1
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Iseli AN, Pohl MO, Glas I, Gaggioli E, Martínez-Barragán P, David SC, Schaub A, Luo B, Klein LK, Bluvshtein N, Violaki K, Motos G, Hugentobler W, Nenes A, Krieger UK, Peter T, Kohn T, Stertz S. The neuraminidase activity of influenza A virus determines the strain-specific sensitivity to neutralization by respiratory mucus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0127123. [PMID: 37819131 PMCID: PMC10617592 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01271-23] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The respiratory tract of humans is constantly exposed to potentially harmful agents, such as small particles or pathogens, and thus requires protective measures. Respiratory mucus that lines the airway epithelia plays a major role in the prevention of viral infections by limiting the mobility of viruses, allowing subsequent mucociliary clearance. Understanding the interplay between respiratory mucus and viruses can help elucidate host and virus characteristics that enable the initiation of infection. Here, we tested a panel of primary influenza A viruses of avian or human origin for their sensitivity to mucus derived from primary human airway cultures and found that differences between virus strains can be mapped to viral neuraminidase activity. We also show that binding of influenza A viruses to decoy receptors on highly glycosylated mucus components constitutes the major inhibitory function of mucus against influenza A viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena N. Iseli
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie O. Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Glas
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Gaggioli
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Shannon C. David
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aline Schaub
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Beiping Luo
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Liviana K. Klein
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nir Bluvshtein
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kalliopi Violaki
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ghislain Motos
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Walter Hugentobler
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Athanasios Nenes
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Patras, Greece
| | - Ulrich K. Krieger
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Peter
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tamar Kohn
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Luo B, Schaub A, Glas I, Klein LK, David SC, Bluvshtein N, Violaki K, Motos G, Pohl MO, Hugentobler W, Nenes A, Krieger UK, Stertz S, Peter T, Kohn T. Expiratory Aerosol pH: The Overlooked Driver of Airborne Virus Inactivation. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:486-497. [PMID: 36537693 PMCID: PMC9835828 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses, including influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, are transmitted by the airborne route. Air filtration and ventilation mechanically reduce the concentration of airborne viruses and are necessary tools for disease mitigation. However, they ignore the potential impact of the chemical environment surrounding aerosolized viruses, which determines the aerosol pH. Atmospheric aerosol gravitates toward acidic pH, and enveloped viruses are prone to inactivation at strong acidity levels. Yet, the acidity of expiratory aerosol particles and its effect on airborne virus persistence have not been examined. Here, we combine pH-dependent inactivation rates of influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 with microphysical properties of respiratory fluids using a biophysical aerosol model. We find that particles exhaled into indoor air (with relative humidity ≥ 50%) become mildly acidic (pH ∼ 4), rapidly inactivating IAV within minutes, whereas SARS-CoV-2 requires days. If indoor air is enriched with nonhazardous levels of nitric acid, aerosol pH drops by up to 2 units, decreasing 99%-inactivation times for both viruses in small aerosol particles to below 30 s. Conversely, unintentional removal of volatile acids from indoor air may elevate pH and prolong airborne virus persistence. The overlooked role of aerosol acidity has profound implications for virus transmission and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beiping Luo
- Institute
for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH
Zurich, CH-8092Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aline Schaub
- Environmental
Chemistry Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Irina Glas
- Institute
of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, CH-8057Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Liviana K. Klein
- Institute
for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH
Zurich, CH-8092Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shannon C. David
- Environmental
Chemistry Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nir Bluvshtein
- Institute
for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH
Zurich, CH-8092Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kalliopi Violaki
- Laboratory
of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture,
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ghislain Motos
- Laboratory
of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture,
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie O. Pohl
- Institute
of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, CH-8057Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Walter Hugentobler
- Laboratory
of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture,
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Athanasios Nenes
- Laboratory
of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture,
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation
for Research and Technology Hellas, GR-26504Patras, Greece
