Article
Immunology
Sara R. R. Moore, Smrithi S. S. Menon, Neeti S. S. Galwankar, Sadik A. A. Khuder, Michael K. K. Pangburn, Viviana P. P. Ferreira
Summary: Properdin acts as a positive regulator of the complement pathway by stabilizing convertases. Neutrophils, the most abundant granulocytes, release Properdin with a different oligomer ratio compared to serum-derived Properdin, leading to lower function.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler N. Starr, Nadine Czudnochowski, Zhuoming Liu, Fabrizia Zatta, Young-Jun Park, Amin Addetia, Dora Pinto, Martina Beltramello, Patrick Hernandez, Allison J. Greaney, Roberta Marzi, William G. Glass, Ivy Zhang, Adam S. Dingens, John E. Bowen, M. Alejandra Tortorici, Alexandra C. Walls, Jason A. Wojcechowskyj, Anna De Marco, Laura E. Rosen, Jiayi Zhou, Martin Montiel-Ruiz, Hannah Kaiser, Josh R. Dillen, Heather Tucker, Jessica Bassi, Chiara Silacci-Fregni, Michael P. Housley, Julia di Iulio, Gloria Lombardo, Maria Agostini, Nicole Sprugasci, Katja Culap, Stefano Jaconi, Marcel Meury, Exequiel Dellota Jr, Rana Abdelnabi, Shi-Yan Caroline Foo, Elisabetta Cameroni, Spencer Stumpf, Tristan I. Croll, Jay C. Nix, Colin Havenar-Daughton, Luca Piccoli, Fabio Benigni, Johan Neyts, Amalio Telenti, Florian A. Lempp, Matteo S. Pizzuto, John D. Chodera, Christy M. Hebner, Herbert W. Virgin, Sean P. J. Whelan, David Veesler, Davide Corti, Jesse D. Bloom, Gyorgy Snell
Summary: An ideal therapeutic anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody should have resistance to viral escape, activity against diverse sarbecoviruses, and provide high protection through viral neutralization and effector functions. Studies have found a trade-off between in vitro neutralization potency and breadth of sarbecovirus binding in SARS-CoV-2 antibodies targeting the RBD, but identified some antibodies with exceptional sarbecovirus breadth and resistance to SARS-CoV-2 escape.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ester Lopez, Ebene R. Haycroft, Amy Adair, Francesca L. Mordant, Matthew T. O'Neill, Phillip Pymm, Samuel J. Redmond, Wen Shi Lee, Nicholas A. Gherardin, Adam K. Wheatley, Jennifer A. Juno, Kevin J. Selva, Samantha K. Davis, Samantha L. Grimley, Leigh Harty, Damian F. J. Purcell, Kanta Subbarao, Dale Godfrey, Stephen J. Kent, Wai-Hong Tham, Amy W. Chung
Summary: This study introduces a new rapid multiplex assay for measuring SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that can evaluate multiple RBD natural variants, filling a major gap in SARS-CoV-2 research and providing a method for selecting complementary monoclonal antibody candidates and rapidly identifying immune escape to emerging RBD variants following vaccination or natural infection.
