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Toister E, Cherry L, Lupu E, Monash A, Dor E, Levin L, Girshengorn M, Natan N, Chapman S, Shmaya S, Epstein E, Adar Y, Zichel R, Ophir Y, Diamant E. Development and Validation of a Plaque Assay to Determine the Titer of a Recombinant Live-Attenuated Viral Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:374. [PMID: 38675756 PMCID: PMC11054748 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040374] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in more than seven million deaths worldwide. To reduce viral spread, the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed and produced a new rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine candidate (BriLife®) based on a platform of a genetically engineered vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector that expresses the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 instead of the VSV-G protein on the virus surface. Quantifying the virus titer to evaluate vaccine potency requires a reliable validated assay that meets all the stringent pharmacopeial requirements of a bioanalytical method. Here, for the first time, we present the development and extensive validation of a quantitative plaque assay using Vero E6 cells for the determination of the concentration of the rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-S viral vector. Three different vaccine preparations with varying titers (DP_low, DP_high, and QC sample) were tested according to a strict validation protocol. The newly developed plaque assay was found to be highly specific, accurate, precise, and robust. The mean deviations from the predetermined titers for the DP_low, DP_high, and QC preparations were 0.01, 0.02, and 0.09 log10, respectively. Moreover, the mean %CV values for intra-assay precision were 18.7%, 12.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The virus titers did not deviate from the established values between cell passages 5 and 19, and no correlation was found between titer and passage. The validation results presented herein indicate that the newly developed plaque assay can be used to determine the concentration of the BriLife® vaccine, suggesting that the current protocol is a reliable methodology for validating plaque assays for other viral vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einat Toister
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Lilach Levin
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Meni Girshengorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Niva Natan
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Shira Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Shlomo Shmaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Eyal Epstein
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Yaakov Adar
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Ran Zichel
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Yakir Ophir
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Eran Diamant
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
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2
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Cohen N, Simon I, Hazan O, Tal A, Tzadok H, Levin L, Girshengorn M, Mimran LC, Natan N, Baruhi T, David AB, Rosen O, Shmaya S, Borni S, Cohen N, Lupu E, Kedmi A, Zilberman O, Jayson A, Monash A, Dor E, Diamant E, Goldvaser M, Cohen-Gihon I, Israeli O, Lazar S, Shifman O, Beth-Din A, Zvi A, Oren Z, Makovitzki A, Lerer E, Mimran A, Toister E, Zichel R, Adar Y, Epstein E. Enhanced production yields of rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using Fibra-Cel ® macrocarriers. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1333548. [PMID: 38449674 PMCID: PMC10915211 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1333548] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to high global demand for vaccines to safeguard public health. To that end, our institute has developed a recombinant viral vector vaccine utilizing a modified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) construct, wherein the G protein of VSV is replaced with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (rVSV-ΔG-spike). Previous studies have demonstrated the production of a VSV-based vaccine in Vero cells adsorbed on Cytodex 1 microcarriers or in suspension. However, the titers were limited by both the carrier surface area and shear forces. Here, we describe the development of a bioprocess for rVSV-ΔG-spike production in serum-free Vero cells using porous Fibra-Cel® macrocarriers in fixed-bed BioBLU®320 5p bioreactors, leading to high-end titers. We identified core factors that significantly improved virus production, such as the kinetics of virus production, the use of macrospargers for oxygen supply, and medium replenishment. Implementing these parameters, among others, in a series of GMP production processes improved the titer yields by at least two orders of magnitude (2e9 PFU/mL) over previously reported values. The developed process was highly effective, repeatable, and robust, creating potent and genetically stable vaccine viruses and introducing new opportunities for application in other viral vaccine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Cohen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Irit Simon
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ophir Hazan
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Arnon Tal
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Hanan Tzadok
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Lilach Levin
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Meni Girshengorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Lilach Cherry Mimran
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Niva Natan
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Tzadok Baruhi
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Alon Ben David
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Osnat Rosen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Shlomo Shmaya
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Sarah Borni
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Noa Cohen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Adi Kedmi
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Orian Zilberman
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Avital Jayson
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Eran Diamant
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Michael Goldvaser
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Inbar Cohen-Gihon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ofir Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Shirley Lazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ohad Shifman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Adi Beth-Din
