This study identifies two potent neutralizing antibodies, EH3 and EH8, from a pediatric patient that cross-neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants and provide in vivo protection against the Delta VOC.

bioRxiv · Jul 27, 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

Highly divergent white-tailed deer SARS-CoV-2 with potential deer-to-human transmission

B. Pickering, O. Lung, F. Maguire, P. Kruczkiewicz, J. D. Kotwa, T. Buchanan, M. Gagnier, J. Guthrie, C. Jardine, A. Marchand-Austin, A. Masse, H. McClinchey, K. Nirmalarajah, P. Aftanas, J. Blais-Savoie, , J. Bowman

The paper identifies a highly divergent SARS-CoV-2 lineage in white-tailed deer with evidence of deer-to-human transmission.

bioRxiv · Feb 22, 2022Microbiology

HIV-1 Vpu restricts Fc-mediated effector functions in vivo

J. Prevost, S. P. Anand, J. K. Rajashekar, J. Richard, G. Goyette, H. Medjahed, G. Gendron-Lepage, H.-C. Chen, Y. Chen, J. A. Horwitz, M. W. Grunst, S. Zolla-Pazner, B. F. Haynes, D. R. Burton, R. A. Flavell, , A. Finzi

This study shows that HIV-1 Vpu reduces nnAb recognition and ADCC resistance, with nnAb Fc-effector functions dependent on Env's open conformation.

bioRxiv · Feb 21, 2022Microbiology

VE607 Stabilizes SARS-CoV-2 Spike In the "RBD-up" Conformation and Inhibits Viral Entry

S. Ding, S. Y. Gong, J. Grover, M. Mohammadjavad, Y. Chen, D. Vezina, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, V. T. Verma, G. Goyette, J. Richard, D. Yang, A. B. Smith, M. Pazgier, M. Cote, C. Abrams, , C. Baron

VE607 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by stabilizing the RBD in the 'up' conformation and blocking S-ACE2 interaction across multiple variants.

bioRxiv · Feb 3, 2022Microbiology

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

An anti-SARS-CoV-2 non-neutralizing antibody with Fc-effector function defines a new NTD epitope and delays neuroinvasion and death in K18-hACE2 mice

G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, Y. Chen, I. Ullah, J. Prevost, W. D. Tolbert, K. Symmes, S. Ding, M. Benlarbi, S. Y. Gong, A. Tauzin, R. Gasser, D. Chatterjee, D. Vezina, G. Goyette, J. Richard, , A. Finzi

bioRxiv · Sep 8, 2021 · PreprintMicrobiology

Covid-19 vaccine immunogenicity in people living with HIV-1

L. Nault, L. Marchitto, G. Goyette, D. Tremblay-Sher, C. Fortin, V. Martel-Laferriere, B. Trottier, J. Richard, M. Durand, D. E. Kaufmann, A. Finzi, C. Tremblay

This study evaluates mRNA vaccine immunogenicity in HIV-positive individuals, finding similar anti-RBD IgG responses to controls in those with CD4 counts >250 cells/mm3, but significantly lower responses in those with <250 cells/mm3.

bioRxiv · Aug 13, 2021Immunology

Contribution of single mutations to selected SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants Spike antigenicity

S. Y. Gong, D. Chatterjee, J. Richard, J. Prevost, A. Tauzin, R. Gasser, Y. Bo, D. Vezina, G. Goyette, G. Gendron-Lepage, H. Medjahed, M. Roger, M. Cote, A. Finzi

The paper evaluates how single mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein affect antigenicity and ACE2 binding in emerging variants.

bioRxiv · Aug 4, 2021Microbiology

Structural Basis and Mode of Action for Two Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Emerging Variants of Concern

W. Mothes, W. Li, Y. Chen, J. Prevost, I. Ullah, M. Lu, S. Y. Gong, A. Tauzin, R. Gasser, D. Vezina, S. P. Anand, G. Goyette, D. Chaterjee, S. Ding, W. D. Tolbert, , A. Finzi

This study characterizes two SARS-CoV-2 antibodies effective against variants, showing their structural basis and mechanisms of neutralization.

bioRxiv · Aug 2, 2021Microbiology

Impact of temperature on the affinity of SARS-CoV-2 Spike for ACE2

J. Prevost, J. Richard, R. Gasser, S. Ding, C. Fage, S. P. Anand, D. Adam, N. Gupta Vergara, A. Tauzin, M. Benlarbi, S. Y. Gong, G. Goyette, A. Prive, S. Moreira, H. Charest, , A. Finzi

This study investigates how temperature affects SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein affinity for ACE2, finding increased binding at low temperatures, which is mitigated by the N501Y mutation.

bioRxiv · Jul 9, 2021 · PreprintMicrobiology

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

Cross-sectional evaluation of humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 Spike

J. Prevost, R. Gasser, G. Beaudoin-Bussieres, J. Richard, R. Duerr, A. Laumaea, S. P. Anand, G. Goyette, M. Benlarbi, S. Ding, H. Medjahed, A. Lewin, J. Perreault, T. Tremblay, G. Gendron-Lepage, , A. Finzi

This study evaluates humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 Spike in 106 infected individuals, finding persistent RBD-specific IgG and declining neutralizing activity over time.

bioRxiv · Jun 8, 2020Microbiology