Article
Virology
Zhaochen Luo, Alanson W. Girton, Brook E. Heaton, Nicholas S. Heaton
Summary: This study introduces a new platform to evaluate the contributions of non-hemagglutinin proteins to influenza vaccine-mediated protection, showing that these structural proteins together may help to mediate broad antiviral protection. Understanding the importance of non-HA viral proteins in addition to the major viral antigen could contribute to the development of more universal influenza vaccines with broader and longer-lasting protection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Danielle E. Campbell, Megan T. Baldridge
Summary: The study reveals that enteric eukaryotic viruses play an immunomodulatory role in the healthy intestinal microbiota, and using a single virus infection approach, it uncovers both generalized viral immune responses and numerous unique, virus-specific response profiles.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Review
Virology
Emily Fate Griffin, Stephen Mark Tompkins
Summary: This article reviews the determinants of specific phenotypes of Influenza A virus, with a focus on the fitness, transmission, and virulence determinants in swine IAVs and/or in relation to the 2009 pdmH1N1 virus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rute Maria Pinto, Siddharth Bakshi, Spyros Lytras, Mohammad Khalid Zakaria, Simon Swingler, Julie C. Worrell, Vanessa Herder, Kerrie E. Hargrave, Margus Varjak, Natalia Cameron-Ruiz, Mila Collados Rodriguez, Mariana Varela, Arthur Wickenhagen, Colin Loney, Yanlong Pei, Joseph Hughes, Elise Valette, Matthew L. Turnbull, Wilhelm Furnon, Quan Gu, Lauren Orr, Aislynn Taggart, Ola Diebold, Chris Davis, Chris Boutell, Finn Grey, Edward Hutchinson, Paul Digard, Isabella Monne, Sarah K. Wootton, Megan K. L. MacLeod, Sam J. Wilson, Massimo Palmarini
Summary: The human protein BTN3A3 has been identified as a potent inhibitor of avian influenza viruses but not human influenza viruses. However, some avian influenza viruses can evade this inhibition. Therefore, the sensitivity or resistance to BTN3A3 should be considered in the risk assessment of zoonotic potential of avian influenza viruses.
Article
Virology
Ping Li, Ruikun Du, Zinuo Chen, Yanyan Wang, Peng Zhan, Xinyong Liu, Dongwei Kang, Zhaoyu Chen, Xiujuan Zhao, Lin Wang, Lijun Rong, Qinghua Cui
Summary: Punicalagin from plants shows strong anti-influenza activity with a low micromolar IC(50)value. It primarily targets NA-mediated viral release, inhibits replication of different strains of influenza A and B viruses, including oseltamivir-resistant virus (NA/H274Y), and is a potential novel antiviral against influenza viruses.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa A. Rolfes, H. Keipp Talbot, Huong Q. McLean, Melissa S. Stockwell, Katherine D. Ellingson, Karen Lutrick, Natalie M. Bowman, Emily E. Bendall, Ayla Bullock, James D. Chappell, Jessica E. Deyoe, Julie Gilbert, Natasha B. Halasa, Kimberly E. Hart, Sheroi Johnson, Ahra Kim, Adam S. Lauring, Jessica T. Lin, Christopher J. Lindsell, Son H. McLaren, Jennifer K. Meece, Alexandra M. Mellis, Miriana Moreno Zivanovich, Constance E. Ogokeh, Michelle Rodriguez, Ellen Sano, Raul A. Silverio A. Francisco, Jonathan E. Schmitz, Celibell Y. Vargas, Amy Yang, Yuwei Zhu, Edward A. Belongia, Carrie Reed, Carlos G. Grijalva
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in global influenza virus infections. However, there was an increased risk of influenza virus infection during the 2021-2022 influenza season due to loss of natural immunity and antigenic changes in circulating viruses.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mireille Farjo, Christopher B. Brooke
Summary: Influenza viruses infecting the same host can hinder each other's replication, leading to spatial structuring of infected cells in tissue and impacting viral evolution.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebekah Honce, Stacey Schultz-Cherry
Summary: Avian influenza viruses can infect mammals, and the mutations accumulated in viruses obtained from humans infected with emerging avian H3N8 viruses can promote respiratory droplet transmission and disease in mammals.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kevin Ciminski, Geoffrey P. Chase, Martin Beer, Martin Schwemmle
Summary: Emergent IAV strains from animal hosts typically have poor adaptation to humans and cannot establish sustained transmission. Despite frequent exposure to endemic IAV in animal populations, the number of pandemics in humans remains surprisingly low.
