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Full-Text Articles in Immunology and Infectious Disease

Msphere Of Influence: Autoantibodies During Malaria—A Historical Observation Taking The Modern Spotlight, Juan Rivera-Correa Sep 2026

Msphere Of Influence: Autoantibodies During Malaria—A Historical Observation Taking The Modern Spotlight, Juan Rivera-Correa

Publications and Research

Juan Rivera-Correa works in the field of immunology of tropical infectious diseases, focusing on the role of autoimmune responses in malaria. In this mSphere of Influence article, he discusses the papers by Rosenberg and Daniel-Ribeiro, which were two of the first papers to report the presence of autoantibodies in malaria patients, changing the paradigm and blurring the line between autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases.


Historical Chaos Among Tetrabothriideans (Eucestoda) Of Odontocetes (Artiodactyla)—Revising Generic Taxonomy And Species Diversity For Cestodes Among Oceanic Dolphins, Eric P. Hoberg, Kaylen Marie Soudachanh, Robert L. Rausch Sep 2026

Historical Chaos Among Tetrabothriideans (Eucestoda) Of Odontocetes (Artiodactyla)—Revising Generic Taxonomy And Species Diversity For Cestodes Among Oceanic Dolphins, Eric P. Hoberg, Kaylen Marie Soudachanh, Robert L. Rausch

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

Explorations over the past 150 years that have defined the diversity and structure of the tetrabothriidean cestode fauna among Odontocete cetaceans (Artiodactyla) are summarized and reviewed. Persistent errors in interpretation of comparative morphological characters, inconsistent taxonomic decisions, and an understanding of generic-level and species diversity are addressed. We outline a revision of the Tetrabothriidea, which now encompasses 8 genera. Prosthecocotyle is resurrected from synonymy with Tetrabothrius, and Cetaceobothridius n. gen is proposed. A clear basis is outlined for differentiation of generic and species diversity among Cetaceobothridius, Priapocephalus, Prosthecocotyle, Strobilocephalus, Tetrabothrius, and Trigonocotyle that constitute the tetrabothriidean fauna of odontocetes; species …


Nuclear Activities And Interactome Of The Ns5 Protein Of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, Maxime Chazal, Aïssatou Aïcha Sow, Elodie Le Seac'h, Dana Hawasheen, Margarida Bonifacio, Mikael Feracci, Ségolène Gracias, Adrià Sogues, Melissa Molho, Heng Pan, Boris Bonaventure, Jean-Pierre Quivy, Geneviève Almouzni, Etienne Decroly, Holly Ramage, Jeffrey R. Johnson, Vincent Caval, Nolwenn Jouvenet Aug 2026

Nuclear Activities And Interactome Of The Ns5 Protein Of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, Maxime Chazal, Aïssatou Aïcha Sow, Elodie Le Seac'h, Dana Hawasheen, Margarida Bonifacio, Mikael Feracci, Ségolène Gracias, Adrià Sogues, Melissa Molho, Heng Pan, Boris Bonaventure, Jean-Pierre Quivy, Geneviève Almouzni, Etienne Decroly, Holly Ramage, Jeffrey R. Johnson, Vincent Caval, Nolwenn Jouvenet

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Orthoflaviviruses are RNA viruses responsible for significant diseases in humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife. Their NS5 protein is central in viral replication, functioning both as an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and a methyltransferase, while also modulating cellular processes, including the interferon response. Although viral replication is cytoplasmic, the NS5 protein of several mosquito-borne orthoflaviviruses cycles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of infected human cells. However, the nuclear localization and function of NS5 of tick-borne orthoflaviviruses, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), remain poorly understood. Microscopy analysis and cell fractionation revealed that the NS5 protein of TBEV localized to both the …


Bridging The Gap In Science Research: Preparing Students For College- Level Research In The Sciences, Victoria Helwig, Yaoguang Li Jul 2026

Bridging The Gap In Science Research: Preparing Students For College- Level Research In The Sciences, Victoria Helwig, Yaoguang Li

UConn Library Presentations

Many first-year students enter college unprepared to fully engage with scientific literature and academic library resources. Drawing on experiences from academic librarians working with STEM students, this session explores common gaps in science research skills, including navigating databases, identifying scholarly sources, and understanding the structure of scientific literature. Participants will be introduced to practical strategies and classroom-ready activities to better prepare students for college-level research. Discussion questions: What science research skills do students struggle with most when entering college? How can high school instruction better support these skills? Where can librarians and educators collaborate to support student success?


