Article
Plant Sciences
Elena A. Blokhina, Eugenia S. Mardanova, Anna A. Zykova, Liudmila A. Stepanova, Marina A. Shuklina, Liudmila M. Tsybalova, Nikolai V. Ravin
Summary: Despite advances in vaccine development, the search for a broad-spectrum recombinant vaccine against influenza continues. The extracellular domain of the transmembrane protein M2e of the influenza A virus is highly conserved and can be used to develop a universal vaccine. In this study, a recombinant protein comprising four tandem copies of M2e fused to an artificial self-assembling peptide (SAP) was efficiently expressed in plants and showed potential as a universal vaccine against influenza A.
Article
Immunology
Jeeva Subbiah, Judy Oh, Ki-Hye Kim, Chong-Hyun Shin, Bo Ryoung Park, Noopur Bhatnagar, Baik-Lin Seong, Bao-Zhong Wang, Sang-Moo Kang
Summary: A new chimeric protein vaccine called M2e-H3 stalk has been developed to overcome the low efficacy of monomeric domain-based universal vaccines. The vaccine was found to be effective in inducing immune responses and providing protection against various subtypes of influenza viruses in mice, making it a potential candidate for a universal influenza A virus vaccine for both young and aged populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shahab Mahmoudvand, Somayeh Shokri, Manoochehr Makvandi, Reza Taherkhani, Mohammad Rashno, Farid Azizi Jalilian, Kambiz Ahmadi Angali
Summary: This study aimed to identify B- and T-cell epitopes of HPV-16 L1 protein, with bioinformatic analysis predicting potential immunogenic epitopes. The selected T-cell epitopes showed strong binding affinity to HLA molecules, while the B-cell epitopes may be associated with neutralizing antibody response. These predicted epitopes are promising targets for epitope-based vaccine development against HPV-16, pending further in vivo and in vitro experiments for confirmation.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shiva Izadi, Simon Gumpelmair, Pedro Coelho, Henrique O. Duarte, Joana Gomes, Judith Leitner, Vinny Kunnummel, Lukas Mach, Celso A. Reis, Peter Steinberger, Alexandra Castilho
Summary: Immune checkpoint blocking therapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory signalling pathway has shown promising results in cancer treatment. This study produced different variants of Durvalumab using Nicotiana benthamiana and found that they exhibited similar functions to the therapeutic antibody, including binding to PD-L1, blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, and interacting with FcRn and Fc gamma receptors.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bo Tan, Yihan Li, Dongzhou Deng, Hongli Pan, Yue Zeng, Xiao Tan, Wenhua Zhuang, Zhuo Li
Summary: This paper investigated the response of Nicotiana benthamiana with inoculation of Trichoderma harzianum strain TRA1-16 to light intensity variation. The results showed that Trichoderma inoculation promoted plant growth and nutrient uptake, but the effect was less effective under low light conditions. The findings are valuable for understanding the relationship between Trichoderma and plants, as well as for the application of Trichoderma in plant growth promotion.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Shahab, Dejia Guo, Guojun Zheng, Yening Zou
Summary: In the current era, the global threat of pandemic infectious agents is increasing. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause various clinical disorders. Our goal was to design a chimeric vaccine against HPV using an immunoinformatics approach. Several epitopes were predicted and the best ones were selected for vaccine construction. The physicochemical and immunological properties of the vaccine were analyzed and the vaccine was found to be stable and immunogenic. Further research is needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugenia S. Mardanova, Roman Y. Kotlyarov, Maya D. Stuchinskaya, Lyudmila I. Nikolaeva, Gergana Zahmanova, Nikolai V. Ravin
Summary: The capsid protein of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs) in plants and has the potential to be used as a carrier for antigens in vaccines. In this study, researchers inserted antigenic epitopes from Influenza A virus or SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein into the truncated coat protein of HEV to optimize their presentation. The resulting fusion proteins, expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, formed nanosized VLPs that were recognized by specific antibodies. This study demonstrates the promising potential of HEV capsid protein as a carrier for foreign antigens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Mengxia Ye, Shuo Li, Ping Luo, Xuan Tang, Quan Gong, Bing Mei
Summary: This study analyzed the variations and phylogenetic relationship of HPV-51 virus in central China, as well as predicted its immune epitopes. The results showed high prevalence and genetic variations of HPV-51 in the region. These findings are of great importance for future research on vaccines with wider coverage and the development of diagnostic probes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jae-Wan Jung, Pil-Gu Park, Won-Kyung Lee, Jun-Hye Shin, Mi-Hwa Jang, Eun-Hye Seo, Timothy An, Young Beom Kim, Myeong Hee Moon, Seuk-Keun Choi, Jee Sun Yun, Kee-Jong Hong, Seong-Ryong Kim
Summary: This study successfully expressed a chimeric protein composed of antigenic epitopes from the JEV envelope protein in Nicotiana benthamiana using a transient expression system. The optimized expression procedure resulted in high expression and yield of the MEP protein. The plant-produced JEV MEP protein successfully induced antibody production in mice, demonstrating its potential as an alternative vaccine candidate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Daria Mezhenskaya, Irina Isakova-Sivak, Victoria Matyushenko, Svetlana Donina, Andrey Rekstin, Konstantin Sivak, Kirill Yakovlev, Anastasia Katelnikova, Kirill Kryshen, Valery Makarov, Larisa Rudenko
