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Hannula L, Kuivanen S, Lasham J, Kant R, Kareinen L, Bogacheva M, Strandin T, Sironen T, Hepojoki J, Sharma V, Saviranta P, Kipar A, Vapalahti O, Huiskonen JT, Rissanen I. Nanobody engineering for SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and detection. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0419922. [PMID: 38363137 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04199-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the quest for coronavirus inhibitors has inspired research on a variety of small proteins beyond conventional antibodies, including robust single-domain antibody fragments, i.e., "nanobodies." Here, we explore the potential of nanobody engineering in the development of antivirals and diagnostic tools. Through fusion of nanobody domains that target distinct binding sites, we engineered multimodular nanobody constructs that neutralize wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the Alpha and Delta variants at high potency, with IC50 values as low as 50 pM. Despite simultaneous binding to distinct epitopes, Beta and Omicron variants were more resistant to neutralization by the multimodular nanobodies, which highlights the importance of accounting for antigenic drift in the design of biologics. To further explore the applications of nanobody engineering in outbreak management, we present an assay based on fusions of nanobodies with fragments of NanoLuc luciferase that can detect sub-nanomolar quantities of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a single step. Our work showcases the potential of nanobody engineering to combat emerging infectious diseases. IMPORTANCE Nanobodies, small protein binders derived from the camelid antibody, are highly potent inhibitors of respiratory viruses that offer several advantages over conventional antibodies as candidates for specific therapies, including high stability and low production costs. In this work, we leverage the unique properties of nanobodies and apply them as building blocks for new therapeutic and diagnostic tools. We report ultra-potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by engineered nanobodies comprising multiple modules in structure-guided combinations and develop nanobodies that carry signal molecules, allowing rapid detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Our results highlight the potential of engineered nanobodies in the development of effective countermeasures, both therapeutic and diagnostic, to manage outbreaks of emerging viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liina Hannula
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Kuivanen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonathan Lasham
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mariia Bogacheva
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vivek Sharma
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Saviranta
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha T Huiskonen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilona Rissanen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Kang Y, Hepojoki J, Maldonado RS, Mito T, Terzioglu M, Manninen T, Kant R, Singh S, Othman A, Verma R, Uusimaa J, Wartiovaara K, Kareinen L, Zamboni N, Nyman TA, Paetau A, Kipar A, Vapalahti O, Suomalainen A. Ancestral allele of DNA polymerase gamma modifies antiviral tolerance. Nature 2024; 628:844-853. [PMID: 38570685 PMCID: PMC11041766 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07260-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria are critical modulators of antiviral tolerance through the release of mitochondrial RNA and DNA (mtDNA and mtRNA) fragments into the cytoplasm after infection, activating virus sensors and type-I interferon (IFN-I) response1-4. The relevance of these mechanisms for mitochondrial diseases remains understudied. Here we investigated mitochondrial recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS), which is caused by a common European founder mutation in DNA polymerase gamma (POLG1)5. Patients homozygous for the MIRAS variant p.W748S show exceptionally variable ages of onset and symptoms5, indicating that unknown modifying factors contribute to disease manifestation. We report that the mtDNA replicase POLG1 has a role in antiviral defence mechanisms to double-stranded DNA and positive-strand RNA virus infections (HSV-1, TBEV and SARS-CoV-2), and its p.W748S variant dampens innate immune responses. Our patient and knock-in mouse data show that p.W748S compromises mtDNA replisome stability, causing mtDNA depletion, aggravated by virus infection. Low mtDNA and mtRNA release into the cytoplasm and a slow IFN response in MIRAS offer viruses an early replicative advantage, leading to an augmented pro-inflammatory response, a subacute loss of GABAergic neurons and liver inflammation and necrosis. A population databank of around 300,000 Finnish individuals6 demonstrates enrichment of immunodeficient traits in carriers of the POLG1 p.W748S mutation. Our evidence suggests that POLG1 defects compromise antiviral tolerance, triggering epilepsy and liver disease. The finding has important implications for the mitochondrial disease spectrum, including epilepsy, ataxia and parkinsonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Kang
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rocio Sartori Maldonado
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Takayuki Mito
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mügen Terzioglu
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula Manninen
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sachin Singh
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alaa Othman
- Swiss Multi-Omics Center, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rohit Verma
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Uusimaa
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Unit of Child Neurology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kirmo Wartiovaara
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, HUS Diagnostics, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nicola Zamboni
- Swiss Multi-Omics Center, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tuula Anneli Nyman
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Paetau
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, HUS Diagnostics, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, HUS Diagnostics, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Suomalainen
- Stem Cell and Metabolism Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Helsinki University Hospital, HUS Diagnostics, Helsinki, Finland.
- HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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3
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Jokiranta ST, Miettinen S, Salonen S, Kareinen L, Uusitalo R, Korhonen EM, Virtanen J, Kivistö I, Aaltonen K, Mosselhy DA, Lääveri T, Kantele A, Arstila TP, Jarva H, Vapalahti O, Heinonen S, Kekäläinen E. Stable Levels of Antibodies Against Unrelated Toxoid Vaccines After COVID-19: COVID-19 Infection Does Not Affect Toxoid Vaccine Antibody Levels. Pathog Immun 2024; 8:74-87. [PMID: 38347963 PMCID: PMC10860543 DOI: 10.20411/pai.v8i2.627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Lymphopenia is common in COVID-19. This has raised concerns that COVID-19 could affect the immune system akin to measles infection, which causes immune amnesia and a reduction in protective antibodies. Methods We recruited COVID-19 patients (n = 59) in Helsinki, Finland, and collected plasma samples on 2 to 3 occasions during and after infection. We measured IgG antibodies to diphtheria toxin, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis toxin, along with total IgG, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG, and neutralizing antibodies. We also surveyed the participants for up to 17 months for long-term impaired olfaction as a proxy for prolonged post-acute COVID-19 symptoms. Results No significant differences were found in the unrelated vaccine responses while the serological response against COVID-19 was appropriate. During the acute phase of the disease, the SARSCoV-2 IgG levels were lower in outpatients when compared to inpatients. SARS-CoV-2 serology kinetics matched expectations. In the acute phase, anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria IgG levels were lower in patients with prolonged impaired olfaction during follow up than in those without. Conclusions We could not detect significant decline in overall humoral immunity during or after COVID-19 infection. In severe COVID-19, there appears to be a temporary decline in total IgG levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi T. Jokiranta
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simo Miettinen
- Viral Zoonosis Research Unit, Medicum, Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sami Salonen
- HUS Diagnostic Center, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M. Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Virtanen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Kivistö
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Aaltonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dina A. Mosselhy
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Microbiological Unit, Fish Diseases Department, Animal Health Research Institute, ARC, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt
| | - Tinja Lääveri
- Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Aalto University, Department of Computer Science, School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Anu Kantele
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Meilahti Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research Center, MeiVac, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T. Petteri Arstila
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Jarva
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Center, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Viral Zoonosis Research Unit, Medicum, Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Center, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Santtu Heinonen
- New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eliisa Kekäläinen
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Center, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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4
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Lindh E, Lounela H, Ikonen N, Kantala T, Savolainen-Kopra C, Kauppinen A, Österlund P, Kareinen L, Katz A, Nokireki T, Jalava J, London L, Pitkäpaasi M, Vuolle J, Punto-Luoma AL, Kaarto R, Voutilainen L, Holopainen R, Kalin-Mänttäri L, Laaksonen T, Kiviranta H, Pennanen A, Helve O, Laamanen I, Melin M, Tammiranta N, Rimhanen-Finne R, Gadd T, Salminen M. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection on multiple fur farms in the South and Central Ostrobothnia regions of Finland, July 2023. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300400. [PMID: 37535475 PMCID: PMC10401912 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.31.2300400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since mid-July 2023, an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB is ongoing among farmed animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. Infections in foxes, American minks and raccoon dogs have been confirmed on 20 farms. Genetic analysis suggests introductions from wild birds scavenging for food in farm areas. Investigations point to direct transmission between animals. While no human infections have been detected, control measures are being implemented to limit spread and human exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Lindh
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Niina Ikonen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Pamela Österlund
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Anna Katz
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jari Jalava
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aino Pennanen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otto Helve
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Merit Melin
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Tuija Gadd
- Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Salminen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare - THL, Helsinki, Finland
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5
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Kant R, Kareinen L, Ojha R, Strandin T, Saber SH, Lesnikova A, Kuivanen S, Sirnonen T, Joensuu M, Vapalahti O, Kirchhausen T, Kipar A, Balistreri G. Complete Protection from SARS-CoV-2 Lung Infection in Mice Through Combined Intranasal Delivery of PIKfyve Kinase and TMPRSS2 Protease Inhibitors. bioRxiv 2023:2023.07.19.549731. [PMID: 37503261 PMCID: PMC10370096 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.19.549731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Emerging variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 can significantly reduce the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of vaccines and neutralizing antibodies due to mutations in the viral genome. Targeting cell host factors required for infection provides a complementary strategy to overcome this problem since the host genome is less susceptible to variation during the life span of infection. The enzymatic activities of the endosomal PIKfyve phosphoinositide kinase and the serine protease TMPRSS2 are essential to meditate infection in two complementary viral entry pathways. Simultaneous inhibition in cultured cells of their enzymatic activities with the small molecule inhibitors apilimod dimesylate and nafamostat mesylate synergistically prevent viral entry and infection of native SARS-CoV-2 and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-SARS-CoV-2 chimeras expressing the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike (S) protein and of variants of concern. We now report prophylactic prevention of lung infection in mice intranasally infected with SARS-CoV-2 beta by combined intranasal delivery of very low doses of apilimod dimesylate and nafamostat mesylate, in a formulation that is stable for over 3 months at room temperature. Administration of these drugs up to 6 hours post infection did not inhibit infection of the lungs but substantially reduced death of infected airway epithelial cells. The efficiency and simplicity of formulation of the drug combination suggests its suitability as prophylactic or therapeutic treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infection in households, point of care facilities, and under conditions where refrigeration would not be readily available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kant
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Ojha
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saber Hassan Saber
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Angelina Lesnikova
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Tarja Sirnonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja Joensuu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tom Kirchhausen
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Balistreri
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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6
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Kareinen L, Airas N, Kotka ST, Masika MM, Aaltonen K, Anzala O, Ogola J, Webala PW, Vapalahti O, Sironen T, Forbes KM. No Substantial Histopathologic Changes in Mops condylurus Bats Naturally Infected with Bombali Virus, Kenya. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1029-1032. [PMID: 37081584 PMCID: PMC10124661 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.221336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We found similar mild perivascular inflammation in lungs of Bombali virus-positive and -negative Mops condylurus bats in Kenya, indicating the virus is well-tolerated. Our findings indicate M. condylurus bats may be a reservoir host for Bombali virus. Increased surveillance of these bats will be important to reduce potential virus spread.
