https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2020.sw.kumedicine/432 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 17:44:41 GMT 2026-04-04T17:44:41Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79055 Title: Vaccine Platform-Dependent Differential Impact on Microbiome Diversity: Potential Advantages of Protein Subunit Vaccines Authors: Seong, Hye; Yoon, Jin Gu; Nham, Eliel; Choi, Yu Jung; Noh, Ji Yun; Cheong, Hee Jin; Kim, Woo Joo; Lim, Sooyeon; Song, Joon Young Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of diverse vaccine platforms, including mRNA, adenoviral vector, and protein subunit vaccines. Given the growing evidence that the gut microbiome modulates vaccine-induced immunity, this study compared the effects of a protein subunit vaccine (NVX-CoV2373), an mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2), and an adenoviral vector vaccine (ChAdOx1) on gut microbiome diversity following booster vaccination. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 35 healthy adults who received an NVX-CoV2373 booster. Stool and blood samples were collected before vaccination and three weeks afterward. Gut microbiome profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the results were compared with our previous cohorts who received BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 vaccines. Results: The NVX-CoV2373 booster was associated with a significant increase in the Shannon diversity index (p = 0.027), indicating enhanced alpha diversity. This finding contrasts with the decrease or absence of significant short-term change observed following repeated administrations of adenoviral vector and mRNA vaccines, respectively. Notably, NVX-CoV2373 vaccination was accompanied by an increased relative abundance of beneficial taxa such as Bacteroides fragilis and a decrease in Prevotella bivia. In comparison, repeated ChAdOx1 doses resulted in a sustained reduction in alpha diversity, whereas BNT162b2 showed a transient post-booster rise followed by a long-term decline in species richness. Conclusions: In the booster setting, the protein subunit vaccine NVX-CoV2373 exerted a distinct and favorable effect on gut microbiome diversity, increasing alpha diversity in contrast to the patterns observed with mRNA and adenoviral vector booster vaccines. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79055 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/77951 Title: Influenza C virus in humans and animals Authors: Lee, Han Sol; Noh, Ji Yun; Cheong, Hee Jin Abstract: Influenza C virus (ICV) was discovered in 1947 and detected in humans, with natural infections occurring periodically. However, early studies on ICV were challenging in diagnosis because the virus is difficult to culture. As a result, the disease burden and pathogenicity of ICV have been underestimated. Recent studies using molecular biological techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction have provided further insights into prevalence, seasonality, genomic diversity, and evolution. In addition, the possibility of inter-species transmission was suggested based on the high similarity between the nucleotide sequence of ICV confirmed to infect animals and the sequence of ICV isolated from humans. In this review, we summarize current data on the epidemiology and clinical features, viral genome analysis, and animal studies of ICV. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/77951 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/75655 Title: Identification of key prognostic factors and biomarkers of patients with severe pneumonia through microbiome/transcriptome analysis Authors: Lim, Sooyeon; Yoon, Jin Gu Abstract: Background: It has been reported that the number of virulent bacteria increases after viral infection, the expression of infectious bacterial proteins is likely to increase, and the existing nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiome may affect the severity of infection [1,2]. There have been several studies reporting significant differences in some transcripts of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF in patients with pneumonia depending on the cause, but studies using transcriptome RNA-seq are still insufficient [3]. In brief, there is no multi-omics study that integrates both symptomatic pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia. This is because there are limitations in the rapidity of sample collection that can affect the results and the multiomics analysis basis. In this study, by studying key interactions and the host’s immune response using a wholistic approach, we aim to identify prognostic factors, identify immune mechanisms, and discover biomarkers to use as indicators of improving treatment progress for patients with severe pneumonia and for prognostic diagnosis. Methods: Microbiome/transcriptome analysis was performed using a wholistic approach, which is insufficient due to the speed of sample collection and limitations of multiomics analysis, based on a system that is advantageous for sample collection and bioinformatics major analysis. We intend to conduct research on short- and medium-term effects on immune mechanisms. Check significance and correlation of multi-omics analysis of WGS and RNA-seq data. Comparative analysis of microbiome and transcriptome before and after treatment,comparative analysis of microbiome and transcriptome according to treatment method. Comparative analysis of microbiome and transcriptome of bacterial pneumonia patients. Comparative analysis of microbiome and transcriptome of severe pneumonia patients and mild pneumonia patients Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/75655 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/74091 Title: The gut microbiota modifies antibody durability and booster responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination Authors: Seong, Hye; Yoon, Jin Gu; Nham, Eliel; Choi, Yu Jung; Noh, Ji Yun; Cheong, Hee Jin; Kim, Woo Joo; Kim, Eui Ho; Kim, Chulwoo; Han, Young-Hee; Lim, Sooyeon; Song, Joon Young Abstract: Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are pivotal in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the declining antibody titers postvaccination pose challenges for sustained protection and herd immunity. Although gut microbiome is reported to affect the early antibody response after vaccination, its impact on the longevity of vaccine-induced antibodies remains unexplored. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 44 healthy adults who received two doses of either the BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 vaccine, followed by a BNT162b2 booster at six months. The gut microbiome was serially analyzed using 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing, while humoral immune response was assessed using a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunoassay. Results: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was associated with robust and persistent antibody responses post-BNT162b2 vaccination. In comparison, Escherichia coli was associated with a slower antibody decay following ChAdOx1 vaccination. The booster immune response was correlated with metabolic pathways involving cellular functions and aromatic amino acid synthesis. Conclusions: The findings of this study underscored the potential interaction between the gut microbiome and the longevity/boosting effect of antibodies following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The identification of specific microbial associations suggests the prospect of microbiome-based strategies for enhancing vaccine efficacy. © The Author(s) 2024. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/74091 2024-09-01T00:00:00Z