Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Caroline Stein, Hasan Nassereldine, Reed J. D. Sorensen, Joanne Amlag, Catherine Bisignano, Sam Byrne, Emma Castro, Kaleb Coberly, James K. Collins, Jeremy Dalos, Farah Daoud, Amanda Deen, Emmanuela Gakidou, John R. Giles, Erin N. Hulland, Bethany M. Huntley, Kasey E. Kinzel, Rafael Lozano, Ali H. Mokdad, Tom Pham, David M. Pigott, Robert C. Reiner Jr, Theo Vos, Simon Hay, Christopher J. L. Murray, Stephen S. Lim
Summary: By conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, it was found that protection from past SARS-CoV-2 infection is high and remains high even after 40 weeks. Protection against symptomatic disease is high for ancestral, alpha, beta, and delta variants, but lower for the omicron BA.1 variant. Protection against severe disease remains high for all variants. The findings have important implications for predicting disease burden, vaccine policy, and travel restrictions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aurelien Sokal, Pascal Chappert, Giovanna Barba-Spaeth, Anais Roeser, Slim Fourati, Imane Azzaoui, Alexis Vandenberghe, Ignacio Fernandez, Annalisa Meola, Magali Bouvier-Alias, Etienne Crickx, Asma Beldi-Ferchiou, Sophie Hue, Laetitia Languille, Marc Michel, Samia Baloul, France Noizat-Pirenne, Marine Luka, Jerome Megret, Mickael Menager, Jean-Michel Pawlotsky, Simon Fillatreau, Felix A. Rey, Jean-Claude Weill, Claude-Agnes Reynaud, Matthieu Mahevas
Summary: Memory B cells play a crucial role in host defense against SARS-CoV-2, with distinct B cell clone responses to the virus contributing to long-lasting immune protection. The study also highlights the significance of somatic mutations in the variable region genes of memory B cells over time, indicating continued maturation and long-term immune memory post-infection.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ridhima Kaul, Pradipta Paul, Sanjay Kumar, Dietrich Buesselberg, Vivek Dhar Dwivedi, Ali Chaari
Summary: This review summarizes the activities and structure-activity relationships of flavonoids in combating SARS-CoV-2 from in vitro studies to clinical research. The study found that flavonoids such as quercetin and myricetin derivatives, baicalein, baicalin, EGCG, and tannic acid show promising activities against SARS-CoV-2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Thandeka Nkosi, Caroline Chasara, Andrea O. Papadopoulos, Tiza L. Nguni, Farina Karim, Mahomed-Yunus S. Moosa, Inbal Gazy, Kondwani Jambo, Willem Hanekom, Alex Sigal, Zaza M. Ndhlovu
Summary: Unsuppressed HIV infection severely impairs T cell responses to COVID-19 and diminishes T cell cross-recognition. This may partly explain the increased susceptibility of people living with HIV to severe COVID-19 and highlights their vulnerability to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xu-Rui Shen, Rong Geng, Qian Li, Ying Chen, Shu-Fen Li, Qi Wang, Juan Min, Yong Yang, Bei Li, Ren-Di Jiang, Xi Wang, Xiao-Shuang Zheng, Yan Zhu, Jing-Kun Jia, Xing-Lou Yang, Mei-Qin Liu, Qian-Chun Gong, Yu-Lan Zhang, Zhen-Qiong Guan, Hui-Ling Li, Zhen-Hua Zheng, Zheng-Li Shi, Hui-Lan Zhang, Ke Peng, Peng Zhou
Summary: This study confirmed that T cells can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 in a spike-ACE2-independent manner. This finding provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced lymphopenia in COVID-19 patients.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryuta Uraki, Maki Kiso, Shun Iida, Masaki Imai, Emi Takashita, Makoto Kuroda, Peter J. Halfmann, Samantha Loeber, Tadashi Maemura, Seiya Yamayoshi, Seiichiro Fujisaki, Zhongde Wang, Mutsumi Ito, Michiko Ujie, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Yuri Furusawa, Ryan Wright, Zhenlu Chong, Seiya Ozono, Atsuhiro Yasuhara, Hiroshi Ueki, Yuko Sakai-Tagawa, Rong Li, Yanan Liu, Deanna Larson, Michiko Koga, Takeya Tsutsumi, Eisuke Adachi, Makoto Saito, Shinya Yamamoto, Masao Hagihara, Keiko Mitamura, Tetsuro Sato, Masayuki Hojo, Shin-ichiro Hattori, Kenji Maeda, Riccardo Valdez, Moe Okuda, Jurika Murakami, Calvin Duong, Sucheta Godbole, Daniel C. Douek, Ken Maeda, Shinji Watanabe, Aubree Gordon, Norio Ohmagari, Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi, Michael S. Diamond, Hideki Hasegawa, Hiroaki Mitsuya, Tadaki Suzuki, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: The replicative ability and pathogenicity of Omicron BA.2 variant is similar to that of BA.1 in rodents, but it shows less pathogenicity compared to early SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a marked reduction in the neutralizing activity of plasma from individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 and vaccine recipients against BA.2 variant.
