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Nemčovičová I, Lopušná K, Štibrániová I, Benedetti F, Berti F, Felluga F, Drioli S, Vidali M, Katrlík J, Pažitná L, Holazová A, Blahutová J, Lenhartová S, Sláviková M, Klempa B, Ondrejovič M, Chmelová D, Legerská B, Miertuš S, Klacsová M, Uhríková D, Kerti L, Frecer V. Identification and evaluation of antiviral activity of novel compounds targeting SARS-CoV-2 virus by enzymatic and antiviral assays, and computational analysis. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2301772. [PMID: 38221792 PMCID: PMC10791089 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2024.2301772] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The viral genome of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the aetiologic agent of COVID-19, encodes structural, non-structural, and accessory proteins. Most of these components undergo rapid genetic variations, though to a lesser extent the essential viral proteases. Consequently, the protease and/or deubiquitinase activities of the cysteine proteases Mpro and PLpro became attractive targets for the design of antiviral agents. Here, we develop and evaluate new bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanones (BBC) and identify potential antiviral compounds. Three compounds were found to be effective in reducing the SARS-CoV-2 load, with EC50 values in the low micromolar concentration range. However, these compounds also exhibited inhibitory activity IC50 against PLpro at approximately 10-fold higher micromolar concentrations. Although originally developed as PLpro inhibitors, the comparison between IC50 and EC50 of BBC indicates that the mechanism of their in vitro antiviral activity is probably not directly related to inhibition of viral cysteine proteases. In conclusion, our study has identified new potential noncytotoxic antiviral compounds suitable for in vivo testing and further improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Nemčovičová
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Lopušná
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Iveta Štibrániová
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Fabio Benedetti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Berti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Felluga
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Drioli
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mattia Vidali
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jaroslav Katrlík
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Pažitná
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alena Holazová
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Blahutová
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Simona Lenhartová
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Sláviková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Klempa
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Miroslav Ondrejovič
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovakia
- ICARST n.o, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Chmelová
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Legerská
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislav Miertuš
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovakia
- ICARST n.o, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Klacsová
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Uhríková
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lukáš Kerti
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimír Frecer
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Pradhan S, Rouster SD, Blackard JT, Dean GE, Sherman KE. Replication and Injury Associated With SARS-CoV-2 in Cultured Hepatocytes. Pathog Immun 2024; 8:59-73. [PMID: 38361525 PMCID: PMC10868721 DOI: 10.20411/pai.v8i2.648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Liver dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mechanism(s) of hepatic injury in SARS-CoV-2 infection remains controversial with some reporting viral replication and cellular injury and others suggesting lack of replication and injury due to non-cytopathogenic etiologies. To investigate this further, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2 replication in immortalized hepatic cell lines and primary hepatocytes, examined whether cell injury was associated with apoptotic pathways, and also determined the effect of the antiviral remdesivir on these processes. Methods Immortalized hepatocyte cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7.5), as well as primary human hepatocytes, were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1 PFU/mL. Viral replication was evaluated by plaque assays, immunohistochemical staining for the viral spike protein, and caspase-3 expression evaluated with and without exposure to remdesivir. Results All hepatocyte cell lines and primary hepatocytes supported active replication of SARS-CoV-2. Significant cytopathic effect was observed by light microscopy, and caspase-3 staining supported activation of apoptotic pathways. Remdesivir abrogated infection in a dose-dependent fashion and was not independently associated with hepatocyte injury. Conclusion Hepatocytes appear to be highly permissive of SARS-CoV-2 replication which leads to rapid cell death associated with activation of apoptotic pathways. Viral replication and hepatocytes injury are abrogated with remdesivir. We conclude that active viral replication is most likely a key contributor to liver enzyme abnormalities observed in the setting of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Pradhan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Susan D. Rouster
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jason T. Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Gary E. Dean
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kenneth E. Sherman
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Pilchová V, Prajeeth CK, Jendrny P, Twele F, Meller S, Pink I, Fathi A, Addo MM, Volk H, Osterhaus A, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Schulz C. β-Propiolactone (BPL)-inactivation of SARS-Co-V-2: in vitro validation with focus on saliva from COVID-19 patients for scent dog training. J Virol Methods 2023; 317:114733. [PMID: 37068591 PMCID: PMC10105625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
β-Propiolactone (BPL) is an organic compound widely used as an inactivating agent in vaccine development and production, for example for SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza viruses. Inactivation of pathogens by BPL is based on an irreversible alkylation of nucleic acids but also on acetylation and cross-linking between proteins, DNA or RNA. However, the protocols for BPL inactivation of viruses vary widely. Handling of infectious, enriched SARS-CoV-2 specimens and diagnostic samples from COVID-19 patients is recommended in biosafety level (BSL)-3 or BSL-2 laboratories, respectively. We validated BPL inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples with the objective to use saliva from COVID-19 patients for training of scent dogs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals. Therefore, saliva samples and cell culture medium buffered with NaHCO3 (pH 8.3) were comparatively spiked with SARS-CoV-2 and inactivated with 0.1% BPL for 1hour (h) or 71h (± 1h) at 2-8°C, followed by hydrolysis of BPL at 37°C for 1 or 2h, converting BPL into non-toxic beta-hydroxy-propionic acid. SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was demonstrated by a titre reduction of up to 10^4 TCID50/ml in the spiked samples for both inactivation periods using virus titration and virus isolation, respectively. The validated method was confirmed by successful inactivation of pathogens in saliva samples from COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we reviewed the currently available literature on SARS-CoV-2 inactivation by BPL. Accordingly, BPL-inactivated, hydrolysed samples can be handled in a non-laboratory setting. Furthermore, our BPL inactivation protocols can be adapted to validation experiments with other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Pilchová
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Chittappen Kandiyil Prajeeth
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Paula Jendrny
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Meller
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Isabell Pink
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hanover, Germany
| | - Anahita Fathi
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; I(st) Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck, Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Marylyn Martina Addo
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; I(st) Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck, Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Holger Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Claudia Schulz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.
