Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 of Cell Lines and Substrates Commonly Used to Diagnose and Isolate Influenza and Other Viruses.

Co-infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other viruses has been reported. We evaluated cell lines commonly used to isolate viruses and diagnose related diseases for their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Although multiple kidney cell lines from monkeys were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, we found many cell types derived from humans, dogs, minks, cats, mice, and chicken were not. We analyzed MDCK cells, which are most commonly used for surveillance and study of influenza viruses, and found that they were not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. The low expression level of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor and lower receptor affinity to SARS-CoV-2 spike, which could be overcome by overexpression of canine angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in trans, strengthened the cellular barrier to productive infection. Moreover, a D614G mutation in the spike protein did not appear to affect SARS-CoV-2 cell tropism. Our findings should help avert inadvertent propagation of SARS-CoV-2 from diagnostic cell lines.

Development of a new oral poliovirus vaccine for the eradication end game using codon deoptimization.

Enormous progress has been made in global efforts to eradicate poliovirus, using live-attenuated Sabin oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). However, as the incidence of disease due to wild poliovirus has declined, vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) has emerged in areas of low-vaccine coverage. Coordinated global cessation of routine, type 2 Sabin OPV (OPV2) use has not resulted in fewer VDPV outbreaks, and continued OPV use in outbreak-response campaigns has seeded new emergences in low-coverage areas. The limitations of existing vaccines and current eradication challenges warranted development of more genetically stable OPV strains, most urgently for OPV2. Here, we report using codon deoptimization to further attenuate Sabin OPV2 by changing preferred codons across the capsid to non-preferred, synonymous codons. Additional modifications to the 5' untranslated region stabilized known virulence determinants. Testing of this codon-deoptimized new OPV2 candidate (nOPV2-CD) in cell and animal models demonstrated that nOPV2-CD is highly attenuated, grows sufficiently for vaccine manufacture, is antigenically indistinguishable from Sabin OPV2, induces neutralizing antibodies as effectively as Sabin OPV2, and unlike Sabin OPV2 is genetically stable and maintains an attenuation phenotype. In-human clinical trials of nOPV2-CD are ongoing, with potential for nOPV strains to serve as critical vaccine tools for achieving and maintaining polio eradication.

Antifungal Triazole Posaconazole Targets an Early Stage of the Parechovirus A3 Life Cycle.

Viruses in species Parechovirus A (Picornaviridae) are associated with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Parechovirus A3 (PeV-A3) is known to cause sepsis-like illness, meningitis, and encephalitis in infants and young children. To date, no specific therapies are available to treat PeV-A3-infected children. We had previously identified two FDA-cleared antifungal drugs, itraconazole (ITC) and posaconazole (POS), with potent and specific antiviral activity against PeV-A3. Time-of-addition and synchronized infection assays revealed that POS targets an early stage of the PeV-A3 life cycle. POS exerts an antiviral effect, evidenced by a reduction in viral titer following the addition of POS to Vero-P cells before infection, coaddition of POS and PeV-A3 to Vero-P cells, incubation of POS and PeV-A3 prior to Vero-P infection, and at attachment. POS exerts less of an effect on virus entry. A PeV-A3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition experiment, using an anti-PeV-A3 monoclonal antibody, suggested that POS binds directly to the PeV-A3 capsid. POS-resistant PeV-A3 strains developed by serial passage in the presence of POS acquired substitutions in multiple regions of the genome, including the capsid. Reverse genetics confirmed substitutions in capsid proteins VP0, VP3, and VP1 and nonstructural proteins 2A and 3A. Single mutants VP0_K66R, VP0_A124T, VP3_N88S, VP1_Y224C, 2A_S78L, and 3A_T1I were 4-, 9-, 12-, 34-, 51-, and 119-fold more resistant to POS, respectively, than the susceptible prototype strain. Our studies demonstrate that POS may be a valuable tool in developing an antiviral therapy for PeV-A3.

Poliovirus serotype-specific VP1 sequencing primers.

The Global Polio Laboratory Network routinely uses poliovirus-specific PCR primers and probes to determine the serotype and genotype of poliovirus isolates obtained as part of global poliovirus surveillance. To provide detailed molecular epidemiologic information, poliovirus isolates are further characterized by sequencing the ~900-nucleotide region encoding the major capsid protein, VP1. It is difficult to obtain quality sequence information when clinical or environmental samples contain poliovirus mixtures. As an alternative to conventional methods for resolving poliovirus mixtures, sets of serotype-specific primers were developed for amplifying and sequencing the VP1 regions of individual components of mixed populations of vaccine-vaccine, vaccine-wild, and wild-wild polioviruses.

