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Research reveals vital role of protein-coding gene in tumor development and immune therapy response

Researchers from the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center uncovered the potentially important role of the protein-coding gene, MYO10, in tumor development and immune therapy response. Their findings were published today in Science Advances.

16 Sep 2021

A family of proteins may be able to outwit emerging and re-emerging viruses

A family of proteins best known for their role in diminishing HIV infectivity may have the goods to outwit other emerging and re-emerging viruses, scientists have found.

15 Sep 2021

Activated mast cell disorders potentially linked to SARS-CoV-2 immunity

An intriguing new study reports a year-long study in patients with cMCADs from all over France.

7 Sep 2021

Scientists identify potential biomarkers to predict COVID-19 outcomes

A team of scientists from the United States has recently examined the trajectory of early immune biomarkers in response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. They have identified specific plasma proteins that can accurately predict the clinical and virological outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

31 Aug 2021

Northwestern researchers continue investigation on all aspects of COVID-19 pandemic

Northwestern Medicine scientists continue to investigate all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic: from molecular mechanisms of infection, to child hospitalization and single-dose vaccine response.

28 Aug 2021

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

A group of researchers re-evaluated their previously proposed hypothesis, which stated that the TLR4 activated by the spike glycoprotein S1 domain increases ACE2 expression and, thereby, aids in COVID-19 infection.

16 Aug 2021

Study finds four circulating miRNAs which could effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication

In a new study, Chen-Yu Zhang's group from Nanjing University presents a rather striking finding that four circulating miRNAs, which are high in healthy people and much lower in older people and diabetic patients, could effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by directly targeting the S protein.

12 Aug 2021

Targeting a skin protein may reduce the severity of psoriasis, study reveals

Results from a Michigan Medicine study reveal that targeting a protein found in the skin may reduce the severity of psoriasis.

12 Aug 2021

Defective process in the development of RBCs may trigger lupus

The autoimmune disease lupus may be triggered by a defective process in the development of red blood cells (RBCs), according to a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

11 Aug 2021

Kids with allergies less likely to get SARS-CoV-2

Asthma is not associated with worse outcomes among children and adolescents with COVID-19.

28 Jul 2021

Nasal swabs reveal muted antiviral response in patients who developed severe COVID-19

Over the past 18 months, researchers have learned much about COVID-19 and its viral cause, SARS-CoV-2. They know how the virus enters the body, coming in through the nose and mouth and beginning its infection in the mucus layers of the nasal passageway.

26 Jul 2021

Clinical trials during a pandemic – lessons from COVID-19

In this interview, Dr. Benedicte Roquebert, Dr. Stephanie Haim-Boukobza and Dr. Souad Mehlal discuss how COVID-19 has resulted in new ways to think about clinical trials during a pandemic.

From Cerba Research 23 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 proteins manipulate autophagy

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has claimed more than 4.1 million lives worldwide. This pandemic is caused by a novel single-stranded RNA virus, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first reported in 2019 in Wuhan, China. The rapid spread of this virus is attributed to its high infectiousness and its ability to escape and counteract host immune responses, e.g., autophagy.

22 Jul 2021

Is mild COVID-19 in children due to stronger antiviral innate immunity in the upper airway?

A new preprint on the medRxiv* server adds fuel to this train of thought, showing that the required cell program is already active in children – namely, a higher expression of specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which mediate an interferon (IFN) response.

30 Jun 2021

Viral phosphoesterases (including in CoVs) can restrict antiviral innate immunity

An interesting new study describes the activities of a family of viral enzymes called two-histidine-phosphoesterases (2H-PEs), found in coronaviruses (CoVs) and rotaviruses, as well as a mammalian A-kinase anchoring protein enzyme, AKAP7, that shares the same function. Together called 2’,5’-PEs, these enzymes all break down 2’,5’-oligoadenylate compounds that activate the antiviral enzyme ribonuclease L (RNase L).

21 Jun 2021

Can a prior rhinovirus infection protect against COVID-19?

Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine found that rhinovirus accelerates interferon-stimulated genes.

21 Jun 2021

RIG-1 agonist shows potent antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection

A team of scientists from the United States has recently revealed the antiviral efficacy of stem-loop RNA 14, a RIG-1 agonist, in controlling severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in mice. The compound reduces the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by inhibiting viral replication in the lower respiratory tract. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Jun 2021