Biology subjects

BenMohamed, L.

Publications and source records attributed to BenMohamed, L..

11 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Tissue-Resident and Effector-Memory Lymphocyte Recruitment to the Ocular Mucosa Requires CCL28/CCR10 Signaling During Recurrent HSV-1 Infection

Ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is a major cause of infectious corneal disease that can lead to recurrent herpetic keratitis, chronic inflammation, and vision loss. Although effective antiviral immunity is essential for controlling HSV-1 and limiting recurrent disease, the mechanisms regulating recruitment of protective lymphocytes to the ocular mucosa remain incompletely understood. CCL28 is a mucosa-associated chemokine expressed at epithelial surfaces that signals through its receptor CCR10, expressed by distinct antiviral T- and B-cell subsets. Using a mouse model of recurrent ocular HSV-1 infection, we investigated the role of the CCL28/CCR10 axis in mobilizing protective HSV-1-specific immune cells to the ocular mucosa (OM). Following infection, wild-type (WT) B6 mice showed a marked increase in CCL28 expression within the OM, coinciding with accumulation of HSV-specific effector-memory (CCR10+CD44+CD62L-) T cells and CCR10+B220+ B cells in the OM and trigeminal ganglia (TG). These cells displayed an antigen-experienced, effector-memory phenotype, suggesting that CCL28/CCR10 signaling contributes to a localized antiviral immune response in the ocular mucosa. By contrast, CCL28-deficient (CCL28(-/-)) mice: (i) were more susceptible to recurrent ocular HSV-1 infection; (ii) exhibited significantly reduced frequencies of HSV-specific effector-memory (CCR10+CD44+CD62L-) and tissue-resident memory (CCR10+CD69+CD103+) T cells, as well as CCR10+B220+ B cells, in the infected OM and TG; and (iii) showed diminished effector function (IFN-{gamma}, TNF, and Granzyme B production) in these populations, associated with increased viral burden and ocular pathology. These findings identify the CCL28/CCR10 axis as a critical regulator of antiviral B- and T-cell trafficking to the ocular mucosa, contributing to protection against recurrent herpetic eye disease and providing a mechanistic basis for targeting mucosal chemokine pathways to improve vaccine strategies against ocular herpes.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Spike mRNA Vaccine Encapsulated in a Lipid Nanoparticle Composed of Phospholipid 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphoethanolamine Induced Potent B- and T-cell Responses Associated with Protection against COVID-19 in Hamsters

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have recently emerged as one of the most advanced vehicle platforms for efficient in vivo delivery of nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine, particularly for COVID-19. LNPs comprise four different lipids: ionizable lipids, helper or neutral lipids, cholesterol, and lipids attached to polyethylene glycol (PEG). Studies on using the mRNA-LNP platform for vaccines have largely focused on the nucleic acid cargo with less attention to the LNP vehicle. While the LNPs protect mRNA from degradation and efficiently deliver the mRNA to antigen-presenting cells the effect of lipid composition and biophysical properties on the immunogenic and protective mRNA vaccine remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we used SARS-CoV-2 Spike-mRNA as a prototype vaccine, to study the effect of 4 different of LNPs with various lipid compositions. We demonstrate that when the same Spike-mRNA was delivered in the LNP4 formulation based on phospholipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3- Phosphoethanolamine it outperformed the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of three LNPs (LNP1, LNP2, and LNP3) that are based on different lipids. Compared to other three LNPs, the LNP4: (i) enhanced phenotypic and functional maturation of dendritic cells; (ii) induced strong T-cell responses, (iii) increased secretion of proinflammatory, pro-follicular T helper (Tfh) cell cytokines; (iv) induced higher neutralization IgG titers; and (v) and provided better protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in the hamster model. We discussed the potential mechanisms by which LNP which include the phospholipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine may activate protective B- and T-cell responses.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Therapeutic Prime/Pull Vaccination of HSV-2 Infected Guinea Pigs with the Ribonucleotide Reductase 2 (RR2) Protein and CXCL11 Chemokine Boosts Antiviral Local Tissue-Resident and Effector Memory CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells and Protects Against Recurrent Genital Herpes

