Article
Fisheries
Ying Huang, Ying Jiang, Miao-Miao Wang, Min-Yi Chen, Huan-Gen Chen, Heng-Yuan Chen, Wen-Jie Liu, Xiao-Rui Li, Xiao-Lei Han
Summary: This study cloned and characterized a mannose-binding lectin (MBL) called PcMBL from the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. PcMBL plays important roles in nonself recognition and clearance of invading microorganisms. It was found that PcMBL can influence the transcription of antimicrobial peptide genes and has the ability to bind to various microorganisms and carbohydrates. Furthermore, recombinant PcMBL can facilitate bacterial clearance, inhibit biofilm formation and growth, and reduce mortality in infected crayfish.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peter A. Idowu, Adeola P. Idowu, Oliver T. Zishiri, Takalani J. Mpofu, Edwin J. A. Veldhuizen, Khathutshelo A. Nephawe, Bohani Mtileni
Summary: This article discusses the importance of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in chickens and how it can aid in fighting bacterial pathogens. Studies show that MBL activates the complement system to help chickens resist pathogenic bacteria, and there is a direct link between MBL concentration and chicken health status.
Article
Oncology
Amy Hui Ping Khor, Tomoyuki Koguchi, Hao Liu, Masanori Kakuta, Daisuke Matsubara, Ruimeng Wen, Yoji Sagiya, Seiya Imoto, Hidewaki Nakagawa, Koichi Matsuda, Chizu Tanikawa
Summary: p53, a tumor suppressor gene mutated in many cancers, has been found to be involved in regulating the gut microbiome and protecting the intestinal barrier through its downstream targets related to the innate immune system. Knockout mice lacking p53 are more susceptible to radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity and have shorter survival time, but treatment with antibiotics improves their outcomes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanjaya K. Sahu, Devesha H. Kulkarni, Ayse N. Ozanturk, Lina Ma, Hrishikesh S. Kulkarni
Summary: The complement system not only protects the intravascular space from encapsulated bacteria but also plays a role in protecting against non-encapsulated pathogens. Specific complement proteins recognize and interact with pathogens, locally derived complement proteins are important in host defense, and intracellular complement proteins facilitate local protection and barrier function.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jing Wang, Xin-Lu Guo, Hong-Ye Chen, Lin-Xi Xiao, Gui-Wen Yang, Hui-Ting Yang
Summary: In this study, a novel L-rhamnose binding lectin (DrRBL) was discovered and its innate immune function was studied. DrRBL can inhibit the growth of gram-positive/negative bacteria, bind to several bacteria and cause agglutination. However, it cannot bind to an important component of LTA. The DPC domain is important for agglutination, while the conserved domain ANYGRTD is essential for inhibiting bacterial growth.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Pengyu Chen, Kristof De Schutter, Els J. M. Van Damme, Guy Smagghe
Summary: Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that recognize and selectively bind specific sugar structures. They are found in plants, animals, and microorganisms, playing important roles in immune systems. While insect lectins are not well studied, plant lectins have been characterized and known to possess immunomodulatory properties in vertebrates. The study of lectins and their functions in insects lags behind, but understanding their role in insect immunity is crucial for the development of pest control strategies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deeksha Marothia, Navdeep Kaur, Chetna Jhamat, Ipsa Sharma, Pratap Kumar Pati
Summary: Biotic and abiotic stresses have negative effects on plant's development and productivity. Researchers are studying the stress induced responses in plants and strategies to produce stress tolerant crops. Recent interest has focused on exploring the role of lectins in regulating biological responses in plants. Lectins are proteins that form reversible linkages with glycoconjugates. The involvement of plant lectins in stress tolerance is not fully understood and further research in this area could lead to improvements in crop production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Hematology
Bruno G. Pires, Rodrigo T. Calado
Summary: COVID-19 is a complex disease with a wide range of severity and involvement of various organs and systems. In severe cases, hyperinflammation, caused by complement over-activation, plays a critical role in the pathobiology of the disease, leading to an inflammatory response, microangiopathy, platelet-neutrophil activation, and hypercoagulability. SARS-CoV-2 can directly activate the complement system through multiple pathways, and inhibiting complement activation has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach. However, the most effective targets and optimal timing for intervention are still unknown, requiring further clinical trials.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marilia A. Sena, Priscila Mayrelle da Silva Castanha, Ana Beatriz Giles Guimaraes, Paula Alexandra dos Santos Oliveira, Maria Almerice Lopes da Silva, Marli Tenorio Cordeiro, Patricia Moura, Cynthia Braga, Luydson Richardson Silva Vasconcelos
Summary: The study found that variations in the MBL2 gene are associated with susceptibility to dengue infection in children. Lower levels of serum MBL are associated with dengue infection, while intermediate to high levels of serum MBL are associated with protection against dengue infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keicyanne Fernanda Lessa dos Anjos, Cynarha Daysy Cardoso da Silva, Mary Angela Aranda de Souza, Alessandra Batista de Mattos, Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho, Giovanna Machado, Janaina Viana de Melo, Regina Celia Bressan Queiroz de Figueiredo
Summary: Titanium and its alloys are commonly used biomaterials for medical and dental applications due to their mechanical and physical properties. In this study, titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2NTs) were functionalized with a lectin from the plasma of the fish Oreochromis niloticus to enhance adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic activity of osteoblast-like cells, ultimately improving the biocompatibility of titanium-based biomaterials. The successful incorporation of the lectin on the nanotubes was confirmed through various characterization techniques.
