ABSTRACT
Elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in organs that are potential targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may increase the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Previous reports show that ACE2 alter its tissue-specific expression patterns under various pathological conditions, including renal diseases. Here, we examined changes in pulmonary ACE2 expression in two mouse chronic kidney disease (CKD) models: adenine-induced (adenine mice) and aristolochic acid-induced (AA mice). We also investigated changes in pulmonary ACE2 expression due to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocker (olmesartan) treatment in these mice. Adenine mice showed significant renal functional decline and elevated blood pressure, compared with controls. AA mice also showed significant renal functional decline, compared with vehicles; blood pressure did not differ between groups. Renal ACE2 expression was significantly reduced in adenine mice and AA mice; pulmonary expression was unaffected. Olmesartan attenuated urinary albumin excretion in adenine mice, but did not affect renal or pulmonary ACE2 expression levels. The results suggest that the risk of COVID-19 infection may not be elevated in patients with CKD because of their stable pulmonary ACE2 expression. Moreover, RAS blockers can be used safely in treatment of COVID-19 patients with CKD.
Subject(s)
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism , COVID-19/metabolism , Kidney/metabolism , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Adenine , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/genetics , Animals , Aristolochic Acids , Disease Models, Animal , Down-Regulation , Humans , Imidazoles/administration & dosage , Kidney/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Organ Specificity , Tetrazoles/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has developed into a global pandemic since its first outbreak in the winter of 2019. An extensive investigation of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for disease control. Various recombinant monoclonal antibodies of human origin that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection have been isolated from convalescent patients and will be applied as therapies and prophylaxis. However, the need for dedicated monoclonal antibodies suitable for molecular pathology research is not fully addressed. Here, we produced six mouse anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike monoclonal antibodies that not only exhibit robust performance in immunoassays including western blotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation, but also demonstrate neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection to VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. Due to their mouse origin, our monoclonal antibodies are compatible with the experimental immunoassay setups commonly used in basic molecular biology research laboratories, providing a useful tool for future research. Furthermore, in the hope of applying the antibodies of clinical setting, we determined the variable regions of the antibodies and used them to produce recombinant human/mouse chimeric antibodies.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Neutralizing/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry , Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry , Antibodies, Neutralizing/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Viral/chemistry , Antibodies, Viral/isolation & purification , Binding Sites , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , Cloning, Molecular , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Gene Expression , Genetic Vectors/chemistry , Genetic Vectors/metabolism , Humans , Mice , Neutralization Tests , Protein Binding , Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs , Protein Subunits/administration & dosage , Protein Subunits/genetics , Protein Subunits/immunology , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/administration & dosage , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , VaccinationABSTRACT
The threat of the current coronavirus disease pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is accelerating the development of potential vaccines. Candidate vaccines have been generated using existing technologies that have been applied for developing vaccines against other infectious diseases. Two new types of platforms, mRNA- and viral vector-based vaccines, have been gaining attention owing to the rapid advancement in their methodologies. In clinical trials, setting appropriate immunological endpoints plays a key role in evaluating the efficacy and safety of candidate vaccines. Updated information about immunological features from individuals who have or have not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 continues to guide effective vaccine development strategies. This review highlights key strategies for generating candidate SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and considerations for vaccine development and clinical trials.