Article
Virology
Moushimi Amaya, Randy Yin, Lianying Yan, Viktoriya Borisevich, Bishwo N. Adhikari, Andrew Bennett, Francisco Malagon, Regina Z. Cer, Kimberly A. Bishop-Lilly, Antony S. Dimitrov, Robert W. Cross, Thomas W. Geisbert, Christopher C. Broder
Summary: Using a recombinant Cedar virus (rCedV) reverse genetics platform, chimeric viruses (rCedV-NiV-B and rCedV-HeV) were generated with the fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoprotein genes of Nipah virus (NiV-Bangladesh) or Hendra virus in place of those of rCedV. These chimeras induced an interferon response and utilized specific entry receptors compared to rCedV. Neutralization tests with monoclonal antibodies showed a high correlation between the chimeras and authentic NiV-B and HeV. A high-throughput fluorescence reduction neutralization test (FRNT) using the chimeras was established and showed highly correlated results with plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT). The FRNT assay also measured serum neutralization titers from henipavirus G glycoprotein immunized animals. These rCedV chimeras provide a rapid and cost-effective henipavirus-based surrogate neutralization assay.
Article
Virology
Stephen R. Welch, Jessica R. Spengler, Sarah C. Genzer, Payel Chatterjee, Mike Flint, Eric Bergeron, Joel M. Montgomery, Stuart T. Nichol, Cesar G. Albarino, Christina F. Spiropoulou
Summary: A recombinant reporter virus system was developed to evaluate antiviral compounds against the highly pathogenic Lujo virus, identifying six compounds with robust anti-LUJV activity, including potential new pan-arenavirus antivirals. This provides critical evidence for developing broad-spectrum antivirals against high-consequence arenaviruses.
Article
Immunology
Danielle L. Porier, Sarah N. Wilson, Dawn I. Auguste, Andrew Leber, Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott, Irving C. Allen, Clayton C. Caswell, James A. Budnick, Josep Bassaganya-Riera, Raquel Hontecillas, James Weger-Lucarelli, Scott C. Weaver, Albert J. Auguste
Summary: Using insect-specific flavivirus as a vector for vaccine development can create safe and effective vaccines, such as the chimeric vaccine ARPV/ZIKV, which successfully prevented Zika virus transmission. The vaccine showed no pathological effects in mice and induced strong immune responses with just a single dose.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alejandra Rojas, Muktha S. Natrajan, Jenna Weber, Fatima Cardozo, Cesar Cantero, Jeyarama S. Ananta, Jessica Kost, Meijie Tang, Sanny Lopez, Cynthia Bernal, Yvalena Guillen, Laura Mendoza, Malvina Paez, Benjamin A. Pinsky, Jesse J. Waggoner
Summary: Testing for dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) using a multiplex serological platform showed good agreement with traditional testing methods, with 51.2% of patients in Paraguay found to have acute DENV infections. Antibody cross-reactivity confounded testing, but quantitative results may help inform patient risk stratification.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tongwei Ren, Lingshan Zhou, Xiangling Min, Mengqi Sui, Xuechun Zhi, Yongfang Mo, Jing Huang, Kang Zhang, Wenbo Liu, Hao Wang, Xindong Wang, Kang Ouyang, Ying Chen, Weijian Huang, Zuzhang Wei
Summary: This study developed three recombinant viruses by inserting different reporter protein genes between the Cap and pE2 genes. The reporter viruses exhibited high replication capacity and were genetically stable. The rGECGFP virus facilitated antiviral assays against GETV and showed inhibitory effect on GETV replication. These reporter viruses are useful for assessing viral replication and proliferation, understanding virus-host interactions, and screening antiviral compounds.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Minmin Wang, Chunxiao Mou, Mi Chen, Zhenhai Chen
