Tropism-shifted AAV-PHP.eB-mediated bFGF gene therapy promotes varied neurorestoration after ischemic stroke in mice

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202602000-00040/figure1/v/2025-05-05T160104Z/r/image-tiff AAV-PHP.eB is an artificial adeno-associated virus (AAV) that crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets neurons more efficiently than other AAVs when administered systematically. While AAV-PHP.eB has been used in various disease models, its cellular tropism in cerebrovascular diseases remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the tropism of AAV-PHP.eB for different cell types in the brain in a mouse model of ischemic stroke and evaluate its effectiveness in mediating basic fibroblast growth factor ( bFGF ) gene therapy. Mice were injected intravenously with AAV-PHP.eB either 14 days prior to (pre-stroke) or 1 day following (post-stroke) transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Notably, we observed a shift in tropism from neurons to endothelial cells with post-stroke administration of AAV-PHP.eB-mNeonGreen (mNG). This endothelial cell tropism correlated strongly with expression of the endothelial membrane receptor lymphocyte antigen 6 family member A (Ly6A). Furthermore, AAV-PHP.eB-mediated overexpression of bFGF markedly improved neurobehavioral outcomes and promoted long-term neurogenesis and angiogenesis post-ischemic stroke. Our findings underscore the significance of considering potential tropism shifts when utilizing AAV-PHP.eB-mediated gene therapy in neurological diseases and suggest a promising new strategy for bFGF gene therapy in stroke treatment.

Targeting the brain's glymphatic pathway: A novel therapeutic approach for cerebral small vessel disease

Cerebral small vessel disease encompasses a group of neurological disorders characterized by injury to small blood vessels, often leading to stroke and dementia. Due to its diverse etiologies and complex pathological mechanisms, preventing and treating cerebral small vessel vasculopathy is challenging. Recent studies have shown that the glymphatic system plays a crucial role in interstitial solute clearance and the maintenance of brain homeostasis. Increasing evidence also suggests that dysfunction in glymphatic clearance is a key factor in the progression of cerebral small vessel disease. This review begins with a comprehensive introduction to the structure, function, and driving factors of the glymphatic system, highlighting its essential role in brain waste clearance. Afterwards, cerebral small vessel disease was reviewed from the perspective of the glymphatic system, after which the mechanisms underlying their correlation were summarized. Glymphatic dysfunction may lead to the accumulation of metabolic waste in the brain, thereby exacerbating the pathological processes associated with cerebral small vessel disease. The review also discussed the direct evidence of glymphatic dysfunction in patients and animal models exhibiting two subtypes of cerebral small vessel disease: arteriolosclerosis-related cerebral small vessel disease and amyloid-related cerebral small vessel disease. Diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space is an important non-invasive tool for assessing the clearance function of the glymphatic system. However, the effectiveness of its parameters needs to be enhanced. Among various nervous system diseases, including cerebral small vessel disease, glymphatic failure may be a common final pathway toward dementia. Overall, this review summarizes prevention and treatment strategies that target glymphatic drainage and will offer valuable insight for developing novel treatments for cerebral small vessel disease.

Sox2-overexpressing neural stem cells alleviate ventricular enlargement and neurological dysfunction in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202602000-00045/figure1/v/2025-05-05T160104Z/r/image-tiff Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the potential for self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation, and their transplantation has achieved good efficacy in a variety of diseases. However, only 1%-10% of transplanted NSCs survive in the ischemic and hypoxic microenvironment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Sox2 is an important factor for NSCs to maintain proliferation. Therefore, Sox2-overexpressing NSCs (NSCSox2) may be more successful in improving neurological dysfunction after posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. In this study, human NSCSox2 was transplanted into a posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus mouse model, and retinoic acid was administered to further promote NSC differentiation. The results showed that NSCSox2 attenuated the ventricular enlargement caused by posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and improved neurological function. NSCSox2 also promoted nerve regeneration, inhibited neuroinflammation and promoted M2 polarization (anti-inflammatory phenotype), thereby reducing cerebrospinal fluid secretion in choroid plexus. These findings suggest that NSCSox2 rescued ventricular enlargement and neurological dysfunction induced by posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus through neural regeneration and modulation of inflammation.

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 knockdown promotes neuronal ferroptosis in a mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202602000-00041/figure1/v/2025-05-05T160104Z/r/image-tiff Neuronal cell death is a common outcome of multiple pathophysiological processes and a key factor in neurological dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neuronal ferroptosis in particular plays an important role in early brain injury. Bromodomain-containing protein 4, a member of the bromo and extraterminal domain family of proteins, participated in multiple cell death pathways, but the mechanisms by which it regulates ferroptosis remain unclear. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how bromodomain-containing protein 4 affects neuronal ferroptosis following subarachnoid hemorrhage in vivo and in vitro . Our findings revealed that endogenous bromodomain-containing protein 4 co-localized with neurons, and its expression was decreased 48 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage of the cerebral cortex in vivo . In addition, ferroptosis-related pathways were activated in vivo and in vitro after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 in neurons increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular ferrous iron accumulation via ferritinophagy and ultimately led to neuronal ferroptosis. Using cleavage under targets and tagmentation analysis, we found that bromodomain-containing protein 4 enrichment in the Raf-1 promoter region decreased following oxyhemoglobin stimulation in vitro . Furthermore, treating bromodomain-containing protein 4-knockdown HT-22 cell lines with GW5074, a Raf-1 inhibitor, exacerbated neuronal ferroptosis by suppressing the Raf-1/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Moreover, targeted inhibition of neuronal bromodomain-containing protein 4 exacerbated early and long-term neurological function deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Our findings suggest that bromodomain-containing protein 4 may have neuroprotective effects after subarachnoid hemorrhage, and that inhibiting ferroptosis could help treat subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Neuromodulation technologies improve functional recovery after brain injury: From bench to bedside

Spontaneous recovery frequently proves maladaptive or insufficient because the plasticity of the injured adult mammalian central nervous system is limited. This limited plasticity serves as a primary barrier to functional recovery after brain injury. Neuromodulation technologies represent one of the fastest-growing fields in medicine. These techniques utilize electricity, magnetism, sound, and light to restore or optimize brain functions by promoting reorganization or long-term changes that support functional recovery in patients with brain injury. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects and underlying mechanisms of neuromodulation technologies in supporting motor function recovery after brain injury. Many of these technologies are widely used in clinical practice and show significant improvements in motor function across various types of brain injury. However, studies report negative findings, potentially due to variations in stimulation protocols, differences in observation periods, and the severity of functional impairments among participants across different clinical trials. Additionally, we observed that different neuromodulation techniques share remarkably similar mechanisms, including promoting neuroplasticity, enhancing neurotrophic factor release, improving cerebral blood flow, suppressing neuroinflammation, and providing neuroprotection. Finally, considering the advantages and disadvantages of various neuromodulation techniques, we propose that future development should focus on closed-loop neural circuit stimulation, personalized treatment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and precision stimulation.

Closing the loops: chromatin loop dynamics after DNA damage

Chromatin is a dynamic polymer in constant motion. These motions are heterogeneous between cells and within individual cell nuclei and are profoundly altered in response to DNA damage. The shifts in chromatin motions following genomic insults depend on the temporal and physical scales considered. They are also distinct in damaged and undamaged regions. In this review, we emphasize the role of chromatin tethering and loop formation in chromatin dynamics, with the view that pulsing loops are key contributors to chromatin motions. Chromatin tethers likely mediate micron-scale chromatin coherence predicted by polymer models and measured experimentally, and we propose that remodeling of the tethers in response to DNA breaks enables uncoupling of damaged and undamaged chromatin regions.

