Article
Immunology
Patricia Mingo-Casas, Ana-Belen Blazquez, Marta Gomez de Cedron, Ana San-Felix, Susana Molina, Estela Escribano-Romero, Eva Calvo-Pinilla, Nereida Jimenez de Oya, Ana Ramirez de Molina, Juan-Carlos Saiz, Maria-Jesus Perez-Perez, Miguel A. Martin-Acebes
Summary: This study reveals that West Nile virus (WNV) infection leads to a misbalance of glucose homeostasis in the central nervous system, resulting in the upregulation of aerobic glycolysis and a reduction of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Transcriptomics analyses in infected mice indicate the upregulation of hexokinases 2 and 3 (Hk2 and Hk3), as well as pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (Pdk4), suggesting the importance of glycolysis in WNV infection. Inhibitors targeting glycolysis alleviate WNV-induced neuroinflammation, demonstrating the potential druggability of the glycolytic pathway for developing therapies against WNV pathology.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Shuo Zhu, Mengying Tao, Yunchuan Li, Xugang Wang, Zikai Zhao, Yixin Liu, Qi Li, Qiuyan Li, Yanbo Lu, Youhui Si, Shengbo Cao, Jing Ye
Summary: This study found that infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) leads to an increase in H3K27me3 modification in microglial cells and mouse brain. Inhibiting H3K27me3 modification significantly reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production during JEV infection, indicating its crucial role in the neuroinflammatory response. The increased H3K27me3 modification of E3 ubiquitin ligases following JEV infection leads to downregulation of Rnf19a expression and negative regulation of the neuroinflammatory response.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jose-Maria Garcia-Carrasco, Antonio-Roman Munoz, Jesus Olivero, Marina Segura, Raimundo Real
Summary: This study created a database of WNV presence in Africa and used biogeographic models to determine the drivers of its distribution. Wetlands and human-related factors were found to play important roles in the spread of WNV. Understanding high-risk areas can help manage the disease and comprehend its transmission through avian migration routes outside Africa.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Duan Ni, Jian Tan, Paula Niewold, Alanna Gabrielle Spiteri, Gabriela Veronica Pinget, Dragana Stanley, Nicholas Jonathan Cole King, Laurence Macia
Summary: Although dietary fiber can promote healthy gut bacteria, it does not have a significant effect on WNV encephalitis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Shannon E. Ronca, Sarah M. Gunter, Rebecca Berry Kairis, Allison Lino, Jonathan Romero, Robia G. Pautler, Alan Nimmo, Kristy O. Murray
Summary: This study found a correlation between substance P and its receptor Neurokinin-1 in West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Blocking this interaction from disease onset modestly improved survival and prolonged time to death. The study has important implications for the development of new therapeutic options.
Article
Cell Biology
Andrea Mikulasova, Leah K. Gillespie, Rebecca L. Ambrose, Turgut E. Aktepe, Alice M. Trenerry, Susann Liebscher, Jason M. Mackenzie
Summary: Flavivirus replication is closely associated with re-organized cellular membranes, forming three distinct membranous organelles with specific functions. Mutation of a putative cholesterol recognition/interaction motif within a viral protein severely impairs virus replication and the formation of replication complexes. This study highlights the crucial role of this region within the viral protein in recruiting cellular and viral proteins to promote efficient virus replication on specialized membrane platforms.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shih-Ching Lin, Fang R. Zhao, Hana Janova, Adrian Gervais, Summer Rucknagel, Kristy O. Murray, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Michael S. Diamond
Summary: This study investigates the ability of West Nile virus (WNV) to directly infect gastrointestinal (GI) tract cells and contribute to disease severity. The results show that GI tract cells become infected when STAT1 or type I interferon responses are absent, leading to increased gut and blood-brain barrier permeability, accumulation of gut-derived molecules in the brain, and more severe WNV disease.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alicia Macias, Paloma Martin, Mayte Perez-Olmeda, Beatriz Fernandez-Martinez, Diana Gomez-Barroso, Esperanza Fernandez, Julian Mauro Ramos, Laura Herrero, Saray Rodriguez, Elena Delgado, Maria Paz Sanchez-Seco, Miguel Galan, Antonio Jesus Corbacho, Manuel Jimenez, Cristian Montero-Pena, Antonio Valle, Ana Vazquez