Following acute herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, the virus undergoes latency in sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Intermittent virus reactivation from latency and shedding in the vaginal mucosa (VM) causes recurrent genital herpes. While T-cells appear to play a role in controlling virus reactivation and reducing the severity of recurrent genital herpes, the mechanisms for recruiting these T-cells into DRG and VM tissues remain to be fully elucidated. The present study investigates the effect of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 T-cell-attracting chemokines on the frequency and function of DRG- and VM-resident CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and its effect on the frequency and severity of recurrent genital herpes. HSV-2 latent-infected guinea pigs were immunized intramuscularly with the HSV-1 RR2 protein (Prime) and subsequently treated intravaginally with the neurotropic adeno-associated virus type 8 (AAV-8) expressing CXCL9, CXCL10, or CXCL11 T-cell-attracting chemokines (Pull). Compared to the RR2 therapeutic vaccine alone, the RR2/CXCL11 prime/pull therapeutic vaccine significantly increased the frequencies of functional tissue-resident (TRM cells) and effector (TEM cells) memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in both DRG and VM tissues. This was associated with less virus shedding in the healed genital mucosal epithelium and reduced frequency and severity of recurrent genital herpes. These findings confirm the role of local DRG- and VM-resident CD4+ and CD8+ TRM and TEM cells in reducing virus reactivation shedding and the severity of recurrent genital herpes and propose the novel prime/pull vaccine strategy to protect against recurrent genital herpes. IMPORTANCEThe present study investigates a novel prime/pull therapeutic vaccine strategy to protect against recurrent genital herpes in the guinea pig model. HSV-2 infected guinea pigs were vaccinated using a recombinantly expressed herpes tegument protein-RR2 (prime), followed by intravaginal treatment with the neurotropic adeno-associated virus type 8 (AAV-8) expressing CXCL9, CXCL10, or CXCL11 T-cell-attracting chemokines (pull). The RR2/CXCL11 prime/pull therapeutic vaccine elicited a significant reduction in virus shedding in the vaginal mucosa and decreased the severity and frequency of recurrent genital herpes. This protection was associated with increased frequencies of functional tissue-resident (TRM cells) and effector (TEM cells) memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrating latently infected DRG tissues and the healed regions of the vaginal mucosa. These findings shed light on the role of tissue-resident (TRM cells) and effector (TEM cells) memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in DRG and vaginal mucosa (VM) tissues in protection against recurrent genital herpes and propose the prime/pull therapeutic vaccine strategy in combating genital herpes. TWEETA therapeutic RR2/CXCL11 prime/pull vaccine reduced recurrent genital herpes more effectively than therapeutic vaccination with a subunit HSV RR2 antigen alone.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Cross-Protection Induced by Highly Conserved Human B, CD4+, and CD8+ T Cell Epitopes-Based Coronavirus Vaccine Against Severe Infection, Disease, and Death Caused by Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

BackgroundThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created one of the largest global health crises in almost a century. Although the current rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections has decreased significantly; the long-term outlook of COVID-19 remains a serious cause of high death worldwide; with the mortality rate still surpassing even the worst mortality rates recorded for the influenza viruses. The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including multiple heavily mutated Omicron sub-variants, have prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic and outlines the urgent need for a next-generation vaccine that will protect from multiple SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. MethodsIn the present study, we designed a multi-epitope-based Coronavirus vaccine that incorporated B, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell epitopes conserved among all known SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and selectively recognized by CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells from asymptomatic COVID-19 patients irrespective of VOC infection. The safety, immunogenicity, and cross-protective immunity of this pan-Coronavirus vaccine were studied against six VOCs using an innovative triple transgenic h-ACE-2-HLA-A2/DR mouse model. ResultsThe Pan-Coronavirus vaccine: (i) is safe; (ii) induces high frequencies of lung-resident functional CD8+ and CD4+ TEM and TRM cells; and (iii) provides robust protection against virus replication and COVID-19-related lung pathology and death caused by six SARS-CoV-2 VOCs: Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma or P1 (B.1.1.28.1), Delta (lineage B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529). Conclusions: A multi-epitope pan-Coronavirus vaccine bearing conserved human B and T cell epitopes from structural and non-structural SARS-CoV-2 antigens induced cross-protective immunity that cleared the virus, and reduced COVID-19-related lung pathology and death caused by multiple SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

