Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Asif Shajahan, Lauren E. Pepi, Daniel S. Rouhani, Christian Heiss, Parastoo Azadi
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which contains glycosylated proteins that interact with host receptors like hACE2 to facilitate infection. Studies show that these glycosylated proteins play important roles in viral infection and immune evasion, understanding which can aid in developing suitable prevention and therapy strategies.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Paloma Troyano-Hernaez, Roberto Reinosa, Africa Holguin
Summary: Monitoring the genetic diversity and mutations of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding its evolution and ensuring the effectiveness of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapies against COVID-19. This study analyzed over 100,000 worldwide SARS-CoV-2 sequences and found significant amino acid changes in the structural proteins, highlighting the importance of ongoing surveillance and research on emerging mutations.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Pengxin Ma, Junchong Liu, Shuang Pang, Wenhao Zhou, Haipeng Yu, Mingyang Wang, Tao Dong, Yanbo Wang, Qiqin Wang, Aihua Liu
Summary: This study identifies specific peptides that can bind to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrates their potential use in detecting low concentrations of the protein and the virus. The peptide-based ELISA method provides a rapid and inexpensive way to screen for infections and diagnose COVID-19 patients.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophie Martin, Christopher Heslan, Gwenaele Jegou, Leif A. Eriksson, Matthieu Le Gallo, Vincent Thibault, Eric Chevet, Florence Godey, Tony Avril
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted the scientific community to develop tools to combat the infection by studying the immunogenic potential of viral proteins S, E, and M. Patients with moderate to severe diseases exhibit elevated Ig responses against these proteins, with reduced Ig binding observed with the spike G614 variant compared to the D614 variant. This research represents a powerful tool to test humoral responses against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine effectiveness.
Review
Cell Biology
Sareh Kakavandi, Iman Zare, Maryam VaezJalali, Masoud Dadashi, Maryam Azarian, Abdullatif Akbari, Marzieh Ramezani Farani, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Bahareh Hajikhani
Summary: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a new member of the Coronaviridae family known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including structural and non-structural proteins, play a crucial role in its infectivity and the development of chronic diseases. These proteins interact with specific targets and stimulate pathological pathways, contributing to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and various cancers. Inhibiting these interactions with certain compounds could potentially be effective in preventing COVID-19 and related diseases.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Lennart Koepke, Maximilian Hirschenberger, Manuel Hayn, Frank Kirchhoff, Konstantin M. J. Sparrer
Summary: The study revealed that various proteins of SARS-CoV-2 manipulate cellular autophagy in different ways, leading to a reduction in autophagic flux. ORF3a and ORF7a proteins can inhibit autophagic degradation using distinct strategies.
Article
Neurosciences
David Cabrera-Garcia, Ramsey Bekdash, Geoffrey W. Abbott, Masayuki Yazawa, Neil L. Harrison
Summary: A novel method was developed to transiently express SARS-CoV-2 E protein in intracellular organelles and plasma membrane, where it functions as a viroporin modulated by pH. The E protein forms an ion channel permeable to monovalent cations and its activity can be studied using electrophysiological recordings, facilitating the screening of potential inhibitors for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mizuki Yamamoto, Jin Gohda, Ayako Kobayashi, Keiko Tomita, Youko Hirayama, Naohiko Koshikawa, Motoharu Seiki, Kentaro Semba, Tetsu Akiyama, Yasushi Kawaguchi, Jun-ichiro Inoue
Summary: The study found that the cell surface entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2 includes a metalloproteinase-mediated pathway in addition to the TMPRSS2 and endosomal pathways. The metalloproteinase-mediated pathway requires prior cleavage of the spike protein into two domains, a condition met by SARS-CoV-2 but not by the related human coronavirus SARS-CoV. Additionally, inhibiting metalloproteins was crucial in preventing cell death, which may lead to organ damage. The findings provide new insights into the unique pathogenesis of COVID-19 and are relevant to the development of effective therapies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kim Le, Shrute Kannappan, Truc Kim, Jung Heon Lee, Hye-Ra Lee, Kyeong Kyu Kim
Summary: This review provides a detailed analysis of the structural aspects of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, highlighting its significance in the development of therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Michael Shola David, Damira Kanayeva
