ABSTRACT
Antibodies are promising post-exposure therapies against emerging viruses, but which antibody features and in vitro assays best forecast protection are unclear. Our international consortium systematically evaluated antibodies against Ebola virus (EBOV) using multidisciplinary assays. For each antibody, we evaluated epitopes recognized on the viral surface glycoprotein (GP) and secreted glycoprotein (sGP), readouts of multiple neutralization assays, fraction of virions left un-neutralized, glycan structures, phagocytic and natural killer cell functions elicited, and in vivo protection in a mouse challenge model. Neutralization and induction of multiple immune effector functions (IEFs) correlated most strongly with protection. Neutralization predominantly occurred via epitopes maintained on endosomally cleaved GP, whereas maximal IEF mapped to epitopes farthest from the viral membrane. Unexpectedly, sGP cross-reactivity did not significantly influence in vivo protection. This comprehensive dataset provides a rubric to evaluate novel antibodies and vaccine responses and a roadmap for therapeutic development for EBOV and related viruses.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification , Ebolavirus/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/prevention & control , Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Female , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/immunology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology , Immunization , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The 2013-2016 outbreak of Ebola virus (EBOV) in West Africa was the largest recorded. It began following the cross-species transmission of EBOV from an animal reservoir, most likely bats, into humans, with phylogenetic analysis revealing the co-circulation of several viral lineages. We hypothesized that this prolonged human circulation led to genomic changes that increased viral transmissibility in humans. We generated a synthetic glycoprotein (GP) construct based on the earliest reported isolate and introduced amino acid substitutions that defined viral lineages. Mutant GPs were used to generate a panel of pseudoviruses, which were used to infect different human and bat cell lines. These data revealed that specific amino acid substitutions in the EBOV GP have increased tropism for human cells, while reducing tropism for bat cells. Such increased infectivity may have enhanced the ability of EBOV to transmit among humans and contributed to the wide geographic distribution of some viral lineages.
Subject(s)
Biological Evolution , Ebolavirus/physiology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology , Host Specificity , Africa, Western/epidemiology , Animals , Chiroptera/virology , Disease Outbreaks , Ebolavirus/classification , Ebolavirus/genetics , Ebolavirus/pathogenicity , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/transmission , Humans , Mutation , Phylogeny , Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics , Viral Envelope Proteins/metabolism , ZoonosesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is typically self-limiting, other associated complications such as congenital birth defects and the Guillain-Barré syndrome are well described. There are no approved vaccines against ZIKV infection. METHODS: In this phase 1, open-label clinical trial, we evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a synthetic, consensus DNA vaccine (GLS-5700) encoding the ZIKV premembrane and envelope proteins in two groups of 20 participants each. The participants received either 1 mg or 2 mg of vaccine intradermally, with each injection followed by electroporation (the use of a pulsed electric field to introduce the DNA sequence into cells) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 38 years, and 60% were women; 78% were White and 22% Black; in addition, 30% were Hispanic. At the interim analysis at 14 weeks (i.e., after the third dose of vaccine), no serious adverse events were reported. Local reactions at the vaccination site (e.g., injection-site pain, redness, swelling, and itching) occurred in approximately 50% of the participants. After the third dose of vaccine, binding antibodies (as measured on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were detected in all the participants, with geometric mean titers of 1642 and 2871 in recipients of 1 mg and 2 mg of vaccine, respectively. Neutralizing antibodies developed in 62% of the samples on Vero-cell assay. On neuronal-cell assay, there was 90% inhibition of ZIKV infection in 70% of the serum samples and 50% inhibition in 95% of the samples. The intraperitoneal injection of postvaccination serum protected 103 of 112 IFNAR knockout mice (bred with deletion of genes encoding interferon-α and interferon-ß receptors) (92%) that were challenged with a lethal dose of ZIKV-PR209 strain; none of the mice receiving baseline serum survived the challenge. Survival was independent of the neutralization titer. CONCLUSIONS: In this phase 1, open-label clinical trial, a DNA vaccine elicited anti-ZIKV immune responses. Further studies are needed to better evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. (Funded by GeneOne Life Science and others; ZIKA-001 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02809443.).
