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Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Criança , Humanos , Esquemas de Imunização , VacinaçãoRESUMO
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a cell surface polysaccharide recently identified as a coreceptor with the ACE2 protein for the S1 spike protein on SARS-CoV-2 virus, providing a tractable new therapeutic target. Clinically used heparins demonstrate an inhibitory activity but have an anticoagulant activity and are supply-limited, necessitating alternative solutions. Here, we show that synthetic HS mimetic pixatimod (PG545), a cancer drug candidate, binds and destabilizes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and directly inhibits its binding to ACE2, consistent with molecular modeling identification of multiple molecular contacts and overlapping pixatimod and ACE2 binding sites. Assays with multiple clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 virus show that pixatimod potently inhibits the infection of monkey Vero E6 cells and physiologically relevant human bronchial epithelial cells at safe therapeutic concentrations. Pixatimod also retained broad potency against variants of concern (VOC) including B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Furthermore, in a K18-hACE2 mouse model, pixatimod significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral titers in the upper respiratory tract and virus-induced weight loss. This demonstration of potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity tolerant to emerging mutations establishes proof-of-concept for targeting the HS-Spike protein-ACE2 axis with synthetic HS mimetics and provides a strong rationale for clinical investigation of pixatimod as a potential multimodal therapeutic for COVID-19.
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Background: Administration of potent anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) monoclonal antibodies has been shown to curtail viral shedding and reduce hospitalization in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the structure-function analysis of potent human anti-RBD monoclonal antibodies and its links to the formulation of antibody cocktails remains largely elusive. Methods: Previously, we isolated a panel of neutralizing anti-RBD monoclonal antibodies from convalescent patients and showed their neutralization efficacy in vitro. Here, we elucidate the mechanism of action of antibodies and dissect antibodies at the epitope level, which leads to a formation of a potent antibody cocktail. Results: We found that representative antibodies which target non-overlapping epitopes are effective against wild type virus and recently emerging variants of concern, whilst being encoded by antibody genes with few somatic mutations. Neutralization is associated with the inhibition of binding of viral RBD to ACE2 and possibly of the subsequent fusion process. Structural analysis of representative antibodies, by cryo-electron microscopy and crystallography, reveals that they have some unique aspects that are of potential value while sharing some features in common with previously reported neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. For instance, one has a common VH 3-53 public variable region yet is unusually resilient to mutation at residue 501 of the RBD. We evaluate the in vivo efficacy of an antibody cocktail consisting of two potent non-competing anti-RBD antibodies in a Syrian hamster model. We demonstrate that the cocktail prevents weight loss, reduces lung viral load and attenuates pulmonary inflammation in hamsters in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings. Although neutralization of one of these antibodies is abrogated by the mutations of variant B.1.351, it is also possible to produce a bi-valent cocktail of antibodies both of which are resilient to variants B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and B.1.617.2. Conclusions: These findings support the up-to-date and rational design of an anti-RBD antibody cocktail as a therapeutic candidate against COVID-19.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/química , Anticorpos Monoclonais/farmacologia , Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2/metabolismo , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/genética , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/química , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/farmacologia , Sítios de Ligação , Ligação Competitiva , COVID-19/virologia , Cricetinae , Microscopia Crioeletrônica , Cristalografia por Raios X , Cães , Epitopos , Feminino , Humanos , Células Madin Darby de Rim Canino , Testes de Neutralização , Domínios Proteicos , SARS-CoV-2/genética , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/patogenicidade , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genética , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismoRESUMO
SARS-CoV-2 remains a global threat to human health particularly as escape mutants emerge. There is an unmet need for effective treatments against COVID-19 for which neutralizing single domain antibodies (nanobodies) have significant potential. Their small size and stability mean that nanobodies are compatible with respiratory administration. We report four nanobodies (C5, H3, C1, F2) engineered as homotrimers with pmolar affinity for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Crystal structures show C5 and H3 overlap the ACE2 epitope, whilst C1 and F2 bind to a different epitope. Cryo Electron Microscopy shows C5 binding results in an all down arrangement of the Spike protein. C1, H3 and C5 all neutralize the Victoria strain, and the highly transmissible Alpha (B.1.1.7 first identified in Kent, UK) strain and C1 also neutralizes the Beta (B.1.35, first identified in South Africa). Administration of C5-trimer via the respiratory route showed potent therapeutic efficacy in the Syrian hamster model of COVID-19 and separately, effective prophylaxis. The molecule was similarly potent by intraperitoneal injection.