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Simian Foamy Virus Prevalence and Evolutionary Relationships in Two Free-Living Lion Tamarin Populations from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Déa Luiza Girardi,
Thamiris Santos Miranda,
Matheus Augusto Calvano Cosentino,
Talitha Mayumi Francisco,
Bianca Cardozo Afonso,
Flávio Landim Soffiati,
Suelen Sanches Ferreira,
Silvia Bahadian Moreira,
Alcides Pissinatti,
Carlos Ramon Ruiz Miranda
Posted: 20 March 2025
Current Evolutionary Dynamics of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in the U.S. a Decade After Introduction
Joao Paulo Herrera da Silva,
Nakarin Pamornchainavakul,
Mariana Kikuti,
Xiaomei Yue,
Cesar A. Corzo,
Kim VanderWaal
Posted: 20 March 2025
Anti-Influenza Activity of 6BIGOE: Improved Pharmacological Profile After Encapsulation in Plga Nanoparticles
Josefine Schroeder,
Jan Westhoff,
Ivan Vilotijević,
Oliver Werz,
Stephanie Hoeppener,
Bettina Löffler,
Dagmar Fischer,
Christina Ehrhardt
Posted: 19 March 2025
Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations in Wastewater Provide Insights into the Circulation of Virus Variants in the Population
Sara Mesquita Costa,
Maria Clara da Costa Simas,
Luciana Jesus da Costa,
Rosane Silva
Posted: 18 March 2025
Persistent Infections in Tick Cell Lines: The Role of Viral-Derived DNA Forms in Hazara Virus Replication and Cellular Survival
Eva Dias,
Filipe Tomaz,
Silvia Fabi,
Cristiano Salata,
Ana Domingos,
Gonçalo Seixas
Posted: 18 March 2025
In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibition of Pseudorabies Virus Replication by Natural Plant Aconitum tanguticum and Belamcanda chinensis
Zhaohua Wang,
Wei Dai,
Xiaohuan Yan,
Tianyi Leng,
Zhenya Su,
Zhenni Yan,
Songda Li,
Ming Li,
Songli Li
Posted: 18 March 2025
TAR RNA Mimicry of INI1/SMARCB1 and Its Influence on Non-Integration Function of HIV-1 Integrase
Ganjam Kalpana,
Emilie Ernst,
Swati Haldar
HIV-1 integrase (IN), an essential viral protein that catalyzes integration, also influences non-integration functions such as particle production and morphogenesis. The mechanism by which non-integration functions is mediated is not completely understood. Several factors influence this non-integration function including ability of IN to bind to viral RNA. INI1/SMARCB1 is an integrase binding host factor that influences HIV-1 replication at multiple stages, including particle production and particle morphogenesis. IN mutants defective for binding to INI1 are also defective for particle morphogenesis, similar to RNA-binding-defective IN mutants. Studies have indicated that the highly conserved Repeat (Rpt)1, the IN-binding domain of INI1, structurally mimics TAR RNA and that the Rpt1 and TAR RNA compete for binding to IN. Based on the RNA mimicry, we propose that INI1 may function as a “place-holder” for viral RNA to facilitate proper ribonucleoprotein complex formation required during the assembly and particle morphogenesis of the HIV-1 virus. These studies suggest that drugs that target IN/INI1 interaction may lead to dual inhibition of both IN/INI1 and IN/RNA interactions to curb HIV-1 replication.
HIV-1 integrase (IN), an essential viral protein that catalyzes integration, also influences non-integration functions such as particle production and morphogenesis. The mechanism by which non-integration functions is mediated is not completely understood. Several factors influence this non-integration function including ability of IN to bind to viral RNA. INI1/SMARCB1 is an integrase binding host factor that influences HIV-1 replication at multiple stages, including particle production and particle morphogenesis. IN mutants defective for binding to INI1 are also defective for particle morphogenesis, similar to RNA-binding-defective IN mutants. Studies have indicated that the highly conserved Repeat (Rpt)1, the IN-binding domain of INI1, structurally mimics TAR RNA and that the Rpt1 and TAR RNA compete for binding to IN. Based on the RNA mimicry, we propose that INI1 may function as a “place-holder” for viral RNA to facilitate proper ribonucleoprotein complex formation required during the assembly and particle morphogenesis of the HIV-1 virus. These studies suggest that drugs that target IN/INI1 interaction may lead to dual inhibition of both IN/INI1 and IN/RNA interactions to curb HIV-1 replication.
Posted: 14 March 2025
Improving Influenza Nomenclature Based on Transmission Dynamics
Jwee Chiek Er
Posted: 13 March 2025
Genetic Profiles of Ten African Swine Fever Virus Strains from Outbreaks in Select Provinces of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Philippines Between 2021 and 2023
Andrew Montecillo,
Zyne Baybay,
Jimwel Bryan Christopher Ferrer,
Wreahlen Cariaso,
Airish Pantua,
John Paulo Jose,
Rachel Madera,
Jishu Shi,
Karla Cristine Doysabas,
Alan Dargantes
Posted: 12 March 2025
NF-κB-Driven HIV-1 Gene Expression in Human Cells Is Independent of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Function
Denisse A Gutierrez,
Manuel Llano
Posted: 12 March 2025
The Clinical and Laboratory Landscape of COVID-19 During the Initial Period of the Pandemic and at the Beginning of the Omicron Era
Yulia Desheva,
Tamara Shvedova,
Olga Kopteva,
Polina Kudar,
Danila Sergeevich Guzenkov,
Tatiana Kotomina,
Daria Petrachkova,
Elena Grigorieva,
Anna Lerner,
Stanislav Ponkratov
Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has undergone significant mutations since its emergence, resulting in a variety of antigenic variants. One of these variants is Omicron. Methods: In this study, the blood samples from 98 patients with acute coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) who were hospitalized during the initial SARS-CoV2 wave and the onset of Omicron infection in 2021 were analyzed. We used high-resolution melting (HRM) of PCR products to analyze RNA extracted from two clinical samples collected in July and November of 2021 from patients infected with the SARS-COV-2 virus. Results: HRM-analysis detected a characteristic deletion in the N-protein RNA of the virus isolated from November 2021 that is associated with the Omicron variant. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in patients during both initial wave of COVID-19 and 2021 hospitalization. Additionally, complement levels were more frequently detected at the start of hospitalization during the second wave. IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected more often at the beginning of hospitalization during the second wave of COVID-19. During both outbreaks, an increase in hemagglutinin-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against Influenza A and B was observed in paired blood specimens from moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Patients admitted during both waves of COVID-19 showed a significant rise in several inflammatory markers, suggesting that Omicron triggers significant inflammatory responses. The rapid formation of IgM and IgG in Omicron patients may indicate a faster immune response due to memory B cell formation after previous infections or vaccinations. Seasonal flu may negatively impact the clinical course of coronavirus infections. Further research is needed to determine if clinical presentation and laboratory parameters change in response to variations in the SARS-CoV virus in breakthrough cases and in patients with post-COVID syndrome.
Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has undergone significant mutations since its emergence, resulting in a variety of antigenic variants. One of these variants is Omicron. Methods: In this study, the blood samples from 98 patients with acute coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) who were hospitalized during the initial SARS-CoV2 wave and the onset of Omicron infection in 2021 were analyzed. We used high-resolution melting (HRM) of PCR products to analyze RNA extracted from two clinical samples collected in July and November of 2021 from patients infected with the SARS-COV-2 virus. Results: HRM-analysis detected a characteristic deletion in the N-protein RNA of the virus isolated from November 2021 that is associated with the Omicron variant. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in patients during both initial wave of COVID-19 and 2021 hospitalization. Additionally, complement levels were more frequently detected at the start of hospitalization during the second wave. IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected more often at the beginning of hospitalization during the second wave of COVID-19. During both outbreaks, an increase in hemagglutinin-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against Influenza A and B was observed in paired blood specimens from moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Patients admitted during both waves of COVID-19 showed a significant rise in several inflammatory markers, suggesting that Omicron triggers significant inflammatory responses. The rapid formation of IgM and IgG in Omicron patients may indicate a faster immune response due to memory B cell formation after previous infections or vaccinations. Seasonal flu may negatively impact the clinical course of coronavirus infections. Further research is needed to determine if clinical presentation and laboratory parameters change in response to variations in the SARS-CoV virus in breakthrough cases and in patients with post-COVID syndrome.
