Article
Immunology
Tiantian Wang, Jing Zheng, Huifang Xu, Zhongyi Wang, Peng Sun, Xuchen Hou, Xin Gong, Bin Zhang, Jun Wu, Bo Liu
Summary: Continued mutation of SARS-CoV-2 has led to multiple waves of COVID-19 infections. The emergence of Omicron and its subvariants has substantially increased the infectivity of the virus. Researchers have successfully developed a bivalent vaccine that combines Delta and BA.2 RBD proteins with adjuvants to induce the production of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants and provide broad-spectrum protection.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Si Sun, Entao Li, Gan Zhao, Jie Tang, Qianfei Zuo, Larry Cai, Chuanfei Xu, Cheng Sui, Yangxue Ou, Chang Liu, Haibo Li, Yuan Ding, Chao Li, Dongshui Lu, Weijun Zhang, Ping Luo, Ping Cheng, Yuwei Gao, Changchun Tu, Bruno Pitard, Joseph Rosenecker, Bin Wang, Yan Liu, Quanming Zou, Shan Guan
Summary: This study used self-assembled peptide-poloxamine nanoparticles for pulmonary inoculation of a COVID-19 DNA vaccine, which showed superior gene transfection and biocompatibility in the mouse airway. The vaccine induced mucosal immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, resulting in complete elimination of the infection and 100% survival rate in mice.
Article
Immunology
Fengxia Gao, Jingjing Huang, Tingting Li, Chao Hu, Meiying Shen, Song Mu, Feiyang Luo, Shuyi Song, Yanan Hao, Wang Wang, Xiaojian Han, Chen Qian, Yingming Wang, Ruixin Wu, Luo Li, Shenglong Li, Aishun Jin
Summary: The study introduces a conserved antigenic peptide called RBD9.1, which can activate both Balb/c virus-specific antibodies and S448-456-specific CD8(+) T cell responses, remaining active for over 3 months post-immunization. This vaccine candidate demonstrates long-term protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants by activating both humoral and cellular immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heidi Ledford
Summary: Despite a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 infections in some nations, there is still concern about when the next wave of the pandemic will hit and what form it will take.
Review
Microbiology
Jessica A. Plante, Brooke M. Mitchell, Kenneth S. Plante, Kari Debbink, Scott C. Weaver, Vineet D. Menachery
Summary: Despite the development of vaccines, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a global concern due to the emergence of new variants, raising worries about increased spread and potential impacts on immunity.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
David W. Hawman, Kimberly Meade-White, Chad Clancy, Jacob Archer, Troy Hinkley, Shanna S. Leventhal, Deepashri Rao, Allie Stamper, Matthew Lewis, Rebecca Rosenke, Kyle Krieger, Samantha Randall, Amit P. Khandhar, Linhue Hao, Tien-Ying Hsiang, Alexander L. Greninger, Michael Gale Jr, Peter Berglund, Deborah Heydenburg Fuller, Kyle Rosenke, Heinz Feldmann, Jesse H. Erasmus
Summary: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has led to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases worldwide, as it is less sensitive to protective antibodies from previous infections and vaccines. This variant has the ability to spread even among vaccinated populations. Therefore, there is a need for updated vaccines that can provide protection against the B.1.1.529 variant.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rehan M. El-Shabasy, Mohamed A. Nayel, Mohamed M. Taher, Rehab Abdelmonem, Kamel R. Shoueir, El Rafaie Kenawy
Summary: It has been over a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in China. The world has witnessed three waves of the virus, with varying characteristics and challenges. Despite a decrease in the sense of danger in most countries, the emergence of new variant strains has raised concerns again. The mutations in COVID-19 have presented an extreme challenge in preventing and treating the virus, and there are still many unanswered questions about the effectiveness of vaccines and the need for annual doses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Gao, Curtis Cai, Alba Grifoni, Thomas R. Muller, Julia Niessl, Anna Olofsson, Marion Humbert, Lotta Hansson, Anders Osterborg, Peter Bergman, Puran Chen, Annika Olsson, Johan K. Sandberg, Daniela Weiskopf, David A. Price, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Annika C. Karlsson, Alessandro Sette, Soo Aleman, Marcus Buggert
Summary: This study found that SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells induced by prior infection or BNT162b2 vaccination provide extensive immune coverage against the Omicron variant. Additionally, T cells induced by BNT162b2 vaccination exhibit higher cross-reactivity to the Omicron variant compared to T cells induced by prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Letter
Immunology
Alex Wing Hong Chin, Alison Man Yuk Lai, Malik Peiris, Leo Lit Man Poon
Summary: The Omicron BA.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more stable on smooth and porous surfaces compared to its ancestral strain.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Gilles Augusto, Mona O. Mohsen, Simon Zinkhan, Xuelan Liu, Monique Vogel, Martin F. Bachmann
Summary: The study found that newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants have higher affinity for the ACE2 receptor and are able to partially bypass immunity generated against the wild-type virus, resulting in increased transmissibility.
