Biology subjects

Karniely, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Karniely, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Buffaloed in Brandenburg: Germany's first Brush with Foot-and-Mouth Disease after four Decades of Freedom

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus is one of the most feared and most consequential pathogens of livestock worldwide. It can be spread rapidly by the transboundary movement of animals, animal products and byproducts. In January 2025, Germany detected its first FMD outbreak since 1988 in extensively reared water buffalo on a small farm in the state of Brandenburg, directly outside Berlin, the federal capital. Immediate control measures including a standstill for movements of susceptible animals and pre-emptive culling were implemented by the veterinary authorities. Whole-genome sequencing identified the virus as serotype O, topotype ME-SA, lineage SA-2018 and revealed extensive recombination, but cross-neutralization assays suggested good heterologous protection by an O/PanAsia-2 vaccine strain. Epidemiological back-calculation placed the time of virus introduction in late December 2024. Although the entry route remains unresolved, human-associated introduction is most likely. Network analysis revealed minimal farm connectivity, and simulations predicted low potential for onward transmission, which is consistent with the outbreak being ultimately restricted to a single herd. This event underscores the constant and unpredictable risk of introduction of the virus. Early detection through increased awareness and comprehensive differential diagnostics as well as the international collaboration of veterinary services, laboratories and experts are essential in the face of the global presence of FMD.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Primary bovine white blood cells support dissemination of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus while suppressing viral replication

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a severe infectious, emerging transboundary disease of cattle, caused by a Pox family DNA virus. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection is associated with a febrile response followed by emergence of widespread dermal nodules. In addition to the skin, LSDV resides in multiple internal organs and can be isolated from the blood of infected cattle. LSDV is suggested to be mechanically transmitted by biting arthropods. Live attenuated vaccines are commonly used to control disease and its spread. We have characterized the tropism, replication, and dissemination of a LSDV field isolate and of an attenuated vaccine strain using in vitro systems. To follow virus infection and dissemination in living cells, we have generated recombinant viruses expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under a synthetic viral promoter. Recombinant, GFP-expressing, LSDVs demonstrated similar replication kinetics to their corresponding parental LSDV strains in a bovine kidney cell line (MDBK). We further demonstrated that LSDV-GFP productively replicated in a bovine macrophage cell line and in primary bovine foreskin cells with no apparent differences between the field isolate and the vaccine strain. When bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were infected with either LSDV recombinant strain, we observed specific viral driven GFP fluorescence as well as significant viral gene expression. However, infected PBMCs failed to support substantial viral DNA replication and release of infectious progeny. Subsequent analysis of the anti-viral response revealed that heat treated (HT) LSDV induced the expression of interferon- stimulated genes (ISGs) in PBMCs, but this response was suppressed by infectious viruses. Finally, we show that despite failed replication, LSDV infected PBMCs transmitted the virus to recipient co-cultured MDBK cells and produced infectious foci, suggesting a potential role of PBMCs in LSDV dissemination. HighlightsO_LIVirulent and attenuated LSDV productively replicated in bovine kidney and bovine macrophage cell lines as well as in primary fibroblasts. C_LIO_LIAdherent white blood cells were susceptible to LSDV field and attenuated vaccine infection. C_LIO_LILSDV showed active viral transcription in PBMCs yet no significant viral genome replication or production of infectious progeny. C_LIO_LIPBMCs infected with heat-treated LSDV but not with fully infectious viruses upregulated ISGs RNA. C_LIO_LIPBMCs transmitted and disseminated LSDV to contacting permissive cells. C_LI

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Yeast Mitochondrial Derived Vesicles (MDVs) have membrane potential and contain a functional ATP synthase

Vesicular transport is a means of communication. While cells can communicate between each other via secretion of extracellular vesicles, less is known regarding organelle-to organelle communication, in particularly in the case of mitochondria. Mitochondria are responsible for the production of energy and for essential metabolic pathways in the cell, as well as fundamental processes such as apoptosis and aging. Here we show that functional mitochondria, isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae release vesicles, independent of the fission machinery. We were then able for the first time to isolate these Mitochondrial Derived Vesicles (MDVs) and found that they are relatively uniform in size, of about 100nm and carry selective protein cargo including enrichment of ATP synthase subunits. Remarkably, we further found that these MDVs harbor a functional ATP synthase complex. Moreover, we demonstrate that these vesicles have a membrane potential, produce ATP, and seem to fuse with naive mitochondria. Our findings reveal a possible delivery mechanism of ATP producing vesicles, which can potentially regenerate ATP deficient mitochondria and may participate in organelle to organelle communication.

cell biology↗