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Biomedicines
Special Issues
Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine
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Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology in Human Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 99421

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Bianco

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Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: cardiovascular and thoracic imaging; heart failure; cardiomyopathies; inflammatory cardiac diseases; congenital heart diseases; pediatric cardiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Joanna Szczepanek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Ul. Wilenska 4, 87-100 Torun, Poland
Interests: gene expression; microRNA (miRNA); leukemia; cancer; COVID-19; vaccines; targeted therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Another year of intensive counteraction against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is behind us. This year was a breakthrough, as it was dominated by universal vaccination programs with numerous vaccines being developed by pharmaceutical companies in cooperation with leading universities. The time has come to summarize the effectiveness of vaccines over the last 12 months, especially in the context of the emergence of new variants and the expansion of vaccination schedules with new doses.

Factors (especially biochemical and genetic) determining the course of COVID-19 as well as those responsible for the intensity of the immune system's response to vaccinations are still being sought. We still know too little about genetic determinants (such as changes in the gene expression profile, the presence of polymorphisms or epigenetic regulations) of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2-related antigens. Moreover, the emergence of new virus variants, immunology and genetics, including polymorphisms and epigenetic regulations, will be discussed.

Let us summarize the role of vaccination in reducing the negative effects of a pandemic and in assessing the immune response in the rational management of vaccination programs together.

Dr. Francesco Bianco
Dr. Joanna Szczepanek
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • breakthrough infections
  • vaccine evaluation
  • long COVID
  • vaccination programs
  • vaccine effectiveness
  • immune system response
  • new virus variants
  • immunology
  • genetics
  • polymorphisms
  • epigenetic regulations

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3874 KiB  
Article
Transient Expression in HEK-293 Cells in Suspension Culture as a Rapid and Powerful Tool: SARS-CoV-2 N and Chimeric SARS-CoV-2N-CD154 Proteins as a Case Study
by Thailin Lao, Omar Farnos, Alexi Bueno, Anays Alvarez, Elsa Rodríguez, Julio Palacios, Kathya Rashida de la Luz, Amine Kamen, Yamila Carpio and Mario Pablo Estrada
Biomedicines 2023, 11(11), 3050; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11113050 - 14 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1890
Abstract
In a previous work, we proposed a vaccine chimeric antigen based on the fusion of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein to the extracellular domain of the human CD40 ligand (CD154). This vaccine antigen was named N-CD protein and its expression was carried out in [...] Read more.
In a previous work, we proposed a vaccine chimeric antigen based on the fusion of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein to the extracellular domain of the human CD40 ligand (CD154). This vaccine antigen was named N-CD protein and its expression was carried out in HEK-293 stably transfected cells, grown in adherent conditions and serum-supplemented medium. The chimeric protein obtained in these conditions presented a consistent pattern of degradation. The immunization of mice and monkeys with this chimeric protein was able to induce a high N-specific IgG response with only two doses in pre-clinical experiments. In order to explore ways to diminish protein degradation, in the present work, the N and N-CD proteins were produced in suspension cultures and serum-free media following transient transfection of the HEK-293 clone 3F6, at different scales, including stirred-tank controlled bioreactors. The results showed negligible or no degradation of the target proteins. Further, clones stably expressing N-CD were obtained and adapted to suspension culture, obtaining similar results to those observed in the transient expression experiments in HEK-293-3F6. The evidence supports transient protein expression in suspension cultures and serum-free media as a powerful tool to produce in a short period of time high levels of complex proteins susceptible to degradation, such as the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine)
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14 pages, 2614 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Humoral Immune Response Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Healthcare Workers: A One Year Longitudinal Study
by Mihaela Chivu-Economescu, Teodora Vremera, Simona Maria Ruta, Camelia Grancea, Mihaela Leustean, Daniela Chiriac, Adina David, Lilia Matei, Carmen C. Diaconu, Adina Gatea, Ciprian Ilie, Iuliana Radu, Ana Maria Cornienco, Luminita Smaranda Iancu, Catalin Cirstoiu, Corina Silvia Pop, Radu Petru, Victor Strambu, Stefan Malciolu, Corneliu Petru Popescu, Simin Aysel Florescu, Alexandru Rafila, Florentina Ligia Furtunescu and Adriana Pistoladd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Biomedicines 2022, 10(7), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10071526 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3114
Abstract
The continuous variability of SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid waning of specific antibodies threatens the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to evaluate antibody kinetics one year after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with an mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (HCW), with or without a booster. A [...] Read more.
The continuous variability of SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid waning of specific antibodies threatens the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to evaluate antibody kinetics one year after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with an mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (HCW), with or without a booster. A marked decline in anti-Spike(S)/Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) antibody levels was registered during the first eight months post-vaccination, followed by a transitory increase after the booster. At three months post-booster an increased antibody level was maintained only in HCW vaccinated after a prior infection, who also developed a higher and long-lasting level of anti-S IgA antibodies. Still, IgG anti-nucleocapsid (NCP) fades five months post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite the decline in antibodies one-year post-vaccination, 68.2% of HCW preserved the neutralization capacity against the ancestral variant, with a decrease of only 17.08% in the neutralizing capacity against the Omicron variant. Nevertheless, breakthrough infections were present in 6.65% of all participants, without any correlation with the previous level of anti-S/RBD IgG. Protection against the ancestral and Omicron variants is maintained at least three months after a booster in HCW, possibly reflecting a continuous antigenic stimulation in the professional setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine)
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Review

