FDA approved updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax's partners, all reformulated to target the XFG variant, giving clinicians several options ahead of the fall respiratory virus season.
|Articles|January 25, 2021
Novel Molecules Discovered to Combat COVID-19 Related Lung Disease
Author(s)Killian Meara
Findings may also provide profound protection for asthma by reducing severity of asthma attacks.
Advertisement
A recent study, originally intended to analyze how the immune system impacts gut bacteria, has resulted in the discovery of 2 molecules that show substantial promise in experimental asthma models, while also potentially providing a role in treating respiratory illnesses that are prevalent and often deadly in patients with a severe case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Findings from the study were published in the journal
The 2 molecules were not previously known to have any impact on asthma or other lung disease, and one is already available in commercial dietary supplements.
Investigators from Monash University studied a mouse with a limited immune system that consisted of a single type of antibody and discovered that it’s gut microbiome had changed. They then transferred the bacteria to mice with normal immune systems so that they could identify which bacteria had an effect.
Upon analyzing the mice, the investigators found the production of a particular gut bacteria by-product called p-cresol sulfate (PCS). It was observed that PCS was produced by an enhanced bacterial metabolism of the amino acid L-tyrosine and led to a profound protection against asthma.
"We found that giving mice either L-tyrosine or PCS, provided significant protection against lung inflammation,” Benjamin Marsland, the leader behind the study said. “PCS travels all the way from the gut, to the lungs, and acts on epithelial cells lining the airways to prevent the allergic asthma response."
The investigators also tested the 2 molecules in animal models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which impacts people with severe COVID-19, and found that it provides protection against it.
While the findings are promising, PCS may potentially be toxic in high levels, as has been seen in patients with chronic kidney disease.
"It's very important that a thorough clinical study is performed in order to determine whether L-tyrosine is effective in people with asthma, and for us to determine what is the correct dose and treatment regime,” Marsland said.
Advertisement
Related to this article
The Vaccine Integrity Project, in collaboration with the American Medical Association, conducted a vaccine and immunization effectiveness and safety review for RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19 for the 2026-2027 season. JAMA published the review, and here is an overview of the data going into this year's seasonal respiratory virus season.
The antiviral did not produce greater symptom improvement than placebo in patients with the condition in the RECOVER-VITAL trial.
The FDA has approved formulations for the 2026-2027 vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty XFG, Novavax's commercial partners Sanofi and Takeda have secured approvals for its Nuvaxovid, and Moderna's Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE vaccines, all with protections against the currently circulating variant.
The FDA has approved Pfizer-BioNTech's 2026-2027 Comirnaty XFG formula, an updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting the XFG variant, for adults 65 and older and for individuals ages five through 64 with at least one high-risk underlying condition.
Investigators accessed longitudinal human data from ebola virus vaccination for signals of efficacy against the Bundibugyo species now surging in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the first episode of our news series looking at the food safety network, Lynette Johnston, PhD, offers insights into how the federal government surveillance infrastructure operates, and how epidemiologists serve as food detectives in determining bacterial pathogens and potential foodborne outbreaks.
In mid-May, as the world was still grappling with an unexpected hantavirus outbreak aboard a tourism vessel, news broke of an Ebola outbreak in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo spanning at least 3 health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu.