Featured Publications
Phylogenetic analysis of Japanese encephalitis virus: envelope gene based analysis reveals a fifth genotype, geographic clustering, and multiple introductions of the virus into the Indian subcontinent.
Uchil P, Satchidanandam V. Phylogenetic analysis of Japanese encephalitis virus: envelope gene based analysis reveals a fifth genotype, geographic clustering, and multiple introductions of the virus into the Indian subcontinent. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2001, 65: 242-51. PMID: 11561712, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.242.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAedesAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceCell LineCluster AnalysisDNA, ComplementaryEncephalitis Virus, JapaneseEncephalitis, JapaneseEvolution, MolecularGenes, envGenetic VariationGenotypeHumansIndiaMolecular Sequence DataPhylogenyReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA, ViralSequence Homology, Amino AcidSequence Homology, Nucleic AcidSwineIn vivo imaging of retrovirus infection reveals a role for Siglec-1/CD169 in multiple routes of transmission
Haugh KA, Ladinsky MS, Ullah I, Stone HM, Pi R, Gilardet A, Grunst MW, Kumar P, Bjorkman PJ, Mothes W, Uchil PD. In vivo imaging of retrovirus infection reveals a role for Siglec-1/CD169 in multiple routes of transmission. ELife 2021, 10: e64179. PMID: 34223819, PMCID: PMC8298093, DOI: 10.7554/elife.64179.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSentinel macrophagesSiglec-1/CD169Immune surveillance functionCommon host factorMesenteric sacsPeyer's patchesGastrointestinal tractOral routeReporter virusRetrovirus transmissionRetrovirus infectionFrontline cellsRetroviral pathogenesisHost factorsBioluminescence imagingVirus entryIncoming virusInfectionRetrovirus life cycleCD169Early eventsMacrophagesMultiscale imaging approachVirusSurveillance functionLive imaging of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice reveals that neutralizing antibodies require Fc function for optimal efficacy
Ullah I, Prévost J, Ladinsky MS, Stone H, Lu M, Anand SP, Beaudoin-Bussières G, Symmes K, Benlarbi M, Ding S, Gasser R, Fink C, Chen Y, Tauzin A, Goyette G, Bourassa C, Medjahed H, Mack M, Chung K, Wilen CB, Dekaban GA, Dikeakos JD, Bruce EA, Kaufmann DE, Stamatatos L, McGuire AT, Richard J, Pazgier M, Bjorkman PJ, Mothes W, Finzi A, Kumar P, Uchil PD. Live imaging of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice reveals that neutralizing antibodies require Fc function for optimal efficacy. Immunity 2021, 54: 2143-2158.e15. PMID: 34453881, PMCID: PMC8372518, DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.08.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 convalescent subjectsSARS-CoV-2 infectionBioluminescence imagingK18-hACE2 miceLive bioluminescence imagingNatural killer cellsFc effector functionsSARS-CoV-2Convalescent subjectsKiller cellsPotent NAbsImmune protectionInflammatory responseEffector functionsNasal cavityNaB treatmentOptimal efficacyFc functionDepletion studiesMiceNAbsCOVID-19Direct neutralizationInfectionAntibodiesRetroviruses use CD169-mediated trans-infection of permissive lymphocytes to establish infection
Sewald X, Ladinsky MS, Uchil PD, Beloor J, Pi R, Herrmann C, Motamedi N, Murooka TT, Brehm MA, Greiner DL, Shultz LD, Mempel TR, Bjorkman PJ, Kumar P, Mothes W. Retroviruses use CD169-mediated trans-infection of permissive lymphocytes to establish infection. Science 2015, 350: 563-567. PMID: 26429886, PMCID: PMC4651917, DOI: 10.1126/science.aab2749.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virusLymph nodesMurine leukemia virusCD169/SiglecSecondary lymphoid tissuesPermissive lymphocytesDendritic cellsImmunodeficiency virusSynaptic contactsLymphoid tissueRobust infectionVirological synapsesI-type lectinsRetroviral spreadViral spreadUninfected cellsInfectionLeukemia virusVirusMacrophagesCellsRetrovirusesCell-cell contactCD169LymphocytesTRIM5 is an innate immune sensor for the retrovirus capsid lattice
