@article{GschmackMonoranuMaroufetal.2022,
  author    = {Gschmack, Eva and Monoranu, Camelia-Maria and Marouf, Hecham and Meyer, Sarah and Lessel, Lena and Idris, Raja and Berg, Daniela and Maetzler, Walter and Steigerwald, Frank and Volkmann, Jens and Gerlach, Manfred and Riederer, Peter and Koutsilieri, Eleni and Scheller, Carsten},
  title     = {Plasma autoantibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) react with brain areas according to Braak staging of Parkinson's disease},
  series = {Journal of Neural Transmission},
  volume    = {129},
  journal   = {Journal of Neural Transmission},
  number    = {5-6},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00702-022-02495-4},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325161},
  pages     = {545-555},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progredient degeneration of the brain, starting at deep subcortical areas such as the dorsal motor nucleus of the glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves (DM) (stage 1), followed by the coeruleus-subcoeruleus complex; (stage 2), the substantia nigra (SN) (stage 3), the anteromedial temporal mesocortex (MC) (stage 4), high-order sensory association areas and prefrontal fields (HC) (stage 5) and finally first-order sensory association areas, premotor areas, as well as primary sensory and motor field (FC) (stage 6). Autoimmunity might play a role in PD pathogenesis. Here we analyzed whether anti-brain autoantibodies differentially recognize different human brain areas and identified autoantigens that correlate with the above-described dissemination of PD pathology in the brain. Brain tissue was obtained from deceased individuals with no history of neurological or psychiatric disease and no neuropathological abnormalities. Tissue homogenates from different brain regions (DM, SN, MC, HC, FC) were subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Blots were incubated with plasma samples from 30 PD patients and 30 control subjects and stained with anti-IgG antibodies to detect anti-brain autoantibodies. Signals were quantified. Prominent autoantigens were identified by 2D-gel-coupled mass spectrometry sequencing. Anti-brain autoantibodies are frequent and occur both in healthy controls and individuals with PD. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was identified as a prominent autoantigen recognized in all plasma samples. GFAP immunoreactivity was highest in DM areas and lowest in FC areas with no significant differences in anti-GFAP autoantibody titers between healthy controls and individuals with PD. The anti-GFAP autoimmunoreactivity of different brain areas correlates with the dissemination of histopathological neurodegeneration in PD. We hypothesize that GFAP autoantibodies are physiological but might be involved as a cofactor in PD pathogenesis secondary to a leakage of the blood-brain barrier.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LodhaMuchsinJuergesetal.2023,
  author    = {Lodha, Manivel and Muchsin, Ihsan and J{\"u}rges, Christopher and Juranic Lisnic, Vanda and L'Hernault, Anne and Rutkowski, Andrzej J. and Prusty, Bhupesh K. and Grothey, Arnhild and Milic, Andrea and Hennig, Thomas and Jonjic, Stipan and Friedel, Caroline C. and Erhard, Florian and D{\"o}lken, Lars},
  title     = {Decoding murine cytomegalovirus},
  series = {PLOS Pathogens},
  volume    = {19},
  journal   = {PLOS Pathogens},
  number    = {5},
  issn      = {1553-7374},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1010992},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-350480},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The genomes of both human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) were first sequenced over 20 years ago. Similar to HCMV, the MCMV genome had initially been proposed to harbor ≈170 open reading frames (ORFs). More recently, omics approaches revealed HCMV gene expression to be substantially more complex comprising several hundred viral ORFs. Here, we provide a state-of-the art reannotation of lytic MCMV gene expression based on integrative analysis of a large set of omics data. Our data reveal 365 viral transcription start sites (TiSS) that give rise to 380 and 454 viral transcripts and ORFs, respectively. The latter include 200 small ORFs, some of which represented the most highly expressed viral gene products. By combining TiSS profiling with metabolic RNA labelling and chemical nucleotide conversion sequencing (dSLAM-seq), we provide a detailed picture of the expression kinetics of viral transcription. This not only resulted in the identification of a novel MCMV immediate early transcript encoding the m166.5 ORF, which we termed ie4, but also revealed a group of well-expressed viral transcripts that are induced later than canonical true late genes and contain an initiator element (Inr) but no TATA- or TATT-box in their core promoters. We show that viral upstream ORFs (uORFs) tune gene expression of longer viral ORFs expressed in cis at translational level. Finally, we identify a truncated isoform of the viral NK-cell immune evasin m145 arising from a viral TiSS downstream of the canonical m145 mRNA. Despite being ≈5-fold more abundantly expressed than the canonical m145 protein it was not required for downregulating the NK cell ligand, MULT-I. In summary, our work will pave the way for future mechanistic studies on previously unknown cytomegalovirus gene products in an important virus animal model.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RiedererterMeulen2020,
  author    = {Riederer, Peter and ter Meulen, Volker},
  title     = {Coronaviruses: a challenge of today and a call for extended human postmortem brain analyses},
