RESUMO
The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its association with congenital malformations has prompted the rapid development of vaccines. Although efficacy with multiple viral vaccine platforms has been established in animals, no study has addressed protection during pregnancy. We tested in mice two vaccine platforms, a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated modified mRNA vaccine encoding ZIKV prM and E genes and a live-attenuated ZIKV strain encoding an NS1 protein without glycosylation, for their ability to protect against transmission to the fetus. Vaccinated dams challenged with a heterologous ZIKV strain at embryo day 6 (E6) and evaluated at E13 showed markedly diminished levels of viral RNA in maternal, placental, and fetal tissues, which resulted in protection against placental damage and fetal demise. As modified mRNA and live-attenuated vaccine platforms can restrict in utero transmission of ZIKV in mice, their further development in humans to prevent congenital ZIKV syndrome is warranted.
Assuntos
Vacinas Virais/administração & dosagem , Infecção por Zika virus/imunologia , Infecção por Zika virus/prevenção & controle , Zika virus/fisiologia , Aedes/virologia , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/sangue , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Células Sanguíneas/virologia , Embrião de Mamíferos/virologia , Feminino , Feto/virologia , Humanos , Lipídeos/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Mutação , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/imunologia , Organismos Livres de Patógenos Específicos , Vacinas de Subunidades Antigênicas/administração & dosagem , Vacinas de Subunidades Antigênicas/imunologia , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/genética , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/imunologia , Vacinas Virais/imunologia , Infecção por Zika virus/virologiaRESUMO
Dengue is a major health threat and the number of symptomatic infections caused by the four dengue serotypes is estimated to be 96 million1 with annually around 10,000 deaths2. However, no antiviral drugs are available for the treatment or prophylaxis of dengue. We recently described the interaction between non-structural proteins NS3 and NS4B as a promising target for the development of pan-serotype dengue virus (DENV) inhibitors3. Here we present JNJ-1802-a highly potent DENV inhibitor that blocks the NS3-NS4B interaction within the viral replication complex. JNJ-1802 exerts picomolar to low nanomolar in vitro antiviral activity, a high barrier to resistance and potent in vivo efficacy in mice against infection with any of the four DENV serotypes. Finally, we demonstrate that the small-molecule inhibitor JNJ-1802 is highly effective against viral infection with DENV-1 or DENV-2 in non-human primates. JNJ-1802 has successfully completed a phase I first-in-human clinical study in healthy volunteers and was found to be safe and well tolerated4. These findings support the further clinical development of JNJ-1802, a first-in-class antiviral agent against dengue, which is now progressing in clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of dengue.
Assuntos
Antivirais , Vírus da Dengue , Dengue , Primatas , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Antivirais/efeitos adversos , Antivirais/farmacologia , Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Ensaios Clínicos Fase I como Assunto , Dengue/tratamento farmacológico , Dengue/prevenção & controle , Dengue/virologia , Vírus da Dengue/classificação , Vírus da Dengue/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Farmacorresistência Viral , Técnicas In Vitro , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Primatas/virologia , Ligação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/metabolismo , Replicação ViralRESUMO
BACKGROUND: NHS England funded 40 Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs to support health and social care staff affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to document variations in how national guidance was adapted to the local contexts of four Hubs in the North of England. METHODS: We used a modified version of Price's (2019) service mapping methodology. Service level data were used to inform the analysis. A mapping template was adapted from a range of tools, including the European Service Mapping Schedule, and reviewed by Hub leads. Key data included service model; staffing; and interventions. Data were collected between March 2021 - March 2022 by site research assistants. Findings were accuracy-checked by Hub leads, and a logic model developed to theorise how the Hubs may effect change. RESULTS: Hub goals and service models closely reflected guidance; offering: proactive outreach; team-based support; clinical assessment; onward referral, and rapid access to mental health support (in-house and external). Implementation reflected a service context of a client group with high mental health need, and high waiting times at external mental health services. Hubs were predominantly staffed by experienced clinicians, to manage these mental health presentations and organisational working. Formulation-based psychological assessment and the provision of direct therapy were not core functions of the NHS England model, however all Hubs incorporated these adaptations into their service models in response to local contexts, such as extensive waiting lists within external services, and/or client presentations falling between gaps in existing service provision. Finally, a standalone clinical records system was seen as important to reassure Hub users of confidentiality. Other more nuanced variation depended on localised contexts. CONCLUSION: This study provides a map for setting up services, emphasising early understandings of how new services will integrate within existing systems. Local and regional contexts led to variation in service configuration. Whilst additional Hub functions are supported by available literature, further research is needed to determine whether these functions should comprise essential components of staff wellbeing services moving forward. Future research should also determine the comparative effectiveness of service components, and the limits of permissible variation. STUDY REGISTRATION: researchregistry6303.
Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde Mental , Resiliência Psicológica , Humanos , Saúde Mental , Pandemias , Apoio SocialRESUMO
Flaviviruses are a genus within the Flaviviridae family of positive-strand RNA viruses and are transmitted principally through mosquito and tick vectors. These viruses are responsible for hundreds of millions of human infections worldwide per year that result in a range of illnesses from self-limiting febrile syndromes to severe neurotropic and viscerotropic diseases and, in some cases, death. A vaccine against the prototype flavivirus, yellow fever virus, has been deployed for 85 years and is highly effective. While vaccines against some medically important flaviviruses are available, others have proven challenging to develop. The emergence and spread of flaviviruses, including dengue virus and Zika virus, demonstrate their pandemic potential. This review highlights the gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed to allow for the rapid development of vaccines against emerging flaviviruses in the future.
Assuntos
Infecções por Flavivirus , Flavivirus , Vacinas , Infecção por Zika virus , Zika virus , Animais , Humanos , Infecções por Flavivirus/prevenção & controle , Mosquitos Vetores , Infecção por Zika virus/prevenção & controleRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Stocks of yellow fever vaccine are insufficient to cover exceptional demands for outbreak response. Fractional dosing has shown efficacy, but evidence is limited to the 17DD substrain vaccine. We assessed the immunogenicity and safety of one-fifth fractional dose compared with standard dose of four WHO-prequalified yellow fever vaccines produced from three substrains. METHODS: We did this randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial at research centres in Mbarara, Uganda, and Kilifi, Kenya. Eligible participants were aged 18-59 years, had no contraindications for vaccination, were not pregnant or lactating, had no history of yellow fever vaccination or infection, and did not require yellow fever vaccination for travel. Eligible participants were recruited from communities and randomly assigned to one of eight groups, corresponding to the four vaccines at standard or fractional dose. The vaccine was administered subcutaneously by nurses who were not masked to treatment, but participants and other study personnel were masked to vaccine allocation. The primary outcome was proportion of participants with seroconversion 28 days after vaccination. Seroconversion was defined as post-vaccination neutralising antibody titres at least 4 times pre-vaccination measurement measured by 50% plaque reduction neutralisation test (PRNT50). We defined non-inferiority as less than 10% decrease in seroconversion in fractional compared with standard dose groups 28 days after vaccination. The primary outcome was measured in the per-protocol population, and safety analyses included all vaccinated participants. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02991495. FINDINGS: Between Nov 6, 2017, and Feb 21, 2018, 1029 participants were assessed for inclusion. 69 people were ineligible, and 960 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to vaccine manufacturer and dose (120 to Bio-Manguinhos-Fiocruz standard dose, 120 to Bio-Manguinhos-Fiocruz fractional dose, 120 to Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides standard dose, 120 to Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides fractional dose, 120 to Institut Pasteur Dakar standard dose, 120 to Institut Pasteur Dakar fractional dose, 120 to Sanofi Pasteur standard dose, and 120 to Sanofi Pasteur fractional dose). 49 participants had detectable PRNT50 at baseline and 11 had missing PRNT50 results at baseline or 28 days. 900 were included in the per-protocol analysis. 959 participants were included in the safety analysis. The absolute difference in seroconversion between fractional and standard doses by vaccine was 1·71% (95% CI -2·60 to 5·28) for Bio-Manguinhos-Fiocruz, -0·90% (-4·24 to 3·13) for Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, 1·82% (-2·75 to 5·39) for Institut Pasteur Dakar, and 0·0% (-3·32 to 3·29) for Sanofi Pasteur. Fractional doses from all four vaccines met the non-inferiority criterion. The most common treatment-related adverse events were headache (22·2%), fatigue (13·7%), myalgia (13·3%) and self-reported fever (9·0%). There were no study-vaccine related serious adverse events. INTERPRETATION: Fractional doses of all WHO-prequalified yellow fever vaccines were non-inferior to the standard dose in inducing seroconversion 28 days after vaccination, with no major safety concerns. These results support the use of fractional dosage in the general adult population for outbreak response in situations of vaccine shortage. FUNDING: The study was funded by Médecins Sans Frontières Foundation, Wellcome Trust (grant no. 092654), and the UK Department for International Development. Vaccines were donated in kind.
