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Skeeters S, Bagale K, Stepanyuk G, Thieker D, Aguhob A, Chan KK, Dutzar B, Shalygin S, Shajahan A, Yang X, DaRosa PA, Frazier E, Sauer MM, Bogatzki L, Byrnes-Blake KA, Song Y, Azadi P, Tarcha E, Zhang L, Procko E. Modulation of the pharmacokinetics of soluble ACE2 decoy receptors through glycosylation. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101301. [PMID: 39185275 PMCID: PMC11342882 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101301] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The Spike of SARS-CoV-2 recognizes a transmembrane protease, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), on host cells to initiate infection. Soluble derivatives of ACE2, in which Spike affinity is enhanced and the protein is fused to Fc of an immunoglobulin, are potent decoy receptors that reduce disease in animal models of COVID-19. Mutations were introduced into an ACE2 decoy receptor, including adding custom N-glycosylation sites and a cavity-filling substitution together with Fc modifications, which increased the decoy's catalytic activity and provided small to moderate enhancements of pharmacokinetics following intravenous and subcutaneous administration in humanized FcRn mice. Most prominently, sialylation of native glycans increases exposures by orders of magnitude, and the optimized decoy is therapeutically efficacious in a mouse COVID-19 model. Ultimately, an engineered and highly sialylated decoy receptor produced using methods suitable for manufacture of representative drug substance has high exposure with a 5- to 9-day half-life. Finally, peptide epitopes at mutated sites in the decoys generally have low binding to common HLA class II alleles and the predicted immunogenicity risk is low. Overall, glycosylation is a critical molecular attribute of ACE2 decoy receptors and modifications that combine tighter blocking of Spike with enhanced pharmacokinetics elevate this class of molecules as viable drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kamal Bagale
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sergei Shalygin
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Asif Shajahan
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Xu Yang
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yifan Song
- Cyrus Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | - Lianghui Zhang
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Vascular Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Erik Procko
- Cyrus Biotechnology, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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2
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Rodriguez DCP, Weber KC, Sundberg B, Glasgow A. MAGPIE: An interactive tool for visualizing and analyzing protein-ligand interactions. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5027. [PMID: 38989559 PMCID: PMC11237554 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5027] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Quantitative tools to compile and analyze biomolecular interactions among chemically diverse binding partners would improve therapeutic design and aid in studying molecular evolution. Here we present Mapping Areas of Genetic Parsimony In Epitopes (MAGPIE), a publicly available software package for simultaneously visualizing and analyzing thousands of interactions between a single protein or small molecule ligand (the "target") and all of its protein binding partners ("binders"). MAGPIE generates an interactive three-dimensional visualization from a set of protein complex structures that share the target ligand, as well as sequence logo-style amino acid frequency graphs that show all the amino acids from the set of protein binders that interact with user-defined target ligand positions or chemical groups. MAGPIE highlights all the salt bridge and hydrogen bond interactions made by the target in the visualization and as separate amino acid frequency graphs. Finally, MAGPIE collates the most common target-binder interactions as a list of "hotspots," which can be used to analyze trends or guide the de novo design of protein binders. As an example of the utility of the program, we used MAGPIE to probe how different antibody fragments bind a viral antigen; how a common metabolite binds diverse protein partners; and how two ligands bind orthologs of a well-conserved glycolytic enzyme for a detailed understanding of evolutionarily conserved interactions involved in its activation and inhibition. MAGPIE is implemented in Python 3 and freely available at https://github.com/glasgowlab/MAGPIE, along with sample datasets, usage examples, and helper scripts to prepare input structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C. Pineda Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Kyle C. Weber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Belen Sundberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Anum Glasgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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3
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Bayraktar C, Kayabolen A, Odabas A, Durgun A, Kok I, Sevinc K, Supramaniam A, Idris A, Bagci-Onder T. ACE2-Decorated Virus-Like Particles Effectively Block SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:6931-6943. [PMID: 39005960 PMCID: PMC11246629 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s446093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Over the past three years, extensive research has been dedicated to understanding and combating COVID-19. Targeting the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and the ACE2 receptor has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to develop ACE2-coated virus-like particles (ACE2-VLPs), which can be utilized to prevent viral entry into host cells and efficiently neutralize the virus. Methods Virus-like particles were generated through the utilization of a packaging plasmid in conjunction with a plasmid containing the ACE2 envelope sequence. Subsequently, ACE2-VLPs and ACE2-EVs were purified via ultracentrifugation. The quantification of VLPs was validated through multiple methods, including Nanosight 3000, TEM imaging, and Western blot analysis. Various packaging systems were explored to optimize the ACE2-VLP configuration for enhanced neutralization capabilities. The evaluation of neutralization effectiveness was conducted using pseudoviruses bearing different spike protein variants. Furthermore, the study assessed the neutralization potential against the Omicron BA.1 variant in Vero E6 cells. Results ACE2-VLPs showed a high neutralization capacity even at low doses and demonstrated superior efficacy in in vitro pseudoviral assays compared to extracellular vesicles carrying ACE2. ACE2-VLPs remained stable under various environmental temperatures and effectively blocked all tested variants of concern in vitro. Notably, they exhibited significant neutralization against Omicron BA.1 variant in Vero E6 cells. Given their superior efficacy compared to extracellular vesicles and proven success against live virus, ACE2-VLPs stand out as crucial candidates for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. Conclusion This novel therapeutic approach of coating VLPs with receptor particles provides a proof-of-concept for designing effective neutralization strategies for other viral diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canan Bayraktar
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alisan Kayabolen
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arda Odabas
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Durgun
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ipek Kok
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kenan Sevinc
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aroon Supramaniam
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Adi Idris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
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4
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Tiruthani K, Cruz‐Teran C, Chan JFW, Ma A, McSweeney M, Wolf W, Yuan S, Poon VKM, Chan CCS, Botta L, Farrer B, Stewart I, Schaefer A, Edelstein J, Kumar P, Arora H, Hutchins JT, Hickey AJ, Yuen K, Lai SK. Engineering a "muco-trapping" ACE2-immunoglobulin hybrid with picomolar affinity as an inhaled, pan-variant immunotherapy for COVID-19. Bioeng Transl Med 2024; 9:e10650. [PMID: 39036085 PMCID: PMC11256170 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) can act as a decoy molecule that neutralizes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by blocking spike (S) proteins on virions from binding ACE2 on host cells. Based on structural insights of ACE2 and S proteins, we designed a "muco-trapping" ACE2-Fc conjugate, termed ACE2-(G4S)6-Fc, comprised of the extracellular segment of ACE2 (lacking the C-terminal collectrin domain) that is linked to mucin-binding IgG1-Fc via an extended glycine-serine flexible linker. ACE2-(G4S)6-Fc exhibits substantially greater binding affinity and neutralization potency than conventional full length ACE2-Fc decoys or similar truncated ACE2-Fc decoys without flexible linkers, possessing picomolar binding affinity and strong neutralization potency against pseudovirus and live virus. ACE2-(G4S)6-Fc effectively trapped fluorescent SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles in fresh human airway mucus and was stably nebulized using a commercial vibrating mesh nebulizer. Intranasal dosing of ACE2-(G4S)6-Fc in hamsters as late as 2 days postinfection provided a 10-fold reduction in viral load in the nasal turbinate tissues by Day 4. These results strongly support further development of ACE2-(G4S)6-Fc as an inhaled immunotherapy for COVID-19, as well as other emerging viruses that bind ACE2 for cellular entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Tiruthani
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Carlos Cruz‐Teran
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jasper F. W. Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongPokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and TherapeuticsHong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
| | - Alice Ma
- UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Whitney Wolf
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Shoufeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongPokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and TherapeuticsHong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
| | - Vincent K. M. Poon
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongPokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and TherapeuticsHong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
| | - Chris C. S. Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongPokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and TherapeuticsHong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
| | | | - Brian Farrer
- Inhalon Biopharma, Inc.MorrisvilleNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Ian Stewart
- RTI InternationalResearch Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Alison Schaefer
- UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jasmine Edelstein
- UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Priya Kumar
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of MedicineUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Harendra Arora
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of MedicineUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | | | - Kwok‐Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongPokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and TherapeuticsHong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
| | - Samuel K. Lai
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Inhalon Biopharma, Inc.MorrisvilleNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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5
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Ameratunga R, Jordan A, Lehnert K, Leung E, Mears ER, Snell R, Steele R, Woon ST. SARS-CoV-2 evolution has increased resistance to monoclonal antibodies and first-generation COVID-19 vaccines: Is there a future therapeutic role for soluble ACE2 receptors for COVID-19? Antiviral Res 2024; 227:105894. [PMID: 38677595 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105894] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused calamitous health, economic and societal consequences. Although several COVID-19 vaccines have received full authorization for use, global deployment has faced political, financial and logistical challenges. The efficacy of first-generation COVID-19 vaccines is waning and breakthrough infections are allowing ongoing transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy relies on a functional immune system. Despite receiving three primary doses and three or more heterologous boosters, some immunocompromised patients may not be adequately protected by COVID-19 vaccines and remain vulnerable to severe disease. The evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants has also resulted in the rapid obsolescence of monoclonal antibodies. Convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors has produced inconsistent results. New drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) are beyond the reach of low- and middle-income countries. With widespread use of Paxlovid, it is likely nirmatrelvir-resistant clades of SARS-CoV-2 will emerge in the future. There is thus an urgent need for new effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments. The in vitro efficacy of soluble ACE2 against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants including omicron (B.1.1.529), was recently described using a competitive ELISA assay as a surrogate marker for virus neutralization. This indicates soluble wild-type ACE2 receptors are likely to be resistant to viral evolution. Nasal and inhaled treatment with soluble ACE2 receptors has abrogated severe disease in animal models of COVID-19. There is an urgent need for clinical trials of this new class of antiviral therapeutics, which could complement vaccines and Paxlovid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Anthony Jordan
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emily R Mears
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Russell Snell
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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6
