[Autophagy] Researchers reported that deletion of the MGF300-2 R gene in the African swine fever virus genome restores FAM134B abundance, reduces viral replication, and attenuates virulence in pigs.

[Emerging Microbes & Infections] Scientists investigated the relationship between genetic variations and virulence using a clinical isolate of the dominant Echovirus 11 D5 genotype, in comparison with the prototype strain. In vitro characterization in A549 human lung epithelial cells revealed that the clinical isolate exhibits significantly greater cytopathic effects than the prototype.

[Nature Microbiology] Researchers showed that both the active and latent simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) reservoirs can be eliminated from infant macaques via profound but transient depletion of cells that express chemokine receptor 5 (CCRF) using a single shot of CCR5/CD3 bispecific antibody.

[Life Science Alliance] Scientists performed a transcriptomic analysis of host responses to multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta and Omicron. Despite their divergence, all variants induced a conserved transcriptional program in human lung epithelial cells characterized by activation of interferon regulatory factors, immediate–early genes, and downstream cytokines.

[Continuity Biosciences, LLC.] Continuity Biosciences, LLC. announced it has been awarded an up to $9.6 million grant from the Gates Foundation to advance a subcutaneous, ultra-long-acting antiretroviral implant for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in low- and middle-income countries.

[WashU Medicine] A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine have been awarded a nearly $11 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study how gut bacteria transition from benign colonizers into disease-causing agents.

[Autophagy] Investigators found that getah virus infection damages mitochondrial structure and function, as shown by mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, reduction in mitochondrial numbers, and an imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics. GETV infection induces mitophagy in host cells and promotes viral replication.

[Science Advances] Scientists demonstrated that CpG oligodeoxynucleotide-schizophyllan complex induces antigen-independent, long-term protection against lethal respiratory virus infection. A single intranasal administration successfully enhanced host resistance to infection for as long as 100 days posttreatment.

[Science Advances] Researchers hypothesized that maternal Influenza A virus (IAV) infection disrupts placental and fetal immune networks in ways that correlate with disease severity. Pregnant pigtail macaques were inoculated with IAV and underwent delivery and fetal necropsy five days postinfection with comparison to uninfected controls.

[Cell Reports] Using a neonatal bacterial meningitis model, investigators demonstrated that group B Streptococcus infection significantly increases arachnoid barrier permeability, disrupts tight junctions, and elevates meningeal production of proinflammatory cytokines.

[Annual Review of Medicine] Scientists review the risk of an H5N1 pandemic emerging and spreading in humans and the potential impact of an H5N1 pandemic.

[Emerging Microbes & Infections] Researchers delineate the trajectory of milestone clinical trials, including RV144, the HVTN series, and the AMP studies, to systematically summarize advancements in assessing both humoral and cellular immunity.