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Köseoğlu AE, Özgül F, Işıksal EN, Şeflekçi Y, Tülümen D, Özgültekin B, Deniz Köseoğlu G, Özyiğit S, Ihlamur M, Ekenoğlu Merdan Y. In silico discovery of diagnostic/vaccine candidate antigenic epitopes and a multi-epitope peptide vaccine (NaeVac) design for the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri causing human meningitis. Gene 2024; 902:148192. [PMID: 38253295 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148192] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba, is a free-living amoeboflagellate with three different life cycles (trophozoite, flagellated, and cyst) that lives in a variety of habitats around the world including warm freshwater and soil. It causes a disease called naegleriasis leading meningitis and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans. N. fowleri is transmitted through contaminated water sources such as insufficiently chlorinated swimming pool water or contaminated tap water, and swimmers are at risk. N. fowleri is found all over the world, and most infections were reported in both developed and developing countries with high mortality rates and serious clinical findings. Until now, there is no FDA approved vaccine and early diagnosis is urgent against this pathogen. In this study, by analyzing the N. fowleri vaccine candidate proteins (Mp2CL5, Nfa1, Nf314, proNP-A and proNP-B), it was aimed to discover diagnostic/vaccine candidate epitopes and to design a multi-epitope peptide vaccine against this pathogen. After the in silico evaluation, three prominent diagnostic/vaccine candidate epitopes (EAKDSK, LLPHIRILVY, and FYAKLLPHIRILVYS) with the highest antigenicities were discovered and a potentially highly immunogenic/antigenic multi-epitope peptide vaccine (NaeVac) was designed against the brain-eating amoeba N. fowleri causing human meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Duisburg-Essen University, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Essen, Germany.
| | - Filiz Özgül
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Naz Işıksal
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Turkey; Biruni University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Şeflekçi
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Deniz Tülümen
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Buminhan Özgültekin
- Bogaziçi University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Sena Özyiğit
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Ihlamur
- Biruni University, Vocational School, Department of Electronics and Automation, Istanbul, Turkey; Yıldız Technical University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yağmur Ekenoğlu Merdan
- Biruni University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
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Vazquez-Pérez JA, Martínez-Alvarado E, Venancio-Landeros AA, Santiago-Olivares C, Mejía-Nepomuceno F, Mendoza-Ramírez E, Rivera-Toledo E. An amplicon-based protocol for whole-genome sequencing of human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae007. [PMID: 38371356 PMCID: PMC10873904 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
It is convenient to study complete genome sequences of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) for ongoing genomic characterization and identification of highly transmissible or pathogenic variants. Whole genome sequencing of hRSV has been challenging from respiratory tract specimens with low viral loads. Herein, we describe an amplicon-based protocol for whole genome sequencing of hRSV subgroup A validated with 24 isolates from nasopharyngeal swabs and infected cell cultures, which showed cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 10 to 31, as determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. MinION nanopore generated 3200 to 5400 reads per sample to sequence over 93% of the hRSV-A genome. Coverage of each contig ranged from 130× to 200×. Samples with Ct values of 20.9, 25.2, 27.1, 27.7, 28.2, 28.8, and 29.6 led to the sequencing of over 99.0% of the virus genome, indicating high genome coverage even at high Ct values. This protocol enables the identification of hRSV subgroup A genotypes, as primers were designed to target highly conserved regions. Consequently, it holds potential for application in molecular epidemiology and surveillance of this hRSV subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eber Martínez-Alvarado
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos Santiago-Olivares
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Evelyn Rivera-Toledo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Molecular characterization of Anaplasma ovis Msp4 protein in strains isolated from ticks in Turkey: A multi-epitope synthetic vaccine antigen design against Anaplasma ovis using immunoinformatic tools. Biologicals 2024; 85:101749. [PMID: 38325003 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2024.101749] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens increasingly threaten animal and human health as well as cause great economic loss in the livestock industry. Among these pathogens, Anaplasma ovis causing a decrease in meat and milk yield is frequently detected in sheep in many countries including Turkey. This study aimed to reveal potential vaccine candidate epitopes in Msp4 protein using sequence data from Anaplasma ovis isolates and then to design a multi-epitope protein to be used in vaccine formulations against Anaplasma ovis. For this purpose, Msp4 gene was sequenced from Anaplasma ovis isolates (n:6) detected in ticks collected from sheep in Turkey and the sequence data was compared with previous sequences from different countries in order to detect the variations of Msp4 gene/protein. Potential vaccine candidate and diagnostic epitopes were predicted using various immunoinformatics tools. Among the discovered vaccine candidate epitopes, antigenic and conserved were selected, and then a multi-epitope protein was designed. The designed vaccine protein was tested for the assessment of TLR-2, IgG, and IFN-g responses by molecular docking and immune simulation analyses. Among the discovered epitopes, EVASEGSGVM and YQFTPEISLV epitopes with properties of high antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and non-toxicity were proposed to be used for Anaplasma ovis in further serodiagnostic and vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Duisburg-Essen University, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Essen, Germany
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Odemis Vocational School, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye.
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Chen Z, Lemey P, Yu H. Approaches and challenges to inferring the geographical source of infectious disease outbreaks using genomic data. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:e81-e92. [PMID: 38042165 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00296-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Genomic data hold increasing potential in the elucidation of transmission dynamics and geographical sources of infectious disease outbreaks. Phylogeographic methods that use epidemiological and genomic data obtained from surveillance enable us to infer the history of spatial transmission that is naturally embedded in the topology of phylogenetic trees as a record of the dispersal of infectious agents between geographical locations. In this Review, we provide an overview of phylogeographic approaches widely used for reconstructing the geographical sources of outbreaks of interest. These approaches can be classified into ancestral trait or state reconstruction and structured population models, with structured population models including popular structured coalescent and birth-death models. We also describe the major challenges associated with sequencing technologies, surveillance strategies, data sharing, and analysis frameworks that became apparent during the generation of large-scale genomic data in recent years, extending beyond inference approaches. Finally, we highlight the role of genomic data in geographical source inference and clarify how this enhances understanding and molecular investigations of outbreak sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Chen
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Evolutionary Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hongjie Yu
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
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Meredith LW, Aboualy M, Ochola R, Okwarah P, Ozel M, Abubakar A, Barakat A. Key aspects defining the development and implementation of a regional genomic surveillance strategy for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2023; 17:e13205. [PMID: 37859974 PMCID: PMC10583647 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of pathogen sequencing in making informed public health decisions. Initially, the Eastern Mediterranean Region faced limitations in sequencing capacity. However, with robust WHO and stakeholder support, the situation significantly improved. By 2022, COVID-19 sequencing was underway in 22 out of 23 regional countries, with varying throughput and capacity. Notably, three genomic hubs were established in Oman, UAE, and Morocco, playing a key role in providing expanded genomics training and support across the region. While primarily for COVID-19 surveillance, this sequencing capacity offers an opportunity to integrate genomic surveillance into existing networks. This integration can enable early detection and response to high-threat pathogens with pandemic potential. To advance this, WHO/EMRO collaborated with stakeholders to formulate the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Genomic Surveillance Strategy for Emerging Pathogens of Pandemic Concern. Consultative meetings with regional and international genomic surveillance experts identified strategy focal points, key partners, priority pathogens, and implementation steps. As the strategy awaits member states' ratification in Q4 2023, this manuscript outlines pivotal facets defined by member states and the strategic document's key deliverables and opportunities. These efforts aim to yield a substantial positive impact within the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke W. Meredith
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
| | - Mustafa Aboualy
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
| | - Rachel Ochola
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
| | - Patrick Okwarah
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
| | - Mehmet Ozel
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
| | - Abdinasir Abubakar
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
| | - Amal Barakat
- Infectious Hazard Management, Department of Health EmergencyWorld Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeCairoEgypt
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Kanteh A, Jallow HS, Manneh J, Sanyang B, Kujabi MA, Ndure SL, Jarju S, Sey AP, Damilare K D, Bah Y, Sambou S, Jarju G, Manjang B, Jagne A, Bittaye SO, Bittaye M, Forrest K, Tiruneh DA, Samateh AL, Jagne S, Hué S, Mohammed N, Amambua-Ngwa A, Kampmann B, D'Alessandro U, de Silva TI, Roca A, Sesay AK. Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infections in The Gambia: an analysis of routinely collected surveillance data between March, 2020, and January, 2022. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e414-e424. [PMID: 36796985 PMCID: PMC9928486 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is one of the deadliest pandemics of the past 100 years. Genomic sequencing has an important role in monitoring of the evolution of the virus, including the detection of new viral variants. We aimed to describe the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infections in The Gambia. METHODS Nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs collected from people with suspected cases of COVID-19 and international travellers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 with standard RT-PCR methods. SARS-CoV-2-positive samples were sequenced according to standard library preparation and sequencing protocols. Bioinformatic analysis was done using ARTIC pipelines and Pangolin was used to assign lineages. To construct phylogenetic trees, sequences were first stratified into different COVID-19 waves (waves 1-4) and aligned. Clustering analysis was done and phylogenetic trees constructed. FINDINGS Between March, 2020, and January, 2022, 11 911 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in The Gambia, and 1638 SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced. Cases were broadly distributed into four waves, with more cases during the waves that coincided with the rainy season (July-October). Each wave occurred after the introduction of new viral variants or lineages, or both, generally those already established in Europe or in other African countries. Local transmission was higher during the first and third waves (ie, those that corresponded with the rainy season), in which the B.1.416 lineage and delta (AY.34.1) were dominant, respectively. The second wave was driven by the alpha and eta variants and the B.1.1.420 lineage. The fourth wave was driven by the omicron variant and was predominantly associated with the BA.1.1 lineage. INTERPRETATION More cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded in The Gambia during peaks of the pandemic that coincided with the rainy season, in line with transmission patterns for other respiratory viruses. The introduction of new lineages or variants preceded epidemic waves, highlighting the importance of implementing well structured genomic surveillance at a national level to detect and monitor emerging and circulating variants. FUNDING Medical Research Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK Research and Innovation, WHO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoulie Kanteh
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Haruna S Jallow
- National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Jarra Manneh
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Bakary Sanyang
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Mariama A Kujabi
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Sainabou Laye Ndure
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Sheikh Jarju
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Alhagie Papa Sey
- National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Dabiri Damilare K
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Yaya Bah
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karen Forrest
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | | | | | - Sheriffo Jagne
- National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Stéphane Hué
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nuredin Mohammed
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Thushan I de Silva
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia; The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions & Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anna Roca
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Abdul Karim Sesay
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia.