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes/farmacologia , Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19 , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/farmacologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismo , Administração Intranasal , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/administração & dosagem , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/genética , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Microscopia Crioeletrônica , Cristalografia por Raios X , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Relação Dose-Resposta Imunológica , Epitopos/química , Epitopos/metabolismo , Feminino , Masculino , Mesocricetus , Testes de Neutralização , SARS-CoV-2/efeitos dos fármacos , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/administração & dosagem , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/imunologia , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/metabolismo , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/químicaRESUMO
Virus neutralization assays measure neutralizing antibodies in serum and plasma, and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the gold standard for measuring levels of these antibodies for many viral diseases. We have developed procedures for the standard PRNT, microneutralization assay (MNA) and pseudotyped virus neutralization assay (PNA) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The MNA offers advantages over the PRNT by reducing assay time, allowing increased throughput and reducing operator workload while remaining dependent upon the use of wild-type virus. This ensures that all severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigens are present, but Biosafety Level 3 facilities are required. In addition to the advantages of MNA, PNA can be performed with lower biocontainment (Biosafety Level 2 facilities) and allows for further increases in throughput. For each new vaccine, it is critical to ensure good correlation of the neutralizing activity measured using PNA against the PRNT or MNA. These assays have been used in the development and licensure of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca; Oxford University) and Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen) coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines and are critical for demonstrating bioequivalence of future vaccines.
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Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , COVID-19/imunologia , Testes de Neutralização/métodos , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Ad26COVS1 , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/sangue , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , COVID-19/sangue , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/uso terapêutico , ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 , Humanos , Testes de Neutralização/economia , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has been identified as the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Animal models, and in particular non-human primates, are essential to understand the pathogenesis of emerging diseases and to assess the safety and efficacy of novel vaccines and therapeutics. Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 replicates in the upper and lower respiratory tract and causes pulmonary lesions in both rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. Immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are also similar in both species and equivalent to those reported in milder infections and convalescent human patients. This finding is reiterated by our transcriptional analysis of respiratory samples revealing the global response to infection. We describe a new method for lung histopathology scoring that will provide a metric to enable clearer decision making for this key endpoint. In contrast to prior publications, in which rhesus are accepted to be the preferred study species, we provide convincing evidence that both macaque species authentically represent mild to moderate forms of COVID-19 observed in the majority of the human population and both species should be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of interventions against SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, accessing cynomolgus macaques will greatly alleviate the pressures on current rhesus stocks.
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COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/virologia , Pulmão/patologia , Pulmão/virologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Imunidade Celular/fisiologia , Interferon gama/metabolismo , Macaca fascicularis , Macaca mulatta , Masculino , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/patogenicidadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is of high urgency. Here the safety and immunogenicity induced by a DNA vaccine (INO-4800) targeting the full length spike antigen of SARS-CoV-2 are described. METHODS: INO-4800 was evaluated in two groups of 20 participants, receiving either 1.0 mg or 2.0 mg of vaccine intradermally followed by CELLECTRA® EP at 0 and 4 weeks. Thirty-nine subjects completed both doses; one subject in the 2.0 mg group discontinued trial participation prior to receiving the second dose. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04336410. FINDINGS: The median age was 34.5, 55% (22/40) were men and 82.5% (33/40) white. Through week 8, only 6 related Grade 1 adverse events in 5 subjects were observed. None of these increased in frequency with the second administration. No serious adverse events were reported. All 38 subjects evaluable for immunogenicity had cellular and/or humoral immune responses following the second dose of INO-4800. By week 6, 95% (36/38) of the participants seroconverted based on their responses by generating binding (ELISA) and/or neutralizing antibodies (PRNT IC50), with responder geometric mean binding antibody titers of 655.5 [95% CI (255.6, 1681.0)] and 994.2 [95% CI (395.3, 2500.3)] in the 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg groups, respectively. For neutralizing antibody, 78% (14/18) and 84% (16/19) generated a response with corresponding geometric mean titers of 102.3 [95% CI (37.4, 280.3)] and 63.5 [95% CI (39.6, 101.8)], in the respective groups. By week 8, 74% (14/19) and 100% (19/19) of subjects generated T cell responses by IFN-É£ ELISpot assay with the median SFU per 106 PBMC of 46 [95% CI (21.1, 142.2)] and 71 [95% CI (32.2, 194.4)] in the 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg groups, respectively. Flow cytometry demonstrated a T cell response, dominated by CD8+ T cells co-producing IFN-É£ and TNF-α, without increase in IL-4. INTERPRETATION: INO-4800 demonstrated excellent safety and tolerability and was immunogenic in 100% (38/38) of the vaccinated subjects by eliciting either or both humoral or cellular immune responses. FUNDING: Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
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There is a vital need for authentic COVID-19 animal models to enable the pre-clinical evaluation of candidate vaccines and therapeutics. Here we report a dose titration study of SARS-CoV-2 in the ferret model. After a high (5 × 106 pfu) and medium (5 × 104 pfu) dose of virus is delivered, intranasally, viral RNA shedding in the upper respiratory tract (URT) is observed in 6/6 animals, however, only 1/6 ferrets show similar signs after low dose (5 × 102 pfu) challenge. Following sequential culls pathological signs of mild multifocal bronchopneumonia in approximately 5-15% of the lung is seen on day 3, in high and medium dosed groups. Ferrets re-challenged, after virus shedding ceased, are fully protected from acute lung pathology. The endpoints of URT viral RNA replication & distinct lung pathology are observed most consistently in the high dose group. This ferret model of SARS-CoV-2 infection presents a mild clinical disease.
Assuntos
COVID-19/imunologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Furões/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/farmacologia , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Pulmão/imunologia , Pulmão/patologia , RNA Viral/isolamento & purificação , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Replicação Viral/efeitos dos fármacos , Replicação Viral/imunologia , Eliminação de Partículas Virais/efeitos dos fármacos , Eliminação de Partículas Virais/imunologiaRESUMO
There is need for effective and affordable vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 to tackle the ongoing pandemic. In this study, we describe a protein nanoparticle vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine is based on the display of coronavirus spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) on a synthetic virus-like particle (VLP) platform, SpyCatcher003-mi3, using SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology. Low doses of RBD-SpyVLP in a prime-boost regimen induce a strong neutralising antibody response in mice and pigs that is superior to convalescent human sera. We evaluate antibody quality using ACE2 blocking and neutralisation of cell infection by pseudovirus or wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Using competition assays with a monoclonal antibody panel, we show that RBD-SpyVLP induces a polyclonal antibody response that recognises key epitopes on the RBD, reducing the likelihood of selecting neutralisation-escape mutants. Moreover, RBD-SpyVLP is thermostable and can be lyophilised without losing immunogenicity, to facilitate global distribution and reduce cold-chain dependence. The data suggests that RBD-SpyVLP provides strong potential to address clinical and logistic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Peptídeos/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Bloqueadores/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , COVID-19/imunologia , Linhagem Celular , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Domínios e Motivos de Interação entre Proteínas , Multimerização Proteica , SuínosRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Currently, there are no licensed vaccines and limited antivirals for the treatment of COVID-19. Heparin (delivered systemically) is currently used to treat anticoagulant anomalies in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, in the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia, nebulised unfractionated heparin (UFH) is being trialled in COVID-19 patients as a potential treatment. A systematic comparison of the potential antiviral effect of various heparin preparations on live wild type SARS-CoV-2, in vitro, is needed. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Seven different heparin preparations including UFH and low MW heparins (LMWH) of porcine or bovine origin were screened for antiviral activity against live SARS-CoV-2 (Australia/VIC01/2020) using a plaque inhibition assay with Vero E6 cells. Interaction of heparin with spike protein RBD was studied using differential scanning fluorimetry and the inhibition of RBD binding to human ACE2 protein using elisa assays was examined. KEY RESULTS: All the UFH preparations had potent antiviral effects, with IC50 values ranging between 25 and 41 µg·ml-1 , whereas LMWHs were less inhibitory by ~150-fold (IC50 range 3.4-7.8 mg·ml-1 ). Mechanistically, we observed that heparin binds and destabilizes the RBD protein and furthermore, we show heparin directly inhibits the binding of RBD to the human ACE2 protein receptor. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This comparison of clinically relevant heparins shows that UFH has significantly stronger SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity compared to LMWHs. UFH acts to directly inhibit binding of spike protein to the human ACE2 protein receptor. Overall, the data strongly support further clinical investigation of UFH as a potential treatment for patients with COVID-19.
