Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christine Vazquez, Kellie A. Jurado
Summary: This review outlines the immune regulatory mechanisms in the central nervous system (CNS) and the strategies viruses use to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Future questions in this rapidly expanding field are also discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Virology
Shupeng Dong, Maggie Z. X. Xiao, Qiming Liang
Summary: This review summarizes the functions of 10 proteins encoded by ZIKV and their roles in virus replication and pathogenesis based on studies published in the past 6 years.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Cody James Hastings, Grace Elizabeth Himmler, Arpeet Patel, Claudia Nogueira Hora Marques
Summary: Bacterial persister cells, a metabolically dormant subpopulation tolerant to antimicrobials, play a role in chronic infections and evade host immunity. This study focused on the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells to withstand host innate immunity. The research found that persister cells resist complement-mediated killing and are engulfed at a lower rate. Once engulfed, the cells induce a different macrophage polarization pattern compared to regular vegetative cells. These findings provide further understanding of how persister cells contribute to chronic infections and evade the host immune response.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mehrdad Hashemi, Motahare Sadat Ayat Mirdamadi, Yasmin Talebi, Nasrin Khaniabad, Gooya Banaei, Pouria Daneii, Sadaf Gholami, Amin Ghorbani, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Zoheir Mohammadian Farsani, Ali Zarrabi, Noushin Nabavi, Mohammad Arad Zandieh, Mohsen Rashidi, Afshin Taheriazam, Maliheh Entezari, Haroon Khan
Summary: The field of non-coding RNA has made significant progress in cancer research, and miR-21 plays a crucial role in tumor progression, metabolism reprogramming, metastasis, and drug resistance.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinwon Park, Jung Suk Kim, Geon Yang, Hobin Lee, Gayong Shim, Jaiwoo Lee, Yu Kyoung Oh
Summary: The researchers designed LOX-responsive nanoparticles to interact with the collagen matrix in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro experiments showed that these nanoparticles could bind to LOX-secreting CT26 cells, but this binding was blocked by a LOX inhibitor. In mouse experiments, the addition of the LOX inhibitor did not significantly change the antitumor efficacy of the nanoparticles. However, without the LOX inhibitor, a single administration of the nanoparticles provided sustained responsiveness to near-infrared irradiation and ablation of primary tumors.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anup S. Pathania, Philip Prathipati, Kishore B. Challagundla
Summary: Recent advances in extracellular vesicle biology have highlighted the critical role of these vesicles in maintaining cell homeostasis and immune surveillance, particularly in the context of cancer research. Exosomes can influence cell communication by transferring biomolecules, impacting immune cell responses within the tumor microenvironment.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Yonathan Arfi, Carole Lartigue, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet, Alain Blanchard
Summary: Mycoplasmas are small, genome-reduced bacteria with the ability to colonize a wide range of host species. They can exist as commensal microbiota or cause pathogenic inflammatory diseases. These bacteria have evolved strategies to evade the host's immune response, including the expression of immunoglobulin-binding proteins to prevent antibody-antigen interaction. Understanding these immune evasion mechanisms is crucial for studying mycoplasma diseases and improving vaccine efficacy.
