Methods to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid mutations on antigen detection by rapid diagnostic tests.

Mutations in the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 may interfere with antigen detection by diagnostic tests. We used several methods to evaluate the effect of various SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid mutations on the performance of the Panbio™ and BinaxNOW™ lateral flow rapid antigen tests and a prototype high-throughput immunoassay that utilizes Panbio antibodies. Variant detection was also evaluated by immunoblot and BIAcore™ assay. A panel of 23 recombinant nucleocapsid antigens (rAgs) were produced that included mutations found in circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including variants of concern. All mutant rAgs were detected by all assays, at a sensitivity equivalent to wild-type control (Wuhan strain). Thus, using a rAg approach, we found that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid mutations examined do not directly impact antigen detection or antigen assay performance.

Artemin Immunotherapy Is Effective in Preventing and Reversing Cystitis-Induced Bladder Hyperalgesia via TRPA1 Regulation.

UNLABELLED: Injury- or disease-induced artemin (ARTN) signaling can sensitize primary afferents and contribute to persistent pain. We demonstrate that administration of an ARTN neutralizing antibody, anti-artemin (α-ARTN), can block the development of, and reverse already established, bladder hyperalgesia associated with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in mice. We further demonstrate that α-ARTN therapy blocks upregulation of TRPA1, an ion channel contributing to persistent bladder pain during cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis, and decreases phospho-ERK1/2 immunoreactivity in regions of the spinal cord receiving bladder afferent input. Thus, α-ARTN is a promising novel therapeutic approach for treatment of bladder hyperalgesia that may be associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, as well as cystitis associated with antitumor or immunosuppressive cyclophosphamide therapy. PERSPECTIVE: α-ARTN therapy effectively prevented and reversed ongoing bladder hyperalgesia in an animal model of cystitis, indicating its potential as an efficacious treatment strategy for ongoing bladder pain associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.