Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria G. Teran, Benjamin Garcia-Ramirez, Israel Mares-Mejia, Enrique Ortega, Andrea O'Malley, Maksymilian Chruszcz, Adela Rodriguez-Romero
Summary: Profilins are allergens that can cause IgE-cross-reactivity and the pollen-latex-food syndrome. Two monoclonal antibodies, 1B4 and 2D10, were generated against latex profilin and were found to inhibit the interaction between IgE and IgG4 antibodies in allergic patients. The study also showed that different plant profilins have varying recognition by these antibodies, and identified a specific residue that is essential for the recognition of certain profilins.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wanbo Tai, Shengyong Feng, Benjie Chai, Shuaiyao Lu, Guangyu Zhao, Dong Chen, Wenhai Yu, Liting Ren, Huicheng Shi, Jing Lu, Zhuming Cai, Mujia Pang, Xu Tan, Penghua Wang, Jinzhong Lin, Qiangming Sun, Xiaozhong Peng, Gong Cheng
Summary: The authors demonstrate that combining an mRNA-based T-cell-inducing antigen with the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can enhance the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Mass vaccination to achieve herd immunity is an effective strategy against contagious diseases. However, the frequent mutations in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants can evade the humoral immunity induced by Spike-based COVID-19 vaccines. In this study, the authors develop an mRNA-based T-cell-inducing antigen that targets three regions of the SARS-CoV-2 proteome and induces potent cellular responses. Dual immunization with this antigen and the receptor-binding domain of the B.1.351 variant is more effective in preventing infection by SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron BA.1 variants compared to single immunization. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive stimulation of both humoral and cellular responses in vaccine design.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gonzalo Almanza, Alex E. Clark, Valentina Kouznetsova, Eduardo Olmedillas, Andrea Castro, Igor F. Tsigelny, Yan Wu, George F. Gao, Sandra L. Leibel, William Bray, Erica Ollmann Saphire, Aaron F. Carlin, Maurizio Zanetti
Summary: This study demonstrates that immunogens built on structure selection can influence the quality of the antibody response, resulting in neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants of the virus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhi Yang, Kim-Marie A. Dam, Michael D. Bridges, Magnus A. G. Hoffmann, Andrew T. DeLaitsch, Harry B. Gristick, Amelia Escolano, Rajeev Gautam, Malcolm A. Martin, Michel C. Nussenzweig, Wayne L. Hubbell, Pamela J. Bjorkman
Summary: This study identifies CD4-binding site antibodies with neutralizing properties that can be raised through immunization. These antibodies recognize a specific conformation of the HIV-1 Env trimer, providing insights for immunogen design and antibody therapeutic efforts.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chao Liu, Hongrong Xu, Fei Yuan, Weili Chen, Hanjing Chen, Lei Sheng, Yujia Wu, Xuening Li
Summary: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a negative regulator of LDLR, is an important target for the treatment of hypercholesterolemic cardiovascular disease. Monoclonal antibodies alirocumab and evolocumab targeted against PCSK9 have been widely used in clinical practice. Vaccine research for PCSK9 has been slow, but this study identified two peptides with superior binding activity to screening antibodies and obtained recombinant sequences that respond to the dominant conformational epitope of PCSK9, providing a meaningful reference for epitope selection in PCSK9 vaccine development.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Sahlstrom, Vijay Joshua, Viktoriia Valkovskaia, Charlotte Biese, Ragnhild Stalesen, Lena Israelsson, Akos Vegvari, Dagmar Scheel-Toellner, Lars Klareskog, Monika Hansson, Aase Hensvold, Vivianne Malmstrom, Caroline Gronwall
Summary: Autoantibodies to malondialdehyde (MDA) proteins in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with disease activity and show distinct targeting of different molecular structures. Anti-malondialdehyde acetaldehyde (MAA) antibodies may contribute to bone loss and RA pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jenna J. Guthmiller, Julianna Han, Lei Li, Alec W. Freyn, Sean T. H. Liu, Olivia Stovicek, Christopher T. Stamper, Haley L. Dugan, Micah E. Tepora, Henry A. Utset, Dalia J. Bitar, Natalie J. Hamel, Siriruk Changrob, Nai-Ying Zheng, Min Huang, Florian Krammer, Raffael Nachbagauer, Peter Palese, Andrew B. Ward, Patrick C. Wilson
Summary: Broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting conserved receptor-binding site (RBS) or lateral patch epitopes of hemagglutinin (HA) are recalled by first exposure to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated against these epitopes exhibit broad neutralizing activity against H1N1 viruses spanning 40 years of viral evolution, providing potent protection in vivo. Antibodies targeting the lateral patch are found to have near universal binding to H1 viruses, while RBS-binding antibodies commonly cross-react with H3N2 viruses and influenza B viruses.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Dongmei Gu, Luchun Wang, Nan Zhang, Huali Wang, Xin Yu
Summary: This study found that the levels of naturally occurring antibodies (NAbs) decrease in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and a specific antibody, NAb-TREM2, has the highest sensitivity as a potential biomarker. Further analysis showed that AD-related pathological processes were enriched in the protein-protein interaction network. The findings suggest that the levels of circulating NAbs may serve as biomarkers for monitoring the progression of AD.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Shuai Lu, Xi-xiu Xie, Lei Zhao, Bin Wang, Jie Zhu, Ting-rui Yang, Guang-wen Yang, Mei Ji, Cui-ping Lv, Jian Xue, Er-hei Dai, Xi-ming Fu, Dong-qun Liu, Lun Zhang, Sheng-jie Hou, Xiao-lin Yu, Yu-ling Wang, Hui-xia Gao, Xue-han Shi, Chang-wen Ke, Bi-xia Ke, Chun-guo Jiang, Rui-tian Liu
Summary: The study reveals that predicted epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 effectively induce antibody production, with some being immunodominant. There are differences in immunodominant epitopes between individuals with domestic and imported SARS-CoV-2, possibly due to mutations on the proteins. Several epitopes on the S protein elicit neutralizing antibodies against different variants of SARS-CoV-2, showing potential for vaccine design against coronaviruses.
Article
Microbiology
Dmitriy Mazurov, Alon Herschhorn
Summary: An ultrasensitive HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission assay has been developed, which allows accurate quantification of cell-to-cell transmission efficiency. It is of great significance for understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission, evaluating drug resistance, and studying other retroviruses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jie Bai, Asako Chiba, Goh Murayama, Taiga Kuga, Yoshiyuki Yahagi, Yoko Tabe, Naoto Tamura, Sachiko Miyake
Summary: A comprehensive analysis of adaptive immune responses induced by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines shows that antibody and cellular immune responses decline after 6 months, but a third dose can enhance immunity. These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating cellular immune responses to optimize vaccine strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Priyadharshini Devarajan, Allen M. Vong, Catherine H. Castonguay, Noah J. Silverstein, Olivia Kugler-Umana, Bianca L. Bautista, Karen A. Kelly, Jeremy Luban, Susan L. Swain
Summary: Influenza A virus infection drives non-cytotoxic CD4 effector cells to differentiate into lung tissue-resident cytotoxic CD4 effectors, which require recognition of antigen on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and signals induced by the ongoing infection. Type I interferon and interleukin-15 play important roles in this differentiation process.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sofia Khanum, Vincenzo Carbone, Sandeep K. Gupta, Juliana Yeung, Dairu Shu, Tania Wilson, Natalie A. Parlane, Eric Altermann, Silvia M. Estein, Peter H. Janssen, D. Neil Wedlock, Axel Heiser
Summary: In this study, B- and T-cell epitopes of a model antigen from a methanogen were mapped using a combination of in silico predictions and experimental validation. It was found that the epitopes identified by in silico predictions did not match those determined empirically.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Josilene Ramos Pinheiro, Esther Camilo dos Reis, Rayane da Silva Oliveira Souza, Ana Luiza Silva Rocha, Lincoln Suesdek, Vasco Azevedo, Sandeep Tiwari, Beatriz Goncalves Silva Rocha, Alexander Birbrair, Erick Carvalho Mendez, Wilson Barros Luiz, Jaime Henrique Amorim
Summary: This study compared the main anti-dengue virus vaccines, DENGVAXIA®, LAV-TDV, and TAK-003, and found that all three vaccines contain the main B cell epitopes involved in viral neutralization. LAV-TDV and TAK-003 also contain most of the T cell epitopes related to immunological protection, while DENGVAXIA® lacks these T cell epitopes, explaining its limitations as the only licensed dengue vaccine.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryunosuke Endo, Kazuki Uchiyama, Sei-Young Lim, Masanori Itakura, Takahiro Adachi, Koji Uchida
Summary: This study identified acrolein-modified bovine serum albumin as the most efficient trigger for IgM production in PerC cells and showed that acrolein-specific epitopes accelerated the differentiation of B-1a cells to plasma cells. The presence of an acrolein-specific IgM-B cell receptor was suggested by specific binding of acrolein-modified bovine serum albumin to B-1a cells. The establishment of a hybridoma producing acrolein-specific IgM from PerC cells and the identification of the IgM heavy chain gene segments of acrolein-specific B cells confirmed the presence of innate B cells expressing the acrolein-specific BCR.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Victor Moreno-Torres, Carmen de Mendoza, Maria Martinez-Urbistondo, Patricia Mills, Ana Trevino, Sara de la Fuente, Alberto Diaz de Santiago, Jorge Calderon-Parra, Ilduara Pintos-Pascual, Manuel Corpas, Vicente Soriano
Summary: HIV-infected patients hospitalized in Spain with COVID-19 during 2020 had lower mortality rate compared to HIV-negatives, likely due to younger age and lower rate of comorbidities. However, advanced liver disease was a major predictor of death in HIV-infected patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
QJM-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Eudald Felip, Edwards Pradenas, Margarita Romeo, Silvia Marfil, Benjamin Trinite, Victor Urrea, Ainhoa Hernandez, Ester Ballana, Marc Cucurull, Lourdes Mateu, Marta Massanella, Bonaventura Clotet, Teresa Moran, Julia Blanco
Summary: Patients with solid tumors have a higher risk of complications, hospitalizations, or death during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The immunosuppressive state of cancer treatments or the tumor itself may affect the development of vaccination antibodies. This study emphasizes the importance of prioritizing cancer patients receiving anticancer treatment in SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programs.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Victor Moreno-Torres, Vicente Soriano, Jorge Calderon-Parra, Maria Martinez-Urbistondo, Ana Trevino, Zayrho de San Vicente, Carmen de Mendoza, Guillermo Ruiz-Irastorza
Summary: A retrospective nationwide observational analysis in Spain found an increased incidence of giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and associated stroke after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. The study compared hospital admissions for GCA between pre-pandemic (2016-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) years. The incidence of GCA and GCA-associated stroke was higher during the pandemic years, particularly during the third wave of COVID-19 and the third dose vaccination in patients older than 70. The findings suggest a potential link between COVID-19 and mRNA-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with an increased risk of GCA and stroke.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Carmen Aguilar-Gurrieri, Ana Barajas, Carla Rovirosa, Raquel Ortiz, Victor Urrea, Nuria de la Iglesia, Bonaventura Clotet, Julia Blanco, Jorge Carrillo
Summary: Neoantigens are tumor-specific antigens that can elicit a specific immune response. They have potential for the development of personalized cancer vaccines. The presentation of neoantigens to T cells is influenced by vaccine delivery strategies, including the use of specific linkers. The efficiency of neoantigen processing and presentation by MHC-I molecules can be improved with alanine-based linkers.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vicente Soriano, Victor Moreno-Torres, Ana Trevino, Pablo Barreiro, Fernando de Jesus, Octavio Corral, Carmen de Mendoza
Summary: HCV and HIV are highly prevalent infections worldwide. Oral antivirals can cure HCV and slow down disease progression in HIV patients. However, dual therapy for HCV and HIV presents challenges such as drug-related side effects, hepatitis B reactivation, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromes (IRIS), and drug-drug interactions (DDI).
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Carla T. Toro, Agatha Payne, Tabitha Jackson, Sean Russell, Guy Daly, Glenn Waller, Caroline Meyer
Summary: CBT-T is a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for non-underweight eating disorders. This report describes the findings from a feasibility trial of online CBT-T in the workplace as an alternative to health service settings. The trial showed high feasibility and acceptability with positive impacts on eating pathology, anxiety, depression, and work outcomes. Rating: 8/10
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Javier Arranz-Herrero, Jesus Presa, Sergio Rius-Rocabert, Alberto Utrero-Rico, Jose Angel Arranz-Arija, Antonio Lalueza, Maria M. Escribese, Jordi Ochando, Vicente Soriano, Estanislao Nistal-Villan
Summary: The clinical burden of influenza is increasing worldwide, with bacterial infections being the main cause of complications and poor clinical outcomes. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common microorganisms causing bacterial infections in patients with influenza. Early diagnosis and use of antibiotics can improve outcomes in this population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raquel Ortiz, Ana Barajas, Anna Pons-Grifols, Benjamin Trinite, Ferran Tarres-Freixas, Carla Rovirosa, Victor Urrea, Antonio Barreiro, Anna Gonzalez-Tendero, Maria Cardona, Laura Ferrer, Bonaventura Clotet, Jorge Carrillo, Carmen Aguilar-Gurrieri, Julia Blanco
Summary: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common infectious disease in domestic cats, and current vaccines do not provide full protection. This study proposes using HIV-1 Gag-based VLPs as a novel vaccine strategy against FeLV. The immunogenicity of selected candidates was evaluated in mice, showing strong immune responses to Gag but failing to generate antibodies against p15E.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Vicente Soriano, Antonio Aguilera, Rafael Benito, Rocio Gonzalez-Diez, Elisenda Miro, Paloma Liendo, Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz, Teresa Cabezas, Alberto Richart, Jose Manuel Ramos, Luisa Barea, Carmen Alvarez, Ana Trevino, Felix Gomez-Gallego, Octavio Corral, Carmen de Mendoza
Summary: In Spain, the proportion of adults vaccinated against hepatitis B is still low, with approximately 60% of adults at risk for hepatitis B. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct HBV serological testing and administer HBV vaccines or boosters to all adults.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jordana Munoz-Basagoiti, Fabio Luis Lima Monteiro, Lauren R. H. Krumpe, Victoria Armario-Najera, Shilpa R. Shenoy, Daniel Perez-Zsolt, Harrison James Westgarth, Gemma Villorbina, Larissa Maciel Bomfim, Dalia Raich-Regue, Lara Nogueras, Curtis J. Henrich, Marcal Gallemi, Filipe Romero Rebello Moreira, Pascual Torres, Jennifer Wilson, Mirela D'arc, Silvia Marfil, Alice Laschuk Herlinger, Edwards Pradenas, Luiza Mendonca Higa, Manuel Portero-Otin, Benjamin Trinite, Richard M. Twyman, Teresa Capell, Amilcar Tanuri, Julia Blanco, Nuria Izquierdo-Useros, Elibio L. Rech, Paul Christou, Barry R. O'Keefe
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeting the glycosylated Spike protein on the virus surface can prevent infections. Cyanovirin-N (CV-N), a lectin from cyanobacteria, can selectively target SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycans and inhibit viral infection in vitro and in vivo, showing potential as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Carlos Avila-Nieto, Nuria Pedreno-Lopez, Oriol Mitja, Bonaventura Clotet, Julia Blanco, Jorge Carrillo
Summary: Syphilis is a sexually or vertically transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum subspecie pallidum (TPA) infection. Despite being an obligate human pathogen with a well-known infection route and effective treatment options, the incidence of syphilis has been increasing. Developing a syphilis vaccine is crucial in countries where current preventive measures are limited. Although previous vaccine prototypes in preclinical studies did not provide full protection against infection, they showed promising results in preventing bacteria dissemination and attenuating lesion development. It is important to integrate knowledge about TPA immune response and outer membrane protein (OMP) characterization to expedite vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lidia Sanchez-Moral, Tony Paul, Clara Martori, Joan Font-Diaz, Lucia Sanjurjo, Gemma Aran, Erica Tellez, Julia Blanco, Jorge Carrillo, Masaoki Ito, Martina Tuttolomondo, Henrik J. Ditzel, Caterina Fumagalli, Gustavo Tapia, Julia Sidorova, Helena Masnou, Marco-Antonio Fernandez-Sanmartin, Juan-Jose Lozano, Cristina Vilaplana, Alheli Rodriguez-Cortes, Carolina Armengol, Annabel F. Valledor, Leonor Kremer, Maria-Rosa Sarriasa
Summary: This study explores the role of macrophage CD5L protein in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) activity and its potential as a therapeutic target. Results show that cancer cell lines induce an immunosuppressive phenotype in macrophages through increased CD5L expression. High TAM expression of CD5L is associated with poor patient outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma. Researchers developed an anti-CD5L monoclonal antibody that blocks the immunosuppressive phenotype in macrophages and inhibits tumor progression in vivo.
Article
Virology
Carmen de Mendoza, Ariadna Rando, Elisenda Miro, Maria Jose Pena, Iciar Rodriguez-Avial, Diego Ortega, Alejandro Gonzalez-Praetorius, Gabriel Reina, Ilduara Pintos, Maria Jose Pozuelo, Vicente Soriano
Summary: The rate of ATLL is very low in Spain and mostly associated with migrants from HTLV-1 endemic regions. ATLL patients have a poor clinical outcome, with most of them dying within one year. In Spain, HTLV-1 testing should be performed on migrants from HTLV-1 endemic countries and natives who have lived in or had sex partners from such regions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jose Manuel Ramos-Rincon, Hector Pinargote-Celorio, Carmen de Mendoza, Clara Ramos-Belinchon, Victor Moreno-Torres, Ana Trevino, Pablo Barreiro, Octavio Corral, Vicente Soriano
Summary: Hospitalizations due to viral hepatitis significantly declined in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients admitted with viral hepatitis experienced a greater mortality during the pandemic period. Deaths were more pronounced when co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 despite having advanced liver disease less frequently.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alexandra Moros, Antoni Prenafeta, Antonio Barreiro, Eva Perozo, Alex Fernandez, Manuel Canete, Luis Gonzalez, Carme Garriga, Edwards Pradenas, Silvia Marfil, Julia Blanco, Paula Cebollada Rica, Marta Sistere-Oro, Andreas Meyerhans, Teresa Prat Cabanas, Ricard March, Laura Ferrer
Summary: The development of a new generation of efficacious vaccines is crucial due to the high global incidence of COVID-19 and low vaccination rates. Researchers have developed an adjuvanted vaccine candidate, PHH-1V, based on a protein fusion of the receptor binding domain (RBD) from the Beta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and the equivalent domain from the Alpha variant. In pig models, PHH-1V has demonstrated excellent safety and has induced a robust immune response to SARS-CoV-2, including neutralising antibodies to multiple variants.