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Immunogenicity, Vaccine , Vaccines, DNA , Viral Vaccines/immunology , Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control , Zika Virus/immunology , Adult , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Female , Humans , Injections, Intradermal/adverse effects , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Middle Aged , T-Lymphocytes/physiology , Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage , Vaccines, DNA/adverse effects , Vaccines, DNA/immunology , Zika Virus Infection/immunologyABSTRACT
Vesicular stomatitis virus-Ebola virus (VSV-EBOV) vaccine has been successfully used in ring vaccination approaches during EBOV disease outbreaks demonstrating its general benefit in short-term prophylactic vaccination, but actual proof of its benefit in true postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for humans is missing. Animal studies have indicated PEP efficacy when VSV-EBOV was used within hours of lethal EBOV challenge. Here, we used a lower EBOV challenge dose and a combined intravenous and intramuscular VSV-EBOV administration to improve PEP efficacy in the rhesus macaque model. VSV-EBOV treatment 1 hour after EBOV challenge resulted in delayed disease progression but little benefit in outcome. Thus, we could not confirm previous results indicating questionable benefit of VSV-EBOV for EBOV PEP in a nonhuman primate model.
Subject(s)
Ebola Vaccines , Ebolavirus , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , Humans , Animals , Macaca mulatta , Vesiculovirus , Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virusABSTRACT
Although there are now approved treatments and vaccines for Ebola virus disease, the case fatality rate remains unacceptably high even when patients are treated with the newly approved therapeutics. Furthermore, these countermeasures are not expected to be effective against disease caused by other filoviruses. A meeting of subject-matter experts was held during the 10th International Filovirus Symposium to discuss strategies to address these gaps. Several investigational therapeutics, vaccine candidates, and combination strategies were presented. The greatest challenge was identified to be the implementation of well-designed clinical trials of safety and efficacy during filovirus disease outbreaks. Preparing for this will require agreed-upon common protocols for trials intended to bridge multiple outbreaks across all at-risk countries. A multinational research consortium including at-risk countries would be an ideal mechanism to negotiate agreement on protocol design and coordinate preparation. Discussion participants recommended a follow-up meeting be held in Africa to establish such a consortium.
Subject(s)
Ebolavirus , Filoviridae Infections , Filoviridae , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , Humans , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/prevention & control , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , AfricaABSTRACT
Aspirin gained tremendous popularity during the 1918 Spanish Influenza virus pandemic, 50 years prior to the demonstration of their inhibitory action on prostaglandins. Here, we show that during influenza A virus (IAV) infection, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was upregulated, which led to the inhibition of type I interferon (IFN) production and apoptosis in macrophages, thereby causing an increase in virus replication. This inhibitory role of PGE2 was not limited to innate immunity, because both antigen presentation and T cell mediated immunity were also suppressed. Targeted PGE2 suppression via genetic ablation of microsomal prostaglandin E-synthase 1 (mPGES-1) or by the pharmacological inhibition of PGE2 receptors EP2 and EP4 substantially improved survival against lethal IAV infection whereas PGE2 administration reversed this phenotype. These data demonstrate that the mPGES-1-PGE2 pathway is targeted by IAV to evade host type I IFN-dependent antiviral immunity. We propose that specific inhibition of PGE2 signaling might serve as a treatment for IAV.
