2018
Small Interfering RNA-Mediated Control of Virus Replication in the CNS Is Therapeutic and Enables Natural Immunity to West Nile Virus
Beloor J, Maes N, Ullah I, Uchil P, Jackson A, Fikrig E, Lee SK, Kumar P. Small Interfering RNA-Mediated Control of Virus Replication in the CNS Is Therapeutic and Enables Natural Immunity to West Nile Virus. Cell Host & Microbe 2018, 23: 549-556.e3. PMID: 29606496, PMCID: PMC6074029, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2018.03.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusWNV infectionCell-mediated immune responsesLate-stage therapySubsequent WNV infectionWNV-infected miceLong-term immunityNile virusWNV E proteinViral burdenIntranasal routeVirus clearanceVirus infectionImmune responseMice succumbPeripheral tissuesNatural immunitySurvival rateDisease resultsDay 9Virus replicationInfectionImmunityCNSVirus
2016
Interleukin-17A Promotes CD8+ T Cell Cytotoxicity To Facilitate West Nile Virus Clearance
Acharya D, Wang P, Paul AM, Dai J, Gate D, Lowery JE, Stokic DS, Leis AA, Flavell RA, Town T, Fikrig E, Bai F. Interleukin-17A Promotes CD8+ T Cell Cytotoxicity To Facilitate West Nile Virus Clearance. Journal Of Virology 2016, 91: 10.1128/jvi.01529-16. PMID: 27795421, PMCID: PMC5165211, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01529-16.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBrainCytotoxicity, ImmunologicFemaleGene ExpressionHumansInterleukin-17MiceMice, Inbred C57BLNeuronsPrimary Cell CultureReceptors, Interleukin-17Recombinant ProteinsSurvival AnalysisT-Lymphocytes, CytotoxicTreatment OutcomeViral LoadVirus ReplicationWest Nile FeverWest Nile virusConceptsT cell cytotoxicityRecombinant IL-17AWest Nile virus infectionWNV-infected miceIL-17AT cellsViral burdenWNV infectionCell cytotoxicityInterleukin-17AVirus infectionMicrobial infectionsIL-17A-deficient miceT cell-mediated clearanceHigh viral burdenT-cell axisLethal WNV infectionSurvival of miceDay 6 postinfectionT cell functionWild-type miceDiverse immune functionsIL-17A.Proinflammatory cytokinesAutoimmune diseasesTLR8 Couples SOCS-1 and Restrains TLR7-Mediated Antiviral Immunity, Exacerbating West Nile Virus Infection in Mice
Paul AM, Acharya D, Le L, Wang P, Stokic DS, Leis AA, Alexopoulou L, Town T, Flavell RA, Fikrig E, Bai F. TLR8 Couples SOCS-1 and Restrains TLR7-Mediated Antiviral Immunity, Exacerbating West Nile Virus Infection in Mice. The Journal Of Immunology 2016, 197: 4425-4435. PMID: 27798161, PMCID: PMC5123688, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600902.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusAntiviral immunityWNV infectionWest Nile virus infectionOverexpression of TLR7Induced IFNsWild-type controlsSuppressor of cytokineTLR7 expressionNeuronal deathVirus infectionHuman TLR7TLR7TLR8InfectionMiceX proteinReduced expressionImmunityNile virusSOCS-1RNA knockdownIFNNovel roleProapoptotic genes
2014
Systems Immunology Reveals Markers of Susceptibility to West Nile Virus Infection
Qian F, Goel G, Meng H, Wang X, You F, Devine L, Raddassi K, Garcia MN, Murray KO, Bolen CR, Gaujoux R, Shen-Orr SS, Hafler D, Fikrig E, Xavier R, Kleinstein SH, Montgomery RR. Systems Immunology Reveals Markers of Susceptibility to West Nile Virus Infection. MSphere 2014, 22: 6-16. PMID: 25355795, PMCID: PMC4278927, DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00508-14.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virus infectionVirus infectionMyeloid dendritic cellsMarker of susceptibilityPotential therapeutic strategySeverity of infectionSevere neurological diseaseOlder patientsAcute infectionDendritic cellsCXCL10 expressionDetectable yearsImmunity-related genesStratified cohortWNV infectionTherapeutic strategiesPathogenic mechanismsAnimal studiesNeurological diseasesDisease severityVivo infectionPredictive signatureInfectionProminent alterationsPrimary cellsImmune Markers Associated with Host Susceptibility to Infection with West Nile Virus
Qian F, Thakar J, Yuan X, Nolan M, Murray KO, Lee WT, Wong SJ, Meng H, Fikrig E, Kleinstein SH, Montgomery RR. Immune Markers Associated with Host Susceptibility to Infection with West Nile Virus. Viral Immunology 2014, 27: 39-47. PMID: 24605787, PMCID: PMC3949440, DOI: 10.1089/vim.2013.0074.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusSevere infectionsImmune markersIL-4IL-4 levelsSerum cytokine levelsSerum IL-4Nile virusSignificant risk factorsImmune system statusPeripheral blood cellsSevere neurological diseaseCytokine levelsAntibody levelsImmune statusRisk factorsHealthy subjectsStratified cohortWNV infectionNeurological diseasesInfectionAltered expression levelsBlood cellsAltered gene expression patternsHost susceptibility