Review
Cell Biology
Takanobu Tagawa, Anna Serquin, Insun Kook, Joseph Ziegelbauer
Summary: Viral ncRNAs can manipulate host cells without evoking adaptive immune responses and may trigger host innate immune responses. Viruses can encode decoys/inhibitors to counteract and evade these responses, and in addition, ncRNAs can be secreted into the extracellular space, influencing adjacent cells to create a pro-viral microenvironment.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Pankaj Trivedi, Sandesh Kumar Patel, Diana Bellavia, Elena Messina, Rocco Palermo, Simona Ceccarelli, Cinzia Marchese, Eleni Anastasiadou, Lisa M. Minter, Maria Pia Felli
Summary: The aberrant regulation of developmental pathways plays a key role in tumorigenesis, with tumor cells acquiring their characteristics through dysregulated signaling pathways. Viruses affect cancer cell hallmarks and promote tumor growth by influencing gene regulatory pathways, highlighting the importance of understanding the intersection between oncogenic viruses and developmental pathways in viral tumorigenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Pankaj Trivedi, Sandesh Kumar Patel, Diana Bellavia, Elena Messina, Rocco Palermo, Simona Ceccarelli, Cinzia Marchese, Eleni Anastasiadou, Lisa M. Minter, Maria Pia Felli
Summary: Aberrant regulation of developmental pathways is crucial in tumorigenesis, with tumor cells acquiring features through dysregulated signaling pathways. Human tumor viruses impact cancer cell hallmarks by encoding oncogenic proteins and affecting genomic stability, while understanding how viruses intersect with developmental pathways is crucial in viral tumorigenesis research.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jonathon Keck, James P. Chambers, Jieh-Juen Yu, Xingguo Cheng, Lane K. Christenson, M. N. Guentzel, Rishein Gupta, Bernard P. Arulanandam
Summary: The study highlights the role of miR-135a in regulating immune responses to Chlamydia infection through modulation of chemokine and chemokine receptor genes, as well as influencing clonal expansion and cell migration processes.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Kunli Zhang, Sen Lin, Jianhao Li, Shoulong Deng, Jianfeng Zhang, Sutian Wang
Summary: This review discusses the recent advances in the interaction between porcine enteric coronaviruses (PECs) and host factors, specifically focusing on the mechanisms by which viral components antagonize the innate antiviral immune responses mediated by interferon (IFN). The findings shed light on potential targets and strategies for controlling and eliminating PECs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Goutam Banerjee, Kamal Shokeen, Nilanjan Chakraborty, Saumya Agarwal, Arindam Mitra, Sachin Kumar, Pratik Banerjee
Summary: Ebola virus disease targets immune cells, weakening host response and potentially leading to multi-organ failure and death; the disease manipulates immune responses to escape and evolve, with challenges including the development of therapeutics and vaccines.
CURRENT OPINION IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mickael Bouvet, Stefanie Voigt, Takanobu Tagawa, Manuel Albanese, Yen-Fu Adam Chen, Yan Chen, N. Devin Fachko, Dagmar Pich, Christine Goebel, L. Rebecca Skalsky, Wolfgang Hammerschmidt
Summary: Research shows that multiple Epstein-Barr virus-encoded miRNAs play crucial roles in regulating type I IFN response in newly infected human B cells, while dampening the acute release of IFN-alpha in pDCs upon encounter with EBV.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kousain Kousar, Tahir Ahmad, Maisa S. Abduh, Balquees Kanwal, Syeda Saba Shah, Faiza Naseer, Sadia Anjum
Summary: miRNAs are critical non-coding ribonucleic acid molecules that play a significant role in molecular pathway modulation. They contribute to immune evasion and the establishment of a suitable tumor microenvironment, and also enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy treatments. Understanding the role of miRNA can help in formulating better-targeted treatment modalities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Shlomo Elias, Inbal Kol, Shira Kahlon, Rajaa Amore, Mariam Zeibak, Dror Mevorach, Uriel Elchalal, Orly Zelig, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: Anti-RhD antibodies are used to prevent RhD immunization, potentially by inducing NK cell degranulation. The mechanism involves CD16 activation and glycosylation of the antibodies. Additionally, the RhD drug may enhance killing of dendritic cells.
