Ultrastructural insight into SARS-CoV-2 entry and budding in human airway epithelium

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Ultrastructural modifications induced by SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells: a kinetic analysis of viral factory formation, viral particle morphogenesis and virion release

Sebastien Eymieux et al.

Summary: Studies on SARS-CoV-2 have shown that early infection events involve clusters of single-membrane vesicles and annulate lamellae, with host cell-derived organelles transforming into virus factories later on.

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES (2021)

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Article Genetics & Heredity

A novel ACE2 isoform is expressed in human respiratory epithelia and is upregulated in response to interferons and RNA respiratory virus infection

Cornelia Blume et al.

Summary: A novel short isoform of ACE2, substantially upregulated in response to interferon stimulation and rhinovirus infection, was identified in airway epithelial cells, the main site of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This short isoform lacks high-affinity binding sites for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, suggesting it may not directly contribute to host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

NATURE GENETICS (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Drugs that inhibit TMEM16 proteins block SARS-CoV-2 spike-induced syncytia

Luca Braga et al.

Summary: COVID-19 patients' lungs contain infected pneumocytes with abnormal morphology and frequent multinucleation, leading to the formation of syncytia driven by the activation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The antihelminthic drug niclosamide has shown to effectively inhibit cell fusion, potentially providing a new therapeutic approach for COVID-19 disease pathogenesis.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Assessing transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in England

Erik Volz et al.

Summary: Genetic and testing data from England indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 has a transmission advantage over other lineages, showing a rapid expansion during autumn 2020. Analysis of S gene target failures (SGTF) in community-based diagnostic PCR testing suggests that B.1.1.7 is more transmissible than non-variant of concern lineages and has a significant transmission advantage, with a reproduction number 50% to 100% higher. Additionally, cases of B.1.1.7 appear to include a larger share of under 20-year-olds compared to non-variant cases.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Cell Biology

SARS-CoV-2 infection of primary human lung epithelium for COVID-19 modeling and drug discovery

Apoorva Mulay et al.

Summary: This study established primary human lung epithelial infection models to investigate the initial responses of proximal and distal lung epithelium to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The findings showed that epithelial cells in different areas of the lungs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to a cell-autonomous proinflammatory response, with remdesivir proving effective in suppressing viral infection and replication.

CELL REPORTS (2021)

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Review Pediatrics

An Overview of Asthma and COVID-19: Protective Factors Against SARS-COV-2 in Pediatric Patients

Maria Liuzzo Scorpo et al.

Summary: Asthmatic patients may have an increased susceptibility to SARS-COV-2 infection due to inadequate antiviral immune response and respiratory infections leading to asthma exacerbation, but asthma is not considered a risk factor in COVID-19 patients. Potential protective mechanisms against SARS-COV-2 in asthmatic patients include type 2 immune response, number of eosinophils, overproduction of mucus, asthma treatment, as well as behavioral factors such as social distancing and hygiene measures.

FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS (2021)

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Article Microbiology

The furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is required for transmission in ferrets

Thomas P. Peacock et al.

Summary: Efficient transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among infected ferrets is dependent on a functional furin cleavage site in the spike protein. The virus has a selective advantage in lung cells and primary human airway epithelial cells due to a polybasic insertion, but replication may be impaired in certain cell lines.

NATURE MICROBIOLOGY (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Identifying SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds by screening for small molecule inhibitors of nsp13 helicase

Jingkun Zeng et al.

Summary: This study focused on the nsp13 helicase of SARS-CoV-2, identifying potential novel inhibitors and testing their growth inhibitory effects in cells through developed assays. The results provide insights into potential therapeutic options against COVID-19.

BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Correlative multi-scale cryo-imaging unveils SARS-CoV-2 assembly and egress

Luiza Mendonca et al.

Summary: In this study, Peijun Zhang and colleagues utilized advanced imaging techniques to study the infection process of SARS-CoV-2 in cells, revealing the lifecycle of the virus within the cell.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the dedifferentiation of multiciliated cells and impairs mucociliary clearance

Remy Robinot et al.

Summary: Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 spreads within the respiratory tract is crucial in determining the severity of COVID-19. This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to rapid loss of airway motile cilia, affecting cilia clearance function, with reduced expression of the ciliogenesis regulator Foxj1 preceding cilia loss. Further analysis in Syrian hamsters confirms the loss of motile cilia in vivo.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

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Review Microbiology

Coronavirus biology and replication: implications for SARS-CoV-2

Philip V'kovski et al.

Summary: This review discusses key aspects of coronavirus biology and their implications for SARS-CoV-2 infections, treatment, and prevention strategies. Understanding virus-host interactions at the molecular level is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies. Summarizing the discoveries of SARS-CoV-2 infection and comparing it with other coronaviruses will support future preparedness and combat strategies.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology