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An K, Yang X, Luo M, Yan J, Xu P, Zhang H, Li Y, Wu S, Warshel A, Bai C. Mechanistic study of the transmission pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant. Proteins 2024; 92:705-719. [PMID: 38183172 PMCID: PMC11059747 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) characterized by 30 mutations in its spike protein, has rapidly spread worldwide since November 2021, significantly exacerbating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to investigate the relationship between these mutations and the variant's high transmissibility, we conducted a systematic analysis of the mutational effect on spike-angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) interactions and explored the structural/energy correlation of key mutations, utilizing a reliable coarse-grained model. Our study extended beyond the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike trimer through comprehensive modeling of the full-length spike trimer rather than just the RBD. Our free-energy calculation revealed that the enhanced binding affinity between the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor is correlated with the increased structural stability of the isolated spike protein, thus explaining the omicron variant's heightened transmissibility. The conclusion was supported by our experimental analyses involving the expression and purification of the full-length spike trimer. Furthermore, the energy decomposition analysis established those electrostatic interactions make major contributions to this effect. We categorized the mutations into four groups and established an analytical framework that can be employed in studying future mutations. Additionally, our calculations rationalized the reduced affinity of the omicron variant towards most available therapeutic neutralizing antibodies, when compared with the wild type. By providing concrete experimental data and offering a solid explanation, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between theories and observations and lays the foundation for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke An
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, P.R. China
| | - Xianzhi Yang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University (Luohu Hospital Group), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Mengqi Luo
- College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Junfang Yan
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Peiyi Xu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Honghui Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Yuqing Li
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Song Wu
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Arieh Warshel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-1062, United States
| | - Chen Bai
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, P.R. China
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Wang L, Wu H, Cao T, Li H, Shen P, Lu L, Zhang Z. Identification of structural origins of complex charge heterogeneity in therapeutic ACE2Fc fusion protein facilitated by free-flow isoelectric focusing. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 198:114248. [PMID: 38467335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Fc Fusion protein represents a versatile molecular platform with considerable potential as protein therapeutics of which the charge heterogeneity should be well characterized according to regulatory guidelines. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 Fc fusion protein (ACE2Fc) has been investigated as a potential neutralizing agent to various coronaviruses, including the lingering SARS-CoV-2, as this coronavirus must bind to ACE2 to allow for its entry into host cells. ACE2Fc, an investigational new drug developed by Henlius (Shanghai China), has passed the Phase I clinical trial, but its huge amount of charge isoforms and complicated charge heterogeneity posed a challenge to charge variant investigation in pharmaceutical development. We employed offline free-flow isoelectric focusing (FF-IEF) fractionation, followed by detailed characterization of enriched ACE2Fc fractions, to unveil the structural origins of charge heterogeneity in ACE2Fc expressed by recombinant CHO cells. We adopted a well-tuned 3-component separation medium for ACE2Fc fractionation, the highest allowable voltage to maximize the FF-IEF separation window and a mild Protein A elution method for preservation of protein structural integrity. Through peptide mapping and other characterizations, we revealed that the intricate profiles of ACE2Fc charge heterogeneity are mainly caused by highly sialylated multi-antenna N-glycosylation. In addition, based on fraction characterization and in silico glycoprotein model analysis, we discovered that the large acidic glycans at N36, N73, and N305 of ACE2Fc were able to decrease the binding activity towards Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2. Our study exemplifies the value of FF-IEF in highly complex fusion protein characterization and revealed a quantitative sialylation-activity relationship in ACE2Fc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Wang
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Hai Wu
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Hongyang Li
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Pengcheng Shen
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Lihong Lu
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Zhongli Zhang
- Department of Analytical Science and Development, Shanghai Henlius Biologics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201600, China.
