Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francisco J. Salguero, Andrew D. White, Gillian S. Slack, Susan A. Fotheringham, Kevin R. Bewley, Karen E. Gooch, Stephanie Longet, Holly E. Humphries, Robert J. Watson, Laura Hunter, Kathryn A. Ryan, Yper Hall, Laura Sibley, Charlotte Sarfas, Lauren Allen, Marilyn Aram, Emily Brunt, Phillip Brown, Karen R. Buttigieg, Breeze E. Cavell, Rebecca Cobb, Naomi S. Coombes, Alistair Darby, Owen Daykin-Pont, Michael J. Elmore, Isabel Garcia-Dorival, Konstantinos Gkolfinos, Kerry J. Godwin, Jade Gouriet, Rachel Halkerston, Debbie J. Harris, Thomas Hender, Catherine M. K. Ho, Chelsea L. Kennard, Daniel Knott, Stephanie Leung, Vanessa Lucas, Adam Mabbutt, Alexandra L. Morrison, Charlotte Nelson, Didier Ngabo, Jemma Paterson, Elizabeth J. Penn, Steve Pullan, Irene Taylor, Tom Tipton, Stephen Thomas, Julia A. Tree, Carrie Turner, Edith Vamos, Nadina Wand, Nathan R. Wiblin, Sue Charlton, Xiaofeng Dong, Bassam Hallis, Geoffrey Pearson, Emma L. Rayner, Andrew G. Nicholson, Simon G. Funnell, Julian A. Hiscox, Mike J. Dennis, Fergus Gleeson, Sally Sharpe, Miles W. Carroll
Summary: This study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 replicates in the upper and lower respiratory tract of both rhesus and cynomolgus macaques, causing pulmonary lesions. Immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are similar in both species, suggesting that both macaque species authentically represent mild to moderate forms of COVID-19. The findings provide valuable insights for evaluating interventions against SARS-CoV-2.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Bin Li, Huanyu Wang, Guodong Liang
Summary: The Getah virus is a zoonotic virus transmitted by mosquitoes, and its distribution has expanded from the South Pacific region to northern latitudes in the 21st century. This virus has evolved genetically and can infect various species of mosquitoes and animals. The number of disease outbreaks caused by Getah virus in animals has been increasing, and its burden and economic impact on livestock production remain underestimated. This review provides valuable information for public health workers involved in Getah virus research and zoonotic disease prevention and control.
Article
Virology
Dae-Gyun Ahn, Gun Young Yoon, Sunhee Lee, Keun Bon Ku, Chonsaeng Kim, Kyun-Do Kim, Young-Chan Kwon, Geon-Woo Kim, Bum-Tae Kim, Seong-Jun Kim
Summary: Recent outbreaks of zoonotic coronaviruses, such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, have caused significant casualties and economic shock. A novel compound, KCB261770, has been identified to effectively inhibit MERS-CoV frameshifting, showing potential as a drug candidate for interfering with pan-coronavirus frameshifting.
Review
Cell Biology
Jin Tian, Jiumeng Sun, Dongyan Li, Ningning Wang, Lifang Wang, Chang Zhang, Xiaorong Meng, Xiang Ji, Marc A. Suchard, Xu Zhang, Alexander Lai, Shuo Su, Michael Veit
Summary: This article mainly introduces the taxonomy, geographic distribution, and unique traits of bats as virus reservoirs, as well as the origin, intermediate hosts, and interspecies transmission mechanisms of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and other viruses associated with bats. The molecular interactions between viral surface proteins and host cell receptors are also studied, comparing these interactions in humans, intermediate hosts, and bats.