Subject(s)
Dinoprostone/metabolism , Influenza A virus/physiology , Interferon Type I/metabolism , Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/antagonists & inhibitors , Macrophages/drug effects , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/drug therapy , Animals , Antigen Presentation/drug effects , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Dinoprostone/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Immunity/drug effects , Immunity/genetics , Interferon Type I/genetics , Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/genetics , Macrophages/immunology , Macrophages/virology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology , Prostaglandin-E Synthases , Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype/antagonists & inhibitors , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/virology , Virus Replication/geneticsABSTRACT
Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of the adaptive immunity for survival following Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. To evaluate the contribution of tissue damage to EBOV-induced immune suppression, acute liver damage or hemolysis, 2 symptoms associated with lethal EBOV infection, were chemically induced in vaccinated mice. Results show that either liver damage or hemolysis was sufficient to inhibit the host humoral response against EBOV glycoprotein and to drastically reduce the level of circulating T cells. This study thus provides a possible mechanism for the limited specific antibody production and lymphopenia in individuals with lethal hemorrhagic fever infections.
Subject(s)
Antibody Formation , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , Lymphopenia , Animals , Antibodies, Viral , Ebolavirus , Glycoproteins , Hemolysis , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/immunology , Liver/pathology , Liver/virology , Lymphopenia/virology , MiceABSTRACT
Many characteristics associated with Ebola virus disease remain to be fully understood. It is known that direct contact with infected bodily fluids is an associated risk factor, but few studies have investigated parameters associated with transmission between individuals, such as the dose of virus required to facilitate spread and route of infection. Therefore, we sought to characterize the impact by route of infection, viremia, and viral shedding through various mucosae, with regards to intraspecies transmission of Ebola virus in a nonhuman primate model. Here, challenge via the esophagus or aerosol to the face did not result in clinical disease, although seroconversion of both challenged and contact animals was observed in the latter. Subsequent intramuscular or intratracheal challenges suggest that viral loads determine transmission likelihood to naive animals in an intramuscular-challenge model, which is greatly facilitated in an intratracheal-challenge model where transmission from challenged to direct contact animal was observed consistently.
Subject(s)
Ebolavirus , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , Animals , Macaca mulatta , Viral Load , ViremiaABSTRACT
The development of efficient vaccine approaches against HIV infection remains challenging in the vaccine field. Here, we developed an Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein (EboGP)-based chimeric fusion protein system and demonstrated that replacement of the mucin-like domain (MLD) of EboGP with HIV C2-V3-C3 (134 amino acids [aa]) or C2-V3-C3-V4-C4-V5-C5 (243 aa) polypeptides (EbGPΔM-V3 and EbGPΔM-V3-V5, respectively) still maintained the efficiency of EboGP-mediated viral entry into human macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Animal studies using mice revealed that immunization with virus-like particles (VLPs) containing the above chimeric proteins, especially EbGPΔM-V3, induced significantly more potent anti-HIV antibodies than HIV gp120 alone in mouse serum and vaginal fluid. Moreover, the splenocytes isolated from mice immunized with VLPs containing EbGPΔM-V3 produced significantly higher levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α). Additionally, we demonstrated that coexpression of EbGPΔM-V3 and the HIV Env glycoprotein in a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector elicited robust anti-HIV antibodies that may have specifically recognized epitopes outside or inside the C2-V3-C3 region of HIV-1 gp120 and cross-reacted with the gp120 from different HIV strains. Thus, this study has demonstrated the great potential of this DC-targeting vaccine platform as a new vaccine approach for improving immunogen delivery and increasing vaccine efficacy. IMPORTANCE Currently, there are more than 38.5 million reported cases of HIV globally. To date, there is no approved vaccine for HIV-1 infection. Thus, the development of an effective vaccine against HIV infection remains a global priority. This study revealed the efficacy of a novel dendritic cell (DC)-targeting vaccination approach against HIV-1. The results clearly show that the immunization of mice with virus-like particles (VLPs) and VSVs containing HIV Env and a fusion protein composed of a DC-targeting domain of Ebola virus GP with HIV C2-V3-C3 polypeptides (EbGPΔM-V3) could induce robust immune responses against HIV-1 Env and/or Gag in serum and vaginal mucosa. These findings provide a proof of concept of this novel and efficient DC-targeting vaccine approach in delivering various antigenic polypeptides of HIV-1 and/or other emergent infections to the host antigen-presenting cells to prevent HIV and other viral infections.