Review
Microbiology
Liqing Wang, Hao-Yun Peng, Aspen Pham, Eber Villazana, Darby J. Ballard, Jugal Kishore Das, Anil Kumar, Xiaofang Xiong, Jianxun Song
Summary: Over the past three years, COVID-19 has emerged as a growing global health concern. We have summarized the performance of T cells during coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 with other viruses, bacteria, and parasites, and determined if these alterations in T cell status affect clinical outcomes. Additionally, we have investigated T cell alterations in patients with diabetes, asthma, and hypertension during SARS-CoV-2 infection and summarized whether changes in T cell response influence clinical outcomes in comorbidities.
Article
Immunology
Alessio Mazzoni, Anna Vanni, Michele Spinicci, Manuela Capone, Giulia Lamacchia, Lorenzo Salvati, Marco Coppi, Alberto Antonelli, Alberto Carnasciali, Parham Farahvachi, Nicla Giovacchini, Noemi Aiezza, Francesca Malentacchi, Lorenzo Zammarchi, Francesco Liotta, Gian Maria Rossolini, Alessandro Bartoloni, Lorenzo Cosmi, Laura Maggi, Francesco Annunziato
Summary: This study found that previous Alpha variant infection can reactivate CD4+ T cell memory, and most Spike-specific CD4+ T cell responses are conserved against SARS-CoV-2 variants, providing an effective defense against the development of severe COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Laura Mansi, Laurie Spehner, Etienne Daguindau, Kevin Bouiller, Hamadi Almotlak, Ulrich Stein, Adeline Bouard, Stefano Kim, Elodie Klajer, Marine Jary, Guillaume Meynard, Angelique Vienot, Charlee Nardin, Fernando Bazan, Quentin Lepiller, Virginie Westeel, Olivier Adotevi, Christophe Borg, Marie Kroemer
Summary: Cancer patients exposed to SARS-CoV-2 produced a high rate of specific antibodies, but lacked T-cell responses against the virus, indicating a deficiency in protective T-cell immunity. However, their immune memory against common viruses remained intact.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengxin Zhang, Ying Liang, Dongsheng Yu, Bang Du, Weyland Cheng, Lifeng Li, Zhidan Yu, Shuying Luo, Yaodong Zhang, Huanmin Wang, Xianwei Zhang, Wancun Zhang
Summary: Vaccines have shown to be highly effective in reducing hospitalization and deaths caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, a deadly second wave of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially the Delta variant, has led to an increased number of breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals. The Delta variant not only results in a surge of breakthrough infections with high viral load and transmissibility, but also poses a challenge to the development of effective vaccines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sebastian Wirsching, Laura Harder, Markus Heymanns, Britta Groendahl, Katja Hilbert, Frank Kowalzik, Claudius Meyer, Stephan Gehring
Summary: This study investigated the immune responses of a cohort of convalescent healthcare workers over a period of 3 to 9 months after being infected with SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that these individuals had cross-reactive T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and the convalescent group had an increased number of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4(+) T cells compared to an unexposed group. Additionally, T cell immunity remained stable throughout the study, unlike antibody titers which decreased quickly.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anthony T. DiPiazza, Barney S. Graham, Tracy J. Ruckwardt
Summary: SARS-CoV-2, transmitted via respiratory particles, has caused the COVID-19 pandemic with severe economic consequences. Cellular immunity plays a crucial role in limiting disease severity, emphasizing the importance of understanding the functional capacity and role of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells for natural infection and vaccination responses.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Furong Qi, Yingyin Cao, Shuye Zhang, Zheng Zhang
