EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (Pirola) two new subvariants of SARS-CoV-2: a new face of old COVID-19

The relationship between maternal emotional self-disclosure and children's anxiety in the post-COVID-19 era

BACKGROUND

Following pandemics, anxiety often remains prevalent within families, particularly among mothers, even after the acute phase. Mothers typically engage in increased emotional self-disclosure and interactions with family members, which can promote improved mental health and strengthen family dynamics through the shared expression and management of psychological concerns. This study aimed to determine the relationship between maternal emotional self-disclosure and children's anxiety in the post-COVID-19 era.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional correlation study, 305 mothers of elementary school children in Borujerd, Lorestan, Iran, in 2022 were included using a multi-stage sampling method. Data collection tools comprised demographic questionnaires, the Emotional Self-Disclosure Scale, and the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale-Parent Report, all of which were completed by mothers as self-reports. Independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation test, and multivariate regression were employed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There was a negative and significant correlation between mothers' emotional self-disclosure and children's anxiety (r = -0.890, P < 0.001) which remained significant after controlling for confounding variables (B = -0.667, P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in mothers' mean emotional self-disclosure scores based on their place of residence, education, occupation, and their spouse's age, education, and occupation, as well as the child's sex, educational level, and age (P < 0.001). However, the results were insignificant concerning the mother's age (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was an inverse and relatively strong relationship between maternal emotional self-disclosure and child anxiety. This indicates that an increase in maternal emotional self-disclosure was associated with a reduction in child anxiety. Therefore, in similar crises, managing and promoting emotional self-disclosure among mothers may help in reducing children's anxiety, particularly in mothers who are well-educated, employed, reside in urban areas; have younger, well-educated, and employed spouses; and have female children with younger age and lower educational levels.

Repurposing of lonafarnib as a treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has emerged as a global pandemic pathogen with high mortality. While treatments have been developed to reduce morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, more antivirals with broad-spectrum activities are still needed. Here, we identified lonafarnib (LNF), a Food and Drug Administration-approved inhibitor of cellular farnesyltransferase (FTase), as an effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent. LNF inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection and acted synergistically with known anti-SARS antivirals. LNF was equally active against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. Mechanistic studies suggested that LNF targeted multiple steps of the viral life cycle. Using other structurally diverse FTase inhibitors and a LNF-resistant FTase mutant, we demonstrated a key role of FTase in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. To demonstrate in vivo efficacy, we infected SARS-CoV-2-susceptible humanized mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and treated them with LNF. LNF at a clinically relevant dose suppressed the viral titer in the respiratory tract and improved pulmonary pathology and clinical parameters. Our study demonstrated that LNF, an approved oral drug with excellent human safety data, is a promising antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 that warrants further clinical assessment for treatment of COVID-19 and potentially other viral infections.

A SARS-CoV-2 EG.5 mRNA vaccine induces a broad-spectrum immune response in mice

The emerging of emergent SARS-CoV-2 subvariants has reduced the protective efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, novel COVID-19 vaccines targeting these emergent variants are needed. We designed and prepared CoV072, an mRNA-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (EG.5) and other emergent SARS-CoV-2 subvariants that encodes the EG.5 spike protein. Six-week-old female BALB/C mice were used to assess humoral and cellular immune responses and cross-reactive neutralizing activity against various SARS-CoV-2 subvariants. Meanwhile different immunization strategies and doses were performed to detect the immunogenicity of this mRNA vaccine. Our results show that two doses of 5 µg CoV072 or a single dose of 15 µg CoV072 both induced broad-spectrum cross-protection ability in mice. Compared with a single dose of 15 µg CoV072, two doses of 5 µg COV072 exhibited higher levels of pseudovirus neutralizing antibody (PNAb) and cross-reactive IgG responses to multiple variants. Moreover, higher levels of neutralizing antibody (NAb) against live XBB and EG.5 variants were also induced. Th1-biased cellular immune response was induced in all vaccination groups. The antigen design and immunization strategy of this study have reference significance for the research of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines.

Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in COVID-19

Neurotrophins (NTs) constitute a family of small protein messengers that play a fundamental role in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In particular, the nerve growth factor (NGF) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) play a subtle role in the survival, differentiation, and functioning of neuronal populations, as well as in the fine regulation of immune functions. The SARS-CoV-2 infection was characterized by a sequela of symptoms (serious respiratory pathology, inflammatory storm, neurological discomfort, up to the less serious flu-like symptoms), which caused, at the end of 2023, more than 7 million deaths worldwide. Despite the official end of the pandemic, the physical and psychological consequences are currently the object of scientific research, both acute and chronic/long-lasting (Long-COVID-19). Given the multifactorial nature of the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults and children, several studies have investigated the potential involvement of the NGF and BDNF systems in the pathology. This narrative review aims to summarize the most recent evidence on this crucial topic.

The rising SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variant: evolution, infectivity, immune escape, and response strategies

The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 has emerged as the dominant strain worldwide since the end of 2023. As a subclade of the BA.2.86 variant, JN.1 harbors a unique combination of mutations inherited from the BA.2.86 lineage, notably featuring the novel L455S mutation within its receptor-binding motif. This mutation has been linked to increased transmissibility and enhanced immune evasion capabilities. During the rise of JN.1, evidence of resistance to various monoclonal antibodies and reduced cross-neutralization effects of the XBB.1.5 vaccine have been observed. Although the public health threat posed by the JN.1 variant appears relatively low, concerns persist regarding its evolutionary trajectory under immune pressure. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving JN.1 variant, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and investigation of new variants that could lead to widespread infection. It assesses the efficacy of current vaccines and therapeutics against emerging variants, particularly focusing on immunocompromised populations. Additionally, this review summarizes potential vaccine advancements and clinical treatments for COVID-19, offering insights to optimize prevention and treatment strategies. This review thoroughly evaluates the JN.1 variant's impact on public health and its implications for future vaccine and therapeutic development, contributing to ongoing efforts to mitigate the risk of virus transmission and disease severity.

Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first discovered in November 2021 in specimens collected from Botswana, South Africa. Omicron has become the dominant variant worldwide, and several sublineages or subvariants have been identified recently. Compared to those of other mutants, the Omicron variant has the most highly expressed amino acid mutations, with almost 60 mutations throughout the genome, most of which are in the spike (S) protein, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). These mutations increase the binding affinity of Omicron variants for the ACE2 receptor, and Omicron variants may also lead to immune escape. Despite causing milder symptoms, epidemiological evidence suggests that Omicron variants have exceptionally higher transmissibility, higher rates of reinfection and greater spread than the prototype strain as well as other preceding variants. Additionally, overwhelming amounts of data suggest that the levels of specific neutralization antibodies against Omicron variants decrease in most vaccinated populations, although CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses are maintained. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying Omicron variant evasion are still unclear. In this review, we surveyed the current epidemic status and potential immune escape mechanisms of Omicron variants. Especially, we focused on the potential roles of viral epitope mutations, antigenic drift, hybrid immunity, and "original antigenic sin" in mediating immune evasion. These insights might supply more valuable concise information for us to understand the spreading of Omicron variants.