G. Zhong

Hepatitis E virus infection upregulates ING5 expression in vitro and vivo

This study shows that HEV infection increases ING5 expression in both animal models and human cells, suggesting a potential role in HEV pathogenesis.

Stimulation Effects Mapping for Optimizing Coil Placement for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

This paper introduces a framework for optimal TMS coil placement without segmentation or meshing, validated across multiple datasets showing consistent results.

IL-23 receptor signaling licenses group 3-like innate lymphoid cells to restrict a live-attenuated oral Chlamydia vaccine in the gut

This study shows that IL-23 receptor signaling in ILC3s enables them to produce IFNγ and clear the live-attenuated oral Chlamydia vaccine intrOv from the gut, ensuring its safety.

Preclinical screen for protection efficacy of chlamydial antigens that are immunogenic in humans

The paper screens 140 chlamydial antigens in mice to find subunit vaccine candidates, finding none effective but identifying pathogenic antigens and showing viable organisms induce better immunity.

An intact amber-free HIV-1 system for in-virus protein bioorthogonal click labeling that delineates envelope conformational dynamics

This paper develops an amber-free HIV-1 system for in-virus protein labeling, enabling smFRET analysis of Env conformational dynamics without disrupting structural integrity.

Broadly effective ACE2 decoy proteins protect mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection

This paper develops two ACE2 decoy proteins that neutralize diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants and protect mice from lethal infection with high survival rates.

Induction of transmucosal protection by oral vaccination with an attenuated Chlamydia

This study evaluates an attenuated Chlamydia muridarum mutant as an oral vaccine that induces transmucosal immunity against genital and airway infections but not gastrointestinal colonization.

Thermotaxis in an apolar, non-neuronal animal

This study discovers robust thermotaxis in Trichoplax adhaerens, an apolar, neuronless animal, showing it can detect thermal gradients and respond with Levy-distributed movement.

Development of highly potent non-covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro

This study develops a potent non-covalent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro, showing effective antiviral activity in human cells and animal models.

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.617.1 (Kappa), B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.618 on cell entry, host range, and sensitivity to convalescent plasma and ACE2 decoy receptor

This study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 variants Kappa, Delta, and B.1.618, finding increased ACE2 binding in non-human hosts, enhanced spike cleavage, and reduced neutralization sensitivity, but maintained sensitivity to ACE2 decoy receptor.

Mutation Y453F in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 enhances interaction with the mink ACE2 receptor for host adaption

This study identifies the Y453F mutation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as enhancing binding to mink ACE2 while maintaining human ACE2 utilization, highlighting its role in host adaptation.

Discovery and visualization of uncharacterized drug-protein adducts using mass spectrometry.

The paper introduces Magnum, an algorithm for identifying drug-protein adducts, and Limelight, a tool for analyzing and visualizing adduct data, validated with CYP3A4 examples.

WWP1 deficiency protects from cardiac remodeling induced by simulated microgravity

This study shows that WWP1 deficiency protects against cardiac remodeling and function decline caused by simulated microgravity in mice.

An AAV-ie based Vaccine effectively protects against SARS-CoV-2 and Circulating Variants

This study develops an AAV-ie-S1 vaccine that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, offering protection against emerging strains.

Discovery of novel ID2 antagonists from pharmacophore-based virtual screening as potential therapeutics for glioma

This study identifies AK-778-XXMU as a potent ID2 antagonist with potential as a glioma therapeutic through pharmacophore-based virtual screening and experimental validation.

Efficient reprogramming of the heavy-chain CDR3 regions of a human antibody repertoire

The paper reprograms human B cells to express HCDR3 regions of HIV-1 bNAbs, enabling diverse and physiologic repertoires that efficiently bind HIV-1 antigens.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations on animal ACE2 usage and in vitro neutralization sensitivity

This study evaluates how SARS-CoV-2 variants bind animal ACE2 proteins and their sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies and ACE2-Ig constructs, finding increased ACE2 affinity and partial resistance to antibodies but enhanced neutralization by ACE2-Ig.

An engineered receptor-binding domain improves the immunogenicity of multivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

This paper shows that an engineered RBD with glycosylation sites improves immunogenicity and expression efficiency in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

IF1 connects obesity and insulin resistance through mitochondrial reprogramming in association with ANT2

This study shows that reduced IF1 in obesity leads to mitochondrial reprogramming through ANT2 downregulation, improving insulin sensitivity despite increased body weight on a high-fat diet.

ATPIF1 inactivation promotes antitumor immunity through metabolic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells

This study shows that inactivating ATPIF1 enhances CD8+ T cell antitumor activity by reprogramming their metabolism, leading to better tumor suppression in mouse models.

Potential host range of multiple SARS-like coronaviruses and an improved ACE2-Fc variant that is potent against both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1

The paper investigates the host range of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses and identifies an improved ACE2-Fc variant effective against both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1.

The SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain elicits a potent neutralizing response without antibody-dependent enhancement

This study shows that immunization with SARS-CoV-2 RBD elicits potent neutralizing antibodies without antibody-dependent enhancement in rodents.

A novel G protein-biased and subtype selective agonist for a G protein-coupled receptor discovered from screening herbal extracts

This study identifies a novel G protein-biased and subtype-selective agonist for the 5-HT2C receptor from herbal extracts, showing efficacy in weight loss similar to lorcaserin.