Featured
-
-
Article
| Open Access
Antigen presentation plays positive roles in the regenerative response to cardiac injury in zebrafish
An adequate immune response is necessary to promote heart regeneration. Here, the authors identified a link between antigen presentation, immune cells, and endocardial cells during the regenerative response to cardiac injury in the adult zebrafish.
- João Cardeira-da-Silva
- , Qianchen Wang
- & Didier Y. R. Stainier
-
Article
| Open Access
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
-
Article
| Open Access
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
-
Article
| Open Access
Synergistic effect of two human-like monoclonal antibodies confers protection against orthopoxvirus infection
In this study, the authors show that a single dose of a combination of two human-like monoclonal antibodies protect mice in therapeutic treatment against challenges with ectromelia virus and monkeypox virus. Combination treatment provided more effective viral clearance than single antibody treatment.
- Hadas Tamir
- , Tal Noy-Porat
- & Tomer Israely
-
Article
| Open Access
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
-
Article
| Open Access
Evolutionary origin of Hoxc13-dependent skin appendages in amphibians
Hair is the main skin appendage of mammals. Here, the authors show that claws of clawed frogs and hair contain homologous keratins and depend on the same transcription factor, Hoxc13, suggesting a common evolutionary origin of these skin appendages.
- Marjolein Carron
- , Attila Placido Sachslehner
- & Leopold Eckhart
-
Article
| Open Access
Inhalation of ACE2-expressing lung exosomes provides prophylactic protection against SARS-CoV-2
Inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 interaction with ACE2 is a promising antiviral strategy. Here, the authors show that exosomes derived from human lung spheroid cells expressing hACE2 accumulate in the lung following prophylactic inhalation to bind and neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and protect mice from SARS-CoV-2-induced disease.
- Zhenzhen Wang
- , Shiqi Hu
- & Ke Cheng
-
Article
| Open Access
Neuronal miR-9 promotes HSV-1 epigenetic silencing and latency by repressing Oct-1 and Onecut family genes
Here, the authors identify neuron-specific miR-9 that potentially blocks HSV-1 neuronal replication by targeting host OCT-1 and ONECUT transcription factors involved in epigenetic activation of HSV-1 productive-cycle genes. Thus miR-9 promotes viral epigenetic silencing and latent infection in neurons.
- Yue Deng
- , Yuqi Lin
- & Dongli Pan
-
Article
| Open Access
A humanized mouse model for adeno-associated viral gene therapy
All natural AAV serotypes transduce murine hepatocytes more efficiently than their human counterparts in human liver chimeric mouse models. Here the authors developed a novel humanized mouse were human transduction of AAV can be studied.
- Mercedes Barzi
- , Tong Chen
- & Karl-Dimiter Bissig
-
Article
| Open Access
Comparative transcriptomics coupled to developmental grading via transgenic zebrafish reporter strains identifies conserved features in neutrophil maturation
Maturation of innate immune cells is a graded stereotypic process which is often conserved across species. Here authors label distinct neutrophil leukocyte developmental stages via generating combinations of transgenic zebrafish reporter strains, followed by transcriptome analysis of different neutrophil maturation stages and comparison to the gene expression profile of developing neutrophils from humans and mice.
- Stefanie Kirchberger
- , Mohamed R. Shoeb
- & Martin Distel
-
Article
| Open Access
Nucleocapsid protein-specific monoclonal antibodies protect mice against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
There are limited treatment options for infection with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in humans. Here, the authors show that a monoclonal antibody targeting the highly conserved viral nucleocapsid protein provides protective effects in a mouse model of infection.
- Aura R. Garrison
- , Vanessa Moresco
- & Joseph W. Golden
-
Article
| Open Access
Drug repurposing screen identifies lonafarnib as respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein inhibitor
There is a need for effective antiviral drugs against RSV infection. Conducting an RSV repurposing screen using the ReFRAME library Sake et al. identify lonafarnib as an RSV fusion protein inhibitor, characterize its binding site within the viral protein and show its antiviral effects in a mouse model.
