Article
Oncology
Miku Ishizawa, Undrakh Ganbaatar, Atsuhiko Hasegawa, Natsuko Takatsuka, Nobuyo Kondo, Takeru Yoneda, Kuniko Katagiri, Takao Masuda, Atae Utsunomiya, Mari Kannagi
Summary: Activation of Tax-specific CD8(+) CTL is a new therapeutic strategy for ATL caused by HTLV-1. Using HTLV-1-infected cells as a vaccine can activate Tax-specific CTL without HLA restriction. The study demonstrates that HTLV-1-infected T-cells can induce cross-presentation of Tax antigen in antigen presenting cells, leading to activation of Tax-specific CTL with potential therapeutic implications for ATL patients.
Article
Virology
Hengbo Li, Feng Zou, Jie Zhang, Shengyu Zhu, Kaifei Chu, Xu Zhang, Tiejun Zhao
Summary: This study reveals the negative regulatory role of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in Tax activation of HTLV-1 transcription. YAP interacts with Tax and prevents the association between Tax and p300, resulting in the inhibition of HTLV-1 transcription. This finding is important for understanding the mechanisms underlying the persistent infection and latency of HTLV-1 in host cells.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tiejun Zhao, Zhilong Wang, Jinyong Fang, Wenzhao Cheng, Yiling Zhang, Jinhua Huang, Lingling Xu, Hongwei Gou, Linghui Zeng, Zhigang Jin, Masao Matsuoka
Summary: In this study, it was found that YAP activation is associated with HTLV-1 infection in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), and this activation is mediated by the NF-kappa B/p65 pathway. YAP activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of ATL, suggesting YAP as a potential therapeutic target for ATL treatment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Zucheng Luo, Yujie Bian, Gang Zheng, Huijing Wang, Bingqian Yan, Wenting Su, Wei Dong, Zhichao Hu, Jian Ding, Anyuan Wang, Shi Li, Wei Fu, Jixin Xue
Summary: Random skin flaps are commonly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery for soft tissue defects, but issues with ischemia and necrosis limit their clinical application. Fibroblasts engineered to express modified mRNA encoding SDF-1 alpha have been found to improve vascularization and survival of therapeutic skin flaps. This approach shows promise for enhancing random skin flap regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiazhou Li, Hao Chen, Lang Cai, Daimo Guo, Demao Zhang, Xuedong Zhou, Jing Xie
Summary: This study reveals that SDF-1 alpha promotes chondrocyte autophagy through the CXCR4/mTOR signaling axis, highlighting the importance of autophagy in the survival of chondrocytes in harsh environments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Michi Miura, Tadasuke Naito, Mineki Saito
Summary: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a replication-competent human retrovirus that is associated with two types of diseases, adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Although most infected individuals remain asymptomatic, a subpopulation develops these diseases. The complex virus-host interactions and the host immune response may regulate the development of HTLV-1-associated diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shinsuke Nakajima, Kazu Okuma
Summary: This article summarizes the characteristics and applications of animal models of adult T cell leukemia (ATL) caused by human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection, including transgenic and immunodeficient mice. Mouse models play an important role in ATL research, helping to understand the pathogenesis of ATL and develop related treatment methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Roberto S. Accolla
Summary: This review discusses the expression of HTLV-1 basic leucine-zipper factor HBZ during HTLV-1 infection, providing a deeper understanding of HTLV-1 infection and oncogenesis mechanisms, and suggesting new directions for further research.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Asami Yamada, Jun-ichirou Yasunaga, Lihan Liang, Wenyi Zhang, Junya Sunagawa, Shinji Nakaoka, Shingo Iwami, Yasunori Kogure, Yuta Ito, Keisuke Kataoka, Masanori Nakagawa, Masako Iwanaga, Atae Utsunomiya, Ki-Ryang Koh, Toshiki Watanabe, Kisato Nosaka, Masao Matsuoka
Summary: This study demonstrates that profiling the humoral immunity to HTLV-1 antigens and measuring proviral load can be used to classify disease status and predict the development of HTLV-1-associated diseases. The study also highlights the importance of anti-Gag proteins in disease prognosis.
Review
Oncology
Shigeki Ito, Tsuyoshi Sato, Takahiro Maeta
Summary: The SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 axis plays crucial roles in multiple myeloma, affecting various physiological processes of tumor cells such as proliferation, survival, invasion, dissemination, and drug resistance. This review highlights the pleiotropic role of this axis and discusses potential targeted therapies in multiple myeloma.