Review
Immunology
Falguni Debnath, Debjit Chakraborty, Alok Kumar Deb, Malay Kumar Saha, Shanta Dutta
Summary: Increased human-animal interfaces pose threats to human life by facilitating the emergence and resurgence of infectious diseases. Factors such as rapid deforestation, blurred boundaries between humans and animals, and increasing demands for wildlife products contribute to heightened human-animal conflict and contact.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Virology
Ray T. Y. So, Daniel K. W. Chu, Kenrie P. Y. Hui, Chris K. P. Mok, Marcus H. H. Shum, Sumana Sanyal, John M. Nicholls, John C. W. Ho, Man-chun Cheung, Ka-chun Ng, Hin-Wo Yeung, Michael C. W. Chan, Leo L. M. Poon, Jincun Zhao, Tommy T. Y. Lam, Malik Peiris
Summary: This study identified an amino acid substitution (nsp6 L232F) in clade B MERS-CoV that is more common in human infections and confers higher replication ability in the human respiratory tract. This mutation is associated with the transmission of the virus from camels to humans, highlighting the importance of MERS-CoV as a zoonotic threat and the need for continued surveillance in camels and humans.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Maryam Shafaati, Milad Zandi
Summary: The non-endemic monkeypox outbreak in 2022 is the largest outside of Africa in recorded history. Monkeypox, as an emerging zoonotic disease, has shown an increasing trend in human outbreaks. With the discontinuation of the smallpox vaccination globally for more than 40 years, vulnerable populations have become more susceptible to monkeypox viral infection. The monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the orthopoxvirus family, has demonstrated the potential for rapid adaptation in humans, necessitating further study. The discovery of MPXV cases in non-endemic countries without prior travel to endemic regions has raised global health concerns.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Young-Hee Jin, Sangeun Jeon, Jihye Lee, Seungtaek Kim, Min Seong Jang, Chul Min Park, Jong Hwan Song, Hyoung Rae Kim, Sunoh Kwon
Summary: This study assessed the antiviral properties of cardiotonic steroids against different coronaviruses, with bufalin showing high anti-MERS-CoV activity and the most potent anti-SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 activity. Telocinobufagin exhibited high antiviral activity and low toxicity in cell experiments, making it a potential therapeutic option for emerging coronavirus infections like COVID-19.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ali M. Alam
Summary: Nipah virus is an acute febrile illness that causes fatal encephalitis, endemic to southeast Asia and the western Pacific, primarily transmitted by fruit bats. With high case fatality rates and non-specific symptoms, the challenging diagnosis of Nipah virus highlights the importance of raising awareness about risk factors and clinical presentations to recognize and manage potential outbreaks in the UK.
Review
Immunology
Zhenyu Zhao, Kefeng Lu, Binli Mao, Shi Liu, Mirko Trilling, Ailong Huang, Mengji Lu, Yong Lin
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 is the third highly pathogenic emerging human coronavirus, causing the COVID-19 pandemic globally. Studies show that coronavirus infections may be related to autophagy, which could even promote viral infection and replication. It remains unclear how coronavirus infections induce autophagy and whether the autophagic machinery is essential for viral propagation.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maren Eggers, Ingeborg Schwebke, Miranda Suchomel, Valerie Fotheringham, Jurgen Gebel, Bernhard Meyer, Graziella Morace, Hans Joachim Roedger, Christine Roques, Pilar Visa, Katrin Steinhauer
Summary: When facing an emerging virus outbreak like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), rapid reaction is crucial for controlling spread. Preventive measures such as isolating cases, quarantining close contacts, and enhancing hygiene practices are important in reducing transmission risk. Additionally, using disinfectants with proven efficacy against outbreak viruses and following established standards for efficacy testing is essential for effective hygiene procedures to combat pandemics.
Review
Microbiology
Sina Salajegheh Tazerji, Roberto Nardini, Muhammad Safdar, Awad A. Shehata, Phelipe Magalhaes Duarte
Summary: Population growth and industrialization have led to a race for greater food and supply productivity, resulting in the occupation and population of forest areas, the trafficking and consumption of wildlife, pollution of water sources, and the accumulation of waste. These factors have accelerated deforestation in essential areas, posing a substantial threat to the global community.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer Cable, Anthony Fauci, William E. Dowling, Stephan Guenther, Dennis A. Bente, Pragya Dhruv Yadav, Lawrence C. Madoff, Lin-Fa Wang, Rahul K. Arora, Maria Van Kerkhove, May C. Chu, Thomas Jaenisch, Jonathan H. Epstein, Simon David William Frost, Daniel G. Bausch, Lisa E. Hensley, Eric Bergeron, Ioannis Sitaras, Michael D. Gunn, Thomas W. Geisbert, Cesar Munoz-Fontela, Florian Krammer, Emmie de Wit, Pontus Nordenfelt, Erica Ollmann Saphire, Sarah C. Gilbert, Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Luis M. Branco, Sylvain Baize, Neeltje van Doremalen, Marco A. Krieger, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Renske Hesselink, Dan Hartman
Summary: The importance of maintaining and strengthening investments in infrastructure, collaborations, laboratory and manufacturing capacity, diagnostics, etc. during the COVID-19 pandemic to enable quick, concerted responses to future threats, especially to zoonotic pathogens, was emphasized during a symposium gathering researchers from various sectors.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek, Ljubo Barbic, Anna Mrzljak, Dragan Brnic, Ana Klobucar, Maja Ilic, Natasa Janev-Holcer, Maja Bogdanic, Lorena Jemersic, Vladimir Stevanovic, Irena Tabain, Stjepan Krcmar, Marko Vucelja, Jelena Prpic, Marko Boljfetic, Pavle Jelicic, Josip Madic, Ivana Ferencak, Vladimir Savic
Summary: Several emerging and neglected viruses of zoonotic importance have been detected in Croatia in recent years, including arboviruses, rodent-borne viruses, and food-borne viruses. Some of these viruses have already caused clinical cases, while others remain relatively neglected.
