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Monkeypox: Characterization of post-infectious immune response

Scientists studied 470 sera from vaccinated or MPXV-infected individuals to elucidate mechanisms involved in post-infectious immune response. The study revealed the role of complement and analyzed immune responses in vaccinated or infected individuals, with robust levels of anti-MVA antibodies detected after infection or vaccination.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2023

Researchers identify strong T-cell response in first-in-human nanoparticle HIV vaccine

The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows robust T-cell responses in volunteers participating in a phase 1 clinical trial of a self-assembling nanoparticle HIV vaccine. The antigen used stimulates VRC01-class B cells, an immune response considered promising for boosting in further studies.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 24, 2023

Keeping COVID-19 in check likely to require periodic boosters

New research from Washington University School of Medicine reveals that updated booster shots targeting specific COVID-19 variants can elicit a broad antibody response capable of neutralizing new variants. Periodic boosters may be necessary to maintain population immunity as the virus continues to evolve.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

We've learned a lot from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus—now the time has come to fight it

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a high-resolution view of the LCMV glycoprotein, revealing its structure and potential vulnerabilities. The breakthrough enables the development of an engineered antibody that can prevent LCMV disease, offering a new route to treatment.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Unmasking the secret of broadly neutralising COVID-19 therapeutic antibodies

A study published in Nature Immunology found that antibodies from previously infected patients can neutralize variants of the COVID-19 disease, including the Omicron variant. These broadly neutralizing antibodies have unique biochemical and structural features that enable them to block the virus from entering human cells.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 21, 2023

Why men are at higher risk from COVID-19

Researchers at Osaka University found that male patients with COVID-19 have a faster loss of circulating Treg cells, leading to dysregulated antibody responses. Females, on the other hand, have higher levels of these cells, which may help protect them from infection.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2023

Nanoscopic tool assesses alternative COVID-19 prevention

Researchers from Kanazawa University have developed a nanoscopic tool using high-speed atomic force microscopy to assess alternative COVID-19 prevention methods. They found that viral surface roughness can enhance the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants, but spike-neutralizing antibodies neutralize the Delta variant spike protein.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 17, 2023

How antibody therapy impacts COVID vaccines

Research finds that individuals who received monoclonal antibodies before COVID vaccination exhibit a diverse antibody response, increasing the coverage provided by vaccines. This phenomenon, known as antibody feedback inhibition, is beneficial for diversifying immune responses to viruses.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2022

New Omicron subvariant BQ.1.1 resistant to all therapeutic antibodies

A recent study found that the Omicron sub-lineage BQ.1.1 is resistant to all approved antibody therapies, posing a risk to high-risk patients. The researchers emphasize the importance of developing new antibody therapies specifically targeted at currently circulating and future viral variants.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine developed by Brazilian scientists is ready for clinical trials

A novel COVID-19 vaccine developed by Brazilian scientists combines two SARS-CoV-2 proteins to trigger a cellular immune response. The vaccine, called SpiN, showed promise in animal trials, protecting against three strains of the virus and reducing viral load by up to 50 times.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

Novel method to predict behavior of different COVID-19 waves in the vaccinated or previously infected

Researchers developed a faster, more affordable method to analyze serological data and predict COVID-19 wave behavior. The study showed that vaccination boosted immunity, with hybrid immunity producing higher protection levels. Antibody levels rose quickly after the first dose, especially in cities where case numbers were highest.

SMART and NTU Singapore develop a quick test kit to determine a person’s immunity against COVID-19 and its variants

A team of scientists from SMART and NTU Singapore has developed a quick test kit that can determine a person's immunity against COVID-19 and its variants based on antibodies detected in a blood sample. The test kit, which requires just 10 minutes to show results, can be easily adapted for new variants of concern and other diseases.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2022

SMART and NTU Singapore develop a quick test kit to determine a person’s immunity against COVID-19 and its variants

A team of scientists from SMART and NTU Singapore has developed a rapid point-of-care test kit that measures antibodies against SARS-COV-2 and its variants, offering personalized vaccination strategies. The test kit requires just 10 minutes to show results and has up to 93% accuracy.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeNews article·DateSep 21, 2022

Early plasma antigen levels predict illness severity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

A large cross-sectional study found that baseline plasma antigen levels are highly associated with both the severity of pulmonary illness and clinically important patient outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Higher antigen levels were linked to increased risk of pulmonary worsening and delayed hospital discharge.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2022

Scripps Research scientists discover antibodies that induce broad immunity against SARS viruses, including emerging variants

Scientists at Scripps Research have identified antibodies that induce broad immunity against SARS viruses, including emerging variants. The discovery reveals the antibody structures that produce this more comprehensive immune response and could inform the development of next-generation vaccines.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 10, 2022

Vaccine-induced immune response to omicron wanes substantially over time

A new clinical trial found that COVID-19 booster vaccinations in adults elicit high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant, but these antibody levels decrease substantially within 3 months. The immune response to Omicron sub-lineages shows reduced susceptibility to rapidly emerging variants.

Booster shots offset some of Omicron immune evasion tactics

A new study suggests that current vaccine boosters intensify protections against serious infection caused by Omicron subvariants. The research found that booster doses bring neutralizing antibodies to appreciable levels against all Omicron subvariants, consistent with other evidence of expanded memory B cells and antibody production.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2022

Scientists identify what makes the Delta variant dangerous and explain the recent surge in COVID-19 infections

Researchers analyze delta variant's biophysical characteristics, revealing unique traits that evade neutralizing antibodies and contribute to severe symptoms. The study sheds light on why vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and why delta variant hospitalizations are higher than other variants.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateJul 18, 2022

Newer COVID-19 subvariants are less vulnerable to immunity induced by vaccination and previous infection, researchers find

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that newer Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 escape neutralizing antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection. These variants are now responsible for over 21% of new cases in the US, highlighting a shift in the COVID-19 landscape.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022

Data published in a Lancet journal on COH04S1, a City of Hope-developed COVID-19 vaccine, shows it produced robust antibodies and T cells against SARS-CoV-2

The investigational vaccine targets both the spike and nucleocapsid proteins, producing neutralizing antibodies and inducing T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2. COH04S1 is being studied in Phase 2 trials for immunocompromised patients and as a booster for healthy adult volunteers.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 10, 2022

Booster critical as COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibodies wane in 6 months, don’t protect against omicron

Researchers found that two-dose mRNA vaccines against the original and early variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus offer little to no protection against the omicron variant. A third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine booster shot, however, enhances immune response and provides comparable protection to the delta variant.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022