1.Blockade of endothelin receptors mitigates SARS-CoV-2-induced osteoarthritis

DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01802-x

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01802-x

Joint pain and osteoarthritis have emerged as long-term sequelae of COVID-19, but few associate SARS-CoV-2 with cartilage damage. This study explored how SARS-CoV-2 impacts joints, discovering that the virus activates the endothelin-1 pathway, leading to increased vascular permeability and the leakage of viral spike proteins into subchondral bone. Histological analysis confirmed osteoclast activation, chondrocyte loss, and cyst formation. The FDA-approved endothelin receptor antagonist macitentan reduced acute-phase cystic lesions in hamsters and preserved chondrocyte numbers. This research introduces endothelin receptor blockade as a novel treatment strategy for post-COVID arthritis. For more detailed information, please refer to the original article.

2.Omicron COVID-19 immune correlates analysis of a third dose of mRNA-1273 in the COVE trial

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52348-9

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52348-9

The COVE trial (NCT04470427) demonstrated that spike protein-specific binding (bAb) and neutralizing (nAb) antibodies were correlated with protection against ancestral COVID-19 in participants without prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure. As Omicron variants with varying immune escape capabilities now dominate, this study evaluated the role of bAb and nAb as correlates of risk (CoR) post-boost with BA.1 spike specificity. The results suggest that antibody levels can still serve as surrogate endpoints for assessing booster efficacy in the Omicron era. For more detailed information, please refer to the original article.

3.Interferon-I modulation and natural products: Unraveling mechanisms and therapeutic potential in severe COVID-19

DOI:10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.08.005

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359610124000662

Type I interferon (IFN-I) deficiency accounts for 15%-20% of severe COVID-19 cases, highlighting the therapeutic importance of modulating IFN-I signaling. This review explores how IFN-I modulation and natural products could offer therapeutic avenues for treating severe COVID-19 cases, providing valuable insights for future research and novel treatment strategies. For more detailed information, please refer to the original article.

4.T cell responses to repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and breakthrough infections in patients on TNF inhibitor treatment: a prospective cohort study

DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105317

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(24)00353-0/fulltext

Patients receiving tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) for inflammatory conditions like IBD and arthritis often have impaired humoral immune responses to vaccines, including SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This study examined whether T cell activation could compensate for reduced antibody responses in TNFi-treated patients. The results suggest that IBD patients on TNFi without other risk factors may follow general COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in the future.For more detailed information, please refer to the original article.

5.Long-term changes in wearable sensor data in people with and without Long Covid

DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01238-x

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-024-01238-x

This study analyzed daily wearable data (step count, resting heart rate (RHR), and sleep) for up to a year in 279 long COVID patients and 274 non-long COVID individuals. The findings revealed that individuals with long COVID showed significantly altered RHR and activity trajectories compared to those without, with long COVID patients more likely to be younger, female, unvaccinated, and report more acute-phase symptoms.For more detailed information, please refer to the original article.