O. Vapalahti

Maturing neutrophils of lower density associate with thrombocytopenia in Puumala orthohantavirus-caused hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

The paper identifies and characterizes neutrophil subsets in PUUV-HFRS patients, finding that low-density granulocytes (LDGs) correlate with thrombocytopenia and may reflect increased bone marrow production.

The α-dystroglycan N-terminus is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and enveloped viruses

This study shows that the N-terminal fragment of α-dystroglycan blocks SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses in cell culture and animal models.

Equine dermatitis outbreak associated with parapoxvirus

This study investigates an equine dermatitis outbreak in Finland, identifies EqPPV as the causative agent, and highlights zoonotic transmission risks and risk factors.

Complete Protection from SARS-CoV-2 Lung Infection in Mice Through Combined Intranasal Delivery of PIKfyve Kinase and TMPRSS2 Protease Inhibitors

This study shows that combining PIKfyve and TMPRSS2 inhibitors intranasally protects mice from SARS-CoV-2 lung infection and reduces cell death.

Alternative cell entry mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 and multiple animal viruses

This study identifies alternative cell entry mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, showing some rely on dynamin while others use actin-dependent pathways.

Partial genome characterization of a novel potentially zoonotic parapoxvirus in a horse, Finland

The paper reports a sequencing protocol and 121 kb poxvirus sequence from a horse with dermatitis, identifying a novel parapoxvirus associated with a recent epidemic and suggesting zoonotic potential.

Inhibition of host N-myristoylation compromises the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 due to Golgi-bypassing egress from lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum

This study shows that inhibiting host N-myristoylation reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by impairing viral envelope protein maturation and causing Golgi-bypassing egress.

Nanobody engineering for SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and detection

This study engineers nanobodies to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants and develop a detection assay, showing high potency against some variants but limitations against others.

Nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by an unmodified peptide targeting the pre-hairpin intermediate of the spike protein

Signal peptide mimicry primes Sec61 for client-selective inhibition

This study describes KZR-8445, a cyclic depsipeptide that selectively inhibits Sec61-mediated protein biogenesis by mimicking signal peptides, showing efficacy in a rheumatoid arthritis model.

SARS-CoV-2 requires acidic pH to infect cells

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 requires acidic pH for membrane fusion and genome release, even after proteolytic cleavage by furin or TMPRSS2.

Experimental infection of mink with SARS-COV-2 Omicron (BA.1) variant leads to symptomatic disease with lung pathology and transmission

This study infects mink with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and shows they remain virus positive, develop symptoms, and transmit the virus.

Intranasal inhibitor broadly blocks SARS-CoV-2 including recent highly immunoevasive Omicron subvariants

This paper describes a novel intranasal inhibitor, TriSb92, that effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and recent Omicron subvariants, offering protection against infection in mice.

Proteome-wide cross-linking mass spectrometry to identify specific virus capsid-host interactions between tick-borne encephalitis virus and neuroblastoma cells

This paper identifies 59 high confidence virus-host protein interactions between tick-borne encephalitis virus and neuroblastoma cells using chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry.

Synergistic block of SARS-CoV-2 infection by combined drug inhibition of the host entry factors PIKfyve kinase and TMPRSS2 protease

This study finds that combining apilimod and camostat mesylate or nafamostat mesylate significantly enhances inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro.

Computationally prioritized drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and syncytia formation

The paper identifies two compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and syncytia formation through computational prioritization and in vitro testing.

Antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs reduce viral infection by SARS-CoV-2 and fluoxetine show antiviral activity against the novel variants in vitro

This study tests antidepressants and antipsychotics against SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses and finds fluoxetine inhibits infection, including against variants with spike mutations.

Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and provides a possible pathway into the central nervous system

This study shows that neuropilin-1 enhances SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and facilitates viral entry into the central nervous system via the olfactory pathway.

Experimental Reptarenavirus Infection of Boa constrictor and Python regius

This study experimentally infects pythons and boas with reptarenavirus via different routes, finding infection without inclusion bodies and suggesting other factors contribute to BIBD pathogenesis.

Molecular rationale for hantavirus neutralization by a reservoir host-derived monoclonal antibody

This study investigates how a monoclonal antibody neutralizes hantaviruses by targeting the glycoprotein lattice, revealing structural insights into antibody binding and its impact on viral entry.

A novel experimental system reveals immunoregulatory responses as mediators of persistent orthohantavirus infections in a rodent reservoir host

This study develops an experimental system to investigate immunoregulatory responses in bank voles infected with PUUV, revealing that virus-induced interleukin-10 promotes persistent infections by suppressing immune responses.

Snake deltavirus utilizes envelope proteins of different viruses to generate infectious particles

This study shows snake deltavirus can use various helper viruses or viral glycoproteins to generate infectious particles, expanding the known range of helper viruses beyond hepatitis B virus.

Critical Nodes of Virus-Host Interaction Revealed Through an Integrated Network Analysis

This study identifies critical host-virus interaction nodes through network analysis and drug re-purposing, revealing key targets for antiviral therapies.

Identification of a novel deltavirus in Boa constrictor

The paper identifies a novel deltavirus, sHDV, in Boa constrictor, showing it replicates independently of HBV and spreads via vertical and horizontal transmission.

Defining of MAbs-neutralizing sites on the surface glycoproteins Gn and Gc of a hantavirus using vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotypes and site-directed mutagenesis

The paper identifies neutralizing epitopes on hantavirus glycoproteins using pseudotyped VSV particles and site-directed mutagenesis, showing specific amino acid residues critical for antibody neutralization.