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Dick JK, Hicks D, Krishna VD, Sangala JA, Zandstra BT, Baehr C, Verbeek JS, Cragg MS, Cheeran MCJ, Pravetoni M, Hart GT. ACE2 decoy Fc-fusions and bi-specific killer engager (BiKEs) require Fc engagement for in vivo efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.20.599956. [PMID: 38948747 PMCID: PMC11212978 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.20.599956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus has continued to evolve over time necessitating the adaptation of vaccines to maintain efficacy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 were a key line of defense for unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals. However, these mAbs are now ineffective against current SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we tested three aspects of αSARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. First, we tested whether Fc engagement is necessary for in vivo clearance of SARS-CoV-2. Secondly, we tested bi-specific killer engagers (BiKEs) that simultaneously engage SARS-CoV-2 and a specific Fc receptor. Benefits of these engagers include the ease of manufacturing, stability, more cell-specific targeting, and high affinity binding to Fc receptors. Using both mAbs and BiKEs, we found that both neutralization and Fc receptor engagement were necessary for effective SARS-CoV-2 clearance. Thirdly, due to ACE2 being necessary for viral entry, ACE2 will maintain binding to SARS-CoV-2 despite viral evolution. Therefore, we used an ACE2 decoy Fc-fusion or BiKE, instead of an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody sequence, as a potential therapeutic that would withstand viral evolution. We found that the ACE2 decoy approach also required Fc receptor engagement and, unlike traditional neutralizing antibodies against specific variants, enabled the clearance of two distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants. These data show the importance of Fc engagement for mAbs, the utility of BiKEs as therapies for infectious disease, and the in vivo effectiveness of the ACE2 decoy approach. With further studies, we predict combining neutralization, the cellular response, and this ACE2 decoy approach will benefit individuals with ineffective antibody levels. Abbreviations ACE2, scFv, mAb, BiKE, COVID-19, Fc, CD16, CD32b, CD64, d.p.i. Key points With equal dosing, both neutralization and Fc engagement are necessary for the optimal efficacy of in vivo antibodies and bi-specific killer engagers (BiKEs) against SARS-CoV-2. BiKEs can clear SARS-CoV-2 virus and protect against severe infection in the hACE2-K18 mouse model. ACE2 decoys as part of Fc-fusions or BiKEs provide in vivo clearance of two disparate SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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7
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An K, Yang X, Luo M, Yan J, Xu P, Zhang H, Li Y, Wu S, Warshel A, Bai C. Mechanistic study of the transmission pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant. Proteins 2024; 92:705-719. [PMID: 38183172 PMCID: PMC11059747 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26663] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) characterized by 30 mutations in its spike protein, has rapidly spread worldwide since November 2021, significantly exacerbating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to investigate the relationship between these mutations and the variant's high transmissibility, we conducted a systematic analysis of the mutational effect on spike-angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) interactions and explored the structural/energy correlation of key mutations, utilizing a reliable coarse-grained model. Our study extended beyond the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike trimer through comprehensive modeling of the full-length spike trimer rather than just the RBD. Our free-energy calculation revealed that the enhanced binding affinity between the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor is correlated with the increased structural stability of the isolated spike protein, thus explaining the omicron variant's heightened transmissibility. The conclusion was supported by our experimental analyses involving the expression and purification of the full-length spike trimer. Furthermore, the energy decomposition analysis established those electrostatic interactions make major contributions to this effect. We categorized the mutations into four groups and established an analytical framework that can be employed in studying future mutations. Additionally, our calculations rationalized the reduced affinity of the omicron variant towards most available therapeutic neutralizing antibodies, when compared with the wild type. By providing concrete experimental data and offering a solid explanation, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between theories and observations and lays the foundation for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke An
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, P.R. China
| | - Xianzhi Yang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University (Luohu Hospital Group), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Mengqi Luo
- College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Junfang Yan
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Peiyi Xu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Honghui Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Yuqing Li
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Song Wu
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Arieh Warshel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-1062, United States
| | - Chen Bai
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, P.R. China
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Hwang J, Kim BK, Moon S, Park W, Kim KW, Yoon JH, Oh H, Jung S, Park Y, Kim S, Kim M, Kim S, Jung Y, Park M, Kim JH, Jung ST, Kim SJ, Kim YS, Chung WJ, Song MS, Kweon DH. Conversion of Host Cell Receptor into Virus Destructor by Immunodisc to Neutralize Diverse SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302803. [PMID: 38329411 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302803] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The decreasing efficacy of antiviral drugs due to viral mutations highlights the challenge of developing a single agent targeting multiple strains. Using host cell viral receptors as competitive inhibitors is promising, but their low potency and membrane-bound nature have limited this strategy. In this study, the authors show that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in a planar membrane patch can effectively neutralize all tested severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACE2-incorporated membrane patch implemented using nanodiscs replicated the spike-mediated membrane fusion process outside the host cell, resulting in virus lysis, extracellular RNA release, and potent antiviral activity. While neutralizing antibodies became ineffective as the SARS-CoV-2 evolved to better penetrate host cells the ACE2-incorporated nanodiscs became more potent, highlighting the advantages of using receptor-incorporated nanodiscs for antiviral purposes. ACE2-incorporated immunodisc, an Fc fusion nanodisc developed in this study, completely protected humanized mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 after prolonged retention in the airways. This study demonstrates that the incorporation of viral receptors into immunodisc transforms the entry gate into a potent virucide for all current and future variants, a concept that can be extended to different viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehyeon Hwang
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Kyu Kim
- College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokoh Moon
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonbeom Park
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Won Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hyeon Yoon
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunseok Oh
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Research Center, Mvrix Inc., Anyang, 14058, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangwon Jung
- Research Center, Mvrix Inc., Anyang, 14058, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngseo Park
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhyun Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Misoo Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Soomin Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghun Jung
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungseo Park
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Taek Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jick Kim
- Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jae Chung
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Suk Song
- College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyuk Kweon
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Research Center, Mvrix Inc., Anyang, 14058, Republic of Korea
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9
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Vishweshwaraiah YL, Hnath B, Wang J, Chandler M, Mukherjee A, Yennawar NH, Booker SJ, Afonin KA, Dokholyan NV. A Piecewise Design Approach to Engineering a Miniature ACE2 Mimic to Bind SARS-CoV-2. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3238-3246. [PMID: 38700999 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00222] [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] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues its global spread, the exploration of novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies is still needed. The virus enters host cells by binding the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor through the spike protein. Here, we develop an engineered, small, stable, and catalytically inactive version of ACE2, termed miniature ACE2 (mACE2), designed to bind the spike protein with high affinity. Employing a magnetic nanoparticle-based assay, we harnessed the strong binding affinity of mACE2 to develop a sensitive and specific platform for the detection or neutralization of SARS-CoV-2. Our findings highlight the potential of engineered mACE2 as a valuable tool in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. The success of developing such a small reagent based on a piecewise molecular design serves as a proof-of-concept approach for the rapid deployment of such agents to diagnose and fight other viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brianna Hnath
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, United States
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Neela H Yennawar
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Squire J Booker
- Department of Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Nikolay V Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, United States
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10
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Kumawat P, Agarwal LK, Sharma K. An Overview of SARS-CoV-2 Potential Targets, Inhibitors, and Computational Insights to Enrich the Promising Treatment Strategies. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:169. [PMID: 38733424 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03671-3] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has emphasized the urgent need for effective therapies to combat COVID-19. Investigating the potential targets, inhibitors, and in silico approaches pertinent to COVID-19 are of utmost need to develop novel therapeutic agents and reprofiling of existing FDA-approved drugs. This article reviews the viral enzymes and their counter receptors involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells, replication of genomic RNA, and controlling the host cell physiology. In addition, the study provides an overview of the computational techniques such as docking simulations, molecular dynamics, QSAR modeling, and homology modeling that have been used to find the FDA-approved drugs and other inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of virus-based and host-based druggable targets from a structural point of view, together with the reported therapeutic compounds against SARS-CoV-2 have also been presented. The current study offers future perspectives for research in the field of network pharmacology investigating the large unexplored molecular libraries. Overall, the present in-depth review aims to expedite the process of identifying and repurposing drugs for researchers involved in the field of COVID-19 drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Kumawat
- Department of Chemistry, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar Agarwal
- Department of Chemistry, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India.
| | - Kuldeep Sharma
- Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India
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11
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Guo H, Ha S, Botten JW, Xu K, Zhang N, An Z, Strohl WR, Shiver JW, Fu TM. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Viral Evolution, Immune Evasion, and Alternative Durable Therapeutic Strategies. Viruses 2024; 16:697. [PMID: 38793580 PMCID: PMC11125895 DOI: 10.3390/v16050697] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus has gained dominance worldwide, its continual evolution with unpredictable mutations and patterns has revoked all authorized immunotherapeutics. Rapid viral evolution has also necessitated several rounds of vaccine updates in order to provide adequate immune protection. It remains imperative to understand how Omicron evolves into different subvariants and causes immune escape as this could help reevaluate the current intervention strategies mostly implemented in the clinics as emergency measures to counter the pandemic and, importantly, develop new solutions. Here, we provide a review focusing on the major events of Omicron viral evolution, including the features of spike mutation that lead to immune evasion against monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy and vaccination, and suggest alternative durable options such as the ACE2-based experimental therapies superior to mAbs to address this unprecedented evolution of Omicron virus. In addition, this type of unique ACE2-based virus-trapping molecules can counter all zoonotic SARS coronaviruses, either from unknown animal hosts or from established wild-life reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2, and even seasonal alpha coronavirus NL63 that depends on human ACE2 for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Guo
- IGM Biosciences, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Sha Ha
- IGM Biosciences, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Jason W. Botten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Kai Xu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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12
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Song Y, Myers R, Mehl F, Murphy L, Brooks B, Wilson JM, Kadl A, Woodfolk J, Zeichner SL. ACE-2-like enzymatic activity is associated with immunoglobulin in COVID-19 patients. mBio 2024; 15:e0054124. [PMID: 38501835 PMCID: PMC11005375 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00541-24] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Many mechanisms responsible for COVID-19 pathogenesis are well-established, but COVID-19 includes features with unclear pathogenesis, such as autonomic dysregulation, coagulopathies, and high levels of inflammation. The receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). We hypothesized that some COVID-19 patients may develop antibodies that have a negative molecular image of RBD sufficiently similar to ACE2 to yield ACE2-like catalytic activity-ACE2-like abzymes. To explore this hypothesis, we studied patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had plasma samples available obtained about 7 days after admission. ACE2 is a metalloprotease that requires Zn2+ for activity. However, we found that the plasma from some patients studied could specifically cleave a synthetic ACE2 peptide substrate, even though the plasma samples were collected using disodium EDTA anticoagulant. When we spiked plasma with synthetic ACE2, no ACE2 substrate cleavage activity was observed unless Zn2+ was added or the plasma was diluted to decrease EDTA concentration. After processing samples by 100 kDa size exclusion columns and protein A/G adsorption, which depleted immunoglobulin by >99.99%, the plasma samples did not cleave the ACE2 substrate peptide. The data suggest that some patients with COVID-19 develop antibodies with abzyme-like activity capable of cleaving synthetic ACE2 substrate. Since abzymes can exhibit promiscuous substrate specificities compared to the enzyme whose active site image they resemble, and since proteolytic cascades regulate many physiologic processes, anti-RBD abzymes may contribute to some otherwise obscure COVID-19 pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE We provide what we believe to be the first description of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-like enzymatic activity associated with immunoglobulin in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 includes many puzzling clinical features that have unclear pathogenesis, including a hyperinflammatory state, abnormalities of the clotting cascade, and blood pressure instability. We hypothesized that some patients with COVID-19 patients may produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with enzymatic activity, or abzymes, that target important proteolytic regulatory cascades. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds ACE2 on the surface of the future host cell. This means that the RBD has a negative molecular image of ACE2. We hypothesized that some antibodies produced against the RBD would have, in turn, a negative molecular image of the RBD sufficiently similar to ACE2 to have ACE2-like catalytic activity. In other words, some anti-RBD antibodies would be ACE2-like abzymes. Abzymes elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection have the potential to affect host physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Song