Summary: This study developed a simple and sensitive ELONA detection tool using aptamers against SARS-CoV-2 RBD S protein. The detection limit for SARS-CoV-2 RBD S glycoprotein in buffer solution and human nasal fluid was determined to be 2.16 ng/mL and 1.02 ng/mL, respectively. The aptamer-based technique was also able to detect different variants of SARS-CoV-2 with varying detection limits. A more sensitive sandwich assay was designed using two aptamers as capture and reporter elements. The effective detection of SARS-CoV-2 in this study confirms the potential of aptamer-based techniques as a screening tool.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vandana Solanki, Monalisa Tiwari, Vishvanath Tiwari
Summary: This study designs a multi-epitope vaccine targeting the non-mutational region of structural and non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 using an immunoinformatic approach. The vaccine construct VTC3 showed stable and reliable binding affinity with Toll-like receptors and human leukocyte antigen, and was found to induce a strong immune response without similarities to the human microbiome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baoling Ying, Suzanne M. Scheaffer, Bradley Whitener, Chieh-Yu Liang, Oleksandr Dmytrenko, Samantha Mackin, Kai Wu, Diana Lee, Laura E. Avena, Zhenlu Chong, James Brett Case, LingZhi Ma, Thu T. M. Kim, Caralyn E. Sein, Angela Woods, Daniela Montes Berrueta, Gwo-Yu Chang, Guillaume Stewart-Jones, Isabella Renzi, Yen-Ting Lai, Agata Malinowski, Andrea Carfi, Sayda M. Elbashir, Darin K. Edwards, Larissa B. Thackray, Michael S. Diamond
Summary: The study showed that current vaccination can enhance protection against Omicron infections, but different vaccines have varying efficacy, which requires further investigation.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heidi Ledford
Summary: The first genome-wide search for long-COVID risk factors could lead to larger-scale studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilya Kovalenko, Ekaterina Kholina, Vladimir Fedorov, Sergei Khruschev, Ekaterina Vasyuchenko, Gennady Meerovich, Marina Strakhovskaya
Summary: This study used Brownian dynamics to study the binding mechanism of methylene blue with the SARS-CoV-2 envelope. Methylene blue targets the S and E proteins and negatively charged lipids of the virus, inhibiting different stages of the virus life cycle. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the molecular basis of methylene blue's antiviral activity against coronaviruses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pei Sen, Teresa K. Yamana, Sasikiran Kandula, Marta Galanti, Jeffrey Shaman
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in 2020 was characterized by increasing ascertainment rates, high population susceptibility, and rising community infectious rates, with infection fatality rate decreasing towards the end of the year.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Stefano Pascarella, Massimo Ciccozzi, Domenico Benvenuto, Alessandra Borsetti, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Letter
Hematology
Domenico Benvenuto, Sergio Carnevale, Marta Giovanetti, Massimo Ciccozzi, Francesco Broccolo
SEMINARS IN THROMBOSIS AND HEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Letter
Virology
Fabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna, Ilenia Azzena, Marta Giovanetti, Domenico Benvenuto, Silvia Angeletti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Stefano Pascarella, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Massimo Ciccozzi
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Virology
Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Gabriele d'Ettorre, Alessandro Russo, Silvia Fabris, Massimo Ciccozzi, Gabriella d'Ettorre
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Marco Mingione, Massimo Ciccozzi, Marco Falcone, Antonello Maruotti
Summary: A parametric regression model using the Richards' curve was proposed to analyze the incidence indicators of Monkeypox in the top 10 affected countries worldwide. Current results indicate that the outbreak is under control in most countries.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aldo Pezzuto, Giuseppe Tonini, Massimo Ciccozzi, Pierfilippo Crucitti, Michela D'Ascanio, Fiammetta Cosci, Antonella Tammaro, Antonella Di Sotto, Teresa Palermo, Elisabetta Carico, Alberto Ricci
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of smoking cessation combined with a single inhaler triple therapy in patients with COPD. The study found that 51% of patients successfully quit smoking within a month, and these patients showed better outcomes after six months compared to those who continued smoking, including improvements in lung function and physical activity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Virology
Massimo Ciccozzi, Stefano Pascarella
Summary: The Spike receptor binding domain and N-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 interact with each other through a complex mechanism. Genetic mutations affect the interplay between the Spike protein and host molecules. This editorial discusses the intricacies of SARS-CoV-2 Spike interactions.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Fabio Scarpa, Elena Imperia, Ilenia Azzena, Marta Giovanetti, Domenico Benvenuto, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Antonello Maruotti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Alessandra Borsetti, Arnaldo Caruso, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone, Allegra Via, Stefano Pascarella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sonia Moretti, Ivan Schietroma, Giuseppe Sberna, Maria Teresa Maggiorella, Leonardo Sernicola, Stefania Farcomeni, Marta Giovanetti, Massimo Ciccozzi, Alessandra Borsetti
Summary: HIV-1 replication in the gastrointestinal tract causes CD4+ T-cell depletion and disruption of the intestinal mucosa, leading to microbial translocation, inflammation, and immune activation. The gut serves as a viral reservoir with higher levels of HIV DNA compared to the blood. The interaction between HIV and key subsets of CD4+ T cells in the gut, as well as the role of gut microbiome and its metabolites in HIV-associated inflammation and immune activation, are important in the pathogenesis of HIV infection and related comorbidities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabio Scarpa, Ilenia Azzena, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Marta Giovanetti, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Alessandra Borsetti, Eleonora Cella, Miriana Quaranta, Stefano Pascarella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi, Igor Rogozin
Summary: The XBB.1.16 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to evade immune response but its evolutionary rate is slower than dangerous lineages. Structural analysis shows no significant differences from previous lineages, indicating no exceptional danger or high expansion capability. Continuous genome-based monitoring is important for understanding its descendants and other lineages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Virology
Marta Giovanetti, Francesco Branda, Eleonora Cella, Fabio Scarpa, Liliana Bazzani, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Svetoslav Nanev Slavov, Domenico Benvenuto, Daria Sanna, Marco Casu, Luciane Amorim Santos, Alessia Lai, Giangluglielmo Zehender, Francesca Caccuri, Andrea Ianni, Arnaldo Caruso, Antonello Maroutti, Stefano Pascarella, Alessandra Borsetti, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: This comprehensive review focuses on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers the virus's epidemic history, evolutionary aspects, and implications for public health. The review emphasizes the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking viral mutations and implementing public health interventions.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fabio Scarpa, Chiara Locci, Ilenia Azzena, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Marta Giovanetti, Miriana Quaranta, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Stefano Pascarella, Massimo Ciccozzi, Daria Sanna
Summary: Recombination events are common in RNA viruses and the XBF SARS-CoV-2 lineage is a recent recombinant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Genetic analyses show that XBF does not have significant expansion potential or a higher contagion rate compared to other lineages. Cautionary measures should still be taken and genome-based monitoring remains important for detecting changes in viral genome composition.
Article
Microbiology
Ivailo Alexiev, Ivan Ivanov, Marta Giovanetti, Eleonora Cella, Ivan Stoikov, Deyan Donchev, Lyubomira Grigorova, Anna Gancheva, Reneta Dimitrova, Fabio Scarpa, Neli Korsun, Ivelina Trifonova, Veselin Dobrinov, Todor Kantardjiev, Iva Christova, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: The first recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants were identified in 2022, causing public health concerns. The importance of recombinant variants has increased especially since the WHO designated the recombinant variant XBB and its lineages as subvariants that require monitoring on 20 November 2022. In this study, we provide the first insights into the new SARS-CoV-2 variant named XAN, a recombinant composed of Omicron sub-lineages BA.2 and BA.5. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 XAN variant identified in Bulgaria.
Review
Microbiology
Marta Giovanetti, Eleonora Cella, Sonia Moretti, Fabio Scarpa, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Svetoslav Nanev Slavov, Francesca Benedetti, Davide Zella, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Massimo Ciccozzi, Alessandra Borsetti
Summary: Monkeypox has emerged as a significant global threat, highlighting the importance of global monitoring and rapid response. The unpredictable nature of its transmission, potential for human-to-human spread, and high morbidity rate underscore the need for proactive surveillance and international collaboration.
Review
Microbiology
Eleonora Cella, Marta Giovanetti, Francesca Benedetti, Fabio Scarpa, Catherine Johnston, Alessandra Borsetti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Taj Azarian, Davide Zella, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health concern that requires a collaborative One Health approach. It poses a threat to human and animal health, as well as the effectiveness of medical treatments and veterinary interventions.
