Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chunming Dong, Lijun Xu, Weitao Lu, Mengru Li, Rui Zhang, Yanyan Sun, Jian Liu, Xinlei Chu
Summary: Researchers expressed a recombinant PMAP-37(F34-R) using Pichia pastoris and found that it exhibited a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The peptide had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.12-0.24 μg/mL and showed good stability. Additionally, PMAP-37(F34-R) had low hemolysis ability to mammalian cells and demonstrated a good preservative effect in plums.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Miao Wei, Guowei Zhang, Zeyu Huang, Xuemeng Ding, Qing Sun, Yujian Zhang, Rongrong Zhu, Huaijin Guan, Min Ji
Summary: This study investigates the role of ATP-P2X(7)R in mediating microglial senescence and glaucoma progression. The results suggest that ATP-P2X(7)R induces microglial senescence by inhibiting the PINK1-mediated mitophagy pathway, leading to retinal ganglion cell damage. Specifically inhibiting ATP-P2X(7)R may be a fundamental approach for targeted therapy of RGC injury in microglial aging-related glaucoma.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Emanuelle D. Freitas, Rogerio A. Rataglioli, Josephine Oshodi, Marisa M. Beppu
Summary: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of bioactive materials in mitigating viral infections. Bioinspired antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as suitable building blocks for antimicrobial coatings due to their versatile design and environmentally friendly features. This review discusses the advances and opportunities in using AMPs to create virucidal coatings, including the fundamental characteristics of peptide structure, advances in coating medical devices, and the role of different materials in designing antiviral coatings.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Janicka-Klos, Hanna Czapor-Irzabek, Tomasz Janek
Summary: Mucin 7, a human salivary protein, exhibits antimicrobial activity. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties of three Mucin 7 peptides and their complexes with Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, showing different activities against bacteria and fungi.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Antonio Ibarra-Valencia, Gerardo Pavel Espino-Solis, Blanca Elisa Estrada, Gerardo Corzo
Summary: The peptides Pin2[G] and FA1 were found to stimulate phagocytosis in in vitro assays, impacting cytokine release and improving the physical condition of mice with gastric infections caused by S. Typhimurium.
Article
Physiology
Nadia Milad, Marie Pineault, Gabrielle Bouffard, Michael Maranda-Robitaille, Ariane Lechasseur, Marie-Josee Beaulieu, Sophie Aubin, Benjamin A. H. Jensen, Mathieu C. Morissette
Summary: This study demonstrates that treatment with hBD-2 can effectively reduce cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation, while maintaining immune competence and promoting an appropriate host-defense response to bacterial stimuli.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Delong Kong, Xuan Hua, Rui Zhou, Jie Cui, Tao Wang, Fanyun Kong, Hongjuan You, Xiangye Liu, Joseph Adu-Amankwaah, Guo Guo, Kuiyang Zheng, Jianwei Wu, Renxian Tang
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides Mt6 and D-Mt6 demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly against Acinetobacter baumannii, and exhibit strong antibacterial activity against biofilms. Furthermore, D-Mt6 shows better immunoregulatory activity in LPS-induced inflammation through LPS-neutralizing and suppressive effects on the MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, D-Mt6 holds promise as a candidate drug against A. baumannii.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Astrid Tuxpan-Perez, Marco Antonio Ibarra-Valencia, Blanca Elisa Estrada, Herlinda Clement, Ligia Luz Corrales-Garcia, Gerardo Pavel Espino-Solis, Gerardo Corzo
Summary: The antimicrobial peptide Css54 showed inhibitory effects on the growth of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, while the recombinant chemokine MCP-1 did not. Css54 was also toxic to macrophages and activated macrophage phagocytosis, while MCP-1 was not. The combination of Css54 and MCP-1 increased the expression levels of IL-10 and TNF-alpha.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathalie Coutry, Julie Nguyen, Salima Soualhi, Francois Gerbe, Victoria Meslier, Valerie Dardalhon, Mathieu Almeida, Benoit Quinquis, Florence Thirion, Fabien Herbert, Imene Gasmi, Ali Lamrani, Alicia Giordano, Pierre Cesses, Laure Garnier, Steeve Thirard, Denis Greuet, Chantal Cazevieille, Florence Bernex, Christelle Bressuire, Douglas Winton, Ichiro Matsumoto, Herve M. Naomi And, Naomi Taylor, Philippe Jay
Summary: Imbalance of gut microbiota is associated with pathological conditions. We propose a three-step mechanism for dysbiosis initiation, involving Paneth cell dysfunction, activation of epithelial tuft cells, and chronic inflammation. Paneth cells play an essential role in maintaining a balanced microbiota and preventing dysbiosis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jose Maria Garcia-Beltran, Marta Arizcun, Elena Chaves-Pozo
Summary: Aquaculture production is increasing, but infectious diseases pose a threat. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from photosynthetic marine organisms have potential as alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture due to their defense mechanisms and additional activities. This study reviews the knowledge about AMPs from photosynthetic marine organisms and evaluates their suitability for aquaculture.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Henghui Fan, Wenhui Yan, Lihua Wang, Jie Liu, Yannan Bin, Junfeng Xia
Summary: In the postgenomic era, it is important to quickly identify the functions of therapeutic peptides generated in large numbers. Predicting accurate multi-functional therapeutic peptides (MFTP) is a challenge. This study proposes a novel multi-label method called ETFC, which utilizes a deep learning-based model architecture and an imbalanced learning strategy with a multi-label focal dice loss function. Experimental results show that ETFC outperforms existing methods for MFTP prediction. Teacher-student-based knowledge distillation is used to obtain attention weights from self-attention mechanism and quantify their contributions to investigated activities in MFTP prediction.
Review
Virology
Mahe Jabeen, Payel Biswas, Md Touhidul Islam, Rajesh Paul
Summary: The transmission of pathogens through contact with contaminated surfaces is a significant route for the spread of infections, including the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Disinfection and sanitization are commonly used methods, but they have limitations such as antibiotic resistance and viral mutation. Peptides have been studied as a potential alternative due to their ability to interact with microorganisms and their applications in drug delivery and immunomodulation. This study focuses on antiviral coating strategies and their applications in personal protective equipment, healthcare devices, textiles, and public surfaces.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Rosa Loffredo, Filippo Savini, Sara Bobone, Bruno Casciaro, Henrik Franzyk, Maria Luisa Mangoni, Lorenzo Stella
Summary: The activity of many antibiotics depends on the initial cell density used in bacterial growth inhibition assays, with a significant inoculum effect observed for higher cell densities. Antimicrobial peptides perturb cell membranes and the inoculum effect can impact their bacterial killing ability. Routine evaluation of the dependence of antimicrobial peptides and peptidomimetics on inoculum density should be considered.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fenfen Ma, Xiaoyan Zheng, Zesheng Li
Summary: The study using molecular dynamics simulations reveals that CB[7] binds differently to aromatic and basic residues in peptides, with the C-terminal basic residue significantly affecting the binding. Additionally, CB[7] shows efficient differentiation between peptides with similar structures, and exhibits sequence dependence in recognizing specific peptides.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamila Kwiecien, Pawel Majewski, Maciej Bak, Piotr Brzoza, Urszula Godlewska, Izabella Skulimowska, Joanna Cichy, Mateusz Kwitniewski
Summary: This study identified novel transcript variants of mouse Rarres2 and found limited role for alternative splicing in generating chemerin isoform diversity, except in brown adipose tissue. Only one transcript variant of human RARRES2 was present in liver and adipose tissue.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erik Smedler, Lauri Louhivuori, Roman A. Romanov, Debora Masini, Ivar Dehnisch Ellstrom, Chungliang Wang, Martino Caramia, Zoe West, Songbai Zhang, Paola Rebellato, Seth Malmersjo, Irene Brusini, Shigeaki Kanatani, Gilberto Fisone, Tibor Harkany, Per Uhlen
Summary: This study demonstrates that embryonic deletion of CACNA1C in neurons destined for the cerebral cortex disrupts Ca2+ activity, leading to abnormal brain development and anxiety.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Respiratory System
Amy M. de Waal, Pieter S. Hiemstra, Tom H. M. Ottenhoff, Simone A. Joosten, Anne M. van der Does
Summary: The lung epithelium plays a crucial role in tuberculosis disease, acting as a barrier to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and responding to infection by producing immune mediators. The interactions between epithelial cells, immune cells, and Mtb are important for understanding the early events of Mtb infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rui Shao, Xinmeng Liao, Yawen Lan, Hui Zhang, Lin Jiao, Qingyang Du, Dong Han, Qinghui Ai, Kangsen Mai, Min Wan
Summary: The study demonstrated that 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 enhances insulin signaling pathway and glucose homeostasis in zebrafish by activating VDRE in the promoter region of insra.