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Bayani F, Hashkavaei NS, Arjmand S, Rezaei S, Uskoković V, Alijanianzadeh M, Uversky VN, Ranaei Siadat SO, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Sefidbakht Y. An overview of the vaccine platforms to combat COVID-19 with a focus on the subunit vaccines. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 178:32-49. [PMID: 36801471 PMCID: PMC9938630 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging virus that has caused the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic. The current approved COVID-19 vaccines have shown considerable efficiency against hospitalization and death. However, the continuation of the pandemic for more than two years and the likelihood of new strain emergence despite the global rollout of vaccination highlight the immediate need for the development and improvement of vaccines. mRNA, viral vector, and inactivated virus vaccine platforms were the first members of the worldwide approved vaccine list. Subunit vaccines. which are vaccines based on synthetic peptides or recombinant proteins, have been used in lower numbers and limited countries. The unavoidable advantages of this platform, including safety and precise immune targeting, make it a promising vaccine with wider global use in the near future. This review article summarizes the current knowledge on different vaccine platforms, focusing on the subunit vaccines and their clinical trial advancements against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Bayani
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sareh Arjmand
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokouh Rezaei
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vuk Uskoković
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA; TardigradeNano LLC, Irvine, CA, 92604, USA
| | - Mahdi Alijanianzadeh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| | | | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Yahya Sefidbakht
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
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Ali Y, Imtiaz H, Tahir MM, Gul F, Saddozai UAK, ur Rehman A, Ren ZG, Khattak S, Ji XY. Fragment-Based Approaches Identified Tecovirimat-Competitive Novel Drug Candidate for Targeting the F13 Protein of the Monkeypox Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020570. [PMID: 36851785 PMCID: PMC9959752 DOI: 10.3390/v15020570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox is a serious public health issue in tropical and subtropical areas. Antivirals that target monkeypox proteins might lead to more effective and efficient therapy. The F13 protein is essential for the growth and maturation of the monkeypox virus. F13 inhibition might be a viable therapeutic target for monkeypox. The in silico fragment-based drug discovery method for developing antivirals may provide novel therapeutic options. In this study, we generated 800 compounds based on tecovirimat, an FDA-approved drug that is efficacious at nanomolar quantities against monkeypox. These compounds were evaluated to identify the most promising fragments based on binding affinity and pharmacological characteristics. The top hits from the chemical screening were docked into the active site of the F13 protein. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the top two probable new candidates from molecular docking. The ligand-enzyme interaction analysis revealed that the C2 ligand had lower binding free energy than the standard ligand tecovirimat. Water bridges, among other interactions, were shown to stabilize the C2 molecule. Conformational transitions and secondary structure changes in F13 protein upon C2 binding show more native three-dimensional folding of the protein. Prediction of pharmacological properties revealed that compound C2 may be promising as a drug candidate for monkeypox fever. However, additional in vitro and in vivo testing is required for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Ali
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Hina Imtiaz
- Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Bhera, Sargodha, Punjab 40540, Pakistan
| | | | - Fouzia Gul
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Umair Ali Khan Saddozai
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Ashfaq ur Rehman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 2697-3900, USA
| | - Zhi-Guang Ren
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-G.R.); (S.K.); (X.-Y.J.)
| | - Saadullah Khattak
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-G.R.); (S.K.); (X.-Y.J.)
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Biosafety, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Mazhai, Erqi District, Zhengzhou 450064, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-G.R.); (S.K.); (X.-Y.J.)
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Khan MA, Amin A, Farid A, Ullah A, Waris A, Shinwari K, Hussain Y, Alsharif KF, Alzahrani KJ, Khan H. Recent Advances in Genomics-Based Approaches for the Development of Intracellular Bacterial Pathogen Vaccines. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010152. [PMID: 36678781 PMCID: PMC9863128 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The majority of infectious diseases are caused by intracellular pathogenic bacteria (IPB). Historically, conventional vaccination drives have helped control the pathogenesis of intracellular bacteria and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, saving millions of lives. However, in light of various limitations, many diseases that involve IPB still do not have adequate vaccines. In response to increasing demand for novel vaccine development strategies, a new area of vaccine research emerged following the advent of genomics technology, which changed the paradigm of vaccine development by utilizing the complete genomic data of microorganisms against them. It became possible to identify genes related to disease virulence, genetic patterns linked to disease virulence, as well as the genetic components that supported immunity and favorable vaccine responses. Complete genomic databases, and advancements in transcriptomics, metabolomics, structural genomics, proteomics, immunomics, pan-genomics, synthetic genomics, and population biology have allowed researchers to identify potential vaccine candidates and predict their effects in patients. New vaccines have been created against diseases for which previously there were no vaccines available, and existing vaccines have been improved. This review highlights the key issues and explores the evolution of vaccines. The increasing volume of IPB genomic data, and their application in novel genome-based techniques for vaccine development, were also examined, along with their characteristics, and the opportunities and obstacles involved. Critically, the application of genomics technology has helped researchers rapidly select and evaluate candidate antigens. Novel vaccines capable of addressing the limitations associated with conventional vaccines have been developed and pressing healthcare issues are being addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ajmal Khan
- Division of Life Science, Center for Cancer Research, and State Key Lab of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (M.A.K.); or (H.K.)
| | - Aftab Amin
- Division of Life Science, Center for Cancer Research, and State Key Lab of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Awais Farid
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amin Ullah
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Abasyn University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Waris
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Khyber Shinwari
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Department Immuno-Chemistry, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinbiurg 620002, Russia
| | - Yaseen Hussain
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Khalaf F. Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.A.K.); or (H.K.)
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10
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Multi-Epitope Vaccine Design against Monkeypox Virus via Reverse Vaccinology Method Exploiting Immunoinformatic and Bioinformatic Approaches. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122010. [PMID: 36560421 PMCID: PMC9786588 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The monkeypox virus is a zoonotic orthopox DNA virus that is closely linked to the virus. In light of the growing concern about this virus, the current research set out to use bioinformatics and immunoinformatics to develop a potential vaccine against the virus. (2) Methods: A multiepitope vaccine was constructed from the B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the MPXVgp181 strain using adjuvant and different linkers. The constructed vaccine was predicted for antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and population coverage. In silico immune simulation studies were also carried out. Expression analysis and cloning of the constructed vaccine was carried out in the pET-28a(+) vector using snapgene. (3) Results: The constructed vaccine was predicted to be antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic. It was predicted to have excellent global population coverage and produced satisfactory immune response. The in silico expression and cloning studies were successful in E. coli, which makes the vaccine construct suitable for mass production in the pharmaceutical industry. (4) Conclusion: The constructed vaccine is based on the B-cell and T-cell epitopes obtained from the MPXVgp181 strain. This research can be useful in developing a vaccine to combat the monkeypox virus globally after performing in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies.