Article
Virology
Wei-Ting Hsu, Chia-Yu Chang, Chih-Hsuan Tsai, Sung-Chan Wei, Huei-Ru Lo, Robert John S. Lamis, Hui-Wen Chang, Yu-Chan Chao
Summary: The study focused on using a recombinant baculovirus expressing the full-length spike protein of a virulent PEDV strain for serological studies. It was found that most spike-specific antibodies in infected pigs are conformation-specific. The newly developed cell-based ELISA showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting PEDV, making it a convenient method for identifying conformation-specific antibodies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazue Takahashi, Nirmal K. Banda, V. Michael Holers, Elizabeth M. Van Cott
Summary: Serine proteases play crucial roles in innate immunity, with involvement in both the coagulation and complement pathways. Recent studies have revealed thrombin-like activity in complement component factor B and its close relationship with Limulus clotting factor C, providing new insights for disease research.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andres Tapia del Fierro, Bianca den Hamer, Natalia Benetti, Natasha Jansz, Kelan Chen, Tamara Beck, Hannah Vanyai, Alexandra D. Gurzau, Lucia Daxinger, Shifeng Xue, Thanh Thao Nguyen Ly, Iromi Wanigasuriya, Megan Iminitoff, Kelsey Breslin, Harald Oey, Yvonne D. Krom, Dinja van der Hoorn, Linde F. Bouwman, Timothy M. Johanson, Matthew E. Ritchie, Quentin A. Gouil, Bruno Reversade, Fabrice Prin, Timothy Mohun, Silvere M. van der Maarel, Edwina Mcglinn, James M. Murphy, Andrew Keniry, Jessica C. de Greef, Marnie E. Blewitt
Summary: This study reveals a novel mutation in the chromatin protein SMCHD1 that enhances its gene silencing capacity while depleting chromatin interactions, suggesting these functions are unlinked.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanwen Chen, Travis B. Lear, John W. Evankovich, Mads B. Larsen, Bo Lin, Irene Alfaras, Jason R. Kennerdell, Laura Salminen, Daniel P. Camarco, Karina C. Lockwood, Ferhan Tuncer, Jie Liu, Michael M. Myerburg, John F. McDyer, Yuan Liu, Toren Finkel, Bill B. Chen
Summary: The research identified homoharringtonine and halofuginone as potential drugs to reduce TMPRSS2 expression, leading to decreased entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells and increased resistance to infection.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Trine Lisberg Toft-Bertelsen, Mads Gravers Jeppesen, Eva Tzortzini, Kai Xue, Karin Giller, Stefan Becker, Amer Mujezinovic, Bo Hjorth Bentzen, Loren B. Andreas, Antonios Kolocouris, Thomas Nitschke Kledal, Mette Marie Rosenkilde
Summary: The study demonstrates the potential of repurposed drugs like amantadine in treating SARS-CoV-2 by blocking ion channels crucial for the virus. The discovery of new viroporins in SARS-CoV-2 suggests novel targets for drug intervention in COVID-19. This highlights the promising effects of well-known ion channel blockers and supports the use of amantadine as an effective treatment option for COVID-19.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Raki Sudan, Sandra Fernandes, Neetu Srivastava, Chiara Pedicone, Shea T. Meyer, John D. Chisholm, Robert W. Engelman, William G. Kerr
Summary: Humans with LRBA mutations exhibit immune-related pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease. LRBA deficiency in mice leads to severe and lethal colitis when the colon epithelial barrier is disrupted by DSS consumption. LRBA is essential for the expression of CTLA4, IL22, and IL17 in the immune compartment. SHIP1 agonism partially attenuates the severity and lethality of DSS-mediated colitis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Kerry S. Campbell
Summary: This article is a commentary on a pivotal article written by H. Arase et al. and published in Science in 2002, discussing the direct recognition of cytomegalovirus by activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiao Li, Mengyao Liu, Yuhan Liu, Wenyuan Zhao, Sipeng Li, Wenbo Liu, Chunhua Lin, Weiguo Miao
Summary: A putative powdery mildew effector, EqCSEP04187, has been identified in this study, which can elicit defense responses in model plants and a host plant, improving plant resistance against powdery mildew fungi.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Overduin, Anh Tran, Dominic M. Eekels, Finn Overduin, Troy A. Kervin
Summary: Transmembrane membrane readers (TMMRs) are a class of proteins that have both transmembrane and peripheral domains, playing important roles in membrane fusion and signal recognition. They have crucial functions in cell biology and membrane trafficking, and are considered as drug targets for diseases like COVID-19.