  series = {Journal of Neural Transmission},
  volume    = {127},
  journal   = {Journal of Neural Transmission},
  number    = {9},
  issn      = {0300-9564},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00702-020-02230-x},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-314637},
  pages     = {1217-1228},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {While there is abounding literature on virus-induced pathology in general and coronavirus in particular, recent evidence accumulates showing distinct and deleterious brain affection. As the respiratory tract connects to the brain without protection of the blood-brain barrier, SARS-CoV-2 might in the early invasive phase attack the cardiorespiratory centres located in the medulla/pons areas, giving rise to disturbances of respiration and cardiac problems. Furthermore, brainstem regions are at risk to lose their functional integrity. Therefore, long-term neurological as well as psychiatric symptomatology and eventual respective disorders cannot be excluded as evidenced from influenza-A triggered post-encephalitic Parkinsonism and HIV-1 triggered AIDS-dementia complex. From the available evidences for coronavirus-induced brain pathology, this review concludes a number of unmet needs for further research strategies like human postmortem brain analyses. SARS-CoV-2 mirroring experimental animal brain studies, characterization of time-dependent and region-dependent spreading behaviours of coronaviruses, enlightening of pathological mechanisms after coronavirus infection using long-term animal models and clinical observations of patients having had COVID-19 infection are calling to develop both protective strategies and drug discoveries to avoid early and late coronavirus-induced functional brain disturbances, symptoms and eventually disorders. To fight SARS-CoV-2, it is an urgent need to enforce clinical, molecular biological, neurochemical and genetic research including brain-related studies on a worldwide harmonized basis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HalderAbdelfatahJoetal.2017,
  author    = {Halder, Luke D. and Abdelfatah, Mahmoud A. and Jo, Emeraldo A. H. and Jacobsen, Ilse D. and Westermann, Martin and Beyersdorf, Niklas and Lorkowski, Stefan and Zipfel, Peter F. and Skerka, Christine},
  title     = {Factor H binds to extracellular DNA traps released from human blood monocytes in response to Candida albicans},
  series = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  doi       = {10.3389/fimmu.2016.00671},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181127},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Upon systemic infection with human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans (C. albicans), human monocytes and polymorph nuclear neutrophilic granulocytes are the first immune cells to respond and come into contact with C. albicans. Monocytes exert immediate candidacidal activity and inhibit germination, mediate phagocytosis, and kill fungal cells. Here, we show that human monocytes spontaneously respond to C. albicans cells via phagocytosis, decondensation of nuclear DNA, and release of this decondensed DNA in the form of extracellular traps (called monocytic extracellular traps: MoETs). Both subtypes of monocytes (CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^-\)/CD14\(^+\)CD16\(^+\)) formed MoETs within the first hours upon contact with C. albicans. MoETs were characterized by the presence of citrullinated histone, myeloperoxidase, lactoferrin, and elastase. MoETs were also formed in response to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, indicating a general reaction of monocytes to infectious microbes. MoET induction differs from extracellular trap formation in macrophages as MoETs are not triggered by simvastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis and inducer of extracellular traps in macrophages. Extracellular traps from both monocytes and neutrophils activate complement and C3b is deposited. However, factor H (FH) binds via C3b to the extracellular DNA, mediates cofactor activity, and inhibits the induction of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta in monocytes. Altogether, the results show that human monocytes release extracellular DNA traps in response to C. albicans and that these traps finally bind FH via C3b to presumably support clearance without further inflammation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BrennerGeigerSchlegeletal.2023,
  author    = {Brenner, Daniela and Geiger, Nina and Schlegel, Jan and Diesendorf, Viktoria and Kersting, Louise and Fink, Julian and Stelz, Linda and Schneider-Schaulies, Sibylle and Sauer, Markus and Bodem, Jochen and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen},
  title     = {Azido-ceramides, a tool to analyse SARS-CoV-2 replication and inhibition — SARS-CoV-2 is inhibited by ceramides},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {24},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {8},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms24087281},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313581},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Recently, we have shown that C6-ceramides efficiently suppress viral replication by trapping the virus in lysosomes. Here, we use antiviral assays to evaluate a synthetic ceramide derivative α-NH2-ω-N3-C6-ceramide (AKS461) and to confirm the biological activity of C6-ceramides inhibiting SARS-CoV-2. Click-labeling with a fluorophore demonstrated that AKS461 accumulates in lysosomes. Previously, it has been shown that suppression of SARS-CoV-2 replication can be cell-type specific. Thus, AKS461 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Huh-7, Vero, and Calu-3 cells up to 2.5 orders of magnitude. The results were confirmed by CoronaFISH, indicating that AKS461 acts comparable to the unmodified C6-ceramide. Thus, AKS461 serves as a tool to study ceramide-associated cellular and viral pathways, such as SARS-CoV-2 infections, and it helped to identify lysosomes as the central organelle of C6-ceramides to inhibit viral replication.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GeigerDiesendorfRolletal.2023,