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11
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Almansour NM. Immunoinformatics- and Bioinformatics-Assisted Computational Designing of a Novel Multiepitopes Vaccine Against Cancer-Causing Merkel Cell Polyomavirus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:929669. [PMID: 35836414 PMCID: PMC9273964 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.929669] [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: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) contains double-stranded DNA as its genome and is the fifth polyomavirus that infects humans. The virus causes Merkel cell carcinoma (aggressive skin cancer). Till present, no proper drug or vaccines are available to treat/prevent the virus infection and stop the emergence of Merkel cell carcinoma. In this study, computational vaccine design strategies were applied to design a chimeric-epitopes vaccine against the virus. The complete proteome comprised of four proteins was filtered through various vaccine candidacy parameters and as such two proteins, namely, capsid protein VP1 and capsid protein VP2, were considered as good vaccine targets. Furthermore, they harbor safe and potential B and T cell epitopes, which can be used in a chimeric multiepitopes-based vaccine design. The epitopes of the vaccine have maximum world population coverage of 95.04%. The designed vaccine structure was modeled in 3D that reported maximum residues in favored regions (95.7%) of the Ramachandran plot. The interactions analysis with different human immune receptors like TLR3, MHC-I, and MHC-II illustrated vaccine's good binding affinity and stable dynamics. The structural deviations of the vaccine receptor(s) complexes are within 5 Å, where majority of the receptors residues remain in good equilibrium in the simulation time. Also, the vaccine was found to form between 60 and 100 hydrogen bonds to receptors. The vaccine stimulated strong immune responses in addition to interferon and cytokines. The strength of vaccine-receptor(s) binding was further affirmed by binding energies estimation that concluded <-150.32 kcal/mol of net binding energy. All these findings suggest the vaccine as a promising candidate that needs further experimental testing to disclose its real immune protective efficacy. Furthermore, the designed vaccine might accelerate vaccine development against the MCV and could save time and expenses.
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12
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Designing of a Novel Multi-Antigenic Epitope-Based Vaccine against E. hormaechei: An Intergraded Reverse Vaccinology and Immunoinformatics Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050665. [PMID: 35632421 PMCID: PMC9143018 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterobacter hormaechei is involved in multiple hospital-associated infections and is resistant to beta-lactam and tetracycline antibiotics. Due to emerging antibiotics resistance in E. hormaechei and lack of licensed vaccine availability, efforts are required to overcome the antibiotics crisis. In the current research study, a multi-epitope-based vaccine against E. hormaechei was designed using reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatic approaches. A total number of 50 strains were analyzed from which the core proteome was extracted. One extracellular (curlin minor subunit CsgB) and two periplasmic membrane proteins (flagellar basal-body rod protein (FlgF) and flagellar basal body P-ring protein (FlgI) were prioritized for B and T-cell epitope prediction. Only three filtered TPGKMDYTS, GADMTPGKM and RLSAESQAT epitopes were used when designing the vaccine construct. The epitopes were linked via GPGPG linkers and EAAAK linker-linked cholera toxin B-subunit adjuvant was used to enhance the immune stimulation efficacy of the vaccine. Docking studies of the vaccine construct with immune cell receptors revealed better interactions, vital for generating proper immune reactions. Docked complexes of vaccine with MHC-I, MHC-II and Tool-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) reported the lowest binding energy of −594.1 kcal/mol, −706.7 kcal/mol, −787.2 kcal/mol, respectively, and were further subjected to molecular dynamic simulations. Net binding free energy calculations also confirmed that the designed vaccine has a strong binding affinity for immune receptors and thus could be a good vaccine candidate for future experimental investigations.
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13
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Shaker B, Ahmad S, Shen J, Kim HW, Na D. Computational Design of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against Porphyromonas gingivalis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:806825. [PMID: 35250977 PMCID: PMC8894597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.806825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium associated with chronic periodontitis. The development of a chimeric peptide-based vaccine targeting this pathogen could be highly beneficial in preventing oral bone loss as well as other severe gum diseases. We applied a computational framework to design a multi-epitope-based vaccine candidate against P. gingivalis. The vaccine comprises epitopes from subunit proteins prioritized from the P. gingivalis reference strain (P. gingivalis ATCC 33277) using several reported vaccine properties. Protein-based subunit vaccines were prioritized through genomics techniques. Epitope prediction was performed using immunoinformatic servers and tools. Molecular modeling approaches were used to build a putative three-dimensional structure of the vaccine to understand its interactions with host immune cells through biophysical techniques such as molecular docking simulation studies and binding free energy methods. Genome subtraction identified 18 vaccine targets: six outer-membrane, nine cytoplasmic membrane-, one periplasmic, and two extracellular proteins. These proteins passed different vaccine checks required for the successful development of a vaccine candidate. The shortlisted proteins were subjected to immunoinformatic analysis to map B-cell derived T-cell epitopes, and antigenic, water-soluble, non-toxic, and good binders of DRB1*0101 were selected. The epitopes were then modeled into a multi-epitope peptide vaccine construct (linked epitopes plus adjuvant) to enhance immunogenicity and effectively engage both innate and adaptive immunity. Further, the molecular docking approach was used to determine the binding conformation of the vaccine to TLR2 innate immune receptor. Molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations of the vaccine–TLR2 complex were performed to highlight key intermolecular binding energies. Findings of this study will be useful for vaccine developers to design an effective vaccine for chronic periodontitis pathogens, specifically P. gingivalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Shaker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Department of Health and Biological Sciences, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Junhao Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Kim
- College of Life Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Dokyun Na, ; Hyung Wook Kim,
| | - Dokyun Na
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Dokyun Na, ; Hyung Wook Kim,
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14
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Choudhury SM, Ma X, Dang W, Li Y, Zheng H. Recent Development of Ruminant Vaccine Against Viral Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:697194. [PMID: 34805327 PMCID: PMC8595237 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.697194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens of viral origin produce a large variety of infectious diseases in livestock. It is essential to establish the best practices in animal care and an efficient way to stop and prevent infectious diseases that impact animal husbandry. So far, the greatest way to combat the disease is to adopt a vaccine policy. In the fight against infectious diseases, vaccines are very popular. Vaccination's fundamental concept is to utilize particular antigens, either endogenous or exogenous to induce immunity against the antigens or cells. In light of how past emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and pandemics were handled, examining the vaccination methods and technological platforms utilized for the animals may provide some useful insights. New vaccine manufacturing methods have evolved because of developments in technology and medicine and our broad knowledge of immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry, among other basic science disciplines. Genetic engineering, proteomics, and other advanced technologies have aided in implementing novel vaccine theories, resulting in the discovery of new ruminant vaccines and the improvement of existing ones. Subunit vaccines, recombinant vaccines, DNA vaccines, and vectored vaccines are increasingly gaining scientific and public attention as the next generation of vaccines and are being seen as viable replacements to conventional vaccines. The current review looks at the effects and implications of recent ruminant vaccine advances in terms of evolving microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sk Mohiuddin Choudhury
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - XuSheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wen Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - YuanYuan Li
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - HaiXue Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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15
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Machado BAS, Hodel KVS, Fonseca LMDS, Mascarenhas LAB, Andrade LPCDS, Rocha VPC, Soares MBP, Berglund P, Duthie MS, Reed SG, Badaró R. The Importance of RNA-Based Vaccines in the Fight against COVID-19: An Overview. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1345. [PMID: 34835276 PMCID: PMC8623509 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, vaccine development using ribonucleic acid (RNA) has become the most promising and studied approach to produce safe and effective new vaccines, not only for prophylaxis but also as a treatment. The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) as an immunogenic has several advantages to vaccine development compared to other platforms, such as lower coast, the absence of cell cultures, and the possibility to combine different targets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of mRNA as a vaccine became more relevant; two out of the four most widely applied vaccines against COVID-19 in the world are based on this platform. However, even though it presents advantages for vaccine application, mRNA technology faces several pivotal challenges to improve mRNA stability, delivery, and the potential to generate the related protein needed to induce a humoral- and T-cell-mediated immune response. The application of mRNA to vaccine development emerged as a powerful tool to fight against cancer and non-infectious and infectious diseases, for example, and represents a relevant research field for future decades. Based on these advantages, this review emphasizes mRNA and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) for vaccine development, mainly to fight against COVID-19, together with the challenges related to this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Aparecida Souza Machado
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Katharine Valéria Saraiva Hodel
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Larissa Moraes dos Santos Fonseca
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Luís Alberto Brêda Mascarenhas
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Leone Peter Correia da Silva Andrade
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Vinícius Pinto Costa Rocha
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Peter Berglund
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; (P.B.); (M.S.D.); (S.G.R.)
| | - Malcolm S. Duthie
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; (P.B.); (M.S.D.); (S.G.R.)
| | - Steven G. Reed
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; (P.B.); (M.S.D.); (S.G.R.)