Posted: 11 March 2025
Crosstalk Between Hepatitis B Virus and Aflatoxins in Hepa-Tocellular Carcinoma: Epidemiology and Mechanisms
Carolina Moreno-León,
Francisco Aguayo
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant burden on global public health, being one of the main causes of cancer mortality worldwide. This type of cancer has been closely linked to viral and environmental factors, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and exposure to aflatoxins, produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Aflatoxins are known carcinogens found in contaminated foods, such as grains and nuts. In the presence of chronic HBV infection, they can function as cofactors in liver carcinogenesis. The synergistic interaction between HBV and aflatoxins is crucial for understanding the molecular complexity of HCC. Multiple studies have shown how the simultaneous presence of these carcinogens significantly increases the risk of developing HCC. The complexity of these mechanisms highlights the urgent need for targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies, ranging from improvements in food safety and aflatoxin regulation to widespread HBV vaccination in high-prevalence areas. Understanding the molecular interactions between these environmental and viral factors is crucial not only for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC, but also for the effective implementation of public health policies that re-duce the global burden of this devastating liver disease. A multifactorial approach is essential to effectively address the increasing prevalence of HCC worldwide and improve health outcomes for affected populations.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant burden on global public health, being one of the main causes of cancer mortality worldwide. This type of cancer has been closely linked to viral and environmental factors, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and exposure to aflatoxins, produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Aflatoxins are known carcinogens found in contaminated foods, such as grains and nuts. In the presence of chronic HBV infection, they can function as cofactors in liver carcinogenesis. The synergistic interaction between HBV and aflatoxins is crucial for understanding the molecular complexity of HCC. Multiple studies have shown how the simultaneous presence of these carcinogens significantly increases the risk of developing HCC. The complexity of these mechanisms highlights the urgent need for targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies, ranging from improvements in food safety and aflatoxin regulation to widespread HBV vaccination in high-prevalence areas. Understanding the molecular interactions between these environmental and viral factors is crucial not only for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC, but also for the effective implementation of public health policies that re-duce the global burden of this devastating liver disease. A multifactorial approach is essential to effectively address the increasing prevalence of HCC worldwide and improve health outcomes for affected populations.
Posted: 10 March 2025
First Description of a Carnivore Protoparvovirus Associated to a Clinical Case in the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Almudena Campoy,
Esperanza Gomez-Lucia,
Tania Garcia,
Elena Crespo,
Sonia Olmeda,
Felix Valcarcel,
Sergio Fandiño,
Ana Domenech
One of the main threats for the survival of the Iberian lynx are infectious diseases. Feline parvo-viruses cause an often fatal disease in cats and have been isolated from different species of Felidae and other carnivores. The present study is the first description of a parvoviral sequence isolated from the brain of an Iberian lynx which had died four weeks after been transferred to a quarantine centre from a hunting estate in Castilla-La-Mancha (southern border of the Iberian plateau). Four days prior to death he had developed anorexia and muscle weakness. The nucleotide sequence, 4,589 nt long (GenBank PP781551), was most proximal to that isolated from a Eurasian badger in Italy but showed also great homology with others from cats and other carnivores isolated in Spain and Italy, including that from a cat sequenced by us to elucidate the origin of the infection, which has not been clarified. The phylogenetic analysis of the capsid protein, VP2, which determines tropism and host range, confirmed that the lynx sequence was most proximal to feline than to canine parvoviruses, and was thus classified as Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1. More studies, in-cluding serology, are needed to understand the pathogenesis of this infection.
One of the main threats for the survival of the Iberian lynx are infectious diseases. Feline parvo-viruses cause an often fatal disease in cats and have been isolated from different species of Felidae and other carnivores. The present study is the first description of a parvoviral sequence isolated from the brain of an Iberian lynx which had died four weeks after been transferred to a quarantine centre from a hunting estate in Castilla-La-Mancha (southern border of the Iberian plateau). Four days prior to death he had developed anorexia and muscle weakness. The nucleotide sequence, 4,589 nt long (GenBank PP781551), was most proximal to that isolated from a Eurasian badger in Italy but showed also great homology with others from cats and other carnivores isolated in Spain and Italy, including that from a cat sequenced by us to elucidate the origin of the infection, which has not been clarified. The phylogenetic analysis of the capsid protein, VP2, which determines tropism and host range, confirmed that the lynx sequence was most proximal to feline than to canine parvoviruses, and was thus classified as Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1. More studies, in-cluding serology, are needed to understand the pathogenesis of this infection.
Posted: 10 March 2025
Does SARS-CoV-2 Possess “Allergen-Like” Epitopes?
Alberto Rubio-Casillas,
David Cowley,
Vladimir N. Uversky,
Elrashdy M. Redwan,
Carlo Brogna,
Marina Piscopo
Posted: 07 March 2025
First Detection of Bluetongue Virus Type 3 in Poland, 2024—A Case Study in European Bison (Bison bonasus)
Magdalena Larska,
Anna Orłowska,
Wojciech Łopuszyński,
Łukasz Skurka,
Agnieszka Nowakowska,
Paweł Trębas,
Michał K. Krzysiak,
Jerzy Rola,
Marcin Smreczak
The emergence of an another bluetongue virus serotype BTV-3 has been causing great losses in animal farming in Europe since fall 2023. The virus spreads faster than the epidemic BTV-8, which appeared on the continent nine years earlier. The study describes first case of BTV-3 in Poland detected in European bison (Bison bonasus), just approx. 15 km from the German-Polish border. The animal suffered from severe and fatal hemorrhagic disease. The symptoms included respiratory problems, bloody diarrhea and rapidly progressive cachexia. In addition to confirmation of BTV-3 infection in the blood and spleen of the animal, the virus was also detected in one of pool of blood-fed Culicoides punctatus caught near the enclosure two weeks after the death of European bison. This is the first evidence of BTV-3 detection in C. punctatus what suggests vector competency for this serotype. Phylogenetic analysis based on the segment 2 of the virus revealed homology of Polish isolate to the BTV-3 strains circulating in the Netherlands, Germany and Portugal, and slightly lower similarity the BTV-3 strains detected in sheep in Sardinia (Italy) in 2018 and in Tunisia in November 2016. Retrospective serosurvey of the exposure to BTV in thirteen other European bison populations widespread in the country indicated that the observed case at the Wolin National Park was the first BTV-3 to be detected in Poland.
The emergence of an another bluetongue virus serotype BTV-3 has been causing great losses in animal farming in Europe since fall 2023. The virus spreads faster than the epidemic BTV-8, which appeared on the continent nine years earlier. The study describes first case of BTV-3 in Poland detected in European bison (Bison bonasus), just approx. 15 km from the German-Polish border. The animal suffered from severe and fatal hemorrhagic disease. The symptoms included respiratory problems, bloody diarrhea and rapidly progressive cachexia. In addition to confirmation of BTV-3 infection in the blood and spleen of the animal, the virus was also detected in one of pool of blood-fed Culicoides punctatus caught near the enclosure two weeks after the death of European bison. This is the first evidence of BTV-3 detection in C. punctatus what suggests vector competency for this serotype. Phylogenetic analysis based on the segment 2 of the virus revealed homology of Polish isolate to the BTV-3 strains circulating in the Netherlands, Germany and Portugal, and slightly lower similarity the BTV-3 strains detected in sheep in Sardinia (Italy) in 2018 and in Tunisia in November 2016. Retrospective serosurvey of the exposure to BTV in thirteen other European bison populations widespread in the country indicated that the observed case at the Wolin National Park was the first BTV-3 to be detected in Poland.