Perinuclear organelle trauma at the nexus of cardiomyopathy pathogenesis arising from loss of function LMNA mutation

Over the past 25 years, nuclear envelope (NE) perturbations have been reported in various experimental models with mutations in the LMNA gene. Although the hypothesis that NE perturbations from LMNA mutations are a fundamental feature of striated muscle damage has garnered wide acceptance, the molecular sequalae provoked by the NE damage and how they underlie disease pathogenesis such as cardiomyopathy (LMNA cardiomyopathy) remain poorly understood. We recently shed light on one such consequence, by employing a cardiomyocyte-specific Lmna deletion in vivo in the adult heart. We observed extensive NE perturbations prior to cardiac function deterioration with collateral damage in the perinuclear space. The Golgi is particularly affected, leading to cytoprotective stress responses that are likely disrupted by the progressive deterioration of the Golgi itself. In this review, we discuss the etiology of LMNA cardiomyopathy with perinuclear 'organelle trauma' as the nexus between NE damage and disease pathogenesis.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the heterogeneity and interactions of immune cells and Müller glia during zebrafish retina regeneration

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202512000-00031/figure1/v/2025-01-31T122243Z/r/image-tiff Inflammation plays a crucial role in the regeneration of fish and avian retinas. However, how inflammation regulates Müller glia (MG) reprogramming remains unclear. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the cell heterogeneity and interactions of MG and immune cells in the regenerating zebrafish retina. We first showed that two types of quiescent MG (resting MG1 and MG2) reside in the uninjured retina. Following retinal injury, resting MG1 transitioned into an activated state expressing known reprogramming genes, while resting MG2 gave rise to rod progenitors. We further showed that retinal microglia can be categorized into three subtypes (microglia-1, microglia-2, and proliferative) and pseudotime analysis demonstrated dynamic changes in microglial status following retinal injury. Analysis of cell-cell interactions indicated extensive crosstalk between immune cells and MG, with many interactions shared among different immune cell types. Finally, we showed that inflammation activated Jak1-Stat3 signaling in MG, promoting their transition from a resting to an activated state. Our study reveals the cell heterogeneity and crosstalk of immune cells and MG in zebrafish retinal repair, and may provide valuable insights into future mammalian retina regeneration.

The LARP6 La module from Tetrabaena socialis reveals structural and functional differences from plant and animal LARP6 homologues

This study identified the LARP6 La Module from Tetrabaena socialis (T. socialis), a four-celled green algae, in an effort to better understand the evolution of LARP6 structure and RNA-binding activity in multicellular eukaryotes. Using a combination of sequence alignments, domain boundary screens, and structural modelling, we recombinantly expressed and isolated the TsLARP6 La Module to > 98% purity for in vitro biochemical characterization. The La Module is stably folded and exerts minimal RNA binding activity against single-stranded homopolymeric RNAs. Surprisingly, it exhibits low micromolar binding affinity for the vertebrate LARP6 cognate ligand, a bulged-stem loop found in the 5'UTR of collagen type I mRNA, but does not bind double-stranded RNAs of similar size. These result suggests that the TsLARP6 La Module may prefer structured RNA ligands. In contrast, however, the TsLARP6 La Module does not exhibit the RNA chaperone activity that is observed in vertebrate homologs. Therefore, we conclude that protist LARP6 may have both distinct RNA ligands and binding mechanisms from the previously characterized LARP6 proteins of animals and vascular plants, thus establishing a distinct third class of the LARP6 protein family.

Natural product as a lead for impairing mitochondrial respiration in cancer cells

The impact of the isoxazole derivative of usnic acid, ISOXUS (formerly known as 2b) on cancer and non-cancerous cell metabolism was investigated. ISOXUS significantly reduced the utilisation of most metabolic substrates that produce NADH or FADH2, mitochondrial electron flow and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells in contrast to HB2 normal epithelial cells. Molecular docking revealed that ISOXUS inhibits mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II, which was confirmed experimentally. Disturbance of electron flow in MCF-7 cells resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. They appeared crucial for ISOXUS-induced cancer cell vacuolization and a drop in survival as an antioxidant, α-tocopherol, protected against these processes. These findings indicate that ISOXUS is a metabolic inhibitor that targets mitochondrial complex II in breast cancer cells resulting in diminished ATP production and increased ROS formation which translates into reduced cell viability.

Ginsenoside compound K-based multifunctional liposomes for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

The clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with first-line therapeutic drugs is hindered by the poor solubility, low bioavailability, off-target toxicity, and insufficient accumulation in inflamed joints. Liposomes have been shown to mitigate some of these limitations in drug delivery systems. However, the use of cholesterol to stabilize liposomal structures remains controversial due to its potential association with cardiovascular diseases. Here, we developed a novel liposome based on ginsenoside compound K (CK), which not only serves as an effective therapeutic agent for RA but also replaces cholesterol as a membrane stabilizer to address these challenges. Compared with conventional liposomes, ginsenoside CK Liposomes (CK@Lipo) are excellent nanoparticles, with CK stabilizing the liposomal structure and providing targeting functionality toward inflamed joints. When encapsulated with dexamethasone (Dex), CK@Lipo exhibits a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect, slowing the progression of RA. This study provides a theoretical basis for the future development of multifunctional novel ginsenoside CK@Lipo.

Genetic variants in QRICH2 gene among Jordanians with sperm motility disorders

Sperm motility, a key determinant of male fertility, is often impaired by genetic variations affecting flagellar formation. The glutamine-rich protein 2 (QRICH2) gene encodes a protein essential for sperm flagella biogenesis and structural integrity. This study investigates genetic variations within exon 3 of the QRICH2 gene, identifying novel heterozygous variants associated with sperm tail-specific abnormalities and motility impairments. Among 34 individuals diagnosed with asthenozoospermia (ASZ) and 26 individuals with normal sperm parameters (NZ) from Jordan, eight unique heterozygous variants (c.123 G>T, c.133 G>C, c.138A>G, c.170A>C, c.189C>G, c.190T>C, c.195A>T, and c.204A>T) were exclusive to the ASZ group, while four variants (c.136 G>A, c.145A>C, c.179T>G, and c.180T>G) were found only in NZ. These variants were absent from major genetic databases, suggesting their potential novelty, while two variants (c.206C>T and c.189C>T) were linked to known SNP cluster IDs rs73996306 and rs1567790525, respectively. Four non-synonymous SNPs (c.136 G>A, c.145A>C, c.170A>C, and c.204A>T) were predicted to be functionally and structurally damaging, underscoring their significance. Additionally, five variants overlapped with previously reported mutation sites, indicating potential mutation hotspots. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between QRICH2 mutations and tail defects (p < 0.021). These findings highlight the critical role of heterozygous QRICH2 mutations in mild-to-moderate ASZ, even in NZ individuals. Despite some carriers meeting WHO criteria for NZ, notable morphological abnormalities suggest the need for refined diagnostic benchmarks. Screening for QRICH2 mutations is essential for accurate molecular diagnosis and should be integrated into genetic counseling, particularly in regions like Jordan. Further research into the cumulative effects of heterozygous mutations and their environmental interactions is needed to expand our understanding of idiopathic male infertility and to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for male infertility.

Chromatin accessibility profiling of Treg cells in acute urticaria

Acute urticaria can be a presenting symptom of anaphylaxis characterized by transient red swellings or fulminant wheals, often accompanied by severe pruritus. Numerous studies have substantiated the important involvement of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the occurrence of allergic diseases and autoimmune diseases. However, the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of acute urticaria is unclear. In this study, we found that the frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was decreased in patients with acute urticaria compared with normal controls by flow cytometry. Analysis of Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) data identified 28 differentially accessible regions comparing Tregs from healthy individuals and patients with acute urticaria, all showing increased chromatin accessibility in the Tregs from acute urticaria. IL-1b was highly expressed in sera of patients with acute urticaria and the level of IL-1b was moderately positively related to white blood cell count. The elevated expression of IL-1b may be due to the diminished immune-suppressive function following the decline of Tregs in this study. We found that IL1B gene expression was also significantly increased in the skin lesions of both chronic spontaneous urticaria and solar urticaria compared to healthy controls. IL1B might play a key role in the development of acute urticaria and IL1B could be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in urticaria.

