and effects of root extract EPs 7630 and selected constituents against SARS-CoV-2 B.1, Delta AY.4/AY.117 and Omicron BA.2.

The occurrence of immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 strains emphasizes the importance to search for broad-acting antiviral compounds. Our previous study showed that root extract EPs 7630 has combined antiviral and immunomodulatory properties in SARS-CoV-2-infected human lung cells. Here we assessed effects of EPs 7630 in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters, and investigated properties of EPs 7630 and its functionally relevant constituents in context of phenotypically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Reduced IFN-ß inhibitory activity of Lagos bat virus phosphoproteins in human compared to Eidolon helvum bat cells.

Eidolon helvum bats are reservoir hosts for highly pathogenic lyssaviruses often showing limited disease upon natural infection. An enhanced antiviral interferon (IFN) response combined with reduced inflammation might be linked to the apparent virus tolerance in bats. Lyssavirus phosphoproteins inhibit the IFN response with virus strain-specific efficiency.

Corrigendum: Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Root Extract EPs 7630 in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Human Lung Cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.

Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Root Extract EPs® 7630 in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Human Lung Cells.

Treatment options for COVID-19 are currently limited. Drugs reducing both viral loads and SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory responses would be ideal candidates for COVID-19 therapeutics. Previous and clinical studies suggest that the proprietary root extract EPs 7630 has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, limiting symptom severity and disease duration of infections with several upper respiratory viruses.

SARS-CoV-2-mediated dysregulation of metabolism and autophagy uncovers host-targeting antivirals.

Viruses manipulate cellular metabolism and macromolecule recycling processes like autophagy. Dysregulated metabolism might lead to excessive inflammatory and autoimmune responses as observed in severe and long COVID-19 patients. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 modulates cellular metabolism and reduces autophagy.

Transcriptomic profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infected human cell lines identifies HSP90 as target for COVID-19 therapy.

Detailed knowledge of the molecular biology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is crucial for understanding of viral replication, host responses, and disease progression. Here, we report gene expression profiles of three SARS-CoV- and SARS-CoV-2-infected human cell lines. SARS-CoV-2 elicited an approximately two-fold higher stimulation of the innate immune response compared to SARS-CoV in the human epithelial cell line Calu-3, including induction of miRNA-155.

SKP2 attenuates autophagy through Beclin1-ubiquitination and its inhibition reduces MERS-Coronavirus infection.

Autophagy is an essential cellular process affecting virus infections and other diseases and Beclin1 (BECN1) is one of its key regulators. Here, we identified S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) as E3 ligase that executes lysine-48-linked poly-ubiquitination of BECN1, thus promoting its proteasomal degradation. SKP2 activity is regulated by phosphorylation in a hetero-complex involving FKBP51, PHLPP, AKT1, and BECN1.

Entry, Replication, Immune Evasion, and Neurotoxicity of Synthetically Engineered Bat-Borne Mumps Virus.

Bats harbor a plethora of viruses with an unknown zoonotic potential. In-depth functional characterization of such viruses is often hampered by a lack of virus isolates. The genome of a virus closely related to human mumps viruses (hMuV) was detected in African fruit bats, batMuV.

Epithelial cell lines of the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) are highly susceptible in vitro models to zoonotic Bunya-, Rhabdo-, and Flaviviruses.

Background: Small mammals such as bats and rodents have been increasingly recognized as reservoirs of novel potentially zoonotic pathogens. However, few in vitro model systems to date allow assessment of zoonotic viruses in a relevant host context. The cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) is a New World rodent species that has a long-standing history as an experimental animal model due to its unique susceptibility to human viruses.