Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 8.20 | May 27 2020

TOP STORY

A Mouse Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Pathogenesis

Scientists generated a mouse model expressing human angiotensin converting enzyme II (hACE2) using CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in technology. Compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice, both young and aged hACE2 mice sustained high viral loads in lung, trachea and brain upon intranasal infection. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

SARS-CoV-2

Cross-Reactive Antibody Response between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV Infections

Researchers analyzed plasma from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV, and from infected or immunized mice. They showed that, while cross-reactivity in antibody binding to the spike protein was common, cross-neutralization of the live viruses may be rare, indicating the presence of non-neutralizing antibody response to conserved epitopes in the spike. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Detection of Nucleocapsid Antibody to SARS-CoV-2 Is More Sensitive than Antibody to Spike Protein in COVID-19 Patients

Quantitative measurements of plasma or serum antibodies by luciferase immunoprecipitation assay systems to the nucleocapsid and spike proteins were analyzed in 100 cross-sectional or longitudinal samples from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. A subset of samples was tested with and without heat inactivation. [J Infect Dis] Abstract | Full Article

MORE IMMUNOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE

USP29 Maintains the Stability of cGAS and Promotes Cellular Antiviral Responses and Autoimmunity

Scientists report that ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) deubiquitinated and stabilized cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and promoted cellular antiviral responses and autoimmunity. Knockdown or knockout of USP29 severely impaired Herpes simplex virus 1- or cytosolic DNA-induced expression of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. [Cell Res] Abstract

T_RM Integrins CD103 and CD49a Differentially Support Adherence and Motility after Resolution of Influenza Virus Infection

The authors examined the expression patterns and functions of CD103 and CD49a with a specific focus on their impact on T cell motility during influenza virus infection. They showed that the T_RM cell surface phenotype developed by two weeks post-infection, with the majority of the population expressing CD49a and a subset that was also positive for CD103. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Lentiviral Vector-based Dendritic Cell Vaccine Synergizes with Checkpoint Blockade to Clear Chronic Viral Infection

Investigators report on a lentiviral vector-based dendritic cell vaccine strategy that generated a CD8 T cell response that was much stronger than that achieved by standard peptide-pulsing approaches. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstact

Targeting Lymph Node Niches Enhances Type 1 Immune Responses to Immunization

Scientists examined whether immunization formulation associated with enhanced vaccine efficacy promoted antigen targeting and cell recruitment into lymph node niches associated with optimal type 1 responses. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Antibody-Induced Internalisation of Retroviral Envelope Glycoproteins Is a Signal Initiation Event

Investigators examined the impact of endogenous retroviral envelope glycoprotein expression and interaction with host proteins, particularly antibodies, on the cell, independently of retroviral infection. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

KSHV Infection Skews Macrophage Polarisation towards M2-Like/TAM and Activates Ire1 α-XBP1 Axis Up-Regulating Pro-Tumorigenic Cytokine Release and PD-L1 Expression

FACS analysis was used to detect macrophage markers and PD-L1 expression. Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) infection and the molecular pathways activated were investigated by western blot analysis and by qRT-PCR while cytokine release was assessed by multi-analyte kit. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Identification of Reference Genes in Chicken Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Natural Killer Cells Infected with Very-Virulent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

Researchers identified suitable reference genes for mRNA expression analysis in chicken intraepithelial lymphocyte NK cells after infection with very-virulent infectious bursal disease virus. Fifteen potential reference genes were selected based on the references available. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News & Immune Regulation News.

Role of Neutralizing Antibodies in CMV Infection: Implications for New Therapeutic Approaches

The authors consider the role of humoral immunity in the context of the global cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific immune response, and the implications that recent findings have for vaccine and antibody-based therapy design. [Trends Microbiol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the immunology of infectious disease research field.

Update on Expanded SG016 Trial for Patients with COVID-19: Synairgen Initiates Dosing of SNG001 in Home Setting to Treat Patients Earlier in the Illness

Synairgen plc announced that it has launched an expansion of the SG016 trial of SNG001 in COVID-19 patients to dose patients in the home setting. The expansion of the trial aims to dose patients earlier in the illness, within three days of symptoms developing. [Synairgen plc] Press Release

Novavax Initiates Phase I/II Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine

Novavax, Inc. announced enrollment of the first participants in a Phase I/II clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine candidate, NVX‑CoV2373, a stable, prefusion protein made using its proprietary nanoparticle technology. [Novavax, Inc.] Press Release

Vir Biotechnology Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of VIR-3434 for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial of VIR-3434, an investigational monoclonal antibody that neutralizes hepatitis B virus and has been engineered to potentially also act as a therapeutic vaccine. [Vir Biotechnology, Inc.] Press Release

Scientific Networks Are Helping African Countries to Access Coronavirus Lab Supplies

As in much of the rest of the world, many researchers in Africa are pivoting to coronavirus work. But they are also having to leverage their global scientific connections to source know-how and supplies. [Nature News] Editorial

Japan Ends Its COVID-19 State of Emergency

Japan declared at least a temporary victory in its battle with COVID-19, and it triumphed by following its own playbook. It drove down the number of daily new cases to near target levels of 0.5 per 100,000 people with voluntary and not very restrictive social distancing and without large-scale testing. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

The Epic Battle against Coronavirus Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories

There’s an ocean of misinformation on COVID-19 that is spreading online. Every major news event comes drenched in rumors and propaganda. But COVID-19 is “the perfect storm for the diffusion of false rumor and fake news”, says data scientist Walter Quattrociocchi at the Ca’Foscari University of Venice, Italy. [Nature News] Editorial

In light of COVID-19, many conferences are being cancelled or postponed. As such:

We are suspending new event postings in our newsletters and on Twitter.
We will strive to keep our current event listings updated with event status.
We encourage you to visit event sites directly for updates.

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Vaccinations (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Pathogenic Fungi (Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Peptide-Based Antibiotics (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Innate Lymphocytes and Influenza Pathogeneisi (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Postdoctroal Fellow – Bacterial Infection (Seattle Children’s Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Human Pathogenicity and Fungi (Hans Knöll Institute)

Research Fellow – Infectious Disease (The Lundquist Institute)

Director – Malaria Research (Johns Hopkins University)

Chair – Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Western University)

Group Leader – Anti-Microbial Resistance (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Immunology of Infectious Disease News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.