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1.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol ; 13: 1229098, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37753486

ABSTRACT

Cellular senescence is a key biological process characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest. The accumulation of senescent cells creates a pro-inflammatory environment that can negatively affect tissue functions and may promote the development of aging-related diseases. Typical biomarkers related to senescence include senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity, histone H2A.X phosphorylation at serine139 (γH2A.X), and senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF) with heterochromatin protein 1γ (HP-1γ protein) Moreover, immune cells undergoing senescence, which is known as immunosenescence, can affect innate and adaptative immune functions and may elicit detrimental effects over the host's susceptibility to infectious diseases. Although associations between senescence and pathogens have been reported, clear links between both, and the related molecular mechanisms involved remain to be determined. Furthermore, it remains to be determined whether infections effectively induce senescence, the impact of senescence and immunosenescence over infections, or if both events coincidently share common molecular markers, such as γH2A.X and p53. Here, we review and discuss the most recent reports that describe cellular hallmarks and biomarkers related to senescence in immune and non-immune cells in the context of infections, seeking to better understand their relationships. Related literature was searched in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases with search terms related to the sections and subsections of this review.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections , Immunosenescence , Humans , Heterochromatin , Cellular Senescence , Biomarkers
2.
J Infect Dis ; 228(7): 857-867, 2023 10 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37572355

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We sought to identify potential antigens for discerning between humoral responses elicited after vaccination with CoronaVac (a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] inactivated vaccine), natural infection, or breakthrough infection. METHODS: Serum samples obtained from volunteers immunized with CoronaVac (2 and 3 doses), breakthrough case patients, and from convalescent individuals were analyzed to determine the immunoglobulin (Ig) G responses against 3 structural and 8 nonstructural SARS-CoV-2 antigens. RESULTS: Immunization with CoronaVac induced higher levels of antibodies against the viral membrane (M) protein compared with convalescent subjects both after primary vaccination and after a booster dose. Individuals receiving a booster dose displayed equivalent levels of IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein, similar to convalescent subjects. Breakthrough case patients produced the highest antibody levels against the N and M proteins. Antibodies against nonstructural viral proteins were present in >50% of the convalescent subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccinated individuals elicited a different humoral response compared to convalescent subjects. The analysis of particular SARS-CoV-2 antigens could be used as biomarkers for determining infection in subjects previously vaccinated with CoronaVac.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/prevention & control , Virion , Immunoglobulin G , Antibodies, Viral , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Vaccination
3.
Antioxidants (Basel) ; 12(6)2023 May 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37371900

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infections are highly prevalent in the human population and produce mild to life-threatening diseases. These viruses interfere with the function and viability of dendritic cells (DCs), which are professional antigen-presenting cells that initiate and regulate the host's antiviral immune responses. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible host enzyme with reported antiviral activity against HSVs in epithelial cells and neurons. Here, we sought to assess whether HO-1 modulates the function and viability of DCs upon infection with HSV-1 or HSV-2. We found that the stimulation of HO-1 expression in HSV-inoculated DCs significantly recovered the viability of these cells and hampered viral egress. Furthermore, HSV-infected DCs stimulated to express HO-1 promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory molecules, such as PDL-1 and IL-10, and the activation of virus-specific CD4+ T cells with regulatory (Treg), Th17 and Treg/Th17 phenotypes. Moreover, HSV-infected DCs stimulated to express HO-1 and then transferred into mice, promoted the activation of virus-specific T cells and improved the outcome of HSV-1 skin infection. These findings suggest that stimulation of HO-1 expression in DCs limits the deleterious effects of HSVs over these cells and induces a favorable virus-specific immune response in the skin against HSV-1.