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3
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Maity S, Acharya A. Many Roles of Carbohydrates: A Computational Spotlight on the Coronavirus S Protein Binding. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:646-656. [PMID: 36947738 PMCID: PMC10880061 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylation is one of the post-translational modifications with more than 50% of human proteins being glycosylated. The exact nature and chemical composition of glycans are inaccessible to X-ray or cryo-electron microscopy imaging techniques. Therefore, computational modeling studies and molecular dynamics must be used as a "computational microscope". The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is heavily glycosylated, and a few glycans play a more functional role "beyond shielding". In this mini-review, we discuss computational investigations of the roles of specific S-protein and ACE2 glycans in the overall ACE2-S protein binding. We highlight different functions of specific glycans demonstrated in myriad computational models and simulations in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binding to the receptor. We also discuss interactions between glycocalyx and the S protein, which may be utilized to design prophylactic polysaccharide-based therapeutics targeting the S protein. In addition, we underline the recent emergence of coronavirus variants and their impact on the S protein and its glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Maity
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Atanu Acharya
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- BioInspired
Syracuse, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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4
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Wang X, Shi L, Wang Y, Chen J, Yang Z, Liu C, Liu X, Li Y, Zhang C, Sun A, Yan H, Sun H. Effects of the glycosylation of the receptor binding domain (RBD dimer)-based Covid-19 vaccine (ZF2001) on its humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126874. [PMID: 37709229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is a key target for the development of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and vaccines, mediates the binding of the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, the high heterogeneity of RBD glycoforms may lead to an incomplete neutralization effect and impact the immunogenicity of RBD-based vaccines (Ye et al., 2021). Here, our data suggested that the glycosylation significantly affected the humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity of the RBD-dimer-based Covid-19 vaccine (ZF2001) (Yang et al., 2021). Several deglycosylated types of ZF2001 (with sialic acid removed (ZF2001-ΔSA), sialic acid & O-glycans removed (ZF2001-ΔSA&O), N-glycans removed (ZF2001-ΔN), N- & O-glycans removed (ZF2001-ΔN&O)) were obtained by treatment with glycosidases. The binding affinity between deglycosylated types of ZF2001 and ACE2 was slightly weakened and that between deglycosylated types of ZF2001 and several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were also changed compared with ZF2001. The results of pseudovirus neutralization assay and binding affinity assay of all ZF2001 types revealed that the antigens with complex glycosylation had better humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the more complex glycosylation of RBD corresponded to more hydrogen bonds formed between helper T-cell epitopes of RBD and major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II). In summary, these results demonstrated that the glycosylation of RBD affects antigen presentation, humoral immunogenicity and immunoreactivity, which may be an important consideration for vaccine design and production technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lulu Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zelan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaomei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Can Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Anhui Sun
- Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical, Hefei, China
| | - Huan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute for Vaccine Research and Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China; Hubei Province key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China.
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5
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Xiao Y, Chang L, Ji H, Sun H, Song S, Feng K, Nuermaimaiti A, Halemubieke S, Mei L, Lu Z, Yan Y, Wang L. Posttranslational modifications of ACE2 protein: Implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and beyond. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29304. [PMID: 38063421 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The present worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the important function of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry. A deeper understanding of ACE2 could offer insights into the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. While ACE2 is subject to regulation by various factors in vivo, current research in this area is insufficient to fully elucidate the corresponding pathways of control. Posttranslational modification (PTM) is a powerful tool for broadening the variety of proteins. The PTM study of ACE2 will help us to make up for the deficiency in the regulation of protein synthesis and translation. However, research on PTM-related aspects of ACE2 remains limited, mostly focused on glycosylation. Accordingly, a comprehensive review of ACE2 PTMs could help us better understand the infection process and provide a basis for the treatment of COVID-19 and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzi Xiao
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Chang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimin Ji
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huizhen Sun
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi Song
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaihao Feng
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Abudulimutailipu Nuermaimaiti
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shana Halemubieke
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Mei
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuoqun Lu
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Yan
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lunan Wang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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6
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Trentin-Sonoda M, Zimpelmann J, Tailor K, Gillard JW, Yoganathan N, Sulea T, Burns KD. Effects of Two Soluble ACE2-Fc Variants on Blood Pressure and Albuminuria in Hypertensive Mice: Research Letter. Can J Kidney Health Dis 2023; 10:20543581231207146. [PMID: 37881406 PMCID: PMC10594958 DOI: 10.1177/20543581231207146] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) hydrolyzes angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1-7), promoting vasodilatation, and inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Plasma membrane ACE2 is the receptor for all known SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) viral variants. In COVID-19 infection, soluble ACE2 variants may act as decoys to bind and neutralize the coronavirus, reducing its tissue infectivity. Furthermore, soluble ACE2 variants have been proposed as potential therapeutics for kidney disease and hypertensive disorders. Objective Soluble ACE2 variants conjugated to human Fc domains and selected for high-potency viral SARS-CoV-2 neutralization were prepared and evaluated for ACE2 activity in vitro. Lead candidates were then tested for systemic ACE2 activity, stability, and effects on blood pressure and albuminuria in mice with Ang II-induced hypertension. Methods ACE2 activity of 10 soluble ACE2 variants was first assessed in cell-free conditions using a fluorogenic substrate, or by Ang II hydrolysis to Ang-(1-7). Hypertension was induced in male or female mice by implantation of osmotic minipumps containing Ang II. Two lead ACE2 variants were injected intravenously (i.v.) into hypertensive mice, followed by measurements of blood pressure (tail-cuff plethysmography), albuminuria, and tissue ACE2 activity and protein (immunoblots). Results Soluble ACE2-Fc variants demonstrated significant ACE2 enzymatic activity, with kinetics comparable with human recombinant ACE2. In hypertensive mice, single dose i.v. injection of ACE2-Fc variant K (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased systolic blood pressure at 24 hours, with partial lowering sustained to 48 hours, and tendency to reduce albuminuria at 72 hours. By contrast, ACE2-Fc variant I had no effect on blood pressure or albuminuria in hypertensive mice; ACE2-Fc variant K was detected by immunoblotting in plasma, kidney, heart, lung, liver, and spleen lysates 72 hours after injection, associated with significantly increased ACE2 activity in all tissues except kidney and spleen. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-Fc variant I had no effect on plasma ACE2 activity. Conclusions Soluble ACE2-Fc variant K reduces blood pressure and tends to lower albuminuria in hypertensive mice. Furthermore, soluble ACE2-Fc variant K has prolonged tissue retention, associated with increased tissue ACE2 activity. The results support further studies directed at the therapeutic potential of soluble ACE2-Fc variant K for cardiovascular and kidney protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Trentin-Sonoda
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Kidney Research Centre, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Zimpelmann
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Kidney Research Centre, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Karishma Tailor
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Kidney Research Centre, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Traian Sulea
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kevin D. Burns
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Kidney Research Centre, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Strasser R. Plant glycoengineering for designing next-generation vaccines and therapeutic proteins. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 67:108197. [PMID: 37315875 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Protein glycosylation has a huge impact on biological processes in all domains of life. The type of glycan present on a recombinant glycoprotein depends on protein intrinsic features and the glycosylation repertoire of the cell type used for expression. Glycoengineering approaches are used to eliminate unwanted glycan modifications and to facilitate the coordinated expression of glycosylation enzymes or whole metabolic pathways to furnish glycans with distinct modifications. The formation of tailored glycans enables structure-function studies and optimization of therapeutic proteins used in different applications. While recombinant proteins or proteins from natural sources can be in vitro glycoengineered using glycosyltransferases or chemoenzymatic synthesis, many approaches use genetic engineering involving the elimination of endogenous genes and introduction of heterologous genes to cell-based production systems. Plant glycoengineering enables the in planta production of recombinant glycoproteins with human or animal-type glycans that resemble natural glycosylation or contain novel glycan structures. This review summarizes key achievements in glycoengineering of plants and highlights current developments aiming to make plants more suitable for the production of a diverse range of recombinant glycoproteins for innovative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Strasser
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Wang CW, Chuang HC, Tan TH. ACE2 in chronic disease and COVID-19: gene regulation and post-translational modification. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:71. [PMID: 37608279 PMCID: PMC10464117 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00965-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a counter regulator of the renin-angiotensin system, provides protection against several chronic diseases. Besides chronic diseases, ACE2 is the host receptor for SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 virus, mediating the first step of virus infection. ACE2 levels are regulated by transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation or modification. ACE2 transcription is enhanced by transcription factors including Ikaros, HNFs, GATA6, STAT3 or SIRT1, whereas ACE2 transcription is reduced by the transcription factor Brg1-FoxM1 complex or ERRα. ACE2 levels are also regulated by histone modification or miRNA-induced destabilization. The protein kinase AMPK, CK1α, or MAP4K3 phosphorylates ACE2 protein and induces ACE2 protein levels by decreasing its ubiquitination. The ubiquitination of ACE2 is induced by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 or UBR4 and decreased by the deubiquitinase UCHL1 or USP50. ACE2 protein levels are also increased by the E3 ligase PIAS4-mediated SUMOylation or the methyltransferase PRMT5-mediated ACE2 methylation, whereas ACE2 protein levels are decreased by AP2-mediated lysosomal degradation. ACE2 is downregulated in several human chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, or lung injury. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 upregulates ACE2 levels, enhancing host cell susceptibility to virus infection. Moreover, soluble ACE2 protein and exosomal ACE2 protein facilitate SARS-CoV-2 infection into host cells. In this review, we summarize the gene regulation and post-translational modification of ACE2 in chronic disease and COVID-19. Understanding the regulation and modification of ACE2 may help to develop prevention or treatment strategies for ACE2-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Wang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Huai-Chia Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Tse-Hua Tan
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, 35053 Taiwan
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9
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Gagne M, Flynn BJ, Honeycutt CC, Flebbe DR, Andrew SF, Provost SJ, McCormick L, Van Ry A, McCarthy E, Todd JPM, Bao S, Teng IT, Marciano S, Rudich Y, Li C, Pessaint L, Dodson A, Cook A, Lewis MG, Andersen H, Zahradník J, Nason MC, Foulds KE, Kwong PD, Roederer M, Schreiber G, Seder RA, Douek DC. RBD-based high affinity ACE2 antagonist limits SARS-CoV-2 replication in upper and lower airways. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.09.544432. [PMID: 37503026 PMCID: PMC10370179 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.09.544432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has the capacity to evolve mutations to escape vaccine-and infection-acquired immunity and antiviral drugs. A variant-agnostic therapeutic agent that protects against severe disease without putting selective pressure on the virus would thus be a valuable biomedical tool. Here, we challenged rhesus macaques with SARS-CoV-2 Delta and simultaneously treated them with aerosolized RBD-62, a protein developed through multiple rounds of in vitro evolution of SARS-CoV-2 RBD to acquire 1000-fold enhanced ACE2 binding affinity. RBD-62 treatment gave equivalent protection in upper and lower airways, a phenomenon not previously observed with clinically approved vaccines. Importantly, RBD-62 did not block the development of memory responses to Delta and did not elicit anti-drug immunity. These data provide proof-of-concept that RBD-62 can prevent severe disease from a highly virulent variant.
