scholarly journals Structural Basis for Epitopes in the gp120 Cluster A Region that Invokes Potent Effector Cell Activity

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Tolbert ◽  
Rebekah Sherburn ◽  
Verna Van ◽  
Marzena Pazgier
Keyword(s):  
Viral Entry ◽  
Effector Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Detailed Structural Analysis ◽  
Cluster A ◽  
Potent Effector

While a number of therapeutic options to control the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) now exist, a broadly effective preventive vaccine is still not available. Through detailed structural analysis of antibodies able to induce potent effector cell activity, a number of Env epitopes have been identified which have the potential to be considered vaccine candidates. These antibodies mainly target the gp120 Cluster A region which is only exposed upon viral binding to the target cell with epitopes becoming available for antibody binding during viral entry and fusion and, therefore, after the effective window for neutralizing antibody activity. This review will discuss recent advances in the structural characterization of these important targets with a special focus on epitopes that are involved in Fc-mediated effector function without direct viral neutralizing activities.

scholarly journals Medicinal Plants, Phytochemicals, and Herbs to Combat Viral Pathogens Including SARS-CoV-2

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1775
Author(s):  
Arumugam Vijaya Anand ◽  
Balasubramanian Balamuralikrishnan ◽  
Mohandass Kaviya ◽  
Kathirvel Bharathi ◽  
Aluru Parithathvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Direct Inhibition ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Important Health Issue

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the most important health issue, internationally. With no specific and effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19, new or repurposed antiviral are urgently needed. Phytochemicals pose a ray of hope for human health during this pandemic, and a great deal of research is concentrated on it. Phytochemicals have been used as antiviral agents against several viruses since they could inhibit several viruses via different mechanisms of direct inhibition either at the viral entry point or the replication stages and via immunomodulation potentials. Recent evidence also suggests that some plants and its components have shown promising antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2. This review summarizes certain phytochemical agents along with their mode of actions and potential antiviral activities against important viral pathogens. A special focus has been given on medicinal plants and their extracts as well as herbs which have shown promising results to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be useful in treating patients with COVID-19 as alternatives for treatment under phytotherapy approaches during this devastating pandemic situation.

Structural Basis for the Understanding of Entry Inhibitors Against SARS Viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prem Kumar Kushwaha ◽  
Neha Kumari ◽  
Sneha Nayak ◽  
Keshav Kishor ◽  
Ashoke Sharon
Keyword(s):  
Viral Entry ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Virus Entry ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Entry Inhibitors

: Outbreaks due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) initiated in Wuhan city, China, in December 2019 which continued to spread internationally, posing a pandemic threat as declared by WHO and as of March 10, 2021, confirmed cases reached 118 million along with 2.6 million deaths worldwide. In the absence of specific antiviral medication, symptomatic treatment and physical isolation remain the options to control the contagion. The recent clinical trials on antiviral drugs highlighted some promising compounds such as umifenovir (haemagglutinin-mediated fusion inhibitor), remdesivir (RdRp nucleoside inhibitor), and favipiravir (RdRp Inhibitor). WHO launched a multinational clinical trial on several promising analogs as a potential treatment to combat SARS infection. This situation urges a holistic approach to invent safe and specific drugs as a prophylactic and therapeutic cure for SARS-related-viral diseases, including COVID-19. : It is significant to note that researchers worldwide have been doing their best to handle the crisis and have produced an extensive and promising literature body. It opens a scope and allows understanding the viral entry at the molecular level. A structure-based approach can reveal the molecular-level understanding of viral entry interaction. The ligand profiling and non-covalent interactions among participating amino-acid residues are critical information to delineate a structural interpretation. The structural investigation of SARS virus entry into host cells will reveal the possible strategy for designing drugs like entry inhibitors. : The structure-based approach demonstrates details at the 3D molecular level. It shows specificity about SARS-CoV-2 spike interaction, which uses human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for entry, and the human protease completes the process of viral fusion and infection. : The 3D structural studies reveal the existence of two units, namely S1 and S2. S1 is called a receptor-binding domain (RBD) and responsible for interacting with the host (ACE2), and the S2 unit participates in the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. TMPRSS2 mediates the cleavage at S1/S2 subunit interface in S-protein of SARS CoV-2, leading to viral fusion. Conformational difference associated with S1 binding alters ACE2 interaction and inhibits viral fusion. Overall, the detailed 3D structural studies help understand the 3D structural basis of interaction between viruses with host factors and available scope for the new drug discovery process targeting SARS-related virus entry into the host cell.

