Pathogenic mechanisms of emerging viruses, with current focus on Junín and yellow fever.
Overview
The Viral Pathogenesis group has worked for over 20 years on pathogenic mechanisms of different viruses, including Coxsackie B, Junín, Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis and yellow fever viruses.
Current lines focus on Junín (JUNV) and yellow fever virus (YFV), studying the role of organelles such as mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and nuclear bodies during infection.
Research lines
Pathogenesis of Junín virus (JUNV)
Study of the role of cellular organelles, the immune response and other host factors during JUNV infection.
This line analyzes the pathogenic mechanisms of Junín virus, the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, with special interest in the involvement of mitochondria, macrophages and the immune response.
Vaccine candidates based on the baculovirus surface display strategy are also developed and evaluated, as part of the search for tools to prevent infection.
Pathogenesis of yellow fever virus (YFV)
Characterization of the interaction between YFV and cellular organelles, and of the inflammatory responses triggered during infection.
This line studies the role of the Golgi apparatus, mitochondrial dynamics and nuclear bodies during yellow fever virus infection.
The type I interferon (IFN-I) response associated with the TLR2 pathway and proinflammatory responses in endothelial cells are also analyzed, with the aim of understanding the cellular mechanisms that contribute to viral pathogenesis.
Team
- Dra. María Florencia FerrerAssociate Investigator (CONICET); Global Virus Network
Projects and funding
| Project | Code / period | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| Role of mitochondria in Junín virus infection | PICT 2020 (20–02702) · 2022–present (extended) | ANPCyT |
| Molecular biology of host–pathogen interaction Director: Dr. María Leticia Ferrelli · Co-director: Dr. María Florencia Ferrer | Project X991 · 2023–2026 | UNLP |
Selected scientific output
- Yellow fever virus infection triggers proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses in endothelial cells through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways
- Yellow Fever Virus Induces Golgi Stress and CREB3L1 Nuclear Translocation in Human A549 Cells
- Yellow fever virus infection alters mitochondrial network dynamics and trigger IFN-I response via TLR2 pathway
- A New Vaccine Candidate Expressing JUNV GP1-GP2 Against Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever Based on Baculovirus Surface Display
- Baculovirus surface display of a chimeric E-NS1 protein of YFV protects against YFV infection
Collaborations
- Dra. Mirta Schattner (IMEX, ANM-CONICET)
- Dr. Eugenio Antonio Carrera Silva (IMEX, ANM-CONICET)
- Dra. Cecilia Álvarez (CIBICI, UNC-CONICET)
- Dr. Ángel Gabriel Valdivieso (BIOMED, UCA-CONICET)
- Dra. Cybele Garcia (IQUIBICEN, UBA-CONICET)
- Dra. Camila Scorticati (IIB, UNSAM-CONICET)
- Dra. Silvia Valeria Aquila (UNLP)
Capabilities, developments and transfer
Viral pathogenesis studies in cell and animal models.
Vaccine candidate development with baculovirus surface display platform.
Analysis of virus–organelle interactions in JUNV and YFV.
Institutional contact
Institutional channels of the Institute.