Review
Microbiology
Jasmine J. Han, Hannah A. Song, Sarah L. Pierson, Jane Shen-Gunther, Qingqing Xia
Summary: The recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had a significant impact on the global population, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and science-based decision making. The increase in international travel and global warming has led to more frequent outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging viral infectious diseases. The constant mutations and variations of the viruses pose challenges to vaccine efficacy, as well as diagnostic, therapeutic, and prevention strategies.
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shibo Jiang, Xiujuan Zhang, Lanying Du
EXPERT OPINION ON THERAPEUTIC TARGETS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Frank Gambino, Wanbo Tai, Denis Voronin, Yi Zhang, Xiujuan Zhang, Juan Shi, Xinyi Wang, Ning Wang, Lanying Du, Liang Qiao
Summary: The study found that a vaccine inducing specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes without specific antibodies greatly reduced viral titers in mice and protected fetuses from damage. CD8(+) CTLs play a crucial role in protection. This provides a new strategy for developing safe and effective vaccines against viral infections.
Review
Immunology
Lanying Du, Yang Yang, Xiujuan Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 proteins developed to date, with a focus on the N-terminal domain and RBD of the S protein. The roles of binding affinity, neutralizing activity, and protection provided by these nAbs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 are discussed, as well as the potential to improve nAb efficiency against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Qibin Geng, Wanbo Tai, Victoria K. Baxter, Juan Shi, Yushun Wan, Xiujuan Zhang, Stephanie A. Montgomery, Sharon A. Taft-Benz, Elizabeth J. Anderson, Audrey C. Knight, Kenneth H. Dinnon, Sarah R. Leist, Ralph S. Baric, Jian Shang, Sung-Wook Hong, Aleksandra Drelich, Chien-Te K. Tseng, Marc Jenkins, Mark Heise, Lanying Du, Fang Li
Summary: The development of a novel VLP-RBD vaccine has shown promising results in protecting mice from SARS-CoV-2 challenge and inducing long-lasting neutralizing immune responses. This vaccine combines the effectiveness of virus-based vaccines and the safety of protein-based vaccines, providing a potential solution to controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Biology
Gang Ye, Joseph Gallant, Jian Zheng, Christopher Massey, Ke Shi, Wanbo Tai, Abby Odle, Molly Vickers, Jian Shang, Yushun Wan, Lanying Du, Hideki Aihara, Stanley Perlman, Aaron LeBeau, Fang Li
Summary: Nanosota-1, a series of single-domain antibodies, has shown to effectively combat SARS-CoV-2 virus by binding to the receptor-binding domain, blocking viral receptor ACE2, and demonstrating preventive and therapeutic efficacy against live infection. Produced at high yields in bacteria and with exceptional thermostability, Nanosota-1 may potentially contribute to the battle against COVID-19 as an effective and inexpensive drug candidate.
Letter
Immunology
Wei Zhang, Linfen Huang, Gang Ye, Qibin Geng, Nwando Ikeogu, Morgan Harris, Gayathri Dileepan, Kristina Burrack, Lanying Du, Anne Frosch, Fang Li
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lanying Du, Yang Yang, Xiujuan Zhang, Fang Li
Summary: COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic and it is crucial to develop effective countermeasures against the virus and its variants. Nanotechnology plays a critical role in the rapid design and development of vaccines and therapeutics, with protein nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, and nanobodies being important components. This review article explores the roles of nanotechnology in battling COVID-19 and provides an overview of currently available nanotechnology-based vaccines and therapeutics.