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10
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Havranek B, Lindsey GW, Higuchi Y, Itoh Y, Suzuki T, Okamoto T, Hoshino A, Procko E, Islam SM. A computationally designed ACE2 decoy has broad efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants and related viruses in vitro and in vivo. Commun Biol 2023; 6:513. [PMID: 37173421 PMCID: PMC10177734 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, especially B.1.1.529/omicron and its sublineages, continues to mutate to evade monoclonal antibodies and antibodies elicited by vaccination. Affinity-enhanced soluble ACE2 (sACE2) is an alternative strategy that works by binding the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, acting as a 'decoy' to block the interaction between the S and human ACE2. Using a computational design strategy, we designed an affinity-enhanced ACE2 decoy, FLIF, that exhibited tight binding to SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants. Our computationally calculated absolute binding free energies (ABFE) between sACE2:SARS-CoV-2 S proteins and their variants showed excellent agreement to binding experiments. FLIF displayed robust therapeutic utility against a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses, and neutralized omicron BA.5 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we directly compared the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of wild-type ACE2 (non-affinity enhanced ACE2) against FLIF. A few wild-type sACE2 decoys have shown to be effective against early circulating variants such as Wuhan in vivo. Our data suggest that moving forward, affinity-enhanced ACE2 decoys like FLIF may be required to combat evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach described herein emphasizes how computational methods have become sufficiently accurate for the design of therapeutics against viral protein targets. Affinity-enhanced ACE2 decoys remain highly effective at neutralizing omicron subvariants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Havranek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
- ComputePharma, LLC., Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Yusuke Higuchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yumi Itoh
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Suzuki
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toru Okamoto
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hoshino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Erik Procko
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cyrus Biotechnology, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shahidul M Islam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- ComputePharma, LLC., Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA.
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11
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Izadi S, Vavra U, Melnik S, Grünwald-Gruber C, Föderl-Höbenreich E, Sack M, Zatloukal K, Glössl J, Stöger E, Mach L, Castilho A, Strasser R. In planta deglycosylation improves the SARS-CoV-2 neutralization activity of recombinant ACE2-Fc. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1180044. [PMID: 37207124 PMCID: PMC10190127 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1180044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infects human cells via binding of the viral spike glycoprotein to its main cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The spike protein-ACE2 receptor interaction is therefore a major target for the development of therapeutic or prophylactic drugs to combat coronavirus infections. Various engineered soluble ACE2 variants (decoys) have been designed and shown to exhibit virus neutralization capacity in cell-based assays and in vivo models. Human ACE2 is heavily glycosylated and some of its glycans impair binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Therefore, glycan-engineered recombinant soluble ACE2 variants might display enhanced virus-neutralization potencies. Here, we transiently co-expressed the extracellular domain of ACE2 fused to human Fc (ACE2-Fc) with a bacterial endoglycosidase in Nicotiana benthamiana to produce ACE2-Fc decorated with N-glycans consisting of single GlcNAc residues. The endoglycosidase was targeted to the Golgi apparatus with the intention to avoid any interference of glycan removal with concomitant ACE2-Fc protein folding and quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum. The in vivo deglycosylated ACE2-Fc carrying single GlcNAc residues displayed increased affinity to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 as well as improved virus neutralization activity and thus is a promising drug candidate to block coronavirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Izadi
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Vavra
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Melnik
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald-Gruber
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Kurt Zatloukal
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Josef Glössl
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Stöger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Strasser
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Köchl K, Schopper T, Durmaz V, Parigger L, Singh A, Krassnigg A, Cespugli M, Wu W, Yang X, Zhang Y, Wang WWS, Selluski C, Zhao T, Zhang X, Bai C, Lin L, Hu Y, Xie Z, Zhang Z, Yan J, Zatloukal K, Gruber K, Steinkellner G, Gruber CC. Optimizing variant-specific therapeutic SARS-CoV-2 decoys using deep-learning-guided molecular dynamics simulations. Sci Rep 2023; 13:774. [PMID: 36641503 PMCID: PMC9840421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27636-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of COVID-19 with a soluble version of ACE2 that binds to SARS-CoV-2 virions before they enter host cells is a promising approach, however it needs to be optimized and adapted to emerging viral variants. The computational workflow presented here consists of molecular dynamics simulations for spike RBD-hACE2 binding affinity assessments of multiple spike RBD/hACE2 variants and a novel convolutional neural network architecture working on pairs of voxelized force-fields for efficient search-space reduction. We identified hACE2-Fc K31W and multi-mutation variants as high-affinity candidates, which we validated in vitro with virus neutralization assays. We evaluated binding affinities of these ACE2 variants with the RBDs of Omicron BA.3, Omicron BA.4/BA.5, and Omicron BA.2.75 in silico. In addition, candidates produced in Nicotiana benthamiana, an expression organism for potential large-scale production, showed a 4.6-fold reduction in half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) compared with the same variant produced in CHO cells and an almost six-fold IC50 reduction compared with wild-type hACE2-Fc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Köchl
- Innophore GmbH, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Amit Singh
- Innophore GmbH, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Wei Wu
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Yanchong Zhang
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Welson Wen-Shang Wang
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Crystal Selluski
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Tiehan Zhao
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Xin Zhang
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Caihong Bai
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Leon Lin
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Yuxiang Hu
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Zhiwei Xie
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Zaihui Zhang
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Jun Yan
- SignalChem Lifesciences Corp., 110-13120 Vanier Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada
| | - Kurt Zatloukal
- Diagnostic- and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Gruber
- Innophore GmbH, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Georg Steinkellner
- Innophore GmbH, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Christian C Gruber
- Innophore GmbH, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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13