Assuntos
Heparina/farmacologia , SARS-CoV-2/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Animais , Antivirais/farmacologia , Chlorocebus aethiops , Heparina/metabolismo , Heparina/uso terapêutico , Heparina de Baixo Peso Molecular/farmacologia , Ligação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismo , Ensaio de Placa Viral , Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19RESUMO
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
RESUMO
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented health and economic impact and there are currently no approved therapies. We have isolated an antibody, EY6A, from an individual convalescing from COVID-19 and have shown that it neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and cross-reacts with SARS-CoV-1. EY6A Fab binds the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike glycoprotein tightly (KD of 2 nM), and a 2.6-Å-resolution crystal structure of an RBD-EY6A Fab complex identifies the highly conserved epitope, away from the ACE2 receptor binding site. Residues within this footprint are key to stabilizing the pre-fusion spike. Cryo-EM analyses of the pre-fusion spike incubated with EY6A Fab reveal a complex of the intact spike trimer with three Fabs bound and two further multimeric forms comprising the destabilized spike attached to Fab. EY6A binds what is probably a major neutralizing epitope, making it a candidate therapeutic for COVID-19.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/química , Betacoronavirus/química , Infecções por Coronavirus/imunologia , Pneumonia Viral/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Adulto , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/metabolismo , Betacoronavirus/imunologia , Betacoronavirus/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação , COVID-19 , Chlorocebus aethiops , Reações Cruzadas , Microscopia Crioeletrônica , Cristalografia por Raios X , Epitopos , Humanos , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/química , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/metabolismo , Masculino , Pandemias , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/metabolismo , Conformação Proteica , Domínios Proteicos , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismo , Células VeroRESUMO
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic requiring the development of interventions for the prevention or treatment to curtail mortality and morbidity. No vaccine to boost mucosal immunity, or as a therapeutic, has yet been developed to SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we discover and characterize a cross-reactive human IgA monoclonal antibody, MAb362. MAb362 binds to both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and competitively blocks ACE2 receptor binding, by overlapping the ACE2 structural binding epitope. Furthermore, MAb362 IgA neutralizes both pseudotyped SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in 293 cells expressing ACE2. When converted to secretory IgA, MAb326 also neutralizes authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus while the IgG isotype shows no neutralization. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA antibodies, such as MAb362, may provide effective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 by inducing mucosal immunity within the respiratory system, a potentially critical feature of an effective vaccine.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Betacoronavirus/imunologia , Imunoglobulina A/imunologia , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/metabolismo , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismo , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/metabolismo , Chlorocebus aethiops , Reações Cruzadas , Epitopos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Imunoglobulina A/metabolismo , Imunoglobulina A Secretora/imunologia , Imunoglobulina A Secretora/metabolismo , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Modelos Moleculares , Mutação , Ligação Proteica , Domínios e Motivos de Interação entre Proteínas , Coronavírus Relacionado à Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genética , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Células VeroRESUMO
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is more transmissible than previous coronaviruses and causes a more serious illness than influenza. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as a prelude to viral entry into the cell. Using a naive llama single-domain antibody library and PCR-based maturation, we have produced two closely related nanobodies, H11-D4 and H11-H4, that bind RBD (KD of 39 and 12 nM, respectively) and block its interaction with ACE2. Single-particle cryo-EM revealed that both nanobodies bind to all three RBDs in the spike trimer. Crystal structures of each nanobody-RBD complex revealed how both nanobodies recognize the same epitope, which partly overlaps with the ACE2 binding surface, explaining the blocking of the RBD-ACE2 interaction. Nanobody-Fc fusions showed neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 (4-6 nM for H11-H4, 18 nM for H11-D4) and additive neutralization with the SARS-CoV-1/2 antibody CR3022.