High Frequencies of Phenotypically and Functionally Senescent and Exhausted CD56+CD57+PD-1+ Natural Killer Cells, SARS-CoV-2-Specific Memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells Associated with Severe Disease in Unvaccinated COVID-19 Patients

Unvaccinated COVID-19 patients display a large spectrum of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms, the latter even causing death. Distinct Natural killer (NK) and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells immune responses are generated in COVID-19 patients. However, the phenotype and functional characteristics of NK cells and T-cells associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis versus protection remain to be elucidated. In this study, we compared the phenotype and function of NK cells SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in unvaccinated symptomatic (SYMP) and unvaccinated asymptomatic (ASYMP) COVID-19 patients. The expression of senescent CD57 marker, CD45RA/CCR7differentiation status, exhaustion PD-1 marker, activation of HLA-DR, and CD38 markers were assessed on NK and T cells from SARS-CoV-2 positive SYMP patients, ASYMP patients, and Healthy Donors (HD) using multicolor flow cytometry. We detected significant increases in the expression levels of both exhaustion and senescence markers on NK and T cells from SYMP patients compared to ASYMP patients and HD controls. In SYMP COVID-19 patients, the T cell compartment displays several alterations involving naive, central memory, effector memory, and terminally differentiated T cells. The senescence CD57 marker was highly expressed on CD8+ TEM cells and CD8+ TEMRA cells. Moreover, we detected significant increases in the levels of proinflammatory TNF-, IFN-{gamma}, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17 cytokines from SYMP COVID-19 patients, compared to ASYMP COVID-19 patients and HD controls. The findings suggest exhaustion and senescence in both NK and T cell compartment is associated with severe disease in critically ill COVID-19 patients. IMPORTANCEUnvaccinated COVID-19 patients display a large spectrum of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms, the latter even causing death. Distinct Natural killer (NK) and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells immune responses are generated in COVID-19 patients. In this study, we detected significant increases in the expression levels of both exhaustion and senescence markers on NK and T cells from unvaccinated symptomatic (SYMP) compared to unvaccinated asymptomatic (ASYMP) COVID-19 patients. Moreover, we detected significant increases in the levels of proinflammatory TNF-, IFN-{gamma}, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17 cytokines from SYMP COVID-19 patients, compared to ASYMP COVID-19 patients. The findings suggest exhaustion and senescence in both NK and T cell compartment is associated with severe disease in critically ill COVID-19 patients. TWEETSignificant exhaustion and senescence in both NK and T cells were detected in unvaccinated symptomatic COVID-19 patients, suggesting a weakness in both innate and adaptive immune systems leads to severe disease in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

A Prime/Pull RR2/CXCL11 Therapeutic Vaccine that Bolsters the Number and Function of Dorsal Root Ganglia Tissue-Resident HSV-Specific CD8+ TRM Cells Protects Latently Infected Guinea Pigs from Recurrent Genital Herpes

