Article
Virology
Puja Bagri, Ramtin Ghasemi, Joshua J. C. McGrath, Danya Thayaparan, Emma Yu, Andrew G. Brooks, Martin R. Staempfli, Charu Kaushic
Summary: This study reveals a new role for E2 in enhancing CD4(+) memory T cells postintranasal immunization with HSV-2. Under the influence of E2 treatment, there is an enhanced establishment of antiviral memory T cell responses in the upper respiratory tract and female reproductive tract, with greater T(h)17 memory cells preceding enhanced T(h)1 memory responses. The findings suggest potential strategies for generating optimal immunity during vaccination.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Sita Awasthi, Harvey M. Friedman
Summary: The rapid development of two nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccines has revolutionized the field of COVID-19 vaccines with their safety and high effectiveness. The mRNA technology offers advantages such as accelerated immunogen discovery, robust immune response induction, and rapid manufacturing scale-up. Developing a genital herpes vaccine has been a longstanding public health priority, and the advent of mRNA technology holds promise in changing the narrative. The development of nucleoside-modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccines for genital herpes shows great potential in inducing higher levels of neutralizing antibodies and more durable immune responses compared to protein-adjuvanted vaccines.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Tao Peng, Khamsone Phasouk, Catherine N. Sodroski, Sijie Sun, Yon Hwangbo, Erik D. Layton, Lei Jin, Alexis Klock, Kurt Diem, Amalia S. Magaret, Lichen Jing, Kerry Laing, Alvason Li, Meei-Li Huang, Max Mertens, Christine Johnston, Keith R. Jerome, David M. Koelle, Anna Wald, David M. Knipe, Lawrence Corey, Jia Zhu
Summary: CD8TRM plays a critical role in controlling herpes reactivation by impacting the tissue microenvironment and instructing innate and cell-intrinsic antiviral machinery through antigen-specific recognition. Activation of broad innate resistance by communication from CD8TRM to surrounding epithelial cells may be essential in restraining various viral diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mojtaba Mohammadi Arani, Amir Parviz Salati, Saeed Keyvanshokooh, Omid Safari
Summary: The study found that supplementing zebrafish with 4 x 10^6 CFU PA g(-1) improved their growth and reproductive performance, as well as enhancing mucosal immune responses. Additionally, this concentration of PA also impacted alkaline phosphatase activity in skin mucus, intestinal villus length, and the expression of the Cyp19a gene.
FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sawsan AlMukdad, Manale Harfouche, Anja Wettstein, Laith J. Abu-Raddad
Summary: This systematic review characterized HSV-2 epidemiology in Asia, showing a declining seroprevalence of HSV-2. The study found high proportions of HSV-2 isolation in genital ulcer disease and genital herpes cases, supporting the need for an HSV-2 vaccine and universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bingtao Ren, Yan Zhu
Summary: Thyroid hormones play a vital role in regulating the female reproductive system through genomic and nongenomic mechanisms, interacting with other reproductive hormones in a complex signaling network. Understanding the interactions among these hormones is crucial for elucidating the etiology of female reproductive diseases and exploring new treatments for gynecological disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Devaki Pilapitiya, Adam K. Wheatley, Hyon-Xhi Tan
Summary: Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines administered parenterally induce robust systemic humoral and cellular responses, but their effectiveness in preventing breakthrough infection and/or transmission is limited due to poor immunity at the respiratory mucosa. Therefore, there is considerable interest in developing mucosal vaccines that elicit localized immune responses for better protection at the site of virus entry. This review explores mucosal immunity, evaluates studies on the efficacy of mucosal immunity conferred by vaccination or respiratory infection, discusses ongoing clinical trials of mucosal vaccines, and assesses challenges and prospects for mucosal vaccine development.
Article
Microbiology
Yan Yan, Kai Hu, Ming Fu, Xu Deng, Sukun Luo, Lina Tong, Xinmeng Guan, Siyi He, Chang Li, Wei Jin, Tao Du, Zifeng Zheng, Mudan Zhang, Yalan Liu, Qinxue Hu
Summary: By immunizing with chemokine-antigen fusion constructs, especially CCL28, along with DNA vaccines, enhanced immune responses against mucosal viral infections, particularly HSV-2, were achieved in mice. This study highlights the potential of using CCL19 or CCL28 in combination with antigens as a promising vaccination strategy to control genital mucosal infections.
Review
Immunology
Madalina Preda, Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu, Razvan Daniel Chivu
Summary: Alpha herpes simplex viruses pose a significant public health problem, affecting people of all ages. From common cold sores to severe conditions like encephalitis and newborn mortality, the virus produces varying levels of pathology. While there is an efficient vaccine for varicella-zoster virus, there is no available vaccine for herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 despite several approaches, including trivalent subunit vaccines and bioinformatic studies. However, recent promising attempts, such as a trivalent vaccine and a multivalent DNA vaccine, offer hope for future solutions.