Summary: The construction of SVA viruses expressing reporter genes like green fluorescent protein (iLOV), red fluorescent protein (RFP), or NanoLuc luciferase (Nluc) provides a powerful tool for virus research. The genetic stability analysis revealed that V-GD05-iLOV was highly stable in retaining the iLOV gene, while V-GD05-RFP and V-GD05-Nluc lost the foreign genes in passages. The study also identified anthrax toxin receptor 1 (ANTXR1) as the receptor for SVA to invade porcine cells, which can help in understanding virus pathogenesis and developing control measures.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Mohsen Niazian, Francois Belzile, Davoud Torkamaneh
Summary: Sequence and expression data obtained by next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based forward genetics methods allow the identification of candidate causal genes. Reverse genetics techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9, are valuable for providing experimental evidence of a gene's function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shih-Che Weng, Yu-Xian Zhou, Shin-Hong Shiao
Summary: This study developed a novel antiviral approach using a virus-inducible gene expression system to block the replication and transmission of dengue virus and Zika virus. The system successfully inhibited viral replication and production of infectious virus particles both in vitro and in mosquitoes.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hernan H. M. da Costa, Monica Bielavsky, Diego J. B. Orts, Sergio Araujo, Patricia P. Adriani, Juliana S. Nogueira, Renato M. Astray, Ramendra P. Pandey, Marcelo Lancellotti, Jair P. Cunha-Junior, Carlos R. Prudencio
Summary: This study successfully obtained a bioactive and functional recombinant envelope protein from Zika Virus (rEZIKV) using an E. coli expression system and an automated fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) protocol. The use of an airlift bioreactor for the production of rEZIKV showed great potential for ZIKV vaccine development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jiahui Lin, Yuehua Li, Liangpeng Lyu, Qianqian Wang, Hui Zhang, Bo Ni, Fuxiao Liu
Summary: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a newly emerging tick-borne zoonosis with no available vaccine. Two recombinant canine distemper viruses (rCDVs) were constructed using reverse genetics technique, one of which showed a mutation in the Gc gene. Further research is needed to determine if these recombinants can induce specific immune responses in vivo.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Fuxiao Liu, Jiahui Lin, Qianqian Wang, Hu Shan
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has spread globally, with farmed minks being infected frequently. A recombinant CDV expressing SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit shows potential as a vaccine candidate for mink infections.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Melle Holwerda, Laura Laloli, Manon Wider, Lutz Schoenecker, Jens Becker, Mireille Meylan, Ronald Dijkman
Summary: Researchers successfully established a reverse genetic system from a contemporary bovine IDV isolate, which can be used for identification and characterization of viral determinants influencing the broad host tropism of IDV.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maren de Vries, Grace O. Ciabattoni, Bruno A. Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Keaton M. Crosse, Dominick Papandrea, Marie I. Samanovic, Dacia Dimartino, Christian Marier, Mark J. Mulligan, Adriana Heguy, Ludovic Desvignes, Ralf Duerr, Meike Dittmann
Summary: The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 into multiple variants poses a challenge in the fight against COVID-19. Research groups have developed a rigorous pipeline to isolate and study these variants, ensuring their validity and reproducibility. The pipeline includes stages such as cell maintenance, isolation of the virus from clinical samples, purification of virus clones, deep-sequencing of the virus genome, and amplification of selected clones.
