2024
Aedes aegypti adiponectin receptor-like protein signaling facilitates Zika virus infection
Chen T, Marín-López A, Raduwan H, Fikrig E. Aedes aegypti adiponectin receptor-like protein signaling facilitates Zika virus infection. MBio 2024, 15: e02433-24. PMID: 39373507, PMCID: PMC11559040, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02433-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchReceptor-like proteinZika virus infectionVirus infectionDevelopment of effective control strategiesSignificant public health challengeTranscriptome analysisTrypsin genesMetabolic pathwaysProtein signalingPublic health challengeViral infectionTransmission of viral diseasesAedes aegypti</i>InfectionBlood digestionZika virusProteinSignificance of signalsComplex interactionsVirusEffective control strategiesViral diseasesZikaMosquitoesPathway
2020
TRiC/CCT Complex, a Binding Partner of NS1 Protein, Supports the Replication of Zika Virus in Both Mammalians and Mosquitoes
Wang Y, Uraki R, Hwang J, Fikrig E. TRiC/CCT Complex, a Binding Partner of NS1 Protein, Supports the Replication of Zika Virus in Both Mammalians and Mosquitoes. Viruses 2020, 12: 519. PMID: 32397176, PMCID: PMC7290343, DOI: 10.3390/v12050519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsZika virusZIKV replicationZIKV NS1 proteinGuillain-Barré syndromeNS1 proteinTRiC/CCT complexPromising therapeutic targetZIKV infectionCongenital microcephalySpecific treatmentTherapeutic targetHost factorsVirusMosquitoesSyndromeVaccineSymptomsInfectionMicrocephalyProteinReplicationImportant role
2019
Polymicrobial Nature of Tick-Borne Diseases
Sanchez-Vicente S, Tagliafierro T, Coleman J, Benach J, Tokarz R, Azad A, Fikrig E, Munderloh U, Telford S. Polymicrobial Nature of Tick-Borne Diseases. MBio 2019, 10: e02055-19. PMID: 31506314, PMCID: PMC6737246, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02055-19.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolymicrobial infectionsClinical spectrumTick-borne diseasesFatal infectionPowassan virusDisproportionate incidenceTick-borne diseaseDifficult diagnosisNew pathogensNew agentsPolymicrobial natureDisease severityInfectionDiseaseLyme diseasePrevalent pathogenBorreliaHigh rateIncidenceDiagnosisSeverityRickettsiaTick vectorVirusClimate changeInhibition of Chikungunya Virus Replication in Primary Human Fibroblasts by Liver X Receptor Agonist
Hwang J, Wang Y, Fikrig E. Inhibition of Chikungunya Virus Replication in Primary Human Fibroblasts by Liver X Receptor Agonist. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2019, 63: 10.1128/aac.01220-19. PMID: 31307983, PMCID: PMC6709483, DOI: 10.1128/aac.01220-19.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAntiviral AgentsApolipoproteins EATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 1Chikungunya virusCholesterolFibroblastsGene Expression RegulationHost-Pathogen InteractionsHumansIndazolesInterferonsLiver X ReceptorsPrimary Cell CultureRNA, Small InterferingSignal TransductionVirus ReplicationConceptsChikungunya virusLiver X receptor agonistMosquito-borne chikungunya virusX receptor agonistLiver X receptorChikungunya Virus ReplicationLXR-623Acute painJoint inflammationReceptor agonistCHIKV replicationPharmacological activationSynthetic agonistsAntiviral stateVirus replicationX receptorLarge epidemicsHost factorsAgonistsPrimary human fibroblastsVirusHuman fibroblastsPainInflammationGeographic areasAedes aegypti AgBR1 antibodies modulate early Zika virus infection of mice
Uraki R, Hastings AK, Marin-Lopez A, Sumida T, Takahashi T, Grover JR, Iwasaki A, Hafler DA, Montgomery RR, Fikrig E. Aedes aegypti AgBR1 antibodies modulate early Zika virus infection of mice. Nature Microbiology 2019, 4: 948-955. PMID: 30858571, PMCID: PMC6533137, DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0385-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsZika virus infectionVirus infectionZika virusAegypti salivary proteinsGuillain-Barre syndromeEarly inflammatory responseSkin of micePrevention of mosquitoInflammatory responseAedes aegypti mosquitoesTherapeutic measuresSalivary factorsSalivary proteinsMosquito-borneInfectionMiceSubstantial mortalityRecent epidemicProtein 1Aegypti mosquitoesAntigenic proteinsVirusAntibodiesMosquitoesAntiserumModeling Arboviral Infection in Mice Lacking the Interferon Alpha/Beta Receptor
Marín-Lopez A, Calvo-Pinilla E, Moreno S, Utrilla-Trigo S, Nogales A, Brun A, Fikrig E, Ortego J. Modeling Arboviral Infection in Mice Lacking the Interferon Alpha/Beta Receptor. Viruses 2019, 11: 35. PMID: 30625992, PMCID: PMC6356211, DOI: 10.3390/v11010035.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMouse modelAnimal modelsArbovirus infectionInterferon α/β receptorAlpha/beta receptorAppropriate animal modelsNatural hostInterferon alpha/beta receptorSafe therapyProtective efficacyArboviral infectionsImmune responseAdult miceBeta receptorsNew vaccinesDisease pathogenesisExtrapolation of findingsΒ receptorExperimental infectionBiosafety level 3MiceInfectionStatistical significanceVirusPathogenesis