TRENDS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Rina Fajri Nuwarda, Abdulsalam Abdullah Alharbi, Veysel Kayser
Summary: Influenza is a major public health concern, and vaccines are an effective method for prevention and control. New vaccine platforms and advancements in vaccine manufacturing processes are being explored to improve effectiveness and stability.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael A. Zeller, Jordan Ma, Foong Ying Wong, Sothyra Tum, Arata Hidano, Hannah Holt, Ty Chhay, San Sorn, Dina Koeut, Bunnary Seng, Sovanncheypo Chao, Giselle G. K. Ng, Zhuang Yan, Monidarin Chou, James W. Rudge, Gavin J. D. Smith, Yvonne C. F. Su
Summary: Swine are a primary source for the emergence of pandemic influenza A viruses. Effective surveillance is essential to uncover emerging virus strains. This study revealed the co-circulation of multiple lineages of genetically diverse swine influenza A virus (swIAV) in Southeast Asia and identified a novel reassortant variant. The findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance for early warning of disease emergence and prevention of future pandemics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Raphael J. Crum, Brydie R. Huckestien, Gaelen Dwyer, Lisa Mathews, David G. Nascari, George S. Hussey, Heth R. Turnquist, John F. Alcorn, Stephen F. Badylak
Summary: Cytokine storm is a life-threatening inflammatory syndrome characterized by elevated proinflammatory cytokines and immune cell hyperactivation. Matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBV) have been shown to down-regulate proinflammatory immune responses. This study assessed the efficacy of MBV in a murine model of influenza-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome and cytokine storm. Intravenous administration of MBV decreased total lung inflammatory cell density, proinflammatory macrophages, and cytokines following viral inoculation, while also increasing the proportion of activated anti-viral T cells. These findings suggest that MBV has immunomodulatory properties that may be beneficial in treating viral-mediated pulmonary inflammation, including diseases such as SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beryl Mazel-Sanchez, Justyna Iwaszkiewicz, Joao P. P. Bonifacio, Filo Silva, Chengyue Niu, Shirin Strohmeier, Davide Eletto, Florian Krammer, Gene Tan, Vincent Zoete, Benjamin G. Hale, Mirco Schmolke
Summary: The excessive production of viral glycoproteins during infections can put a significant stress on the host cell's endoplasmic reticulum protein folding machinery. However, viruses have developed mechanisms to optimize this stress for their own replication by balancing folding capacity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Immunology
SangJoon Lee, Jin-Hyeob Ryu
Summary: The innate immune system serves as the first line of defense against influenza viruses, and mRNA vaccines are being explored as a promising alternative to traditional approaches due to their safety, cost-effectiveness, rapid development capabilities, and high efficacy. This review provides insights into the innate immune response to mRNA vaccination, as well as discusses the future directions and challenges in advancing this promising therapeutic approach.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Alvin X. Han, Simon P. J. de Jong, Colin A. Russell
Summary: This review summarizes the interplay between immunity evolution from previous infections or vaccination and the evolution of seasonal influenza viruses, including functional constraints, within-host evolutionary processes, and options for influenza virus control. It is found that seasonal influenza viruses continually evolve to escape host immunity, driven by viral constraints and host immune responses. However, it remains unclear how these advances can effectively reduce the impact of seasonal influenza on human health.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eliza M. Melo, Juliana Del Sarto, Juliana P. Vago, Luciana P. Tavares, Flavia Rago, Ana Paula F. Goncalves, Marina G. Machado, Irene Aranda-Pardos, Bruno V. S. Valiate, Geovanni D. Cassali, Vanessa Pinho, Lirlandia P. Sousa, Noelia A-Gonzalez, Maria Jose Campagnole-Santos, Michael Bader, Robson A. S. Santos, Alexandre Machado, Stephan Ludwig, Mauro M. Teixeira
