Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sahar Alsaidi, Nadjet Cornejal, Oneil Mahoney, Claudia Melo, Neeharika Verma, Thierry Bonnaire, Theresa Chang, Barry R. O'Keefe, James Sailer, Thomas M. Zydowsky, Natalia Teleshova, Jose A. Fernandez Romero
Summary: The study found that iota and lambda carrageenan exhibit the most potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and combinations of griffithsin and carrageenan show synergistic effects, including against recent SARS-CoV-2 mutations. The combination is a promising candidate for preventing or treating infections by SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Microbiology
Tom Domovitz, Samer Ayoub, Michal Werbner, Joel Alter, Lee Izhaki Tavor, Yfat Yahalom-Ronen, Evgeny Tikhonov, Tomer Meirson, Yaakov Maman, Nir Paran, Tomer Israely, Moshe Dessau, Meital Gal-Tanamy
Summary: Recent studies suggest that COVID-19 patients infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may experience worsened liver injury. This study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 can coinfect HCV-infected hepatocytes, and this coinfection leads to enhanced replication of both viruses in the cells. The study also reveals increased susceptibility of HCV-infected cells to SARS-CoV-2 entry, potentially explaining the increased liver damage in HCV-positive COVID-19 patients.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Gianmarco Bellucci, Virginia Rinaldi, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Roberta Renie, Rachele Bigi, Giulia Pellicciari, Emanuele Morena, Carmela Romano, Antonio Marrone, Rosella Mechelli, Marco Salvetti, Giovanni Ristori
Summary: There is a long-standing association between MS and viral infections, with the novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, having a significant impact on the immune system that echoes several aspects of MS pathobiology. Studying COVID-19 in people with MS has helped clinicians adjust therapeutic strategies, and efforts are being made for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns in this population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xuefang Dong, Cheng Chen, Jingyu Yan, Xiaofei Zhang, Xiuling Li, Xinmiao Liang
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, poses a serious public health threat, and understanding the glycosylation profile of the spike protein is crucial for vaccine development. A biomimetic material, WR-SiO2, has been designed for selective enrichment of N- and O-linked glycopeptides, leading to the identification of 27 O-glycosylation sites on SARS-CoV-2 S. This study demonstrates the potential of biomimetic polymers for specific O-linked glycopeptide selectivity and advancement in O-glycosylation research.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Annick Barre, Els J. M. Van Damme, Mathias Simplicien, Sophie Le Poder, Bernard Klonjkowski, Herve Benoist, David Peyrade, Pierre Rouge
Summary: Betacoronaviruses use spikes on the virion envelope to attach and infect host cells, with the spike proteins containing receptor binding domains for specific recognition of host cell receptors. Mannose-specific lectins have the potential to target and detect coronaviruses due to their ability to recognize complex and high-mannose glycans on the spike proteins. Pea lectin, snowdrop lectin, and griffithsin are examples of mannose-binding lectins that could be useful in targeting coronavirus infections.
Article
Immunology
Stephen T. T. Yeung, Thomas A. A. Premeaux, Li Du, Toshiro Niki, Satish K. K. Pillai, Kamal M. M. Khanna, Lishomwa C. C. Ndhlovu
Summary: Recent studies have shown that Galectin-9 (gal-9) is elevated in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and can potentially bind competitively to the ACE2 receptor. In a study using humanized ACE2 transgenic mice, it was found that early introduction of exogenous gal-9 can improve survival and enhance viral clearance in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Qiang Pan-Hammarstrom, Jean-Laurent Casanova
Summary: There is increasing evidence that severe disease in children infected with common viruses can result from inborn errors of immunity. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can lead to acute hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia in children with inborn errors of type I interferon immunity, while children with inborn errors disrupting specific molecular bridges can manifest various forms of severe EBV disease. These experiments reveal the redundancy of different arms of immunity in host defense against these viruses.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marton Kolossvary, Chris deFilippi, Sara McCallum, Kathlee V. Fitch, Marissa R. Diggs, Evelynne S. Fulda, Heather J. Ribaudo, Carl J. Fichtenbaum, Judith A. Aberg, Carlos D. Malvestutto, Judith S. Currier, Jose L. Casado, Felix Gutierrez, Irini Sereti, Pamela S. Douglas, Markella V. Zanni, Steven K. Grinspoon
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms contributing to COVID-19 severity in people with HIV. The researchers analyzed temporal changes in plasma proteins following SARS-CoV-2 infection and identified pre-infection proteomic markers associated with future COVID-19. The findings suggest that specific proteins and pathways may be linked to COVID-19-related morbidity in HIV patients.
Article
Biology
Farina Karim, Inbal Gazy, Sandile Cele, Yenzekile Zungu, Robert Krause, Mallory Bernstein, Khadija Khan, Yashica Ganga, Hylton Rodel, Ntombifuthi Mthabela, Matilda Mazibuko, Daniel Muema, Dirhona Ramjit, Thumbi Ndung'u, Willem Hanekom, Bernadett Gosnell, Richard J. Lessells, Emily B. Wong, Tulio de Oliveira, Mahomed-Yunus S. Moosa, Gil Lustig, Alasdair Leslie, Henrik Kloverpris, Alex Sigal
Summary: Conflicting reports exist on the effects of HIV on COVID-19. In this study, it was found that participants living with HIV had more severe outcomes during the second wave of infection, with lower CD4 T cell counts and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios associated with disease severity. Conversely, in the first wave, HIV seemed to modulate SARS-CoV-2 immune responses to a similar degree in both HIV negative and positive individuals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura A. VanBlargan, John M. Errico, Peter J. Halfmann, Seth J. Zost, James E. Crowe, Lisa A. Purcell, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Davide Corti, Daved H. Fremont, Michael S. Diamond
Summary: The emergence of the B.1.1.529 Omicron variant raises concerns about the efficacy of antibody countermeasures. This study shows that some of the antibodies currently in clinical use may lose their ability to neutralize the Omicron variant.
Article
Immunology
Kendall D. Kling, Patrick Janulis, Alexis R. Demonbreun, Amelia Sancilio, Baiba Berzins, Karen Krueger, Chad Achenbach, Rachelle Price, Margaret Sullivan, Matthew Caputo, Sara Hockney, Teresa Zembower, Thomas W. McDade, Babafemi Taiwo
Summary: Little is known about antibody response following booster vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH). This study found that PLWH and controls without HIV had similar antibody levels and viral neutralization responses after a single SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Thandeka Nkosi, Caroline Chasara, Andrea O. Papadopoulos, Tiza L. Nguni, Farina Karim, Mahomed-Yunus S. Moosa, Inbal Gazy, Kondwani Jambo, Willem Hanekom, Alex Sigal, Zaza M. Ndhlovu
Summary: Unsuppressed HIV infection severely impairs T cell responses to COVID-19 and diminishes T cell cross-recognition. This may partly explain the increased susceptibility of people living with HIV to severe COVID-19 and highlights their vulnerability to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Johannes Roessler, Dagmar Pich, Verena Kraehling, Stephan Becker, Oliver T. Keppler, Reinhard Zeidler, Wolfgang Hammerschmidt
Summary: The development of effective viral vaccines requires meeting various criteria, such as correlates of protection, immunogenicity, safety, reactogenicity, and immune monitoring. Researchers have developed replication-defective viral-like particles (VLPs) as surrogates for infection to quantitate neutralizing antibodies, and demonstrated the potential of these particles for serological assays. A quick in vitro diagnostic assay based on the fusion of VLPs with susceptible vesicles has been developed, showing good sensitivity and specificity.
Article
Immunology
Vera Portillo, Chiara Fedeli, Pilar Ustero Alonso, Ianis Petignat, Ellen Cristina Mereles Costa, Adi Sulstarova, Cyril Jaksic, Sabine Yerly, Alexandra Calmy
Summary: This study assesses the immunological response and virological control of mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV. The study found that all participants developed antibodies after the first and second doses, with minor impact on HIV-1 RNA levels over a 6-month period.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nuno Taveira, Ines Figueiredo, Rita Calado, Francisco Martin, Ines Bartolo, Jose M. Marcelino, Pedro Borrego, Fernando Cardoso, Helena Barroso
Summary: Developing immunogens that can elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) is crucial for the development of an effective HIV vaccine. In this study, a prime-boost vaccination strategy using vaccinia virus expressing the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of HIV-2 and a polypeptide comprising specific regions of the envelope glycoprotein was shown to elicit bNAbs against both HIV-1 and HIV-2. The findings suggest that a chimeric envelope glycoprotein containing specific regions from both viruses could be a potential vaccine immunogen to target neutralizing epitopes in both HIV-1 and HIV-2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Cell Biology
Hamidreza Zalpoor, Hooriyeh Shapourian, Abdullatif Akbari, Shaghayegh Shahveh, Leila Haghshenas
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohsen Karami Fath, Ali Azargoonjahromi, Arash Kiani, Fateme Jalalifar, Parisa Osati, Mahsa Akbari Oryani, Fateh Shakeri, Farhad Nasirzadeh, Behman Khalesi, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Maysam Mard-Soltani, Zahra Payandeh
Summary: Breast cancer is defined as a biological and molecular heterogeneous disorder originating from breast cells, with genetic predisposition being a significant factor in its development. Recent findings have shown that epigenetic processes like DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs play important roles in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer, leading researchers to explore therapeutic approaches beyond the genetic framework.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hamidreza Zalpoor, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Razieh Forghaniesfidvajani, Chanour Tavakol, Faranak Farahighasreaboonasr, Farid Pakizeh, Vahid Ghobadi Dana, Farhad Seif
Summary: The JAK-STAT pathway plays a crucial role in immunological processes, but its dysregulation can contribute to cancer progression and neurodegeneration. Targeted therapies for JAK-STAT are still in the preclinical stages, while plant polyphenols like quercetin have shown inhibitory effects on this pathway.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samaneh Mostafavi, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Zuhair Mohammad Hassan
Summary: This study reviewed the impact of toxic metabolites and molecules in the tumor microenvironment on tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes, as well as the role of metformin in cancer therapy and metabolic coupling.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Hamidreza Zalpoor, Abdullatif Akbari, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Razieh Forghaniesfidvajani, Chanour Tavakol, Zohreh Barzegar, Farideh Iravanpour, Mahshid Hosseini, Seyed Reza Mousavi, Majid Reza Farrokhi
Summary: Based on available evidence, COVID-19 may be a neuroinvasive virus that can cause epilepsy through the stimulation of HIF-1α and activation of P2X7 receptors. Pharmacological targeting of these factors could be a promising therapeutic approach.
