Article
Immunology
Anthony Bosco
Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Rhinovirus (RV) infections are major triggers of severe lower respiratory illnesses (sLRI) in infants and children and are strongly associated with the subsequent development of asthma. Recent findings highlight novel aspects of the interferon response in sLRI pathogenesis and provide new directions for mechanistic studies and drug development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Yulin Zhou, Jinhua Huang, Boxin Jin, Su He, Yongfang Dang, Tiejun Zhao, Zhigang Jin
Summary: The HH signaling pathway is crucial for developmental processes and tissue homeostasis, and dysregulation of this pathway can lead to developmental disorders and tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that viruses can exploit the HH signaling pathway to facilitate viral replication and pathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Gallo, Alyexandra Arienzo, Stefano Iacobelli, Valentina Iacobelli, Giovanni Antonini
Summary: Galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays an important role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and is upregulated in cancer and various viral infections. Studies have shown a direct correlation between circulating levels of Gal-3BP and the severity and progression of viral infections. Gal-3BP affects viral infections through various mechanisms, including inducing the expression of interferons and proinflammatory cytokines, as well as directly interacting with virus components.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Mohankumar Amirthalingam, Sundararaj Palanisamy, Shinkichi Tawata
Summary: PAKs are a group of kinases involved in a wide range of cellular functions and have been implicated as not only oncogenic but also aging kinases. Targeting PAKs could be a potential strategy for cancer therapy development with minimal side effects and promoting healthy longevity.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Md Mahadi Hasan, Xu-Dong Liu, Muhammed Waseem, Yao Guang-Qian, Nadiyah M. Alabdallah, Mohammad Shah Jahan, Xiang-Wen Fang
Summary: Members of the SnRK2 family are plant-specific serine or threonine kinases that play a crucial role in plants' response to abiotic stresses. They interact with the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) to regulate plant organ development. Recent research has shown the synergistic relationship between SnRK2 and ABA signaling in stress response.
PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Johanna Hol Fosse, Guttorm Haraldsen, Knut Falk, Reidunn Edelmann
Summary: The role of endothelial cells in COVID-19 and other viral infections is crucial, as they impact virus invasion and the body's immune response. The deterioration of endothelial function is closely related to the severity of the disease, highlighting the importance of studying how viruses modulate endothelial cell function.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Yan Wang, Fuzheng Guo
Summary: PAKs, particularly group I PAKs, play crucial roles in regulating cellular and molecular pathways that are important for myelin formation and repair in the central nervous system. De novo mutations in group I PAKs are frequently observed in children with neurodevelopmental defects and white matter anomalies. Despite regulating various aspects of neuronal development and function, the specific functions of group I PAKs in CNS myelination and remyelination remain incompletely understood.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Ana Rita Ferreira, Mariana Marques, Bruno Ramos, Jonathan C. Kagan, Daniela Ribeiro
Summary: Peroxisomes, essential subcellular organelles, play crucial roles in lipid and reactive oxygen species metabolism, and have recently been recognized as key players in viral infections. They are involved in both cellular antiviral response and proviral functions. Targeting peroxisome-related mechanisms may represent a promising strategy for the development of novel antiviral approaches in the future.
