Article
Immunology
Armando Zuniga, Oliver Rassek, Melissa Vrohlings, Aniebrys Marrero-Nodarse, Kerstin Moehle, John A. Robinson, Arin Ghasparian
Summary: Understanding the atomic-level structures of epitopes targeted by RSV-neutralizing antibodies and combining structure-guided antigen design with a synthetic nanoparticle delivery platform has led to the development of a vaccine candidate that elicits high titers of epitope-specific neutralizing antibodies. This vaccine has shown promise in protecting preclinical animal models from RSV infection and vaccine-derived disease enhancement.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edgar A. Hodge, Gajendra S. Naika, Sally M. Kephart, Adam Nguyen, Richard Zhu, Mark A. Benhaim, Wenjin Guo, John P. Moore, Shiu-Lok Hu, Rogier W. Sanders, Kelly K. Lee
Summary: Using hydrogen/deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), the study mapped the local dynamics of native-like Env SOSIP trimers from diverse isolates. The results showed significant differences in epitope order across most sites targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies, and isolate-dependent conformational switching occurring over a broad range of timescales. Furthermore, hyper-stabilizing mutations that dampen dynamics in some isolates had little effect on others.
Article
Microbiology
Ilona Rissanen, Stefanie A. Krumm, Robert Stass, Annalis Whitaker, James E. Voss, Emily A. Bruce, Sylvia Rothenberger, Stefan Kunz, Dennis R. Burton, Juha T. Huiskonen, Jason W. Botten, Thomas A. Bowden, Katie J. Doores
Summary: Research demonstrates that the Gn glycoprotein of HTNV can elicit a neutralizing antibody response in rabbits, leading to the isolation of neutralizing and non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Molecular-level insights on how the Gn glycoprotein may be targeted by the antibody-mediated immune response are provided for the first time. These findings may inform rational vaccine design approaches focused on targeting the hantavirus glycoprotein envelope.
Article
Biology
Kangcheng Song, Miao Wei, Wenjun Guo, Li Quan, Yunlu Kang, Jing-Xiang Wu, Lei Chen
Summary: TRPC5 channel is a nonselective cation channel involved in various physiological processes. Inhibitors of TRPC5, such as clemizole and HC-070, stabilize the ion channel in a nonconductive closed state, potentially offering new therapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders, depression, and kidney diseases. The cryo-EM structures of human TRPC5 with inhibitors provide insights into the binding sites and inhibitory mechanisms, facilitating the development of more effective inhibitors targeting TRPC5.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Muwen Yang, Yue Li, Lingzhi Kong, Shumei Huang, Lixin He, Pian Liu, Shuang Mo, Xiuqing Lu, Xi Lin, Yunyun Xiao, Dongni Shi, Xinjian Huang, Boyu Chen, Xiangfu Chen, Ying Ouyang, Jun Li, Chuyong Lin, Libing Song
Summary: HER2-targeted therapy is the main treatment for HER2+ breast cancer, but HER2 shedding reduces the effectiveness of anti-HER2 therapy. This study found that upregulation of DPAGT1 sustains HER2 shedding and confers trastuzumab resistance. Inhibition of DPAGT1 in combination with trastuzumab treatment can block HER2 signaling and reverse resistance.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shabareesh Pidathala, Aditya Kumar Mallela, Deepthi Joseph, Aravind Penmatsa
Summary: The researchers used the Drosophila melanogaster dopamine transporter as a surrogate to study the structure and function of norepinephrine, revealing potential paradigms for designing chronic pain inhibitors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raluca A. Neagoe, Elizabeth E. Gardiner, David Stegner, Bernhard Nieswandt, Steve P. Watson, Natalie S. Poulter
Summary: The study reveals the importance of Rac1 in the activation of human and murine platelets in response to GPVI ligands, although the mode of action differs between the two species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kristina Borochova, Katarzyna Niespodziana, Margarete Focke-Tejkl, Gerhard Hofer, Walter Keller, Rudolf Valenta
Summary: Research shows that human antibody responses to RSV F protein mainly target non-conformational epitopes, some of which represent cryptic epitopes. Therefore, the natural RSV-specific antibody response is only partially protective, highlighting the need to develop vaccines to direct human antibody responses towards neutralizing RSV epitopes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Emily Phung, Lauren A. Chang, Maryam Mukhamedova, Lijuan Yang, Deepika Nair, Scott A. Rush, Kaitlyn M. Morabito, Jason S. McLellan, Ursula J. Buchholz, John R. Mascola, Michelle C. Crank, Grace Chen, Barney S. Graham, Tracy J. Ruckwardt
Summary: RSV pre-F vaccination results in expansion and activation of RSV and HMPV F-specific B cells that contribute to long-term pneumovirus immunity.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hyemin Chung, Eunsil Kim, Bomin Kwon, Yeong-Geon Cho, Seongman Bae, Jiwon Jung, Min-Jae Kim, Yong-Pil Chong, Sung-Han Kim, Sang-Oh Lee, Sang-Ho Choi, Yang-Soo Kim
