Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beatriz Alvarez-Rodriguez, Javier Buceta, Ron Geller
Summary: Despite limited understanding, a comprehensive analysis reveals significant variation in the neutralization sites targeted by polyclonal antibody responses to non-enveloped viruses in individual humans. This knowledge helps predict viral escape and identify key structural and evolutionary parameters. A minimum of two mutations is required for significant escape from multiple sera.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Cecile Crosnier, Cornelis H. Hokke, Anna Protasio, Cordelia Brandt, Gabriel Rinaldi, Marijke C. C. Langenberg, Simon Clare, Jacqueline J. Janse, Shona Wilson, Matthew Berriman, Meta Roestenberg, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: In this study, a library of recombinant parasite proteins was created and several markers were identified that can detect low levels of primary infection and as early as 5 weeks post-infection. These markers have the potential to be valuable tools for detecting ongoing and previous Schistosoma mansoni infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanan Lopez-Morales, Rosario Vanella, Tamara Utzinger, Valentin Schittny, Julia Hirsiger, Michael Osthoff, Christoph T. Berger, Yakir Guri, Michael A. Nash
Summary: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has changed patient risk profiles and the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for sensitive serological tests that can analyze patient IgG responses to multiple variants.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anna Lucia Tornesello, Chiara Botti, Alberto Micillo, Francesco Labonia, Sergio Arpino, Maria Antonietta Isgro, Serena Meola, Luigi Russo, Ernesta Cavalcanti, Silvia Sale, Carmine Nicastro, Luigi Atripaldi, Noemy Starita, Andrea Cerasuolo, Ulf Reimer, Pavlo Holenya, Luigi Buonaguro, Franco M. M. Buonaguro, Maria Lina Tornesello
Summary: This study evaluated the IgG response to linear peptides in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, aiming to identify immunological indicators of COVID-19 clinical outcome. The results showed that antibody production in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is age-dependent and related to the severity of the disease. Additionally, antibodies against other coronaviruses were detected in all patients.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryunosuke Endo, Kazuki Uchiyama, Sei-Young Lim, Masanori Itakura, Takahiro Adachi, Koji Uchida
Summary: This study identified acrolein-modified bovine serum albumin as the most efficient trigger for IgM production in PerC cells and showed that acrolein-specific epitopes accelerated the differentiation of B-1a cells to plasma cells. The presence of an acrolein-specific IgM-B cell receptor was suggested by specific binding of acrolein-modified bovine serum albumin to B-1a cells. The establishment of a hybridoma producing acrolein-specific IgM from PerC cells and the identification of the IgM heavy chain gene segments of acrolein-specific B cells confirmed the presence of innate B cells expressing the acrolein-specific BCR.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Amedeo De Nicolo, Valeria Avataneo, Jessica Cusato, Alice Palermiti, Jacopo Mula, Elisa De Vivo, Miriam Antonucci, Stefano Bonora, Andrea Calcagno, Giovanni Di Perri, Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa, Antonio D'Avolio
Summary: Rapid serological tests are not useful for early diagnosis but show good performance in later stages of infection, suitable for back-tracing and identifying potentially immune subjects.
Article
Cell Biology
Anastasia Gkeka, Francisco Aresta-Branco, Gianna Triller, Evi P. Vlachou, Monique van Straaten, Mirjana Lilic, Paul Dominic B. Olinares, Kathryn Perez, Brian T. Chait, Renata Blatnik, Thomas Ruppert, Joseph P. Verdi, C. Erec Stebbins, F. Nina Papavasiliou
Summary: The African trypanosome uses antigenic variation of its major surface antigen to evade the immune response of its mammalian host. Different variants of the surface antigen (VSGs) elicit highly restricted and discriminatory antibody repertoires, directed predominantly to distinct epitopes on the VSG surface. Minor alterations within these exposed epitopes confer antigenically distinct properties to the VSGs, leading to different antibody responses. The patterned and repetitive nature of the VSG coat focuses host immunity to a restricted set of immunodominant epitopes per VSG, minimizing cross-reactivity between different VSGs and facilitating prolonged immune evasion through epitope variation.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Natalie Lorenz, Timothy K. C. Ho, Reuben McGregor, Mark R. Davies, Deborah A. Williamson, Jason K. Gurney, Pierre R. Smeesters, Michael G. Baker, Nicole J. Moreland
Summary: Rheumatic fever is a serious outcome of post-infectious group A Streptococcus exposure, with patients showing more evidence of prior GAS infections compared to controls, suggesting a role of immune priming in the pathogenesis.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Charline Herrscher, Sebastien Eymieux, Christophe Gaborit, Helene Blasco, Julien Marlet, Karl Stefic, Philippe Roingeard, Leslie Grammatico-Guillon, Christophe Hourioux
Summary: This study used ELISA and peptides to investigate the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It found that patients with severe disease had higher antibody titers corresponding to multiple specific epitopes, which could potentially serve as a biological signature of disease characteristics.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sascha Hein, Nuka Ivalu Benz, Jonathan Eisert, Marie-Luise Herrlein, Doris Oberle, Michael Dreher, Julia C. Stingl, Christoph Hildt, Eberhard Hildt
Summary: The study found a higher spike-specific antibody diversity in convalescent sera compared to Comirnaty-elicited and control sera. These differences could potentially impact the breadth of the immune response to the spike protein.