scholarly journals Characterization and Implementation of a Diverse Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVsm Envelope Panel in the Assessment of Neutralizing Antibody Breadth Elicited in Rhesus Macaques by Multimodal Vaccines Expressing the SIVmac239 Envelope

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (16) ◽  
pp. 8130-8151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie M. Kilgore ◽  
Megan K. Murphy ◽  
Samantha L. Burton ◽  
Katherine S. Wetzel ◽  
S. Abigail Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Nonhuman Primate ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Cd40 Ligand ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Antibody Profile ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTAntibodies that can neutralize diverse viral strains are likely to be an important component of a protective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine. To this end, preclinical simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-based nonhuman primate immunization regimens have been designed to evaluate and enhance antibody-mediated protection. However, these trials often rely on a limited selection of SIV strains with extreme neutralization phenotypes to assess vaccine-elicited antibody activity. To mirror the viral panels used to assess HIV-1 antibody breadth, we created and characterized a novel panel of 14 genetically and phenotypically diverse SIVsm envelope (Env) glycoproteins. To assess the utility of this panel, we characterized the neutralizing activity elicited by four SIVmac239 envelope-expressing DNA/modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector- and protein-based vaccination regimens that included the immunomodulatory adjuvants granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, and CD40 ligand. The SIVsm Env panel exhibited a spectrum of neutralization sensitivity to SIV-infected plasma pools and monoclonal antibodies, allowing categorization into three tiers. Pooled sera from 91 rhesus macaques immunized in the four trials consistently neutralized only the highly sensitive tier 1a SIVsm Envs, regardless of the immunization regimen. The inability of vaccine-mediated antibodies to neutralize the moderately resistant tier 1b and tier 2 SIVsm Envs defined here suggests that those antibodies were directed toward epitopes that are not accessible on most SIVsm Envs. To achieve a broader and more effective neutralization profile in preclinical vaccine studies that is relevant to known features of HIV-1 neutralization, more emphasis should be placed on optimizing the Env immunogen, as the neutralization profile achieved by the addition of adjuvants does not appear to supersede the neutralizing antibody profile determined by the immunogen.IMPORTANCEMany in the HIV/AIDS vaccine field believe that the ability to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of blocking genetically diverse HIV-1 variants is a critical component of a protective vaccine. Various SIV-based nonhuman primate vaccine studies have investigated ways to improve antibody-mediated protection against a heterologous SIV challenge, including administering adjuvants that might stimulate a greater neutralization breadth. Using a novel SIV neutralization panel and samples from four rhesus macaque vaccine trials designed for cross comparison, we show that different regimens expressing the same SIV envelope immunogen consistently elicit antibodies that neutralize only the very sensitive tier 1a SIV variants. The results argue that the neutralizing antibody profile elicited by a vaccine is primarily determined by the envelope immunogen and is not substantially broadened by including adjuvants, resulting in the conclusion that the envelope immunogen itself should be the primary consideration in efforts to elicit antibodies with greater neutralization breadth.

scholarly journals The vaccinia-based Sementis Copenhagen Vector COVID-19 vaccine induces broad and durable cellular and humoral immune responses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preethi Eldi ◽  
Tamara H Cooper ◽  
Natalie A Prow ◽  
Liang Liu ◽  
Gary K Heinemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Immune Memory ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Humoral Immune Responses ◽  
Heterologous Boost