Hemidiaphragmatic Segmental Zoster Paresis, Terrence Sanvictores, Johnson Ukken Jul 2026

Hemidiaphragmatic Segmental Zoster Paresis, Terrence Sanvictores, Johnson Ukken

School of Medicine Faculty Research

The reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus within infected neurons can lead to common clinical manifestations, including rash, acute neuritis, post-herpetic neuralgia, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and Ramsay–Hunt syndrome. Segmental zoster paresis is an unusual neurologic complication of shingles that is defined by focal asymmetric motor weakness in the myotome corresponding to skin lesions of the dermatome. This case is a presentation of a patient who developed chronic hypoxia and severe atelectasis attributed to right-sided phrenic nerve paralysis secondary to herpes zoster infection.


Rethinking Preoperative Mrsa/Mssa Screening Through Molecular Triage, Rob E. Carpenter, Greg Whitlock Jul 2026

Rethinking Preoperative Mrsa/Mssa Screening Through Molecular Triage, Rob E. Carpenter, Greg Whitlock

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Preoperative screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) is intended to identify patients at increased risk of surgical site infection and guide decolonization and perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis. However, many molecular assays reduce this decision to a binary positive/ negative result, potentially obscuring clinically important distinctions in organism identity, methicillin resistance attribution, and mupirocin resistance risk. Methods: This structured narrative review organized direct perioperative evidence and indirect mechanistic, implementation, and economic evidence around one question: how MRSA/MSSA screening can move from organism detection to actionable molecular triage. Results: Useful preoperative reporting depends on assigning resistance markers …


Uti, Delirium, And Dementia: A Conceptual Bioinformatics Framework For Clinical Attribution, Rob E. Carpenter, Andrew Krouse Jul 2026

Uti, Delirium, And Dementia: A Conceptual Bioinformatics Framework For Clinical Attribution, Rob E. Carpenter, Andrew Krouse

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is frequently invoked to explain delirium, confusion, and functional decline in persons with dementia. Yet urine positivity in this population often reflects asymptomatic bacteriuria, colonization, chronic pyuria, contamination, or sampling noise rather than clinically attributable infection. For biomedical informatics and computational diagnostics readers, this narrative review contributes an integrative conceptual bioinformatics framework for probabilistic clinical attribution of suspected UTI in dementia under uncertainty. We formalizes the attribution problem by distinguishing organism detection from a clinically plausible infection-related contribution to neurocognitive decline. The framework integrates clinical, laboratory, biological, and longitudinal data to clarify whether urinary findings are …


Plasma And Extracellular Vesicle–Enriched Protein Profiles In Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Aryana Amin, Rutviben P. Shah Bds, Dhvani Parikh Mph, Niki Mirhosseini Bs, Baharan Fekry Phd, Donyea L. Moore, Mahboobeh Mahdavinia Md, Phd Jul 2026

Plasma And Extracellular Vesicle–Enriched Protein Profiles In Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Aryana Amin, Rutviben P. Shah Bds, Dhvani Parikh Mph, Niki Mirhosseini Bs, Baharan Fekry Phd, Donyea L. Moore, Mahboobeh Mahdavinia Md, Phd

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.


