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Di Francesco V, Boso DP, Moore TL, Schrefler BA, Decuzzi P. Machine learning instructed microfluidic synthesis of curcumin-loaded liposomes. Biomed Microdevices 2023; 25:29. [PMID: 37542568 PMCID: PMC10404166 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-023-00671-1] [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] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
The association of machine learning (ML) tools with the synthesis of nanoparticles has the potential to streamline the development of more efficient and effective nanomedicines. The continuous-flow synthesis of nanoparticles via microfluidics represents an ideal playground for ML tools, where multiple engineering parameters - flow rates and mixing configurations, type and concentrations of the reagents - contribute in a non-trivial fashion to determine the resultant morphological and pharmacological attributes of nanomedicines. Here we present the application of ML models towards the microfluidic-based synthesis of liposomes loaded with a model hydrophobic therapeutic agent, curcumin. After generating over 200 different liposome configurations by systematically modulating flow rates, lipid concentrations, organic:water mixing volume ratios, support-vector machine models and feed-forward artificial neural networks were trained to predict, respectively, the liposome dispersity/stability and size. This work presents an initial step towards the application and cultivation of ML models to instruct the microfluidic formulation of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Di Francesco
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Daniela P Boso
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy.
| | - Thomas L Moore
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Bernhard A Schrefler
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Studies, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 2 a, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
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2
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Abdelaziz MO, Raftery MJ, Weihs J, Bielawski O, Edel R, Köppke J, Vladimirova D, Adler JM, Firsching T, Voß A, Gruber AD, Hummel LV, Fernandez Munoz I, Müller-Marquardt F, Willimsky G, Elleboudy NS, Trimpert J, Schönrich G. Early protective effect of a ("pan") coronavirus vaccine (PanCoVac) in Roborovski dwarf hamsters after single-low dose intranasal administration. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166765. [PMID: 37520530 PMCID: PMC10372429 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166765] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the danger posed by human coronaviruses. Rapid emergence of immunoevasive variants and waning antiviral immunity decrease the effect of the currently available vaccines, which aim at induction of neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, T cells are marginally affected by antigen evolution although they represent the major mediators of virus control and vaccine protection against virus-induced disease. Materials and methods We generated a multi-epitope vaccine (PanCoVac) that encodes the conserved T cell epitopes from all structural proteins of coronaviruses. PanCoVac contains elements that facilitate efficient processing and presentation of PanCoVac-encoded T cell epitopes and can be uploaded to any available vaccine platform. For proof of principle, we cloned PanCoVac into a non-integrating lentivirus vector (NILV-PanCoVac). We chose Roborovski dwarf hamsters for a first step in evaluating PanCoVac in vivo. Unlike mice, they are naturally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, Roborovski dwarf hamsters develop COVID-19-like disease after infection with SARS-CoV-2 enabling us to look at pathology and clinical symptoms. Results Using HLA-A*0201-restricted reporter T cells and U251 cells expressing a tagged version of PanCoVac, we confirmed in vitro that PanCoVac is processed and presented by HLA-A*0201. As mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract is crucial for protection against respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, we tested the protective effect of single-low dose of NILV-PanCoVac administered via the intranasal (i.n.) route in the Roborovski dwarf hamster model of COVID-19. After infection with ancestral SARS-CoV-2, animals immunized with a single-low dose of NILV-PanCoVac i.n. did not show symptoms and had significantly decreased viral loads in the lung tissue. This protective effect was observed in the early phase (2 days post infection) after challenge and was not dependent on neutralizing antibodies. Conclusion PanCoVac, a multi-epitope vaccine covering conserved T cell epitopes from all structural proteins of coronaviruses, might protect from severe disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants and future pathogenic coronaviruses. The use of (HLA-) humanized animal models will allow for further efficacy studies of PanCoVac-based vaccines in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed O. Abdelaziz
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin J. Raftery
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Weihs
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olivia Bielawski
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Edel
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Köppke
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Julia M. Adler
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Theresa Firsching
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Voß
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim D. Gruber
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luca V. Hummel
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ivan Fernandez Munoz
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Müller-Marquardt
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Willimsky
- Institute of Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nooran S. Elleboudy
