Identification of p38 MAPK inhibition as a neuroprotective strategy for combinatorial SMA therapy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by ubiquitous deficiency in the SMN protein. The identification of disease modifiers is key to understanding pathogenic mechanisms and broadening the range of targets for developing SMA therapies that complement SMN upregulation. Here, we report a cell-based screen that identified inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) as suppressors of proliferation defects induced by SMN deficiency in mouse fibroblasts.

Nipah virus vaccines evaluated in pigs as a 'One Health' approach to protect public health.

Nipah virus (NiV) causes a severe neurological disease in humans. The first NiV outbreak, in Malaysia, involved pig-to-human transmission, that resulted in significant economic losses to the local pig industry. Despite the risk NiV poses to pig-dense regions, no licensed vaccines exist.

A second-generation molecular clamp stabilised bivalent candidate vaccine for protection against diseases caused by respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are two medically important causes of respiratory tract infections and diseases. After more than five decades of research and development, vaccines have recently been approved for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. However, vaccines for hMPV remain in early-stage development.

A nanobody-based therapeutic targeting Nipah virus limits viral escape.

Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) are highly pathogenic henipaviruses without approved human vaccines or therapies. Here, we report on a highly potent bispecific therapeutic that combines an anti-fusion glycoprotein nanobody with an anti-receptor-binding glycoprotein (RBP) antibody to deliver a dual-targeting biologic that is resistant to viral escape. We show that the nanobody, DS90, engages a unique, conserved site within the fusion glycoprotein of NiV and HeV and provides neutralization and complete protection from NiV disease.

Synthetic recovery of Yada Yada virus expands insect-specific alphavirus knowledge and facilitates production of chimeric viruses.

Few insect-specific alphaviruses (ISA) have been discovered, with even fewer culturable to facilitate full characterisation. Here, we report the recovery of an infectious clone of Yada Yada virus (YYV)-a virus previously only detected by metagenomic sequencing of mosquito homogenates. Using the infectious clone, we confirmed the inability of YYV to replicate in vertebrate cells in vitro, with replication limited to only Aedes mosquito-derived cell lines.