Dual surrogate imprinting: an innovative strategy for the preparation of virus-selective particles.

This work involves the preparation of dual surrogate-imprinted polymers (D-MIPs) for the capture of SARS-CoV-2. To achieve this goal, an innovative and novel dual imprinting approach using carboxylated-polystyrene (PS-COOH) nanoparticles with a diameter of 100 nm and a SARS-CoV-2 Spike-derived peptide was carried out at the surface of amine-functionalized silica (PS-NH) microspheres with a diameter of 500 nm. Firstly, PS-COOH nanoparticles with the same size and spherical shape as the SARS-CoV-2 virus were employed to form hemispherical indentations (HI) at the surface of the PS-NH microspheres (obtaining dummy particle-imprinted polymers, HI-MIPs).

Fatty acid conjugated EPI-X4 derivatives with increased activity and in vivo stability.

Dysregulation of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is implicated in autoimmune, inflammatory, and oncogenic diseases, positioning CXCR4 as a pivotal therapeutic target. We evaluated optimized variants of the specific endogenous CXCR4 antagonist, EPI-X4, addressing existing challenges in stability and potency. Our structure-activity relationship study investigates the conjugation of EPI-X4 derivatives with long-chain fatty acids, enhancing serum albumin interaction and receptor affinity.

Attenuated replication and damaging effects of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in an intestinal epithelial barrier model.

Many COVID-19 patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms and impaired intestinal barrier function is thought to play a key role in Long COVID. Despite its importance, the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on intestinal epithelia is poorly understood. To address this, we established an intestinal barrier model integrating epithelial Caco-2 cells, mucus-secreting HT29 cells and Raji cells.

Causes and Consequences of Coronavirus Spike Protein Variability.

Coronaviruses are a large family of enveloped RNA viruses found in numerous animal species. They are well known for their ability to cross species barriers and have been transmitted from bats or intermediate hosts to humans on several occasions. Four of the seven human coronaviruses (hCoVs) are responsible for approximately 20% of common colds (hCoV-229E, -NL63, -OC43, -HKU1).