Article
Virology
Alexandra Duev-Cohen, Batya Isaacson, Orit Berhani, Yoav Charpak-Amikam, Nehemya Friedman, Yaron Drori, Michal Mandelboim, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: The study found that NKp46 can recognize influenza B viruses, but the interaction strength is weaker compared to influenza A, and NKp46 is not crucial for eliminating influenza B.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Einat Seidel, Liat Dassa, Shira Kahlon, Boaz Tirosh, Anne Halenius, Tal Seidel Malkinson, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: The study reveals that the glycoprotein US9 of human cytomegalovirus downregulates the activating immune ligand MICA*008 by slow cleavage of its signal peptide, leading to retention and degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the ER quality control system.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Einat Seidel, Liat Dassa, Corinna Schuler, Esther Oiknine-Djian, Dana G. Wolf, Vu Thuy Khanh Le-Trilling, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: The study reveals that the uncharacterized HCMV protein UL147A interferes with the immune response by downregulating the expression of the immune ligand MICA*008, hindering the elimination of HCMV-infected cells. This finding advances the understanding of complex HCMV immune evasion mechanisms and may facilitate the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Article
Immunology
Batya Isaacson, Maya Baron, Rachel Yamin, Gilad Bachrach, Francesca Levi-Schaffer, Zvi Granot, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: CD300a plays a crucial role in the neutrophil-mediated immune response to UPEC-induced urinary tract infection. Deficiency of CD300a impairs phagocytic abilities of neutrophils, leading to severe exacerbation of infection.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
S. Chaushu, Y. Klein, O. Mandelboim, Y. Barenholz, O. Fleissig
Summary: The review critically summarizes the immune processes involved in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) inflammation and provides insights into the relationship between classical inflammation and clinical OTM phases. Recent studies highlight the existence of a typical innate immune response in OTM, with partial resolution observed in the lag phase. Future studies are needed to further uncover cellular and molecular immune targets for developing strategies to control OTM through modulation of the inflammatory process.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allison J. Greaney, Tyler N. Starr, Christopher O. Barnes, Yiska Weisblum, Fabian Schmidt, Marina Caskey, Christian Gaebler, Alice Cho, Marianna Agudelo, Shlomo Finkin, Zijun Wang, Daniel Poston, Frauke Muecksch, Theodora Hatziioannou, Paul D. Bieniasz, Davide F. Robbiani, Michel C. Nussenzweig, Pamela J. Bjorkman, Jesse D. Bloom
Summary: The study found that although the human immune system can produce antibodies that target diverse RBD epitopes, in practice, the polyclonal response to infection tends to be skewed towards a single class of antibodies targeting an epitope that is already undergoing rapid evolution.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Johanna Galaski, Amjad Shhadeh, Ariana Umana, Christopher C. Yoo, Ludovica Arpinati, Batya Isaacson, Orit Berhani, Bernhard B. Singer, Daniel J. Slade, Gilad Bachrach, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: F. nucleatum binds and activates CEACAM1 through its surface protein CbpF, leading to inhibition of CD4(+) T cell response and promotion of tumorigenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Fabian Schmidt, Frauke Muecksch, Yiska Weisblum, Justin Da Silva, Eva Bednarski, Alice Cho, Zijun Wang, Christian Gaebler, Marina Caskey, Michel C. Nussenzweig, Theodora Hatziioannou, Paul D. Bieniasz
Summary: Neutralization assays showed much lower omicron neutralization compared to Wuhan-hu-1 after two doses of mRNA vaccine, but individuals who received a booster vaccine or were vaccinated after recovering from Covid-19 exhibited high levels of omicron neutralization.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Inna Ricardo-Lax, Joseph M. Luna, Tran Thi Nhu Thao, Jeremie Le Pen, Yingpu Yu, H-Heinrich Hoffmann, William M. Schneider, Brandon S. Razooky, Javier Fernandez-Martinez, Fabian Schmidt, Yiska Weisblum, Bettina Salome Trueb, Ines Berenguer Veiga, Kimberly Schmied, Nadine Ebert, Eleftherios Michailidis, Avery Peace, Francisco J. Sanchez-Rivera, Scott W. Lowe, Michael P. Rout, Theodora Hatziioannou, Paul D. Bieniasz, John T. Poirier, Margaret R. MacDonald, Volker Thiel, Charles M. Rice
Summary: Molecular virology tools are crucial for studying SARS-CoV-2 and developing therapeutics. A yeast-based reverse genetics system was used to create spike-deleted self-replicating RNAs for SARS-CoV-2. These noninfectious replicons can be complemented with viral glycoproteins for single-cycle delivery into different cell types, making it a versatile platform for antiviral drug screening and viral variant characterization.