Summary: The largest human West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in Spain in 2020 occurred in Extremadura, with six reported cases. This study focuses on the clinical aspects, diagnostic results, and control actions of the first WNV human outbreak in Extremadura. Molecular and serological methods are recommended for WNV detection and differential diagnosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emilie Giraud, Chloe Otero del Val, Celia Caillet-Saguy, Nada Zehrouni, Cecile Khou, Joel Caillet, Yves Jacob, Nathalie Pardigon, Nicolas Wolff
Summary: The study revealed that the PBM of NS5 from West Nile virus interacts with PDZ-containing proteins in human cells, playing a crucial role in viral replication. Knockdown of specific PDZ-containing proteins resulted in decreased WNV replication, highlighting the significance of these interactions in the virus life cycle.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Rachel L. Fay, Kiet A. Ngo, Lili Kuo, Graham G. Willsey, Laura D. Kramer, Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: West Nile virus, introduced to North America in 1999, is a mosquito-borne flavivirus. Increasing temperature may affect virus replication rates, mutation frequencies, and evolutionary rates. Research shows that the virus has unique genetic signatures and adaptive potential at different temperatures.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pauline Dianne Santos, Friederike Michel, Claudia Wylezich, Dirk Hoper, Markus Keller, Cora M. Holicki, Claudia A. Szentiks, Martin Eiden, Aemero Muluneh, Antonie Neubauer-Juric, Sabine Thalheim, Anja Globig, Martin Beer, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler
Summary: The emergence of WNV and USUV in Europe caused significant outbreaks leading to avifauna mortality and human infections. In Germany, a bird surveillance network was established to monitor these zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses. Co-infections of WNV and USUV were detected in dead birds, with WNV strains classified as lineage 2 and USUV strains as lineages Africa 2, Africa 3, and Europe 2. Further reports of co-infections in animals and humans are expected in the future.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Elizabeth Geerling, E. Taylor Stone, Tara L. Steffen, Mariah Hassert, James D. Brien, Amelia K. Pinto
Summary: Rising obesity rates worldwide have become a significant health concern, with obese individuals at higher risk for severe viral diseases. Research shows that obesity can lead to immune dysfunction, impacting the severity of viral infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Patricia Mingo-Casas, Javier Sanchez-Cespedes, Ana-Belen Blazquez, Josefina Casas, Maria Balsera-Manzanero, Laura Herrero, Ana Vazquez, Jeronimo Pachon, Manuela Aguilar-Guisado, Jose Miguel Cisneros, Juan-Carlos Saiz, Miguel A. Martin-Acebes
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe diseases. By studying experimentally infected mice and naturally infected patients, dynamic alterations in the lipidome were identified as metabolic fingerprints of different infection stages. The dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism by WNV may provide new therapeutic opportunities and support the potential of certain lipids as novel peripheral biomarkers of WND progression.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hannah Reemtsma, Cora M. Holicki, Christine Fast, Felicitas Bergmann, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler
Summary: Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related pathogens that circulate between mosquitoes, birds, and mammalian hosts. A study found that a previous USUV infection can protect birds from severe clinical disease in a subsequent WNV infection. This protection is evidenced by lower and less frequent presence of WNV genomes in the examined samples and milder histopathological lesions compared to WNV mono-infection.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Folashade Agusto, Daniel Bond, Adira Cohen, Wandi Ding, Rachel Leander, Allis Royer
Summary: We constructed an epidemic model for West Nile virus, considering the interaction between bird hosts, mosquito vectors, and the use of insecticides. We derived the basic reproduction number and formulated optimal control problems to balance the cost and benefit of vector and disease control. Numerical simulations were performed to study the impact of control strategies on the system.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria I. Giraldo, Hongjie Xia, Leopoldo Aguilera-Aguirre, Adam Hage, Sarah van Tol, Chao Shan, Xuping Xie, Gail L. Sturdevant, Shelly J. Robertson, Kristin L. McNally, Kimberly Meade-White, Sasha R. Azar, Shannan L. Rossi, Wendy Maury, Michael Woodson, Holly Ramage, Jeffrey R. Johnson, Nevan J. Krogan, Marc C. Morais, Sonja M. Best, Pei-Yong Shi, Ricardo Rajsbaum