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Shigeaki Kanatani, Per Uhlen
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew D. Lee, Charlotte Buckley, Xun Zhang, Lauri Louhivuori, Per Uhlen, Calum Wilson, John G. McCarron
Summary: The endothelial network, composed of specialized endothelial cells, plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular function. By utilizing short path lengths and rapid signal transmission, the endothelial cells are able to communicate efficiently, allowing them to regulate vascular activity effectively.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jinjin Zhang, Wentao Wang, Shufei Liang, Rui Shao, Wenkai Shi, Gudmundur H. Gudmundsson, Peter Bergman, Qinghui Ai, Kangsen Mai, Min Wan
Summary: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) promote the expression of IL-22 in fish macrophages, enhancing their bactericidal activity. Feeding turbot with sodium butyrate (NaB) reduces mortality after bacterial infection and increases IL-22 expression and bactericidal activity in macrophages. Treatment with NaB also promotes the expression of beta-defensins in zebrafish, although this effect is reduced in IL-22 mutant fish. Macrophages are identified as a cell source of IL-22 production in vivo.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Yawen Lan, Rui Shao, Jinjin Zhang, Jiayu Liu, Xinmeng Liao, Shufei Liang, Kangsen Mai, Qinghui Ai, Min Wan
Summary: Vitamin D3 enhances bactericidal ability in turbot by increasing the expression of C-type lectin receptors, leading to improved immune functions and bacterial clearance.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Erik Joas, Lina Jonsson, Alexander Viktorin, Erik Smedler, Erik Palsson, Guy M. Goodwin, Mikael Landen
Summary: This study investigated the association between CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms and antidepressant treatment patterns as well as the risk of treatment-induced mania in patients with bipolar disorder. The results showed that slower CYP2C19 metabolism was associated with an increased risk of treatment emergent mania for certain antidepressants, but there were no clear associations with early treatment persistence, treatment discontinuation, and switching to a new antidepressant.
PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Wentao Wang, Jinjin Zhang, Rui Shao, Shufei Liang, Hui Zhang, Weiqi Xu, Mingzhu Li, Qinghui Ai, Kangsen Mai, Min Wan
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of acetate on turbot fed a diet with a high proportion of soybean meal (SBM). The results showed that the addition of 1.0% acetate effectively promoted fish growth, improved mucosal barrier and digestive enzyme activities in the intestine, alleviated intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress caused by high SBM diet, and increased the anti-infectious ability of turbot. Therefore, the supplementation of acetate can effectively alleviate the adverse effects of high SBM diet on turbot growth and intestinal health, and improve fish resistance to bacterial infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dennis K. Ninaber, Anne M. van der Does, Pieter S. Hiemstra
Summary: The airway epithelial cell layer is constantly exposed to inhaled substances and plays a central role in lung diseases. In vitro epithelial culture models offer a controlled environment for studying the role of epithelium in pathogenesis and therapy. This manuscript provides a robust protocol for isolating and culturing airway epithelial cells, along with characterization and various applications of these cultures.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Miao Liu, Hui Zhang, Rui Shao, Xueqi Zhou, Qicun Zhou, Kangsen Mai, Qinghui Ai, Min Wan
Summary: This study investigates the effects of dietary Vitamin D-3 (VD3) on the growth performance, immune status, and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in Litopenaeus vannamei under different salinity conditions. The results show that appropriate supplementation of VD3 under high-salt conditions can promote shrimp growth, improve intestinal health, enhance antioxidant capacity and immunity, and contribute to phosphorus metabolism.
