bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Июль 31, 2023
ABSTRACT
Understanding
the
interaction
between
T
Cell
Receptors
(TCRs)
and
peptide-bound
Major
Histocompatibility
Complexes
(pMHCs)
is
crucial
for
comprehending
immune
responses
developing
targeted
immunotherapies.
While
recent
machine
learning
(ML)
models
show
remarkable
success
in
predicting
TCR-pMHC
binding
within
training
data,
these
often
fail
to
generalize
peptides
outside
of
their
distributions,
raising
concerns
about
applicability
therapeutic
settings.
improving
generalization
therefore
critical
ensure
real-world
applications.
To
address
this
issue,
we
evaluate
effect
distance
testing
peptide
distributions
on
ML
model
empirical
risk
assessments,
using
sequence-based
3D
structure-based
metrics.
In
our
analysis
use
several
state-of-the-art
TCR-peptide
prediction:
Attentive
Variational
Information
Bottleneck
(AVIB),
NetTCR-2.0
-2.2,
ERGO
II
(pre-trained
autoencoder)
(LSTM).
work,
introduce
a
novel
approach
assessing
capabilities
TCR
predictors:
Distance
Split
(DS)
algorithm.
The
DS
algorithm
controls
based
both
sequence
structure,
allowing
more
nuanced
evaluation
performance.
We
that
lower
shape
similarity
test
associated
with
harder
out-of-distribution
task
definition,
which
interesting
when
measuring
ability
unseen
peptides.
However,
observe
opposite
splitting
similarity.
These
findings
highlight
importance
distance-based
benchmark
models.
This
could
then
be
used
estimate
confidence
score
predictions
peptides,
how
different
they
are
from
ones.
Additionally,
results
may
hint
employing
complement
information
improve
accuracy
predictors.
Journal of Virology,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Янв. 7, 2025
ABSTRACT
The
emergence
of
novel
variants
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus-2
(SARS-CoV-2)
continues
to
pose
an
ongoing
challenge
for
global
public
health
services,
highlighting
the
urgent
need
effective
therapeutic
interventions.
Neutralizing
monoclonal
antibodies
(mAbs)
are
a
major
strategy
treatment
COVID-19
and
other
viral
diseases.
In
this
study,
we
employed
hybridoma
technology
generate
mAbs
that
target
BA.5
receptor-binding
domain
(RBD)
SARS-CoV-2
spike
protein.
Through
comprehensive
screening
process,
identified
four
capable
effectively
neutralizing
BA.5,
XBB.1.16,
related
variant
infections
in
vitro
,
among
which
ORB10
was
found
neutralize
with
plaque
reduction
neutralization
test
(PRNT
50
)
8.7
ng/mL.
Additionally,
competitive
binding
assays,
sequencing
heavy
light
chain
variable
regions,
kinetics
characterization
provided
insights
into
epitopes
affinities
mAbs.
Moreover,
vivo
experiments
K18-hACE2
mouse
model
demonstrated
protective
efficacy
against
both
XBB.1.16
variants.
Finally,
cryo-electron
microscopy
structural
analysis
ORB10–RBD
complex
key
residues
involved
antibody–antigen
interactions,
providing
molecular
mechanisms
immune
escape
Omicron
from
IMPORTANCE
evolution
has
led
evading
responses
elicited
by
natural
infection
vaccination,
especially
highly
transmissible
immune-evasive
This
study
generated
characterized
panel
specifically
targeting
RBD
variant,
showed
.
Cryo-EM
further
elucidated
epitope
interactions
mechanism
between
enhances
our
understanding
antibody-mediated
provides
valuable
development
strategies
combat
infections.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
26(3), С. 1263 - 1263
Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2025
The
emergence
of
SARS-CoV-2
variants
has
significantly
impacted
the
global
response
to
COVID-19
pandemic.
This
review
examines
genetic
diversity
variants,
their
roles
in
epidemiological
tracking,
and
influence
on
viral
fitness.
Variants
concern
(VOCs)
such
as
Alpha,
Beta,
Gamma,
Delta,
Omicron
have
demonstrated
increased
transmissibility,
altered
pathogenicity,
potential
resistance
neutralizing
antibodies.
Epidemiological
tracking
these
is
crucial
for
understanding
spread,
informing
public
health
interventions,
guiding
vaccine
development.
also
explores
how
specific
mutations
spike
protein
other
genomic
regions
contribute
fitness,
affecting
replication
efficiency,
immune
escape,
transmission
dynamics.
By
integrating
surveillance
data
with
clinical
findings,
this
provides
a
comprehensive
overview
ongoing
evolution
its
implications
strategies
new
Biomolecules,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
15(2), С. 249 - 249
Опубликована: Фев. 8, 2025
A
growing
body
of
experimental
and
computational
studies
suggests
that
the
cross-neutralization
antibody
activity
against
Omicron
variants
may
be
driven
by
balance
tradeoff
between
multiple
energetic
factors
interaction
contributions
evolving
escape
hotspots
involved
in
antigenic
drift
convergent
evolution.