4.
EBioMedicine ; 91: 104563, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37099842

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Omicron variant has challenged the control of the COVID-19 pandemic due to its immuno-evasive properties. The administration of a booster dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine showed positive effects in the immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2, effect that is even enhanced after the administration of a second booster. METHODS: During a phase-3 clinical trial, we evaluated the effect of a second booster of CoronaVac®, an inactivated vaccine administered 6 months after the first booster, in the neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 (n = 87). In parallel, cellular immunity (n = 45) was analyzed in stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells by flow cytometry and ELISPOT. FINDINGS: Although a 2.5-fold increase in neutralization of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 was observed after the second booster when compared with prior its administration (Geometric mean units p < 0.0001; Geometric mean titer p = 0.0002), a poor neutralization against the Omicron variant was detected. Additionally, the activation of specific CD4+ T lymphocytes remained stable after the second booster and, importantly, equivalent activation of CD4+ T lymphocytes against the Omicron variant and the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 were found. INTERPRETATION: Although the neutralizing response against the Omicron variant after the second booster of CoronaVac® was slightly increased, these levels are far from those observed against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and could most likely fail to neutralize the virus. In contrast, a robust CD4+T cell response may confer protection against the Omicron variant. FUNDING: The Ministry of Health, Government of Chile, the Confederation of Production and Commerce, Chile and SINOVAC Biotech.NIHNIAID. The Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Adult , Humans , COVID-19/prevention & control , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccines, Inactivated , Antibodies, Viral , Antibodies, Neutralizing
5.
Microbes Infect ; 25(5): 105084, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36586461

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies relate the onset and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) with viral infections. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is neurotropic and highly prevalent in the brain of healthy individuals, has been proposed to relate to MS. Here, we review and discuss the reported connections between HSV-1 and MS.


Subject(s)
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections , Herpes Simplex , Herpesvirus 1, Human , Multiple Sclerosis , Virus Diseases , Humans , DNA, Viral
6.
mBio ; 13(6): e0131122, 2022 12 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36383021

ABSTRACT

Multiple vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been evaluated in clinical trials. However, trials addressing the immune response in the pediatric population are scarce. The inactivated vaccine CoronaVac has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in a phase 1/2 clinical trial in a pediatric cohort in China. Here, we report interim safety and immunogenicity results of a phase 3 clinical trial for CoronaVac in healthy children and adolescents in Chile. Participants 3 to 17 years old received two doses of CoronaVac in a 4-week interval until 31 December 2021. Local and systemic adverse reactions were registered for volunteers who received one or two doses of CoronaVac. Whole-blood samples were collected from a subgroup of 148 participants for humoral and cellular immunity analyses. The main adverse reaction reported after the first and second doses was pain at the injection site. Four weeks after the second dose, an increase in neutralizing antibody titer was observed in subjects relative to their baseline visit. Similar results were found for activation of specific CD4+ T cells. Neutralizing antibodies were identified against the Delta and Omicron variants. However, these titers were lower than those for the D614G strain. Importantly, comparable CD4+ T cell responses were detected against these variants of concern. Therefore, CoronaVac is safe and immunogenic in subjects 3 to 17 years old, inducing neutralizing antibody secretion and activating CD4+ T cells against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under no. NCT04992260.) IMPORTANCE This work evaluated the immune response induced by two doses of CoronaVac separated by 4 weeks in healthy children and adolescents in Chile. To date, few studies have described the effects of CoronaVac in the pediatric population. Therefore, it is essential to generate knowledge regarding the protection of vaccines in this population. Along these lines, we reported the anti-S humoral response and cellular immune response to several SARS-CoV-2 proteins that have been published and recently studied. Here, we show that a vaccination schedule consisting of two doses separated by 4 weeks induces the secretion of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, CoronaVac induces the activation of CD4+ T cells upon stimulation with peptides from the proteome of SARS-CoV-2. These results indicate that, even though the neutralizing antibody response induced by vaccination decreases against the Delta and Omicron variants, the cellular response against these variants is comparable to the response against the ancestral strain D614G, even being significantly higher against Omicron.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Adolescent , Humans , Child , Child, Preschool , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Vaccines, Inactivated , Antibodies, Viral
7.
Elife ; 112022 10 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36226829

