https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews daily 0.75 2023-08-21 https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews/blog-post-four-38daw monthly 0.5 2021-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611683141572-SSAT9FM09A2LC4J8X8CT/thumbnail_image.png Lab News - Most Popular Article on PLOS Pathogens for multiple weeks Screen Capture from one of the many days the article maintained the home page https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews/congratulations-taylor-on-your-f31-impact-score-of-15 monthly 0.5 2022-05-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/de9e6407-9d6e-4a54-b3d2-5ac160356c4c/Metabolic+syndrome+model.jpg Lab News - Congratulations, Lizzie on your abstract awards, travel awards, and recent publications. You have had a fantastic year! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews/congratulations-lizzie monthly 0.5 2022-05-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/9a97600e-7f60-49d2-8736-2f91f044bc2f/POWV+Graph+Abstract+Draft+%281%29.png Lab News - Congratulations, Taylor, on your F31 impact score of 15!!!!!! And all your abstract awards, travel awards, and recent publications. You have had a fantastic year! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews/congratulations-lizzie-on-passing-your-defense-with-distinction monthly 0.5 2023-01-11 https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews/hyx08j94ybwjoccnsxhjhk256616fo monthly 0.5 2023-02-16 https://www.viralimmunology.org/labnews/we-have-moved-to-the-univ-of-kentucky monthly 0.5 2023-08-21 https://www.viralimmunology.org/lab-photos daily 0.75 2023-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/df04c3f0-b67b-4bd3-942e-903c366ee004/IMG_5401.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/b2e2d048-1553-46b1-bbcd-18013f7a7f37/IMG_7853.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/f19c8a6f-85ee-41d4-960d-79ebcf1c6116/IMG_5876.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611680497715-4ICRZOLYB0VR8Y55XI15/Picture1.jpg Lab Photos First day of departmental classes, August 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611680497789-YZLJPEW2M2R8EXICMLFC/Picture2.jpg Lab Photos Trip to Navy Pier in Chicago, IL during the Autumn Immunology Conference, November 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611680497852-K9RFJE5RZVY7HSAQ10YZ/Picture3.jpg Lab Photos Strong Women Pose, August 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611680498136-XTZ4C6LZVFO2BM4VOX6B/Picture4.jpg Lab Photos Halloween Costumes of 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611680497793-BQKNO964NNAB4NILOG97/Picture5.jpg Lab Photos Making the best of a PPE Shortage that led to a Michelin Man Style PAPR, April 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611680498618-PXDQWXDO8WW10TZXRNK0/Picture7.jpg Lab Photos Pinto Lab & Brien Lab celebrating recent paper reaching top post for multiple consecutive weeks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/fe4b666b-ff4f-4077-b902-d05a85918e05/IMG_7247.jpg Lab Photos https://www.viralimmunology.org/alumni daily 0.75 2022-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611683630064-K192R0S4TS3CPV0TTSMU/thumbnail_IMG_3809.jpg Alumni - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.viralimmunology.org/publications daily 0.75 2023-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611605314924-C8GUDJBIG8BWM3GJDG6J/dengue-1186411_1920.png Journal Publications - Current Flavivirus Research Important for Vaccine Development Geerling E, Steffen TL, Brien JD, Pinto AK “The Flaviviridae family of RNA viruses includes numerous human disease-causing pathogens that largely are increasing in prevalence due to continual climate change, rising population sizes and improved ease of global travel. Escalating circulation of these emerging and re-emerging pathogens draws attention to the need for vaccines to protect against the severe diseases they cause, and this need is further exacerbated by their transmission that occurs primarily through arthropod vectors. When constructing new, efficacious vaccine candidates, several goals are targeted including safety, protective capacity, ability to confer sustained protection, induction of neutralizing antibody and protective T cell responses, as well as practicality.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/0d692242-eda6-4092-a73b-6435830f9252/POWV+Graph+Abstract+Draft+%281%29.png Journal Publications - Balanced T and B cell responses are required for immune protection against Powassan virus in virus-like particle vaccination E Taylor Stone Mariah Hassert Elizabeth Geerling, Colleen Wagner James D Brien Gregory D Ebel, Alec J Hirsch Cody German Jessica L Smith Amelia K Pinto “Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne pathogen for which humans are an incidental host. POWV infection can be fatal or result in long-term neurological sequelae; however, there are no approved vaccinations for POWV. Integral to efficacious vaccine development is the identification of correlates of protection, which we accomplished in this study by utilizing a murine model of POWV infection. Using POWV lethal and sub-lethal challenge models, we show that (1) robust B and T cell responses are necessary for immune protection, (2) POWV lethality can be attributed to both viral- and host-mediated drivers of disease, and (3) knowledge of the immune correlates of protection against