Assuntos
Uso Off-Label , Vacina contra Febre Amarela/administração & dosagem , Adulto , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/isolamento & purificação , Método Duplo-Cego , Feminino , Humanos , Quênia , Masculino , Soroconversão , Uganda , Febre Amarela/prevenção & controle , Vacina contra Febre Amarela/efeitos adversos , Vacina contra Febre Amarela/imunologiaRESUMO
Zika virus (ZIKV) infects pregnant women and causes devastating congenital zika syndrome (CZS). How the virus is vertically transmitted to the fetus and induces neuronal loss remains unclear. We previously reported that Pellino (Peli)1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, promotes p38MAPK activation in microglia and induction of lethal encephalitis by facilitating the replication of West Nile virus (WNV), a closely related flavivirus. Here, we found that Peli1 expression was induced on ZIKV-infected human monocytic cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, human first-trimester placental trophoblasts, and neural stem cell (hNSC)s. Peli1 mediates ZIKV cell attachment, entry and viral translation and its expression is confined to the endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, Peli1 mediated inflammatory cytokine and chemokine responses and induced cell death in placental trophoblasts and hNSCs. ZIKV-infected pregnant mice lacking Peli1 signaling had reduced placental inflammation and tissue damage, which resulted in attenuated congenital abnormalities. Smaducin-6, a membrane-tethered Smad6-derived peptide, blocked Peli1-mediated NF-κB activation but did not have direct effects on ZIKV infection. Smaducin-6 reduced inflammatory responses and cell death in placental trophoblasts and hNSCs, and diminished placental inflammation and damage, leading to attenuated congenital malformations in mice. Collectively, our results reveal a novel role of Peli1 in flavivirus pathogenesis and suggest that Peli1 promotes ZIKV vertical transmission and neuronal loss by mediating inflammatory cytokine responses and induction of cell death. Our results also identify Smaducin-6 as a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of CZS.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Guillain-Barré , Proteínas Nucleares/antagonistas & inibidores , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/antagonistas & inibidores , Infecção por Zika virus , Zika virus/metabolismo , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Feminino , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/tratamento farmacológico , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/genética , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/metabolismo , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , NF-kappa B/genética , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Trofoblastos/metabolismo , Trofoblastos/patologia , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/genética , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/metabolismo , Zika virus/genética , Infecção por Zika virus/tratamento farmacológico , Infecção por Zika virus/genética , Infecção por Zika virus/metabolismo , Infecção por Zika virus/patologiaRESUMO
The MEROPS database (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/merops/) is an integrated source of information about peptidases, their substrates and inhibitors. The hierarchical classification is: protein-species, family, clan, with an identifier at each level. The MEROPS website moved to the EMBL-EBI in 2017, requiring refactoring of the code-base and services provided. The interface to sequence searching has changed and the MEROPS protein sequence libraries can be searched at the EMBL-EBI with HMMER, FastA and BLASTP. Cross-references have been established between MEROPS and the PANTHER database at both the family and protein-species level, which will help to improve curation and coverage between the resources. Because of the increasing size of the MEROPS sequence collection, in future only sequences of characterized proteins, and from completely sequenced genomes of organisms of evolutionary, medical or commercial significance will be added. As an example, peptidase homologues in four proteomes from the Asgard superphylum of Archaea have been identified and compared to other archaean, bacterial and eukaryote proteomes. This has given insights into the origins and evolution of peptidase families, including an expansion in the number of proteasome components in Asgard archaeotes and as organisms increase in complexity. Novel structures for proteasome complexes in archaea are postulated.
