Nesfatin-1 is a regulator of inflammation with implications during obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Nesfatin-1, derived from the nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2) precursor, is a potent anorexigenic peptide that was discovered in 2006. Since its identification in the hypothalamus, it has been shown to have wide ranging actions within and outside of the central nervous system. One of these actions is the regulation of inflammation, which could potentially be exploited therapeutically in the context of obesity-associated inflammation in adipose tissue.

The role of vaccination route with an adenovirus-vectored vaccine in protection, viral control, and transmission in the SARS-CoV-2/K18-hACE2 mouse infection model.

Introduction: Vaccination is the most effective mechanism to prevent severe COVID-19. However, breakthrough infections and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remain a significant problem. Intranasal vaccination has the potential to be more effective in preventing disease and limiting transmission between individuals as it induces potent responses at mucosal sites.

The Ability of Zika virus Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Protect From or Enhance Zika Virus Disease.

The closely related flaviviruses, dengue and Zika, cause significant human disease throughout the world. While cross-reactive antibodies have been demonstrated to have the capacity to potentiate disease or mediate protection during flavivirus infection, the mechanisms responsible for this dichotomy are still poorly understood. To understand how the human polyclonal antibody response can protect against, and potentiate the disease in the context of dengue and Zika virus infection we used intravenous hyperimmunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations in a mouse model of the disease.

Obesity Enhances Disease Severity in Female Mice Following West Nile Virus Infection.

A rise in adiposity in the United States has resulted in more than 70% of adults being overweight or obese, and global obesity rates have tripled since 1975. Following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, obesity was characterized as a risk factor that could predict severe infection outcomes to viral infection. Amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, obesity has remained a significant risk factor for severe viral disease as obese patients have a higher likelihood for developing severe symptoms and requiring hospitalization.

Prior Heterologous Flavivirus Exposure Results in Reduced Pathogenesis in a Mouse Model of Zika Virus Infection.

The 2015/2016 Zika virus epidemic in South and Central America left the scientific community urgently trying to understand the factors that contribute to Zika virus pathogenesis. Because multiple other flaviviruses are endemic in areas where Zika virus emerged, it is hypothesized that a key to understanding Zika virus disease severity is to study Zika virus infection in the context of prior flavivirus exposure. Human and animal studies have highlighted the idea that having been previously exposed to a different flavivirus may modulate the immune response to Zika virus.

mRNA induced expression of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in mice for the study of the adaptive immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

The novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic. Critical to the rapid evaluation of vaccines and antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 is the development of tractable animal models to understand the adaptive immune response to the virus. To this end, the use of common laboratory strains of mice is hindered by significant divergence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the receptor required for entry of SARS-CoV-2.

Current Flavivirus Research Important for Vaccine Development.

The Flaviviridae family of RNA viruses includes numerous human disease-causing pathogens that largely are increasing in prevalence due to continual climate change, rising population sizes and improved ease of global travel [...

mRNA induced expression of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in mice for the study of the adaptive immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

The novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic resulting in nearly 20 million infections across the globe, as of August 2020. Critical to the rapid evaluation of vaccines and antivirals is the development of tractable animal models of infection. The use of common laboratory strains of mice to this end is hindered by significant divergence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the receptor required for entry of SARS-CoV-2.

Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Recombinant Human Adenovirus Type 5 Vaccine against Zika Virus.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a significant public health concern due to the pathogen's ability to be transmitted by either mosquito bite or sexual transmission, allowing spread to occur throughout the world. The potential consequences of ZIKV infection to human health, specifically neonates, necessitates the development of a safe and effective Zika virus vaccine. Here, we developed an intranasal Zika vaccine based upon the replication-deficient human adenovirus serotype 5 (hAd5) expressing ZIKV pre-membrane and envelope protein (hAd5-ZKV).