Article
Immunology
Xuejie Liu, Tianyi Zhao, Liangliang Wang, Zhuolin Yang, Chuming Luo, Minchao Li, Huanle Luo, Caijun Sun, Huacheng Yan, Yuelong Shu
Summary: The study utilized a mosaic vaccine design strategy and genetic algorithms to optimize the influenza virus antigens and generate virus-like particles. Compared to a commercial quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, the mosaic VLPs induced stronger cross-reactive antibody responses, robust T-cell responses, and provided better protection in a mouse model. These findings demonstrate the promising potential of mosaic vaccines for developing a broad influenza vaccine in the future.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolyn M. Boudreau, John S. Burke, Ashraf S. Yousif, Maya Sangesland, Sandra Jastrzebski, Chris Verschoor, George Kuchel, Daniel Lingwood, Harry Kleanthous, Iris De Bruijn, Victoria Landolfi, Saranya Sridhar, Galit Alter
Summary: Antibodies not only play a critical role in neutralizing the virus, but also leverage the antiviral power of the innate immune system to protect against and clear influenza infection. Analysis of the humoral immune response in older adults vaccinated against influenza revealed that NK cell activation is associated with protection. Selective induction of antibodies that activate NK cells against influenza may be needed for effective protection in older adults.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mengjie Xiao, Bobby Lim-Ho Kong, Yahui Zhang, Yinhua Yang, Jiaqi Lu, Hung-Kay Lee, Fei Cao, Pang-Chui Shaw
Summary: This study isolated six phytochemicals from Ganlanye and found that they have inhibitory effects against influenza A strains. The specific mechanisms of action of three new phenolic glycosides and three known flavonoids were revealed. This study provided more evidence on the anti-influenza effect of Ganlan and laid the foundation for further development of potent NA inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Louisa E. Wallace, Erik de Vries, Frank J. M. van Kuppeveld, Cornelis A. M. de Haan
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the role of sialoglycan-cleaving neuraminidase (NA) in viral entry in relation to sialoglycan-binding hemagglutinin (HA) receptor-binding preference, the receptor repertoire displayed on cells, and the presence of mucus decoy receptors. It was found that the dependency on NA activity for influenza A virus (IAV) entry largely depends on HA, with a2-6 sialoglycan-binding viruses being more inhibited by NA inhibitor than a2-3 sialoglycan-preferring viruses. The results indicate that the receptor-binding properties of HA in combination with the receptor repertoire present on cells determine the dependency of IAV on NA activity for entry.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michael Piepenbrink, Fatai Oladunni, Aitor Nogales, Ahmed M. Khalil, Theresa Fitzgerald, Madhubanti Basu, Christopher Fucile, David J. Topham, Alexander F. Rosenberg, Luis Martinez-Sobrido, James J. Kobie
Summary: Influenza A virus (IAV) infections pose a significant threat to public health due to the variable nature of the virus. This study shows that immunization with a seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) can increase the levels of antibodies against H3N2 IAV, a strain known for its genetic drift. These antibodies have broad and potent antiviral activity and can protect against various H3N2 IAV strains. They also persist in the bone marrow, indicating their potential for long-term immunity. These findings contribute to the development of a universal influenza vaccine.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Virology
Yaqin Bai, Jeremy C. Jones, Sook-San Wong, Mark Zanin
Summary: Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase are critical parts of influenza viruses, serving as targets for immune response and antiviral drugs. Neuraminidase inhibitors like oseltamivir are commonly used against influenza, while antivirals targeting hemagglutinin are newer with a higher resistance threshold.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariangela Agamennone, Marialuigia Fantacuzzi, Giovanni Vivenzio, Maria Carmina Scala, Pietro Campiglia, Fabiana Superti, Marina Sala
Summary: Influenza viruses are a major cause of high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current approaches for fighting flu include seasonal vaccines and antiviral drugs, but they have limitations. Due to the highly mutative nature of influenza viruses, there is an urgent need for the development of new antiviral therapies, and peptide-based therapies show great promise.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sphamandla E. Mtambo, Samuel C. Ugbaja, Aganze G. Mushebenge, Bahijjahtu H. Abubakar, Mthobisi L. Ntuli, Hezekiel M. Kumalo
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism and dynamics of the E119V mutation on the peramivir-neuraminidase complex of the H7N9 virus. Molecular dynamic simulations and analysis reveal that the E119V substitution confers greater stability on the protein complex. This research provides valuable insights for future drug design and control of avian influenza.
Article
Virology
Wataru Sekine, Akiko Takenaka-Uema, Haruhiko Kamiki, Hiroho Ishida, Hiromichi Matsugo, Shin Murakami, Taisuke Horimoto
Summary: Studies have shown that the H7N2 feline influenza virus has the potential to adapt to human respiratory cells through mutations in its envelope glycoproteins, potentially turning it into a human pathogen.
Article
Virology
Matthew J. Pekarek, Erika M. Petro-Turnquist, Adam Rubrum, Richard J. Webby, Eric A. Weaver
Summary: This study demonstrates that the growth system can influence lethality of mouse-adapted IBVs after serial lung passaging. Viruses grown in embryonated eggs were significantly more lethal in mice compared to those grown in cell culture. No mutations in the surface glycoprotein amino acid sequences correlated to differences in lethality.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fatin Ahmad Rizal, Kok Lian Ho, Abdul Rahman Omar, Wen Siang Tan, Abdul Razak Mariatulqabtiah, Munir Iqbal
Summary: This study compared the molecular markers of a locally isolated LPAI AIV strain H5N2 from Malaysia with reference HPAI strains, revealing distinct characteristics of the Malaysian strain and its potential role in the epidemiological research on circulating AIV in poultry.
Article
Microbiology
Irina Alymova, John F. Cipollo, Lisa M. Parsons, Nedzad Music, Ram P. Kamal, Wen-Pin Tzeng, Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Joseph N. Contessa, Kevan L. Hartshorn, Jason R. Wilson, Hui Zeng, Shane Gansebom, Ian A. York
Summary: Individuals with metabolic dysregulation of cellular glycosylation often experience severe influenza disease, with reduced immune response and vaccine efficacy. Our study reveals that imbalanced glycosylation can modify the viral glycome without genomic changes, leading to reduced host immune responses and vaccine efficacy.
Article
Virology
Alla Heider, Marianne Wedde, Ralf Duerrwald, Thorsten Wolff, Brunhilde Schweiger
Summary: This study investigated the molecular properties and evolutionary dynamics of influenza B viruses circulating in Germany between 1996 and 2020. The results showed that Yamagata-lineage viruses are more diverse than Victoria-lineage viruses and there are inter-lineage as well as inter- and intra-clade reassortants. The findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of circulating influenza B viruses.
Article
Virology
Atsushi Kawai, Yasuyuki Yamamoto, Takuto Nogimori, Kohei Takeshita, Takuya Yamamoto, Yasuo Yoshioka
Summary: The study demonstrates that intranasal immunization with NA provides broad cross-protection against both homologous and heterologous influenza viruses by inducing NA-specific IgA that recognizes a wider range of epitopes, indicating the potential of NA as an antigen for nasal vaccines to provide broad cross-protection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yura Shin, Jeonghun Kim, Jong Hyeon Seok, Heedo Park, Hye-Ran Cha, Si Hwan Ko, Jae Myun Lee, Man-Seong Park, Jung-Hwan Park
Summary: In this study, H3N2 microneedle vaccines were prepared using HPLC without the use of an antibody, and the cross-protection of the vaccines against multiple antigenic variants was observed. The HPLC method showed good diagnostic performance and agreement with ELISA.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)