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chao Shan, Hongjie Xia, Sherry L. Haller, Sasha R. Azar, Yang Liu, Jianying Liu, Antonio E. Muruato, Rubing Chen, Shannan L. Rossi, Maki Wakamiya, Nikos Vasilakis, Rongjuan Pei, Camila R. Fontes-Garfias, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Xuping Xie, Scott C. Weaver, Pei-Yong Shi
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Huanle Luo, Guangyu Li, Binbin Wang, Bing Tian, Junling Gao, Jing Zou, Shuizhen Shi, Shuang Zhu, Bi-Hung Peng, Awadalkareem Adam, Ariza Martinez, Kimberly Hein, Evandro R. Winkelmann, Yoseph Mahmoud, Xiaofei Zhou, Chao Shan, Shannan Rossi, Scott Weaver, Alan D. T. Barrett, Shao-Cong Sun, Wenbo Zhang, Pei-Yong Shi, Ping Wu, Tian Wang
Article
Cell Biology
Shuai Wang, Zongyang Qiu, Yingnan Hou, Xiya Deng, Wei Xu, Tingting Zheng, Peihan Wu, Shaofang Xie, Weixiang Bian, Chong Zhang, Zewei Sun, Kunpeng Liu, Chao Shan, Aifu Lin, Shibo Jiang, Youhua Xie, Qiang Zhou, Lu Lu, Jing Huang, Xu Li
Summary: This study found that AXL may serve as a novel receptor for SARS-CoV-2, playing an important role in promoting viral infection of the human respiratory system. AXL expression level is closely correlated with SARS-CoV-2 S level and could be a potential target for future clinical intervention strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jianying Liu, Yang Liu, Chao Shan, Bruno T. D. Nunes, Ruimei Yun, Sherry L. Haller, Grace H. Rafael, Sasha R. Azar, Clark R. Andersen, Kenneth Plante, Nikos Vasilakis, Pei-Yong Shi, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: The Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged from Africa and spread to Asia before causing recent epidemics in the South Pacific and the Americas. Evolutionary analyses revealed that four mutations, which occurred just before ZIKV introduction to the Americas, are direct reversions of previous mutations that accompanied earlier spread from Africa to Asia. Experimental infections showed that the original mutations reduced fitness for urban transmission, while the reversions restored fitness, likely increasing epidemic risk.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sharmila Nair, Luciano Mazzoccoli, Arijita Jash, Jennifer Govero, Sachendra S. Bais, Tong Hu, Camila R. Fontes-Garfias, Chao Shan, Hideho Okada, Sujan Shresta, Jeremy N. Rich, Pei-Yong Shi, Michael S. Diamond, Milan G. Chheda
Summary: Zika virus targets GBM stem cells and prevents tumor growth by recruiting CD8(+) T cells and myeloid cells. While anti-PD-1 antibody alone moderately improves survival, combining it with ZIKV treatment significantly increases survival rate. Immune-sensitized ZIKV strain shows promise for safe and effective combination therapy with immunotherapies for GBM patients.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pei Xu, Junling Gao, Chao Shan, Tiffany J. Dunn, Xuping Xie, Hongjie Xia, Jing Zou, Beatriz H. Thames, Amulya Sajja, Yongjia Yu, Alexander N. Freiberg, Nikos Vasilakis, Pei-Yong Shi, Scott C. Weaver, Ping Wu
Summary: Research has shown that inhibiting the overactivated innate immune responses can ameliorate Zika virus-induced neurogenesis reduction in human neural stem cells. Coordinating the host innate immune responses in neural stem cells after ZIKV infection could be a promising therapeutic approach to attenuate ZIKV-associated neuropathology.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Awadalkareem Adam, Camila R. Fontes-Garfias, Vanessa V. Sarathy, Yang Liu, Huanle Luo, Emily Davis, Wenqian Li, Antonio E. Muruato, Binbin Wang, Renat Ahatov, Yoseph Mahmoud, Chao Shan, Samantha R. Osman, Steven G. Widen, Alan D. T. Barrett, Pei-Yong Shi, Tian Wang
Summary: The study generated a stable and attenuated ZIKV mutant, ZE4B-36, with combined mutations in E glycosylation and NS4B P36, showing significant reduction in neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence, as well as low infectivity in mosquitoes. The mutant induced strong immune responses in mice and protected against ZIKV-induced diseases and vertical transmission, suggesting it as a candidate live attenuated vaccine with increased safety and strong immunogenicity for ZIKV prevention and control.