Summary: Vaccination and early therapeutic interventions are crucial in combating COVID-19, while single-cell multi-omic technologies can provide insights into the immune responses and molecular mechanisms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, aiding in the development of vaccines and therapeutics.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Nagendra Thakur, Sayak Das, Swatantra Kumar, Vimal K. Maurya, Kuldeep Dhama, Janusz T. Paweska, Ahmed S. Abdel-Moneim, Amita Jain, Anil K. Tripathi, Bipin Puri, Shailendra K. Saxena
Summary: This study aimed to trace and understand the origin of SARS-CoV-2 through literature review and database analysis. Based on the available evidence, the study suggests a zoonotic origin for SARS-CoV-2 rather than a laboratory incident or leak.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bas B. Oude Munnink, Reina S. Sikkema, David F. Nieuwenhuijse, Robert Jan Molenaar, Emmanuelle Munger, Richard Molenkamp, Arco van der Spek, Paulien Tolsma, Ariene Rietveld, Miranda Brouwer, Noortje Bouwmeester-Vincken, Frank Harders, Renate Hakze-van der Honing, Marjolein C. A. Wegdam-Blans, Ruth J. Bouwstra, Corine GeurtsvanKessel, Annemiek A. van der Eijk, Francisca C. Velkers, Lidwien A. M. Smit, Arjan Stegeman, Wim H. M. van der Poel, Marion P. G. Koopmans
Summary: Animal experiments have shown that various animals can be infected by SARS-CoV-2, with evidence of animal-to-human transmission within mink farms. Investigation into mink farm outbreaks revealed that the virus was initially introduced by humans and has since evolved, causing transmission between mink farms. Despite enhanced biosecurity measures and culling, transmission occurred between farms in three large clusters with unknown modes of transmission, resulting in a high percentage of infections among mink farm residents and employees.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vincent Grigori Nguyen, Alexei Yavlinsky, Sarah Beale, Susan Hoskins, Thomas E. Byrne, Vasileios Lampos, Isobel Braithwaite, Wing Lam Erica Fong, Ellen Fragaszy, Cyril Geismar, Jana Kovar, Annalan M. D. Navaratnam, Parth Patel, Madhumita Shrotri, Sophie Weber, Andrew C. Hayward, Robert W. Aldridge
Summary: The UK's booster vaccination program used mRNA vaccines to protect against the Omicron variant, regardless of the individual's primary vaccine type, and prioritized the clinically vulnerable. After mRNA booster vaccinations, there was no difference in protection between individuals who received the BNT162b2 primary vaccine and those who received the ChAdOx1 primary vaccine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lucy Loong, Catherine Huntley, Fiona McRonald, Francesco Santaniello, Joanna Pethick, Bethany Torr, Sophie Allen, Oliver Tulloch, Shilpi Goel, Brian Shand, Tameera Rahman, Margreet Luchtenborg, Alice Garrett, Richard Barber, Tin Bedenham, David Bourn, Kirsty Bradshaw, Claire Brooks, Jonathan Bruty, George J. Burghel, Samantha Butler, Chris Buxton, Alison Callaway, Jonathan Callaway, James Drummond, Miranda Durkie, Joanne Field, Lucy Jenkins, Terri P. McVeigh, Roger Mountford, Rodney Nyanhete, Evgenia Petrides, Rachel Robinson, Tracy Scott, Victoria Stinton, James Tellez, Andrew J. Wallace, Laura Yarram-Smith, Kate Sahan, Nina Hallowell, Diana M. Eccles, Paul Pharoah, Marc Tischkowitz, Antonis C. Antoniou, D. Gareth Evans, Fiona Lalloo, Gail Norbury, Eva Morris, John Burn, Steven Hardy, Clare Turnbull
Summary: This study describes the national patterns of NHS analysis of MMR genes in England using individual-level data submitted to NDRS by regional molecular genetics laboratories. The NDRS MMR dataset is a unique national amalgamation of clinical and genomic patient data, enabling data linkage to other national datasets. This resource can enable longitudinal research and form the basis of a live national genomic disease registry.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Oliver Stirrup, Madhumita Shrotri, Natalie L. Adams, Maria Krutikov, Hadjer Nacer-Laidi, Borscha Azmi, Tom Palmer, Christopher Fuller, Aidan Irwin-Singer, Verity Baynton, Gokhan Tut, Paul Moss, Andrew Hayward, Andrew Copas, Laura Shallcross
