Russell A. Vassell

Repeated SARS-CoV-2 Antigenic Exposures from Prior Vaccinations and Infections Demonstrate Limits of Antibody Durability and Breadth Against Newer Variants

This study assesses how repeated antigenic exposures from vaccination and infection affect antibody responses to newer SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding waning neutralizing titers over time and limited breadth against emerging variants.

Capture of fusion-intermediate conformations of SARS-CoV-2 spike requires receptor binding and cleavage at either the S1/S2 or S2' site

This paper investigates fusion-intermediate conformations of SARS-CoV-2 spike by using an HR2 peptide inhibitor, showing that receptor binding and cleavage at S1/S2 or S2' sites are required to capture these intermediates.

Characterization of spike processing and entry mechanisms of seasonal human coronaviruses NL63, 229E and HKU1

This study investigates the entry mechanisms of seasonal human coronaviruses NL63, 229E, and HKU1 using pseudoviruses and cell lines expressing ACE2, APN, or TMPRSS2, revealing endocytosis as the entry route and specific protease and receptor requirements.

Antigenic cartography using hamster sera identifies SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 evasion seen in human XBB.1.5 booster sera

The paper uses hamster sera to map antigenic differences among SARS-CoV-2 variants, showing JN.1 has significant antigenic divergence from XBB.1.5.