Three papers accelerated through publication and appearing in Nature March 30, 2023, have linked an unexplained rise in cases of acute hepatitis in children to adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2), and pointed to a possible immune-mediated trigger in patients who have a genetic predisposition.
HIV infects immune cells, mainly CD4+ T cells. But they are not the only ones. It also settles in the genome of myeloid cells, monocytes or macrophages. According to a study from Johns Hopkins University, the viral DNA inserted into myeloid cells is functional. The virus also reactivated from the monocyte-derived macrophage reservoir. New cure strategies need to take these cells into account to eradicate the virus from the body.
Kaken Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Bitbiome Inc. have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the creation of new drugs targeting infectious diseases with unmet medical needs.
COVID-19 complications involve activated T cells that contribute to inflammation. Foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, targets the T-cell receptor and regulates T-cell function to suppress inflammation. In a pilot trial, foralumab reduced lung inflammation, serum IL-6 and C-reactive protein in cases of moderate COVID-19.
UT-Battelle LLC has divulged covalent nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3; PLpro) (SARS-CoV) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome.
Current prophylactic and therapeutic approaches for SARS-CoV-2 are effective, but the need for new approaches with broad activity makes virus-host interactions an essential piece to look at.