Development of a Caco-2-based intestinal mucosal model to study intestinal barrier properties and bacteria-mucus interactions

The intestinal mucosal barrier is a dynamic system that allows nutrient uptake, stimulates healthy microbe-host interactions, and prevents invasion by pathogens. The mucosa consists of epithelial cells connected by cellular junctions that regulate the passage of nutrients covered by a mucus layer that plays an important role in host-microbiome interactions. Mimicking the intestinal mucosa for in vitro assays, particularly the generation of a mucus layer, has proven to be challenging. The intestinal cell-line Caco-2 is widely used in academic and industrial laboratories due to its capacity to polarize, form an apical brush border, and reproducibly grow into confluent cell layers in different culture systems. However, under normal culture conditions, Caco-2 cultures lack a mucus layer. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Caco-2 cultures can form a robust mucus layer when cultured under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions on Transwell inserts with addition of vasointestinal peptide (VIP) in the basolateral compartment. We demonstrate that unique gene clusters are regulated in response to ALI and VIP single stimuli, but the ALI-VIP combination treatment resulted in a significant upregulation of multiple mucin genes and proteins, including secreted MUC2 and transmembrane mucins MUC13 and MUC17. Expression of tight junction proteins was significantly altered in the ALI-VIP condition, leading to increased permeability to small molecules. Commensal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum bacteria closely associated with the Caco-2 mucus layer and differentially colonized the surface of the ALI cultures. Pathogenic Salmonella enterica were capable of invading beyond the mucus layer and brush border. In conclusion, Caco-2 ALI-VIP cultures provide an accessible and straightforward way to culture an in vitro intestinal mucosal model with improved biomimetic features. This novel in vitro intestinal model can facilitate studies into mucus and epithelial barrier functions and in-depth molecular characterization of pathogenic and commensal microbe-mucus interactions.

Prediction of protein biophysical traits from limited data: a case study on nanobody thermostability through NanoMelt

In-silico prediction of protein biophysical traits is often hindered by the limited availability of experimental data and their heterogeneity. Training on limited data can lead to overfitting and poor generalizability to sequences distant from those in the training set. Additionally, inadequate use of scarce and disparate data can introduce biases during evaluation, leading to unreliable model performances being reported. Here, we present a comprehensive study exploring various approaches for protein fitness prediction from limited data, leveraging pre-trained embeddings, repeated stratified nested cross-validation, and ensemble learning to ensure an unbiased assessment of the performances. We applied our framework to introduce NanoMelt, a predictor of nanobody thermostability trained with a dataset of 640 measurements of apparent melting temperature, obtained by integrating data from the literature with 129 new measurements from this study. We find that an ensemble model stacking multiple regression using diverse sequence embeddings achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in predicting nanobody thermostability. We further demonstrate NanoMelt's potential to streamline nanobody development by guiding the selection of highly stable nanobodies. We make the curated dataset of nanobody thermostability freely available and NanoMelt accessible as a downloadable software and webserver.

A translational review of hyperthermia biology

This review was written to be included in the Special Collection 'Therapy Ultrasound: Medicine's Swiss Army Knife?' The purpose of this review is to provide basic presentation and interpretation of the fundamentals of hyperthermia biology, as it pertains to uses of therapeutic ultrasound. The fundamentals are presented but in the setting of a translational interpretation and a view toward the future. Subjects that require future research and development are highlighted. The effects of hyperthermia are time and temperature dependent. Because intra-tumoral temperatures are non-uniform in tumors, one has to account for differential biologic effects in different parts of a tumor that occur simultaneously during and after hyperthermia.

Indirubin-3'-oxime as a dual-action agent: mitigating heat-induced male infertility in Drosophila melanogaster and inhibiting soluble epoxide hydrolase

This study investigated the potential of the indirubin-3'-oxime (I3O) compound to mitigate temperature-induced male infertility in Drosophila melanogaster. Elevated temperatures significantly reduced egg-hatching rates, but I3O supplementation improved these rates, suggesting it can partially restore fertility under heat stress. Additionally, I3O was found to inhibit soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), an enzyme involved in the metabolism of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, which are vital for reproductive health. I3O exhibited sEH inhibitions with an IC50 value of 59.74 ± 0.41 µM. Enzyme kinetics revealed that I3O acts as a non-competitive inhibitor of sEH with a Ki value of 78.88 µM. Molecular docking showed strong interactions between I3O and key residues in the allosteric regions within the sEH enzyme, with a binding affinity of -9.2 kcal/mol. These interactions were supported by 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, which confirmed the stability of the sEH-I3O complex.

Tumor organoids in cancer medicine: from model systems to natural compound screening

CONTEXT

The advent of tissue engineering and biomedical techniques has significantly advanced the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems, particularly tumor organoids. These self-assembled 3D cell clusters closely replicate the histopathological, genetic, and phenotypic characteristics of primary tissues, making them invaluable tools in cancer research and drug screening.

OBJECTIVE

This review addresses the challenges in developing in vitro models that accurately reflect tumor heterogeneity and explores the application of tumor organoids in cancer research, with a specific focus on the screening of natural products for antitumor therapies.

METHODS

This review synthesizes information from major databases, including Chemical Abstracts, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed and Springer Link. Publications were selected without date restrictions, using terms such as 'organoid', 'natural product', 'pharmacological', 'extract', 'nanomaterial' and 'traditional uses'. Articles related to agriculture, ecology, synthetic work or published in languages other than English were excluded.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The review identifies key challenges related to the efficiency and variability of organoid generation and discusses ongoing efforts to enhance their predictive capabilities in drug screening and personalized medicine. Recent studies utilizing patient-derived organoid models for natural compound screening are highlighted, demonstrating the potential of these models in developing new classes of anticancer agents. The integration of natural products with patient-derived organoid models presents a promising approach for discovering novel anticancer compounds and elucidating their mechanisms of action.

Prognostic significance of neutrophil extracellular trap-related genes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: insights from multi-omics and in vitro experiment

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop a prognostic model based on extracellular trap-related genes (NETRGs) for patients with cALL.

METHODS

Data from the TARGET-ALL-P2 and TARGET-ALL-P3 cohorts in the Genomic Data Commons database, the transcriptome dataset GSE26713, the single-cell transcriptome dataset GSE130116 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and 306 NETRGs identified were analysed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from GSE26713 and differentially expressed NETRGs (DE-NETRGs) were obtained by overlapping DEGs with NETRGs. Functional analyses were conducted. Key feature genes were identified through univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Prognostic genes were determined via multivariate Cox regression analysis, followed by the construction and validation of a risk model and nomogram. Additional analyses included immune profiling, drug sensitivity, functional differences, cell-type-specific expression, enrichment analysis and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

A total of 1,270 DEGs were identified in GSE26713, of which 74 overlapped with NETRGs. Seven prognostic genes were identified using univariate, LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Survival analysis revealed lower survival rates in the high-risk group. Independent prognostic analysis identified risk scores and primary diagnosis as independent predictors of prognosis. Immune cell profiling showed significant differences in cell populations such as aDCs, eosinophils and Th2 cells between risk groups. Six cell subtypes were annotated, with prognostic genes predominantly expressed in myeloid cells. RT-qPCR revealed that PTAFR, FCGR2A, RETN and CAT were significantly downregulated, while TLR2 and S100A12 were upregulated in cALL.

CONCLUSION

TLR2, PTAFR, FCGR2A, RETN, S100A12 and CAT may serve as potential therapeutic targets.