| | - Ulrich K. Krieger
- Institute
for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH
Zurich, CH-8092Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute
of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, CH-8057Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Peter
- Institute
for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH
Zurich, CH-8092Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tamar Kohn
- Environmental
Chemistry Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
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3
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Hunziker A, Glas I, Pohl MO, Stertz S. Phosphoproteomic profiling of influenza virus entry reveals infection-triggered filopodia induction counteracted by dynamic cortactin phosphorylation. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110306. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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4
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Palika A, Armanious A, Rahimi A, Medaglia C, Gasbarri M, Handschin S, Rossi A, Pohl MO, Busnadiego I, Gübeli C, Anjanappa RB, Bolisetty S, Peydayesh M, Stertz S, Hale BG, Tapparel C, Stellacci F, Mezzenga R. An antiviral trap made of protein nanofibrils and iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. Nat Nanotechnol 2021; 16:918-925. [PMID: 34083772 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-00920-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Minimizing the spread of viruses in the environment is the first defence line when fighting outbreaks and pandemics, but the current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates how difficult this is on a global scale, particularly in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Here we introduce and develop a sustainable and biodegradable antiviral filtration membrane composed of amyloid nanofibrils made from food-grade milk proteins and iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles synthesized in situ from iron salts by simple pH tuning. Thus, all the membrane components are made of environmentally friendly, non-toxic and widely available materials. The membrane has outstanding efficacy against a broad range of viruses, which include enveloped, non-enveloped, airborne and waterborne viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, H1N1 (the influenza A virus strain responsible for the swine flu pandemic in 2009) and enterovirus 71 (a non-enveloped virus resistant to harsh conditions, such as highly acidic pH), which highlights a possible role in fighting the current and future viral outbreaks and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Palika
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonius Armanious
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Akram Rahimi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- BluAct Technologies GmbH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Medaglia
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Gasbarri
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Handschin
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonella Rossi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Science, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie O Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Idoia Busnadiego
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Gübeli
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Sreenath Bolisetty
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- BluAct Technologies GmbH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mohammad Peydayesh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin G Hale
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Tapparel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Stellacci
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Pohl MO, Busnadiego I, Marrafino F, Wiedmer L, Hunziker A, Fernbach S, Glas I, Moroz-Omori EV, Hale BG, Caflisch A, Stertz S. Combined computational and cellular screening identifies synergistic inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by lenvatinib and remdesivir. J Gen Virol 2021; 102:001625. [PMID: 34319869 PMCID: PMC8491895 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid repurposing of existing drugs as new therapeutics for COVID-19 has been an important strategy in the management of disease severity during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Here, we used high-throughput docking to screen 6000 compounds within the DrugBank library for their potential to bind and inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease, a chymotrypsin-like enzyme that is essential for viral replication. For 19 candidate hits, parallel in vitro fluorescence-based protease-inhibition assays and Vero-CCL81 cell-based SARS-CoV-2 replication-inhibition assays were performed. One hit, diclazuril (an investigational anti-protozoal compound), was validated as a SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease inhibitor in vitro (IC50 value of 29 µM) and modestly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero-CCL81 cells. Another hit, lenvatinib (approved for use in humans as an anti-cancer treatment), could not be validated as a SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease inhibitor in vitro, but serendipitously exhibited a striking functional synergy with the approved nucleoside analogue remdesivir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication, albeit this was specific to Vero-CCL81 cells. Lenvatinib is a broadly-acting host receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor, but the synergistic effect with remdesivir was not observed with other approved RTK inhibitors (such as pazopanib or sunitinib), suggesting that the mechanism-of-action is independent of host RTKs. Furthermore, time-of-addition studies revealed that lenvatinib/remdesivir synergy probably targets SARS-CoV-2 replication subsequent to host-cell entry. Our work shows that combining computational and cellular screening is a means to identify existing drugs with repurposing potential as antiviral compounds. Future studies could be aimed at understanding and optimizing the lenvatinib/remdesivir synergistic mechanism as a therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie O. Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Idoia Busnadiego