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7
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Freitag TL, Fagerlund R, Karam NL, Leppänen VM, Ugurlu H, Kant R, Mäkinen P, Tawfek A, Kumar S, Strandin T, Leskinen K, Hepojoki J, Kesti T, Kareinen L, Kuivanen S, Koivulehto E, Sormunen A, Laidinen S, Khattab A, Saavalainen P, Meri S, Kipar A, Sironen T, Vapalahti O, Alitalo K, Ylä-Herttuala S, Saksela K. Intranasal administration of adenoviral vaccines expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein improves vaccine immunity in mouse models. Vaccine 2023; 41:3233-3246. [PMID: 37085458 PMCID: PMC10114927 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is controlled but not halted by public health measures and mass vaccination strategies which have exclusively relied on intramuscular vaccines. Intranasal vaccines can prime or recruit to the respiratory epithelium mucosal immune cells capable of preventing infection. Here we report a comprehensive series of studies on this concept using various mouse models, including HLA class II-humanized transgenic strains. We found that a single intranasal (i.n.) dose of serotype-5 adenoviral vectors expressing either the receptor binding domain (Ad5-RBD) or the complete ectodomain (Ad5-S) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was effective in inducing i) serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) anti-spike IgA and IgG, ii) robust SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing activity in the serum and BAL, iii) rigorous spike-directed T helper 1 cell/cytotoxic T cell immunity, and iv) protection of mice from a challenge with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Intramuscular (i.m.) Ad5-RBD or Ad5-S administration did not induce serum or BAL IgA, and resulted in lower neutralizing titers in the serum. Moreover, prior immunity induced by an intramuscular mRNA vaccine could be potently enhanced and modulated towards a mucosal IgA response by an i.n. Ad5-S booster. Notably, Ad5 DNA was found in the liver or spleen after i.m. but not i.n. administration, indicating a lack of systemic spread of the vaccine vector, which has been associated with a risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Unlike in otherwise genetically identical HLA-DQ6 mice, in HLA-DQ8 mice Ad5-RBD vaccine was inferior to Ad5-S, suggesting that the RBD fragment does not contain a sufficient collection of helper-T cell epitopes to constitute an optimal vaccine antigen. Our data add to previous promising preclinical results on intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and support the potential of this approach to elicit mucosal immunity for preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias L Freitag
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riku Fagerlund
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham Karam
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Veli-Matti Leppänen
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hasan Ugurlu
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Mäkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ahmed Tawfek
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sawan Kumar
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katarzyna Leskinen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tapio Kesti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Kuivanen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emma Koivulehto
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Aino Sormunen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Svetlana Laidinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ayman Khattab
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Saavalainen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Meri
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kalle Saksela
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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8
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Mäkelä AR, Uğurlu H, Hannula L, Kant R, Salminen P, Fagerlund R, Mäki S, Haveri A, Strandin T, Kareinen L, Hepojoki J, Kuivanen S, Levanov L, Pasternack A, Naves RA, Ritvos O, Österlund P, Sironen T, Vapalahti O, Kipar A, Huiskonen JT, Rissanen I, Saksela K. Intranasal trimeric sherpabody inhibits SARS-CoV-2 including recent immunoevasive Omicron subvariants. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1637. [PMID: 36964125 PMCID: PMC10037368 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37290-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of increasingly immunoevasive SARS-CoV-2 variants emphasizes the need for prophylactic strategies to complement vaccination in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Intranasal administration of neutralizing antibodies has shown encouraging protective potential but there remains a need for SARS-CoV-2 blocking agents that are less vulnerable to mutational viral variation and more economical to produce in large scale. Here we describe TriSb92, a highly manufacturable and stable trimeric antibody-mimetic sherpabody targeted against a conserved region of the viral spike glycoprotein. TriSb92 potently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, including the latest Omicron variants like BF.7, XBB, and BQ.1.1. In female Balb/c mice intranasal administration of just 5 or 50 micrograms of TriSb92 as early as 8 h before but also 4 h after SARS-CoV-2 challenge can protect from infection. Cryo-EM and biochemical studies reveal triggering of a conformational shift in the spike trimer as the inhibitory mechanism of TriSb92. The potency and robust biochemical properties of TriSb92 together with its resistance against viral sequence evolution suggest that TriSb92 could be useful as a nasal spray for protecting susceptible individuals from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Mäkelä
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hasan Uğurlu
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liina Hannula
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petja Salminen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riku Fagerlund
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Mäki
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Haveri
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Kuivanen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lev Levanov
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rauno A Naves
- Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Centre, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juha T Huiskonen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilona Rissanen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kalle Saksela
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- HUS Diagnostic Centre, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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9
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Virtanen J, Aaltonen K, Kegler K, Venkat V, Niamsap T, Kareinen L, Malmgren R, Kivelä O, Atanasova N, Österlund P, Smura T, Sukura A, Strandin T, Dutra L, Vapalahti O, Nordgren H, Kant R, Sironen T. Experimental Infection of Mink with SARS-COV-2 Omicron Variant and Subsequent Clinical Disease. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1286-1288. [PMID: 35608951 PMCID: PMC9155874 DOI: 10.3201/eid2806.220328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We report an experimental infection of American mink with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and show that mink remain positive for viral RNA for days, experience clinical signs and histopathologic changes, and transmit the virus to uninfected recipients. Preparedness is crucial to avoid spread among mink and spillover to human populations.