Posted: 06 March 2025
Cell-Type-Specific Molecular Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation In Vitro
Zubair Khalid,
Ruediger Hauck
Posted: 06 March 2025
Vaccine Efficacy of a Replication-Competent Interferon-Expressing Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Virus against NADC-34 Challenge
Laura C. Miller,
Sarah J. Anderson,
Alexandra C. Buckley,
Erin E. Schirtzinger,
Mahamudul Hasan,
Kaitlyn M. Sarlo Davila,
Damarius S. Fleming,
Kelly M. Lager,
Jiuyi Li,
Yongming Sang
Posted: 05 March 2025
Tissue-Specific Transcriptomic Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation in Ovo
Zubair Khalid,
Shahna Fathima,
Ruediger Hauck
Posted: 05 March 2025
Htlv-1, a Virus with Oncogenic Potential: Mechanisms, Treatment and Challenges
Shideh Roshani,
Fatima Serhan,
Antonella Naddaf,
Imge Kunter,
Hala Khalifeh,
Emre Hamurtekin,
Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Posted: 03 March 2025
Infection-Simulator, Immunostimulatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Interferons I and III in Biological Systems: A New Era in Vaccinology and Therapeutics Possible?
Theodor-Nicolae Carp,
Michael Metoudi,
Vanshika Ojha
The severe acquired respiratory coronavirus–2 (SARS–CoV-2) infection has initiated both acute and chronic COVID–19 disease between 2020 and 2023, currently evolving with other homologous prior coronavirus strains of the Nidoviridae order, which encompasses other prevalent alpha/ beta coronaviruses, but also the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-1, with recent SARS–CoV–2 variants, increasing demands for effective immunogens and therapeutic approaches that will reduce global disease burden and further infection from SARS–CoV-2 affected individuals that may experience post acute sequelae (PASC) or “Long COVID”. Following a worldwide programme of prophylactic vaccination, there is still a dilemma in the efforts to find prophylactic and early therapeutic approaches that would treat novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and prevent future epidemics or pandemics within host human and animal populations, where zoonotic or cross species transfer naturally occurs. Concerns about viral immune escape intersect at a specific point; a gained evolutionary ability of several viruses to co–infect and compete against previous scientific advances since 1796 that remain undetected or asymptomatic during the early stages of infection progressing to symptomatic and severe disease via the double methylation of the 5' end of eukaryotic DNA or RNA-based viral genomes, the 7-MeGpppA2’-O-Me cap, and its double methylation capping process is performed by the activated viral 2’ - O - Methyltransferase (MTase) enzyme, a complex of two viral non-structural proteins (NSPs) joined together through an activation process (NSP10/16) and by N7-Methyltransferase (N7-MTase/NSP14), respectively. Moreover, it was discovered that polymorphic viruses translate NSP1, which prevents the activation of various Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), and consequently, detection of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) alike. NSP1 also silences important interferon-encoding genes (INGs) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), is signalled in a paracrine manner to neighbouring cells, and that induces the apoptosis of host cells, inducing an effect of “trace erase” effect and making the viral infection as immunologically “invisible” as possible during the initial, key stages of viral replication and distribution, all such mechanisms occurring independently of the viruses in cause. Another important viral NSP is NSP14, as it plays two functional roles that are independent of each other; to produce new viral genetic material for the purpose of maintaining the validity of the viral genome as well, and not just transfer a methyl group to the 5’ end of the viral genome. Other viral NSPs share a role with NSP1, 10, 14 and 16 in directly suppressing the activation of PRRs and ISGs, and all such viral proteins help the virus in its process of self-camouflaging against first- and second-line immunity, thereby often severely impacting the quality of the produced adaptive immune responses. The outcome of all such phenomena is the sharp decrease in the host Type I and Type III interferons' (IFNs) rate of synthesis by the host cells, that would usually occur and affect homeostatic cellular pathways, resulting in further viral replication and induced apoptosis. Nonetheless, effects of microbial immune evasion during the development of other viral or carcinogenic pathologies are not widely known. In short, polymorphic viruses developed a proportionate evolutionary response against developed adaptive immune responses, by currently relying on gaps mostly situated in the natural immune system in their process of molecular self-camouflaging. Scientists developed numerous approaches of early treatment that generally showed good success rates and fewer risks of adverse