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) from latently infected dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and subsequent virus shedding in the genital tract trigger recurrent genital herpes. Memory CD8+ T cells play a critical role in preventing HSV-2 reactivation from latently infected DRG, thus reducing recurrent genital lesions. The role of T-cell attracting chemokines in promoting CD8+ T cell protective immunity in recurrent genital herpes remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether and how the CXCL11/CXCR3 pathway affects the frequency and function of DRG-resident CD8+ T cells and the severity of recurrent genital herpes. Latently infected guinea pigs were primed with the HSV-1 RR2 protein, delivered intramuscularly with CpG/Alum adjuvants, and the induced T cells were "pulled" from the periphery into the latently infected DRG using T-cell attracting CXCL11 chemokine, delivered to DRG. In the guinea pigs that received the prime/pull vaccine, we detected a significant increase in both the number and function of tissue-resident IFN-{gamma}+CD103+CD44+CXCR3+CD8+ TRM cells that infiltrated healed sites of the vaginal mucosa (VM) and DRG tissues. This was associated with a significant decrease in virus shedding and a reduction in both the severity and frequency of recurrent genital herpes lesions. In contrast, in the guinea pigs that received the RR2 vaccine alone, we detected fewer functional CD8+ TRM cells and no reduction in the severity of recurrent genital herpes. These findings highlight the role of the CXCL11/CXCR3 chemokine pathway in shaping tissue-resident CD8+ TRM cell protective immunity against recurrent genital herpes. IMPORTANCERecurrent genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Currently, no FDA-approved therapeutic vaccines are available. In the present study, we used HSV-2 latently infected guinea pig to investigate a novel therapeutic prime/pull vaccine strategy based on priming T cells systemically, with a recombinantly expressed herpes envelope and tegument protein RR2 and "pulling" primed T cells into the tissues of latently infected ganglia with the T-cell-attracting chemokine, CXCL11. We discovered that this RR2/CXCL11 prime/pull vaccine elicited a significant reduction in virus shedding and a decrease in both the severity and frequency of recurrent genital herpes sores. This protection correlated with increased numbers of functional tissue-resident IFN-{gamma}+CD103+CD44+CXCR3+CD8+ TRM cells that infiltrate healed sites of the VM tissues and DRG. Our findings shed light on the role of TRM cells in protection against recurrent genital herpes and propose the prime/pull therapeutic vaccine as a new strategy against genital herpes. TWEETThe present study presents a novel RR2/CXCL11 prime/pull therapeutic vaccine that elicited a significant reduction in virus shedding and a decrease in both the severity and frequency of recurrent genital herpes sores.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

Dysfunctional Senescent Herpes Simplex Virus Specific CD57+CD8+ T cells are Associated with Recurrent Symptomatic Herpes in Humans

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific CD8+ T cells protect mice from herpes infection and disease. However, the phenotype and function of HSV-specific CD8+ T cells that play a key role in the "natural" protection seen in HSV-1-seropositive healthy asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals (who have never had clinical herpes disease) remain to be determined. We previously reported that symptomatic (SYMP) patients (who have frequent bouts of recurrent herpes disease) had more less-differentiated and dysfunctional HSV-specific CD8+ T cells. In contrast, healthy ASYMP individuals maintained a significantly higher proportion of differentiated polyfunctional CD8+ T cells. Here we report that, HSV-specific CD8+ T cells from SYMP patients, but not from ASYMP individuals, have phenotypic and functional characteristics of cellular senescence, including: (i) high frequency of senescent (CD57+) and exhausted (PD-1+) CD8+ T cells; (ii) late terminally differentiated (KLRG1+), non-proliferating CD8+ T cells; (iii) HSV-specific CD8+ T cells were declined overtime and were not maintained homeostatistically (CD127+CD8+ T cells); (iv) loss of co-stimulatory molecule (CD28) on HSV-specific CD8+ T cells; (v) decreased production of effector molecules (granzyme B and perforin) by HSV-specific CD8+ T cells. Our findings provide insights into the role of senescence in HSV-specific CD8+ T cells in susceptibility to recurrent herpes and have implications for T-cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies against recurrent herpes in humans. IMPORTANCEReactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) from latency leads to recurrent herpetic disease in symptomatic (SYMP) individuals. A role of T cells in herpes immunity against recurrent herpetic disease is established. However, the phenotype and function of HSV-specific CD8+ T cells that play a key role in the "natural" protection seen in HSV-1-seropositive healthy asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals (who have never had clinical herpes disease) remain to be determined. In the present study, we report that, HSV-specific CD8+ T cells from SYMP patients, but not from ASYMP individuals, have phenotypic and functional characteristics of cellular senescence. Our findings provide insights into the role of senescence in HSV-specific CD8+ T cells in susceptibility to recurrent herpes and have implications for T-cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies against recurrent herpes in humans.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

Age-Related Impairment of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses Following Intranasal Herpes Simplex Infection

Immune function declines with age, leading to an increased vulnerability to respiratory viral infections. The mechanisms by which aging negatively impacts the innate and adaptive immune system leading to enhanced susceptibility to infections remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we used a mouse model of intranasal infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a virus that can enter the lungs through the nasal route causing pneumonia, a serious health concern in the elderly. Following intranasal inoculation of young (6 weeks), adult (36 weeks), and aged (68 weeks) with HSV-1 (KOS strain) we: (i) compared the local and systemic innate and adaptive immune response to infection; and (ii) correlated the level and type of immune response to protection against HSV-1 infection. Compared to young and adult mice, aged mice displayed: (i) increased basal level activation of epithelial cells with a decreased expression of TLR3; (ii) increased activation of dendritic cells with increased expression of MHC-1, MHC-II and CD80/86; and (iii) decreased production of type-I interferons upon stimulation; (iv) a delay in cytokines and chemokines production in the lungs; and (v) an impairment in function (CD107 and IFN-{gamma} production) of HSV-specific CD8+ T cells. These impairment in innate and adaptive immune responses in aged mice following intranasal HSV-1 inoculation was associated with symptomatic herpes infection. The findings suggest an age-related impairment of both innate and adaptive immune responses which may exacerbate herpes infection and disease in the elderly. IMPORTANCEImmune function declines with age, leading to an increased vulnerability of the elderly to respiratory viral infections. The mechanisms by which aging negatively impacts the innate and adaptive immune system leading to enhanced susceptibility to respiratory infections remain to be fully elucidated. The present study showed that, compared to young and adult mice, aged mice displayed increased basal level activation of epithelial cells with a decreased expression of TLR3 increased activation of dendritic cells associated with an impairment of HSV-specific CD8+ T cell responses. These immune dysregulations were associated with to symptomatic herpes infection. The findings suggest an age-related impairment of both innate and adaptive immune responses which may exacerbate herpes infection and disease in the elderly.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Antiviral CD19+CD27+ Memory B Cells Are Associated with Protection from Recurrent Asymptomatic Ocular Herpes Infection

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) from latently infected neurons of the trigeminal ganglia (TG) leads to blinding recurrent herpetic disease in symptomatic (SYMP) individuals. Although the role of T cells in herpes immunity seen in asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals is heavily explored, the role of B cells is less investigated. In the present study, we evaluated whether B cells are associated with protective immunity against recurrent ocular herpes. The frequencies of circulating HSV-specific memory B cells and of memory follicular helper T cells (CD4+ Tfh cells), that help B cells produce antibodies, were compared between HSV-1 infected SYMP and ASYMP individuals. The levels of IgG/IgA and neutralizing antibodies were compared in SYMP and ASYMP individuals. We found that: (i) the ASYMP individuals had increased frequencies of HSV-specific CD19+CD27+ memory B cells; and (ii) high frequencies of HSV-specific switched IgG+CD19+CD27+ memory B cells detected in ASYMP individuals were directly proportional to high frequencies of CD45R0+CXCR5+CD4+ memory Tfh cells. However, no differences were detected in the level of HSV-specific IgG/IgA antibodies in SYMP and ASYMP individuals. Using the UV-B-induced HSV-1 reactivation mouse model, we found increased frequencies of HSV-specific antibody-secreting plasma HSV-1 gD+CD138+ B cells within the TG and circulation of ASYMP mice compared to SYMP mice. In contrast, no significant differences in the frequencies of B cells were found in the cornea, spleen, and bone-marrow. Our findings suggest that circulating antibody-producing HSV-specific memory B cells recruited locally to the TG may contribute to protection from symptomatic recurrent ocular herpes. IMPORTANCEReactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) from latently infected neurons of the trigeminal ganglia (TG) leads to blinding recurrent herpetic disease in symptomatic (SYMP) individuals. Although the role of T cells in herpes immunity against blinding recurrent herpetic disease is heavily explored, the role of B cells is less investigated. In the present study, we found that in both asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals and ASYMP mice there was increased frequencies of HSV-specific memory B cells that were directly proportional to high frequencies of memory Tfh cells. Moreover, following UV-B induce reactivation, we found increased frequencies of HSV-specific antibody-secreting plasma B cells within the TG and circulation of ASYMP mice, compared to SYMP mice. Our findings suggest that circulating antibody-producing HSV-specific memory B cells recruited locally to the TG may contribute to protection from recurrent ocular herpes.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Healing of Primary and Recurrent Mouse Ocular Herpetic Disease Following Topical Ocular Treatment with an Engineered Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (FGF-1) is Associated with Increased Frequency and Function of Corneal Anti-Inflammatory M2 Macrophages

