Grau, E. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2021

Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection increases B.1.1.7 cross-neutralization by vaccinated individuals.

To assess the potential impact of predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants on neutralizing activity of infected and/or vaccinated individuals, we analyzed neutralization of pseudoviruses expressing the spike of the original Wuhan strain, the D614G and B.1.1.7 variants. Our data show that parameters of natural infection (time from infection and infecting variant) determined cross-neutralization. Importantly, upon vaccination, previously infected individuals developed equivalent B.1.1.7 and Wuhan neutralizing responses. In contrast, uninfected vaccinees showed reduced neutralization against B.1.1.7. FundingThis study was funded by Grifols, the Departament de Salut of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya, and the crowdfunding initiatives #joemcorono, BonPreu/Esclat and Correos.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Single paternal Dexamethasone challenge programs offspring metabolism and reveals circRNAs as novel candidates in RNA-mediated inheritance

Single traumatic events that elicit an exaggerated stress response can lead to the development of neuropsychiatric conditions. Studies in mice suggests germline RNA as a mediator of effects of chronic environmental exposures to the progeny. The effects of an acute paternal stress exposure on the germline and their potential consequences on offspring remain unknown. We find that acute administration of an agonist for the stress- sensitive Glucocorticoid receptor, using the common corticosteroid Dexamethasone, affects the RNA payload of post-meiotic transcriptionally silent, mature sperm as soon as 3 hours post exposure. It further impacts early embryonic transcriptional trajectories, as determined by single embryo sequencing, and metabolism in the offspring. Importantly, we show persistent regulation of tRNA fragments in sperm and the descendant 2-cell- embryos, suggesting actual transmission from sperm to embryo. Lastly, we unravel environmentally induced alterations in the previously underconsidered class of sperm circRNAs, and their targets in the early embryo, highlighting this class as a novel candidate in RNA-mediated inheritance.

developmental biology↗