Assuntos
Bases de Dados de Proteínas , Peptídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Archaea/enzimologia , Archaea/genética , Bactérias/enzimologia , Bactérias/genética , Eucariotos/enzimologia , Eucariotos/genética , Humanos , Peptídeo Hidrolases/química , Peptídeo Hidrolases/genética , Filogenia , Inibidores de Proteases/farmacologia , Alinhamento de Sequência , Especificidade por SubstratoRESUMO
The imitation of natural systems to produce effective antifouling materials is often referred to as "biomimetics". The world of biomimetics is a multidisciplinary one, needing careful understanding of "biological structures", processes and principles of various organisms found in nature and based on this, designing nanodevices and nanomaterials that are of commercial interest to industry. Looking to the marine environment for bioinspired surfaces offers researchers a wealth of topographies to explore. Particular attention has been given to the evaluation of textures based on marine organisms tested in either the laboratory or the field. The findings of the review relate to the numbers of studies on textured surfaces demonstrating antifouling potential which are significant. However, many of these are only tested in the laboratory, where it is acknowledged a very different response to fouling is observed.
Assuntos
Incrustação Biológica/prevenção & controle , Materiais Biomiméticos/química , Biomimética/métodos , Animais , Organismos Aquáticos/química , Propriedades de SuperfícieRESUMO
In recent years, there has become a growing need for the development of antifouling technology for application in the marine environment. The accumulation of large quantities of biomass on these surfaces cause substantial economic burdens within the marine industry, or adversely impact the performance of sensor technologies. Here, we present a study of transparent coatings with potential for applications on sensors or devices with optical windows. The focus of the study is on the abundance and diversity of biofouling organisms that accumulate on glass panels coated with novel transparent or opaque organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) coatings. The diatom assessment was used to determine the effectiveness of the coatings against biofouling. Test panels were deployed in a marine environment in Galway Bay for durations of nine and thirteen months to examine differences in biofilm formation in both microfouling and macrofouling conditions. The most effective coating is one which consists of precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (HC006) that has a water contact angle > 100, without significant roughness (43.52 nm). However, improved roughness and wettability of a second coating, diethoxydimethylsilane (DMDEOS), showed real promise in relation to macrofouling reduction.
Assuntos
Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Diatomáceas/efeitos dos fármacos , Silanos/farmacologia , Organismos Aquáticos , Biofilmes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Incrustação Biológica/prevenção & controle , Diatomáceas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Transição de Fase , Silanos/química , Propriedades de Superfície/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Host migration and emerging pathogens are strongly associated, especially with regard to zoonotic diseases. West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquitoborne pathogen capable of causing severe, sometimes fatal, neuroinvasive disease in humans, is maintained in highly mobile avian hosts. Using phylogeographic approaches, we investigated the relationship between WNV circulation in the United States and the flight paths of terrestrial birds. We demonstrated southward migration of WNV in the eastern flyway and northward migration in the central flyway, which is consistent with the looped flight paths of many terrestrial birds. We also identified 3 optimal locations for targeted WNV surveillance campaigns in the United States-Illinois, New York, and Texas. These results illustrate the value of multidisciplinary approaches to surveillance of infectious diseases, especially zoonotic diseases.
