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.

Human Nasal Organoids Model SARS-CoV-2 Upper Respiratory Infection and Recapitulate the Differential Infectivity of Emerging Variants

August 9, 2022

[mBio] Scientists reported an organoid culture system of the nasal epithelium. They derived nasal organoids from easily accessible nasal epithelial cells with a perfect establishment rate.

lncRNA-GM Targets Foxo1 to Promote T Cell–Mediated Autoimmunity

August 9, 2022

[Science Advances] The authors reported that lncRNA-GM polarizes T helper 17 differentiation but inhibits iTreg differentiation by reducing activity of Foxo1, a transcriptional factor that is important in inhibiting TH17 differentiation but promoting Treg generation.

Development of a Pentavalent Broadly Protective Nucleoside-Modified mRNA Vaccine against Influenza B Viruses

August 9, 2022

[Nature Communications] Investigators focused on the development of a universal influenza B virus vaccine based on the lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated nucleoside-modified mRNA platform.

CD8 T Cells Contribute to Vaccine Protection against SARS-CoV-2 in Macaques

August 9, 2022

[Science Immunology] The authors showed that vaccine-elicited CD8+ T cells contributed substantially to virologic control following SARS-CoV-2 challenge in rhesus macaques.

Pfizer and Valneva Initiate Phase III Study of Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15

August 9, 2022

[Pfizer, Inc.] Pfizer, Inc. and Valneva SE announced the initiation of a Phase III clinical study, Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists, to investigate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of their investigational Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15.

COVID-19 mRNA Booster Vaccine Induces Transient CD8+ T Effector Cell Responses While Conserving the Memory Pool for Subsequent Reactivation

August 8, 2022

[Nature Communications] Investigators showed that spike-specific CD8+ T cells were activated and expanded in all analyzed individuals receiving the third and fourth COVID-19 mRNA vaccine shots.

A Lab-on-a-Chip for the Concurrent Electrochemical Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Saliva and Plasma

August 8, 2022

[Nature Biomedical Engineering] Researchers described the development and application of a 3D-printed lab-on-a-chip that concurrently detected, via multiplexed electrochemical outputs and within two hours, SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva as well as anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins in saliva spiked with blood plasma.

IFN-γ Stimulated Murine and Human Neurons Mount Anti-Parasitic Defenses against the Intracellular Parasite Toxoplasma gondii

August 8, 2022

[Nature Communications] Whole neuron reconstructions from mice infected with parasites that triggered neuron GFP expression only after full invasion revealed that ~50% of these T. gondii-invaded neurons no longer harbored parasites.

Parasite Reliance on Its Host Gut Microbiota for Nutrition and Survival

August 8, 2022

[ISME Journal] The authors studied the parasitic wasp Leptopilina boulardi (Lb) and its host Drosophila melanogaster. Results showed that Lb successfully developed in conventional hosts with a gut microbiota but failed to develop in axenic hosts without a gut microbiota.

A Long-Acting Formulation of Rifabutin Is Effective for Prevention and Treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

August 8, 2022

[Nature Communications] Scientists showed the development of long-acting injectable drug formulations of the anti-Tuberculosis drug rifabutin made of biodegradable polymers and biocompatible solvents that solidified after subcutaneous injection.

Long-Lasting HIV Prevention Drug Could Be Game Changer — but Who Will Pay?

August 8, 2022

[Nature News] Injectable antiviral cabotegravir provides stronger protection than an oral pill, but researchers fear it could be too expensive to make a difference for countries with the greatest disease burden.

Primate Research Center Head Will Keep Job despite Misconduct, Provoking Shock and Dismay

August 8, 2022

[ScienceInsider] A decision by the Southwest National Primate Research Center to retain its director with full duties despite a finding that he engaged in research misconduct has sparked disbelief.

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.