cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24926411.v2
title: In vivo delivery of engineered synthetic DNA-encoded SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies for pre-exposure prophylaxis in non-human primates

description: COVID-19 remains a major public health concern. Monoclonal antibodies have received emergency use authorization (EUA) for pre-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19 among high-risk groups for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. In addition to recombinant biologics, engineered synthetic DNA-encoded antibodies (DMAb) are an important strategy for direct in vivo delivery of protective mAb. A DMAb cocktail was synthetically engineered to encode the immunoglobulin heavy and light chains of two different two different Fc-engineered anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The DMAbs were designed to enhance in vivo expression and delivered intramuscularly to cynomolgus and rhesus macaques with a modified in vivo delivery regimen. Serum levels were detected in macaques, along with specific binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain protein and neutralization of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in pseudovirus and authentic live virus assays. Prophylactic administration was protective in rhesus macaques against signs of SARS-CoV-2 (USA-WA1/2020) associated disease in the lungs. Overall, the data support further study of DNA-encoded antibodies as an additional delivery mode for prevention of COVID-19 severe disease. These data have implications for human translation of gene-encoded mAbs for emerging infectious diseases and low dose mAb delivery against COVID-19.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25262879
title: Identification of highly conserved <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> antigens for the development of a universal serological diagnostic assay

description: Chagas Disease is an important neglected tropical disease caused by <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>. There is no gold standard for diagnosis and commercial serological tests perform poorly in certain locations. By aligning <i>T. cruzi</i> genomes covering parasite genetic and geographic diversity, we identified highly conserved proteins that could serve as universal antigens for improved diagnosis. Their antigenicity was tested in high-density peptide microarrays using well-characterized plasma samples, including samples presenting true infections but discordant serology. Individual and combination of epitopes were also evaluated in peptide-ELISAs. We identified &gt;1400 highly conserved <i>T. cruzi</i> proteins evaluated in microarrays. Remarkably, <i>T. cruzi</i> positive controls had a different epitope recognition profile compared to serologically discordant samples. In particular, multiple <i>T. cruzi</i> antigens used in current tests and their strain-variants, and novel epitopes thought to be broadly antigenic failed to be recognized by discordant samples. Nonetheless, &gt;2000 epitopes specifically recognized by IgGs from both positive controls and discordant samples were identified. Evaluation of selected peptides in ELISA further illustrated the extensive variation in antibody profiles among subjects and a peptide combination could outperform a commercial ELISA, increasing assay sensitivity from 52.3% to 72.7%. Individual variation in antibody profiles rather than <i>T. cruzi</i> diversity appears to be the main factor driving differences in serological diagnostic performance according to geography, which will be important to further elucidate. ELISA with a combination of peptides recognized by a greater number of individuals could better capture infections, and further development may lead to an optimal antigen mixture for a universal diagnostic assay.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25262879.v1
title: Identification of highly conserved <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> antigens for the development of a universal serological diagnostic assay

description: Chagas Disease is an important neglected tropical disease caused by <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>. There is no gold standard for diagnosis and commercial serological tests perform poorly in certain locations. By aligning <i>T. cruzi</i> genomes covering parasite genetic and geographic diversity, we identified highly conserved proteins that could serve as universal antigens for improved diagnosis. Their antigenicity was tested in high-density peptide microarrays using well-characterized plasma samples, including samples presenting true infections but discordant serology. Individual and combination of epitopes were also evaluated in peptide-ELISAs. We identified &gt;1400 highly conserved <i>T. cruzi</i> proteins evaluated in microarrays. Remarkably, <i>T. cruzi</i> positive controls had a different epitope recognition profile compared to serologically discordant samples. In particular, multiple <i>T. cruzi</i> antigens used in current tests and their strain-variants, and novel epitopes thought to be broadly antigenic failed to be recognized by discordant samples. Nonetheless, &gt;2000 epitopes specifically recognized by IgGs from both positive controls and discordant samples were identified. Evaluation of selected peptides in ELISA further illustrated the extensive variation in antibody profiles among subjects and a peptide combination could outperform a commercial ELISA, increasing assay sensitivity from 52.3% to 72.7%. Individual variation in antibody profiles rather than <i>T. cruzi</i> diversity appears to be the main factor driving differences in serological diagnostic performance according to geography, which will be important to further elucidate. ELISA with a combination of peptides recognized by a greater number of individuals could better capture infections, and further development may lead to an optimal antigen mixture for a universal diagnostic assay.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25603871
title: Antigenicity assessment of SARS-CoV-2 saltation variant BA.2.87.1

