S. M. Best

Constitutive expression and distinct properties of IFN-epsilon protect the female reproductive tract from Zika virus infection

This paper shows that IFN-epsilon's constitutive expression in the female reproductive tract provides innate antiviral protection against Zika virus by resisting viral antagonism and enhancing antiviral activity.

Intravenous administration of BCG protects mice against lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge

This study shows that intravenous BCG vaccination protects mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection by altering pulmonary myeloid cell function and reducing immunopathology.

Unravelling Form and Function: Improved function of engineered cardiac tissue through extra-cellular anisotropy

This study shows that aligned collagen scaffolds improve cardiac tissue function by enhancing signaling synchronicity and contractility compared to isotropic scaffolds.

Rapalogs downmodulate intrinsic immunity and promote cell entry of SARS-CoV-2

This study shows rapalogs like rapamycin increase SARS-CoV-2 infection by reducing antiviral proteins through microautophagy, while ridaforolimus has less effect.

Mitophagy antagonism by Zika virus reveals Ajuba as a regulator of PINK1-Parkin signaling, PKR-dependent inflammation, and viral invasion of tissues.

This study shows ZIKV NS5 inhibits mitophagy by blocking Ajuba's role in PINK1-Parkin signaling, leading to increased inflammation and viral spread.

SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in lungs of African green monkeys

This study examines SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in African green monkeys, showing viral replication in the lower respiratory tract and macrophage involvement in inflammation.

K18-hACE2 mice develop respiratory disease resembling severe COVID-19

This paper shows that K18-hACE2 mice develop severe respiratory disease upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, resembling human severe COVID-19 with lung pathology and systemic inflammation.

TRIM5α restricts flavivirus replication by targeting the viral protease for proteasomal degradation.

This study shows TRIM5α restricts flavivirus replication by targeting the viral protease for proteasomal degradation, with implications for human susceptibility to emerging flaviviruses.