Article
Microbiology
Jing Liu, Adam Vanarsdall, Dong-Hua Chen, Andrea Chin, David Johnson, Theodore S. Jardetzky
Summary: Our study elucidates the interaction between the HCMV trimer and the receptor PDGFα, highlighting potential targets for therapeutic antibodies or vaccine development in conserved sites of gO with PDGFRα. Additionally, mutations in gO distant from the gL interaction site may impact trimer assembly efficiency.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Acquasaliente, Giulia Pontarollo, Claudia Maria Radu, Daniele Peterle, Ilaria Artusi, Anna Pagotto, Federico Uliana, Alessandro Negro, Paolo Simioni, Vincenzo De Filippis
Summary: alpha-Synuclein plays a crucial role in Parkinson's disease but its physiological function remains unclear. This study found that exogenous alpha-Syn can inhibit platelet activation by preferentially inhibiting P-selectin expression on platelet surface. This provides insights into the antiplatelet function of alpha-Syn.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sangmin Kim, Daeun You, Yisun Jeong, Sun Young Yoon, Sung A. Kim, Jeong Eon Lee
Summary: The study investigated the expression of the PDGF family in ER-α(+) breast cancer patients and the effects of PDGFR inhibitors on cell cycle, growth, and metastasis-related gene expression. The results suggest that PDGFR inhibitors can be used for the treatment of ER-α(+) breast cancer.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Julien Solinc, Jessica Raimbault-Machado, France Dierick, Lamiaa El Bernoussi, Ly Tu, Raphael Thuillet, Nathalie Mougenot, Benedicte Hoareau-Coudert, Virginie Monceau, Catherine Pavoine, Fabrice Atassi, David Sassoon, Giovanna Marazzi, Richard P. Harvey, Peter Schofield, Daniel Christ, Marc Humbert, Christophe Guignabert, Florent Soubrier, Sophie Nadaud
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant role of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR alpha) pathway in progenitor cell-dependent vascular remodeling and neomuscularization associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Inhibition of PDGFR alpha activity reduces pulmonary vessel neomuscularization, while constitutive activation of PDGFR alpha leads to neomuscularization and PH development. These findings suggest that PDGFR alpha blockers may be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing vascular remodeling in PAH patients.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rimma Sergeevna Kamentseva, Marianna Viktorovna Kharchenko, Gulnara Vladikovna Gabdrahmanova, Michael Alexandrovich Kotov, Vera Vladislavovna Kosheverova, Elena Sergeevna Kornilova
Summary: This study compared the effects of EGF, TGF-α, and AREG on physiological responses in endometrial MSCs and HeLa cells, and investigated the internalization and degradation of EGFR stimulated by these ligands. The study found that while EGF and TGF-α stimulated cell proliferation and prevented differentiation in enMSCs in an EGFR-dependent manner, AREG had no effect. Additionally, differences were observed in the degradation and recovery of EGFR in different cell lines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ju Tian, Xiong Jie Li, Yongshi Ma, Zhiming Mai, Yao Yang, Min Luo, Wenping Xu, Kui Chen, Xuri Chen, Jianbing Tang, Biao Cheng, Xiao Cui
Summary: This study compared the concentrations of bioactive components in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and healthy female adults. UCB-derived PRP contained various active ingredients and showed potential as a research direction for anti-ageing therapy.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jelena Medved, William M. Wood, Michael D. van Heyst, Amin Sherafat, Ju-Young Song, Sagune Sakya, Dennis L. Wright, Akiko Nishiyama
Summary: Oligodendrocyte precursor cells play a crucial role in brain development and have the potential to be targeted for the treatment of brain tumors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana L. Graca, Manuel Gomez-Florit, Hugo Osorio, Marcia T. Rodrigues, Rui M. A. Domingues, Rui L. Reis, Manuela E. Gomes
Summary: This study produced and characterized platelet-derived EVs and investigated their effects on different cell types. The EVs were found to regulate stem cell differentiation, promote angiogenesis, and modulate macrophage polarization, suggesting their potential as therapeutic tools in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothy M. White, Brent A. Stanfield, Cassandra M. Bonavita, Jared S. Rudd, Rhonda D. Cardin
