Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Luca Miele, Cecilia Napodano, Alfredo Cesario, Antonio De Magistris, Krizia Pocino, Umberto Basile, Gian L. Rapaccini, Antonio Gasbarrini, Antonio Grieco
Summary: Metabolic diseases are linked to a higher risk of severe COVID-19, with fatty liver exacerbating hepatic inflammation in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Intestinal dysbiosis serves as a powerful activator of liver macrophage inflammatory response, playing a key role in MAFLD progression towards liver fibrosis.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Charles T. Semelka, Michael E. DeWitt, Kathryn E. Callahan, David M. Herrington, Martha A. Alexander-Miller, Joshua O. Yukich, Iqra Munawar, Lewis H. McCurdy, Michael A. Gibbs, William S. Weintraub, John W. Sanders
Summary: Frailty is associated with impaired antibody response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in adults aged 55 and older. Frail individuals are less likely to seroconvert and more likely to serorevert compared to nonfrail individuals.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jiaqi Zhang, Shan Xing, Dan Liang, Wei Hu, Changwen Ke, Jinyong He, Runyu Yuan, Yile Huang, Yizhe Li, Dongdong Liu, Xuedong Zhang, Lin Li, Jianhua Lin, Weili Li, Xiangyun Teng, Yijun Liu, Wei Wen, Qiang Kang, Dawei Wang, Wanli Liu, Jianhua Xu
Summary: A study showed that 90.7% of vaccinated individuals had NAb seroconversion, with all participants who seroconverted after the first dose being females with relatively high prevaccine estradiol levels. Individuals without seroconversion tended to have lower lymphocyte counts and higher serum SAA levels. Additionally, young vaccine recipients had significantly higher peak NAb titers compared to elderly recipients.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Einav G. Levin, Yaniv Lustig, Carmit Cohen, Ronen Fluss, Victoria Indenbaum, Sharon Amit, Ram Doolman, Keren Asraf, Ella Mendelson, Arnona Ziv, Carmit Rubin, Laurence Freedman, Yitshak Kreiss, Gili Regev-Yochay
Summary: A study in Israel revealed that waning immunity after receiving two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine led to an increase in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Levels of spike-binding IgG and neutralizing antibodies decreased more significantly in men, individuals aged 65 or older, and immunosuppressed individuals in a longitudinal study involving nearly 4000 healthcare workers.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tzuriel Sapir, Zaelig Averch, Brian Lerman, Abraham Bodzin, Yeshaya Fishman, Radhashree Maitra
Summary: This systematic review aims to explore the immune mechanisms and pathological features of COVID-19, and propose different treatment approaches based on the stages of the disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Entao Li, Shen Wang, Wenwen He, Jun He, Luogeng Liu, Xiaotuan Zhang, Songtao Yang, Feihu Yan, Yuwei Gao, Bin Liu, Xianzhu Xia
Summary: This study investigates the clinical characteristics, cytokine responses, and antibody levels in asymptomatic carriers and symptomatic patients with COVID-19. The results show that symptomatic patients have higher levels of cytokines, while asymptomatic carriers have higher levels of specific antibodies. Comparable levels of neutralizing antibodies were detected in both groups.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomonari Sumi, Kouji Harada
Summary: COVID-19 is typically a mild to moderate disease in healthy individuals but can potentially cause life-threatening illness and persistent symptoms. Age is the main determinant of disease severity due to a decline in immune response. A mathematical model of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 revealed that age-related risk factors and ongoing immune response contribute to increased viral load, making it difficult for some patients with mild or severe symptoms to effectively eliminate the virus and potentially develop long COVID.
Article
Immunology
Suzan Farhang-Sardroodi, Chapin S. Korosec, Samaneh Gholami, Morgan Craig, Iain R. Moyles, Mohammad Sajjad Ghaemi, Hsu Kiang Ooi, Jane M. Heffernan
Summary: During the global pandemic, vaccine distribution has been affected by supply chain logistics, leading to the need for adjusting dose administration strategies. Studies show that modifying dose intervals and amounts can help mitigate supply constraints and improve immunological outcomes.
