Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose L. Domingo
Summary: The origin of COVID-19 has been a topic of much debate, with some supporting a natural origin while others suggesting a possible unnatural origin. Clear evidence confirming the intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2 is still lacking, and investigations into the origin are crucial in preventing similar future pandemics.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Hashir Ali Awan, Mufaddal Najmuddin Diwan, Alifiya Aamir, Muneeza Ali, Massimo Di Giannantonio, Irfan Ullah, Sheikh Shoib, Domenico De Berardis
Summary: This review discusses the long-term consequences of a SARS-CoV-2 infection on cognitive functioning, termed 'Cognitive COVID,' focusing on various mechanisms including neurotropism, pro-inflammatory state, and psychosocial stressors. It also mentions the potential impact of post-COVID vaccination cognitive impairments and the importance of early identification, management, and rehabilitation of patients exhibiting cognitive symptoms.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Viktoria Hawrylkowicz, Danuta Lietz-Kijak, Karolina Kazmierczak-Siedlecka, Joanna Solek-Pastuszka, Laura Stachowska, Marcin Folwarski, Milosz Parczewski, Ewa Stachowska
Summary: This study highlights the nutritional consequences of COVID-19 and the potential benefits of probiotics in immune modulation. Adequate intake of micronutrients and protein in the diet is crucial for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Review
Microbiology
Nikolaos-Renatos Tziolos, Petros Ioannou, Stella Baliou, Diamantis Kofteridis
Summary: Long COVID-19 is a recognized disease that affects millions of people worldwide, causing a wide range of symptoms. It can potentially affect any system, with the cardiovascular, central nervous, respiratory, and immune systems being the most commonly affected. Age, high BMI, female sex, previous hospitalization, and smoking are some of the risk factors. The exact mechanisms and pathophysiology are still not fully understood.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adriana Volna, Martin Bartas, Petr Pecinka, Vladimir Spunda, Jiri Cerven
Summary: This paper reviews the current understanding of miRNAs in spring barley, discussing their roles in plant development, homeostasis, and immune processes, and proposing future research directions and unresolved questions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Mingyu Zhu, Li Chen
Summary: Recently, there has been great concern over the acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children since March 2022. This disease was first reported by Public Health Scotland and has rapidly spread to 33 countries worldwide. While the exact cause is still unknown, adenovirus infection appears to be an important factor.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Paolo Bonilauri, Gianluca Rugna
Summary: Coronaviruses are a well-known group of viruses in veterinary medicine, with four known genera infecting wild, farmed, and pet animals. In humans, seven respiratory coronaviruses have been identified, causing a range of diseases from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndromes. This review discusses animal coronaviruses and the current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection in farm and domestic animals.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Camila Ludke Rossetti, Juliana Cazarin, Fabio Hecht, Fabyan Esberard de Lima Beltrao, Andrea Claudia Freitas Ferreira, Rodrigo Soares Fortunato, Helton Estrela Ramos, Denise Pires de Carvalho
Summary: COVID-19 is not only a respiratory disease, but can also affect organs such as the thyroid gland. Patients with controlled hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism do not have a higher risk or worse prognosis when infected with COVID-19. However, abnormal thyroid function has been observed in COVID-19 patients during and after recovery. Further studies are needed to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction induced by COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Anisha Misra, Elitza S. Theel
Summary: Existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is lacking in humans, contributing to the global pandemic. Neutralizing antibodies and adaptive cellular immune responses are identified as correlates of protection against COVID-19, but the diversity of serologic assays and the emergence of new variants pose challenges to determining a robust threshold for immunity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Alfredo Parra-Lucares, Luis Toro, Sebastian Weitz-Munoz, Cristobal Ramos
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to global efforts to curb its impact, with vaccination being the most effective method in preventing hospitalization and death. Adverse effects like myocarditis and pericarditis, mainly associated with mRNA vaccines, have low frequency and the specific mechanisms behind them are still unclear.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Divya Narayanan, Tanyalak Parimon
