Mouse-Adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 Strain Displays Differential Pulmonary Tropism and Accelerated Viral Replication, Neurodissemination, and Pulmonary Host Responses in K18-hACE2 Mice.

Several models were developed to study the pathogenicity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as the in vivo efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics. Since wild-type mice are naturally resistant to infection by ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains, several transgenic mouse models expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) were developed. An alternative approach has been to develop mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strains. Here, we compared the clinical progression, viral replication kinetics and dissemination, pulmonary tropism, and host innate immune response dynamics between the mouse-adapted MA10 strain and its parental strain (USA-WA1/2020) following intranasal inoculation of K18-hACE2 mice, a widely used model. Compared to its parental counterpart, the MA10 strain induced earlier clinical decline with significantly higher viral replication and earlier neurodissemination. Importantly, the MA10 strain also showed a wider tropism, with infection of bronchiolar epithelia. While both SARS-CoV-2 strains induced comparable pulmonary cytokine/chemokine responses, many proinflammatory and monocyte-recruitment chemokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IP-10/CXCL10, and MCP-1/CCL2, showed an earlier peak in MA10-infected mice. Furthermore, both strains induced a similar downregulation of murine Ace2, with only a transient downregulation of Tmprss2 and no alterations in hACE2 expression. Overall, these data demonstrate that in K18-hACE2 mice, the MA10 strain has a pulmonary tropism that more closely resembles SARS-CoV-2 tropism in humans (airways and pneumocytes) than its parental strain. Its rapid replication and neurodissemination and early host pulmonary responses can have a significant impact on the clinical outcomes of infection and are, therefore, critical features to consider for study designs using these strains and mouse model. IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is still significantly impacting health care systems around the globe. Refined animal models are needed to study SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity as well as efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics. In line with this, thorough evaluation of animal models and virus strains/variants are paramount for standardization and meaningful comparisons. Here, we demonstrated differences in replication dynamics between the Wuhan-like USA-WA1/2020 strain and the derivative mouse-adapted MA10 strain in K18-hACE2 mice. The MA10 strain showed accelerated viral replication and neurodissemination, differential pulmonary tropism, and earlier pulmonary innate immune responses. The observed differences allow us to better refine experimental designs when considering the use of the MA10 strain in the widely utilized K18-hACE2 murine model.

Coronaviridae and Tobaniviridae Innovations and Challenges in Electroanalytical Tools for Rapid Biosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Summary The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses first established the order Nidovirales in 1996. Initially, the order contained only two viral families, Coronaviridae and Arteriviridae . Since the emergence of the human severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the spring of 2003, coronaviruses became more recognized and generated significant interest among researchers. Coronaviruses are spherical, enveloped virions with large club-shaped surface projections (peplomers) extending from the viral envelope. SARS-CoV-2 disease in hamsters is associated with high levels of virus replication and some of the histopathological changes similar to COVID-19 in humans (e.g., ground-glass opacities). ToVs have recently been classified into the new subfamily Torovirinae within the family Tobaniviridae in the suborder Tornidovirineae . ToVs are associated with enteric diseases in animals and humans, and they are recognized as pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, preventive social paradigms and vaccine development have undergone serious renovations, which drastically reduced the viral spread and increased collective immunity. Although the technological advancements in diagnostic systems for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection are groundbreaking, the lack of sensitive, robust, and consumer-end point-of-care (POC) devices with smartphone connectivity are conspicuously felt. Despite its revolutionary impact on biotechnology and molecular diagnostics, the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique as the gold standard in COVID-19 diagnosis is not suitable for rapid testing. Today's POC tests are dominated by the lateral flow assay technique, with inadequate sensitivity and lack of internet connectivity. Herein, the biosensing advancements in Internet of Things (IoT)-integrated electroanalytical tools as superior POC devices for SARS-CoV-2 detection will be demonstrated. Meanwhile, the impeding factors pivotal for the successful deployment of such novel bioanalytical devices, including the incongruous standards, redundant guidelines, and the limitations of IoT modules will be discussed.

Fatal Neurodissemination and SARS-CoV-2 Tropism in K18-hACE2 Mice Is Only Partially Dependent on hACE2 Expression.

