S. P. J. Whelan

Prototype mRNA vaccines imprint broadly neutralizing human serum antibodies after Omicron variant-matched boosting

This study shows that Omicron variant-matched boosters after prototype mRNA vaccines induce cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and sarbecoviruses by imprinting prior immune responses.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis arenavirus utilises tunnelling nanotube-like intercellular connections for cell-to-cell spread

This paper shows LCMV spreads between cells via tunnelling nanotube-like structures, bypassing extracellular transmission.

Cellular endosomal potassium ion flux regulates arenavirus uncoating during virus entry

This study identifies potassium ion flux as a third requirement for LCMV entry, showing it facilitates uncoating by modulating NP/Z interactions.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron boosting induces de novo B cell response in humans

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 boosting induces GC B cell responses and that Omicron-based vaccines can elicit novel epitope-specific antibodies despite antigenic imprinting.

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.

Oropouche orthobunyavirus infection is mediated by the cellular host factor Lrp1

This study identifies Lrp1 as a host factor required for Oropouche orthobunyavirus infection and suggests a broader role for Lrp1 in bunyavirus entry.

FXa cleaves the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and blocks cell entry to protect against infection with inferior effects in B.1.1.7 variant

This study shows FXa cleaves SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking viral entry, but B.1.1.7 variant is resistant, and FXa inhibitors like rivaroxaban reduce this protection.

SARS-CoV-2 Spreads through Cell-to-Cell Transmission

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 spreads through cell-to-cell contact via spike glycoprotein, which is more efficient than SARS-CoV and resistant to neutralizing antibodies.

A novel class of TMPRSS2 inhibitors potently block SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV viral entry and protect human epithelial lung cells

This paper identifies a novel class of TMPRSS2 inhibitors that effectively block SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV entry and show promise as a therapeutic for COVID-19.

A potently neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody inhibits variants of concern by binding a highly conserved epitope

The paper identifies an antibody that neutralizes all SARS-CoV-2 variants by targeting a conserved epitope on the spike protein.

Structural basis for broad sarbecovirus neutralization by a human monoclonal antibody

This paper identifies a human monoclonal antibody that broadly neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants and zoonotic sarbecoviruses by targeting a conserved epitope on the spike protein.

A public vaccine-induced human antibody protects against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants

A vaccine-induced human monoclonal antibody neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and variants, reducing lung inflammation and viral load in hamsters.

Systematic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection of an ACE2-negative human airway cell

This study identifies H522 cells as ACE2-negative human cells permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection, revealing alternative receptor usage and host response mechanisms.

Vesicular stomatitis virus chimeras expressing the Oropouche virus glycoproteins elicit protective immune responses in mice.

This paper develops a chimeric VSV expressing OROV glycoproteins that elicits neutralizing antibodies and reduces viral infection in mice.

Human immunoglobulin from transchromosomic bovines hyperimmunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen efficiently neutralizes viral variants.

This paper describes a fully human immunoglobulin from transchromosomic bovines that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants, including those with mutations like E484K and N501Y.

Messenger RNA cap methylation by PCIF1 attenuates the interferon-β induced antiviral state

This study identifies PCIF1's role in attenuating the antiviral effects of interferon-β by modifying VSV mRNA caps, enhancing viral evasion of innate immunity.

Cholesterol 25-hydroxylase suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication by blocking membrane fusion

The paper identifies CH25H and its product 25HC as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication by blocking membrane fusion.

Landscape analysis of escape variants identifies SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations that attenuate monoclonal and serum antibody neutralization

JIB-04 has broad-spectrum antiviral activity and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and coronavirus pathogenesis

The paper identifies JIB-04 as a broad-spectrum antiviral that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and coronavirus pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Neutralizing antibody and soluble ACE2 inhibition of a replication-competent VSV-SARS-CoV-2 and a clinical isolate of SARS-CoV-2.

This study develops two neutralization assays for SARS-CoV-2 using VSV and a clinical isolate, showing high concordance between monoclonal, polyclonal antibodies, and ACE2-Fc in neutralizing activity.

The ancient fusogen EnvP(b)1 is expressed in human tissues and its structure informs the evolution of gammaretrovirus envelope proteins

The paper identifies EnvP(b)1, an ancient retroviral envelope gene expressed in human tissues, and shows its structural similarity to modern leukemia virus Envs, suggesting a conserved scaffold for receptor binding evolution.

TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4 mediate SARS-CoV-2 infection of human small intestinal enterocytes

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infects human intestinal enterocytes via TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4, but viral particles in stool are inactivated, suggesting limited fecal-oral transmission.

Inhibition of PIKfyve kinase prevents infection by Zaire ebolavirus and SARS-CoV-2

The paper shows that PIKfyve kinase inhibitors block infection by Zaire ebolavirus and SARS-CoV-2 by preventing viral content release.

Reconstruction of the cell entry pathway of an extinct virus

This study identifies heparan sulfate as critical for HERV-K virus entry and defines key steps in its infectious pathway.