- Svenja M. Sake
- , Xiaoyu Zhang
- & Thomas Pietschmann
-
Article
| Open Access
Isolation and characterization of a pangolin-borne HKU4-related coronavirus that potentially infects human-DPP4-transgenic mice
Pangolins are a potential reservoir for viruses with cross-species infection potential. Here, the authors characterize a HKU4-related coronavirus isolated from pangolin and demonstrate its ability to infect human cell lines as well as its potential to infect transgenic mice expressing the human receptor DPP4.
- Luo-Yuan Xia
- , Zhen-Fei Wang
- & Wu-Chun Cao
-
Article
| Open Access
An intranasal live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine limits virus transmission
In this study, the authors evaluated the protective capacity of a mucosal, live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and show that it induces systemic and mucosal humoral immunity, protects from clinical disease symptoms, and prevents virus transmission in hamsters more efficiently than an intramuscular mRNA vaccine.
- Julia M. Adler
- , Ricardo Martin Vidal
- & Jakob Trimpert
-
Article
| Open Access
Identification of a highly conserved neutralizing epitope within the RBD region of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants
Most recent SARS-CoV-2 variants showed exceptional immune evasion properties. Here, the authors identify a highly conserved epitope within the RBD targeted by a broad spectrum neutralizing antibody BA7535 that shows therapeutic antiviral potency in mouse studies.
- Yanqun Wang
- , An Yan
- & Jincun Zhao
-
Article
| Open Access
Human coronavirus OC43-elicited CD4+ T cells protect against SARS-CoV-2 in HLA transgenic mice
The origin of SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive T cells in unexposed humans is unclear. Here, the authors use HLA transgenic mouse models of sequential infections with human coronavirus OC43 and SARSCoV-2 and show that OC43 elicits cross-protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2, which partially depends on CD4 + T cells.
- Rúbens Prince dos Santos Alves
- , Julia Timis
- & Sujan Shresta
-
Article
| Open Access
Reprogramming mechanism dissection and trophoblast replacement application in monkey somatic cell nuclear transfer
Somatic cloning of rhesus monkey has not been successful until now. Here, authors report epigenetic abnormalities in SCNT embryos and placentas and develop a trophoblast replacement method that enables them to successful clone of a healthy male rhesus monkey.
- Zhaodi Liao
- , Jixiang Zhang
- & Qiang Sun
-
Article
| Open Access
Shuttle peptide delivers base editor RNPs to rhesus monkey airway epithelial cells in vivo
Gene editing strategies for cystic fibrosis are challenging. Here the authors improve on their previously reported shuttle peptide noncovalently combined with Cas ribonucleoprotein (RNP), and derive the S315 peptide for delivery: they show base editing in the respiratory tract of the rhesus macaques.
- Katarina Kulhankova
- , Soumba Traore
- & Paul B. McCray Jr.
-
Article
| Open Access
Interaction dynamics between innate and adaptive immune cells responding to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in non-human primates
Innate immune responses to mRNA vaccines are less well understood than adaptive immunity. Here, the authors comprehensively characterize the innate and adaptive immune responses to mRNA-1273 vaccinations in rhesus macaques and show how the vaccine activates interactions among components of the two systems.
- Chaim A. Schramm
- , Damee Moon
- & Daniel C. Douek
-
Article
| Open Access
Ancient diversity in host-parasite interaction genes in a model parasitic nematode
Host-parasite interactions can lead to negative frequency-dependent selection. Here, the authors sequence the genomes of H. bakeri and H. polygyrus, parasites of house and wood mice, respectively, and find that proteins that interact with the host immune response are often highly diverse.
- Lewis Stevens
- , Isaac Martínez-Ugalde
- & Mark Blaxter
-
Article
| Open Access
FHL1 promotes chikungunya and o’nyong-nyong virus infection and pathogenesis with implications for alphavirus vaccine design
FHL1A is a crucial host factor for alphavirus infection but its impact on pathogenesis is unclear. Here, the authors use a FHL1−/− knockout mouse model to show that the FHL1 splice variant impacts arthritis and myositis after chikungunya or o’nyong-nyong infections but not Ross River or mayaro virus infection.
- Wern Hann Ng
- , Xiang Liu
- & Suresh Mahalingam
-
Article
| Open Access
IDH1 mutation impairs antiviral response and potentiates oncolytic virotherapy in glioma
The role of human glioma IDH1 mutations in regulation of antiviral response is unclear. Here, the authors show that D2HG produced by mutant IDH1 inhibits IFN antiviral responses in glioma cells, which confers sensitivity to oncolytic virotherapy.
