Featured
-
-
Article
| Open Access
Longitudinal viral shedding and antibody response characteristics of men with acute infection of monkeypox virus: a prospective cohort study
Here the authors measure viral load in samples from skin lesions, saliva, oropharynx, and rectum of 77 patients with acute monkeypox virus infection as well as from environmental fomite swabs and show a high seropositivity rate for antibodies against A29L and H3L.
- Yang Yang
- , Shiyu Niu
- & Yingxia Liu
-
Article
| Open Access
Monkeypox virus genomic accordion strategies
The 2023 monkeypox outbreak was caused by a subclade IIb monkeypox virus (MPXV). Here, using advanced sequencing techniques, the authors identify variations on low-complexity regions of the MPXV genome and describe their potential as evolutionary drivers.
- Sara Monzón
- , Sarai Varona
- & Gustavo Palacios
-
Article
| Open Access
Synergistic effect of two human-like monoclonal antibodies confers protection against orthopoxvirus infection
In this study, the authors show that a single dose of a combination of two human-like monoclonal antibodies protect mice in therapeutic treatment against challenges with ectromelia virus and monkeypox virus. Combination treatment provided more effective viral clearance than single antibody treatment.
- Hadas Tamir
- , Tal Noy-Porat
- & Tomer Israely
-
Article
| Open Access
Phylogeny and molecular evolution of the first local monkeypox virus cluster in Guangdong Province, China
The first known local mpox outbreak in Guangdong Province, China occurred in June 2023. Here, the authors perform phylogenetic and molecular evolution analysis of ten mpox virus genome sequences from this outbreak, and place them in the context of other samples detected in surrounding regions.
- Jianhai Yu
- , Xin Zhang
- & Baisheng Li
-
Article
| Open Access
Quantitative proteomics defines mechanisms of antiviral defence and cell death during modified vaccinia Ankara infection
Modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus is the vaccine deployed to curb mpox. Here the authors conduct a multiplexed proteomic analysis to quantify cellular and viral proteins throughout MVA virus infection of human fibroblasts and macrophages and see substantial remodelling of the host proteome.
- Jonas D. Albarnaz
- , Joanne Kite
- & Michael P. Weekes
-
Article
| Open Access
The poxvirus F17 protein counteracts mitochondrially orchestrated antiviral responses
Poxviruses replicate in the cytoplasm, making them vulnerable to detection by host nucleic acid sensors. Here the authors show that poxvirus replication induces mitochondrial hyperfusion, resulting in the release of mitochondrial DNA, but that the poxvirus F17 protein counteracts ensuing cGAS activation and increase in glycolysis.
- Nathan Meade
- , Helen K. Toreev
- & Derek Walsh
-
Article
| Open Access
Monkeypox virus-infected individuals mount comparable humoral immune responses as Smallpox-vaccinated individuals
In this work, Otter et al. compared the humoral immune responses induced by MPXV infection and Smallpox vaccination. Although comparable responses were observed, infection- or vaccination specific serological markers were identified enabling discrimination between vaccinated and infected individuals.
- Ashley D. Otter
- , Scott Jones
- & Bassam Hallis
-
Article
| Open Access
mRNA vaccines encoding fusion proteins of monkeypox virus antigens protect mice from vaccinia virus challenge
The authors report mRNA vaccines encoding a fusion protein of MPXV A35R extracellular domain and full-length M1R and observe improved anti-M1R antibody response. The vaccines show enhanced active and passive protection in female mice challenged with a lethal dose of vaccinia virus.
- Fujun Hou
- , Yuntao Zhang
- & Xiaoming Yang
-
Article
| Open Access
Structural and functional insights into the modulation of T cell costimulation by monkeypox virus protein M2
The B7 family proteins B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86) are two well-studied costimulatory ligands that play critical roles in host T cell immunity against viral infection. In this study, the authors show that oligomeric M2 protein encoded by monkeypox virus serves as a viral decoy receptor and inhibits T cell activation mediated by hB7.1/2 co-stimulation via the blockade of CD28 binding to human B7.1/2, providing molecular mechanisms of poxvirus M2 function and immune evasion.
- Shangyu Yang
- , Yong Wang
- & Haiyan Zhao
-
Article
| Open Access
Vaccinia E5 is a major inhibitor of the DNA sensor cGAS
The cGAS-STING signalling pathway is critical in mediating host antiviral immunity. Here, Yang et al screen vaccinia viral genes to identify and then characterise that the viral protein E5 is a major inhibitor of cGAS by mediating cGAS ubiquitination and degradation.
- Ning Yang
- , Yi Wang
- & Liang Deng
-
Article
| Open Access
Discovery and structural characterization of monkeypox virus methyltransferase VP39 inhibitors reveal similarities to SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 methyltransferase
Monkeypox virus is a pathogen with pandemic potential, encoding for its own RNA capping machinery. Here, the authors present crystal structures of its 2′-O-RNA methyltransferase VP39 in complex with sub-micromolar inhibitors and reveal similarities to SARS-CoV−2 nsp14 methyltransferase.
- Jan Silhan
- , Martin Klima
- & Evzen Boura
-
Article
| Open Access
Assembly mechanism of the pleomorphic immature poxvirus scaffold
Immature poxviruses are characterized by nonicosahedral semiordered protein scaffolds critical for morphogenesis. Here, the authors use cryo-EM structures of Vaccinia virus D13 scaffold intermediates to explain their assembly mechanism.
- Jaekyung Hyun
- , Hideyuki Matsunami
- & Matthias Wolf
-
Article
| Open Access
Lung type II alveolar epithelial cells collaborate with CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes in host defense against poxvirus infection
Smallpox is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen associated with a high mortality rate. Here the authors utilize a mouse model of intranasal vaccinia virus infection and show a C7 gene encoded virulence factor attenuates type I IFN release by lung type II alveolar epithelial cells and reduces lung inflammatory monocyte responses.
- Ning Yang
- , Joseph M. Luna
- & Liang Deng
-
Article
| Open Access
A vaccinia-based single vector construct multi-pathogen vaccine protects against both Zika and chikungunya viruses
Zika and chikungunya virus are co-circulating in many regions and currently there is no approved vaccine for either virus. Here, the authors engineer one vaccinia virus based vaccine for both, Zika and chikungunya, and show protection from infection and pathogenesis in mice.
- Natalie A. Prow
- , Liang Liu
- & Andreas Suhrbier
Two noncompeting human neutralizing antibodies targeting MPXV B6 show protective effects against orthopoxvirus infections