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Regan Myers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Frances Mehl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lila Murphy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Bailey Brooks
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Wilson
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alexandra Kadl
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Judith Woodfolk
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Steven L. Zeichner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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13
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Arevalo-Romero JA, Chingaté-López SM, Camacho BA, Alméciga-Díaz CJ, Ramirez-Segura CA. Next-generation treatments: Immunotherapy and advanced therapies for COVID-19. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26423. [PMID: 38434363 PMCID: PMC10907543 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26423] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in 2019 following prior outbreaks of coronaviruses like SARS and MERS in recent decades, underscoring their high potential of infectivity in humans. Insights from previous outbreaks of SARS and MERS have played a significant role in developing effective strategies to mitigate the global impact of SARS-CoV-2. As of January 7, 2024, there have been 774,075,242 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. To date, 13.59 billion vaccine doses have been administered, and there have been 7,012,986 documented fatalities (https://www.who.int/) Despite significant progress in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 challenges human defenses, presenting ongoing global challenges. The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 lineages, shaped by mutation and recombination processes, has led to successive waves of infections. This scenario reveals the need for next-generation vaccines as a crucial requirement for ensuring ongoing protection against SARS-CoV-2. This demand calls for formulations that trigger a robust adaptive immune response without leading the acute inflammation linked with the infection. Key mutations detected in the Spike protein, a critical target for neutralizing antibodies and vaccine design -specifically within the Receptor Binding Domain region of Omicron variant lineages (B.1.1.529), currently dominant worldwide, have intensified concerns due to their association with immunity evasion from prior vaccinations and infections. As the world deals with this evolving threat, the narrative extends to the realm of emerging variants, each displaying new mutations with implications that remain largely misunderstood. Notably, the JN.1 Omicron lineage is gaining global prevalence, and early findings suggest it stands among the immune-evading variants, a characteristic attributed to its mutation L455S. Moreover, the detrimental consequences of the novel emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages bear a particularly critical impact on immunocompromised individuals and older adults. Immunocompromised individuals face challenges such as suboptimal responses to COVID-19 vaccines, rendering them more susceptible to severe disease. Similarly, older adults have an increased risk of severe disease and the presence of comorbid conditions, find themselves at a heightened vulnerability to develop COVID-19 disease. Thus, recognizing these intricate factors is crucial for effectively tailoring public health strategies to protect these vulnerable populations. In this context, this review aims to describe, analyze, and discuss the current progress of the next-generation treatments encompassing immunotherapeutic approaches and advanced therapies emerging as complements that will offer solutions to counter the disadvantages of the existing options. Preliminary outcomes show that these strategies target the virus and address the immunomodulatory responses associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, the capacity to promote tissue repair has been demonstrated, which can be particularly noteworthy for immunocompromised individuals who stand as vulnerable actors in the global landscape of coronavirus infections. The emerging next-generation treatments possess broader potential, offering protection against a wide range of variants and enhancing the ability to counter the impact of the constant evolution of the virus. Furthermore, advanced therapies are projected as potential treatment alternatives for managing Chronic Post-COVID-19 syndromeand addressing its associated long-term complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Andrea Arevalo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Sandra M. Chingaté-López
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Bernardo Armando Camacho
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Carlos Javier Alméciga-Díaz
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Cesar A. Ramirez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
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14
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Gaur NK, Khakerwala Z, Makde RD. Design of human ACE2 mimic miniprotein binders that interact with RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38315516 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2310789] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The world of medicine demands from the research community solutions to the emerging problem of SARS-CoV-2 variants and other such potential global pandemics. With advantages of specificity over small molecule drugs and designability over antibodies, miniprotein therapeutics offers a unique solution to the threats of rapidly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Unfortunately, most of the promising miniprotein binders are de novo designed and it is not viable to generate molecules for each new variant. Therefore in this study, we demonstrate a method for design of miniprotein mimics from the interaction interphase of human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is the natural interacting partner for the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and acts as a recognition molecule for viral entry into the host cells. Starting with ACE2 N-terminal triple helix interaction interphase, we generated more than 70 miniprotein sequences. Employing Rosetta folding and docking scores we selected 10 promising miniprotein candidates amongst which 3 were found to be soluble in lab studies. Further, using molecular mechanics (MM) calculations on molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories we test interaction of miniproteins with RBD from various variants of concern (VOC). Presently, we report two key findings; miniproteins in this study are generated using less than 10 lab testing experiments, yet when tested through in-vitro experiments, they show submicro to nanomolar affinities towards SARS-CoV-2 RBD. Also in simulation studies, when compared with previously developed therapeutics, our miniproteins display remarkable ability to mimic ACE2 interphase; making them an ideal solution to the ever evolving problem of VOCs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj K Gaur
- Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Zeenat Khakerwala
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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15
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Notin P, Rollins N, Gal Y, Sander C, Marks D. Machine learning for functional protein design. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:216-228. [PMID: 38361074 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02127-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in AI coupled with the rapid accumulation of protein sequence and structure data have radically transformed computational protein design. New methods promise to escape the constraints of natural and laboratory evolution, accelerating the generation of proteins for applications in biotechnology and medicine. To make sense of the exploding diversity of machine learning approaches, we introduce a unifying framework that classifies models on the basis of their use of three core data modalities: sequences, structures and functional labels. We discuss the new capabilities and outstanding challenges for the practical design of enzymes, antibodies, vaccines, nanomachines and more. We then highlight trends shaping the future of this field, from large-scale assays to more robust benchmarks, multimodal foundation models, enhanced sampling strategies and laboratory automation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Notin
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Yarin Gal
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris Sander
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Debora Marks
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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16
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de Araujo WR, Lukas H, Torres MDT, Gao W, de la Fuente-Nunez C. Low-Cost Biosensor Technologies for Rapid Detection of COVID-19 and Future Pandemics. ACS NANO 2024; 18:1757-1777. [PMID: 38189684 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Many systems have been designed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 is readily transmitted, resulting in the rapid spread of disease in human populations. Frequent testing at the point of care (POC) is a key aspect for controlling outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens, as the early identification of infected individuals can then be followed by appropriate measures of isolation or treatment, maximizing the chances of recovery and preventing infectious spread. Diagnostic tools used for high-frequency testing should be inexpensive, provide a rapid diagnostic response without sophisticated equipment, and be amenable to manufacturing on a large scale. The application of these devices should enable large-scale data collection, help control viral transmission, and prevent disease propagation. Here we review functional nanomaterial-based optical and electrochemical biosensors for accessible POC testing for COVID-19. These biosensors incorporate nanomaterials coupled with paper-based analytical devices and other inexpensive substrates, traditional lateral flow technology (antigen and antibody immunoassays), and innovative biosensing methods. We critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nanobiosensor-based approaches compared to widely used technologies such as PCR, ELISA, and LAMP. Moreover, we delineate the main technological, (bio)chemical, translational, and regulatory challenges associated with developing functional and reliable biosensors, which have prevented their translation into the clinic. Finally, we highlight how nanobiosensors, given their unique advantages over existing diagnostic tests, may help in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Reis de Araujo
- Portable Chemical Sensors Lab, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Heather Lukas
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Marcelo D T Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Wei Gao
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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17
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Lim S, Kwon HJ, Jeong DG, Nie H, Lee S, Ko SR, Lee KS, Ryu YB, Mason HS, Kim HS, Shin AY, Kwon SY. Enhanced binding and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by a plant-derived ACE2 protein containing a fused mu tailpiece. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300319. [PMID: 37853601 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300319] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases such as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) present an increasingly persistent crisis in many parts of the world. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a crucial cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inhibition of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 has been proposed as a target for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. We produced four recombinant plant-derived ACE2 isoforms with or without the mu tailpiece (μ-tp) of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and the KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention motif in a plant expression system. The plant-derived ACE2 isoforms bound whole SARS-CoV-2 virus and the isolated receptor binding domains of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants. Fusion of μ-tp and KDEL to the ACE2 protein (ACE2 μK) had enhanced binding activity with SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with unmodified ACE2 protein derived from CHO cells. Furthermore, the plant-derived ACE2 μK protein exhibited no cytotoxic effects on Vero E6 cells and effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection. The efficient and rapid scalability of plant-derived ACE2 μK protein offers potential for the development of preventive and therapeutic agents in the early response to future viral outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohee Lim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Jun Kwon
- Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Gwin Jeong
- Bionanotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Bio-Analytical Science Division, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hualin Nie
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Lee
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Rin Ko
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioinformatics, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Sun Lee
- Bionanotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Bio-Analytical Science Division, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Bae Ryu
- Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute at ASU, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Hyun-Soon Kim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-Young Shin
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioinformatics, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Yoon Kwon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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18
