Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebekah Honce, Stacey Schultz-Cherry
Summary: Avian influenza viruses can infect mammals, and the mutations accumulated in viruses obtained from humans infected with emerging avian H3N8 viruses can promote respiratory droplet transmission and disease in mammals.
Review
Cell Biology
Pan Huang, Lujia Sun, Jinhao Li, Qingyi Wu, Nima Rezaei, Shibo Jiang, Chungen Pan
Summary: In recent years, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 subtype (HPAI H5) viruses have been causing economic losses to farmers and posing a threat to human health. A recent study found a rapid change in the dominant strain of HPAI H5 viruses, with H5N8 being replaced by H5N1. Mutations in the receptor-binding domain of HA1 were identified as key factors for human infection. The rapid transmission of H5N1 HPAI in minks may lead to further evolution of the virus and cross-species transmission to humans in the near future, highlighting the need for H5-specific and universal influenza vaccines.
Article
Microbiology
Jingman Tian, Minghui Li, Xiaoli Bai, Yulei Li, Xuefeng Wang, Fuhong Wang, Jianzhong Shi, Xianying Zeng, Guobin Tian, Yanbing Li
Summary: The study identified H5 avian influenza viruses in wild birds in China in 2020, showing low pathogenicity in chickens but potential increased virulence in mice. Some viruses were inefficient in poultry transmission but efficient in waterfowl, suggesting intercontinental and cross-species transmission possibilities. Continuous surveillance of migration routes is crucial to monitor avian influenza viruses and prevent reassortment with local strains.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Nancy Beerens, Evelien A. Germeraad, Sandra Venema, Eline Verheij, Sylvia B. E. Pritz-Verschuren, Jose L. Gonzales
Summary: The study found that recent H5 clade 2.3.4.4 viruses were highly pathogenic for chickens, but had varying pathogenicity for different duck species, especially the most recent H5N6-2017 virus. On the other hand, the H5N8-2016 virus was efficiently transmitted to chickens through contaminated water sources.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Carmen Jerry, David E. Stallknecht, Christina Leyson, Roy Berghaus, Brian Jordan, Mary Pantin-Jackwood, Monique S. Franca
Summary: This study evaluated differences in avian influenza H5 Hemagglutinin tissue binding across different age groups using recombinant H5 HA proteins, finding age-related differences in binding levels, which may partially explain differences in host susceptibility observed during avian influenza outbreaks and experimental infection studies.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jacqueline King, Timm Harder, Franz J. Conraths, Martin Beer, Anne Pohlmann
Summary: The H5 A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (gs/GD) lineage emerged in China in 1996, leading to genetic diversification of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) in the country. Subsequent incursions of different H5Nx subtypes, especially H5N8 and H5N5, have caused multiple epidemics in Germany. Since 2014, the HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4 has dominated the epidemiological situation in Germany.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bao-Tuan Duong, Duc-Duong Than, Bae-Gum Ju, Thuy-Tien Thi Trinh, Chris-Ka Pun Mok, Ju-Hwan Jeong, Min-Suk Song, Yun-Hee Baek, Hyun Park, Seon-Ju Yeo
Summary: In this study, a rapid diagnostic method was developed for early detection of H5Nx avian influenza viruses. The method combined novel monoclonal antibodies with fluorescence europium nanoparticles and an optimized lysis buffer, and successfully detected H5Nx in chicken stool samples. The method showed higher sensitivity compared to traditional diagnostic tests.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Christine H. T. Bui, Denise I. T. Kuok, Hin Wo Yeung, Ka-Chun Ng, Daniel K. W. Chu, Richard J. Webby, John M. Nicholls, J. S. Malik Peiris, Kenrie P. Y. Hui, Michael C. W. Chan
Summary: The recent HPAI A(H5N6/H5N8) avian isolates have the potential for zoonotic transmission but low transmissibility among humans. They showed differential cellular tropism in human airway organoids and induced low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Francois-Xavier Briand, Eric Niqueux, Audrey Schmitz, Claire Martenot, Martine Cherbonnel, Pascale Massin, Rachel Busson, Carole Guillemoto, Isabelle Pierre, Katell Louboutin, Florent Souchaud, Chantal Allee, Helene Quenault, Pierrick Lucas, Anne Van de Wiele, Yannick Blanchard, Nicolas Eterradossi, Axelle Scoizec, Sophie Le Bouquin-Leneveu, Severine Rautureau, Yves Lambert, Beatrice Grasland
Summary: During winter 2020-2021, France and other European countries experienced severe impacts from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, predominantly in domestic waterfowl farms. The analysis of viral genomic sequences revealed the presence of three subtypes, with the majority belonging to the H5N8 subtype in France.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu-Chen Cheng, Shih-Chung Chang
Summary: The study prepared two monoclonal antibodies, 7H6C and YC8, with subtype specificity for H5N8 and H5Nx avian influenza viruses, which can be used for specific detection of HA proteins.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Keiichi Taniguchi, Yoshinori Ando, Masanori Kobayashi, Shinsuke Toba, Haruaki Nobori, Takao Sanaki, Takeshi Noshi, Makoto Kawai, Ryu Yoshida, Akihiko Sato, Takao Shishido, Akira Naito, Keita Matsuno, Masatoshi Okamatsu, Yoshihiro Sakoda, Hiroshi Kida
Summary: The study evaluated the antiviral efficacy of a new influenza drug BXA against H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) in vitro, as well as the effectiveness of BXM in treating H5N1 virus-infected mice. The results showed that BXA exhibited similar activities against different H5 virus variants, while BXM demonstrated potent antiviral effects against H5 HPAIV infections.
