Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zihan Zhu, Ervin Fodor, Jeremy R. Keown
Summary: Influenza virus replication relies on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and viral ribonucleoprotein complex. Recent structural data have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of influenza virus genome replication, particularly in terms of the encapsidation of nascent RNA, de novo assembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes, and the regulation of replication initiation through interactions with host and viral cues.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Bo Zhang, Shuai Xu, Minxuan Liu, Yanli Wei, Qian Wang, Wentao Shen, Cao-Qi Lei, Qiyun Zhu
Summary: Mitophagy, a type of autophagy, plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of functional mitochondria in the cell. This study identified the nucleoprotein (NP) of H1N1 virus as a regulator of mitophagy. The NP-mediated mitophagy leads to the degradation of MAVS, a protein anchored to mitochondria, which then blocks antiviral signaling and promotes virus replication. The interaction between NP, MAVS, and the cargo receptor TOLLIP is required for the NP-mediated mitophagy. Furthermore, a specific mutation in NP significantly reduces virus-induced mitophagy and virus replication in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this study uncovers a novel mechanism in which the NP of influenza virus induces mitophagy to attenuate innate immunity.
Article
Microbiology
Kin Kui Lai, James B. B. Munro, Guoli Shi, Saliha Majdoul, Alex A. A. Compton, Alan Rein
Summary: Serine incorporator 5 (Ser5) is a host antiviral factor against HIV-1, gammaretroviruses, and Influenza A virus (IAV). It inhibits virus-cell fusion by interacting with HA proteins and destabilizing the pre-fusion conformation of IAV HA. This study provides insights into the antiviral mechanism of Ser5.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Isabel Leroux-Roels, Paul Willems, Gwenn Waerlop, Yorick Janssens, Jessika Tourneur, Fien De Boever, Jacques Bruhwyler, Azhar Alhatemi, Bart Jacobs, Florence Nicolas, Geert Leroux-Roels, Alexandre Le Vert
Summary: The study explored higher doses of the OVX836 vaccine and found that it displayed good safety and elicited both humoral and cellular immune responses, including CD8 T-cell responses at the highest dose levels. These findings make OVX836 a promising candidate vaccine for universal prevention of influenza A, warranting further trials.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
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
Immunology
Caiyue Ren, Tong Chen, Shishuo Zhang, Qingxia Gao, Jiahui Zou, Peng Li, Biaoxiong Wang, Yaxin Zhao, Aotian Ouyang, Sizhu Suolang, Hongbo Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the gene expression profiles in response to swine H1N1/2009 influenza A virus infection in newborn pig trachea cells. The researchers found that PLK3, a member of the PLK family, was upregulated after infection and played a crucial role in viral replication.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Isabel Pagani, Guido Poli, Elisa Vicenzi
Summary: Upon viral invasion, host cells activate defense mechanisms to prevent further viral propagation through the production of type I interferons and activation of IFN-stimulated genes. TRIM22, as a member of the TRIM family, plays a crucial role in antiviral defense by targeting various DNA and RNA viruses, such as HIV-1 and IAV, through direct or indirect interactions with viral components at both protein and chromatin levels.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zhao Yu-hui, Wen Xia, Li Qi-bing, Jiang Li, Wang Guang-wen, Liang Li-bin, Wang Xiu-rong, Chen Hua-Ian, Li Cheng-jun
Summary: In this study, two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus (IAV) were generated and shown to have broad applications in virus research and disease diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Na Jiang, Liqiu Quan, Yan Zhou, Yungyi Cheng, Hongmei Li, Xuanqin Chen, Rongtao Li, Dan Liu
Summary: This study found that TP derivatives have antiviral activity and anti-inflammatory effects against influenza A virus by inhibiting viral replication and regulating immune response. They could be potential candidates for antiviral drugs.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Carole Farre, Sara Viezzi, Alice Wright, Perrine Robin, Nathalie Lejal, Marisa Manzano, Jasmina Vidic, Carole Chaix
Summary: This study developed a sensitive magnetic bead-based enzyme-linked immunoassay (MELISA) for the comprehensive detection of Influenza A virus. The assay combined immunomagnetic beads and biotin-nanoparticle-based detection to quantify the viral nucleoprotein. The use of biotin-nanoparticles enabled low detection limits and the new MELISA method showed high specificity without cross-reactivity with a porcine respiratory virus.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Weinan Zheng, Liang Cui, Minghui Li, Yun Li, Wenhui Fan, Limin Yang, Jing Li, Lei Sun, Wenjun Liu
Summary: The study identified a novel strain of influenza A virus with cold sensitivity conferred by a mutation in the phosphorylation site within the nucleoprotein. The mutation led to reduced replicative capacity of the virus in low temperatures, attributed to diminished NP oligomerization. This suggests that the phosphorylation of NP may play a critical role in regulating the temperature sensitivity of influenza A virus.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yang Zhang, Wei-Feng Xu, Yunjia Yu, Qun Zhang, Lianghao Huang, Cui Hao, Chang-Lun Shao, Wei Wang