- Xueqin Chen
- , Jun Liu
- & Haipeng Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
An interferon-integrated mucosal vaccine provides pan-sarbecovirus protection in small animal models
Here, the authors report the generation of a live but defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that is envelope-deficient and expresses human interferon beta. They show that nasal vaccination enhances mucosal and lung T cell response and provides pan-sarbecovirus protection in small animals.
- Chun-Kit Yuen
- , Wan-Man Wong
- & Kin-Hang Kok
-
Article
| Open Access
Previous infection with seasonal coronaviruses does not protect male Syrian hamsters from challenge with SARS-CoV-2
Here, the authors analysed immune response to two consecutive coronavirus infections and observed that hamsters infected with seasonal coronaviruses were not protected from COVID-19 despite cross-reactive antibodies. Antiviral and germinal center B cell responses were suppressed but not during SARS-CoV-2 variant infections.
- Magen E. Francis
- , Ethan B. Jansen
- & Alyson A. Kelvin
-
Article
| Open Access
mRNA vaccines encoding fusion proteins of monkeypox virus antigens protect mice from vaccinia virus challenge
The authors report mRNA vaccines encoding a fusion protein of MPXV A35R extracellular domain and full-length M1R and observe improved anti-M1R antibody response. The vaccines show enhanced active and passive protection in female mice challenged with a lethal dose of vaccinia virus.
- Fujun Hou
- , Yuntao Zhang
- & Xiaoming Yang
-
Article
| Open Access
An IgM-like inhalable ACE2 fusion protein broadly neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants
In this study, the authors report the development of an inhalable IgM-like ACE2 and show that it broadly neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants, lowers viral loads and lung pathology in hamsters when administered early, and has good safety profiles in rats and monkeys.
- Juan Liu
- , Fengfeng Mao
- & Wenhui Li
-
Article
| Open Access
A mosaic adeno-associated virus vector as a versatile tool that exhibits high levels of transgene expression and neuron specificity in primate brain
Viral vectors with intense and long-lasting transgene expression are essential for manipulating and imaging of neuronal activity in the primate brain. Here, the authors created a mosaic vector composed of capsid proteins derived from AAV1 and AAV2 that exhibits improved transgene expression and neuronal specificity.
- Kei Kimura
- , Yuji Nagai
- & Masahiko Takada
-
Article
| Open Access
Comparing molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir efficacy and the effects on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in animal models
There is limited data on how SARS-CoV-2 antivirals compare regarding efficacy and blocking transmission. Here, treating dwarf hamsters and ferrets with either molnupiravir or paxlovid the authors find comparable efficacy against severe COVID-19-like disease and complete block of transmission by molnupiravir.
- Robert M. Cox
- , Carolin M. Lieber
- & Richard K. Plemper
-
Article
| Open Access
MAVS signaling is required for preventing persistent chikungunya heart infection and chronic vascular tissue inflammation
Mosquito-borne viruses are serious global public health threats associated with severe atypical cardiovascular manifestations. Here, the authors dissect how chikungunya virus directly infects cardiac tissue leading to heart disease and define key host pathways involved in viral cardiac persistence and tissue damage.
- Maria G. Noval
- , Sophie N. Spector
- & Kenneth A. Stapleford
-
Article
| Open Access
Two point mutations in protocadherin-1 disrupt hantavirus recognition and afford protection against lethal infection
Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) is a critical host factor for hantaviruses that can cause severe cardiopulmonary syndrome. Here, the authors map the binding site of the viral glycoprotein complex within PCDH1 and show that mutations engineered at this site can protect Syrian hamsters from viral challenge.
- Megan M. Slough
- , Rong Li
- & Kartik Chandran
-
Article
| Open Access
Immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccine boosters against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.5 in male Syrian hamsters
Long-term BA.5-specific efficiency of booster vaccination is incompletely understood. Here, analyzing immunity to and efficacy of various COVID-19 vaccination regimens in Syrian hamster, the authors found that heterologous boosting provides more durable immunity and that NVX-CoV2373 provides the strongest boosting effect.