2012
Semaphorin 7A Contributes to West Nile Virus Pathogenesis through TGF-β1/Smad6 Signaling
Sultana H, Neelakanta G, Foellmer HG, Montgomery RR, Anderson JF, Koski RA, Medzhitov RM, Fikrig E. Semaphorin 7A Contributes to West Nile Virus Pathogenesis through TGF-β1/Smad6 Signaling. The Journal Of Immunology 2012, 189: 3150-3158. PMID: 22896629, PMCID: PMC3496209, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201140.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRole of Sema7AWNV infectionSemaphorin 7ATGF-β1Lethal West Nile virus infectionViral pathogenesisBlood-brain barrier permeabilityWest Nile Virus PathogenesisWest Nile virus infectionMurine cortical neuronsPrimary human macrophagesViral burdenWNV pathogenesisCortical neuronsBarrier permeabilityFlaviviral infectionsVirus infectionVirus pathogenesisNervous systemImmune systemPathogenesisInfectionHuman macrophagesSema7AMiceIL-22 Signaling Contributes to West Nile Encephalitis Pathogenesis
Wang P, Bai F, Zenewicz LA, Dai J, Gate D, Cheng G, Yang L, Qian F, Yuan X, Montgomery RR, Flavell RA, Town T, Fikrig E. IL-22 Signaling Contributes to West Nile Encephalitis Pathogenesis. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e44153. PMID: 22952908, PMCID: PMC3429482, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044153.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWild-type miceCentral nervous systemIL-22Viral loadNeutrophil migrationType miceWest Nile virus encephalitisSimilar viral loadsLethal WNV infectionIL-22 signalingHost immune responseWNV neuroinvasionVirus encephalitisCXCR2 ligandsLeukocyte infiltrateProinflammatory cytokinesChemokine receptorsImmune responseWNV infectionViral infectionNervous systemSignaling contributesExtracellular pathogensNon-redundant roleWT leukocytes
2011
Innate immune control of West Nile virus infection
Arjona A, Wang P, Montgomery RR, Fikrig E. Innate immune control of West Nile virus infection. Cellular Microbiology 2011, 13: 1648-1658. PMID: 21790942, PMCID: PMC3196381, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01649.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusWNV infectionAntiviral innate immune mechanismsLong-term neurologic sequelaeWest Nile virus infectionRe-emerging zoonotic pathogenInnate immune controlInnate immune mechanismsLife-threatening meningoencephalitisInnate immune systemNeurologic sequelaeImmune controlInflammatory mediatorsImmune mechanismsMammalian hostsVirus infectionCurrent evidenceViral infectionAntiviral effectorsImmune systemFlaviviridae familyAntiviral mechanismInfectionNile virusJAK-STAT
2010
A Paradoxical Role for Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus
Bai F, Kong KF, Dai J, Qian F, Zhang L, Brown CR, Fikrig E, Montgometry R. A Paradoxical Role for Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2010, 202: 1804-1812. PMID: 21050124, PMCID: PMC3053000, DOI: 10.1086/657416.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusPolymorphonuclear leukocytesWNV infectionNile virusHigh viremiaViral clearanceEarly deathEarly infectionControl groupProtective roleBiphasic responseInnate immunityViral pathogenesisInfectionMiceViremiaPathogenesisParadoxical roleEfficient replicationVirusCXCL1CXCL2ChemokinesCXCR2NeutrophilsA C-Type Lectin Collaborates with a CD45 Phosphatase Homolog to Facilitate West Nile Virus Infection of Mosquitoes
Cheng G, Cox J, Wang P, Krishnan MN, Dai J, Qian F, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. A C-Type Lectin Collaborates with a CD45 Phosphatase Homolog to Facilitate West Nile Virus Infection of Mosquitoes. Cell 2010, 142: 714-725. PMID: 20797779, PMCID: PMC2954371, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2010.07.038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusWNV infectionWest Nile virus infectionArthropod-borne flavivirusBlood-feeding processVirus infectionHuman CD45Viral disseminationC-type lectinInfectionViral entryViral attachmentMosquito homologCalcium-dependent mannerNile virusMolecular understandingVivo experimentsSame pathwayNatural vector
2009
IL-10 Signaling Blockade Controls Murine West Nile Virus Infection
Bai F, Town T, Qian F, Wang P, Kamanaka M, Connolly TM, Gate D, Montgomery RR, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. IL-10 Signaling Blockade Controls Murine West Nile Virus Infection. PLOS Pathogens 2009, 5: e1000610. PMID: 19816558, PMCID: PMC2749443, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000610.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIL-10 signalingIL-10WNV infectionWest Nile virusIL-10-deficient miceWest Nile virus infectionImportant cellular sourceSignificant human morbidityRNA flavivirusWNV pathogenesisInterleukin-10Antiviral cytokinesEtiologic rolePharmacologic blockadeDeficient miceT cellsVirus infectionPharmacologic meansTherapeutic strategiesViral infectionCellular sourceInfectionHuman morbidityNile virusMiceToll-like Receptor 7 Mitigates Lethal West Nile Encephalitis via Interleukin 23-Dependent Immune Cell Infiltration and Homing
Town T, Bai F, Wang T, Kaplan AT, Qian F, Montgomery RR, Anderson JF, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. Toll-like Receptor 7 Mitigates Lethal West Nile Encephalitis via Interleukin 23-Dependent Immune Cell Infiltration and Homing. Immunity 2009, 30: 242-253. PMID: 19200759, PMCID: PMC2707901, DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2008.11.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsToll-like receptor 7West Nile virusReceptor 7WNV infectionImmune cell infiltrationLethal WNV infectionMyeloid differentiation factorIL-23 p19IL-23 responsesIL-12 p40West Nile encephalitisIL-12 p35Infected target cellsHost defense mechanismsRNA flavivirusInnate cytokinesWNV encephalitisInterleukin-12Cell infiltrationImmune cellsTarget organsVariable severityMiceTarget cellsTissue concentrationsInnate Immune Responses to West Nile Virus Infection
Arjona A, Fikrig E. Innate Immune Responses to West Nile Virus Infection. Emerging Infectious Diseases Of The 21st Century 2009, 169-187. DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79840-0_8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchWest Nile virus infectionPathogen recognition receptorsImmune cellsVirus infectionImmune responseBlood-brain barrier permeabilityInnate immune cellsAdaptive immune responsesInnate immune mechanismsInnate immune responseInnate antiviral immunityWNV neuroinvasionProinflammatory cytokinesCostimulatory moleculesImmune mechanismsBarrier permeabilityAntiviral immunityWNV infectionInnate responseAntiviral stateInfectionCytokinesDetrimental effectsCurrent understandingImmunopathogenesis
2008
A recombinant West Nile virus envelope protein vaccine candidate produced in Spodoptera frugiperda expresSF+ cells
Bonafé N, Rininger JA, Chubet RG, Foellmer HG, Fader S, Anderson JF, Bushmich SL, Anthony K, Ledizet M, Fikrig E, Koski RA, Kaplan P. A recombinant West Nile virus envelope protein vaccine candidate produced in Spodoptera frugiperda expresSF+ cells. Vaccine 2008, 27: 213-222. PMID: 18996430, PMCID: PMC2651515, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.10.046.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVaccine candidatesClinical adverse effectsProtein vaccine candidateRecombinant vaccine candidateWNV vaccineAntibody titersHumoral immunityProtective efficacySafe vaccineWNV infectionChallenge modelVaccine antigensAnimal modelsViral protectionHigh dosesProtein antigensAdverse effectsImmunogenicitySerum-free cultureAntigenCell linesNaïve foalsVaccineAluminum hydroxideInfectionDrak2 Contributes to West Nile Virus Entry into the Brain and Lethal Encephalitis
Wang S, Welte T, McGargill M, Town T, Thompson J, Anderson JF, Flavell RA, Fikrig E, Hedrick SM, Wang T. Drak2 Contributes to West Nile Virus Entry into the Brain and Lethal Encephalitis. The Journal Of Immunology 2008, 181: 2084-2091. PMID: 18641347, PMCID: PMC2494872, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.3.2084.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT cellsWNV infectionIFN-gamma-producing T cellsWest Nile virus entryWNV-infected miceExperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitisLethal WNV infectionBlood-brain barrierGroups of miceDeath-associated protein familyWild-type miceAutoimmune encephalomyelitisWest Nile virusViral AgViral loadBrain barrierViral levelsLethal encephalitisPeripheral tissuesB cellsSystemic infectionMiceInfectionVirus entryBrainMatrix Metalloproteinase 9 Facilitates West Nile Virus Entry into the Brain