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Alfaleh MA, Alsulaiman RM, Almahboub SA, Nezamuldeen L, Zawawi A, Aljehani ND, Yasir M, Abdulal RH, Alkhaldi R, Helal A, Alamri SS, Malki J, Alhabbab RY, Abujamel TS, Alhakamy NA, Alnami A, Algaissi A, Hassanain M, Hashem AM. ACE2-Fc and DPP4-Fc decoy receptors against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV variants: a quick therapeutic option for current and future coronaviruses outbreaks. Antib Ther 2024; 7:53-66. [PMID: 38371953 PMCID: PMC10873275 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs). Anti-CoVs mAbs and vaccines may be effective, but the emergence of neutralization escape variants is inevitable. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 enzyme are the getaway receptors for SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, respectively. Thus, we reformatted these receptors as Fc-fusion decoy receptors. Then, we tested them in parallel with anti-SARS-CoV (ab1-IgG) and anti-MERS-CoV (M336-IgG) mAbs against several variants using pseudovirus neutralization assay. The generated Fc-based decoy receptors exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against all pseudotyped CoVs. Results showed that although mAbs can be effective antiviral drugs, they might rapidly lose their efficacy against highly mutated viruses. We suggest that receptor traps can be engineered as Fc-fusion proteins for highly mutating viruses with known entry receptors, for a faster and effective therapeutic response even against virus harboring antibodies escape mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Alfaleh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem M Alsulaiman
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah A Almahboub
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Leena Nezamuldeen
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayat Zawawi
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najwa D Aljehani
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Yasir
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rwaa H Abdulal
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rami Alkhaldi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Assala Helal
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sawsan S Alamri
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jana Malki
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rowa Y Alhabbab
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki S Abujamel
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil A Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alnami
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Algaissi
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazen Hassanain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21859, Saudi Arabia
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19
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Yu B, Drelich A, Hsu J, Tat V, Peng BH, Wei Q, Wang J, Wang H, Wages J, Mendelsohn AR, Larrick JW, Tseng CT. Protective Efficacy of Novel Engineered Human ACE2-Fc Fusion Protein Against Pan-SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro and in Vivo. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16646-16657. [PMID: 38100534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01201] [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] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Enduring occurrence of severe COVID-19 for unvaccinated, aged, or immunocompromised individuals remains an urgent need. Soluble human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been used as a decoy receptor to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is limited by moderate affinity. We describe an engineered, high-affinity ACE2 that is consistently effective in tissue cultures in neutralizing all strains tested, including Delta and Omicron. We also found that treatment of AC70 hACE2 transgenic mice with hACE2-Fc receptor decoys effectively reduced viral infection, attenuated tissue histopathology, and delayed the onset of morbidity and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We believe that using this ACE2-Fc protein would be less likely to promote the escape mutants of SARS-CoV-2 as frequently as did those neutralizing antibody therapies. Together, our results emphasize the suitability of our newly engineered hACE2-Fc fusion protein for further development as a potent antiviral agent against Pan-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yu
- Larix Bioscience LLC, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Jason Hsu
- Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Vivian Tat
- Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Qisheng Wei
- Larix Bioscience LLC, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States
| | - Jianming Wang
- Larix Bioscience LLC, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States
| | - Hong Wang
- Larix Bioscience LLC, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States
| | - John Wages
- Larix Bioscience LLC, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States
| | | | - James W Larrick
- Larix Bioscience LLC, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States
| | - Chien-Te Tseng
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
- Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
- Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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20
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Ameratunga R, Mears E, Leung E, Snell R, Woon ST, Kelton W, Medlicott N, Jordan A, Abbott W, Steele R, Rolleston W, Longhurst H, Lehnert K. Soluble wild-type ACE2 molecules inhibit newer SARS-CoV-2 variants and are a potential antiviral strategy to mitigate disease severity in COVID-19. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 214:289-295. [PMID: 37565297 PMCID: PMC10719217 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad096] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), has caused havoc around the world. While several COVID-19 vaccines and drugs have been authorized for use, these antiviral drugs remain beyond the reach of most low- and middle-income countries. Rapid viral evolution is reducing the efficacy of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies and contributing to the deaths of some fully vaccinated persons. Others with normal immunity may have chosen not to be vaccinated and remain at risk if they contract the infection. Vaccines may not protect some immunodeficient patients from SARS-CoV-2, who are also at increased risk of chronic COVID-19 infection, a dangerous stalemate between the virus and a suboptimal immune response. Intra-host viral evolution could rapidly lead to the selection and dominance of vaccine and monoclonal antibody-resistant clades of SARS-CoV-2. There is thus an urgent need to develop new treatments for COVID-19. The NZACE2-Pātari project, comprising modified soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) molecules, seeks to intercept and block SARS-CoV-2 infection of the respiratory mucosa. In vitro data presented here show that soluble wild-type ACE2 molecules retain the ability to effectively block the Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 variants including the ancestral Wuhan, delta (B.1.617.2) and omicron (B.1.1.529) strains. This therapeutic strategy may prove effective if implemented early during the nasal phase of the infection and may act synergistically with other antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid to further mitigate disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, AucklandNew Zealand
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emily Mears
- Applied Translational Genetic Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Russell Snell
- Applied Translational Genetic Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William Kelton
- Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Anthony Jordan
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, AucklandNew Zealand
| | - William Abbott
- Department of Surgery, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Hilary Longhurst
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Applied Translational Genetic Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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Benjakul S, Anthi AK, Kolderup A, Vaysburd M, Lode HE, Mallery D, Fossum E, Vikse EL, Albecka A, Ianevski A, Kainov D, Karlsen KF, Sakya SA, Nyquist-Andersen M, Gjølberg TT, Moe MC, Bjørås M, Sandlie I, James LC, Andersen JT. A pan-SARS-CoV-2-specific soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-albumin fusion engineered for enhanced plasma half-life and needle-free mucosal delivery. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad403. [PMID: 38077689 PMCID: PMC10703496 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Immunocompromised patients often fail to raise protective vaccine-induced immunity against the global emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. Although monoclonal antibodies have been authorized for clinical use, most have lost their ability to potently neutralize the evolving Omicron subvariants. Thus, there is an urgent need for treatment strategies that can provide protection against these and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants to prevent the development of severe coronavirus disease 2019. Here, we report on the design and characterization of a long-acting viral entry-blocking angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) dimeric fusion molecule. Specifically, a soluble truncated human dimeric ACE2 variant, engineered for improved binding to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, was fused with human albumin tailored for favorable engagement of the neonatal fragment crystallizable receptor (FcRn), which resulted in enhanced plasma half-life and allowed for needle-free transmucosal delivery upon nasal administration in human FcRn-expressing transgenic mice. Importantly, the dimeric ACE2-fused albumin demonstrated potent neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 immune escape variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sopisa Benjakul
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Aina Karen Anthi
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Anette Kolderup
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Marina Vaysburd
- Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Division, Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Heidrun Elisabeth Lode
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo 0450, Norway
| | - Donna Mallery
- Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Division, Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Even Fossum
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo 0213, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Lea Vikse
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo 0213, Norway
| | - Anna Albecka
- Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Division, Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Aleksandr Ianevski
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Denis Kainov
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Karine Flem Karlsen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Siri Aastedatter Sakya
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Mari Nyquist-Andersen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Torleif Tollefsrud Gjølberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo 0450, Norway
| | - Morten C Moe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo 0450, Norway
| | - Magnar Bjørås
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo 0213, Norway
| | - Inger Sandlie
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo 0371, Norway
| | - Leo C James
- Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Division, Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo 0372, Norway
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22
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Bernardotto S, Frasson I, Faravelli S, Morelli A, Schiavon E, Moscatiello GY, Violatto MB, Pinnola A, Canciani A, Mattarei A, Rossi G, Brini M, Pasetto L, Bonetto V, Bigini P, Forneris F, Richter SN, Morpurgo M. Efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection antagonization by rhACE2 ectodomain multimerized onto the Avidin-Nucleic-Acid-NanoASsembly. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122394. [PMID: 38007919 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122394] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Nanodecoy systems based on analogues of viral cellular receptors assembled onto fluid lipid-based membranes of nano/extravescicles are potential new tools to complement classic therapeutic or preventive antiviral approaches. The need for lipid-based membranes for transmembrane receptor anchorage may pose technical challenges along industrial translation, calling for alternative geometries for receptor multimerization. Here we developed a semisynthetic self-assembling SARS-CoV-2 nanodecoy by multimerizing the biotin labelled virus cell receptor -ACE2- ectodomain onto a poly-avidin nanoparticle (NP) based on the Avidin-Nucleic-Acid-NanoASsembly-ANANAS. The ability of the assembly to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung cells and the affinity of the ACE2:viral receptor-binding domain (RBD) interaction were measured at different ACE2:NP ratios. At ACE2:NP = 30, 90 % SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibition at ACE2 nanomolar concentration was registered on both Wuhan and Omicron variants, with ten-fold higher potency than the monomeric protein. Lower and higher ACE2 densities were less efficient suggesting that functional recognition between multi-ligand NPs and multi-receptor virus surfaces requires optimal geometrical relationships. In vivo studies in mice showed that the biodistribution and safety profiles of the nanodecoy are potentially suitable for preventing viral infection upon nasal instillation. Viral receptor multimerization using ANANAS is a convenient process which, in principle, could be rapidly adapted to counteract also other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bernardotto
- Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Dept (DSF), University of Padova, Via Marzolo, 5. 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Frasson
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Faravelli
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Morelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Italy, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Schiavon
- Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Dept (DSF), University of Padova, Via Marzolo, 5. 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Yuri Moscatiello
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Italy, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Martina Bruna Violatto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Italy, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberta Pinnola
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anselmo Canciani
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mattarei
- Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Dept (DSF), University of Padova, Via Marzolo, 5. 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Rossi
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Marisa Brini
- Department of Biology (DIBIO), Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Pasetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Italy, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Italy, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Bigini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Italy, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Forneris
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Dept. Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9/A, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121, Padova, Italy; Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35121, Padua, Italy.
| | - Margherita Morpurgo
- Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Dept (DSF), University of Padova, Via Marzolo, 5. 35131, Padova, Italy.