Summary: Experimental studies in a preclinical ferret model showed that the LAIV/HA+4M2e universal influenza vaccine candidate had higher immunogenicity and cross-protective potential, mainly mediated by M2e-targeted antibodies. Therefore, the LAIV/HA+4M2e vaccine is promising for further evaluation in future clinical trials.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Louis-Philippe Hamel, Rachel Tardif, Francis Poirier-Gravel, Asieh Rasoolizadeh, Chantal Brosseau, Genevieve Giroux, Jean-Francois Lucier, Marie-Claire Goulet, Adam Barrada, Marie-Eve Pare, Elise Roussel, Marc-Andre Comeau, Pierre-Olivier Lavoie, Peter Moffett, Dominique Michaud, Marc-Andre D'Aoust
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of molecular changes occurring in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells during transient expression of the viral suppressor P19 or co-expression of P19 and the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein. The results show that the expression of foreign proteins induces general responses such as chloroplast gene expression shutdown, activation of oxidative stress responses, and reinforcement of the plant cell wall. Additionally, the expression of P19 promotes salicylic acid signaling, while co-expression of P19 and HA dampens this signaling. The expression of HA also affects lipid metabolism, lipid distribution within membranes, and oxylipin-related signaling pathways.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Virology
Bo Ryoung Park, Jeeva Subbiah, Ki-Hye Kim, Young-Man Kwon, Judy Oh, Min-Chul Kim, Chong-Hyun Shin, Baik Lin Seong, Sang-Moo Kang
Summary: The study demonstrates that heterologous prime-boost vaccination with recombinant influenza viruses expressing extra M2e epitopes provides more effective cross protection than homologous vaccination. Additionally, aging was shown to compromise the induction of M2e and HA stalk specific IgG antibodies, suggesting significant effects on antibody responses in older mice.
Article
Microbiology
Zhihao Sun, Qiuxia Wang, Gang Li, Jingzhi Li, Sujuan Chen, Tao Qin, Hongwei Ma, Daxin Peng, Xiufan Liu
Summary: The study successfully identified a specific epitope H7-12 peptide for H7N9 AIV and evaluated the protection and serological DIVA characteristics of the recombinant H7N9 AIV strain. The recombinant H7N9 AIV strain JD-cHA/17 showed good protection against H7N9 AIV challenge and could be detected using a specific peptide chip for DIVA testing.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ika Nurzijah, Ola A. Elbohy, Kostya Kanyuka, Janet M. Daly, Stephen Dunham
Summary: Plant-based vaccines provide a new feasibility for preventing avian influenza and Newcastle disease, with the advantages of high efficiency, stability, and safety. Compared to traditional vaccines, plant-derived virus-like particle vaccines have significant benefits, reducing virus shedding and distinguishing between infected and vaccinated birds.
Article
Virology
Jie Chen, Daning Wang, Zhiping Wang, Kunbao Wu, Shuangping Wei, Xin Chi, Ciying Qian, Yujie Xu, Lizhi Zhou, Yuqian Li, Sibo Zhang, Tingting Li, Zhibo Kong, Yingbin Wang, Qingbing Zheng, Hai Yu, Qinjian Zhao, Jun Zhang, Ningshao Xia, Shaowei Li, Ying Gu
Summary: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with cervical cancer and other epithelial tumors. The structure of HPV capsid, composed of major capsid protein L1 and minor capsid protein L2, remains unclear. This study analyzed the residues involved in the coassembly of L1 and L2 and found that certain mutations reduced the amount of L2 protein assembled into the capsid and decreased viral infectivity. Understanding the coassembly between L1 and L2 could contribute to our knowledge of HPV biology and the development of countermeasures against various HPV types by targeting L2 protein.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sofia Bertacca, Andrea Giovanni Caruso, Daniela Trippa, Annalisa Marchese, Antonio Giovino, Slavica Matic, Emanuela Noris, Maria Isabel Font San Ambrosio, Ana Alfaro, Stefano Panno, Salvatore Davino
Summary: A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the simple and efficient detection of Olea europaea geminivirus (OEGV) in olive cultivation areas. The assay showed high sensitivity and specificity and could be used for field diagnosis. A simplified sample preparation procedure was established to monitor OEGV spread. The survey revealed a relatively high incidence of OEGV.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mina Rastgou, Vahid Roumi, Emanuela Noris, Slavica Matic, Sezai Ercisli
Summary: This study identified Grapevine virus A (GVA) in grapevines in Iran and determined that ORF1 is the best phylogenetic marker for GVA classification and evolution studies. These findings provide new insights for further research on rugose wood complex.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chiara Pagliarani, Amedeo Moine, Walter Chitarra, Luca Nerva, Marco Catoni, Raffaela Tavazza, Slavica Matic, Marta Vallino, Francesca Secchi, Emanuela Noris
Summary: A study showed that the C4 protein of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCSV) can enhance drought tolerance in tomato plants by delaying the onset of stress-related features, improving water use efficiency, and facilitating rapid post-rehydration recovery. Specific anatomical and hydraulic traits play a key role in the stress resilience associated with the C4 protein. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism through which such proteins tune the plant-virus interaction.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Valentina Candian, Chiara D'Errico, Roberto Pierro, Stefano Panno, Salvatore Davino, Emanuela Noris, Rosemarie Tedeschi, Slavica Matic
Summary: A simple and rapid in-field real-time LAMP protocol was developed to detect the presence of Flavescence Doree phytoplasma (FDp) in the insect vector Scaphoideus titanus. This method is simple, sensitive, specific, cost-effective, and user-friendly, allowing for the direct detection of FDp on S. titanus in less than half an hour in the field.