Review
Immunology
Kazumi Nakano, Toshiki Watanabe
Summary: HTLV-1 is an oncovirus that causes ATL and other inflammatory diseases. Most infected individuals maintain a latent state, which may be an intrinsic characteristic acquired during HTLV-1's evolution. We compared the pathological aspects of HTLV-1 and HIV-1 and investigated the importance of viral replication regulators in infected T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Kisato Nosaka, Masao Matsuoka
Summary: ATL is a lymphomatous neoplasm caused by HTLV-1 infection, with viral genes and alterations of the host genome playing important roles in leukemogenesis. Expression patterns of HBZ and Tax vary among ATL cases, leading to proposed subtypes. Host immune responses to Tax also contribute to the disease's heterogeneity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nobuyo Kondo, Yoshiko Nagano, Atsuhiko Hasegawa, Miku Ishizawa, Kuniko Katagiri, Takeru Yoneda, Takao Masuda, Mari Kannagi
Summary: The immunomodulatory imide drugs show antitumor effects in T-cell leukemia/lymphoma caused by HTLV-1 by reducing key protein expression and affecting histone modification levels. The mechanism underlying the antitumor effects of IMiDs involves a reduction of EZH2 expression.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yan Wu, Yuan-jin Li, Liu-liu Shi, Yun Liu, Yan Wang, Xin Bao, Wei Xu, Lu-yuan Yao, Magdaleena Naemi Mbadhi, Long Chen, Shan Li, Xing-yuan Li, Zhi-feng Zhang, Sen Zhao, Ruo-nan Zhang, Shi-You Chen, Jing-xuan Zhang, Jun-ming Tang
Summary: The study discovered that Meox1 expression increased time-dependently during neointimal formation after vascular injury, with simultaneous increases in the adventitia, media, and neointima. Sca-1+ progenitor cells in the vascular adventitia also increased in a time-dependent manner and peaked on the 7th day after injury, but this effect was abolished by Meox1 knockdown with shRNA.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mariam Shallak, Tiziana Alberio, Mauro Fasano, Maria Monti, Ilaria Iacobucci, Julien Ladet, Franck Mortreux, Roberto S. Accolla, Greta Forlani
Summary: This study identified the interactome of the HBZ protein in leukemic cells and found that it interacts with proteins involved in RNA splicing. The study also showed that HBZ alters the transcription of crucial oncogenes related to HTLV-1.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Michihito Sasaki, Koshiro Tabata, Mai Kishimoto, Yukari Itakura, Hiroko Kobayashi, Takuma Ariizumi, Kentaro Uemura, Shinsuke Toba, Shinji Kusakabe, Yuki Maruyama, Shun Iida, Noriko Nakajima, Tadaki Suzuki, Shinpei Yoshida, Haruaki Nobori, Takao Sanaki, Teruhisa Kato, Takao Shishido, William W. Hall, Yasuko Orba, Akihiko Sato, Hirofumi Sawa
Summary: Oral antiviral medication, such as S-217622 (ensitrelvir), has shown remarkable potency and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, including its variants of concern. This drug is under evaluation in a phase 3 clinical trial and has the potential to be an oral therapeutic option for COVID-19.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Henson Kainga, Elisha Chatanga, Marvin Collen Phonera, John Pilate Kothowa, Precious Dzimbiri, Gladson Kamwendo, Malala Mulavu, Cynthia Sipho Khumalo, Katendi Changula, Herman Chambaro, Hayato Harima, Masahiro Kajihara, Kholiwe Mkandawire, Patrick Chikungwa, Julius Chulu, Gilson Njunga, Simbarashe Chitanga, Benjamin Mubemba, Michihito Sasaki, Yasuko Orba, Yongjin Qiu, Junya Yamagishi, Edgar Simulundu, Ayato Takada, Boniface Namangala, Hirofumi Sawa, Walter Muleya
Summary: Although rabies is endemic in Malawi, there had been no systematic study on the rabies virus in multiple animal hosts. A recent study examined suspected rabies cases from 2008 to 2021 and genetically analyzed 46 rabies-positive brain samples. The results showed an increase in submissions and confirmed that canine rabies is spreading to livestock, emphasizing the need for further research.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Takashi Nagahori, Wataru Shiraishi, Masafumi Nishikawa, Ayano Matsuyoshi, Takenori Ogura, Yui Yamada, Kenta Takahashi, Tadaki Suzuki, Kazuo Nakamichi, Tetsuya Hashimoto, Taketo Hatano
Summary: A 58-year-old Japanese woman with untreated sarcoidosis and HTLV-1 infection presented with aphasia. Neurosarcoidosis was suspected, and she was treated with steroids and infliximab. However, she developed PML, which was the first reported case associated with HTLV-1 infection and sarcoidosis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Takeshi Arashiro, Satoru Arai, Ryo Kinoshita, Kanako Otani, Sho Miyamoto, Daisuke Yoneoka, Taro Kamigaki, Hiromizu Takahashi, Hiromi Hibino, Mai Okuyama, Ai Hayashi, Fuka Kikuchi, Saeko Morino, Sayaka Takanashi, Takaji Wakita, Keiko Tanaka-Taya, Tadaki Suzuki, Motoi Suzuki