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Marrafino
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano SA, 84084, Italy
| | - Lars Wiedmer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annika Hunziker
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Fernbach
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Glas
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena V. Moroz-Omori
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin G. Hale
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Pohl MO, Busnadiego I, Kufner V, Glas I, Karakus U, Schmutz S, Zaheri M, Abela I, Trkola A, Huber M, Stertz S, Hale BG. SARS-CoV-2 variants reveal features critical for replication in primary human cells. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001006. [PMID: 33760807 PMCID: PMC8021179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [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: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since entering the human population, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 [COVID-19]) has spread worldwide, causing >100 million infections and >2 million deaths. While large-scale sequencing efforts have identified numerous genetic variants in SARS-CoV-2 during its circulation, it remains largely unclear whether many of these changes impact adaptation, replication, or transmission of the virus. Here, we characterized 14 different low-passage replication-competent human SARS-CoV-2 isolates representing all major European clades observed during the first pandemic wave in early 2020. By integrating viral sequencing data from patient material, virus stocks, and passaging experiments, together with kinetic virus replication data from nonhuman Vero-CCL81 cells and primary differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (BEpCs), we observed several SARS-CoV-2 features that associate with distinct phenotypes. Notably, naturally occurring variants in Orf3a (Q57H) and nsp2 (T85I) were associated with poor replication in Vero-CCL81 cells but not in BEpCs, while SARS-CoV-2 isolates expressing the Spike D614G variant generally exhibited enhanced replication abilities in BEpCs. Strikingly, low-passage Vero-derived stock preparation of 3 SARS-CoV-2 isolates selected for substitutions at positions 5/6 of E and were highly attenuated in BEpCs, revealing a key cell-specific function to this region. Rare isolate-specific deletions were also observed in the Spike furin cleavage site during Vero-CCL81 passage, but these were rapidly selected against in BEpCs, underscoring the importance of this site for SARS-CoV-2 replication in primary human cells. Overall, our study uncovers sequence features in SARS-CoV-2 variants that determine cell-specific replication and highlights the need to monitor SARS-CoV-2 stocks carefully when phenotyping newly emerging variants or potential variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie O. Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Idoia Busnadiego
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Verena Kufner
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Glas
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Umut Karakus
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schmutz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maryam Zaheri
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irene Abela
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Trkola
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Huber
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin G. Hale
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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de Waal L, Smits SL, Veldhuis Kroeze EJB, van Amerongen G, Pohl MO, Osterhaus ADME, Stittelaar KJ. Transmission of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the Immunocompromised Ferret Model. Viruses 2018; 10:E18. [PMID: 29301313 PMCID: PMC5795431 DOI: 10.3390/v10010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) causes substantial morbidity and mortality in vulnerable patients, such as the very young, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals of any age. Nosocomial transmission of HRSV remains a serious challenge in hospital settings, with intervention strategies largely limited to infection control measures, including isolation of cases, high standards of hand hygiene, cohort nursing, and use of personal protective equipment. No vaccines against HRSV are currently available, and treatment options are largely supportive care and expensive monoclonal antibody or antiviral therapy. The limitations of current animal models for HRSV infection impede the development of new preventive and therapeutic agents, and the assessment of their potential for limiting HRSV transmission, in particular in nosocomial settings. Here, we demonstrate the efficient transmission of HRSV from immunocompromised ferrets to both immunocompromised and immunocompetent contact ferrets, with pathological findings reproducing HRSV pathology in humans. The immunocompromised ferret-HRSV model represents a novel tool for the evaluation of intervention strategies against nosocomial transmission of HRSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon de Waal
- Viroclinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam 3029 AK, The Netherlands.
| | - Saskia L Smits
- Viroclinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam 3029 AK, The Netherlands.
| | - Edwin J B Veldhuis Kroeze
- Viroclinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam 3029 AK, The Netherlands.
