J. P. Stewart

The effect of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir on SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity in severe models of COVID-19.

This study examines how molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir affect SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity in immunocompromised mice, finding reduced viral load and specific mutations but no major consensus sequence changes.

Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 lacking initiating and internal methionine codons within ORF10 is attenuated in vivo

This study shows that a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 virus lacking ORF10 start and internal methionine codons is attenuated in hamsters, with reduced lower respiratory tract viral titre and increased reversion to wild-type.

Lack of antiviral activity of probenecid in Vero E6 cells and Syrian golden hamsters: a need for better understanding of inter-lab differences in preclinical assays.

This paper investigates probenecid's antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells and Syrian golden hamsters, finding no significant inhibition of viral replication or cytopathic effects.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 Variant leads to less severe disease than Pango B and Delta variants strains in a mouse model of severe COVID-19

This study compares the severity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529, Pango B, and Delta variants in a mouse model, finding Omicron causes less severe disease with lower viral load and inflammation.

Single-dose immunisation with a multimerised SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) induces an enhanced and protective response in mice

This paper demonstrates that a multimerised SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine using a stable scaffold provides enhanced antibody responses and complete protection in mice.

Secreted SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 modulates the cytokine expression profile of human macrophages

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 protein modulates cytokine expression in human macrophages, with sequence polymorphisms affecting IL-6 and IL-8 secretion.

Evaluation of intranasal nafamostat or camostat for SARS-CoV-2 chemoprophylaxis in Syrian golden hamsters

This study evaluates intranasal nafamostat and camostat for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian golden hamsters, finding nafamostat effective in keeping viral RNA undetectable for 7 days.

Neuroinvasion and neurotropism by SARS-CoV-2 variants in the K18-hACE2 mouse

This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 variant neuroinvasion in K18-hACE2 mice, finding CNS spread in all variants except Omicron, with microglial activation and immune cell apoptosis observed.

Sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples from patients with COVID-19 illustrates population variation and diverse phenotypes, placing the in vitro growth properties of B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 lineage viruses in context.

The paper analyzes SARS-CoV-2 sequence variation in patient samples and compares the in vitro growth of B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants to other isolates, finding no significant difference in growth for B.1.1.7.

Naturally-acquired immunity in Syrian Golden Hamsters provides protection from re-exposure to emerging heterosubtypic SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351

This study shows that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian Golden Hamsters protects against re-exposure to variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, suggesting immunity may limit disease from emerging variants.

Identification and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 leader subgenomic mRNA gene junctions in nasopharyngeal samples shows phasic transcription in animal models of COVID-19 and dysregulation at later time points that can also be identified in humans

The paper identifies and quantifies SARS-CoV-2 leader-TRS-junctions in samples, showing phasic sgmRNA transcription in animal models and dysregulation in humans.

Sequential infection with influenza A virus followed by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leads to more severe disease and encephalitis in a mouse model of COVID-19.

This study shows that sequential infection with influenza A virus followed by SARS-CoV-2 in mice leads to more severe disease and encephalitis compared to single infections.

Synthetic Heparan Sulfate Mimetic Pixatimod (PG545) Potently Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 By Disrupting The Spike-ACE2 interaction

This paper shows that pixatimod inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by disrupting the Spike-ACE2 interaction, demonstrating its potential as an anti-COVID-19 therapeutic.

The WD and linker domains of ATG16L1 required for non canonical autophagy limit lethal influenza A virus infection at epithelial surfaces.

This study shows that non-canonical autophagy, mediated by the WD and linker domains of ATG16L1, protects against lethal influenza A virus infection by limiting viral replication and inflammation in airway epithelial cells.

Constitutive TRIM22 expression within the respiratory tract identifies tissue-specific and cell-type dependent intrinsic immune barriers to influenza A virus infection

This study identifies TRIM22 as a constitutively expressed antiviral factor in the respiratory tract that restricts influenza A virus infection independently of cytokine-mediated immunity.