Pertel T, Hausmann S, Morger D, Züger S, Guerra J, Lascano J, Reinhard C, Santoni FA, Uchil PD, Chatel L, Bisiaux A, Albert ML, Strambio-De-Castillia C, Mothes W, Pizzato M, Grütter MG, Luban J. TRIM5 is an innate immune sensor for the retrovirus capsid lattice. Nature 2011, 472: 361-365. PMID: 21512573, PMCID: PMC3081621, DOI: 10.1038/nature09976.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAntiviral Restriction FactorsCapsidCarrier ProteinsCell LineEnzyme ActivationHEK293 CellsHIV-1HumansImmunity, InnateLipopolysaccharidesMAP Kinase Kinase KinasesNF-kappa BProtein BindingReceptors, Pattern RecognitionRetroviridaeSignal TransductionTranscription Factor AP-1Transcription FactorsTripartite Motif ProteinsUbiquitinUbiquitin-Conjugating EnzymesUbiquitin-Protein LigasesTRIM E3 Ligases Interfere with Early and Late Stages of the Retroviral Life Cycle
Uchil PD, Quinlan BD, Chan WT, Luna JM, Mothes W. TRIM E3 Ligases Interfere with Early and Late Stages of the Retroviral Life Cycle. PLOS Pathogens 2008, 4: e16. PMID: 18248090, PMCID: PMC2222954, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0040016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnti-Retroviral AgentsApoptosisAvian leukosis virusCell SurvivalGag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency VirusGene Expression Regulation, ViralGene SilencingHeLa CellsHIVHost-Pathogen InteractionsHumansLeukemia Virus, MurineMiceRetroviridaeUbiquitin-Protein LigasesVirus ReplicationConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virus-1Viral life cycleMurine leukemia virusAvian leukosis virusImmunodeficiency virus-1Antiretroviral activityHIV entryTRIM proteinsAntiviral activityLater stagesVirus 1TRIM11Virus releaseViral releaseLeukemia virusRetroviral life cycleHEK293 cellsLeukosis virusVirusComprehensive screenReleaseCellsProteinTRIM15 is a focal adhesion protein that regulates focal adhesion disassembly
Uchil PD, Pawliczek T, Reynolds TD, Ding S, Hinz A, Munro JB, Huang F, Floyd RW, Yang H, Hamilton WL, Bewersdorf J, Xiong Y, Calderwood DA, Mothes W. TRIM15 is a focal adhesion protein that regulates focal adhesion disassembly. Journal Of Cell Science 2014, 127: 3928-3942. PMID: 25015296, PMCID: PMC4163643, DOI: 10.1242/jcs.143537.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFocal adhesion proteinsFocal adhesionsCell migrationAdhesion proteinsMulti-adaptor proteinTripartite motif (TRIM) protein familyFocal adhesion dynamicsFocal adhesion turnoverFocal adhesion componentsCoiled-coil domainImpaired cell migrationII-independent mannerLD2 motifAdhesion turnoverActin cytoskeletonProtein familyAdhesion dynamicsCellular functionsDynamic turnoverMacromolecular complexesRegulatory componentsFocal contactsAdhesion componentsExtracellular matrixTRIM15
2024
Proof-of-concept studies with a computationally designed Mpro inhibitor as a synergistic combination regimen alternative to Paxlovid
Papini C, Ullah I, Ranjan A, Zhang S, Wu Q, Spasov K, Zhang C, Mothes W, Crawford J, Lindenbach B, Uchil P, Kumar P, Jorgensen W, Anderson K. Proof-of-concept studies with a computationally designed Mpro inhibitor as a synergistic combination regimen alternative to Paxlovid. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2320713121. PMID: 38621119, PMCID: PMC11046628, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320713121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDirect-acting antiviralsSARS-CoV-2Lack of off-target effectsIn vitro pharmacological profileTreatment of patientsDevelopment of severe symptomsPharmacological propertiesDrug-drug interactionsSARS-CoV-2 infectionProof-of-concept studySARS-CoV-2 M<sup>pro</sup>.Combination regimenImmunocompromised patientsLead compoundsSARS-CoV-2 main proteaseOral doseActive drugTreat infectionsPharmacological profileSARS-CoV-2 MPotential preclinical candidateOff-target effectsPatientsComplete recoveryCapsule formulation
2023
HIV-1 Env trimers asymmetrically engage CD4 receptors in membranes