Animal models recapitulating COVID-19 are critical to enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Intranasally inoculated transgenic mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 under the cytokeratin 18 promoter (K18-hACE2) represent a lethal model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We evaluated the clinical and virological dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 using two intranasal doses (104 and 106 PFUs), with a detailed spatiotemporal pathologic analysis of the 106 dose cohort. Despite generally mild-to-moderate pneumonia, clinical decline resulting in euthanasia or death was commonly associated with hypothermia and viral neurodissemination independent of inoculation dose. Neuroinvasion was first observed at 4 days post-infection, initially restricted to the olfactory bulb suggesting axonal transport via the olfactory neuroepithelium as the earliest portal of entry. Absence of viremia suggests neuroinvasion occurs independently of transport across the blood-brain barrier. SARS-CoV-2 tropism was neither restricted to ACE2-expressing cells (e.g., AT1 pneumocytes), nor inclusive of some ACE2-positive cell lineages (e.g., bronchiolar epithelium and brain vasculature). Absence of detectable ACE2 protein expression in neurons but overexpression in neuroepithelium suggest this as the most likely portal of neuroinvasion, with subsequent ACE2 independent lethal neurodissemination. A paucity of epidemiological data and contradicting evidence for neuroinvasion and neurodissemination in humans call into question the translational relevance of this model.

Susceptibility of sheep to experimental co-infection with the ancestral lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha variant.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a global pandemic that has had significant impacts on human health and economies worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible and the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 in humans. A wide range of animal species have also been shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 by experimental and/or natural infections. Sheep are a commonly farmed domestic ruminant that have not been thoroughly investigated for their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we performed in vitro and in vivo studies which consisted of infection of ruminant-derived cells and experimental challenge of sheep to investigate their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Our results showed that sheep-derived kidney cells support SARS-CoV-2 replication. Furthermore, the experimental challenge of sheep demonstrated limited infection with viral RNA shed in nasal and oral swabs at 1 and 3-days post challenge (DPC); viral RNA was also detected in the respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues at 4 and 8 DPC. Sero-reactivity was observed in some of the principal infected sheep but not the contact sentinels, indicating that transmission to co-mingled naïve sheep was not highly efficient; however, viral RNA was detected in respiratory tract tissues of sentinel animals at 21 DPC. Furthermore, we used a challenge inoculum consisting of a mixture of two SARS-CoV-2 isolates, representatives of the ancestral lineage A and the B.1.1.7-like alpha variant of concern, to study competition of the two virus strains. Our results indicate that sheep show low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and that the alpha variant outcompeted the lineage A strain.

Infection and transmission of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha variant in pregnant white-tailed deer.

ABSTRACTSARS-CoV-2 was first reported circulating in human populations in December 2019 and has since become a global pandemic. Recent history involving SARS-like coronavirus outbreaks have demonstrated the significant role of intermediate hosts in viral maintenance and transmission. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection and experimental infections of a wide variety of animal species has been demonstrated, and in silico and in vitro studies have indicated that deer are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. White-tailed deer (WTD) are amongst the most abundant and geographically widespread wild ruminant species in the US. Recently, WTD fawns were shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we investigated the susceptibility and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in adult WTD. In addition, we examined the competition of two SARS-CoV-2 isolates, representatives of the ancestral lineage A and the alpha variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 through co-infection of WTD. Next-generation sequencing was used to determine the presence and transmission of each strain in the co-infected and contact sentinel animals. Our results demonstrate that adult WTD are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can transmit the virus through direct contact as well as vertically from doe to fetus. Additionally, we determined that the alpha VOC B.1.1.7 isolate of SARS-CoV-2 outcompetes the ancestral lineage A isolate in WTD, as demonstrated by the genome of the virus shed from nasal and oral cavities from principal infected and contact animals, and from the genome of virus present in tissues of principal infected deer, fetuses and contact animals.

TOP1 inhibition therapy protects against SARS-CoV-2-induced lethal inflammation.

The ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently affecting millions of lives worldwide. Large retrospective studies indicate that an elevated level of inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory factors are associated with both increased disease severity and mortality. Here, using multidimensional epigenetic, transcriptional, in vitro, and in vivo analyses, we report that topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) inhibition suppresses lethal inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2. Therapeutic treatment with two doses of topotecan (TPT), an FDA-approved TOP1 inhibitor, suppresses infection-induced inflammation in hamsters. TPT treatment as late as 4 days post-infection reduces morbidity and rescues mortality in a transgenic mouse model. These results support the potential of TOP1 inhibition as an effective host-directed therapy against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. TPT and its derivatives are inexpensive clinical-grade inhibitors available in most countries. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of repurposing TOP1 inhibitors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans.

Experimental re-infected cats do not transmit SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and responsible for the current global pandemic. We and others have previously demonstrated that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can efficiently transmit the virus to naïve cats. Here, we address whether cats previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 can be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2. In two independent studies, SARS-CoV-2-infected cats were re-challenged with SARS-CoV-2 at 21 days post primary challenge (DPC) and necropsies performed at 4, 7 and 14 days post-secondary challenge (DP2C). Sentinels were co-mingled with the re-challenged cats at 1 DP2C. Clinical signs were recorded, and nasal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs, blood, and serum were collected and tissues examined for histologic lesions. Viral RNA was transiently shed via the nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal cavities of the re-challenged cats. Viral RNA was detected in various tissues of re-challenged cats euthanized at 4 DP2C, mainly in the upper respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues, but less frequently and at lower levels in the lower respiratory tract when compared to primary SARS-CoV-2 challenged cats at 4 DPC. Viral RNA and antigen detected in the respiratory tract of the primary SARS-CoV-2 infected cats at early DPCs were absent in the re-challenged cats. Naïve sentinels co-housed with the re-challenged cats did not shed virus or seroconvert. Together, our results indicate that cats previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be experimentally re-infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, the levels of virus shed was insufficient for transmission to co-housed naïve sentinels. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats induces immune responses that provide partial, non-sterilizing immune protection against re-infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease and transmission in domestic cats.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and responsible for the current pandemic. Recent SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility studies in cats show that the virus can replicate in these companion animals and transmit to other cats. Here, we present an in-depth study of SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease and transmission in domestic cats. Cats were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 via intranasal and oral routes. One day post challenge (DPC), two sentinel cats were introduced. Animals were monitored for clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities and viral shedding. Postmortem examinations were performed at 4, 7 and 21 DPC. Viral RNA was not detected in blood but transiently in nasal, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as various tissues. Tracheobronchoadenitis of submucosal glands with the presence of viral RNA and antigen was observed in airways of the infected cats. Serology showed that both, principals and sentinels, developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. All animals were clinically asymptomatic during the course of the study and capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to sentinels. The results of this study are critical for understanding the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 in a naturally susceptible host species, and for risk assessment.

Susceptibility of swine cells and domestic pigs to SARS-CoV-2.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic consequences. The susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2 is of concern due to the potential for interspecies transmission, and the requirement for pre-clinical animal models to develop effective countermeasures. In the current study, we determined the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to (i) replicate in porcine cell lines, (ii) establish infection in domestic pigs via experimental oral/intranasal/intratracheal inoculation, and (iii) transmit to co-housed naïve sentinel pigs. SARS-CoV-2 was able to replicate in two different porcine cell lines with cytopathic effects. Interestingly, none of the SARS-CoV-2-inoculated pigs showed evidence of clinical signs, viral replication or SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses. Moreover, none of the sentinel pigs displayed markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These data indicate that although different porcine cell lines are permissive to SARS-CoV-2, five-week old pigs are not susceptible to infection via oral/intranasal/intratracheal challenge. Pigs are therefore unlikely to be significant carriers of SARS-CoV-2 and are not a suitable pre-clinical animal model to study SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis or efficacy of respective vaccines or therapeutics.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RNAscope® in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques.

In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are essential tools to characterize SARS-CoV-2 infection and tropism in naturally and experimentally infected animals and also for diagnostic purposes. Here, we describe three RNAscope®-based ISH assays targeting the ORF1ab, spike, and nucleocapsid genes and IHC assays targeting the spike and nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2.