Summary: This study investigated the kinetics of Gn-specific antibodies in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). The results showed that the peak of anti-Gn-specific IgM occurred later than that of anti-NP-specific IgM, and anti-Gn-specific IgG lasted for at least 3 years.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christian Grethe, Mirko Schmidt, Gian-Marvin Kipka, Rachel O'Dea, Kai Gallant, Petra Janning, Malte Gersch
Summary: This study reveals the structural basis for the specific inhibition of UCHL1 and introduces chemogenomic probes that can be used for investigating UCHL1 functions in living cells. Understanding the molecular roles of UCHL1 is important for studying cancer invasiveness and neurodegeneration. The newly developed probes provide valuable tools for cellular investigations of UCHL1.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Fatima Alghoul, Schaeffer Laure, Gilbert Eriani, Franck Martin
Summary: The molecular mechanisms of mouse Hoxa3 and Hoxa11 TIEs were deciphered, revealing that both TIEs contain an uORF critical for inhibiting cap-dependent translation but utilize different mechanisms to achieve this inhibition. Hoxa3 TIE requires the non-canonical initiation factor eIF2D, while Hoxa11 TIE contains a 'start-stop' sequence that stalls the ribosome and inhibits cap-dependent translation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric M. Lynch, Michael A. DiMattia, Steven Albanese, Gydo C. P. van Zundert, Jesse M. Hansen, Joel D. Quispe, Madison A. Kennedy, Andreas Verras, Kenneth Borrelli, Angela Toms, Neelu Kaila, Kevin D. Kreutter, Joshua J. McElwee, Justin M. Kollman
Summary: CTPS1 is essential for an effective immune response, with deficiency leading to severe immunodeficiency. CTPS1 expression is up-regulated in activated lymphocytes to meet the increased demand for nucleic acid and lipid synthesis. Selective inhibition of CTPS1 could be beneficial for treating immune disorders and lymphocyte cancers, with recent small-molecule inhibitors showing promise in inhibiting proliferation of human T cells.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Frederico Campos Freitas, Paulo Henrique Borges Ferreira, Denize Cristina Favaro, Ronaldo Junio de Oliveira
Summary: ACE2 is the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, and designing peptides based on it could be a strategy to combat virus infections. Different designed peptides exhibit varying binding affinities and neutralization mechanisms against the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gernot Beihammer, Julia Koenig-Beihammer, Benjamin Kogelmann, Valentina Ruocco, Clemens Gruenwald-Gruber, Marc-Andre D'Aoust, Pierre-Olivier Lavoie, Pooja Saxena, Johannes S. S. Gach, Herta Steinkellner, Richard Strasser
Summary: By testing a single-subunit oligosaccharyltransferase from Leishmania donovani (LdOST), we found that it can significantly increase the Fc glycosylation level of IgG1 without changing the overall N-glycan composition. This finding is important for reducing the heterogeneity of plant-produced antibodies and improving their stability and effector functions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Yingchun Wang, Wenchun Chen, Wei Zhang, Melissa M. Lee-Sundlov, Caterina Casari, Michael C. Berndt, Francois Lanza, Wolfgang Bergmeier, Karin M. Hottmeister, X. Frank Zhang, Renhao Li
Summary: During infection, neuraminidase removes sialic acid from platelet GPIb alpha, leading to their rapid clearance. This mechanism may explain many puzzling and seemingly contradictory observations associated with clearance of desialylated or hyposialylated platelets.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuesong Hu, Victor Pui-Yan Ma, Rong Ma, Wenchun Chen, Yuxin Duan, Roxanne Glazier, Brian G. Petrich, Renhao Li, Khalid Salaita
Summary: This study developed a DNA-based microparticle tension sensor for investigating mechanotransduction at curved interfaces with high throughput. The method successfully mapped and measured T-cell receptor forces and platelet integrin forces, demonstrating its potential in screening drugs that modulate cellular mechanics.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Hematology
M. Edward Quach, Wenchun Chen, Yingchun Wang, Hans Deckmyn, Francois Lanza, Bernhard Nieswandt, Renhao Li
Summary: The study identified a novel rat monoclonal antibody 3G6 that acts as a positive modulator of GPIb beta, enhancing GPIb-IX binding and activation. In contrast, another antibody RAM.1 inhibits GPIb-IX signaling, suggesting that changes in GPIb beta conformation may be crucial for outside-in activation via GPIb-IX.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas A. Arce, Wenpeng Cao, Alexander K. Brown, Emily R. Legan, Moriah S. Wilson, Emma-Ruoqi Xu, Michael C. Berndt, Jonas Emsley, X. Frank Zhang, Renhao Li
Summary: The study reveals that the mechanism for activating Von Willebrand factor (VWF) in response to mechanical force is located in the autoinhibitory module, which can be unfolded by tensile force to activate VWF. Certain mutations or external factors can also affect the unfolding force of the module, thus influencing the activation of VWF. This research contributes to understanding the mechanical regulation of VWF and its potential applications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Kayleigh M. Voos, Wenpeng Cao, Nicholas A. Arce, Emily R. Legan, Yingchun Wang, Asif Shajahan, Parastoo Azadi, Pete Lollar, Xiaohui Frank Zhang, Renhao Li