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27 pages, 5206 KiB  
Review
Immune Response and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Adverse Effects of Spike Proteins from SARS-CoV-2 and mRNA Vaccines
by Paolo Bellavite, Alessandra Ferraresi and Ciro Isidoro
Biomedicines 2023, 11(2), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020451 - 3 Feb 2023
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 23311
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 disease) uses the Spike proteins of its envelope for infecting target cells expressing on the membrane the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) enzyme that acts as a receptor. To control the pandemic, [...] Read more.
The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 disease) uses the Spike proteins of its envelope for infecting target cells expressing on the membrane the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) enzyme that acts as a receptor. To control the pandemic, genetically engineered vaccines have been designed for inducing neutralizing antibodies against the Spike proteins. These vaccines do not act like traditional protein-based vaccines, as they deliver the message in the form of mRNA or DNA to host cells that then produce and expose the Spike protein on the membrane (from which it can be shed in soluble form) to alert the immune system. Mass vaccination has brought to light various adverse effects associated with these genetically based vaccines, mainly affecting the circulatory and cardiovascular system. ACE2 is present as membrane-bound on several cell types, including the mucosa of the upper respiratory and of the gastrointestinal tracts, the endothelium, the platelets, and in soluble form in the plasma. The ACE2 enzyme converts the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II into peptides with vasodilator properties. Here we review the pathways for immunization and the molecular mechanisms through which the Spike protein, either from SARS-CoV-2 or encoded by the mRNA-based vaccines, interferes with the Renin-Angiotensin-System governed by ACE2, thus altering the homeostasis of the circulation and of the cardiovascular system. Understanding the molecular interactions of the Spike protein with ACE2 and the consequent impact on cardiovascular system homeostasis will direct the diagnosis and therapy of the vaccine-related adverse effects and provide information for development of a personalized vaccination that considers pathophysiological conditions predisposing to such adverse events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine)
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11 pages, 947 KiB  
Review
Will Omics Biotechnologies Save Us from Future Pandemics? Lessons from COVID-19 for Vaccinomics and Adversomics
by Alessandra Ferraresi and Ciro Isidoro
Biomedicines 2023, 11(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11010052 - 26 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2866
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had cross-cutting impacts on planetary health, quotidian life, and society. Mass vaccination with the current gene-based vaccines has helped control the pandemic but unfortunately it has not shown effectiveness in preventing the spread of the virus. In addition, not all [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic had cross-cutting impacts on planetary health, quotidian life, and society. Mass vaccination with the current gene-based vaccines has helped control the pandemic but unfortunately it has not shown effectiveness in preventing the spread of the virus. In addition, not all individuals respond to these vaccines, while others develop adverse reactions that cannot be neglected. It is also a fact that some individuals are more susceptible to infection while others develop effective immunization post-infection. We note here that the person-to-person and population variations in vaccine efficacy and side effects have been studied in the field of vaccinomics long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the field of adversomics examines the mechanisms of individual differences in the side effects of health interventions. In this review, we discuss the potential of a multi-omics approach for comprehensive profiling of the benefit/risk ratios of vaccines. Vaccinomics and adversomics stand to benefit planetary health and contribute to the prevention of future pandemics in the 21st century by offering precision guidance to clinical trials as well as promoting precision use of vaccines in ways that proactively respond to individual and population differences in their efficacy and safety. This vision of pandemic prevention based on personalized instead of mass vaccination also calls for equity in access to precision vaccines and diagnostics that support a vision and practice of vaccinomics and adversomics in planetary health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine)
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26 pages, 1043 KiB  
Review
Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines
by Navya Bellamkonda, Upendra Pradeep Lambe, Sonali Sawant, Shyam Sundar Nandi, Chiranjib Chakraborty and Deepak Shukla
Biomedicines 2022, 10(7), 1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10071464 - 21 Jun 2022
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 67188
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been developed to confer immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prior to the pandemic of COVID-19 which started in March 2020, there was a well-established understanding about the structure and pathogenesis of previously known Coronaviruses from the SARS and MERS outbreaks. [...] Read more.
COVID-19 vaccines have been developed to confer immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prior to the pandemic of COVID-19 which started in March 2020, there was a well-established understanding about the structure and pathogenesis of previously known Coronaviruses from the SARS and MERS outbreaks. In addition to this, vaccines for various Coronaviruses were available for veterinary use. This knowledge supported the creation of various vaccine platforms for SARS-CoV-2. Before COVID-19 there are no reports of a vaccine being developed in under a year and no vaccine for preventing coronavirus infection in humans had ever been developed. Approximately nine different technologies are being researched and developed at various levels in order to design an effective COVID-19 vaccine. As the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for generating substantial adaptive immune response, mostly all the vaccine candidates have been targeting the whole spike protein or epitopes of spike protein as a vaccine candidate. In this review, we have compiled the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and followed by the mechanism of action of various vaccine platforms such as mRNA vaccines, Adenoviral vectored vaccine, inactivated virus vaccines and subunit vaccines in the market. In the end we have also summarized the various adjuvants used in the COVID-19 vaccine formulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Issues in COVID Vaccine)
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