Promiscuous Mutualisms: John Dupré And The Centrality Of Symbiosis In The Living World, Thomas Pradeu Jun 2026

Promiscuous Mutualisms: John Dupré And The Centrality Of Symbiosis In The Living World, Thomas Pradeu

Presidential Fellows Articles and Research

My goal in this chapter is to show that symbiosis, especially symbiotic interactions between ‘macrobes’ (non-microbial organisms) and microbes, is a central topic in John Dupré’s work. This topic is undeniably one of the topics by which Dupré has gained wide recognition among practicing scientists, in addition to his recognition within the philosophical community. I spell out why symbiosis has turned out to be a sort of ideal trope for Dupré, as it encapsulates many of his main personal themes—from promiscuous realism to process ontology. I then show that immunology offers one interesting and complementary entry point into microbial symbiosis …


Immune Suppression And Metabolic Reprogramming In Bactrocera Dorsalis Parasitized By Fopius Arisanus, Rehemah Gwokyalya, Jeremy Herren, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Sahadatou Mama Sambo, Cassandra Purity Ronnie, Ndlela Shepard, Sunday Ekesi, Samira A. Mohamed Jun 2026

Immune Suppression And Metabolic Reprogramming In Bactrocera Dorsalis Parasitized By Fopius Arisanus, Rehemah Gwokyalya, Jeremy Herren, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Sahadatou Mama Sambo, Cassandra Purity Ronnie, Ndlela Shepard, Sunday Ekesi, Samira A. Mohamed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Abstract – Bactrocera dorsalis is a major horticultural pest. Biocontrol using parasitoids, such as Fopius arisanus, is a sustainable tool for managing this pest. However, the mechanisms enabling the successful parasitism of B. dorsalis are poorly understood. Using transcriptomic profiling, cellular bioassays, and targeted metabolite analyses, we investigated how F. arisanus modulates the immunity and metabolic activity of B. dorsalis to achieve a high parasitism rate. Our results revealed a weak and late encapsulation response of B. dorsalis towards F. arisanus. Additionally, parasitism reduced the number of circulating haemocytes by 35%, lowered constitutive granulocyte counts and inhibited phenoloxidase activity in …


Impact Of Dolutegravir-Based Regimens On Patient Satisfaction And Quality Of Life Among People Living With Hiv: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mustapha Muhammed Abubakar, Christabel Ogechukwu Okoye, Ruth Jeminiwa, Ifeanyi Kanayo Ifeorah, Lotanna Ezeja, Yusuf Dauran, Sahabi Musa, Silas Usen Joel, Abdurrahman Murtala Bello, Amauche Pearl Ngige, Gabriel Ezenri, Abdulmuminu Isah, Ifunanya Ikhile, Blessing Onyinye Ukoha-Kalu Jun 2026

Impact Of Dolutegravir-Based Regimens On Patient Satisfaction And Quality Of Life Among People Living With Hiv: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mustapha Muhammed Abubakar, Christabel Ogechukwu Okoye, Ruth Jeminiwa, Ifeanyi Kanayo Ifeorah, Lotanna Ezeja, Yusuf Dauran, Sahabi Musa, Silas Usen Joel, Abdurrahman Murtala Bello, Amauche Pearl Ngige, Gabriel Ezenri, Abdulmuminu Isah, Ifunanya Ikhile, Blessing Onyinye Ukoha-Kalu

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

Background: Despite the global scale up of dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens as the preferred first-line therapy for persons living with HIV (PLHIV), no comprehensive evidence exists on its effect on patient-reported outcomes such as Quality of Life (QoL) and patient satisfaction (PS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide the first comprehensive quantitative synthesis of the effect of DTG-based regimens on QoL and PS among PLHIV.

Method: We conducted literature search on PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for peer-reviewed, primary studies published from January 2015 to January 2025. Studies using validated tools to evaluate QoL and PS …


First Course Portfolio For Plpt 803 Fundamentals Of Scientific Discovery, Hernan Garcia-Ruiz Jun 2026

First Course Portfolio For Plpt 803 Fundamentals Of Scientific Discovery, Hernan Garcia-Ruiz

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

PLPT 803 Fundamentals of Scientific discovery is a new curse in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I designed and developed this course from the ground up. Initially, it was offered as a special topic (PLPT 892-014) for four years. PLPT 803 was approved by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources curriculum committee in September of 2025. PLPT 803 is unique within the University of Nebraska system and will be offered for the first time in the fall of 2027. The course is designed for students to learn fundamental scientific skills such as scrutinize, …