  author    = {Geiger, Nina and Diesendorf, Viktoria and Roll, Valeria and K{\"o}nig, Eva-Maria and Obernolte, Helena and Sewald, Katherina and Breidenbach, Julian and Pillaiyar, Thanigaimalai and G{\"u}tschow, Michael and M{\"u}ller, Christa E. and Bodem, Jochen},
  title     = {Cell type-specific anti-viral effects of novel SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {24},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {4},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms24043972},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304034},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Recently, we have described novel pyridyl indole esters and peptidomimetics as potent inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease. Here, we analysed the impact of these compounds on viral replication. It has been shown that some antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 act in a cell line-specific way. Thus, the compounds were tested in Vero, Huh-7, and Calu-3 cells. We showed that the protease inhibitors at 30 µM suppress viral replication by up to 5 orders of magnitude in Huh-7 cells, while in Calu-3 cells, suppression by 2 orders of magnitude was achieved. Three pyridin-3-yl indole-carboxylates inhibited viral replication in all cell lines, indicating that they might repress viral replication in human tissue as well. Thus, we investigated three compounds in human precision-cut lung slices and observed donor-dependent antiviral activity in this patient-near system. Our results provide evidence that even direct-acting antivirals may act in a cell line-specific manner.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Herb2023,
  author    = {Herb, Stefanie Maria},
  title     = {Regulation of MCMV immediate early gene expression by virally encoded miRNAs},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-32331},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323314},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Gene expression in eukaryotic cells is regulated by the combinatorial action of numerous gene-regulatory factors, among which microRNAs (miRNAs) play a fundamental role at the post-transcriptional level. miRNAs are single-stranded, small non-coding RNA molecules that emerge in a cascade-like fashion via the generation of primary and precursor miRNAs. Mature miRNAs become functional when incorporated into the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC). miRNAs guide RISCs to target mRNAs in a sequence-specific fashion. To this end, base-pairs are usually formed between the miRNA seed region, spanning nucleotide positions 2 to 8 (from the 5' end) and the 3'UTR of the target mRNA. Once miRNA-mRNA interaction is established, RISC represses translation and occasionally induces direct or indirect target mRNA degradation. Interestingly, miRNAs are expressed not only in every multicellular organism but are also encoded by several viruses, predominately by herpesviruses. By controlling both, cellular as well as viral mRNA transcripts, virus-encoded miRNAs confer many beneficial effects on viral growth and persistence. Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is a ß-herpesvirus and so far, 29 mature MCMV-encoded miRNAs have been identified during lytic infection. Computational analysis of previously conducted photoactivated ribonucleotide-enhanced individual nucleotide resolution crosslinking immunoprecipitation (PAR-iCLIP) experiments identified a read cluster within the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the immediate early 3 (IE3) transcript in MCMV. Based on miRNA target predictions, two highly abundant MCMV miRNAs, namely miR-m01-2-3p and miR-M23-2-3p were found to potentially bind to two closely positioned target sites within the IE3 PAR-iCLIP peak. To confirm this hypothesis, we performed luciferase assays and showed that activity values of a luciferase fused with the 3'UTR of IE3 were downregulated in the presence of miR-m01- 2 and miR-M23-2. In a second step, we investigated the effect of pre-expression of miR-m01-2 and miR-M23-2 on the induction of virus replication. After optimizing the transfection procedure by comparing different reagents and conditions, plaque formation was monitored. We could demonstrate that the replication cycle of the wild-type but not of our MCMV mutant that harbored point mutations in both miRNA binding sites within the IE3-3'UTR, was significantly delayed in the presence of miR-m01-2 and miR-M23-2. This confirmed that miR-m01-2 and miR-M23-2 functionally target the major transcription factor IE3 which acts as an indispensable regulator of viral gene expression during MCMV lytic infection. Repression of the major immediate early genes by viral miRNAs is a conserved feature of cytomegaloviruses. The functional role of this type of regulation can now be studied in the MCMV mouse model.},
  subject      = {miRNS},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{EderHollmannMandasarietal.2022,