Summary: This study provides an update on major clinical trials that influenced the clinical utilization of COVID-19 therapeutics. The combination of antiviral and immunomodulatory treatments is recommended for severe disease, while antiviral agents show promise for preventing severe disease in outpatient settings. Monoclonal antibodies for early treatment of SARS-CoV-2 are also being explored. Vaccines remain the best defense against further morbidity and mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jonn Axsen, Scott Hardman, Alan Jenn
Summary: This article highlights the importance of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) in decarbonizing the transport sector and focuses on the effectiveness and impact of a ZEV sales mandate policy in the long term. It presents an interdisciplinary framework to address the complexity of the policy and summarizes limited evidence on policy effectiveness, efficiency, public acceptability, and transformative potential.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malathi Bheri, Swati Mahiwal, Sibaji K. Sanyal, Girdhar K. Pandey
Summary: Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are important reversible post-translational modifications, with protein phosphatases playing a key role in signaling networks. The classification and mechanism of phosphatases in plant systems still require further investigation.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alexandre Giacobbo, Marco Antonio Siqueira Rodrigues, Jane Zoppas Ferreira, Andrea Moura Bernardes, Maria Norberta de Pinho
Summary: This article reviews the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human excreta and its pathways through the sewer system and wastewater treatment plants to water bodies, highlighting the occurrence and infectivity in sewage and natural water. Studies indicate that the virus can remain infectious in sewage and water, raising concerns about potential transmission through contact with contaminated water.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Teresa Perez-Gracia, Antonio Tarin-Pello, Beatriz Suay-Garcia
Summary: In May 2022, the UK reported 176 cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children under 10 years old. Similar cases were subsequently reported in other countries. As of June 17, 2022, a total of 991 cases had been reported globally, with 50 children requiring liver transplant and 28 patient deaths. The cause of these cases remains unknown, but adenovirus has been detected in 62.2% of analyzed samples.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorothee Bardiot, Laura Vangeel, Mohamed Koukni, Philippe Arzel, Marleen Zwaagstra, Heyrhyoung Lyoo, Patrick Wanningen, Shamshad Ahmad, Linlin Zhang, Xinyuanyuan Sun, Adrien Delpal, Cecilia Eydoux, Jean-Claude Guillemot, Eveline Lescrinier, Hugo Klaassen, Pieter Leyssen, Dirk Jochmans, Karolien Castermans, Rolf Hilgenfeld, Colin Robinson, Etienne Decroly, Bruno Canard, Eric J. Snijder, Martijn J. van Hemert, Frank van Kuppeveld, Patrick Chaltin, Johan Neyts, Steven De Jonghe, Arnaud Marchand
Summary: In the search for small-molecule antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2, a high-throughput screening identified a promising hit structure that showed activity against various beta-coronaviruses by interfering with viral entry. Further structure-activity relationship studies revealed that a specific pyridyl moiety and different heteroaromatic cycles were optimal, and structural diversity was tolerated by the alkoxy group.
Article
Microbiology
Frauke Assmus, Jean-Selim Driouich, Rana Abdelnabi, Laura Vangeel, Franck Touret, Ayorinde Adehin, Palang Chotsiri, Maxime Cochin, Caroline S. Foo, Dirk Jochmans, Seungtaek Kim, Lea Luciani, Gregory Moureau, Soonju Park, Paul-Remi Petit, David Shum, Thanaporn Wattanakul, Birgit Weynand, Laurent Fraisse, Jean-Robert Ioset, Charles E. Mowbray, Andrew Owen, Richard M. Hoglund, Joel Tarning, Xavier de Lamballerie, Antoine Nougairede, Johan Neyts, Peter Sjo, Fanny Escudie, Ivan Scandale, Eric Chatelain
Summary: In the absence of drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, drug repurposing can be a valuable strategy. However, the lack of clear translational processes and adequate preclinical profiling has hindered the success of repurposed drugs. This study proposes a systematic approach to urgent antiviral drug development, utilizing in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models along with pharmacokinetic modeling and simulations. The importance of assessing in vitro and in vivo potency and utilizing pharmacokinetic modeling for compound prioritization is emphasized. A standardized translational drug development platform is advocated to generate preclinical evidence for clinical trials in the context of mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