Increased Neural Activity In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Of Uninfected Canaries After Observation Of Infected Conspecifics, Madeleine Chang, Sophia Santangelo, Devon Comito, Bennett Hardy, Patricia C. Lopes May 2026

Increased Neural Activity In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Of Uninfected Canaries After Observation Of Infected Conspecifics, Madeleine Chang, Sophia Santangelo, Devon Comito, Bennett Hardy, Patricia C. Lopes

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Recent evidence suggests that the immune system may be upregulated in anticipation of pathogen exposure, yet the neural mechanisms that respond to and signal impending infection risk remain poorly understood. We investigated neural responses to infection risk in uninfected hosts observing infected conspecifics, using the canary (Serinus canaria domestica)—Mycoplasma gallisepticum host–parasite system. We focused on five brain regions of interest, comprising three nodes of the social decision-making network—preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and hippocampus—a stress modulatory region (paraventricular nucleus) and a visual processing region (nucleus rotundus). After 1 h of observing infected canaries, …


Environmental Mercury Alters Immune Pathways Linked To Autoimmune Risk In Mice Mirroring Humans, Maurgan Lee, Paul Stemmer, Randall Gill, Allen Rosenspire, Anil Aranha, Heather Gibson May 2026

Environmental Mercury Alters Immune Pathways Linked To Autoimmune Risk In Mice Mirroring Humans, Maurgan Lee, Paul Stemmer, Randall Gill, Allen Rosenspire, Anil Aranha, Heather Gibson

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background and Purpose: Mercury is a pervasive environmental contaminant, and human epidemiologic studies have linked chronic low-level exposure to increased autoimmune disease-risk. Dysregulated lymphocyte activation and impaired signaling tolerance are central mechanisms in human autoimmunity. Protein phosphorylation governs lymphocyte differentiation and function, alterations in phosphoproteomic networks may represent a signature of immune disruption. This study evaluates how low dose mercury exposure modifies B and T cell abundance and intracellular signaling patterns in BALB/c and Diversity Outbred (DO) mice.

Methods: BALB/c and DO mice were exposed to low dose HgCl2 in their water for two weeks or provided standard water controls. …


The Risk Of Bpa In B Lymphocyte-Mediated Autoimmunity, Mario J. Palacios May 2026

The Risk Of Bpa In B Lymphocyte-Mediated Autoimmunity, Mario J. Palacios

Senior Honors Theses

Autoimmune disorders disproportionately affect females, a bias largely attributed to estrogen's modulation of B lymphocyte development and tolerance. Bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic monomer, shows estrogenic activity and acts as an endocrine disruptor and epigenetic modifier. This thesis examines how BPA may increase autoimmune risk by mimicking estrogen such that it can excite estrogen receptors which rescue autoreactive B lymphocytes from apoptosis. While direct research linking BPA to B lymphocyte-mediated autoimmunity is limited, understanding BPA’s course of action in B lymphocytes is critical for addressing the rising prevalence of autoimmune diseases and its possible link to the increased and …


Tlr3 Mediated Type I Interferon Response In Mammalian Cell Defense Against Cryptosporidium Parvum Infection., Anjelica Matias Mar 2026

Tlr3 Mediated Type I Interferon Response In Mammalian Cell Defense Against Cryptosporidium Parvum Infection., Anjelica Matias

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of a diarrheal disease which affects many children in the USA as well as the rest of the world, yet the contribution of its double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viral symbiont, Cryspovirus (CSpV1) to host innate immunity remains unclear. This study investigated whether CSpV1 activates Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling pathways and downstream Interferon type I (IFN I) responses in mammalian intestinal epithelial cells. Confluent Human Ileocecal Colorectal Adenocarcinoma cells (HCT8) were exposed to CSpV1, and the expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 3 (TRAF3), Nuclear Factor-𝜅-light chain enhancer of activated B-cells …


Ifnγ-Induced Antigen Loss In Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Therapy, Miao Cao, Jasmine Alvarez, Ramkrishna Mitra, Michael Xu, Trevor R. Baybutt, Zhengyang Sun, Oluwatobiloba Taylor, Allison Doermann, Ross E Staudt, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook Mar 2026

