Gefitinib Results in Robust Host-Directed Immunity Against Salmonella Infection Through Proteo-Metabolomic Reprogramming

Berbamine prevents SARS-CoV-2 entry and transmission

Effective antiviral drugs are essential to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics. Although many compounds show antiviral in vitro activity, only a few retain effectiveness in vivo against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we show that berbamine (Berb) is effective against SARS-CoV, MER-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including the XBB.1.16 variant. In hACE2.Tg mice, Berb suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication through two distinct mechanisms: inhibiting spike-mediated viral entry and enhancing antiviral gene expression during infection. The administration of Berb, in combination with remdesivir (RDV), clofazimine (Clof) and fangchinoline (Fcn), nearly eliminated viral load and promoted recovery from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and its variants. Co-housed mice in direct contact with either pre-treated or untreated infected mice exhibited negligible viral loads, reduced lung pathology, and decreased viral shedding, suggesting that Berb may effectively hinder virus transmission. This broad-spectrum activity positions Berb as a promising preventive or therapeutic option against betacoronaviruses.

Identification of kinase inhibitors as potential host-directed therapies for intracellular bacteria

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has created an urgent need for alternative treatments against bacterial pathogens. Here, we investigated kinase inhibitors as potential host-directed therapies (HDTs) against intracellular bacteria, specifically Salmonella Typhimurium (Stm) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We screened 827 ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors with known target profiles from two Published Kinase Inhibitor Sets (PKIS1 and PKIS2) using intracellular infection models for Stm and Mtb, based on human cell lines and primary macrophages. Additionally, the in vivo safety and efficacy of the compounds were assessed using zebrafish embryo infection models. Our screen identified 11 hit compounds for Stm and 17 hit compounds for Mtb that were effective against intracellular bacteria and non-toxic for host cells. Further experiments were conducted to prioritize Stm hit compounds that were able to clear the intracellular infection in primary human macrophages. From these, two structurally related Stm hit compounds, GSK1379738A and GSK1379760A, exhibited significant activity against Stm in infected zebrafish embryos. In addition, we identified compounds that were active against intracellular Mtb, including morpholino-imidazo/triazolo-pyrimidinones that target PIK3CB, as well as 2-aminobenzimidazoles targeting ABL1. Overall, this study provided insights into kinase targets acting at the host-pathogen interface and identified several kinase inhibitors as potential HDTs.

VapC12 ribonuclease toxin modulates host immune response during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Mechanistic understanding of antibiotic persistence is a prerequisite in controlling the emergence of MDR cases in Tuberculosis (TB). We have reported that the cholesterol-induced activation of VapC12 ribonuclease is critical for disease persistence in TB. In this study, we observed that relative to the wild type, mice infected with ΔvapC12 induced a pro-inflammatory response, had a higher pathogen load, and responded better to the anti-TB treatment. In a high-dose infection model, all the mice infected with ΔvapC12 succumbed early to the disease. Finally, we reported that the above phenotype of ΔvapC12 was dependent on the presence of the TLR4 receptor. Overall, the data suggests that failure of a timely resolution of the early inflammation by the ΔvapC12 infected mice led to hyperinflammation, altered T-cell response and high bacterial load. In conclusion, our findings suggest the role of the VapC12 toxin in modulating the innate immune response of the host in ways that favor the long-term survival of the pathogen inside the host.

Omicron sub-lineage BA.5 infection results in attenuated pathology in hACE2 transgenic mice

A recently emerged sub-lineage of Omicron, BA.5, together with BA.4, caused a fifth wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in South Africa and subsequently emerged as a predominant strain globally due to its high transmissibility. The lethality of BA.5 infection has not been studied in an acute hACE2 transgenic (hACE2.Tg) mouse model. Here, we investigated tissue-tropism and immuno-pathology induced by BA.5 infection in hACE2.Tg mice. Our data show that intranasal infection of BA.5 in hACE2.Tg mice resulted in attenuated pulmonary infection and pathology with diminished COVID-19-induced clinical and pathological manifestations. BA.5, similar to Omicron (B.1.1.529), infection led to attenuated production of inflammatory cytokines, anti-viral response and effector T cell response as compared to the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1. We show that mice recovered from B.1.1.529 infection showed robust protection against BA.5 infection associated with reduced lung viral load and pathology. Together, our data provide insights as to why BA.5 infection escapes previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure induced-T cell immunity but may result in milder immuno-pathology and alleviated chances of re-infectivity in Omicron-recovered individuals.

Nanobiotics and the One Health Approach: Boosting the Fight against Antimicrobial Resistance at the Nanoscale

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern worldwide, and it poses a significant threat to human, animal, and environmental health. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed significantly and others factors including gene mutation, bacteria living in biofilms, and enzymatic degradation/hydrolyses help in the emergence and spread of AMR, which may lead to significant economic consequences such as reduced productivity and increased health care costs. Nanotechnology offers a promising platform for addressing this challenge. Nanoparticles have unique properties that make them highly effective in combating bacterial infections by inhibiting the growth and survival of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in three areas of health: human, animal, and environmental. To conduct an economic evaluation of surveillance in this context, it is crucial to obtain an understanding of the connections to be addressed by several nations by implementing national action policies based on the One Health strategy. This review provides an overview of the progress made thus far and presents potential future directions to optimize the impact of nanobiotics on AMR.