Article
Virology
Jesus A. Silvas, Desarey Morales Vasquez, Jun-Gyu Park, Kevin Chiem, Anna Allue-Guardia, Andreu Garcia-Vilanova, Roy Neal Platt, Lisa Miorin, Thomas Kehrer, Anastasija Cupic, Ana S. Gonzalez-Reiche, Harm van Bakel, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Tim Anderson, Jordi B. Torrelles, Chengjin Ye, Luis Martinez-Sobrido
Summary: The study identified ORF3a and ORF6 as major contributors to viral pathogenesis in SARS-CoV-2, while ORF7a, ORF7b, and ORF8 had little impact on disease outcome. Additionally, the use of a reverse-genetics system to generate recombinant SARS-CoV-2 constructs lays the foundation for developing live attenuated vaccines for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Kevin Chiem, Desarey Morales Vasquez, Jesus A. Silvas, Jun-Gyu Park, Michael S. Piepenbrink, Julien Sourimant, Michelle J. Lin, Alexander L. Greninger, Richard K. Plemper, Jordi B. Torrelles, Mark R. Walter, Juan C. de la Torre, James K. Kobie, Chengjin Ye, Luis Martinez-Sobrido
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using bifluorescent-based assays for rapid identification of hMAbs with neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, including VoC, both in vitro and in vivo. The results obtained with these bifluorescent-based assays accurately recapitulate those observed with individual viruses, showcasing their potential for advancing our understanding of vaccine efficacy and identifying broadly protective human NAbs for therapeutic treatment of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jannyce G. C. Nunes, Bruno T. D. Nunes, Chao Shan, Adriana F. Moraes, Tais R. Silva, Maria H. R. de Mendonca, Liliane L. das Chagas, Franco A. e Silva, Raimunda S. S. Azevedo, Eliana V. P. da Silva, Livia C. Martins, Jannifer O. Chiang, Livia M. N. Casseb, Daniele F. Henriques, Pedro F. C. Vasconcelos, Rommel M. R. Burbano, Pei-Yong Shi, Daniele B. A. Medeiros
Summary: RVNT has been used as an alternative to PRNT for DENV and ZIKV, showing comparable performance to PRNT for DENV Rluc assay and significantly better performance for ZIKV RVNT90. However, ZIKV RVNT90 alone may not be sufficient for diagnosing secondary infections in areas with multiple flaviviruses circulating, suggesting the need for a panel including other circulating flaviviruses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xi Yu, Chao Shan, Yibin Zhu, Enhao Ma, Jinglin Wang, Penghua Wang, Pei-Yong Shi, Gong Cheng
Summary: The study found that a T to A mutation in the Zika virus made it easier for the virus to be transmitted by mosquitoes and infect human cells and immunodeficient mice, facilitating the maturation of structural proteins and the formation of infectious viral particles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chengjin Ye, Kevin Chiem, Jun-Gyu Park, Jesus A. Silvas, Desarey Morales Vasquez, Julien Sourimant, Michelle J. Lin, Alexander L. Greninger, Richard K. Plemper, Jordi B. Torrelles, James J. Kobie, Mark R. Walter, Juan Carlos de la Torre, Luis Martinez-Sobrido
Summary: The study presents a novel strategy placing reporter genes upstream of the highly expressed viral nucleocapsid gene to efficiently visualize SARS-CoV-2 in infected cells and organisms. Real-time viral infection can be tracked noninvasively using an in vivo imaging system, helping to identify neutralizing antibodies. The reporter-expressing rSARS-CoV-2 maintained pathogenicity and stability, supporting their use for investigating viral infection, dissemination, pathogenesis, and therapeutic interventions in vivo.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jing Zhang, Bin Wang, Xiaoxiao Gao, Cheng Peng, Chao Shan, Silas F. Johnson, Richard C. Schwartz, Yong-Hui Zheng
Summary: Virus infection affects cellular proteostasis and can downregulate viral protein expression to increase viral fitness. This study also reveals unexpected crosstalk among components of the proteostasis network.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ran Wang, Meng Zhang, Linlin Zhang, Mengjia Liu, Chao Shan, Jing An, Zhengde Xie
Summary: This study examined the immune responses of memory T cells to ZIKV in children who received the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine. The results showed that cross-reactive CD8+ central memory T cells secreted IFN-gamma in response to ZIKV, while CD8+ effector memory T cells did not show significant upregulation of functional factors. In the presence of ZIKV, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression was upregulated by CD4+ effector memory T cells, and the expression signature of CD4+ central memory T cells indicated a more cytotoxic potential.
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE
(2022)