Subject(s)
AIDS Vaccines/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Chemokine CCL3/immunology , Chlorocebus aethiops , Ebolavirus/immunology , Female , HEK293 Cells , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Humans , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , THP-1 Cells , Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/immunology , Vero Cells , Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus/geneticsABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene regulatory molecules involved in a broad range of cellular activities. Although the existence and functions of miRNAs are clearly defined and well established in eukaryotes, this is not always the case for those of viral origin. Indeed, the existence of viral miRNAs is the subject of intense controversy, especially those of RNA viruses. Here, we characterized the miRNA transcriptome of cultured human liver cells infected or not with either of the two Ebola virus (EBOV) variants: Mayinga or Makona; or with Reston virus (RESTV). Bioinformatic analyses revealed the presence of two EBOV-encoded miRNAs, miR-MAY-251 and miR-MAK-403, originating from the EBOV Mayinga and Makona variants, respectively. From the miRDB database, miR-MAY-251 and miR-MAK-403 displayed on average more than 700 potential human host target candidates, 25% of which had a confidence score higher than 80%. By RT-qPCR and dual luciferase assays, we assessed the potential regulatory effect of these two EBOV miRNAs on selected host mRNA targets. Further analysis of Panther pathways unveiled that these two EBOV miRNAs, in addition to general regulatory functions, can potentially target genes involved in the hemorrhagic phenotype, regulation of viral replication and modulation of host immune defense.
Subject(s)
Ebolavirus , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , MicroRNAs , Ebolavirus/genetics , Ebolavirus/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/genetics , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Virus Replication/geneticsABSTRACT
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during human pregnancy may lead to severe fetal pathology and debilitating impairments in offspring. However, the majority of infections are subclinical and not associated with evident birth defects. Potentially detrimental life-long health outcomes in asymptomatic offspring evoke high concerns. Thus, animal models addressing sequelae in offspring may provide valuable information. To induce subclinical infection, we inoculated selected porcine fetuses at the mid-stage of development. Inoculation resulted in trans-fetal virus spread and persistent infection in the placenta and fetal membranes for two months. Offspring did not show congenital Zika syndrome (e.g., microcephaly, brain calcifications, congenital clubfoot, arthrogryposis, seizures) or other visible birth defects. However, a month after birth, a portion of offspring exhibited excessive interferon alpha (IFN-α) levels in blood plasma in a regular environment. Most affected offspring also showed dramatic IFN-α shutdown during social stress providing the first evidence for the cumulative impact of prenatal ZIKV exposure and postnatal environmental insult. Other eleven cytokines tested before and after stress were not altered suggesting the specific IFN-α pathology. While brains from offspring did not have histopathology, lesions, and ZIKV, the whole genome expression analysis of the prefrontal cortex revealed profound sex-specific transcriptional changes that most probably was the result of subclinical in utero infection. RNA-seq analysis in the placenta persistently infected with ZIKV provided independent support for the sex-specific pattern of in utero-acquired transcriptional responses. Collectively, our results provide strong evidence that two hallmarks of fetal ZIKV infection, altered type I IFN response and molecular brain pathology can persist after birth in offspring in the absence of congenital Zika syndrome.
Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , Fetal Diseases/epidemiology , Fetus/virology , Interferon-alpha/metabolism , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Uterus/virology , Zika Virus Infection/virology , Animals , Antiviral Agents/metabolism , Brain/metabolism , Brain/virology , Communicable Diseases/transmission , Communicable Diseases/virology , Female , Fetal Diseases/metabolism , Fetal Diseases/virology , Fetus/metabolism , Fetus/pathology , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/metabolism , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology , Sex Factors , Swine , Uterus/metabolism , Uterus/pathology , Zika Virus/pathogenicity , Zika Virus Infection/pathology , Zika Virus Infection/transmission , Zika Virus Infection/veterinaryABSTRACT
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV, order Bunyavirales, family Nairoviridae, genus Orthonairovirus) is the tick-borne etiological agent of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in humans. Animals are generally susceptible to CCHFV infection but refractory to disease. Small animal models are limited to interferon-deficient mice, that develop acute fatal disease following infection. Here, using a ZsGreen1- (ZsG) expressing reporter virus (CCHFV/ZsG), we examine tissue tropism and dissemination of virus in interferon-α/ß receptor knock-out (Ifnar-/-) mice. We demonstrate that CCHFV/ZsG retains in vivo pathogenicity comparable to wild-type virus. Interestingly, despite high levels of viral RNA in all organs assessed, 2 distribution patterns of infection were observed by both fluorescence and immunohistochemistry (IHC), corresponding to the permissiveness of organ tissues. To further investigate viral dissemination and to temporally define cellular targets of CCHFV in vivo, mice were serially euthanized at different stages of disease. Flow cytometry was used to characterize CCHFV-associated alterations in hematopoietic cell populations and to classify infected cells in the blood, lymph node, spleen, and liver. ZsG signal indicated that mononuclear phagocytic cells in the lymphatic tissues were early targets of infection; in late-stage infection, overall, the highest levels of signal were detected in the liver, and ZsG was found in both antigen-presenting and lymphocyte cell populations.
Subject(s)
Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo , Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean/urine , Mononuclear Phagocyte System/virology , Viral Tropism/physiology , Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/deficiencyABSTRACT
Ebola virus (EBOV) is a virulent pathogen, notorious for inducing life-threatening hemorrhagic fever, that has been responsible for several outbreaks in Africa and remains a public health threat. Yet, its pathogenesis is still not completely understood. Although there have been numerous studies on host transcriptional response to EBOV, with an emphasis on the clinical features, the impact of EBOV infection on post-transcriptional regulatory elements, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), remains largely unexplored. MiRNAs are involved in inflammation and immunity and are believed to be important modulators of the host response to viral infection. Here, we have used small RNA sequencing (sRNA-Seq), qPCR and functional analyses to obtain the first comparative miRNA transcriptome (miRNome) of a human liver cell line (Huh7) infected with one of the following three EBOV strains: Mayinga (responsible for the first Zaire outbreak in 1976), Makona (responsible for the West Africa outbreak in 2013-2016) and the epizootic Reston (presumably innocuous to humans). Our results highlight specific miRNA-based immunity pathways and substantial differences between the strains beyond their clinical manifestation and pathogenicity. These analyses shed new light into the molecular signature of liver cells upon EBOV infection and reveal new insights into miRNA-based virus attack and host defense strategy.
Subject(s)
Ebolavirus/metabolism , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , MicroRNAs/biosynthesis , RNA-Seq , Cell Line, Tumor , Ebolavirus/genetics , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/genetics , Humans , Liver/virology , MicroRNAs/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In 2017, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded its eighth Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, approximately 3 years after the previous outbreak. METHODS: Suspect cases of EVD were identified on the basis of clinical and epidemiological information. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis or serological testing was used to confirm Ebola virus infection in suspected cases. The causative virus was later sequenced from a RT-PCR-positive individual and assessed using phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Three probable and 5 laboratory-confirmed cases of EVD were recorded between 27 March and 1 July 2017 in the DRC. Fifty percent of cases died from the infection. EVD cases were detected in 4 separate areas, resulting in > 270 contacts monitored. The complete genome of the causative agent, a variant from the Zaireebolavirus species, denoted Ebola virus Muyembe, was obtained using next-generation sequencing. This variant is genetically closest, with 98.73% homology, to the Ebola virus Mayinga variant isolated from the first DRC outbreaks in 1976-1977. CONCLUSION: A single spillover event into the human population is responsible for this DRC outbreak. Human-to-human transmission resulted in limited dissemination of the causative agent, a novel Ebola virus variant closely related to the initial Mayinga variant isolated in 1976-1977 in the DRC.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Ebolavirus/genetics , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/diagnosis , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Democratic Republic of the Congo/epidemiology , Ebolavirus/immunology , Female , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/transmission , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phylogeny , RNA, Viral/genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Serologic Tests , Young AdultABSTRACT
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is a severe respiratory disease caused by Sin Nombre virus in North America (SNV). As of January 1, 2020, SNV has caused 143 laboratory-confirmed cases of HCPS in Canada. We review critical aspects of SNV virus epidemiology and the ecology, biology, and genetics of HCPS in Canada.