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of booster vaccination against infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among LTCF residents and staff in England. The results showed that booster vaccination provided sustained protection against severe outcomes following infection with the Omicron variant, but no protection against infection from 4 months onwards.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Catherine Huntley, Bethany Torr, Amit Sud, Charlie F. Rowlands, Rosalind Way, Katie Snape, Helen Hanson, Charles Swanton, John Broggio, Anneke Lucassen, Margaret McCartney, Richard S. Houlston, Aroon D. Hingorani, Michael E. Jones, Clare Turnbull
Summary: It is proposed that polygenic risk scores (PRSs), by targeting high-risk individuals, can improve the efficiency of cancer screening programs and expand their application to new age groups and types of cancer. This study presents an overview of the performance of PRS tools and the benefits and harms of PRS-stratified cancer screening for eight example cancers.
Article
Immunology
William Hywel Bermingham, Benjamin Canning, Thomas Wilton, Michael Kidd, Dimitra Klapsa, Manasi Majumdar, Kavitha Sooriyakumar, Javier Martin, Aarnoud P. Huissoon
Summary: The global polio eradication campaign has effectively reduced wild-type poliovirus infections through the use of a live attenuated Sabin oral poliovirus vaccine. However, rare cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) infections may occur and pose challenges to eradication efforts, especially in immunocompromised individuals. This case study presents a patient with persistent VDPV infection, which was successfully treated with remdesivir, a drug commonly used for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. These findings support further exploration of remdesivir as a potential cure for iVDPV infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sophie Papa, Antonella Adami, Michael Metoudi, Richard Beatson, Molly Sarah George, Daniela Achkova, Evangelia Williams, Sefina Arif, Fiona Reid, Maria Elstad, Nicholas Beckley-Hoelscher, Abdel Douri, Marc Delord, Mike Lyne, Dharshene Shivapatham, Christopher Fisher, Andrew Hope, Sakina Gooljar, Arindam Mitra, Linda Gomm, Cienne Morton, Rhonda Henley-Smith, Selvam Thavaraj, Alice Santambrogio, Cynthia Andoniadou, Sarah Allen, Victoria Gibson, Gary J. R. Cook, Ana C. Parente-Pereira, David M. Davies, Farzin Farzaneh, Anna Schurich, Teresa Guerrero-Urbano, Jean-Pierre Jeannon, James Spicer, John Maher
Summary: This study developed an autologous CD28-based chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy named T4 immunotherapy for locally advanced/recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Patient-derived T-cells were engineered to express a panErbB-specific CAR and an IL-4-responsive chimeric cytokine receptor. Intratumoral delivery was used to mitigate off-tumor toxicity. The study demonstrated the safe and effective intratumoral administration of T4 immunotherapy in advanced HNSCC.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Oncology
John Maher, David M. Davies
Summary: A new approach to treating cancer involves re-programming patient immune cells to express a cancer-detecting receptor called a CAR. While this method has been successful in treating blood cancers, it is more challenging to treat solid tumors. The identification of targets that differentiate cancer cells from healthy cells is a major obstacle. In a review, clinical data on CAR-based immunotherapy against solid tumors expressing 30 different targets were analyzed, and additional candidates for future clinical evaluation were suggested based on pre-clinical data.
