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Nasally-delivered interferon-λ in mice protects against upper and lower respiratory tract infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron

ABSTRACT: The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has had devastating impacts on our global society. Although vaccines and monoclonal antibody countermeasures have reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, variants with constellations of mutations in the spike gene threaten their efficacy. Therefore, antiviral interventions that are resistant to further virus evolution may be needed. Here, we show IFN-λ protects against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.1529 (Omicron) variants in three strains of conventional and human ACE2 transgenic mice. Prophylaxis or therapy with nasally-delivered IFN-λ2 limited infection of historical or variant (B.1.351 and B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 strains in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts without causing excessive inflammation. In the lung, IFN-λ was produced preferentially in epithelial cells and acted on radio-resistant cells to protect against of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, inhaled IFN-λ may have promise as a treatment for evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants that develop resistance to antibody-based countermeasures.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE193990 | GEO | 2022/02/08

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential to the clearance of viral diseases, in part by initiating upregulation of IFN regulated genes (IRGs). A clear distinction between genes upregulated directly by virus and genes upregulated by secondary IFN production has not been made. Here we investigated the genes regulated by IFN-a2b compared to the genes regulated by SARS-CoV infection in ferrets. Methods: We characterized early host immune responses in peripheral blood and lung necropsies of ferrets injected with IFN-a2b or infected with SARS-CoV/Tor 2 strain, using microarray analysis on the Affymetrix platform. Results: We identified a common IRG signature that was upregulated in both SARS-CoV infected ferrets as well as in ferrets injected with IFN-a2b. We also identified unique patterns of gene expression for leukocyte activation, cell adhesion and complement pathways between IFN-a2b injection and SARS-CoV infection. Conclusions: Our results define the effects of IFN-a2b on the immune system of ferrets highlighting genes regulated by IFN during SARS-CoV infection. We have shown the similarities and differences of top funcional gene groups as well as pathways that play key roles in early immune responses in ferrets in response to IFN-a2b or SARS-CoV. Key words: ferret, gene expression, SARS, interferon. Keywords: time course In experiments with IFN-a2b, for peripheral blood, 15 ferrets were randomly allocated to 3 groups: Day 0, 5 ferrets (no IFN injection), day 1, 6 ferrets (injected), and day 2, 4 ferrets (injected). For lung necropsies of injected ferrets with IFN-a2b, we used 12 ferrets in 3 groups: 4 ferrets, day 0 (no IFN injection), 4 ferrets, day 1 (injected) and 4 ferrets, day 2 (injected). Experimental groups for SARS-CoV infection was as follows: For peripheral blood, 3 and 4 ferrets for day 0 (no infection) and day 2 (infection) respectively. For lung neceropsies, a total of 9 ferrets in 3 groups, each with 3 replicates for day 0 (no infection), day 1 (infection) and day 2 (infection).

Project description:Rapid emergence of antigenic distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants implies a greater risk of reinfection as viruses can escape neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination or previous viral exposure. Disease severity during COVID-19 depends on many variables such as age-related comorbidities, host immune status and genetic variation. The host immune response during infection with SARS-CoV-2 may contribute to disease severity, which can range from asymptomatic to severe with fatal outcome. Furthermore, the extent of host immune response activation may rely on underlying genetic predisposition for disease or protection. To address these questions, we performed immune profiling studies in mice with different genetic backgrounds - transgenic K18-hACE2 and wild-type 129S1 mice – subjected to reinfection with the severe disease-causing SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant, 30 days after experimental milder BA.1 infection. BA.1 preinfection conferred protection against B.1.351-induced morbidity in K18-hACE2 mice but aggravated disease in 129S1 mice. We found that he cytokine/chemokine profile in B.1.351 re-infected 129S1mice is similar to that during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and is characterized by a much higher level of IL-10, IL-1β, IL-18 and IFN-γ , whereas in B.1.351 re-infected K18-hACE2 mice, the cytokine profile echoes the signature of naïve mice undergoing viral infection for the first time. Interestingly, the enhanced pathology observed in 129S1 mice upon reinfection cannot be attributed to a less efficient induction of adaptive immune responses to the initial BA.1 infection, as both K18-hACE2 and 129S1 mice exhibited similar B and T cell responses at 30 DPI against BA.1, with similar anti-BA.1 or B.1.351 spike-specific ELISA binding titers, levels of germinal center B-cells, and SARS-CoV-2-Spike specific tissue-resident T-cells. Long-term effects of BA.1 infection are associated with differential transcriptional changes in bronchoalveolar lavage-derived CD11c+ immune cells from K18-hACE2 and 129S1, with K18-hACE2 CD11c+ cells showing a strong antiviral defense gene expression profile whereas 129S1 CD11c+ cells showed a more pro-inflammatory response. In conclusion, initial infection with BA.1 induces cross-reactive adaptive immune responses in both K18-hACE2 and 129S1 mice, however the different disease outcome of reinfection seems to be driven by differential responses of CD11c+ cells in the alveolar space.

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Nasally-delivered interferon-λ in mice protects against upper and lower respiratory tract infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron

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