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23
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Guo H, Cho B, Hinton PR, He S, Yu Y, Ramesh AK, Sivaccumar JP, Ku Z, Campo K, Holland S, Sachdeva S, Mensch C, Dawod M, Whitaker A, Eisenhauer P, Falcone A, Honce R, Botten JW, Carroll SF, Keyt BA, Womack AW, Strohl WR, Xu K, Zhang N, An Z, Ha S, Shiver JW, Fu TM. An ACE2 decamer viral trap as a durable intervention solution for current and future SARS-CoV. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2275598. [PMID: 38078382 PMCID: PMC10768737 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2275598] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of SARS-CoV-2 to evolve poses challenges to conventional prevention and treatment options such as vaccination and monoclonal antibodies, as they rely on viral receptor binding domain (RBD) sequences from previous strains. Additionally, animal CoVs, especially those of the SARS family, are now appreciated as a constant pandemic threat. We present here a new antiviral approach featuring inhalation delivery of a recombinant viral trap composed of ten copies of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) fused to the IgM Fc. This ACE2 decamer viral trap is designed to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry function, regardless of viral RBD sequence variations as shown by its high neutralization potency against all known SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron BQ.1, BQ.1.1, XBB.1 and XBB.1.5. In addition, it demonstrates potency against SARS-CoV-1, human NL63, as well as bat and pangolin CoVs. The multivalent trap is effective in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings since a single intranasal dosing confers protection in human ACE2 transgenic mice against viral challenges. Lastly, this molecule is stable at ambient temperature for more than twelve weeks and can sustain physical stress from aerosolization. These results demonstrate the potential of a decameric ACE2 viral trap as an inhalation solution for ACE2-dependent coronaviruses of current and future pandemic concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sijia He
- IGM Biosciences, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | | | - Ashwin Kumar Ramesh
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jwala Priyadarsini Sivaccumar
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Ku
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annalis Whitaker
- Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Philip Eisenhauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Allison Falcone
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Rebekah Honce
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Jason W. Botten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kai Xu
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sha Ha
- IGM Biosciences, Mountain View, CA, USA
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24
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Song R, Chen X, Li B, Ni J, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Liang X, Zou L, Liu J, Yang F, Li G, Guo X, Liu Z, Mao F, Lei C, Sui J, Li W, Jin R. Nasal spray of an IgM-like ACE2 fusion protein HH-120 prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection: Two investigator-initiated postexposure prophylaxis trials. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29275. [PMID: 38054556 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29275] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
HH-120, an IgM-like angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) fusion protein, has been developed as a nasal spray against Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is currently undergoing human trials. HH-120 nasal spray was assessed for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in two investigator-initiated (NS01 and NS02) trials with different risk levels of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. NS01 enrolled family caregiver participants who had continuous contacts with laboratory-confirmed index cases; NS02 enrolled participants who had general contacts (Part 1) or close contacts (Part 2) with index cases. The primary endpoints were safety and laboratory-confirmed and/or symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. In NS01 trial (14 participants), the SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were 25% in the HH-120 group and 83.3% in the external control group (relative risk reduction [RRR]: 70.0%). In NS02-Part 1 (193 participants), the infection rates were 4% (HH-120) versus 11.3% (placebo), symptomatic infection rates were 0.8% versus 3.5%, hence with a RRR of 64.6% and 77.1%, respectively. In Part 2 (76 participants), the infection rates were 17.1% (HH-120) versus 30.4% (placebo), symptomatic infection rates were 7.5% versus 27.3%, with a RRR of 43.8% and 72.5%, respectively. No HH-120-related serious adverse effects were observed. The HH-120 nasal spray used as PEP was safe and effective in preventing laboratory-confirmed and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Song
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyou Chen
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Baoliang Li
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ni
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunao Zhou
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | - Juan Liu
- Huahui Health Ltd., Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Xiaodi Guo
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Cong Lei
- Huahui Health Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Sui
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ronghua Jin
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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25
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Chmielewski D, Wilson EA, Pintilie G, Zhao P, Chen M, Schmid MF, Simmons G, Wells L, Jin J, Singharoy A, Chiu W. Structural insights into the modulation of coronavirus spike tilting and infectivity by hinge glycans. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7175. [PMID: 37935678 PMCID: PMC10630519 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42836-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus spike glycoproteins presented on the virion surface mediate receptor binding, and membrane fusion during virus entry and constitute the primary target for vaccine and drug development. How the structure dynamics of the full-length spikes incorporated in viral lipid envelope correlates with the virus infectivity remains poorly understood. Here we present structures and distributions of native spike conformations on vitrified human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) virions without chemical fixation by cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) and subtomogram averaging, along with site-specific glycan composition and occupancy determined by mass spectrometry. The higher oligomannose glycan shield on HCoV-NL63 spikes than on SARS-CoV-2 spikes correlates with stronger immune evasion of HCoV-NL63. Incorporation of cryoET-derived native spike conformations into all-atom molecular dynamic simulations elucidate the conformational landscape of the glycosylated, full-length spike that reveals a role of hinge glycans in modulating spike bending. We show that glycosylation at N1242 at the upper portion of the stalk is responsible for the extensive orientational freedom of the spike crown. Subsequent infectivity assays implicated involvement of N1242-glyan in virus entry. Our results suggest a potential therapeutic target site for HCoV-NL63.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Chmielewski
- Biophysics Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Eric A Wilson
- School of Molecular Sciences, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Grigore Pintilie
- Department of Bioengineering, and of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Muyuan Chen
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Michael F Schmid
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Graham Simmons
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Lance Wells
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Bioengineering, and of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Abhishek Singharoy
- School of Molecular Sciences, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Wah Chiu
- Biophysics Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, and of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
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26
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Sawula E, Miersch S, Jong ED, Li C, Chou FY, Tang JK, Saberianfar R, Harding J, Sidhu SS, Nagy A. Cell-based passive immunization for protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:318. [PMID: 37932852 PMCID: PMC10629160 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03556-5] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunologically impaired individuals respond poorly to vaccines, highlighting the need for additional strategies to protect these vulnerable populations from COVID-19. While monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have emerged as promising tools to manage infectious diseases, the transient lifespan of neutralizing mAbs in patients limits their ability to confer lasting, passive prophylaxis from SARS-CoV-2. Here, we attempted to solve this problem by combining cell and mAb engineering in a way that provides durable immune protection against viral infection using safe and universal cell therapy. METHODS Mouse embryonic stem cells equipped with our FailSafe™ and induced allogeneic cell tolerance technologies were engineered to express factors that potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2, which we call 'neutralizing biologics' (nBios). We subcutaneously transplanted the transgenic cells into mice and longitudinally assessed the ability of the cells to deliver nBios into circulation. To do so, we quantified plasma nBio concentrations and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity over time in transplant recipients. Finally, using similar cell engineering strategies, we genetically modified FailSafe™ human-induced pluripotent stem cells to express SARS-CoV-2 nBios. RESULTS Transgenic mouse embryonic stem cells engineered for safety and allogeneic-acceptance can secrete functional and potent SARS-CoV-2 nBios. As a dormant, subcutaneous tissue, the transgenic cells and their differentiated derivatives long-term deliver a supply of protective nBio titers in vivo. Moving toward clinical relevance, we also show that human-induced pluripotent stem cells, similarly engineered for safety, can secrete highly potent nBios. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings show the promise and potential of using 'off-the-shelf' cell products that secrete neutralizing antibodies for sustained protective immunity against current and future viral pathogens of public health significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Sawula
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shane Miersch
- The Anvil Institute, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Eric D Jong
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chengjin Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fang-Yu Chou
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Kit Tang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reza Saberianfar
- The Anvil Institute, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Harding
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- The Anvil Institute, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Andras Nagy
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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27
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Sun J, Liu X, Zhang S, Li M, Zhang Q, Chen J. Molecular insights and optimization strategies for the competitive binding of engineered ACE2 proteins: a multiple replica molecular dynamics study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:28479-28496. [PMID: 37846774 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03392a] [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: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread globally, and rapid viral evolution and the emergence of new variants pose challenges to pandemic control. During infection, the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the human ACE2 protein via its receptor binding domain (RBD), and it is known that engineered forms of ACE2 can compete with wild-type (WT) ACE2 for binding to inhibit infection. Here, we conducted multiple replica molecular dynamics (MRMD) simulations to study the mechanisms of the engineered ACE2 variants 3N39 and 3N94 and provide directions for optimization. Our findings reveal that engineered ACE2 is notably more efficacious in systems that show weaker binding to WT ACE2 (i.e., WT and BA.1 RBD), but also faces immune escape as the virus evolves. Moreover, by modifying residue types near the binding interface, engineered ACE2 alters the electrostatic potential distribution and reconfigures the hydrogen bonding network, which results in modified binding to the RBD. However, this structural rearrangement does not occur in all RBD variants. In addition, we identified potentially engineerable beneficial residues and potentially engineerable detrimental residues in both ACE2 and RBD. Functional conservation can thus enable the optimization of these residues and improve the binding competitiveness of engineered ACE2, which therefore provides additional immune escape prevention. Finally, we conclude that these findings have implications for understanding the mechanisms responsible for engineered ACE2 and can help us to develop engineered ACE2 proteins that show superior performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Sun
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
| | - Xinguo Liu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
| | - Shaolong Zhang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
| | - Meng Li
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
| | - Qinggang Zhang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
| | - Jianzhong Chen
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, 250357, China.
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28
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Padhi AK, Kalita P, Maurya S, Poluri KM, Tripathi T. From De Novo Design to Redesign: Harnessing Computational Protein Design for Understanding SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Mechanisms and Developing Therapeutics. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8717-8735. [PMID: 37815479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04542] [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 continuous emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants serves as compelling evidence that COVID-19 is an ongoing concern. The swift, well-coordinated response to the pandemic highlights how technological advancements can accelerate the detection, monitoring, and treatment of the disease. Robust surveillance systems have been established to understand the clinical characteristics of new variants, although the unpredictable nature of these variants presents significant challenges. Some variants have shown resistance to current treatments, but innovative technologies like computational protein design (CPD) offer promising solutions and versatile therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. Advances in computing power, coupled with open-source platforms like AlphaFold and RFdiffusion (employing deep neural network and diffusion generative models), among many others, have accelerated the design of protein therapeutics with precise structures and intended functions. CPD has played a pivotal role in developing peptide inhibitors, mini proteins, protein mimics, decoy receptors, nanobodies, monoclonal antibodies, identifying drug-resistance mutations, and even redesigning native SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Pending regulatory approval, these designed therapies hold the potential for a lasting impact on human health and sustainability. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, use of such technologies enables the ongoing development of alternative strategies, thus equipping us for the "New Normal".
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Parismita Kalita
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Shweata Maurya
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
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29