Article
Allergy
Qing Lei, Yang Li, Hong-yan Hou, Feng Wang, Zhu-qing Ouyang, Yandi Zhang, Dan-yun Lai, Jo-Lewis Banga Ndzouboukou, Zhao-wei Xu, Bo Zhang, Hong Chen, Jun-biao Xue, Xiao-song Lin, Yun-xiao Zheng, Zong-jie Yao, Xue-ning Wang, Cai-zheng Yu, He-wei Jiang, Hai-nan Zhang, Huan Qi, Shu-juan Guo, Sheng-hai Huang, Zi-yong Sun, Sheng-ce Tao, Xiong-lin Fan
Summary: The study found that combining nucleic acid testing with serological testing significantly increases the detection sensitivity of asymptomatic infections. Asymptomatic individuals mainly produce IgM and IgG antibodies against S1 and N proteins, with S1-specific IgM antibodies potentially serving as early diagnostic biomarkers. Some asymptomatic individuals do not produce neutralizing antibodies, and these antibodies gradually disappear within two months.
Article
Virology
Bo Zhang, Daoyuan Yue, Yun Wang, Feng Wang, Shiji Wu, Hongyan Hou
Summary: In COVID-19 patients, the dynamic changes of lymphocyte subsets and specific antibodies correlated with illness severity. Although levels of IgM and IgG were not significantly correlated with lymphocyte subsets, monitoring the kinetics of antibodies and lymphocytes is valuable for predicting illness severity and understanding COVID-19 pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mi-Seon Bang, Choon-Mee Kim, Nam-Hyuk Cho, Jun-Won Seo, Da Young Kim, Na Ra Yun, Dong-Min Kim
Summary: This study investigated the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients until 1 year after symptom onset. The results showed that the positivity rates for neutralizing antibodies were 58.1% at 1 week, 97.8% at 4 weeks, and 78% at 1 year after symptom onset. Critical/fatal cases had significantly higher antibody titers than asymptomatic or mild-to-moderate illness groups. The presence of neutralizing antibodies was shorter in the asymptomatic group, but they were still detectable in critical/fatal cases 1 year after symptom onset.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kaushik Sen, Sudeshna Datta, Arup Ghosh, Atimukta Jha, Abdul Ahad, Sanchari Chatterjee, Sandhya Suranjika, Soumya Sengupta, Gargee Bhattacharya, Omprakash Shriwas, Kiran Avula, Jayasingh Kshatri, Punit Prasad, Rajeeb Swain, Ajay K. Parida, Sunil K. Raghav
Summary: This study characterized the immune response in asymptomatic contacts of COVID-19 patients, revealing significant increase in antibodies and cytokines, as well as distinct changes in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell levels and clonotypes compared to infected patients. This provides insights into the nature of protection in asymptomatic contacts.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ge Chen, Qiuyue Liao, Jihui Ai, Bin Yang, Hualin Bai, Jing Chen, Fengyuan Liu, Yang Cao, Haiyi Liu, Kezhen Li
Summary: Pregnant patients with COVID-19 exhibit an enhanced innate immune response with higher levels of neutrophils and C-reactive protein, while non-pregnant patients during the same period show suppressed cytokine storm. This may contribute to the unique anti-SARS-CoV-2 response in pregnant patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Masaru Takeshita, Naoshi Nishina, Saya Moriyama, Yoshimasa Takahashi, Yoshifumi Uwamino, Mika Nagata, Wataru Aoki, Katsunori Masaki, Makoto Ishii, Hideyuki Saya, Yasushi Kondo, Yuko Kaneko, Katsuya Suzuki, Koichi Fukunaga, Tsutomu Takeuchi
Summary: The study found that asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients had inadequate humoral immune responses, with most antibodies being correlated with disease severity, symptoms such as pneumonia, lymphopenia, and certain serological markers, and some patients failing to develop antibodies against the virus.