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Marie O Pohl
- Viroclinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam 3029 AK, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert D M E Osterhaus
- Viroclinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam 3029 AK, The Netherlands.
- Research Centre for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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8
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Pohl MO, von Recum-Knepper J, Rodriguez-Frandsen A, Lanz C, Yángüez E, Soonthornvacharin S, Wolff T, Chanda SK, Stertz S. Identification of Polo-like kinases as potential novel drug targets for influenza A virus. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8629. [PMID: 28819179 PMCID: PMC5561215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08942-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years genome-wide RNAi screens have revealed hundreds of cellular factors required for influenza virus infections in human cells. The long-term goal is to establish some of them as drug targets for the development of the next generation of antivirals against influenza. We found that several members of the polo-like kinases (PLK), a family of serine/threonine kinases with well-known roles in cell cycle regulation, were identified as hits in four different RNAi screens and we therefore studied their potential as drug target for influenza. We show that knockdown of PLK1, PLK3, and PLK4, as well as inhibition of PLK kinase activity by four different compounds, leads to reduced influenza virus replication, and we map the requirement of PLK activity to early stages of the viral replication cycle. We also tested the impact of the PLK inhibitor BI2536 on influenza virus replication in a human lung tissue culture model and observed strong inhibition of virus replication with no measurable toxicity. This study establishes the PLKs as potential drug targets for influenza and contributes to a more detailed understanding of the intricate interactions between influenza viruses and their host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie O Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Sciences Zurich Graduate School, ETH and University of Zürich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jessica von Recum-Knepper
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ariel Rodriguez-Frandsen
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Caroline Lanz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Sciences Zurich Graduate School, ETH and University of Zürich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emilio Yángüez
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Soonthornvacharin
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Unit 17, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sumit K Chanda
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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9
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Abstract
After successful infection and replication of its genome in the nucleus of the host cell, influenza A virus faces several challenges before newly assembled viral particles can bud off from the plasma membrane, giving rise to a new infectious virus. The viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes need to exit from the nucleus and be transported to the virus assembly sites at the plasma membrane. Moreover, they need to be bundled to ensure the incorporation of precisely one of each of the eight viral genome segments into newly formed viral particles. Similarly, viral envelope glycoproteins and other viral structural proteins need to be targeted to virus assembly sites for viral particles to form and bud off from the plasma membrane. During all these steps influenza A virus heavily relies on a tight interplay with its host, exploiting host-cell proteins for its own purposes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on late stages of the influenza virus replication cycle, focusing on the role of host-cell proteins involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie O Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Lanz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Abstract
Attachment to target cells followed by internalization are the very first steps of the life cycle of influenza A virus (IAV). We provide here a detailed protocol for measuring relative changes in the amount of viral particles that attach to A549 cells, a human lung epithelial cell line, as well as in the amount of particles that are internalized into the cell. We use biotinylated virus which can be easily detected following staining with Cy3-labeled streptavidin (STV-Cy3). We describe the growth, purification and biotinylation of A/WSN/33, a widely used IAV laboratory strain. Cold-bound biotinylated IAV particles on A549 cells are stained with STV-Cy3 and measured using flow cytometry. To investigate uptake of viral particles, cold-bound virus is allowed to internalize at 37 °C. In order to differentiate between external and internalized viral particles, a blocking step is applied: Free binding spots on the biotin of attached virus on the cell surface are bound by unlabeled streptavidin (STV). Subsequent cell permeabilization and staining with STV-Cy3 then enables detection of internalized viral particles. We present a calculation to determine the relative amount of internalized virus. This assay is suitable to measure effects of drug-treatments or other manipulations on attachment or internalization of IAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie O Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich;
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Abstract