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Llewellyn GN, Chen HY, Rogers GL, Huang X, Sell PJ, Henley JE, Cannon PM. Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors based on ACE2 receptor or engineered Spike-binding peptides. J Virol 2023; 97:e0068423. [PMID: 37555663 PMCID: PMC10506483 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00684-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants to antibodies, there is interest in developing entry inhibitors that target essential receptor-binding regions of the viral Spike protein and thereby present a high bar for viral resistance. Such inhibitors could be derivatives of the viral receptor, ACE2, or peptides engineered to interact specifically with the Spike receptor-binding pocket. We compared the efficacy of a series of both types of entry inhibitors, constructed as fusions to an antibody Fc domain. Such a design can increase protein stability and act to both neutralize free virus and recruit effector functions to clear infected cells. We tested the reagents against prototype variants of SARS-CoV-2, using both Spike pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus vectors and replication-competent viruses. These analyses revealed that an optimized ACE2 derivative could neutralize all variants we tested with high efficacy. In contrast, the Spike-binding peptides had varying activities against different variants, with resistance observed in the Spike proteins from Beta, Gamma, and Omicron (BA.1 and BA.5). The resistance mapped to mutations at Spike residues K417 and N501 and could be overcome for one of the peptides by linking two copies in tandem, effectively creating a tetrameric reagent in the Fc fusion. Finally, both the optimized ACE2 and tetrameric peptide inhibitors provided some protection to human ACE2 transgenic mice challenged with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which typically causes death in this model within 7-9 days. IMPORTANCE The increasing resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants to therapeutic antibodies has highlighted the need for new treatment options, especially in individuals who do not respond to vaccination. Receptor decoys that block viral entry are an attractive approach because of the presumed high bar to developing viral resistance. Here, we compare two entry inhibitors based on derivatives of the ACE2 receptor, or engineered peptides that bind to the receptor-binding pocket of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. In each case, the inhibitors were fused to immunoglobulin Fc domains, which can further enhance therapeutic properties, and compared for activity against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Potent inhibition against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants was demonstrated in vitro, and even relatively low single doses of optimized reagents provided some protection in a mouse model, confirming their potential as an alternative to antibody therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George N. Llewellyn
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hsu-Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Geoffrey L. Rogers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiaoli Huang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Philip J. Sell
- The Hastings Foundation and The Wright Foundation Laboratories, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jill E. Henley
- The Hastings Foundation and The Wright Foundation Laboratories, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paula M. Cannon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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30
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Song S, Shi Q. Interface-Based Design of High-Affinity Affibody Ligands for the Purification of RBD from Spike Proteins. Molecules 2023; 28:6358. [PMID: 37687186 PMCID: PMC10489752 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176358] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has sparked an urgent demand for advanced diagnosis and vaccination worldwide. The discovery of high-affinity ligands is of great significance for vaccine and diagnostic reagent manufacturing. Targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) from the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2, an interface at the outer surface of helices on the Z domain from protein A was introduced to construct a virtual library for the screening of ZRBD affibody ligands. Molecular docking was performed using HADDOCK software, and three potential ZRBD affibodies, ZRBD-02, ZRBD-04, and ZRBD-07, were obtained. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation verified that the binding of ZRBD affibodies to RBD was driven by electrostatic interactions. Per-residue free energy decomposition analysis further substantiated that four residues with negative-charge characteristics on helix α1 of the Z domain participated in this process. Binding affinity analysis by microscale thermophoresis showed that ZRBD affibodies had high affinity for RBD binding, and the lowest dissociation constant was 36.3 nmol/L for ZRBD-07 among the three potential ZRBD affibodies. Herein, ZRBD-02 and ZRBD-07 affibodies were selected for chromatographic verifications after being coupled to thiol-activated Sepharose 6 Fast Flow (SepFF) gel. Chromatographic experiments showed that RBD could bind on both ZRBD SepFF gels and was eluted by 0.1 mol/L NaOH. Moreover, the ZRBD-07 SepFF gel had a higher affinity for RBD. This research provided a new idea for the design of affibody ligands and validated the potential of affibody ligands in the application of RBD purification from complex feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Song
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qinghong Shi
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
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31
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Liu J, Mao F, Chen J, Lu S, Qi Y, Sun Y, Fang L, Yeung ML, Liu C, Yu G, Li G, Liu X, Yao Y, Huang P, Hao D, Liu Z, Ding Y, Liu H, Yang F, Chen P, Sa R, Sheng Y, Tian X, Peng R, Li X, Luo J, Cheng Y, Zheng Y, Lin Y, Song R, Jin R, Huang B, Choe H, Farzan M, Yuen KY, Tan W, Peng X, Sui J, Li W. An IgM-like inhalable ACE2 fusion protein broadly neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5191. [PMID: 37626079 PMCID: PMC10457309 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40933-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics are not effective against newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we developed the metallo-enzyme domain of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-the cellular receptor of SARS-CoV-2-into an IgM-like inhalable molecule (HH-120). HH-120 binds to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein with high avidity and confers potent and broad-spectrum neutralization activity against all known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. HH-120 was developed as an inhaled formulation that achieves appropriate aerodynamic properties for rodent and monkey respiratory system delivery, and we found that early administration of HH-120 by aerosol inhalation significantly reduced viral loads and lung pathology scores in male golden Syrian hamsters infected by the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain (GDPCC-nCoV27) and the Delta variant. Our study presents a meaningful advancement in the inhalation delivery of large biologics like HH-120 (molecular weight (MW) ~ 1000 kDa) and demonstrates that HH-120 can serve as an efficacious, safe, and convenient agent against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Finally, given the known role of ACE2 in viral reception, it is conceivable that HH-120 has the potential to be efficacious against additional emergent coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Huahui Health Ltd, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Shuaiyao Lu
- National Kunming High-level Biosafety Primate Research Center, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan, China
| | | | - Yinyan Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linqiang Fang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Man Lung Yeung
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | | | | | | | - Ximing Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Yu Ding
- Huahui Health Ltd, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Pan Chen
- Huahui Health Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Rigai Sa
- Huahui Health Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Sheng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinxin Tian
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Peng
- Huahui Health Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Li
- Huahui Health Ltd, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Rui Song
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ronghua Jin
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Baoying Huang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing, China
| | - Hyeryun Choe
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Michael Farzan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaozhong Peng
- National Kunming High-level Biosafety Primate Research Center, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical Primate Research Center, Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianhua Sui
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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32
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Lu M, Yao W, Li Y, Ma D, Zhang Z, Wang H, Tang X, Wang Y, Li C, Cheng D, Lin H, Yin Y, Zhao J, Zhong G. Broadly Effective ACE2 Decoy Proteins Protect Mice from Lethal SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0110023. [PMID: 37395664 PMCID: PMC10434153 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01100-23] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have been causing increasingly serious drug resistance problem, development of broadly effective and hard-to-escape anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents is an urgent need. Here, we describe further development and characterization of two SARS-CoV-2 receptor decoy proteins, ACE2-Ig-95 and ACE2-Ig-105/106. We found that both proteins had potent and robust in vitro neutralization activities against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants, including BQ.1 and XBB.1, that are resistant to most clinically used monoclonal antibodies. In a stringent lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection mouse model, both proteins lowered the lung viral load by up to ~1,000-fold, prevented the emergence of clinical signs in >75% animals, and increased the animal survival rate from 0% (untreated) to >87.5% (treated). These results demonstrate that both proteins are good drug candidates for protecting animals from severe COVID-19. In a head-to-head comparison of these two proteins with five previously described ACE2-Ig constructs, we found that two constructs, each carrying five surface mutations in the ACE2 region, had partial loss of neutralization potency against three SARS-CoV-2 variants. These data suggest that extensively mutating ACE2 residues near the receptor binding domain (RBD)-binding interface should be avoided or performed with extra caution. Furthermore, we found that both ACE2-Ig-95 and ACE2-Ig-105/106 could be produced to the level of grams per liter, demonstrating the developability of them as biologic drug candidates. Stress condition stability testing of them further suggests that more studies are required in the future to improve the stability of these proteins. These studies provide useful insight into critical factors for engineering and preclinical development of ACE2 decoys as broadly effective therapeutics against diverse ACE2-utilizing coronaviruses. IMPORTANCE Engineering soluble ACE2 proteins that function as a receptor decoy to block SARS-CoV-2 infection is a very attractive approach to creating broadly effective and hard-to-escape anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. This article describes development of two antibody-like soluble ACE2 proteins that broadly block diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron. In a stringent COVID-19 mouse model, both proteins successfully protected >87.5% animals from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, a head-to-head comparison of the two constructs developed in this study with five previously described ACE2 decoy constructs was performed here. Two previously described constructs with relatively more ACE2 surface mutations were found with less robust neutralization activities against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. Furthermore, the developability of the two proteins as biologic drug candidates was also assessed here. This study provides two broad anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates and useful insight into critical factors for engineering and preclinical development of ACE2 decoys as broadly effective therapeutics against diverse ACE2-utilizing coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weitong Yao
- Hubei JiangXia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yujun Li
- Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Danting Ma
- Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haimin Wang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojuan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chao Li
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dechun Cheng
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Lin
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yandong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guocai Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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33
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McConnell A, Hackel BJ. Protein engineering via sequence-performance mapping. Cell Syst 2023; 14:656-666. [PMID: 37494931 PMCID: PMC10527434 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.06.009] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Discovery and evolution of new and improved proteins has empowered molecular therapeutics, diagnostics, and industrial biotechnology. Discovery and evolution both require efficient screens and effective libraries, although they differ in their challenges because of the absence or presence, respectively, of an initial protein variant with the desired function. A host of high-throughput technologies-experimental and computational-enable efficient screens to identify performant protein variants. In partnership, an informed search of sequence space is needed to overcome the immensity, sparsity, and complexity of the sequence-performance landscape. Early in the historical trajectory of protein engineering, these elements aligned with distinct approaches to identify the most performant sequence: selection from large, randomized combinatorial libraries versus rational computational design. Substantial advances have now emerged from the synergy of these perspectives. Rational design of combinatorial libraries aids the experimental search of sequence space, and high-throughput, high-integrity experimental data inform computational design. At the core of the collaborative interface, efficient protein characterization (rather than mere selection of optimal variants) maps sequence-performance landscapes. Such quantitative maps elucidate the complex relationships between protein sequence and performance-e.g., binding, catalytic efficiency, biological activity, and developability-thereby advancing fundamental protein science and facilitating protein discovery and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam McConnell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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34
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Watson JL, Juergens D, Bennett NR, Trippe BL, Yim J, Eisenach HE, Ahern W, Borst AJ, Ragotte RJ, Milles LF, Wicky BIM, Hanikel N, Pellock SJ, Courbet A, Sheffler W, Wang J, Venkatesh P, Sappington I, Torres SV, Lauko A, De Bortoli V, Mathieu E, Ovchinnikov S, Barzilay R, Jaakkola TS, DiMaio F, Baek M, Baker D. De novo design of protein structure and function with RFdiffusion. Nature 2023; 620:1089-1100. [PMID: 37433327 PMCID: PMC10468394 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 258.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
There has been considerable recent progress in designing new proteins using deep-learning methods1-9. Despite this progress, a general deep-learning framework for protein design that enables solution of a wide range of design challenges, including de novo binder design and design of higher-order symmetric architectures, has yet to be described. Diffusion models10,11 have had considerable success in image and language generative modelling but limited success when applied to protein modelling, probably due to the complexity of protein backbone geometry and sequence-structure relationships. Here we show that by fine-tuning the RoseTTAFold structure prediction network on protein structure denoising tasks, we obtain a generative model of protein backbones that achieves outstanding performance on unconditional and topology-constrained protein monomer design, protein binder design, symmetric oligomer design, enzyme active site scaffolding and symmetric motif scaffolding for therapeutic and metal-binding protein design. We demonstrate the power and generality of the method, called RoseTTAFold diffusion (RFdiffusion), by experimentally characterizing the structures and functions of hundreds of designed symmetric assemblies, metal-binding proteins and protein binders. The accuracy of RFdiffusion is confirmed by the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of a designed binder in complex with influenza haemagglutinin that is nearly identical to the design model. In a manner analogous to networks that produce images from user-specified inputs, RFdiffusion enables the design of diverse functional proteins from simple molecular specifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Watson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Juergens
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Brian L Trippe
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Columbia University, Department of Statistics, New York, NY, USA
- Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Yim
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Helen E Eisenach
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Woody Ahern
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew J Borst
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert J Ragotte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lukas F Milles
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Basile I M Wicky
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nikita Hanikel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel J Pellock
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexis Courbet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- National Centre for Scientific Research, École Normale Supérieure rue d'Ulm, Paris, France
| | - William Sheffler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Preetham Venkatesh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Isaac Sappington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Susana Vázquez Torres
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anna Lauko
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Valentin De Bortoli
- National Centre for Scientific Research, École Normale Supérieure rue d'Ulm, Paris, France
| | - Emile Mathieu
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sergey Ovchinnikov
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Minkyung Baek
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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35
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Carrión F, Rammauro F, Olivero‐Deibe N, Fló M, Portela MM, Lima A, Durán R, Pritsch O, Bianchi S. Soluble SARS-CoV-2 RBD and human ACE2 peptidase domain produced in Drosophila S2 cells show functions evoking virus-cell interface. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4721. [PMID: 37405395 PMCID: PMC10382795 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4721] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and the peptidase domain of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) allows the first specific contact at the virus-cell interface making it the main target of neutralizing antibodies. Here, we show a unique and cost-effective protocol using Drosophila S2 cells to produce both RBD and soluble human ACE2 peptidase domain (shACE2) as thermostable proteins, purified via Strep-tag with yields >40 mg L-1 in a laboratory scale. Furthermore, we demonstrate its binding with KD values in the lower nanomolar range (independently of Strep-tag removal) and its capability to be blocked by serum antibodies in a competition ELISA with Strep-Tactin-HRP as a proof-of-concept. In addition, we assess the capacity of RBD to bind native dimeric ACE2 overexpressed in human cells and its antigen properties with specific serum antibodies. Finally, for completeness, we analyzed RBD microheterogeneity associated with glycosylation and negative charges, with negligible effect on binding either with antibodies or shACE2. Our system represents an accessible and reliable tool for designing in-house surrogate virus neutralization tests (sVNTs), enabling the rapid characterization of neutralizing humoral responses elicited against vaccines or infection, especially in the absence of facilities to conduct virus neutralization tests. Moreover, our biophysical and biochemical characterization of RBD and shACE2 produced in S2 cells lays the groundwork for adapting to different variants of concern (VOCs) to study humoral responses elicited against different VOCs and vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Carrión
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Florencia Rammauro
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de InmunobiologíaUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | | | - Martín Fló
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de InmunobiologíaUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - María Magdalena Portela
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo & Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Analía Lima
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo & Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
| | - Rosario Durán
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo & Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
| | - Otto Pritsch
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de InmunobiologíaUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Sergio Bianchi
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Laboratorio de Biomarcadores Moleculares, Hospital de ClínicasUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
- Laboratorio de Genómica FuncionalInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
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36
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Li F, Xu W, Zhang X, Wang W, Su S, Han P, Wang H, Xu Y, Li M, Fan L, Zhang H, Dai Q, Lin H, Qi X, Liang J, Wang X, Jiang S, Xie Y, Lu L, Yang X. A spike-targeting bispecific T cell engager strategy provides dual layer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo. Commun Biol 2023; 6:592. [PMID: 37264086 PMCID: PMC10234585 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04955-3] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies exert a potent inhibitory effect on viral entry; however, they are less effective in therapeutic models than in prophylactic models, presumably because of their limited efficacy in eliminating virus-producing cells via Fc-mediated cytotoxicity. Herein, we present a SARS-CoV-2 spike-targeting bispecific T-cell engager (S-BiTE) strategy for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection. This approach blocks the entry of free virus into permissive cells by competing with membrane receptors and eliminates virus-infected cells via powerful T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. S-BiTE is effective against both the original and Delta variant of SARS-CoV2 with similar efficacy, suggesting its potential application against immune-escaping variants. In addition, in humanized mouse model with live SARS-COV-2 infection, S-BiTE treated mice showed significantly less viral load than neutralization only treated group. The S-BiTE strategy may have broad applications in combating other coronavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanlin Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wanting Wang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shan Su
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ping Han
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yanqin Xu
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Min Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lilv Fan
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qiang Dai
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hao Lin
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xinyue Qi
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jie Liang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Shanghai Longyao Biotechnology Limited, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Youhua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xuanming Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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37
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Ren Z, Shen C, Peng J. Status and Developing Strategies for Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in the Omicron Era of COVID-19. Viruses 2023; 15:1297. [PMID: 37376597 DOI: 10.3390/v15061297] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based treatment is a highly valued therapy against COVID-19, especially for individuals who may not have strong immune responses to the vaccine. However, with the arrival of the Omicron variant and its evolving subvariants, along with the occurrence of remarkable resistance of these SARS-CoV-2 variants to the neutralizing antibodies, mAbs are facing tough challenges. Future strategies for developing mAbs with improved resistance to viral evasion will involve optimizing the targeting epitopes on SARS-CoV-2, enhancing the affinity and potency of mAbs, exploring the use of non-neutralizing antibodies that bind to conserved epitopes on the S protein, as well as optimizing immunization regimens. These approaches can improve the viability of mAb therapy in the fight against the evolving threat of the coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuning Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- BSL-3 Laboratory (Guangdong), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chenguang Shen
- BSL-3 Laboratory (Guangdong), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jie Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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38
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Lopez-Morales J, Vanella R, Utzinger T, Schittny V, Hirsiger J, Osthoff M, Berger CT, Guri Y, Nash MA. Multiplexed on-yeast serological assay for immune escape screening of SARS-CoV-2 variants. iScience 2023; 26:106648. [PMID: 37124419 PMCID: PMC10089669 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant altered patient risk profiles and shifted the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, sensitive serological tests capable of analyzing patient IgG responses to multiple variants in parallel are highly desirable. Here, we present an adaptable serological test based on yeast surface display and serum biopanning that characterizes immune profiles against SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan (B lineage), Delta (B.1.617.2 lineage), and Omicron (B.1.1.529 lineage) receptor-binding domain (RBD) variants. We examined IgG titers from 30 serum samples from COVID-19-convalescent and vaccinated cohorts in Switzerland, and assessed the relative affinity of polyclonal serum IgG for RBD domains. We demonstrate that serum IgGs from patients recovered from severe COVID-19 between March-June 2021 bound tightly to both original Wuhan and Delta RBD variants, but failed to recognize Omicron RBDs, representing an affinity loss of >10- to 20-fold. Our yeast immunoassay is easily tailored, expandable and parallelized with newly emerging RBD variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanan Lopez-Morales
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH), 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rosario Vanella
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH), 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- National Center for Research Competence (NCCR) Molecular Systems Engineering, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Utzinger
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Valentin Schittny
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hirsiger
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Osthoff
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH), 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph T. Berger
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH), 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- University Center for Immunology, University Hospital Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Yakir Guri
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH), 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael A. Nash
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH), 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- National Center for Research Competence (NCCR) Molecular Systems Engineering, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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39
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Kummarapurugu AB, Hawkridge AM, Ma J, Osei S, Martin RK, Zheng S, Voynow JA. Neutrophil Elastase decreases SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein binding to human bronchial epithelia by clipping ACE-2 ectodomian from the epithelial surface. J Biol Chem 2023:104820. [PMID: 37187291 PMCID: PMC10181948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104820] [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: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have decreased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections, but the underlying cause is unknown. Patients with CF have high levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the airway. We examined whether respiratory epithelial angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is a proteolytic target of NE. Soluble ACE-2 (sACE-2) levels were quantified by ELISA in airway secretions and serum from patients with and without CF, and the association between sACE-2 levels and NE activity levels was evaluated in CF sputum. We determined that NE activity was directly correlated with increased ACE-2 in CF sputum. Additionally, primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, exposed to NE or control vehicle, were evaluated by western analysis for the release of cleaved ACE-2 ectodomain fragment into conditioned media, and by flow cytometry for the loss of cell surface ACE-2, its impact on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding. We found that NE treatment released ACE-2 ectodomain fragment from HBE and decreased spike protein binding to HBE. Furthermore, we performed NE treatment of recombinant ACE-2-Fc tagged protein in vitro to assess whether NE was sufficient to cleave recombinant ACE-2-Fc protein. Proteomic analysis identified, specific NE cleavage sites in the ACE-2 ectodomain that would result in loss of the putative N-terminal spike binding domain. Collectively, data support that NE plays a disruptive role in SARS-CoV-2 infection by catalyzing ACE-2 ectodomain shedding from the airway epithelia. This mechanism may reduce SARS-CoV-2 virus binding to respiratory epithelial cells and decrease severity of COVID19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apparao B Kummarapurugu
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University.
| | - Adam M Hawkridge
- School of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
| | - Jonathan Ma
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University
| | | | - Rebecca K Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
| | - Shuo Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Judith A Voynow
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University
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40
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Havranek B, Lindsey GW, Higuchi Y, Itoh Y, Suzuki T, Okamoto T, Hoshino A, Procko E, Islam SM. A computationally designed ACE2 decoy has broad efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants and related viruses in vitro and in vivo. Commun Biol 2023; 6:513. [PMID: 37173421 PMCID: PMC10177734 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, especially B.1.1.529/omicron and its sublineages, continues to mutate to evade monoclonal antibodies and antibodies elicited by vaccination. Affinity-enhanced soluble ACE2 (sACE2) is an alternative strategy that works by binding the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, acting as a 'decoy' to block the interaction between the S and human ACE2. Using a computational design strategy, we designed an affinity-enhanced ACE2 decoy, FLIF, that exhibited tight binding to SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants. Our computationally calculated absolute binding free energies (ABFE) between sACE2:SARS-CoV-2 S proteins and their variants showed excellent agreement to binding experiments. FLIF displayed robust therapeutic utility against a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses, and neutralized omicron BA.5 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we directly compared the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of wild-type ACE2 (non-affinity enhanced ACE2) against FLIF. A few wild-type sACE2 decoys have shown to be effective against early circulating variants such as Wuhan in vivo. Our data suggest that moving forward, affinity-enhanced ACE2 decoys like FLIF may be required to combat evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach described herein emphasizes how computational methods have become sufficiently accurate for the design of therapeutics against viral protein targets. Affinity-enhanced ACE2 decoys remain highly effective at neutralizing omicron subvariants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Havranek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
- ComputePharma, LLC., Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Yusuke Higuchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yumi Itoh
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Suzuki
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toru Okamoto
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hoshino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Erik Procko
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cyrus Biotechnology, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shahidul M Islam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- ComputePharma, LLC., Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA.