Article
Immunology
Binwei Duan, Gongming Zhang, Wenjing Wang, Jiming Yin, Mengcheng Liu, Jing Zhang, Dexi Chen, Yabo Ouyang, Guangming Li
Summary: This study investigated the immune responses induced by inactivated vaccines among liver transplant recipients and identified differences in immune types. After vaccination, some recipients developed neutralizing antibodies, while others did not. Different immune types exhibited variations in cellular and humoral immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Boualem Sendid, Karine Lecointe, Mayeul Collot, Pierre-Marie Danze, Sebastien Damiens, Anne-Sophie Drucbert, Chantal Fradin, Jean-Pierre Vilcot, Frederic Grenouillet, Faustine Dubar, Jerome de Ruyck, Samir Jawhara, Jean-Maurice Mallet, Daniel Poulain
Summary: The distribution of anti-C. albicans mannan antibodies in terms of epitope specificity varies significantly, with different specificities of antibodies reacting differently to alpha- and beta-linked BSTOs. The alpha/beta ratio plays a crucial role in diagnosing colonization or infection status. Additionally, the unexpected interaction of MBL with the protective epitope suggests the importance of further investigations on the finely tuned C. albicans anti-mannose immune response for medical translation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yunlong Cao, Ayijiang Yisimayi, Yali Bai, Weijin Huang, Xiaofeng Li, Zhiying Zhang, Tianjiao Yuan, Ran An, Jing Wang, Tianhe Xiao, Shuo Du, Wenping Ma, Liyang Song, Yongzheng Li, Xiang Li, Weiliang Song, Jiajing Wu, Shuo Liu, Xuemei Li, Yonghong Zhang, Bin Su, Xianghua Guo, Yangyang Wei, Chuanping Gao, Nana Zhang, Yifei Zhang, Yang Dou, Xiaoyu Xu, Rui Shi, Bai Lu, Ronghua Jin, Yingmin Ma, Chengfeng Qin, Youchun Wang, Yingmei Feng, Junyu Xiao, Xiaoliang Sunney Xie
Summary: The study found that the diversity of anti-RBD NAbs plays a major role in neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially 501Y.V2, with E484K being the dominant cause of neutralization reduction. Specific antibodies respond differently to mutations in RBD variants, with lower diversity observed in NTD antibodies. RBD-subunit vaccinees exhibit higher tolerance to neutralization against variants, while extending the interval between doses of ZF2001 enhances neutralizing activity and tolerance to variants.
