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Characterization of lab-produced neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2

A new study led by Hans-Martin Jäck of the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany engineered clusters of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies using a transgenic mouse model. A unique characteristic for the antibodies was the different ways it bound to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the overall reduction in the viral spread for human ACE2.

21 Apr 2021

Researchers identify differences in immune response in asymptomatic versus severe COVID-19 cases

The largest study of its type in the UK has identified differences in the immune response to COVID-19, between people with no symptoms, compared to those suffering a more serious reaction to the virus.

21 Apr 2021

Study identifies how SARS-CoV-2 enters and infects the brain

A recent preclinical study led by Anja Kipar of the University of Zurich and the University of Liverpool found evidence of the virus infecting and eventually provoking cell death in microglia and immune cells — but not neurons. The viral-induced apoptosis in these brain cells may explain why some long-haulers experience ‘brain fog’ months after recovery.

21 Apr 2021

SARS-CoV-2-associated ssRNAs trigger inflammation and immunity via toll-like receptors

Severe COVID-19 causes sepsis-like manifestations, intense lung injury, and multi-organ failure, all associated with the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This "cytokine storm" directly correlates with poor prognosis in this subgroup of patients.

21 Apr 2021

Seroprevalence studies monitoring SARS-CoV-2 among vaccinees require more than spike assays

Researchers in the United States have shown that an antibody test measuring host reactivity to the nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may better detect natural infection among vaccinated individuals than an assay that measures reactivity to the viral spike protein.

21 Apr 2021

Children develop strong, long-lasting immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers in the UK have conducted a study that may explain why children who become infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) do not generally develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

20 Apr 2021

FDA takes steps to add molecular tests using pooled nasal specimens in serial testing program

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took steps to further facilitate the authorization of molecular tests for screening asymptomatic individuals using pooled anterior nasal respiratory specimens in serial testing programs.

20 Apr 2021

Study investigates severe lung injuries among e-cigarette users in rural Appalachia

Just as e-cigarette ingredients can vary from one region to another, the health effects of vaping can have regional characteristics as well. A new study out of West Virginia University suggests that rural e-cigarette users are older--and often get sicker--than their urban counterparts.

20 Apr 2021

Study evaluates stem cells' ability to prevent major cause of death in preterm infants

A phase 2 clinical trial whose results were released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine might point to a way to overcome bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a major cause of death in preterm infants.

20 Apr 2021

All-in-one test provides a promising solution for COVID-19 detection and mutational surveillance

A new type of COVID-19 testing strategy could help streamline the process of identifying cases, tracking variants and detecting co-infecting viruses.

20 Apr 2021

Chronic SARS-CoV-2 infections favor viral adaptation, says study

A new study offers a look at how to keep these hopes alive in the current context of highly infectious variants, which often display immune escape mutations.

20 Apr 2021

Limited SARS-CoV-2 spread in childcare centers, finds study

A new study adds to the sum of evidence that children do not play a key role in the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen behind the current pandemic of COVID-19.

20 Apr 2021

Can an immunosuppressive cancer drug promote SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells?

A new study shows that rapamycin, an immunosuppressive drug used in some cancers, and its analogs, may have an undesirable effect on viral entry into the host cells. This finding could inform their use to treat symptomatic COVID-19.

20 Apr 2021

Humoral immunity developed by DNA vaccine INO-4800 is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A team of international scientists recently demonstrated that antibodies generated in response to the DNA vaccine INO-4800 can effectively neutralize some of the recently emerged variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as G614, 501Y.V1, and 501Y.V2.

20 Apr 2021

Study examines SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthy young adults and risk of reinfection

New research has been published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, which focuses on evaluating the effect of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity on the possibility of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection in a young and healthy population. This study is based on the longitudinal prospective cohort study that involves the COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines (CHARM).

20 Apr 2021

Can fingerprick blood tests help evaluate antibody response and longevity against SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination?

To monitor antibody level duration of vaccine-induced immune responses, a team of researchers in the U.S. – at Diacarta, University of California and VA Healthcare System, and the Franciscan University of Steubenville – evaluated the feasibility of using a single drop of fingerstick blood collected with flocked swabs for quantitative antibody response evaluation after COVID-19 vaccination.

20 Apr 2021

Could virosome-based nanovaccines be a promising new approach to preventing viral diseases?

A recent review in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules provides a novel overview of 'virosome'-based nanovaccine production, its properties, and its application in viral diseases, emphasizing its importance in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine discovery.

20 Apr 2021

Respiratory News and Research

Characterization of lab-produced neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2

Researchers identify differences in immune response in asymptomatic versus severe COVID-19 cases

Study identifies how SARS-CoV-2 enters and infects the brain

SARS-CoV-2-associated ssRNAs trigger inflammation and immunity via toll-like receptors

Seroprevalence studies monitoring SARS-CoV-2 among vaccinees require more than spike assays

Children develop strong, long-lasting immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection

FDA takes steps to add molecular tests using pooled nasal specimens in serial testing program

Study investigates severe lung injuries among e-cigarette users in rural Appalachia

Study evaluates stem cells' ability to prevent major cause of death in preterm infants

All-in-one test provides a promising solution for COVID-19 detection and mutational surveillance

Chronic SARS-CoV-2 infections favor viral adaptation, says study

Limited SARS-CoV-2 spread in childcare centers, finds study

Can an immunosuppressive cancer drug promote SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells?

Humoral immunity developed by DNA vaccine INO-4800 is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Study examines SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthy young adults and risk of reinfection

Can fingerprick blood tests help evaluate antibody response and longevity against SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination?

Could virosome-based nanovaccines be a promising new approach to preventing viral diseases?

Public restrooms could serve as hotbeds for COVID-19 transmission

Scientists receive NIH grant to develop an adjuvant vaccine for opioid use disorder

Study offers new insights on sleep apnea surgery, postoperative respiratory depression

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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