POWV can be applied in a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccination approach that provides protection from lethal POWV challenge. Identification of these immune protection factors is significant as it will aid in the rational design of POWV vaccines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/847df5ae-b9dc-436f-8ea2-91402afc908f/Figure+5+copy.jpg Journal Publications - Obesity Enhances Disease Severity in Female Mice Following West Nile Virus Infection Elizabeth Geerling E Taylor Stone Tara L Steffen Mariah Hassert James D Brien Amelia K Pinto A rise in adiposity in the United States has resulted in more than 70% of adults being overweight or obese, and global obesity rates have tripled since 1975. Following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, obesity was characterized as a risk factor that could predict severe infection outcomes to viral infection. Amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, obesity has remained a significant risk factor for severe viral disease as obese patients have a higher likelihood for developing severe symptoms and requiring hospitalization. However, the mechanism by which obesity enhances viral disease is unknown. In this study, we utilized a diet-induced obesity mouse model of West Nile virus (WNV) infection, a flavivirus that cycles between birds and mosquitoes and incidentally infects both humans and mice. Likelihood for severe WNV disease is associated with risk factors such as diabetes that are comorbidities also linked to obesity. Utilizing this model, we showed that obesity-associated chronic inflammation increased viral disease severity as obese female mice displayed higher mortality rates and elevated viral titers in the central nervous system. In addition, our studies highlighted that obesity also dysregulates host acute adaptive immune responses, as obese female mice displayed significant dysfunction in neutralizing antibody function. These studies highlight that obesity-induced immunological dysfunction begins at early time points post infection and is sustained through memory phase, thus illuminating a potential for obesity to alter the differentiation landscape of adaptive immune cells.” https://www.viralimmunology.org/home daily 1.0 2021-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611339245197-IY2B2E5YZ48PC4CRWLLK/Corona.jpg Home - Pinto Lab Impact on SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic The 2019 coronavirus pandemic has been under the microscope both figuratively and literally. To find out more about what the Pinto Laboratory has been researching recently, click below! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611338835830-GIZAXTOOO0ZA5MROWMSD/cdc-NnZ5j1Tzmj0-unsplash.jpg Home - Recent News Check out what the lab has been up to recently, including recent publications, projects, awards, and other news! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611338954729-UCQWT0QJCERX82SORPB9/cdc-wIP4uP_-xQE-unsplash.jpg Home - Publications from Pinto Labs To explore all publications from the Pinto Lab, click below! https://www.viralimmunology.org/whatwedo daily 0.75 2022-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611337220076-F141QFIJNA8WMUPUD0O6/MicroscopeT150.jpg What We Do - Current Projects Cross Reactive T cells: Future vaccines are being designed to protect against multiple members of the same viral family. The idea behind these “pan-family” vaccines is to incorporate antigens shared between pathogens of a viral family. The idea is that shared antigens can induce cross-reactive immune responses that protect against multiple pathogens from the same family. To understand how cross-reactive T-cell responses develop and their role in controlling viral infection, my laboratory uses small animal models infected with multiple pathogens and monitors both the virus-specific and cross-reactive T-cell responses. We have identified differences in both viral clearance and effector function of cross-reactive T cells compared to their non-cross-reactive counterparts. We are currently working to understand the molecular mechanisms which drive these differences. Obesity and T cell immune dysfunction Numerous comorbidities have been associated with obesity, including immune cell dysfunction. Following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, obesity was published as an independent risk factor that could predict severe infection outcomes. The goal of our studies is to determine if obesity alters immune responses to viruses and vaccines and, if so, to determine the mechanism by which this occurs. Viral sepsis is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Anyone can develop sepsis regardless of age or health status. Sepsis is caused by a dysregulation of the host's response to a pathogen. One-third of those who develop sepsis die, and those that survive are left with chronic debilitating conditions. While bacterial pathogens cause a large majority of cases of sepsis, over 30 percent of sepsis cases are not bacterial in origin, and antibiotic treatments are the only current treatment for sepsis. One factor often overlooked in our response to sepsis is that the diseases have striking similarities. By focusing on the similarities between diseases, we can rapidly target infection symptoms and independently of a disease diagnosis. “Cytokine storm” is one of the most notable characteristics of sepsis and can last for several