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Zhu R, Canena D, Sikora M, Klausberger M, Seferovic H, Mehdipour AR, Hain L, Laurent E, Monteil V, Wirnsberger G, Wieneke R, Tampé R, Kienzl NF, Mach L, Mirazimi A, Oh YJ, Penninger JM, Hummer G, Hinterdorfer P. Force-tuned avidity of spike variant-ACE2 interactions viewed on the single-molecule level. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7926. [PMID: 36566234 PMCID: PMC9789309 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35641-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent waves of COVID-19 correlate with the emergence of the Delta and the Omicron variant. We report that the Spike trimer acts as a highly dynamic molecular caliper, thereby forming up to three tight bonds through its RBDs with ACE2 expressed on the cell surface. The Spike of both Delta and Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant enhance and markedly prolong viral attachment to the host cell receptor ACE2, as opposed to the early Wuhan-1 isolate. Delta Spike shows rapid binding of all three Spike RBDs to three different ACE2 molecules with considerably increased bond lifetime when compared to the reference strain, thereby significantly amplifying avidity. Intriguingly, Omicron (B.1.1.529) Spike displays less multivalent bindings to ACE2 molecules, yet with a ten time longer bond lifetime than Delta. Delta and Omicron (B.1.1.529) Spike variants enhance and prolong viral attachment to the host, which likely not only increases the rate of viral uptake, but also enhances the resistance of the variants against host-cell detachment by shear forces such as airflow, mucus or blood flow. We uncover distinct binding mechanisms and strategies at single-molecule resolution, employed by circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants to enhance infectivity and viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhu
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Daniel Canena
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Miriam Klausberger
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannah Seferovic
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Ahmad Reza Mehdipour
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Molecular Modeling, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Hain
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Laurent
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa Monteil
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Ralph Wieneke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Tampé
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nikolaus F Kienzl
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yoo Jin Oh
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Peter Hinterdorfer
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria.
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14
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Isobe A, Arai Y, Kuroda D, Okumura N, Ono T, Ushiba S, Nakakita SI, Daidoji T, Suzuki Y, Nakaya T, Matsumoto K, Watanabe Y. ACE2 N-glycosylation modulates interactions with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a site-specific manner. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1188. [PMID: 36335195 PMCID: PMC9637154 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04170-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has evolved continuously and accumulated spike mutations with each variant having a different binding for the cellular ACE2 receptor. It is not known whether the interactions between such mutated spikes and ACE2 glycans are conserved among different variant lineages. Here, we focused on three ACE2 glycosylation sites (53, 90 and 322) that are geometrically close to spike binding sites and investigated the effect of their glycosylation pattern on spike affinity. These glycosylation deletions caused distinct site-specific changes in interactions with the spike and acted cooperatively. Of note, the particular interaction profiles were conserved between the SARS-CoV-2 parental virus and the variants of concern (VOCs) Delta and Omicron. Our study provides insights for a better understanding of the importance of ACE2 glycosylation on ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 spike interaction and guidance for further optimization of soluble ACE2 for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana Isobe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yasuha Arai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kuroda
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Okumura
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takao Ono
- SANKEN, Osaka University, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan
| | - Shota Ushiba
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Kyoto, 617-8555, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Nakakita
- Division of Functional Glycomics, Kagawa University, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan
| | - Tomo Daidoji
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yasuo Suzuki
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Takaaki Nakaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | | | - Yohei Watanabe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
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15
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Chan JFW, Oh YJ, Yuan S, Chu H, Yeung ML, Canena D, Chan CCS, Poon VKM, Chan CCY, Zhang AJ, Cai JP, Ye ZW, Wen L, Yuen TTT, Chik KKH, Shuai H, Wang Y, Hou Y, Luo C, Chan WM, Qin Z, Sit KY, Au WK, Legendre M, Zhu R, Hain L, Seferovic H, Tampé R, To KKW, Chan KH, Thomas DG, Klausberger M, Xu C, Moon JJ, Stadlmann J, Penninger JM, Oostenbrink C, Hinterdorfer P, Yuen KY, Markovitz DM. A molecularly engineered, broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus lectin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV infection in vivo. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100774. [PMID: 36195094 PMCID: PMC9519379 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
"Pan-coronavirus" antivirals targeting conserved viral components can be designed. Here, we show that the rationally engineered H84T-banana lectin (H84T-BanLec), which specifically recognizes high mannose found on viral proteins but seldom on healthy human cells, potently inhibits Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (including Omicron), and other human-pathogenic coronaviruses at nanomolar concentrations. H84T-BanLec protects against MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo. Importantly, intranasally and intraperitoneally administered H84T-BanLec are comparably effective. Mechanistic assays show that H84T-BanLec targets virus entry. High-speed atomic force microscopy depicts real-time multimolecular associations of H84T-BanLec dimers with the SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer. Single-molecule force spectroscopy demonstrates binding of H84T-BanLec to multiple SARS-CoV-2 spike mannose sites with high affinity and that H84T-BanLec competes with SARS-CoV-2 spike for binding to cellular ACE2. Modeling experiments identify distinct high-mannose glycans in spike recognized by H84T-BanLec. The multiple H84T-BanLec binding sites on spike likely account for the drug compound's broad-spectrum antiviral activity and the lack of resistant mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yoo Jin Oh
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Man-Lung Yeung
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Daniel Canena
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Chris Chung-Sing Chan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Vincent Kwok-Man Poon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chris Chun-Yiu Chan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Anna Jinxia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Lei Wen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Terrence Tsz-Tai Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kenn Ka-Heng Chik
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Huiping Shuai
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yixin Wang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yuxin Hou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Cuiting Luo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wan-Mui Chan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zhenzhi Qin
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ko-Yung Sit
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wing-Kuk Au
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Maureen Legendre
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, and the Programs in Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rong Zhu
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Lisa Hain
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Hannah Seferovic
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Robert Tampé
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kwok-Hung Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | | | - Miriam Klausberger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Cheng Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - James J Moon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Johannes Stadlmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria; Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chris Oostenbrink
- Institute for Molecular Modelling and Simulation, Department of Material Science and Process Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Hinterdorfer
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria.
