Identification of key viral and host factors modulating rhinovirus and enterovirus pathogenicity
My research first focused on rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, two important human pathogens. My research group worked to decipher the factors contributing to the virulence and neurotropism of these viruses and we highlighted the critical role of viral capsid proteins in determining viral tropism and disease severity. We then extended this research on viral tropism and pathogenesis to other widespread respiratory and neurotropic viruses, using relevant tissue culture models of respiratory, intestinal and neural origin. These models have allowed us to compare the response of tissues infected by different respiratory viruses and to study the interactions between these different viruses and the host, in the context of co-infections. We are currently evaluating further the effect of prior bacterial infection as well as the impact of underlying host co-morbidities on viral infections. Finally, we have launched a collaborative project with nanomaterial researchers at EPFL to develop broad-spectrum antivirals effective against a wide range of different viruses. Using single cell RNA sequencing, we are currently investigating how the host responds to both viral infection and antiviral treatment. This work on antivirals has recently been expanded to contribute to the fight against the newly emerged SARS-CoV2.
Specific expertise
- The following expertises may be of interest for other groups of the center:
- Established infection protocols for a wide range of viruses
- Use and caracterization of 3D tissue culture models of respiratory, intestinal and neural origin (including TEER measurment, cytokine measurment, MTT and LDH assays for cytotoxicity evaluation, video recording of cilia beeting frequency, immunostaing of whole tissues or of tissue sections...)
- Established protocols for cell dissociation of 3D respiratory tissues and of mouse lung tissues to perform single cell RNA sequencing
Selected Publications
Essaidi-Laziosi M et al. Interferon-Dependent and Respiratory Virus-Specific Interference in Dual Infections of Airway Epithelia. Scientific Reports. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66748-6
Jones ST et al. Modified Cyclodextrins as Broad-spectrum Antivirals. Science Advances 2020 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax9318
Cagno V et al. Growth of Zika virus in human reconstituted respiratory, intestinal, vaginal and neural tissues. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.04.016
Tseligka ED et al. A VP1 mutation acquired during an enterovirus 71 disseminated infection confers heparan sulfate binding ability and modulates ex vivo tropism. PLoS Pathog. 2018 doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007190
Essaidi-Laziosi M et al. Propagation of respiratory viruses in human airway epithelia reveals persistent virus-specific signatures. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Aug 7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.07.018. [Epub ahead of print]
6 Nov 2020