Article
Virology
Vishwanatha R. A. P. Reddy, Salik Nazki, Andrew J. Brodrick, Amin Asfor, Joanna Urbaniec, Yasmin Morris, Andrew J. Broadbent
Summary: There is a need to evaluate the ability of vaccines to neutralize diverse IBDV genogroups and to better understand the relationship between HVR sequence, structure, and antigenicity. Here, we used a chicken B-cell line to rescue a panel of chimeric IBDVs with the HVR from seven diverse IBDV field strains and to conduct neutralization assays and protein modeling. Our novel chicken B-cell rescue system and neutralization assay can be used to screen IBDV vaccine candidates, platforms, and regimens for the breadth of neutralizing antibody responses elicited, evaluate the antigenic relatedness of diverse IBDV strains, and when coupled with structural modeling, elucidate immunodominant and conserved epitopes to strategically design novel IBDV vaccines in the future.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Haruhiko Kamiki, Shin Murakami, Takashi Nishikaze, Takahiro Hiono, Manabu Igarashi, Yuki Furuse, Hiromichi Matsugo, Hiroho Ishida, Misa Katayama, Wataru Sekine, Yasushi Muraki, Masateru Takahashi, Akiko Takenaka-Uema, Taisuke Horimoto
Summary: In this study, a novel system using genetically engineered MDCK cells with knocked out sialic acid receptors was established to evaluate the receptor tropism for influenza A viruses. The system revealed unique receptor tropism that conventional solid-phase binding assays failed to detect. This system can be useful for exploring sialic acid-independent entry mechanisms and identifying mutations required for avian influenza viruses to adapt to human cells.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
April N. McDougal, Dana Elhassani, Mary Ann DeMaet, Shirley Shores, Kenneth S. Plante, Jessica A. Plante, Richard Pyles, Scott C. Weaver, Natalie Williams-Bouyer, Brenda J. Tyler, Hollie R. Davis, Janak Patel
Summary: Investigation of a COVID-19 outbreak among operating room staff found complacency in infection control practices during peak transmission, leading to staff-to-staff transmission. Prompt identification of the outbreak and interventions allowed for uninterrupted surgical service.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Liu, Jianying Liu, Kenneth S. Plante, Jessica A. Plante, Xuping Xie, Xianwen Zhang, Zhiqiang Ku, Zhiqiang An, Dionna Scharton, Craig Schindewolf, Steven G. Widen, Vineet D. Menachery, Pei-Yong Shi, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: The B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha) of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in the UK in the summer of 2020, with 19 mutations including N501Y which is a major determinant of increased transmission. The N501Y substitution increased viral transmission by enhancing the spike protein's affinity for cellular receptors, making it an adaptive spike mutation of concern.
Article
Microbiology
Bryan A. A. Johnson, Yiyang Zhou, Kumari G. G. Lokugamage, Michelle N. N. Vu, Nathen Bopp, Patricia A. A. Crocquet-Valdes, Birte Kalveram, Craig Schindewolf, Yang Liu, Dionna Scharton, Jessica A. A. Plante, Xuping Xie, Patricia Aguilar, Scott C. C. Weaver, Pei-Yong Shi, David H. H. Walker, Andrew L. L. Routh, Kenneth S. S. Plante, Vineet D. D. Menachery
Summary: This study reveals the significance of genetic variation outside of the spike gene in the adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 for human infection. The R203K+G204R mutation in the nucleocapsid protein enhances virus replication, fitness, and pathogenesis by increasing viral RNA and protein production. Importantly, this mutation also leads to nucleocapsid phosphorylation and resistance to GSK-3 kinase inhibition, providing a molecular basis for increased virus replication. Similar alanine substitutions at positions 203+204 also enhance SARS-CoV-2 replication and phosphorylation, suggesting that disrupting the ancestral 'RG' motif enhances infection.
Article
Immunology
Yan Fang, Pengcheng Sun, Xuping Xie, Mingjian Du, Fenghe Du, Jianfeng Ye, Birte K. Kalveram, Jessica A. Plante, Kenneth S. Plante, Bo Li, Xiao-chen Bai, Pei-Yong Shi, Zhijian J. Chen
Summary: The study utilized LIBRA-seq technology to identify an antibody, SW186, that exhibits broad neutralizing activity against various SARS-CoV-2 variants. The cryo-EM structure analysis revealed that SW186 targets a conserved epitope on the receptor binding domain of the viral spike protein. In mouse models, administration of SW186 significantly reduced viral loads in the lungs.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Divya P. Shinde, Jessica A. Plante, Kenneth S. Plante, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: This review discusses the roles of animal models and arthropod vector studies in understanding the epidemic emergence of yellow fever virus (YFV). YFV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and South America, causing an estimated 30,000 deaths annually. Despite a highly successful vaccine, coverage is incomplete, and there is no approved treatment for YFV infection.