events, and the still early present stages of COVID-19 research should also be taken into consideration whilst filtering for the most appropriate solutions. For example, the administration of recombinant human interferons I and III into the nasal mucosa cellular layer, as key mediators of anti–viral activity, can simulate intracellular infection and stimulate cellular activity in a timely manner, training the innate and adaptive immune system cells to develop and appropriately stimulate an adequate immune response through B and T cells. Another example could involve the treatment of natural and adaptive lymphocytes with a low dose of IFNs I and possibly III, prior to their insertion into the host lymphatic system, possibly alongside additional recruitment of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as further interferon “factories”, all with the purpose of early infection management. It might be that focusing on directly offering the immune system the information about the genetics and protein structure of the pathogen, rather than training its first-line mechanisms to develop faster, excessively increases its specificity, making it reach a level that brings the virus the opportunity to evolve and escape previously-developed host immune mechanisms. It is until the scientific community realises this potentially crucial aspect that large proportions of the world population will probably continue to face serious epidemics and pandemics of respiratory diseases over the coming several decades, evidenced with dengue fever and more recently, monkeypox and possibly avian flu. Of note, it has been indicated that IFN I and / or III display significant immunising, early therapeutic and clinical disease onset-attenuating effects for many other microbial evoked diseases, as well as for a number of oncological diseases. Microbial agents could undergo loss-of-function research upon genes responsible for inducing clinical illness whilst keeping genes responsible for microbial reproduction and transmission at least generally as functional, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to have genes encoding proteins suppressive of the host interferon system eliminated prior to human genes encoding Pattern Recognition Receptor activator or agonist proteins, such as outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis, as well as Type I, Type III and possibly even Type IV Interferons and various ISGs inserted into the microbial genome. Such an approach would be based upon the model of editing genes of harmless bacteria to transform such them into “producers” and “distributors” of human insulin, and could turn several microbial agents into clinically harmless, transmissible “factories” for various key elements of the host interferon system, potentially placing such microbes into a reverse evolutionary path that would be deemed as “natural de-selection”, visibly reducing the average burden of disease and metabolic stresses, which in turn could gradually increase average human and animal lifespans worldwide.
The severe acquired respiratory coronavirus–2 (SARS–CoV-2) infection has initiated both acute and chronic COVID–19 disease between 2020 and 2023, currently evolving with other homologous prior coronavirus strains of the Nidoviridae order, which encompasses other prevalent alpha/ beta coronaviruses, but also the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-1, with recent SARS–CoV–2 variants, increasing demands for effective immunogens and therapeutic approaches that will reduce global disease burden and further infection from SARS–CoV-2 affected individuals that may experience post acute sequelae (PASC) or “Long COVID”. Following a worldwide programme of prophylactic vaccination, there is still a dilemma in the efforts to find prophylactic and early therapeutic approaches that would treat novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and prevent future epidemics or pandemics within host human and animal populations, where zoonotic or cross species transfer naturally occurs. Concerns about viral immune escape intersect at a specific point; a gained evolutionary ability of several viruses to co–infect and compete against previous scientific advances since 1796 that remain undetected or asymptomatic during the early stages of infection progressing to symptomatic and severe disease via the double methylation of the 5' end of eukaryotic DNA or RNA-based viral genomes, the 7-MeGpppA2’-O-Me cap, and its double methylation capping process is performed by the activated viral 2’ - O - Methyltransferase (MTase) enzyme, a complex of two viral non-structural proteins (NSPs) joined together through an activation process (NSP10/16) and by N7-Methyltransferase (N7-MTase/NSP14), respectively. Moreover, it was discovered that polymorphic viruses translate NSP1, which prevents the activation of various Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), and consequently, detection of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) alike. NSP1 