Biology subjects

Cerbulo-Vazquez, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Cerbulo-Vazquez, A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Newcastle Disease Virus Vector-Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Candidate AVX/COVID-12 Activates T Cells and Is Recognized by Antibodies from COVID-19 Patients and Vaccinated

Several effective vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been developed and implemented in the population. However, the current production capacity falls short of meeting global demand. Therefore, it is crucial to further develop novel vaccine platforms that can bridge the distribution gap. AVX/COVID-12 is a vector-based vaccine that utilizes the Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) to present the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the immune system. This study analyses the antigenicity of the vaccine candidate by examining antibody binding and T-cell activation in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 or variants of concern (VOCs), as well as in healthy volunteers who received coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations. Our findings indicate that the vaccine effectively binds antibodies and activates T-cells in individuals who received 2 or 3 doses of BNT162b2 or AZ/ChAdOx-1-S vaccines. Furthermore, the stimulation of T-cells from patients and vaccine recipients with AVX/COVID-12 resulted in their proliferation and secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-{gamma}) in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. In conclusion, the AVX/COVID-12 vectored vaccine candidate demonstrates the ability to stimulate robust cellular responses and is recognized by antibodies primed by the spike protein present in SARS-CoV-2 viruses that infected patients, as well as in the mRNA BNT162b2 and AZ/ChAdOx-1-S vaccines. These results support the inclusion of the AVX/COVID-12 vaccine as a booster in vaccination programs aimed at addressing COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Splenocytes and thymocytes migration patterns between lymphoid organs in pregnancy

BackgroundCell migration is essential for the immune system, and frequently is analyzing in adult non-pregnant animals, and poorly explored in pregnancy, however, a physiologic increase of size in the spleen and periaortic lymph nodes had been reported in pregnant mice. MethodsUsing a mouse model, we transferred PKH26-stained thymocytes and splenocytes from pregnant or non-pregnant animals to receptor mice in the presence or absence of pregnancy. Percentage and Mean Fluorescence Intensity were calculated by Flow cytometry in pregnant or non-pregnant mice. Non-parametric ANOVA analysis was performed. ResultsWe detected that the percentage of PKH26+ thymocytes into the spleen, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood is higher in females than in males. Our results showed a similar frequency of thymocytes and splenocytes from pregnant and non-pregnant located into receptor lymphoid organs. Also, the location of marked cells was similar during the perinatal period. ConclusionsThe mobility of thymocytes and splenocytes in pregnant and non-pregnant mice is similar, therefore we suggest that the larger size of the spleen and periaortic lymph nodes noted previously in pregnant mice, could be the result of retention of leukocytes in the secondary lymphoid organs.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

The percentage of Monocytes CD39+ is higher in Pregnant COVID-19 than in Non-Pregnant COVID-19 patients

Current medical guidelines consider COVID-19 pregnant women a high-risk group. Physiological gestation down regulates the immunological response to maintain "maternal-fetal tolerance"; hence, a SARS-CoV-2 infection constitutes a potentially threatening condition to both the mother and the fetus. To establish the immune profile in pregnant COVID-19+ patients a cross-sectional study was conducted. Leukocyte immunophenotype, mononuclear leukocyte response to polyclonal stimulus and cytokine/chemokine serum concentration were analyzed in pregnant fifteen COVID-19+ and control groups (fifteen non-pregnant COVID-19+, and thirteen pregnant COVID-19-women). Pregnant COVID-19+ patients exhibit lower percentages of monocytes HLA-DR+ compared with control groups. Nevertheless, pregnant COVID-19+ women show a higher percentage of monocytes CD39+ than controls. Furthermore, a higher concentration of TNF-, IL-6, MIP1b and IL-4 was observed within the pregnant COVID-19+ group. Our result shows that pregnant women express immunological characteristics that potentially mediate the immune response in COVID-19.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Bioinformatic analysis of shared B and T cell epitopes amongst relevant coronaviruses to human health: Is there cross-protection?

Within the last 30 years 3 coronaviruses, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, have evolved and adapted to cause disease and spread amongst the human population. From the three, SARS-CoV-2 has spread world-wide and to July 2020 it has been responsible for more than 11 million confirmed cases and over half a million deaths. In the absence of an effective treatment or vaccine, social distancing has been the most effective measure to control the pandemic. However it has become evident that as the virus spreads the only tool that will allow us to fully control it is an effective vaccine. There are currently more than 150 vaccine candidates in different stages of development using a variety of viral antigens, with the S protein being the most targeted antigen. Although some new experimental evidence suggests cross-reacting responses between coronaviruses are present in the population, it remains unknown whether potential shared antigens between different coronaviruses could provide cross-protection. Given that coronaviruses are emerging pathogens and continue to represent a threat to global health, the development of a SARS-Cov-2 vaccine that could provide universal protection against other coronaviruses should be pushed forward. Here we present a thorough review of reported B and T cell epitopes shared between SARS-CoV-2 and other relevant coronaviruses, in addition we used web-based tools to predict novel B and T cell epitopes that have not been reported before. Analysis of experimental evidence that is constantly emerging complemented with the findings of this study allow us support the hypothesis that cross-reactive responses, particularly those coming from T cells, might play a key role in controlling infection by SARS-CoV-2. We hope that with the evidence presented in this manuscript we provide arguments to encourage the study of cross-reactive responses in order to elucidate their role in immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Finally we expect our findings will aid targeted analysis of antigen-specific immune responses and guide future vaccine design aiming to develop a cross reactive effective vaccine against respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses.

immunology↗