H. M. Lazear

A fur plucking model to study herpes simplex virus reactivation and recurrent disease

This paper develops a fur plucking model to induce HSV-1 and HSV-2 reactivation in mice, enabling study of recurrent disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.

Interferon lambda restricts herpes simplex virus skin disease by suppressing neutrophil-mediated pathology

This study shows that IFN-lambda reduces HSV skin disease severity by limiting neutrophil-driven inflammation, independent of viral load.

Neuroinvasive flavivirus pathogenesis is restricted by host genetic factors in Collaborative Cross mice, independently of Oas1b

This study identifies host genetic factors influencing POWV pathogenesis in CC mice, showing resistance correlates with reduced viral replication and brain infection.

Zika virus replicates in the vagina of mice with intact interferon signaling

This study shows that Zika virus replicates in the vagina of wild-type mice with intact interferon signaling, but only under high progesterone conditions, highlighting a hormonal factor in susceptibility to vaginal infection.

Interferon lambda signals in maternal tissues to exert protective and pathologic effects in a gestational-stage dependent manner

This study shows that IFN-lambda signaling in maternal tissues has protective or pathologic effects depending on gestational stage, without affecting fetal or placental tissues.

Zika virus-specific IgM elicited during pregnancy exhibits ultrapotent neutralization

This study identifies a potent ZIKV-neutralizing IgM antibody from a pregnant woman and shows its protective efficacy in mice.

Structurally conserved domains between flavivirus and alphavirus fusion glycoproteins contribute to replication in mammals and infectious virion production.

This study identifies structurally conserved domains in flavivirus and alphavirus fusion glycoproteins that contribute to replication and infectious virion production, suggesting potential targets for broad-spectrum antivirals.

Zika virus infection in Collaborative Cross mice

The paper tests Collaborative Cross mice as an immune-competent model for ZIKV infection, finding poor infection and low antibody response.

Oligomeric state of the ZIKV E protein defines protective immune responses.

This study shows that dimeric Zika E protein antigens induce stronger neutralizing antibodies than monomers, suggesting that mimicking viral quaternary structure improves subunit vaccine efficacy.