Article
Immunology
Sergio Navas-Yuste, Karla de la Paz, Javier Querol-Garcia, Sara Gomez-Quevedo, Santiago Rodriguez de Cordoba, Francisco J. J. Fernandez, M. Cristina Vega
Summary: Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira interrogans, is a zoonotic disease that affects both animals and humans. Through various immune evasive mechanisms, such as targeting the complement system, L. interrogans can enhance its infectivity and avoid detection by the host's immune system. In this study, the crystal structure of L. interrogans GAPDH was solved, and it was found that two natural products, anacardic acid and curcumin, can inhibit the enzyme at micromolar concentrations. Furthermore, the interaction between L. interrogans GAPDH and C5a, a component of the innate immune system, was demonstrated.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Viviane Tran, Sarah Nahle, Amelie Robert, Ines Desanlis, Ryan Killoran, Sophie Ehresmann, Marie-Pier Thibault, David Barford, Kodi S. Ravichandran, Martin Sauvageau, Matthew J. Smith, Marie Kmita, Jean-Francois Cote
Summary: Myoblast fusion is essential for development of multinucleated myofibers. Expression of an open conformation of Elmo2 promotes myoblast fusion and has the potential to improve muscle diseases.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pooja Badhwar, Sabab Hasan Khan, Bhupesh Taneja
Summary: Oligoribonucleases (Orns) play a critical role in the degradation of cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) in bacteria. This study presents the crystal structure of a unique Orn, MSMEG_4724, from Mycobacterium smegmatis. The extended C-terminal tail of MSMEG_4724 is found to enhance dimerization and increase stability of the enzyme, while also modulating the response to stress agents in vivo. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the signaling and regulation by c-di-GMP in mycobacteria.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Hui Chen, Zhao Li, Sheng Feng, Melissa Richard-Greenblatt, Emily Hutson, Stefen Andrianus, Laurel J. Glaser, Kyle G. Rodino, Jianing Qian, Dinesh Jayaraman, Ronald G. Collman, Abigail Glascock, Frederic D. Bushman, Jae Seung Lee, Sara Cherry, Alejandra Fausto, Susan R. Weiss, Hyun Koo, Patricia M. Corby, Alfonso Oceguera, Una O'Doherty, Alfred L. Garfall, Dan T. Vogl, Edward A. Stadtmauer, Ping Wang
Summary: The study developed a high-sensitivity SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection assay to track antigen burden in respiratory samples from different populations. Results showed that the assay accurately detects acute infections, with different outcomes observed in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, making it useful for screening and monitoring patients' antigen burden.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jillian N. Whelan, Nicholas A. Parenti, Joshua Hatterschide, David M. Renner, Yize Li, Hanako M. Reyes, Beihua Dong, Erick R. Perez, Robert H. Silverman, Susan R. Weiss
Summary: The study found that an inactive form of RNase L promotes infectious virus production during ZIKV infection by supporting assembly of ZIKV replication factories and interacting with the cytoskeleton. This role is not a general feature of all flavivirus infections, as inactive RNase L did not improve virus production during DENV or West Nile Kunjin virus infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Arturo Casadevall, Susan R. Weiss, Michael J. Imperiale
Summary: The origins of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are being debated between a natural and a lab accident hypothesis, and while science can provide important information, it may not offer a definitive answer.
Article
Microbiology
Abhishek Asthana, Christina Gaughan, Beihua Dong, Susan R. Weiss, Robert H. Silverman
Summary: The 2',5'-PEs are metal ion-independent enzymes that cleave 2-5A, helping viruses escape immune responses. These enzymes specifically degrade 2',5'-oligoadenylate activators of the antiviral enzyme RNase L.
Editorial Material
Substance Abuse
Susan R. B. Weiss, Nora D. Volkow
Editorial Material
Psychology, Developmental
Elizabeth A. Hoffman, Kimberly LeBlanc, Susan R. B. Weiss, Gayathri J. Dowling
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander M. Price, Robert T. Steinbock, Chao Di, Katharina E. Hayer, Yize Li, Christin Herrmann, Nicholas A. Parenti, Jillian N. Whelan, Susan R. Weiss, Matthew D. Weitzman
Summary: It is discovered that DNA viruses do not produce detectable levels of dsRNA during infection, contrary to previous beliefs. However, when infected with DNA virus mutants defective for viral RNA processing, cells show abundant dsRNA within the nucleus. DNA viruses actively limit dsRNA formation by promoting efficient splicing and mRNA processing to escape detection and restriction by host innate immune sensors of pathogenic nucleic acids.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Virology