PMA1-containing extracellular vesicles of Candida albicans triggers immune responses and colitis progression

Candida albicans (C. albicans) exhibits aberrant changes in patients with colitis, and it has been reported to dominate the colonic mucosal immune response. Here, we found that PMA1 expression was significantly increased in C. albicans from patients with IBD compared to that in healthy controls. A Crispr-Cas9-based fungal strain editing system was then used to knock out PMA1 expression in C. albicans. Compared to WT-C.a, ΔPMA1-C.a could not aggravate colitis. Proteomic analysis showed that PMA1 was transported by extracellular vesicles (EVs) of C. albicans. PMA1-containing EVs aggravated colitis, modulated the migration of cDC2 from the lamina propria to mesenteric lymph nodes, and induced TH17 cell differentiation. Moreover, the adaptor protein CARD9 was critical in PMA1-containing EV-induced colitis, and CARD9-deficient DCs did not induce TH17 cell differentiation or IL-17A production. Mechanically, CARD9 combines with the glycolytic protein GAPDH (aa2-146 domain) through its CARD region. CARD9 deficiency led to decreased enzyme activity of GAPDH and decreased glycolysis of DCs. These findings indicate that PMA1 is a potential virulence factor responsible for the pathogenesis of C. albicans colitis.

Comparative pathogenicity of goose parvovirus across different epidemic lineages in ducklings and goslings

The endemic status of goose parvovirus (GPV) continues to devastate the poultry industry in China. Novel GPV (NGPV) and Mutated GPV (MGPV) represent the predominant lineages. However, the comparative pathogenicity between these viruses remains poorly understood. Herein, we selected representative NGPV and MGPV strains as model viruses to assess their pathogenic potential both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro cellular and embryo assays demonstrated that both NGPV and MGPV were capable of replicating in DEF and GEF cells, leading to pronounced cytopathic effects. However, these viruses exhibited distinct levels of intra-embryonic replication capabilities. Furthermore, we conducted in vivo infection experiments and systematically evaluated the pathogenic differences between NGPV and MGPV by examining various indicators, including growth, clinical signs, gross pathology, skeletal development, viral load, and humoral response in the infected animals. The results showed that both NGPV and MGPV inhibited weight gain in goslings and ducklings, with NGPV exerting a more significant suppressive impact. MGPV induced classical gosling plague pathology in goslings, while NGPV led to short beak and dwarfism syndrome in ducklings, notably disrupting skeletal development. Moreover, MGPV and NGPV exhibited diverse host tropisms, with MGPV being more pathogenic to goslings and NGPV to ducklings. Both viruses elicited specific antibody responses, with MGPV being more effective in goslings and NGPV in ducklings. Additionally, MGPV exhibited stronger humoral response compared to NGPV. These findings enhance our understanding of the pathogenicity of prevalent GPV strains in waterfowl, offering a critical theoretical foundation for devising strategies to prevent GPV infections.

Altered effective connectivity within brain lesioned regions and cognitive impairment after stroke

Poststroke cognitive impairments (PSCI) reflect widespread network dysfunction due to structural damage, abnormal neural activity, or abnormal connections in affected brain regions. The exact influence of these lesioned regions on the related functional network and their role in PSCI remains unclear. We recruited 35 first-time stroke patients who had basal ganglia infarcts and PSCI, along with 29 age-matched healthy controls. We utilized T1-weighted imaging to inspect structural damage with regional gray matter volume (GMV). Resting-state fMRI data were utilized to examine spontaneous activities with regional Wavelet-ALFF metric, investigate dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) by seeding the region with damaged GMV, and further study effective connectivity within the abnormal dFC network and its impact on PSCI. In comparison to HC, patients showed significant reduced GMV in the bilateral Rolandic operculum (ROL), along with notable abnormal Wavelet-ALFF values in the right Precuneus (PCUN) and left Cerebellum_9 (CER9). Particularly, an abnormal dFC network seeded in the left ROL, demonstrating significantly differential between PSCI and HC groups and remaining consistent across all time windows, was observed. This abnormal dFC network comprised the left ROL as the seed region, the right ROL, bilateral PCUN, bilateral CER9, right Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG), and right Parahippocampal Gyrus (PHG). Notably, in patients, impaired functions across various cognitive domains significantly influenced the altered effective connections among the abnormal regions, particularly impacting the connections between structurally damaged regions and those with abnormal spontaneous activity. These findings suggest that altered effective connectivity networks within lesioned regions may contribute to deficits in various cognitive domains in PSCI.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11571-024-10209-7.

Alterations of synaptic plasticity and brain oscillation are associated with autophagy induced synaptic pruning during adolescence

Adolescent brain development is characterized by significant anatomical and physiological alterations, but little is known whether and how these alterations impact the neural network. Here we investigated the development of functional networks by measuring synaptic plasticity and neural synchrony of local filed potentials (LFPs), and further explored the underlying mechanisms. LFPs in the hippocampus were recorded in young (21 ~ 25 days), adolescent (1.5 months) and adult (3 months) rats. Long term potentiation (LTP) and neural synchrony were analyzed. The results showed that the LTP was the lowest in adolescent rats. During development, the theta coupling strength was increased progressively but there was no significant change of gamma coupling between young rats and adolescent rats. The density of dendrite spines was decreased progressively during development. The lowest levels of NR2A, NR2B and PSD95 were detected in adolescent rats. Importantly, it was found that the expression levels of autophagy markers were the highest during adolescent compared to that in other developmental stages. Moreover, there were more co-localization of autophagosome and PSD95 in adolescent rats. It suggests that autophagy is possibly involved in synaptic elimination during adolescence, and further impacts synaptic plasticity and neural synchrony.

Relationship between the expression levels of myogenic regulatory factor genes and carcass characteristics in Kivircik and Hungarian Merino lambs

This study aimed to investigate the expression profiles of the myogenic regulatory genes MYOD1, MYOG, MYF5, MYF6, and MSTN in longissimus dorsi muscle, as well as the correlation of the expression levels of these genes with carcass characteristics and growth performance in the Kivircik and Hungarian Merino sheep breeds. The expression levels of the MYF5, MYF6, and MYOG genes were found to be significantly correlated with the rib proportion, the expression level of the MYOG gene was identified as being the main determinant of variations in the rib proportion in the Kivircik lambs. The regression analysis results revealed that the expression levels of the MYF5 and MSTN genes played an essential role in determining the cold carcass dressing percentage in Hungarian Merino lambs. Further, as a result of the regression analysis, the model including the expression level of the MYF6 gene demonstrated that this gene could be responsible for 36.4% of the differences observed in cold carcass weight. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that the expression levels of the MYF5, MYF6, and MYOG genes were associated with various carcass traits, particularly in the Kivircik breed, and these genes hold potential as markers for enhancing breed productivity.

Bacterial extracellular vesicles in the initiation, progression and treatment of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, current anti-atherosclerosis drugs have shown conflicting therapeutic outcomes, thereby spurring the search for novel and effective treatments. Recent research indicates the crucial involvement of oral and gastrointestinal microbiota in atherosclerosis. While gut microbiota metabolites, such as choline derivatives, have been extensively studied and reviewed, emerging evidence suggests that bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), which are membrane-derived lipid bilayers secreted by bacteria, also play a significant role in this process. However, the role of BEVs in host-microbiota interactions remains insufficiently explored. This review aims to elucidate the complex communication mediated by BEVs along the gut-heart axis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on BEVs, with a specific focus on how pathogen-derived BEVs contribute to the promotion of atherosclerosis, as well as how BEVs from gut symbionts and probiotics may mitigate its progression. We also explore the potential and challenges associated with engineered BEVs in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Finally, we discuss the benefits and challenges of using BEVs in atherosclerosis diagnosis and treatment, and propose future research directions to address these issues.

Prediction of intradialytic hypotension based on heart rate variability and skin sympathetic nerve activity using LASSO-enabled feature selection: a two-center study

BACKGROUND

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a prevalent complication during hemodialysis (HD). However, conventional predictive models are imperfect due to multifaceted etiologies underlying IDH.

METHODS

This study enrolled 201 patients undergoing maintenance HD across two centers. Seventy percent of the patient cohort was randomly allocated to the training cohort (n = 136), while the remaining 30% formed the validation cohort (n = 65). IDH was defined as a reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥20 mmHg or mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥10 mmHg. Clinical data and autonomic nervous parameters, including skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) and heart rate variability (HRV) during the initial 30 min of HD, were employed to construct the model. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression facilitated variable selection associated with IDH. Subsequently, a multivariable logistic regression model was formulated to predict the risk of IDH and establish the nomogram.

RESULTS

Sixty-six baseline features were included in the LASSO-regression model. In the final multivariable logistic regression model, 5 variables (SBP0, aSKNA0, △aSKNA0-30, SDNN0, △SDNN0-30) were incorporated into the nomogram. The AUC was 0.920 (95% CI, 0.878-0.962) in the training cohort and 0.855 (95% CI, 0.763-0.947) in the validation cohort, indicating concordance between the nomogram prediction and actual observation of IDH.

CONCLUSION

The LASSO-enabled model, based on clinical characteristics and autonomic nervous system parameters from the first 30 min of HD, shows promise in accurately predicting IDH.

Protein nanocages: A new frontier in mucosal vaccine delivery and immune activation

Mucosal infectious diseases represent a significant global health burden, impacting millions of people worldwide through pathogens that invade the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts. Mucosal vaccines provide a promising strategy to combat these diseases by preventing pathogens from entering through the portals as well as within the systemic response compartment. However, challenges such as antigen instability, inefficient delivery, suboptimal immune activation, and the complex biology of mucosal barriers hinder their development. These limitations require integrating specialized adjuvants and delivery systems. Protein nanocages, self-assembling nanoscale structures that can be engineered, may provide an innovative solution for co-delivering antigens and adjuvants. With their remarkable stability, biocompatibility, and design versatility, protein nanocages can potentially overcome existing challenges in mucosal vaccine delivery and enhance protective immune responses. This review highlights the potential of protein nanocages to revolutionize mucosal vaccine development by addressing these challenges.

Bioengineering and omics approaches for Type 1 diabetes practical research: advancements and constraints

Insulin dependency arises from autoimmunity that targets the β cells of the pancreas, resulting in Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Despite the fact that T1D patients require insulin for survival, insulin does not provide a cure for this disease or prevent its complications. Despite extensive genetic, molecular, and cellular research on T1D over the years, the translation of this understanding into effective clinical therapies continues to pose a significant obstacle. It is therefore difficult to develop effective clinical treatment strategies without a thorough understanding of disease pathophysiology. Pancreatic tissue bioengineering models of human T1D offer a valuable approach to examining and controlling islet function while tackling various facets of the condition. And in recent years, due to advances in high-throughput omics analysis, the genotypic and molecular profiles of T1D have become finer tuned. The present article will examine recent progress in these areas, along with their utilization and constraints in the realm of T1D.

Development, in vitro and ex vivo characterization of lamotrigine-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles using QbD approach

The present study aimed to prepare and optimize lamotrigine-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (LAM-NP) using the Quality by Design (QbD) approach and to investigate both the in vitro and ex vivo effects of different cross-linking agents glutaraldehyde (GLUT), glucose (GLUC) and 1-(3-dimethylaminutesopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) on intranasal applicability. Cross-linked LAM-NP from EDC (NP-EDC-1) showed the lowest Z-average value (163.7 ± 1.9 nm) and drug encapsulation efficacy (EE%) of 97.31 ± 0.17%. The drug release of GLUC cross-linked LAM-NP (NP-GLUC-9), glutaraldehyde cross-linked LAM-NP (NP-GLUT-2), and NP-EDC-1 at blood circulation conditions was higher than the initial LAM. The results of the blood-brain barrier parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (BBB-PAMPA) showed an increase in the permeability of LAM through the BBB with NP-GLUC-9 and an increase in flux with all selected formulations. The ex vivo study showed that LAM diffusion from the selected formulations through the human nasal mucosa was higher than in case of initial LAM. The cytotoxicity study indicated that BSA-NP reduced LAM toxicity, and GLUC 9 mM and EDC 1 mg could be alternative cross-linking agents to avoid GLUT 2% v/v toxicity. Furthermore, permeability through Caco-2 cells showed that nasal epithelial transport/absorption of LAM was improved by using BSA-NPs. The use of BSA-NP may be a promising approach to enhance the solubility, permeability through BBB and decrease the frequency of dosing and adverse effects of LAM.

A single mutation at position 214 of influenza B hemagglutinin enhances cross-neutralization

High variability of influenza B virus (IBV) hemagglutinin (HA) impairs the cross- neutralization ability of vaccines, leading to reduce efficacy. We identified significant differences in cross-neutralization between IBV strains B/Wyoming/06/2014 and B/Brisbane/60/2008, which differ in only three amino acid residues. The 214 T point mutation was found to dramatically enhance cross-neutralization (>10-fold). Antibody-based reverse validation also revealed that this mutation significantly increased the neutralization capacity (500-62,500-fold). Furthermore, monitoring revealed that the mutation rate at this site has reached its highest level in nearly 20 years, with a prevalence exceeding 80% in sequences submitted from certain regions. Our findings provide new evidence for the selection of vaccine strains with improved cross- neutralization effects, which will aid the development of broad-spectrum vaccines by modifying minimal antigenic epitopes.

Maternal-infant probiotic transmission mitigates early-life stress-induced autism in mice

Autism, a disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, presents significant challenges for prevention and treatment. While maternal-infant gut microbiota has been a focus in autism research, preventive strategies targeting maternal gut microbiota remain underexplored. This study demonstrates that prenatal probiotic intake can effectively prevent maternal separation-induced autistic-like behaviors in offspring without altering the embryonic neurodevelopment in mice. Using specific PCR primers and cross-fostering experiments, we traced the vertical transmission of probiotics, primarily via fecal/vaginal contamination. Early probiotic colonization conferred resilience against stress-induced gut pathogenic microbes and Th17-mediated peripheral inflammation while significantly inhibiting hypermyelination and neuroinflammation linked to systemic inflammation. Microbial metabolites like tyrosol and xanthurenic acid alleviated neuroinflammation and hypermyelination in vitro, though the causal relationship among neuroinflammation, hypermyelination, and autism in vivo requires further validation. These findings underscore the importance of the maternal-infant microbiota transmission window in autism prevention and highlight the clinical potential of prenatal probiotic interventions.

Online native hydrophobic interaction chromatography-mass spectrometry of antibody-drug conjugates

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is commonly used to determine the drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and drug load distribution of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). However, identifying various DAR species separated by HIC is challenging due to the traditional use of mobile phases that are incompatible with mass spectrometry (MS). Existing approaches used to couple HIC with MS often encounter issues, such as complex instrumentation, compromised separation efficiency, and reduced MS sensitivity. In this study, we introduce a 22-min online native HIC-MS method for the separation and characterization of different DAR species in ADCs, addressing these challenges. The key novelty of this method is the use of ammonium tartrate, a kosmotropic and thermally decomposable salt, as the salt of HIC mobile phase, ensuring both excellent HIC separation and MS compatibility. Additionally, an ultrashort size exclusion chromatography step is integrated for online sample cleaning, enhancing MS sensitivity. This platform native HIC-MS method offers a rapid, sensitive, and robust solution for comprehensive profiling of DAR species in ADCs with a simple and cost-effective instrumental setup.

tRNA modifications: greasing the wheels of translation and beyond

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is one of the most abundant RNA types in cells, acting as an adaptor to bridge the genetic information in mRNAs with the amino acid sequence in proteins. Both tRNAs and small fragments processed from them play many nonconventional roles in addition to translation. tRNA molecules undergo various types of chemical modifications to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of translation and regulate their diverse functions beyond translation. In this review, we discuss the biogenesis and molecular mechanisms of tRNA modifications, including major tRNA modifications, writer enzymes, and their dynamic regulation. We also summarize the state-of-the-art technologies for measuring tRNA modification, with a particular focus on 2'-O-methylation (Nm), and discuss their limitations and remaining challenges. Finally, we highlight recent discoveries linking dysregulation of tRNA modifications with genetic diseases.