Article
Agronomy
Andrea Giovanni Caruso, Sofia Bertacca, Arianna Ragona, Slavica Matic, Salvatore Davino, Stefano Panno
Summary: This study investigated the genetic structure and molecular variability of GVA in commercial vineyards in Sicily, Italy, finding a high infection rate of GVA in 11 autochthonous grapevine cultivars, with 'Nerello Mascalese' showing the highest incidence of infection.
Correction
Agronomy
Roberto Pierro, Athos Pedrelli, Monica Marra, Slavica Matic, Luca Baldaccini, Alberto Materazzi, Augusto Loni, Andrea Lucchi, Alessandra Panattoni, Carmine Marcone, Fabio Quaglino
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Touhid Allahverdipour, Mina Rastgou, Heshmatollah Rahimian, Emanuela Noris, Slavica Matic
Summary: Japanese quince trees in Iran are affected by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, causing canker disease. Through isolation and genetic analysis of symptomatic tissues, it is confirmed that Japanese quince is a new host for this pathogen. This finding is important for disease control and prevention.
PHYTOPATHOLOGIA MEDITERRANEA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camilla Sacco Botto, Slavica Matic, Amedeo Moine, Walter Chitarra, Luca Nerva, Chiara D'Errico, Chiara Pagliarani, Emanuela Noris
Summary: Drought stress is a major factor affecting agricultural production by negatively impacting plant growth and metabolism. Previous research has shown that viruses, such as the tomato yellow leaf curl virus, can enhance a plant's ability to tolerate both drought and heat stress. However, the underlying mechanisms for this induced drought tolerance need further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Tadeusz Malewski, Piotr Borowik, Ireneusz Olejarski, Daria Berezovska, Valentyna Dyshko, Jolanta Behnke-Borowczyk, Wojciech Pusz, Slavica Matic, Tomasz Oszako
Summary: A 20-year study on a pine stand showed that woody debris in the form of organic matter can effectively restore symbiotic mycorrhizal communities. Organic materials such as wood residues, sawdust, bark compost, and compost were used to enrich the soil, resulting in changes in the composition of mycobiota. The addition of organic matter promoted the growth of mycorrhizal fungi and increased the chances of the survival of pine trees.
Article
Virology
Emanuela Noris, Mattia Pegoraro, Sandra Palzhoff, Catalina Urrejola, Nicolai Wochner, Sigi Kober, Kerstin Ruoff, Slavica Matic, Vera Schnepf, Nina Weisshaar, Christina Wege
Summary: RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs) play a crucial role in RNA silencing-mediated antiviral defense in plants. The inactivation of RDR6 (RDR6i) affects the infection of phloem-limited begomoviruses in N. benthamiana plants. RDR6 depletion exacerbates symptoms and DNA accumulation for the New World virus AbMV, but only affects symptom expression at elevated temperatures for the Old World virus TYLCSV.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chiara D'Errico, Marco Forgia, Marco Pisani, Stefano Pavan, Emanuela Noris, Slavica Matic
Summary: Powdery mildew (PM) is a major disease in tomatoes, and the role of tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV) in response to biotic stresses is still unclear. In this study, transgenic tomatoes expressing the TYLCSV C4 protein were exposed to the causal agent of PM. The expression of TYLCSV C4 increased tolerance to PM in the transgenic tomatoes through reduced symptom occurrence, conidia adhesion, and hyphae elongation, as well as induced higher expression of pathogenesis-related genes and salicylic acid production.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Tadeusz Malewski, Slavica Matic, Adam Okorski, Piotr Borowik, Tomasz Oszako
Summary: This study aimed to annotate the 12th chromosome of F. circinatum and integrate currently available resources. In silico annotation revealed the presence of 118 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding 141 proteins, which are involved in heterokaryon incompatibility, transcription regulation, plant cell wall degrading enzymes, and trichothecene synthesis.
Article
Agronomy
R. Milasin, M. Voruna, S. Matic, B. Njezic, R. Artimova, J. Medo, D. Delic
Summary: This study identified Pythium capillosum as capable of endozoic parasitism on dagger nematode through ingestion of oomycete zoospores. This is the first finding of such occurrence in Bosnia and Herzegovina soils. The results obtained could pave the way for future studies on environmentally safe and sustainable nematode control.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)