CARE External Newsletter – June 2023
The new issue of our biannual newsletter is out. In this edition, you can learn about the value CARE is bringing in the light of the changing status of the pandemic; some interesting research into Post-COVID Condition (aka Long COVID); a profile of CARE partner #Ai-biopharma, and a summary from our recent annual meeting.
Read the Newsletter here: CARE External Newsletter – June 2023
Published in PNAS: A broad-spectrum macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
The CARE partner Utrecht University, in collaboration with other research groups, has developed a spike-targeting macrocyclic peptide that demonstrated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Structural, functional and bioinformatic analysis revealed the details of a conserved quaternary binding site. Consistent with this, the cyclic peptide was able to neutralise pseudoviruses displaying the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as well as related sarbecoviruses.
This broadly neutralising peptide represents a pivotal first step towards development of spike-targeting molecules which can safeguard against emerging variants and future pandemics.
To learn more, click here: A broad-spectrum macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or access the preprint.
Succesful CARE 3rd Annual meeting
We just finished a super exciting 3rd CARE annual meeting in Leuven, Belgium.
Many thanks to the organizers from KUL and all participants for their great presentations and captivating discussions – this will inspire further acceleration of our most promising assets and research projects and help us to best react to the slowdown of the pandemic.
Many thanks also to the members of CARE’s Scientific and Ethics Advisory Board for great advice to CARE as it moves into its final phase before concluding in March 2025.
CARE is meeting for its 3rd Annual meeting on June 6-7
CARE consortium eagerly awaits its third, in person annual meeting on 6-7 June 2023 in Leuven, Belgium. With all other interactions between the 38 partners taking place virtually, this annual event is a welcome opportunity for showcasing endeavours and achievements, as well as enabling cross-consortium discussion and idea generation. CARE is a five-year project which is now past the halfway mark, and will conclude in March 2025.
Published in J Clin Immunol: Persistence of abnormalities in the blood of convalescent COVID-19 patients until 6 months after hospital discharge
The CARE partner Inserm-VRI (France), in collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV, Switzerland) has found persistent abnormalities in the blood of convalescent severe COVID-19 subjects up to six months after leaving the hospital, compared to healthy subkects. These include elevated markers of inflammation, endothelial activation and intestinal damages, as well as high levels of activated immune cells, and decreased antibodies against the virus. The findings suggest long-term impacts on the immune system even after recovery from a severe COVID-19.
In addition, there is a persistent upregulation of genes related to blood clotting. A “core gene signature” associated with a history of thrombotic events was identified in a subgroup of convalescent COVID-19 patients, with upregulation of a set of genes involved in neutrophil activation and blood coagulation. These results suggest the persistence of activation of neutrophils and disturbance of the coagulation pathway in many convalescent severe COVID-19 patients.
The lack of restoration of gene expression and immune system to a normal profile after up to 6 months of follow-up, even in asymptomatic patients who experienced severe COVID-19, indicates the need to carefully extend their clinical follow-up and propose preventive measures.
To learn more, click here: Neutrophil Activation and Immune Thrombosis Profiles Persist in Convalescent COVID-19.
