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Modelling the transmission dynamics of H9N2 avian influenza viruses in a live bird market
H9N2 avian influenza is a virus with zoonotic potential that is common in poultry in live bird markets in Asia. In this study, the authors use mathematical modelling to characterise transmission of H9N2 in live bird markets in Bangladesh and assess the effectiveness of potential interventions to reduce its circulation.
- Francesco Pinotti
- , Lisa Kohnle
- & Guillaume Fournié
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Airway epithelial CD47 plays a critical role in inducing influenza virus-mediated bacterial super-infection
During the influenza pandemic, a large number of deaths resulted from secondary bacterial pneumonia caused by common upper respiratory tract bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. Here, Moon et al, find that the interaction between airway epithelial CD47 and the pathogenic bacterial FnBP is critical in causing bacterial superinfection.
- Sungmin Moon
- , Seunghan Han
- & Ji-Hwan Ryu
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Article
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CD8+ T-cell responses towards conserved influenza B virus epitopes across anatomical sites and age
Influenza B viruses are linked to significant morbidity and mortality, and yet their immunobiology is comparatively poorly understood. Here Menon et al identify influenza B virus-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes and characterise these in adults, children and the elderly.
- Tejas Menon
- , Patricia T. Illing
- & Katherine Kedzierska
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Bat-borne H9N2 influenza virus evades MxA restriction and exhibits efficient replication and transmission in ferrets
In this study, the authors report that bat H9N2 influenza A virus replicates and transmits in ferrets, efficiently infects human lung explant cultures, evades MxA antiviral activity in mice, and has low antigenic similarity to seasonal N2, meeting pre-pandemic criteria.
- Nico Joel Halwe
- , Lea Hamberger
- & Martin Beer
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Cross-species spill-over potential of the H9N2 bat influenza A virus
In this study, the authors report that a bat influenza A (H9N2) virus shows receptor binding features similar to avian influenza viruses, efficiently infects ex-vivo human respiratory cells and replicates in the lungs of mice and upper respiratory tract of ferrets following airborne transmission.
- Rabeh El-Shesheny
- , John Franks
- & Richard J. Webby
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Article
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Influenza antibody breadth and effector functions are immune correlates from acquisition of pandemic infection of children
In this study, the authors assessed influenza-specific antibody responses in a cohort of seasonally vaccinated children and report that seasonal vaccination is beneficial by enhancing pandemic influenza virus-specific antibodies and cross-reactive effector functions.
- Janice Z. Jia
- , Carolyn A. Cohen
- & Sophie A. Valkenburg
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Probing altered receptor specificities of antigenically drifting human H3N2 viruses by chemoenzymatic synthesis, NMR, and modeling
Binding modes of antigenically drifted hemagglutinins of human influenza A viruses have been determined by NMR using synthetic N-glycans having 13C-labeled monosaccharides to pinpoint which monosaccharides of extended LacNAc chains engage with the HAs.
- Luca Unione
- , Augustinus N. A. Ammerlaan
- & Geert-Jan Boons
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Prior infection with unrelated neurotropic virus exacerbates influenza disease and impairs lung T cell responses
Co-infections are much less studied than single pathogen infections. Here, the authors show that co-infection with two unrelated viruses, neurotropic Semliki Forest virus and influenza A virus, exacerbates influenza-related lung pathology and prolongs lung virus replication in a mouse model.
- Isabelle Jia-Hui Foo
- , Brendon Y. Chua
- & Lukasz Kedzierski
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Article
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Predictive evolutionary modelling for influenza virus by site-based dynamics of mutations
Seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness depends on including virus strains in the vaccine that closely match those circulating in the upcoming season. In this study, the authors develop a computational model of influenza virus evolution to predict future circulating strains and therefore support vaccine strain selection.
- Jingzhi Lou
- , Weiwen Liang
- & Maggie Haitian Wang
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PMI-controlled mannose metabolism and glycosylation determines tissue tolerance and virus fitness
Glucose metabolism is crucial for cellular energy regulation and affects the immune response. Here the authors show that nutritional supplementation of mannose may be beneficial during virus infections by rewiring glucose metabolic dysregulation and alleviating inflammatory tissue damage.