Ifnγ-Induced Antigen Loss In Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Therapy, Miao Cao, Jasmine Alvarez, Ramkrishna Mitra, Michael Xu, Trevor R. Baybutt, Zhengyang Sun, Oluwatobiloba Taylor, Allison Doermann, Ross E Staudt, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: FDA-approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cell therapies (CARTs) have revolutionized the treatment of blood cancers. Yet none have been successful for "solid" tumors, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths. Guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) has emerged as a clinical-stage target for CART and bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) therapies in CRC. IFNγ has been canonically recognized as beneficial for the effector functions of T cells by enhancing antigen processing and HLA presentation and is essential for CART targeting of solid malignancies by inducing adhesion molecule expression for synapse stabilization.

METHODS: Using

RESULTS: We identified …


Breaking Into Hiv-1'S Epigenetic Vault: Cure Strategies To Eliminate The Viral Reservoir, Joanna Jones, Chelsea Gunderson, Brian Wigdahl, Michael Nonnemacher Mar 2026

Breaking Into Hiv-1'S Epigenetic Vault: Cure Strategies To Eliminate The Viral Reservoir, Joanna Jones, Chelsea Gunderson, Brian Wigdahl, Michael Nonnemacher

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a retrovirus that integrates into the host cell's DNA as a provirus. Transcription from the provirus is regulated in large part by cellular proteins and epigenetic factors. These may be repressive or permissive to productive infection. The host factors that regulate this balance are therefore attractive targets for HIV-1 therapeutics. Indeed, proviral chromatin is the focus of two of the current HIV-1 cure strategies. "Shock and Kill" uses latency reversal agents to open the provirus's chromatin, promoting high levels of gene expression that induce the killing of infected cells. "Block and Lock" uses …


A Survey-Based Exploratory Study Of Factors Influencing Women's Intentions To Utilise Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Hiv Risk Behaviours And Transactional Sex, Rosemary Kalenga, Gary Sharp, Anne M. Teitelman, Monde Makiwane, Larry D. Icard, John B. Jemmott Mar 2026

A Survey-Based Exploratory Study Of Factors Influencing Women's Intentions To Utilise Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Hiv Risk Behaviours And Transactional Sex, Rosemary Kalenga, Gary Sharp, Anne M. Teitelman, Monde Makiwane, Larry D. Icard, John B. Jemmott

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: South Africa has the third-highest adult prevalence rate globally, with women comprising 64% of cases. Despite the accessibility of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), its adoption among women, particularly young women, remains alarmingly low.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this initial investigation is to explore factors influencing the intentions of South African women to use PrEP, focusing on sociodemographic factors, HIV sexual risk behaviours and involvement in transactional sex.

DESIGN: The research utilised an exploratory design employing surveys.

METHODS: Surveys were conducted in 2015 with 64 women aged 19-49 residing in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The data were analysed …


No Effect In Plasma Corticosterone Levels After Observation Of Diseased Conspecifics, B. M. Hardy, M. Chang, S. Mccallum, S. Santangelo, Patricia C. Lopes Mar 2026

No Effect In Plasma Corticosterone Levels After Observation Of Diseased Conspecifics, B. M. Hardy, M. Chang, S. Mccallum, S. Santangelo, Patricia C. Lopes

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Organisms commonly respond to stressors in their environment by increasing the secretion of corticosterone (CORT). While increased CORT is acknowledged as a response to predation risk by organisms inhabiting a landscape of fear, new research raises the potential for changes in CORT as a response to the risk of infection by organisms in their environment. An increase in CORT of a healthy, uninfected individual in response to their perception of the risk of infection in their environment could change their susceptibility to infection, highlighting a significant role for CORT to alter host–pathogen dynamics. To investigate the effects of infection risk …


Gene Regulatory Programs Of Nk Cells Show That Ncam1 (Cd56) And Kirs Are Controlled By Genetically Polymorphic Distal Regulatory Elements, Mariam A. Salem, Aditi Varkey, Matthew D. Estrada, Kruthika Sharma, Caprice D. Eisele, Nitin Chakravarti, Dean A. Lee, Aharon G. Freud, Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse, Patrick L. Collins Feb 2026