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - David M Markovitz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, and the Programs in Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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16
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Remuzzi G, Schiaffino S, Santoro MG, FitzGerald GA, Melino G, Patrono C. Drugs for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and its complications: An update on what we learned in the past 2 years. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:987816. [PMID: 36304162 PMCID: PMC9595217 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.987816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 Committee of the Lincei Academy has reviewed the scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of existing and new drugs/biologics for the preventing and treating of COVID-19 and its complications. This position paper reports what we have learned in the field in the past 2 years. The focus was on, but not limited to, drugs and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs, complement inhibitors and anticoagulant agents. We also discuss the risks/benefit of using cell therapies on COVID-19 patients. The report summarizes the available evidence, which supports recommendations from health authorities and panels of experts regarding some drugs and biologics, and highlights drugs that are not recommended, or drugs for which there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against their use. We also address the issue of the safety of drugs used to treat underlying concomitant conditions in COVID-19 patients. The investigators did an enormous amount of work very quickly to understand better the nature and pathophysiology of COVID-19. This expedited the development and repurposing of safe and effective therapeutic interventions, saving an impressive number of lives in the community as well as in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Remuzzi,
| | | | - Maria Gabriella Santoro
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Garret A. FitzGerald
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gennaro Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Patrono
- Department of Pharmacology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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17
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Obeng EM, Fianu I, Danquah MK. Multivalent ACE2 engineering-A promising pathway for advanced coronavirus nanomedicine development. NANO TODAY 2022; 46:101580. [PMID: 35942040 PMCID: PMC9350675 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The spread of coronavirus diseases has resulted in a clarion call to develop potent drugs and vaccines even as different strains appear beyond human prediction. An initial step that is integral to the viral entry into host cells results from an active-targeted interaction of the viral spike (S) proteins and the cell surface receptor, called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Thus, engineered ACE2 has been an interesting decoy inhibitor against emerging coronavirus infestation. This article discusses promising innovative ACE2 engineering pathways for current and emerging coronavirus therapeutic development. First, we provide a brief discussion of some ACE2-associated human coronaviruses and their cell invasion mechanism. Then, we describe and contrast the individual spike proteins and ACE2 receptor interactions, highlighting crucial hotspots across the ACE2-associated coronaviruses. Lastly, we address the importance of multivalency in ACE2 nanomedicine engineering and discuss novel approaches to develop and achieve multivalent therapeutic outcomes. Beyond coronaviruses, these approaches will serve as a paradigm to develop new and improved treatment technologies against pathogens that use ACE2 receptor for invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene M Obeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Isaac Fianu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
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18
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Monteil V, Eaton B, Postnikova E, Murphy M, Braunsfeld B, Crozier I, Kricek F, Niederhöfer J, Schwarzböck A, Breid H, Devignot S, Klingström J, Thålin C, Kellner MJ, Christ W, Havervall S, Mereiter S, Knapp S, Sanchez Jimenez A, Bugajska‐Schretter A, Dohnal A, Ruf C, Gugenberger R, Hagelkruys A, Montserrat N, Kozieradzki I, Hasan Ali O, Stadlmann J, Holbrook MR, Schmaljohn C, Oostenbrink C, Shoemaker RH, Mirazimi A, Wirnsberger G, Penninger JM. Clinical grade ACE2 as a universal agent to block SARS-CoV-2 variants. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15230. [PMID: 35781796 PMCID: PMC9350269 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants has caused considerable concern due to both reduced vaccine efficacy and escape from neutralizing antibody therapeutics. It is, therefore, paramount to develop therapeutic strategies that inhibit all known and future SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we report that all SARS-CoV-2 variants analyzed, including variants of concern (VOC) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, exhibit enhanced binding affinity to clinical grade and phase 2 tested recombinant human soluble ACE2 (APN01). Importantly, soluble ACE2 neutralized infection of VeroE6 cells and human lung epithelial cells by all current VOC strains with markedly enhanced potency when compared to reference SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Effective inhibition of infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants was validated and confirmed in two independent laboratories. These data show that SARS-CoV-2 variants that have emerged around the world, including current VOC and several variants of interest, can be inhibited by soluble ACE2, providing proof of principle of a pan-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Monteil
- Unit of Clinical MicrobiologyKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Brett Eaton
- NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF‐Frederick)FrederickMarylandUSA
| | - Elena Postnikova
- NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF‐Frederick)FrederickMarylandUSA
| | - Michael Murphy
- NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF‐Frederick)FrederickMarylandUSA
| | - Benedict Braunsfeld
- Institute for Molecular Modeling and SimulationUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU)ViennaAustria
| | - Ian Crozier
- Clinical Research Monitoring Program DirectorateFrederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchFrederickMarylandUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Stephanie Devignot
- Unit of Clinical MicrobiologyKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Jonas Klingström
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Charlotte Thålin
- Department of Clinical SciencesKarolinska Institute Danderyd HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Max J Kellner
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University at Vienna and MedicalUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Wanda Christ
- Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of Medicine HuddingeKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Sebastian Havervall
- Department of Clinical SciencesKarolinska Institute Danderyd HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Stefan Mereiter
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Sylvia Knapp