Summary: Due to drug resistance and high morbidity and mortality, there is a strong demand for novel anti-influenza A virus (IAV) drugs with different targets. A quinolone alkaloid (QLA) derived from marine fungus was discovered with broad-spectrum anti-IAV activities and low toxicity. QLA blocks virus replication and vRNA export by targeting NP, which is distinct from current anti-IAV drugs. QLA has the potential to be developed into a novel anti-IAV agent targeting virus NP protein in the future.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Minjin Kim, Yucheol Cheong, Jinhee Lee, Jongkwan Lim, Sanguine Byun, Yo Han Jang, Baik Lin Seong
Summary: This study demonstrated that caspase-triggered live attenuated influenza vaccine induced broad reactive antibody response and provided heterosubtypic protection against diverse influenza viruses in mice model. The protection relied on non-neutralizing antibodies-mediated ADCC activities and robust mucosal secretion of sIgA, which highlight the potential of this vaccine as a promising option for developing a universal influenza vaccine.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Min Gu, Jun Jiao, Suhan Liu, Wanchen Zhao, Zhichuang Ge, Kairui Cai, Lijun Xu, Dongchang He, Xinyu Zhang, Xian Qi, Wenming Jiang, Pinghu Zhang, Xiaoquan Wang, Shunlin Hu, Xiufan Liu
Summary: A monoclonal antibody (mAb) called 5F10 has been developed that targets the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus (IAV) and exhibits broad-spectrum reactivity against different subtypes of avian influenza viruses and swine and human influenza viruses. The recognized antigenic epitope of the mAb 5F10 has been identified, which will be valuable for studying the structure, function, and mechanism of NP protein, as well as the development of detection methods and universal vaccines for IAV.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nhan L. T. Nguyen, Wei Wu, Nelly Pante
Summary: This study investigates the role of the nucleoprotein (NP) localization signals in the nuclear import of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs) during influenza A virus infection. The study demonstrates that both NLS1 and NLS2 of the NP protein are crucial for successful infection, indicating their important role in the infection cycle of the virus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giacomo Quilici, Andrea Berardi, Chantal Fabris, Michela Ghitti, Marco Punta, Louise J. Gourlay, Martino Bolognesi, Giovanna Musco
Summary: The SYLF domain of the BPSL1445 protein, a seroreactive antigen and diagnostic marker of Burkholderia pseudomallei, shows a beta-barrel core structure with flexible loops and helices. The study reveals weak interactions with phosphoinositides, supporting lipid binding abilities in prokaryotes and suggesting a common ancestry with bacterial EipA domains.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Andrea Di Pietro, Jack Polmear, Lucy Cooper, Timon Damelang, Tabinda Hussain, Lauren Hailes, Kristy O'Donnell, Vibha Udupa, Tian Mi, Simon Preston, Areen Shtewe, Uri Hershberg, Stephen J. Turner, Nicole L. La Gruta, Amy W. Chung, David M. Tarlinton, Christopher D. Scharer, Kim L. Good-Jacobson
Summary: Research reveals that BMI-1 plays a crucial role in chronic viral infections, and targeting BMI-1 can enhance humoral immune responses and accelerate viral clearance. Deficiency of BMI-1 can increase neutralizing and effector function of antibodies, ultimately restoring antibody quality.
Article
Immunology
Matteo Stravalaci, Isabel Pagani, Elvezia Maria Paraboschi, Mattia Pedotti, Andrea Doni, Francesco Scavello, Sarah N. Mapelli, Marina Sironi, Chiara Perucchini, Luca Varani, Milos Matkovic, Andrea Cavalli, Daniela Cesana, Pierangela Gallina, Nicoletta Pedemonte, Valeria Capurro, Nicola Clementi, Nicasio Mancini, Pietro Invernizzi, Rafael Bayarri-Olmos, Peter Garred, Rino Rappuoli, Stefano Duga, Barbara Bottazzi, Mariagrazia Uguccioni, Rosanna Asselta, Elisa Vicenzi, Alberto Mantovani, Cecilia Garlanda
Summary: This study demonstrates that selected human humoral fluid-phase pattern recognition molecules can interact with SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19, including PTX3 and MBL, exerting antiviral activity and being associated with disease severity. These findings have important implications for resistance and pathogenesis of COVID-19.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Pagani, Pietro Demela, Silvia Ghezzi, Elisa Vicenzi, Massimo Pizzato, Guido Poli
Summary: In addition to CD4(+) T lymphocytes, myeloid cells and differentiated macrophages are targets of HIV-1 infection, and there are significant differences in virus replication between the two cell types. Understanding these differences is crucial for evaluating the role of cell-associated restriction factors in preventing virus replication in macrophages and T cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Rosanna Asselta, Elvezia Maria Paraboschi, Matteo Stravalaci, Pietro Invernizzi, Paolo Bonfanti, Andrea Biondi, Isabel Pagani, Mattia Pedotti, Andrea Doni, Francesco Scavello, Sarah N. Mapelli, Marina Sironi, Chiara Perucchini, Luca Varani, Milos Matkovic, Andrea Cavalli, Daniela Cesana, Pierangela Gallina, Nicoletta Pedemonte, Valeria Capurro, Nicola Clementi, Nicasio Mancini, Rafael Bayarri-Olmos, Peter Garred, Rino Rappuoli, Stefano Duga, Barbara Bottazzi, Mariagrazia Uguccioni, Elisa Vicenzi, Alberto Mantovani, Cecilia Garlanda
