A Self-Adjuvanted, Modular, Antigenic VLP for Rapid Response to Influenza Virus Variability.

The continuous evolution of influenza A virus (IAV) requires the influenza vaccine formulations to be updated annually to provide adequate protection. Recombinant protein-based vaccines provide safer, faster, and a more scalable alternative to the conventional embryonated egg approach for developing vaccines. However, these vaccines are typically poorer in immunogenicity than the vaccines containing inactivated or attenuated influenza viruses and require administration of a large antigen dosage together with potent adjuvants.

A Novel Role for PDZ-Binding Motif of Influenza A Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 in Regulation of Host Susceptibility to Postinfluenza Bacterial Superinfections.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) have multiple mechanisms for altering the host immune response to aid in virus survival and propagation. While both type I and II interferons (IFNs) have been associated with increased bacterial superinfection (BSI) susceptibility, we found that in some cases type I IFNs can be beneficial for BSI outcome. Specifically, we have shown that antagonism of the type I IFN response during infection by some IAVs can lead to the development of deadly BSI.

IFNAR2 Is Required for Anti-influenza Immunity and Alters Susceptibility to Post-influenza Bacterial Superinfections.

Influenza virus infections particularly when followed by bacterial superinfections (BSI) result in significant morbidities and mortalities especially during influenza pandemics. Type I interferons (IFNs) regulate both anti-influenza immunity and host susceptibility to subsequent BSIs. These type I IFNs consisting of, among others, 14 IFN-α's and a single IFN-β, are recognized by and signal through the heterodimeric type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) comprised of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2.

Nuclear double-fluorescent reporter for in vivo and ex vivo analyses of biological transitions in mouse nuclei.

Cre-responsive dual-fluorescent alleles allow in situ marking of cell lineages or genetically modified cells. Here we report a dual-fluorescent allele, ROSA , which directs nuclear accumulation of tdTomato in Cre-naïve lineages. Cre converts the allele to ROSA , which drives nuclear EGFP accumulation.