- Ronghui Liang
- , Zi-Wei Ye
- & Shuofeng Yuan
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Applying valency-based immuno-selection to generate broadly cross-reactive antibodies against influenza hemagglutinins
Here the authors develop a DNA vaccine, mixing 18 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes monovalently into heterodimeric molecules, and show that it induces broadly reactive antibodies against subdominant HA epitopes and heterologous protection against influenza A viruses in mice.
- Daniëla Maria Hinke
- , Ane Marie Anderson
- & Ranveig Braathen
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Therapeutic mitigation of measles-like immune amnesia and exacerbated disease after prior respiratory virus infections in ferrets
Measles virus infection causes immunosuppression and it’s unclear whether this can be prevented by antivirals. Here, using a canine distemper virus ferret model, the authors show that measles-like immune amnesia and lethal exacerbated respiratory disease after consecutive respiratory virus infections can be mitigated by oral antiviral therapy initiated at the onset of primary clinical signs.
- Robert M. Cox
- , Josef D. Wolf
- & Richard K. Plemper
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MAIVeSS: streamlined selection of antigenically matched, high-yield viruses for seasonal influenza vaccine production
Vaccines combat global influenza threats, relying on timely selection of optimal seed viruses. Here, authors introduce MAIVeSS, a machine learning assisted framework to streamline vaccine seed virus selection using genomic sequence, expediting seasonal flu vaccine production and supply.
- Cheng Gao
- , Feng Wen
- & Xiu-Feng Wan
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Synchrony of Bird Migration with Global Dispersal of Avian Influenza Reveals Exposed Bird Orders
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5 is an important pathogen of wild birds and poultry that has also caused infection in humans and other mammals. Here the authors use wild bird movement tracking data and virus genome sequences to quantify how seasonal bird migration facilitates global dispersal of the virus.
- Qiqi Yang
- , Ben Wang
- & Bryan Grenfell
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The host RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain is the anchor for replication of the influenza virus genome
The cellular RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain is known to support transcription of influenza virus mRNAs. Here, Krischuns et al. use cell-based and in vitro approaches to demonstrate that it also plays a role in replication of the viral genome.
- Tim Krischuns
- , Benoît Arragain
- & Nadia Naffakh
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Determinants of epidemic size and the impacts of lulls in seasonal influenza virus circulation
Seasonal influenza levels were unusually low when non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 were in place. Here, the authors analyse serological and epidemiological evidence for the hypothesis that such lulls in influenza transmission lead to reduced immunity and therefore larger epidemics in subsequent seasons.
- Simon P. J. de Jong
- , Zandra C. Felix Garza
- & Colin A. Russell
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Redirecting antibody responses from egg-adapted epitopes following repeat vaccination with recombinant or cell culture-based versus egg-based influenza vaccines
Here the authors report an exploratory analysis of a clinical trial that tested different influenza virus vaccination platforms. The results show that multiple seasons of recombinant or cell-based influenza vaccinations may be needed to redirect antibody responses away from immune memory to egg-adapted epitopes and refocus on epitopes on the circulating viruses.
- Feng Liu
- , F. Liaini Gross
- & Min Z. Levine
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Cullin5 drives experimental asthma exacerbations by modulating alveolar macrophage antiviral immunity
Asthma may be exacerbated by respiratory viral infection, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here the authors show, using mouse models of asthma with influenza infection, that asthma-induced cullin5 in alveolar macrophages suppresses IFN-β production to promote neutrophilic inflammation but dampens antiviral immunity.
- Haibo Zhang
- , Keke Xue
- & Lei Sun
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Structural and functional analysis of the minimal orthomyxovirus-like polymerase of Tilapia Lake Virus from the highly diverged Amnoonviridae family
Cryo-EM structures of the polymerase of Tilapia Lake virus (Amnoonviridae), a fish pathogen, show that it has the same domains and functions similarly to the distantly related influenza virus (Orthomyxoviridae) polymerase, despite being only 60% the size.
- Benoit Arragain
- , Martin Pelosse
- & Stephen Cusack
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Sequential vaccinations with divergent H1N1 influenza virus strains induce multi-H1 clade neutralizing antibodies in swine
Seasonal influenza vaccines typically fail to induce cross-protective antibody responses. Here, Van Reeth et al. sequentially vaccinate pigs with diverse H1N1 viruses and show that this strategy induces antibodies against a panel of H1N1 strains from swine and humans and protects against antigenically mismatched strains.
