Publications by authors named "Bruno A Rodriguez-Rodriguez"
Generation of quality-controlled SARS-CoV-2 variant stocks.
Nat Protoc
December 2023
One of the main challenges in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stems from the ongoing evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into multiple variants. To address this hurdle, research groups around the world have independently developed protocols to isolate these variants from clinical samples. These isolates are then used in translational and basic research-for example, in vaccine development, drug screening or characterizing SARS-CoV-2 biology and pathogenesis.
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- - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) can infect heart cells, specifically cardiac fibroblasts, and while often cleared by the immune response in healthy mice, it can lead to cardiac issues in the absence of proper immune signaling.
- - The study used mouse models and human cardiac cells to show that MAVS signaling is crucial for clearing CHIKV from the heart, and without it, persistent infection can cause inflammatory heart conditions.
- - Researchers emphasize the need for monitoring heart health in patients infected with CHIKV due to the potential for lasting cardiovascular problems, including vasculitis and myocarditis.
Small animal models have been a challenge for the study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with most investigators using golden hamsters or ferrets. Mice have the advantages of low cost, wide availability, less regulatory and husbandry challenges, and the existence of a versatile reagent and genetic toolbox. However, adult mice do not robustly transmit SARS-CoV-2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall animal models have been a challenge for the study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with most investigators using golden hamsters or ferrets . Mice have the advantages of low cost, wide availability, less regulatory and husbandry challenges, and the existence of a versatile reagent and genetic toolbox. However, adult mice do not robustly transmit SARS-CoV-2 .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemic RNA viruses seem to arise year after year leading to countless infections and devastating disease. SARS-CoV-2 is the most recent of these viruses, but there will undoubtedly be more to come. While effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are being deployed, one approach that is still missing is effective antivirals that can be used at the onset of infections and therefore prevent pandemics.
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- - Understanding antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for effective COVID-19 containment strategies; however, predicting neutralization capacity remains challenging, as convalescent patients show variable outcomes.
- - A study examined sera from 101 recovered healthcare workers, revealing sustained IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2 proteins, but most individuals had low neutralization ability, with only 6% demonstrating high neutralizing titers.
- - Findings suggest that possessing a variety of antibody isotypes (IgG, IgM, IgA) correlates with stronger neutralization responses, indicating that a broader antibody repertoire may enhance SARS-CoV-2 neutralization effectiveness.
Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of arbovirus transmission and pathogenesis is essential to develop strategies for treatment and prevention. We previously took an in vivo evolution-based approach and identified the chikungunya virus E1 glycoprotein residue 80 to play a critical role in viral transmission and pathogenesis. In this study, we address the genetic conservation and function of position 80 and demonstrate that this residue is a key determinant in alphavirus infectivity and dissemination through modulation of viral fusion and cholesterol dependence.
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