-
Archives of Virology Dec 2022In March 2022, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum Negarnaviricota was...
In March 2022, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum Negarnaviricota was amended and emended. The phylum was expanded by two new families (bunyaviral Discoviridae and Tulasviridae), 41 new genera, and 98 new species. Three hundred forty-nine species were renamed and/or moved. The accidentally misspelled names of seven species were corrected. This article presents the updated taxonomy of Negarnaviricota as now accepted by the ICTV.
Topics: Humans; Mononegavirales; Phylogeny; Viruses
PubMed: 36437428
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05546-z -
Viruses Jan 2024Henipaviruses are a genus of emerging pathogens that includes the highly virulent Nipah and Hendra viruses that cause reoccurring outbreaks of disease. Henipaviruses... (Review)
Review
Henipaviruses are a genus of emerging pathogens that includes the highly virulent Nipah and Hendra viruses that cause reoccurring outbreaks of disease. Henipaviruses rely on two surface glycoproteins, known as the attachment and fusion proteins, to facilitate entry into host cells. As new and divergent members of the genus have been discovered and structurally characterized, key differences and similarities have been noted. This review surveys the available structural information on glycoproteins, complementing this with information from related biophysical and structural studies of the broader family of which Henipaviruses are members. The process of viral entry is a primary focus for vaccine and drug development, and this review aims to identify critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms that drive fusion.
Topics: Humans; Henipavirus; Nipah Virus; Henipavirus Infections; Glycoproteins; Hendra Virus
PubMed: 38399971
DOI: 10.3390/v16020195 -
Archivos de Bronconeumologia Apr 2022
Topics: Humans; Infant; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
PubMed: 34226785
DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2021.06.007 -
PLoS Pathogens Jul 2022Filovirus-infected cells are characterized by typical cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) located in the perinuclear region. The formation of these IBs is induced mainly... (Review)
Review
Filovirus-infected cells are characterized by typical cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) located in the perinuclear region. The formation of these IBs is induced mainly by the accumulation of the filoviral nucleoprotein NP, which recruits the other nucleocapsid proteins, the polymerase co-factor VP35, the polymerase L, the transcription factor VP30 and VP24 via direct or indirect protein-protein interactions. Replication of the negative-strand RNA genomes by the viral polymerase L and VP35 occurs in the IBs, resulting in the synthesis of positive-strand genomes, which are encapsidated by NP, thus forming ribonucleoprotein complexes (antigenomic RNPs). These newly formed antigenomic RNPs in turn serve as templates for the synthesis of negative-strand RNA genomes that are also encapsidated by NP (genomic RNPs). Still in the IBs, genomic RNPs mature into tightly packed transport-competent nucleocapsids (NCs) by the recruitment of the viral protein VP24. NCs are tightly coiled left-handed helices whose structure is mainly determined by the multimerization of NP at its N-terminus, and these helices form the inner layer of the NCs. The RNA genome is fixed by 2 lobes of the NP N-terminus and is thus guided by individual NP molecules along the turns of the helix. Direct interaction of the NP C-terminus with the VP35 and VP24 molecules forms the outer layer of the NCs. Once formed, NCs that are located at the border of the IBs recruit actin polymerization machinery to one of their ends to drive their transport to budding sites for their envelopment and final release. Here, we review the current knowledge on the structure, assembly, and transport of filovirus NCs.
Topics: Humans; Ebolavirus; Marburgvirus; Nucleocapsid; Ribonucleoproteins; RNA; Inclusion Bodies, Viral
PubMed: 35900983
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010616 -
Viruses Jul 2023Rabies kills approximately 60,000 humans each year, with deaths mostly occurring in developing countries, where rabies lyssavirus (RABV) variants are maintained in dog...
Rabies kills approximately 60,000 humans each year, with deaths mostly occurring in developing countries, where rabies lyssavirus (RABV) variants are maintained in dog populations [...].
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Rabies; Lyssavirus; Rabies virus; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37515243
DOI: 10.3390/v15071557 -
Viruses Feb 2020Rhabdoviruses are a large and ecologically diverse family of negative-sense RNA viruses (: ). These viruses are capable of infecting an unexpectedly wide variety of... (Review)
Review
Rhabdoviruses are a large and ecologically diverse family of negative-sense RNA viruses (: ). These viruses are capable of infecting an unexpectedly wide variety of plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates distributed over all human-inhabited continents. However, only a few rhabdoviruses are known to infect humans: a ledantevirus (Le Dantec virus), several lyssaviruses (in particular, rabies virus), and several vesiculoviruses (e.g., Chandipura virus, vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus). Recently, several novel rhabdoviruses have been discovered in the blood of both healthy and severely ill individuals living in Central and Western Africa. These viruses-Bas-Congo virus, Ekpoma virus 1, and Ekpoma virus 2-are members of the little-understood rhabdoviral genus . Other than the basic genomic architecture, tibroviruses bear little resemblance to well-studied rhabdoviruses such as rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus. These three human tibroviruses are quite divergent from each other, and each of them clusters closely with tibroviruses currently known only from biting midges or healthy cattle. Seroprevalence studies suggest that human tibrovirus infections may be common but are almost entirely unrecognized. The pathogenic potential of this diverse group of viruses remains unknown. Although certain tibroviruses may be benign and well-adapted to humans, others could be newly emerging and produce serious disease. Here, we review the current knowledge of tibroviruses and argue that assessing their impact on human health should be an urgent priority.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Biological Products; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; Environmental Exposure; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Genomics; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Public Health Surveillance; Rhabdoviridae; Rhabdoviridae Infections; Symbiosis; Viral Tropism; Virus Internalization; Virus Replication
PubMed: 32106547
DOI: 10.3390/v12030252 -
Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews Dec 2020The study of measles virus (MeV) as a cancer immunotherapeutic was prompted by clinical observations of leukemia and lymphoma regressions in patients following measles... (Review)
Review
The study of measles virus (MeV) as a cancer immunotherapeutic was prompted by clinical observations of leukemia and lymphoma regressions in patients following measles virus infection in the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, numerous preclinical studies have confirmed the oncolytic activity of MeV vaccine strains as well as their potential to promote long-lasting tumor-specific immune responses. Early clinical data indicate that some of these effects may translate to the treatment of cancer patients. In this review, we provide a structured summary of current evidence for the anti-tumor immune activity of oncolytic MeV. We start with an overview of MeV oncolysis and MeV-induced immunogenic cell death. Next, we relate findings on MeV-mediated activation of antigen-presenting cells, T cell priming and effector mechanisms to the cancer immunity cycle. We discuss additional factors in the tumor microenvironment which are modulated by MeV treatment as well as the role of anti-viral immunity. Based on these findings, we highlight avenues for rational enhancement of oncolytic MeV immunotherapy by vector engineering. We further point to advantages and drawbacks of experimental models and propose areas warranting promising research. Lastly, we review the available immunomonitoring data from several Phase I clinical trials. While this review presents data for MeV, the concepts and principles introduced herein apply to other oncolytic viruses, providing a framework to assess novel cancer immunotherapies.