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Günther Schönrich
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Moore KA, Leighton T, Ostrowsky JT, Anderson CJ, Danila RN, Ulrich AK, Lackritz EM, Mehr AJ, Baric RS, Baylor NW, Gellin BG, Gordon JL, Krammer F, Perlman S, Rees HV, Saville M, Weller CL, Osterholm MT. A research and development (R&D) roadmap for broadly protective coronavirus vaccines: A pandemic preparedness strategy. Vaccine 2023; 41:2101-2112. [PMID: 36870874 PMCID: PMC9941884 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Broadly protective coronavirus vaccines are an important tool for protecting against future SARS-CoV-2 variants and could play a critical role in mitigating the impact of future outbreaks or pandemics caused by novel coronaviruses. The Coronavirus Vaccines Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap (CVR) is aimed at promoting the development of such vaccines. The CVR, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation, was generated through a collaborative and iterative process, which was led by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota and involved 50 international subject matter experts and recognized leaders in the field. This report summarizes the major issues and areas of research outlined in the CVR and identifies high-priority milestones. The CVR covers a 6-year timeframe and is organized into five topic areas: virology, immunology, vaccinology, animal and human infection models, and policy and finance. Included in each topic area are key barriers, gaps, strategic goals, milestones, and additional R&D priorities. The roadmap includes 20 goals and 86 R&D milestones, 26 of which are ranked as high priority. By identifying key issues, and milestones for addressing them, the CVR provides a framework to guide funding and research campaigns that promote the development of broadly protective coronavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine A Moore
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, C315 Mayo Memorial Building, MMC 263, 420 Delaware Street, SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
| | - Tabitha Leighton
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Julia T Ostrowsky
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Cory J Anderson
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Angela K Ulrich
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eve M Lackritz
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Angela J Mehr
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer L Gordon
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, and Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | - Helen V Rees
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Melanie Saville
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael T Osterholm
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Stimulation of the immune system by a tumor antigen-bearing adenovirus-inspired VLP allows control of melanoma growth. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 28:76-89. [PMID: 36620074 PMCID: PMC9798141 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are versatile protein-based platforms that can be used as a vaccine platform mainly in infectiology. In the present work, we compared a previously designed, non-infectious, adenovirus-inspired 60-mer dodecahedric VLP to display short epitopes or a large tumor model antigen. To validate these two kinds of platforms as a potential immuno-stimulating approach, we evaluated their ability to control melanoma B16-ovalbumin (OVA) growth in mice. A set of adjuvants was screened, showing that polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) was well suited to generate a homogeneous cellular and humoral response against the desired epitopes. In a prophylactic setting, vaccination with the VLP displaying these epitopes resulted in total inhibition of tumor growth 1 month after vaccination. A therapeutic vaccination strategy showed a delay in grafted tumor growth or its total rejection. If the "simple" epitope display on the VLP is sufficient to prevent tumor growth, then an improved engineered platform enabling display of a large antigen is a tool to overcome the barrier of immune allele restriction, broadening the immune response, and paving the way for its potential utilization in humans as an off-the-shelf vaccine.
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5
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Antigenic mapping reveals sites of vulnerability on α-HCoV spike protein. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1179. [PMID: 36333470 PMCID: PMC9636267 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the antigenic signatures of all human coronaviruses (HCoVs) Spike (S) proteins is imperative for pan-HCoV epitopes identification and broadly effective vaccine development. To depict the currently elusive antigenic signatures of α-HCoVs S proteins, we isolated a panel of antibodies against the HCoV-229E S protein and characterized their epitopes and neutralizing potential. We found that the N-terminal domain of HCoV-229E S protein is antigenically dominant wherein an antigenic supersite is present and appears conserved in HCoV-NL63, which holds potential to serve as a pan-α-HCoVs epitope. In the receptor binding domain, a neutralizing epitope is captured in the end distal to the receptor binding site, reminiscent of the locations of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD cryptic epitopes. We also identified a neutralizing antibody that recognizes the connector domain, thus representing the first S2-directed neutralizing antibody against α-HCoVs. The unraveled HCoVs S proteins antigenic similarities and variances among genera highlight the challenges faced by pan-HCoV vaccine design while supporting the feasibility of broadly effective vaccine development against a subset of HCoVs. The antigenic landscape of α-HCoVs S proteins is revealed, highlighting the challenges faced by pan-HCoV vaccine design but also revealing opportunities for development of broadly effective vaccines against a subset of HCoVs.
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Design and Immunoinformatic Assessment of Candidate Multivariant mRNA Vaccine Construct against Immune Escape Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14163263. [PMID: 36015519 PMCID: PMC9414445 DOI: 10.3390/polym14163263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To effectively counter the evolving threat of SARS-CoV-2 variants, modifications and/or redesigning of mRNA vaccine construct are essentially required. Herein, the design and immunoinformatic assessment of a candidate novel mRNA vaccine construct, DOW-21, are discussed. Briefly, immunologically important domains, N-terminal domain (NTD) and receptor binding domain (RBD), of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs) were assessed for sequence, structure, and epitope variations. Based on the assessment, a novel hypothetical NTD (h-NTD) and RBD (h-RBD) were designed to hold all overlapping immune escape variations. The construct sequence was then developed, where h-NTD and h-RBD were intervened by 10-mer gly-ala repeat and the terminals were flanked by regulatory sequences for better intracellular transportation and expression of the coding regions. The protein encoded by the construct holds structural attributes (RMSD NTD: 0.42 Å; RMSD RBD: 0.15 Å) found in the respective domains of SARS-CoV-2 immune escape variants. In addition, it provides coverage to the immunogenic sites of the respective domains found in SARS-CoV-2 variants. Later, the nucleotide sequence of the construct was optimized for GC ratio (56%) and microRNA binding sites to ensure smooth translation. Post-injection antibody titer was also predicted (~12000 AU) to be robust. In summary, the construct proposed in this study could potentially provide broad spectrum coverage in relation to SARS-CoV-2 immune escape variants.
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7
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Saag M. Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles: the unprecedented speed of COVID-19 science. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:1569-1577. [PMID: 35446679 PMCID: PMC9169823 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00010.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Saag
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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8
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Ding S, Ullah I, Gong SY, Grover JR, Mohammadi M, Chen Y, Vézina D, Beaudoin-Bussières G, Verma VT, Goyette G, Gaudette F, Richard J, Yang D, Smith AB, Pazgier M, Côté M, Abrams C, Kumar P, Mothes W, Uchil PD, Finzi A, Baron C. VE607 stabilizes SARS-CoV-2 Spike in the "RBD-up" conformation and inhibits viral entry. iScience 2022; 25:104528. [PMID: 35677392 PMCID: PMC9164512 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection of host cells starts by binding the Spike glycoprotein (S) to the ACE2 receptor. The S-ACE2 interaction is a potential target for therapies against COVID-19 as demonstrated by the development of immunotherapies blocking this interaction. VE607 - a commercially available compound composed of three stereoisomers - was described as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-1. Here, we show that VE607 broadly inhibits pseudoviral particles bearing the Spike from major VOCs (D614G, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron - BA.1, and BA.2) as well as authentic SARS-CoV-2 at low micromolar concentrations. In silico docking, mutational analysis, and smFRET revealed that VE607 binds to the receptor binding domain (RBD)-ACE2 interface and stabilizes RBD in its "up" conformation. Prophylactic treatment with VE607 did not prevent SARS-CoV-2-induced mortality in K18-hACE2 mice, but it did reduce viral replication in the lungs by 37-fold. Thus, VE607 is an interesting lead for drug development for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilei Ding
- Centre de recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shang Yu Gong
- Centre de recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jonathan R. Grover
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mohammadjavad Mohammadi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yaozong Chen
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Dani Vézina
- Centre de recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Beaudoin-Bussières
- Centre de recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vijay Tailor Verma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Jonathan Richard
- Centre de recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Derek Yang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amos B. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Marceline Côté
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Cameron Abrams
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Priti Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Walther Mothes
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Pradeep D. Uchil
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada,Corresponding author
| | - Christian Baron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada,Corresponding author
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Design, immunogenicity, and efficacy of a pan-sarbecovirus dendritic-cell targeting vaccine. EBioMedicine 2022; 80:104062. [PMID: 35594660 PMCID: PMC9113741 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need of a new generation of vaccine that are able to enhance protection against SARS-CoV-2 and related variants of concern (VOC) and emerging coronaviruses. METHODS We identified conserved T- and B-cell epitopes from Spike (S) and Nucleocapsid (N) highly homologous to 38 sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, to design a protein subunit vaccine targeting antigens to Dendritic Cells (DC) via CD40 surface receptor (CD40.CoV2). FINDINGS CD40.CoV2 immunization elicited high levels of cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, VOCs, and SARS-CoV-1 in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice, associated with viral control and survival after SARS-CoV-2 challenge. A direct comparison of CD40.CoV2 with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine showed that the two vaccines were equally immunogenic in mice. We demonstrated the potency of CD40.CoV2 to recall in vitro human multi-epitope, functional, and cytotoxic SARS-CoV-2 S- and N-specific T-cell responses that are unaffected by VOC mutations and cross-reactive with SARS-CoV-1 and, to a lesser extent, MERS epitopes. INTERPRETATION We report the immunogenicity and antiviral efficacy of the CD40.CoV2 vaccine in a preclinical model providing a framework for a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine. FUNDINGS This work was supported by INSERM and the Investissements d'Avenir program, Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), managed by the ANR and the CARE project funded from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (JU).
