| 2. |
- Conca, Dario Valter, et al.
(författare)
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The role of membrane complexity in the early entry stages of SARS-CoV-2 variants
- 2023
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Ingår i: European Biophysics Journal. - 1432-1017 .- 0175-7571. ; 52:SUPPL 1, s. S176-S176
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The highest density of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants is located on the spike glycoprotein (S), which is responsible for receptor ACE2 engagement. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is evolving to optimize viral entry. Several molecular studies report differences in the affinity between isolated S and ACE2 among variants. However, overall ACE2 affinity poorly correlates with the increased infectivity of recent variants. We address this discrepancy by considering the virus interaction with the whole plasma membrane and study the role of avidity and membrane complexity in modulating virus-host binding. To this end, we employ an in-vitro model system combining single-particle tracking and native supported lipid bilayers (nSLBs) made from lung epithelial cells. As virion mimics, we developed S-decorated liposomes that allow for direct comparison between variants and BSL-1 handling. Sliposome interaction with nSLBs showed a significant increase in avidity for Omicron compared to Delta and Wuhan strains. Further, using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we reveal a higher affinity for Omicron and Delta S to sensor immobilise heparan sulfate (HS). Our results indicate a shift in the variants’ attachment strategy towards more efficient use of coreceptors and the role of HS as an initial docking site that facilitates virus accumulation at the membrane and ACE2 engagement.
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| 3. |
- Eichentopf, Luzie, et al.
(författare)
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Systematic review and meta-analysis on the therapeutic reference range for escitalopram : Blood concentrations, clinical effects and serotonin transporter occupancy
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychiatry. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-0640. ; 13
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: A titration within a certain therapeutic reference range presupposes a relationship between the blood concentration and the therapeutic effect of a drug. However, this has not been systematically investigated for escitalopram. Furthermore, the recommended reference range disagrees with mean steady state concentrations (11-21 ng/ml) that are expected under the approved dose range (10-20 mg/day). This work systematically investigated the relationships between escitalopram dose, blood levels, clinical effects, and serotonin transporter occupancy.Methods: Following our previously published methodology, relevant articles were systematically searched and reviewed for escitalopram.Results: Of 1,032 articles screened, a total of 30 studies met the eligibility criteria. The included studies investigated escitalopram blood levels in relationship to clinical effects (9 studies) or moderating factors on escitalopram metabolism (12 studies) or serotonin transporter occupancy (9 studies). Overall, the evidence for an escitalopram concentration/effect relationship is low (level C).Conclusion: Based on our findings, we propose a target range of 20-40 ng/ml for antidepressant efficacy of escitalopram. In maintenance treatment, therapeutic response is expected, when titrating patients above the lower limit. The lower concentration threshold is strongly supported by findings from neuroimaging studies. The upper limit for escitaloprams reference range rather reflects a therapeutic maximum than a tolerability threshold, since the incidence of side effects in general is low. Concentrations above 40 ng/ml should not necessarily result in dose reductions in case of good clinical efficacy and tolerability. Dose-related escitalopram concentrations in different trials were more than twice the expected concentrations from guideline reports.
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