Y. Kawaoka

Characterization of an EG.5.1 clinical isolate in vitro and in vivo

This study characterizes the in vitro and in vivo properties of the EG.5.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant, showing increased transmissibility and altered antigenicity compared to XBB.1.5.

Site of vulnerability on SARS-CoV-2 spike induces broadly protective antibody to antigenically distinct omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariants

This paper identifies a broadly neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 that targets the receptor-binding site and remains effective against multiple Omicron subvariants.

Can SARS-CoV-2 transmit from a dead body?

This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 transmission from dead bodies using a hamster model, finding that transmission is possible but can be prevented by postmortem care and embalming.

Host network-based discovery of critical regulators of innate immunity, virus growth, and pathogenesis in influenza virus infection

The paper identifies novel innate immune regulators affecting influenza virus replication and pathogenesis through experimental validation of network model predictions.

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 clinical isolates

This study evaluates the replicative ability and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.75 isolates in Syrian hamsters, finding higher lung replication and focal pneumonia compared to BA.2 and BA.5.

Fc-modified SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with therapeutic effects in two animal models.

The paper develops Fc-modified SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies effective against variants, showing reduced viral titers and lung damage in animal models.

Isolation of bat sarbecoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 clade, Japan

The paper isolates and characterizes SARS-CoV-2 clade sarbecoviruses from Japanese bats, showing host-specific replication and genetic variation in the S1 region.

Avian H7N9 influenza viruses are evolutionarily constrained by stochastic processes during replication and transmission in mammals

This study shows that H7N9 avian influenza viruses face strong evolutionary constraints during mammalian transmission, making human adaptation unlikely without rare, stochastic events.

Robustness of the ferret model for influenza risk assessment studies: a cross-laboratory exercise

This study evaluates the consistency of ferret transmission experiments across laboratories for two H1N1 influenza viruses, finding concordant results and suggesting a minimum of three to five labs for reliable risk assessment.

Resilience of S309 and AZD7442 monoclonal antibody treatments against infection by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage strains

This study evaluates the effectiveness of S309 and AZD7442 monoclonal antibodies against Omicron variants in mice, showing reduced lung infection despite decreased neutralization in vitro.

Parsing the role of NSP1 in SARS-CoV-2 infection

This study investigates the role of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 in host shutoff and immune evasion, finding it inhibits translation and induces mRNA degradation, and is critical for counteracting the IFN response.

Mapping SARS-CoV-2 antigenic relationships and serological responses

The paper uses antigenic cartography to analyze cross-reactivity among SARS-CoV-2 variants and human sera, identifying amino acid substitutions and immunodominance patterns affecting immune escape and vaccine efficacy.

Nasally-delivered interferon-{lambda} protects mice against upper and lower respiratory tract infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron

This study shows that nasal delivery of IFN-λ protects mice against SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron in both upper and lower respiratory tracts without causing excessive inflammation.

Reduced Pathogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Hamsters

This study shows the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant causes less weight loss in hamsters than previous variants, suggesting reduced lower respiratory tract disease severity.

mRNA-1273 and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines protect against the B.1.621 variant of SARS-CoV-2

This study evaluates the efficacy of mRNA-1273 and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines against the B.1.621 variant in mice and hamsters, showing protection against infection and pathology.

An infectious SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron virus escapes neutralization by several therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

This study evaluates the neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and finds that several lose efficacy against the variant.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies overcome SARS-CoV-2 Omicron antigenic shift

This study shows that Omicron variant's spike protein has enhanced ACE2 binding and reduces neutralizing activity, but some broadly neutralizing antibodies remain effective.

Durability of immune responses to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine

This study shows that antibody and T cell responses to the BNT162b2 vaccine wane significantly at 6 months, suggesting a potential need for a third booster dose.

Highly efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cardiomyocytes: spike protein-mediated cell fusion and its inhibition

This paper shows SARS-CoV-2 efficiently infects human cardiomyocytes via spike protein-mediated fusion, which is inhibited by furin blockade.

Highly-Neutralizing COVID-19-Convalescent-Plasmas Potently Block SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Pneumonia in Syrian Hamsters.

This study shows that highly-neutralizing COVID-19 convalescent plasmas significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral titers and lung lesions in Syrian hamsters compared to moderately neutralizing plasmas.

SARS-CoV-2 spike P681R mutation, a hallmark of the Delta variant, enhances viral fusogenicity and pathogenicity

This study shows the P681R mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein enhances fusogenicity and pathogenicity in the Delta variant compared to the prototypic virus.

CCR2 Regulates Vaccine-Induced Mucosal T cell Memory to Influenza A Virus

This study shows that CCR2 deficiency enhances vaccine-induced lung-resident memory T cells against influenza A virus by reducing monocyte trafficking and promoting mucosal imprinting.

The dual function monoclonal antibodies VIR-7831 and VIR-7832 demonstrate potent in vitro and in vivo activity against SARS-CoV-2

This paper evaluates the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of dual-action monoclonal antibodies VIR-7831 and VIR-7832 against SARS-CoV-2, showing potent neutralization and reduced viral load in a hamster model.

Optimization of an LNP-mRNA vaccine candidate targeting SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain

This study optimizes an LNP-mRNA vaccine targeting SARS-CoV-2 RBD by removing reactogenic materials, improving immunogenicity and protection in macaques.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats imposes a narrow bottleneck

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 in cats has limited within-host genetic variation and a narrow transmission bottleneck, with a variant H655Y emerging and spreading across transmission pairs.

SARS-CoV-2 D614G Variant Exhibits Enhanced Replication ex vivo and Earlier Transmission in vivo

This study shows the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant replicates more efficiently and transmits faster in hamsters than the wildtype virus.

SARS-CoV-2 infection severity is linked to superior humoral immunity against the spike

This study finds that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with stronger antibody and memory B cell responses against the spike protein and nucleocapsid protein.

The anticoagulant nafamostat potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro: an existing drug with multiple possible therapeutic effects

This study shows nafamostat inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro by blocking TMPRSS2-mediated fusion, with potency exceeding its blood concentration, suggesting it as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Limited SARS-CoV-2 diversity within hosts and following passage in cell culture

This study analyzes SARS-CoV-2 within-host diversity using metagenomic sequencing and finds low genetic variation with limited evidence of positive selection in clinical and cell culture samples.

A Defect in Influenza A Virus Particle Assembly Specific to Primary Human Macrophages

This study identifies a defect in Influenza A virus particle assembly in primary human macrophages, specifically in HA-M2 association, which is reversible by disrupting actin polymerization.