Summary: Based on a population-based seroepidemiological investigation conducted in Japan, the overall prevalence of infection-induced antibodies was 2.2% in December 2021 and 3.5% in February-March 2022. Factors associated with past infection included residing in urban prefectures, older age groups, being vaccinated, and certain occupational groups. The cumulative burden of COVID-19 in Japan was significantly lower compared to other countries, but vaccination has contributed to the development of antibodies.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nozomi Shiwa-Sudo, Yusuke Sakai, Naoko Iwata-Yoshikawa, Shinji Watanabe, Souichi Yamada, Yudai Kuroda, Tsukasa Yamamoto, Masayuki Shirakura, Seiichiro Fujisaki, Kaya Miyazaki, Hideka Miura, Shiho Nagata, Shuetsu Fukushi, Ken Maeda, Hideki Hasegawa, Tadaki Suzuki, Noriyo Nagata
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines has resulted in individual differences in immune status against SARS-CoV-2. A decay in immunity over time and the emergence of variants that partially evade the immune response can also lead to reinfection. In this study, we demonstrated that, in hamsters, immunity acquired following primary infection with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants was effective in preventing the onset of pneumonia after reinfection with the Omicron variant. However, viral infection and multiplication in the upper respiratory tract were still observed after reinfection. We also showed that more diverse nonsynonymous mutations appeared in the upper respiratory tract of reinfected hamsters that had acquired immunity from primary infection. This hamster model reveals the within-host evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its pathology after reinfection, and provides important information for countermeasures against diversifying SARS-CoV-2 variants.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Mai Kishimoto, Masahiro Kajihara, Koshiro Tabata, Yukari Itakura, Shinsuke Toba, Seiya Ozono, Yuko Sato, Tadaki Suzuki, Naoto Ito, Katendi Changula, Yongjin Qiu, Akina Mori-Kajihara, Yoshiki Eto, Hayato Harima, Daniel Mwizabi, Bernard M. M. Hang'ombe, William W. W. Hall, Ayato Takada, Yasuko Orba, Hirofumi Sawa, Michihito Sasaki
Summary: Recent studies have identified multiple divergent genotypes of RVA from various animals, including bats and rodents. We isolated and characterized RVA strains from Egyptian fruit bats and Natal multimammate mice collected in Zambia. Our results reveal the unique genetic and virological features of bat and rodent RVAs and highlight the need for further investigation of their zoonotic potential.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yongjin Qiu, Herman M. Chambaro, Kozue Sato, David Squarre, Edgar Simulundu, Masahiro Kajihara, Katendi Changula, Manyando Simbotwe, Hayato Harima, Joseph Ndebe, Ladslav Moonga, Ryo Nakao, Ayato Takada, Bernard Mudenda Hang'ombe, Hirofumi Sawa, Hiroki Kawabata
Summary: This study investigated the Borrelia spirochetes harbored by Ornithodoros ticks in Zambian National Parks. The findings revealed the first evidence of Old-World RF borreliae in Zambia, along with New World RF borreliae and Borrelia theileri. Real-time PCR with TaqMan probes accurately detected both types of RF borreliae, providing a useful tool for quantitative analysis. Further research should focus on isolating the different Borrelia species and conducting serosurveys on RF patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Satoshi Kitaura, Minoru Tobiume, Madoka Kawahara, Masaaki Satoh, Hirofumi Kato, Noriko Nakayama, Nozomi Nakajima, Takashi Komeno, Yousuke Furuta, Tadaki Suzuki, Kyoji Moriya, Masayuki Saijo, Hideki Ebihara, Mutsuyo Takayama-Ito
Summary: Chandipura virus (CHPV) is a fatal encephalitis-causing virus in the Indian subcontinent, with a preference for the pediatric population. Currently, there is no effective therapy for CHPV encephalitis. This study used a SCID mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of favipiravir in treating CHPV infection. Favipiravir treatment improved survival and reduced viral loads in various organs, demonstrating its potential efficacy against CHPV infection.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takeshi Kurosu, Keiko Hanabara, Azusa Asai, Sabar Pambudi, Supranee Phanthanawiboon, Magot Diata Omokoko, Yusuke Sakai, Tadaki Suzuki, Kazuyoshi Ikuta