Article
Microbiology
Stephanie Thebault, Nathalie Lejal, Alexis Dogliani, Amelie Donchet, Agathe Urvoas, Marie Valerio-Lepiniec, Muriel Lavie, Cecile Baronti, Franck Touret, Bruno Da Costa, Clara Bourgon, Audrey Fraysse, Audrey Saint-Albin-Deliot, Jessica Morel, Bernard Klonjkowski, Xavier de Lamballerie, Jean Dubuisson, Alain Roussel, Philippe Minard, Sophie Le Poder, Nicolas Meunier, Bernard Delmas
Summary: The study identified candidates that can interact with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, inhibiting virus entry into cells and neutralizing various SARS-CoV-2 variants. These findings provide a new strategy for developing therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Franck Touret, Guillaume Martin-Blondel, Xavier de Lamballerie, Axelle Dupont, Jacques Izopet, France Mentre, Nassim Kamar, Brigitte Autran, Gilles Paintaud, Sophie Caillard, Christophe Richez, Lionel Couzi, Alienor Xhaard, Zora Marjanovic, Jerome Avouac, Caroline Jacquet, Dany Anglicheau, Morgane Cheminant, Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Stephanie N'Guyen, Benjamin Terrier, Jacques Eric Gottenberg, Caroline Besson, Sophie Letrou, Sabrina Kali, Denis Angoulvant, Karine Barthelemy, Stephane Priet, Elif Nurtop, Ventzislava Petrov Sanchez, Coralie Tardivon, Gilles Blancho, Amandine Le Bourgeois, Vincent Levy
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Priscila El Kazzi, Nadia Rabah, Celia Chamontin, Lina Poulain, Francois Ferron, Francoise Debart, Bruno Canard, Dorothee Misse, Bruno Coutard, Sebastien Nisole, Etienne Decroly
Summary: This study reveals that the 2' O-methylation marks inside the HIV-1 genome help the virus evade the host immune system. The virus achieves self-methylation by recruiting the cellular methyltransferase FTSJ3, which allows it to avoid detection by the antiviral protein ISG20. This mechanism enables HIV-1 to replicate and spread more effectively.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nathalia Dias Furtado, Iasmim Silva de Mello, Andre Schutzer de Godoy, Gabriela Dias Noske, Glaucius Oliva, Bruno Canard, Etienne Decroly, Myrna C. C. Bonaldo
Summary: Since late 2016, a modified yellow fever virus (YFV) variant with nine amino acid variations has been circulating in South America. These variations in the Methyltransferase (MTase) domain of the viral NS5 protein were found to increase susceptibility to the IFN-I immune response. However, the viral fitness and growth properties showed minimal differences between the synthetic YFVs carrying the MTase of the circulating lineage and the previous strains.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olivia Goethals, Suzanne J. F. Kaptein, Bart Kesteleyn, Jean-Francois Bonfanti, Liesbeth Van Wesenbeeck, Dorothee Bardiot, Ernst J. Verschoor, Babs E. Verstrepen, Zahra Fagrouch, J. Robert Putnak, Dominik Kiemel, Oliver Ackaert, Roel Straetemans, Sophie Lachau-Durand, Peggy Geluykens, Marjolein Crabbe, Kim Thys, Bart Stoops, Oliver Lenz, Lotke Tambuyzer, Sandra De Meyer, Kai Dallmeier, Michael K. McCracken, Gregory D. Gromowski, Wiriya Rutvisuttinunt, Richard G. Jarman, Nicos Karasavvas, Franck Touret, Gilles Querat, Xavier de Lamballerie, Laurent Chatel-Chaix, Gregg N. Milligan, David W. C. Beasley, Nigel Bourne, Alan D. T. Barrett, Arnaud Marchand, Tim H. M. Jonckers, Pierre Raboisson, Kenny Simmen, Patrick Chaltin, Ralf Bartenschlager, Willy M. Bogers, Johan Neyts, Marnix Van Loock
Summary: Dengue is a major health threat with millions of infections and thousands of deaths each year. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs available for the treatment or prevention of dengue. However, researchers have recently identified a potential target for the development of DENV inhibitors. They have developed a highly potent DENV inhibitor called JNJ-1802, which has shown promising results in inhibiting viral replication and has completed phase I clinical trials. These findings support the further development of JNJ-1802 as a first-in-class antiviral agent for the prevention and treatment of dengue.
Letter
Hematology
Pierre Gallian, Nadege Brisbarre, Elif Nurtop, Sophie Le Cam, Touret Franck, Christine Isnard, Lucile Malard, Syria Laperche, Pascale Richard, Pascal Morel, Pierre Tiberghien, Xavier de lamballerie
Article
Virology
Alice Decombe, Priscila El Kazzi, Etienne Decroly
Summary: Viral RNAs (vRNAs) can be modified by methylation, which affects the biological functions of RNA related to sequence, structure, and protein interactions. 2'-O-methylation was initially found to target the cap structure of mRNA, and recently, it was also reported in vRNA. The consequences of these methylations are still unclear, as they have been associated with both pro-viral and anti-viral effects. This article focuses on the mechanisms and potential roles of vRNA 2'-O-methylation in viral replication.