Article
Immunology
Yosef Tsegaye, Wasihun Admassu, Abebe Edao, Samuel Kinde, Meaza Gentu, Markos Negash, Tadelo Wondmagegn, Addisu Gize, Martha Zewdie, Kidist Bobosha, Liya Wassie
Summary: Effective control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection involves both the endocrine and immune system. Profiling hormones and antibodies in different stages of TB provides insight in the pathogenesis of the disease. The levels of these biomarkers significantly vary across the spectrum of TB illness, suggesting their key roles in TB pathogenesis and potential as effective biomarkers for TB treatment monitoring or diagnostics.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Amanda D. Caulfield, Maiya Callender, Eric T. Harvill
Summary: Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough, a severe respiratory disease with high morbidity and mortality in infants and young children. Current vaccines do not provide long-lasting immunity and cannot prevent subclinical infection or transmission. Research limitations and potent immunomodulation by the bacterium have hindered efforts to generate robust mucosal immunity. New directions and methods are needed to fill critical gaps in understanding host-pathogen dynamics and to develop novel vaccines that can halt the circulation of Bordetella pertussis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Parveen Sobia, Thevani Pillay, Lenine J. P. Liebenberg, Aida Sivro, Leila E. Mansoor, Farzana Osman, Jo-Ann S. Passmore, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Cheryl Baxter, Lyle R. McKinnon, Derseree Archary
Summary: This study investigated the impact of genital inflammation on antibody isotypes and IgG subclasses in the female genital tract before HIV infection. It found that women with genital inflammation had significantly higher levels of IgM, IgG1, IgG3, IgG4 compared to those without. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly correlated with higher levels of mucosal antibodies, suggesting a potential link between local inflammation and mucosal antibody profiles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Wenyong Huang, Dongmei Ye, Wenjing He, Xiaoshun He, Xiaomin Shi, Yifang Gao
Summary: The study found that MAIT cells in patients with HCC had lower levels in both peripheral blood and liver compared to healthy controls, with reduced IFN-γ production. While peripheral MAIT cells showed upregulation of HLA-DR and PD-1, intrasinusoidal MAIT cells did not exhibit significant differences. Additionally, MAIT cells were significantly enriched in the livers of HCC patients, showing high levels of activation and exhaustion markers.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Anthony J. St Leger, David M. Koelle, Paul R. Kinchington, Georges Michel G. M. Verjans
Summary: HSV-1 genomes persist in trigeminal ganglia neuronal nuclei as chromatinized episomes, while epithelial cells are typically killed by lytic infection. The ganglionic immune response includes cell-intrinsic responses in neurons, innate sensing by several cell types, and the infiltration and persistence of antigen-specific T-cells. The contrasting fates of HSV-1 in neurons and epithelial cells may involve differential genome silencing and chromatinization, modulation by viral tegument proteins, and protection of neurons by autophagy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anna-Ursula Happel, Melanie Gasper, Christina Balle, Iyaloo Konstantinus, Hoyam Gamieldien, Smritee Dabee, Katherine Gill, Linda-Gail Bekker, Jo-Ann S. Passmore, Heather B. Jaspan
Summary: Cervicovaginal inflammation, nonoptimal microbiota, T-cell activation, and hormonal contraceptives may increase HIV risk. This study revealed the association between subclinical Candida colonization or hyphae and these factors, as well as the importance of Th17 cells in anti-Candida immunity.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Betsy C. Herold, Kristina A. Bryant
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Surgery
Rebecca Pellett Madan, Rhiannon R. Penkert, Sherri L. Surman, Bart G. Jones, James Houston, Jacqueline M. Lamour, Marcela Del Rio, Betsy C. Herold, Julia L. Hurwitz
CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Clare Burn Aschner, Carl Pierce, David M. Knipe, Betsy C. Herold
Letter
Hematology
Philip Lee, Arpan A. Sinha, Vijaya L. Soma, Carlos Cruz, Tao Wang, Olga Aroniadis, Betsy C. Herold, Paul S. Frenette, David L. Goldman, Deepa Manwani
Article
Cell Biology
Carl A. Pierce, Paula Preston-Hurlburt, Yile Dai, Clare Burn Aschner, Natalia Cheshenko, Benjamin Galen, Scott J. Garforth, Natalia G. Herrera, Rohit K. Jangra, Nicholas C. Morano, Erika Orner, Sharlene Sy, Kartik Chandran, James Dziura, Steven C. Almo, Aaron Ring, Marla J. Keller, Kevan C. Herold, Betsy C. Herold
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Clare Burn Aschner, Lip Nam Loh, Benjamin Galen, Isabel Delwel, Rohit K. Jangra, Scott J. Garforth, Kartik Chandran, Steven Almo, William R. Jacobs, Carl F. Ware, Betsy C. Herold
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Pediatrics