ABSTRACT

Background: The development of vaccines to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic progression is a worldwide priority. CoronaVac is an inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine approved for emergency use with robust efficacy and immunogenicity data reported in trials in China, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile. Methods: This study is a randomized, multicenter, and controlled phase 3 trial in healthy Chilean adults aged ≥18 years. Volunteers received two doses of CoronaVac separated by 2 (0-14 schedule) or 4 weeks (0-28 schedule); 2302 volunteers were enrolled, 440 were part of the immunogenicity arm, and blood samples were obtained at different times. Samples from a single center are reported. Humoral immune responses were evaluated by measuring the neutralizing capacities of circulating antibodies. Cellular immune responses were assessed by ELISPOT and flow cytometry. Correlation matrixes were performed to evaluate correlations in the data measured. Results: Both schedules exhibited robust neutralizing capacities with the response induced by the 0-28 schedule being better. No differences were found in the concentration of antibodies against the virus and different variants of concern (VOCs) between schedules. Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with Mega pools of Peptides (MPs) induced the secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ and the expression of activation induced markers in CD4+ T cells for both schedules. Correlation matrixes showed strong correlations between neutralizing antibodies and IFN-γ secretion. Conclusions: Immunization with CoronaVac in Chilean adults promotes robust cellular and humoral immune responses. The 0-28 schedule induced a stronger humoral immune response than the 0-14 schedule. Funding: Ministry of Health, Government of Chile, Confederation of Production and Commerce & Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Chile. Clinical trial number: NCT04651790.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Immunization Schedule , Adult , Humans , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , Immunity, Humoral , Interferons , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , SARS-CoV-2
8.
mBio ; 13(4): e0142322, 2022 08 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35946814

ABSTRACT

CoronaVac is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Previous studies reported increased levels of neutralizing antibodies and specific T cells 2 and 4 weeks after two doses of CoronaVac; these levels were significantly reduced at 6 to 8 months after the two doses. Here, we report the effect of a booster dose of CoronaVac on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response generated against the variants of concern (VOCs), Delta and Omicron, in adults participating in a phase III clinical trial in Chile. Volunteers immunized with two doses of CoronaVac in a 4-week interval received a booster dose of the same vaccine between 24 and 30 weeks after the second dose. Neutralization capacities and T cell activation against VOCs Delta and Omicron were assessed 4 weeks after the booster dose. We observed a significant increase in neutralizing antibodies 4 weeks after the booster dose. We also observed a rise in anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells over time, and these cells reached a peak 4 weeks after the booster dose. Furthermore, neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells induced by the booster showed activity against VOCs Delta and Omicron. Our results show that a booster dose of CoronaVac increases adults' humoral and cellular anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses. In addition, immunity induced by a booster dose of CoronaVac is active against VOCs, suggesting adequate protection. IMPORTANCE CoronaVac is an inactivated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 that has been approved by WHO for emergency use. Phase III clinical trials are in progress in several countries, including China, Brazil, Turkey, and Chile, and have shown safety and immunogenicity after two doses of the vaccine. This report characterizes immune responses induced by two doses of CoronaVac followed by a booster dose 5 months after the second dose in healthy Chilean adults. The data reported here show that a booster dose increased the immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, enhancing levels of neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral strain and VOCs. Similarly, anti-SARS-CoV-2 CD4+ T cell responses were increased following the booster dose. In contrast, levels of gamma interferon secretion and T cell activation against the VOCs Delta and Omicron were not significantly different from those for the ancestral strain. Therefore, a third dose of CoronaVac in a homologous vaccination schedule improves its immunogenicity in healthy volunteers.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Viral Vaccines , Adult , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , T-Lymphocytes
9.
medRxiv ; 2022 Feb 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35441179