Gene Regulatory Programs Of Nk Cells Show That Ncam1 (Cd56) And Kirs Are Controlled By Genetically Polymorphic Distal Regulatory Elements, Mariam A. Salem, Aditi Varkey, Matthew D. Estrada, Kruthika Sharma, Caprice D. Eisele, Nitin Chakravarti, Dean A. Lee, Aharon G. Freud, Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse, Patrick L. Collins

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Owing to their immunoprotective properties, natural killer (NK) cells are critical for the innate immune response to pathogens, as well as a new wave of cancer immunotherapy that harnesses natural cytotoxicity. We sought to study the genetic and epigenetic drivers behind human-specific NK cell receptors, so that we can better understand the underlying cellular function. Here, we present a transcriptomic, proteomic (CITE-seq), and chromatin (single nuclei ATAC-seq) profiling of human peripheral NK cell subsets, which was then compared with genomic databases. Through integrative multi-omics, we demonstrate that CD56bright versus CD56dim NK cell subsets have differential distal regulatory element …


Immunogenicity And Efficacy Of A Rabies-Based Vaccine Against Highly Pathogenic Influenza H5n1 Virus, Nir Paran, Christoph Wirblich, Randy Albrecht, Leila Zabihi Diba, Alessandro Tarquinio, Drishya Kurup, Charalambos C. Solomides, Adolfo García-Sastre, Matthias J. Schnell Feb 2026

Immunogenicity And Efficacy Of A Rabies-Based Vaccine Against Highly Pathogenic Influenza H5n1 Virus, Nir Paran, Christoph Wirblich, Randy Albrecht, Leila Zabihi Diba, Alessandro Tarquinio, Drishya Kurup, Charalambos C. Solomides, Adolfo García-Sastre, Matthias J. Schnell

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The recent spillover of highly pathogenic influenza A/H5N1 (HPAI-H5N1) viruses to cattle, other mammals, and humans poses a major risk to animal and human health. Virus adaptation to new species highlights the need for effective vaccines for animals and humans. We recently developed a rabies virus-based H5 vaccine encoding the HPAI-H5 antigen and presenting it on the surface of the rabies virus particle. To test the immunogenicity and efficacy of the vaccine in eliciting systemic and mucosal immune response, we vaccinated mice intramuscularly or intranasally with either live or inactivated and adjuvanted vaccine. The vaccine elicited neutralizing antibodies against RABV …


Combined Glycoprotein Mutations In Rabies Virus Promote Astrocyte Tropism And Protective Cns Immunity In Mice, Mirjam Anna Rita Bertoune, Corinna Kolbe, Ann-Cathrin Werner, Maren Steinmetz, Bernhard Dietzschold, Eberhard Weihe Jan 2026

Combined Glycoprotein Mutations In Rabies Virus Promote Astrocyte Tropism And Protective Cns Immunity In Mice, Mirjam Anna Rita Bertoune, Corinna Kolbe, Ann-Cathrin Werner, Maren Steinmetz, Bernhard Dietzschold, Eberhard Weihe

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Rabies virus (RABV) causes fatal encephalitis once it invades the central nervous system (CNS), and treatment options are extremely limited at this stage. We investigated the recombinant RABV variants SPBN, SPBNGA (glycoprotein substitution R333E), SPBNGAK (R333E plus N194K), SPBNGAS (R333E plus N194S), and TriGAS (three copies of the R333E/N194S glycoprotein). We evaluated their cellular tropism and immune activation in an intracerebral mouse infection model using immunohistochemistry and confocal immunofluorescence. SPBNGAK (R333E/N194K) resulted in mixed neuronal and astrocytic infection and lethal disease. In contrast, the R333E/N194S mutations in the GAS variants were associated with reduced neuronal infection and apparent astrocyte-restricted infection …


