Evaluation of the Safety and Immune Efficacy of Recombinant Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Strain Long Live Attenuated Vaccine Candidates

Human respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infection is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract illness(LRTI), and no vaccine against LRTI has proven to be safe and effective in infants. Our study assessed attenuated recombinant RSVs as vaccine candidates to prevent RSV infection in mice. The constructed recombinant plasmids harbored(5' to 3') a T7 promoter, hammerhead ribozyme, RSV Long strain antigenomic cDNA with cold-passaged(cp) mutations or cp combined with temperature-sensitive attenuated mutations from the A2 strain(A2cpts) or further combined with SH gene deletion(A2cpts△SH), HDV ribozyme(δ), and a T7 terminator. These vectors were subsequently co-transfected with four helper plasmids encoding N, P, L, and M2-1 viral proteins into BHK/T7-9 cells, and the recovered viruses were then passaged in Vero cells. The rescued recombinant RSVs(rRSVs) were named rRSV-Long/A2 cp, rRSV-Long/A2 cpts, and rRSV-Long/A2 cpts △SH, respectively, and stably passaged in vitro, without reversion to wild type(wt) at sites containing introduced mutations or deletion. Although rRSV-Long/A2 cpts and rRSV-Long/A2 cpts △SH displayed temperature-sensitive(ts)phenotype in vitro and in vivo, all rRSVs were significantly attenuated in vivo. Furthermore, BALB/c mice immunized with rRSVs produced Th1-biased immune response, resisted wt RSV infection, and were free from enhanced respiratory disease.We showed that the combination of △SH with attenuation(att) mutations of cpts contributed to improving att phenotype,efficacy, and gene stability of rRSV. By successfully introducing att mutations and SH gene deletion into the RSV Long parent and producing three rRSV strains, we have laid an important foundation for the development of RSV live attenuated vaccines.     

Voltammetric investigation on interaction of protein with chromotrope 2R and its analytical application

The electrochemical behaviors of the interaction of chromotrope 2R (CH2R) with human serum albumin (HSA) are investigated on the hanging mercury drop electrode with linear sweep voltammetry. In the acidic buffer solution (pH 2.5) CH2R has a well-defined voltammetric reductive wave at −0.34 V (SCE). On the addition of HSA into the CH2R solution, the reductive peak current of CH2R decreases with little movement of the peak potential. The voltammetric study shows that the electrochemical parameters of interaction solution do not change and a new electrochemically non-active complex is formed via interaction of CH2R with HSA, which cannot be reduced on the Hg electrode and results in the decrease of the free concentration of CH2R. The decrease of reductive peak current is proportional to HSA concentration and further used for protein detection. The binding ratio and the binding constant are further calculated with the experimental voltammetric data.     

CobB regulates Escherichia coli chemotaxis by deacetylating the response regulator CheY

The silent information regulator (Sir2) family proteins are NAD⁺‐dependent deacetylases. Although a few substrates have been identified, functions of the bacteria Sir2‐like protein (CobB) still remain unclear. Here the role of CobB on Escherichia coli chemotaxis was investigated. We used Western blotting and mass spectrometry to show that the response regulator CheY is a substrate of CobB. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) indicated that acetylation affects the interaction between CheY and the flagellar switch protein FliM. The presence of intact flagella in knockout strains ΔcobB, Δacs, Δ(cobB) Δ(acs), Δ(cheA) Δ(cheZ), Δ(cheA) Δ(cheZ) Δ(cobB) and Δ(cheA) Δ(cheZ) Δ(acs) was confirmed by electron microscopy. Genetic analysis of these knockout strains showed that: (i) the ΔcobB mutant exhibited reduced responses to chemotactic stimuli in chemotactic assays, whereas the Δacs mutant was indistinguishable from the parental strain, (ii) CheY from the ΔcobB mutant showed a higher level of acetylation, indicating that CobB can mediate the deacetylation of CheY in vivo, and (iii) deletion of cobB reversed the phenotype of Δ(cheA) Δ(cheZ). Our findings suggest that CobB regulates E. coli chemotaxis by deacetylating CheY. Thus a new function of bacterial cobB was identified and also new insights of regulation of bacterial chemotaxis were provided.     

Phage Resistance of a Marine Bacterium, Roseobacter denitrificans OCh114, as Revealed by Comparative Proteomics

Roseobacter is a dominant lineage in the marine environment. This group of bacteria is diverse in terms of both their phylogenetic composition and their physiological potential. Roseobacter denitrificans OCh114 is one of the most studied bacteria of the Roseobacter lineage. Recently, a lytic phage (RDJLΦ1) that infects this bacterium was isolated and a mutant strain (M1) of OCh114 that is resistant to RDJLΦ1 was also obtained. Here, we investigate the mechanisms supporting phage resistance of M1. Our results excluded the possibilities of several phage resistance mechanisms, including abortive infection, lysogeny, and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) related mechanism. Adsorption kinetics assays revealed that adsorption inhibition might be a potential cause for the phage resistance of M1. Comparative proteomic analysis of M1 and OCh114 revealed significant changes in the membrane protein compliment of these bacteria. Five membrane proteins with important biological functions were significantly down-regulated in the phage-resistant M1. Meanwhile, several outer membrane porins with different modifications and an OmpA family domain protein were markedly up-regulated. We hypothesize that the down-regulated membrane proteins in M1 may serve as the potential phage receptors, whose absence prevented the adsorption of phage RDJLΦ1 to host cells and subsequent infection.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of amide-coupled benzoic nitrogen mustard derivatives as potential antitumor agents

A series of amide-coupled benzoic nitrogen mustard derivatives as potential EGFR and HER-2 kinase inhibitors were synthesized and reported for the first time. Some of them exhibited significant EGFR and HER-2 inhibitory activity. Of all the studied compounds, compounds 5b and 5t exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, which was comparable to the positive control erlotinib. Docking simulation was performed to position compounds 5b and 5t into the EGFR active site to determine the probable binding model. Antiproliferative assay results indicated that some of the benzoic nitrogen mustard derivatives possessed high antiproliferative activity against MCF-7. In particular, compounds 5b and 5t with potent inhibitory activity in tumor growth inhibition may function as potential antitumor agents.     