Review
Oncology
William J. Liu, Haixia Xiao, Lianpan Dai, Di Liu, Jianjun Chen, Xiaopeng Qi, Yuhai Bi, Yi Shi, George F. Gao, Yingxia Liu
Summary: Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, closely associated with live poultry markets, has caused infections in humans in China since 2013. Five waves of the epidemic occurred between 2013 and 2017, with the emergence of highly pathogenic strains causing concern. Rapid response and control by specialists and officials utilized new technologies and surveillance tools. Characteristics of the virus were reviewed from multiple perspectives to provide tools for reducing future threats from H7N9 and other viruses.
FRONTIERS OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Wenming Jiang, Chunxia Dong, Shuo Liu, Cheng Peng, Xin Yin, Shaobo Liang, Lin Zhang, Jinping Li, Xiaohui Yu, Yang Li, Jingjing Wang, Guangyu Hou, Zheng Zeng, Hualei Liu
Summary: A novel highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N6) clade 2.3.4.4b virus was isolated from a poultry market in China that a person with a confirmed case had visited. Most genes of the avian and human H5N6 isolates were closely related. The virus also exhibited distinct antigenicity to the Re-11 vaccine strain.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yunyueng Jang, Sang Heui Seo
Summary: The study developed an H5 peptide vaccine containing RRRK amino acids which completely protected chickens from H5N6, H5N8, and H5N1 avian influenza viruses. The level of protection depended on the number of antigens in the vaccine with RRRK, with chickens receiving two doses of 5 μg being completely protected. The presence of polybasic amino acids like RRRK was crucial in conferring immunity, suggesting a potential universal vaccine for protecting chickens from various emerging clades of H5Nx avian influenza viruses.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Bianca Zecchin, Gabriela Goujgoulova, Isabella Monne, Annalisa Salviato, Alessia Schivo, Iskra Slavcheva, Ambra Pastori, Ian H. Brown, Nicola S. Lewis, Calogero Terregino, Alice Fusaro
Summary: Bulgaria has been experiencing persistent circulation of HPAI H5N8 and emergence of a novel reassortant H5N2 subtype in recent years. The periodic introduction of new viruses in the poultry sector and the potential undetected circulation in wild birds or poultry highlight the importance of virus monitoring and control measures.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qian Wang, Yicheng Guo, Sho Iketani, Manoj S. Nair, Zhiteng Li, Hiroshi Mohri, Maple Wang, Jian Yu, Anthony D. Bowen, Jennifer Y. Chang, Jayesh G. Shah, Nadia Nguyen, Zhiwei Chen, Kathrine Meyers, Michael T. Yin, Magdalena E. Sobieszczyk, Zizhang Sheng, Yaoxing Huang, Lihong Liu, David D. Ho
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/5 have become dominant in the United States and South Africa, raising concerns about their ability to evade neutralizing antibodies and compromise the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutic monoclonals. A systematic antigenic analysis reveals that BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/5 have different levels of resistance to antibodies, with BA.2.12.1 being modestly resistant and BA.4/5 being substantially resistant. Certain mutations in the spike protein facilitate antibody escape, but compromise the spike affinity for the viral receptor. Only bebtelovimab retains full potency against both subvariants.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Qingqing Liu, Ka-Yi Kwan, Tianyu Cao, Bingpeng Yan, Kumar Ganesan, Lei Jia, Feng Zhang, Chunyu Lim, Yaobin Wu, Yibin Feng, Zhiwei Chen, Li Liu, Jianping Chen
Summary: The percolation extract of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSP) was found to have broad-spectrum viral entry inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-1/2 and other enveloped viruses. In vivo studies showed no abnormal toxicity or behavior in long-term SSP treatment. These findings suggest that SSP has the potential to be developed as a drug candidate for preventing and treating COVID-19 and other emerging enveloped viruses.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Zhiwu Tan, Mei Sum Chiu, Xinxiang Yang, Ming Yue, Tan To Cheung, Dongyan Zhou, Yuewen Wang, Anthony Wing-Hung Chan, Chi Wing Yan, Ka Yi Kwan, Yik Chun Wong, Xin Li, Jingying Zhou, Ka Fai To, Jiye Zhu, Chung Mau Lo, Alfred Sze-Lok Cheng, Stephen Lam Chan, Li Liu, You-Qiang Song, Kwan Man, Zhiwei Chen
Summary: A PD-1 isoform called Delta 42PD-1 plays an important role in the development and resistance to nivolumab immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the role of Delta 42PD-1 in HCC patients and found that Delta 42PD-1(+) T cells accounted for up to 71% of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in untreated HCC patients and were associated with HCC severity. These Delta 42PD-1(+) T cells were more exhausted than PD-1(+) T cells. HCC patients treated with anti-PD-1 ICB showed increased frequencies of Delta 42PD-1(+) T cells over time, especially in patients with progressive disease. Delta 42PD-1(+) T cells sustained HCC through toll-like receptor 4 signaling. An anti-Delta 42PD-1 antibody inhibited tumor growth in murine HCC models.
Article
Virology
Fang Zhao, Zhiwei Chen, Hui Wang, Allen Ka Loon Cheung
Summary: This study found that the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in urine is associated with early prognosis of end-organ diseases (EODs) in patients with stage 2/3 HIV-1 infection. The detection of HCMV in urine should be implemented as a routine test.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mengxiao Luo, Biao Zhou, Eswar R. Reddem, Bingjie Tang, Bohao Chen, Runhong Zhou, Hang Liu, Lihong Liu, Phinikoula S. Katsamba, Ka-Kit Au, Hiu-On Man, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Lawrence Shapiro, Shangyu Dang, David D. Ho, Zhiwei Chen
Summary: In this study, the diversity, potency, breadth, and structural insights of bNAbs derived from memory B cells of BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals after Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infection were determined. The infection activated diverse memory B cell clonotypes that generated potent class I/II and III bNAbs with new epitopes mapped to the receptor-binding domain (RBD). While the top eight bNAbs neutralized wildtype and BA.1 effectively, they displayed different IgH/IgL sequences and neutralization profiles against other variants of concern (VOCs). Two class III NAbs, P2D9 and P3E6, showed comparable potency against BA.4/BA.5, but structural analysis revealed distinct modes of action. P3E6 neutralized all tested variants through a unique bivalent interaction with two RBDs. These findings provide new insights into the hybrid immunity generated by BNT162b2-induced diverse memory B cells in response to Omicron breakthrough infection.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiwei Chen, Yaoji Sun, Jiawei Wang, Xi Zhou, Xiangjian Kong, Jiashen Meng, Xingcai Zhang
Summary: The intelligent responsive drug delivery system has great potential in cancer precision therapy by intelligently releasing antitumor drugs through pH response and thermal stimulation.
