A. Sigal

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86 is attenuated in hamsters

The paper assesses the virulence of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant in hamsters and finds it is attenuated compared to BA.2.75.

HIV skews the SARS-CoV-2 B cell response toward an extrafollicular maturation pathway

This study shows that HIV infection shifts the SARS-CoV-2 B cell response toward an extrafollicular pathway, leading to lower affinity antibodies and reduced vaccine efficacy in people living with HIV.

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant induces an antibody response largely focused on class 1 and 2 antibody epitopes

The paper examines the antibody response to the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, showing it targets class 1 and 2 epitopes more than class 3, and that mutations in these regions reduce antibody binding.

Selection analysis identifies unusual clustered mutational changes in Omicron lineage BA.1 that likely impact Spike function

The paper identifies 13 rare mutations in the Omicron S-gene that cluster in functionally important regions and likely impact Spike function, suggesting cooperative interactions that mitigate fitness costs.

A SARS-CoV-2 variant elicits an antibody response with a shifted immunodominance hierarchy

This study compares antibody responses to early SARS-CoV-2 isolates and the B.1.351 variant, finding shifts in immunodominance hierarchy within the spike receptor-binding domain.

SARS-CoV-2 cell-to-cell spread occurs rapidly and is insensitive to antibody neutralization

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 spreads rapidly between cells via fusion and is resistant to antibody neutralization, unlike cell-free virus.

Aggregation state of Mycobacterium tuberculosis impacts host immunity and augments pulmonary disease pathology

This study shows that aggregated Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes more severe lung disease in rabbits by increasing bacterial growth and inflammation compared to single-cell infections.

Development of highly potent neutralising nanobodies against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants including the variant of concern B.1.351

This paper develops potent neutralizing nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including B.1.351, to address reduced vaccine efficacy.

Aggregated Mycobacterium tuberculosis enhances the inflammatory response

The paper investigates how aggregated Mycobacterium tuberculosis triggers a stronger inflammatory response in macrophages compared to single or multiple non-aggregated bacilli.

Naturally-acquired immunity in Syrian Golden Hamsters provides protection from re-exposure to emerging heterosubtypic SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351

This study shows that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian Golden Hamsters protects against re-exposure to variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, suggesting immunity may limit disease from emerging variants.

Reduced antibody cross-reactivity following infection with B.1.1.7 than with parental SARS-CoV-2 strains

This study compares antibody cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and parental strains, finding reduced recognition and neutralization of older variants after B.1.1.7 infection.

HIV-1 Vpr drives a tissue residency-like phenotype during selective infection of resting memory T cells

This study shows HIV-1 infects resting memory T cells without prior activation, inducing a tissue-resident memory-like phenotype driven by Vpr.

HIV cell-to-cell spread slows evolution of drug resistance

This study shows that HIV cell-free infection accelerates the evolution of drug resistance compared to cell-to-cell spread, with cell-free infection enabling multidrug resistance in the presence of two reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Complementation can maintain a quasispecies of drug sensitive and resistant HIV

The paper shows that complementation between drug-sensitive and resistant HIV genotypes maintains a stable quasispecies, preventing the resistant genotype from outcompeting the sensitive one.

The CNS in the face of ART contains T cell origin HIV which can lead to drug resistance

The paper investigates the origin of HIV in the CNS of ART-suppressed individuals and finds T cell-derived HIV that can lead to drug resistance.