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Betacoronavirus/imunologia , Infecções por Coronavirus , Pandemias , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/metabolismo , Pneumonia Viral , Receptores Virais/metabolismo , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/metabolismo , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/ultraestrutura , Anticorpos Antivirais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Antivirais/ultraestrutura , Afinidade de Anticorpos , Reações Antígeno-Anticorpo/imunologia , Betacoronavirus/metabolismo , Ligação Competitiva , COVID-19 , Microscopia Crioeletrônica , Cristalografia por Raios X , Epitopos/imunologia , Humanos , Fragmentos Fc das Imunoglobulinas/genética , Fragmentos Fc das Imunoglobulinas/imunologia , Modelos Moleculares , Biblioteca de Peptídeos , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/ultraestrutura , Ligação Proteica , Conformação Proteica , Receptores Virais/ultraestrutura , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/imunologia , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/metabolismo , SARS-CoV-2 , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/metabolismo , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/ultraestrutura , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismo , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/ultraestruturaRESUMO
The coronavirus family member, SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the causal agent for the pandemic viral pneumonia disease, COVID-19. At this time, no vaccine is available to control further dissemination of the disease. We have previously engineered a synthetic DNA vaccine targeting the MERS coronavirus Spike (S) protein, the major surface antigen of coronaviruses, which is currently in clinical study. Here we build on this prior experience to generate a synthetic DNA-based vaccine candidate targeting SARS-CoV-2 S protein. The engineered construct, INO-4800, results in robust expression of the S protein in vitro. Following immunization of mice and guinea pigs with INO-4800 we measure antigen-specific T cell responses, functional antibodies which neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 infection and block Spike protein binding to the ACE2 receptor, and biodistribution of SARS-CoV-2 targeting antibodies to the lungs. This preliminary dataset identifies INO-4800 as a potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate, supporting further translational study.
Assuntos
Antígenos Virais/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Vacinas de DNA/imunologia , Vacinas Virais/imunologia , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Antígenos Virais/química , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , Infecções por Coronavirus/imunologia , Infecções por Coronavirus/prevenção & controle , Mapeamento de Epitopos , Cobaias , Imunidade Humoral , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Pulmão/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória do Oriente Médio , Modelos Animais , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/metabolismo , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Vacinas Virais/químicaRESUMO
Construction of chimaeric MVA is a useful tool with which to study gene function of related viruses. The protocol given here describes MVA chimaeras containing genes from Fowlpox virus (FWPV), although this can be applied to DNA derived from other organisms. There are a number of steps required to make the chimaeric MVA: 1) Purification of viral particles; 2) Extraction of DNA from purified viral particles; 3) Assembly of linear recombination templates; 4) Transfection of linear recombination templates; 5) Selection of chimaeric MVA. Note: This procedure uses live virus, and should be conducted using Good Microbiological Practice, in accordance with international and national biocontainment requirements. This procedure also involves Genetic Modification of microorganisms, and appropriate safety approval should be obtained before commencing.
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Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne disease, endemic in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia. Between 15-70% of reported cases are fatal. There is no approved vaccine available, and preclinical protection in vivo by an experimental vaccine has not been demonstrated previously. In the present study, the attenuated poxvirus vector, Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara, was used to develop a recombinant candidate vaccine expressing the CCHF virus glycoproteins. Cellular and humoral immunogenicity was confirmed in two mouse strains, including type I interferon receptor knockout mice, which are susceptible to CCHF disease. This vaccine protected all recipient animals from lethal disease in a challenge model adapted to represent infection via a tick bite. Histopathology and viral load analysis of protected animals confirmed that they had been exposed to challenge virus, even though they did not exhibit clinical signs. This is the first demonstration of efficacy of a CCHF vaccine.