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Wanbo Tai, Xiujuan Zhang, Yang Yang, Jiang Zhu, Lanying Du
Summary: This review provides an update on the currently developed MERS-CoV vaccines with a focus on the importance of the surface spike (S) protein as a key vaccine target. It also explores the approaches for designing MERS-CoV mRNA vaccines and the role of naturally occurring pseudo-nucleosides in the design of effective vaccines. The insights provided in this study can be applied to the development of mRNA vaccines against other viral pathogens.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Juan Shi, Jian Zheng, Xiujuan Zhang, Wanbo Tai, Abby E. Odle, Stanley Perlman, Lanying Du
Summary: The RBD-mRNA vaccine induces durable antibodies that neutralize various SARS-CoV-2 variants, providing potential protection. However, there is a slight reduction in neutralizing activity against certain variants. These findings highlight the importance of designing novel vaccines with improved neutralization against current and future variants.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yaning Gao, Wanbo Tai, Xinyi Wang, Shibo Jiang, Asim K. Debnath, Lanying Du, Shizhong Chen
Summary: The gossypol derivative ST087010 exhibits potent and broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against various strains of ZIKV and serotypes of DENV, with reduced cytotoxicity compared to gossypol. It provides broad-spectrum protection in vivo, decreasing viral titers in different tissues and preventing vertical transmission of ZIKV in pregnant mice. Moreover, it reduces viral titers in various organs and protects against viral replication in DENV-challenged mice. Overall, this gossypol derivative shows potential as an effective and safe broad-spectrum therapeutic agent for ZIKV and DENV diseases.
Article
Virology
Juan Shi, Jian Zheng, Wanbo Tai, Abhishek K. Verma, Xiujuan Zhang, Qibin Geng, Gang Wang, Xiaoqing Guan, Moffat M. Malisheni, Abby E. Odle, Wei Zhang, Fang Li, Stanley Perlman, Lanying Du
Summary: This study identified a non-neutralizing epitope on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and developed a mutant RBD vaccine with enhanced neutralizing activity against multiple variants, including Delta and Omicron strains. The mutant vaccine also improved the protective efficacy of the prototypic RBD vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Juan Shi, Gang Wang, Jian Zheng, Abhishek K. Verma, Xiaoqing Guan, Moffat M. Malisheni, Qibin Geng, Fang Li, Stanley Perlman, Lanying Du
Summary: This study evaluated the neutralizing activity and protection provided by a BA1-S subunit vaccine in combination with or as a booster dose after administration of wild-type S protein. The results showed that the vaccine elicited high levels of neutralizing antibodies and provided protection against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and related coronaviruses. This provides useful guidance for developing effective vaccines to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gang Wang, Juan Shi, Abhishek K. Verma, Xiaoqing Guan, Stanley Perlman, Lanying Du
Summary: The latest research shows that new vaccine strategies are needed to combat SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, particularly the Omicron subvariant. A vaccine encoding the spike protein of Omicron BA1 was designed and tested, and it was found that the strategy of administering BA1-S-mRNA followed by two doses of RBD-mRNA can effectively induce neutralizing antibodies against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Review
Immunology
Xiaoqing Guan, Yang Yang, Lanying Du
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant damage to both humans and the economy, and vaccination is crucial in controlling the spread of the virus. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the receptor-binding domain (RBD), is an important target for vaccines. This review discusses the structure and function of the spike protein and its RBD, current COVID-19 vaccines targeting the RBD, and potential strategies for improving RBD-based vaccines. The information provided in this review is important for the rational design and development of safer and more effective COVID-19 vaccines.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoqing Guan, Abhishek K. Verma, Gang Wang, Juan Shi, Stanley Perlman, Lanying Du
Summary: Intranasal delivery of a glycosylated Delta variant receptor-binding domain mucosal vaccine elicited potent systemic and mucosal antibody responses, protecting mice from lethal challenge. Additionally, combining intramuscular priming with intranasal boosting improved the vaccine's ability to generate neutralizing antibodies against recent Omicron variants.