Influenza virus is a major human pathogen that causes annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. Moreover, the virus causes outbreaks in poultry and other animals, such as pigs, requiring costly and laborious countermeasures. Therefore, influenza virus has a substantial impact on health and the global economy. Here, we review entry of this important pathogen into target cells, an essential process by which viral genomes are delivered from extracellular virions to sites of transcription/replication in the cell nucleus. We summarize current knowledge on the interaction of influenza viruses with their receptor, sialic acid, and highlight the ongoing search for additional receptors. We describe receptor-mediated endocytosis and the recently discovered macropinocytosis as alternative virus uptake pathways, and illustrate the subsequent endosomal trafficking of the virus with advanced live microscopy techniques. Release of virus from the endosome and import of the viral ribonucleoproteins into the host cell nucleus are also outlined. Although a focus has been on viral protein function during entry, recent studies have revealed exciting information on cellular factors required for influenza virus entry. We highlight these, and discuss established entry inhibitors targeting viral and host factors, as well as the latest prospects for designing novel 'anti-entry' compounds. New entry inhibitors are of particular importance for current efforts to develop the next generation of anti-influenza drugs - entry is the first essential step of virus replication and is an ideal target to block infection efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas O Edinger
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie O Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Zompi S, Montoya M, Pohl MO, Balmaseda A, Harris E. Dominant cross-reactive B cell response during secondary acute dengue virus infection in humans. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1568. [PMID: 22448292 PMCID: PMC3308930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [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: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) cause dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). Severe disease has been associated with heterotypic secondary DENV infection, mediated by cross-reactive antibodies (Abs) and/or cross-reactive T cells. The role of cross-reactive immunity in mediating enhanced disease versus cross-protection against secondary heterotypic DENV infection is not well defined. A better understanding of the cross-reactive immune response in natural infections is critical for development of safe and effective tetravalent vaccines. We studied the B cell phenotype of circulating B cells in the blood of pediatric patients suspected of dengue during the 2010–2011 dengue season in Managua, Nicaragua (n = 216), which was dominated by the DENV-3 serotype. We found a markedly larger percentage of plasmablast/plasma cells (PB/PCs) circulating in DENV-positive patients as compared to patients with Other Febrile Illnesses (OFIs). The percentage of DENV-specific PB/PCs against DENV-3 represented 10% of the circulating antibody-producing cells (ASCs) in secondary DENV-3 infections. Importantly, the cross-reactive DENV-specific B cell response was higher against a heterotypic serotype, with 46% of circulating PB/PCs specific to DENV-2 and 10% specific to DENV-3 during acute infection. We also observed a higher cross-reactive DENV-specific IgG serum avidity directed against DENV-2 as compared to DENV-3 during acute infection. The neutralization capacity of the serum was broadly cross-reactive against the four DENV serotypes both during the acute phase and at 3 months post-onset of symptoms. Overall, the cross-reactive B cell immune response dominates during secondary DENV infections in humans. These results reflect our recent findings in a mouse model of DENV cross-protection. In addition, this study enabled the development of increased technical and research capacity of Nicaraguan scientists and the implementation of several new immunological assays in the field. Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral infection of humans, with half the world's population at risk for infection. Four different dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to -4) can cause the disease, which can be either inapparent or present with flu-like symptoms (Dengue Fever), also known as “breakbone fever”. In a number of cases, the disease can be more severe and sometimes fatal, with signs of bleeding and vascular leakage leading to shock (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome). Severe disease has been associated with secondary sequential DENV infections, i.e., infection with a second DENV serotype different from the serotype causing the first infection. No specific treatment or vaccine is available. Understanding how the human immune response develops during a natural infection can be beneficial for future vaccine studies and trials. B cells are a subset of cells that produce antibodies and are thus essential in the response to natural infections and vaccines. We show here that during secondary DENV infections in humans, the B cell immune response to a previous infecting DENV serotype is stronger than the response against the current infecting serotype. In addition, this study allowed the development of research capacity and implementation of new immunological assays in Nicaragua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Zompi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SZ); (EH)
| | - Magelda Montoya
- Laboratorio Nacional de Virología, Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Marie O. Pohl
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Angel Balmaseda
- Laboratorio Nacional de Virología, Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministerio de Salud, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Eva Harris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SZ); (EH)
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