- Department of Medicine 1, Laboratory of Infection BiologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Astrid Hagelkruys
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Nuria Montserrat
- Pluripotency for Organ RegenerationInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Ivona Kozieradzki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Omar Hasan Ali
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Johannes Stadlmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of ChemistryUniversity of Natural resources and Life, Sciences (BOKU)ViennaAustria
| | - Michael R Holbrook
- NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF‐Frederick)FrederickMarylandUSA
| | - Connie Schmaljohn
- NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF‐Frederick)FrederickMarylandUSA
| | - Chris Oostenbrink
- Institute for Molecular Modeling and SimulationUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU)ViennaAustria
| | - Robert H Shoemaker
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Division of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Unit of Clinical MicrobiologyKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | | | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
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19
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Dutta S, Panthi B, Chandra A. All-Atom Simulations of Human ACE2-Spike Protein RBD Complexes for SARS-CoV-2 and Some of its Variants: Nature of Interactions and Free Energy Diagrams for Dissociation of the Protein Complexes. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:5375-5389. [PMID: 35833966 PMCID: PMC9328126 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c00833] [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: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is known to interact with the human ACE2 protein via its receptor binding domain (RBD). We have investigated the molecular nature of this interprotein interaction and the associated free energy diagrams for the unbinding of the two proteins for SARS-CoV-2 and some of its known variants through all-atom simulations. The present work involves generation and analysis of 2.5 μs of unbiased and 4.2 μs of biased molecular dynamics trajectories in total for five explicitly solvated RBD-ACE2 systems at full atomic level. First, we have made a comparative analysis of the details of residue-wise specific interactions of the spike protein with ACE2 for SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. It is found that the average numbers of both direct interprotein and water-bridged hydrogen bonds between the RBD and ACE2 are higher for SARS-CoV-2 than SARS-CoV-1. These higher hydrogen bonded interactions are further aided by enhanced nonspecific electrostatic attractions between the two protein surfaces for SARS-CoV-2. The free energy calculations reveal that there is an increase in the free energy barrier by ∼1.5 kcal/mol for the unbinding of RBD from ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 compared to that for SARS-CoV-1. Subsequently, we considered the RBDs of three variants of SARS-CoV-2, namely N501Y, E484Q/L452R, and N440K. The free energy barrier of protein unbinding for the N501Y variant is found to be ∼4 kcal/mol higher than the wild type SARS-CoV-2 which can be attributed to additional specific interactions involving Tyr501 of RBD and Lys353 and Tyr42 of ACE2 and also enhanced nonspecific electrostatic interaction between the protein surfaces. For the other two mutant variants of E484Q/L452R and N440K, the free energy barrier for protein unbinding increases by ∼2 and ∼1 kcal/mol, respectively, compared with the wild type SARS-CoV-2, which can be attributed to an increase in the number of interprotein hydrogen bonds for the former and also to enhanced positive electrostatic potential on the RBD surfaces for both of the variants. The successive breaking of interprotein hydrogen bonds along the free energy pathway of the unbinding process is also found out for all five systems studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saheb Dutta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
| | - Bhavana Panthi
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
| | - Amalendu Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
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20
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Arimori T, Ikemura N, Okamoto T, Takagi J, Standley DM, Hoshino A. Engineering ACE2 decoy receptors to combat viral escapability. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:838-851. [PMID: 35902282 PMCID: PMC9312672 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Decoy receptor proteins that trick viruses to bind to them should be resistant to viral escape because viruses that require entry receptors cannot help but bind decoy receptors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the major receptor for coronavirus cell entry. Recombinant soluble ACE2 was previously developed as a biologic against acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and verified to be safe in clinical studies. The emergence of COVID-19 reignited interest in soluble ACE2 as a potential broad-spectrum decoy receptor against coronaviruses. In this review, we summarize recent developments in preclinical studies using various high-affinity mutagenesis and Fc fusion approaches to achieve therapeutic efficacy of recombinant ACE2 decoy receptor against coronaviruses. We also highlight the relevance of stimulating effector immune cells through Fc-receptor engagement and the potential of using liquid aerosol delivery of ACE2 decoy receptors for defense against ACE2-utilizing coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Arimori
- Laboratory for Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nariko Ikemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toru Okamoto
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junichi Takagi
- Laboratory for Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daron M Standley
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Department of Genome Informatics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hoshino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
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21
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Fadda E. Molecular simulations of complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 69:102175. [PMID: 35728307 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Complex carbohydrates (glycans) are the most abundant and versatile biopolymers in nature. The broad diversity of biochemical functions that carbohydrates cover is a direct consequence of the variety of 3D architectures they can adopt, displaying branched or linear arrangements, widely ranging in sizes, and with the highest diversity of building blocks of any other natural biopolymer. Despite this unparalleled complexity, a common denominator can be found in the glycans' inherent flexibility, which hinders experimental characterization, but that can be addressed by high-performance computing (HPC)-based molecular simulations. In this short review, I present and discuss the state-of-the-art of molecular simulations of complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, highlighting methodological strengths and weaknesses, important insights through emblematic case studies, and suggesting perspectives for future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Fadda
- Department of Chemistry and Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University, Ireland.