Article
Biology
Fred D. Mast, Peter C. Fridy, Natalia E. Ketaren, Junjie Wang, Erica Y. Jacobs, Jean Paul Olivier, Tanmoy Sanyal, Kelly R. Molloy, Fabian Schmidt, Magdalena Rutkowska, Yiska Weisblum, Lucille M. Rich, Elizabeth R. Vanderwall, Nicholas Dambrauskas, Vladimir Vigdorovich, Sarah Keegan, Jacob B. Jiler, Milana E. Stein, Paul Dominic B. Olinares, Louis Herlands, Theodora Hatziioannou, D. Noah Sather, Jason S. Debley, David Fenyo, Andrej Sali, Paul D. Bieniasz, John D. Aitchison, Brian T. Chait, Michael P. Rout
Summary: Researchers generated a large nanobody repertoire to target distinct and highly conserved epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, identifying new nanobody binding sites that can inhibit viral infection and combat viral variants effectively.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Poston, Yiska Weisblum, Alvaro Hobbs, Paul D. Bieniasz
Summary: These data identify a host pathway by which VPS29 and associated factors control the endosomal environment and influence susceptibility to viral infection. This pathway could serve as a pharmaceutical target for intervention in zoonotic viral diseases, including those caused by coronaviruses, influenza viruses, and filoviruses, all of which are pandemic threats.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoav Charpak-Amikam, Tom Lapidus, Batya Isaacson, Alexandra Duev-Cohen, Tal Levinson, Adi Elbaz, Francesca Levi-Schaffer, Nir Osherov, Gilad Bachrach, Lois L. Hoyer, Maya Korem, Ronen Ben-Ami, Ofer Mandelboim
Summary: This study identifies how Candida albicans evades the immune response by manipulating the immune checkpoint receptor TIGIT. The results suggest that immunotherapy using a TIGIT-blocking antibody can restore anti-Candida immunity and serve as a potential therapeutic tool.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Edward R. Kastenhuber, Marisa Mercadante, Benjamin Nilsson-Payant, Jared L. Johnson, Javier A. Jaimes, Frauke Muecksch, Yiska Weisblum, Yaron Bram, Vasuretha Chandar, Gary R. Whittaker, Benjamin R. tenOever, Robert E. Schwartz, Lewis Cantley
Summary: Coagulopathy is a significant aspect of morbidity in COVID-19 patients. This study demonstrates that coagulation factors Xa and thrombin can directly cleave SARS-CoV-2 spike, enhancing viral entry. Protease inhibitors, such as nafamostat and camostat, can inhibit spike cleavage and may have potential therapeutic effects. Anticoagulation is critical in managing COVID-19, and early intervention could provide additional benefits by suppressing viral entry.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Julia A. Brown, Katherine Z. Sanidad, Serena Lucotti, Carolin M. Lieber, Robert M. Cox, Aparna Ananthanarayanan, Srijani Basu, Justin Chen, Mengrou Shan, Mohammed Amir, Fabian Schmidt, Yiska Weisblum, Michele Cioffi, Tingting Li, Florencia Madorsky Rowdo, M. Laura Martin, Chun-Jun Guo, Costas Lyssiotis, Brian T. Layden, Andrew J. Dannenberg, Paul D. Bieniasz, Benhur Lee, Naohiro Inohara, Irina Matei, Richard K. Plemper, Melody Y. Zeng
Summary: This study reveals the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome protects mammalian hosts from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Short-chain fatty acids reduce viral burden by regulating the viral entry receptor and enhancing adaptive immunity, while also regulating systemic coagulation by limiting megakaryocyte proliferation. These findings have significant implications for understanding the immune and coagulation mechanisms of COVID-19 infection.
