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Thümmler L, Beckmann N, Sehl C, Soddemann M, Braß P, Bormann M, Brochhagen L, Elsner C, Hoertel N, Cougoule C, Ciesek S, Widera M, Dittmer U, Lindemann M, Horn PA, Witzke O, Kadow S, Kamler M, Gulbins E, Becker KA, Krawczyk A. Fluoxetine and Sertraline Potently Neutralize the Replication of Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Viruses 2024; 16:545. [PMID: 38675888 PMCID: PMC11053511 DOI: 10.3390/v16040545] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is still a major health problem. Newly emerging variants and long-COVID-19 represent a challenge for the global health system. In particular, individuals in developing countries with insufficient health care need easily accessible, affordable and effective treatments of COVID-19. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase against infections with various viruses, including early variants of SARS-CoV-2. This work investigated whether the acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors fluoxetine and sertraline, usually used as antidepressant molecules in clinical practice, can inhibit the replication of the former and recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro. Fluoxetine and sertraline potently inhibited the infection with pseudotyped virus-like particles and SARS-CoV-2 variants D614G, alpha, delta, omicron BA.1 and omicron BA.5. These results highlight fluoxetine and sertraline as priority candidates for large-scale phase 3 clinical trials at different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infections, either alone or in combination with other medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Thümmler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.L.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Nadine Beckmann
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Carolin Sehl
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Matthias Soddemann
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Peer Braß
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Maren Bormann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Carina Elsner
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.E.); (U.D.)
| | - Nicolas Hoertel
- Institute Psychiatry and Neuroscience de Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris Cité University, 75014 Paris, France;
- Psychiatry and Addiction Department Corentin-Celton Hospital (AP-HP), 92130 Paris, France
| | - Céline Cougoule
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (IPBS), CNRS, University of Toulouse, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France;
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (S.C.); (M.W.)
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (S.C.); (M.W.)
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.E.); (U.D.)
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.L.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Peter A. Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.L.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Stephanie Kadow
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Markus Kamler
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart Center, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Katrin Anne Becker
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.E.); (U.D.)
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Bormann M, Brochhagen L, Alt M, Otte M, Thümmler L, van de Sand L, Kraiselburd I, Thomas A, Gosch J, Braß P, Ciesek S, Widera M, Dolff S, Dittmer U, Witzke O, Meyer F, Lindemann M, Schönfeld A, Rohn H, Krawczyk A. Immune responses in COVID-19 patients during breakthrough infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta, Omicron-BA.1 and Omicron-BA.5. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1150667. [PMID: 37520539 PMCID: PMC10372796 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1150667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breakthrough infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants are increasingly observed in vaccinated individuals. Immune responses towards SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly Omicron-BA.5, are poorly understood. We investigated the humoral and cellular immune responses of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during Delta and Omicron infection waves. Methods The corresponding SARS-CoV-2 variant of the respective patients were identified by whole genome sequencing. Humoral immune responses were analyzed by ELISA and a cell culture-based neutralization assay against SARS-CoV-2 D614G isolate (wildtype), Alpha, Delta (AY.43) and Omicron (BA.1 and BA.5). Cellular immunity was evaluated with an IFN-γ ELISpot assay. Results On a cellular level, patients showed a minor IFN-γ response after stimulating PBMCs with mutated regions of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Neutralizing antibody titers against Omicron-BA.1 and especially BA.5 were strongly reduced. Double-vaccinated patients with Delta breakthrough infection showed a significantly increased neutralizing antibody response against Delta compared to double-vaccinated uninfected controls (median complete neutralization titer (NT100) 640 versus 80, p<0.05). Omicron-BA.1 infection increased neutralization titers against BA.1 in double-vaccinated patients (median NT100 of 160 in patients versus 20 in controls, p=0.07) and patients that received booster vaccination (median NT100 of 50 in patients versus 20 in controls, p=0.68). For boosted patients with BA.5 breakthrough infection, we found no enhancing effect on humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Conclusion Neutralizing antibody titers against Omicron-BA.1 and especially BA.5 were strongly reduced in SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections. Delta and Omicron-BA.1 but not Omicron-BA.5 infections boosted the humoral immunity in double-vaccinated patients and patients with booster vaccination. Despite BA.5 breakthrough infection, those patients may still be vulnerable for reinfections with BA.5 or other newly emerging variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Bormann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mira Alt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mona Otte
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laura Thümmler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukas van de Sand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ivana Kraiselburd
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Thomas
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jule Gosch
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peer Braß
