Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Christophe Mallet, Ludivine Boudieu, Sylvain Lamoine, Catherine Coudert, Yves Jacquot, Alain Eschalier
Summary: The peptide ER alpha 17p derived from human estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) shows anti-proliferative effects in breast cancer cells through GPER, and reduces xenografted human breast tumors in mice. It also demonstrates anti-hyperalgesic effects in a chronic mice model of inflammation, and reduces paw swelling in a carrageenan-induced inflammation model. This suggests that ER alpha 17p, as a GPER inverse agonist, could be a potential treatment for controlling hyperalgesia and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Mona O. Mohsen, Martin F. Bachmann
Summary: Virus-like particles (VLPs) have become versatile tools in various fields, including biology, medicine, and engineering. They can be used to study viral structures, develop vaccines, deliver pharmaceuticals, and treat a range of diseases.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
He Hu, Nicole F. Steinmetz
Summary: Virus-like particles (VLPs) have shown promise as immunotherapy platforms and cancer vaccines. A newly designed HER2 cancer vaccine using PhMV-like particles successfully elicited a strong immune response in mice and demonstrated efficacy in tumor challenge studies.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Barbara B. Garrido-Suarez, Gabino Garrido, Addis Bellma Menendez, Nelson Merino, Odalys Valdes, Nilia de la Paz, Aylema Romero, Livan Delgado, Miguel D. Fernandez, Octavio Pineros, Rene Delgado-Hernandez
Summary: The present study evaluated the antinociceptive activity of Calendula officinalis L. cream on inflammatory hypernociception. The results showed that 10% or 30% concentration of Calendula cream could reduce licking/biting behavior and edema in rats, and it worked through antioxidant stress and peripheral opioid mechanisms. These findings may have an impact on the clinical management of painful inflammatory diseases.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hae-Ji Kang, Ki-Back Chu, Keon-Woong Yoon, Gi-Deok Eom, Jie Mao, Fu-Shi Quan
Summary: This study demonstrates that influenza B virus-like particle vaccines expressing hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, or both antigens can provide cross-protections against mismatched Victoria lineage virus infections, by inducing antibody and T cell responses to reduce lung viral loads and minimize infection outcomes.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Joelle de Melo Turnes, Erika Ivanna Araya, Amanda Ribeiro Barroso, Darciane Favero Baggio, Laura de Oliveira Koren, Janaina Menezes Zanoveli, Juliana Geremias Chichorro
Summary: The study showed that nor-BNI has antinociceptive and anxiolytic-like effects in a model of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Systemic administration of nor-BNI reduced facial mechanical hyperalgesia and had anxiolytic effects, while targeting the TG or CeA also reduced mechanical hyperalgesia without affecting anxiety-like behavior.Injection into the Sp5C did not show any changes in pain or anxiety-like behavior. Further studies are needed to understand the opioid system's role in chronic trigeminal pain.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sasheen Dowlath, Katrin Campbell, Farah Al-Barwani, Vivienne L. Young, Sarah L. Young, Greg F. Walker, Vernon K. Ward
Summary: Electrospun dry nanofibrous scaffolds can be used to formulate VLP vaccines, preserving humoral and cell-mediated immunity, inducing both antibody response and T-cell activation.
