A5014556033- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Malaria Research and Control
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Transgenic Plants and Applications
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Galectins and Cancer Biology
- Bioactive Compounds and Antitumor Agents
- Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
- Respiratory viral infections research
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
The Wistar Institute
2016-2022
Center for Non-Communicable Diseases
2021
Chicago Department of Public Health
2021
Holy Cross University
2021
Jan Kochanowski University
2021
University of Pennsylvania
2018
Ansan University
2003
Although Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is typically self-limiting, other associated complications such as congenital birth defects and the Guillain-Barré syndrome are well described. There no approved vaccines against ZIKV infection.
Anti-PD-1 therapy is used as a front-line treatment for many cancers, but mechanistic insight into this resistance still lacking. Here we generate humanized (Hu)-mouse melanoma model by injecting fetal liver-derived CD34+ cells and implanting autologous thymus in immune-deficient NOD-scid IL2Rγnull (NSG) mice. Reconstituted Hu-mice are challenged with HLA-matched melanomas treated anti-PD-1, which results restricted tumor growth not complete regression. Tumor RNA-seq, multiplexed imaging...
Abstract Significant concerns have been raised owing to the rapid global spread of infection and disease caused by mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV). Recent studies suggest that ZIKV can also be transmitted sexually, further increasing exposure risk for this virus. Associated with is a dramatic increase in cases microcephaly additional congenital abnormalities infants ZIKV-infected mothers, as well rise occurrence Guillain Barre’ syndrome infected adults. Importantly, there are no licensed...
Twenty-two possible breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred among fully vaccinated persons ≥14 days after their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Two thirds were asymptomatic. A minority with infection experienced mild to moderate COVID-19–like symptoms; two COVID-19–related hospitalizations and one death occurred. No facility-associated secondary transmission was identified.
This article describes 22 cases of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection among over 14,000 fully vaccinated skilled nursing facility residents and staff. The majority such infections were asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms, there was no intra- spread related to these cases. report suggests that postvaccination are rare, but also confirms vaccines do not offer 100% protection even in nonimmunosuppressed hosts, thus underscoring the need for studies vaccine efficacy immunosuppressed...
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is endemic to several world regions, and many others are at high risk for seasonal outbreaks. Synthetic DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody (DMAb) an approach that enables in vivo delivery of highly potent mAbs control infections. We engineered DMAb-ZK190, encoding the mAb ZK190 neutralizing antibody, which targets ZIKV E protein DIII domain. In vivo-delivered DMAb-ZK190 achieved expression levels persisting >10 weeks mice >3 non-human primate (NHPs), protective...
Mayaro virus (MAYV) of the genus alphavirus is a mosquito-transmitted emerging infectious disease that causes an acute febrile illness, rash, headaches, and nausea may turn into incapacitating, persistent arthralgias in some victims. Since its discovery Trinidad 1954, cases MAYV infection have largely been confined there to northern countries South America, but recently, reported island nations Caribbean Sea. Accompanying these reports evidence new vectors, including Aedes spp. mosquitos,...
Sialic acid-binding Immunoglobulin-like lectin-9 (Siglec-9) is a glyco-immune negative checkpoint expressed on several immune cells. Siglec-9 exerts its inhibitory effects by binding to sialoglycan ligands cancer cells, enabling them evade immunosurveillance. We developed panel of human anti-Siglec-9 hybridoma clones immunizing mice with Siglec-9-encoding DNA and protein. The lead antibodies, high specificity functionality against Siglec-9, were identified through screening clones. in vitro...
To prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, colleges and universities have implemented multiple strategies including testing, isolation, quarantine, contact tracing, masking, vaccination.In April 2021, Chicago Department Public Health (CDPH) was notified a large cluster students with COVID-19 at an urban university after spring break.A total 158 cases were diagnosed among undergraduate during March 15-May 3, 2021; majority (114; 72.2%) lived in on-campus...
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed at high levels on malignant prostate cells and likely an important therapeutic target for the treatment of carcinoma. Current immunotherapy approaches to PSMA include peptide, cell, vector or DNA-based vaccines as well passive administration PSMA-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Conventional mAb has numerous logistical practical limitations, including production costs a requirement frequent dosing due short serum half-life. In this...