ABSTRACT

Background: CoronaVac ® is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization. Previous studies reported increased levels of neutralizing antibodies and specific T cells two- and four-weeks after two doses of CoronaVac ® , but the levels of neutralizing antibodies are reduced at six to eight months after two doses. Here we report the effect of a booster dose of CoronaVac ® on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response generated against variants of concern (VOC) Delta and Omicron in adults participating in a phase 3 clinical trial in Chile. Methods: Volunteers immunized with two doses of CoronaVac ® in a four-week interval received a booster dose of the same vaccine between twenty-four and thirty weeks after the 2nd dose. Four weeks after the booster dose, neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses were measured. Neutralization capacities and T cell activation against VOC Delta and Omicron were detected at four weeks after the booster dose. Findings: We observed a significant increase in neutralizing antibodies at four weeks after the booster dose. We also observed an increase in CD4 + T cells numbers over time, reaching a peak at four weeks after the booster dose. Furthermore, neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells induced by the booster showed activity against VOC Delta and Omicron. Interpretation: Our results show that a booster dose of CoronaVac ® increases the anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral and cellular immune responses in adults. Immunity induced by a booster dose of CoronaVac ® is active against VOC, suggesting an effective protection.

10.
Clin Infect Dis ; 75(1): e792-e804, 2022 08 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34537835

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The development of effective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 is a global priority. CoronaVac is an inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine with promising safety and immunogenicity profiles. This article reports safety and immunogenicity results obtained for healthy Chilean adults aged ≥18 years in a phase 3 clinical trial. METHODS: Volunteers randomly received 2 doses of CoronaVac or placebo, separated by 2 weeks. A total of 434 volunteers were enrolled, 397 aged 18-59 years and 37 aged ≥60 years. Solicited and unsolicited adverse reactions were registered from all volunteers. Blood samples were obtained from a subset of volunteers and analyzed for humoral and cellular measures of immunogenicity. RESULTS: The primary adverse reaction in the 434 volunteers was pain at the injection site, with a higher incidence in the vaccine than in the placebo arm. Adverse reactions observed were mostly mild and local. No severe adverse events were reported. The humoral evaluation was performed on 81 volunteers. Seroconversion rates for specific anti-S1-receptor binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) were 82.22% and 84.44% in the 18-59 year age group and 62.69% and 70.37% in the ≥60 year age group, 2 and 4 weeks after the second dose, respectively. A significant increase in circulating neutralizing antibodies was detected 2 and 4 weeks after the second dose. The cellular evaluation was performed on 47 volunteers. We detected a significant induction of T-cell responses characterized by the secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) upon stimulation with Mega Pools of peptides from SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: Immunization with CoronaVac in a 0-14 schedule in Chilean adults aged ≥18 years is safe, induces anti-S1-RBD IgG with neutralizing capacity, activates T cells, and promotes the secretion of IFN-γ upon stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 antigens.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Viral Vaccines , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Chile , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Immunogenicity, Vaccine , Immunoglobulin G , Middle Aged , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccines, Inactivated/adverse effects , Young Adult
11.
Front Immunol ; 12: 747830, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34858404