Assuntos
Migração Animal , Aves/virologia , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/epidemiologia , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/virologia , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/genética , Animais , Teorema de Bayes , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , Humanos , Incidência , Filogenia , Filogeografia , RNA Viral , Estados Unidos , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/transmissão , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/classificaçãoRESUMO
The use of pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) agonists and the molecular mechanisms involved have been the major focus of research in individual vaccine development. West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural (NS) 4B-P38G mutant has several features for an ideal vaccine candidate, including significantly reduced neuroinvasiveness, induction of strong adaptive immunity, and protection of mice from wild-type (WT) WNV infection. Here, we determined the role of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), the adaptor protein for RIG-I-like receptor in regulating host immunity against the NS4B-P38G vaccine. We found that Mavs-/- mice were more susceptible to NS4B-P38G priming than WT mice. Mavs-/- mice had a transiently reduced production of antiviral cytokines and an impaired CD4+ T cell response in peripheral organs. However, antibody and CD8+ T cell responses were minimally affected. NS4B-P38G induced lower type I interferon (IFN), IFN-stimulating gene, and proinflammatory cytokine responses in Mavs-/- dendritic cells and subsequently compromised the antigen-presenting capacity for CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, Mavs-/- mice surviving NS4B-P38G priming were all protected from a lethal WT WNV challenge. NS4B-P38G-primed Mavs-/- mice exhibited equivalent levels of protective CD4+ T cell recall response, a modestly reduced WNV-specific IgM production, but more robust CD8+ T cell recall response. Taken together, our results suggest that MAVS is essential for boosting optimal primary CD4+ T cell responses upon NS4B-P38G vaccination and yet is dispensable for host protection and recall T cell responses during secondary WT WNV infection.IMPORTANCE The production of innate cytokines induced by the recognition of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) via their cognate ligands are critical for enhancing antigen-presenting cell functions and influencing T cell responses during microbial infection. The use of PRR agonists and the underlying molecular mechanisms have been the major focus in individual vaccine development. Here, we determined the role of mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), the adaptor protein for RIG-I like receptor in regulating host immunity against the live attenuated West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine strain, the nonstructural (NS) 4B-P38G mutant. We found that MAVS is important for boosting optimal primary CD4+ T cell response during NS4B-P38G vaccination. However, MAVS is dispensable for memory T cell development and host protection during secondary wild-type WNV infection. Overall, these results may be utilized as a paradigm to aid in the rational development of other efficacious live attenuated flavivirus vaccines.
Assuntos
Imunidade Adaptativa , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Imunidade Inata , Vacinas contra o Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/imunologia , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/imunologia , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/deficiência , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos KnockoutRESUMO
The MEROPS database (http://merops.sanger.ac.uk) is an integrated source of information about peptidases, their substrates and inhibitors, which are of great relevance to biology, medicine and biotechnology. The hierarchical classification of the database is as follows: homologous sets of sequences are grouped into a protein species; protein species are grouped into a family; families are grouped into clans. There is a type example for each protein species (known as a 'holotype'), family and clan, and each protein species, family and clan has its own unique identifier. Pages to show the involvement of peptidases and peptidase inhibitors in biological pathways have been created. Each page shows the peptidases and peptidase inhibitors involved in the pathway, along with the known substrate cleavages and peptidase-inhibitor interactions, and a link to the KEGG database of biological pathways. Links have also been established with the IUPHAR Guide to Pharmacology. A new service has been set up to allow the submission of identified substrate cleavages so that conservation of the cleavage site can be assessed. This should help establish whether or not a cleavage site is physiologically relevant on the basis that such a cleavage site is likely to be conserved.
Assuntos
Bases de Dados de Proteínas , Peptídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Inibidores de Proteases/metabolismo , Animais , Domínio Catalítico , Humanos , Camundongos , Peptídeo Hidrolases/química , Peptídeo Hidrolases/classificação , Inibidores de Proteases/classificação , Inibidores de Proteases/farmacologiaRESUMO