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Anat Zvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ziv Oren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Arik Makovitzki
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Elad Lerer
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Avishai Mimran
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Einat Toister
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ran Zichel
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Yaakov Adar
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Epstein
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
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3
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Jayson A, Goldvaser M, Dor E, Monash A, Levin L, Cherry L, Lupu E, Natan N, Girshengorn M, Epstein E, Rosen O. Application of Ambr15 system for simulation of entire SARS-CoV-2 vaccine production process involving macrocarriers. Biotechnol Prog 2022; 38:e3277. [PMID: 35633106 PMCID: PMC9348148 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3277] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The Ambr15 system is an automated, high‐throughput bioreactor platform which comprises 24 individually controlled, single‐use stirred‐tank reactors. This system plays a critical role in process development by reducing reagent requirements and facilitating high‐throughput screening of process parameters. However, until now, the system was used to simulate processes involving cells in suspension or growing on microcarriers and has never been tested for simulating cells growing on macrocarriers. Moreover, to our knowledge, a complete production process including cell growth and virus production has never been simulated. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, the amenability of the automated Ambr15 cell culture reactor system to simulate the entire SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine production process using macrocarriers. To simulate the production process, accessories were first developed to enable insertion of tens of Fibra‐Cel macrocarries into the reactors. Vero cell adsorption to Fibra‐Cels was then monitored and its adsorption curve was studied. After incorporating of all optimized factors, Vero cells were adsorbed to and grown on Fibra‐Cels for several days. During the process, culture medium was exchanged, and the quantity and viability of the cells were followed, resulting in a typical growth curve. After successfully growing cells for 6 days, they were infected with the rVSV‐ΔG‐Spike vaccine virus. The present results indicate that the Ambr15 system is not only suitable for simulating a process using macrocarriers, but also to simulate an entire vaccine production process, from cell adsorption, cell growth, infection and vaccine virus production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avital Jayson
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Michael Goldvaser
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Lilach Levin
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Niva Natan
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Meni Girshengorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Epstein
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Osnat Rosen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
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4
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Rosen O, Jayson A, Goldvaser M, Dor E, Monash A, Levin L, Cherry L, Lupu E, Natan N, Girshengorn M, Epstein E. Optimization of VSV-ΔG-spike production process with the Ambr15 system for a SARS-COV-2 vaccine. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1839-1848. [PMID: 35319097 PMCID: PMC9082513 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
To face the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus, our institute has developed the rVSV‐ΔG‐spike vaccine, in which the glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was replaced by the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2. Many process parameters can influence production yield. To maximize virus vaccine yield, each parameter should be tested independently and in combination with others. Here, we report the optimization of the production of the VSV‐ΔG‐spike vaccine in Vero cells using the Ambr15 system. This system facilitates high‐throughput screening of process parameters, as it contains 24 individually controlled, single‐use stirred‐tank minireactors. During optimization, critical parameters were tested. Those parameters included: cell densities; the multiplicity of infection; virus production temperature; medium addition and medium exchange; and supplementation of glucose in the virus production step. Virus production temperature, medium addition, and medium exchange were all found to significantly influence the yield. The optimized parameters were tested in the BioBLU 5p bioreactors production process and those that were found to contribute to the vaccine yield were integrated into the final process. The findings of this study demonstrate that an Ambr15 system is an effective tool for bioprocess optimization of vaccine production using macrocarriers and that the combination of production temperature, rate of medium addition, and medium exchange significantly improved virus yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osnat Rosen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Avital Jayson
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Michael Goldvaser
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Lilach Levin
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Niva Natan
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Meni Girshengorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Eyal Epstein
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Ness Ziona, Israel
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5