Article
Cell Biology
Quan-Xin Long, Yan-Jun Jia, Xin Wang, Hai-Jun Deng, Xiao-Xia Cao, Jun Yuan, Liang Fang, Xu-Rong Cheng, Chao Luo, An-Ran He, Xiao-Jun Tang, Jie-li Hu, Yuan Hu, Ni Tang, Xue-Fei Cai, De-Qiang Wang, Jie Hu, Jing-Fu Qiu, Bei-Zhong Liu, Juan Chen, Ai-long Huang
Summary: This study evaluated the durability of protective immune responses in individuals recovered from asymptomatic or symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection approximately 6 months prior. Memory B cell response specific to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 was relatively low, while T cell responses were observed in individuals recovered from COVID-19, and cross-reactive T cell responses were detected in healthy controls.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Li, Elizabeth YiHui Ng, Ying Ru Loh, Chong Yu Gea, Qiwei Huang, Qingxin Li, CongBao Kang
Summary: The study conducted structural analysis of the HD of human SIX1 using NMR spectroscopy, revealing that the HD is well-structured in solution with three alpha-helices, and the N- and C-terminal residues are flexible. The HD of human SIX1 exhibits molecular interactions with a short double-strand DNA sequence, allowing for further studies on SIX1 and DNA interactions.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Zhen Yuan, Bing Hu, Hurong Xiao, Xuan Tan, Yan Li, Ke Tang, Yonghui Zhang, Kun Cai, Binbin Ding
Summary: In this study, the role of the E3 ligase RNF5 and the deubiquitinating enzyme POH1 in the release of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated. It was found that RNF5 mediates the ubiquitination of SARS-CoV-2 M, enhancing the interaction with the viral envelope protein E, while POH1 negatively regulates this process. The M-E complex plays a crucial role in viral maturation and release, and M uses autophagosomes for virion release, dependent on RNF5-mediated ubiquitin modification and M-E interaction.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoling Wang, Ting Hu, Bing Hu, Yan Liu, Yu Wang, Yunxiang He, Yan Li, Kun Cai, Xingcai Zhang, Junling Guo
Summary: This study designed reusable, antiviral, and antibacterial masks (R2A masks) by transforming commonly-used standard masks and household fabrics through polyphenol-based surface functionalization. The R2A nanocoatings, composed of natural polyphenols and metal ions, possess high antibacterial property and comprehensive recyclability, effectively capturing the spreading of virus-mimic nanoparticles. Moreover, R2A masks exhibit antibacterial and antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2, providing a sustainable and strategic preparation for combating infectious respiratory diseases.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kaitao Zhao, Fangteng Guo, Jingjing Wang, Youquan Zhong, Junzhu Yi, Yan Teng, Zaichao Xu, Li Zhao, Aixin Li, Zichen Wang, Xinwen Chen, Xiaoming Cheng, Yuchen Xia
Summary: We investigated the process of HBV infection in murine hepatic cells and found that HBV cannot infect murine hepatic cells expressing hNTCP effectively. Moreover, we discovered that the disassembly of cytoplasmic HBV nucleocapsids is restricted in murine hepatic cells. Overcoming this limitation may help to establish an HBV infection mouse model.
Article
Virology
Aixin Li, Bei Zhang, Kaitao Zhao, Zhinang Yin, Yan Teng, Lu Zhang, Zaichao Xu, Kaiwei Liang, Xiaoming Cheng, Yuchen Xia
Summary: This study found that nonstructural protein 13 (nsp13) of SARS-CoV-2 can specifically inhibit episomal DNA transcription and developed a high-throughput drug screening method targeting nsp13.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weixing Yu, Runxin Zhou, Nan Li, Zhi-Chao Lei, Dingyuan Guo, Fei Peng, Yan Li, Xue Bai, Shan Feng, Yu Wang, Jie He, Sibi Yin, Xiao Zeng, Leya He, Yuan Gao, Mingchang Li, Yusong R. Guo, Ke Liu, Yugang Wang
Summary: This study discovers that SULT1B1 is a histone sulfotransferase capable of sulfating the tyrosine 99 residue of nascent histone H3 in the cytosol. Sulfated histone H3 can be transported into the nucleus and predominantly deposited in the promoter regions of genes in chromatin. The study also reveals the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between H3Y99 sulfation and H4R3me2a modification in regulating gene transcription.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yingcheng Zheng, Mengfei Wang, Sitong Li, Yanan Bu, Zaichao Xu, Guoguo Zhu, Chuanjian Wu, Kaitao Zhao, Aixin Li, Quan Chen, Jingjing Wang, Rong Hua, Yan Teng, Li Zhao, Xiaoming Cheng, Yuchen Xia
Summary: The mechanisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) egress and its interaction with host factors remain poorly understood. However, this study reveals that tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) recognizes ubiquitinated HBc via its VFND sequence and interacts with HBc through the Lys-96 residue, thus facilitating HBV egress through multivesicular bodies (MVBs).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhen He, Zunhui Ke, Wei Wang, Yahui Liu, Haoran Zhang, Yan Li
Summary: Saro_0803 is a transcriptional factor that regulates the transcription of the stilbene-degrading enzyme gene nov1 in Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM 12444. It acts as a biosensor component for resveratrol biosynthesis by dissociating from the nov1 promoter in the presence of resveratrol. The molecular mechanisms of Saro_0803's interactions with nov1 promoter and resveratrol are not well understood.
Article
Microbiology
Ting Sun, Yuchen Wang, Xiaoyu Song, Ruili Li, Fanghua Mei, Mengliu Yang, Xiaojie Huang, Yan Li, Xuwei Zhou, Haoyu Wang, Wendong Li, Jing Li, Lu Wang, Wei Shi, Kun Cai, Hongjun Li, Jing Zhang
Summary: Our study demonstrates the importance of B-cell activating humoral immunity in antibody production when encountering antigens. The effectiveness of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines varies among individuals, and understanding this differential response can aid in developing new vaccines for non-responders.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shiguan Wang, Shanze Chen, Jianfeng Sun, Pan Han, Bowen Xu, Xinying Li, Youquan Zhong, Zaichao Xu, Peng Zhang, Ping Mi, Cuijuan Zhang, Lixiang Li, Haiyan Zhang, Yuchen Xia, Shiyang Li, Mathias Heikenwalder, Detian Yuan
Summary: Wang et al. found that the RNA methyltransferase Mettl3 contributes to hepatic sphingolipid homeostasis by promoting RNA decay of the sphingomyelinase Smpd3 during postnatal liver development, with Mettl3 deficiency leading to ceramide accumulation and liver developmental defects.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Haoran Zhang, Panjing Lv, Jingrui Jiang, Yahui Liu, Ruixi Yan, Sainan Shu, Bing Hu, Han Xiao, Kun Cai, Shuai Yuan, Yan Li
Summary: Extensive immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 renders therapeutic antibodies ineffective in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, ACE2 derivatives, such as recombinant ACE2 proteins, ACE2-loaded extracellular vesicles, ACE2-mimicking antibodies, and peptide or mini-protein mimetics of ACE2, show promising neutralization efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants. These derivatives not only provide enhanced production efficiency and improved bioavailability, but also represent potential new therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Junzhu Yi, Xinlin Lei, Fangteng Guo, Qiubing Chen, Xueyong Chen, Kaitao Zhao, Chengliang Zhu, Xiaoming Cheng, Jiangwei Lin, Hao Yin, Yuchen Xia
Summary: In this study, CRISPR nanoparticles were delivered by SM-102-based lipid nanoparticles and effectively targeted HBV episomal and integration DNA in mice and tree shrews. The treatment showed significant reduction in HBV-related indicators and was well tolerated. Therefore, the SM-102-based CRISPR system may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy against HBV infection.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Yanan Bu, Kaitao Zhao, Zaichao Xu, Yingcheng Zheng, Rong Hua, Chuanjian Wu, Chengliang Zhu, Yuchen Xia, Xiaoming Cheng
Summary: This study investigates the role of gut bacteria in HBV replication using an immune tolerant AAV-HBV mouse model. The results show that antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in this model, but contributes to an increase in HBsAg after breaking of immune tolerance. These findings provide new insights into the correlation between gut bacteria dysbiosis caused by antibiotic abuse and clinical chronic HBV infection.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Conghui Li, Zhinang Yin, Ruijing Xiao, Beili Huang, Yali Cui, Honghong Wang, Ying Xiang, Lingrui Wang, Lingyu Lei, Jiaqin Ye, Tianyu Li, Youquan Zhong, Fangteng Guo, Yuchen Xia, Pingping Fang, Kaiwei Liang
Summary: This research discovered that G4 can function as a sensor for natural porphyrin metabolites in cells, revealing a new G4-dependent mechanism for metabolic regulation of gene transcription and chromatin landscapes.
Article
Microbiology
Zhen Yuan, Bing Hu, Hurong Xiao, Xuan Tan, Yan Li, Ke Tang, Yonghui Zhang, Kun Cai, Binbin Ding
Summary: The study identified the E3 ligase RNF5 as the mediator of SARS-CoV-2 M ubiquitination and the deubiquitinating enzyme POH1 as the negative regulator in the process. The M-E complex plays a critical role in ensuring uniform size of viral particles and mediating virion release, using autophagosomes. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 assembly and budding, highlighting the importance of ubiquitination modification and autophagy in viral replication.