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10
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Mosselhy DA, Kareinen L, Kivistö I, Virtanen J, Loikkanen E, Ge Y, Maunula L, Sironen T. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant and Murine Noroviruses on Copper-Silver Nanocomposite Surfaces. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:nano12071037. [PMID: 35407155 PMCID: PMC9000483 DOI: 10.3390/nano12071037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
With the continued scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still seeking out-of-the-box solutions to break its transmission cycle and contain the pandemic. There are different transmission routes for viruses, including indirect transmission via surfaces. To this end, we used two relevant viruses in our study. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the pandemic and human norovirus (HuNV), both known to be transmitted via surfaces. Several nanoformulations have shown attempts to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. However, a rigorous, similar inactivation scheme to inactivate the cords of two tedious viruses (SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant and HuNV) is lacking. The present study demonstrates the inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant and the decrease in the murine norovirus (MNV, a surrogate to HuNV) load after only one minute of contact to surfaces including copper-silver (Cu-Ag) nanocomposites. We thoroughly examined the physicochemical characteristics of such plated surfaces using diverse microscopy tools and found that Cu was the dominanting element in the tested three different surfaces (~56, ~59, and ~48 wt%, respectively), hence likely playing the major role of Alpha and MNV inactivation followed by the Ag content (~28, ~13, and ~11 wt%, respectively). These findings suggest that the administration of such surfaces within highly congested places (e.g., schools, public transportations, public toilets, and hospital and live-stock reservoirs) could break the SARS-CoV-2 and HuNV transmission. We suggest such an administration after an in-depth examination of the in vitro (especially on skin cells) and in vivo toxicity of the nanocomposite formulations and surfaces while also standardizing the physicochemical parameters, testing protocols, and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. Mosselhy
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (D.A.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Kivistö
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Virtanen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emil Loikkanen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (E.L.); (L.M.)
| | - Yanling Ge
- VTT Technical Research Center of Finland Ltd., 02044 Espoo, Finland;
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (E.L.); (L.M.)
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (D.A.M.); (T.S.)
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11
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Hämäläinen S, Kareinen L, Sukura A, Kareinen I. Carboxypeptidase A3 expression in canine mast cell tumors and tissue-resident mast cells. Vet Pathol 2021; 59:236-243. [PMID: 34894899 PMCID: PMC8928232 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211062636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are one of the most common cutaneous malignancies in dogs. Previous studies have reported expression of mast cell–specific proteases chymase and tryptase in canine cutaneous MCTs and in connective tissue and mucosal mast cells. In humans and rodents, mast cells express an additional specific protease, carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3). In this article, we describe CPA3 immunoreactivity in connective tissue, visceral, mucosal, and neoplastic mast cells in dogs. Positive immunolabeling for CPA3 was observed in nonneoplastic mast cells in 20/20 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded normal tissues (skin, liver, spleen, intestine), and in 63/63 MCTs irrespective of their histological grade. CPA3 protein expression was comparable to that of c-kit in both the nonneoplastic and neoplastic mast cells. Three distinct labeling patterns (membranous, diffuse, and focal cytoplasmic) were observed for CPA3 in MCTs. The focal cytoplasmic labeling pattern was associated with high-grade MCTs staged with the Kiupel 2-tier grading criteria. We propose CPA3 as a novel immunohistochemical marker for canine mast cells in health and disease.
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12
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Kant R, Kareinen L, Smura T, Freitag TL, Jha SK, Alitalo K, Meri S, Sironen T, Saksela K, Strandin T, Kipar A, Vapalahti O. Common Laboratory Mice Are Susceptible to Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Beta Variant. Viruses 2021; 13:2263. [PMID: 34835069 PMCID: PMC8619350 DOI: 10.3390/v13112263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Small animal models are of crucial importance for assessing COVID-19 countermeasures. Common laboratory mice would be well-suited for this purpose but are not susceptible to infection with wild-type SARS-CoV-2. However, the development of mouse-adapted virus strains has revealed key mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that increase infectivity, and interestingly, many of these mutations are also present in naturally occurring SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. This suggests that these variants might have the ability to infect common laboratory mice. Herein we show that the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant attains infectibility to BALB/c mice and causes pulmonary changes within 2-3 days post infection, consistent with results seen in other murine models of COVID-19, at a reasonable virus dose (2 × 105 PFU). The findings suggest that common laboratory mice can serve as the animal model of choice for testing the effectiveness of antiviral drugs and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kant
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Teemu Smura
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
| | - Tobias L. Freitag
- Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Sawan Kumar Jha
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (S.K.J.); (K.A.)