- Kristien Van Reeth
- , Anna Parys
- & Elien Vandoorn
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Comment
| Open AccessLessons for cross-species viral transmission surveillance from highly pathogenic avian influenza Korean cat shelter outbreaks
In this Comment, the authors describe recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in cat shelters in Seoul, South Korea. They discuss potential routes of transmission and describe implications for surveillance of spillover infections in animals in non-agricultural settings.
- Younjung Kim
- , Guillaume Fournié
- & Pierre Nouvellet
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Obesity dysregulates the pulmonary antiviral immune response
Obesity is a risk factor for severe influenza infection. Here, Almond et al show that increased susceptibility is due to increased airway concentrations of the hormone leptin which dampens interferon responses and facilitates severe infection.
- Mark Almond
- , Hugo A. Farne
- & Aran Singanayagam
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A spatial sequencing atlas of age-induced changes in the lung during influenza infection
Ageing is known to impair the immune response against infectious pathogens. Here, Kasmani et al. present a spatial and transcriptomic atlas of immune changes in the lungs of young and aged mice in response to influenza virus infection.
- Moujtaba Y. Kasmani
- , Paytsar Topchyan
- & Weiguo Cui
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An Influenza A virus can evolve to use human ANP32E through altering polymerase dimerization
Despite their essentiality, human ANP32A and ANP32B are redundant host factors for influenza virus genome replication. In this work, authors show that an influenza virus grown in cells lacking ANP32A and ANP32B evolved to use ANP32E. They explore the polymerase mutations that enable this, and demonstrate increased virulence in mice.
- Carol M. Sheppard
- , Daniel H. Goldhill
- & Wendy S. Barclay
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Glyco-engineered MDCK cells display preferred receptors of H3N2 influenza absent in eggs used for vaccines
Evolution of human H3N2 influenza has limited the specificity of hemagglutinin to a subset of glycan receptors, which brings challenges. By glyco-engineering cell lines, authors show the importance of extended glycan receptors for growth of recent H3N2 viruses and relevance to their production for vaccines.
- Chika Kikuchi
- , Aristotelis Antonopoulos
- & James C. Paulson
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Proteomic and genetic analyses of influenza A viruses identify pan-viral host targets
Using a multi-OMICS approach, Haas et al identify 54 human genes and 16 host-targeting chemical compounds that regulate influenza A virus infection in lung epithelial cells, including AHNAK and COBP1 which are also essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Kelsey M. Haas
- , Michael J. McGregor
- & Nevan J. Krogan
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Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) in marine mammals and seabirds in Peru
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/H5N1 has recently emerged in the Americas and has been implicated in mass die-off events of pelicans and sea lions. Here, the authors report sampling and characterisation of HPAI A/H5N1 genomes from five marine mammal and seabird species in Peru.
- Mariana Leguia
- , Alejandra Garcia-Glaessner
- & Jesus Lescano
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Antibody-mediated NK cell activation as a correlate of immunity against influenza infection
Antibodies play a crucial role in protection from influenza virus infection, but functional details, particularly in older adults, are incomplete. Here the authors show that NK cell-activating antibodies are associated with protection from influenza infection in vaccinated older adults.
- Carolyn M. Boudreau
- , John S. Burke IV
- & Galit Alter
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mRNA 3’UTR lengthening by alternative polyadenylation attenuates inflammatory responses and correlates with virulence of Influenza A virus
Here, Bergant et al. provide evidence that Influenza A viruses cause alternative polyadenylation of host mRNAs and abrogation of this function leads to an attenuated phenotype in mice. This may constitute a general immune evasive mechanism employed by a variety of pathogenic viruses.
- Valter Bergant
- , Daniel Schnepf
- & Andreas Pichlmair
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IKK2/NFkB signaling controls lung resident CD8+ T cell memory during influenza infection
CD8+ T resident memory (TRM) cells are important in protection against virus infection and NFκB signalling may function in this process. Here the authors use an inducible transgenic mouse models where T cell intrinsic NFκB levels can be increased or decreased which affects how CD8+ TRM cells seed into the lungs after influenza infection.