description: The recent emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 saltation variant, BA.2.87.1, which features 65 spike mutations relative to BA.2, has attracted worldwide attention. In this study, we elucidate the antigenic characteristics and immune evasion capability of BA.2.87.1. Our findings reveal that BA.2.87.1 is more susceptible to XBB-induced humoral immunity compared to JN.1. Notably, BA.2.87.1 lacks critical escaping mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD) thus allowing various classes of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that were escaped by XBB or BA.2.86 subvariants to neutralize BA.2.87.1, although the deletions in the N-terminal domain (NTD), specifically 15-23del and 136-146del, compensate for the resistance to humoral immunity. Interestingly, several neutralizing antibody drugs have been found to restore their efficacy against BA.2.87.1, including SA58, REGN-10933 and COV2-2196. Hence, our results suggest that BA.2.87.1 may not become widespread until it acquires multiple RBD mutations to achieve sufficient immune evasion comparable to that of JN.1.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25603871.v2
title: Antigenicity assessment of SARS-CoV-2 saltation variant BA.2.87.1

description: The recent emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 saltation variant, BA.2.87.1, which features 65 spike mutations relative to BA.2, has attracted worldwide attention. In this study, we elucidate the antigenic characteristics and immune evasion capability of BA.2.87.1. Our findings reveal that BA.2.87.1 is more susceptible to XBB-induced humoral immunity compared to JN.1. Notably, BA.2.87.1 lacks critical escaping mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD) thus allowing various classes of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that were escaped by XBB or BA.2.86 subvariants to neutralize BA.2.87.1, although the deletions in the N-terminal domain (NTD), specifically 15-23del and 136-146del, compensate for the resistance to humoral immunity. Interestingly, several neutralizing antibody drugs have been found to restore their efficacy against BA.2.87.1, including SA58, REGN-10933 and COV2-2196. Hence, our results suggest that BA.2.87.1 may not become widespread until it acquires multiple RBD mutations to achieve sufficient immune evasion comparable to that of JN.1.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26412375.v1
title: Global Perspectives on Smallpox Vaccine against Monkeypox: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Effectiveness, Protection, Safety and Cross-immunogenicity

description: A large outbreak of monkeypox occurred in 2022, and most people lack immunity to orthopoxvirus. Smallpox vaccination is essential for preventing further smallpox outbreaks. This study evaluated the effectiveness, protection, safety, and cross-immunogenicity of smallpox vaccine in preventing monkeypox infection. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to 10 March 2024. We included studies involving “monkeypox virus” and “vaccinations”, and excluded reviews, animal studies, and articles with missing or duplicate data. A total of 37 studies with 57,693 participants were included in the final analysis. The effectiveness data showed that monkeypox infection rates were lower in the smallpox-vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated group (risk ratio [RR]: 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–0.68). The protection data showed that smallpox vaccination effectively reduced the risk of severe monkeypox infection (RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42–0.87). Third-generation vaccines showed greater efficacy (RR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.22–0.56) than first-generation vaccines. The number of doses of smallpox vaccine has no significant effect on monkeypox. Safety data showed that adverse reactions after smallpox vaccination were mainly mild and included local erythema, swelling, induration, itching, and pain. Meanwhile, we found that smallpox vaccination could induce the production of neutralising antibodies against monkeypox. Our findings offer compelling evidence supporting the clinical application of the smallpox vaccine for preventing monkeypox and advocate that high-risk groups should be prioritised for receiving one dose of the smallpox vaccine if the vaccine stockpile is low.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26969083.v2
title: Molecular characterisation of influenza B virus from the 2017/18 season in primary models of the human lung reveals improved adaptation to the lower respiratory tract

description: The 2017/18 influenza season was characterized by unusual high numbers of severe infections and hospitalizations. Instead of influenza A viruses, this season was dominated by infections with influenza B viruses of the Yamagata lineage. While this IBV/Yam dominance was associated with a vaccine mismatch, a contribution of virus intrinsic features to the clinical severity of the infections was speculated. Here, we performed a molecular and phenotypic characterization of three IBV isolates from patients with severe flu symptoms in 2018 and compared it to an IBV/Yam isolate from 2016 using experimental models of increasing complexity, including human lung explants, lung organoids, and alveolar macrophages. Viral genome sequencing revealed the presence of clade but also isolate specific mutations in all viral genes, except NP, M1, and NEP. Comparative replication kinetics in different cell lines provided further evidence for improved replication fitness, tolerance towards higher temperatures, and the development of immune evasion mechanisms by the 2018 IBV isolates. Most importantly, immunohistochemistry of infected human lung explants revealed an impressively altered cell tropism, extending from AT2 to AT1 cells and macrophages. Finally, transcriptomics of infected human lung explants demonstrated significantly reduced amounts of type I and type III IFNs by the 2018 IBV isolate, supporting the existence of additional immune evasion mechanisms. Our results show that the severeness of the 2017/18 Flu season was not only the result of a vaccine mismatch but was also facilitated by improved adaptation of the circulating IBV strains to the environment of the human lower respiratory tract.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25957731
title: Rapid mortality in captive bush dogs (<i>Speothos venaticus</i>) caused by influenza A of avian origin (H5N1) at a wildlife collection in the United Kingdom

