Biology subjects

Teixeira Alves, L. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Teixeira Alves, L. G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Tissue protective role of Ganetespib in SARS-CoV-2-infected Syrian golden hamsters

The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, capable of escaping the humoral immunity acquired by the available vaccines, together with waning immunity and vaccine hesitancy, challenges the efficacy of the vaccination strategy in fighting COVID-19. Improved therapeutic strategies are therefore urgently needed to better intervene particularly in severe cases of the disease. They should aim at controlling the hyper-inflammatory state generated upon infection, at reducing lung tissue pathology and endothelial damages, along with viral replication. Previous research has pointed a possible role for the chaperone HSP90 in SARS-CoV-2 replication and COVID-19 pathogenesis. Pharmacological intervention through HSP90 inhibitors was shown to be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, infections and reducing replication of diverse viruses. In this study, we analyzed the effects of the potent HSP90 inhibitor Ganetespib in vitro on alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages to characterize its effects on cell activation and viral replication. Additionally, to evaluate its efficacy in controlling systemic inflammation and the viral burden after infection in vivo, a Syrian hamster model was used. In vitro, Ganetespib reduced viral replication on AECs in a dose-dependent manner and lowered significantly the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, in both AECs and alveolar macrophages. In vivo, administration of Ganetespib led to an overall improvement of the clinical condition of infected animals, with decreased systemic inflammation, reduced edema formation and lung tissue pathology. Altogether, we show that Ganetespib could be a potential medicine to treat moderate and severe cases of COVID-19.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Comprehensive profiling of wastewater viromes by genomic sequencing

Genomic material in wastewater provides a rich source of data for detection and surveillance of microbes. Used for decades to monitor poliovirus and other pathogens, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the falling costs of high-throughput sequencing have substantially boosted the interest in and the usage of wastewater monitoring. We have longitudinally collected over 100 samples from a wastewater treatment plant in Berlin/Germany, from March 2021 to July 2022, in order to investigate three aspects. First, we conducted a full metagenomic analysis and exemplified the depth of the data by temporal tracking strains and to a certain extent also variants of human astroviruses and enteroviruses. Second, targeting respiratory pathogens, a broad enrichment panel enabled us to detect waves of RSV, influenza, or common cold coronaviruses in high agreement with clinical data. Third, by applying a profile Hidden Markov Model-based search for novel viruses, we identified more than 100 thousand novel transcript assemblies likely not belonging to known virus species, thus substantially expanding our knowledge of virus diversity. Taken together, we present a longitudinal and deep investigation of the viral genomic information in wastewater that underlines the value of sewage surveillance for both public health purposes and planetary virome research.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2021

De Novo Whole Genome Assembly of the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) Genome, an Animal Model for Severe/Critical COVID-19

The Roborovski dwarf hamster Phodopus roborovskii belongs to the Phodopus genus, one of seven within Cricetinae subfamily. Like other rodents such as mice, rats or ferrets, hamsters can be important animal models for a range of diseases. Whereas the Syrian hamster from the genus Mesocricetus is now widely used as a model for mild to moderate COVID-19, Roborovski dwarf hamster show a severe to lethal course of disease upon infection with the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

genomics↗