Antibodies elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection or mRNA vaccines have reduced neutralizing activity against Beta and Omicron pseudoviruses

Multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that possess mutations associated with increased transmission and antibody escape have arisen over the course of the current pandemic. Although the current vaccines have largely been effective against past variants, the number of mutations found on the Omicron (B.1.1.529) spike protein appear to diminish the protection conferred by pre-existing immunity. Using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudoparticles expressing the spike protein of several SARS-CoV-2 variants, we evaluated the magnitude and breadth of the neutralizing antibody response over time in individuals after infection and in mRNA-vaccinated individuals. We observed that boosting increases the magnitude of the antibody response to wildtype (D614), Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants; however, the Omicron variant was the most resistant to neutralization. We further observed that vaccinated healthy adults had robust and broad antibody responses whereas responses may have been reduced in vaccinated pregnant women, underscoring the importance of learning how to maximize mRNA vaccine responses in pregnant populations. Findings from this study show substantial heterogeneity in the magnitude and breadth of responses after infection and mRNA vaccination and may support the addition of more conserved viral antigens to existing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Exercise-induced piezoelectric stimulation for cartilage regeneration in rabbits

A biodegradable piezoelectric scaffold excited by exercise promotes chondrogenesis and cartilage regeneration in rabbit osteochondral defects.

Oncostatin M expression induced by bacterial triggers drives airway inflammatory and mucus secretion in severe asthma

Bacterial-associated LPS drives oncostatin M–dependent airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in severe asthma.

The PET tracer [ 11 C]MK-6884 quantifies M4 muscarinic receptor in rhesus monkeys and patients with Alzheimer’s disease

[ 11 C]MK-6884 is an M4R-specific PET tracer for quantifying target engagement in brain and providing insights into AD neuropathology.

Recombinant porphobilinogen deaminase targeted to the liver corrects enzymopenia in a mouse model of acute intermittent porphyria

Systemic and subcutaneous rApoAI-PBGD therapy protects against porphyrin precursor accumulation, pain, and motor neuropathy in AIP mice.

Deep immune phenotyping reveals similarities between aging, Down syndrome, and autoimmunity

Permutational analysis of the immune system reveals advanced immune aging in individuals with Down syndrome and in individuals with type 1 diabetes.