The Antigen-Specific Response of NK Cells to SARS-CoV-2 Correlates With KIR2DS4 Expression.

Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the immune response against viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. However, our understanding of memory NK cell responses in the context of SARS-CoV-2 remains limited. To address this, we investigated the memory-like response of NK cells to SARS-CoV-2 peptides, presented by autologous cells.

Reverse Genetics Applied to Immunobiology of Tumor Necrosis Factor, a Multifunctional Cytokine.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is one of many cytokines - protein molecules responsible for communication between the cells of immune system. TNF was discovered and given its grand name because of its striking antitumor effects in experimental systems, but its main physiological functions in the context of whole organism turned out to be completely unrelated to protection against tumors. This short review discusses "man-made" mouse models generated by early genome-editing technologies, which enabled us to establish true functions of TNF in health and certain diseases as well as to unravel potential strategies for improving therapy of TNF-dependent diseases.

Inactivated whole virion vaccine protects K18-hACE2 Tg mice against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant via cross-reactive T cells and nonneutralizing antibody responses.

COVID-19 is a systemic inflammatory disease initiated by SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Multiple vaccines against the Wuhan variant of SARS-CoV-2 have been developed including a whole virion beta-propiolactone-inactivated vaccine based on the B.1.

Phenotypic Changes in T and NK Cells Induced by Sputnik V Vaccination.

A highly effective humoral immune response induced by the Sputnik V vaccine was demonstrated in independent studies, as well as in large-scale post-vaccination follow-up studies. However, the shifts in the cell-mediated immunity induced by Sputnik V vaccination are still under investigation. This study was aimed at estimating the impact of Sputnik V on activating and inhibitory receptors, activation and proliferative senescence markers in NK and T lymphocytes.

SARS-CoV-2 Binding and Neutralization Properties of Peptides Derived from N-Terminus of Human ACE2.

The binding properties of synthetic and recombinant peptides derived from N-terminal part of ACE2, the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, were evaluated. Additionally, the ability of these peptides to prevent virus entry in vitro was addressed using both pseudovirus particles decorated with the S protein, as well as through infection of Vero cells with live SARS-CoV-2 virus. Surprisingly, in spite of effective binding to S protein, all linear peptides of various lengths failed to neutralize the viral infection in vitro.