TRENDS IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Atefe Ghamar Talepoor, Mehrnoosh Doroudchi
Summary: Immune system aging and atherosclerosis share common drivers, such as inflammation and chronic viral infections. Several DNA and RNA viruses are stimulators of both immunosenescence and atherosclerosis. The newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 virus can induce immune aging and atherosclerosis, as well as cause inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Amos C. Lee, Yunjin Jeong, Sumin Lee, Haewook Jang, Allen Zheng, Sunghoon Kwon, John E. Repine
Summary: During the pandemic, IFN-beta has been identified as a potential prophylactic or early intervention for respiratory viral infections, providing an immediate intervention for new emerging viruses. IFN-beta prophylaxis has the potential to limit the spread and consequences of emerging respiratory viral infections in at-risk individuals while vaccines are being developed.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Simon Jasinski-Bergner, Dominik Schmiedel, Ofer Mandelboim, Barbara Seliger
Summary: This review provides a summary of the expression, regulation, function, and impact of HLA-G in the context of different viral infections, including virus-associated cancers. It emphasizes the potential use of HLA-G as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for viral infections, as well as a therapeutic target.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Chiara Agrati, Barbara Bartolini, Veronica Bordoni, Franco Locatelli, Maria Rosaria Capobianchi, Antonino Di Caro, Concetta Castilletti, Giuseppe Ippolito
Summary: The immune response to emerging viral pathogens and its impact on immunocompromised hosts is a critical topic that requires exploration. Understanding the immune response profile, clinical presentation, viral shedding, and the role of vaccination is essential in addressing the challenges posed by these infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Betsy Yang, Kuender D. Yang
Summary: Different emerging viral infections have distinct pathogenic mechanisms, and providing guidance on early intervention and identification of fatal mechanisms is essential for reducing transmission and mortality rates.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jian Feng, Wen Meng, Luping Chen, Xinquan Zhang, Ashley Markazi, Weiming Yuan, Yufei Huang, Shou-Jiang Gao
Summary: The study reveals that viral and bacterial infections enhance the degradation of DUSP1 transcript, activate p38 and JNK pathways, and promote the expression of innate immune response genes. This is achieved through the rapid increase of DUSP1 transcript and its N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) levels, as well as the involvement of the reader protein YTHDF2.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Igor Jose dos Santos Nascimento, Thiago Mendonca de Aquino, Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Junior
Summary: Viral diseases have caused numerous deaths globally, and drug repurposing is a fast and economically viable technique for finding new treatments for emerging viral diseases.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Yue Yin, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: Type III interferons play a crucial role in antiviral protection of mucosal epithelial barriers, particularly against herpesviruses. Current knowledge on the interaction of herpesviruses with type III interferons is limited to studies on herpes simplex virus.
Article
Virology
Sofie Denaeghel, Steffi De Pelsmaeker, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: This study shows that porcine cells infected with pseudorabies virus (PRV) undergo rapid and progressive downregulation of NKG2D ligands, including both existing and newly expressed ligands. This downregulation is independent of late viral gene expression and represents an additional NK evasion strategy utilized by PRV.
Article
Immunology
Leen Hermans, Steffi De Pelsmaeker, Sofie Denaeghel, Eric Cox, Herman W. Favoreel, Bert Devriendt
Summary: The study showed that beta-glucans enhance NK cell cytotoxicity in pigs by inducing IL-10 secretion from monocytes, leading to increased cytotoxicity in NK cells in PBMC. IL-10 plays a critical role in beta-glucan-triggered NK cell cytotoxicity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofiia Karchugina, Dorothy Benton, Jonathan Chernoff
Summary: This review focuses on the regulation of interactions among the three elements of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, particularly highlighting the effects of phosphorylation-regulated associations of MST1/2 with other proteins on Hippo pathway activity.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yue Yin, Nicolas Romero, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: This study reveals a novel evasion mechanism of type I and III interferons by alphaherpesviruses, in which the porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus triggers degradation of key Janus kinases Jak1 and Tyk2 to inhibit IFN signaling. This inhibition is not caused by incoming virions and does not depend on viral protein expression or genome replication.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Nicolas Romero, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The NF-kappa B pathway plays a crucial role in coordinating innate immune responses during infections. PRV infection triggers NF-kappa B activation via an inside-out nucleus-to-cytoplasm signal initiated by the DNA damage response. The virus actively inhibits NF-kappa B-dependent gene expression, potentially to counteract antiviral consequences of the DDR-NF-kappa B signaling axis.