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Franck Touret, Emilie Giraud, Jerome Bourret, Flora Donati, Jaouen Tran-Rajau, Jeanne Chiaravalli, Frederic Lemoine, Fabrice Agou, Etienne Simon-Loriere, Sylvie van der Werf, Xavier de Lamballerie
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 variants, including BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 Omicron sub-lineages, show diversified landscape. These variants have specific spike mutations that enable them to evade therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The study compared the neutralizing potential of monoclonal antibodies against Omicron BA.2.75.2, BQ.1, BQ.1.1, and XBB variants, showing varying levels of activity. Sotrovimab retained some activity against certain variants, while Cilgavimab and Bebtelovimab lost their neutralizing activity against different subvariants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cecile Herate, Romain Marlin, Franck Touret, Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet, Flora Donati, Francis Relouzat, Laura Junges, Mathilde Galhaut, Oceane Dehan, Quentin Sconosciuti, Antoine Nougairede, Xavier de Lamballerie, Sylvie van der Werf, Roger Le Grand
Summary: The SARS-CoV2 Omicron variants have acquired new Spike mutations that make them resistant to most currently available monoclonal antibody treatments, limiting options for severe Covid-19 patients. However, recent data suggests that Sotrovimab may still be partially effective against the BA.5 variants, including BQ.1.1. In a non-human primate challenge model, Sotrovimab showed full efficacy in inhibiting BQ.1.1 viral replication as measured by RT-qPCR.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jean-Selim Driouich, Ornellie Bernadin, Franck Touret, Xavier de Lamballerie, Antoine Nougairede
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants has changed the use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. In vitro studies showed that only Sotrovimab has partial activity against BQ.1.1 and XBB.1. In a hamster model study, it was found that Sotrovimab remains active against BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 at human exposure levels, but with lower efficacy against BQ.1.1 compared to the globally dominant Omicron sublineages BA.1 and BA.2.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marcel Hausdorff, Adrien Delpal, Sarah Barelier, Laura Nicollet, Bruno Canard, Franck Touret, Agathe Colmant, Bruno Coutard, Jean-Jacques Vasseur, Etienne Decroly, Francoise Debart
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the urgent need for new therapeutic drugs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 replication machinery. This study focuses on the development of inhibitors targeting the highly conserved protein nsp14, which is involved in viral RNA translation and immune evasion. Through structure-guided drug design, 26 novel adenosine mimetics were synthesized, one of which showed selective inhibition of nsp14 N7-MTase activity with high potency against SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Xiaodi Yu, Pravien Abeywickrema, Brecht Bonneux, Ishani Behera, Brandon Anson, Edgar Jacoby, Amy Fung, Suraj Adhikary, Anusarka Bhaumik, Rodrigo J. Carbajo, Suzanne De Bruyn, Robyn Miller, Aaron Patrick, Quyen Pham, Madison Piassek, Nick Verheyen, Afzaal Shareef, Priscila Sutto-Ortiz, Nina Ysebaert, Herman Van Vlijmen, Tim H. M. Jonckers, Florence Herschke, Jason S. Mclellan, Etienne Decroly, Rachel Fearns, Sandrine Grosse, Dirk Roymans, Sujata Sharma, Peter Rigaux, Zhinan Jin
Summary: This study reports a strong inhibitory effect of a non-nucleoside inhibitor JNJ-8003 in both antiviral and polymerase activity assays. The cryo-EM structure analysis reveals that JNJ-8003 binds to an induced-fit pocket on the capping domain, forming multiple interactions consistent with tight binding and resistance mutation. Experimental results demonstrate that JNJ-8003 inhibits nucleotide polymerization at the early stages of RNA transcription and replication.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alice Decombe, Olve Peersen, Priscila Sutto-Ortiz, Celia Chamontin, Geraldine Piorkowski, Bruno Canard, Sebastien Nisole, Etienne Decroly
Summary: 2'-O-methylation modification of viral RNA genomes negatively affects reverse transcriptase activity, reducing nucleotide incorporation efficiency and impairing translocation. This study reveals the significance of RNA modification during viral genome replication.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)