Article
Fisheries
Tongchol Kim, Sanghyok Ri, Kwangjin Ju, Wei Shi, Weishang Zhou, Yihan Yu, Sangryong Ri, Hyoksong Ri, Songsu Yun, Junjin Ri, Guangxu Liu
Summary: In this study, a new C-type lectin (CTL) named TgCTL-1 was identified in the blood clam. TgCTL-1 was highly expressed in hemocytes and visceral mass under normal condition and significantly up-regulated upon pathogen challenge. The recombinant TgCTL-1 displayed agglutinating and binding activities against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and enhanced the phagocytic activity of hemocytes. These results suggest that TgCTL-1 plays important roles in the immune defense of blood clam.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gizem Erol, Patricia Perez Schmidt, Alessia Pancaro, Javier M. Melo Diaz, Africa G. Barrientos, John Porter, Laura Polito, Michal Szymonik, Inge Nelissen, Daniel I. R. Spencer, Arianna Piotti, Marten Beeg, Maria-Grazia De Simoni, Stefano Fumagalli, Marco Gobbi
Summary: Circulating mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a crucial role in tissue damage caused by ischemic events. A new surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay was developed to screen compounds inhibiting the binding of MBL to damaged endothelium. The assay successfully detected MBL binding and identified inhibitory effects of mannose, mannose residues carrying glycan, and mannose-coated gold nanoparticles.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Domenico Mercurio, Arianna Piotti, Alessia Valente, Marco Oggioni, Yolanda Ponstein, Edwin Van Amersfoort, Marco Gobbi, Stefano Fumagalli, Maria-Grazia De Simoni
Summary: The study demonstrates that rhC1INH shows stronger neuroprotective effects after experimental ischemia/reperfusion injury in the brain, reducing behavioral deficits and neuronal loss, decreasing MBL deposition in the brain, and reducing the formation of complement C4b active fragments. In contrast, pdC1INH, despite having a longer plasma residence time, does not exhibit these neuroprotective effects. Therefore, rhC1INH may be a promising drug for stroke as it effectively inhibits MBL.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Douglas T. Akahoshi, Stephanie M. Goley, Charles L. Bevins, Bo Lonnerdal
Summary: Intelectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that play a role in innate immunity. They are highly conserved across chordate evolution. Human ITLN1 is abundant in the intestinal mucosa and binds microbial glycans. Mutations in ITLN1 have been linked to susceptibility for diseases like Crohn's disease. Using a mouse model, researchers found that mouse Itln1 is expressed in Paneth cells and may play a minor role in chemically induced colitis or diet-induced obesity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Oggioni, Domenico Mercurio, Denise Minuta, Stefano Fumagalli, Katarzyna Popiolek-Barczyk, Marina Sironi, Agata Ciechanowska, Stefania Ippati, Daiana De Blasio, Carlo Perego, Joanna Mika, Cecilia Garlanda, Maria-Grazia De Simoni
Summary: The study shows that long pentraxin PTX3 is significantly activated in the brain and blood following traumatic brain injury (TBI), suggesting its specific involvement in TBI. However, genetic depletion of PTX3 did not have a clear impact on the sensory deficits and brain damage in mice. Other members of the long pentraxin family were found to be overexpressed in the traumatized brain, potentially compensating for the absence of PTX3.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anet J. N. Anelone, Edward J. Hancock, Nigel Klein, Peter Kim, Sarah K. Spurgeon
Summary: The study investigated the control mechanisms of measles virus (MV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) infections and addressed the "measles paradox" through the development of a model. Results showed that immunosuppression is crucial for viral clearance, with T-cell killing as a primary mechanism, and discussed the robustness properties of T-cell immunity.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jumari Snyman, Shi-Hsia Hwa, Robert Krause, Daniel Muema, Tarylee Reddy, Yashica Ganga, Farina Karim, Alasdair Leslie, Alex Sigal, Thumbi Ndung'u
Summary: This study in Durban, South Africa, found similar antibody responses and neutralization potency against SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV and those without HIV, indicating that natural COVID-19 infections may confer comparable antibody immunity in these groups.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lily Gates, Nigel J. Klein, Neil J. Sebire, Dagmar G. Alber