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Fisher M, Manor A, Abramovitch H, Fatelevich E, Afrimov Y, Bilinsky G, Lupu E, Ben-Shmuel A, Glinert I, Madar-Balakirski N, Marcus H, Mechaly A. A Novel Quantitative Multi-Component Serological Assay for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Evaluation. Anal Chem 2022; 94:4380-4389. [PMID: 35230823 PMCID: PMC8903214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A multi-component microarray, applying a novel analysis algorithm, was developed for quantitative evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines' immunogenicity. The array enables simultaneous quantitation of IgG, IgM, and IgA, specific to the SARS-CoV-2 spike, receptor binding domain, and nucleocapsid proteins. The developed methodology is based on calculating an apparent immunoglobulin signal from the linear range of the fluorescent read-outs generated by scanning the microarray slides at different exposure times. A dedicated algorithm, employing a rigorous set of embedded conditions, then generates a normalized signal for each of the unique assays. Qualification of the multi-component array performance (evaluating linearity, extended dynamic-range, specificity, precision, and accuracy) was carried out with an in-house COVID-19, qRT-PCR positive serum, as well as pre-pandemic commercial negative sera. Results were compared to the WHO international standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins. Specific IgG, IgM, and IgA signals obtained by this array enabled successful discrimination between SARS-CoV-2 q-RT-PCR positive (seroconverted SARS-CoV-2 patients) and negative (naïve) samples. This array is currently used for evaluation of the humoral response to BriLife, the VSV-based Israeli vaccine during phase I/II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morly Fisher
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Alon Manor
- Department
of Environmental Physics, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Hagar Abramovitch
- Department
of Quality Assurance, Israel Institute for
Biological Research, 7410001 Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ella Fatelevich
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Yafa Afrimov
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Gal Bilinsky
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department
of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological
Research, 7410001 Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Amir Ben-Shmuel
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Itai Glinert
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Noa Madar-Balakirski
- Department
of Pharmacology, Israel Institute for Biological
Research, 7410001 Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Hadar Marcus
- Department
of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological
Research, 7410001 Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Adva Mechaly
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute
for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
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6
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Rosen O, Jayson A, Dor E, Epstein E, Makovitzki A, Cherry L, Lupu E, Monash A, Borni S, Baruchi T, Laskar O, Shmaya S, Rosenfeld R, Levy Y, Schuster O, Feldberg L. SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen quantification by targeted mass spectrometry of a virus-based vaccine. J Virol Methods 2022; 303:114498. [PMID: 35217103 PMCID: PMC8863330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2022.114498] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The spike glycoprotein mediates virus binding to the host cells and is a key target for vaccines development. One SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is based on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), in which the native surface glycoprotein has been replaced by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (VSV-ΔG-spike). The titer of the virus is quantified by the plaque forming unit (PFU) assay, but there is no method for spike protein quantitation as an antigen in a VSV-based vaccine. Here, we describe a mass spectrometric (MS) spike protein quantification method, applied to VSV-ΔG-spike based vaccine. Proof of concept of this method, combining two different sample preparations, is shown for complex matrix samples, produced during the vaccine manufacturing processes. Total spike levels were correlated with results from activity assays, and ranged between 0.3−0.5 μg of spike protein per 107 PFU virus-based vaccine. This method is simple, linear over a wide range, allows quantification of antigen within a sample and can be easily implemented for any vaccine or therapeutic sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osnat Rosen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel.
| | - Avital Jayson
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Eyal Epstein
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Arik Makovitzki
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Sarah Borni
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Tzadok Baruchi
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Orly Laskar
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Shlomo Shmaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Ronit Rosenfeld
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Yinon Levy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel
| | - Ofir Schuster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel.
| | - Liron Feldberg
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 7410001, Israel.
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7
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Barbhuiya NH, Singh SP, Makovitzki A, Narkhede P, Oren Z, Adar Y, Lupu E, Cherry L, Monash A, Arnusch CJ. Virus Inactivation in Water Using Laser-Induced Graphene Filters. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14. [PMID: 34207716 DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.13489398.v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Interest in the pathogenesis, detection, and prevention of viral infections has increased broadly in many fields of research over the past year. The development of water treatment technology to combat viral infection by inactivation or disinfection might play a key role in infection prevention in places where drinking water sources are biologically contaminated. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has antimicrobial and antifouling surface effects mainly because of its electrochemical properties and texture, and LIG-based water filters have been used for the inactivation of bacteria. However, the antiviral activity of LIG-based filters has not yet been explored. Here we show that LIG filters also have antiviral effects by applying electrical potential during filtration of the model prototypic poxvirus Vaccinia lister. This antiviral activity of the LIG filters was compared with its antibacterial activity, which showed that higher voltages were required for the inactivation of viruses compared to that of bacteria. The generation of reactive oxygen species, along with surface electrical effects, played a role in the mechanism of virus inactivation. This new property of LIG highlights its potential for use in water and wastewater treatment for the electrochemical disinfection of various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmul Haque Barbhuiya
