Publications by authors named "Daniel Fernandez-Soto"

Article Synopsis
  • The 1982 Splicing Life report established key distinctions in genetic intervention: somatic vs. germline (heritable) and medical vs. non-medical (enhancement) applications, which have since shaped the ethical and legal frameworks in this field.
  • While somatic treatments are often favored, some controversies arise when they are used for enhancement, and the justification for germline interventions varies based on context (e.g., disease prevention vs. enhancement).
  • The paper argues for shifting the focus from whether technologies should be used to how they should be used, emphasizing the importance of addressing vulnerability and marginalization to guide effective global governance and policy development.
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The immune effector mechanisms involved in protecting against severe COVID-19 infection in elderly nursing home residents following vaccination or natural infection are not well understood. Here, we measured SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S)-directed functional antibody responses, including neutralizing antibodies (NtAb) and antibody Fc-mediated NK cell activity (degranulation and IFNγ production), against the Wuhan-Hu-1, BA.4/5 (for NtAb), and Omicron XBB.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the role of Natural Killer (NK) cells in the immune response to COVID-19, revealing that while NK cells from severely ill patients are more activated, they are actually less effective at mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) compared to those from patients with mild cases.
  • - A specific NK cell population lacking the activating receptor NKG2D was found in severe COVID-19 patients, which correlated with high levels of NKG2D ligands in their plasma, suggesting a link to impaired NK cell function.
  • - The findings imply that reduced NK cell function in severe COVID-19 may allow for greater viral replication, challenging the idea that dysfunctional NK cells directly cause severe immune dysreg
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The membrane (M) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the key viral proteins regulating virion assembly and morphogenesis. Immunologically, the M protein is a major source of peptide antigens driving T cell responses, and most individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 make antibodies to the N-terminal, surface-exposed peptide of the M protein. We now report that although the M protein is abundant in the viral particle, antibodies to the surface-exposed N-terminal epitope of M do not appear to neutralize the virus.

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Antibodies triggering Fc-mediated NK cell activity may contribute to protection against disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. However, how these Fc-mediated humoral responses compare between individuals displaying hybrid immunity (Vac-ex) and those fully vaccinated with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Vac-n) and whether they correlate with neutralizing antibody (NtAb) responses remains largely undetermined. In this retrospective study serum samples from 50 individuals (median age, 44.

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Article Synopsis
  • There are still many unanswered questions about the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, especially regarding the role of preexisting T and B cell memory from related coronaviruses in unexposed individuals.
  • Research shows that antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 are mainly found in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, while about 30% of pre-pandemic samples exhibited T cell responses that can recognize SARS-CoV-2.
  • Although these pre-pandemic T cells can react to SARS-CoV-2, their responses were weak, suggesting that the ability of these T cells to expand and effectively respond to the virus may be limited, highlighting gaps in our understanding of immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
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Here, we describe a new, simple, highly multiplexed serological test that generates a more complete picture of seroconversion than single antigen-based assays. Flow cytometry is used to detect multiple Ig isotypes binding to four SARS-CoV-2 antigens: the Spike glycoprotein, its RBD fragment (the main target for neutralizing antibodies), the nucleocapsid protein, and the main cysteine-like protease in a single reaction. Until now, most diagnostic serological tests measured antibodies to only one antigen and in some laboratory-confirmed patients no SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies could be detected.

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Currently, there is a need for reliable tests that allow identification of individuals that have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 even if the infection was asymptomatic. To date, the vast majority of the serological tests for SARS-CoV-2-specific Abs are based on serum detection of Abs to either the viral spike glycoprotein (the major target for neutralizing Abs) or the viral nucleocapsid protein that is known to be highly immunogenic in other coronaviruses. Conceivably, exposure of Ags released from infected cells could stimulate Ab responses that might correlate with tissue damage and, hence, they may have some value as a prognostic indicator.

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The biology and function of NKG2H receptor, unlike the better characterized members of the NKG2 family NKG2A, NKG2C, and NKG2D, remains largely unclear. Here, we show that NKG2H is able to associate with the signaling adapter molecules DAP12 and DAP10 suggesting that this receptor can signal for cell activation. Using a recently described NKG2H-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), we have characterized the expression and function of lymphocytes that express this receptor.

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