Biology subjects

Zimhony, O.

Publications and source records attributed to Zimhony, O..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

The neutralization potency of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies is retained against novel viral variants

A wide range of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were reported to date, most of which target the spike glycoprotein and in particular its receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain (NTD) of the S1 subunit. The therapeutic implementation of these antibodies has been recently challenged by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants that harbor extensively mutated spike versions. Consequently, the re-assessment of mAbs, previously reported to neutralize the original early-version of the virus, is of high priority. Four previously selected mAbs targeting non-overlapping epitopes, were evaluated for their binding potency to RBD versions harboring individual mutations at spike positions 417, 439, 453, 477, 484 and 501. Mutations at these positions represent the prevailing worldwide distributed modifications of the RBD, previously reported to mediate escape from antibody neutralization. Additionally, the in vitro neutralization potencies of the four RBD-specific mAbs, as well as two NTD-specific mAbs, were evaluated against two frequent SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs): (i) the B.1.1.7 variant, emerged in the UK and (ii) the B.1.351 variant, emerged in South Africa. Variant B.1.351 was previously suggested to escape many therapeutic mAbs, including those authorized for clinical use. The possible impact of RBD mutations on recognition by mAbs is addressed by comparative structural modelling. Finally, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of three selected mAbs by treatment of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice two days post infection with each of the virus strains. Our results clearly indicate that despite the accumulation of spike mutations, some neutralizing mAbs preserve their potency against SARS-CoV-2. In particular, the highly potent MD65 and BL6 mAbs are shown to retain their ability to bind the prevalent novel viral mutations and to effectively protect against B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of high clinical concern.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Multi-Clonal Live SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro Neutralization by Antibodies Isolated from Severe COVID-19 Convalescent Donors

The interactions between antibodies, SARS-CoV-2 and immune cells contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and protective immunity. To understand the differences between antibody responses in mild versus severe cases of COVID-19, we analyzed the B cell responses in patients 1.5 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection. Severe and not mild infection correlated with high titers of IgG against Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) that were capable of viral inhibition. B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing revealed two VH genes, VH3-38 and VH3-53, that were enriched during severe infection. Of the 22 antibodies cloned from two severe donors, six exhibited potent neutralization against live SARS-CoV-2, and inhibited syncytia formation. Using peptide libraries, competition ELISA and RBD mutagenesis, we mapped the epitopes of the neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) to three different sites on the Spike. Finally, we used combinations of nAbs targeting different immune-sites to efficiently block SARS-CoV-2 infection. Analysis of 49 healthy BCR repertoires revealed that the nAbs germline VHJH precursors comprise up to 2.7% of all VHJHs. We demonstrate that severe COVID-19 is associated with unique BCR signatures and multi-clonal neutralizing responses that are relatively frequent in the population. Moreover, our data support the use of combination antibody therapy to prevent and treat COVID-19.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2018

Expression of a recombinant, 4’-Phosphopantetheinylated, active M. tuberculosis Fatty acid Synthase I in E. coli

Fatty acid synthase 1 (FAS I) from Mycobacterium. tuberculosis (Mtb) is an essential protein and a promising drug target. FAS I is a multi-functional, multi-domain protein that is organized as a large (1.9 MDa) homohexameric complex. Acyl intermediates produced during fatty acid elongation are attached covalently to an acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain. This domain is activated by the transfer of a 4-Phosphopantetheine (4-PP, also termed P-pant) group from CoA to ACP catalyzed by a 4-PP transferase, termed acyl carrier protein synthase (AcpS). In order to obtain an activated FAS I in E. coli, we transformed E. coli with tagged Mtb fas1 and acpS genes encoded by a separate plasmid.\n\nWe induced the expression of Mtb FAS I following induction of AcpS expression. FAS I was purified by Strep-Tactin affinity chromatography. Activation of Mtb FAS I was confirmed by the identification of a bound P-pant group on serine at position 1808 by mass spectrometry. The purified FAS I displayed biochemical activity shown by spectrophotometric analysis of NADPH oxidation and by CoA production, using the Ellman reaction. The purified Mtb FAS I forms a hexameric complex shown by negative staining and cryo-EM. Purified hexameric and active Mtb FAS I is required for binding and drug inhibition studies and for structurefunction analysis of this enzyme. This relatively simple and short procedure for Mtb FAS I production should facilitate studies of this enzyme.

microbiology↗