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10
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Ding S, Gong SY, Grover J, Mohammadi M, Chen Y, Vézina D, Beaudoin-Bussières G, Verma VT, Goyette G, Richard J, Yang D, Smith AB, Pazgier M, Côté M, Abrams C, Mothes W, Finzi A, Baron C. VE607 Stabilizes SARS-CoV-2 Spike In the "RBD-up" Conformation and Inhibits Viral Entry. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.02.03.479007. [PMID: 35233570 PMCID: PMC8887069 DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.03.479007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection of host cells starts by binding of the Spike glycoprotein (S) to the ACE2 receptor. The S-ACE2 interaction is a potential target for therapies against COVID-19 as demonstrated by the development of immunotherapies blocking this interaction. Here, we present the commercially available VE607, comprised of three stereoisomers, that was originally described as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-1. We show that VE607 specifically inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 S-expressing pseudoviral particles as well as authentic SARS-CoV-2. VE607 stabilizes the receptor binding domain (RBD) in its "up" conformation. In silico docking and mutational analysis map the VE607 binding site at the RBD-ACE2 interface. The IC 50 values are in the low micromolar range for pseudoparticles derived from SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan/D614G as well as from variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron), suggesting that VE607 has potential for the development of drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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11
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Pecetta S, Kratochvil S, Kato Y, Vadivelu K, Rappuoli R. Immunology and Technology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccines. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:313-339. [PMID: 35101964 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have experienced an enormous cohesive effort of the scientific community to understand how the immune system reacts to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and how to elicit protective immunity via vaccination. This effort resulted in the development of vaccines in record time with high levels of safety, efficacy, and real-life effectiveness. However, the rapid diffusion of viral variants that escape protective antibodies prompted new studies to understand SARS-CoV-2 vulnerabilities and strategies to guide follow-up actions to increase, and maintain, the protection offered by vaccines. In this review, we report the main findings on human immunity to SARS-CoV-2 after natural infection and vaccination; we dissect the immunogenicity and efficacy of the different vaccination strategies that resulted in products widely used in the population; and we describe the impact of viral variants on vaccine-elicited immunity, summarizing the main discoveries and challenges to stay ahead of SARS-CoV-2 evolution. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study reviewed findings on human immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), analyzed the immunogenicity and efficacy of the various vaccines currently used in large vaccination campaigns or candidates in advanced clinical development, and discussed the challenging task to ensure high protective efficacy against the rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus. This manuscript was completed prior to the emergence of the Omicron variant and to global vaccine boosting efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pecetta
- Research and Development Centre, GSK, Siena, Italy (S.P., K.V., R.R.); Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (S.K.); IconOVir Bio, San Diego, California (Y.K.); and La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California (Y.K.)
| | - Sven Kratochvil
- Research and Development Centre, GSK, Siena, Italy (S.P., K.V., R.R.); Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (S.K.); IconOVir Bio, San Diego, California (Y.K.); and La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California (Y.K.)
| | - Yu Kato
- Research and Development Centre, GSK, Siena, Italy (S.P., K.V., R.R.); Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (S.K.); IconOVir Bio, San Diego, California (Y.K.); and La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California (Y.K.)
| | - Kumaran Vadivelu
- Research and Development Centre, GSK, Siena, Italy (S.P., K.V., R.R.); Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (S.K.); IconOVir Bio, San Diego, California (Y.K.); and La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California (Y.K.)