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Jonas L. Delva, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Wim Van den Broeck, Jochen A. Lamote, Nick Vereecke, Sebastiaan Theuns, Liesbeth Couck, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The PRV vaccine strain Bartha plays a critical role in eradicating the disease in many countries, but its interaction with host cells and the immune system remains poorly understood. Bartha-infected epithelial cells produce increased amounts of infectious virus, leading to pDC hyperactivation. This phenotype is caused by the deletion of genes encoding US2 and gE/gI.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Valerie Redant, Herman W. Favoreel, Kai Dallmeier, Willem Van Campe, Nick De Regge
Summary: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) causes a severe neurotropic disease in humans but only mild symptoms in pigs. JEV shows a specific affinity for the tonsils in pigs, acting as a reservoir for the virus. Although there is a limited antiviral response upon virus entry in the tonsils, it is not enough to stop JEV replication. Furthermore, JEV persistence in tonsils is associated with a decrease in the frequency of CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive T cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Virology
Nicolas Romero, Shelly M. Wuerzberger-Davis, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Robert J. Jansens, Alexander Tishchenko, Ruth Verhamme, Shigeki Miyamoto, Herman W. Favoreel
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Nicolas Romero, Shelly M. Wuerzberger-Davis, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Robert J. Jansens, Alexander Tishchenko, Ruth Verhamme, Shigeki Miyamoto, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The pseudorabies virus (PRV) inhibits host gene transcription and redirects cellular protein production towards viral proteins by recruiting essential host transcription factors in viral replication centers. This mechanism of PRV interferes with the production of host proteins involved in antiviral responses.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Robert J. J. Jansens, Ruth Verhamme, Aashiq H. Mirza, Anthony Olarerin-George, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Samie R. Jaffrey, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: Chemical modifications of mRNA, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), play a role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This study found that alphaherpesvirus kinases can trigger phosphorylation of components of the m6A methyltransferase complex, leading to its inhibition and a decrease in m6A levels in virus-infected cells. The viral US3 protein is responsible for this phosphorylation and inhibition, and while inactivation of the m6A methyltransferase complex is not necessary for virus replication, the m6A methylation motif is underrepresented in alphaherpesvirus genomes.
Article
Virology
Jonas L. Delva, Simon Daled, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Ruben Almey, Robert J. J. Jansens, Dieter Deforce, Maarten Dhaenens, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The attenuated strain Bartha of pseudorabies virus (PRV) created by serial passaging is a remarkable success in alphaherpesvirus vaccination. In this study, mass spectrometry was used to compare the Bartha virion composition with three established wild-type PRV strains. The results showed differences in protein packaging, size, and morphology between Bartha and wild-type PRV. The reduced incorporation of certain tegument proteins in Bartha virions may contribute to its immunogenicity.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alexander Tishchenko, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: Protein phosphorylation is crucial for understanding intracellular dynamics, and the proposed on-slide dephosphorylation assay coupled with immunofluorescence staining provides a fast and simple approach to validate phosphorylated proteins in their native subcellular context without the need for additional sample preparation steps, reducing analysis time and effort while minimizing the risk of protein loss or alteration.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Niels Vander Elst, Joni Bert, Herman Favoreel, Rob Lavigne, Evelyne Meyer, Yves Briers
Summary: Engineered endolysins have shown potential as add-on treatments for bovine streptococcal mastitis, with high bacteriolytic activity against antibiotic-resistant strains and the ability to eradicate biofilms and exhibit intracellular activity.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert J. J. Jansens, Anthony Olarerin-George, Ruth Verhamme, Aashiq Mirza, Samie Jaffrey, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: This study found that host transcripts containing the N6-methyladenosine nucleotide (m6A) are selectively downregulated during infection with certain viruses. The downregulation of m6A-methylated transcripts in PRV and HSV-1 infections depends on the YTHDF family of m6A-binding proteins, which localize to enlarged P-bodies. Knockdown of YTHDF proteins in primary cells reduces PRV protein expression and increases expression of antiviral interferon-stimulated genes, suggesting that virus-induced depletion of host m6A-containing transcripts constitutes an immune evasion strategy.