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Folker Meyer
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Schönfeld
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hana Rohn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Alt M, Wolf S, van de Sand L, Dittrich R, Tertel T, Brochhagen L, Dirks M, Aufderhorst UW, Thümmler L, Otte M, Rainer K, Dittmer U, Giebel B, Trilling M, Silke Heilingloh C, Lotfi R, Roggendorf M, Witzke O, Krawczyk A. Cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies constitute a correlate of protection against herpes simplex virus type 1 reactivations: A retrospective study. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1143870. [PMID: 37006290 PMCID: PMC10061111 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1143870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundHerpes simplex viruses (HSV) cause ubiquitous human infections. For vaccine development, knowledge concerning correlates of protection is essential. Therefore, we investigated (I) if humans are in principle capable producing cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies against HSV and (II) whether this capacity is associated with a reduced HSV-1 reactivation risk.MethodsWe established a high-throughput HSV-1-ΔgE-GFP reporter virus-based assay and evaluated 2,496 human plasma samples for HSV-1 glycoprotein E (gE) independent cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies. Subsequently, we conducted a retrospective survey among the blood donors to analyze the correlation between the presence of cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies in plasma and the frequency of HSV reactivations.ResultsIn total, 128 of the 2,496 blood donors (5.1%) exhibited high levels of HSV-1 gE independent cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies in the plasma. None of the 147 HSV-1 seronegative plasmas exhibited partial or complete cell-to-cell spread inhibition, demonstrating the specificity of our assay. Individuals with cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies showed a significantly lower frequency of HSV reactivations compared to subjects without sufficient levels of such antibodies.ConclusionThis study contains two important findings: (I) upon natural HSV infection, some humans produce cell-to-cell spread inhibiting antibodies and (II) such antibodies correlate with protection against recurrent HSV-1. Moreover, these elite neutralizers may provide promising material for immunoglobulin therapy and information for the design of a protective vaccine against HSV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Alt
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Susanne Wolf
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukas van de Sand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robin Dittrich
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tobias Tertel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Miriam Dirks
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Wilhelm Aufderhorst
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laura Thümmler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mona Otte
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kordula Rainer
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg - Hessen and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernd Giebel
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg - Hessen and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mirko Trilling
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Ramin Lotfi
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg - Hessen and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Roggendorf
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Adalbert Krawczyk,
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Wolff N, Kollenda S, Klein K, Loza K, Heggen M, Brochhagen L, Witzke O, Krawczyk A, Hilger I, Epple M. Silencing of proinflammatory NF-κB and inhibition of herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication by ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (2 nm) conjugated with small-interfering RNA. Nanoscale Adv 2022; 4:4502-4516. [PMID: 36341304 PMCID: PMC9595109 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00250g] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Azide-terminated ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (2 nm gold core) were covalently functionalized with alkyne-terminated small-interfering siRNA duplexes by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC; click chemistry). The nanoparticle core was visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The number of attached siRNA molecules per nanoparticle was determined by a combination of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS; for gold) and UV-Vis spectroscopy (for siRNA). Each nanoparticle carried between 6 and 10 siRNA duplex molecules which corresponds to a weight ratio of siRNA to gold of about 2.2 : 1. Different kinds of siRNA were conjugated to the nanoparticles, depending on the gene to be silenced. In general, the nanoparticles were readily taken up by cells and highly efficient in gene silencing, in contrast to free siRNA. This was demonstrated in HeLa-eGFP cells (silencing of eGFP) and in LPS-stimulated macrophages (silencing of NF-κB). Furthermore, we demonstrated that nanoparticles carrying antiviral siRNA potently inhibited the replication of Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. This highlights the strong potential of siRNA-functionalized ultrasmall gold nanoparticles in a broad spectrum of applications, including gene silencing and treatment of viral infections, combined with a minimal dose of gold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Wolff
- Inorganic Chemistry and Centre for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen 45117 Essen Germany
| | - Sebastian Kollenda
- Inorganic Chemistry and Centre for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen 45117 Essen Germany
| | - Kai Klein
- Inorganic Chemistry and Centre for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen 45117 Essen Germany
| | - Kateryna Loza
- Inorganic Chemistry and Centre for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen 45117 Essen Germany
| | - Marc Heggen
- Ernst-Ruska Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52428 Jülich Germany
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen Hufelandstr. 55 45147 Essen Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen Hufelandstr. 55 45147 Essen Germany
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen Hufelandstr. 55 45147 Essen Germany