Summary: This report describes the immortalization of a BALB/c-derived mouse salivary gland cell line using SV40 large T antigen, named murine salivary gland mesenchymal (mSGM). The mSGM cell line shows promise as a tool for ex vivo immunological assays due to its MHC haplotype match with the BALB/c mouse strain and its increased sensitivity for detecting low concentrations of MCMV particles compared to NIH 3T3 cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susan Y. S. Li, Rebecca Johnson, Leon C. D. Smyth, Mike Dragunow
Summary: This review provides an updated overview of the actions of platelet-derived growth factors on neurovascular function, their role in regulating perivascular cell types, and their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential for neurological diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Minmin Zhou, Shaobo Wang, Jiao Guo, Yang Liu, Junyuan Cao, Xiaohao Lan, Xiaoying Jia, Bo Zhang, Gengfu Xiao, Wei Wang
Summary: PDGFR beta was identified as a potential therapeutic target against JEV infection, with the inhibitor imatinib showing protection against JEV-induced lethality by reducing viral load in the brain and preventing histopathological changes.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miquel Saumell-Esnaola, Diego Delgado, Gontzal Garcia del Cano, Maider Beitia, Joan Salles, Imanol Gonzalez-Burguera, Pello Sanchez, Maider Lopez de Jesus, Sergio Barrondo, Mikel Sanchez
Summary: This study explored the molecular and morphological characteristics of platelet-derived exosomes and validated a method for isolating highly pure platelet exosomes. It was found that activated platelets released more exosomes, which exhibited the molecular and morphological features of platelet exosomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Somodi, Emoke Horvath, Helga Bardos, Barbara Barath, David Petho, Eva Katona, Jozsef Balla, Nicola J. Mutch, Laszlo Muszbek
Summary: Macrophages express FXIII-A, which cross-links proteins and may stabilize atherosclerotic plaque. These macrophages can become foam cells by accumulating oxLDL. FXIII-A is retained during the transformation into foam cells and its content increases. The presence of FXIII-A in the plaque suggests its involvement in plaque formation and structurization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maider Beitia, Diego Delgado, Jon Mercader, Pello Sanchez, Leonor Lopez de Dicastillo, Mikel Sanchez
Summary: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological therapy that stimulates cell proliferation. The composition of PRP, particularly the levels of certain growth factors, affects its effectiveness. This study found that PRP resulted in higher cell proliferation compared to platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and had higher levels of PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF. Among the growth factors analyzed, only IGF-1 was significantly correlated with cell proliferation and was not dependent on platelet levels. The magnitude of PRP's effect is influenced by platelet count and other platelet-independent molecules.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Harsha Kabra, Tanaya Walimbe, Kate Stuart, Camille Indey, Swati Jalgaonkar, Elvis Ikwa, Taylor Skurnac, Julia Chen, Andrew Woolley, Nicholas M. Snead, Nathan Bachtell, Diana J. Leeming, Morten Karsdal, Glenn Prestwich, Alyssa Panitch, John Paderi
Summary: SBR-294, targeting collagen-mediated platelet activation and PDGF activity, showed potential therapeutic benefits in reducing liver fibrosis in the CCl4 mouse model. Further investigation is warranted to explore its potential as a treatment for liver fibrosis.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Giulio Disanto, Alice Galante, Marco Cantu', Rosaria Sacco, Federico Mele, Jennifer Jessica Eisler, Franco Keller, Enos Bernasconi, Federica Sallusto, Chiara Zecca, Claudio Gobbi
Summary: This study investigated the longitudinal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and memory B cells in MS patients after vaccination, and their association with the risk of COVID-19. The results showed that certain treatments may decrease antibody levels and the production of memory B cells, increasing the risk of breakthrough infections.
NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roberta Marzi, Jessica Bassi, Chiara Silacci-Fregni, Istvan Bartha, Francesco Muoio, Katja Culap, Nicole Sprugasci, Gloria Lombardo, Christian Saliba, Elisabetta Cameroni, Antonino Cassotta, Jun Siong Low, Alexandra C. Walls, Matthew McCallum, M. Alejandra Tortorici, John E. Bowen, Exequiel A. Dellota, Josh R. Dillen, Nadine Czudnochowski, Laura Pertusini, Tatiana Terrot, Valentino Lepori, Maciej Tarkowski, Agostino Riva, Maira Biggiogero, Alessandra Franzetti-Pellanda, Christian Garzoni, Paolo Ferrari, Alessandro Cesch, Olivier Giannini, Colin Havenar-Daughton, Amalio Telenti, Ann Arvin, Herbert W. Virgin, Federica Sallusto, David Veesler, Antonio Lanzavecchia, Davide Corti, Luca Piccoli
Summary: We investigated the kinetics, avidity, and cross-reactivity of serum antibodies and memory B cells (MBCs) in SARS-CoV-2 infected and vaccinated individuals. Both infected and vaccinated individuals had steady-state titers of SARS-CoV-2-specific MBCs and serum antibodies with comparable kinetics. The maturation of high-affinity and broadly reactive MBCs provides the basis for effective recall responses to future SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Fornara, Eric Schultz, Daniele Lilleri, Fausto Baldanti, Brent Ryckman, Giuseppe Gerna
Summary: The serum neutralizing activity against HCMV varies depending on the producer cell type and the PC/TC ratio of virus preparations. The blocking activity of specific inhibitors also varies according to the PC/TC ratio. There is a potential producer cell effect on virus phenotype, but genetic factors cannot be overlooked. These findings have important implications for therapeutic antibodies and subunit vaccines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Benedict Fallet, Mathilde Foglierini, Raphael Porret, Ana Alcaraz-Serna, Christophe Sauvage, Raphael Jenelten, Teofila Caplanusi, Michel Gilliet, Laurent Perez, Craig Fenwick, Raphael Genolet, Alexandre Harari, Sara Bobisse, Raphael Gottardo, Giuseppe Pantaleo, Yannick D. Mueller
Summary: Intradermal skin test (IDT) with mRNA vaccines can be used to measure T cell response in immunocompromised patients who did not generate serological responses after vaccination. The study found that positive IDT reactions in immunocompromised patients were associated with B cell-depleting treatment, while negative reactions were observed in transplant recipients. This study provides a new method to monitor seronegative patients and elderly populations with waning immunity.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Corey Momont, Ha V. V. Dang, Fabrizia Zatta, Kevin Hauser, Caihong Wang, Julia di Iulio, Andrea Minola, Nadine Czudnochowski, Anna De Marco, Kaitlin Branch, David Donermeyer, Siddhant Vyas, Alex Chen, Elena Ferri, Barbara Guarino, Abigail E. Powell, Roberto Spreafico, Samantha S. Yim, Dale R. Balce, Istvan Bartha, Marcel Meury, Tristan I. Croll, David M. Belnap, Michael A. Schmid, William Timothy Schaiff, Jessica L. Miller, Elisabetta Cameroni, Amalio Telenti, Herbert W. Virgin, Laura E. Rosen, Lisa A. Purcell, Antonio Lanzavecchia, Gyorgy Snell, Davide Corti, Matteo Samuele Pizzuto
Summary: The study describes a monoclonal antibody, FNI9, targeting neuraminidase, which can effectively inhibit the enzymatic activity of all group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses, as well as certain influenza B viruses. FNI9 also shows broad neutralizing activity against seasonal influenza viruses and can synergize with antibodies targeting the hemagglutinin stem. The potent prophylactic activity of FNI9 against lethal influenza A and B virus infections in mice supports its development for the prevention of influenza illness.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Rajesh Gupta, Lisa A. Purcell, Davide Corti, Herbert W. Virgin
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Stelvio Tonello, Davide D'Onghia, Daria Apostolo, Erica Matino, Martina Costanzo, Giuseppe Francesco Casciaro, Alessandro Croce, Eleonora Rizzi, Erika Zecca, Anita Rebecca Pedrinelli, Veronica Vassia, Paolo Ravanini, Maria Grazia Crobu, Manuela Rizzi, Raffaella Landi, Luigi Mario Castello, Rosalba Minisini, Gian Carlo Avanzi, Mario Pirisi, Daniele Lilleri, Mattia Bellan, Donato Colangelo, Pier Paolo Sainaghi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate osteopontin (OPN) as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. The results showed that higher plasma concentrations of OPN at hospital admission were associated with a worsening clinical condition. OPN levels might serve as a promising biomarker for early stratification of COVID-19 severity.
