V. Thiel

Aging shapes infection profiles of influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 in human lung slices

This study shows that aged lung tissue reduces viral replication of IAV and SARS-CoV-2 but increases inflammatory responses, suggesting immune dysregulation contributes to severe disease.

One for all - Human kidney Caki-1 cells are highly susceptible to infection with corona- and other respiratory viruses

This paper identifies Caki-1 human kidney cells as a highly susceptible model for studying multiple respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses and influenza, offering a versatile platform for cross-virus comparison.

Nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 is efficiently transmitted in Syrian hamsters

This study shows that nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants replicate and transmit efficiently in Syrian hamsters, highlighting the need for combination therapies to prevent resistance spread.

Pharmacological inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins induces NRF-2-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and is subject to viral antagonism

This study shows JQ-1 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication via NRF-2 activation but is counteracted by viral antagonism, leading to transient antiviral effects.

Optimized intramuscular immunization with VSV-vectored spike protein triggers a superior protective humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2

This study shows that VSV-vectored spike protein vaccines induce protective immunity when trans-complemented with VSV glycoprotein, but do not achieve sterilizing immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

The substitutions L50F, E166A and L167F in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro are selected by a protease inhibitor in vitro and confer resistance to nirmatrelvir

This paper identifies three substitutions in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro that confer resistance to nirmatrelvir and other 3CLpro inhibitors in vitro.

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.

Impaired immune response drives age-dependent severity of COVID-19

This study identifies impaired interferon responses as a cause of age-dependent COVID-19 severity and shows that combined IFN-γ and IFN-λ therapy can mitigate disease in aged mice.

A mRNA vaccine encoding for a RBD 60-mer nanoparticle elicits neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant in transgenic K18-hACE2 mice

Establishment of well-differentiated camelid airway cultures to study Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

This study establishes camelid airway epithelial cell cultures to study MERS-CoV infection and replication, showing divergent tropism and interferon inhibition.

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.

Recombinant Lloviu virus as a model to study inaccessible zoonotic viruses

This study uses recombinant Lloviu virus to investigate replication mechanisms and host interactions of an uncultured filovirus related to Ebola.

Enhanced fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.7, but not B.1.351, in animal models

The paper compares the fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in animal models, finding B.1.1.7 has a fitness advantage in ferrets and mice but not in hamsters.

Effective interferon (IFN)-lambda treatment regimen to control lethal MERS-CoV infection in mice

This study identifies an effective two-dose IFN-lambda regimen that protects mice from lethal MERS-CoV infection by reducing viral load and inflammation.

Convergent use of phosphatidic acid for Hepatitis C virus and SARS-CoV-2 replication organelle formation

This study identifies phosphatidic acid as critical for double membrane vesicle formation in HCV and SARS-CoV-2 replication, suggesting host-targeted PA synthesis inhibition as a therapeutic strategy.

Exploiting synergistic interactions of Medicago sativa L. and Paraburkholderia tropica for enhanced biodegradation of diesel fuel hydrocarbons

This study examines the synergistic interactions between Medicago sativa and Paraburkholderia tropica to enhance diesel fuel hydrocarbon degradation in contaminated soils.

Metagenomic insight into the plant growth-promoting potential of a diesel-degrading bacterial consortium for enhanced rhizoremediation application

The paper identifies a bacterial consortium capable of promoting plant growth and degrading diesel fuel hydrocarbons, showing potential for rhizoremediation applications.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies interactors of the autophagy pathway as conserved coronavirus targets

This study identifies autophagy-related host factors as conserved targets for coronavirus replication using CRISPR screens and shows that immunophilin inhibitors can block viral replication.

No evidence for human monocyte-derived macrophage infection and antibody-mediated enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 infection

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 do not infect human macrophages or induce inflammation, and patient serum does not enhance infection or trigger immune responses in these cells.

Betulonic acid derivatives inhibiting coronavirus replication in cell culture via the nsp15 endoribonuclease

This study identifies betulonic acid derivatives as inhibitors of coronavirus replication by targeting the nsp15 endoribonuclease, with EC50 of 0.6 M against 229E.

Susceptibility of well-differentiated airway epithelial cell cultures from domestic and wildlife animals to SARS-CoV-2

This study assesses the susceptibility of airway epithelial cell cultures from various animals to SARS-CoV-2, finding efficient replication only in monkey and cat models.

SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G variant confers enhanced replication and transmissibility

This study shows the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant has enhanced replication and transmissibility in animal models, explaining its global dominance.

LY6E impairs coronavirus fusion and confers immune control of viral disease

This study identifies LY6E as an interferon-induced gene that restricts coronavirus entry and pathogenesis by inhibiting spike protein-mediated fusion and protecting immune cells.

Physiologic RNA Targets and Refined Sequence Specificity of Coronavirus EndoU

This study identifies the RNA targets of Coronavirus EndoU, showing it cleaves viral RNA at UA and CA sequences to suppress antiviral responses.

Identification of five antiviral compounds from the Pandemic Response Box targeting SARS-CoV-2

This study screens 400 compounds from the Pandemic Response Box and identifies five with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, including some more effective than Remdesivir.

Disparate temperature-dependent virus - host dynamics for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in the human respiratory epithelium

This study compares temperature-dependent replication and immune response dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in human airway epithelial cells, highlighting differences in their antiviral responses and transmission efficiency.

Comprehensive single cell analysis of pandemic influenza A virus infection in the human airways uncovers cell-type specific host transcriptional signatures relevant for disease progression and pathogenesis.

This study uses scRNA-seq to analyze IAV infection in human airway epithelial cells, revealing cell-type specific host responses and viral tropism shifts.

Efficient inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and alcohols

The paper tests the virucidal activity of WHO-recommended hand rubs and alcohols against SARS-CoV-2, showing efficient inactivation for all tested products.

Rapid reconstruction of SARS-CoV-2 using a synthetic genomics platform

This paper describes a yeast-based synthetic genomics platform for rapid reconstruction of RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, using synthetic DNA fragments and TAR cloning.

Establishment of primary transgenic human airway epithelial cell cultures to study respiratory virus-host interactions

This study establishes a method to genetically modify primary human airway epithelial cells to study virus-host interactions without affecting innate immune responses or viral propagation.