A. Iwasaki

Setdb1-loss induces type-I interferons and immune clearance of melanoma

This study identifies Setdb1 loss as a driver of type-I interferon signaling and immune clearance of melanoma through ERV activation and CD8+ T-cell infiltration.

Cancer relevance of circulating antibodies against LINE-1 antigens in humans

The paper detects higher levels of anti-LINE-1 protein antibodies in cancer patients compared to healthy individuals, suggesting potential diagnostic value for early cancer detection.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants evolved to promote further escape from MHC-I recognition

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants are better at suppressing MHC-I expression than earlier variants, aiding their evasion from CD8+ T cell immunity.

Inhalable polymer nanoparticles for versatile mRNA delivery and mucosal vaccination

Inhaled polymer nanoparticles deliver mRNA effectively to the lung and induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Serological fingerprints link antiviral activity of therapeutic antibodies to affinity and concentration

The paper links antiviral activity of therapeutic antibodies to their affinity and concentration by comparing them to serological fingerprints in convalescent sera.

Unadjuvanted intranasal spike vaccine booster elicits robust protective mucosal immunity against sarbecoviruses

Unadjuvanted intranasal spike vaccine booster generates broad sarbecovirus protective mucosal immunity in a preclinical model.

A synthetic bispecific antibody capable of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron

This paper describes a synthetic bispecific antibody that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants with picomolar affinity.

No evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

This study investigates whether COVID-19 mRNA vaccination affects pregnancy outcomes or induces anti-syncytin-1 antibodies, finding no evidence of fetal defects or increased antibody levels.

Inflammasome activation in infected macrophages drives COVID-19 pathology

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infection of human macrophages drives COVID-19 pathology through inflammasome activation, leading to inflammation and pyroptosis, but also enabling viral release.

Mutations in two SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern reflect two distinct strategies of antibody escape

This study compares antibody escape mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 alpha and beta variants, finding they use distinct strategies: alpha increases ACE2 binding affinity, while beta alters epitopes to reduce antibody access.

Gut microbiome dysbiosis during COVID-19 is associated with increased risk for bacteremia and microbial translocation.

The paper shows that gut microbiome dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients is linked to increased risk of bacteremia and microbial translocation.

A stem-loop RNA RIG-I agonist confers prophylactic and therapeutic protection against acute and chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice

This study shows that SLR14, a RIG-I agonist, prevents and treats SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice, including chronic cases and variants, through IFN-I responses.

High-affinity, neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be made in the absence of T follicular helper cells

The paper shows that high-affinity, neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 can be produced without T follicular helper cells through alternative pathways.

Adaptive immune determinants of viral clearance and protection in mouse models of SARS-CoV-2

The paper investigates the roles of humoral and cellular immunity in SARS-CoV-2 clearance and protection against a variant, finding antibodies mediate protection in both vaccinated and naturally infected mice.

Exploratory neuroimmune profiling identifies CNS-specific alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological involvement

The paper identifies CNS-specific immune alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms, suggesting neuroinvasion and anti-neural autoimmunity as potential causes.

Neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 in human and mouse brain

This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion in human and mouse brains using organoids, in vivo models, and autopsies, finding evidence of neuronal infection and its consequences.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by multiplex RT-qPCR

This paper develops a multiplex RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection that uses existing primer/probe sets and reduces reagents, costs, time, and labor compared to singleplex assays.

Mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 reveals inflammatory role of type I interferon signaling

This paper develops a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 using AAV-mediated hACE2 expression, showing type I interferons fail to control viral replication and drive pathology.

PD-1 blockade-driven anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity requires XCR1+ dendritic cells

This study shows that XCR1+ dendritic cells are essential for PD-1 immunotherapy to activate CD8+ T cells and control tumors in mice and humans.

Antibody against envelope protein from human endogenous retrovirus activates neutrophils in systemic lupus erythematosus

The paper identifies an endogenous retrovirus envelope protein, ERV-K102, elevated in SLE patients, which is activated by SLE IgG to promote neutrophil activation and NET formation.

The lupus susceptibility locus Sgp3 encodes the suppressor of endogenous retrovirus expression SNERV

This study identifies SNERV, a suppressor of endogenous retrovirus expression, as a lupus susceptibility gene, showing its role in preventing ERV overexpression and associated nephritis.

Human APOBEC3G prevents emergence of infectious endogenous retrovirus in mice

This study shows that human APOBEC3G prevents the emergence of infectious endogenous retroviruses in mice, demonstrating its in vivo antiviral activity against ERVs.

Innate Immune Priming by cGAS as a Preparatory Countermeasure Against RNA Virus Infection

This study shows that cGAS-STING restricts RNA viruses by sensing endogenous DNA ligands, promoting a preparatory immune state even in the absence of viral DNA.

Microbiota-independent antiviral protection conferred by aminoglycoside antibiotics

This study shows aminoglycoside antibiotics provide broad antiviral protection in vivo, independent of microbiota, by inducing interferon-stimulated genes via TLR3 and XCR1+ dendritic cells.

A minimal RNA ligand for potent RIG-I activation in living mice

This study develops synthetic RNA ligands that activate RIG-I in mice, inducing interferon responses and specific gene expression, and shows their potential as therapeutic tools.