Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Seth D. Baum, Vanessa M. Adams
Summary: This paper relates the COVID-19 pandemic to the concept of pandemic refuges, proving through case studies that jurisdictions other than island nations can successfully function as refuges, providing important insights for future pandemics.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Miguel Angel Martinez
Summary: This article discusses whether drug repurposing is the best strategy for developing effective therapies to treat COVID-19 and other viral human infections.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alina S. Schnake-Mahl, Usama Bilal
Summary: In this article, the authors discuss the challenges faced by modern epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic, including scientific progress, epidemiologic methods, interventions, equity, team science, and training. They highlight the importance of social epidemiologic approaches and the need to address dominant biomedical individualistic narratives and the role of profit in policy-making. They emphasize the importance of training epidemiologists in population health distribution theories and political governance structures, as well as investing in public health infrastructure for achieving population health equity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adarsh Bhimraj, Rebecca L. Morgan, Amy Hirsch Shumaker, Lindsey Baden, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kathryn M. Edwards, Rajesh T. Gandhi, Jason C. Gallagher, William J. Muller, John C. O'Horo, Shmuel Shoham, Dana Swartzberg Wollins, Yngve Falck-Ytter
Summary: Despite the challenges of the pandemic, there has been significant progress in COVID-19 therapies. However, there are shortcomings in trial conduct, data dissemination, and standardization of therapies. The establishment of clinical meaningful outcomes, rapid data review and dissemination, and clarity around evidence standards are necessary.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina Chikileva, Irina Shubina, Anzhelika-Mariia Burtseva, Kirill Kirgizov, Nara Stepanyan, Svetlana Varfolomeeva, Mikhail Kiselevskiy
Summary: COVID-19 poses challenges to protective immunity, especially for the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. DC vaccines and CAR lymphocyte therapy may be promising approaches for immunization and antiviral treatment. A novel and universal CAR lymphocyte method based on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies is proposed.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosanna W. Peeling, David L. Heymann, Yik-Ying Teo, Patricia J. Garcia
Summary: Diagnostics play a crucial role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular tests like PCR are recommended for confirming diagnosis in symptomatic individuals, while antigen rapid detection tests have the advantage of being easier to perform with faster results and lower cost. Antibody tests can inform public policy but should not be used as proof of immunity. All three types of tests continue to be important in transitioning from pandemic response to control.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Konstantin Chumakov, Michael S. Avidan, Christine S. Benn, Stefano M. Bertozzi, Lawrence Blatt, Angela Y. Chang, Dean T. Jamison, Shabaana A. Khader, Shyam Kottilil, Mihai G. Netea, Annie Sparrow, Robert C. Gallo
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a rapid development of vaccines targeting the virus, but global deployment will take time. Innate immunity plays a crucial role in defending against pathogens and can provide protection through induction of interferons and other cytokines.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Remi Jedwab, Amjad M. Khan, Jason Russ, Esha D. Zaveri
Summary: This paper explores social responses to past epidemics and pandemics, explaining how these responses are determined by the epidemiological and non-epidemiological characteristics, with a focus on conditions leading to scapegoating of minority groups. It synthesizes existing theories, historical and quantitative studies, highlighting the potential for different forms of scapegoating as a result of epidemics and pandemics.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rajeshwari Singh, Sumeet Goel, Pascale Bourgeade, Lotfi Aleya, Devesh Tewari
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread impacts on global health systems, leading to social and economic disruptions. The global scientific community is exploring potential treatments from traditional healthcare systems, with Ayurveda's Rasayana therapy potentially offering insights into effective antiviral and immunomodulatory treatments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chiranjib Chakraborty, Ashish Ranjan Sharma, Manojit Bhattacharya, Govindasamy Agoramoorthy, Sang-Soo Lee
Summary: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 globally has highlighted the need for effective treatment options. Drug repurposing of existing medications has become a key strategy in managing COVID-19 patients. Clinical trials conducted across multiple countries have shown promising results in antiviral and immunotherapeutic treatments, indicating the importance of further research in this area.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Economics
Scott Duke Kominers, Alex Tabarrok
Summary: The global Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in staggering losses both economically and in terms of life, health, and well-being. While significant investments have been made in vaccine development, there have also been missed opportunities. This review highlights the lessons learned about the value, speed, and ethical approach to vaccine distribution, as well as the inadequacy of current pandemic and emergency preparedness.