Genetic inactivation of poliovirus infectivity by increasing the frequencies of CpG and UpA dinucleotides within and across synonymous capsid region codons.

Replicative fitness of poliovirus can be modulated systematically by replacement of preferred capsid region codons with synonymous unpreferred codons. To determine the key genetic contributors to fitness reduction, we introduced different sets of synonymous codons into the capsid coding region of an infectious clone derived from the type 2 prototype strain MEF-1. Replicative fitness in HeLa cells, measured by plaque areas and virus yields in single-step growth experiments, decreased sharply with increased frequencies of the dinucleotides CpG (suppressed in higher eukaryotes and most RNA viruses) and UpA (suppressed nearly universally). Replacement of MEF-1 capsid codons with the corresponding codons from another type 2 prototype strain (Lansing), a randomization of MEF-1 synonymous codons, increased the %G+C without increasing CpG, and reductions in the effective number of codons used had much smaller individual effects on fitness. Poliovirus fitness was reduced to the threshold of viability when CpG and UpA dinucleotides were saturated within and across synonymous codons of a capsid region interval representing only approximately 9% of the total genome. Codon replacements were associated with moderate decreases in total virion production but large decreases in the specific infectivities of intact poliovirions and viral RNAs. Replication of codon replacement viruses, but not MEF-1, was temperature sensitive at 39.5 degrees C. Synthesis and processing of viral intracellular proteins were largely unaltered in most codon replacement constructs. Replacement of natural codons with synonymous codons with increased frequencies of CpG and UpA dinucleotides may offer a general approach to the development of attenuated vaccines with well-defined antigenicities and very high genetic stabilities.

Rapid group-, serotype-, and vaccine strain-specific identification of poliovirus isolates by real-time reverse transcription-PCR using degenerate primers and probes containing deoxyinosine residues.

We have adapted our previously described poliovirus diagnostic reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays to a real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) format. Our highly specific assays and rRT-PCR reagents are designed for use in the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network for rapid and large-scale identification of poliovirus field isolates.

Calibration of multiple poliovirus molecular clocks covering an extended evolutionary range.

We have calibrated five different molecular clocks for circulating poliovirus based upon the rates of fixation of total substitutions (K(t)), synonymous substitutions (K(s)), synonymous transitions (A(s)), synonymous transversions (B(s)), and nonsynonymous substitutions (K(a)) into the P1/capsid region (2,643 nucleotides). Rates were determined over a 10-year period by analysis of sequences of 31 wild poliovirus type 1 isolates representing a well-defined phylogeny derived from a common imported ancestor. Similar rates were obtained by linear regression, the maximum likelihood/single-rate dated-tip method, and Bayesian inference. The very rapid K(t) [(1.03 +/- 0.10) x 10(-2) substitutions/site/year] and K(s) [(1.00 +/- 0.08) x 10(-2)] clocks were driven primarily by the A(s) clock [(0.96 +/- 0.09) x 10(-2)], the B(s) clock was approximately 10-fold slower [(0.10 +/- 0.03) x 10(-2)], and the more stochastic K(a) clock was approximately 30-fold slower [(0.03 +/- 0.01) x 10(-2)]. Nonsynonymous substitutions at all P1/capsid sites, including the neutralizing antigenic sites, appeared to be constrained by purifying selection. Simulation of the evolution of third-codon positions suggested that saturation of synonymous transitions would be evident at 10 years and complete at approximately 65 years of independent transmission. Saturation of synonymous transversions was predicted to be minimal at 20 years and incomplete at 100 years. The rapid evolution of the K(t), K(s), and A(s) clocks can be used to estimate the dates of divergence of closely related viruses, whereas the slower B(s) and K(a) clocks may be used to explore deeper evolutionary relationships within and across poliovirus genotypes.

Isolation of recombinant type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) from a Nigerian child.