Article
Immunology
Sharafat Ali, Shahid Ali, Syeda Okasha Javed, Shehla Shoukat, Sajjad Ahmad, Syed Shujait Ali, Zahid Hussain, Muhammad Waseem, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Suleman, Abbas Khan, Dong-Qing Wei
Summary: This study focused on computationally designing a multi-epitope vaccine to enhance host immune responses against Mycoplasma genitalium. Immunoinformatics methods were used to analyze proteomics sequences of the pathogen to identify potential vaccine proteins, ensuring stability and binding affinity through molecular docking.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Imen Boumar, Muhammedin Deliorman, Pavithra Sukumar, Mohammad A. Qasaimeh
Summary: This paper introduces a novel hybrid flow assay for the detection and screening of IgM and IgG antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infections. The assay utilizes gold nanoparticles conjugated with SARS-CoV-2 S and N proteins to capture antibodies from a small amount of blood in just one step and provides quick results. The adhesive bandage-like design allows for rapid, low-cost, and easy-to-use tests for large-scale detection and screening in households.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Komal Jain, Thomas S. Postler, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Irene Nayiga, Stephen Kyebambe, Xiaoyu Che, Stephen Sameroff, Rafal Tokarz, Shivang S. Shah, Michelle H. Larsen, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: This study investigated the influence of HIV infection on the immunopathology and organ dysfunction of patients hospitalized with suspected sepsis in Uganda. The results showed that HIV-infected patients presented with more severe physiological disturbances and shock, and had a higher mortality rate at 30 days. Furthermore, HIV-infected patients exhibited exaggerated activation of multiple immune and thrombotic metabolic pathways. This study revealed the specific circumstances of HIV-infected patients in the pathogenesis of sepsis, providing important information for further research and treatment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Komal Jain, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Stephen Sameroff, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: The global burden of sepsis is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the management of severe infections is challenged by epidemic HIV and unique pathogen diversity. In a prospective cohort study in Uganda, machine learning methods were used to develop a prediction model for 30-day mortality in adults with suspected sepsis. The model integrated physiology-based risk scores with soluble biomarkers and showed enhanced prediction accuracy when combined with whole-blood RNA sequencing data.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
John T. Kayiwa, Martin N. Mayanja, Teddy Muwawu Nakayiki, Fred Senfuka, Julius Mugga, Jeffrey W. Koehler, Eric C. Mossel, Julius J. Lutwama
Summary: In response to two human cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Uganda, an entomological investigation was carried out to determine the mosquito species and abundance, identify potential mosquito vectors, and test for virus transmission. The study revealed the isolation of two Wesselsbron virus strains, a neglected arbovirus, from Aedes tricholabis and Ae. gibbinsi mosquitoes. These isolates represent the first reported Wesselsbron virus strains in Uganda since 1966.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Komal Jain, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Irene Nayiga, Stephen Kyebambe, Xiaoyu Che, Stephen Sameroff, Rafal Tokarz, Wai Wong, Thomas S. Postler, Michelle H. Larsen, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: This study found that detection of urine TB-LAM was associated with organ dysfunction and immune responses in hospitalized adults with severe HIV/TB. Higher TB-LAM grade was correlated with more severe physiological derangement and impaired antibacterial defense. Therefore, immunomodulatory therapies may be a potential strategy for treating critically ill HIV/TB patients.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Patrick Bohn, Irke Wassmann, Lisa Wendt, Anne Leske, Thomas Hoenen, Birke A. Tews, Allison Groseth
Summary: This study demonstrates that a specific mutation can accurately assess the role of a protein in viral antagonism of interferon production. The mutation inhibits the protein's exonuclease activity while still efficiently blocking interferon production.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Arthur W. D. Edridge, Nathalie van den Brekel, Philly Mukungu, Rachael Nakayima, Samuel Bbosa, Peter Isagara, Michael Boele van Hensbroek, Lia van der Hoek, John Kayiwa, Julius J. Lutwama, Richard Idro
Summary: We investigated whether a novel orthobunyavirus called Ntwetwe virus, which was discovered in a Ugandan girl with a fatal encephalopathy, was a common cause of hospital admission for children to Kiboga hospital in Uganda. A case-control study was conducted between September 2019 and September 2020, comparing cases with severe neurological disease and mild febrile illness to healthy controls without fever. Among 143 subjects, no cases with an acute infection of Ntwetwe virus were identified. This suggests that Ntwetwe virus does not contribute significantly to the disease burden among children seeking medical care at Kiboga hospital during the study period.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Markus, Abraham Abbey Paul, Kerem Terali, Nazmi Ozer, Robert S. Marks, Karina Golberg, Ariel Kushmaro
Summary: An imbalance in gut microbiota, called dysbiosis, can affect host health and lead to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, obesity, depression, and autism. The inhibition of bacterial quorum sensing (QS) by artificial sweeteners has been found to contribute to this dysbiosis. QS is a communication system mediated by small molecules, called autoinducers (AIs), which enable bacteria to interact and coordinate their gene expression. AIs play a role in maintaining the equilibrium of gut microbiota and interference in QS can disrupt this balance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Allison Groseth, Don Gardner, Kimberly Meade-White, Susanne Amler, Hideki Ebihara
Summary: Researchers have developed a new hamster model for studying bunyavirus infection, which provides a more authentic cellular and immunological context at the initial site of infection. This model helps to investigate the mechanisms of neuroinvasion and neuropathology and can be used for testing antiviral approaches targeting bunyaviruses.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lisa Wendt, Matthew J. Pickin, Bianca S. Bodmer, Sven Reiche, Lucie Feneant, Julia E. Hoelper, Walter Fuchs, Allison Groseth, Thomas Hoenen
Summary: By analyzing the m(6)A methylation pattern of hemorrhagic fever viruses, it was found that METTL3 interacts with their nucleoproteins and transcriptional activators to support viral RNA synthesis. This interaction and its importance for RNA synthesis and protein expression were also observed in other hemorrhagic fever viruses. Loss of m(6)A methylation had negative effects on viral RNA synthesis, independent of innate immune sensing.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yifat Baruch, Karina Golberg, Qun Sun, Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro
Summary: This study tested the effect of a natural compound called 3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) on the biofilm of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans. The results showed that DIM was able to reduce the formation of S. mutans biofilm and decrease its durability under acidic conditions. This suggests that DIM has potential in reducing biofilm formation and preventing dental caries.