Article
Immunology
Jingyi Yang, Mei-Qin Liu, Lin Liu, Xian Li, Mengxin Xu, Haofeng Lin, Shuning Liu, Yunqi Hu, Bei Li, Bowen Liu, Min Li, Ying Sun, Yao-Qing Chen, Zheng-Li Shi, Huimin Yan
Summary: This study presents a chimeric immunogen that can induce effective immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Intranasal immunization with this vaccine generates mucosal immune responses and higher neutralizing antibody specificity against the Omicron variant. In mouse experiments, it is found that vaccination with this candidate can reduce lung pathology and decrease viral RNA copy numbers. Nasal virologic control is closely associated with RBD-specific secretory IgA antibodies.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Raj S. Patel, Babita Agrawal
Summary: Investigating a highly cross-protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial. The study found that immunization with lipopeptides derived from conserved epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 led to enhanced immune responses and neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants. These findings support the development of a cross-protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abishek Chandrashekar, Jingyou Yu, Katherine McMahan, Catherine Jacob-Dolan, Jinyan Liu, Xuan He, David Hope, Tochi Anioke, Julia Barrett, Benjamin Chung, Nicole P. Hachmann, Michelle Lifton, Jessica Miller, Olivia Powers, Michaela Sciacca, Daniel Sellers, Mazuba Siamatu, Nehalee Surve, Haley VanWyk, Huahua Wan, Cindy Wu, Laurent Pessaint, Daniel Valentin, Alex Van Ry, Jeanne Muench, Mona Boursiquot, Anthony Cook, Jason Velasco, Elyse Teow, Adrianus C. M. Boon, Mehul S. Suthar, Neharika Jain, Amanda J. Martinot, Mark G. Lewis, Hanne Andersen, Dan H. Barouch
Summary: This study demonstrates that the mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine and the adenovirus-vector-based Ad26.COV2.S vaccine provide robust protection against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. However, some vaccinated animals with moderate immune responses failed to fully control the virus.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yongjun Sui, Jianping Li, Roushu Zhang, Sunaina Kiran Prabhu, Hanne Andersen, David Venzon, Anthony Cook, Renita Brown, Elyse Teow, Jason Velasco, Jack Greenhouse, Tammy Putman-Taylor, Tracey-Ann Campbell, Laurent Pessaint, Ian N. Moore, Laurel Lagenaur, Jim Talton, Matthew W. Breed, Josh Kramer, Kevin W. Bock, Mahnaz Minai, Bianca M. Nagata, Mark G. Lewis, Lai-Xi Wang, Jay A. Berzofsky
Summary: Comparing two adjuvanted subunit vaccines in rhesus macaques, the study found that both vaccines were effective in protecting against respiratory SARS-CoV-2 exposure, despite potential differences in mucosal and systemic protective mechanisms. The mucosal vaccine was shown to be safe after multiple doses, efficiently clearing the input virus from the nasal cavity, and may serve as a potent complementary boost to conventional systemic vaccines for overall better protection.