Review
Biology
John Maher, David M. Davies
Summary: Cancer is a leading cause of death and new immune-based therapies show promise for addressing this problem. Using immune white blood cells with added genetic blueprints, known as CAR cells, has been effective in treating blood cancers. However, treating solid tumors, which account for 90% of all cancers, is more challenging. This review surveys the use of CAR cells in clinical trials and highlights the difficulties in identifying targets and ensuring safety.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vincent Nguyen, Yunzhe Liu, Richard Mumford, Benjamin Flanagan, Parth Patel, Isobel Braithwaite, Madhumita Shrotri, Thomas Byrne, Sarah Beale, Anna Aryee, Wing Lam Erica Fong, Ellen Fragaszy, Cyril Geismar, Annalan M. D. Navaratnam, Pia Hardelid, Jana Kovar, Addy Pope, Tao Cheng, Andrew Hayward, Robert Aldridge
Summary: Evidence suggests that adherence to public health policies may change after individuals receive their first SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. This study analyzed the daily travel distance of participants before and after vaccination and found that there was a small change in movement after vaccination.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
L. Mutlu, W. H. Bermingham, O. E. Mohamed, C. Melchior, L. Samuel, J. Heslegrave, R. Baretto, A. Ekbote, A. Huissoon, M. Dedicoat, M. T. Krishna
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
John Maher
Summary: Immunotherapy using CAR-engineered T-cells has shown great efficacy in hematological cancers but faces challenges in treating solid tumors like lung cancer. Obstacles include selecting safe tumor-specific targets and overcoming tumor heterogeneity. Additionally, CAR T-cells need to efficiently infiltrate tumor deposits and function in the hostile tumor microenvironment. Despite the adaptability of lung cancer, immune checkpoint blockade has shown promise in controlling advanced lung carcinomas. This review summarizes pre-clinical and ongoing clinical trials in CAR T-cell therapy for lung cancer and discusses strategies to improve efficacy.
ONCOTARGETS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Ge Tan, Katelyn M. Spillane, John Maher
Summary: The human NKG2D ligand family consists of eight stress-induced molecules. These ligands are expressed by over 80% of human cancers, but can also have immunosuppressive effects due to shedding, release via exosomes, and intracellular trapping. NKG2D deficiency in mice increases susceptibility to some types of cancer, indicating its role in immune surveillance for malignancy.
Article
Cell Biology
Gokhan Tut, Tara Lancaster, Maria Krutikov, Panagiota Sylla, David Bone, Eliska Spalkova, Christopher Bentley, Umayr Amin, Azar Jadir, Samuel Hulme, Nayandeep Kaur, Elif Tut, Rachel Bruton, Mary Wu, Ruth Harvey, Edward J. Carr, Rupert Beale, Oliver Stirrup, Madhumita Shrotri, Borscha Azmi, Christopher Fuller, Verity Baynton, Aidan Irwin-Singer, Andrew Hayward, Andrew Copas, Laura Shallcross, Paul Moss
Summary: Older people have suboptimal responses to primary series vaccines, but booster vaccines can increase antibody levels in the short term. However, antibody levels decline within 100 days after the booster shots and breakthrough infections can still occur. This study highlights the strong immunogenicity of a third vaccine dose in vulnerable older populations and supports widespread vaccination in this group.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alberto Gabizon, Hilary Shmeeda, Benjamin Draper, Ana Parente-Pereira, John Maher, Amaia Carrascal-Minino, Rafael T. M. de Rosales, Ninh M. La-Beck
Summary: The co-encapsulation of alendronate and doxorubicin in pegylated liposomes (PLAD) has shown significant immune modulatory effects and distinct tumor microenvironmental interactions compared to free doxorubicin and the clinical formulation of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Madhumita Shrotri, Maria Krutikov, Hadjer Nacer-Laidi, Borscha Azmi, Tom Palmer, Rebecca Giddings, Christopher Fuller, Aidan Irwin-Singer, Verity Baynton, Gokhan Tut, Paul Moss, Andrew Hayward, Andrew Copas, Laura Shallcross
Summary: Vaccination effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalisation, and death declined over time in residents and staff of long-term care facilities following initial doses, but was restored and maximised after a third vaccine dose. Boosters are crucial for maintaining protection in this vulnerable population.
LANCET HEALTHY LONGEVITY
(2022)