This study examines how temperature affects Spike-ACE2 interactions in Omicron subvariants and links these interactions to viral transmission efficiency.

bioRxiv · Jan 20, 2024Microbiology

Indoline CD4-mimetic Compounds Mediate Potent and Broad HIV-1 Inhibition and Sensitization to Antibody-dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

C. J. Fritschi, S. Anang, Z. Gong, M. Mohammadi, J. Richard, C. Bourassa, K. T. Severino, H. Richter, D. Yang, H.-C. Chen, T.-J. Chiu, M. Seaman, N. Madani, C. Abrams, A. Finzi, , A. B. Smith

This study designs and evaluates indoline-based CD4-mimetic compounds that inhibit HIV-1 more potently and broadly than existing indane-based compounds and sensitize HIV-1 to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

bioRxiv · Jan 2, 2023 · PreprintMicrobiology

A third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine dose in people receiving hemodialysis overcomes B cell defects but elicits a skewed CD4+ T cell profile

G. Sannier, A. Nicolas, M. Dube, L. Marchitto, M. Nayrac, O. Tastet, A. Tauzin, R. Lima-Barbosa, M. Laporte, R. Cloutier, A. S. Flores, M. Boutin, S. Y. Gong, M. Benlarbi, S. Ding, , D. E. Kaufmann

bioRxiv · Sep 5, 2022Immunology

An S1 subunit vaccine and combination adjuvant (COVAC-1) elicits robust protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in African green monkeys

L. Garnett, K. Tran, M. Chan, K. Tierney, Z. Schiffman, J. Audet, J. Lew, C. Meilleur, M. Chan, K. Manguiat, N. Tailor, R. Vendramelli, Y. Deschambault, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, C. Bourassa, , D. Falzarano

COVAC-1, an S1 subunit vaccine with adjuvant, protects African green monkeys from SARS-CoV-2 challenge by reducing viral load and pathology in the respiratory tract.

bioRxiv · Jun 16, 2022 · PreprintMicrobiology

Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein variants selected for resistance to a CD4-mimetic compound

S. Anang, J. Richard, C. Bourassa, G. Goyette, T.-J. Chiu, H.-C. Chen, A. B. Smith, N. Madani, A. Finzi, J. G. Sodroski

This study identifies HIV-1 Env variants resistant to CD4-mimetic compounds and BMS-806 by analyzing mutations that confer resistance and their effects on viral fitness and inhibitor sensitivity.

bioRxiv · Apr 21, 2022Microbiology

SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein ORF8 decreases antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, A. Arduini, C. Bourassa, H. Medjahed, G. Gendron-Lepage, J. Richard, Q. Pan, Z. Wang, C. Liang, A. Finzi

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein ORF8 reduces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by binding CD16a and decreasing CD16 surface levels on monocytes and NK cells.

bioRxiv · Mar 30, 2022Immunology

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Spike recognition by plasma from individuals receiving BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination with a 16-weeks interval between doses

D. Chatterjee, A. Tauzin, L. Marchitto, S. Y. Gong, M. Boutin, C. Bourassa, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, Y. Bo, S. Ding, A. Laumaea, D. Vezina, J. Perreault, L. Gokool, C. Morrisseau, P. Arlotto, , A. Finzi

This study evaluates how plasma from individuals with a 16-week interval between BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine doses recognizes and neutralizes the Omicron Spike compared to other variants.

bioRxiv · Dec 21, 2021Microbiology

Temporal associations of B and T cell immunity with robust vaccine responsiveness in a 16-week interval BNT162b2 regimen

M. Nayrac, M. Dube, G. Sannier, A. Nicolas, L. Marchitto, O. Tastet, A. Tauzin, N. Brassard, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, D. Vezina, S. Y. Gong, M. Benlarbi, R. Gasser, A. Laumaea, C. Bourassa, , D. E. Kaufmann

The paper examines B and T cell immunity responses to a 16-week interval BNT162b2 vaccine regimen, finding robust immune memory and functional associations between immune components.

bioRxiv · Dec 18, 2021Immunology

Live imaging of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice reveals neutralizing antibodies require Fc function for optimal efficacy

I. Ullah, J. Prevost, M. S. Ladinsky, H. Stone, M. Lu, S. P. Anand, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, K. Symmes, M. Benlarbi, S. Ding, R. Gasser, C. Fink, Y. Chen, A. Tauzin, G. Goyette, , P. D. Uchil

This study uses live imaging to show that neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 need both Fab and Fc functions to effectively prevent and resolve infection in mice.

bioRxiv · Mar 22, 2021Immunology

A single BNT162b2 mRNA dose elicits antibodies with Fc-mediated effector functions and boost pre-existing humoral and T cell responses

A. Tauzin, M. Nayrac, M. Benlarbi, S. Y. Gong, R. Gasser, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, N. Brassard, A. Laumaea, D. Vezina, J. Prevost, S. P. Anand, C. Bourassa, G. Gendron-Lepage, H. Medjahed, G. Goyette, , A. Finzi

This study shows a single dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine elicits strong antibody and T cell responses, including Fc-mediated effector functions, and boosts pre-existing immunity in previously infected individuals.

bioRxiv · Mar 18, 2021 · PreprintImmunology

Longitudinal analysis of humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Spike in convalescent individuals up to 8 months post-symptom onset

S. P. Anand, J. Prevost, M. Nayrac, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, M. Benlarbi, R. Gasser, N. Brassard, A. Laumaea, S. Y. Gong, C. Bourassa, E. Brunet-Ratnasingham, H. Medjahed, G. Gendron-Lepage, G. Goyette, L. Gokool, , A. Finzi

This study tracks humoral immune responses in convalescent individuals up to 8 months post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing that IgG+ memory B cells persist while plasma antibody levels decline.

bioRxiv · Jan 25, 2021Microbiology