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (S.K.J.); (K.A.)
| | - Seppo Meri
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Kalle Saksela
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infection Biology & Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 3RF, UK
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (T.S.); (T.S.); (K.S.); (O.V.)
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Mosselhy DA, Kareinen L, Kivistö I, Aaltonen K, Virtanen J, Ge Y, Sironen T. Copper-Silver Nanohybrids: SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitory Surfaces. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:1820. [PMID: 34361206 PMCID: PMC8308209 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a severe health threat. The COVID-19 infections occurring in humans and animals render human-animal interfaces hot spots for spreading the pandemic. Lessons from the past point towards the antiviral properties of copper formulations; however, data showing the "contact-time limit" surface inhibitory efficacy of copper formulations to contain SARS-CoV-2 are limited. Here, we show the rapid inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 after only 1 and 5 min on two different surfaces containing copper-silver (Cu-Ag) nanohybrids. We characterized the nanohybrids' powder and surfaces using a series of sophisticated microscopy tools, including transmission and scanning electron microscopes (TEM and SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). We used culturing methods to demonstrate that Cu-Ag nanohybrids with high amounts of Cu (~65 and 78 wt%) and lower amounts of Ag (~7 and 9 wt%) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 efficiently. Collectively, the present work reveals the rapid SARS-CoV-2 surface inhibition and the promising application of such surfaces to break the SARS-CoV-2 transmission chain. For example, such applications could be invaluable within a hospital or live-stock settings, or any public place with surfaces that people frequently touch (i.e., public transportation, shopping malls, elevators, and door handles) after the precise control of different parameters and toxicity evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. Mosselhy
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (K.A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (K.A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Kivistö
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (K.A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Aaltonen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (K.A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Virtanen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (K.A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yanling Ge
- VTT Technical Research Center of Finland Ltd., P.O. Box 1000, 02044 Espoo, Finland;
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (I.K.); (K.A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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14
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Kareinen L, Ogola J, Kivistö I, Smura T, Aaltonen K, Jääskeläinen AJ, Kibiwot S, Masika MM, Nyaga P, Mwaengo D, Anzala O, Vapalahti O, Webala PW, Forbes KM, Sironen T. Range Expansion of Bombali Virus in Mops condylurus Bats, Kenya, 2019. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:3007-3010. [PMID: 33219788 PMCID: PMC7706938 DOI: 10.3201/eid2612.202925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously identified only in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and southeastern Kenya, Bombali virus–infected Mops condylurus bats were recently found »750 km away in western Kenya. This finding supports the role of M. condylurus bats as hosts and the potential for Bombali virus circulation across the bats’ range in sub-Saharan Africa.
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15
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Rusanen J, Kareinen L, Szirovicza L, Uğurlu H, Levanov L, Jääskeläinen A, Ahava M, Kurkela S, Saksela K, Hedman K, Vapalahti O, Hepojoki J. A Generic, Scalable, and Rapid Time-Resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Assay for Antigen Detection-SARS-CoV-2 as a Proof of Concept. mBio 2021; 12:e00902-21. [PMID: 34006662 PMCID: PMC8262888 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00902-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen an unprecedented increase in the demand for rapid and reliable diagnostic tools, leaving many laboratories scrambling for resources. We present a fast and simple assay principle for antigen detection and demonstrate its functionality by detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens in nasopharyngeal swabs. The method is based on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (NP) and S protein (SP) via time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) with donor- and acceptor-labeled polyclonal anti-NP and -SP antibodies. Using recombinant proteins and cell culture-grown SARS-CoV-2, the limits of detection were established as 25 pg of NP or 20 infectious units (IU) and 875 pg of SP or 625 IU. Testing reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR)-positive (n = 48, with cycle threshold [CT ] values from 11 to 30) or -negative (n = 96) nasopharyngeal swabs demonstrated that the assay yielded positive results for all samples with CT values of <25 and for a single RT-PCR-negative sample. Virus isolation from the RT-PCR-positive nasopharyngeal swabs showed a strong association between the presence of infectious virus and a positive antigen test result. The NP-based assay showed 97.4% (37/38) sensitivity and 100% (10/10) specificity in comparison with virus isolation and 77.1% (37/48) sensitivity and 99.0% (95/96) specificity in comparison with SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. The assay is performed in a buffer that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, and the assay is relatively simple to set up as an "in-house" test. Here, SARS-CoV-2 served as the model pathogen, but the assay principle is applicable to other viral infections, and the test format could easily be adapted to high-throughput testing.IMPORTANCE PCR is currently the gold standard for the diagnosis of many acute infections. While PCR and its variants are highly sensitive and specific, the time from sampling to results is measured in hours at best. Antigen tests directly detect parts of the infectious agent, which may enable faster diagnosis but often at lower sensitivity and specificity. Here, we describe a technique for rapid antigen detection and demonstrate the test format's potential using SARS-CoV-2 as the model pathogen. The 10-min test, performed in a buffer that readily inactivates SARS-CoV-2, from nasopharyngeal samples identified 97.4% (37/38) of the samples from which we could isolate the virus. This suggests that the test performs well in identifying patients potentially shedding the virus. Although SARS-CoV-2 served as the model pathogen to demonstrate proof of concept, the test principle itself would be applicable to a wide variety of infectious and perhaps also noninfectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juuso Rusanen
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leonora Szirovicza
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hasan Uğurlu