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41
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Kalita P, Tripathi T, Padhi AK. Computational Protein Design for COVID-19 Research and Emerging Therapeutics. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:602-613. [PMID: 37122454 PMCID: PMC10042144 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c01513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As the world struggles with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented obstacles have continuously been traversed as new SARS-CoV-2 variants continually emerge. Infectious disease outbreaks are unavoidable, but the knowledge gained from the successes and failures will help create a robust health management system to deal with such pandemics. Previously, scientists required years to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines; however, we have seen that, with the rapid deployment of high-throughput technologies and unprecedented scientific collaboration worldwide, breakthrough discoveries can be accelerated and insights broadened. Computational protein design (CPD) is a game-changing new technology that has provided alternative therapeutic strategies for pandemic management. In addition to the development of peptide-based inhibitors, miniprotein binders, decoys, biosensors, nanobodies, and monoclonal antibodies, CPD has also been used to redesign native SARS-CoV-2 proteins and human ACE2 receptors. We discuss how novel CPD strategies have been exploited to develop rationally designed and robust COVID-19 treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parismita Kalita
- Molecular
and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular
and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
- Regional
Director’s Office, Indira Gandhi
National Open University, Regional Centre Kohima, Kenuozou, Kohima 797001, India
| | - Aditya K. Padhi
- Laboratory
for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical
Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology
(BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
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42
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Gonzalez-Garcia P, Muñoz-Miranda JP, Fernandez-Cisnal R, Olvera L, Moares N, Gabucio A, Fernandez-Ponce C, Garcia-Cozar F. Specific Activation of T Cells by an ACE2-Based CAR-Like Receptor upon Recognition of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087641. [PMID: 37108807 PMCID: PMC10145580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is still a health issue worldwide mostly due to a high rate of contagiousness conferred by the high-affinity binding between cell viral receptors, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Therapies have been developed that rely on the use of antibodies or the induction of their production (vaccination), but despite vaccination being still largely protective, the efficacy of antibody-based therapies wanes with the advent of new viral variants. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) therapy has shown promise for tumors and has also been proposed for COVID-19 treatment, but as recognition of CARs still relies on antibody-derived sequences, they will still be hampered by the high evasion capacity of the virus. In this manuscript, we show the results from CAR-like constructs with a recognition domain based on the ACE2 viral receptor, whose ability to bind the virus will not wane, as Spike/ACE2 interaction is pivotal for viral entry. Moreover, we have developed a CAR construct based on an affinity-optimized ACE2 and showed that both wild-type and affinity-optimized ACE2 CARs drive activation of a T cell line in response to SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein expressed on a pulmonary cell line. Our work sets the stage for the development of CAR-like constructs against infectious agents that would not be affected by viral escape mutations and could be developed as soon as the receptor is identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan P Muñoz-Miranda
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, 11002 Cadiz, Spain
| | | | - Lucia Olvera
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, 11002 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Noelia Moares
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, 11002 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Antonio Gabucio
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, 11002 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Cecilia Fernandez-Ponce
- Institute of Biomedical Research Cadiz (INIBICA), 11009 Cadiz, Spain
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, 11002 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Francisco Garcia-Cozar
- Institute of Biomedical Research Cadiz (INIBICA), 11009 Cadiz, Spain
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, 11002 Cadiz, Spain
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43
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Zhang Z, King MR. Neutralization of the new coronavirus by extracting their spikes using engineered liposomes. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 50:102674. [PMID: 37054806 PMCID: PMC10085972 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2023.102674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The devastating COVID-19 pandemic motivates the development of safe and effective antivirals to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with infection. We developed nanoscale liposomes that are coated with the cell receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. Lentiviral particles pseudotyped with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were constructed and used to test the virus neutralization potential of the engineered liposomes. Under TEM, we observed for the first time a dissociation of spike proteins from the pseudovirus surface when the pseudovirus was purified. The liposomes potently inhibit viral entry into host cells by extracting the spike proteins from the pseudovirus surface. As the receptor on the liposome surface can be readily changed to target other viruses, the receptor-coated liposome represents a promising strategy for broad spectrum antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjiang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Michael R King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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44
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Svilenov HL, Delhommel F, Siebenmorgen T, Rührnößl F, Popowicz GM, Reiter A, Sattler M, Brockmeyer C, Buchner J. Extrinsic stabilization of antiviral ACE2-Fc fusion proteins targeting SARS-CoV-2. Commun Biol 2023; 6:386. [PMID: 37031320 PMCID: PMC10082628 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04762-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a viral receptor used by sarbecoviruses to infect cells. Fusion proteins comprising extracellular ACE2 domains and the Fc part of immunoglobulins exhibit high virus neutralization efficiency, but the structure and stability of these molecules are poorly understood. We show that although the hinge between the ACE2 and the IgG4-Fc is highly flexible, the conformational dynamics of the two ACE2 domains is restricted by their association. Interestingly, the conformational stability of the ACE2 moiety is much lower than that of the Fc part. We found that chemical compounds binding to ACE2, such as DX600 and MLN4760, can be used to strongly increase the thermal stability of the ACE2 by different mechanisms. Together, our findings reveal a general concept for stabilizing the labile receptor segments of therapeutic antiviral fusion proteins by chemical compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hristo L Svilenov
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA) and School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Florent Delhommel
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Till Siebenmorgen
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Rührnößl
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA) and School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Buchner
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA) and School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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45
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Remesh SG, Merz GE, Brilot AF, Chio US, Rizo AN, Pospiech TH, Lui I, Laurie MT, Glasgow J, Le CQ, Zhang Y, Diwanji D, Hernandez E, Lopez J, Mehmood H, Pawar KI, Pourmal S, Smith AM, Zhou F, DeRisi J, Kortemme T, Rosenberg OS, Glasgow A, Leung KK, Wells JA, Verba KA. Computational pipeline provides mechanistic understanding of Omicron variant of concern neutralizing engineered ACE2 receptor traps. Structure 2023; 31:253-264.e6. [PMID: 36805129 PMCID: PMC9936628 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, with 15 mutations in Spike receptor-binding domain (Spike-RBD), renders virtually all clinical monoclonal antibodies against WT SARS-CoV-2 ineffective. We recently engineered the SARS-CoV-2 host entry receptor, ACE2, to tightly bind WT-RBD and prevent viral entry into host cells ("receptor traps"). Here we determine cryo-EM structures of our receptor traps in complex with stabilized Spike ectodomain. We develop a multi-model pipeline combining Rosetta protein modeling software and cryo-EM to allow interface energy calculations even at limited resolution and identify interface side chains that allow for high-affinity interactions between our ACE2 receptor traps and Spike-RBD. Our structural analysis provides a mechanistic rationale for the high-affinity (0.53-4.2 nM) binding of our ACE2 receptor traps to Omicron-RBD confirmed with biolayer interferometry measurements. Finally, we show that ACE2 receptor traps potently neutralize Omicron and Delta pseudotyped viruses, providing alternative therapeutic routes to combat this evolving virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya G Remesh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gregory E Merz
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Axel F Brilot
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Un Seng Chio
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alexandrea N Rizo
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Thomas H Pospiech
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Irene Lui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mathew T Laurie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jeff Glasgow
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Chau Q Le
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Devan Diwanji
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Evelyn Hernandez
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jocelyne Lopez
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hevatib Mehmood
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Komal Ishwar Pawar
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sergei Pourmal
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Amber M Smith
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Fengbo Zhou
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Joseph DeRisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Tanja Kortemme
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; QBI, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; The University of California, Berkeley-University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Oren S Rosenberg
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Anum Glasgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Kevin K Leung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - James A Wells
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Kliment A Verba
- QBI Coronavirus Research Group Structural Biology Consortium, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; QBI, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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46
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Oudit GY, Wang K, Viveiros A, Kellner MJ, Penninger JM. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cell 2023; 186:906-922. [PMID: 36787743 PMCID: PMC9892333 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
ACE2 is the indispensable entry receptor for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become one of the most therapeutically targeted human molecules in biomedicine. ACE2 serves two fundamental physiological roles: as an enzyme, it alters peptide cascade balance; as a chaperone, it controls intestinal amino acid uptake. ACE2's tissue distribution, affected by co-morbidities and sex, explains the broad tropism of coronaviruses and the clinical manifestations of SARS and COVID-19. ACE2-based therapeutics provide a universal strategy to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infections, applicable to all SARS-CoV-2 variants and other emerging zoonotic coronaviruses exploiting ACE2 as their cellular receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Y Oudit
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Kaiming Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Anissa Viveiros
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Max J Kellner
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna, Austria; Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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47
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Liao X, Guan C, Wang C, Chen X, Lin X, Lu L, Li L, Wang T, Su N, Wu B, Wang X, Zhang C, Wang Y, Lu Y, Xing XH. Cross-species binding spectrum of ACE2 to SARS-CoV-2 RBD. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:639-642. [PMID: 36459354 PMCID: PMC9716122 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2192-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xihao Liao
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Changge Guan
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chenghua Wang
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xinjie Chen
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaomei Lin
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lianghua Lu
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Lu Li
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Nan Su
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bian Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xinquan Wang
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Xin-Hui Xing
- Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education of China, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 440300, China.
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48
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Lessons Learnt from COVID-19: Computational Strategies for Facing Present and Future Pandemics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054401. [PMID: 36901832 PMCID: PMC10003049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054401] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its outbreak in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the death of more than 6.5 million people around the world. The high transmissibility of its causative agent, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, coupled with its potentially lethal outcome, provoked a profound global economic and social crisis. The urgency of finding suitable pharmacological tools to tame the pandemic shed light on the ever-increasing importance of computer simulations in rationalizing and speeding up the design of new drugs, further stressing the need for developing quick and reliable methods to identify novel active molecules and characterize their mechanism of action. In the present work, we aim at providing the reader with a general overview of the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing the hallmarks in its management, from the initial attempts at drug repurposing to the commercialization of Paxlovid, the first orally available COVID-19 drug. Furthermore, we analyze and discuss the role of computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) techniques, especially those that fall in the structure-based drug design (SBDD) category, in facing present and future pandemics, by showcasing several successful examples of drug discovery campaigns where commonly used methods such as docking and molecular dynamics have been employed in the rational design of effective therapeutic entities against COVID-19.
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England C, TrejoMartinez J, PerezSanchez P, Karki U, Xu J. Plants as Biofactories for Therapeutic Proteins and Antiviral Compounds to Combat COVID-19. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:617. [PMID: 36983772 PMCID: PMC10054913 DOI: 10.3390/life13030617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had a profound impact on the world's health and economy. Although the end of the pandemic may come in 2023, it is generally believed that the virus will not be completely eradicated. Most likely, the disease will become an endemicity. The rapid development of vaccines of different types (mRNA, subunit protein, inactivated virus, etc.) and some other antiviral drugs (Remdesivir, Olumiant, Paxlovid, etc.) has provided effectiveness in reducing COVID-19's impact worldwide. However, the circulating SARS-CoV-2 virus has been constantly mutating with the emergence of multiple variants, which makes control of COVID-19 difficult. There is still a pressing need for developing more effective antiviral drugs to fight against the disease. Plants have provided a promising production platform for both bioactive chemical compounds (small molecules) and recombinant therapeutics (big molecules). Plants naturally produce a diverse range of bioactive compounds as secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, terpenoids/terpenes and polyphenols, which are a rich source of countless antiviral compounds. Plants can also be genetically engineered to produce valuable recombinant therapeutics. This molecular farming in plants has an unprecedented opportunity for developing vaccines, antibodies, and other biologics for pandemic diseases because of its potential advantages, such as low cost, safety, and high production volume. This review summarizes the latest advancements in plant-derived drugs used to combat COVID-19 and discusses the prospects and challenges of the plant-based production platform for antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin England
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- Molecular Biosciences Program, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | | | - Paula PerezSanchez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Uddhab Karki
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- Molecular Biosciences Program, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Jianfeng Xu
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- College of Agriculture, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
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Chmielewski D, Wilson EA, Pintilie G, Zhao P, Chen M, Schmid MF, Simmons G, Wells L, Jin J, Singharoy A, Chiu W. Integrated analyses reveal a hinge glycan regulates coronavirus spike tilting and virus infectivity. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2553619. [PMID: 36824920 PMCID: PMC9949256 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2553619/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus spike glycoproteins presented on the virion surface mediate receptor binding, and membrane fusion during virus entry and constitute the primary target for vaccine and drug development. How the structure dynamics of the full-length spikes incorporated in viral lipid envelope correlates with the virus infectivity remains poorly understood. Here we present structures and distributions of native spike conformations on vitrified human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) virions without chemical fixation by cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) and subtomogram averaging, along with site-specific glycan composition and occupancy determined by mass spectroscopy. The higher oligomannose glycan shield on HCoV-NL63 spikes than on SARS-CoV-2 spikes correlates with stronger immune evasion of HCoV-NL63. Incorporation of cryoET-derived native spike conformations into all-atom molecular dynamic simulations elucidate the conformational landscape of the glycosylated, full-length spike that reveals a novel role of stalk glycans in modulating spike bending. We show that glycosylation at N1242 at the upper portion of the stalk is responsible for the extensive orientational freedom of the spike crown. Subsequent infectivity assays support the hypothesis that this glycan-dependent motion impacts virus entry. Our results suggest a potential therapeutic target site for HCoV-NL63.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Chmielewski
- Biophysics Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eric A. Wilson
- School of Molecular Sciences, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Grigore Pintilie
- Department of Bioengineering, and of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Muyuan Chen
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Michael F. Schmid
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Graham Simmons
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Lance Wells
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Bioengineering, and of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Abhishek Singharoy
- School of Molecular Sciences, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Wah Chiu
- Biophysics Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, and of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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