NEK7 phosphorylation amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome activation downstream of potassium efflux and gasdermin D.

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical role in innate immunity and inflammatory diseases. NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7) is essential for inflammasome activation, and its interaction with NLRP3 is enhanced by K efflux. However, the mechanism by which K efflux promotes this interaction remains unknown.

Protection against Severe Illness versus Immunity-Redefining Vaccine Effectiveness in the Aftermath of COVID-19.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have played a pivotal role in reducing the risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, thus helping end the COVID-19 global public health emergency after more than three years. Intriguingly, as SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged, individuals who were fully vaccinated did get infected in high numbers, and viral loads in vaccinated individuals were as high as those in the unvaccinated. However, even with high viral loads, vaccinated individuals were significantly less likely to develop severe illness; this begs the question as to whether the main effect of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is to confer protection against severe illness or immunity against infection.