Parechovirus infection in human brain organoids: host innate inflammatory response and not neuro-infectivity correlates to neurologic disease.

Picornaviruses are a leading cause of central nervous system (CNS) infections. While genotypes such as parechovirus A3 (PeV-A3) and echovirus 11 (E11) can elicit severe neurological disease, the highly prevalent PeV-A1 is not associated with CNS disease. Here, we expand our current understanding of these differences in PeV-A CNS disease using human brain organoids and clinical isolates of the two PeV-A genotypes.

Assessment of the broad-spectrum host targeting antiviral efficacy of halofuginone hydrobromide in human airway, intestinal and brain organotypic models.

Halofuginone hydrobromide has shown potent antiviral efficacy against a variety of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, dengue, or chikungunya virus, and has, therefore, been hypothesized to have broad-spectrum antiviral activity. In this paper, we tested this broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Halofuginone hydrobomide against viruses from different families (Picornaviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Flaviviridae). To this end, we used relevant human models of the airway and intestinal epithelium and regionalized neural organoids.

What is a neurotropic virus: Discrepancies in terminology between clinical and basic science.

Technological advancements allow for the use of more physiologically relevant models to study viral neuropathology. This results in closure of the gap between clinical and basic research. We discuss the current discrepancy in the use of terminology around viral CNS infections, which impedes interdisciplinary communication and translation of findings.

Co-axial printing of convoluted proximal tubule for kidney disease modeling.

Despite the increasing incidence of kidney-related diseases, we are still far from understanding the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and their progression. This lack of understanding is partly because of a poor replication of the diseaseslimited to planar culture. Advancing towards three-dimensional models, hereby we propose coaxial printing to obtain microfibers containing a helical hollow microchannel.

Biofabrication of a shape-stable auricular structure for the reconstruction of ear deformities.

Bioengineering of the human auricle remains a significant challenge, where the complex and unique shape, the generation of high-quality neocartilage, and shape preservation are key factors. Future regenerative medicine-based approaches for auricular cartilage reconstruction will benefit from a smart combination of various strategies. Our approach to fabrication of an ear-shaped construct uses hybrid bioprinting techniques, a recently identified progenitor cell population, previously validated biomaterials, and a smart scaffold design.