  author    = {Eder, Sascha and Hollmann, Claudia and Mandasari, Putri and Wittmann, Pia and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Fink, Julian and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Schneider-Schaulies, J{\"u}rgen and Stigloher, Christian and Beyersdorf, Niklas and Dembski, Sofia},
  title     = {Synthesis and characterization of ceramide-containing liposomes as membrane models for different T cell subpopulations},
  series = {Journal of Functional Biomaterials},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Journal of Functional Biomaterials},
  number    = {3},
  issn      = {2079-4983},
  doi       = {10.3390/jfb13030111},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286130},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {A fine balance of regulatory (T\(_{reg}\)) and conventional CD4\(^+\) T cells (T\(_{conv}\)) is required to prevent harmful immune responses, while at the same time ensuring the development of protective immunity against pathogens. As for many cellular processes, sphingolipid metabolism also crucially modulates the T\(_{reg}\)/T\(_{conv}\) balance. However, our understanding of how sphingolipid metabolism is involved in T cell biology is still evolving and a better characterization of the tools at hand is required to advance the field. Therefore, we established a reductionist liposomal membrane model system to imitate the plasma membrane of mouse T\(_{reg}\) and T\(_{conv}\) with regards to their ceramide content. We found that the capacity of membranes to incorporate externally added azide-functionalized ceramide positively correlated with the ceramide content of the liposomes. Moreover, we studied the impact of the different liposomal preparations on primary mouse splenocytes in vitro. The addition of liposomes to resting, but not activated, splenocytes maintained viability with liposomes containing high amounts of C\(_{16}\)-ceramide being most efficient. Our data thus suggest that differences in ceramide post-incorporation into T\(_{reg}\) and T\(_{conv}\) reflect differences in the ceramide content of cellular membranes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ReuschWagenhaeuserGabeletal.2022,
  author    = {Reusch, Julia and Wagenh{\"a}user, Isabell and Gabel, Alexander and Eggestein, Annika and H{\"o}hn, Anna and L{\^a}m, Thi{\^e}n-Tr{\´i} and Frey, Anna and Schubert-Unkmeir, Alexandra and D{\"o}lken, Lars and Frantz, Stefan and Kurzai, Oliver and Vogel, Ulrich and Krone, Manuel and Petri, Nils},
  title     = {Influencing factors of anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike-IgG antibody titers in healthcare workers: A cross-section study},
  series = {Journal of Medical Virology},
  volume    = {95},
  journal   = {Journal of Medical Virology},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1002/jmv.28300},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318659},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Against the background of the current COVID-19 infection dynamics with its rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), the immunity and the vaccine prevention of healthcare workers (HCWs) against SARS-CoV-2 continues to be of high importance. This observational cross-section study assesses factors influencing the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. One thousand seven hundred and fifty HCWs were recruited meeting the following inclusion criteria: age ≥18 years, PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection convalescence and/or at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination. anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG titers were determined by SERION ELISA agile SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Mean anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG levels increased significantly by number of COVID-19 vaccinations (92.2 BAU/ml for single, 140.9 BAU/ml for twice and 1144.3 BAU/ml for threefold vaccination). Hybrid COVID-19 immunized respondents (after infection and vaccination) had significantly higher antibody titers compared with convalescent only HCWs. Anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG titers declined significantly with time after the second vaccination. Smoking and high age were associated with lower titers. Both recovered and vaccinated HCWs presented a predominantly good humoral immune response. Smoking and higher age limited the humoral SARS-CoV-2 immunity, adding to the risk of severe infections within this already health impaired collective.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{CyranSerflingKirschneretal.2022,
  author    = {Cyran, Laura and Serfling, Julia and Kirschner, Luisa and Raifer, Hartmann and Lohoff, Michael and Hermanns, Heike M. and Kerstan, Andreas and Bodem, Jochen and Lutz, Manfred B.},
  title     = {Flt3L, LIF, and IL-10 combination promotes the selective in vitro development of ESAM\(^{low}\) cDC2B from murine bone marrow},
  series = {European Journal of Immunology},
  volume    = {52},
  journal   = {European Journal of Immunology},
  number    = {12},
  doi       = {10.1002/eji.202149663},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312448},
