HIV and SARS-CoV-2: Tracing a Path of Vaccine Research and Development

Recombinant ferritins for multimodal nanomedicine

In all living organisms, ferritins are a group of proteins important for maintaining iron homeostasis. Increasing amount of studies has shown that recombinant ferritins can be widely used in multimodal nanomedicine, especially for anticancer treatment and vaccination. Recombinant particles prepared by fusing viral proteins and ferritin subunits produce a better immune response and higher antibody titres. Moreover, actively-targeted ferritin nanoparticles can recognise receptors and deliver natural or chemical drugs specifically to the tumour tissue. In addition, ferritin-linked or loaded with contrast agents or fluorescent dyes can be used as multimodal particles useful cancer theranostics. In this review, we fully summarised the unitisation of recombinant ferritins in multimodal nanomedicine. The research progress of using recombinant ferritins as nanovaccines, nanozymes, and bioengineered nanocarriers for targeted therapy and bioimaging is emphasised.

A research and development (R&D) roadmap for broadly protective coronavirus vaccines: A pandemic preparedness strategy

Broadly protective coronavirus vaccines are an important tool for protecting against future SARS-CoV-2 variants and could play a critical role in mitigating the impact of future outbreaks or pandemics caused by novel coronaviruses. The Coronavirus Vaccines Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap (CVR) is aimed at promoting the development of such vaccines. The CVR, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation, was generated through a collaborative and iterative process, which was led by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota and involved 50 international subject matter experts and recognized leaders in the field. This report summarizes the major issues and areas of research outlined in the CVR and identifies high-priority milestones. The CVR covers a 6-year timeframe and is organized into five topic areas: virology, immunology, vaccinology, animal and human infection models, and policy and finance. Included in each topic area are key barriers, gaps, strategic goals, milestones, and additional R&D priorities. The roadmap includes 20 goals and 86 R&D milestones, 26 of which are ranked as high priority. By identifying key issues, and milestones for addressing them, the CVR provides a framework to guide funding and research campaigns that promote the development of broadly protective coronavirus vaccines.

Willingness and Perceptions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose in Pakistani Vaccinated Population: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine booster dose willingness and identify predictors and factors of willingness and hesitance in the vaccinated population of Pakistan.

Methods

A cross-sectional web-based survey was undertaken between January and February 2022 to highlight the public perceptions regarding the COVID-19 booster dose and evaluate the willingness to get the additional dose. Demographic information and booster dose willingness were recorded through the questionnaire. Additionally, a 5-point Likert scale was employed to explore fears and beliefs regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Univariate and multivariate regression was performed to identify booster dose willingness and hesitance factors.

Results

Of the 787 respondents, 69.6% were females, 75.3% fell in the 18–30 years age group, 53.5% were university students or had a Bachelor's degree. Overall, a 77.8% booster dose willingness was reported. Participants showed absence or low fear levels associated with a booster dose (47.3%). 60.1% agreed it was safe to receive an additional vaccine dose, with 44.1% agreeing that boosters are effective against coronavirus variants. Independent predictors of willingness included the absence of comorbidities, whereas not being willing to pay for the booster dose was a predictor of hesitance.

Conclusion

This study showed a suboptimal willingness level of booster dose uptake among the vaccinated Pakistani population. Public health policymakers must undertake necessary awareness campaigns to strategize vaccination drives and dispel myths.

Natural Immunity against HIV-1: Progression of Understanding after Association Studies

Natural immunity against HIV has been observed in many individuals in the world. Among them, a group of female sex workers enrolled in the Pumwani sex worker cohort remained HIV uninfected for more than 30 years despite high-risk sex work. Many studies have been carried out to understand this natural immunity to HIV in the hope to develop effective vaccines and preventions. This review focuses on two such examples. These studies started from identifying immunogenetic or genetic associations with resistance to HIV acquisition, and followed up with an in-depth investigation to understand the biological relevance of the correlations of protection, and to develop and test novel vaccines and preventions.