Summary: Therapeutic treatment with Ang-(1-7) reduces neutrophil recruitment and lung injury, decreases viral load and morbidity after primary IAV infection, and protects against secondary bacterial infection of the lung. However, these effects are MasR-dependent, as MasR-deficient mice were highly susceptible to IAV infection and did not benefit from Ang-(1-7) treatment.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christian Boeing, Christian Sandten, Eike R. Hrincius, Darisuren Anhlan, Andreas Dworog, Stephanie Hanning, Thilo Kuennemann, Christopher Niehues, Thomas Schupp, Edyta Stec, Julius Thume, Daniel Triphaus, Markus Wilkens, Holger Uphoff, Josef Zuendorf, Anja Jacobshagen, Martin Kreyenschmidt, Stephan Ludwig, Hans-Christoph Mertins, Alexander Mellmann
Summary: This study aimed to develop a simple, inexpensive, and ecological method for decontamination of disposable FFPs while preserving filtration efficiency and material integrity. The results showed that immersion in a 6% acetic acid and 6% hydrogen peroxide solution for 30 minutes completely eliminated contaminants without compromising the performance of FFPs.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Viktor Wixler, Igor Z. Zaytsev, Rafael Leite Dantas, Tanja Schied, Yvonne Boergeling, Veronika Luehrmann, Georg Varga, Doerthe Masemann, Stephan Ludwig
Summary: The restoration of immune tolerance is crucial in treating autoimmune diseases. Small splenic peptides (SSPs) have been found to convert dendritic cells (DCs) into tolerogenic cells, leading to the differentiation of naive CD4+ cells into Foxp3-expressing T regulatory cells (Tregs), and effectively suppressing the development of psoriatic arthritis.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephan Ludwig, Sabine Blass-Kampmann, Frank Ulrich Mueller
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yeonsu Kim, Xiaoyan Zheng, Kathrin Eschke, M. Zeeshan Chaudhry, Federico Bertoglio, Adriana Tomic, Astrid Krmpotic, Markus Hoffmann, Yotam Bar-On, Julia Boehme, Dunja Bruder, Thomas Ebensen, Linda Brunotte, Stephan Ludwig, Martin Messerle, Carlos Guzman, Ofer Mandelboim, Michael Hust, Stefan Poehlmann, Stipan Jonjic, Luka Cicin-Sain
Summary: CMV vectors induce long-term cellular immunity and long-term immune protection against clinically relevant respiratory pathogens.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andre Schreiber, Dorothee Viemann, Jennifer Schoening, Sebastian Schloer, Angeles Mecate Zambrano, Linda Brunotte, Aileen Faist, Michael Schoefbaenker, Eike Hrincius, Helen Hoffmann, Markus Hoffmann, Stefan Poehlmann, Ursula Rescher, Oliver Planz, Stephan Ludwig
Summary: The Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway may represent a target for therapeutic intervention against SARS-CoV-2 infections, and ATR-002 shows promising potential as a candidate drug with strong antiviral activity and the ability to prevent COVID-19-associated inflammation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
M. Zeeshan Chaudhry, Kathrin Eschke, Markus Hoffmann, Martina Grashoff, Leila Abassi, Yeonsu Kim, Linda Brunotte, Stephan Ludwig, Andrea Kroeger, Frank Klawonn, Stefan H. Poehlmann, Luka Cicin-Sain
Summary: The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with spike mutations highlights the potential for adaptation and evolution of the coronavirus, despite the stable consensus genotype of clinical isolates.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonas Schuhenn, Toni Luise Meister, Daniel Todt, Thilo Bracht, Karin Schork, Jean-Noel Billaud, Carina Elsner, Natalie Heinen, Zehra Karakoese, Sibylle Haid, Sriram Kumar, Linda Brunotte, Martin Eisenacher, Yunyun Di, Jocelyne Lew, Darryl Falzarano, Jieliang Chen, Zhenghong Yuan, Thomas Pietschmann, Bettina Wiegmann, Hendrik Uebner, Christian Taube, Vu Thuy Khanh Le-Trilling, Mirko Trilling, Adalbert Krawczyk, Stephan Ludwig, Barbara Sitek, Eike Steinmann, Ulf Dittmer, Kerry J. Lavender, Kathrin Sutter, Stephanie Pfaender
Summary: This study found that different subtypes of IFN-alpha have varying antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, with IFN-alpha 5 showing the highest efficacy. Combination treatment with the broad antiviral drug remdesivir enhanced the antiviral effect. These findings are important for understanding the mechanism of IFN-I-mediated antiviral response and developing treatments for COVID-19.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yotam Menuchin-Lasowski, Andre Schreiber, Aaron Lecanda, Angeles Mecate-Zambrano, Linda Brunotte, Olympia E. Psathaki, Stephan Ludwig, Thomas Rauen, Hans R. Schoeler
Summary: Several studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can infect and replicate in retinal cells, inducing inflammatory responses and relying on ACE2 for infection. Therefore, it is important to monitor the potential effects of COVID-19 on the retina.