Li W, Qin Z, Nand E, Grunst M, Grover J, Bess J, Lifson J, Zwick M, Tagare H, Uchil P, Mothes W. HIV-1 Env trimers asymmetrically engage CD4 receptors in membranes. Nature 2023, 623: 1026-1033. PMID: 37993716, PMCID: PMC10686830, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06762-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-1 Env trimersCD4 moleculeHuman immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infectionEnv trimersAntibody-mediated immune responsesEnv-CD4 interactionVirus-1 infectionVaccine immunogen designViral envelope glycoproteinsHIV-1Immune responseCD4 receptorImmunogen designEnvelope glycoproteinVirus-like particlesCD4EnvHost cell membraneAntiviral HIV-1 SERINC restriction factors disrupt virus membrane asymmetry
Leonhardt S, Purdy M, Grover J, Yang Z, Poulos S, McIntire W, Tatham E, Erramilli S, Nosol K, Lai K, Ding S, Lu M, Uchil P, Finzi A, Rein A, Kossiakoff A, Mothes W, Yeager M. Antiviral HIV-1 SERINC restriction factors disrupt virus membrane asymmetry. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 4368. PMID: 37474505, PMCID: PMC10359404, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39262-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPLSCR1 is a cell-autonomous defence factor against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Xu D, Jiang W, Wu L, Gaudet R, Park E, Su M, Cheppali S, Cheemarla N, Kumar P, Uchil P, Grover J, Foxman E, Brown C, Stansfeld P, Bewersdorf J, Mothes W, Karatekin E, Wilen C, MacMicking J. PLSCR1 is a cell-autonomous defence factor against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nature 2023, 619: 819-827. PMID: 37438530, PMCID: PMC10371867, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06322-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsC-terminal β-barrel domainSpike-mediated fusionCell-autonomous defenseLarge-scale exome sequencingΒ-barrel domainGenome-wide CRISPRSARS-CoV-2 infectionHost cell cytosolScramblase activityPhospholipid scramblaseLive SARS-CoV-2 infectionHuman lung epitheliumPLSCR1SARS-CoV-2 USASingle-molecule switchingSARS-CoV-2 variantsExome sequencingHuman populationRestriction factorsViral RNANew SARS-CoV-2 variantsSARS-CoV-2Robust activityLung epitheliumDefense factors
2022
Fc effector cross-reactivity: A hidden arsenal against SARS-CoV-2’s evasive maneuvering
Grunst MW, Uchil PD. Fc effector cross-reactivity: A hidden arsenal against SARS-CoV-2’s evasive maneuvering. Cell Reports Medicine 2022, 3: 100540. PMID: 35233551, PMCID: PMC8823971, DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100540.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA Fc-enhanced NTD-binding non-neutralizing antibody delays virus spread and synergizes with a nAb to protect mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection
Beaudoin-Bussières G, Chen Y, Ullah I, Prévost J, Tolbert WD, Symmes K, Ding S, Benlarbi M, Gong SY, Tauzin A, Gasser R, Chatterjee D, Vézina D, Goyette G, Richard J, Zhou F, Stamatatos L, McGuire AT, Charest H, Roger M, Pozharski E, Kumar P, Mothes W, Uchil PD, Pazgier M, Finzi A. A Fc-enhanced NTD-binding non-neutralizing antibody delays virus spread and synergizes with a nAb to protect mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Reports 2022, 38: 110368. PMID: 35123652, PMCID: PMC8786652, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110368.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntibodies, NeutralizingAntibodies, ViralAntibody-Dependent Cell CytotoxicityCOVID-19COVID-19 SerotherapyDisease Models, AnimalEpitopesHumansImmunization, PassiveImmunoglobulin Fab FragmentsImmunoglobulin Fc FragmentsMiceProtein BindingProtein ConformationSARS-CoV-2Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
2021
A single dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 elicits Fc-mediated antibody effector functions and T cell responses
Tauzin A, Nayrac M, Benlarbi M, Gong SY, Gasser R, Beaudoin-Bussières G, Brassard N, Laumaea A, Vézina D, Prévost J, Anand SP, Bourassa C, Gendron-Lepage G, Medjahed H, Goyette G, Niessl J, Tastet O, Gokool L, Morrisseau C, Arlotto P, Stamatatos L, McGuire AT, Larochelle C, Uchil P, Lu M, Mothes W, De Serres G, Moreira S, Roger M, Richard J, Martel-Laferrière V, Duerr R, Tremblay C, Kaufmann DE, Finzi A. A single dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 elicits Fc-mediated antibody effector functions and T cell responses. Cell Host & Microbe 2021, 29: 1137-1150.e6. PMID: 34133950, PMCID: PMC8175625, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.06.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle doseEffector functionsCell responsesSARS-CoV-2-naive individualsSARS-CoV-2 vaccinesBNT162b2 mRNA vaccineSARS-CoV-2Public health authoritiesAntibody effector functionsStandard regimenAntibody immunityT helperVaccine efficacyMRNA vaccinesCellular CD4Health authoritiesDoseDosesPotential roleNaive individualsVaccine scarcityVaccineWeeksEfficacyResponse