JOURNAL OF OCEAN UNIVERSITY OF CHINA
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nadia Baalbaki, Jelle M. Blankestijn, Mahmoud I. Abdel-Aziz, Jan de Backer, Somayeh Bazdar, Ines Beekers, Rosanne J. H. C. G. Beijers, Joop P. van den Bergh, Lizan D. Bloemsma, Harm Jan Bogaard, Job J. M. H. van Bragt, Vera van den Brink, Jean Paul Charbonnier, Merel E. B. Cornelissen, Yennece Dagelet, Elin Haf Davies, Anne M. van der Does, George S. Downward, Cornelis M. van Drunen, Debbie Gach, J. J. Miranda Geelhoed, Jorrit Glastra, Kornel Golebski, Irene H. Heijink, Judith C. S. Holtjer, Sebastiaan Holverda, Laura Houweling, John J. L. Jacobs, Renee Jonker, Renate Kos, Ramon C. J. Langen, Ivo van der Lee, Asabi Leliveld, Firdaus A. A. Mohamed Hoesein, Anne H. Neerincx, Lieke Noij, Johan Olsson, Marianne van de Pol, Simon D. Pouwels, Emiel Rolink, Michael Rutgers, Havva Sahin, Daphne Schaminee, Annemie M. W. J. Schols, Lisanne Schuurman, Gitte Slingers, Olie Smeenk, Brigitte Sondermeijer, Paul J. Skipp, Marisca Tamarit, Inge Verkouter, Roel Vermeulen, Rianne de Vries, Els J. M. Weersink, Marco van de Werken, Yolanda de Wit-van Wijck, Stewart Young, Esther J. Nossent, Anke H. van der Zee
Summary: The P4O2 COVID-19 study aims to identify long COVID patients at risk for developing chronic lung disease and to find personalized therapeutic strategies. The study showed persistent symptoms and abnormalities in post-COVID patients, with the most commonly reported symptoms being respiratory and neurological symptoms.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Janna C. Nawroth, Doris Roth, Annemarie van Schadewijk, Abilash Ravi, Tengku Ibrahim Maulana, Christiana N. Senger, Sander van Riet, Dennis K. Ninaber, Amy M. de Waal, Dorothea Kraft, Pieter S. Hiemstra, Amy L. Ryan, Anne M. van der Does
Summary: We develop an advanced organ-on-chip device to study the influence of dynamic cues, such as medium and airflow, on human airway epithelial cell differentiation and maturation. By applying airflow and stretch to the airway chip, we observe increased polarization of mucociliary clearance, reduced inflammatory protein secretion, and decreased gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 and other extracellular matrix factors. These findings highlight the importance of breathing-like mechanical stimuli in airway epithelial biology and suggest the potential use of this model for studying specific epithelial pathologies.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Melissa Thaler, Ying Wang, Anne M. van der Does, Alen Faiz, Dennis K. Ninaber, Natacha S. Ogando, Hendrik Beckert, Christian Taube, Clarisse Salgado-Benvindo, Eric J. Snijder, Peter J. Bredenbeek, Pieter S. Hiemstra, Martijn J. van Hemert
Summary: The consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection can range from asymptomatic to fatal disease, and the susceptibility to infection varies depending on the different regions of the respiratory tract. The cellular composition and differentiation of the epithelial cells play a role in the infection process.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Melissa Thaler, Ying Wang, Anne M. van der Does, Alen Faiz, Dennis K. Ninaber, Natacha S. Ogando, Hendrik Beckert, Christian Taube, Clarisse Salgado-Benvindo, Eric J. Snijder, Peter J. Bredenbeek, Pieter S. Hiemstra, Martijn J. van Hemert
Summary: The cellular biology underlying the variations in epithelial susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in different anatomical locations of the respiratory tract is not completely understood. This study used air-liquid interface cultures of primary human tracheal and bronchial epithelial cells to investigate the impact of cellular composition and differentiation on SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 primarily infected ciliated cells, goblet cells, and transient secretory cells. The viral replication was influenced by differences in cellular composition, especially the percentage of ciliated cells. Moreover, the study found that the differentiation time affected the cell entry factors. These findings provide insights into the variable susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection between individuals and anatomical locations in the respiratory tract.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2023)