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Semeraro S, Gaetano AS, Zupin L, Poloni C, Merlach E, Greco E, Licen S, Fontana F, Leo S, Miani A, Broccolo F, Barbieri P. Operative Protocol for Testing the Efficacy of Nasal Filters in Preventing Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13790. [PMID: 36360670 PMCID: PMC9654745 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standardized methods for testing Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) of tissues and devices are lacking and few studies are available on aerosolizing, sampling and assessing infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in controlled laboratory settings. NanoAg-coated endonasal filters appear a promising aid for lowering viable virus inhalation in both adult and younger populations (e.g., adolescents). OBJECTIVE to provide an adequate method for testing SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosol VFE of bio-gel Ag nanoparticles endonasal filters, by a model system, assessing residual infectivity as cytopathic effect and viral proliferation on in vitro cell cultures. METHODS A SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission chamber fed by a BLAM aerosol generator produces challenges (from very high viral loads (105 PFU/mL) to lower ones) for endonasal filters positioned in a Y shape sampling port connected to a Biosampler. An aerosol generator, chamber and sampler are contained in a class II cabinet in a BSL3 facility. Residual infectivity is assessed from aliquots of liquid collecting bioaerosol, sampled without and with endonasal filters. Cytopathic effect as plaque formation and viral proliferation assessed by qRT-PCR on Vero E6 cells are determined up to 7 days post inoculum. RESULTS Each experimental setting is replicated three times and basic statistics are calculated. Efficiency of aerosolization is determined as difference between viral load in the nebulizer and in the Biosampler at the first day of experiment. Efficiency of virus filtration is calculated as RNA viral load ratio in collected bioaerosol with and without endonasal filters at the day of the experiment. Presence of infectious virus is assessed by plaque forming unit assay and RNA viral load variations. CONCLUSIONS A procedure and apparatus for assessing SARS-CoV-2 VFE for endonasal filters is proposed. The apparatus can be implemented for more sophisticated studies on contaminated aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Semeraro
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Research Unit of University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Anastasia Serena Gaetano
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Research Unit of University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlo Poloni
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Research Unit of University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elvio Merlach
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Enrico Greco
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Research Unit of University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- SIMA Società Italiana di Medicina Ambientale, Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milano, Italy
| | - Sabina Licen
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Research Unit of University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Fontana
- Ospedale San Polo, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Via Luigi Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone, Italy
| | - Silvana Leo
- Division of Oncology, Vito Fazzi Hospital, P.za Muratore 1, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miani
- SIMA Società Italiana di Medicina Ambientale, Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milano, Italy
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Broccolo
- SIMA Società Italiana di Medicina Ambientale, Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milano, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Cerba HealthCare Italia, Via Durini, 14, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Research Unit of University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- SIMA Società Italiana di Medicina Ambientale, Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milano, Italy
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Effect of Short Time of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Caco-2 Cells. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040704. [PMID: 35458434 PMCID: PMC9031642 DOI: 10.3390/v14040704] [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: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) clinical manifestations include the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting around 10% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected children. In the present work, the consequence of a short time of viral absorption (5, 15, 30 and 60 min) was tested on the Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cell line. Our findings show that Caco-2 cells are highly permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection, even after 5 min of viral inoculation at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1. No cytopathic effect was evident during the subsequent 7 days of monitoring; nevertheless, the immunofluorescence staining for the viral nucleocapsid confirmed the presence of intracellular SARS-CoV-2. Our findings highlight the very short time during which SARS-CoV-2 is able to infect these cells in vitro.