The Dengue virus (DENV) envelope (E) protein is the major component of the viral surface and is structurally subdivided into three domains, ED1, ED2 and ED3. ED3 elicits potent neutralizing antibodies and contains two major antigenic sites: the DENV-type-specific and DENV-complex-reactive antigenic sites. Each site is composed of a limited subset of residues that are required for monoclonal antibody (mAb) binding. Here we show that DENV-2-type-specific mAb 9A3D-8 utilizes the functionally critical residues K307, V308, K310, I312, P332, L387, L389 and N390 for ED3 binding. Surprisingly, this DENV-type-specific epitope is predicted to overlap with the ED3 DENV-complex-reactive antigenic site on the viral surface. Further, this unique binding site enables mAb 9A3D-8 to neutralize virus infectivity at relatively low occupancy of virions compared to other ED3 mAbs identified to date. Together, the data in this study indicate that this is a new DENV-2-type-specific antigenic site on ED3.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Antivirais/metabolismo , Epitopos de Linfócito B/metabolismo , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/imunologia , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/metabolismo , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/metabolismo , Chlorocebus aethiops , Ligação Proteica , Domínios Proteicos , Células VeroRESUMO
The mosquito-borne disease dengue is caused by four serologically and genetically related flaviviruses termed DENV-1 to DENV-4. Dengue is a global public health concern, with both the geographical range and burden of disease increasing rapidly. Clinically, dengue ranges from a relatively mild self-limiting illness to a severe life-threatening and sometimes fatal disease. Infection with one DENV serotype produces life-long homotypic immunity, but incomplete and short-term heterotypic protection. The development of small-animal models that recapitulate the characteristics of the disseminated disease seen clinically has been difficult, slowing the development of vaccines and therapeutics. The AG129 mouse (deficient in interferon alpha/beta and gamma receptor signalling) has proven to be valuable for this purpose, with the development of models of disseminated DENV-2,-3 and -4 disease. Recently, a DENV-1 AG129 model was described, but it requires antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) to produce lethality. Here we describe a new AG129 model utilizing a non-mouse-adapted DENV-1 strain, West Pacific 74, that does not require ADE to induce lethal disease. Following high-titre intraperitoneal challenge, animals experience a virus infection with dissemination to multiple visceral tissues, including the liver, spleen and intestine. The animals also become thrombocytopenic, but vascular leakage is less prominent than in AG129 models with other DENV serotypes. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that this model is an important addition to dengue research, particularly for understanding the pathological basis of the disease between DENV serotypes and allowing the full spectrum of activity to test comparisons for putative vaccines and antivirals.
Assuntos
Vírus da Dengue/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Dengue/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Aedes , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Anticorpos Facilitadores , Linhagem Celular , Chlorocebus aethiops , Citocinas/biossíntese , Dengue/virologia , Vírus da Dengue/classificação , Contagem de Eritrócitos , Intestinos/patologia , Intestinos/virologia , Fígado/patologia , Fígado/virologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Baço/patologia , Baço/virologia , Trombocitopenia/virologia , Células VeroRESUMO
UNLABELLED: The elderly are known to have enhanced susceptibility to infections and an impaired capacity to respond to vaccination. West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has induced severe neurological symptoms, mostly in the elderly population. No vaccines are available for human use. Recent work showed that an attenuated WNV, a nonstructural (NS) 4B-P38G mutant, induced no lethality but strong immune responses in young (6- to 10-week-old) mice. While studying protective efficacy, we found unexpectedly that old (21- to 22-month) mice were susceptible to WNV NS4B-P38G mutant infection but were protected from subsequent lethal wild-type WNV challenge. Compared to responses in young mice, the NS4B-P38G mutant triggered higher inflammatory cytokine and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production, a delayed γδ T cell expansion, and lower antibody and WNV-specific T cell responses in old mice. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is expressed on multiple types of cells. Impaired TLR7 signaling in old mice led to dendritic cell (DC) antigen-presenting function compromise and a reduced γδ T cell and regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion during NS4B-P38G mutant infection. R848, a TLR7 agonist, decreased host vulnerability in NS4B-P38G-infected old mice by enhancing γδ T cell and Treg expansion and the antigen-presenting capacity of DCs, thereby promoting T cell responses. In summary, our results suggest that dysregulation of TLR7 partially contributes to impaired innate and adaptive T cell responses and an enhanced vulnerability in old mice during WNV NS4B-P38G mutant infection. R848 increases the safety and efficacy during immunization of old mice with the WNV NS4B-P38G mutant. IMPORTANCE: The elderly are known to have enhanced susceptibility to infections and an impaired capacity to respond to vaccination. West Nile virus (WNV), an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, has induced severe neurological symptoms more frequently in the elderly population. No vaccines are available for human use. Here, we used an aged mouse model to investigate the protective efficacy of an attenuated WNV, the nonstructural 4B-P38G mutant, which was previously shown to induce no lethality but strong immune responses in young adult mice. Studies that contribute to a mechanistic understanding of immune defects in the elderly will allow the development of strategies to improve responses to infectious diseases and to increase vaccine efficacy and safety in aging individuals.
Assuntos
Imunidade Adaptativa , Resistência à Doença , Imunidade Inata , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Receptor 7 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/imunologia , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/imunologia , Fatores Etários , Animais , Histocitoquímica , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Análise de Sobrevida , Carga Viral , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/patologiaRESUMO
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the pathological accumulation of tau appears to be a downstream effect of amyloid ß protein (Aß). However, the relationship between these two proteins and memory loss is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the specific removal of pathological tau oligomers in aged Tg2576 mice by passive immunotherapy using tau oligomer-specific monoclonal antibody. Removal of tau oligomers reversed memory deficits and accelerated plaque deposition in the brain. Surprisingly, Aß*56 levels decreased, suggesting a link between tau and Aß oligomers in the promotion of cognitive decline. The results suggest that tau oligomerization is not only a consequence of Aß pathology but also a critical mediator of the toxic effects observed afterward in AD. Overall, these findings support the potential of tau oligomers as a therapeutic target for AD.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Proteínas tau/metabolismo , Envelhecimento/metabolismo , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Encéfalo/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Masculino , Transtornos da Memória/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/imunologia , Placa Amiloide/metabolismo , Proteínas tau/imunologiaAssuntos
Vacinas , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental , California , Hospitalização , Humanos , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/imunologiaRESUMO
We have previously shown that ablation of the three N-linked glycosylation sites in the West Nile virus NS1 protein completely attenuates mouse neuroinvasiveness (≥1,000,000 PFU). Here, we compared the replication of the NS1130-132QQA/175A/207A mutant to that of the parental NY99 strain in monkey kidney Vero cells. The results suggest that the mechanism of attenuation is a lack of NS1 glycosylation, which blocks efficient replication, maturation, and NS1 secretion from the endoplasmic reticulum and results in changes to the virus-induced ultrastructure.
Assuntos
Substituição de Aminoácidos , Retículo Endoplasmático/química , Organelas/ultraestrutura , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/metabolismo , Replicação Viral , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/fisiologia , Animais , Chlorocebus aethiops , Tomografia com Microscopia Eletrônica , Glicosilação , Camundongos , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Proteínas Mutantes/genética , Proteínas Mutantes/metabolismo , Células Vero , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/genética , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/genéticaRESUMO
UNLABELLED: The mosquito-borne disease dengue (DEN) is caused by four serologically and genetically related viruses, termed DENV-1 to DENV-4. Infection with one DENV usually leads to acute illness and results in lifelong homotypic immunity, but individuals remain susceptible to infection by the other three DENVs. The lack of a small-animal model that mimics systemic DEN disease without neurovirulence has been an obstacle, but DENV-2 models that resemble human disease have been recently developed in AG129 mice (deficient in interferon alpha/beta and interferon gamma receptor signaling). However, comparable DENV-1, -3, and -4 models have not been developed. We utilized a non-mouse-adapted DENV-3 Thai human isolate to develop a lethal infection model in AG129 mice. Intraperitoneal inoculation of six to eight-week-old animals with strain C0360/94 led to rapid, fatal disease. Lethal C0360/94 infection resulted in physical signs of illness, high viral loads in the spleen, liver, and large intestine, histological changes in the liver and spleen tissues, and increased serum cytokine levels. Importantly, the animals developed vascular leakage, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Overall, we have developed a lethal DENV-3 murine infection model, with no evidence of neurotropic disease based on a non-mouse-adapted human isolate, which can be used to investigate DEN pathogenesis and to evaluate candidate vaccines and antivirals. This suggests that murine models utilizing non-mouse-adapted isolates can be obtained for all four DENVs. IMPORTANCE: Dengue (DEN) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by four DENV serotypes (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4) that have no treatments or vaccines. Primary infection with one DENV usually leads to acute illness followed by lifelong homotypic immunity, but susceptibility to infection by the other three DENVs remains. Therefore, a vaccine needs to protect from all four DENVs simultaneously. To date a suitable animal model to mimic systemic human illness exists only for DENV-2 in immunocompromised mice using passaged viruses; however, models are still needed for the remaining serotypes. This study describes establishment of a lethal systemic DENV-3 infection model with a human isolate in immunocompromised mice and is the first report of lethal infection by a nonadapted clinical DENV isolate without evidence of neurological disease. Our DENV-3 model provides a relevant platform to test DEN vaccines and antivirals.