Analysis of the ubiquitin-modified proteome identifies novel host factors in Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus lytic reactivation.

Unlabelled: Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and is associated with primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman's disease, and two inflammatory diseases. KSHV-associated cancers are primarily associated with genes expressed during latency, while other pathologies are associated with lytic gene expression. The major lytic switch of the virus, Replication and Transcription Activator (RTA), interacts with cellular machinery to co-opt the host ubiquitin proteasome system to evade the immune response as well as activate the program of lytic replication.

Simultaneous Expression of Different Therapeutic Genes by Infection with Multiple Oncolytic HSV-1 Vectors.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are anti-cancer therapeutics combining the selective killing of cancer cells with the triggering of an anti-tumoral immune response. The latter effect can be improved by arming OVs with immunomodulatory factors. Due to the heterogeneity of cancer and the tumor microenvironment, it is anticipated that strategies based on the co-expression of multiple therapeutic molecules that interfere with different features of the target malignancy will be more effective than mono-therapies.

The Potential Role of Viral Persistence in the Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC).

The infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated not only with the development of acute disease but also with long-term symptoms or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Multiple lines of evidence support that some viral antigens and RNA can persist for up to 15 months in multiple organs in the body, often after apparent clearance from the upper respiratory system, possibly leading to the persistence of symptoms. Activation of the immune system to viral antigens is observed for a prolonged time, providing indirect evidence of the persistence of viral elements after acute infection.

Persistent and transient olfactory deficits in COVID-19 are associated to inflammation and zinc homeostasis.

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mainly a respiratory syndrome that can affect multiple organ systems, causing a variety of symptoms. Among the most common and characteristic symptoms are deficits in smell and taste perception, which may last for weeks/months after COVID-19 diagnosis owing to mechanisms that are not fully elucidated.

Methods: In order to identify the determinants of olfactory symptom persistence, we obtained olfactory mucosa (OM) from 21 subjects, grouped according to clinical criteria: i) with persistent olfactory symptoms; ii) with transient olfactory symptoms; iii) without olfactory symptoms; and iv) non-COVID-19 controls.

Biological mechanisms underpinning the development of long COVID.

As COVID-19 evolves from a pandemic to an endemic disease, the already staggering number of people that have been or will be infected with SARS-CoV-2 is only destined to increase, and the majority of humanity will be infected. It is well understood that COVID-19, like many other viral infections, leaves a significant fraction of the infected with prolonged consequences. Continued high number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, viral evolution with escape from post-infection and vaccinal immunity, and reinfections heighten the potential impact of Long COVID.