Olivia C. Lenz, Andrew D. Marques, Brendan J. Kelly, Kyle G. Rodino, Stephen D. Cole, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, Susan R. Weiss, Frederic D. Bushman, Elizabeth M. Lennon
Summary: This study detected and sequenced a SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in fecal samples from a domestic house cat previously exposed to a SARS-CoV-2 positive owner. The results reveal the ongoing spillover infections of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and emphasize the importance of collecting fecal samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in animals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Courtney E. Comar, Clayton J. Otter, Jessica Pfannenstiel, Ethan Doerger, David M. Renner, Li Hui Tan, Stanley Perlman, Noam A. Cohen, Anthony R. Fehr, Susan R. Weiss
Summary: MERS-CoV optimizes its replication by suppressing early innate immune pathways, including interferon production and signaling, through the actions of endoribonuclease (EndoU) and accessory proteins NS4a and NS4b.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Virology
Bradley S. Hollidge, Mary-Virginia Salzano, John M. Ibrahim, Jonathan W. Fraser, Valentina Wagner, Nicole E. Leitner, Susan R. Weiss, Friedemann Weber, Francisco Gonzalez-Scarano, Samantha S. Soldan
Summary: La Crosse virus (LACV) is a common pathogen in the United States that causes encephalitis and meningitis. The Gc glycoprotein of LACV plays a crucial role in the neuropathogenesis of encephalitis. The fusion peptide is identified as a determinant of neuroinvasion, but not neurovirulence. Targeting mutations in the fusion peptide could be a potential strategy for live-attenuated virus vaccines.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John Kee, Samuel Thudium, David M. Renner, Karl Glastad, Katherine Palozola, Zhen Zhang, Yize Li, Yemin Lan, Joseph Cesare, Andrey Poleshko, Anna A. Kiseleva, Rachel Truitt, Fabian L. Cardenas-Diaz, Xianwen Zhang, Xuping Xie, Darrell N. Kotton, Konstantinos D. Alysandratos, Johnathan A. Epstein, Pei-Yong Shi, Wenli Yang, Edward Morrisey, Benjamin A. Garcia, Shelley L. Berger, Susan R. Weiss, Erica Korb
Summary: Research reveals that the ORF8 protein of SARS-CoV-2 functions as a mimic of histone H3, disrupting the epigenetic regulation of host cells. This finding provides insight into how SARS-CoV-2 controls host cell epigenome and sheds light on the association between the absence of ORF8 and decreased severity of COVID-19.
Article
Microbiology
Long C. Nguyen, David M. Renner, Diane Silva, Dongbo Yang, Nicholas Parenti, Kaeri M. Medina, Vlad Nicolaescu, Haley Gula, Nir Drayman, Andrea Valdespino, Adil Mohamed, Christopher Dann, Kristin Wannemo, Lydia Robinson-Mailman, Alan Gonzalez, Leticia Stock, Mengrui Cao, Zeyu Qiao, Raymond E. Moellering, Savas Tay, Glenn Randall, Michael F. Beers, Marsha Rich Rosner, Scott A. Oakes, Susan R. Weiss
Summary: This study focused on the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha) pathway, which is part of the host unfolded protein response to virus-induced stress. The researchers found that while MERS-CoV and HCoV-OC43 fully activate the IRE1 alpha kinase and RNase activities, SARS-CoV-2 only partially activates IRE1 alpha, promoting its kinase activity but not RNase activity. Based on changes in IRE1 alpha-dependent gene expression during infection, the study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 inhibits the RNase activation of IRE1 alpha as a strategy to evade detection by the host immune system.
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
Kandace Gollomp, Irina Chernysh, Anh T. P. Ngo, Nathan Levine, Sergey Zaytsev, Veronica Bochenek, Lubica Rauova, Nicholas Parenti, Susan R. Weiss, John W. Weisel, Douglas B. Cines, Mortimer Poncz
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clayton J. Otter, Alejandra Fausto, Li Hui Tan, Alisha S. Khosla, Noam A. Cohen, Susan R. Weiss
Summary: This study compares the replication and cytotoxicity of several coronaviruses in human nasal epithelial cells. The results show that different viruses have different replication abilities and cytotoxic effects, and the status of nasal epithelial cells (such as asthma inflammation) also affects the availability of viral receptors and replication.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Scott Sherrill-Mix, Young Hwang, Aoife M. Roche, Abigail Glascock, Susan R. Weiss, Yize Li, Leila Haddad, Peter Deraska, Caitlin Monahan, Andrew Kromer, Jevon Graham-Wooten, Louis J. Taylor, Benjamin S. Abella, Arupa Ganguly, Ronald G. Collman, Gregory D. Van Duyne, Frederic D. Bushman
Summary: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has created a need for fast and affordable diagnostic assays. The RT-LAMP method, using molecular beacons for sequence-specific detection, provides an alternative to RT-PCR with potential cost savings. Implementation of LAMP-BEAC assay has allowed robust screening of thousands of saliva samples per week, showing good concordance with RT-qPCR on clinical samples.