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lev Levanov
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Jääskeläinen
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maarit Ahava
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Kurkela
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kalle Saksela
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Klaus Hedman
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Zürich, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Zürich, Switzerland
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16
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Rusanen J, Kareinen L, Levanov L, Mero S, Pakkanen SH, Kantele A, Amanat F, Krammer F, Hedman K, Vapalahti O, Hepojoki J. A 10-Minute "Mix and Read" Antibody Assay for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020143. [PMID: 33498157 PMCID: PMC7908974 DOI: 10.3390/v13020143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate and rapid diagnostic tools are needed for management of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Antibody tests enable detection of individuals past the initial phase of infection and help examine vaccine responses. The major targets of human antibody response in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are the spike glycoprotein (SP) and nucleocapsid protein (NP). We have developed a rapid homogenous approach for antibody detection termed LFRET (protein L-based time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer immunoassay). In LFRET, fluorophore-labeled protein L and antigen are brought to close proximity by antigen-specific patient immunoglobulins of any isotype, resulting in TR-FRET signal. We set up LFRET assays for antibodies against SP and NP and evaluated their diagnostic performance using a panel of 77 serum/plasma samples from 44 individuals with COVID-19 and 52 negative controls. Moreover, using a previously described SP and a novel NP construct, we set up enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 SP and NP. We then compared the LFRET assays with these ELISAs and with a SARS-CoV-2 microneutralization test (MNT). We found the LFRET assays to parallel ELISAs in sensitivity (90–95% vs. 90–100%) and specificity (100% vs. 94–100%). In identifying individuals with or without a detectable neutralizing antibody response, LFRET outperformed ELISA in specificity (91–96% vs. 82–87%), while demonstrating an equal sensitivity (98%). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the applicability of LFRET, a 10-min “mix and read” assay, to detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juuso Rusanen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (L.L.); (K.H.); (O.V.)
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (J.H.)
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (L.L.); (K.H.); (O.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lev Levanov
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (L.L.); (K.H.); (O.V.)
| | - Sointu Mero
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.M.); (S.H.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Sari H. Pakkanen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.M.); (S.H.P.); (A.K.)
- Meilahti Vaccination Research Center (MeVac), Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Kantele
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.M.); (S.H.P.); (A.K.)
- Meilahti Vaccination Research Center (MeVac), Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fatima Amanat
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (F.A.); (F.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (F.A.); (F.K.)
| | - Klaus Hedman
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (L.L.); (K.H.); (O.V.)
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (L.L.); (K.H.); (O.V.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (L.K.); (L.L.); (K.H.); (O.V.)
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (J.H.)
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17
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Kantele A, Lääveri T, Kareinen L, Pakkanen SH, Blomgren K, Mero S, Patjas A, Virtanen J, Uusitalo R, Lappalainen M, Järvinen A, Kurkela S, Jääskeläinen AJ, Vapalahti O, Sironen T. SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, spring 2020: Serosurvey, symptoms and risk factors. Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 39:101949. [PMID: 33321195 PMCID: PMC7833655 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Exposure, risks and immunity of healthcare workers (HCWs), a vital resource during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, warrant special attention. Methods HCWs at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, filled in questionnaires and provided serum samples for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody screening by Euroimmun IgG assay in March–April 2020. Positive/equivocal findings were confirmed by Abbott and microneutralization tests. Positivity by two of the three assays or RT-PCR indicated a Covid-19 case (CoV+). Results The rate of CoV(+) was 3.3% (36/1095) and seropositivity 3.0% (33/1095). CoV(+) was associated with contact with a known Covid-19 case, and working on a Covid-19-dedicated ward or one with cases among staff. The rate in the Covid-19-dedicated ICU was negligible. Smoking and age <55 years were associated with decreased risk. CoV(+) was strongly associated with ageusia, anosmia, myalgia, fatigue, fever, and chest pressure. Seropositivity was recorded for 89.3% of those with prior documented RT-PCR-positivity and 2.4% of those RT-PCR-negative. The rate of previously unidentified cases was 0.7% (8/1067) and asymptomatic ones 0% (0/36). Conclusion Undiagnosed and asymptomatic cases among HCWs proved rare. An increased risk was associated with Covid-19-dedicated wards. Particularly high rates were seen for wards with liberal HCW-HCW contacts, highlighting the importance of social distancing also among HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Kantele
- Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland; Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Tinja Lääveri
- Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari H Pakkanen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karin Blomgren
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sointu Mero
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Patjas
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Virtanen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija Lappalainen
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Asko Järvinen
- Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Kurkela
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Anne J Jääskeläinen
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Haljasmägi L, Salumets A, Rumm AP, Jürgenson M, Krassohhina E, Remm A, Sein H, Kareinen L, Vapalahti O, Sironen T, Peterson H, Milani L, Tamm A, Hayday A, Kisand K, Peterson P. Longitudinal proteomic profiling reveals increased early inflammation and sustained apoptosis proteins in severe COVID-19. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20533. [PMID: 33239683 PMCID: PMC7689507 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77525-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection has a risk to develop into life-threatening COVID-19 disease. Whereas age, hypertension, and chronic inflammatory conditions are risk factors, underlying host factors and markers for disease severity, e.g. requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, remain poorly defined. To this end, we longitudinally profiled blood inflammation markers, antibodies, and 101 plasma proteins of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who did or did not require ICU admission. While essentially all patients displayed SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and virus-neutralization capacity within 12-15 days, a rapid, mostly transient upregulation of selective inflammatory markers including IL-6, CXCL10, CXCL11, IFNγ, IL-10, and monocyte-attracting CCL2, CCL7 and CCL8, was particularly evident in ICU patients. In addition, there was consistent and sustained upregulation of apoptosis-associated proteins CASP8, TNFSF14, HGF, and TGFB1, with HGF discriminating between ICU and non-ICU cohorts. Thus, COVID-19 is associated with a selective inflammatory milieu within which the apoptotic pathway is a cardinal feature with potential to aid risk-based patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liis Haljasmägi
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ahto Salumets
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Computer Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anna Pauliina Rumm
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Meeri Jürgenson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ekaterina Krassohhina
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Remm
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hanna Sein
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hedi Peterson
- Institute of Computer Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lili Milani
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Tamm
- United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Adrian Hayday
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Kai Kisand
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
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19
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Abstract
The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes an acute febrile illness with rash, joint and muscle pain.A realtime RT-PCR assay for CHIKV detecting non-structural protein (nsP2; CHIKV nsP2-RT-qPCR) was set up. All the serodiagnosed CHIKV cases detected during 2009-2019 in Finland were screened with the assay, followed by isolations attempts and sequencing using Sanger and next generation sequencing (NGS). To validate the assay external and in-house quality control samples were used and all were correctly identified. Specificity of the assay was 100%. Assay was sensitive to detect CHIKV RNA in dilution of 10-8.During years 2009-2019 34 patients were diagnosed for acute CHIKV infection. Twelve out of 34 cases were positive by CHIKV nsP2-RT-qPCR.Two CHIKV isolations succeeded from two individuals infected originally in Thailand, 2019. From 12 CHIKV nsP2-RT-qPCR positive samples, five (42%) CHIKVs were successfully sequenced. In this study, CHIKVs from year 2019 clustered with CHIKV ECSA-lineage forming sub-cluster with strains from ones detected in Bangladesh 2017, and the ones from Jamaica (2014) within Asian lineage showing highest similarity to strains detected in Caribbean outbreak 2013-15. Majority of the CHIKV infections detected in Finland originates from Asia and virus lineages reflect the global circulation of the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Jääskeläinen
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Smura
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Kallio-Kokko
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - O Vapalahti
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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20
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Kuivanen S, Levanov L, Kareinen L, Sironen T, Jääskeläinen AJ, Plyusnin I, Zakham F, Emmerich P, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Hepojoki J, Smura T, Vapalahti O. Detection of novel tick-borne pathogen, Alongshan virus, in Ixodes ricinus ticks, south-eastern Finland, 2019. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31290392 PMCID: PMC6628756 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.27.1900394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The newly identified tick-borne Alongshan virus (ALSV), a segmented Jingmen virus group flavivirus, was recently associated with human disease in China. We report the detection of ALSV RNA in Ixodes ricinus ticks in south-eastern Finland. Screening of sera from patients suspected for tick-borne encephalitis for Jingmen tick virus-like virus RNA and antibodies revealed no human cases. The presence of ALSV in common European ticks warrants further investigations on its role as a human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Kuivanen
- Authors contributed equally.,Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lev Levanov
- Authors contributed equally.,Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne J Jääskeläinen
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilya Plyusnin
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fathiah Zakham
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petra Emmerich
- University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Departments of Virology and Arbovirology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg, Germany.,Departments of Virology and Arbovirology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Smura
- Authors contributed equally.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Authors contributed equally.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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21
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Smura T, Tonteri E, Jääskeläinen A, von Troil G, Kuivanen S, Huitu O, Kareinen L, Uusitalo J, Uusitalo R, Hannila-Handelberg T, Voutilainen L, Nikkari S, Sironen T, Sane J, Castrén J, Vapalahti O. Recent establishment of tick-borne encephalitis foci with distinct viral lineages in the Helsinki area, Finland. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:675-683. [PMID: 31084456 PMCID: PMC6522972 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1612279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Number of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases has increased and new foci have emerged in Finland during the last decade. We evaluated risk for locally acquired TBE in the capital region inhabited by 1.2 million people. We screened ticks and small mammals from probable places of TBE virus (TBEV) transmission and places without reported circulation. The TBEV positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Within the study period 2007–2017, there was a clear increase of both all TBE cases and locally acquired cases in the Helsinki area. The surveillance of ticks and small mammals for TBEV confirmed four distinct TBEV foci in the Helsinki area. All detected TBEV strains were of the European subtype. TBEV genome sequences indicated that distinct TBEV lineages circulate in each focus. Molecular clock analysis suggested that the virus lineages were introduced to these foci decades ago. In conclusion, TBE has emerged in the mainland of Helsinki area during the last decade, with at least four distinct virus lineages independently introduced into the region previously. Although the overall annual TBE incidence is below the threshold for recommending general vaccinations, the situation requires further surveillance to detect and prevent possible further emergence of local TBE clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teemu Smura