Summary: Desialylation of O-glycans around A1 increases its activity by destabilizing the AIM, leading to enhanced binding activity and platelet aggregation.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aaron Blanchard, J. Dale Combs, Joshua M. Brockman, Anna V. Kellner, Roxanne Glazier, Hanquan Su, Rachel L. Bender, Alisina S. Bazrafshan, Wenchun Chen, M. Edward Quach, Renhao Li, Alexa L. Mattheyses, Khalid Salaita
Summary: The article introduces a nucleic acid-based molecular tension probe and molecular force microscopy (MFM) technology, which use fluorescence polarization to map the direction of pN forces applied by receptors. By utilizing structured illumination microscopy (SIM), super-resolution MFM is achieved, generating high-resolution maps of both the magnitude and orientation of pN traction forces applied by cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Jasmine Ito, Wallace Hunter Baldwin, Courtney Cox, John F. Healey, Ernest T. Parker, Emily R. Legan, Renhao Li, Surinder Gill, Glaivy Batsuli
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of site-specific N-linked glycan removal on FVIII properties, cell internalization, and antibody responses. The results showed that modifying FVIII N-linked glycans reduced endocytosis by dendritic cells and binding of specific antibodies, but did not significantly affect inhibitor formation in hemophilia A mice.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Wenchun Chen, Moriah S. Wilson, Yingchun Wang, Wolfgang Bergmeier, Francois Lanza, Renhao Li
Summary: This study investigated the role of RAM.1 antibody in platelet clearance mediated by trigger sequence exposure. The results showed that RAM.1 can attenuate platelet clearance and prolong platelet lifespan, providing key evidence for the causative link between trigger sequence exposure and accelerated platelet clearance. This suggests the potential therapeutic development of a RAM.1 derivative for treating GPIb-IX-mediated thrombocytopenia.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Renhao Li
Article
Hematology
Nicholas A. Arce, Yi Liu, Wenchun Chen, X. Frank Zhang, Renhao Li
Summary: This study aimed to determine and characterize the autoinhibitory properties of mouse VWF. The results showed that recombinant mouse AIM-A1 binds with higher affinity to GPIb alpha than its human counterpart. Activated A1 fragments lacking the AIM can effectively agglutinate platelets across the species barrier. The unfolding force of mouse AIM was found to be similar to the human AIM. These findings suggest that the regulation of VWF-GPIb alpha binding has been specifically tuned to work optimally in different rheological architectures, potentially due to differences in the AIM sequence.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Emily R. Legan, Yi Liu, Nicholas A. Arce, Ernest T. Parker, Pete Lollar, X. Frank Zhang, Renhao Li
Summary: Type 2B von Willebrand disease is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by point mutations in the von Willebrand factor A1 domain and autoinhibitory module, leading to enhanced binding to GPIb alpha. The severity of bleeding complications and platelet levels in patients varies depending on the underlying mutation. This study examines the thermodynamic stability, conformational dynamics, and biomechanical regulation of these mutations to understand the heterogeneity among them.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Wenxin Huang, Renhao Li, Jue Zhang, Yiliang Cheng, Devi P. Ramakrishnan, Roy L. Silverstein
Summary: CD36 is a receptor for oxidized LDL and other endogenous danger signals that promotes athero-thrombotic processes. It physically associates with other transmembrane proteins and the N-terminal transmembrane domain is hypothesized to be involved in these interactions. By using peptide treatments and functional experiments, it was found that CD36 nTMD peptide decreased CD36 surface associations with tetraspanin CD9 and ameliorated pathologically important CD36 mediated responses to oxLDL.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Hematology
Yingchun Wang, Renhao Li
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rong Ma, Sk Aysha Rashid, Arventh Velusamy, Brendan R. Deal, Wenchun Chen, Brian Petrich, Renhao Li, Khalid Salaita
Summary: Tension-activated cell tagging (TaCT) is a novel method that utilizes flow cytometry to sort mechanically active cells.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuxin Duan, Fania Szlam, Yuesong Hu, Wenchun Chen, Renhao Li, Yonggang Ke, Roman Sniecinski, Khalid Salaita
Summary: A detection method utilizing Cas12a has been reported to amplify cellular traction forces and evaluate platelet dysfunction. This method enables the extraction of individualized dose-response curves for antiplatelet drugs and the screening of genes, cell-adhesion ligands, drugs, or metabolites that modulate cell mechanics.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)