Wen Yu Weng

Bio: Wen Yu Weng is an academic researcher from Mahidol University International College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Refugee & Prohibitin. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 120 citations.

Identification of prohibitin as a Chikungunya virus receptor protein

Abstract: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency,Pathumthani, ThailandChikungunya virus (CHIKV) has recently re-emerged causing millions of infections in coun-tries around the Indian Ocean. While CHIKV hasa broad host cell range and productively infectsa number of different cell types, macrophageshave been identified as a potential viral reser-voir serving to increase the duration of symp-toms. To date no CHIKV interacting protein hasbeen characterized and this study sought toidentify CHIKV binding proteins expressed ontarget cell membranes. Two-dimensional virusoverlay identified prohibitin (PHB) as a micro-glial cell expressed CHIKV binding protein. Co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation as well asantibody and siRNA mediated infection inhibi-tion studies all confirmed a role for PHB in me-diating internalization of CHIKV into microglialcells. PHB is the first identified CHIKV receptorprotein, and this study is evidence that PHBmay play a role in the internalization of multipleviruses. J. Med. Virol. 84:1757–1770,2012.

Group fairness in dynamic refugee assignment

Abstract: Ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers thrive (e.g., find employment) in their host countries is a profound humanitarian goal, and a primary driver of employment is the geographic location to which the refugee or asylum seeker is assigned. In the past few years, innovations in analytics have given rise to machine learning (ML) models that predict integration outcomes using personal characteristics. With these ML models, recent research has proposed and implemented algorithms that assign refugees and asylum seekers to geographic locations in a manner that maximizes the average employment. While these algorithms can have substantial overall positive impact (up to 50% increases in average employment rate compared with current practice), using data from two industry collaborators we show that the impact of these algorithms can vary widely across key subgroups based on country of origin, age, or educational background.

Chikungunya virus infection: an overview.

Abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus belonging to the Togaviridae family, first isolated in Tanzania in 1952. The main vectors are mosquitoes from the Aedes species. Recently, the establishment of an envelope mutation increased infectivity for A. albopictus. CHIKV has recently re-emerged causing millions of infections in countries around the Indian Ocean characterized by climate conditions favourable to high vector density. Importation of human cases to European regions with high density of suitable arthropod vectors (such as A. albopictus) may trigger autochthonous outbreaks. The clinical signs of CHIKV infection include non-specific flu-like symptoms, and a characteristic rash accompanied by joint pain that may last for a long time after the resolution of the infection. The death rate is not particularly high, but excess mortality has been observed in concomitance with large CHIKV outbreaks. Deregulation of innate defense mechanisms, such as cytokine inflammatory response, may participate in the main clinical signs of CHIKV infection, and the establishment of persistent (chronic) disease. There is no specific therapy, and prevention is the main countermeasure. Prevention is based on insect control and in avoiding mosquito bites in endemic countries. Diagnosis is based on the detection of virus by molecular methods or by virus culture on the first days of infection, and by detection of an immune response in later stages. CHIKV infection must be suspected in patients with compatible clinical symptoms returning from epidemic/endemic areas. Differential diagnosis should take into account the cross-reactivity with other viruses from the same antigenic complex (i.e. O'nyong-nyong virus).

Functions of Antibodies

Abstract: Antibodies can impact pathogens in the presence or in the absence of effector cells or effector molecules such as complement, and experiments can often sort out with precision the mechanisms by which an antibody inhibits a pathogen in vitro. In addition, in vivo models, particularly those engineered to knock in or knock out effector cells or effector molecules, are excellent tools for understanding antibody functions. However, it is highly likely that multiple antibody functions occur simultaneously or sequentially in the presence of an infecting organism in vivo. The most critical incentive for measuring antibody functions is to provide a basis for vaccine development and for the development of therapeutic antibodies. In this respect, some functions, such as virus neutralization, serve to inhibit the acquisition of a pathogen or limit its pathogenesis. However, antibodies can also enhance replication or contribute to pathogenesis. This review emphasizes those antibody functions that are potentially beneficial to the host. In addition, this review will focus on the effects of antibodies on organisms themselves, rather than on the toxins the organisms may produce.

Early Events in Chikungunya Virus Infection-From Virus Cell Binding to Membrane Fusion

Abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a rapidly emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus causing millions of infections in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. CHIKV infection often leads to an acute self-limited febrile illness with debilitating myalgia and arthralgia. A potential long-term complication of CHIKV infection is severe joint pain, which can last for months to years. There are no vaccines or specific therapeutics available to prevent or treat infection. This review describes the critical steps in CHIKV cell entry. We summarize the latest studies on the virus-cell tropism, virus-receptor binding, internalization, membrane fusion and review the molecules and compounds that have been described to interfere with virus cell entry. The aim of the review is to give the reader a state-of-the-art overview on CHIKV cell entry and to provide an outlook on potential new avenues in CHIKV research.

Activity of andrographolide against chikungunya virus infection

Abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus that has recently engendered large epidemics around the world. There is no specific antiviral for treatment of patients infected with CHIKV, and development of compounds with significant anti-CHIKV activity that can be further developed to a practical therapy is urgently required. Andrographolide is derived from Andrographis paniculata, a herb traditionally used to treat a number of conditions including infections. This study sought to determine the potential of andrographolide as an inhibitor of CHIKV infection. Andrographolide showed good inhibition of CHIKV infection and reduced virus production by approximately 3log10 with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 77 μM without cytotoxicity. Time-of-addition and RNA transfection studies showed that andrographolide affected CHIKV replication and the activity of andrographolide was shown to be cell type independent. This study suggests that andrographolide has the potential to be developed further as an anti-CHIKV therapeutic agent.