  pages     = {1946 -- 1960},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {The development of two conventional dendritic cells (DC) subsets (cDC1 and cDC2) and the plasmacytoid DC (pDC) in vivo and in cultures of bone marrow (BM) cells is mediated by the growth factor Flt3L. However, little is known about the factors that direct the development of the individual DC subsets. Here, we describe the selective in vitro generation of murine ESAM\(^{low}\) CD103\(^{-}\) XCR1\(^{-}\) CD172a\(^{+}\) CD11b\(^{+}\) cDC2 from BM by treatment with a combination of Flt3L, LIF, and IL-10 (collectively named as FL10). FL10 promotes common dendritic cell progenitors (CDP) proliferation in the cultures, similar to Flt3L and CDP sorted and cultured in FL10 generate exclusively cDC2. These cDC2 express the transcription factors Irf4, Klf4, and Notch2, and their growth is reduced using BM from Irf4\(^{-/-}\) mice, but the expression of Batf3 and Tcf4 is low. Functionally they respond to TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 signals by upregulation of the surface maturation markers MHC II, CD80, CD86, and CD40, while they poorly secrete proinflammatory cytokines. Peptide presentation to TCR transgenic OT-II cells induced proliferation and IFN-γ production that was similar to GM-CSF-generated BM-DC and higher than Flt3L-generated DC. Together, our data support that FL10 culture of BM cells selectively promotes CDP-derived ESAM\(^{low}\) cDC2 (cDC2B) development and survival in vitro.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Eckert2023,
  author    = {Eckert, Ina-Nathalie},
  title     = {Molecular markers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and their functional role for homing and in disease models in mice},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-31997},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319974},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {MDSCs are suppressive immune cells with a high relevance in various pathologies including cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic infections. Surface marker expression of MDSCs resembles monocytes and neutrophils which have immunostimulatory functions instead of suppressing T cells. Therefore, finding specific surface markers for MDSCs is important for MDSC research and therapeutic MDSC manipulation. In this study, we analyzed if the integrin VLA-1 has the potential as a novel MDSC marker. VLA-1 was expressed by M-MDSCs but not by G-MDSCs as well as by Teff cells. VLA-1 deficiency did not impact iNOS expression, the distribution of M-MDSC and G-MDSC subsets, and the suppressive capacity of MDSCs towards na{\"i}ve and Teff cells in vitro. In mice, VLA-1 had no effect on the homing capability of MDSCs to the spleen, which is a major reservoir for MDSCs. Since the splenic red pulp contains collagen IV and VLA-1 binds collagen IV with a high affinity, we found MDSCs and Teff cells in this area as expected. We showed that T cell suppression in the spleen, indicated by reduced T cell recovery and proliferation as well as increased apoptosis and cell death, partially depended on VLA-1 expression by the MDSCs. In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, MDSC injection prior to disease onset led to a decrease of the disease score, and this effect was significantly reduced when MDSCs were VLA-1 deficient. The expression of Sema7A by Teff cells, a ligand for VLA-1 which is implicated in negative T cell regulation, resulted in a slightly stronger Teff cell suppression by MDSCs compared to Sema7A deficient T cells. Live cell imaging and intravital 2-photon microscopy showed that the interaction time of MDSCs and Teff cells was shorter when MDSCs lacked VLA 1 expression, however VLA-1 expression had no impact on MDSC mobility. Therefore, the VLA-1-dependent interaction of MDSC and Teff cells on collagen IV in the splenic red pulp is implicated MDSC-mediated Teff cell suppression.},
  subject      = {Immunologie},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BadrMcFlederWuetal.2022,
  author    = {Badr, Mohammad and McFleder, Rhonda L. and Wu, Jingjing and Knorr, Susanne and Koprich, James B. and H{\"u}nig, Thomas and Brotchie, Jonathan M. and Volkmann, Jens and Lutz, Manfred B. and Ip, Chi Wang},
  title     = {Expansion of regulatory T cells by CD28 superagonistic antibodies attenuates neurodegeneration in A53T-α-synuclein Parkinson's disease mice},
  series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  volume    = {19},
  journal   = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12974-022-02685-7},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300580},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Background Regulatory CD4\(^+\)CD25\(^+\)FoxP3\(^+\) T cells (Treg) are a subgroup of T lymphocytes involved in maintaining immune balance. Disturbance of Treg number and impaired suppressive function of Treg correlate with Parkinson's disease severity. Superagonistic anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (CD28SA) activate Treg and cause their expansion to create an anti-inflammatory environment. Methods Using the AAV1/2-A53T-α-synuclein Parkinson's disease mouse model that overexpresses the pathogenic human A53T-α-synuclein (hαSyn) variant in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, we assessed the neuroprotective and disease-modifying efficacy of a single intraperitoneal dose of CD28SA given at an early disease stage. Results CD28SA led to Treg expansion 3 days after delivery in hαSyn Parkinson's disease mice. At this timepoint, an early pro-inflammation was observed in vehicle-treated hαSyn Parkinson's disease mice with elevated percentages of CD8\(^+\)CD69\(^+\) T cells in brain and increased levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the cervical lymph nodes and spleen. These immune responses were suppressed in CD28SA-treated hαSyn Parkinson's disease mice. Early treatment with CD28SA attenuated dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the SN of hαSyn Parkinson's disease mice accompanied with reduced brain numbers of activated CD4\(^+\), CD8\(^+\) T cells and CD11b\(^+\) microglia observed at the late disease-stage 10 weeks after AAV injection. In contrast, a later treatment 4 weeks after AAV delivery failed to reduce dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Conclusions Our data indicate that immune modulation by Treg expansion at a timepoint of overt inflammation is effective for treatment of hαSyn Parkinson's disease mice and suggest that the concept of early immune therapy could pose a disease-modifying option for Parkinson's disease patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VogelRueckertFriedrichetal.2022,