2020
Real-Time Conformational Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Spikes on Virus Particles
Lu M, Uchil PD, Li W, Zheng D, Terry DS, Gorman J, Shi W, Zhang B, Zhou T, Ding S, Gasser R, Prévost J, Beaudoin-Bussières G, Anand SP, Laumaea A, Grover JR, Liu L, Ho DD, Mascola JR, Finzi A, Kwong PD, Blanchard SC, Mothes W. Real-Time Conformational Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Spikes on Virus Particles. Cell Host & Microbe 2020, 28: 880-891.e8. PMID: 33242391, PMCID: PMC7664471, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.11.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transferReceptor-binding domainSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Conformational dynamicsSyndrome coronavirus 2SARS-CoV-2 spikeCoronavirus disease 2019Distinct conformational statesMechanism of neutralizationHuman receptor angiotensinVirus particlesConvalescent plasmaCoronavirus 2Disease 2019Enzyme 2Fluorescence resonance energy transferReceptor angiotensinVaccine developmentImmunogen designViral entryConformational changesDistinct conformationsS recognition
2019
Longitudinal bioluminescent imaging of HIV-1 infection during antiretroviral therapy and treatment interruption in humanized mice
Ventura JD, Beloor J, Allen E, Zhang T, Haugh KA, Uchil PD, Ochsenbauer C, Kieffer C, Kumar P, Hope TJ, Mothes W. Longitudinal bioluminescent imaging of HIV-1 infection during antiretroviral therapy and treatment interruption in humanized mice. PLOS Pathogens 2019, 15: e1008161. PMID: 31805155, PMCID: PMC6917343, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008161.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-1 infectionHumanized miceCombination antiretroviral therapy regimenViral spreadHIV-1 infection dynamicsNon-invasive bioluminescentAntiretroviral therapy regimenHIV-1 reporterSame lymphoid tissuesInfected cell populationCART withdrawalInfection recrudescenceAntiretroviral therapyTreatment interruptionTherapy regimenLymphoid tissueInfection dynamicsART treatmentBioluminescent imagingInfectionViral infection dynamicsInfected cellsCell populationsMiceBioluminescent signalCalcium Phosphate-Mediated Transfection of Eukaryotic Cells with Plasmid DNAs.
Kumar P, Nagarajan A, Uchil PD. Calcium Phosphate-Mediated Transfection of Eukaryotic Cells with Plasmid DNAs. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols 2019, 2019: pdb.prot095430. PMID: 31575793, DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot095430.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCalcium Phosphate-Mediated Transfection of Adherent Cells or Cells Growing in Suspension: Variations on the Basic Method
Kumar P, Nagarajan A, Uchil PD. Calcium Phosphate-Mediated Transfection of Adherent Cells or Cells Growing in Suspension: Variations on the Basic Method. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols 2019, 2019: pdb.prot095455. PMID: 31575795, DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot095455.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransfection of Mammalian Cells with Calcium Phosphate-DNA Coprecipitates.
Kumar P, Nagarajan A, Uchil PD. Transfection of Mammalian Cells with Calcium Phosphate-DNA Coprecipitates. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols 2019, 2019: pdb.top096255. PMID: 31575800, DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top096255.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntroducing Genes into Cultured Mammalian Cells
Kumar P, Nagarajan A, Uchil PD. Introducing Genes into Cultured Mammalian Cells. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols 2019, 2019: pdb.top095406. PMID: 31285274, DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top095406.Peer-Reviewed Original Research