description: Europe has suffered unprecedented epizootics of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 since Autumn 2021. As well as impacting upon commercial and wild avian species, the virus has also infected mammalian species more than ever observed previously. Mammalian species involved in spill over events have primarily been scavenging terrestrial carnivores and farmed mammalian species although marine mammals have also been affected. Alongside reports of detections of mammalian species found dead through different surveillance schemes, several mass mortality events have been reported in farmed and wild animals. In November 2022, an unusual mortality event was reported in captive bush dogs (<i>Speothos venaticus</i>) with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV of avian origin being the causative agent. The event involved an enclosure of 15 bush dogs, 10 of which succumbed during a nine-day period with some dogs exhibiting neurological disease. Ingestion of infected meat is proposed as the most likely infection route.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26356978
title: Tick-borne microsporidiosis: ticks as a neglected source of human microsporidian infections?

description: We detected 24 <i>Encephalitozoon cuniculi</i> positive <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> ticks of 284 collected in the Czech Republic. Since the route of transmission of microsporidia is not fully understood, the presence of microsporidia in ticks raises the question of whether they may be involved in the transmission of these pathogens.
DOI: 10.25549/webster-c100-38269
title: Inter-Agency Team Final Report, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 1992

description: Inter-Agency Team Final Report, Appendix: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Miscellaneous materials collected by the Inter-Agency team regarding the role of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in the response to the 1992 riots, 1992. PART OF SERIES: In addition to analyzing the 1992 riots as a whole, the Webster Commission also divided into several smaller task forces and study groups, each of which addressed one specific aspect of the civil disturbance. The series consists of reports and appendices produced by five of these groups: the Chronology Team, the Public Officials and Community Team, the LAPD Team, the Comparisons Study Group, and the Inter-Agency Team. Also included are two copies of Webster Scope, a report that interprets the riots and their cumulative effects primarily through graphs, charts, statistics, and figures, and several research memoranda that discuss the legality of several riot-response tactics. PART OF SUBSERIES: Materials related to a final report issued by the Webster Commission's Inter-Agency Team. which evaluated the collaboration between the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies in the advent of the 1992 riots. Included is a copy of the final report and the report's appendices, which are comprised of interviews, memoranda, statistical analyses, handbooks, and other miscellaneous documents.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25320851.v1
title: Effectiveness of a broad-spectrum bivalent mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in preclinical studies

description: Vaccines utilizing modified messenger RNA (mRNA) technology have shown robust protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in humans. As the virus continues to evolve in both human and non-human hosts, risk remains that the performance of the vaccines can be compromised by new variants with strong immune escape abilities. Here we present preclinical characterizations of a novel bivalent mRNA vaccine RQ3025 for its safety and effectiveness in animal models. The mRNA sequence of the vaccine is designed to incorporate common mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that have been discovered along the evolutionary paths of different variants. Broad-spectrum, high-titer neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants were induced in mice (BALB/c and K18-hACE2), hamsters and rats upon injections of RQ3025, demonstrating advantages over the monovalent mRNA vaccines. Effectiveness in protection against several newly emerged variants is also evident in RQ3025-vaccinated rats. Analysis of splenocytes derived cytokines in BALB/c mice suggested that a Th1-biased cellular immune response was induced by RQ3025. Histological analysis of multiple organs in rats following injection of a high dose of RQ3025 showed no evidence of pathological changes. This study proves the safety and effectiveness of RQ3025 as a broad-spectrum vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in animal models and lays the foundation for its potential clinical application in the future.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25957731.v2
title: Rapid mortality in captive bush dogs (<i>Speothos venaticus</i>) caused by influenza A of avian origin (H5N1) at a wildlife collection in the United Kingdom

description: Europe has suffered unprecedented epizootics of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 since Autumn 2021. As well as impacting upon commercial and wild avian species, the virus has also infected mammalian species more than ever observed previously. Mammalian species involved in spill over events have primarily been scavenging terrestrial carnivores and farmed mammalian species although marine mammals have also been affected. Alongside reports of detections of mammalian species found dead through different surveillance schemes, several mass mortality events have been reported in farmed and wild animals. In November 2022, an unusual mortality event was reported in captive bush dogs (<i>Speothos venaticus</i>) with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV of avian origin being the causative agent. The event involved an enclosure of 15 bush dogs, 10 of which succumbed during a nine-day period with some dogs exhibiting neurological disease. Ingestion of infected meat is proposed as the most likely infection route.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26356978.v1
title: Tick-borne microsporidiosis: ticks as a neglected source of human microsporidian infections?

description: We detected 24 <i>Encephalitozoon cuniculi</i> positive <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> ticks of 284 collected in the Czech Republic. Since the route of transmission of microsporidia is not fully understood, the presence of microsporidia in ticks raises the question of whether they may be involved in the transmission of these pathogens.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25320851
title: Effectiveness of a broad-spectrum bivalent mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in preclinical studies

description: Vaccines utilizing modified messenger RNA (mRNA) technology have shown robust protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in humans. As the virus continues to evolve in both human and non-human hosts, risk remains that the performance of the vaccines can be compromised by new variants with strong immune escape abilities. Here we present preclinical characterizations of a novel bivalent mRNA vaccine RQ3025 for its safety and effectiveness in animal models. The mRNA sequence of the vaccine is designed to incorporate common mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that have been discovered along the evolutionary paths of different variants. Broad-spectrum, high-titer neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants were induced in mice (BALB/c and K18-hACE2), hamsters and rats upon injections of RQ3025, demonstrating advantages over the monovalent mRNA vaccines. Effectiveness in protection against several newly emerged variants is also evident in RQ3025-vaccinated rats. Analysis of splenocytes derived cytokines in BALB/c mice suggested that a Th1-biased cellular immune response was induced by RQ3025. Histological analysis of multiple organs in rats following injection of a high dose of RQ3025 showed no evidence of pathological changes. This study proves the safety and effectiveness of RQ3025 as a broad-spectrum vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in animal models and lays the foundation for its potential clinical application in the future.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25714726
title: Leaderless foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O did not cause clinical disease and failed to establish a persistent infection in cattle

description: The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) Leader proteinase L<sup>pro</sup> inhibits host mRNA translation and blocks the interferon response which promotes viral survival. L<sup>pro</sup> is not required for viral replication in vitro but serotype A FMDV lacking L<sup>pro</sup> has been shown to be attenuated in cattle and pigs. However, it is not known, whether leaderless viruses can cause persistent infection in vivo after simulated natural infection and whether the attenuated phenotype is the same in other serotypes. We have generated an FMDV O/FRA/1/2001 variant lacking most of the L<sup>pro</sup> coding region (ΔLb). Cattle were inoculated intranasopharyngeally and observed for 35 days to determine if O FRA/1/2001 ΔLb is attenuated during the acute phase of infection and whether it can maintain a persistent infection in the upper respiratory tract. We found that although this leaderless virus can replicate in vitro in different cell lines, it is unable to establish an acute infection with vesicular lesions and viral shedding nor is it able to persistently infect bovine pharyngeal tissues.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26969083.v1
title: Molecular characterisation of influenza B virus from 2017/18 season in primary models of human lung reveals improved adaption to the lower respiratory tract

description: The 2017/18 influenza season was characterized by unusual high numbers of severe infections and hospitalizations. Instead of influenza A viruses, this season was dominated by infections with influenza B viruses of the Yamagata lineage. While this IBV/Yam dominance was associated with a vaccine mismatch, a contribution of virus intrinsic features to the clinical severity of the infections was speculated. Here, we performed a molecular and phenotypic characterization of three IBV isolates from patients with severe flu symptoms in 2018 and compared it to an IBV/Yam isolate from 2016 using experimental models of increasing complexity, including human lung explants, lung organoids, and alveolar macrophages. Viral genome sequencing revealed the presence of clade but also isolate specific mutations in all viral genes, except NP, M1, and NEP. Comparative replication kinetics in different cell lines provided further evidence for improved replication fitness, tolerance towards higher temperatures, and the development of immune evasion mechanisms by the 2018 IBV isolates. Most importantly, immunohistochemistry of infected human lung explants revealed an impressively altered cell tropism, extending from AT2 to AT1 cells and macrophages. Finally, transcriptomics of infected human lung explants demonstrated significantly reduced amounts of type I and type III IFNs by the 2018 IBV isolate, supporting the existence of additional immune evasion mechanisms. Our results show that the severeness of the 2017/18 Flu season was not only the result of a vaccine mismatch but was also facilitated by improved adaptation of the circulating IBV strains to the environment of the human lower respiratory tract.