| | - Roberto Badaró
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
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16
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Zhang Y, Patil P, Johnson WE, Parmigiani G. Robustifying genomic classifiers to batch effects via ensemble learning. Bioinformatics 2021; 37:1521-1527. [PMID: 33245114 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Genomic data are often produced in batches due to practical restrictions, which may lead to unwanted variation in data caused by discrepancies across batches. Such 'batch effects' often have negative impact on downstream biological analysis and need careful consideration. In practice, batch effects are usually addressed by specifically designed software, which merge the data from different batches, then estimate batch effects and remove them from the data. Here, we focus on classification and prediction problems, and propose a different strategy based on ensemble learning. We first develop prediction models within each batch, then integrate them through ensemble weighting methods. RESULTS We provide a systematic comparison between these two strategies using studies targeting diverse populations infected with tuberculosis. In one study, we simulated increasing levels of heterogeneity across random subsets of the study, which we treat as simulated batches. We then use the two methods to develop a genomic classifier for the binary indicator of disease status. We evaluate the accuracy of prediction in another independent study targeting a different population cohort. We observed that in independent validation, while merging followed by batch adjustment provides better discrimination at low level of heterogeneity, our ensemble learning strategy achieves more robust performance, especially at high severity of batch effects. These observations provide practical guidelines for handling batch effects in the development and evaluation of genomic classifiers. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The data underlying this article are available in the article and in its online supplementary material. Processed data is available in the Github repository with implementation code, at https://github.com/zhangyuqing/bea_ensemble. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Zhang
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Prasad Patil
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - W Evan Johnson
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Giovanni Parmigiani
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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17
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Alama-Bermejo G, Meyer E, Atkinson SD, Holzer AS, Wiśniewska MM, Kolísko M, Bartholomew JL. Transcriptome-Wide Comparisons and Virulence Gene Polymorphisms of Host-Associated Genotypes of the Cnidarian Parasite Ceratonova shasta in Salmonids. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:1258-1276. [PMID: 32467979 PMCID: PMC7487138 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceratonova shasta is an important myxozoan pathogen affecting the health of salmonid fishes in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Ceratonova shasta exists as a complex of host-specific genotypes, some with low to moderate virulence, and one that causes a profound, lethal infection in susceptible hosts. High throughput sequencing methods are powerful tools for discovering the genetic basis of these host/virulence differences, but deep sequencing of myxozoans has been challenging due to extremely fast molecular evolution of this group, yielding strongly divergent sequences that are difficult to identify, and unavoidable host contamination. We designed and optimized different bioinformatic pipelines to address these challenges. We obtained a unique set of comprehensive, host-free myxozoan RNA-seq data from C. shasta genotypes of varying virulence from different salmonid hosts. Analyses of transcriptome-wide genetic distances and maximum likelihood multigene phylogenies elucidated the evolutionary relationship between lineages and demonstrated the limited resolution of the established Internal Transcribed Spacer marker for C. shasta genotype identification, as this marker fails to differentiate between biologically distinct genotype II lineages from coho salmon and rainbow trout. We further analyzed the data sets based on polymorphisms in two gene groups related to virulence: cell migration and proteolytic enzymes including their inhibitors. The developed single-nucleotide polymorphism-calling pipeline identified polymorphisms between genotypes and demonstrated that variations in both motility and protease genes were associated with different levels of virulence of C. shasta in its salmonid hosts. The prospective use of proteolytic enzymes as promising candidates for targeted interventions against myxozoans in aquaculture is discussed. We developed host-free transcriptomes of a myxozoan model organism from strains that exhibited different degrees of virulence, as a unique source of data that will foster functional gene analyses and serve as a base for the development of potential therapeutics for efficient control of these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Alama-Bermejo
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), CCT CONICET - CENPAT, San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
| | - Eli Meyer
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University
| | | | - Astrid S Holzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Monika M Wiśniewska
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kolísko
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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18
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Suaifan GARY, Alkhawaja BA, Mohammed AAM. RNA Coronaviruses' Outbreaks: Recent Progress on the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Diagnostic Tests, Vaccination and Therapeutics. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 22:617-628. [PMID: 33888048 DOI: 10.2174/1389557521666210422113915] [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: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses are RNA-infective viruses that could be considered principal players in universal high-profile outbreaks, namely the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS, 2002-2003), the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS, 2012) and the continuing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19, 2019) pandemic. RNA coronaviruses infections raise public health concerns with infections' severity ranging from serious pandemics and highly contagious infections to common influenza episodes. With a wide consensus concerning the seminal role of early detection of the infectious agent on the clinical prognosis, recent technological endeavors have facilitated the rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of viral infections. Given that the burst of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are climbing steeply, and we are amid this pandemic, this work will center at the respiratory RNA-viruses outbreaks, including the three coronaviruses-related pandemics, emphasizing on the approved diagnostic approaches, outlining therapeutic clinical trials as well as vaccine candidates. Based on the accumulated data and knowledge on the previous RNA-virus outbreaks, this review aspires to link the current intervention measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection with the previous interventions and to provide a roadmap for any possible future measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghadeer A R Y Suaifan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Bayan A Alkhawaja
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Department of pharmacy, The Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The University of Petra, Amman 11196, Jordan
| | - Aya A M Mohammed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
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19
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Sohail MS, Ahmed SF, Quadeer AA, McKay MR. In silico T cell epitope identification for SARS-CoV-2: Progress and perspectives. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 171:29-47. [PMID: 33465451 PMCID: PMC7832442 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that T cells may play a critical role in combating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hence, COVID-19 vaccines that can elicit a robust T cell response may be particularly important. The design, development and experimental evaluation of such vaccines is aided by an understanding of the landscape of T cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2, which is largely unknown. Due to the challenges of identifying epitopes experimentally, many studies have proposed the use of in silico methods. Here, we present a review of the in silico methods that have been used for the prediction of SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes. These methods employ a diverse set of technical approaches, often rooted in machine learning. A performance comparison is provided based on the ability to identify a specific set of immunogenic epitopes that have been determined experimentally to be targeted by T cells in convalescent COVID-19 patients, shedding light on the relative performance merits of the different approaches adopted by the in silico studies. The review also puts forward perspectives for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Saqib Sohail
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Syed Faraz Ahmed
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ahmed Abdul Quadeer
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Matthew R McKay
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
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20
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Debnath A. Drug discovery for primary amebic meningoencephalitis: from screen to identification of leads. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021; 19:1099-1106. [PMID: 33496193 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1882302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Naegleria fowleri is responsible for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) which has a fatality rate of >97%. Because of the rarity of the disease, pharmaceutical companies do not pursue new drug discovery for PAM. Yet, it is possible that the infection is underreported and finding a better drug would have an impact on people suffering from this deadly infection.Areas covered: This paper reports the efforts undertaken by different academic groups over the last 20 years to test different compounds against N. fowleri. The drug discovery research encompassed synthesis of new compounds, development and use of high-throughput screening methods and attempts to repurpose clinically developed or FDA-approved compounds for the treatment of PAM.Expert opinion: In absence of economic investment to develop new drugs for PAM, repurposing the FDA-approved drugs has been the best strategy so far to identify new leads against N. fowleri. Increasing use of high-throughput phenotypic screening has the potential to accelerate the identification of new leads, either in monotherapy or in combination treatment. Since phase II clinical trial is not possible for PAM, it is critical to demonstrate in vivo efficacy of a clinically safe compound to translate the discovery from lab to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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21
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Pneumonia in endangered aquatic mammals and the need for developing low-coverage vaccination for their management and conservation. Anim Health Res Rev 2020; 21:122-130. [PMID: 33292914 DOI: 10.1017/s1466252320000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities can lead to several devastating effects on the environment. The pollutants, which include the discharge of effluents, runoffs in the form of different lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants, can harm exposed fauna and flora. The aquatic environment is the ultimate destination for many pollutants which negatively affect aquatic biodiversity and even can cause a species to become extinct. A pollutant can directly affect the behavior of an animal, disrupt cellular systems, and impair the immune system. This harm can be reduced and even mitigated by adopting proper approaches for the conservation of the target biota. Among aquatic organisms, cetaceans, such as the Yangtze finless porpoise, Irrawaddy dolphin, Ganges River dolphin, Amazon River dolphin, and Indus River dolphin, are at a higher risk of extinction because of lack of knowledge and research, and thus insufficient information with respect to their conservation status, management, and policies. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mass mortalities of cetaceans. This article reviews the limited research reported on stress and pneumonia induced by pollution, stress-induced pneumonia and immunosuppression, pneumonia-caused mass mortalities of aquatic mammals, and vaccination in wildlife with a specific focus on aquatic mammals, the role of genomics in vaccine development and vaccination, and the major challenges in vaccine development for biodiversity conservation.
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Genetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected from Bangladesh: Insights into the origin, mutational spectrum and possible pathomechanism. Comput Biol Chem 2020; 90:107413. [PMID: 33221119 PMCID: PMC7641529 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2020.107413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), rages across the world, killing hundreds of thousands and infecting millions, researchers are racing against time to elucidate the viral genome. Some Bangladeshi institutes are also in this race, sequenced a few isolates of the virus collected from Bangladesh. Here, we present a genomic analysis of these isolates. The analysis revealed that SARS-CoV-2 isolates sequenced from Dhaka and Chittagong were the lineage of Europe and India, respectively. Our analysis identified a total of 42 mutations, including three large deletions, half of which were synonymous. Most of the missense mutations in Bangladeshi isolates found to have weak effects on the pathogenesis. Some mutations may lead the virus to be less pathogenic than the other countries. Molecular docking analysis to evaluate the effect of the mutations on the interaction between the viral spike proteins and the human ACE2 receptor, though no significant difference was observed. This study provides some preliminary insights into the origin of Bangladeshi SARS-CoV-2 isolates, mutation spectrum and its possible pathomechanism, which may give an essential clue for designing therapeutics and management of COVID-19 in Bangladesh.
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Kumar R, Register K, Christopher-Hennings J, Moroni P, Gioia G, Garcia-Fernandez N, Nelson J, Jelinski MD, Lysnyansky I, Bayles D, Alt D, Scaria J. Population Genomic Analysis of Mycoplasma bovis Elucidates Geographical Variations and Genes associated with Host-Types. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101561. [PMID: 33050495 PMCID: PMC7650767 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among more than twenty species belonging to the class Mollecutes, Mycoplasma bovis is the most common cause of bovine mycoplasmosis in North America and Europe. Bovine mycoplasmosis causes significant economic loss in the cattle industry. The number of M. bovis positive herds recently has increased in North America and Europe. Since antibiotic treatment is ineffective and no efficient vaccine is available, M. bovis induced mycoplasmosis is primarily controlled by herd management measures such as the restriction of moving infected animals out of the herds and culling of infected or shedders of M. bovis. To better understand the population structure and genomic factors that may contribute to its transmission, we sequenced 147 M. bovis strains isolated from four different countries viz. USA (n = 121), Canada (n = 22), Israel (n = 3) and Lithuania (n = 1). All except two of the isolates (KRB1 and KRB8) were isolated from two host types i.e., bovine (n = 75) and bison (n = 70). We performed a large-scale comparative analysis of M. bovis genomes by integrating 103 publicly available genomes and our dataset (250 total genomes). Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based phylogeny using M.agalactiae as an outgroup revealed that M. bovis population structure is composed of five different clades. USA isolates showed a high degree of genomic divergence in comparison to the Australian isolates. Based on host of origin, all the isolates in clade IV was of bovine origin, whereas majority of the isolates in clades III and V was of bison origin. Our comparative genome analysis also revealed that M. bovis has an open pangenome with a large breadth of unexplored diversity of genes. The function based analysis of autogenous vaccine candidates (n = 10) included in this study revealed that their functional diversity does not span the genomic diversity observed in all five clades identified in this study. Our study also found that M. bovis genome harbors a large number of IS elements and their number increases significantly (p = 7.8 × 10−6) as the genome size increases. Collectively, the genome data and the whole genome-based population analysis in this study may help to develop better understanding of M. bovis induced mycoplasmosis in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Kumar
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (R.K.); (J.C.-H.); (N.G.-F.); (J.N.)
- South Dakota Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
- P.G. Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824234, India
| | - Karen Register
- USDA/ARS/National Animal Disease Center, Ruminant Diseases & Immunology Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, USA;
| | - Jane Christopher-Hennings
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (R.K.); (J.C.-H.); (N.G.-F.); (J.N.)
- South Dakota Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Paolo Moroni
- Quality Milk Production Services, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA; (P.M.); (G.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via dell’Università, Università degli Studi di Milano, 6, 26900 Lodi LO, Italy
| | - Gloria Gioia
- Quality Milk Production Services, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA; (P.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Nuria Garcia-Fernandez
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (R.K.); (J.C.-H.); (N.G.-F.); (J.N.)
| | - Julia Nelson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (R.K.); (J.C.-H.); (N.G.-F.); (J.N.)
- South Dakota Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Murray D. Jelinski
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, Canada;
| | - Inna Lysnyansky
- Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50250, Israel;
| | - Darrell Bayles
- USDA/ARS/National Animal Disease Center, Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (D.B.); (D.A.)
| | - David Alt
- USDA/ARS/National Animal Disease Center, Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (D.B.); (D.A.)
| | - Joy Scaria
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (R.K.); (J.C.-H.); (N.G.-F.); (J.N.)
- South Dakota Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
- Correspondence:
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Mehmood A, Naseer S, Ali A, Fatimah H, Rehman S, Kiani AK. Identification of novel vaccine candidates against carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A systematic reverse proteomic approach. Comput Biol Chem 2020; 89:107380. [PMID: 32992120 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2020.107380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is declared as antibiotic resistant by WHO, with the critical urgency of developing novel antimicrobial therapeutics as drug resistance is the second most dangerous threat after terrorism. Besides many attempts still, there is no effective vaccine available against K. pneumoniae. By utilizing all the available proteomic data we prioritized the novel proteins ideal for vaccine development using bioinformatics tools and techniques. Among the huge data, eight proteins passed all the barriers and were considered ideal candidates for vaccine development. These include: copper silver efflux system outer membrane protein (CusC), outer membrane porin protein (OmpN), Fe++ enterobactin transporter substrate binding protein (fepB), zinc transporter substrate binding protein (ZnuA), ribonuclease HI, tellurite resistant methyltransferase (the B), and two uncharacterized hypothetical proteins (WP_002918223 and WP_002892366). These proteins were also subjected to epitope analysis and were found best for developing subunit vaccine against K. pneumoniae. The study shows that the potential vaccine targets are sufficiently efficient being virulent, of outer membranous origin and can be proposed for the DNA third-generation vaccines development that would help to cope up infections caused by multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Mehmood
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Samar Naseer
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Amjad Ali
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hina Fatimah
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Rehman
- Department of Botany, Rawalpindi Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Aysha Karim Kiani
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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25
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Tretina K, Pelle R, Orvis J, Gotia HT, Ifeonu OO, Kumari P, Palmateer NC, Iqbal SBA, Fry LM, Nene VM, Daubenberger CA, Bishop RP, Silva JC. Re-annotation of the Theileria parva genome refines 53% of the proteome and uncovers essential components of N-glycosylation, a conserved pathway in many organisms. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:279. [PMID: 32245418 PMCID: PMC7126163 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6683-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The apicomplexan parasite Theileria parva causes a livestock disease called East coast fever (ECF), with millions of animals at risk in sub-Saharan East and Southern Africa, the geographic distribution of T. parva. Over a million bovines die each year of ECF, with a tremendous economic burden to pastoralists in endemic countries. Comprehensive, accurate parasite genome annotation can facilitate the discovery of novel chemotherapeutic targets for disease treatment, as well as elucidate the biology of the parasite. However, genome annotation remains a significant challenge because of limitations in the quality and quantity of the data being used to inform the location and function of protein-coding genes and, when RNA data are used, the underlying biological complexity of the processes involved in gene expression. Here, we apply our recently published RNAseq dataset derived from the schizont life-cycle stage of T. parva to update structural and functional gene annotations across the entire nuclear genome. RESULTS The re-annotation effort lead to evidence-supported updates in over half of all protein-coding sequence (CDS) predictions, including exon changes, gene merges and gene splitting, an increase in average CDS length of approximately 50 base pairs, and the identification of 128 new genes. Among the new genes identified were those involved in N-glycosylation, a process previously thought not to exist in this organism and a potentially new chemotherapeutic target pathway for treating ECF. Alternatively-spliced genes were identified, and antisense and multi-gene family transcription were extensively characterized. CONCLUSIONS The process of re-annotation led to novel insights into the organization and expression profiles of protein-coding sequences in this parasite, and uncovered a minimal N-glycosylation pathway that changes our current understanding of the evolution of this post-translational modification in apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Tretina
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Roger Pelle
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Orvis
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Hanzel T Gotia
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Olukemi O Ifeonu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Priti Kumari
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Nicholas C Palmateer
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Shaikh B A Iqbal
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Lindsay M Fry
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | | | - Claudia A Daubenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Richard P Bishop
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Joana C Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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Ismail S, Ahmad S, Azam SS. Vaccinomics to design a novel single chimeric subunit vaccine for broad-spectrum immunological applications targeting nosocomial Enterobacteriaceae pathogens. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 146:105258. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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27
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Artika IM, Wiyatno A, Ma'roef CN. Pathogenic viruses: Molecular detection and characterization. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 81:104215. [PMID: 32006706 PMCID: PMC7106233 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic viruses are viruses that can infect and replicate within human cells and cause diseases. The continuous emergence and re-emergence of pathogenic viruses has become a major threat to public health. Whenever pathogenic viruses emerge, their rapid detection is critical to enable implementation of specific control measures and the limitation of virus spread. Further molecular characterization to better understand these viruses is required for the development of diagnostic tests and countermeasures. Advances in molecular biology techniques have revolutionized the procedures for detection and characterization of pathogenic viruses. The development of PCR-based techniques together with DNA sequencing technology, have provided highly sensitive and specific methods to determine virus circulation. Pathogenic viruses potentially having global catastrophic consequences may emerge in regions where capacity for their detection and characterization is limited. Development of a local capacity to rapidly identify new viruses is therefore critical. This article reviews the molecular biology of pathogenic viruses and the basic principles of molecular techniques commonly used for their detection and characterization. The principles of good laboratory practices for handling pathogenic viruses are also discussed. This review aims at providing researchers and laboratory personnel with an overview of the molecular biology of pathogenic viruses and the principles of molecular techniques and good laboratory practices commonly implemented for their detection and characterization. The continous emergence and re-emergence of pathogenic viruses has become a major threat to public health. PCR-based techniques together with DNA sequencing technology have provided highly sensitive and specific methods to determine virus circulation. Southeast Asia is considered to be vulnerable to potential outbreaks of pathogenic viruses. A number of pathogenic viruses have been reported to circulate in this region. The 2019 novel coronavirus has also been identified in Southeast Asia. Development of local capacity to rapidly identify new viruses is very important.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Made Artika
- Biosafety Level 3 Unit, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jalan Diponegoro 69, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Darmaga Campus, Bogor 16680, Indonesia.
| | - Ageng Wiyatno
- Emerging Virus Research Unit, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jalan Diponegoro 69, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Chairin Nisa Ma'roef
- Emerging Virus Research Unit, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jalan Diponegoro 69, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
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28
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Thng CCM. A Review of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Australia - Considerations in 2018. Acad Forensic Pathol 2018; 8:938-946. [PMID: 31240082 DOI: 10.1177/1925362118821492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) bear a high burden of disease and, subsequently, high health costs globally. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis contribute to nearly one million infections every day worldwide. Sexually transmitted infections continue to be the most frequently notified condition to the Australian National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and the numbers continue to increase. Australia has achieved several significant successes in reducing STIs and blood-borne viruses (BBV) including the significant decrease in genital warts in those less than 30 years old since 2007 following the launch of human papillomavirus vaccines in women, the virtual elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, and the increased uptake of successful hepatitis C treatment following the availability of direct acting antiviral treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. However, several challenges remain, including the ongoing rise of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis over the last five years; the emergence of antibiotic resistance; and the increasing disparity in the prevalence of STIs and BBV in men who have sex with men, young people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and challenges in the delivery of services to rural and remote Australia. In this paper, we aim to provide a snapshot of the current landscape and challenges for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, mycoplasma, syphilis and HIV infections in Australia.
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29
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Rana A, Thakur S, Kumar G, Akhter Y. Recent Trends in System-Scale Integrative Approaches for Discovering Protective Antigens Against Mycobacterial Pathogens. Front Genet 2018; 9:572. [PMID: 30538722 PMCID: PMC6277634 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterial infections are one of the deadliest infectious diseases still posing a major health burden worldwide. The battle against these pathogens needs to focus on novel approaches and key interventions. In recent times, availability of genome scale data has revolutionized the fields of computational biology and immunoproteomics. Here, we summarize the cutting-edge ‘omics’ technologies and innovative system scale strategies exploited to mine the available data. These may be targeted using high-throughput technologies to expedite the identification of novel antigenic candidates for the rational next generation vaccines and serodiagnostic development against mycobacterial pathogens for which traditional methods have been failing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Rana
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur, India
| | - Shweta Thakur
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur, India
| | - Girish Kumar
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur, India
| | - Yusuf Akhter
- Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
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30
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Raeven RHM, van Riet E, Meiring HD, Metz B, Kersten GFA. Systems vaccinology and big data in the vaccine development chain. Immunology 2018; 156:33-46. [PMID: 30317555 PMCID: PMC6283655 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Systems vaccinology has proven a fascinating development in the last decade. Where traditionally vaccine development has been dominated by trial and error, systems vaccinology is a tool that provides novel and comprehensive understanding if properly used. Data sets retrieved from systems‐based studies endorse rational design and effective development of safe and efficacious vaccines. In this review we first describe different omics‐techniques that form the pillars of systems vaccinology. In the second part, the application of systems vaccinology in the different stages of vaccine development is described. Overall, this review shows that systems vaccinology has become an important tool anywhere in the vaccine development chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- René H M Raeven
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Elly van Riet
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo D Meiring
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard Metz
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gideon F A Kersten
- Intravacc (Institute for Translational Vaccinology), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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31
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Birhanu BT, Lee SJ, Park NH, Song JB, Park SC. In silico analysis of putative drug and vaccine targets of the metabolic pathways of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae using a subtractive/comparative genomics approach. J Vet Sci 2018; 19:188-199. [PMID: 29032659 PMCID: PMC5879067 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.2.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that resides in the respiratory tract of pigs and causes porcine respiratory disease complex, which leads to significant losses in the pig industry worldwide. The incidence of drug resistance in this bacterium is increasing; thus, identifying new protein/gene targets for drug and vaccine development is critical. In this study, we used an in silico approach, utilizing several databases including the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), the Database of Essential Genes (DEG), DrugBank, and Swiss-Prot to identify non-homologous essential genes and prioritize these proteins for their druggability. The results showed 20 metabolic pathways that were unique and contained 273 non-homologous proteins, of which 122 were essential. Of the 122 essential proteins, there were 95 cytoplasmic proteins and 11 transmembrane proteins, which are potentially suitable for drug and vaccine targets, respectively. Among these, 25 had at least one hit in DrugBank, and three had similarity to metabolic proteins from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, another pathogen causing porcine respiratory disease complex; thus, they could serve as common therapeutic targets. In conclusion, we identified glyoxylate and dicarboxylate pathways as potential targets for antimicrobial therapy and tetra-acyldisaccharide 4'-kinase and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic-acid transferase as vaccine candidates against A. pleuropneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biruk T Birhanu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Seung-Jin Lee
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Na-Hye Park
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Ju-Beom Song
- Department of Chemistry Education, Teachers College, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Seung-Chun Park
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
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Ramamurthy M, Sankar S, Kannangai R, Nandagopal B, Sridharan G. Application of viromics: a new approach to the understanding of viral infections in humans. Virusdisease 2017; 28:349-359. [PMID: 29291225 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-017-0415-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This review is focused at exploring the strengths of modern technology driven data compiled in the areas of virus gene sequencing, virus protein structures and their implication to viral diagnosis and therapy. The information for virome analysis (viromics) is generated by the study of viral genomes (entire nucleotide sequence) and viral genes (coding for protein). Presently, the study of viral infectious diseases in terms of etiopathogenesis and development of newer therapeutics is undergoing rapid changes. Currently, viromics relies on deep sequencing, next generation sequencing (NGS) data and public domain databases like GenBank and unique virus specific databases. Two commonly used NGS platforms: Illumina and Ion Torrent, recommend maximum fragment lengths of about 300 and 400 nucleotides for analysis respectively. Direct detection of viruses in clinical samples is now evolving using these methods. Presently, there are a considerable number of good treatment options for HBV/HIV/HCV. These viruses however show development of drug resistance. The drug susceptibility regions of the genomes are sequenced and the prediction of drug resistance is now possible from 3 public domains available on the web. This has been made possible through advances in the technology with the advent of high throughput sequencing and meta-analysis through sophisticated and easy to use software and the use of high speed computers for bioinformatics. More recently NGS technology has been improved with single-molecule real-time sequencing. Here complete long reads can be obtained with less error overcoming a limitation of the NGS which is inherently prone to software anomalies that arise in the hands of personnel without adequate training. The development in understanding the viruses in terms of their genome, pathobiology, transcriptomics and molecular epidemiology constitutes viromics. It could be stated that these developments will bring about radical changes and advancement especially in the field of antiviral therapy and diagnostic virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mageshbabu Ramamurthy
- Sri Sakthi Amma Institute of Biomedical Research, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, Sripuram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 055 India
| | - Sathish Sankar
- Sri Sakthi Amma Institute of Biomedical Research, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, Sripuram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 055 India
| | - Rajesh Kannangai
- Department of Clinical Virology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 004 India
| | - Balaji Nandagopal
- Sri Sakthi Amma Institute of Biomedical Research, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, Sripuram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 055 India
| | - Gopalan Sridharan
- Sri Sakthi Amma Institute of Biomedical Research, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, Sripuram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632 055 India
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33
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Tan A, Atack JM, Jennings MP, Seib KL. The Capricious Nature of Bacterial Pathogens: Phasevarions and Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2016; 7:586. [PMID: 28018352 PMCID: PMC5149525 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and vaccines are one of the most successful and cost-effective tools for disease prevention. One of the key considerations for rational vaccine development is the selection of appropriate antigens. Antigens must induce a protective immune response, and this response should be directed to stably expressed antigens so the target microbe can always be recognized by the immune system. Antigens with variable expression, due to environmental signals or phase variation (i.e., high frequency, random switching of expression), are not ideal vaccine candidates because variable expression could lead to immune evasion. Phase variation is often mediated by the presence of highly mutagenic simple tandem DNA repeats, and genes containing such sequences can be easily identified, and their use as vaccine antigens reconsidered. Recent research has identified phase variably expressed DNA methyltransferases that act as global epigenetic regulators. These phase-variable regulons, known as phasevarions, are associated with altered virulence phenotypes and/or expression of vaccine candidates. As such, genes encoding candidate vaccine antigens that have no obvious mechanism of phase variation may be subject to indirect, epigenetic control as part of a phasevarion. Bioinformatic and experimental studies are required to elucidate the distribution and mechanism of action of these DNA methyltransferases, and most importantly, whether they mediate epigenetic regulation of potential and current vaccine candidates. This process is essential to define the stably expressed antigen target profile of bacterial pathogens and thereby facilitate efficient, rational selection of vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Tan
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University , Gold Coast, QLD , Australia
| | - John M Atack
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University , Gold Coast, QLD , Australia
| | - Michael P Jennings
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University , Gold Coast, QLD , Australia
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University , Gold Coast, QLD , Australia
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Abstract
The recent Ebola epidemic provides a dramatic example of the devastation and fear generated by epidemics, particularly those caused by new emerging or reemerging diseases. A focus on the control and prevention of diseases in living populations dominates most epidemic disease research. However, research on epidemics in the past provides a temporal depth to our understanding of the context and consequences of diseases and is crucial for predicting how diseases might shape human biology and demography in the future. This article reviews recent research on historic epidemics of plague and tuberculosis, both of which have affected human populations for millennia. Research on these diseases demonstrates the range (and differential availability) of various lines of evidence (e.g., burial context, diagnostic skeletal lesions, molecular data) that inform about past disease in general. I highlight how research on past epidemics may be informative in ways that benefit living populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon N. DeWitte
- Department of Anthropology and Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
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35
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Anaplasma marginale: Diversity, Virulence, and Vaccine Landscape through a Genomics Approach. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:9032085. [PMID: 27610385 PMCID: PMC5005611 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9032085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In order to understand the genetic diversity of A. marginale, several efforts have been made around the world. This rickettsia affects a significant number of ruminants, causing bovine anaplasmosis, so the interest in its virulence and how it is transmitted have drawn interest not only from a molecular point of view but also, recently, some genomics research have been performed to elucidate genes and proteins with potential as antigens. Unfortunately, so far, we still do not have a recombinant anaplasmosis vaccine. In this review, we present a landscape of the multiple approaches carried out from the genomic perspective to generate valuable information that could be used in a holistic way to finally develop an anaplasmosis vaccine. These approaches include the analysis of the genetic diversity of A. marginale and how this affects control measures for the disease. Anaplasmosis vaccine development is also reviewed from the conventional vaccinomics to genome-base vaccinology approach based on proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses reported. The use of these new omics approaches will undoubtedly reveal new targets of interest in the near future, comprising information of potential antigens and the immunogenic effect of A. marginale proteins.
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36
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De Groot AS, Moise L, Olive D, Einck L, Martin W. Agility in adversity: Vaccines on Demand. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 15:1087-91. [PMID: 27389971 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2016.1205951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Is the US ready for a biological attack using Ebola virus or Anthrax? Will vaccine developers be able to produce a Zika virus vaccine, before the epidemic spreads around the world? A recent report by The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense argues that the US is not ready for these challenges, however, technologies and capabilities that could address these deficiencies are within reach. Vaccine technologies have advanced and readiness has improved in recent years, due to advances in sequencing technology and computational power making the 'vaccines on demand' concept a reality. Building a robust strategy to design effective biodefense vaccines from genome sequences harvested by real-time biosurveillance will benefit from technologies that are being brought to bear on the cancer cure 'moonshot'. When combined with flexible vaccine production platforms, vaccines on demand will relegate expensive and, in some cases, insufficiently effective vaccine stockpiles to the dust heap of history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S De Groot
- a EpiVax, Inc. , Providence , RI , USA.,b Institute for Immunology and Informatics , University of Rhode Island , Providence , RI , USA
| | - Leonard Moise
- a EpiVax, Inc. , Providence , RI , USA.,b Institute for Immunology and Informatics , University of Rhode Island , Providence , RI , USA
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37
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Xiao W, Wu L, Yavas G, Simonyan V, Ning B, Hong H. Challenges, Solutions, and Quality Metrics of Personal Genome Assembly in Advancing Precision Medicine. Pharmaceutics 2016; 8:E15. [PMID: 27110816 PMCID: PMC4932478 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics8020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though each of us shares more than 99% of the DNA sequences in our genome, there are millions of sequence codes or structure in small regions that differ between individuals, giving us different characteristics of appearance or responsiveness to medical treatments. Currently, genetic variants in diseased tissues, such as tumors, are uncovered by exploring the differences between the reference genome and the sequences detected in the diseased tissue. However, the public reference genome was derived with the DNA from multiple individuals. As a result of this, the reference genome is incomplete and may misrepresent the sequence variants of the general population. The more reliable solution is to compare sequences of diseased tissue with its own genome sequence derived from tissue in a normal state. As the price to sequence the human genome has dropped dramatically to around $1000, it shows a promising future of documenting the personal genome for every individual. However, de novo assembly of individual genomes at an affordable cost is still challenging. Thus, till now, only a few human genomes have been fully assembled. In this review, we introduce the history of human genome sequencing and the evolution of sequencing platforms, from Sanger sequencing to emerging "third generation sequencing" technologies. We present the currently available de novo assembly and post-assembly software packages for human genome assembly and their requirements for computational infrastructures. We recommend that a combined hybrid assembly with long and short reads would be a promising way to generate good quality human genome assemblies and specify parameters for the quality assessment of assembly outcomes. We provide a perspective view of the benefit of using personal genomes as references and suggestions for obtaining a quality personal genome. Finally, we discuss the usage of the personal genome in aiding vaccine design and development, monitoring host immune-response, tailoring drug therapy and detecting tumors. We believe the precision medicine would largely benefit from bioinformatics solutions, particularly for personal genome assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Xiao
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
| | - Leihong Wu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
| | - Gokhan Yavas
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
| | - Vahan Simonyan
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
| | - Baitang Ning
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
| | - Huixiao Hong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
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38
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Seyed N, Taheri T, Rafati S. Post-Genomics and Vaccine Improvement for Leishmania. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:467. [PMID: 27092123 PMCID: PMC4822237 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that primarily affects Asia, Africa, South America, and the Mediterranean basin. Despite extensive efforts to develop an effective prophylactic vaccine, no promising vaccine is available yet. However, recent advancements in computational vaccinology on the one hand and genome sequencing approaches on the other have generated new hopes in vaccine development. Computational genome mining for new vaccine candidates is known as reverse vaccinology and is believed to further extend the current list of Leishmania vaccine candidates. Reverse vaccinology can also reduce the intrinsic risks associated with live attenuated vaccines. Individual epitopes arranged in tandem as polytopes are also a possible outcome of reverse genome mining. Here, we will briefly compare reverse vaccinology with conventional vaccinology in respect to Leishmania vaccine, and we will discuss how it influences the aforementioned topics. We will also introduce new in vivo models that will bridge the gap between human and laboratory animal models in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of IranTehran, Iran
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39
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Semchenko EA, Seib KL. Intractable problems require novel solutions: it's time to get serious about developing a gonorrhoea vaccine. Sex Transm Infect 2016; 92:561-562. [PMID: 27037185 PMCID: PMC5256376 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny A Semchenko
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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40
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Sim S, Hibberd ML. Genomic approaches for understanding dengue: insights from the virus, vector, and host. Genome Biol 2016; 17:38. [PMID: 26931545 PMCID: PMC4774013 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-016-0907-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence and geographic range of dengue have increased dramatically in recent decades. Climate change, rapid urbanization and increased global travel have facilitated the spread of both efficient mosquito vectors and the four dengue virus serotypes between population centers. At the same time, significant advances in genomics approaches have provided insights into host–pathogen interactions, immunogenetics, and viral evolution in both humans and mosquitoes. Here, we review these advances and the innovative treatment and control strategies that they are inspiring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Sim
- Infectious Diseases, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Martin L Hibberd
- Infectious Diseases, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, 138672, Singapore. .,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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41
