J. Muench

A tissue-intrinsic mechanism sensitizes HIV-1 particles for TLR-triggered innate immune responses

The paper identifies a tissue-intrinsic mechanism where the extracellular matrix restricts HIV-1 infectivity and enhances innate immune detection through conformational changes in viral Env and TLR recognition.

Long COVID manifests with T cell dysregulation, inflammation, and an uncoordinated adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2

This study identifies T cell dysregulation, inflammation, and mis-coordinated adaptive immune responses in Long COVID patients compared to non-LC individuals.

PI3K/AKT signaling allows for MAPK/ERK pathway independency mediating dedifferentiation-driven treatment resistance in melanoma

This study identifies PI3K/AKT pathway activation as a mechanism for MAPK/ERK pathway independency in melanoma, leading to treatment resistance and stem-like properties.

Vaccine Protection Against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Macaques

This study evaluates vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in macaques, finding that both humoral and cellular immune responses are necessary for virologic control.

Potentiation of drug toxicity through virus latency reversal promotes preferential elimination of HIV infected cells

The paper demonstrates that latency reversal enhances the toxicity of HIV protease-activated toxins, preferentially eliminating HIV-infected cells in mixed populations.

Optimization of Non-Coding Regions Improves Protective Efficacy of an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Nonhuman Primates

This study compares two mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in nonhuman primates, showing that CV2CoV, with optimized non-coding regions, provides better immune responses and protection than CVnCoV.

Acute myeloid leukemia cells are targeted by the naturally occurring CXCR4 antagonist EPI-X4

The paper was withdrawn due to unresolved data contribution and authorship issues, and the authors request it not be cited as a reference.

Negatively charged peptide nanofibrils from immunoglobulin light chain sequester viral particles but lack cell-binding and viral transduction-enhancing properties

The paper shows that negatively charged peptide nanofibrils from immunoglobulin light chain bind viral particles similarly to positively charged ones but do not enhance retroviral infection.

Antiviral activity of plant juices and green tea against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus in vitro

This study evaluates the antiviral effects of plant juices and green tea against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus in vitro, finding that chokeberry juice inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus, while other products show limited efficacy.

Natural Cystatin C fragments inhibit GPR15-mediated HIV and SIV infection without interfering with GPR15L signaling

The paper identifies a Cystatin C fragment that inhibits GPR15-mediated HIV and SIV infection without affecting GPR15L signaling.

CXCR4 signaling is counteracted by the naturally occurring CXCR4 antagonist EPI-X 4 in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

This study shows that the natural CXCR4 antagonist EPI-X4 inhibits Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia cell growth and migration, with optimized derivatives showing enhanced efficacy.

Imperfect innate immune antagonism renders SARS-CoV-2 vulnerable towards IFN-γ and -{lambda}

This study identifies SARS-CoV-2's vulnerability to IFN-γ and -λ due to its inefficient antagonism of type I and II IFN responses, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies.

Cellular Protrusions Engage Viral Infection Enhancing EF-C Peptide Nanofibrils

This study shows that peptide nanofibrils enhance viral infection by being actively engaged by cellular protrusions, not through random binding.

An enzyme-based immunodetection assay to quantify SARS-CoV-2 infection

This paper introduces an enzyme-based immunodetection assay to quantify SARS-CoV-2 infection by measuring viral spike protein expression in cell cultures.

A novel humanized mouse model to study mucosal HIV-1 transmission and prevention

This paper introduces a novel humanized mouse model, CD34T+, which is highly permissive to mucosal HIV-1 infection and can be prevented by broadly neutralizing antibodies.

An optimized derivative of an endogenous CXCR4 antagonist prevents atopic dermatitis and airway inflammation

The paper develops an optimized CXCR4 antagonist, JM#21, which effectively prevents atopic dermatitis and airway inflammation in mouse models.

IFITM proteins promote SARS-CoV-2 infection and are targets for virus inhibition

This study shows that IFITM proteins are required for SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be targeted to inhibit viral entry and replication.

Microtiter plate-based antibody-competition assay to determine binding affinities and plasma/blood stability of CXCR4 ligands

Alpha-1 antitrypsin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection

The paper identifies 1-antitrypsin as a specific inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, showing it blocks viral infection of human airway epithelium at physiological concentrations.

Holder Pasteurization Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in Human Breast Milk

This study shows that Holder pasteurization inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in human breast milk, offering a safe method for infected mothers to breastfeed.

Remdesivir but not famotidine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in human pluripotent stem cell-derived intestinal organoids

This study uses human intestinal organoids to show that remdesivir inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication, while famotidine does not.

The Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein restricts SARS-CoV-2

This paper identifies ZAP as an IFN-induced antiviral effector that restricts SARS-CoV-2 by targeting CpG dinucleotides, though SARS-CoV-2 may be adapted to low CpG environments.