Topics: Humans; Immunotherapy; Measles Vaccine; Measles virus; Oncolytic Virotherapy; Oncolytic Viruses
PubMed: 32660751
DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.07.009 -
GeroScience Oct 2022Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) are highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses of the genus Henipavirus, family Paramyxoviridae that cause severe disease outbreaks in... (Review)
Review
Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) are highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses of the genus Henipavirus, family Paramyxoviridae that cause severe disease outbreaks in humans and also can infect and cause lethal disease across a broad range of mammalian species. Another related Henipavirus has been very recently identified in China in febrile patients with pneumonia, the Langya virus (LayV) of probable animal origin in shrews. NiV and HeV were first identified as the causative agents of severe respiratory and encephalitic disease in the 1990s across Australia and Southern Asia with mortality rates reaching up to 90%. They are responsible for rare and sporadic outbreaks with no approved treatment modalities. NiV and HeV have wide cellular tropism that contributes to their high pathogenicity. From their natural hosts bats, different scenarios propitiate their spillover to pigs, horses, and humans. Henipavirus-associated respiratory disease arises from vasculitis and respiratory epithelial cell infection while the neuropathogenesis of Henipavirus infection is still not completely understood but appears to arise from dual mechanisms of vascular disease and direct parenchymal brain infection. This brief review offers an overview of direct and indirect mechanisms of HeV and NiV pathogenicity and their interaction with the human immune system, as well as the main viral strategies to subvert such responses.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Swine; Horses; Public Health; Henipavirus Infections; Nipah Virus; Hendra Virus; Mammals
PubMed: 36219280
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00670-9 -
Virus Genes Apr 2020The viruses historically implicated or currently considered as candidates for misuse in bioterrorist events are poxviruses, filoviruses, bunyaviruses, orthomyxoviruses,... (Review)
Review
The viruses historically implicated or currently considered as candidates for misuse in bioterrorist events are poxviruses, filoviruses, bunyaviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses and a number of arboviruses causing encephalitis, including alpha- and flaviviruses. All these viruses are of concern for public health services when they occur in natural outbreaks or emerge in unvaccinated populations. Recent events and intelligence reports point to a growing risk of dangerous biological agents being used for nefarious purposes. Public health responses effective in natural outbreaks of infectious disease may not be sufficient to deal with the severe consequences of a deliberate release of such agents. One important aspect of countermeasures against viral biothreat agents are the antiviral treatment options available for use in post-exposure prophylaxis. These issues were adressed by the organizers of the 16th Medical Biodefense Conference, held in Munich in 2018, in a special session on the development of drugs to treat infections with viruses currently perceived as a threat to societies or associated with a potential for misuse as biothreat agents. This review will outline the state-of-the-art methods in antivirals research discussed and provide an overview of antiviral compounds in the pipeline that are already approved for use or still under development.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Arboviruses; Bioterrorism; Filoviridae; Humans; Orthobunyavirus; Orthomyxoviridae; Paramyxovirinae; Poxviridae; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 32076918
DOI: 10.1007/s11262-020-01737-5 -
Nature Communications Feb 2023Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza virus types one (HPIV1) and three (HPIV3) can cause severe disease and death in...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza virus types one (HPIV1) and three (HPIV3) can cause severe disease and death in immunocompromised patients, the elderly, and those with underlying lung disease. A protective monoclonal antibody exists for RSV, but clinical use is limited to high-risk infant populations. Hence, therapeutic options for these viruses in vulnerable patient populations are currently limited. Here, we present the discovery, in vitro characterization, and in vivo efficacy testing of two cross-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, one targeting both HPIV3 and HPIV1 and the other targeting both RSV and HMPV. The 3 × 1 antibody is capable of targeting multiple parainfluenza viruses; the MxR antibody shares features with other previously reported monoclonal antibodies that are capable of neutralizing both RSV and HMPV. We obtained structures using cryo-electron microscopy of these antibodies in complex with their antigens at 3.62 Å resolution for 3 × 1 bound to HPIV3 and at 2.24 Å for MxR bound to RSV, providing a structural basis for in vitro binding and neutralization. Together, a cocktail of 3 × 1 and MxR could have clinical utility in providing broad protection against four of the respiratory viruses that cause significant morbidity and mortality in at-risk individuals.
Topics: Humans; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Viral Fusion Proteins; Cross Protection
PubMed: 36781872
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36459-3