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Castiblanco J, Anaya JM. Genetics and vaccines in the era of personalized medicine. Curr Genomics 2015; 16:47-59. [PMID: 25937813 PMCID: PMC4412964 DOI: 10.2174/1389202916666141223220551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines represent the most successful and sustainable tactic to prevent and counteract infection. A vaccine generally improves immunity to a particular disease upon administration by inducing specific protective and efficient immune responses in all of the receiving population. The main known factors influencing the observed heterogeneity for immune re-sponses induced by vaccines are gender, age, co-morbidity, immune system, and genetic background. This review is mainly focused on the genetic status effect to vaccine immune responses and how this could contribute to the development of novel vaccine candidates that could be better directed and predicted relative to the genetic history of an individual and/or population. The text offers a brief history of vaccinology as a field, a description of the genetic status of the most relevant and studied genes and their functionality and correlation with exposure to specific vaccines; followed by an inside look into autoimmunity as a concern when designing vaccines as well as perspectives and conclusions looking towards an era of personalized and predictive vaccinology instead of a one size fits all approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Castiblanco
- Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 #63-C-69, Bogota, Colombia ; Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá,Colombia
| | - Juan-Manuel Anaya
- Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 #63-C-69, Bogota, Colombia
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42
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Papaluca M, Greco M, Tognana E, Ehmann F, Saint-Raymond A. White spots in pharmaceutical pipelines-EMA identifies potential areas of unmet medical needs. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2015; 8:353-60. [PMID: 25797498 DOI: 10.1586/17512433.2015.1028918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Unmet medical needs are a priority for organizations such as the WHO and major public-private initiatives, such as Innovative Medicines Initiative, were established to speed up the development of better and safer medicines for patients. To assist such projects, the EMA in its 'Road Map to 2015' considered the mapping of unmet medical needs as a priority. This study has identified medical conditions for which the EMA could not identify developments in the pharmaceutical pipelines, that is, 'white spots'. Our analysis was made using external data sources as well as mining data of the EMA. The main areas for white spots were oncology, infectious diseases and certain psychiatric conditions. According to our data and a review of literature, in a number of these white spots, diagnostic tools may even be missing. The identification of those conditions will benefit stakeholders, including regulators, research funding bodies and patients' organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Papaluca
- European Medicines Agency, 30 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5EU, UK
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43
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Quero S, Párraga-Niño N, García-Núñez M, Sabrià M. [Proteomics in infectious diseases]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2015; 34:253-60. [PMID: 25583331 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2014.07.015] [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: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases have a high incidence in the population, causing a major impact on global health. In vitro culture of microorganisms is the first technique applied for infection diagnosis which is laborious and time consuming. In recent decades, efforts have been focused on the applicability of "Omics" sciences, highlighting the progress provided by proteomic techniques in the field of infectious diseases. This review describes the management, processing and analysis of biological samples for proteomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Quero
- Unitat de Malalties Infeccioses, Fundació Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola, Barcelona, España
| | - Noemí Párraga-Niño
- Unitat de Malalties Infeccioses, Fundació Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España.
| | - Marian García-Núñez
- Unitat de Malalties Infeccioses, Fundació Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Bunyola, Illes Balears, España
| | - Miquel Sabrià
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola, Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Bunyola, Illes Balears, España; Unitat de Malalties Infeccioses, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España
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44
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What has molecular epidemiology ever done for wildlife disease research? Past contributions and future directions. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-014-0882-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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45
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Identification of proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae by reverse vaccinology and genetic diversity of these proteins in clinical isolates. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2014; 175:2124-65. [PMID: 25448632 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1375-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Virulence-associated proteins common and conserved among all capsular types now represent the best strategy to combat pneumococcal infections. Our aim was to identify conserved targets in pneumococci that showed positive prediction for lipoprotein and extracellular subcellular location using bioinformatics programs and verify the distribution and the degree of conservation of these targets in pneumococci. These targets can be considered potential vaccine candidate to be evaluated in the future. A set of 13 targets were analyzed and confirmed the presence in all pneumococci tested. These 13 genes were highly conserved showing around >96 % of amino acid and nucleotide identity, but they were also present and show high identity in the closely related species Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae. S. oralis clusters away from S. pneumoniae, while S. pseudopneumoniae and S. mitis cluster closer. The divergence between the selected targets was too small to be observed consistently in phylogenetic groups between the analyzed genomes of S. pneumoniae. The proteins analyzed fulfill two of the initial criteria of a vaccine candidate: targets are present in a variety of different pneumococci strains including different serotypes and are conserved among the samples evaluated.
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46
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Setzer TJ. Malaria detection in the field of paleopathology: a meta-analysis of the state of the art. Acta Trop 2014; 140:97-104. [PMID: 25149357 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Revised: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
An integrative literature review was conducted to identify the current state of the art regarding malaria research in human remains and to identify novel methods to test for malaria infections in archaeological samples. This review was comprised of two surveys. The first survey established methods used currently to detect malaria in human remains from archaeological contexts. The second survey identified diagnostic approaches in the field of medicine. Techniques in medicine that could have applications with samples from archaeological contexts, such as preserved soft tissue and skeletal remains, are presented.
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47
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Schulz C, Hammerschmidt S. Exploitation of physiology and metabolomics to identify pneumococcal vaccine candidates. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 12:1061-75. [PMID: 24053399 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2013.824708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the etiologic agent of community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal diseases such as septicemia and bacterial meningitis. The increasing antibiotic resistance and the suboptimal efficacy or limited serotype coverage of currently available vaccines urgently requires novel approaches in exploring new antimicrobials, therapeutic intervention strategies and vaccines. The current vaccine development strategies rely on the hypothesis that surface-exposed proteins, which are essential for pneumococcal virulence, are the most suitable candidates for future protein-based vaccines. Since virulence is closely linked with bacterial fitness, the potential of a pathogen to colonize and infect the host depends further on its physiology. This review summarizes the application of genome-wide techniques and their exploitation to decipher fundamental insights into bacterial factors associated with fitness, metabolism and virulence, leading to the discovery of vaccine candidates or antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schulz
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt Universität Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse 15a, D 17487 Greifswald, Germany
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48
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The use of functional genomics in conjunction with metabolomics for Mycobacterium tuberculosis research. DISEASE MARKERS 2014; 2014:124218. [PMID: 24771957 PMCID: PMC3977087 DOI: 10.1155/2014/124218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a fatal infectious disease, resulting in 1.4 million deaths globally per annum. Over the past three decades, genomic studies have been conducted in an attempt to elucidate the functionality of the genome of the pathogen. However, many aspects of this complex genome remain largely unexplored, as approaches like genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics have failed to characterize them successfully. In turn, metabolomics, which is relatively new to the “omics” revolution, has shown great potential for investigating biological systems or their modifications. Furthermore, when these data are interpreted in combination with previously acquired genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics data, using what is termed a systems biology approach, a more holistic understanding of these systems can be achieved. In this review we discuss how metabolomics has contributed so far to characterizing TB, with emphasis on the resulting improved elucidation of M. tuberculosis in terms of (1) metabolism, (2) growth and replication, (3) pathogenicity, and (4) drug resistance, from the perspective of systems biology.
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49
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Schussek S, Trieu A, Doolan DL. Genome- and proteome-wide screening strategies for antigen discovery and immunogen design. Biotechnol Adv 2014; 32:403-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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50
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Bhattacharjee S. Role of genomic and proteomic tools in the study of host-virus interactions and virus evolution. INDIAN JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY : AN OFFICIAL ORGAN OF INDIAN VIROLOGICAL SOCIETY 2013; 24:306-11. [PMID: 24426292 PMCID: PMC3832694 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-013-0150-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Viruses have short replication cycles and produce genomic variants within a host, a process that seems to adapt to their specific host and also enable them to infect new hosts. The recent emergence of viral genomic variants from the circulating pool within the host population and re-emergence of the old ones are posing serious threat to agriculture, animal husbandry and humanity as a whole. This review assesses the potential role of genomic and proteomic tools that can monitor not only the course of infection and pathogenesis, but also predict the pandemic or zoonotic epidemic potential of a virus in a previously exposed or immunologically naive biological population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Bhattacharjee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O. North Bengal University, Siliguri, 734 013 District Darjeeling, West Bengal India
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