- Rafael R. G. Machado
- , Jordyn L. Walker
- & Scott C. Weaver
-
Article
| Open Access
In vitro and in vivo characterization of SARS-CoV-2 strains resistant to nirmatrelvir
Resistance to nirmatrelvir, an oral antiviral agent that targets SARS-CoV-2 and is clinically useful against infection with Omicron variants, is currently not well understood. In this study, the authors characterize mutant viruses with reduced sensitivity to nirmatrelvir in vitro and in vivo.
- Maki Kiso
- , Yuri Furusawa
- & Yoshihiro Kawaoka
-
Article
| Open Access
Single-cell profiling of lncRNA expression during Ebola virus infection in rhesus macaques
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the immune response but their properties at the single-cell level are less well understood. Here, the authors characterize differential features of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes upon Ebola infection in macaques at single-cell resolution.
- Luisa Santus
- , Maria Sopena-Rios
- & Marta Melé
-
Article
| Open Access
Nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 is efficiently transmitted in female Syrian hamsters and retains partial susceptibility to treatment
Characteristics of drug-resistant SARS-CoV-2 viruses are unclear. Here, the authors report that an in vitro selected nirmatrelvir-resistant virus replicates efficiently and can be transmitted in Syrian hamsters but that nirmatrelvir retains some antiviral activity against that virus in infected hamsters.
- Rana Abdelnabi
- , Dirk Jochmans
- & Johan Neyts
-
Article
| Open Access
Ultra-long-acting in-situ forming implants with cabotegravir protect female macaques against rectal SHIV infection
In this study, the authors developed an ultra-long-acting injectable, biodegradable, and removable in-situ forming implant delivering cabotegravir (CAB ISFI). CAB ISFI was well tolerated and protected against multiple rectal SHIV challenges in female macaques.
- Isabella C. Young
- , Ivana Massud
- & S. Rahima Benhabbour
-
Article
| Open Access
Tagging active neurons by soma-targeted Cal-Light
Techniques for tagging active neurons with high spatiotemporal precision are limited. Here the authors report soma-targeted CalLight (ST-Cal-Light) which selectively converts somatic calcium rise triggered by action potentials into gene expression, and generate a conditional ST-Cal-Light knock-in mouse.
- Jung Ho Hyun
- , Kenichiro Nagahama
- & Hyung-Bae Kwon
-
Article
| Open Access
Sex differences in allometry for phenotypic traits in mice indicate that females are not scaled males
Research aimed at improving healthcare has largely focused on male animals and cells. Here, the authors use data from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium to show that body weight does not account for all phenotypic differences between male and female mice, supporting more female-focused research.
- Laura A. B. Wilson
- , Susanne R. K. Zajitschek
- & Shinichi Nakagawa
-
Article
| Open Access
Hypothermia evoked by stimulation of medial preoptic nucleus protects the brain in a mouse model of ischaemia
Developing brain-protective hypothermia is a medical challenge. Here, the authors show that deep brain stimulation of a particular brain area is a new way to trigger the body into a hibernation-like state with reduced body temperature and brain protection in a mouse model of stroke.
- Shuai Zhang
- , Xinpei Zhang
- & Sheng-Tao Hou
-
Article
| Open Access
A doxycycline- and light-inducible Cre recombinase mouse model for optogenetic genome editing
Achieving spatial control of gene expression is important. Here the authors report an optimised photoactivatable Cre recombinase system, doxycycline- and light-inducible Cre recombinase (DiLiCre), and generate a DiLiCre mouse line which they use for mutagenesis in vivo and positional cell-tracing.
- Miguel Vizoso
- , Colin E. J. Pritchard
- & Jacco van Rheenen
-
Article
| Open Access
Optogenetic manipulation and photoacoustic imaging using a near-infrared transgenic mouse model
Optogenetic tools can be used as in vivo imaging probes. Here the authors generate a loxP-BphP1 transgenic mouse to enable Cre-dependent temporal and spatial targeting of BphP1 expression in vivo; they show photoacoustic tomography of BphP1 expression in developing embryos and regenerating livers.
