S. Ciesek

Machine learning on large scale perturbation screens for SARS-CoV-2 host factors identifies β-catenin/CBP inhibitor PRI-724 as a potent antiviral

This paper uses machine learning on perturbation screens to identify PRI-724 as a potent antiviral targeting β-catenin/CBP, effective against multiple coronaviruses and influenza.

Repurposing of the antibiotic nitroxoline for the treatment of mpox

This study shows nitroxoline, an antibiotic, inhibits mpox virus replication and remains effective against tecovirimat-resistant strains, suggesting it as a repurposing candidate for mpox treatment.

Progressive loss of conserved spike protein neutralizing antibody sites in Omicron sublineages is balanced by preserved T-cell recognition epitopes

The paper examines how Omicron sublineages evade neutralizing antibodies but retain T-cell epitopes, suggesting T-cell immunity remains effective against these variants.

TMPRSS2 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron infection

The paper shows TMPRSS2 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron infection in mice, highlighting its role as an antiviral target.

A single-dose MCMV-based vaccine elicits long-lasting immune protection in mice against distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants

A single dose of a recombinant murine CMV vaccine expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein provides long-lasting immunity against multiple variants in mice.

Exposure to BA.4/BA.5 Spike glycoprotein drives pan-Omicron neutralization in vaccine-experienced humans and mice

This study shows that exposure to BA.4/BA.5 spike glycoprotein enhances neutralizing antibody breadth against Omicron variants in vaccinated humans and mice.

Omicron-induced interferon signalling prevents influenza A virus infection

This study shows Omicron variants induce interferon responses in human cells, protecting against influenza A virus super-infection, while Delta does not.

SARS-CoV-2 entry route impacts a range of downstream viral and cellular processes

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 entry via TMPRSS2 or endolysosomal cathepsins affects viral replication, immune response, and genome evolution.

Omicron BA.2 breakthrough infection enhances cross-neutralization of BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5

The paper shows that BA.2 breakthrough infection in vaccinated individuals enhances neutralization of BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 compared to BA.1 breakthrough infection.

Synergism of interferon-beta with antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants

This study evaluates the antiviral efficacy of interferon-beta combined with antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding synergistic effects with certain drugs against specific variants.

Identification of novel antiviral drug candidates using an optimized SARS-CoV-2 phenotypic screening platform

This study develops a phenotypic screening platform using caspase 3/7 activity to identify antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2, including novel candidates and combinations.

The spike gene is a major determinant for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 phenotype

This study shows the spike gene determines replication, pathogenicity, and immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 compared to Delta in cell cultures and animal models.

Low-dose bivalent mRNA vaccine is highly effective against different SARS-CoV-2 variants in a transgenic mouse model

This study shows a low-dose bivalent mRNA vaccine targeting multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants provides strong protection in mice and rats, with comparable antibody levels and reduced viral replication.

Omicron breakthrough infection drives cross-variant neutralization and memory B cell formation

Development and optimisation of a high-throughput screening assay for in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity: evaluation of 5676 phase 1 passed structures

The paper develops a high-throughput screening assay to evaluate 5676 phase 1 compounds for in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, identifying eight candidates but finding only remdesivir suitable for further clinical development.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant virus isolates are highly sensitive to interferon treatment

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants are more sensitive to interferon treatment than Delta variants, suggesting interferons could be effective therapies for Omicron infections.

Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibits an increased resilience to the antiviral type I interferon response

This study shows that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more resistant to type I interferon responses compared to Delta and wildtype strains.

Reduced interferon antagonism but similar drug sensitivity in Omicron variant compared to Delta variant SARS-CoV-2 isolates

This study compares drug sensitivity and interferon antagonism between Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding similar drug responses but reduced interferon antagonism in Omicron.

Post-entry, spike-dependent replication advantage of B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 over B.1 SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2-deficient human lung cell line

The paper shows that B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 variants have a replication advantage over B.1 in ACE2-deficient lung cells, suggesting reliance on alternative cellular factors.

Intranasal administration of a monoclonal neutralizing antibody protects mice against SARS-CoV-2 infection

This paper describes a monoclonal antibody, DZIF-10c, that effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and its variants when administered intranasally to mice, offering potential for topical treatment.

Generation of a Sleeping Beauty transposon-based cellular system for rapid and sensitive identification of SARS-CoV-2 host dependency and restriction factors

This paper develops a Sleeping Beauty transposon-based cell system for rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection and screening of host factors.

A pair of non-competing neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies protecting from disease in a SARS-CoV-2 infection model

The paper identifies two clusters of non-competing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 that protect mice from infection and weight loss.

CD47 as a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of severe COVID-19

This study identifies CD47 as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of severe COVID-19 by showing its increased levels in SARS-CoV-2 infection and association with risk factors and complications.

In Vitro Activity of Itraconazole Against SARS-CoV-2

This paper assesses the in vitro antiviral activity of itraconazole and its metabolite against SARS-CoV-2, finding EC50 values of 2.3 μM and 3.6 μM, respectively, and reports no clinical efficacy in hospitalized patients.

Evaluation of stability and inactivation methods of SARS-CoV-2 in context of laboratory settings

This study evaluates inactivation methods for SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory settings, finding that some lysis buffers and chemical treatments effectively inactivate the virus, while others do not.

Targeting pentose phosphate pathway for SARS-CoV-2 therapy

This study identifies the pentose phosphate pathway as a target for SARS-CoV-2 therapy and shows that inhibiting it with benfooxythiamine reduces viral replication.

COVID-19-related coagulopathy, is transferrin a missing link?

The paper identifies transferrin as a potential coagulation promoter in COVID-19, showing age-related increases, sex differences, and upregulation upon infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infects and induces cytotoxic effects in human cardiomyocytes

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infects human cardiomyocytes, causing cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and confirms this in cardiac tissue models.

Clinical performance of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody tests and potential protective immunity

The paper evaluates the performance of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody tests and finds they show high sensitivity in later infection phases but cross-reactivity with other viruses.

Optimized qRT-PCR approach for the detection of intra- and extracellular SARS-CoV-2 RNAs

This study presents an optimized qRT-PCR method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA using a low-cost SYBR green approach, showing improved detection limits and simplicity compared to multi-step assays.