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic perpetuated by SARS-CoV-2 variants, has highlighted the continued need for broadly protective vaccines that elicit robust and durable protection. Here, the vaccinia virus-based, replication-defective Sementis Copenhagen Vector (SCV) was used to develop a first-generation COVID-19 vaccine encoding the spike glycoprotein (SCV-S). Vaccination of mice rapidly induced polyfunctional CD8 T cells with cytotoxic activity and robust Th1-biased, spike-specific neutralizing antibodies, which are significantly increased following a second vaccination, and contained neutralizing activity against the alpha and beta variants of concern. Longitudinal studies indicated neutralizing antibody activity was maintained up to 9 months post-vaccination in both young and aging mice, with durable immune memory evident even in the presence of pre-existing vector immunity. This immunogenicity profile suggests a potential to expand protection generated by current vaccines in a heterologous boost format, and presents a solid basis for second-generation SCV-based COVID-19 vaccine candidates incorporating additional SARS-CoV-2 immunogens.

scholarly journals Structural insights into the conformational plasticity of the full-length trimeric HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein precursor

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijian Zhang ◽  
Wei Li Wang ◽  
Shuobing Chen ◽  
Maolin Lu ◽  
Eden P. Go ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Entry ◽  
Envelope Glycoprotein ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Glycoprotein Precursor ◽  
Helix Bundle ◽  
Conformational Plasticity ◽  
Hiv 1

SummaryThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer mediates viral entry into cells and is the major target for the host antibody response. In infected cells, the mature Env [(gp120/gp41)3] is produced by cleavage of a trimeric gp160 precursor. Proteolytic cleavage decreases Env conformational flexibility, allowing the mature Env to resist antibody binding to conserved elements. The conformational plasticity of the Env precursor skews the humoral immune response towards the elicitation of ineffectual antibodies, contributing to HIV-1 persistence in the infected host. The structural basis for the plasticity of the Env precursor remains elusive. Here we use cryo-electron microscopy to visualize two coexisting conformational states of the full-length Env precursor at nominal resolutions of 5.5 and 8.0 Å. The State-P2 conformation features a three-helix bundle of the gp41 heptad repeat region in the core, but has disordered membrane-interactive regions. State-P1 trimers lack the three-helix bundle and instead retain ordered transmembrane and membrane-proximal external regions embracing a central cavity. Our structural data shed light on the unusual plasticity of the Env precursor and provide new clues to Env immunogen discovery.

scholarly journals Immunogenicity of heterologous prime/booster-inactivated and adenoviral-vectored COVID-19 vaccine: real-world data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasamon Wanlapakorn ◽  
Nungruthai Suntronwong ◽  
Harit Phowatthanasathian ◽  
Ritthideach Yorsang ◽  
Thanunrat Thongmee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Vectored Vaccine ◽  
Sera Samples

Abstract Limited data are available on the responses to heterologous vaccine regimens for SARS-CoV-2, especially among countries using inactivated and adenoviral-vectored vaccines. A total of 77 participants who received heterologous prime/booster-inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and adenoviral-vectored vaccine were enrolled in our study. There were two comparison groups vaccinated with the homologous CoronaVac (N = 79) and AZD1222 (N = 80) regimen. All sera samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) IgG using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The neutralizing activity in a subset of serum samples was tested against the original Wuhan strain and variants of concern, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). The CoronaVac followed by the AZD1222 vaccine induced higher levels of spike RBD-specific IgG than that of two-dose CoronaVac or AZD1222 vaccines (p < 0.001). Sera samples of the CoronaVac/AZD1222 vaccine recipients elicited higher neutralizing antibody activity against the original Wuhan and the B.1.351 strain than in the recipients of the two-dose CoronaVac or AZD1222. Following the inactivated CoronaVac/adenoviral-vectored (AZD1222) vaccination administered 14–72 days apart, participants receiving the heterologous vaccine regimen had higher spike RBD-specific IgG and neutralizing activities than the homologous CoronaVac vaccine recipients.

