Merel R te Marvelde , Laura LA van Dijk , Mark A Power , Melanie Rissmann, Rory D de Vries, Bart L Haagmans
{"title":"Human organoid models to study coronavirus infections of the respiratory tract","authors":"Merel R te Marvelde , Laura LA van Dijk , Mark A Power , Melanie Rissmann, Rory D de Vries, Bart L Haagmans","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emphasized the need to study coronaviruses more thoroughly. Next to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), humans can be infected by SARS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and various seasonal coronaviruses. It is likely that all human coronaviruses have a zoonotic origin and circulated in animal reservoirs before crossing the species barrier into humans. Historically, these viruses have been investigated <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>, mainly utilizing immortalized cell lines and animal models, respectively. Recently, more advanced physiological model systems have been developed to study coronavirus host interactions, with human organoids serving as innovative <em>in vitro</em> tissue culture system that closely mimics human physiology. Organoids provide a promising platform for investigating coronavirus infections, exploring viral tropism, studying host immune responses, and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. This review explores the origins and use of airway organoids in studying coronaviruses. Additionally, it outlines prospects for leveraging airway organoids for examination of both innate and adaptive immune responses, evaluation of antiviral drugs, and creating intricate co-culture models for enhanced insight into coronavirus infections of the respiratory tract.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101476"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Himanshu Sharma , Marie N Sorin , Kiran B Sharma , Lars-Anders Carlson
{"title":"Illuminating druggable dark matter in RNA virus replication using in situ cryo-EM","authors":"Himanshu Sharma , Marie N Sorin , Kiran B Sharma , Lars-Anders Carlson","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Viral proteins typically exist in the context of complex virions or in the even more complex host cells in which they replicate. Hence, meaningful insights into virus protein structure often need to account for this context. Various flavors of <em>in situ</em> cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), such as cryo-electron tomography, are key methods for the contextual study of virus protein structure in pleomorphic virions and host cells. Here, we review recent <em>in situ</em> cryo-EM work on three selected phenomena in RNA virus replication: the maturation and nuclear entry of HIV-1, the membrane-bound replication organelles of positive-sense RNA viruses, and the membrane-less viral factories of negative-sense RNA viruses. We highlight cases where the imaged phenomena are targets of novel antiviral drugs (such as the recently approved antiretroviral Lenacapavir), drug candidates, and antiviral strategies. Finally, we discuss recent technical advances that extend the reach of <em>in situ</em> cryo-EM in virology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101475"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luca D Bertzbach , Nicole Fischer , Benedikt B Kaufer
{"title":"Editorial overview: Viruses and cancer — challenges, breakthroughs, and future directions","authors":"Luca D Bertzbach , Nicole Fischer , Benedikt B Kaufer","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101474","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101474"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144557154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katrin Schröer , Lotta Fiege , Alina Wolf , Vesna Bjelic-Radisic , Anja Ehrhardt
{"title":"State-of-the-art in oncolytic virotherapy using adenoviruses other than the commonly applied adenovirus type 5","authors":"Katrin Schröer , Lotta Fiege , Alina Wolf , Vesna Bjelic-Radisic , Anja Ehrhardt","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In most clinical trials, oncolytic viruses (OAds) based on human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-C5) were explored, and only rarely a complete switch to another adenovirus type was evaluated. This review highlights the broader diversity of human adenoviruses and discusses advances in engineering non-HAdV-C5 OAds. We will discuss ongoing research to refine adenoviral constructs derived from alternative adenovirus species, including chimeric viruses, to optimize viral delivery and enhance antitumor immune responses. We summarize translational and clinical studies using these alternative OAds, emphasizing their therapeutic promise despite remaining challenges. Unlocking the full potential of diverse OAds could significantly expand cancer treatment options.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101472"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecules to spillover: how climate warming impacts mosquito-borne viruses","authors":"Isabel O Delwel , Erin A Mordecai","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101473","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101473","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is a critical driver in the outbreaks of vector-borne infectious diseases worldwide. Arbovirus vectors, namely, mosquitoes, exhibit strong and nonlinear responses to climatic factors, such as temperature driving changes in infectious disease dynamics. In this review, we highlight key climate change factors that can affect arboviruses and their mosquito vectors across multiple biological levels, emphasizing the consequences for the transmission and spread of viruses impacting human hosts. We examine the complex interplay between environmental changes and vector biology, including life history traits, vector competence, and species interactions. We characterize vector ecology across scales critical for our understanding of forecasting the impacts of climate change on mosquito-borne viruses, predicting disease outbreaks and developing effective control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101473"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144470271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ex vivo culture models to study viral infections of the liver","authors":"Esther Föderl-Höbenreich, Katrin Panzitt","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101462","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101462","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ex vivo</em> liver culture models, particularly three-dimensional (3D) models, are vital for studying viral infections of the liver, as they replicate the complex microenvironment