  author    = {Vogel, Patrick and R{\"u}ckert, Martin Andreas and Friedrich, Bernhard and Tietze, Rainer and Lyer, Stefan and Kampf, Thomas and Hennig, Thomas and D{\"o}lken, Lars and Alexiou, Christoph and Behr, Volker Christian},
  title     = {Critical Offset Magnetic PArticle SpectroScopy for rapid and highly sensitive medical point-of-care diagnostics},
  series = {Nature Communications},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Nature Communications},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41467-022-34941-y},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300893},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been adapted for many applications, e.g., bioassays for the detection of biomarkers such as antibodies, by controlled engineering of specific surface properties. Specific measurement of such binding states is of high interest but currently limited to highly sensitive techniques such as ELISA or flow cytometry, which are relatively inflexible, difficult to handle, expensive and time-consuming. Here we report a method named COMPASS (Critical-Offset-Magnetic-Particle-SpectroScopy), which is based on a critical offset magnetic field, enabling sensitive detection to minimal changes in mobility of MNP ensembles, e.g., resulting from SARS-CoV-2 antibodies binding to the S antigen on the surface of functionalized MNPs. With a sensitivity of 0.33 fmole/50 µl (≙7 pM) for SARS-CoV-2-S1 antibodies, measured with a low-cost portable COMPASS device, the proposed technique is competitive with respect to sensitivity while providing flexibility, robustness, and a measurement time of seconds per sample. In addition, initial results with blood serum demonstrate high specificity.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SivarajanOberwinklerRolletal.2022,
  author    = {Sivarajan, Rinu and Oberwinkler, Heike and Roll, Valeria and K{\"o}nig, Eva-Maria and Steinke, Maria and Bodem, Jochen},
  title     = {A defined anthocyanin mixture sourced from bilberry and black currant inhibits Measles virus and various herpesviruses},
  series = {BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies},
  volume    = {22},
  journal   = {BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12906-022-03661-7},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301423},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Background Anthocyanin-containing plant extracts and carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, have been well-known for their antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. We hypothesised that a mixture of Ribes nigrum L. (Grossulariaceae) (common name black currant (BC)) and Vaccinium myrtillus L. (Ericaceae) (common name bilberry (BL)) extracts (BC/BL) with standardised anthocyanin content as well as single plant extracts interfered with the replication of Measles virus and Herpesviruses in vitro. Methods We treated cell cultures with BC/BL or defined single plant extracts, purified anthocyanins and astaxanthin in different concentrations and subsequently infected the cultures with the Measles virus (wild-type or vaccine strain Edmonston), Herpesvirus 1 or 8, or murine Cytomegalovirus. Then, we analysed the number of infected cells and viral infectivity and compared the data to non-treated controls. Results The BC/BL extract inhibited wild-type Measles virus replication, syncytia formation and cell-to-cell spread. This suppression was dependent on the wild-type virus-receptor-interaction since the Measles vaccine strain was unaffected by BC/BL treatment. Furthermore, the evidence was provided that the delphinidin-3-rutinoside chloride, a component of BC/BL, and purified astaxanthin, were effective anti-Measles virus compounds. Human Herpesvirus 1 and murine Cytomegalovirus replication was inhibited by BC/BL, single bilberry or black currant extracts, and the BC/BL component delphinidin-3-glucoside chloride. Additionally, we observed that BC/BL seemed to act synergistically with aciclovir. Moreover, BC/BL, the single bilberry and black currant extracts, and the BC/BL components delphinidin-3-glucoside chloride, cyanidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-rutinoside chloride, and petunidin-3-galactoside inhibited human Herpesvirus 8 replication. Conclusions Our data indicate that Measles viruses and Herpesviruses are differentially susceptible to a specific BC/BL mixture, single plant extracts, purified anthocyanins and astaxanthin. These compounds might be used in the prevention of viral diseases and in addition to direct-acting antivirals, such as aciclovir.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KasimirToomeyLiuetal.2022,
  author    = {Kasimir, Francesca and Toomey, Danny and Liu, Zheng and Kaiping, Agnes C. and Ariza, Maria Eugenia and Prusty, Bhupesh K.},
  title     = {Tissue specific signature of HHV-6 infection in ME/CFS},
  series = {Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences},
  issn      = {2296-889X},