Article
Immunology
Laurits Fredsgaard, Louise Goksoyr, Susan Thrane, Kara-Lee Aves, Thor G. Theander, Adam F. Sander
Summary: The study showed that utilizing covalent antigen conjugation (such as the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system) resulted in significantly higher antigen-specific IgG titers compared to using affinity-based conjugation (such as biotin/streptavidin). In addition, the choice of cVLP backbone also influenced the antigen-specific IgG response, with vaccines based on the AP205 cVLP inducing higher levels of immune responses.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ki-Back Chu, Su-Hwa Lee, Min-Ju Kim, Ah-Ra Kim, Eun-Kyung Moon, Fu-Shi Quan
Summary: The study demonstrates that co-expressing PreF and Gt antigens in VLPs can enhance protective efficacy against RSV in mice, leading to reduced virus titers and inflammation. These findings suggest that a combinatorial approach may be beneficial for future RSV vaccine development.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Weihua Qiao, Shuxia Wang, Chao Zhang, Zhong Huang
Summary: In this study, researchers developed a NoV virus-like particle entry assay using split NanoLuc luciferase complementation. The assay can mimic NoV attachment and internalization in live cells, providing a reliable and comprehensive evaluation method for NoV vaccines and antibodies.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mengkai Cai, Ping Gan, Xiaokun Hu, Zhanzhuo Mai, Chihai Ji, Heyou Yi, Meidi Li, Shaofang Li, Yikuan Ji, Junmei Huang, Guihong Zhang, Lang Gong
Summary: This study developed a vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs) that can protect against both EA H1N1 and human-like H3N2 infections. The vaccine induced strong immune responses in mice and provided partial or complete protection against different subtypes of the virus.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xinyue Chang, Xuelan Liu, Mona O. Mohsen, Andris Zeltins, Byron Martina, Monique Vogel, Martin F. Bachmann
Summary: Researchers have developed a vaccine candidate that displays the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 on virus-like particles (VLP), which can induce strong antibody responses and bind to RBDs from other variants. These cross-reactive antibodies are capable of neutralizing different strains of the virus, demonstrating the potential to address emerging variants.
Article
Immunology
Jihee Kim, Jaewon Yoon, Jung-Eun Park
Summary: The study identified the essential role of the M protein in the formation of PED VLPs. Immunization with PED VLPs induced IgG and IgA antibodies in mice, protecting against PED virus infection in Vero cells. PED VLPs immunization also induced Th2-dominant immune responses in mice.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael P. P. Viscidi, Treva Rowley, Ioannis Bossis
Summary: Recent research has highlighted the important role of tissue-resident memory T cells (T-RM cells) and a subset of dendritic cells in inducing strong protective immune responses. However, effective vaccine technologies that can induce robust CD8+ T cell responses through cross-priming are lacking. Here, we developed a platform technology using genetically engineered bovine papillomavirus virus-like particles (VLPs) that possess self-adjuvant properties. These polyionic VLP vaccines were able to induce robust CD8+ T cell responses in peripheral blood and tumor tissues, and outperformed other vaccines and immunotherapies for the treatment of prostate cancer in a relevant murine model. The immunogenicity of polyionic VLP vaccines depended on particle size, reversible antigen-VLP linkage, and a mechanism involving type 1 interferon and Toll-like receptor (TLR)3/7.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Sandra R. Abbo, Wilson Nguyen, Marleen H. C. Abma-Henkens, Denise van de Kamer, Niek H. A. Savelkoul, Corinne Geertsema, Thuy T. T. Le, Bing Tang, Kexin Yan, Troy Dumenil, Monique M. van Oers, Andreas Suhrbier, Gorben P. Pijlman
Summary: Mayaro virus is associated with acute rheumatic disease and has the potential to emerge as a tropical public health threat. Researchers developed a virus-like particle vaccine against Mayaro virus, which induced neutralizing antibodies and protected mice against infection and disease.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Camila Oliveira Miranda, Krisztina Hegedus, Hendrik Wildner, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Miklos Antal
Summary: This study investigated the morphology and neurochemical characteristics of glycinergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn using a transgenic mouse line, revealing the presence of glycine-only neurons and the classification of glycinergic neurons into different morphological groups. The findings provide new insights into the contribution of glycinergic inhibition to spinal pain processing.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Xenia Puig-Bosch, Stefan Bieletzki, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Uwe Rudolph, Bernd Antkowiak, Gerhard Rammes
Summary: This study identified the specific GABA(A) receptor subtypes targeted by midazolam to affect synaptic inhibition and long-term potentiation. It was found that alpha(1)-GABA(A) receptors play a predominant role in the actions of midazolam at low concentrations, while other subtypes are enhanced at higher concentrations.
