COVID-19

[Stem Cell Reviews and Reports] Stress-induced changes in viral receptor and susceptibility gene expression were measured in ESCs and differentiated progeny. Bulk RNAseq transcriptomic analysis showed significant upregulation of two genes involved in Covid-19 cell uptake, Vimentin and Transmembrane Serine Protease 2.

[PLOS One] Scientists evaluated the in vitro anti-viral activities of combinations of certain commercially available drugs that have recently formed part of COVID-19 therapy. These drugs were mixed at specific ratios and evaluated for their safe use based on the cytotoxicity concentration values of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

[Science Translational Medicine] To examine the ontogeny and function of MS1 cells, researchers developed a cellular model for inducing CD14+ MS1 monocytes from healthy bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

[JAMA Oncology] In this cohort study of 966 patients with hematologic cancer and COVID-19, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, convalescent plasma treatment was associated with a significantly improved 30-day mortality in the 143 individuals who received it.

[Cell] Scientists isolated neutralizing antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike from individuals with acute or convalescent SARS-CoV-2 or a history of SARS-CoV infection.

[Cell Host & Microbe] Scientists investigated the capacity of modified versions of one lead miniprotein, LCB1, to protect against SARS-CoV-2-mediated lung disease in mice.