However,
dynamic
details
quantifying
contribution
these
factors,
particularly
balancing
nature
specific
interactions
formed
antibodies
with
epitope
residues,
remain
largely
uncharacterized.
In
this
study,
we
performed
molecular
dynamics
simulations,
an
ensemble-based
deep
mutational
scanning
SARS-CoV-2
spike
binding
free
energy
computations
for
two
distinct
groups
broadly
neutralizing
antibodies:
E1
group
(BD55-3152,
BD55-3546,
BD5-5840)
F3
(BD55-3372,
BD55-4637,
BD55-5514).
Using
approaches,
examined
determinants
which
potent
can
evade
immune
resistance.
Our
analysis
revealed
emergence
a
small
number
positions
correspond
to
R346
K444
strong
van
der
Waals
act
synchronously,
leading
large
contribution.
According
our
results,
Abs
effectively
exploit
hotspot
clusters
hydrophobic
sites
are
critical
functions
along
selective
complementary
targeting
positively
charged
important
ACE2
binding.
Together
conserved
epitopes,
lead
expand
breadth
resilience
neutralization
shifts
associated
viral
The
results
study
demonstrate
excellent
qualitative
agreement
predicted
mutations
respect
latest
experiments
on
average
scores.
We
argue
epitopes
leverage
stability
binding,
while
tend
emerge
synergistically
electrostatic
interactions.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
26(4), С. 1507 - 1507
Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2025
The
rapid
evolution
of
SARS-CoV-2
has
led
to
the
emergence
variants
with
increased
immune
evasion
capabilities,
posing
significant
challenges
antibody-based
therapeutics
and
vaccines.
In
this
study,
we
conducted
a
comprehensive
structural
energetic
analysis
spike
receptor-binding
domain
(RBD)
complexes
neutralizing
antibodies
from
four
distinct
groups
(A–D),
including
group
A
LY-CoV016,
B
AZD8895
REGN10933,
C
LY-CoV555,
D
AZD1061,
REGN10987,
LY-CoV1404.
Using
coarse-grained
simplified
simulation
models,
energy-based
mutational
scanning,
rigorous
MM-GBSA
binding
free
energy
calculations,
elucidated
molecular
mechanisms
antibody
escape
mechanisms,
identified
key
hotspots,
explored
evolutionary
strategies
employed
by
virus
evade
neutralization.
residue-based
decomposition
revealed
thermodynamic
factors
underlying
effect
mutations
on
binding.
results
demonstrate
excellent
qualitative
agreement
between
predicted
hotspots
latest
experiments
escape.
These
findings
provide
valuable
insights
into
determinants
viral
escape,
highlighting
importance
targeting
conserved
epitopes
leveraging
combination
therapies
mitigate
risk
evasion.
Severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2),
the
causative
agent
of
COVID-19,
continually
undergoes
mutation,
leading
to
variants
with
altered
pathogenicity
and
transmissibility.
The
Omicron
variant
(B.1.1.529),
first
identified
in
South
Africa
2021,
has
become
dominant
strain
worldwide.
It
harbors
approximately
50
mutations
compared
original
strain,
15
located
receptor-binding
domain
(RBD)
spike
protein
that
facilitates
viral
entry
via
binding
human
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
(ACE2)
receptor.
How
do
these
mutated
residues
modulate
intermolecular
interactions
affinity
between
RBD
ACE2?
This
is
a
question
great
theoretical
importance
practical
implication.
In
this
study,
we
employed
quantum
chemical
calculations
at
B2PLYP-D3/def2-TZVP
level
theory
investigate
molecular
determinants
governing
Omicron’s
ACE2
interaction.
Comparative
analysis
wild-type
RBD–ACE2
interfaces
revealed
including
S477N,
Q493R,
Q498R,
N501Y
enhance
through
formation
bifurcated
hydrogen
bonds,
π–π
stacking,
cation–π
interactions.
These
favorable
counterbalance
such
destabilizing
as
K417N,
G446S,
G496S,
Y505H,
which
disrupt
salt
bridges
bonds.
Additionally,
allosteric
effects
improve
contributions
non-mutated
(notably
A475,
Y453,
F486)
structural
realignment
novel
bonding
S19,
an
overall
increase
electrostatic
π-system
interaction
energy.
conclusion,
our
findings
provide
mechanistic
basis
for
increased
infectivity
offer
valuable
insights
development
targeted
antiviral
therapies.
Moreover,
from
methodological
perspective,
directly
calculated
mutation-induced
energy
changes
residue
using
advanced
methods
rather
than
relying
on
indirect
decomposition
schemes
typical
dynamics-based
free
analyses.
strong
correlation
differences
experimental
deep
mutational
scanning
(DMS)
data
underscores
robustness
framework
predicting
affinity.
demonstrates
potential
predictive
tools
studying
protein–protein
guiding
rational
therapeutic
design.