OXFORD REVIEW OF ECONOMIC POLICY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Afroza Shirin, Yen Ting Lin, Francesco Sorrentino
Summary: In order to optimize the impact of control strategies on the economy in containing the spread of COVID-19, a model is parameterized using daily new case counts within different Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the US. The optimal control input is found to be a constant specific to each area, which may differ from the implemented 'phased reopening' system. The duration for applying control measures optimally is important, as well as the fact that as transmissibility increases over time, stricter social distancing measures are recommended.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Frauke Assmus, Jean-Selim Driouich, Rana Abdelnabi, Laura Vangeel, Franck Touret, Ayorinde Adehin, Palang Chotsiri, Maxime Cochin, Caroline S. Foo, Dirk Jochmans, Seungtaek Kim, Lea Luciani, Gregory Moureau, Soonju Park, Paul-Remi Petit, David Shum, Thanaporn Wattanakul, Birgit Weynand, Laurent Fraisse, Jean-Robert Ioset, Charles E. Mowbray, Andrew Owen, Richard M. Hoglund, Joel Tarning, Xavier de Lamballerie, Antoine Nougairede, Johan Neyts, Peter Sjo, Fanny Escudie, Ivan Scandale, Eric Chatelain
Summary: In the absence of drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, drug repurposing can be a valuable strategy. However, the lack of clear translational processes and adequate preclinical profiling has hindered the success of repurposed drugs. This study proposes a systematic approach to urgent antiviral drug development, utilizing in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models along with pharmacokinetic modeling and simulations. The importance of assessing in vitro and in vivo potency and utilizing pharmacokinetic modeling for compound prioritization is emphasized. A standardized translational drug development platform is advocated to generate preclinical evidence for clinical trials in the context of mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Manuela De Michele, Joshua Kahan, Irene Berto, Oscar G. Schiavo, Marta Iacobucci, Danilo Toni, Alexander E. Merkler
Summary: The risk of stroke and cerebrovascular disease complicating SARS-CoV-2 infection has been extensively reported. The rapid development and mass vaccination of DNA and mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have led to rare but catastrophic cases of thrombosis. This review provides an overview of stroke and cerebrovascular complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as vaccinations, with a focus on vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. A therapeutic protocol is proposed based on available data.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Violaine Piquet, Cedric Luczak, Fabien Seiler, Jordan Monaury, Alexandre Martini, Anthony B. Ward, Jean-Michel Gracies, Damien Motavasseli
Summary: Inpatient rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients was found to be associated with significant motor, respiratory, and functional improvement, especially in severe cases, although mild persistent autonomy loss was observed upon discharge.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Mitra Rezaei, Majid Marjani, Alireza Mirahmadi, Niloufar Bineshfar, Hadiseh Mohammadpour, Mihan Pourabdollah Toutkaboni, Farinaz Nasr Azadani, Zahra Amanzade, Payam Tabarsi, Seyed Ali Ziai, Jean Laurent Casanova, Davood Mansouri
Summary: This study found that there was a significant negative correlation between age and STING mRNA expression level in COVID-19 patients. Patients with severe illness, admitted to the ICU, or who eventually died had lower STING expression levels.
INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ana Karen Penafiel Vicuna, Marco Yamazaki Nakashimada, Ximena Leon Lara, Elizabeth Mendieta Flores, Maria Enriqueta Nunez Nunez, Juan Carlos Lona-Reyes, Leticia Hernandez Nieto, Maria Guadalupe Ramirez Vazquez, Joel Barroso Santos, Alvaro Lopez Iniguez, Yolanda Gonzalez, Martha Torres, Jose Luis Lezana Fernandez, Carla M. Roman Montes, Edgar Alejandro Medina-Torres, Edith Gonzalez Serrano, Juan Carlos Bustamante Ogando, Saul Lugo Reyes, Oscar Zavaleta Martinez, Aide Tamara Staines Boone, Edna Venegas Montoya, Nancy Evelyn Aguilar Gomez, Camille Soudee, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Anne Puel, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Sigifredo Pedraza Sanchez, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Francisco Espinosa Rosales, Sara Espinosa Padilla, Jacinta Bustamante, Lizbeth Blancas Galicia
Summary: This study reviewed the clinical, immunological, and genetic characteristics of MSMD patients in Mexico and identified IL12RB1 gene defect as the main cause of MSMD in the cohort. BCG infection was found to be the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeremie Rosain, Anna-Lena Neehus, Jeremy Manry, Rui Yang, Jeremie Le Pen, Wassim Daher, Zhiyong Liu, Yi-Hao Chan, Natalia Tahuil, Ozden Turel, Mathieu Bourgey, Masato Ogishi, Jean-Marc Doisne, Helena M. Izquierdo, Takayoshi Shirasaki, Tom Le Voyer, Antoine Guerin, Paul Bastard, Marcela Moncada-Velez, Ji Eun Han, Taushif Khan, Franck Rapaport, Seon-Hui Hong, Andrew Cheung, Kathrin Haake, Barbara C. Mindt, Laura Perez, Quentin Philippot, Danyel Lee, Peng Zhang, Darawan Rinchai, Fatima Al Ali, Manar Mahmoud Ahmad Ata, Mahbuba Rahman, Jessica N. Peel, Soren Heissel, Henrik Molina, Yasemin Kendir-Demirkol, Rasheed Bailey, Shuxiang Zhao, Jonathan Bohlen, Mathieu Mancini, Yoann Seeleuthner, Marie Roelens, Lazaro Lorenzo, Camille Soudee, Maria Elvira Josefina Paz, Maria Laura Gonzalez, Mohamed Jeljeli, Jean Soulier, Serge Romana, Anne-Sophie L'Honneur, Marie Materna, Ruben Martinez-Barricarte, Mathieu Pochon, Carmen Oleaga-Quintas, Alexandre Michev, Melanie Migaud, Romain Levy, Marie-Alexandra Alyanakian, Flore Rozenberg, Carys A. Croft, Guillaume Vogt, Jean-Francois Emile, Laurent Kremer, Cindy S. Ma, Jorg H. Fritz, Stanley M. Lemon, Andras N. Spaan, Nicolas Manel, Laurent Abel, Margaret R. MacDonald, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Nico Marr, Stuart G. Tangye, James P. Di Santo, Qian Zhang, Shen-Ying Zhang, Charles M. Rice, Vivien Beziat, Nico Lachmann, David Langlais, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Philippe Gros, Jacinta Bustamante
Summary: Inborn errors of IFN-g-dependent macrophagic immunity cause mycobacterial diseases, while inborn errors of IFN-a/b-dependent intrinsic immunity lead to viral diseases. Children with complete IRF1 deficiency have early-onset, life-threatening diseases caused by weakly virulent mycobacteria and related intramacrophagic pathogens. Their IFN-a/b-dependent antiviral immunity is largely normal, but their IFN-g-dependent macrophagic immunity is impaired.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nasrinsadat Nabavizadeh, Annkatrin Bressin, Mohammad Shboul, Ricardo Moreno Traspas, Poh Hui Chia, Carine Bonnard, Emmanuelle Szenker-Ravi, Burak Saribas, Emmanuel Beillard, Umut Altunoglu, Zohreh Hojati, Scott Drutman, Susanne Freier, Mohammad El-Khateeb, Rajaa Fathallah, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Wesam Soror, Alaa Arafat, Nathalie Escande-Beillard, Andreas Mayer, Bruno Reversade
Summary: Exome sequencing has revolutionized the identification of germline variations responsible for Mendelian diseases, but it cannot capture non-coding regions. This study demonstrates how RNA-seq can complement exome sequencing by identifying a deep intronic mutation in a gene associated with Osteogenesis Imperfecta and neonatal progeria syndrome. The mutation alters pre-mRNA processing and leads to exon skipping, revealing the importance of transcriptomic approaches in understanding the molecular mechanisms of human diseases.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kunihiko Moriya, Tomohiro Nakano, Yoshitaka Honda, Miyuki Tsumura, Masato Ogishi, Motoshi Sonoda, Masahiko Nishitani-Isa, Takashi Uchida, Mohamed Hbibi, Yoko Mizoguchi, Masataka Ishimura, Kazushi Izawa, Takaki Asano, Fumihiko Kakuta, Daiki Abukawa, Darawan Rinchai, Peng Zhang, Naotomo Kambe, Aziz Bousfiha, Takahiro Yasumi, Bertrand Boisson, Anne Puel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Ryuta Nishikomori, Shouichi Ohga, Satoshi Okada, Yoji Sasahara, Shigeo Kure