Letter
Oncology
Hamidreza Zalpoor, Abdullatif Akbari, Negar Nayerain Jazi, Mahsa Liaghat, Maryam Bakhtiyari
Summary: COVID-19 infection poses a serious threat to cancer patients, potentially leading to disease progression and death. This study discusses the role of SARS-CoV-2 in autophagy induction and proposes a potential link between autophagy and cancer progression, chemo-resistance, and tumor recurrence. Targeting autophagy-related signaling pathways and processes could be a promising therapeutic approach for cancer patients with COVID-19.
INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND CANCER
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Mohsen Karami Fath, Ali Azargoonjahromi, Asma Soofi, Faezeh Almasi, Shahnaz Hosseinzadeh, Saeed Khalili, Kamran Sheikhi, Saeid Ferdousmakan, Soroor Owrangi, Minoovash Fahimi, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Mohsen Nabi Afjadi, Zahra Payandeh, Navid Pourzardosht
Summary: Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer caused by genetic mutations in melanocytes. Epigenetics plays a crucial role in melanoma development and has become a novel target for treating this disease.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Letter
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hamidreza Zalpoor, Mahsa Liaghat, Maryam Bakhtiyari, Hooriyeh Shapourian, Abdullatif Akbari, Shaghayegh Shahveh, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Sohrab Minaei Beirami, Vahideh Tarhriz
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Fatemeh Mohebi, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Fatemeh Aziziyan, Abdullatif Akbari, Hemen Moradi-Sardareh, Elham Bahreini, Amir Mansour Moeini, Hossein Effatpanah
Summary: Despite challenges in treatment options for COVID-19, including new virus variants and diversified use of antiviral drugs, ivermectin has potential as a treatment but its efficacy and safety in treating SARS-CoV-2 are still controversial.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Sara Razi, Amin Haghparast, Sepide Chodari Khameneh, Amin Ebrahimi Sadrabadi, Fatemeh Aziziyan, Maryam Bakhtiyari, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Vahideh Tarhriz, Arsalan Jalili, Hamidreza Zalpoor
Summary: The role of cancer stem cells in tumor progression, including initiation, metastasis, invasion, and resistance to therapy, has been recognized as a potential target for tumor therapy. Understanding the mechanisms by which CSCs contribute to cancer progression can lead to novel therapeutic approaches against solid tumors.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Maryam Bakhtiyari, Ayda Haji Aghasi, Sara Banihashemi, Arian Abbassioun, Chanour Tavakol, Hamidreza Zalpoor
Summary: COVID-19 has adverse effects on cancer patients, possibly through the activation of CD147, CyPA, and HIF-1 alpha. Targeting CD147 and CyPA may offer potential therapeutic approaches for cancer patients during the pandemic.
INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND CANCER
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mahyar Ghaffari, Sara Razi, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Fariba Mohebichamkhorami, Hakimeh Zali
Summary: Most medical investigations have shown that miR-146a plays an important role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its consequences, as its blood level is reduced in T2D patients. Additionally, injecting miR-146a mimic has been proven to alleviate diabetes mellitus in animal models. This review discusses the function of miR-146a in diabetes mellitus, highlighting discrepancies between clinical and preclinical investigations and elucidating the biological pathways regulated by miR-146a in tissues affected by diabetes.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Farhad Seif, Zahra Torki, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Mehran Habibi, Majid Pornour
Summary: T cells play a crucial role in tumor development and anti-tumor responses in breast cancer patients. The cytokines in the tumor microenvironment can influence the differentiation and function of T cells, thereby affecting breast cancer treatment. This review discusses the factors that affect T cell differentiation in breast cancer, as well as the related clinical trials.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cagla Aslan, Ibrahim Arman, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Hamidreza Zalpoor
Summary: This study investigated the interaction of dexamethasone with DNA and found that dexamethasone binds to DNA without causing DNA breakage, but when combined with certain minerals, it can cause DNA damage. The study suggests that dexamethasone may indirectly cause DNA damage by inhibiting antioxidant defense enzymes and causing oxidative stress in cells.
TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Ali Norouzi, Mahsa Liaghat, Maryam Bakhtiyari, Seyed Mostafa Noorbakhsh Varnosfaderani, Hamidreza Zalpoor, Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi, Tahereh Molania
Summary: Numerous studies have shown that cancer patients, especially those with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and cancer progression. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2's role in these problems is crucial for developing targeted therapies. This review discusses potential mechanisms and suggests pharmacological approaches, but further investigations are encouraged to uncover additional mechanisms and develop effective therapeutic strategies.