Article
Cell Biology
Amin Addetia, Young -Jun Park, Tyler Starr, Allison J. Greaney, Kaitlin R. Sprouse, John E. Bowen, Sasha W. Tiles, Wesley C. Van Voorhis, Jesse D. Bloom, Davide Corti, Alexandra C. Walls, David Veesler
Summary: The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is weakening antibody responses from vaccination and prior infection. The E406W mutation in the receptor-binding domain of the virus alters the epitopes recognized by therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies. This highlights the structural and functional plasticity of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, which is continuously evolving in emerging variants.
Article
Microbiology
Paola Zelini, Piera d'Angelo, Federica Zavaglio, Ehsan Soleymaninejadian, Liliana Mariani, Francesca Perotti, Mattia Dominoni, Stelvio Tonello, Pierpaolo Sainaghi, Rosalba Minisini, Daria Apostolo, Daniele Lilleri, Arsenio Spinillo, Fausto Baldanti
Summary: In this prospective study, it was found that vaccinated pregnant women and their newborns had higher levels of cytokines and immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, the newborns of vaccinated mothers had higher levels of specific antibodies. Vaccination can enhance the immune profile of pregnant women and provide immune protection to newborns.
Article
Biology
Hanif J. Khameneh, Nicolas Fonta, Alessandro Zenobi, Charlene Niogret, Pedro Ventura, Concetta Guerra, Ivo Kwee, Andrea Rinaldi, Matteo Pecoraro, Roger Geiger, Andrea Cavalli, Francesco Bertoni, Eric Vivier, Andreas Trumpp, Greta Guarda
Summary: This study reveals the importance of MYC in NK cells and its role in regulating translation and expansion, as well as anticancer immunity. Deficiency of MYC in NK cells results in reduced numbers and impaired cytotoxic functions of mature NK cells.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Florian A. Lempp, Tassilo Volz, Elisabetta Cameroni, Fabio Benigni, Jiayi Zhou, Laura E. Rosen, Julia Noack, Fabrizia Zatta, Hannah Kaiser, Siro Bianchi, Gloria Lombardo, Stefano Jaconi, Lucia Vincenzetti, Hasan Imam, Leah B. Soriaga, Nadia Passini, David M. Belnap, Andreas Schulze, Marc Luetgehetmann, Amalio Telenti, Andrea L. Cathcart, Gyorgy Snell, Lisa A. Purcell, Christy M. Hebner, Stephan Urban, Maura Dandri, Davide Corti, Michael A. Schmid
Summary: This study describes a monoclonal antibody that targets the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and shows potential for treating chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis D. The antibody effectively neutralizes HBV and HDV infections in vitro and reduces viral levels in human liver-chimeric mice.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Craig Fenwick, Priscilla Turelli, Yoan Duhoo, Kelvin Lau, Cecile Herate, Romain Marlin, Myriam Lamrayah, Jeremy Campos, Line Esteves-Leuenberger, Alex Farina, Charlene Raclot, Vanessa Genet, Flurin Fiscalini, Julien Cesborn, Laurent Perez, Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet, Vanessa Contreras, Kyllian Lheureux, Francis Relouzat, Rana Abdelnabi, Pieter Leyssen, Yves Levy, Florence Pojer, Roger Le Grand, Didier Trono, Giuseppe Pantaleo