A type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), differing from Sabin 2 at 2.5% (22/903) of VP1 nucleotide (nt) positions, was isolated from an incompletely immunized 21-month-old Nigerian child who developed acute flaccid paralysis in 2002. Sequences upstream of nt position 620 (within the 5'-untranslated region [5'-UTR]) and downstream of nt position 5840 (in the 3C(pro) region) were derived from species C enteroviruses unrelated to the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) strains. The two substitutions associated with the attenuated phenotype had either recombined out (A(481)-->G in the 5'-UTR) or reverted (Ile(143)-->Thr in VP1). The VDPV isolate had lost the temperature sensitive phenotype of Sabin 2 and it was antigenically distinct from the parental OPV strain, having amino acid substitutions in or near neutralizing antigenic sites 1 and 3. The date of the initiating OPV dose, calculated from the number of synonymous substitutions in the capsid region, was estimated to be approximately 16 to 18 months before onset of paralysis, a finding inconsistent with the most recent mass OPV campaign (conducted 12 days before onset of paralysis) as being the source of infection. Although no related type 2 VDPVs were detected in Nigeria or elsewhere, the VDPV was found in an area where conditions favor VDPV emergence and spread.

Modulation of poliovirus replicative fitness in HeLa cells by deoptimization of synonymous codon usage in the capsid region.

We replaced degenerate codons for nine amino acids within the capsid region of the Sabin type 2 oral poliovirus vaccine strain with corresponding nonpreferred synonymous codons. Codon replacements were introduced into four contiguous intervals spanning 97% of the capsid region. In the capsid region of the most highly modified virus construct, the effective number of codons used (N(C)) fell from 56.2 to 29.8, the number of CG dinucleotides rose from 97 to 302, and the G+C content increased from 48.4% to 56.4%. Replicative fitness in HeLa cells, measured by plaque areas and virus yields in single-step growth experiments, decreased in proportion to the number of replacement codons. Plaque areas decreased over an approximately 10-fold range, and virus yields decreased over an approximately 65-fold range. Perhaps unexpectedly, the synthesis and processing of viral proteins appeared to be largely unaltered by the restriction in codon usage. In contrast, total yields of viral RNA in infected cells were reduced approximately 3-fold and specific infectivities of purified virions (measured by particle/PFU ratios) decreased approximately 18-fold in the most highly modified virus. The replicative fitness of both codon replacement viruses and unmodified viruses increased with the passage number in HeLa cells. After 25 serial passages (approximately 50 replication cycles), most codon replacements were retained, and the relative fitness of the modified viruses remained well below that of the unmodified virus. The increased replicative fitness of high-passage modified virus was associated with the elimination of several CG dinucleotides. Potential applications for the systematic modulation of poliovirus replicative fitness by deoptimization of codon usage are discussed.

Multiplex PCR method for identifying recombinant vaccine-related polioviruses.

The recent discovery of recombinant circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (recombinant cVDPV) has highlighted the need for enhanced global poliovirus surveillance to assure timely detection of any future cVDPV outbreaks. Six pairs of Sabin strain-specific recombinant primers were designed to permit rapid screening for VDPV recombinants by PCR.

Circulation of endemic type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus in Egypt from 1983 to 1993.

From 1988 to 1993, 30 cases of poliomyelitis associated with poliovirus type 2 were found in seven governorates of Egypt. Because many of the cases were geographically and temporally clustered and because the case isolates differed antigenically from the vaccine strain, it was initially assumed that the cases signaled the continued circulation of wild type 2 poliovirus. However, comparison of sequences encoding the major capsid protein, VP1 (903 nucleotides), revealed that the isolates were related (93 to 97% nucleotide sequence identity) to the Sabin type 2 oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) strain and unrelated (<82% nucleotide sequence identity) to the wild type 2 polioviruses previously indigenous to Egypt (last known isolate: 1979) or to any contemporary wild type 2 polioviruses found elsewhere. The rate and pattern of VP1 divergence among the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) isolates suggested that all lineages were derived from a single OPV infection that occurred around 1983 and that progeny from the initiating infection circulated for approximately a decade within Egypt along several independent chains of transmission. Complete genomic sequences of an early (1988) and a late (1993) cVDPV isolate revealed that their 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) and noncapsid- 3' UTR sequences were derived from other species C enteroviruses. Circulation of type 2 cVDPVs occurred at a time of low OPV coverage in the affected communities and ceased when OPV coverage rates increased. The potential for cVDPVs to circulate in populations with low immunity to poliovirus has important implications for current and future strategies to eradicate polio worldwide.

Characterization of a novel coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

In March 2003, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was discovered in association with cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The sequence of the complete genome of SARS-CoV was determined, and the initial characterization of the viral genome is presented in this report. The genome of SARS-CoV is 29,727 nucleotides in length and has 11 open reading frames, and its genome organization is similar to that of other coronaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparisons showed that SARS-CoV is not closely related to any of the previously characterized coronaviruses.