Subject(s)
Hantavirus Infections , Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome , Orthohantavirus , Sin Nombre virus , Canada/epidemiology , Orthohantavirus/genetics , Hantavirus Infections/epidemiology , Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome/diagnosis , Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome/epidemiology , Humans , North AmericaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological, virological and pathogenetic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection are under evaluation. A better understanding of the pathophysiology associated with COVID-19 is crucial to improve treatment modalities and to develop effective prevention strategies. Transcriptomic and proteomic data on the host response against SARS-CoV-2 still have anecdotic character; currently available data from other coronavirus infections are therefore a key source of information. METHODS: We investigated selected molecular aspects of three human coronavirus (HCoV) infections, namely SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and HCoV-229E, through a network based-approach. A functional analysis of HCoV-host interactome was carried out in order to provide a theoretic host-pathogen interaction model for HCoV infections and in order to translate the results in prediction for SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. The 3D model of S-glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 was compared to the structure of the corresponding SARS-CoV, HCoV-229E and MERS-CoV S-glycoprotein. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E and the host interactome were inferred through published protein-protein interactions (PPI) as well as gene co-expression, triggered by HCoV S-glycoprotein in host cells. RESULTS: Although the amino acid sequences of the S-glycoprotein were found to be different between the various HCoV, the structures showed high similarity, but the best 3D structural overlap shared by SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, consistent with the shared ACE2 predicted receptor. The host interactome, linked to the S-glycoprotein of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, mainly highlighted innate immunity pathway components, such as Toll Like receptors, cytokines and chemokines. CONCLUSIONS: In this paper, we developed a network-based model with the aim to define molecular aspects of pathogenic phenotypes in HCoV infections. The resulting pattern may facilitate the process of structure-guided pharmaceutical and diagnostic research with the prospect to identify potential new biological targets.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/physiology , Coronavirus Infections/genetics , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Gene Regulatory Networks , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Models, Biological , Pneumonia, Viral/genetics , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , Protein Interaction Mapping , COVID-19 , Humans , Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Signal Transduction/genetics , Viral Envelope ProteinsABSTRACT
Without an approved vaccine or treatments, Ebola outbreak management has been limited to palliative care and barrier methods to prevent transmission. These approaches, however, have yet to end the 2014 outbreak of Ebola after its prolonged presence in West Africa. Here we show that a combination of monoclonal antibodies (ZMapp), optimized from two previous antibody cocktails, is able to rescue 100% of rhesus macaques when treatment is initiated up to 5 days post-challenge. High fever, viraemia and abnormalities in blood count and blood chemistry were evident in many animals before ZMapp intervention. Advanced disease, as indicated by elevated liver enzymes, mucosal haemorrhages and generalized petechia could be reversed, leading to full recovery. ELISA and neutralizing antibody assays indicate that ZMapp is cross-reactive with the Guinean variant of Ebola. ZMapp exceeds the efficacy of any other therapeutics described so far, and results warrant further development of this cocktail for clinical use.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/drug therapy , Immunization, Passive , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Cross Reactions/immunology , Ebolavirus/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Guinea , Guinea Pigs , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/blood , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/immunology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology , Macaca mulatta/immunology , Macaca mulatta/virology , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Sequence Alignment , Viral Envelope Proteins/chemistry , Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology , Viremia/drug therapy , Viremia/immunology , Viremia/virologyABSTRACT