Summary: This study isolated a potent neutralizing antibody that can neutralize various variants of SARS-CoV-2 and potentially provide prophylactic protection for immunocompromised patients.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amin Addetia, Luca Piccoli, James Brett Case, Young-Jun Park, Martina Beltramello, Barbara Guarino, Ha Dang, Guilherme Dias de Melo, Dora Pinto, Kaitlin Sprouse, Suzanne M. Scheaffer, Jessica Bassi, Chiara Silacci-Fregni, Francesco Muoio, Marco Dini, Lucia Vincenzetti, Rima Acosta, Daisy Johnson, Sambhavi Subramanian, Christian Saliba, Martina Giurdanella, Gloria Lombardo, Giada Leoni, Katja Culap, Carley Mcalister, Anushka Rajesh, Exequiel Dellota, Jiayi Zhou, Nisar Farhat, Dana Bohan, Julia Noack, Alex Chen, Florian A. Lempp, Joel Quispe, Lauriane Kergoat, Florence Larrous, Elisabetta Cameroni, Bradley Whitener, Olivier Giannini, Pietro Cippa, Alessandro Ceschi, Paolo Ferrari, Alessandra Franzetti-Pellanda, Maira Biggiogero, Christian Garzoni, Stephanie Zappi, Luca Bernasconi, Min Jeong Kim, Laura E. Rosen, Gretja Schnell, Nadine Czudnochowski, Fabio Benigni, Nicholas Franko, Jennifer K. Logue, Courtney Yoshiyama, Cameron Stewart, Helen Chu, Herve Bourhy, Michael A. Schmid, Lisa A. Purcell, Gyorgy Snell, Antonio Lanzavecchia, Michael S. Diamond, Davide Corti, David Veesler
Summary: The recently emerged BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5 variants of SARS-CoV-2 have a higher affinity for the host ACE2 receptor and more efficiently promote fusion with host cell membranes compared to earlier Omicron variants. Although the neutralizing activity is reduced, vaccine-induced human plasma antibodies still cross-react with and trigger effector functions against current Omicron variants, providing a mechanism of protection against disease.
Article
Immunology
Maira Zorzan, Martina Castellan, Matteo Gasparotto, Guilherme Dias de Melo, Barbara Zecchin, Stefania Leopardi, Alex Chen, Antonio Rosato, Alessandro Angelini, Herve Bourhy, Davide Corti, Laura Cendron, Paola De Benedictis
Summary: Rabies is a fatal disease caused by lyssaviruses, with rabies virus (RABV) being the most prevalent and important. Two neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), RVC20 and RVC58, have shown efficacy in treating symptomatic rabies. Structural modeling and in vitro assays revealed that both mAbs recognize and lock the RABV-G protein in its pre-fusion conformation. RVC58 exhibited stronger neutralization of extracellular virus, while RVC20 mainly reduced viral spreading from infected cells. Additionally, RVC20 was more effective in promoting effector functions compared to 17C7-RAB1 mAb. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of mAb treatments for human rabies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Urology & Nephrology
Paolo Hitz, Alberto Pagnamenta, Laura Pertusini, Tatiana Terrot, Yves Franzosi, Jessica Bassi, Chiara Silacci-Fregni, Valeria Gaia, Gladys Martinetti, Franco Keller, Lorenzo Berwert, Valentina Forni Ogna, Soraya Lavorato-Hadjeres, Davide Giunzioni, Andrea D'Ermo, Alan Valnegri, Paolo Ferrari, Davide Corti, Alessandro Ceschi, Pietro Cippa, Luca Piccoli, Olivier Giannini
JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)