profiling, and functional nanosystem self-assembly, but their precise modulation and enhancement remain challenging. In this study, we have discovered that interfacial hydrophobic hydration significantly enhances H-bond networks at the interface between a glycan-modified adsorbent and a methanol-water-acetonitrile ternary solution. The enhanced H-bond networks greatly promote the adsorbent-solution heterogeneous glycan-glycan recognition and interaction. This novel hydrophobic hydration-enhanced hydrophilic interaction (HEHI) strategy improves the affinity and efficiency of intact glycopeptide enrichment. Compared with the commonly used hydrophilic-interaction enrichment strategy, 23.5 and 48.5% more intact N- and O-glycopeptides are identified, and the enrichment recoveries of half of the glycopeptides are increased >100%. Further, in-depth profiling of both N- and O-glycosylation occurring on SARS-CoV-2 S1 and hACE2 proteins has been achieved with more glycan types and novel O-glycosylation information involved. Interfacial hydrophobic hydration provides a powerful tool for the modulation of hydrophilic interactions in biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Ji Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zheyi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zheng Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Can Lai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Mingliang Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fangjun Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bru S, Brotons P, Jordan I, Alsina L, Henares D, Carballar R, de Sevilla MF, Barrabeig I, Fumado V, Baro B, Martínez-Láinez JM, Garcia-Garcia JJ, Bassat Q, Balaguer A, Clotet J, Launes C, Muñoz-Almagro C. Association between soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in saliva and SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5985. [PMID: 37045853 PMCID: PMC10092936 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31911-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between saliva soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adults. We selected a convenience sample of adults with post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and their household children living in quarantined family households of the metropolitan Barcelona region (Spain) during the spring 2020 pandemic national lockdown. Participants were tested for saliva sACE2 quantification by western blot and nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR detection. A total of 161 saliva samples [82 (50.9%) from children; 79 (49.1%) from females] yielded valid western blot and RT-PCR results. Saliva sACE2 was detected in 79 (96.3%) children and 76 (96.2%) convalescent adults. Twenty (24.4%) children and 20 (25.3%) convalescent adults were positive for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharynx by RT-PCR. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-negative children had a significantly higher mean proportional level of saliva sACE2 (0.540 × 10-3%) than RT-PCR-positive children (0.192 × 10-3%, p < 0.001) and convalescent adults (0.173 × 10-3%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, children negative for nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR appear to exhibit a higher concentration of saliva sACE2 than SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-positive children and convalescent adults. Release of adequate levels of sACE2 in saliva could play a protective role against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Bru
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Brotons
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain.
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Iolanda Jordan
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Laia Alsina
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Paediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Desiree Henares
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Reyes Carballar
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Fernandez de Sevilla
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Paediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Irene Barrabeig
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Roc Boronat 81, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fumado
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Bàrbara Baro
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Rosselló 132, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Marc Martínez-Láinez
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan J Garcia-Garcia
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Paediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Quique Bassat
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Paediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Rosselló 132, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Rua 12, 1229, Manhiça, Mozambique
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Balaguer
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Clotet
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristian Launes
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Paediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Carmen Muñoz-Almagro
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Inmaculada, 22, 28029, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|