Frontiers in Immunology,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
16
Опубликована: Март 28, 2025
Sarbecoviruses,
such
as
SARS-CoV-2,
utilize
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
2
(ACE2)
the
entry
receptor;
while
merbecoviruses,
MERS-CoV,
use
dipeptidyl
peptidase
4
(DPP4)
for
viral
entry.
Recently,
several
MERS-related
coronaviruses,
NeoCoV
and
PDF-2180,
were
reported
to
ACE2,
same
receptor
enter
cells,
raising
possibility
of
potential
recombination
between
SARS-CoV-2
coronaviruses
within
co-infected
ACE2-expressing
cells.
However,
facing
this
risk,
serum
antibody
cross-reactivity
against
MERS/MERS-related
after
vaccination
and/or
infection
is
still
elusive.
Here,
in
study,
we
showed
that
serological
S
proteins
could
be
induced
by
but
not
inactivated
vaccination.
Further
investigation
revealed
due
monoclonals
recognizing
relatively
conserved
S2
epitopes,
fusion
peptide
stem
helix,
antibodies
receptor-binding
domain
(RBD),
N-terminal
(NTD)
or
subdomain-1
(SD1).
Some
these
anti-S2
cross-reactive
mAbs
cross-neutralizing
activity,
none
them
exhibited
antibody-dependent
enhancement
(ADE)
effect
vitro.
Together,
results
dissected
infection-induced
highlighted
significance
region
design
development
pan-β-coronaviruses
vaccines.
Viruses,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
17(4), С. 500 - 500
Опубликована: Март 30, 2025
The
global
impact
of
the
COVID-19
pandemic,
caused
by
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2),
persists
in
part
due
to
emergence
new
variants.
Understanding
variant-specific
infection
dynamics
and
pathogenesis
murine
models
is
crucial
for
identifying
phenotypic
changes
guiding
development
countermeasures.
To
address
limitations
earlier
studies
that
investigated
only
a
few
variants
or
used
small
sample
sizes,
we
evaluated
clinical
disease,
kinetics,
viral
titers,
cellular
localization,
histopathologic
lungs
brains
transgenic
B6.Cg-Tg(K18-ACE2)2Prlmn/J
(“K18”)
corresponding
genetic
control
(C57BL/6J)
mice
expressing
human
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
(hACE2).
Six
SARS-CoV-2
were
assessed:
B.1
(WA1-like),
alpha,
beta,
delta,
omicron,
omicron
XBB.1.5,
using
cohorts
≥18
mice.
Following
intranasal
inoculation
with
B.1,
delta
variants,
K18
experienced
rapid
weight
loss
reached
euthanasia
criteria
5–6
days
post-inoculation
(dpi).
In
contrast,
inoculated
both
recovered
their
starting
within
4–6
dpi.
Infectious
was
detected
oropharynx
at
1
and2
dpi,
2,
4,
6
brain
4
dpi
all
except
omicron.
nucleoprotein
detected,
interstitial
pneumonia
varying
severity
observed
infected
Brain
lesions
identified
As
express
hACE2
brain—a
feature
not
present
humans—we
also
compared
three
those
mouse-adapted
WA1
strain
C57BL/6J
lacking
ACE2
gene.
did
experience
lethal
exhibited
milder
pneumonia,
had
no
evidence
neuroinvasion
despite
similar
kinetics
These
findings
demonstrate
contrasting
phenotypes
across
two
reduced
tropism
pathology
models.
This
comprehensive
analysis
mouse
provides
valuable
insights
model
variant
selection
future
studies.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
26(8), С. 3776 - 3776
Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2025
The
evolution
of
SARS-CoV-2,
particularly
the
emergence
Omicron
variants,
has
raised
questions
regarding
changes
in
its
binding
affinity
to
human
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
2
receptor
(hACE2).
Understanding
impact
mutations
on
interaction
between
receptor-binding
domain
(RBD)
spike
protein
and
hACE2
is
critical
for
evaluating
viral
transmissibility,
immune
evasion,
efficacy
therapeutic
strategies.
Here,
we
used
molecular
dynamics
(MD)
simulations
energy
calculations
investigate
structural
energetic
differences
hACE2-
RBD
complexes
wild-type
(WT),
Delta,
subvariants.
Our
results
indicate
that
Delta
first
variants
showed
highest
second-highest
among
studied.
Furthermore,
while
exhibit
increased
stability
altered
electrostatic
potential
at
hACE2–RBD
interface
when
compared
ancestral
WT,
their
strength
does
not
consistently
increase
with
evolution.
Moreover,
newer
subvariants
like
JN.1
a
bimodal
conformational
strategy,
alternating
high-affinity
state
low-affinity
state,
which
could
potentially
facilitate
evasion.
These
findings
suggest
that,
addition
enhanced
affinity,
other
factors,
such
as
evasion
adaptability,
shape
SARS-CoV-2