ABSTRACT

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible of the current pandemic ongoing all around the world. Since its discovery in 2019, several circulating variants have emerged and some of them are associated with increased infections and death rate. Despite the genetic differences among these variants, vaccines approved for human use have shown a good immunogenic and protective response against them. In Chile, over 70% of the vaccinated population is immunized with CoronaVac, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The immune response elicited by this vaccine has been described against the first SARS-CoV-2 strain isolated from Wuhan, China and the D614G strain (lineage B). To date, four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern described have circulated worldwide. Here, we describe the neutralizing capacities of antibodies secreted by volunteers in the Chilean population immunized with CoronaVac against variants of concern Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351) Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.617.2). Methods: Volunteers enrolled in a phase 3 clinical trial were vaccinated with two doses of CoronaVac in 0-14 or 0-28 immunization schedules. Sera samples were used to evaluate the capacity of antibodies induced by the vaccine to block the binding between Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) from variants of concern and the human ACE2 receptor by an in-house ELISA. Further, conventional microneutralization assays were used to test neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, interferon-γ-secreting T cells against Spike from variants of concern were evaluated in PBMCs from vaccinated subjects using ELISPOT. Results: CoronaVac promotes the secretion of antibodies able to block the RBD of all the SARS-CoV-2 variants studied. Seropositivity rates of neutralizing antibodies in the population evaluated were over 97% for the lineage B strain, over 80% for Alpha and Gamma variants, over 75% for Delta variant and over 60% for the Beta variant. Geometric means titers of blocking antibodies were reduced when tested against SARS-CoV-2 variants as compared to ancestral strain. We also observed that antibodies from vaccinated subjects were able to neutralize the infection of variants D614G, Alpha, Gamma and Delta in a conventional microneutralization assay. Importantly, after SARS-CoV-2 infection, we observed that the blocking capacity of antibodies from vaccinated volunteers increased up to ten times for all the variants tested. We compared the number of interferon-γ-secreting T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 Spike WT and variants of concern from vaccinated subjects and we did not detect significant differences. Conclusion: Immunization with CoronaVac in either immunization schedule promotes the secretion of antibodies able to block SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and partially neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, it stimulates cellular responses against all variants of concern.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Vaccines, Inactivated/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Humans , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Middle Aged , Neutralization Tests , SARS-CoV-2/classification , Vaccination , Young Adult
12.
Front Immunol ; 12: 742914, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34659237

ABSTRACT

Constant efforts to prevent infections by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are actively carried out around the world. Several vaccines are currently approved for emergency use in the population, while ongoing studies continue to provide information on their safety and effectiveness. CoronaVac is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with a good safety and immunogenicity profile as seen in phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials around the world, with an effectiveness of 65.9% for symptomatic cases. Although vaccination reduces the risk of disease, infections can still occur during or after completion of the vaccination schedule (breakthrough cases). This report describes the clinical and immunological profile of vaccine breakthrough cases reported in a clinical trial in progress in Chile that is evaluating the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of two vaccination schedules of CoronaVac (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04651790). Out of the 2,263 fully vaccinated subjects, at end of June 2021, 45 have reported symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 or more days after the second dose (1.99% of fully vaccinated subjects). Of the 45 breakthrough cases, 96% developed mild disease; one case developed a moderate disease; and one developed a severe disease and required mechanical ventilation. Both cases that developed moderate and severe disease were adults over 60 years old and presented comorbidities. The immune response before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection was analyzed in nine vaccine breakthrough cases, revealing that six of them exhibited circulating anti-S1-RBD IgG antibodies with neutralizing capacities after immunization, which showed a significant increase 2 and 4 weeks after symptoms onset. Two cases exhibited low circulating anti-S1-RBD IgG and almost non-existing neutralizing capacity after either vaccination or infection, although they developed a mild disease. An increase in the number of interferon-γ-secreting T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 was detected 2 weeks after the second dose in seven cases and after symptoms onset. In conclusion, breakthrough cases were mostly mild and did not necessarily correlate with a lack of vaccine-induced immunity, suggesting that other factors, to be defined in future studies, could lead to symptomatic infection after vaccination with CoronaVac.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Antibodies, Viral/blood , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Vaccines, Inactivated/immunology , Adult , Aged , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/pathology , Chile , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Immunization Schedule , Immunogenicity, Vaccine/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Lymphocyte Count , Male , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index , Vaccination , Young Adult
13.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(15)2021 Jul 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34360716

ABSTRACT

Oxygen is essential for aerobic cells, and thus its sensing is critical for the optimal maintenance of vital cellular and tissue processes such as metabolism, pH homeostasis, and angiogenesis, among others. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play central roles in oxygen sensing. Under hypoxic conditions, the α subunit of HIFs is stabilized and forms active heterodimers that translocate to the nucleus and regulate the expression of important sets of genes. This process, in turn, will induce several physiological changes intended to adapt to these new and adverse conditions. Over the last decades, numerous studies have reported a close relationship between viral infections and hypoxia. Interestingly, this relation is somewhat bidirectional, with some viruses inducing a hypoxic response to promote their replication, while others inhibit hypoxic cellular responses. Here, we review and discuss the cellular responses to hypoxia and discuss how HIFs can promote a wide range of physiological and transcriptional changes in the cell that modulate numerous human viral infections.


Subject(s)
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1/metabolism , Oxygen Consumption , Virus Diseases/metabolism , Virus Replication , Viruses/metabolism , Cell Hypoxia , Humans , Virus Diseases/pathology
14.
Front Immunol ; 12: 708955, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34305950

ABSTRACT

One of the interventional strategies to reestablish the immune effector/regulatory balance, that is typically altered in chronic inflammatory diseases (CID), is the reinforcement of endogenous immunomodulatory pathways as the one triggered by interleukin (IL)-10. In a recent work, we demonstrated that the subcutaneous (sc) administration of an IL-10/Treg-inducing small molecule-based formulation, using a repetitive microdose (REMID) treatment strategy to preferentially direct the effects to the regional immune system, delays the progression of atherosclerosis. Here we investigated whether the same approach using other IL-10-inducing small molecule, such as the safe, inexpensive, and widely available polyphenol curcumin, could induce a similar protective effect in two different CID models. We found that, in apolipoprotein E deficient mice, sc treatment with curcumin following the REMID strategy induced atheroprotection that was not consequence of its direct systemic lipid-modifying or antioxidant activity, but instead paralleled immunomodulatory effects, such as reduced proatherogenic IFNγ/TNFα-producing cells and increased atheroprotective FOXP3+ Tregs and IL-10-producing dendritic and B cells. Remarkably, when a similar strategy was used in the neuroinflammatory model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), significant clinical and histopathological protective effects were evidenced, and these were related to an improved effector/regulatory cytokine balance in restimulated splenocytes. The essential role of curcumin-induced IL-10 for neuroprotection was confirmed by the complete abrogation of the clinical effects in IL-10-deficient mice. Finally, the translational therapeutic prospection of this strategy was evidenced by the neuroprotection observed in mice starting the treatment one week after disease triggering. Collectively, results demonstrate the power of a simple natural IL-10-inducing small molecule to tackle chronic inflammation, when its classical systemic and direct pharmacological view is shifted towards the targeting of regional immune cells, in order to rationally harness its immunopharmacological potential. This shift implies that many well-known IL-10-inducing small molecules could be easily reformulated and repurposed to develop safe, innovative, and accessible immune-based interventions for CID.


Subject(s)
Curcumin/administration & dosage , Immunomodulating Agents/administration & dosage , Inflammation/prevention & control , Interleukin-10/physiology , Animals , Apolipoproteins E/physiology , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Chronic Disease , Curcumin/pharmacology , Lipids/blood , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neuroprotection
15.
Front Immunol ; 12: 662234, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34012447

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is highly prevalent in humans, with approximately two-thirds of the world population living with this virus. However, only a fraction of those carrying HSV-1, which elicits lifelong infections, are symptomatic. HSV-1 mainly causes lesions in the skin and mucosae but reaches the termini of sensory neurons innervating these tissues and travels in a retrograde manner to the neuron cell body where it establishes persistent infection and remains in a latent state until reactivated by different stimuli. When productive reactivations occur, the virus travels back along axons to the primary infection site, where new rounds of replication are initiated in the skin, in recurrent or secondary infections. During this process, new neuron infections occur. Noteworthy, the mechanisms underlying viral reactivations and the exit of latency are somewhat poorly understood and may be regulated by a crosstalk between the infected neurons and components of the immune system. Here, we review and discuss the immune responses that occur at the skin during primary and recurrent infections by HSV-1, as well as at the interphase of latently-infected neurons. Moreover, we discuss the implications of neuronal signals over the priming and migration of immune cells in the context of HSV-1 infection.