- Ludmila A. Kasatkina
- , Chenshuo Ma
- & Vladislav V. Verkhusha
-
Article
| Open Access
Hand2 delineates mesothelium progenitors and is reactivated in mesothelioma
The mesothelium supports homeostasis and regeneration, yet its development origins remain unclear. Here, the authors uncovered the earliest mesothelium progenitor cells in zebrafish, linking Hand2 gene function to mesothelium formation and its re-activation to mesothelioma tumors.
- Karin D. Prummel
- , Helena L. Crowell
- & Christian Mosimann
-
Article
| Open Access
Smad4 controls signaling robustness and morphogenesis by differentially contributing to the Nodal and BMP pathways
The role of the transcriptional effector SMAD4 in vertebrate embryo development remains unresolved. Here the authors show that in the absence of Smad4, dorsal/ventral embryo patterning is disrupted due to the loss of BMP signaling, while Nodal signaling is maintained, but insufficient for optimal endoderm specification.
- Luca Guglielmi
- , Claire Heliot
- & Caroline S. Hill
-
Article
| Open Access
In situ and transcriptomic identification of microglia in synapse-rich regions of the developing zebrafish brain
Microglia remodel synapses and engulf apoptotic cells. The molecular program underlying these distinct functions are unclear. Here, the authors identify distinct microglial subsets associated with synaptic vs. neurogenic regions of the developing zebrafish brain.
- Nicholas J. Silva
- , Leah C. Dorman
- & Anna V. Molofsky
-
Article
| Open Access
Developmental genetics of color pattern establishment in cats
Intricate color patterns are a defining aspect of morphological diversity in the Felidae. Here the authors apply morphological and single-cell gene expression analysis to fetal skin of domestic cats to identify when, where, and how, during fetal development, felid color patterns are established.
- Christopher B. Kaelin
- , Kelly A. McGowan
- & Gregory S. Barsh
-
Article
| Open Access
Dynamic tracking and identification of tissue-specific secretory proteins in the circulation of live mice
The in vivo identification of proteins secreted from a specific cell type or tissue remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a proximity labeling-based method to selectively label secreted proteins and combine it with proteomics to identify liver secretory proteins in mouse plasma.
- Kwang-eun Kim
- , Isaac Park
- & Jae Myoung Suh
-
Article
| Open Access
Coordination of endothelial cell positioning and fate specification by the epicardium
It remains unclear how spatial information controls endothelial cell identity and behavior in the developing heart. Here the authors perform single cell RNA sequencing at key developmental timepoints in mice to interrogate cellular contributions to coronary vessel patterning and maturation in the epicardium.
- Pearl Quijada
- , Michael A. Trembley
- & Eric M. Small
-
Article
| Open Access
Analysis of gene network bifurcation during optic cup morphogenesis in zebrafish
The gene regulatory network controlling the bifurcation of common progenitors into the neural retina and retinal-pigmented epithelium programs remains poorly understood. Here the authors study transcriptome dynamics and chromatin accessibility during this process in zebrafish, revealing network redundancy, as well as context-dependent and sequential transcription factor activity.
- Lorena Buono
- , Jorge Corbacho
- & Juan-Ramón Martínez-Morales
-
Article
| Open Access
Spatio-temporal mRNA tracking in the early zebrafish embryo
Early stages of embryogenesis are known to depend on subcellular localization and transport of maternal mRNA, but systematic analyses have been hindered by a lack of methods for tracking of RNA. Here the authors combine spatially-resolved transcriptomics and single-cell RNA labeling to perform a spatio-temporal analysis of the transcriptome during early zebrafish development, revealing insights into this process.
- Karoline Holler
- , Anika Neuschulz
- & Jan Philipp Junker
-
Article
| Open Access
The M-phase regulatory phosphatase PP2A-B55δ opposes protein kinase A on Arpp19 to initiate meiotic division
Mechanisms triggering meiotic divisions of oocytes remain unclear. Here, the authors report that meiosis resumption relies on the timely phosphorylation of Arpp19 protein at two distinct sites, which depends on two kinases (PKA and Gwl) and a single phosphatase (PP2A-B55δ).
- Tom Lemonnier
- , Enrico Maria Daldello
- & Aude Dupré
The miR-144/Hmgn2 regulatory axis orchestrates chromatin organization during erythropoiesis