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,b Division of Clinical Microbiology , Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory Services (HUSLAB) , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Elina Tonteri
- c Centers for Military Medicine and Biothreat Preparedness , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Anu Jääskeläinen
- b Division of Clinical Microbiology , Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory Services (HUSLAB) , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | - Suvi Kuivanen
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Otso Huitu
- e Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Joni Uusitalo
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,f Department of Geosciences and Geography , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,g Department of Veterinary Biosciences , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | - Liina Voutilainen
- c Centers for Military Medicine and Biothreat Preparedness , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Simo Nikkari
- c Centers for Military Medicine and Biothreat Preparedness , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Jussi Sane
- h Department of Health Security, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit , National Institute for Health and Welfare , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | - Olli Vapalahti
- a Department of Virology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,b Division of Clinical Microbiology , Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory Services (HUSLAB) , Helsinki , Finland.,g Department of Veterinary Biosciences , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
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22
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Kareinen L, Hepojoki S, Huhtamo E, Korhonen EM, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Hedman K, Hepojoki J, Vapalahti O. Immunoassay for serodiagnosis of Zika virus infection based on time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219474. [PMID: 31335898 PMCID: PMC6650140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen causing a febrile illness with arthralgia, conjunctivitis and rash. The complications include Guillain-Barré syndrome, congenital brain and other abnormalities and miscarriage. The serodiagnosis of ZIKV infection is hampered by cross-reactivity with other members of the Flavivirus family, notably dengue (DENV). This report describes a novel serological platform for the diagnosis of ZIKV infection. The approach utilizes time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) elicited by two chromophore-labeled proteins (a ZIKV antigen and a super-antigen) simultaneously binding to a given antibody molecule. The antigen used in the assay is ZIKV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and the super-antigen is bacterial protein L. Three assay variants were developed: the first measuring all anti-ZIKV-NS1 antibodies (LFRET), the second measuring IgM and IgA (acute-LFRET) and the third measuring IgG (immunity-LFRET). The assays were evaluated with a panel of samples from clinical ZIKV cases in travelers (n = 25) and seronegative (n = 24) samples. DENV (n = 38), yellow fever (n = 16) and tick-borne-encephalitis (n = 20) seropositive samples were examined for assessment of flavivirus cross-reactivity. The diagnostic sensitivities of the respective LFRET assays were 92%, 100% and 83%, and the diagnostic specificities 88%, 95% and 100% for LFRET, acute-LFRET and immunity-LFRET. Furthermore, we evaluated the assays against a widely-used commercial ELISA. In conclusion, the new FRET-based serological approaches based on NS1 protein are applicable to diagnosing zika virus infections in travelers and differentiating them from other flavivirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri Kareinen
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Satu Hepojoki
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eili Huhtamo
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M. Korhonen
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Hedman
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- University of Helsinki, Medicum, Department of Virology, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland
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23
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Tiira K, Hakosalo O, Kareinen L, Thomas A, Hielm-Björkman A, Escriou C, Arnold P, Lohi H. Environmental effects on compulsive tail chasing in dogs. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41684. [PMID: 22844513 PMCID: PMC3406045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder observed both in humans and animals. Examples of Canine Compulsive Disorder (CD) include excessive tail chasing (TC), light/shadow chasing and flank sucking. We performed a questionnaire survey to investigate the characteristics of compulsive (TC) and its possible associations with environmental correlates and personality in a pet population of 368 dogs from four dog breeds. We observed an early onset of TC at 3–6 months of age and a large variation in TC frequency in all breeds, with an overrepresentation of milder cases. Almost half of the TC dogs showed lowered responsiveness during bouts and displayed also other types of compulsions more often than the controls. Interestingly, dogs that received dietary supplements, especially vitamins and minerals, expressed less TC compared to dogs that did not receive any supplements. Neutered females had less TC, suggesting an influence of ovarian hormones on TC. Tail chasers were shyer and had separated earlier from their mothers than the controls. Finally, our genetic study did not find an association between TC and CDH2, a locus previously associated with the canine flank sucking compulsion. In conclusion, the early-onset and the variable nature of the repetitive behaviour, which is affected by environmental factors such as micronutrients, neutering and maternal care, share several similar components between canine and human compulsions and supports canine TC as a model for human OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katriina Tiira
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Osmo Hakosalo
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Thomas
- Antagene, Animal Genetics Laboratory, Lyon, France
| | - Anna Hielm-Björkman
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Paul Arnold
- Program in Genetics and Genomic Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
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Tiira K, Escriou C, Thomas A, Renier S, de Citres CD, Koskinen L, Kareinen L, Arnold P, Lohi H. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of tail chasing in bull terriers. J Vet Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2010.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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