Subject(s)
Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Herpes Simplex/immunology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology , Sensory Receptor Cells/metabolism , Skin Diseases, Viral/immunology , Animals , Cell Culture Techniques , Epithelial Cells/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation, Viral , Herpesvirus 1, Human/genetics , Humans , Mice , Sensory Receptor Cells/immunology , Virus Activation , Virus Latency , Virus Replication
16.
Front Immunol ; 12: 635257, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33679788

ABSTRACT

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an increasingly prevalent progressive autoimmune and debilitating chronic disease that involves the detrimental recognition of central nervous system (CNS) antigens by the immune system. Although significant progress has been made in the last decades on the biology of MS and the identification of novel therapies to treat its symptoms, the etiology of this disease remains unknown. However, recent studies have suggested that viral infections may contribute to disease onset. Interestingly, a potential association between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection and MS has been reported, yet a direct relationship among both has not been conclusively demonstrated. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) recapitulates several aspects of MS in humans and is widely used to study this disease. Here, we evaluated the effect of asymptomatic brain infection by HSV-1 on the onset and severity of EAE in C57BL/6 mice. We also evaluated the effect of infection with an HSV-1-mutant that is attenuated in neurovirulence and does not cause encephalitis. Importantly, we observed more severe EAE in mice previously infected either, with the wild-type (WT) or the mutant HSV-1, as compared to uninfected control mice. Also, earlier EAE onset was seen after WT virus inoculation. These findings support the notion that a previous exposure to HSV-1 can accelerate and enhance EAE, which suggests a potential contribution of asymptomatic HSV-1 to the onset and severity of MS.


Subject(s)
Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology , Herpes Simplex/immunology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Asymptomatic Diseases , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/virology , Capillary Permeability , Cytokines/metabolism , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/virology , Female , Herpes Simplex/genetics , Herpes Simplex/metabolism , Herpes Simplex/virology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/pathogenicity , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mutation , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Virulence
18.
medRxiv ; 2021 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35441164

ABSTRACT

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact worldwide, with an incommensurable social and economic burden. The rapid development of safe and protective vaccines against this disease is a global priority. CoronaVac is a vaccine prototype based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2, which has shown promising safety and immunogenicity profiles in pre-clinical studies and phase 1/2 trials in China. To this day, four phase 3 clinical trials are ongoing with CoronaVac in Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile. This article reports the safety and immunogenicity results obtained in a subgroup of participants aged 18 years and older enrolled in the phase 3 Clinical Trial held in Chile. Methods: This is a multicenter phase 3 clinical trial. Healthcare workers aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned to receive two doses of CoronaVac or placebo separated by two weeks (0-14). We report preliminary safety results obtained for a subset of 434 participants, and antibody and cell-mediated immunity results obtained in a subset of participants assigned to the immunogenicity arm. The primary and secondary aims of the study include the evaluation of safety parameters and immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 after immunization, respectively. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT04651790 ). Findings: The recruitment of participants occurred between November 27 th , 2020, until January 9 th , 2021. 434 participants were enrolled, 397 were 18-59 years old, and 37 were ≥60 years old. Of these, 270 were immunized with CoronaVac, and the remaining 164 participants were inoculated with the corresponding placebo. The primary adverse reaction was pain at the injection site, with a higher incidence in the vaccine arm (55.6%) than in the placebo arm (40.0%). Moreover, the incidence of pain at the injection site in the 18-59 years old group was 58.4% as compared to 32.0% in the ≥60 years old group. The seroconversion rate for specific anti-S1-RBD IgG was 47.8% for the 18-59 years old group 14 days post immunization (p.i.) and 95.6% 28 and 42 days p.i. For the ≥60 years old group, the seroconversion rate was 18.1%, 100%, and 87.5% at 14, 28, and 42 days p.i., respectively. Importantly, we observed a 95.7% seroconversion rate in neutralizing antibodies for the 18-59 years old group 28 and 42 days p.i. The ≥60 years old group exhibited seroconversion rates of 90.0% and 100% at 28 and 42 days p.i. Interestingly, we did not observe a significant seroconversion rate of anti-N-SARS-CoV-2 IgG for the 18-59 years old group. For the participants ≥60 years old, a modest rate of seroconversion at 42 days p.i. was observed (37.5%). We observed a significant induction of a T cell response characterized by the secretion of IFN-γ upon stimulation with Mega Pools of peptides derived from SARS-CoV-2 proteins. No significant differences between the two age groups were observed for cell-mediated immunity. Interpretation: Immunization with CoronaVac in a 0-14 schedule in adults of 18 years and older in the Chilean population is safe and induces specific IgG production against the S1-RBD with neutralizing capacity, as well as the activation of T cells secreting IFN-γ, upon recognition of SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Funding: Ministry of Health of the Chilean Government; Confederation of Production and Commerce, Chile; Consortium of Universities for Vaccines and Therapies against COVID-19, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy.

