Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 8.12 | Apr 1 2020

TOP STORY

Characterization of Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 on Virus Entry and Its Immune Cross-Reactivity with SARS-CoV

Using SARS-CoV-2 S protein pseudovirus system, researchers confirmed that human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 was the receptor for SARS-coronaviruses (CoV)-2, found that SARS-CoV-2 entered 293/hACE2 cells mainly through endocytosis, that PIKfyve, TPC2, and cathepsin L were critical for entry, and that SARS-CoV-2 S protein was less stable than SARS-CoV S. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Influenza A and B Viruses with Reduced Baloxavir Susceptibility Display Attenuated In Vitro Fitness but Retain Ferret Transmissibility

Scientists generated recombinant A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Texas/71/2017, and B/Brisbane/60/2008 viruses with I38T/F/M and examined drug susceptibility in vitro, enzymatic properties, replication efficiency, and transmissibility in ferrets. Influenza viruses with I38T/F/M substitutions exhibited reduced baloxavir susceptibility, with 38T causing the greatest reduction. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Acute Plasmodium Infection Promotes Interferon-Gamma-Dependent Resistance to Ebola Virus Infection

Investigators demonstrated that acute Plasmodium infection protected from lethal viral challenge, dependent upon interferon gamma elicited as a result of parasite infection. Plasmodium-infected mice lacking the interferon gamma receptor were not protected. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

TLR4-Mediated Pathway Triggers Interferon-Independent G0 Arrest and Antiviral SAMHD1 Activity in Macrophages

The G0 arrest was accompanied by p21 upregulation and CDK1 depletion, consistent with the observed SAMHD1 dephosphorylation at T592. The authors showed by SAMHD1 knockdown that the TLR4-activated pathway potently blocked HIV-1 infection in macrophages specifically via SAMHD1. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphial Abstract

Marine Virus Predation by Non-Host Organisms

Researchers examined the effects of a variety of non-host organisms on the removal of viruses. The marine algal virus PgV-07T could be discriminated from bacteriophages using flow cytometry, facilitating its use as a representative model system. [Sci Rep] Full Article

In-Depth Characterization of a Novel Live-Attenuated Mayaro Virus Vaccine Candidate Using an Immunocompetent Mouse Model of Mayaro Disease

The authors developed a murine model of mayaro virus (MAYV) infection that emulated many of the most relevant clinical features of the infection in humans and tested a live-attenuated MAYV vaccine candidate. [Sci Rep] Full Article

In Vivo Antitumor Activity by Dual Stromal and Tumor-Targeted Oncolytic Measles Viruses

To characterize the contribution of stromal targeting to measles viruses’s overall in vivo efficacy in an experimental cancer model, a dual targeted oncolytic measles virus able to simultaneously infect murine stromal and human cancer cells was developed. [Cancer Gene Ther] Full Article

Human Mast Cells Exhibit an Individualized Pattern of Antimicrobial Responses

After live bacteria exposure, human mast cells were analyzed by a combined flow cytometry assay for degranulation, reactive oxygen species production, DNA externalization, and for β-hexosaminidase, chemokine, and prostaglandin release. [Immun Inflamm Dis] Full Article

Immune Predictors of Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Immunogenicity among Infants in South India

Researchers measured mucosal and systemic immune parameters at the time of vaccination with oral poliovirus vaccine in 292 Indian infants aged 6-11 months, including plasma cytokines, leukocyte counts, fecal biomarkers of environmental enteropathy and peripheral blood T-cell phenotype, focused on gut-homing regulatory CD4⁺ populations. [npj Vaccines] Full Article

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Curing HIV: Seeking to Target and Clear Persistent Infection

The authors review foundational studies and highlight new insights in HIV cure research. Together with advances in antiretroviral therapy delivery and HIV prevention strategies, future therapies that clear HIV infection may relieve society of the affliction of the HIV pandemic. [Cell] Abstract

Mimicry of Short Linear Motifs by Bacterial Pathogens: A Drugging Opportunity

Investigators cover the reported examples of eukaryotic-like short linear motifs (SLiM) mimicry being used by pathogenic bacteria to hijack host cell machinery and discuss how drugs targeting SLiM-regulated cell signaling networks are being evaluated for interference with bacterial infections. [Trends Biochem Sci] Abstract

The Human Spleen in Malaria: Filter or Shelter?

The spleen may contribute to malaria pathogenesis, particularly anemia that is associated with splenomegaly. Large spleens may also shelter parasites in chronic carriers. [Trends Parasitol] Abstract

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

VBI Vaccines Announces Collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada to Develop Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine Candidate Targeting COVID-19, SARS, and MERS

VBI Vaccines, Inc. announced a collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada,targeting COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). [VBI Vaccines, Inc.] Press Release

Sanofi Pasteur and Translate Bio to Collaborate to Develop a Novel mRNA Vaccine Candidate against COVID-19

Sanofi Pasteu and Translate Bio will collaborate to develop a novel mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. Translate Bio has begun to produce multiple mRNA constructs and will use its mRNA platform to discover, design and manufacture SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates. [Translate Bio] Press Release

CytoDyn Files FDA-Suggested Modifications to IND and Protocol for Phase II Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Patients with Mild to Moderate Indications and a Second Randomized Protocol for All COVID-19 Patients in Severe Condition Will be Filed Next Week per FDA Recommendation

CytoDyn, Inc. announced that, at the suggestion of the FDA, the company filed another round of modifications to its IND and protocol for a Phase II clinical trial with leronlimab. [CytoDyn, Inc.] Press Release

Arbutus Announces Positive Preliminary Phase Ia/Ib Clinical Trial Results for AB-729, a Proprietary GalNAc Delivered RNAi Compound in Development for People Living with Chronic Hepatitis B

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation announced positive preliminary results from a Phase Ia/IIb clinical trial in healthy subjects and two cohorts of chronic hepatitis B subjects on nucleos(t)ide antiviral therapy, all of whom received a single subcutaneous injection of AB-729. [Arbutus Biopharma Corporation] Press Release

The $1 Billion Bet: Pharma Giant and US Government Team Up in All-Out Coronavirus Vaccine Push

Johnson & Johnson announced that it and the US government, through a military research agency, would together devote up to that amount to move a candidate product made by its Janssen division across the finish line. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

With Record-Setting Speed, Vaccinemakers Take Their First Shots at the New Coronavirus

The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, doesn’t appear to be a particularly formidable target. It changes slowly, which means it’s not very good at dodging the immune system, and vaccines against the related coronaviruses that cause SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome have worked in animal models. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Speed Coronavirus Vaccine Testing by Deliberately Infecting Volunteers? Not So Fast, Some Scientists Warn

Stanley Plotkin of the University of Pennsylvania, inventor of the current rubella vaccine and a leader in the vaccine field, says a carefully designed “human challenge” trial could offer clear proof of a vaccine’s worth at blinding speed. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Professorship – Epidemiology in Occupational Medicine (Jena University Hospital)

Research Fellow – COVID-19 Virology (Queen’s University Belfast)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Microbiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Tuberculosis (Karolina Instituet)

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

Research Fellow – Vaccine Research (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Respiratory Viruses (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Molecular Infection Biology (Umeå University)

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

Department Chair – Microbiology and Immunology (Western University)

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