Publications by authors named "Samira Locher"
Cellular kinases are crucial for the transcription/replication of many negative-strand RNA viruses and might serve as targets for antiviral therapy. In this study, a library comprising 80 kinase inhibitors was screened for antiviral activity against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a prototype member of the family . 1-Benzyl-3-cetyl-2-methylimidazolium iodide (NH125), an inhibitor of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) kinase, significantly inhibited entry of single-cycle VSV encoding a luciferase reporter.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP) in place of the VSV glycoprotein G (VSV/EBOV-GP) is a promising EBOV vaccine candidate which has already entered clinical phase 3 studies. Although this chimeric virus was tolerated overall by volunteers, it still caused viremia and adverse effects such as fever and arthritis, suggesting that it might not be sufficiently attenuated. In this study, the VSV/EBOV-GP vector was further modified in order to achieve attenuation while maintaining immunogenicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo novel influenza A-like viral genome sequences have recently been identified in Central and South American fruit bats and provisionally designated "HL17NL10" and "HL18NL11." All efforts to isolate infectious virus from bats or to generate these viruses by reverse genetics have failed to date. Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) encoding the hemagglutinin-like envelope glycoproteins HL17 or HL18 in place of the VSV glycoprotein were generated to identify cell lines that are susceptible to bat influenza A-like virus entry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRabies is a highly fatal zoonotic disease which is primarily caused by rabies virus (RABV) although other members of the genus Lyssavirus can cause rabies as well. As yet, 14 serologically and genetically diverse lyssaviruses have been identified, mostly in bats. To assess the quality of rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin preparations, virus neutralization tests with live RABV are performed in accordance with enhanced biosafety standards.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the causative agent of one of the most devastating and economically significant viral disease of pigs worldwide. The vaccines currently available on the market elicit only limited protection. Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replicon particles (VRP) have been used successfully to induce protection against influenza A virus (IAV) in chickens and bluetongue virus in sheep.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Influenza A viruses have two main antigens: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), with vaccines typically targeting HA, leading to insufficient NA antibody production.
- This study identified that antibodies generated against NA can effectively hinder virus spread and infection by reducing hemagglutination and blocking virus release from host cells.
- Immunizing chickens with NA-targeted vaccines significantly decreased inflammatory responses and virus shedding, highlighting the importance of including NA in influenza vaccine strategies.
Article Synopsis
- Pseudotype viruses are created by using non-harmful viruses, like vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), to study the envelope proteins of dangerous viruses, specifically avian influenza viruses in this research.* -
- The study found that VSV lacking its own glycoprotein can express influenza proteins effectively only when both hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are produced from the same genetic Setup.* -
- This new method allows for efficient detection of neutralizing antibodies against influenza viruses without the risks associated with handling highly pathogenic strains.*
Article Synopsis
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) H5N1 affect domestic poultry and pose a risk to human health, as they continue to evolve and complicate diagnosis and control efforts.
- Researchers created a vaccine using modified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vectors that express the H5 hemagglutinin protein without the virus's G protein for better biosafety.
- The vaccine proved effective in chickens, providing full protection against H5N1, enhancing immune responses, and allowing differentiation between infected and vaccinated birds, potentially aiding in the control of avian influenza in poultry.