Article
Virology
Michal Liddor Naim, Yu Fu, Marilou Shagan, Itay Bar-Or, Robert Marks, Qun Sun, Rony Granek, Ariel Kushmaro
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Continuous virus mutations have led to the emergence of new variants. This study demonstrates the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology as a valuable tool for future pandemics, as it enables early detection of potential outbreaks and provides insights into variant dynamics.
Article
Immunology
Luke Nyakarahuka, Shannon Whitmer, Jackson Kyondo, Sophia Mulei, Caitlin M. Cossaboom, Carson T. Telford, Alex Tumusiime, Gloria Grace Akurut, Dianah Namanya, Kilama Kamugisha, Jimmy Baluku, Julius Lutwama, Stephen Balinandi, Trevor Shoemaker, John D. Klena
Summary: Two cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were detected among refugees in a settlement in Kikuube district, Uganda. Further investigations revealed a high prevalence of CCHF IgG antibodies (71.3%) in goats within the settlement. This highlights the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to controlling CCHF in both humans and animals in Uganda.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Caitlin M. Cossaboom, Luke Nyakarahuka, Sophia Mulei, Jackson Kyondo, Alex Tumusiime, Jimmy Baluku, Gloria Grace Akurut, Dianah Namanya, Kilama Kamugisha, Hildah Tendo Nansikombi, Alex Nyabakira, Semei Mutesasira, Shannon Whitmer, Carson Telford, Julius Lutwama, Stephen Balinandi, Joel Montgomery, John D. Klena, Trevor Shoemaker
Summary: Seven confirmed Rift Valley fever cases, including one fatality, were reported in Kiruhura District, Uganda in 2021. Our findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Nicholas Bbosa, Deogratius Ssemwanga, Hamidah Namagembe, Ronald Kiiza, Jocelyn Kiconco, John Kayiwa, Tom Lutalo, Julius Lutwama, Alfred Ssekagiri, Isaac Ssewanyana, Susan Nabadda, Henry Kyobe-Bbosa, Jennifer Giandhari, Sureshnee Pillay, Upasana Ramphal, Yajna Ramphal, Yeshnee Naidoo, Derek Tshiabuila, Houriiyah Tegally, Emmanuel J. San, Eduan Wilkinson, Tulio de Oliveira, Pontiano Kaleebu
Summary: Genomic surveillance in Uganda has shown the rapid replacement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants over time, with Delta dominating. However, the detection of the more transmissible Omicron variant among travelers and increasing community transmission emphasize the importance of near-real-time genomic surveillance and adherence to infection control measures in preventing future pandemic waves.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Stephen Sameroff, Rafal Tokarz, Wai Wong, Shivang S. Shah, Michelle H. Larsen, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: This study identified two immune subtypes among 288 adults hospitalized with sepsis in Uganda, characterized by differential activation of pro-inflammatory innate and adaptive immune pathways, T-cell exhaustion, metabolic reprogramming, and association with severe HIV-associated tuberculosis, extensive organ dysfunction, worse functional outcomes, and higher 30-day mortality. These results emphasize the unique features of sepsis immunopathology in sub-Saharan Africa and highlight the importance of developing more biologically-informed treatment strategies incorporating immunomodulation in the region.
