The HCoV-Peptide array developed by CII scientists consists of 3 million immune markers on a glass chip, covering proteins of all known human coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2. In collaboration with a team at Sun Yat-Sen University, the CII researchers identified 29 immune signatures specific to SARS-CoV-2. These genetic fingerprints (peptides) provide the blueprint for tests that will be used for diagnostics and surveillance. Current antibody tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection may generate false-positive results because of cross-reactivity with seasonal coronaviruses responsible for the common cold, as well as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1.

To develop the HCoV-Peptide array, the researchers first analyzed blood samples taken from individuals with asymptomatic, mild, or severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, and controls including healthy individuals and those exposed to SARS-CoV-1 and seasonal coronaviruses. An analysis of all approximately 170,000 peptides related to known human coronaviruses yielded 29 peptides with the strongest and most specific reactivity with SARS-CoV-2. Next, they validated their test using a second set of blood samples, including those from confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2, those with antibodies to other human coronaviruses, and healthy individuals.

The new test has a 98 percent specificity and sensitivity. Immune signatures were present from eight days after onset of COVID-19 symptoms to as long as six to seven months after infection.

“This work will allow us and others to build inexpensive, easy-to-use blood tests that can provide data for exposure as well as immunity,” says author Nischay Mishra, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Columbia Mailman School.

“This work with our colleagues at SunYat-Sen, led by Professor Jiahai Lu, and with Nimble Therapeutics, underscores the importance to public health of global collaboration and partnerships with industry in addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says senior and corresponding author W. Ian Lipkin, MD, director of CII and John Snow Professor of Epidemiology.

Previously, the researchers have used similar methods to develop tests for Zika, acute flaccid myelitis, and tick-borne infections.

Co-authors also include Shreyas Joshi, Cheng Guo, James Ng, Riddhi Thakkar, Adrian Caciula, Rafal Tokarz, and Thomas Briese at CII; Xi Huang, Yongjian Wu, Xin Dong, Qianlin Li, and Jiahai Lu at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; and Richard Pinapati and Eric Sullivan at Nimble Therapeutics Inc, Madison, WI. Nischay Mishra, W. Ian Lipkin, Rafal Tokarz, Shreyas Joshi, Cheng Guo, and Thomas Briese are listed as the inventors on a patent filed that is related to findings in this study.

Research at Columbia was supported by the Chau Hoi Shuen Foundation and the Marin Community Foundation. Work at Sun Yat-Sen was funded by the Guangdong Scientific and Technological Research for COVID-19 (202020012612200001) and the National Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2018ZX10101002-001-001).

Publichealth.columbia.edu • Contributed

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post First Test for All Known Human Coronaviruses, Including SARS-CoV-2 Variants appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

by University of California, Riverside

People have different susceptibilities to SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic, and develop varying degrees of fever, fatigue, and breathing problems — common symptoms of the illness. What might explain this variation?

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, and University of Southern California may have an answer to this mystery.

In a paper published in Informatics in Medicine Unlocked, the researchers show for the first time that the observed COVID-19 variability may have underlying molecular sources. The finding could help in the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against the disease.

“Based on biomarkers and molecular profiles of individuals, one would hope to develop better medical tests to accommodate these variations in monitoring virus transmission and disease pathology, which helps guide mitigation and treatment options,” said Sika Zheng, an associate professor of biomedical sciences at the UC Riverside School of Medicine, who led the study.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus hijacks human host molecules for fusion and virus replication, attacking human cellular functions. These human host molecules are collectively called SARS-CoV-2 host genes. The researchers systematically analyzed SARS-CoV-2 host gene expression, their variations, and age- and sex-dependency in the human population using large-scale genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

They first found similarity of host gene expression is generally correlated with tissue vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among the six most variably expressed genes in the population they identified ACE2, CLEC4G, and CLEC4M, which are known to interact with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Higher expression of these genes likely increases the possibility of being infected and of developing severe symptoms. Other variable genes include SLC27A2 and PKP2, both known to inhibit virus replication; and PTGS2, which mediates fever response. The authors also identified genetic variants linked to variable expression of these genes.

According to the Zheng, the expression profiles of these marker genes may help better categorize risk groups.

“More comprehensive risk assessment can better guide the early stage of vaccine distribution,” he said. “Tests can also be developed to include these molecular markers to better monitor disease progression. They can also be used to stratify patients to assess and ultimately enhance treatment effectiveness.”