Microvesicles and exosomes isolated from murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells primed with p38MAPK inhibitor differentially regulate hematopoietic stem cell function

The signaling mechanisms active within mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) influence the composition of microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes (Exos) secreted by them. Previously, we showed that priming MSCs with a p38 pharmacological inhibitor (pMSCs) rejuvenates them and improves their ability to promote ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion. This study examined whether pMSCs exerted HSC-supportive ability via MVs (pMVs) and Exos (pExos). Our findings demonstrate distinct regulation of HSC fate by pMVs and pExos. pMVs promoted the expansion of long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs), distinguished by their robust self-renewal capacity and superior engraftment ability. In contrast, pExos facilitated expansion of short-term HSCs (ST-HSCs) with high proliferative and differentiation potential. Infusing a combination of pMVs- and pExos-expanded HSCs as a composite graft resulted in significantly higher HSC engraftment, emphasizing the synergistic interaction between LT- and ST-HSC populations. Gene expression studies, functional and phenotypic experiments showed that pMVs regulate HSC quiescence via the Egr1/Cdkn1a axis, while pExos control HSC proliferation via the Nfya/Cdkn1a axis. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential regulation of HSC function by pMVs and pExos. It also proposes a composite graft strategy of using pMVs and pExos as "MSC-derived biologics" for improving the HSC transplantation success.

Stress responsive glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein SsGSP1 contributes to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum virulence

Fungal cell wall acts as a defense barrier, shielding the cell from varying environmental stresses. Cell wall proteins, such as glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins, are involved in swift and appropriate responses to minor environmental changes in fungi. However, the roles of these proteins in the pathogenic Sclerotinia sclerotiorum remain largely unexplored. Here, we identified a novel GPI-anchored protein in S. sclerotiorum, SsGSP1, comprising a Kre9_KNH domain. SsGSP1 was upregulated during infection, and the loss-of-function mutants of SsGSP1 exhibited the compromised cell wall integrity and reduced β-glucan content. During inoculation on Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana, and Brassica napus, the SsGSP1-deletion strains demonstrated the decreased virulence. The transgenic A. thaliana line carrying the sRNA targeting SsGSP1 enhanced resistance to S. sclerotiorum via Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS). The SsGSP1-deficient strains displayed the heightened sensitivity to various stresses, including osmotic pressure, oxidative stress, and heat shock. The yeast two-hybrid and BiFC assays confirmed that SsGSP1 interacted with the key stress-related proteins catalase SsCat2, heat shock protein Sshsp60, and ABC transporter SsBMR1. Accordingly, transcriptome analysis revealed that the disruption of SsGSP1 downregulated the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress response, heat shock response, and chemical agent resistance. These results collectively delineate the intricate role of GPI-anchored protein SsGSP1 in β-glucan, cell wall integrity, and virulence and may act as a potential surface sensor to elicit signal transduction in response to environmental stresses in S. sclerotiorum.

Deciphering the role of APOE in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: from genetic insights to therapeutic horizons

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the walls of medium and small vessels of the brain and leptomeninges, is a major cause of lobar hemorrhage in elderly individuals. Among the genetic risk factors for CAA that continue to be recognized, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the most significant and prevalent, as its variants have been implicated in more than half of all patients with CAA. While the presence of the APOE ε4 allele markedly increases the risk of CAA, the ε2 allele confers a protective effect relative to the common ε3 allele. These allelic variants encode three APOE isoforms that differ at two amino acid positions. The primary physiological role of APOE is to mediate lipid transport in the brain and periphery; however, it has also been shown to be involved in a wide array of biological functions, particularly those involving Aβ, in which it plays a known role in processing, production, aggregation, and clearance. The challenges posed by the reliance on postmortem histological analyses and the current absence of an effective intervention underscore the urgency for innovative APOE-targeted strategies for diagnosing CAA. This review not only deepens our understanding of the impact of APOE on the pathogenesis of CAA but can also help guide the exploration of targeted therapies, inspiring further research into the therapeutic potential of APOE.

A fast in situ hybridization chain reaction method in Drosophila embryos and ovaries

The in situ hybridization chain reaction (isHCR) is a powerful method for visualizing mRNA in many species. We present a rapid isHCR method for Drosophila embryos and ovaries. Ethylene carbonate was added to the hybridization buffer to facilitate the hybridization reaction, and a modified short hairpin DNA was used in the amplification reaction; these modifications decreased the RNA staining time from 3 days to 1 day. This method is compatible with immunohistochemistry and can detect multiple mRNAs. The proposed method could significantly reduce staining time for Drosophila researchers using isHCR.

Arginine depletion-induced autophagy and metabolic dysregulation are involved in the disease severity of hand, foot, and mouth disease

Amino acid metabolism provides significant insight into the development and prevention of many viral diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the amino acid profiles of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) patients with those of healthy individuals and to further reveal the molecular mechanisms of HFMD severity. Using UPLC-MS/MS, we determined the plasma amino acid expression profiles of pediatric patients with HFMD (mild, n = 42; severe, n = 43) and healthy controls (n = 25). Brain tissues from CVA6-infected mice were examined using untargeted metabolomics. Several amino acids were significantly different between the three groups. Pathway analysis revealed that arginine, proline, and tryptophan metabolism are implicated in the pathogenesis of HFMD. A similar arginine depletion was observed in the brain tissues of CVA6-infected mice. Importantly, L-arginine supplementation improved the survival rate of CVA6-infected mice, inhibited virus multiplication, and reduced pathological autophagy associated with mTOR-autophagy pathway in the brain. Collectively, arginine, as the hub amino acid metabolite of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway affecting autophagy, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of severe HFMD. L-arginine supplementation may serve as a potential therapeutic option for critical patients with HFMD.

Comparing Campylobacter jejuni to three other enteric pathogens in OligoMM12 mice reveals pathogen-specific host and microbiota responses

Campylobacter jejuni, non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and enteropathogenic/enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC/EHEC) are leading causes of food-borne illness worldwide. Citrobacter rodentium has been used to model EPEC and EHEC infection in mice. The gut microbiome is well-known to affect gut colonization and host responses to many food-borne pathogens. Recent progress has established gnotobiotic mice as valuable models to study how microbiota affect the enteric infections by S. Typhimurium, C. rodentium and L. monocytogenes. However, for C. jejuni, we are still lacking a suitable gnotobiotic mouse model. Moreover, the limited comparability of data across laboratories is often negatively affected by variations between different research facilities or murine microbiotas. In this study, we applied the standardized gnotobiotic OligoMM12 microbiota mouse model and compared the infections in the same facility. We provide evidence of robust colonization and significant pathological changes in OligoMM12 mice following infection with these pathogens. Moreover, we offer insights into pathogen-specific host responses and metabolite signatures, highlighting the advantages of a standardized mouse model for direct comparisons of factors influencing the pathogenesis of major food-borne pathogens. Notably, we reveal for the first time that C. jejuni stably colonizes OligoMM12 mice, triggering inflammation. Additionally, our comparative approach successfully identifies pathogen-specific responses, including the detection of genes uniquely associated with C. jejuni infection in humans. These findings underscore the potential of the OligoMM12 model as a versatile tool for advancing our understanding of food-borne pathogen interactions.