Assuntos
Febre Hemorrágica da Crimeia/prevenção & controle , Vacinas Virais/imunologia , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Cricetinae , DNA Recombinante/genética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Glicoproteínas/genética , Glicoproteínas/imunologia , Vírus da Febre Hemorrágica da Crimeia-Congo/imunologia , Vírus da Febre Hemorrágica da Crimeia-Congo/fisiologia , Febre Hemorrágica da Crimeia/imunologia , Febre Hemorrágica da Crimeia/metabolismo , Febre Hemorrágica da Crimeia/patologia , Imunidade Celular , Imunidade Humoral , Camundongos , Plasmídeos/genética , Receptor de Interferon alfa e beta/deficiência , Receptores de Interferon/deficiência , Carga Viral , Proteínas Virais/genética , Proteínas Virais/imunologia , Vacinas Virais/genéticaRESUMO
Viruses must be able to resist host innate responses, especially the type I interferon (IFN) response. They do so by preventing the induction or activity of IFN and/or by resisting the antiviral effectors that it induces. Poxviruses are no exception, with many mechanisms identified whereby mammalian poxviruses, notably, vaccinia virus (VACV), but also cowpox and myxoma viruses, are able to evade host IFN responses. Similar mechanisms have not been described for avian poxviruses (avipoxviruses). Restricted for permissive replication to avian hosts, they have received less attention; moreover, the avian host responses are less well characterized. We show that the prototypic avipoxvirus, fowlpox virus (FWPV), is highly resistant to the antiviral effects of avian IFN. A gain-of-function genetic screen identified fpv014 to contribute to increased resistance to exogenous recombinant chicken alpha IFN (ChIFN1). fpv014 is a member of the large family of poxvirus (especially avipoxvirus) genes that encode proteins containing N-terminal ankyrin repeats (ANKs) and C-terminal F-box-like motifs. By binding the Skp1/cullin-1 complex, the F box in such proteins appears to target ligands bound by the ANKs for ubiquitination. Mass spectrometry and immunoblotting demonstrated that tandem affinity-purified, tagged fpv014 was complexed with chicken cullin-1 and Skp1. Prior infection with an fpv014-knockout mutant of FWPV still blocked transfected poly(I·C)-mediated induction of the beta IFN (ChIFN2) promoter as effectively as parental FWPV, but the mutant was more sensitive to exogenous ChIFN1. Therefore, unlike the related protein fpv012, fpv014 does not contribute to the FWPV block to induction of ChIFN2 but does confer resistance to an established antiviral state.
Assuntos
Repetição de Anquirina , Vírus da Varíola das Aves Domésticas/imunologia , Varíola Aviária/imunologia , Interferon-alfa/imunologia , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/imunologia , Proteínas Virais/química , Proteínas Virais/imunologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Embrião de Galinha , Galinhas , Varíola Aviária/genética , Varíola Aviária/virologia , Vírus da Varíola das Aves Domésticas/química , Vírus da Varíola das Aves Domésticas/genética , Biblioteca Gênica , Interferon-alfa/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/genética , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/virologia , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Proteínas Virais/genéticaRESUMO
Mammalian poxviruses, including vaccinia virus (VACV), have evolved multiple mechanisms to evade the host type I interferon (IFN) responses at different levels, with viral proteins targeting IFN induction, signaling, and antiviral effector functions. Avian poxviruses (avipoxviruses), which have been developed as recombinant vaccine vectors for permissive (i.e., poultry) and nonpermissive (i.e., mammals, including humans) species, encode no obvious equivalents of any of these proteins. We show that fowlpox virus (FWPV) fails to induce chicken beta IFN (ChIFN2) and is able to block its induction by transfected poly(I·C), an analog of cytoplasmic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). A broad-scale loss-of-function genetic screen was used to find FWPV-encoded modulators of poly(I·C)-mediated ChIFN2 induction. It identified fpv012, a member of a family of poxvirus genes highly expanded in the avipoxviruses (31 in FWPV; 51 in canarypox virus [CNPV], representing 15% of the total gene complement), encoding proteins containing N-terminal ankyrin repeats (ANKs) and C-terminal F-box-like motifs. Under ectopic expression, the first ANK of fpv012 is dispensable for inhibitory activity and the CNPV ortholog is also able to inhibit induction of ChIFN2. FWPV defective in fpv012 replicates well in culture and barely induces ChIFN2 during infection, suggesting that other factors are involved in blocking IFN induction and resisting the antiviral effectors. Nevertheless, unlike parental and revertant viruses, the mutants induce moderate levels of expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), suggesting either that there is sufficient ChIFN2 expression to partially induce the ISGs or the involvement of alternative, IFN-independent pathways that are also normally blocked by fpv012.