Article
Neurosciences
Yuan Shi, Mochen Cui, Katharina Ochs, Matthias Brendel, Felix L. Struebing, Nils Briel, Florian Eckenweber, Chengyu Zou, Richard B. Banati, Guo-Jun Liu, Ryan J. Middleton, Rainer Rupprecht, Uwe Rudolph, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Gerhard Rammes, Jochen Herms, Mario M. Dorostkar
Summary: Benzodiazepines can cause cognitive impairment by interacting with the mitochondrial protein TSPO, which leads to excessive removal of synapses by microglia. This study reveals a mechanism by which benzodiazepines contribute to cognitive decline, providing important insights for understanding this issue.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lukas M. von Ziegler, Amalia Floriou-Servou, Rebecca Waag, Rebecca R. Das Gupta, Oliver Sturman, Katharina Gapp, Christina A. Maat, Tobias Kockmann, Han-Yu Lin, Sian N. Duss, Mattia Privitera, Laura Hinte, Ferdinand von Meyenn, Hanns U. Zeilhofer, Pierre-Luc Germain, Johannes Bohacek
Summary: This study investigates the molecular events in the mouse hippocampus induced by acute stress through the use of swim exposure. The results reveal the complexity and specificity of the acute stress response, highlighting changes in protein phosphorylation, gene transcription, and protein translation. These molecular events efficiently resolve within four hours after stress initiation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Thomas Sartoretti, Robert P. Ganley, Ruiqing Ni, Patrick Freund, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Jan Klohs
Summary: In primary tauopathies, the deposition of tau neurofibrillary tangles and threads as well as neurodegenerative changes have been found within the brain and spinal cord. This study investigated the spinal cord degeneration in P301L mice using high-resolution structural MRI. The results showed tissue-specific reductions in the parameters related to spinal cord degeneration, with more severe atrophy in the gray matter and in female homozygous P301L mice.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Karthik Balakrishnan, Mohammad Hleihil, Musadiq A. Bhat, Robert P. Ganley, Markus Vaas, Jan Klohs, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Dietmar Benke
Summary: Cerebral ischemia, a common cause of neuronal death, lacks effective pharmacological treatment. However, researchers have developed a synthetic peptide (R1-Pep) that restores overly activated GABA(B) receptors, reducing neuronal excitability and death.
Article
Neurosciences
Teodora Trendafilova, Kaustubh Adhikari, Annina B. Schmid, Ryan Patel, Erika Polgar, Kim Chisholm, Steven J. Middleton, Kieran Boyle, Allen C. Dickie, Evangelia Semizoglou, Jimena Perez-Sanchez, Andrew M. Bell, Luis Miguel Ramirez-Aristeguieta, Samar Khoury, Aleksandar Ivanov, Hendrik Wildner, Eleanor Ferris, Juan-Camilo Chacon-Duque, Sophie Sokolow, Mohamed A. Saad Boghdady, Andre Herchuelz, Pierre Faux, Giovanni Poletti, Carla Gallo, Francisco Rothhammer, Gabriel Bedoya, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Luda Diatchenko, Stephen B. McMahon, Andrew J. Todd, Anthony H. Dickenson, Andres Ruiz-Linares, David L. Bennett
Summary: Repeated application of noxious stimuli leads to increased pain perception, which is associated with genetic variations in the sodium-calcium exchanger type 3 (NCX3) gene. Lack of NCX3 results in hypersensitivity to the second phase of stimulation, slowed calcium clearance, and increased wind-up. The study identifies Ca2+ efflux as a pathway underlying temporal summation and persistent pain.
