Viral Infection Control Project
Prevention and Control of Viral Infection and Liver Diseases
Research Summary
Our project studies the virology, immunology, vaccinology and therapy of incurable viral diseases. We currently focus on liver diseases, viral acute pneumonia and dengue fever. However, the lack of suitable infection models in vitro and in vivo has hampered the clarification of viral pathogenesis. To overcome this problem, we have been developing various animal models including transgenic mice, humanized mice with human liver cells, monkeys and tree shrews. We also investigate the precise mechanisms by which host factors regulate viral growth.
Selected Publications
- Ishigaki H, et al. (2022) "An attenuated vaccinia vaccine encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits broad and durable immune responses, and protects cynomolgus macaques and human ACE2 transgenic mice from SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.” Front Microbiol. 13:967019.
- Yasui, F, et al. (2022) “Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant is lethal in aged BALB/c mice.” Sci Rep. 12: 4150
- Sanada T, et al. (2021) In press “Serologic survey of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 among hospital visitors without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Tokyo, 2020-2021.” Journal of Epidemiology. 32(2):105-111.
- Saito M, et al. (2021) “Macrocyclic peptides exhibit antiviral effects against influenza virus HA and prevent pneumonia in animal models.”Nat Commun. 12(1):2654.
- Honda T., et al. (2021) “Development and Characterization of a Highly Sensitive NanoLuciferase-Based Immunoprecipitation System for the Detection of Anti-Influenza Virus HA Antibodies.” mSphere 6(3): e01342-2
- Sanada T, et al. (2019) “Avian H5N1 influenza virus infection causes severe pneumonia in the Northern tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri).” Virology 529:101-110.