Summary: Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) refers to the sudden and unexplained death of apparently healthy infants within the first year of life, possibly due to undiagnosed infections. Post-mortem bacterial translocation, the spread of viable bacteria from highly colonised sites to extra-intestinal tissues, was hypothesised but not significantly observed in two animal models.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alyssa M. Pandolfo, Robert Horne, Yogini Jani, Tom W. Reader, Natalie Bidad, David Brealey, Virve Enne, David M. Livermore, Vanya Gant, Stephen J. Brett
Summary: ICU clinicians generally believe that rapid molecular diagnostic tests for pneumonia are important for improving antibiotic prescribing, but they also have concerns about the tests' capabilities and integration into clinical practice.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Katrine Schou Sandgaard, Ben Margetts, Teresa Attenborough, Triantafylia Gkouleli, Stuart Adams, Mette Holm, Diana Gibb, Deena Gibbons, Carlo Giaquinto, Anita De Rossi, Alasdair Bamford, Paolo Palma, Benny Chain, Athina S. Gkazi, Nigel Klein
Summary: Children with HIV-1 show greater CD4(+) T cell recovery following planned treatment cessation, potentially due to increased thymic output and T cell receptor diversity. These effective immune responses could inform novel therapeutic strategies. Data from the PENTA 11 trial sub-study suggest that children may have the capacity to reconstitute their T cell immune repertoire.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Virve Enne, Alp Aydin, Rossella Baldan, Dewi R. Owen, Hollian Richardson, Federico Ricciardi, Charlotte Russell, Brenda O. Nomamiukor-Ikeji, Ann-Marie Swart, Juliet High, Antony Colles, Julie Barber, Vanya Gant, David M. Livermore, Justin O'Grady
Summary: Using PCR to directly search for pathogens and their resistance genes from clinical samples can improve treatment and stewardship. The study found that PCR testing had higher sensitivity than routine microbiology, detecting potential pathogens in patient samples reported as culture negative.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sheila Fernandez-Luis, Maria Grazia Lain, Miquel Serna-Pascual, Sara Dominguez-Rodriguez, Louise Kuhn, Afaaf Liberty, Shaun Barnabas, Elisa Lopez-Varela, Kennedy Otwombe, Siva Danaviah, Eleni Nastouli, Paolo Palma, Nicola Cotugno, Moira Spyer, Viviana Giannuzzi, Carlo Giaquinto, Avy Violari, Mark F. Cotton, Tacilta Nhampossa, Nigel Klein, Nastassja Ramsagar, Anita Janse van Rensburg, Osee Behuhuma, Paula Vaz, Almoustapha Issiaka Maiga, Andrea Oletto, Denise Naniche, Paolo Rossi, Pablo Rojo, Alfredo Tagarro
Summary: This study evaluates the inclusion of mothers' self-reported adherence into the WHO algorithm to identify infants eligible for enhanced post-natal prophylaxis when maternal viral load results are not available.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iain Robert Louis Kean, Joseph Wagner, Anisha Wijeyesekera, Marcus De Goffau, Sarah Thurston, John A. Clark, Deborah K. White, Jenna Ridout, Shruti Agrawal, Riaz Kayani, Roddy O'Donnell, Padmanabhan Ramnarayan, Mark J. Peters, Nigel Klein, Elaine Holmes, Julian Parkhill, Stephen Baker, Nazima Pathan
Summary: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial use during critical illness treatment affects the microbiome and bile acid profile. The compositional shift in Lachnospiraceae may aid in the recovery of bile acid composition. Measurement of faecal bile acids can be used to assess gut microbiota recovery.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Soumya P. Kania, Juliana M. F. Silva, Oscar J. Charles, John Booth, S. Y. Amy Cheung, James W. T. Yates, Austen Worth, Judith Breuer, Nigel Klein, Persis J. Amrolia, Paul Veys, Joseph F. Standing
Summary: This study aimed to identify risk factors for EBV reactivation in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and assess the suitability of a mathematical model to model the kinetics of EBV reactivation. The results showed that EBV seropositivity in HSCT recipients and administration of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) were significantly associated with an increased risk of EBV reactivation in the first 100 days after HSCT. Sensitivity analysis also identified key parameters affecting EBV viral load. The findings provide valuable insights for understanding and predicting EBV reactivation in this population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Francesca I. F. Arrigoni, Moira Spyer, Patricia Hunter, Dagmar Alber, Cissy Kityo, James Hakim, Allen Matubu, Patrick Olal, Nicholas I. Paton, A. Sarah Walker, Nigel Klein, EARNEST Trial Team
Summary: This study explored the effects of different levels of loss of viral control on immune reconstitution and activation. The results showed little difference between continuous suppression and transient or low-level rebound, while individuals with high-level rebound/nonresponse experienced significant immune activation and impaired reconstitution.