Article
Immunology
Neil Martinson, Bhavna Gordhan, Stefan Petkov, Azure-Dee Pillay, Thabiso Seiphetlo, Natasha Singh, Kennedy Otwombe, Limakatso Lebina, Claudia Fredolini, Francesca Chiodi, Julie Fox, Bavesh Kana, Carolina Herrera
Summary: In this study, researchers compared the mucosal and systemic compartments of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in a South African cohort undergoing maxillofacial surgery. They found higher levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in the nasal compartment compared to plasma. The levels of IP-10 and MIG were higher in secretions than in nasal tissue, while the opposite was observed for TGF-beta. The study also identified correlations between nasal anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG and mucosal MIG expression, as well as a positive correlation with IP-10 in BioNTech/Pfizer-vaccinated individuals.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Shadi Ebrahimian, Ramandeep Singh, Arjunlokesh Netaji, Kumble Seetharama Madhusudhan, Fatemeh Homayounieh, Andrew Primak, Felix Lades, Sanjay Saini, Mannudeep K. Kalra, Sanjay Sharma
Summary: This study compared the effectiveness of DECT quantitative metrics and radiomics in differentiating pancreatic lesions. Results showed high AUC values for both DECT quantitative metrics and radiomics at two different hospitals.
ACADEMIC RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ramanuj Samanta, Athul S. Puthalath, Gitanjli Sood, Ramandeep Singh, Mohit Dogra
Summary: In non-HIV individuals, simultaneous multiple viral retinitis is rare but can occur following immunosuppressive treatment and periocular corticosteroid administration. This case report highlights the importance of ruling out infectious etiology before considering periocular corticosteroids and the potential for fulminant retinitis in predisposed individuals.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ashish Markan, Nikitha Ayyadurai, Ramandeep Singh
Summary: This report describes a case of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) associated with the use of tacrolimus. A 27-year-old woman with a history of diffuse proliferative membranous glomerulonephritis experienced abnormal body movements, loss of consciousness, and blurred vision in the left eye after 3 months of starting tacrolimus. Ocular examination revealed characteristic AMN findings.
OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Atul Arora, Ramandeep Singh, Mohit Dogra
Summary: A case report describes a young male with bilateral sequential Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) as the presenting feature of Dyskeratosis Congenita. The patient developed CMVR in the left eye while undergoing oral valganciclovir therapy for CMV retinitis in the right eye. Further examination revealed systemic symptoms and genetic testing confirmed a diagnosis of Dyskeratosis Congenita. This highlights the importance of considering CMVR in non-HIV individuals as a sign of underlying immunosuppressive conditions, with ophthalmologists playing a key role in diagnosing congenital immunosuppressive disorders like Dyskeratosis Congenita in these patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Kusum Sharma, Megha Sharma, Nikitha Ayyadurai, Mohit Dogra, Aman Sharma, Vishali Gupta, Ramandeep Singh, Amod Gupta
Summary: This study evaluated the use of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra on Ocular tuberculosis (OTB) samples and compared it with Xpert. The results showed that Ultra outperformed Xpert in diagnosing OTB, but the advantage of simultaneous RifR detection was lost due to the low bacterial loads in the samples.
OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Ayumi Matsuyama-Kato, Hiroshi Iseki, Nitish Boodhoo, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Nadiyah Alqazlan, Brandon L. Plattner, Shahriar Behboudi, Shayan Sharif, Mohammed Faizal Abdul-Careem
Summary: This study demonstrates that vaccination against Marek's disease virus (MDV) activates effector γδT cells, which may play a crucial role in protective immune responses against MDV.