| | - Ingrid Hilger
- Department of Experimental Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Am Klinikum 1 07740 Jena Germany
| | - Matthias Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Centre for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen 45117 Essen Germany
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Schmitz Y, Schwerdtfeger M, Westmeier J, Littwitz-Salomon E, Alt M, Brochhagen L, Krawczyk A, Sutter K. Superior antiviral activity of IFNβ in genital HSV-1 infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:949036. [PMID: 36325470 PMCID: PMC9618724 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.949036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) present the first line of defense against viral infections, providing antiviral, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects. The type I IFN family contains 12 IFNα subtypes and IFNβ, and although they share the same receptor, they are classified as non-redundant, capable to induce a variety of different IFN-stimulated genes. However, the biological impact of individual subtypes remains controversial. Recent data propose a subtype-specificity of type I IFNs revealing unique effector functions for different viruses and thus expanding the implications for IFNα-based antiviral immunotherapies. Despite extensive research, drug-resistant infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the common agent of recurrent orogenital lesions, are still lacking a protective or curing therapeutic. However, due to the risk of generalized infections in immunocompromised hosts as well as the increasing incidence of resistance to conventional antiherpetic agents, HSV infections raise major health concerns. Based on their pleiotropic effector functions, the application of type I IFNs represents a promising approach to inhibit HSV-1 replication, to improve host immunity and to further elucidate their qualitative differences. Here, selective IFNα subtypes and IFNβ were evaluated for their therapeutic potential in genital HSV-1 infections. Respective in vivo studies in mice revealed subtype-specific differences in the reduction of local viral loads. IFNβ had the strongest antiviral efficacy against genital HSV-1 infection in mice, whereas IFNα1, IFNα4, and IFNα11 had no impact on viral loads. Based on flow cytometric analyses of underlying immune responses at local and peripheral sites, these differences could be further assigned to specific modulations of the antiviral immunity early during HSV-1 infection. IFNβ led to enhanced systemic cytokine secretion and elevated cytotoxic responses, which negatively correlated with viral loads in the vaginal tract. These data provide further insights into the diversity of type I IFN effector functions and their impact on the immunological control of HSV-1 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Schmitz
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mara Schwerdtfeger
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jaana Westmeier
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Mira Alt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kathrin Sutter,
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Wünsch K, Anastasiou OE, Alt M, Brochhagen L, Cherneha M, Thümmler L, van Baal L, Madel RJ, Lindemann M, Taube C, Witzke O, Rohn H, Krawczyk A, Jansen S. COVID-19 in Elderly, Immunocompromised or Diabetic Patients—From Immune Monitoring to Clinical Management in the Hospital. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040746. [PMID: 35458476 PMCID: PMC9024512 DOI: 10.3390/v14040746] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel, highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a pandemic of acute respiratory illness worldwide and remains a huge threat to the healthcare system’s capacity to respond to COVID-19. Elderly and immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for a severe course of COVID-19. These high-risk groups have been identified as developing diminished humoral and cellular immune responses. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 RNA remains detectable in nasopharyngeal swabs of these patients for a prolonged period of time. These factors complicate the clinical management of these vulnerable patient groups. To date, there are no well-defined guidelines for an appropriate duration of isolation for elderly and immunocompromised patients, especially in hospitals or nursing homes. The aim of the present study was to characterize at-risk patient cohorts capable of producing a replication-competent virus over an extended period after symptomatic COVID-19, and to investigate the humoral and cellular immune responses and infectivity to provide a better basis for future clinical management. In our cohort, the rate of positive viral cultures and the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests correlated with higher viral loads. Elderly patients and patients with diabetes mellitus had adequate cellular and humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, while immunocompromised patients had reduced humoral and cellular immune responses. Our patient cohort was hospitalized for longer compared with previously published cohorts. Longer hospitalization was associated with a high number of nosocomial infections, representing a potential hazard for additional complications to patients. Most importantly, regardless of positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection, no virus was culturable beyond a cycle threshold (ct) value of 33 in the majority of samples. Our data clearly indicate that elderly and diabetic patients develop a robust immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and may be safely de-isolated at a ct value of more than 35.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korbinian Wünsch
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Olympia E. Anastasiou
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Mira Alt
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Maxim Cherneha
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Laura Thümmler
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Lukas van Baal
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Division of Laboratory Research, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Rabea J. Madel
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Christian Taube
- Department of Pneumology, University Medicine Essen—Ruhrlandklinik, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Oliver Witzke
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Hana Rohn
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: (H.R.); (S.J.)