There is no vaccine or approved therapy against lethal Ebola virus (EBOV). We investigated a proven technology platform to produce polyclonal IgG fragments, F(ab')2, against EBOV. Horses immunized with nanoparticles harboring surface glycoprotein trimers of EBOV-Zaire/Makona produced anti-Ebola IgG polyclonal antibodies with high neutralization activity. Highly purified equine anti-Ebola F(ab')2 showed strong cross-neutralization of 2 Zaire EBOV strains (Gabon 2001 and Makona) and in vivo 3 or 5 daily F(ab')2 intraperitoneal injections provided 100% protection to BALB/c mice against lethal EBOV challenge. Rapid preparation of purified equine anti-Ebola F(ab')2 offers a potentially efficient therapeutic approach against EBOV disease in humans.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Ebolavirus/immunology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/immunology , Horses/immunology , Horses/virology , Immunoglobulin Fragments/immunology , Animals , Female , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/veterinary , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology , Immunization/methods , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Vaccination/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nonlive vaccine approaches that are simple to deliver and stable at room temperature or 2-8°C could be advantageous in controlling future Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks. Using an immunopotent DNA vaccine that generates protection from lethal EBOV challenge in small animals and nonhuman primates, we performed a clinical study to evaluate both intramuscular (IM) and novel intradermal (ID) DNA delivery. METHODS: Two DNA vaccine candidates (INO-4201 and INO-4202) targeting the EBOV glycoprotein (GP) were evaluated for safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in a phase 1 clinical trial. The candidates were evaluated alone, together, or in combination with plasmid-encoded human cytokine interleukin-12 followed by in vivo electroporation using either the CELLECTRA® IM or ID delivery devices. RESULTS: The safety profile of all 5 regimens was shown to be benign, with the ID route being better tolerated. Antibodies to EBOV GP were generated by all 5 regimens with the fastest and steepest rise observed in the ID group. Cellular immune responses were generated with every regimen. CONCLUSIONS: ID delivery of INO-4201 was well tolerated and resulted in 100% seroreactivity after 2 doses and elicited interferon-γ T-cell responses in over 70% of subjects, providing a new approach for EBOV prevention in diverse populations. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02464670.
Subject(s)
Ebola Vaccines/adverse effects , Ebola Vaccines/immunology , Immunity, Cellular/immunology , Immunity, Humoral/immunology , Vaccines, DNA/adverse effects , Vaccines, DNA/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Ebolavirus/immunology , Electroporation/methods , Female , Glycoproteins/immunology , Healthy Volunteers , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/immunology , Humans , Injections, Intradermal/methods , Interleukin-12/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Temperature , Vaccination/methods , Young AdultABSTRACT
Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with prolonged viral excretion in human semen and causes testicular atrophy and infertility in 10-week-old immunodeficient mice. Methods: Male IFNAR-/- mice, knockout for type I interferon receptor, were immunized with GLS-5700, a deoxyribonucleic acid-based vaccine, before a subcutaneous ZIKV challenge with 6 × 105 plaque-forming units at 13 weeks of age. On day 28 postinfection, testes and epididymides were collected in some mice for histological and functional analyses, whereas others were mated with naive female wild-type C57BL/6J. Results: Although all mice challenged with ZIKV developed viremia, most of them were asymptomatic, showed no weight loss, and survived infection. On day 28 postinfection, none of the unvaccinated, infected mice (9 of 9) exhibited abnormal spermatozoa counts or motility. However, 33% (3 of 9) and 36% (4 of 11) of mated males from this group were infertile, from 2 independent studies. Contrarily, males from the noninfected and the vaccinated, infected groups were all fertile. On days 75 and 207 postinfection, partial recovery of fertility was observed in 66% (2 of 3) of the previously infertile males. Conclusions: This study reports the effects of ZIKV infection on male fertility in a sublethal, immunodeficient mouse model and the efficacy of GLS-5700 vaccination in preventing male infertility.