The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a devastating toll on global health, with severe complications and immune-driven tissue damage being major concerns. A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein can spread from infected to uninfected cells, triggering an immune response that mistakenly targets healthy cells. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified how this viral protein binds to cell surfaces and found a common anticoagulant, enoxaparin, can block this harmful interaction.

The study, led by PhD students Jamal Fahoum and Maria Billan from the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, uncovers a surprising mechanism by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes immune-mediated tissue damage. The researchers used laboratory-grown cells, sophisticated imaging techniques, and samples from COVID-19 patients to understand how a specific viral protein attaches to healthy cells.

They discovered that this protein sticks to certain sugar-like molecules found on the surface of many cells, called Heparan Sulfate proteoglycans. When this happens, clumps of the viral protein form on these healthy cells. The immune system then mistakenly attacks these clumps using antibodies, which sets off a chain reaction that might damage both infected and healthy cells in the infected organism.

However, the researchers found that the drug enoxaparin can block the viral protein from sticking to healthy cells by taking over the spots the protein would normally bind to. In both lab experiments and when samples obtained from patients were tested in the lab, enoxaparin stopped the protein from attaching to cells and helped prevent the immune system from mistakenly attacking them.

This research sheds light on the mechanisms behind severe COVID-19 complications and immune-driven tissue damage. The findings open the door to new strategies for preventing immune-driven damage in COVID-19 and possibly other viral infections. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between clinicians and researchers in understanding the complexities of viral infections.

The authors dedicate this article to the memory of the late Prof. Hervé (Hillel) Bercovier, a gifted microbiologist, an inspiring scientist, and a great mentor. This research was supported by several research funds, including major contributions from The Edmond and Benjamin de Rothschild Foundation and The Israel Science Foundation of the Israel Academy of Science and Humanities.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the fight against COVID-19. Researchers have found a unique class of antibodies, generated by llamas, that are highly effective against a wide range of SARS coronaviruses, including the one behind COVID-19 and its future variants.

These llama-derived antibodies target an essential region at the base of the virus’s spike protein, effectively shutting it down and preventing the virus from infecting cells. The findings, published in Nature Communications, offer a promising route to developing broad-spectrum antiviral treatments that could remain effective against future viral variants.

The current SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is designed to target specific regions of the virus’s spike protein, which can mutate quickly, leading to resistance. However, the new llama antibodies focus on a more stable subunit of the spike protein, making them harder for the virus to evade.

A team led by Prof. Xavier Saelens and Dr. Bert Schepens at the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology discovered that these llama antibodies act like a molecular clamp, locking the spike protein in its original shape and preventing it from unfolding into the form needed to infect cells. The researchers tested the antibodies in lab animals and found strong protection against infection, even at low doses.

Furthermore, when they attempted to force the virus to evolve resistance, it struggled, producing only rare escape variants that were much less infectious. This points to a powerful treatment option that could be hard for the virus to evade.

“This region is so crucial to the virus that it can’t easily mutate without weakening the virus itself,” explains Schepens, senior author of the study. “That gives us a rare advantage: a target that’s both essential and stable across variants.”

This discovery marks a significant advancement in the quest for durable and broadly effective antiviral therapies, offering hope for treatments that can keep pace with viral evolution.

“The combination of high potency, broad activity against numerous viral variants, and a high barrier to resistance is incredibly promising,” adds Saelens. “This work provides a strong foundation for developing next-generation antibodies that could be vital in combating not only current but also future coronavirus threats.”

“The world is witnessing a breakthrough in influenza management with the discovery that a single oral dose of baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) can significantly reduce the transmission of influenza within households. This landmark study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, sheds light on the first robust evidence that an antiviral treatment can curb the spread of influenza to close contacts.

Conducted by a team of international researchers including the LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), the CENTERSTONE trial enrolled 1,457 influenza-positive index patients and 2,681 household contacts across 15 countries from 2019 to 2024. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either baloxavir or a placebo within 48 hours of symptom onset.

The primary endpoint was laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission to household contacts by day 5. And the results are nothing short of remarkable.

‘These findings highlight baloxavir’s potential not only to treat influenza but also to reduce its spread within communities,’ said Professor Benjamin Cowling, co-author of the study and Helen and Francis Zimmern Professor in Population Health. ‘This dual effect could transform how we manage seasonal influenza and prepare for future pandemics.’

The study underscores the complementary role of antiviral drugs alongside vaccination, particularly in unvaccinated populations or during pandemics when vaccines may not be immediately available. The discovery opens doors to new possibilities in public health, where a single dose of baloxavir could become an essential tool in managing and containing outbreaks.

This groundbreaking research has far-reaching implications for the way we approach influenza management and pandemic preparedness. It’s a testament to human innovation and our unwavering commitment to protecting global health.”