hours or a few days. The cytokine-mediated inflammation along with complement activation increases vascular permeability, causes hemorrhaging, and is responsible for the organ damage associated with surviving sepsis. In the case of viral sepsis in humans, viral suppression of the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway is thought to be a significant contributor to the initiation of sepsis. How inhibition of type I IFN signaling contributes to sepsis is an area of active investigation in my laboratory. Correlates of protection for emerging pathogens. We use small animal models to elucidate cell-mediated mechanisms of virus infection control and evaluate the generation of innate and protective adaptive immune responses to novel emerging pathogens. Through this work, we have identified critical mechanisms by which T cells are programmed to recognize virally encoded antigens and mechanisms of viral clearance. These studies provide fundamental insights into the protective capacity of T cells. https://www.viralimmunology.org/whoweare daily 0.75 2022-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611683598873-MRMC1DEAVPUYOT6A6ZIA/Headshot.jpg Who We Are - E. Taylor Stone Taylor earned her BA in biology from Hendrix College where she studied microbial diversity in hot water springs in the laboratory of Dr. Matthew Moran. Upon receiving her degree, she joined the Pinto lab in April 2018 where she currently studies the use of virus-encoded innate immunomodulatory proteins in mitigating severe dengue disease. She is interested in studying the role of type I interferon signaling in the development of viral sepsis. Outside of the lab, Taylor enjoys weightlifting, horseback riding, and hiking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611768199649-O2J3L0TTS2NI394I9ST7/43701D57-D982-41C5-9100-7F7D58415F89.jpg Who We Are - Elizabeth Geerling Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1614966017561-M3EE5XF5F05COFOAWQ6X/pinto-amelia.jpg Who We Are - Amelia K. Pinto, PhD Amelia is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Amelia received her B.Sc. at Portsmouth University in Portsmouth England. She advanced her education with a Ph.D. from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, and completed a Postdoctoral at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the past 18 years, she has studied the host immune response to viral infection and vaccination, investigating both viral and host factors that influence the development of a protective immune response using multiple viral families. Her past experiences with emerging infections and current studies on coronaviruses are evident in publications and awards to her laboratory. Her work can be viewed in journals such as PLOS Pathogens, Frontiers in Immunology, Vaccines, JoVE, Nature Communications, and Nature Medicine, among others. Amelia also holds positions in the American Society of Virology, American Association of Immunologists, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Social Media: Can Place Links Here https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611683598873-MRMC1DEAVPUYOT6A6ZIA/Headshot.jpg Who We Are - E. Taylor Stone Taylor earned her BA in biology from Hendrix College where she studied microbial diversity in hot water springs in the laboratory of Dr. Matthew Moran. Upon receiving her degree, she joined the Pinto lab in April 2018 where she currently studies the use of virus-encoded innate immunomodulatory proteins in mitigating severe dengue disease. She is interested in studying the role of type I interferon signaling in the development of viral sepsis. Outside of the lab, Taylor enjoys weightlifting, horseback riding, and hiking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1614966017561-M3EE5XF5F05COFOAWQ6X/pinto-amelia.jpg Who We Are - Amelia K. Pinto, PhD Amelia is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Amelia received her B.Sc. at Portsmouth University in Portsmouth England. She advanced her education with a Ph.D. from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, and completed a Postdoctoral at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the past 18 years, she has studied the host immune response to viral infection and vaccination, investigating both viral and host factors that influence the development of a protective immune response using multiple viral families. Her past experiences with emerging infections and current studies on coronaviruses are evident in publications and awards to her laboratory. Her work can be viewed in journals such as PLOS Pathogens, Frontiers in Immunology, Vaccines, JoVE, Nature Communications, and Nature Medicine, among others. Amelia also holds positions in the American Society of Virology, American Association of Immunologists, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Social Media: Can Place Links Here https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611768199649-O2J3L0TTS2NI394I9ST7/43701D57-D982-41C5-9100-7F7D58415F89.jpg Who We Are - Elizabeth Geerling Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611683630064-K192R0S4TS3CPV0TTSMU/thumbnail_IMG_3809.jpg Who We Are - Mariah Hassert Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://www.viralimmunology.org/404-page-not-found daily 0.75 2021-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/600afa34b232b75f58bd1ce1/1611695861701-B0YAP8HGEAMEZ1XO6QLQ/AmeliaLogo.PNG 404 Page Not Found