  doi       = {10.3389/fmolb.2022.1044964},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299433},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {First exposure to various human herpesviruses (HHVs) including HHV-6, HCMV and EBV does not cause a life-threatening disease. In fact, most individuals are frequently unaware of their first exposure to such pathogens. These herpesviruses acquire lifelong latency in the human body where they show minimal genomic activity required for their survival. We hypothesized that it is not the latency itself but a timely, regionally restricted viral reactivation in a sub-set of host cells that plays a key role in disease development. HHV-6 (HHV-6A and HHV-6B) and HHV-7 are unique HHVs that acquire latency by integration of the viral genome into sub-telomeric region of human chromosomes. HHV-6 reactivation has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many other diseases. However, lack of viral activity in commonly tested biological materials including blood or serum strongly suggests tissue specific localization of active HHV-6 genome. Here in this paper, we attempted to analyze active HHV-6 transcripts in postmortem tissue biopsies from a small cohort of ME/CFS patients and matched controls by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a probe against HHV-6 microRNA (miRNA), miR-aU14. Our results show abundant viral miRNA in various regions of the human brain and associated neuronal tissues including the spinal cord that is only detected in ME/CFS patients and not in controls. Our findings provide evidence of tissue-specific active HHV-6 and EBV infection in ME/CFS, which along with recent work demonstrating a possible relationship between herpesvirus infection and ME/CFS, provide grounds for renewed discussion on the role of herpesviruses in ME/CFS.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GeigerKoenigOberwinkleretal.2022,
  author    = {Geiger, Nina and K{\"o}nig, Eva-Maria and Oberwinkler, Heike and Roll, Valeria and Diesendorf, Viktoria and F{\"a}hr, Sofie and Obernolte, Helena and Sewald, Katherina and Wronski, Sabine and Steinke, Maria and Bodem, Jochen},
  title     = {Acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in precision-cut lung slices},
  series = {Vaccines},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Vaccines},
  number    = {10},
  issn      = {2076-393X},
  doi       = {10.3390/vaccines10101619},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-289885},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Aspirin, with its active compound acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), shows antiviral activity against rhino- and influenza viruses at high concentrations. We sought to investigate whether ASA and its metabolite salicylic acid (SA) inhibit SARS-CoV-2 since it might use similar pathways to influenza viruses. The compound-treated cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Viral replication was analysed by RTqPCR. The compounds suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture cells and a patient-near replication system using human precision-cut lung slices by two orders of magnitude. While the compounds did not interfere with viral entry, it led to lower viral RNA expression after 24 h, indicating that post-entry pathways were inhibited by the compounds.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{TraubGrondeyGassenmaieretal.2022,
  author    = {Traub, Jan and Grondey, Katja and Gassenmaier, Tobias and Schmitt, Dominik and Fette, Georg and Frantz, Stefan and Boivin-Jahns, Val{\´e}rie and Jahns, Roland and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Stoll, Guido and Reiter, Theresa and Hofmann, Ulrich and Weber, Martin S. and Frey, Anna},
  title     = {Sustained increase in serum glial fibrillary acidic protein after first ST-elevation myocardial infarction},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {23},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {18},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms231810304},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-288261},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Acute ischemic cardiac injury predisposes one to cognitive impairment, dementia, and depression. Pathophysiologically, recent positron emission tomography data suggest astroglial activation after experimental myocardial infarction (MI). We analyzed peripheral surrogate markers of glial (and neuronal) damage serially within 12 months after the first ST-elevation MI (STEMI). Serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were quantified using ultra-sensitive molecular immunoassays. Sufficient biomaterial was available from 45 STEMI patients (aged 28 to 78 years, median 56 years, 11\% female). The median (quartiles) of GFAP was 63.8 (47.0, 89.9) pg/mL and of NfL 10.6 (7.2, 14.8) pg/mL at study entry 0-4 days after STEMI. GFAP after STEMI increased in the first 3 months, with a median change of +7.8 (0.4, 19.4) pg/mL (p = 0.007). It remained elevated without further relevant increases after 6 months (+11.7 (0.6, 23.5) pg/mL; p = 0.015), and 12 months (+10.3 (1.5, 22.7) pg/mL; p = 0.010) compared to the baseline. Larger relative infarction size was associated with a higher increase in GFAP (ρ = 0.41; p = 0.009). In contrast, NfL remained unaltered in the course of one year. Our findings support the idea of central nervous system involvement after MI, with GFAP as a potential peripheral biomarker of chronic glial damage as one pathophysiologic pathway.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GeigerKerstingSchlegeletal.2022,
  author    = {Geiger, Nina and Kersting, Louise and Schlegel, Jan and Stelz, Linda and F{\"a}hr, Sofie and Diesendorf, Viktoria and Roll, Valeria and Sostmann, Marie and K{\"o}nig, Eva-Maria and Reinhard, Sebastian and Brenner, Daniela and Schneider-Schaulies, Sibylle and Sauer, Markus and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Bodem, Jochen},