Article
Immunology
Hannah Castro, Caroline Sabin, Intira Jeannie Collins, Hajra Okhai, Katrine Schou Sandgaard, Katia Prime, Caroline Foster, Marthe Le Prevost, Siobhan Crichton, Nigel Klein, Ali Judd, Collaborative HIV Paediat Study, UK Collaborative HIV Cohort Study
Summary: This study examined the changes and predictors of CD4 count over time in PHIV patients in the UK. It was found that starting ART before the age of 10 and having a higher CD4 z-score in childhood were associated with a smaller decline in CD4 count after the age of 10. On the other hand, starting ART before the age of 10 and having a lower CD4 z-score in childhood were associated with a steeper decline in CD4 count after the age of 10.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Anna Turkova, Ellen White, Adeodata R. Kekitiinwa, Vivian Mumbiro, Elizabeth Kaudha, Afaaf Liberty, Grace Miriam Ahimbisibwe, Tumelo Moloantoa, Ussanee Srirompotong, Nozibusiso Rejoice Mosia, Thanyawee Puthanakit, Robin Kobbe, Claudia Fortuny, Hajira Kataike, Dickson Bbuye, Sathaporn Na-Rajsima, Alexandra Coelho, Abbas Lugemwa, Mutsa F. Bwakura-Dangarembizi, Nigel Klein, Hilda A. Mujuru, Cissy Kityo, Mark F. Cotton, Rashida A. Ferrand, Carlo Giaquinto, Pablo Rojo, Avy Violari, Diana M. Gibb, ODYSSEY Trial Team
Summary: This study evaluated the neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adolescents treated with dolutegravir-based treatment compared to alternative antiretroviral therapy. Numerically, more participants in the dolutegravir group reported psychiatric events and suicidal ideation than those in the standard-of-care group, but these differences should be interpreted cautiously in an open-label trial.
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alessandra Ruggiero, Giuseppe Rubens Pascucci, Nicola Cotugno, Sara Dominguez-Rodriguez, Stefano Rinaldi, Alfredo Tagarro, Pablo Rojo, Caroline Foster, Alasdair Bamford, Anita De Rossi, Eleni Nastouli, Nigel Klein, Elena Morrocchi, Benoit Fatou, Kinga K. Smolen, Al Ozonoff, Michela Di Pastena, Katherine Luzuriaga, Hanno Steen, Carlo Giaquinto, Philip Goulder, Paolo Rossi, Ofer Levy, Savita Pahwa, Paolo Palma
Summary: Children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) exhibit signs of B-cell hyperactivation despite successful antiretroviral therapy (ART), which may result in reduced cell functionality and loss of vaccine-induced immunity. This hyperactivation is associated with proteins involved in immune inflammation and complement activation pathways.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Diana E. Matei, Madhvi Menon, Dagmar G. Alber, Andrew M. Smith, Bahman Nedjat-Shokouhi, Alessio Fasano, Laura Magill, Amanda Duhlin, Samuel Bitoun, Aude Gleizes, Salima Hacein-Bey-Abina, Jessica J. Manson, Elizabeth C. Rosser, Nigel Klein, Paul A. Blair, Claudia Mauri
Summary: The study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis and arthritic mice have increased gut permeability, which is positively correlated with disease severity. The research suggests that disruption of gut-barrier integrity plays a significant role in the development of arthritis.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hannah Gannon, Simbarashe Chimhuya, Gwendoline Chimhini, Samuel R. Neal, Liam P. Shaw, Caroline Crehan, Tim Hull-Bailey, Rashida A. Ferrand, Nigel Klein, Michael Sharland, Mario Cortina Borja, Valerie Robertson, Michelle Heys, Felicity C. Fitzgerald
Summary: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using the digital platform NeoTree for real-time data capture in a tertiary neonatal unit at Harare Central Hospital in Zimbabwe. Key to success was local buy-in and ownership at each stage of the project development, while challenges mainly stemmed from nationwide economic turmoil.