Phase 1b/2 Study Of Bms-813160, A Ccr2/5 Dual Antagonist, In Combination With Chemotherapy Or Nivolumab In Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Or Colorectal Cancer, Dung T. Le, Gunnar Folprecht, Anna M. Varghese, Martin Gutierrez, Marcus Noel, Nikolaos A. Trikalinos, Eric Chen, Farshid Dayyani, S. Lindsey Davis, Wen Wee Ma, Atrayee Basu Mallick, Ignacio Garrido-Laguna, Mayu Osawa, Shaun O'Brien, Ruslan D. Novosiadly, Ke Xu, Danielle M. Greenawalt, Santanu Dutta, Christina Twyman Saint Victor, Heinz-Josef Lenz Jan 2026

Phase 1b/2 Study Of Bms-813160, A Ccr2/5 Dual Antagonist, In Combination With Chemotherapy Or Nivolumab In Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Or Colorectal Cancer, Dung T. Le, Gunnar Folprecht, Anna M. Varghese, Martin Gutierrez, Marcus Noel, Nikolaos A. Trikalinos, Eric Chen, Farshid Dayyani, S. Lindsey Davis, Wen Wee Ma, Atrayee Basu Mallick, Ignacio Garrido-Laguna, Mayu Osawa, Shaun O'Brien, Ruslan D. Novosiadly, Ke Xu, Danielle M. Greenawalt, Santanu Dutta, Christina Twyman Saint Victor, Heinz-Josef Lenz

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptors 2 (CCR2) and 5 (CCR5) contribute to immune suppression in tumor microenvironments. CCR2 and CCR5 antagonists have demonstrated antitumor activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), respectively. This phase 1b/2, open-label study evaluated BMS-813160, a CCR2/5 dual antagonist, in combination with chemotherapy±nivolumab in advanced PDAC or metastatic CRC.

METHODS: Part 1 included patients with metastatic untreated (first-line (1L)) PDAC, 1L CRC, or previously treated (second or third line (2/3L)) microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC. Patients received 2 weeks of BMS-813160 monotherapy (300 mg two times a day, 600 mg once daily, 300 mg once …


Contribution To The Chemotherapy Of Human Trypanosomiasis: Design, Synthesis, And Biological Evaluation Of Dimeric 2-Nitroimidazoles Against Trypanosoma Cruzi Amastigotes And Bloodstream Trypanosoma Brucei, Afonso Santine M.M. Velez, Otavio Augusto Chaves, Carlos Serpa, Fatma M. Salem, Bibo Li Ph.D., Bin Su Ph.D., Celio Geraldo Freire-De-Lima, Debra Decote-Ricardo, Marco Edilson Freire De Lima Jan 2026

Contribution To The Chemotherapy Of Human Trypanosomiasis: Design, Synthesis, And Biological Evaluation Of Dimeric 2-Nitroimidazoles Against Trypanosoma Cruzi Amastigotes And Bloodstream Trypanosoma Brucei, Afonso Santine M.M. Velez, Otavio Augusto Chaves, Carlos Serpa, Fatma M. Salem, Bibo Li Ph.D., Bin Su Ph.D., Celio Geraldo Freire-De-Lima, Debra Decote-Ricardo, Marco Edilson Freire De Lima

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Effective and safe treatments for neglected tropical diseases caused by parasites, such as Chagas disease and sleeping sickness, remain lacking, posing a significant challenge for researchers worldwide. The rational design of dimeric compounds inspired solely by the pharmacophoric core of benznidazole (2-nitroimidazole) has proven to be a promising strategy for antiparasitic development. Thus, in the present work, it was increased the linker between the active units (2-nitroimidazole) to improve the interaction with TcNTR, facilitating the bioactivation of the longest dimers. Biological assays confirmed this, demonstrating that all compounds were active against replicative intracellular amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen C2C4-LacZ). Notably, …


Tick Lipocalin Triggers Mammalian Igfbp-3-Mediated Apoptosis In Macrophages And Keratinocytes, Krittika Nandy, P. P. Mahesh, Lichao Liu, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta Jan 2026