  title     = {The acid ceramidase is a SARS-CoV-2 host factor},
  series = {Cells},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Cells},
  number    = {16},
  issn      = {2073-4409},
  doi       = {10.3390/cells11162532},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286105},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the delta or omicron variants, with higher transmission rates, accelerated the global COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies need to be deployed. The inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), interfering with viral entry by fluoxetine was reported. Here, we described the acid ceramidase as an additional target of fluoxetine. To discover these effects, we synthesized an ASM-independent fluoxetine derivative, AKS466. High-resolution SARS-CoV-2-RNA FISH and RTqPCR analyses demonstrate that AKS466 down-regulates viral gene expression. It is shown that SARS-CoV-2 deacidifies the lysosomal pH using the ORF3 protein. However, treatment with AKS488 or fluoxetine lowers the lysosomal pH. Our biochemical results show that AKS466 localizes to the endo-lysosomal replication compartments of infected cells, and demonstrate the enrichment of the viral genomic, minus-stranded RNA and mRNAs there. Both fluoxetine and AKS466 inhibit the acid ceramidase activity, cause endo-lysosomal ceramide elevation, and interfere with viral replication. Furthermore, Ceranib-2, a specific acid ceramidase inhibitor, reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication and, most importantly, the exogenous supplementation of C6-ceramide interferes with viral replication. These results support the hypotheses that the acid ceramidase is a SARS-CoV-2 host factor.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HerrmannKarunakaran2022,
  author    = {Herrmann, Thomas and Karunakaran, Mohindar M.},
  title     = {Butyrophilins: γδ T cell receptor ligands, immunomodulators and more},
  series = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  issn      = {1664-3224},
  doi       = {10.3389/fimmu.2022.876493},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265944},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Butyrophilins (BTN) are relatives of the B7 family (e.g., CD80, PD-L1). They fulfill a wide range of functions including immunomodulation and bind to various receptors such as the γδ T cell receptor (γδTCR) and small molecules. One intensively studied molecule is BTN3A1, which binds via its cytoplasmic B30.2 domain, metabolites of isoprenoid synthesis, designated as phosphoantigen (PAg), The enrichment of PAgs in tumors or infected cells is sensed by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, leading to the proliferation and execution of effector functions to remove these cells. This article discusses the contribution of BTNs, the related BTNL molecules and SKINT1 to the development, activation, and homeostasis of γδ T cells and their immunomodulatory potential, which makes them interesting targets for therapeutic intervention.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PradaMaagSiegmundetal.2022,
  author    = {Prada, Juan Pablo and Maag, Luca Estelle and Siegmund, Laura and Bencurova, Elena and Liang, Chunguang and Koutsilieri, Eleni and Dandekar, Thomas and Scheller, Carsten},
  title     = {Estimation of R0 for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany from excess mortality},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-022-22101-7},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301415},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {For SARS-CoV-2, R0 calculations in the range of 2-3 dominate the literature, but much higher estimates have also been published. Because capacity for RT-PCR testing increased greatly in the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, R0 determinations based on these incidence values are subject to strong bias. We propose to use Covid-19-induced excess mortality to determine R0 regardless of RT-PCR testing capacity. We used data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the incidence of Covid cases, Covid-related deaths, number of RT-PCR tests performed, and excess mortality calculated from data from the Federal Statistical Office in Germany. We determined R0 using exponential growth estimates with a serial interval of 4.7 days. We used only datasets that were not yet under the influence of policy measures (e.g., lockdowns or school closures). The uncorrected R0 value for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 based on RT-PCR incidence data was 2.56 (95\% CI 2.52-2.60) for Covid-19 cases and 2.03 (95\% CI 1.96-2.10) for Covid-19-related deaths. However, because the number of RT-PCR tests increased by a growth factor of 1.381 during the same period, these R0 values must be corrected accordingly (R0corrected = R0uncorrected/1.381), yielding 1.86 for Covid-19 cases and 1.47 for Covid-19 deaths. The R0 value based on excess deaths was calculated to be 1.34 (95\% CI 1.32-1.37). A sine-function-based adjustment for seasonal effects of 40\% corresponds to a maximum value of R0January = 1.68 and a minimum value of R0July = 1.01. Our calculations show an R0 that is much lower than previously thought. This relatively low range of R0 fits very well with the observed seasonal pattern of infection across Europe in 2020 and 2021, including the emergence of more contagious escape variants such as delta or omicron. In general, our study shows that excess mortality can be used as a reliable surrogate to determine the R0 in pandemic situations.},
  language  = {en}
}