Wang P, Dai J, Bai F, Kong KF, Wong SJ, Montgomery RR, Madri JA, Fikrig E. Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Facilitates West Nile Virus Entry into the Brain. Journal Of Virology 2008, 82: 8978-8985. PMID: 18632868, PMCID: PMC2546894, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00314-08.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMatrix metalloproteinase-9Blood-brain barrierWest Nile virusWNV entryMetalloproteinase-9MMP9 expressionWNV infectionIntact blood-brain barrierBlood-brain barrier permeabilityBrain viral loadWest Nile virus entryEvans blue leakageMosquito-borne encephalitisWest Nile encephalitisLethal WNV challengeWild-type miceCentral nervous systemType IV collagen degradationPeripheral viremiaViral loadLeukocyte infiltrateInflammatory cytokinesLikely multifactorialBarrier permeabilityHost cytokinesDysregulation of TLR3 Impairs the Innate Immune Response to West Nile Virus in the Elderly
Kong KF, Delroux K, Wang X, Qian F, Arjona A, Malawista SE, Fikrig E, Montgomery RR. Dysregulation of TLR3 Impairs the Innate Immune Response to West Nile Virus in the Elderly. Journal Of Virology 2008, 82: 7613-7623. PMID: 18508883, PMCID: PMC2493309, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00618-08.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAge FactorsAgedAged, 80 and overCell Adhesion MoleculesCell LineCells, CulturedCytokinesFemaleHumansImmunity, InnateLectins, C-TypeMacrophagesMaleMiddle AgedNorth AmericaProtein BindingReceptors, Cell SurfaceSTAT1 Transcription FactorToll-Like Receptor 3Viral Envelope ProteinsWest Nile FeverWest Nile virusConceptsInnate immune responseToll-like receptor 3Intercellular adhesion molecule 3West Nile virusImmune responseYoung donorsC-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3Nile virusBlood-brain barrierWNV envelope proteinSevere neurological diseaseResponsiveness of macrophagesPrimary human macrophagesCytokine levelsOlder donorsWNV infectionNeurological diseasesReceptor 3Human macrophagesOlder individualsElevated levelsMacrophagesMolecule 3Significant differencesWest Nile Virus Attenuates Activation of Primary Human Macrophages
Kong KF, Wang X, Anderson JF, Fikrig E, Montgomery RR. West Nile Virus Attenuates Activation of Primary Human Macrophages. Viral Immunology 2008, 21: 78-82. PMID: 18355125, PMCID: PMC2666911, DOI: 10.1089/vim.2007.0072.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusPrimary human macrophagesHuman macrophagesWNV infectionProduction of interleukinMosquito-borne flavivirusType I interferonProinflammatory cytokinesPotent therapyJAK/STAT pathwayIL-1betaEffective treatmentMacrophage activationI interferonRelated flavivirusesInfectionAttenuate activationNile virusMacrophagesSTAT pathwayFlavivirusesActivationDifferential responseInterleukinCytokines
2007
Abrogation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor decreases West Nile virus lethality by limiting viral neuroinvasion
Arjona A, Foellmer HG, Town T, Leng L, McDonald C, Wang T, Wong SJ, Montgomery RR, Fikrig E, Bucala R. Abrogation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor decreases West Nile virus lethality by limiting viral neuroinvasion. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2007, 117: 3059-3066. PMID: 17909632, PMCID: PMC1994625, DOI: 10.1172/jci32218.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMacrophage migration inhibitory factorMigration inhibitory factorViral neuroinvasionWest Nile virusInvolvement of MIFInhibitory factorProinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factorCytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factorWNV-infected miceBlood-brain barrierLife-threatening encephalitisWild-type miceAcute WNV infectionFlavivirus West Nile virusMIF expressionMIF levelsViral loadWNV encephalitisMIF actionPharmacotherapeutic approachesInflammatory responseWNV infectionCerebrospinal fluidSusceptible individualsInnate immunity
2006
Antiviral Peptides Targeting the West Nile Virus Envelope Protein
Bai F, Town T, Pradhan D, Cox J, Ashish, Ledizet M, Anderson JF, Flavell RA, Krueger JK, Koski RA, Fikrig E. Antiviral Peptides Targeting the West Nile Virus Envelope Protein. Journal Of Virology 2006, 81: 2047-2055. PMID: 17151121, PMCID: PMC1797586, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01840-06.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusMurine blood-brain barrierEnvelope proteinBlood-brain barrierPeptide 9West Nile encephalitisWNV envelope proteinCentral nervous systemWest Nile virus envelope proteinCDNA phage display libraryBrain parenchymaVirus envelope proteinHuman encephalitisViral envelope proteinsWNV infectionControl animalsPeptide-1Nervous systemRelated flavivirusesDengue virusAntiviral activityNew therapeuticsInhibition concentrationAntiviral peptidesNile virus