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Sarah Jansen
- West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (K.W.); (M.A.); (L.B.); (M.C.); (L.T.); (R.J.M.); (O.W.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: (H.R.); (S.J.)
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Jahn M, Korth J, Dorsch O, Anastasiou OE, Krawczyk A, Brochhagen L, van de Sand L, Sorge-Hädicke B, Tyczynski B, Witzke O, Dittmer U, Dolff S, Wilde B, Kribben A. Decline of Humoral Responses 6 Months after Vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) in Patients on Hemodialysis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020327. [PMID: 35214785 PMCID: PMC8878048 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study analyzed binding and neutralizing antibody titers up to 6 months after standard vaccination with BNT162b2 (two doses of 30 µg each) in SARS-CoV-2 naïve patients (n = 59) on hemodialysis. Humoral vaccine responses were measured before and 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the first vaccination. A chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) was used to quantify SARS-CoV-2 IgG against the spike glycoprotein. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity was tested against the wild-type virus. A multivariable binary regression model was used to identify risk factors for the absence of humoral immune responses at 6 months. At week 6, vaccine-specific seroconversion was detected in 96.6% of all patients with median anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgGs of 918 BAU/mL. At weeks 12 and 24, seroconversion rates decreased to 91.5% and 79.7%, and corresponding median binding antibody titers declined to 298 BAU/mL and 89 BAU/mL, respectively. Neutralizing antibodies showed a decay from 79.6% at week 6 to 32.8% at week 24. The risk factor with the strongest association for vanishing immune responses was low serum albumin (p = 0.018). Regarding vaccine-specific humoral responses 6 months after the standard BNT162b2 vaccination schedule, SARS-CoV-2 naïve patients receiving hemodialysis must be considered at risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and being infectious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jahn
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (J.K.); (B.T.); (B.W.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Johannes Korth
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (J.K.); (B.T.); (B.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Oliver Dorsch
- KfH Kuratorium für Dialyse und Nierentransplantation e.V, Friesener Straße 37a, 96317 Kronach, Germany;
| | - Olympia Evdoxia Anastasiou
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147 Essen, Germany; (O.E.A.); (U.D.)
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.K.); (L.B.); (L.v.d.S.); (O.W.); (S.D.)
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.K.); (L.B.); (L.v.d.S.); (O.W.); (S.D.)
| | - Lukas van de Sand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.K.); (L.B.); (L.v.d.S.); (O.W.); (S.D.)
| | - Burkhard Sorge-Hädicke
- KfH Kuratorium für Dialyse und Nierentransplantation e.V, Alfried-Krupp-Str. 43, 45131 Essen, Germany;
| | - Bartosz Tyczynski
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (J.K.); (B.T.); (B.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.K.); (L.B.); (L.v.d.S.); (O.W.); (S.D.)
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147 Essen, Germany; (O.E.A.); (U.D.)
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.K.); (L.B.); (L.v.d.S.); (O.W.); (S.D.)
| | - Benjamin Wilde
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (J.K.); (B.T.); (B.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (J.K.); (B.T.); (B.W.); (A.K.)
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