SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide. Severe and fatal cases of COVID-19 are often associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine levels including interleukin 6 (IL-6)...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Vaccines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/11/1365 |
| _version_ | 1797508254994006016 |
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| author | Collin Jugler Haiyan Sun Qiang Chen |
| author_facet | Collin Jugler Haiyan Sun Qiang Chen |
| author_sort | Collin Jugler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide. Severe and fatal cases of COVID-19 are often associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine levels including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using plants to produce an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and examined its utility in reducing IL-6 signaling in an in vitro model, which simulates IL-6 induction during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The anti-IL6R mAb (IL6RmAb) was quickly expressed and correctly assembled in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> leaves. Plant-produced IL6RmAb (pIL6RmAb) could be enriched to homogeneity by a simple purification scheme. Furthermore, pIL6RmAb was shown to effectively inhibit IL-6 signaling in a cell-based model system. Notably, pIL6RmAb also suppressed IL-6 signaling that was induced by the exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first report of a plant-made anti-IL-6R mAb and its activity against SARS-CoV-2-related cytokine signaling. This study demonstrates the capacity of plants for producing functionally active mAbs that block cytokine signaling and implies their potential efficacy to curb cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:59:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0b310806add44e0da40974ac5a69bd0b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:59:48Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj.art-0b310806add44e0da40974ac5a69bd0b2023-11-23T01:53:51ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2021-11-01911136510.3390/vaccines9111365SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal AntibodyCollin Jugler0Haiyan Sun1Qiang Chen2The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USAThe Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USAThe Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USASevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide. Severe and fatal cases of COVID-19 are often associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine levels including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using plants to produce an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and examined its utility in reducing IL-6 signaling in an in vitro model, which simulates IL-6 induction during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The anti-IL6R mAb (IL6RmAb) was quickly expressed and correctly assembled in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> leaves. Plant-produced IL6RmAb (pIL6RmAb) could be enriched to homogeneity by a simple purification scheme. Furthermore, pIL6RmAb was shown to effectively inhibit IL-6 signaling in a cell-based model system. Notably, pIL6RmAb also suppressed IL-6 signaling that was induced by the exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first report of a plant-made anti-IL-6R mAb and its activity against SARS-CoV-2-related cytokine signaling. This study demonstrates the capacity of plants for producing functionally active mAbs that block cytokine signaling and implies their potential efficacy to curb cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/11/1365SARS-CoV-2monoclonal antibody (mAb)COVID-19interleukin 6 (IL-6)IL-6 receptor (IL-6R)cytokine storm |
| spellingShingle | Collin Jugler Haiyan Sun Qiang Chen SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody Vaccines SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) COVID-19 interleukin 6 (IL-6) IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) cytokine storm |
| title | SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody |
| title_full | SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody |
| title_fullStr | SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody |
| title_full_unstemmed | SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody |
| title_short | SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody |
| title_sort | sars cov 2 spike protein induced interleukin 6 signaling is blocked by a plant produced anti interleukin 6 receptor monoclonal antibody |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) COVID-19 interleukin 6 (IL-6) IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) cytokine storm |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/11/1365 |
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