Article
Cell Biology
Renee L. Hajnik, Jessica A. Plante, Yuejin Liang, Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Jinyi Tang, Srinivasa Reddy Bonam, Chaojie Zhong, Awadalkareem Adam, Dionna Scharton, Grace H. Rafael, Yang Liu, Nicholas C. Hazell, Jiaren Sun, Lynn Soong, Pei-Yong Shi, Tian Wang, David H. Walker, Jie Sun, Drew Weissman, Scott C. Weaver, Kenneth S. Plante, Haitao Hu
Summary: This study reports a nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine expressing the viral nucleoprotein, which shows modest control of SARS-CoV-2 when administered alone. However, combining this vaccine with a clinically proven mRNA vaccine expressing the spike protein induces robust protection against both Delta and Omicron variants.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Jessica A. Plante, Rafael R. G. Machado, Brooke M. Mitchell, Divya P. Shinde, Jordyn Walker, Dionna Scharton, Allan McConnell, Nehad Saada, Jianying Liu, Bilal Khan, Rafael K. Campos, Bryan A. Johnson, Vineet D. Menachery, Corri B. Levine, Ping Ren, Susan L. F. McLellan, Kenneth S. Plante, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 can cause breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals. Vaccination reduces the infectious viral load and increases the levels of anti-spike IgA in the nasal secretions of asymptomatic individuals infected with the Delta variant.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Liu, Xianwen Zhang, Jianying Liu, Hongjie Xia, Jing Zou, Antonio E. Muruato, Sivakumar Periasamy, Chaitanya Kurhade, Jessica A. Plante, Nathen E. Bopp, Birte Kalveram, Alexander Bukreyev, Ping Ren, Tian Wang, Vineet D. Menachery, Kenneth S. Plante, Xuping Xie, Scott C. Weaver, Pei-Yong Shi
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Craig Schindewolf, Kumari Lokugamage, Michelle N. Vu, Bryan A. Johnson, Dionna Scharton, Jessica A. Plante, Birte Kalveram, Patricia A. Crocquet-Valdes, Stephanea Sotcheff, Elizabeth Jaworski, Rojelio E. Alvarado, Kari Debbink, Matthew D. Daugherty, Scott C. Weaver, Andrew L. Routh, David H. Walker, Kenneth S. Plante, Vineet D. Menachery
Summary: Understanding the role of NSP16 in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis, this study demonstrates the attenuation of a NSP16 mutant both in vitro and in vivo, as well as its sensitivity to IFN-I. Silencing IFIT1 or IFIT3 partially restores the mutant's fitness. Furthermore, targeting NSP16 with a MTase inhibitor enhances the virus' sensitivity to IFN-I. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of NSP16 in immune evasion and suggest a potential target for antiviral development.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jessica A. Plante, Kenneth S. Plante, Vsevolod L. Popov, Divya P. Shinde, Steven G. Widen, Michaela Buenemann, Mauricio L. Nogueira, Nikos Vasilakis
Summary: Ilheus virus (ILHV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus found in Central and South America and the Caribbean. It can be detected in various mosquito genera and is primarily transmitted by birds. The genetic and morphological characterization of ten ILHV strains revealed conservation in the untranslated regions but divergence within the open reading frame, indicating a typical flavivirus structure and organization. This research lays the groundwork for further studies on ILHV's transmission cycles, pathogenicity, and potential emergence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rafael R. G. Machado, Jordyn L. Walker, Dionna Scharton, Grace H. Rafael, Brooke M. Mitchell, Rachel A. Reyna, William M. de Souza, Jianying Liu, David H. Walker, Jessica A. Plante, Kenneth S. Plante, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: Analyzing immunity to and efficacy of various COVID-19 vaccination regimens in Syrian hamsters, the authors found that heterologous boosting provides more durable immunity and that NVX-CoV2373 provides the strongest boosting effect.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rachel A. Reyna, Jordyn Walker, Brooke Mitchell, Divya P. Shinde, Jessica A. Plante, Scott C. Weaver, Kenneth S. Plante
Summary: Anosmia, a common consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, is correlated with disease severity. Different variants of the virus can cause significant loss of smell, and vaccination does not prevent anosmia but can protect against severe disease.