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Swatantra P Singh
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Arik Makovitzki
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel
| | - Pradnya Narkhede
- Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel
- Department of Desalination and Water Treatment, The Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel
| | - Ziv Oren
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel
| | - Yaakov Adar
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel
| | - Christopher J Arnusch
- Department of Desalination and Water Treatment, The Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel
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8
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Barbhuiya NH, Singh SP, Makovitzki A, Narkhede P, Oren Z, Adar Y, Lupu E, Cherry L, Monash A, Arnusch CJ. Virus Inactivation in Water Using Laser-Induced Graphene Filters. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:3179. [PMID: 34207716 PMCID: PMC8226673 DOI: 10.3390/ma14123179] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Interest in the pathogenesis, detection, and prevention of viral infections has increased broadly in many fields of research over the past year. The development of water treatment technology to combat viral infection by inactivation or disinfection might play a key role in infection prevention in places where drinking water sources are biologically contaminated. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has antimicrobial and antifouling surface effects mainly because of its electrochemical properties and texture, and LIG-based water filters have been used for the inactivation of bacteria. However, the antiviral activity of LIG-based filters has not yet been explored. Here we show that LIG filters also have antiviral effects by applying electrical potential during filtration of the model prototypic poxvirus Vaccinia lister. This antiviral activity of the LIG filters was compared with its antibacterial activity, which showed that higher voltages were required for the inactivation of viruses compared to that of bacteria. The generation of reactive oxygen species, along with surface electrical effects, played a role in the mechanism of virus inactivation. This new property of LIG highlights its potential for use in water and wastewater treatment for the electrochemical disinfection of various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmul Haque Barbhuiya
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India;
| | - Swatantra P. Singh
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India;
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Arik Makovitzki
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel; (A.M.); (Z.O.); (Y.A.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Pradnya Narkhede
- Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel;
- Department of Desalination and Water Treatment, The Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel
| | - Ziv Oren
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel; (A.M.); (Z.O.); (Y.A.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Yaakov Adar
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel; (A.M.); (Z.O.); (Y.A.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel; (A.M.); (Z.O.); (Y.A.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel; (A.M.); (Z.O.); (Y.A.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Tiona 7410001, Israel; (A.M.); (Z.O.); (Y.A.); (E.L.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Christopher J. Arnusch
- Department of Desalination and Water Treatment, The Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel
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9
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Deac L, Deac D, Lupu E, Piso P. [Diarrheal syndromes in hospitalized patients]. Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol 1995; 40:195-6. [PMID: 8639995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L Deac
- Centrul Medical şi de Servicii de Sănătate, Cluj Napoca
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10
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Ben-Nathan D, Lustig S, Kobiler D, Danenberg HD, Lupu E, Feuerstein G. Dehydroepiandrosterone protects mice inoculated with West Nile virus and exposed to cold stress. J Med Virol 1992; 38:159-66. [PMID: 1287129 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890380302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The protective effect of pretreatment with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on stress-enhanced viral encephalitis was studied in mice exposed to cold following inoculation with West Nile virus (WNV). Exposure of WNV-inoculated mice to cold water (1 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 5 minutes/day for 8 days) resulted in a mortality rate of 83% as compared to 50% in nonstressed mice (p < 0.05). The effect of cold stress was more pronounced when mice were inoculated with WN-25, a noninvasive neurovirulent variant of WNV. Mice infected with WN-25 showed no mortality, whereas cold stressed mice inoculated with the same virus had a mortality rate of 67% (p < 0.05). The administration of DHEA (serial injections of 10-20 mg/kg with or without a loading dose of 1 gm/kg) resulted in a significant reduction in the mortality rate of stressed mice inoculated with either virus (p < 0.05). Virus levels in the blood and brain of the DHEA-treated mice, were significantly lower than in the control groups. DHEA also prevented the involution of lymphoid organs in stressed mice. The present study provides direct evidence of the protective effects of DHEA as an "anti-stress" agent. Its ability to prevent mortality associated with WNV or WN-25, and involution of lymphoid organs caused by stress-induced immunosuppression, supports the notion that its activity is based on the modulation of the host response.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ben-Nathan
- Department of Virology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona
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11
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Radian AB, Batrinu E, Lupu E. Pneumohydrostatic device for goniotomy. Br J Ophthalmol 1972; 56:371-4. [PMID: 5038726 PMCID: PMC1208795 DOI: 10.1136/bjo.56.4.371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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12
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Turai I, Lupu E, Blidaru P, Roşeala E, Dimitriu M, Stan S. [Aspects of regional enteritis (Crohn's disease) in emergency surgery]. Rev Med Moyen Orient 1967; 24:299-309. [PMID: 5269286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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