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infects the cornea and caused blinding ocular disease. In the present study, we evaluated whether and how a novel engineered version of fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1), designated as TTHX1114, would reduce the severity of HSV-1-induced primary and recurrent ocular herpes in the mouse model. The efficacy of TTHX1114 against corneal keratopathy was assessed in B6 mice following corneal infection with HSV-1, strain McKrae. Starting day one post infection (PI), mice received TTHX1114 for 14 days. The severity of primary stromal keratitis and blepharitis were monitored up to 28 days PI. Inflammatory cell infiltrating infected corneas were characterized up to day 21 PI. The severity of recurrent herpetic disease was quantified in latently infected B6 mice up to 30 days post-UVB corneal exposure. The effect of TTHX1114 on M1 and M2 macrophage polarization was determined in vivo in mice and in vitro on primary human monocytes-derived macrophages. Compared to HSV-1 infected non-treated mice, the infected and TTHX1114 treated mice exhibited a significant reduction of primary and recurrent stromal keratitis and blepharitis, without affecting virus corneal replication. The therapeutic effect of TTHX1114 was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of M1 macrophages infiltrating the cornea, which expressed significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This polarization toward M2 phenotype was confirmed in vitro on human primary macrophages. This pre-clinical finding suggests use of this engineered FGF-1 as a novel immunotherapeutic regimen to reduce primary and recurrent HSV-1-induced corneal disease in the clinic. IMPORTANCEHerpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen that infects the cornea causing potentially blinding herpetic disease. The present study is the first to demonstrate a reduction of primary and recurrent corneal herpetic disease in mice following engineered FGF-1 (TTHX1114) treatment. This was associated with a decrease of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and an increase of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages infiltrating the corneas of HSV-1 infected mice. The finding in mice were confirmed in humans by showing that in vitro FGF-1 treatment skewed the polarization of primary monocyte-derived macrophages into the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Moreover, FGF-1 treatment appeared to reduce production of anti-inflammatory mediators. This pre-clinical finding support this engineered FGF-1 as a novel immunotherapeutic regimen to reduce primary and recurrent corneal herpetic disease in the clinic.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Genome-Wide Asymptomatic B-Cell, CD4+ and CD8+ T-Cell Epitopes, that are Highly Conserved Between Human and Animal Coronaviruses, Identified from SARS-CoV-2 as Immune Targets for Pre-Emptive Pan-Coronavirus Vaccines

Over the last two decades, there have been three deadly human outbreaks of Coronaviruses (CoVs) caused by emerging zoonotic CoVs: SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and the latest highly transmissible and deadly SARS-CoV-2, which has caused the current COVID-19 global pandemic. All three deadly CoVs originated from bats, the natural hosts, and transmitted to humans via various intermediate animal reservoirs. Because there is currently no universal pan-Coronavirus vaccine available, two worst-case scenarios remain highly possible: (1) SARS-CoV-2 mutates and transforms into a seasonal "flu-like" global pandemic; and/or (2) Other global COVID-like pandemics will emerge in the coming years, caused by yet another spillover of an unknown zoonotic bat-derived SARS-like Coronavirus (SL-CoV) into an unvaccinated human population. Determining the antigen and epitope landscapes that are conserved among human and animal Coronaviruses as well as the repertoire, phenotype and function of B cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that correlate with resistance seen in asymptomatic COVID-19 patients should inform in the development of pan-Coronavirus vaccines 1. In the present study, using several immuno-informatics and sequence alignment approaches, we identified several human B-cell, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes that are highly conserved in: (i) greater than 81,000 SARS-CoV-2 human strains identified to date in 190 countries on six continents; (ii) six circulating CoVs that caused previous human outbreaks of the "Common Cold"; (iii) five SL-CoVs isolated from bats; (iv) five SL-CoV isolated from pangolins; (v) three SL-CoVs isolated from Civet Cats; and (vi) four MERS strains isolated from camels. Furthermore, we identified cross-reactive asymptomatic epitopes that: (i) recalled B cell, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses from both asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals who were never exposed to SARS-CoV-2; and (ii) induced strong B cell and T cell responses in "humanized" Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR/HLA-A*02:01 double transgenic mice. The findings herein pave the way to develop a pre-emptive multi-epitope pan-Coronavirus vaccine to protect against past, current, and potential future outbreaks.

immunology↗