Tick Lipocalin Triggers Mammalian Igfbp-3-Mediated Apoptosis In Macrophages And Keratinocytes, Krittika Nandy, P. P. Mahesh, Lichao Liu, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Ticks secrete several molecules, including lipocalins, in their saliva during blood feeding on a vertebrate host. In this study, we provide novel evidence on the role of Ornithodoros turicata americanus tick lipocalin (Otlip) in modulating cytokine expression and in triggering apoptosis in mammalian macrophages and keratinocytes. The cytokine array analysis revealed significantly increased secretion of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) from murine macrophage cell line upon treatment with recombinant Otlip protein (rGST-Otlip) when compared to the secretion noted from cells treated with a control protein (rGST). Similar observation with cytokine protein array analysis was noted when murine macrophages were …


Bayesian Multivariate Modelling Of Lone Star (Amblyomma Americanum) Tick Life Stage Abundance And Temporal Trends To Inform Public Health Risk In Virginia, Thabo Lephoto, Henry Mwambi, Oliver Bodhlyera, Holly Gaff Jan 2026

Bayesian Multivariate Modelling Of Lone Star (Amblyomma Americanum) Tick Life Stage Abundance And Temporal Trends To Inform Public Health Risk In Virginia, Thabo Lephoto, Henry Mwambi, Oliver Bodhlyera, Holly Gaff

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The increasing abundance of ticks poses a growing public health concern due to heightened human exposure to tick bites. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum: Ixodida: Ixodidae), a common human-biting species in the United States, has expanded its range in recent years. However, how its different life stages vary across time, habitats, and locations remains insufficiently understood. We analyzed tick abundance data collected in southeastern Virginia between 2009 and 2018, focusing on larval, nymphal, and adult life stages. A Bayesian multivariate modelling framework was used to examine seasonal patterns, habitat effects, spatial variation, and biological links between life stages. Two …


Ovarian Cancer Immunology And Immunotherapy: Editorial Note, Chris D. Platsoucas Jan 2026

Ovarian Cancer Immunology And Immunotherapy: Editorial Note, Chris D. Platsoucas

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

[Introduction] As the guest editor of the Special Issue on Ovarian Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, I would like to include certain brief comments on the current state of the field and to introduce the Special Issue. Ovarian carcinoma and malignant melanoma are the first human tumors where immune responses, primarily restricted to autologous tumor cells, were first demonstrated. T-cell lines and clones developed in recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from these tumors exhibited cytotoxicity and/or cytokine production, primarily restricted to autologous tumor cells. The T-cell receptor (TCR) and the CD3 differentiation antigen on effector T cells and HLA on …


Investigating The Potential Neurotoxic Effects Of Cell-Free Factors By Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis On Locomotion In Xenopus Laevis, Anna Lennon, Laura K. Reinert, Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Will Best, Chase T. Kinsey Phd Jan 2026

Investigating The Potential Neurotoxic Effects Of Cell-Free Factors By Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis On Locomotion In Xenopus Laevis, Anna Lennon, Laura K. Reinert, Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Will Best, Chase T. Kinsey Phd

Funded Scholarship

Chytridiomycosis is a contributor to amphibian population declines. Diseased amphibians show symptoms of lethargy and loss of righting reflexes, likely due to ion imbalance across the skin. However, it is possible developing zoosporangia release toxins that affect neuromuscular activity. Using Xenopus laevis as a model, we hypothesized that locomotor performance would be affected by injection of Bd supernatant factors. X. laevis were injected and then filmed performing a swimming escape response with high-speed cameras at 4 hours, 24 hours, and 1- week post-injection. Average maximum swimming velocity and escape latency were digitized using high speed video. Despite no difference in …


Drug-Induced Lichen Planus Associated With Ocrelizumab, Avery Seward, John D. Strickley, Jeffrey P. Callen Jan 2026

Drug-Induced Lichen Planus Associated With Ocrelizumab, Avery Seward, John D. Strickley, Jeffrey P. Callen

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

This case report highlights recurrent cutaneous lichen planus as a rare adverse effect of ocrelizumab, with flares occurring after each infusion and improving with prophylactic prednisone. Recognizing this association may help clinicians diagnose and manage similar cases while allowing patients to continue an otherwise effective therapy.