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Research and Development Centre, GSK, Siena, Italy (S.P., K.V., R.R.); Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (S.K.); IconOVir Bio, San Diego, California (Y.K.); and La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California (Y.K.)
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12
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Hawksbee L, McKee M, King L. Don't worry about the drug industry's profits when considering a waiver on covid-19 intellectual property rights. BMJ 2022; 376:e067367. [PMID: 35101900 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-067367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luke Hawksbee
- Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lawrence King
- Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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13
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Portilho AI, Lima GG, De Gaspari E. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: Potential refinements through induction of mucosal and trained immunity. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2022; 77:100057. [PMID: 35679760 PMCID: PMC9148925 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2022.100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Izeli Portilho
- Departament of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Gradute Program Interunits in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle Gimenes Lima
- Departament of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Gradute Program Interunits in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth De Gaspari
- Departament of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Gradute Program Interunits in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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14
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Lou F, Li M, Pang Z, Jiang L, Guan L, Tian L, Hu J, Fan J, Fan H. Understanding the Secret of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern/Interest and Immune Escape. Front Immunol 2021; 12:744242. [PMID: 34804024 PMCID: PMC8602852 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.744242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), places a heavy burden on global public health. Four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern including B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617.2, and P.1, and two variants of interest including C.37 and B.1.621 have been reported to have potential immune escape, and one or more mutations endow them with worrisome epidemiologic, immunologic, or pathogenic characteristics. This review introduces the latest research progress on SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and concern, key mutation sites, and their effects on virus infectivity, mortality, and immune escape. Moreover, we compared the effects of various clinical SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and convalescent sera on epidemic variants, and evaluated the neutralizing capability of several antibodies on epidemic variants. In the end, SARS-CoV-2 evolution strategies in different transmission stages, the impact of different vaccination strategies on SARS-CoV-2 immune escape, antibody therapy strategies and COVID-19 epidemic control prospects are discussed. This review will provide a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the secret of SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest/concern and immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxing Lou
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Maochen Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zehan Pang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Guan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Tian
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaming Hu
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Junfen Fan
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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15
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Tan CW, Chia WN, Young BE, Zhu F, Lim BL, Sia WR, Thein TL, Chen MIC, Leo YS, Lye DC, Wang LF. Pan-Sarbecovirus Neutralizing Antibodies in BNT162b2-Immunized SARS-CoV-1 Survivors. N Engl J Med 2021; 385:1401-1406. [PMID: 34407341 PMCID: PMC8422514 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2108453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern pose a challenge to the effectiveness of current vaccines. A vaccine that could prevent infection caused by known and future variants of concern as well as infection with pre-emergent sarbecoviruses (i.e., those with potential to cause disease in humans in the future) would be ideal. Here we provide data showing that potent cross-clade pan-sarbecovirus neutralizing antibodies are induced in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) infection who have been immunized with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. The antibodies are high-level and broad-spectrum, capable of neutralizing not only known variants of concern but also sarbecoviruses that have been identified in bats and pangolins and that have the potential to cause human infection. These findings show the feasibility of a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine strategy. (Funded by the Singapore National Research Foundation and National Medical Research Council.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Wah Tan
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Wan-Ni Chia
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Barnaby E Young
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Feng Zhu
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Beng-Lee Lim
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Wan-Rong Sia
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Tun-Linn Thein
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Mark I-C Chen
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Yee-Sin Leo
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - David C Lye
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- From the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore) Medical School (C.-W.T., W.-N.C., F.Z., B.-L.L., W.-R.S., L.-F.W.), the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (B.E.Y., T.-L.T., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (B.E.Y., M.I.-C.C., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (B.E.Y., Y.-S.L., D.C.L.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Y.-S.L., D.C.L.) and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Y.-S.L.), National University of Singapore, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (L.-F.W.) - all in Singapore
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16
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Ortiz de Lejarazu y Leonardo R. [Future of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection]. OPEN RESPIRATORY ARCHIVES 2021; 3:100117. [PMID: 38620914 PMCID: PMC8240445 DOI: 10.1016/j.opresp.2021.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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