Powassan virus (POWV) infection is a tick-borne emerging infectious disease in the United States and North America. Like Zika virus, POWV member of family Flaviviridae. causes severe neurological sequalae, meningitis, encephalitis, can cause death. Although risk human low, its incidence U.S. past 16 years has increased over 300%, urging immediate attention. Despite severity growing potential for threatening larger populations, currently there are no licensed vaccines which provide protection...
Despite vigorous and ongoing efforts, active immunizations have yet to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1. An alternative approach is achieve prophylaxis with long-term expression of potent biologic HIV-1 inhibitors Adeno-associated Virus (AAV), which could however be limited by hosts' humoral cellular responses. that facilitates in vivo production these complex molecules independent viral-vectored delivery will a major advantage.We used synthetic DNA...
Identification of novel molecular adjuvants which can boost and enhance vaccine-mediated immunity provide dose-sparing potential against complex infectious diseases for immunotherapy in cancer is likely to play a critical role the next generation vaccines. Given number challenging targets no or only partial vaccine options exist, that address some these concerns are high demand. Here, we report designed truncated Interleukin-36 gamma (IL-36 gamma) encoded plasmid act as potent adjuvant...
Prostate cancer is a prevalent in men and consists of both indolent aggressive phenotypes.While active surveillance recommended for the former, current treatments latter include surgery, radiation, chemo hormonal therapy.It has been observed that recurrence treated patients high results castration resistant prostate which treatment options are limited.This scenario prompted us to consider immunotherapy with synthetic DNA vaccines, as this approach can generate antigen-specific tumor-killing...
Significant concerns have arisen over the past 3 y from increased global spread of mosquito-borne flavivirus, Zika. Accompanying this has been an increase in cases devastating birth defect microcephaly as well Guillain–Barré syndrome adults many affected countries. Currently there is no vaccine or therapy for infection; however, we sought to develop a combination approach that provides more rapid and durable protection than traditional vaccination alone. A novel immune-based...
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes a potentially life-threatening liver infection that frequently results in life-long chronic infection. HBV is responsible for 887,000 deaths each year, most resulting from diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. Presently, there are 250 million carriers worldwide who at high risk developing cirrhosis carcinoma (HCC). HCC the common type of cancer with strong association transmission through blood transfusions perinatal transfer infected mother to child have been...
AbstractSera collected in South Korea, from 61 cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria and, as controls, 40 healthy volunteers, were tested ELISA for IgG or IgM reacting with any three recombinant P. proteins. The antigens used, representing the parasite's major merozoite surface protein (MSP), circumsporozoite (CSP) and Duffy-binding (DBP), had all been expressed an Escherichia coli system purified.The results recorded optical densities (OD). highest ratio observed between mean OD a serum that...
Abstract Background While Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is typically self-limited, congenital birth defects and Guillain-Barré syndrome are well-described. There no therapies or vaccines against ZIKV infection. Methods ZIKA-001 a phase I, open label, clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, side effect profile, immunogenicity of synthetic, DNA vaccine (GLS-5700) targeting pre-membrane+envelope proteins (prME) virus. Two groups 20 participants received GLS-5700 at one two dose levels: 1...
Nipah virus (NiV) is a re-emerging pathogen that causes severe disease in animals and humans. Current treatment measures for NiV infection are insufficient, there no approved vaccine against either humans or animals. listed as high-priority therapeutic research by the World Health Organization (WHO). In present study, we employed synthetic enhanced DNA technologies developed to design produce novel consensus Fusion (NiV-F) Glycoprotein (NiV-G) antigen sequences inclusion vaccines NiV. The...
Despite vigorous and ongoing efforts, active immunizations have yet to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 in NHPs humans. An alternative approach is achieve prophylaxis with long-term expression of potent biologic inhibitors Adeno-associated Virus (AAV), which could however be limited by hosts' humoral cellular responses. that facilitates vivo production these complex molecules independent viral-vectored delivery will a major advantage. Here, we report using...
Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the most predominant type among males with an estimated 191,930 cases diagnosed in 2020 33,330 deaths globally. Notably, different treatment modalities such as surgery, chemo, radiation and hormone therapy exhibited improved outcomes early stage PCa patients; however, there exist high recurrence rate treated patients leads to castration resistant prostate cancer, choices for which are highly restricted. This scenario has pressed us consider synthetic...