In addition to identifying the most variable SARS-CoV-2 host genes, results from the study suggest genetic and multiple biological factors underlie the population variation in SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptom severity.

“Of course, these will need confirmation with more data. But the results indicate a potential value of a large scale eQTL project to profile genotypes and transcriptome of COVID-19 patients,” Zheng said.

Next, the researchers plan to further analyze large scale genotypes and transcriptome data of COVID-19 patients when made available and to refine the results for higher association and accuracy.

Zheng was joined in the research by Liang Chen of USC. Grants from the National Institutes of Health supported the study.

The title of the research paper is “Understand variability of COVID-19 through population and tissue variations in expression of SARS-CoV-2 host genes.”

The University of California, Riverside (http://www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California’s diverse culture, UCR’s enrollment is more than 24,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of almost $2 billion. To learn more, email news@ucr.edu.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post Observed COVID-19 variability may have underlying molecular sources appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

ELECTIONS

California Executive Order N-64-20 requires that each county’s elections official send vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election to all registered voters. Californians who may need access to in-person voting opportunities – including individuals with disabilities, individuals who speak languages other than English, individuals experiencing homelessness, and others – will still be able to access in-person voting opportunities. For information on how to vote by mail please go to the following link to view a YouTube video created by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters : Vote-by-mail Voting Instructional Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bKBwLk8C1Y).

CITY OF HEMET MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS:

The City of Hemet holds a General Election in November of every even-numbered year for the purpose of electing Members of City Council and a City Treasurer. Additionally, ballot measures affecting the City of Hemet may appear on the ballot. The City consolidates its election activities with those of the Riverside County Registrar of Voter’s Office, which provides for voter registration, ballot materials, polling places and other critical election functions. Other Special Elections may be held when necessary.

ELECTION TIMES:

General Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years, concurrent with the statewide elections. Timing of Special Elections will vary. The next Hemet General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

CITY OFFICIAL ELECTIONS:

Council Members shall be elected in council districts 1, 3 and 4 beginning at the general municipal election in November 2016, and every four years thereafter. Council members shall be elected from council districts 2 and 5 beginning at the general municipal election in November 2018, and every four years thereafter. The City Treasurer is elected at-large for a term of 4 years. No elected official for the City of Hemet shall serve more three terms of office.

A consolidated municipal election will be held in the City of Hemet on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 for the following offices:

Three (3) Council Member seats for District 1, District 3, and District 2 currently held by:

District 1 Karlee Meyer

District 3 Michael Perciful

District 4 Bonnie Wright

and one (1) Treasurer seat, elected at large, currently held by:

At-large Judith Oltman

Each one to serve a full term of four (4) years.

CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS:

Residents interested in running for office for the November 3, 2020 General Consolidated Elections are encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s Office early for information about required paperwork and filing deadlines. Candidates must be registered to vote in the City of Hemet.

City of Hemet City Clerk’s Office

City Hall, 445 E. Florida Avenue, Hemet, CA 92543 (Mon. – Thur., 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Phone (951) 765-2307

Email City Clerk: cjames@cityofhemet.org

The City Clerk’s Office of the City of Hemet is the receiving agency for nomination papers for City Council and Treasurer candidates. Potential candidates, and citizens interested in more information about candidates, are encouraged to contact the City Clerk at (951) 765-2307 or via email at cjames@cityofhemet.org.

Individuals who intend to run for office must file certain Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) forms with the City Clerk’s Office before soliciting campaign contributions or making campaign expenditures. In order for a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot, the candidate must obtain a candidate materials binder from the City Clerk’s Office, and submit all required nomination paperwork; including a petition signed by other city voters within the candidate’s district unless office is at-large, during a specified nomination period (filling period). Other filing requirements include FPPC forms disclosing certain economic interests and information about campaign contributions and expenditures.

The official nominating (filing) period opens in mid July and closes in August of election years. The nominating period will be extended by five days if an eligible incumbent for the office has announced they will decline to file. The nomination period for the November 3, 2020 Elections is from July 13 – August 6, 2020, Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Request an appointment with City Clerk staff here: Schedule a Candidate Orientation Meeting.

-Hemetca.gov

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: Impact on elections

The post SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) AND ITS IMPACT ON ELECTIONS appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.