Review
Anesthesiology
Laura Sirucek, Robert Philip Ganley, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Petra Schweinhardt
Article
Physiology
George M. P. R. Souza, Daniel S. Stornetta, Alexander J. Vitali, Hendrik Wildner, Hanns U. Zeilhofer, John N. Campbell, Stephen B. G. Abbott
Summary: In mammals, the pontine noradrenergic system plays a crucial role in the functioning of the central nervous system. A specific group of pontine noradrenergic neurons known as A5 neurons are believed to be important in the cardiovascular response to physical stressors, although their exact function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of activating A5 neurons on blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular function. The results showed that chemogenetic stimulation of A5 neurons led to a significant increase in blood pressure without affecting resting heart rate. Furthermore, the stimulation of A5 neurons selectively activated visceral sympathetic nerve activity, indicating their role in regulating the redistribution of blood flow in response to physical stress. Overall, this study suggests that A5 neurons are a central modulator of autonomic function with potential implications for cardiovascular health.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Gioele W. Albisetti, Robert P. Ganley, Francesca Pietrafesa, Karolina Werynska, Marilia Magalhaes de Sousa, Rebecca Sipione, Louis Scheurer, Michael R. Boesl, Pawel Pelczar, Hendrik Wildner, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
Summary: Proper sensing of ambient temperature is crucial for the survival of euthermic animals. In this study, researchers identified Kcnip2-expressing inhibitory interneurons in the mouse spinal dorsal horn as critical elements of a neural circuit that regulates sensitivity to cold.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xenia Puig-Bosch, Markus Ballmann, Stefan Bieletzki, Bernd Antkowiak, Uwe Rudolph, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Gerhard Rammes
Summary: Neurosteroids and benzodiazepines are GABA(A) receptor modulators with anxiolytic effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of neurosteroids and their synthesis using a synthetic compound called XBD173, which promotes neurosteroidogenesis by binding to the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO). The results showed that XBD173 induced neurosteroidogenesis and the application of potentially synthesized neurosteroids did not impair hippocampal CA1-LTP, which is important for learning and memory. Therefore, TSPO ligands could be promising candidates for post-ischemic recovery with neuroprotection and without detrimental effects on synaptic plasticity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Noemie Frezel, Matteo Ranucci, Edmund Foster, Hagen Wende, Pawel Pelczar, Raquel Mendes, Robert P. Ganley, Karolina Werynska, Simon d'Aquin, Camilla Beccarini, Carmen Birchmeier, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Hendrik Wildner
Summary: CST neurons innervate spinal dorsal horn and play a role in chronic neuropathic pain. Interneurons expressing c-Maf are targeted by CST neurons. Excitatory c-Maf neurons mainly receive sensory input from myelinated fibers, and target deep dorsal horn parabrachial projection neurons and superficial dorsal horn neurons. Silencing c-Maf neurons reduces mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic mice. c-Maf neurons also receive input from inhibitory c-Maf and parvalbumin neurons. Disrupting inhibition from these neurons causes mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous aversive behaviors similar to c-Maf neuron activation. c-Maf neurons become engaged in pathological pain signaling when inhibitory control is lost.
Article
Biology
Robert Philip Ganley, Marilia Magalhaes de Sousa, Kira Werder, Tugce Ozturk, Raquel Mendes, Matteo Ranucci, Hendrik Wildner, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
Summary: Using viral strategies and genetic techniques, researchers identified two distinct populations of serotonergic hindbrain neurons in mice that innervate different spinal cord regions and have opposing effects on pain sensitivity. Activation of neurons in the lateral paragigantocellularis (LPGi) reduces thermal sensitivity, while activation of medial hindbrain neurons increases sensitivity to mechanical stimulation.
Article
Neurosciences
Karolina Werynska, Elena Neumann, Teresa Cramer, Robert P. Ganley, Jacinthe Gingras, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
Summary: Phospho-deficient mutation (S346A) in GlyR a3 subunits leads to increased inhibitory synaptic transmission of GABA and glycine in spinal dorsal horn neurons. The phosphorylation status of a3 subunits potentially regulates this effect. These findings reveal the regulatory role of a3 subunits in synaptic neurotransmitter release.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olivia C. Davis, Allen C. Dickie, Marami B. Mustapa, Kieran A. Boyle, Tyler J. Browne, Mark A. Gradwell, Kelly M. Smith, Erika Polgar, Andrew M. Bell, Eva Kokai, Masahiko Watanabe, Hendrik Wildner, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, David D. Ginty, Robert J. Callister, Brett A. Graham, Andrew J. Todd, David I. Hughes
Summary: Unmyelinated non-peptidergic nociceptors receive axoaxonic synaptic input from inhibitory calretinin-expressing interneurons, which provides feedback inhibition and controls input from the nociceptors and pruritoceptors. These interneurons also form axodendritic synapses, allowing for feedforward inhibition and potential therapeutic targeting for chronic pain and itch treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)