Article
Respiratory System
Katja Hoenzke, Benedikt Obermayer, Christin Mache, Diana Fathykova, Mirjana Kessler, Simon Doekel, Emanuel Wyler, Morris Baumgardt, Anna Loewa, Karen Hoffmann, Patrick Graff, Jessica Schulze, Maren Mieth, Katharina Hellwig, Zeynep Demir, Barbara Biere, Linda Brunotte, Angeles Mecate-Zambrano, Judith Bushe, Melanie Dohmen, Christian Hinze, Sefer Elezkurtaj, Mario Toennies, Torsten T. Bauer, Stephan Eggeling, Hong-Linh Tran, Paul Schneider, Jens Neudecker, Jens C. Rueckert, Kai M. Schmidt-Ott, Jonas Busch, Frederick Klauschen, David Horst, Helena Radbruch, Josefine Radke, Frank Heppner, Victor M. Corman, Daniela Niemeyer, Marcel A. Mueller, Christine Goffinet, Ronja Mothes, Anna Pascual-Reguant, Anja Erika Hauser, Dieter Beule, Markus Landthaler, Stephan Ludwig, Norbert Suttorp, Martin Witzenrath, Achim D. Gruber, Christian Drosten, Leif-Erik Sander, Thorsten Wolff, Stefan Hippenstiel, Andreas C. Hocke
Summary: This study reveals that severe lung injury in COVID-19 may result from macrophage-triggered immune activation rather than direct viral damage to the alveolar compartment.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Aileen Faist, Josua Janowski, Sriram Kumar, Saskia Hinse, Duygu Merve Caliskan, Julius Lange, Stephan Ludwig, Linda Brunotte
Summary: Respiratory infections with newly emerging zoonotic viruses can cause severe disease and high mortality by perturbing the human immune responses. This review discusses the similarities and differences between SARS-CoV-2 and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in terms of immune induction, disease dynamics, and long-term sequelae. It also highlights important lessons about the effectiveness of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies learned from this pandemic.
Article
Immunology
Sebastian Schloer, Daniel Treuherz, Aileen Faist, Marlous de Witt, Katharina Wunderlich, Rainer Wiewrodt, Karsten Wiebe, Peter Barth, Joo-Hee Waelzlein, Susann Kummer, Anne Balkema-Buschmann, Stephan Ludwig, Linda Brunotte, Ursula Rescher
Summary: In order to study the viral life cycle, describe the pathophysiological consequences of viral infection, and explore possible drug targets and treatment options, it is necessary to establish physiologically relevant models. This study established a murine lung tissue explant platform for studying influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2. The platform demonstrated efficient viral replication, release of inflammatory cytokines, and induction of antiviral interferon response.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andre Schreiber, Benjamin Ambrosy, Oliver Planz, Sebastian Schloer, Ursula Rescher, Stephan Ludwig
Summary: In this study, researchers found that the MEK1/2 inhibitor ATR-002 can synergistically enhance the effect of direct-acting antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, reducing the effective concentrations of the drugs and minimizing side effects.
Article
Virology
Stephan Ludwig, Stephan Pleschka, Oliver Planz
Summary: Acute hyperinflammatory virus infections, such as influenza or coronavirus disease-19, are still a major health burden worldwide. Direct-acting antivirals may induce viral resistance, while a host-targeted strategy using inhibitors of the cellular Raf/MEK/ERK kinase cascade shows potential in blocking virus replication and suppressing cytokine response. The MEK inhibitor Zapnometinib has shown evidence of clinical benefit in a phase-II clinical trial.
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Matthias Rohrbeck, Verena Hoerr, Ilaria Piccini, Boris Greber, Jan Sebastian Schulte, Sara-Sophie Huebner, Elena Jeworutzki, Carsten Theiss, Veronika Matschke, Joerg Stypmann, Andreas Unger, Huyen Tran Ho, Paul Disse, Nathalie Strutz-Seebohm, Cornelius Faber, Frank Ulrich Mueller, Stephan Ludwig, Ursula Rescher, Wolfgang A. A. Linke, Karin Klingel, Karin Busch, Stefan Peischard, Guiscard Seebohm
Summary: Using a transgenic mouse strain (TG) containing a CVB3 Delta VP0 genome, we have revealed virus-mediated cardiac pathophysiological processes in vivo and in vitro. Transgenic mice showed significant alterations in cardiac function, pathologic ECG alterations, calcium homeostasis, intracellular organization, and gene expression. The results also suggest that mitochondrial impairment may contribute to cardiac contractile dysfunction.