more accurately than traditional two-dimensional cultures. These models are essential for understanding viral pathogenesis, replication, and host responses, which are crucial for developing antiviral therapies. Here, we review various <em>ex vivo</em> liver culture models, including primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), liver-on-a-chip, organoids, and precision-cut liver slices. Each model has unique advantages and limitations. For instance, PHHs maintain physiological characteristics but have a limited lifespan, while liver-on-a-chip systems enable dynamic studies but require advanced engineering. Despite challenges in translating findings to human disease, these 3D models hold promise for advancing liver disease research and drug development. Future research should focus on expanding the scope of these models to include a wider range of viruses and improving their physiological relevance to better mimic <em>in vivo</em> conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101462"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143928597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The liver as a potential gate to the brain for encephalitic viruses","authors":"Alexandre Lalande , Lola Canus , Amélie Bourgeais, Cyrille Mathieu, Eva Ogire","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101463","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101463","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To model infection of viruses targeting the liver and the central nervous system, two-dimensional <em>in vitro</em> cultures rapidly show their limitations. Conversely, <em>in vivo</em> models do not easily allow the investigation of early events of the infection process. In between, <em>ex vivo</em> models, comprising mainly organoids and organotypic cultures, mimic or retain the cytoarchitecture of the organ while being relatively simple to handle and analyze. Here, we summarize the main features of brain and liver <em>ex vivo</em> models and pinpoint examples of their utilization for studying encephalitogenic and hepatotropic viruses. We highlight a gap of development and application of liver compared to <em>ex vivo</em> models in virology. Many hepatotropic viruses can also infect and/or have impacts on the central nervous system. In this sense, we sought to present these <em>ex vivo</em> models while providing a conceptual framework for the modeling of the hepatocerebral axis in the context of viral infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101463"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143924605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances in animal models of lymphomagenesis caused by human γ-herpesviruses","authors":"Christian Münz","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101461","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101461","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The two human γ-herpesviruses Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) cause around 2–3% of all cancers in man. Their exclusive tropism for humans and associated lack of small animal models has impeded the dissection of individual viral gene contributions to tumor formation and of protection by distinct immune responses that are observed in virus carriers. Mice with reconstituted human immune systems (humanized mice) now offer the possibility to study these questions and to develop adoptive antibody and T cell transfers against EBV- and KSHV-associated pathologies. Based on such protective immune responses, vaccine candidates can then be developed to prophylactically and therapeutically induce immune control, similar to the one that avoids virus-associated pathologies in the vast majority of infected individuals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101461"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143704098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charlène Martin , Mathilde Bergamelli , Hélène Martin , Mélinda Bénard , Charlotte Tscherning , Cécile E Malnou
{"title":"Human placental models for studying viral infections","authors":"Charlène Martin , Mathilde Bergamelli , Hélène Martin , Mélinda Bénard , Charlotte Tscherning , Cécile E Malnou","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Viral infections during pregnancy represent a major threat to maternal, fetal, and neonatal health outcome, with a high risk of vertical transmission. It is therefore crucial to understand the mechanisms underlying the interaction between viruses and placenta, which ensures communication between maternal and fetal compartments throughout pregnancy. Human placental models, both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>ex vivo,</em> enable to dissect in detail these interactions. By studying in detail viral entry, replication, and immune responses within the placenta, they represent ideal tools for analyzing the effects of various viruses on pregnancy outcomes. In addition, these models serve as platforms for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to protect pregnant women and their babies from viral infections. This review examines recent advances, the main advantages and limitations of different human placental models and discusses their potential to improve our understanding of virus-placenta interactions, thereby contributing to improved maternal and fetal health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101454"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jil A Haase , Sarah Schlienkamp , Julian J Ring , Eike Steinmann
{"title":"Transmission patterns of hepatitis E virus","authors":"Jil A Haase , Sarah Schlienkamp , Julian J Ring , Eike Steinmann","doi":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coviro.2025.101451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes sporadic cases in industrialized countries and endemic outbreaks in areas with lower sanitation standards. The wide host reservoir of HEV makes it a potential source of new zoonotic transmission and dissemination in humans. Thus, the perception of HEV as a confined ailment has shifted to one of global concern. Considering HEV’s environmental stability and heterogeneity in the host range of HEV’s genotypes, various transmission pathways and sources for HEV infections are plausible. Here, we provide an overview on HEV’s transmission routes and discuss the role of HEV as a foodborne zoonosis, as well as preventive measures and open research questions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11082,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in virology","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 101451"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143074194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}