Danielle M. Fernandes, Carlos R. Oliveira, Sandra Guerguis, Ruth Eisenberg, Jaeun Choi, Mimi Kim, Ashraf Abdelhemid, Rabia Agha, Saranga Agarwal, Judy L. Aschner, Jeffrey R. Avner, Cathleen Ballance, Joshua Bock, Sejal M. Bhavsar, Melissa Campbell, Katharine N. Clouser, Matthew Gesner, David L. Goldman, Margaret R. Hammerschlag, Saul Hymes, Ashley Howard, Hee-jin Jung, Stephan Kohlhoff, Tsoline Kojaoghlanian, Rachel Lewis, Sharon Nachman, Srividya Naganathan, Elijah Paintsil, Harpreet Pall, Sharlene Sy, Stephen Wadowski, Elissa Zirinsky, Michael D. Cabana, Betsy C. Herold
Summary: The study aimed to characterize the demographic and clinical features of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 syndromes and identify predictive admission variables for disease severity. The results showed that obesity and hypoxia on admission were predictive of severe respiratory disease, while lower absolute lymphocyte count and higher C-reactive protein were predictive of severe MIS-C. Race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status were not predictive factors for disease severity.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Joyce Serebrenik, Tao Wang, Richard Hunte, Sujatha Srinivasan, Jessica McWalters, Gregory K. Tharp, Steven E. Bosinger, Tina L. Fiedler, Jessica M. Atrio, Kerry Murphy, Rebecca Barnett, Laurie R. Ray, Meighan L. Krows, David N. Fredricks, Elizabeth Irungu, Kenneth Ngure, Nelly Mugo, Jeanne Marrazzo, Marla J. Keller, Betsy C. Herold
Summary: This study compared the vaginal microbiota and ectocervical transcriptome of BV patients before and after oral metronidazole therapy in Bronx, New York and Thika, Kenya. Significant differences in transcription associated with chemokine signaling and immune system process were already present at enrollment between responders and nonresponders. Responders had lower levels of CXCL9 at baseline and showed increased concentrations of CXCL9, CXCL10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 during treatment compared to nonresponders.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Carl A. Pierce, Sharlene Sy, Benjamin Galen, Doctor Y. Goldstein, Erika Orner, Marla Keller, Kevan C. Herold, Betsy Herold
Summary: Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 show a more robust early mucosal immune response compared to adults, which may contribute to favorable clinical outcomes. Higher levels of IFN signaling and other innate pathways were observed in children, along with increased levels of certain cytokines in nasal fluid, suggesting a more protective immune response in children against severe COVID-19.
Article
Virology
Maria Luisa Visciano, Aakash Mahant Mahant, Carl Pierce, Richard Hunte, Betsy C. Herold
Summary: New research suggests that the Delta gD-2 vaccine can induce polyfunctional responses and has a better effect in preventing HSV. This vaccine can induce mice to produce high titers of antibodies that can trigger cytotoxicity and phagocytosis, completely protecting mice from HSV infection.
Article
Pediatrics
Philip Lee, Mimi Kim, Betsy C. Herold, Vijaya L. Soma
Summary: The study found deficiencies in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric urinary tract infections in outpatient settings, such as underutilization of narrow-spectrum antibiotics and failure to discontinue antibiotics in cases with negative urine cultures. Therefore, antibiotic stewardship could be beneficial in reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure in the management of pediatric UTIs.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Preeti Pathela, Saba Qasmieh, Monica Gandhi, Elliot Rozen, Hideaki Okochi, Harris Goldstein, Betsy C. Herold, Kelly Jamison, Julia A. Schillinger, Denis Nash
Summary: Background: HIV-uninfected individuals being evaluated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be good candidates for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This study measured the use of PrEP in a representative STI patient population in New York City, and found that 1 in 3 individuals with newly diagnosed STIs had detectable levels of PrEP in their serum. However, PrEP use was exceedingly rare among women.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Jyotsna Bhattacharya, Ellen J. J. Silver, Einat Blumfield, Dominique M. M. Jan, Betsy C. C. Herold, David L. L. Goldman
Summary: In children with complicated appendicitis, rupture of the appendix leads to higher morbidity rates. Longer hospital stay is associated with more severe illness, including ICU stay, ileus, and multiple drainage procedures. The duration of symptoms prior to presentation is linked to a longer stay. The presence of abscess, right upper quadrant free fluid, and elevated C-reactive protein are independently associated with a longer stay.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clare Burn Aschner, Betsy C. Herold
Summary: Vaccines for alphaherpesviruses like VZV and HSV types 1 and 2 have shown varying levels of success, with live viral vaccines for chickenpox and subunit therapeutic vaccines for zoster proving highly successful. However, efforts to develop effective vaccines against HSV-1 and HSV-2 have been met with limited success. Different vaccine modalities elicit different types of immune responses, highlighting the need to reconsider preclinical models and immune correlates of protection against HSV.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Sindhu Mohandas, Vijaya L. Soma, Thi Dong Binh Tran, Erica Sodergren, Tresa Ambooken, David L. Goldman, George Weinstock, Betsy C. Herold
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2020)