• Published: August 7, 2025
• Proc Natl Acad Sci
• Corresponding Author: Gail Bishop, PhD
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Research Summary:

TRAF3 is a key adaptor protein that regulates B cell survival, activation, and differentiation. This study from Gail Bishop’s lab at the University of Iowa shows that reduced TRAF3—due to genetic heterozygosity or aging—causes dose-dependent B cell dysfunction. Aged mice and humans exhibit lower TRAF3 protein levels, correlating with increased B cell disorders. Notably, proteasome inhibition restored TRAF3 in aged mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy. The work highlights TRAF3’s critical role in immune regulation and the impact of its decline on age-related immune diseases.

Authors: Emma L. Hornick, Kyp Oxley, Nathaniel Wieting, Emma Treco, Bruce S. Hostager, and Gail A. Bishop

• Published: August 8, 2025
• Journal of Virology
• Authors: Boopathi Sownthirarajan, Maya Mason, Gayathri Loganathan, Senthamizharasi Manivasagam, Rohit K. Jangra, Gene S. Tan, Daniel R. Perez, Balaji Manicassamy
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Research Summary:

The H5N1 strain of influenza A virus (IAV) continues to cause severe infections in a range of avian and mammalian species, including sporadic but concerning cases in humans. There is growing concern that circulating H5N1 strains could lead to widespread human outbreaks. Research with highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses is restricted to Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine vectors expressing heterologous viral proteins from Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, Lassa virus, etc., have previously been shown to be safe and effective in animal models and human clinical trials. Here, we report the development of a recombinant VSV expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of H5N1 IAV (H5N1-VSV), which serves as a versatile platform to study various aspects of H5N1 IAV biology.