Summary: We previously demonstrated the usefulness of a recombinant chimeric flavivirus (DV2ChimV) in evaluating the effectiveness of antidengue envelope antibodies. In this study, we further characterized the DV2ChimV-infected mouse model and found that it mimics the vascular leakage and bone marrow suppression observed in human cases of severe dengue.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yoshiyuki Taoda, Akihiko Sato, Shinsuke Toba, Yuto Unoh, Makoto Kawai, Michihito Sasaki, Yasuko Orba, Hirofumi Sawa
Summary: In this study, a compound named 1c with potent anti-bunyavirus activity was discovered. It was found that a large lipophilic side chain at the 1-position of the CAB scaffold, a small alkyl group at the 3-position, and the 7-carboxyl group of the scaffold were key factors for anti-bunyavirus activity. These compounds show promise as broad-spectrum anti-bunyavirus therapeutics, given their relatively favorable metabolic stability and PK profiles.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hisako Saitoh, Yuko Sakai-Tagawa, Sayaka Nagasawa, Suguru Torimitsu, Kazumi Kubota, Yuichiro Hirata, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Ayumi Motomura, Namiko Ishii, Keisuke Okaba, Kie Horioka, Hiroyuki Abe, Masako Ikemura, Hirofumi Rokutan, Munetoshi Hinata, Akiko Iwasaki, Yoichi Yasunaga, Makoto Nakajima, Rutsuko Yamaguchi, Shigeki Tsuneya, Kei Kira, Susumu Kobayashi, Go Inokuchi, Fumiko Chiba, Yumi Hoshioka, Aika Mori, Isao Yamamoto, Kimiko Nakagawa, Harutaka Katano, Shun Iida, Tadaki Suzuki, Shinji Akitomi, Iwao Hasegawa, Tetsuo Ushiku, Daisuke Yajima, Hirotaro Iwase, Yohsuke Makino, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: This study aimed to assess the level of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in the corpses of patients with COVID-19. The results showed that infectious virus was present in the corpses, with high infection levels, highlighting the need for appropriate infection control measures when handling corpses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Yukari Itakura, Koshiro Tabata, Takeshi Saito, Kittiya Intaruck, Nijiho Kawaguchi, Mai Kishimoto, Shiho Torii, Shintaro Kobayashi, Naoto Ito, Michiko Harada, Satoshi Inoue, Ken Maeda, Ayato Takada, William W. Hall, Yasuko Orba, Hirofumi Sawa, Michihito Sasaki
Summary: The interaction between the structural protein of the Ebola virus and the host TSG101 protein plays a significant role in the replication and spread of the virus.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyoko Hayashida, Alejandro Garcia, Lavel Chinyama Moonga, Tatsuki Sugi, Kodera Takuya, Mitsuo Kawase, Fumihiro Kodama, Atsushi Nagasaka, Nobuhisa Ishiguro, Ayato Takada, Masahiro Kajihara, Naganori Nao, Masashi Shingai, Hiroshi Kida, Yasuhiko Suzuki, William W. Hall, Hirofumi Sawa, Junya Yamagishi
Summary: A novel multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method combined with DNA chromatography was developed for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus. The analytical sensitivity of the dried format multiplex LAMP test was determined to be 100 copies for each viral target and 100-1000 copies for mixed targets. The multiplex LAMP system showed promising results for diagnosing COVID-19 and influenza, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Annie Kalonda, Ngonda Saasa, Masahiro Kajihara, Naganori Nao, Ladislav Moonga, Joseph Ndebe, Akina Mori-Kajihara, Andrew Nalishuwa Mukubesa, Mulemba Samutela, Samuel Munjita, Yoshihiro Sakoda, Hirofumi Sawa, Ayato Takada, Edgar Simulundu
Summary: In recent years, southern Africa has experienced multiple incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), with wild migratory birds being implicated in their spread. A survey of wild waterfowl in Zambia revealed the presence of various subtypes of low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (AIVs), including some reported for the first time in avian species in Africa. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Zambian AIVs belonged to the Eurasian lineage and clustered with viruses from different countries. The study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and monitoring of AIVs in wild waterfowl to understand their eco-epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics in Africa.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Kentaro Itokawa, Kozue Sato, Yongjin Qiu, Jyunya Yamagishi, Katendi Changula, Naoko Kawai, Kyoko Hayashida, Joseph Ndebe, Bernard Mudenda Hang'ombe, Hirofumi Sawa, Shinji Kasai, Yukihiro Akeda, Hiroki Kawabata
Summary: We report the complete sequences of the linear chromosome and five linear plasmids of the relapsing fever spirochete Candidatus Borrelia fainii Qtaro. The chromosome sequence is 951,861 bp and the plasmid sequences are 243,291 bp, containing predicted protein-coding genes of 852 and 239, respectively. The predicted total GC content is 28.4%.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