ER‐anchored CRTH2 antagonizes collagen biosynthesis and organ fibrosis via binding LARP6

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, mainly collagen protein, is the hallmark of organ fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms regulating fibrotic protein biosynthesis are unclear. Here, we find that chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on TH2 cells (CRTH2), a plasma membrane receptor for prostaglandin D2, is trafficked to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane in fibroblasts in a caveolin‐1‐dependent manner. ER‐anchored CRTH2 binds the collagen mRNA recognition motif of La ribonucleoprotein domain family member 6 (LARP6) and promotes the degradation of collagen mRNA in these cells. In line, CRTH2 deficiency increases collagen biosynthesis in fibroblasts and exacerbates injury‐induced organ fibrosis in mice, which can be rescued by LARP6 depletion. Administration of CRTH2 N‐terminal peptide reduces collagen production by binding to LARP6. Similar to CRTH2, bumetanide binds the LARP6 mRNA recognition motif, suppresses collagen biosynthesis, and alleviates bleomycin‐triggered pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. These findings reveal a novel anti‐fibrotic function of CRTH2 in the ER membrane via the interaction with LARP6, which may represent a therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases.     

Synergistic Allostery,a Sophisticated Regulatory Network for the Control of Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The shikimate pathway, responsible for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, is required for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a potential drug target. The first reaction is catalyzed by 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS). Feedback regulation of DAH7PS activity by aromatic amino acids controls shikimate pathway flux. Whereas Mycobacterium tuberculosis DAH7PS (MtuDAH7PS) is not inhibited by the addition of Phe, Tyr, or Trp alone, combinations cause significant loss of enzyme activity. In the presence of 200 μm Phe, only 2.4 μm Trp is required to reduce enzymic activity to 50%. Reaction kinetics were analyzed in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of Trp/Phe or Trp/Tyr. In the absence of inhibitors, the enzyme follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to substrate erythrose 4-phosphate (E4P), whereas the addition of inhibitor combinations caused significant homotropic cooperativity with respect to E4P, with Hill coefficients of 3.3 (Trp/Phe) and 2.8 (Trp/Tyr). Structures of MtuDAH7PS/Trp/Phe, MtuDAH7PS/Trp, and MtuDAH7PS/Phe complexes were determined. The MtuDAH7PS/Trp/Phe homotetramer binds four Trp and six Phe molecules. Binding sites for both aromatic amino acids are formed by accessory elements to the core DAH7PS (β/α)₈ barrel that are unique to the type II DAH7PS family and contribute to the tight dimer and tetramer interfaces. A comparison of the liganded and unliganded MtuDAH7PS structures reveals changes in the interface areas associated with inhibitor binding and a small displacement of the E4P binding loop. These studies uncover a previously unrecognized mode of control for the branched pathways of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis involving synergistic inhibition by specific pairs of pathway end products.     

The Lightweight Design of Low RCS Pylon Based on Structural Bionics

<正> A concept of Specific Structure Efficiency (SSE) was proposed that can be used in the lightweight effect evaluation ofstructures.The main procedures of bionic structure design were introduced systematically.The parameter relationship betweenhollow stem of plant and the minimum weight was deduced in detail.In order to improve SSE of pylons, the structural characteristicsof hollow stem were investigated and extracted.Bionic pylon was designed based on analogous biological structuralcharacteristics.Using finite element method based simulation, the displacements and stresses in the bionic pylon were comparedwith those of the conventional pylon.Results show that the SSE of bionic pylon is improved obviously.Static, dynamic andelectromagnetism tests were carried out on conventional and bionic pylons.The weight, stress, displacement and Radar CrossSection (RCS) of both pylons were measured.Experimental results illustrate that the SSE of bionic pylon is markedly improvedthat specific strength efficiency and specific stiffness efficiency of bionic pylon are increased by 52.9% and 43.6% respectively.The RCS of bionic pylon is reduced significantly.     

Blockade of tissue factor-factor X binding attenuates sepsis-induced respiratory and renal failure

Tissue factor expression in sepsis activates coagulation in the lung, which potentiates inflammation and leads to fibrin deposition. We hypothesized that blockade of factor X binding to the tissue factor-factor VIIa complex would prevent sepsis-induced damage to the lungs and other organs. Acute lung injury was produced in 15 adult baboons primed with killed Escherichia coli [1 x 10(9) colony-forming units (CFU)/kg], and then 12 h later, they were given 1 x 10(10) CFU/kg live E. coli by infusion. Two hours after live E. coli, animals received antibiotics with or without monoclonal antibody to tissue factor intravenously to block tissue factor-factor X binding. The animals were monitored physiologically for 34 h before being killed and their tissue harvested. The antibody treatment attenuated abnormalities in gas exchange and lung compliance, preserved renal function, and prevented tissue neutrophil influx and bowel edema relative to antibiotics alone (all P < 0.05). It also attenuated fibrinogen depletion (P < 0.01) and decreased proinflammatory cytokines, e.g., IL-6 and -8 (P < 0.01), in systemic and alveolar compartments. Similar protective effects of the antibody on IL-6 and -8 expression and permeability were found in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated endothelial cells. Blockade of factor X binding to the tissue factor-factor VIIa complex attenuates lung and organ injuries in established E. coli sepsis by attenuating the neutrophilic response and inflammatory pathways.