pH Sensitive Erythrocyte-Derived Membrane for Acute Systemic Retention and Increased Infectivity of Coated Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus.

Oncolytic viruses have emerged as a promising modality in cancer treatment given their high synergy with highly efficient immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, their potency is limited by their rapid in vivo clearance. To overcome this, we coated oncolytic vaccinia viruses (oVV) with erythrocyte-derived membranes (EDMs), hypothesizing that they would not only remain in systemic circulation for longer as erythrocytes would when administered intravenously, but also respond to environmental pH cues due to their membrane surface sialic acid residues.

Elevated L-threonine is a biomarker for Lassa fever and Ebola.

Background: Lassa fever and Ebola are characterized by non-specific initial presentations that can progress to severe multisystem illnesses with high fatality rates. Samples from additional subjects are examined to extend and corroborate biomarkers with prognostic value for these diseases.

Methods: Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry metabolomics was used to identify and confirm metabolites disrupted in the blood of Lassa fever and Ebola patients.

Host Proteins Identified in Extracellular Viral Particles as Targets for Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Inhibitors.

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) proteomic analyses have revealed that host proteins are often captured in extracellular virions. These proteins may play a role in viral replication or infectivity and can represent targets for broad-spectrum antiviral agent development. We utilized LCMS to determine the host protein composition of Lassa virus-like particles (LASV VLPs).

Metabolomics analyses identify platelet activating factors and heme breakdown products as Lassa fever biomarkers.

Lassa fever afflicts tens of thousands of people in West Africa annually. The rapid progression of patients from febrile illness to fulminant syndrome and death provides incentive for development of clinical prognostic markers that can guide case management. The small molecule profile of serum from febrile patients triaged to the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Ward at Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone was assessed using untargeted Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.