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Caldera-Crespo LA, Paidas MJ, Roy S, Schulman CI, Kenyon NS, Daunert S, Jayakumar AR. Experimental Models of COVID-19. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:792584. [PMID: 35096645 PMCID: PMC8791197 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.792584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is the most consequential pandemic of the 21st century. Since the earliest stage of the 2019-2020 epidemic, animal models have been useful in understanding the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and rapid development of vaccines/drugs to prevent, treat or eradicate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Early SARS-CoV-1 research using immortalized in-vitro cell lines have aided in understanding different cells and receptors needed for SARS-CoV-2 infection and, due to their ability to be easily manipulated, continue to broaden our understanding of COVID-19 disease in in-vivo models. The scientific community determined animal models as the most useful models which could demonstrate viral infection, replication, transmission, and spectrum of illness as seen in human populations. Until now, there have not been well-described animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection although transgenic mouse models (i.e. mice with humanized ACE2 receptors with humanized receptors) have been proposed. Additionally, there are only limited facilities (Biosafety level 3 laboratories) available to contribute research to aid in eventually exterminating SARS-CoV-2 infection around the world. This review summarizes the most successful animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection including studies in Non-Human Primates (NHPs) which were found to be susceptible to infection and transmitted the virus similarly to humans (e.g., Rhesus macaques, Cynomolgus, and African Green Monkeys), and animal models that do not require Biosafety level 3 laboratories (e.g., Mouse Hepatitis Virus models of COVID-19, Ferret model, Syrian Hamster model). Balancing safety, mimicking human COVID-19 and robustness of the animal model, the Murine Hepatitis Virus-1 Murine model currently represents the most optimal model for SARS-CoV-2/COVID19 research. Exploring future animal models will aid researchers/scientists in discovering the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and in identifying therapies to prevent or treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Caldera-Crespo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- St. George's University Graduate Medical Education Program, University Centre Grenada, West Indies, Grenada
| | - Michael J Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Carl I Schulman
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Norma Sue Kenyon
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sylvia Daunert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Dr. JT Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Arumugam R Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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Zupin L, Moltrasio C, Genovese G, Milani M, Fontana F, Ruscio M, Valerio Marzano A, Crovella S. SARS-CoV-2 does not replicate in HaCaT spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes: implications for the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated skin manifestations. Eur J Dermatol 2022; 32:143-145. [PMID: 35653106 PMCID: PMC9170560 DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2022.4206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Moltrasio
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Genovese
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Milani
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Fontana
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Giuliano Isontina (ASU GI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Giuliano Isontina (ASU GI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Valerio Marzano
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Zupin L, Licen S, Milani M, Clemente L, Martello L, Semeraro S, Fontana F, Ruscio M, Miani A, Crovella S, Barbieri P. Evaluation of Residual Infectivity after SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in a Controlled Laboratory Setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11172. [PMID: 34769691 PMCID: PMC8582643 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with fomites from an infected subject. It has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 is stable and viable in aerosol up to 16 h in controlled laboratory conditions. However, the aerosolization conditions varied a lot between the studies. In this work, an experimental laboratory model of SARS-CoV-2 aerosolization was established, employing an impinger nebulizer, a cylindrical chamber for aerosol travel, and a SKC biosampler for the collection of particles. The efficiency of the system was assessed based on the molecular determination of the viral load in the nebulizer after the aerosolization and in the aerosol collected at the end of the travel. Moreover, the residual infectivity was tested in vitro on the Vero E6 cell line, through the observation of the cytopathic effect (CPE), and the quantification of the viral load in the supernatants at 7 days post inoculation (dpi). A high RNA viral load was found in the SKC biosampler after aerosolization, indicating that it was possible to transport a high virus titer through the 30-cm chamber with all the dilutions (initial 105, 104, 103 plaque forming unit-PFU/mL). At the 7 dpi, an increment of the RNA viral load was determined for the dilutions 105 and 104 PFU/mL tested, while only the initial 105 PFU/mL resulted in visible CPE. Our findings allowed us to achieve the resilience of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol form, at a concentration comparable to those reported for clinical samples. This mode of transmission should be considered for the mitigation and preventive measures to counteract SARS-CoV-2 spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabina Licen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.L.); (L.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Margherita Milani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34137 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Libera Clemente
- Ospedale San Polo, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Via Luigi Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone, Italy; (L.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Martello
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.L.); (L.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Francesco Fontana
- Ospedale San Polo, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Via Luigi Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone, Italy; (L.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- Ospedale Maggiore, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Piazza dell’Ospitale 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano, Italy;
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Qatar, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.L.); (L.M.); (P.B.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
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