Klebsiella pneumoniae derived outer membrane vesicles mediated bacterial virulence, antibiotic resistance, host immune responses and clinical applications

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative pathogen that can cause multiple diseases including sepsis, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. The escalating detections of hypervirulent and antibiotic-resistant isolates are giving rise to growing public concerns. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical vesicles containing bioactive substances including lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, periplasmic and cytoplasmic proteins, and nucleic acids. Emerging studies have reported various roles of OMVs in bacterial virulence, antibiotic resistance, stress adaptation, and host interactions, whereas knowledge on their roles in K. pneumoniae is currently unclear. In this review, we summarized recent progress on the biogenesis, components, and biological function of K. pneumoniae OMVs, the impact and action mechanism in virulence, antibiotic resistance, and host immune response. We also deliberated on the potential of K. pneumoniae OMVs in vaccine development, as diagnostic biomarkers, and as drug nanocarriers. In conclusion, K. pneumoniae OMVs hold great promise in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, which merits further investigation.

Akkermansia muciniphila reverses neuronal atrophy in Negr1 knockout mice with depression-like phenotypes

Genetic predispositions can shape the gut microbiome, which in turn modulates host gene expression and impacts host physiology. The complex interplay between host genetics and the gut microbiome likely contributes to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, yet the mechanisms behind these interactions remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota in Negr1 knockout (KO) mice, which exhibit anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, as NEGR1 (neuronal growth regulator 1) is a cell adhesion molecule linked to neuronal development and neuropsychiatric disorders. Our findings show significant early-life alterations in the gut microbiota composition of Negr1 KO mice, most notably a marked reduction in Akkermansia spp. along with reduced dendritic arborization and spine density in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Remarkably, daily administration of an Akkermansia strain isolated from wild-type mice reversed the neuronal structural abnormalities and ameliorated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in Negr1 KO mice. Transcriptomic profiling revealed upregulation of mitochondrial genome-encoded genes in the NAc and hippocampus of Negr1 KO mice, along with a predisposition toward a pro-inflammatory state in the colon of Negr1 KO mice. The Akkermansia supplementation downregulated these mitochondrial genes in the NAc and hippocampus and upregulated genes involved in T cell activation and immune homeostasis in the colon. These findings demonstrate a novel gene-microbiome interaction in the pathophysiology of Negr1 KO mice, positioning Akkermansia spp. as a key mediator that improves neuronal atrophy and modulates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Our study provides compelling evidence for bidirectional interactions between host genetics and the gut microbiome in modulating neuropsychiatric phenotypes, offering new insights for addressing genetically influenced mental disorders.

SIRT1/DNMT3B-mediated epigenetic gene silencing in response to phytoestrogens in mammary epithelial cells

We performed an integrated analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation and expression datasets in normal cells and healthy animals exposed to polyphenols with estrogenic activity (i.e. phytoestrogens). We identified that phytoestrogens target genes linked to disrupted cellular homeostasis, e.g. genes limiting DNA break repair (RNF169) or promoting ribosomal biogenesis (rDNA). Existing evidence suggests that DNA methylation may be governed by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) deacetylase via interactions with DNA methylating enzymes, specifically DNMT3B. Since SIRT1 was reported to be regulated by phytoestrogens, we test whether phytoestrogens suppress genes related to disrupted homeostasis via SIRT1/DNMT3B-mediated transcriptional silencing. Human MCF10A mammary epithelial cells were treated with phytoestrogens, pterostilbene (PTS) or genistein (GEN), followed by analysis of cell growth, DNA methylation, gene expression, and SIRT1/DNMT3B binding. SIRT1 occupancy at the selected phytoestrogen-target genes, RNF169 and rDNA, was accompanied by consistent promoter hypermethylation and gene downregulation in response to GEN, but not PTS. GEN-mediated hypermethylation and SIRT1 binding were linked to a robust DNMT3B enrichment at RNF169 and rDNA promoters. This was not observed in cells exposed to PTS, suggesting a distinct mechanism of action. Although both SIRT1 and DNMT3B bind to RNF169 and rDNA promoters upon GEN, the two proteins do not co-occupy the regions. Depletion of SIRT1 abolishes GEN-mediated decrease in rDNA expression, suggesting SIRT1-dependent epigenetic suppression of rDNA by GEN. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of SIRT1-DNMT3B interplay in epigenetic mechanisms mediating the impact of phytoestrogens on cell biology and cellular homeostasis.

Probiotic supplementation mitigates sex-dependent nociceptive changes and gut dysbiosis induced by prenatal opioid exposure

The gut microbiome has emerged as a promising target for modulating adverse effects of opioid exposure due to its significant role in health and disease. Opioid use disorder (OUD) has become increasingly prevalent, specifically in women of reproductive age, contributing to an increased incidence of offspring exposed to opioids in utero. Recent studies have shown that prenatal opioid exposure (POE) is associated with notable changes to the maternal gut microbiome, with subsequent implications for the offspring's microbiome and other adverse outcomes. However, the role of the gut microbiome in mediating sex-based differences in pain sensitivity has not yet been investigated. In this study, both male and female C57BL/6 offspring were used to determine sex-based differences in nociception and gut microbial composition as a result of POE. Our data reveals significant sex-based differences in offspring prenatally exposed to opioids. The gut microbiome of opioid-exposed females showed an enrichment of commensal bacteria including Lactobacillus compared to opioid-exposed males. Additionally, POE females demonstrated decreased nociceptive sensitivity, while males demonstrated increased nociceptive sensitivity. RNA sequencing of the prefrontal cortex showed sex-based differences in several canonical pathways, including an increase in the opioid signaling pathway of opioid-exposed females, which was not observed in males. Microbiome modification via maternal probiotic supplementation attenuated sex-based differences throughout the early stages of life. Together, our study provides further insight on sex-based differences arising from POE and highlights the pivotal role of the gut microbiome as a modifiable target for mitigating its negative effects.

A Chinese pediatric patient with thalassemia traits and compound heterozygous mutations in the PIEZO1 gene suspected of having dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis

BACKGROUND

Dehydrated Hereditary Stomatocytosis (DHS), also known as Hereditary Xerocytosis (HX), is a rare genetic disorder primarily arising from gain-of-function mutations in PIEZO1, which disrupt mechanosensitive ion channels on red blood cell membranes. This dysfunction leads to cellular dehydration and chronic anemia, while DHS/HX cells exhibit increased hypotonic resistance. Interpreting PIEZO1 variants requires integrating clinical findings with specialized knowledge.

METHODS

Laboratory tests, whole-genome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing were conducted for clinical phenotyping and identification of disease-causing mutations within the proband and his parents.

RESULTS

The proband was found to have both β-thalassemia trait and Dehydrated Hereditary Stomatocytosis. The proband inherited compound heterozygous mutations in the PIEZO1 gene (c.136G > A and c.6307C > G) from his mother and father, respectively. Additionally, the proband had a heterozygous β-globin gene mutation (c.315 + 2delT) inherited from his father.

CONCLUSION

Compared to patients with either DHS/HX or β-thalassemia alone, this patient, as a β-thalassemia carrier with suspected Dehydrated Hereditary Stomatocytosis, exhibited highly complex laboratory findings. Genetic testing played a crucial role in diagnosing conditions with overlapping clinical features. Given the increased risk of thromboembolic complications, splenectomy is contraindicated in DHS/HX patients, highlighting the necessity for precise diagnosis of DHS/HX and molecular confirmation of suspected hereditary red blood cell disorders.

