Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 8.10 | Mar 18 2020

TOP STORY

Th17 Lymphocytes Drive Vascular and Neuronal Deficits in a Mouse Model of Postinfectious Autoimmune Encephalitis

The authors demonstrated that Th17 lymphocytes were critical for entry of autoantibodies into the CNS, persistent microglia activation, and neurophysiological deficits in odor processing, in a mouse model of postinfectious autoimmune encephalitis triggered by multiple infections with group A Streptococcus. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Enhanced Isolation of SARS-CoV-2 by TMPRSS2-Expressing Cells

Investigators showed that a TMPRSS2-expressing VeroE6 cell line was highly susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, making it useful for isolating and propagating SARS-CoV-2. The results revealed that, in common with SARS- and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 infection was enhanced by TMPRSS2. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Safety, Tumor Reduction and Clinical Impact of Zika Virus Injection in Dogs with Advanced-Stage Brain Tumors

Researchers analyzed the safety of Brazilian Zika virus (ZIKV^BR) intrathecal injections in three dogs bearing spontaneous CNS tumors aiming an anti-tumoral therapy. They further assessed some aspects of the innate immune and inflammatory response that triggered the anti-tumoral response observed during the ZIKV^BR administration in vivo and in vitro. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Dead Cells Induce Innate Anergy via Mertk after Acute Viral Infection

Scientists found that infection with the highly cytopathic vesicular stomatitis virus led to innate anergy for several days. Innate anergy was associated with induction of apoptotic cells, which activated the Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk receptor Mertk and induced high levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor β. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Mapping Polyclonal Antibody Responses in Non-Human Primates Vaccinated with HIV Env Trimer Subunit Vaccines

The authors used electron microscopy polyclonal epitope mapping approach to describe the antibody specificities elicited by immunization of non-human primates with soluble HIV envelope trimers and subsequent repeated viral challenge. An increased diversity of epitopes recognized and the approach angle by which these antibodies bound constituted a hallmark of the humoral response in most protected animals. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Experimental Treatment of SIV-Infected Macaques via Autograft of CCR5-Disrupted Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

Four Chinese rhesus macaques of SIV chronic infection were given long-term ART, during which peripheral CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) were purified and infected with CCR5-specific CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus or GFP lentivirus. After non-myeloablative conditioning, the CCR5-modified or GFP-labeled HSPCs were autotransplanted to four recipients and ART was withdrawn following engraftment. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Helicobacter pylori-Induced Adrenomedullin Modulates IFN-γ-Producing T-Cell Responses and Contributes to Gastritis

In H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa, adrenomedullin (ADM) expression was positively correlated with the degree of gastritis; accordingly, blockade of ADM resulted in decreased inflammation within the gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected mice. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Antigenic Characterization of Novel H1 Influenza a Viruses in Swine

Genetic analysis based on the HA1 domain and antigenic analysis by hemagglutination inhibition assay were carried out. Three antigenic clusters were identified, named Chilean H1 A, Chilean H1 B, and A(H1N1)pdm09-like. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Efficacy of FLU-V, a Broad-Spectrum Influenza Vaccine, in a Randomized Phase IIb Human Influenza Challenge Study

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center, Phase IIb efficacy and safety trial was conducted. 153 healthy individuals 18–55 years of age were randomized to receive one or two doses of adjuvanted FLU-v or adjuvanted placebo subcutaneously on days -43 and -22, prior to intranasal challenge on day zero with the A/California/04/2009/H1N1 human influenza A challenge virus. [npj Vaccines] Full Article

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

Using Diverse Model Systems to Define Intestinal Epithelial Defenses to Enteric Viral Infections

The barrier epithelium plays fundamental roles in immune defenses against enteric viral infections by integrating diverse signals, including those from the microbiota, to prevent disease. Importantly, many model systems have contributed to our understanding of this complex interface. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract

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

NIH Clinical Trial of Investigational Vaccine for COVID-19 Begins

A Phase I clinical trial evaluating an investigational vaccine designed to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 has begun at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is funding the trial. [National Institutes of Health] Press Release

Daré Bioscience Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for DARE-BV1 for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis

Daré Bioscience, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for DARE-BV1 for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women. DARE-BV1 was previously granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation for the treatment of BV in August 2019. [Daré Bioscience, Inc.] Press Release

Governments Must Ramp Up COVID-19 Testing, Says WHO

As the number of confirmed deaths due to infections with SARS-CoV-2 passed 8,000 this week, more and more nations have introduced strict measures to attempt to delay the virus’s spread, but the World Health Organization warns that assessing the impact of these measures will only be possible with accurate data on the disease. [The Scientist] Editorial

Coronavirus Latest: Most Infections and Deaths Are Now Outside China

The total number of people who have died from COVID-19 outside of China has overtaken deaths in that country for the first time since the disease emerged, according to infection numbers reported by the World Health Organization on 16 March. The number of confirmed infections outside China also surpassed those inside the country, on the same day. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 53^rd Annual Meeting Society for Leukocyte Biology
September 30-October 3, 2020
Portland, Oregon, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Drug Design against Coronavirus (Jülich Research Centre)

Research Fellow – Vaccine Research (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Respiratory Viruses (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Project Leader – Innate Immune Sensing (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Molecular Infection Biology (Umeå University)

Postdoctoral Position – Bacterial Gastrointestinal Pathogens (Umeå University)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Scientist – Hepatitis Research (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Project Leader – Innate Immune Sensing and Bacterial RNA (Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research)

Department Chair – Microbiology and Immunology (Western University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Microtubules in Viral Infection (Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine)

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.