Summary: This study reports six patients from five families with RELA mutations, leading to autoinflammatory and autoimmune manifestations. The mutations result in loss of function of RelA protein, leading to excessive IFN expression and autoimmune response. The DN RELA mutations are identified as a novel cause of chronic mucocutaneous ulcerations with autoinflammatory and autoimmune manifestations.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martti Vanker, Karita Sarekannu, Arnaud Fekkar, Sofie Eg Jorgensen, Liis Haljasmagi, Anne Kallaste, Kalle Kisand, Margus Lember, Part Peterson, Madhvi Menon, Tracy Hussell, Sean Knight, James Moore-Stanley, Paul Bastard, Shen-Ying Zhang, Trine Mogensen, Quentin Philippot, Qian Zhang, Anne Puel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Kai Kisand
Summary: Autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons are present in 15% of critical COVID-19 cases, while the impact of autoimmunity toward type III interferons remains unexplored. In a study of COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-2naive individuals, it was found that autoantibodies targeting interferon-alpha were more common and associated with older age, while autoreactivity to interferon-gamma did not correlate with severe disease in COVID-19 patients.
JOURNAL OF INTERFERON AND CYTOKINE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Qiang Pan-Hammarstrom, Jean-Laurent Casanova
Summary: There is increasing evidence that severe disease in children infected with common viruses can result from inborn errors of immunity. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can lead to acute hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia in children with inborn errors of type I interferon immunity, while children with inborn errors disrupting specific molecular bridges can manifest various forms of severe EBV disease. These experiments reveal the redundancy of different arms of immunity in host defense against these viruses.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Louise Malle, Roosheel S. Patel, Marta Martin-Fernandez, O'Jay Stewart, Quentin Philippot, Sofija Buta, Ashley Richardson, Vanessa Barcessat, Justin Taft, Paul Bastard, Julie Samuels, Clotilde Mircher, Anne-Sophie Rebillat, Louise Maillebouis, Marie Vilaire-Meunier, Kevin Tuballes, Brad R. Rosenberg, Rebecca Trachtman, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Luigi D. Notarangelo, Sacha Gnjatic, Douglas Bush, Dusan Bogunovic
Summary: Individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) exhibit multiple impairments such as cardiac, neurocognitive, and growth issues. They are also prone to severe infections and autoimmune disorders. This study reveals an autoimmune-prone state in DS characterized by persistent elevation of cytokines, chronic activation of CD4 T cells, and ongoing B cell activation. Furthermore, auto-antibodies targeting various organs and systems were detected in DS individuals' plasma, suggesting a breach in immune tolerance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jean-Laurent Casanova
Summary: In 1955, Rene Dubos questioned the germ theory and proposed that various changing circumstances weaken the host and lead to infectious diseases, without specifying the mechanisms involved. He highlighted that only a small proportion of individuals infected by any microbe develop clinical disease. However, he overlooked the extensive findings reported from 1905 onward, which unequivocally demonstrated the role of host genetic determinants in infection outcomes. Over the next 50 years, additional evidence supported the genetic and immunological observations that Dubos had ignored. Immunosuppression- and HIV-driven immunodeficiencies further provided a mechanistic basis for Dubos' viewpoint. These lines of evidence collectively support a host theory of infectious diseases, where inherited and acquired immunodeficiencies are the primary factors determining severe infection outcomes, with the germ serving as an environmental trigger that reveals an underlying and preexisting cause of disease and death.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Federica Moschella, Carla Buccione, Irene Ruspantini, Luciano Castiello, Andrea Rozo Gonzalez, Floriana Iacobone, Virginia Ferraresi, Belinda Palermo, Paola Nistico, Filippo Belardelli, Enrico Proietti, Iole Macchia, Francesca Urbani