IL-9 aggravates SARS-CoV-2 infection and exacerbates associated airway inflammation

SARS-CoV-2 infection is known for causing broncho-alveolar inflammation. Interleukin 9 (IL-9) induces airway inflammation and bronchial hyper responsiveness in respiratory viral illnesses and allergic inflammation, however, IL-9 has not been assigned a pathologic role in COVID-19. Here we show, in a K18-hACE2 transgenic (ACE2.Tg) mouse model, that IL-9 contributes to and exacerbates viral spread and airway inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. ACE2.Tg mice with CD4⁺ T cell-specific deficiency of the transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein O1 (Foxo1) produce significantly less IL-9 upon SARS-CoV-2 infection than the wild type controls and they are resistant to the severe inflammatory disease that characterises the control mice. Exogenous IL-9 increases airway inflammation in Foxo1-deficient mice, while IL-9 blockade reduces and suppresses airway inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing further evidence for a Foxo1-Il-9 mediated Th cell-specific pathway playing a role in COVID-19. Collectively, our study provides mechanistic insight into an important inflammatory pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and thus represents proof of principle for the development of host-directed therapeutics to mitigate disease severity.

Pharmacological potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers on the experimental models of COVID-19, T cell differentiation, and neutrophil functions

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) due to severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to life-threatening pneumonia which has been associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pathologies. Centuries-old Asian traditional medicines such as Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers (TC) possess potent immunomodulatory effects and were used by the AYUSH ministry, in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the present study, we investigated WS and TC's anti-viral and immunomodulatory efficacy at the human equivalent doses using suitable in vitro and in vivo models. While both WS and TC showed immuno-modulatory potential, WS showed robust protection against loss in body weight, viral load, and pulmonary pathology in the hamster model of SARS-CoV2. In vitro pretreatment of mice and human neutrophils with WS and TC had no adverse effect on PMA, calcium ionophore, and TRLM-induced ROS generation, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, and NETs formation. Interestingly, WS significantly suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines-induced Th1, Th2, and Th17 differentiation. We also used hACE2 transgenic mice to further investigate the efficacy of WS against acute SARS-CoV2 infection. Prophylactic treatment of WS in the hACE2 mice model showed significant protection against body weight loss, inflammation, and the lung viral load. The results obtained indicate that WS promoted the immunosuppressive environment in the hamster and hACE2 transgenic mice models and limited the worsening of the disease by reducing inflammation, suggesting that WS might be useful against other acute viral infections. The present study thus provides pre-clinical efficacy data to demonstrate a robust protective effect of WS against COVID-19 through its broader immunomodulatory activity.

Proinflammatory Innate Cytokines and Distinct Metabolomic Signatures Shape the T Cell Response in Active COVID-19

The underlying factors contributing to the evolution of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses during COVID-19 infection remain unidentified. To address this, we characterized innate and adaptive immune responses with metabolomic profiling longitudinally at three different time points (0–3, 7–9, and 14–16 days post-COVID-19 positivity) from young, mildly symptomatic, active COVID-19 patients infected during the first wave in mid-2020. We observed that anti-RBD IgG and viral neutralization are significantly reduced against the delta variant, compared to the ancestral strain. In contrast, compared to the ancestral strain, T cell responses remain preserved against the delta and omicron variants. We determined innate immune responses during the early stage of active infection, in response to TLR 3/7/8-mediated activation in PBMCs and serum metabolomic profiling. Correlation analysis indicated PBMCs-derived proinflammatory cytokines, IL-18, IL-1β, and IL-23, and the abundance of plasma metabolites involved in arginine biosynthesis were predictive of a robust SARS-CoV-2-specific Th1 response at a later stage (two weeks after PCR positivity). These observations may contribute to designing effective vaccines and adjuvants that promote innate immune responses and metabolites to induce a long-lasting anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response.

An Untargeted LC-MS based approach for identification of altered metabolites in blood plasma of rheumatic heart disease patients

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is often considered as a disease of developing countries and India is the home of about 40% of RHD patients. Environment seems to play a major role in its causation. Since gene environment interactions can lead to alterations of various metabolic pathways, identification of altered metabolites can help in understanding the various pathways leading to RHD. Blood plasma samples from 51 RHD and 49 healthy controls were collected for the study. Untargeted metabolomics approach was used to identify the metabolites that are altered in RHD patients. Data showed 25 altered metabolites among RHD patients. These altered metabolites were those involved in Purine, Glutamine, Glutamate, Pyrimidine, Arginine, Proline and Linoleic metabolism. Thus, the present study illuminates metabolic alterations among RHD patients which can help in determining the potential therapeutic targets.

Golden Syrian hamster as a model to study cardiovascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection in the Golden Syrian hamster causes lung pathology that resembles human coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, extra-pulmonary pathologies associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and post COVID sequelae remain to be understood. Here we show, using a hamster model, that the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to an acute inflammatory response and lung pathologies, while the late phase of infection causes cardiovascular complications (CVC) characterized by ventricular wall thickening associated with increased ventricular mass/ body mass ratio and interstitial coronary fibrosis. Molecular profiling further substantiated our findings of CVC, as SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters showed elevated levels of serum cardiac Troponin-I (cTnI), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides. Serum metabolomics profiling of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters identified N-acetylneuraminate, a functional metabolite found to be associated with CVC, as a metabolic marker was found to be common between SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters and COVID-19 patients. Together, we propose hamsters as a suitable animal model to study post-COVID sequelae associated with CVC which could be extended to therapeutic interventions.