Article
Hematology
Sabrina Bertini, Anna Alekseeva, Stefano Elli, Isabel Pagani, Serena Zanzoni, Giorgio Eisele, Ravi Krishnan, Klaus P. Maag, Christian Reiter, Dominik Lenhart, Rudolf Gruber, Edwin A. Yates, Elisa Vicenzi, Annamaria Naggi, Antonella Bisio, Marco Guerrini
Summary: The study found that the plant-derived, semi-synthetic polysaccharide, pentosan polysulfate (PPS), has the potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, with better tolerability and weaker anticoagulant effects compared to heparin. Experimental results showed that PPS can inhibit the invasion of SARS-CoV-2 in cells, suggesting its potential application as a novel inhibitor of the virus.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Berardi, Oronza A. Botrugno, Giacomo Quilici, Jose Manuel Garcia Manteiga, Angela Bachi, Giovanni Tonon, Giovanna Musco
Summary: NSD1, NSD2, and NSD3 proteins belong to a family of histone 3 lysine 36 (H3K36) methyltransferases with similar domain architecture. However, their activities differ due to variations in their non-enzymatic domains and their ability to recognize different epigenetic marks and interactors. In this study, the researchers provide structural evidence for the distinctiveness of the PHDvC5HCH domain of NSD1 in recognizing the C2HR Zinc finger domain of Nizp1. They also demonstrate the functional association between Nizp1 and NSD1 in driving the unscheduled expression of certain genes in leukemia. These findings shed light on the pathophysiological relevance of the Nizp1-NSD1 interaction and suggest it as a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting oncogenic properties.
Article
Virology
Isabel Pagani, Linda Ottoboni, Paola Podini, Silvia Ghezzi, Elena Brambilla, Svetlana Bezukladova, Davide Corti, Marco Emilio Bianchi, Maria Rosaria Capobianchi, Guido Poli, Paola Panina-Bordignon, Edwin A. Yates, Gianvito Martino, Elisa Vicenzi
Summary: Heparin exhibits neuroprotective effects against Zika virus infection by inhibiting cell death, necrosis and apoptosis, and preserving cell differentiation, while also inhibiting virus replication.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Granata, Isabel Pagani, Emanuela Morenghi, Maria Lucia Schiavone, Alessandra Lezzi, Silvia Ghezzi, Elisa Vicenzi, Guido Poli, Cristina Sobacchi
Summary: Preliminary evidence suggests an interaction between NBAS and NBAS-related functions and SARS-CoV-2 in infected cells, as observed in the early time points after infection of human lung epithelial cell line Calu3.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Unali, Giovanni Crivicich, Isabel Pagani, Monah Abou-Alezz, Filippo Folchini, Erika Valeri, Vittoria Matafora, Julie A. Reisz, Anna Maria Sole Giordano, Ivan Cuccovillo, Giacomo M. Butta, Lorena Donnici, Angelo D'Alessandro, Raffaele De Francesco, Lara Manganaro, Davide Cittaro, Ivan Merelli, Carolina Petrillo, Angela Bachi, Elisa Vicenzi, Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski
Summary: The interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM) inhibit endocytic viral entry by binding to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), which plays a key role in endosomal antiviral immunity. The level of PIP3 is closely correlated with the potency of endosomal IFITM restriction, and exogenous PIP3 enhances the inhibition of endocytic viruses. These findings elucidate cell-compartment-specific antiviral mechanisms and have potential relevance for the development of broadly acting antiviral strategies.
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Isabel Pagani, Silvia Ghezzi, Simone Alberti, Guido Poli, Elisa Vicenzi
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that emerged in China in late 2019, causing the severe disease known as COVID-19. Unlike the previous SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic origin and its animal-to-human transmission chain remains undefined. It has spread globally in an unprecedented manner in an immunologically naive population.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
M. Stravalaci, I. Pagani, E. M. Paraboschi, M. Pedotti, A. Doni, F. Scavello, S. N. Mapelli, M. Sironi, C. Perucchini, L. Varani, M. Matkovic, A. Cavalli, D. Cesana, P. Gallina, N. Pedemonte, V. Capurro, N. Clementi, N. Mancini, P. Invernizzi, R. Bayarri-Olmos, P. Garred, R. Rappuoli, S. Duga, B. Bottazzi, M. Uguccioni, R. Asselta, E. Vicenzi, A. Mantovani, C. Garlanda
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Kim Good-Jacobson, Andrea Di Pietro, Lucy Cooper
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Isabel Pagani, Silvia Ghezzi, Elisa Vicenzi, Guido Poli
Summary: In the summer of 1981, a new deadly disease called AIDS emerged, affecting various populations. The first combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in 1996 saved countless lives. However, complete eradication of the virus has only been achieved in two individuals through stem cell transplantation.
NEW MICROBIOLOGICA
(2022)