- Curtis J. Pritzl
- , Dezzarae Luera
- & Emma Teixeiro
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Toll-like receptor mediated inflammation directs B cells towards protective antiviral extrafollicular responses
Compared to germinal centres, extrafollicular plasmablast responses are thought to produce lower affinity antibodies, offering little protection from infection. Here authors show in an influenza infection and immunization mouse model that extrafollicular responses could yield protective antibodies, and that their development depends on signals provided via Toll-like receptor stimulation.
- Jonathan H. Lam
- & Nicole Baumgarth
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High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection
The ambient environmental temperature changes the extent or severity of a virus infection. Here the authors show that influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection at higher temperatures promotes gut microbiota derived deoxycholic acid signalling which increases host resistance to infection.
- Minami Nagai
- , Miyu Moriyama
- & Takeshi Ichinohe
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Safety and immunogenicity of a phase 1/2 randomized clinical trial of a quadrivalent, mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine (mRNA-1010) in healthy adults: interim analysis
Here the authors report initial findings of a phase 1 clinical trial, showing that an investigational, mRNA-based vaccine for seasonal influenza (mRNA-1010) has no safety concerns and produces immune responses in adults that are similar or higher than a licensed comparator vaccine.
- Ivan T. Lee
- , Raffael Nachbagauer
- & Robert Paris
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Rapid evolution of A(H5N1) influenza viruses after intercontinental spread to North America
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b underwent an explosive geographic expansion in 2021 among wild birds and domestic poultry. Here, Kandeil et al. show that the Western movement of this clade was followed by reassortment with viruses circulating in wild birds in North America which resulted in different genotypes exhibiting a wide range of disease severity in mammal models (mice, ferrets, chicken) ranging from asymptomatic disease to severe neurological pathology.
- Ahmed Kandeil
- , Christopher Patton
- & Richard J. Webby
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Influenza virus mRNAs encode determinants for nuclear export via the cellular TREX-2 complex
Here, Bhat et al. show that Influenza A virus mRNAs are exported from the nucleus via the nucleoporin Tpr and the mRNA export complex TREX-2. These mRNAs have low exon number, high mean exon length, and low GC content. A 45-nucleotide RNA signal can mediate export via TREX-2.
- Prasanna Bhat
- , Vasilisa Aksenova
- & Beatriz M. A. Fontoura
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An intranasal influenza virus-vectored vaccine prevents SARS-CoV-2 replication in respiratory tissues of mice and hamsters
Current vaccines are less efficient in preventing infection. Here, the authors show that an intranasal vaccine (DelNS1-RBD) based on a live attenuated influenza virus induces robust levels of neutralizing antibodies and T cells and prevents replication of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants in respiratory tissues.
- Shaofeng Deng
- , Ying Liu
- & Honglin Chen
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Article
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Commercial influenza vaccines vary in HA-complex structure and in induction of cross-reactive HA antibodies
Here, Myers and Gallagher et al. characterize the structural organization of commercial influenza vaccines. The vaccines differ in their structural composition and identify a “spiked nanodisc” arrangement of hemagglutinin (HA) with increased display and immunogenicity of the conserved stem region of HA.
- Mallory L. Myers
- , John R. Gallagher
- & Audray K. Harris
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The ubiquitination landscape of the influenza A virus polymerase
Influenza A virus replication relies on host cell-derived ubiquitination of the viral polymerase. Here, Günl et al. show that site-specific ubiquitination of PB1-K578 is acquired during infection and facilitates spatiotemporal control of polymerase dimerization and NP binding.
- Franziska Günl
- , Tim Krischuns
- & Linda Brunotte
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Article
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Microbiota-derived acetate enhances host antiviral response via NLRP3
The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a pivotal role in clearing viral respiratory infection, but the molecular mechanism is not fully known. Here authors show that acetate, produced by gut bacteria, may enhance NLRP3-mediated type I interferon production following influenza infection in mice.
- Junling Niu
- , Mengmeng Cui
- & Guangxun Meng
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Article
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Antibodies targeting the neuraminidase active site inhibit influenza H3N2 viruses with an S245N glycosylation site
Antibodies that broadly inhibit influenza virus neuraminidase by binding to its active site could be therapeutic candidates, but circulating viruses have acquired a glycosylation site in that region. Here, the authors show that, while the S245N glycosylation site affects binding of tested monoclonal antibodies, protective activity in a mouse model is maintained.
