Immunology of Infectious Disease News

Immunology of Infectious Disease News is an online resource dedicated to covering the latest research and developments in the field of infectious diseases.

Low-Dose Intravenous and Subcutaneous CIS43LS Monoclonal Antibody for Protection against Malaria (VRC 612 Part C): A Phase I, Adaptive Trial

February 1, 2023

[Lancet Infectious Diseases] Adults aged 18–50 years with no previous malaria vaccinations or infections received the monoclonal antibody CIS43LS in a single, open-label dose of 1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg intravenously, or 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg subcutaneously.

Photo-ANA Enables Profiling of Host–Bacteria Protein Interactions during Infection

February 1, 2023

[Nature Chemical Biology] Scientists reported a method for selectively labeling bacterial proteomes using a bifunctional amino acid, photo-ANA, which enabled simultaneous analysis of bacterial proteome reprogramming and pathogen–host protein interactions of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) during infection.

A TLR7-Nanoparticle Adjuvant Promotes a Broad Immune Response against Heterologous Strains of Influenza and SARS-CoV-2

February 1, 2023

[Nature Materials] Researchers describe a polymeric Toll-like receptor 7 agonist nanoparticle (TLR7-NP) adjuvant, which enhanced lymph node targeting, and lead to persistent activation of immune cells and broad immune responses. They tested responses to this TLR7-NP using human tonsil organoids, and other methods.

Spermine Enhances Antiviral and Anticancer Responses by Stabilizing DNA Binding with the DNA Sensor cGAS

February 1, 2023

[Immunity] Scientists investigated how indiscriminate DNA sensors, such as cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), made the self-nonself distinction.

Persistent Virus-Specific and Clonally Expanded Antibody-Secreting Cells Respond to Induced Self-antigen in the CNS

February 1, 2023

[Acta Neuropathologica] The authors profiled B cells from the central nervous system (CNS) of murine models of intracranial viral infections and autoimmunity, and identified a population of clonally expanded, antibody-secreting cells that had undergone class-switch recombination and extensive somatic hypermutation following intracranial infection with attenuated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Phenotypic CD8 T Cell Profiling in Chronic Hepatitis B to Predict HBV-Specific CD8 T Cell Susceptibility to Functional Restoration In Vitro

February 1, 2023

[Gut] Hepatitis B virus (HBV) dextramer+CD8 T cells were analyzed ex vivo for coexpression of checkpoint/differentiation markers, transcription factors, and cytokines in 35 patients with HLA-A2+chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and in 29 control HBsAg negative CHB patients who seroconverted after NUC treatment or spontaneously.

Prophylaxis and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by an ACE2 Receptor Decoy

February 1, 2023

[Iscience] Investigators showed that a high affinity receptor decoy protein in which a modified ACE2 ectodomain was fused to a single domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain Fc region dramatically suppressed virus loads in mice upon challenge with a high dose of parental SARS-CoV-2 or Omicron variants.

Accelerated SARS-CoV-2 Intrahost Evolution Leading to Distinct Genotypes during Chronic Infection

February 1, 2023

[Cell Reports Medicine] Scientists investigated intrahost evolution and genetic diversity of lineage B.1.517 during a SARS-CoV-2 chronic infection lasting for 471 days with consistently recovered infectious virus and high viral genome copies.

White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) May Serve as a Wildlife Reservoir for Nearly Extinct SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

February 1, 2023

[Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America] Researchers showed cocirculation of three major SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (Alpha, Delta, and Gamma) in this species, long after their last detection in humans.

Human Neutralizing Antibodies to Cold Linear Epitopes and Subdomain 1 of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein

February 1, 2023

[Science Immunology] Using coldspot-guided antibody discovery, a screening approach that focuses on portions of the virus spike glycoprotein that are both functionally relevant and averse to change, the authors identified human neutralizing antibodies to highly conserved viral epitopes.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 – At the Heart of the COVID-19 Pandemic

February 1, 2023

[Cell] The authors thoroughly discuss the role of ACE2 in SARS-CoV infection, and ACE2 therapeutics.

The Type I Interferon Antiviral Response in the Choroid Plexus and the Cognitive Risk in COVID-19

February 1, 2023

[Nature Immunology] Scientists propose that the type I IFN defensive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the choroid plexus poses a risk to cognitive function if not resolved in a timely manner.

Immunology of Infectious Disease News was founded to keep the scientific community current with the latest developments in infectious disease research. We feature high-impact publications, news, jobs, and events focused on immune responses to and the development of treatments for infectious diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, influenza, and malaria.