19.
Front Immunol ; 12: 764861, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35069537

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infections are life-long and highly prevalent in the human population. These viruses persist in the host, eliciting either symptomatic or asymptomatic infections that may occur sporadically or in a recurrent manner through viral reactivations. Clinical manifestations due to symptomatic infection may be mild such as orofacial lesions, but may also translate into more severe diseases, such as ocular infections that may lead to blindness and life-threatening encephalitis. A key feature of herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) is that they have evolved molecular determinants that hamper numerous components of the host's antiviral innate and adaptive immune system. Importantly, HSVs infect and negatively modulate the function of dendritic cells (DCs), by inhibiting their T cell-activating capacity and eliciting their apoptosis after infection. Previously, we reported that HSV-2 activates the splicing of the mRNA of XBP1, which is related to the activity of the unfolded protein response (UPR) factor Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1 alpha (IRE-1α). Here, we sought to evaluate if the activation of the IRE-1α pathway in DCs upon HSV infection may be related to impaired DC function after infection with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Interestingly, the pharmacological inhibition of the endonuclease activity of IRE-1α in HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected DCs significantly reduced apoptosis in these cells and enhanced their capacity to migrate to lymph nodes and activate virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These findings suggest that the activation of the IRE-1α-dependent UPR pathway in HSV-infected DCs may play a significant role in the negative effects that these viruses exert over these cells and that the modulation of this signaling pathway may be relevant for enhancing the function of DCs upon infection with HSVs.


Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Endoribonucleases/antagonists & inhibitors , Herpes Genitalis/immunology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology , Herpesvirus 2, Human/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , Chlorocebus aethiops , Dendritic Cells/virology , Endoribonucleases/immunology , Female , Mice , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/immunology , Vero Cells
20.
Front Microbiol ; 11: 2006, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33013743

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are highly prevalent in the human population, and the infections they produce are lifelong with frequent reactivations throughout life. Both viruses produce uncomfortable and sometimes painful lesions in the orofacial and genital areas, as well as herpetic gingivostomatitis, among other clinical manifestations. At present, the most common treatments against HSVs consist of nucleoside analogs that target the viral polymerases. However, such drugs are poorly effective for treating skin lesions, as they only reduce in 1-2 days the duration of the herpetic lesions. Additionally, viral isolates resistant to these drugs can emerge in immunosuppressed individuals, and second-line drugs for such variants are frequently accompanied by adverse effects requiring medical supervision. Thus, novel or improved therapeutic drugs for treating HSV lesions are needed. Here, we assessed the potential antiviral activity of aqueous extracts obtained from two brown macroalgae, namely Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica against HSVs. Both extracts showed antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2. Our analyses show that there is a significant antiviral activity associated with proteins in the extract, although other compounds also seem to contribute to inhibiting the replication cycle of these viruses. Evaluation of the algae extracts as topical formulations in an animal model of HSV-1 skin infection significantly reduced the severity of the disease more than acyclovir, as well as the duration of the herpetic lesions, when compared to mock-treated animals, with the D. antarctica extract performing best. Taken together, these findings suggest that these algae extracts may be potential phytotherapeutics against HSVs and may be useful for the treatment and reduction of common herpetic manifestations in humans.

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