Immunogenicity and safety of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine (CHO cell) LYB001 as a heterologous booster following two- or three-dose inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in adults aged ≥18 years: interim results of a randomized, active-controlled, double-blinded, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

LYB001 is a recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine displaying a receptor-binding domain (RBD) in a highly immunogenic array on virus-like particles (VLPs). This study assessed the immunogenicity and safety of LYB001 as a booster.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this randomized, active-controlled, double-blinded, phase 3 trial, participants aged ≥ 18 years received a booster with LYB001 or ZF2001 (Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine). The primary endpoint was to compare the geometric mean titer (GMT) of neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.4/5 at 14 days after the booster.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,200 participants aged ≥ 18 years were enrolled, 599 received LYB001, and 601 received ZF2001. Based on similar baseline level, the 14-day GMT ratio (LYB001/ZF2001) against Omicron BA.4/5 was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.25, 1.56), demonstrating superiority (95% CI lower limit > 1) of LYB001. The spike protein-binding IgG concentrations induced by LYB001 were significantly higher than those induced by ZF2001 on day 14 and day 28 after the booster (p-value <0.0001). LYB001 recipients reported more adverse reactions than ZF2001 recipients (21.4% vs. 15.0%); however, all adverse reactions in the LYB001 group were mild-to-moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

LYB001 is highly immunogenic and retains a well-characterized safety profile in adults aged ≥ 18 years.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier is NCT05664932.

The gut-brain axis in Alzheimer's disease is shaped by commensal gut microbiota derived extracellular vesicles

Emerging clinical and experimental evidence highlight the involvement of gut microbiota in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) via neuroinflammatory processes along the gut-brain axis. Despite this, the precise mechanisms governing gut microbial involvement in AD remain elusive. In this study, we observed that AppNL-G-F AD mice raised under germ-free (GF) conditions, display a reduced amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, accompanied by a shift in microglial cells toward a less inflammatory state and increased phagocytotic efficiency. In addition, we demonstrate that gut microbiota depletion can protect against synaptic deficits in AD mice. Notably, administering bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs), i.e. nano-sized particles packed with bacterial components, derived from fecal slurry from specific pathogen-free housed AppNL-G-F AD mice, reversed the effects of GF conditions on both microglial activation and Aβ plaque accumulation. These findings reveal for the first time that commensal gut microbiota-derived bEVs have a major impact on AD pathology progression.

Delivery of small interfering RNA through lyophilized natural lipid nanoparticles: effects of natural lipid selection

CONTEXT

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the primary non-viral vectors for siRNA delivery. However, synthetic lipids face issues, such as low lysosomal escape efficiency and high cost.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to use three natural lipids to construct LNPs, optimize their preparation and freeze-drying processes, and evaluate their siRNA delivery efficiency in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Coix seed lipid [Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. mayuen (Roman.) Stapf (Poaceae), CSL], Brucea javanica seed lipid [Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. (Simaroubaceae), BJL], and Soybean oil [Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae), SO] were used to construct LNPs. The Z-average size, zeta potential, Polymer Dispersity Index, and N/P ratio of the LNPs were characterized. Transmission electron microscope was used for morphology observation and the MTS assay for cytotoxicity. Confocal laser scanning microscope assessed cell uptake, lysosomal escape, and co-localization of lipid droplets. The efficiency of siRNA knockdown was evaluated in three cells using qPCR and Western blot. The freeze-drying processes were optimized.

RESULTS

The optimal LNPs exhibited a size of 160-180 nm, zeta of 44-50 mV, and PDI of <0.2. At 200 μg/mL, the LNPs did not affect cell viability. CSL-LNPs, BJL-LNPs, and SO-LNPs reduced KRASG12D mRNA levels in AsPC-1 cells by 67.87 ± 3.89, 47.18 ± 7.65, and 42.52 ± 8.90%, respectively. Freeze-dried LNPs retained their basic physical properties and the three LNPs reducing KRASG12D mRNA levels by 58.47 ± 4.00, 51.83 ± 4.57, and 38.00 ± 4.89%, respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Natural lipids are promising components for LNPs construction, offering new avenues for siRNA delivery in gene therapy.

SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 regulate host m6A modification via activation of the mTORC1 signalling pathway to facilitate viral replication

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotic RNA and is also present in various viral RNAs, where it plays a crucial role in regulating the viral life cycle. However, the molecular mechanisms through which viruses regulate host RNA m6A methylation are not fully understood. In this study, we reveal that SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 infection enhance host m6A modification by activating the mTORC1 signalling pathway. Specifically, the viral non-structural protein nsp14 upregulates the expression of S-adenosylmethionine synthase MAT2A in an mTORC1-dependent manner. This mTORC1-MAT2A axis subsequently stimulates the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). The increase of SAM then enhances the m6A methylation of host RNA and facilitates viral replication. Our findings uncover a molecular mechanism by which viruses regulate host m6A methylation and provide insights into how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks host cellular epitranscriptomic modifications to promote its replication.

Characterization and genomic insights into bacteriophages Kpph1 and Kpph9 against hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

The increasing incidence of infections attributed to hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Hv-CRKp) is of considerable concern. Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria; thus, phage-based therapies offer promising alternatives to antibiotic treatments targeting Hv-CRKp infections. In this study, two isolated bacteriophages, Kpph1 and Kpph9, were characterized for their specificity against the Hv-CRKp K. pneumoniae NUHL30457 strain that possesses a K2 capsule serotype. Both phages exhibit remarkable environmental tolerance, displaying stability over a range of pH values (4-11) and temperatures (up to 50°C). The phages demonstrate potent antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy, as indicated by their capacity to inhibit biofilm formation and to disrupt established biofilms of Hv-CRKp. Through phylogenetic analysis, it has been revealed that Kpph1 belongs to the new species of Webervirus genus, and Kpph9 to the Drulisvirus genus. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the tail fiber protein region exhibits the greatest diversity in the genomes of phages within the same genus, which implies distinct co-evolution histories between phages and their corresponding hosts. Interestingly, both phages have been found to contain two tail fiber proteins that may exhibit potential depolymerase activities. However, the exact role of depolymerase in the interaction between phages and their hosts warrants further investigation. In summary, our findings emphasize the therapeutic promise of phages Kpph1 and Kpph9, as well as their encoded proteins, in the context of research on phage therapy targeting hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Development of a single-dose Q fever vaccine with an injectable nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel: effect of sustained co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant

Q fever is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, and there is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for human use. The whole-cell inactivated vaccine Q-VAX, which is only licensed in Australia, has a risk of causing severe adverse reactions, making subunit vaccines a good alternative. However, most subunit antigens are weak immunogens and require two or more immunizations to elicit an adequate level of immunity. We hypothesized that by combining a nanoparticle to co-deliver both a protein antigen and an adjuvant, together with a hydrogel depot for sustained-release kinetics, a single-administration of a nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel vaccine could elicit a strong and durable immune response. We synthesized and characterized a protein nanoparticle (CBU-CpG-E2) that co-delivered the immunodominant protein antigen CBU1910 (CBU) from C. burnetii and the adjuvant CpG1826 (CpG). For sustained release, we examined different mixtures of PLGA-PEG-PLGA (PPP) polymers and identified a PPP solution that was injectable at room temperature, formed a hydrogel at physiological temperature, and continuously released protein for 8 weeks in vivo. Single-dose vaccine formulations were administered to mice, and IgG, IgG1, and IgG2c levels were determined over time. The vaccine combining both the CBU-CpG-E2 nanoparticles and the PPP hydrogel elicited a stronger and more durable humoral immune response than the soluble bolus nanoparticle vaccines (without hydrogel) and the free antigen and free adjuvant-loaded hydrogel vaccines (without nanoparticles), and it yielded a balanced IgG2c/IgG1 response. This study demonstrates the potential advantages of using this modular PPP hydrogel/nanoparticle system to elicit improved immune responses against infectious pathogens.