Biology subjects

Benton, A. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Benton, A. J..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Oropouche virus causes acute hepatitis in mice controlled by Type I interferons

Oropouche virus (OROV), a member of the Peribunyaviridae family endemic to South America, is a current public health threat. The recent OROV outbreak driven by a novel reassortant has caused a dramatic increase in cases in 2024 (13,785 in Brazil, versus only 261 from 2015-2022) with sustained levels of transmission in 2025. Previously underreported outcomes have been recognized including miscarriage, microcephaly, encephalitis, and death. OROV lethality in humans has been attributed to severe coagulopathy with liver involvement, and epidemiological data suggests acute hepatitis occurs in mild cases of Oropouche fever, highlighting the underrecognized role of the liver in OROV pathogenesis. We present two discrete mouse models of OROV hepatic disease -- a lethal model that recapitulates the severe coagulopathy seen in fatal human cases and a model of self-resolving acute hepatitis which recapitulates mild human disease. OROV causes focal hepatic necrosis in mice, which progresses to massive necrosis and death when the Type I interferon receptor is antagonized. Additionally, we found a contemporary OROV isolate is less pathogenic in mice than a historic prototypical strain. These studies enhance our understanding of OROV pathogenesis and pave the way for potential therapeutic development and evaluation. ImportanceThe disease burden of Oropouche fever has been underrecognized and underreported, as highlighted by the increased testing seen in the ongoing outbreak. Specifically, the role of the liver in Oropouche virus pathogenesis has been neglected. Given the ongoing outbreak and increase in severe disease manifestations, there is a present need to understand Oropouche virus pathogenesis and test potential therapeutics. The mouse models of Oropouche-induced hepatitis presented here provide a means to understand how Oropouche virus causes liver damage in both a lethal and sublethal context. These models will be useful for the preclinical evaluation of vaccines and therapeutic treatments. Additionally, we compare the pathogenicity of a historical Oropouche virus isolate to a contemporary human isolate in a lethal mouse model. This represents an additional step towards understanding whether the circulating Oropouche virus isolates are uniquely more pathogenic or if increased testing has highlighted previously unreported outcomes.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Native architecture, allosteric modulation and gating mechanism of glycine-dependent NMDA receptors

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate excitatory signaling essential for synaptic plasticity and memory. Unlike GluN2-containing NMDARs, GluN3-containing receptors are activated solely by glycine, exhibit profound desensitization and paradoxical potentiation by GluN1-selective antagonists, including CGP-78608 (CGP). Although GluN3 NMDARs regulate synapse pruning, excitotoxicity, and are associated with schizophrenia, autism and stroke, their native stoichiometry and gating mechanism poorly defined. Using single-molecule pulldown analysis, we show that native GluN3A receptors are diheteromeric assemblies. Cryo-EM analysis of GluN1/GluN3A receptors in antagonist-bound, pre-active, active, and desensitized states, augmented by electrophysiology and pharmacology experiments, show how glycine activates the receptor solely via GluN3A-dependent conformational changes, opening the gate with [~]2-fold symmetry, and induces a [~]4-fold symmetric desensitized state. CGP-bound GluN1 restricts GluN3A rotation, promoting glycine-induced activation by blocking desensitization. These findings illuminate how CGP potentiates GluN3A receptor activity, place the receptor gating mechanism on a solid structural foundation, and define the molecular basis for pharmacological modulation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

UCM-A86 is a selective positive allosteric modulator of GluN1/GluN3 NMDA receptors

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS) where they play critical roles in normal and pathological brain functions and neurodevelopment. While the glutamate/glycine-activated GluN2-containing NMDA receptors (GluN1/GluN2) have been extensively studied, the physiological roles and pharmacology of glycine-activated GluN3-containing receptors (GluN1/GluN3) remain less understood. Although GluN1/GluN3 receptors exhibit unique functional properties and play distinct roles in neuronal development and synapse maturation, studies of their precise roles in neurophysiology and circuit function are impeded by limited availability of GluN3-selective pharmacological tools. This study describes UCM-A86, a novel GluN3-selective positive allosteric modulator, with EC50 values of 21 {micro}M and 19 {micro}M at GluN1/GluN3A and GluN1/GluN3B receptors, respectively. UCM-A86 selectively potentiates recombinant GluN1/GluN3A and GluN1/GluN3B receptors by 436% and 174%, respectively, relative to activation by glycine, with no activity at recombinant GluN1/GluN2A-D receptors. Furthermore, UCM-A86 selectively potentiates responses from native GluN1/GluN3A receptors expressed in somatostatin-expressing interneurons of the somatosensory cortex with no modulation of hippocampal AMPA receptor- and GluN1/2 NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. Mechanistic studies suggest that UCM-A86 modulation is facilitated by agonist binding (or channel gating) and that UCM-A86 primarily potentiates GluN1/GluN3A by increasing open probability with no effects on mean channel conductance. These findings advance the synthetic pharmacology of GluN1/GluN3 receptors and provide a novel tool for modulation of native GluN3-containing NMDA receptors. Significance statementThis study introduces UCM-A86 as the first positive allosteric modulator selective for GluN3-containing NMDA receptors, addressing a critical gap in the pharmacological toolbox for investigating these understudied receptor subtypes. Using electrophysiological approaches in both recombinant and native systems, UCM-A86 demonstrates specific modulation of GluN3-containing NMDA receptors without affecting GluN2-containing NMDA receptors or AMPA receptors. UCM-A86 therefore provides new avenues to investigate the physiological roles of GluN3 subunits in normal and pathological brain function.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Fatal Human H3N8 Influenza Virus has a Moderate Pandemic Risk

In China, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H3N8 virus is widespread among chickens and has recently caused three zoonotic infections, with the last one in 2023 being fatal. Here we evaluated the relative pandemic risk of this 2023 zoonotic H3N8 influenza virus, utilizing our previously published decision tree. Serological analysis indicated that a large proportion of the human population does not have any cross-neutralizing antibodies against this H3N8 strain. LPAI H3N8 displayed a dual affinity for 2-3 and 2-6 sialic acids and replicated efficiently in human bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, we observed H3N8 transmission via direct contact but not aerosols to ferrets with pre-existing H3N2 immunity. Although pre-existing H3N2 immunity resulted in a shortened disease course in ferrets, it did not reduce disease severity or replication in the respiratory tract. This study suggests that this zoonotic H3N8 strain has moderate pandemic potential and emphasizes the continued need for avian influenza surveillance.

microbiology↗