scholarly journals Specificity and effector functions of non-neutralizing gB-specific monoclonal antibodies isolated from healthy individuals with human cytomegalovirus infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Goodwin ◽  
Helen S. Webster ◽  
Hsuan-Yuan Wang ◽  
Jennifer A. Jenks ◽  
Cody S. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Effector Cell ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Domain Specificity ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common congenital infection, and the leading nongenetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in newborns globally. A gB subunit vaccine administered with adjuvent MF59 (gB/MF59) is the most efficacious tested to-date, achieving 50% efficacy in preventing infection of HCMV-seronegative mothers. We recently discovered that gB/MF59 vaccination elicited primarily non-neutralizing antibody responses, that HCMV strains acquired by vaccinees more often included strains with gB genotypes that are distinct from the vaccine antigen, and that protection against HCMV acquisition correlated with ability of vaccine-elicited antibodies to bind to membrane associated gB. Thus, we hypothesized that gB-specific non-neutralizing antibody binding breadth and function are dependent on their epitope and genotype specificity as well as their ability to interact with membrane-associated gB. Twenty-four gB-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from naturally HCMV-infected individuals were mapped for gB domain specificity by binding antibody multiplex assay (BAMA) and for genotype preference binding to membrane-associated gB presented on transfected cells. We defined their non-neutralizing functions including antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The isolated gB-specific non-neutralizing mAbs were primarily specific for Domain II and linear antigenic domain 2 site 2 (AD2). We observed variability in mAb gB genotype binding preference, with increased binding to gB genotypes 2 and 4. Functional studies identified two gB-specific mAbs that facilitate ADCP and have binding specificities of AD2 and Domain II. This investigation provides novel understanding on the impact of gB domain specificity and antigenic variability on gB-specific non-neutralizing antibody responses.ImportanceHCMV is the most common congenital infection worldwide, but development of a successful vaccine remains elusive. gB-specific non-neutralizing mAbs, represent a distinct anti-HCMV Ab subset implicated in the protection against primary infection during numerous phase-II gB/MF59 vaccine trials. By studying non-neutralizing gB-specific mAbs from naturally infected individuals, this study provides novel characterization of binding site specificity, genotypic preference, and effector cell functions mediated by mAbs elicited in natural infection. We found that a panel of twenty-four gB-specific non-neutralizing mAbs bind across multiple regions of the gB protein, traditionally through to be targeted by neutralizing mAbs only, and bind differently to gB depending if the protein is soluble versus embedded in a membrane. This investigation provides novel insight into the gB-specific binding characteristics and effector cell functions mediated by non-neutralizing gB-specific mAbs elicited through natural infection, providing new endpoints for future vaccine development.

scholarly journals Multicenter Evaluation of the Clinical Performance and the Neutralizing Antibody Activity Prediction Properties of ten high throughput serological assays used in Clinical Laboratories.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Therrien ◽  
B Serhir ◽  
M Bélanger-Collard ◽  
J Skrzypczak ◽  
D. K. Shank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Activity Prediction ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
Accurate Comparison ◽  
Diagnostic Resolution

As the COVID-19 pandemic second wave is emerging, it is of the upmost importance to screen the population immunity in order to keep track of infected individuals. Consequently, SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays with high specificity and positive predictive values are needed to obtain an accurate epidemiological picture. As more data accumulate about the immune responses and the kinetics of neutralizing antibody (nAb) production in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, new applications are forecasted for serological assays such as nAb activity prediction in convalescent plasma from recovered patients. This multicenter study, involving six hospital centres, determined the baseline clinical performances, reproducibility and nAb level correlations of ten commercially available immunoassays. In addition, three lateral flow chromatography assays were evaluated as these devices can be used in logistically challenged area. All assays were evaluated using the same patient panels in duplicate thus enabling accurate comparison of the tests. Seven immunoassays examined in this study were shown to have excellent specificity (98 to 100%) and good to excellent positive predictive values (82 to 100%) when used in a low (5%) seroprevalence setting. We observed sensitivity values as low as 74% and as high as 95% at ≥15 days post symptom onset. The determination of optimized cut-off values through ROC curves analyses had a significant impact on the diagnostic resolution of several enzyme immunoassays by increasing the sensitivity significantly without a large trade-off in specificity. We found that Spike-based immunoassays seems to be better correlates of nAb activity. Finally, the results reported here will add up to the general knowledge of the inter-laboratory reproducibility of clinical performance parameters of immunoassays and provide new evidence about nAb activity prediction.

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