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22
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Gawish R, Starkl P, Pimenov L, Hladik A, Lakovits K, Oberndorfer F, Cronin SJF, Ohradanova-Repic A, Wirnsberger G, Agerer B, Endler L, Capraz T, Perthold JW, Cikes D, Koglgruber R, Hagelkruys A, Montserrat N, Mirazimi A, Boon L, Stockinger H, Bergthaler A, Oostenbrink C, Penninger JM, Knapp S. ACE2 is the critical in vivo receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in a novel COVID-19 mouse model with TNF- and IFNγ-driven immunopathology. eLife 2022; 11:e74623. [PMID: 35023830 PMCID: PMC8776253 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous progress in the understanding of COVID-19, mechanistic insight into immunological, disease-driving factors remains limited. We generated maVie16, a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2, by serial passaging of a human isolate. In silico modeling revealed how only three Spike mutations of maVie16 enhanced interaction with murine ACE2. maVie16 induced profound pathology in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, and the resulting mouse COVID-19 (mCOVID-19) replicated critical aspects of human disease, including early lymphopenia, pulmonary immune cell infiltration, pneumonia, and specific adaptive immunity. Inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokines IFNγ and TNF substantially reduced immunopathology. Importantly, genetic ACE2-deficiency completely prevented mCOVID-19 development. Finally, inhalation therapy with recombinant ACE2 fully protected mice from mCOVID-19, revealing a novel and efficient treatment. Thus, we here present maVie16 as a new tool to model COVID-19 for the discovery of new therapies and show that disease severity is determined by cytokine-driven immunopathology and critically dependent on ACE2 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riem Gawish
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Philipp Starkl
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Lisabeth Pimenov
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Anastasiya Hladik
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Karin Lakovits
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Shane JF Cronin
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Anna Ohradanova-Repic
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Benedikt Agerer
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Lukas Endler
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Tümay Capraz
- Institute of Molecular Modeling and Simulation, Department of Material Sciences and Process Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Jan W Perthold
- Institute of Molecular Modeling and Simulation, Department of Material Sciences and Process Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Domagoj Cikes
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Rubina Koglgruber
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Astrid Hagelkruys
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Nuria Montserrat
- Pluripotency for Organ Regeneration, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y NanomedicinaMadridSpain
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit of Clinical MicrobiologyStockholmSweden
- National Veterinary InstituteUppsalaSweden
| | | | - Hannes Stockinger
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Andreas Bergthaler
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Chris Oostenbrink
- Institute of Molecular Modeling and Simulation, Department of Material Sciences and Process Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Sylvia Knapp
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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23
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Alfaleh MA, Zawawi A, Al-Amri SS, Hashem AM. David versus goliath: ACE2-Fc receptor traps as potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. MAbs 2022; 14:2057832. [PMID: 35380919 PMCID: PMC8986284 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2022.2057832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and vaccines have shown improvement in lowering viral burden and hospitalization. However, emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants contain neutralizing antibody-escape mutations. Therefore, several reports have suggested the administration of recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rACE2) as a soluble receptor trap to block SARS-CoV-2 infection and limit viral escape potential. Several strategies have been implemented to enhance the efficacy of rACE2 as a therapeutic agent. Fc fusions have been used to improve pharmacokinetics and boost the affinity and avidity of ACE2 decoys for the virus spike protein. Furthermore, the intrinsic catalytic activity of ACE2 can be eliminated by introducing point mutations on the catalytic site of ACE2 to obtain an exclusive antiviral activity. This review summarizes different evolution platforms that have been used to enhance ACE2-Fc (i.e., immunoadhesins) as potential therapeutics for the current pandemic or future outbreaks of SARS-associated betacoronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Alfaleh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia.,Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayat Zawawi
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Sawsan S Al-Amri
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
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