Konstantin M. J. Sparrer

Human Regnases are antiviral restriction factors targeting viral RNA

This study identifies Regnases as antiviral restriction factors in humans, showing they inhibit RNA viruses but not DNA viruses, with varying substrate selectivity among the four Regnases.

Respiratory viruses activate autophagy via the IFN-STAT1/STAT5B-SOCS1 axis

This study identifies the IFN-STAT1/STAT5B-SOCS1 axis as a mechanism by which respiratory viruses activate autophagy, showing that targeting this pathway can inhibit virus replication without compromising innate immunity.

Laudanosine restricts Ebola virus entry by targeting TPC2-dependent endolysosomal trafficking

The paper identifies Laudanosine as an inhibitor of TPC2-dependent viral entry, effective against Ebola and related viruses without cytotoxicity.

Replication-competent SIVcpz CRISPR screen identifies barriers to successful cross-species transmission

CRISPR screens with replication-competent SIVcpz identify human antiviral factors limiting efficient viral replication after zoonotic transmission.

Herpes simplex virus infection promotes ALS pathology through ICP0-mediated PML body disruption

This study shows HSV infection increases ALS risk and promotes TDP-43 pathology through ICP0-mediated disruption of PML bodies.

Tonic interferons defend against respiratory viruses in primary human lung organoid-derived air-liquid interface cultures

The paper demonstrates that tonic interferons are critical for early antiviral defense in human lung organoid-derived air-liquid interface cultures against HRV16.

Exploiting TGF-β-mediated Stromal Programming in Homologous Recombination-Deficient Pancreatic Cancer

This study shows that ATM-deficient pancreatic cancers reprogram the tumor microenvironment via TGF-β-driven myCAF enrichment, and targeting this stromal axis with chemotherapy improves therapeutic efficacy.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Envelope T9I adaptation confers resistance to autophagy

The paper shows that the T9I mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 E protein confers autophagy resistance in Omicron variants, contributing to their spread.

Structural Basis for OAS2 Regulation and its Antiviral Function

This study reveals the structural basis of OAS2 regulation and its antiviral function, showing how it discriminates RNA length and restricts viruses like coronaviruses.

Retinol Binding Protein 4 reactivates latent HIV-1 via the JAK/STAT5 and JNK pathways

This study identifies Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) as a natural activator of latent HIV-1 through JAK/STAT5 and JNK pathways, offering a new strategy for reactivating viral reservoirs.

Determinants of species-specific utilization of ACE2 by human and animal coronaviruses

The paper identifies key mutations in SARS-CoV-2 and bat coronaviruses that affect ACE2 receptor usage across different species and shows that vaccinated individuals' sera neutralize bat Sarbecovirus Spike proteins.

ARF1 prevents aberrant type I IFN induction by regulating STING activation and recycling

This study identifies ARF1 as a negative regulator of cGAS-STING signaling, showing it prevents type I IFN induction by regulating STING activation and recycling.

Structural basis for translational shutdown and immune evasion by the Nsp1 protein of SARS-CoV-2

This study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 protein inhibits host translation and immune responses by binding ribosomes and blocking mRNA entry.