2018
A potent prolyl tRNA synthetase inhibitor antagonizes Chikungunya and Dengue viruses
Hwang J, Jiang A, Fikrig E. A potent prolyl tRNA synthetase inhibitor antagonizes Chikungunya and Dengue viruses. Antiviral Research 2018, 161: 163-168. PMID: 30521835, PMCID: PMC6345585, DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.11.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDengue virusSignificant morbiditySafe vaccineSynthetase inhibitionEndemic areasSynthetase inhibitorFlavivirus genusMosquito-bornePotent antagonistHost factorsGroup of pathogensVirusMultiple virusesChikungunyaHematophagous arthropod vectorsAedes sppArthropod vectorsEpidemic pathogensAdditional approachesMorbidityPathogensVaccineAntagonistMortalityHuman populationRev-erb Agonist Inhibits Chikungunya and O’nyong’nyong Virus Replication
Hwang J, Jiang A, Fikrig E. Rev-erb Agonist Inhibits Chikungunya and O’nyong’nyong Virus Replication. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2018, 5: ofy315. PMID: 30568983, PMCID: PMC6293476, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy315.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChikungunya virusSubset of patientsRecent global epidemicJoint painStructural protein synthesisSevere inflammationInflammatory responseMultiple alphavirusesViral RNA accumulationGlobal epidemicSynthetic agonistsVirus replicationCultured murine macrophagesMurine macrophagesSR9009AlphavirusesRelated virusesVirusProtein synthesisPainInflammationPatientsAgonistsMacrophagesRNA accumulationSmall 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
2017
Fetal Growth Restriction Caused by Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus in Mice
Uraki R, Jurado KA, Hwang J, Szigeti-Buck K, Horvath TL, Iwasaki A, Fikrig E. Fetal Growth Restriction Caused by Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus in Mice. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2017, 215: 1720-1724. PMID: 28472297, PMCID: PMC5853330, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix204.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsZika virusSexual transmissionWeight of fetusesFetal growth restrictionNaive female miceType I interferon receptorEmbryonic day 18.5Female miceGrowth restrictionMale miceOcular deformityMosquito bitesControl groupDay 18.5Fetal abnormalitiesSexual contactInterferon receptorMiceFetusesInfected malesVirusDeformityAbnormalitiesReceptors
2016
Zika virus productively infects primary human placenta-specific macrophages
Jurado KA, Simoni MK, Tang Z, Uraki R, Hwang J, Householder S, Wu M, Lindenbach BD, Abrahams VM, Guller S, Fikrig E. Zika virus productively infects primary human placenta-specific macrophages. JCI Insight 2016, 1: e88461. PMID: 27595140, PMCID: PMC5007065, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.88461.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchZika virus infectionHofbauer cellsVirus infectionFetal brainZika virusTerm placental villous explantsHuman placental macrophagesPlacental villous explantsPregnancy complicationsPlacental macrophagesPlacental barrierVillous explantsInfectious virusVillous fibroblastsCongenital defectsInfectionStrong associationMigratory activityVirusMacrophagesBrainCell typesCellsComplicationsFlavivirusesGenetics of War and Truce between Mosquitos and Emerging Viruses
Hwang J, Jurado KA, Fikrig E. Genetics of War and Truce between Mosquitos and Emerging Viruses. Cell Host & Microbe 2016, 19: 583-587. PMID: 27173926, PMCID: PMC7063512, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.04.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2012
West Nile Virus: Biology, Transmission, and Human Infection
Colpitts TM, Conway MJ, Montgomery RR, Fikrig E. West Nile Virus: Biology, Transmission, and Human Infection. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 2012, 25: 635-648. PMID: 23034323, PMCID: PMC3485754, DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00045-12.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2011
prM-antibody renders immature West Nile virus infectious in vivo
Colpitts TM, Rodenhuis-Zybert I, Moesker B, Wang P, Fikrig E, Smit JM. prM-antibody renders immature West Nile virus infectious in vivo. Journal Of General Virology 2011, 92: 2281-2285. PMID: 21697345, PMCID: PMC3347797, DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.031427-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusInfectious West Nile virusNile virusDeath of micePrM antibodiesNeurotropic pathogensWNV particlesSevere human diseasesFamily FlaviviridaeVivo proofImmature flavivirus particlesInfectious potentialAntibodiesDiseaseViral surfaceVirus particlesPrM proteinFlavivirus particlesVirusHuman diseasesInfectionMiceFlavivirusesBrainSerum
