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Next-generation CRISPR tools and therapies improved by modified RNA guides

A new type of gene-editing tool, CRISPR-Cas13, has shown promise in RNA targeting. Previous studies have shown the tool as a potential treatment method for viral diseases, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

3 Aug 2021

Study sheds light on oral vaccine failure in mouse model of chronic gut disorder

A chronic gut disorder that occurs in regions with poor sanitation disrupts intestinal immune responses and impairs oral vaccine effectiveness in a mouse model of the disease, according to research led by UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientists.

3 Aug 2021

Study looks at potent phytocompounds from Himalayan herbs to treat COVID-19

Considering the antiviral activity of medicinal herbs, a new study published in the journal Current Pharmacology Reports focuses on the identification of potent phytochemicals from Himalayan herbs, namely, Rheum emodi, Thymus serpyllum, and Artemisia annua, for the treatment of COVID-19.

1 Aug 2021

Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances Johnson and Johnson Ad26.COV2.S vaccine immunogenicity

A new study reports that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine against COVID-19 shows enhanced efficacy when administered to individuals with pre-existing antibodies.

30 Jul 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniae modulates host immunity to SARS-CoV-2

Scientists from the UK and US have recently investigated immunological consequences of secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) infection in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

29 Jul 2021

Study reveals cellular basis of antigen-specific response to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine

Researchers in the United States have provided important insights into the antigen-specific cellular response and evolving humoral (antibody) response to messenger RNA- (mRNA) based vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

29 Jul 2021

Spike-containing virus-like particles induce robust sterilizing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in macaques

A team of international scientists has recently developed virus-like particles (VLPs) by coating liposomes with the synthetic spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2.

28 Jul 2021

Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in renal transplant and dialysis patients using Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines

A study analyzes the immune responses of medical personnel, as well as immunocompromised DP and immunosuppressed KTR patients.

27 Jul 2021

T cells are not critical for recovery of primates from acute COVID-19 infections, study reveals

New research conducted in monkeys reveals that T cells are not critical for the recovery of primates from acute COVID-19 infections.

27 Jul 2021

A novel interferon-γ release assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response

A new study evaluates a commercially available IFN‐γ release assay (IGRA) to determine T-cell responses targeted against SARS-CoV-2.

26 Jul 2021

CD8+ T cells show gene-dependent variation in cross-reactivity to human coronaviruses

A new study discusses how both different responses to the infection itself and to COVID-19 vaccines are likely the result of genetic differences.

25 Jul 2021

Research uncovers an unexpected role for immune T cells in protection against malaria

Advanced technologies have been used to solve a long-standing mystery about why some people develop serious illness when they are infected with the malaria parasite, while others carry the infection asymptomatically.

23 Jul 2021

Exhausted T cells linked to increased risk of COVID-19 mortality

New research led by Nadia R. Roan of Gladstone Institutes and the University of California, San Francisco, finds a correlation between high numbers of inflammatory CXCR4+ T cells and regulatory T cells specific to SARS-CoV-2 and dying from infection. In contrast, people who recovered from severe COVID-19 illness were more likely to have many SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells that perform homeostatic proliferation.

20 Jul 2021

Past SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances mRNA vaccine-induced neutralization of variants of concern

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study suggesting that individuals previously infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibit better neutralizing activity against variants of concern following vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than previously uninfected vaccinees.

19 Jul 2021

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines establish recall responses to reinfection

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study showing that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna generate a coordinated adaptive immune response that is capable of eliciting recall responses to future infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

18 Jul 2021

How do immunocompromised patients respond to COVID-19 vaccines?

The COVID-19 vaccines produce a boost in antibody activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, new research suggests vaccine responses aren’t all created equal. Their findings showed that immunocompromised patients, such as transplant recipients, with no prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 produce little to no neutralizing antibodies.

18 Jul 2021

Colonization by SARS-CoV-2 not synonymous with infection, screening study highlights

A new study released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server throws cold water on this notion, however, by demonstrating that in a set of asymptomatic cases, less than a tenth actually had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding has serious implications for the practices mentioned above, since they may be neither justifiable nor cost-effective as means to break the chain of viral transmission.

13 Jul 2021

“React and inject”: synthetic peptide-modified nanodiamonds as emergency pan-coronavirus vaccines

A recent study published in the MDPI journal, Pathogens, describes a coronavirus peptide vaccine antigen in the form of nanodiamond-based formulations, that demonstrated a robust and long-lasting immune response. The nanodiamonds proved to be a powerful and versatile platform for antigen conjugation. This could make it a safe and effective strategy for the production of off-the-shelf vaccines against multiple coronaviruses.

13 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine efficacy reduced in patients with CD20-B-cell depleting treatment history

Researchers from Switzerland recently investigated humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to mRNA-based vaccines in patients undergoing treatment with CD20-B-cell depleting agents for autoimmune diseases, transplantation, or malignancy.

12 Jul 2021

Durable antibody response at least 8 months following vaccination with J&J COVID vaccine

A recent study by a team of scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Janssen Vaccines & Prevention has demonstrated that humoral and cellular immunity elicited by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine Ad26.COV2.S remains active for at least eight months.

9 Jul 2021