Article
Electrochemistry
Ramandeep Singh, Srishti Chaudhary, Sukrampal Yadav, Sunil A. Patil
Summary: This study discovered an autotrophic electroactive microbial biofilm capable of sulfide oxidation under haloalkaline conditions. It explored the role of these microorganisms in sulfur cycling in such extreme environments.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felicity C. Stark, Bassel Akache, Lise Deschatelets, Anh Tran, Matthew Stuible, Yves Durocher, Michael J. McCluskie, Gerard Agbayani, Renu Dudani, Blair A. Harrison, Tyler M. Renner, Shawn R. Makinen, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Diana Duque, Martin Gagne, Joseph Zimmermann, C. David Zarley, Terrence R. Cochrane, Martin Handfield
Summary: Intranasal delivery of a novel protein subunit vaccine formulation induced robust immune responses in mice and hamsters, with strong neutralizing activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. This intranasal vaccine formulation has the potential to be a new SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mikhail Salnikov, Steven F. Gameiro, Peter Y. F. Zeng, John W. Barrett, Anthony C. Nichols, Joe S. Mymryk
Summary: HPVs are highly infectious viruses that cause common sexually transmitted infections. They alter gene expression and cell growth to create a favorable environment for viral replication, which can also contribute to human carcinogenesis. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has provided a comprehensive dataset for studying the role of HPV in cancer. The HPV Induced Cancer Resource (THInCR) is a suite of web-based tools that utilize TCGA data to investigate HPV-induced cancers and their impact on gene expression, gene methylation, patient survival, and immune features.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alisha Kang, Gluke Ye, Ramandeep Singh, Sam Afkhami, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Xiangqian Luo, Maryam Vaseghi-Shanjani, Fatemah Aleithan, Anna Zganiacz, Mangalakumari Jeyanathan, Zhou Xing
Summary: BCG vaccine can provide non-specific protection against unrelated pathogens by modulating the innate immune system, known as trained innate immunity. A study shows that subcutaneous BCG vaccination can enhance innate protection against heterologous respiratory bacterial infections, and this enhanced protection is mediated by increased neutrophilia in the lung, independent of centrally trained circulating monocytes. This study provides new insights for designing novel effective vaccination strategies against unrelated respiratory bacterial pathogens.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Meghan M. Verstraete, Florian Heinkel, Janessa Li, Siran Cao, Anh Tran, Elizabeth C. Halverson, Robert Gene, Elizabeth Stangle, Begonia Silva-Moreno, Sifa Arrafi, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Madeline Fung, Mariam Eji-Lasisi, Stephanie Masterman, Steve Xanthoudakis, Surjit Dixit, John Babcook, Brandon Clavette, Mark Fogg, Eric Escobar-Cabrera
Summary: Researchers have developed an IgM-based ACE2 decoy that shows efficacy against different variants of SARS-CoV-2. In experiments, this decoy outperforms existing antibody therapies and provides therapeutic benefit against Delta variant infection.
Editorial Material
Allergy
Danielle Della Libera, Sara Fortier, Joshua F. E. Koenig
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Steven F. Gameiro, Kaitlyn M. Flondra
Summary: Most HPV infections are asymptomatic, but some can lead to cancer. HPV-positive tumors have a distinct immune landscape compared to HPV-negative tumors, with higher immune infiltration and immunoregulatory stimuli. Viruses can use extracellular vesicles (EVs) to transport viral cargo and alter the function of recipient cells, shaping the unique HPV-positive tumor microenvironment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Allergy
Allyssa Phelps, Kelly Bruton, Emily Grydziuszko, Joshua F. E. Koenig, Manel Jordana
Summary: Landmark studies have shown that early administration of food allergens can prevent the emergence of food allergy. However, the challenge remains in treating patients with established food allergy, especially in lifelong cases such as peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish allergies. Current standard care involves allergen avoidance and the use of epinephrine for acute symptom relief, but these methods do not address the underlying pathology. In this review, the focus is on discussing immunological mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to eliminate IgE reactivity and potentially develop transformative therapeutics for food allergy.
FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY
(2022)