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 replicationVirusCXCL1CXCL2ChemokinesCXCR2Neutrophils
2009
The IFITM Proteins Mediate Cellular Resistance to Influenza A H1N1 Virus, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Virus
Brass AL, Huang IC, Benita Y, John SP, Krishnan MN, Feeley EM, Ryan BJ, Weyer JL, van der Weyden L, Fikrig E, Adams DJ, Xavier RJ, Farzan M, Elledge SJ. The IFITM Proteins Mediate Cellular Resistance to Influenza A H1N1 Virus, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Virus. Cell 2009, 139: 1243-1254. PMID: 20064371, PMCID: PMC2824905, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.12.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiviral restriction factorsWest Nile virusDengue virusInfluenza A H1N1 virusesNile virusRestriction factorsInterferon type ICellular innate immunityH1N1 virusRespiratory illnessMajor human pathogenViral infectionInnate immunityViral replicationIFITM proteinsInfluenza virusInfluenzaHost cell machineryVirusIFITMsInfectionEndosomal acidificationCellular resistanceType IHuman pathogensEffective siRNA targeting of the 3′ untranslated region of the West Nile virus genome
Anthony KG, Bai F, Krishnan MN, Fikrig E, Koski RA. Effective siRNA targeting of the 3′ untranslated region of the West Nile virus genome. Antiviral Research 2009, 82: 166-168. PMID: 19135091, DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2008.12.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusSiRNA targetsSpecific antiviral therapyRelated dengue virusAntiviral therapyWNV pathogenesisShort hairpin RNA sequencesDengue virusWNV replicationTherapeutic potentialViral replicationRNA interferenceAntiviral therapeuticsSiRNA targetingPotential antiviral therapeuticsVero cellsNile virusSequence-specific inhibitorsHuman pathogensUntranslated regionVirusVirus genomeWest Nile virus genomeTargetPathogenesis
2008
RNA interference screen for human genes associated with West Nile virus infection
Krishnan MN, Ng A, Sukumaran B, Gilfoy FD, Uchil PD, Sultana H, Brass AL, Adametz R, Tsui M, Qian F, Montgomery RR, Lev S, Mason PW, Koski RA, Elledge SJ, Xavier RJ, Agaisse H, Fikrig E. RNA interference screen for human genes associated with West Nile virus infection. Nature 2008, 455: 242-245. PMID: 18690214, PMCID: PMC3136529, DOI: 10.1038/nature07207.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsComputational BiologyDengue VirusEndoplasmic ReticulumGene Expression ProfilingGenome, HumanHeLa CellsHIVHumansImmunityMonocarboxylic Acid TransportersMuscle ProteinsProtein BindingRNA InterferenceUbiquitinationUbiquitin-Protein LigasesVesiculovirusVirus ReplicationWest Nile FeverWest Nile virusExtrinsic Incubation Periods for Horizontal and Vertical Transmission of West Nile Virus by Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)
Anderson J, Main A, Delroux K, Fikrig E. Extrinsic Incubation Periods for Horizontal and Vertical Transmission of West Nile Virus by Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal Of Medical Entomology 2008, 51 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585(2008)45[445:eipfha]2.0.co;2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchWest Nile virusInfection rateVertical transmissionNile virusMinimal infection rateHighest minimum infection rateVertical transmission rateMinimum infection rateWNV 1Extrinsic incubation periodDay 13Day 16Extrinsic incubationMembrane feederHorizontal transmission ratesCulex pipiens pipiens L.Initiation of amplificationFirst bloodmealVirusSurvival of virusesMiceFemalesHamstersHorizontal transmissionWNVExtrinsic incubation periods for horizontal and vertical transmission of West Nile virus by Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).
Anderson J, Main A, Delroux K, Fikrig E. Extrinsic incubation periods for horizontal and vertical transmission of West Nile virus by Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal Of Medical Entomology 2008, 45: 445-51. PMID: 18533438, DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585(2008)45[445:eipfha]2.0.co;2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusInfection rateVertical transmissionNile virusMinimal infection rateHighest minimum infection rateVertical transmission rateMinimum infection rateWNV 1Extrinsic incubation periodDay 13Day 16Extrinsic incubationMembrane feederCulex pipiens pipiens L.Horizontal transmission ratesInitiation of amplificationFirst bloodmealVirusSurvival of virusesMiceFemalesHamstersHorizontal transmissionWNV