Article
Virology
Lok Yan Yim, Ka Shing Lam, Tsz-Yat Luk, Yufei Mo, Xiaofan Lu, Jinlin Wang, Ka-Wai Cheung, Grace Chung Yan Lui, Denise Pui Chung Chan, Bonnie Chun Kwan Wong, Thomas Tsz-Kan Lau, Chiu Bong Ngan, Dongyan Zhou, Yik Chun Wong, Zhiwu Tan, Li Liu, Hao Wu, Tong Zhang, Shui Shan Lee, Zhiwei Chen
Summary: The study reveals that plasma transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is elevated during acute HIV-1 infection in men who have sex with men (MSM). TGF-beta signaling plays a crucial role in mediating HIV-1 infection of activated and resting memory CD4(+) T cells by upregulating the HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5. TGF-beta also increases CCR7 and CXCR3 expression on memory CD4(+) T cells, potentially promoting viral infection and latency establishment.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jian-Piao Cai, Cuiting Luo, Kun Wang, Hehe Cao, Lin-Lei Chen, Xiaojuan Zhang, Yuting Han, Feifei Yin, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Hin Chu, Shuofeng Yuan, Kin-Hang Kok, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Honglin Chen, Zhiwei Chen, Dong-Yan Jin, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
Summary: The development of vaccines specific against the dominant circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 is being outpaced by the emergence of new immune-evasive variants and subvariants. In this study, researchers explored the hypothesis that intranasal boosting after intramuscular priming could provide a broader level of protection. They found that intranasal boosts with the Fc-linked trimeric spike receptor-binding domain from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 induced significantly higher serum neutralizing antibodies against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron subvariants, compared to vaccination with the inactivated whole virion vaccine. This approach could potentially lengthen the interval required for changing the vaccine immunogen from months to years.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaofeng Deng, Ying Liu, Rachel Chun-Yee Tam, Pin Chen, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Bobo Wing-Yee Mok, Teng Long, Anja Kukic, Runhong Zhou, Haoran Xu, Wenjun Song, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Zhiwei Chen, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Pui Wang, Honglin Chen
Summary: Current available vaccines for COVID-19 are effective in reducing severe diseases and deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection but less optimal in preventing infection. Next-generation vaccines which are able to induce mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory to prevent or reduce infections caused by highly transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed. We have developed an intranasal vaccine candidate based on a live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) with a deleted NS1 gene that encodes cell surface expression of the receptor-binding-domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, designated DelNS1-RBD4N-DAF. Immune responses and protection against virus challenge following intranasal administration of DelNS1-RBD4N-DAF vaccines were analyzed in mice and compared with intramuscular injection of the BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in hamsters. DelNS1-RBD4N-DAF LAIVs induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 variants in mice and hamsters and stimulated robust T cell responses in mice. Notably, vaccination with DelNS1-RBD4N-DAF LAIVs, but not BNT162b2 mRNA, prevented replication of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta and Omicron BA.2, in the respiratory tissues of animals. The DelNS1-RBD4N-DAF LAIV system warrants further evaluation in humans for the control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and, more significantly, for creating dual function vaccines against both influenza and COVID-19 for use in annual vaccination strategies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuxun Chen, Zhiwu Tan, Pan Liao, Yanfang Li, Yun Qu, Qi Zhang, Mingxuan Yang, Kannie Wai Yan Chan, Li Zhang, Kwan Man, Zhiwei Chen, Dong Sun
Summary: This study reports the fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable GelMA microrobots through two-photon polymerization, and demonstrates programmed degradation and drug release by varying the local exposure dose. The GelMA microspheres are further functionalized for the delivery of DNA vaccines to dendritic cells and primary cells, leading to fast, enhanced, and durable antigen expression in mice.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Jiasheng Zhou, Shibo Jiang, Tongqing Zhou, Zhiwei Chen, Xia Jin, Wenyan Zhang, Supachai Rerks-ngarm, Anna Kramvis, Kai Deng, Linqi Zhang
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ruiqi Zhang, Kwok-Hung Chan, Pui Wang, Runhong Zhou, Henry Kwong-Chi Yau, Creany Ka-Wai Wong, Meena Wai-Lam Au, Anthony Raymond Tam, Chi-Tao Ng, Matthew Kwok-Chung Lou, Na Liu, Haode Huang, Shaofeng Deng, Rachel Chun-Yee Tam, Ying Liu, Teng Long, Hoi-Wah Tsoi, Miko K. W. Ng, Jian-Piao Cai, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Man-Fung Yuen, Zhiwei Chen, Honglin Chen, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung
Summary: An intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, DelNS1-based RBD vaccines composed of H1N1 subtype (DelNS1-nCoV-RBD LAIV) was developed and tested for safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults. The study recruited 29 participants who were randomly assigned to receive the low or high dose vaccine or a placebo. The vaccine showed moderate mucosal immunogenicity and was well-tolerated, indicating the need for further clinical trials.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Runhong Zhou, Na Liu, Xin Li, Qiaoli Peng, Cheuk-Kwan Yiu, Haode Huang, Dawei Yang, Zhenglong Du, Hau-Yee Kwok, Ka-Kit Au, Jian-Piao Cai, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Kelvin Kai -Wang To, Xiaoning Xu, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Zhiwei Chen
Summary: The ongoing outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 infections in Hong Kong, the model city of universal masking of the world, has resulted in a major public health crisis. The timely third-dose vaccination provided significant protection with lower incidence rates of breakthrough infections. Third-dose vaccination activated spike (S)-specific memory B cells and Omicron cross-reactive T cell responses, which correlated with reduced frequencies of breakthrough infections and disease severity.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Haoran Xu, Runhong Zhou, Zhiwei Chen
Summary: This article discusses the unique role of TRM cells in immune defense, explores the cellular mechanisms underlying their development and their responsiveness in different tissue microenvironments, and emphasizes the translational potential of TRM cells and their applications in disease protection.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