also silences important interferon-encoding genes (INGs) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), is signalled in a paracrine manner to neighbouring cells, and that induces the apoptosis of host cells, inducing an effect of “trace erase” effect and making the viral infection as immunologically “invisible” as possible during the initial, key stages of viral replication and distribution, all such mechanisms occurring independently of the viruses in cause. Another important viral NSP is NSP14, as it plays two functional roles that are independent of each other; to produce new viral genetic material for the purpose of maintaining the validity of the viral genome as well, and not just transfer a methyl group to the 5’ end of the viral genome. Other viral NSPs share a role with NSP1, 10, 14 and 16 in directly suppressing the activation of PRRs and ISGs, and all such viral proteins help the virus in its process of self-camouflaging against first- and second-line immunity, thereby often severely impacting the quality of the produced adaptive immune responses. The outcome of all such phenomena is the sharp decrease in the host Type I and Type III interferons' (IFNs) rate of synthesis by the host cells, that would usually occur and affect homeostatic cellular pathways, resulting in further viral replication and induced apoptosis. Nonetheless, effects of microbial immune evasion during the development of other viral or carcinogenic pathologies are not widely known. In short, polymorphic viruses developed a proportionate evolutionary response against developed adaptive immune responses, by currently relying on gaps mostly situated in the natural immune system in their process of molecular self-camouflaging. Scientists developed numerous approaches of early treatment that generally showed good success rates and fewer risks of adverse events, and the still early present stages of COVID-19 research should also be taken into consideration whilst filtering for the most appropriate solutions. For example, the administration of recombinant human interferons I and III into the nasal mucosa cellular layer, as key mediators of anti–viral activity, can simulate intracellular infection and stimulate cellular activity in a timely manner, training the innate and adaptive immune system cells to develop and appropriately stimulate an adequate immune response through B and T cells. Another example could involve the treatment of natural and adaptive lymphocytes with a low dose of IFNs I and possibly III, prior to their insertion into the host lymphatic system, possibly alongside additional recruitment of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as further interferon “factories”, all with the purpose of early infection management. It might be that focusing on directly offering the immune system the information about the genetics and protein structure of the pathogen, rather than training its first-line mechanisms to develop faster, excessively increases its specificity, making it reach a level that brings the virus the opportunity to evolve and escape previously-developed host immune mechanisms. It is until the scientific community realises this potentially crucial aspect that large proportions of the world population will probably continue to face serious epidemics and pandemics of respiratory diseases over the coming several decades, evidenced with dengue fever and more recently, monkeypox and possibly avian flu. Of note, it has been indicated that IFN I and / or III display significant immunising, early therapeutic and clinical disease onset-attenuating effects for many other microbial evoked diseases, as well as for a number of oncological diseases. Microbial agents could undergo loss-of-function research upon genes responsible for inducing clinical illness whilst keeping genes responsible for microbial reproduction and transmission at least generally as functional, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to have genes encoding proteins suppressive of the host interferon system eliminated prior to human genes encoding Pattern Recognition Receptor activator or agonist proteins, such as outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis, as well as Type I, Type III and possibly even Type IV Interferons and various ISGs inserted into the microbial genome. Such an approach would be based upon the model of editing genes of harmless bacteria to transform such them into “producers” and “distributors” of human insulin, and could turn several microbial agents into clinically harmless, transmissible “factories” for various key elements of the host interferon system, potentially placing such microbes into a reverse evolutionary path that would be deemed as “natural de-selection”, visibly reducing the average burden of disease and metabolic stresses, which in turn could gradually increase average human and animal lifespans worldwide.
Posted: 03 March 2025
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