- Daniel Stadlbauer
- , Meagan McMahon
- & Florian Krammer
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Structural basis for a human broadly neutralizing influenza A hemagglutinin stem-specific antibody including H17/18 subtypes
Influenza continues to represent a major threat to public health, and the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that provide broad protection remains a key avenue for therapeutic development. Here, the authors demonstrate the molecular basis of neutralization for a human bnAb (PN-SIA28) against both endemic influenza A and emerging pathogens such as bat H17 and H18 viruses.
- Yulu Chen
- , Fei Wang
- & George F. Gao
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Article
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Planar aggregation of the influenza viral fusion peptide alters membrane structure and hydration, promoting poration
Target membrane poration is a longstanding enigma in virology. Here, authors show that fusion peptides of the influenza virus’ spike protein aggregate, rotate, and tilt in membranes, facilitating peptide-induced poration during viral fusion.
- Amy Rice
- , Sourav Haldar
- & Joshua Zimmerberg
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H7N9 avian influenza virus infection in men is associated with testosterone depletion
Very little is known about biological sex differences in influenza disease outcome. In 2013, avian influenza (H7N9) infections in humans have been reported with higher frequency in men than women. Here, Bai et al. report that low testosterone levels in men correlate with poor infection outcome. They confirm the causal link between viral infection and testosterone depletion using a mouse model.
- Tian Bai
- , Yongkun Chen
- & Gülsah Gabriel
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Distinct immunological and molecular signatures underpinning influenza vaccine responsiveness in the elderly
Seasonal influenza vaccination is an important strategy to prevent serious disease in the elderly, but individual responsiveness to vaccination widely vary. Here authors establish, with an array of state-of-the art methods, the major immunological parameters that distinguish vaccine recipients developing robust antibody response and non-responders
- Peggy Riese
- , Stephanie Trittel
- & Carlos A. Guzmán
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Influenza A virus reassortment in mammals gives rise to genetically distinct within-host subpopulations
Virus reassortment drives genetic diversity and evolution and is governed by intra-host dynamics that are less well understood. Here, the authors characterise the within-host dynamics of influenza A virus reassortment in swine, ferrets and guinea pigs, considering their spatial distribution.
- Ketaki Ganti
- , Anish Bagga
- & Anice C. Lowen
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Human infection with a reassortment avian influenza A H3N8 virus: an epidemiological investigation study
The H3N8 influenza virus is known to circulate in wild birds but cross-species transmission to mammalian hosts was also reported. In this case study, the authors report human infection with a reassortment avian influenza A H3N8 virus in a four-year old boy that developed severe symptoms.
- Pengtao Bao
- , Yang Liu
- & Wei Liu
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Age-induced prostaglandin E2 impairs mitochondrial fitness and increases mortality to influenza infection
Ageing has been associated with impaired function of alveolar macrophages and increased susceptibility, mortality and complications as a result of viral infection. Here, the authors show that prostaglandin E2 is one of the factors responsible for impairing immune defences against influenza during ageing.
- Judy Chen
- , Jane C. Deng
- & Daniel R. Goldstein
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A broadly protective human monoclonal antibody targeting the sialidase activity of influenza A and B virus neuraminidases
Broadly protective antibodies targeting influenza viruses are of interest as potential therapeutics or to inform vaccine development. Here the authors characterize a human mAb (DA03E17) with heterosubtypic binding to neuraminidases from IAVs and IBVs that provides broad protection in vitro and in vivo.
- Atsuhiro Yasuhara
- , Seiya Yamayoshi
- & Yoshihiro Kawaoka
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Cellular glycan modification by B3GAT1 broadly restricts influenza virus infection
Identification of host antiviral restriction factors could provide targets for antiviral therapy. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR screen, the authors identify the glycosyltransferase B3GAT1 as a host protein which, when ectopically overexpressed, restricts influenza virus infection in vitro and in mice, as well as other viruses relying on sialic acid for entry.
- Joseph D. Trimarco
- , Sarah L. Nelson
- & Nicholas S. Heaton
Seasonal antigenic prediction of influenza A H3N2 using machine learning