Summary: Despite the recent approval of therapies in melanoma adjuvant setting, tumor relapse still occurs in a significant number of patients. This study identifies three immune cell subsets as potential biomarkers for predicting the clinical response to vaccine-based adjuvant therapies in melanoma.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Iole Macchia, Valentina La Sorsa, Francesca Urbani, Sonia Moretti, Caterina Antonucci, Claudia Afferni, Giovanna Schiavoni
Summary: Eosinophils are important in allergic asthma and parasitic infections, but they also participate in the immune response against respiratory viruses. In the context of COVID-19, eosinophils can serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and severity prediction. This review provides an overview of the role of eosinophils in various respiratory viral infections and discusses their utility as prognostic/predictive immune biomarkers in emerging respiratory viral diseases, particularly COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jean-Laurent Casanova, Mark S. Anderson
Summary: Since 2003, rare inborn errors of human type I IFN immunity have been discovered, each underlying severe viral illnesses. In 2006, autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs due to rare inborn errors of autoimmune regulator (AIRE)-driven T cell tolerance were discovered, but not initially linked to any viral disease. These two lines of clinical investigation converged in 2020, revealing that deficiencies of type I IFN immunity accounted for a significant percentage of critical COVID-19 cases in unvaccinated individuals.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Giorgia Bucciol, Leen Moens, Masato Ogishi, Darawan Rinchai, Daniela Matuozzo, Mana Momenilandi, Nacim Kerrouche, Catherine M. Cale, Elsa R. Treffeisen, Mohammad Al Salamah, Bandar K. Al-Saud, Alain Lachaux, Remi Duclaux-Loras, Marie Meignien, Aziz Bousfiha, Ibtihal Benhsaien, Anna Shcherbina, Anna Roppelt, C. O. V. I. D. Human Genetic Effort COVID Human Genetic Effort, Florian Gothe, Nadhira Houhou-Fidouh, Scott J. Hackett, Lisa M. Bartnikas, Michelle C. Maciag, Mohammed F. Alosaimi, Janet Chou, Reem W. Mohammed, Bishara J. Freij, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Shen-Ping Zhang, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Vivien Beziat, Qian Zhang, Christopher J. A. Duncan, Sophie Hambleton, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Isabelle Meyts
Summary: This study reports 23 patients with loss-of-function variants of STAT2, which may be associated with unresolved viral infection after viral infection or vaccination. Lack of STAT2CD8+ memory T cells may contribute to inflammation. Some patients died from viral infection or heart failure, indicating that complete STAT2 deficiency underlies severe viral diseases and significantly impacts survival.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Letter
Respiratory System
Quentin Philippot, Paul Bastard, Anne Puel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Aurelie Cobat, Cedric Laouenan, Coralie Tardivon, Bruno Crestani, Raphael Borie
Summary: SARS-CoV2 infection has a poor prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who have autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs). A study screened the plasma of 247 IPF patients and found that only 3 of them had these autoantibodies. Among these patients, the one with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection had life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. However, the study did not find a significant association between these autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs and IPF.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Abderrahmane Errami, Jamila El Baghdadi, Fatima Ailal, Ibtihal Benhsaien, Kaoutar Ouazahrou, Laurent Abel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Jacinta Bustamante, Ahmed Aziz Bousfiha
Summary: This article provides a global and updated description of the most important molecular, cellular, and clinical features of all known monogenic defects of MSMD. Over the last 20 years, 19 genes were found to be mutated in MSMD patients, and the allelic heterogeneity at these loci has led to the definition of 35 different genetic defects. Despite the clinical and genetic heterogeneity, almost all genetic etiologies of MSMD alter the interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-mediated immunity.
EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)