MSP-RON signaling in liver pathobiology and as an emerging therapeutic target: a review of the current evidence.

The liver is a crucial organ in the human body and is responsible for various functions, including digestion, detoxification, metabolism, and immune response. Proper hepatic function is vital for maintaining systemic homeostasis, and dysregulation of liver signaling pathways contributes to various diseases. Recepteur d'Origine Nantais (RON) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated by macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) and coordinates cell fate decisions through the activation of downstream signaling cascades.

Autonomous microfluidic influenza A/B subtyping system using on-chip multiplex isothermal amplification for field-deployable surveillance.

Influenza viruses present significant challenges to global health. A rapid recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-based detection system for multiple influenza strains (A, H1N1/H2N2/H3N2/H5N1/H7N9 and B) has been developed to address the limitations of 2-h Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) tests. By using optimized primers targeting key viral proteins (M, NA, HA, PA), the method achieves detection in 10 min with 0.

Enhanced immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 antigen with aluminum adjuvant and polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of Bacillus Calmette Guerin.

Vaccine immunization strategies are crucial for eliciting vaccine-induced immune responses, particularly in immune compromised populations and older adults. In clinical practice in China, the polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG-PSN) is extensively used as an immune modulatory agent. Herein, we describe a new immunization strategy using the SARS-CoV-2 antigen (original strain) with aluminum adjuvant and BCG-PSN.

Gut microbiota-associated non-cholesterol sterol dysregulation modulates immune reconstitution during antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV.

Non-cholesterol sterol metabolism plays a crucial role in immune regulation. However, the non-cholesterol sterol profiles, its association with gut dysbiosis, and its impact on the CD4 T cell recovery in people living with HIV (PLWH) are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we recruited 37 PLWH and 50 healthy controls to characterize non-cholesterol sterol profiles and gut microbiota composition using targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and metagenomic analysis.

Quantum dot immunochromatographic strip for rapid and sensitive detection of H5 subtype avian influenza virus.

The H5 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose a major threat to wild fowl and poultry. Additionally, they can overcome the species barrier, inducing human infection, which may become fatal. Thus, the H5 subtype AIVs remain a global public health burden, with a huge pandemic potential.

Comparative analysis of hyperuricemia induction methods and probiotic interventions in mice.

Probiotics are widely used as functional food additives, but more studies are needed for their use in mitigation of hyperuricemia (HUA). Currently, there are no standardized animal models for HUA. There is significant variability in the animal strains, drugs, dosages, and modeling periods used in published studies, which greatly impacts the comparability of experimental results and complicates the effectiveness evaluation of therapeutic agents.

Portable lab-on-a-chip platform enabling multiplex recombinant enzyme polymerase amplification detection of H5/H7/H10 avian influenza virus subtypes.

The zoonotic nature of influenza pathogens creates substantial health security risks, jeopardizing the welfare of interconnected human and animal ecosystems. The H5/H7/H10 avian influenza virus (AIV) variants demonstrate persistent endemicity in poultry reservoirs and recurrent zoonotic jumps precipitating fatal human infections. Therefore, the innovation of multiplex diagnostic platforms integrating expedited processing, enhanced sensitivity, and subtype-specific discrimination has emerged as a pivotal strategy to curb epidemiological escalation.

Recent advances of trichosanthin and its role in diseases.

Trichosanthin (TCS), as an alkaline plant-protein classified as a type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), is squeezed out of traditional medicinal plant Trichosanthes kirilowii. Unlike type II RIPs characterized by dual polypeptide chains, TCS exhibits significantly lower cytotoxicity while maintaining potent antiviral activity. These distinctive pharmacological properties have driven growing interest in its therapeutic potential, with accelerating research efforts spanning mechanistic studies, structural optimization, and clinical trials in recent decades.

China's Malaria R&D Innovations: A Scoping Review from 2013-2023.

Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Understanding the research progress of the potential innovative tools is important for malaria elimination. This scoping review aims to explore China's research and development (R&D) advances from 2013-2023 in addressing the current challenges and contributing to global malaria elimination.

Evaluating Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Polysaccharide Nucleic Acid as an Adjuvant for Influenza Vaccines in Mice.

Background: To enhance influenza vaccine efficacy, it is essential to investigate new adjuvants that are both safe and effective. In a recent study utilizing a mouse model, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin polysaccharide nucleic acid (BCG-PSN) emerged as a promising candidate vaccine adjuvant.

Methods: This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of BCG-PSN on influenza vaccines hemagglutinin antigen and aluminum adjuvant as controls.

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies as effective therapeutics and prophylactics against lethal H10N7 avian influenza infection in a mouse model.

The H10 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) is widespread in poultry worldwide and poses a significant threat to animal health. With the emergence of sporadic and fatal cases in humans infected with H10 subtype AIVs in recent years, it is imperative to develop neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat influenza clinically. In this study, BALB/c mice were immunized with A/chicken/Zhejiang/2CP8/2014 (H10N7) haemagglutinin (HA) protein, and eight HA-specific mAbs were subsequently screened.

A human-infecting H10N5 avian influenza virus: Clinical features, virus reassortment, receptor-binding affinity, and possible transmission routes.

Background: In late 2023, the first human case caused by an H10N5 avian influenza virus (AIV) was diagnosed in China. H10Ny AIVs have been identified in various poultry and wild birds in Eurasia, the Americas, and Oceania.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of the H10N5 AIV-infected patient, isolated the virus, and evaluated the virus receptor-binding properties together with the H10N8 and H10N3 AIVs identified in humans and poultry.

Development of a graphene oxide multilayer quantum dot-based immunochromatographic strip for the ultrasensitive detection of H7 subtype avian influenza viruses.

Since March 2013, the H7N9 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) has become an important zoonotic infectious disease, garnering significant global attention because of its potential to affect human health. Establishing a rapid, effective, and sensitive method to detect H7 subtype AIVs is crucial for disease control. In this study, we developed a graphene oxide multilayer quantum dot-based immunochromatographic strip for the ultrasensitive detection of H7 subtype AIVs.

Genetic and molecular characterization of a novel reassortant H3N2 influenza virus from a sick pig in Eastern China in 2019.

Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) cause clinical respiratory symptoms associated with high mortality rates among pigs. Because pigs can be a "mixing vessel" for influenza viruses, the SIV might pose a serious threat to animal and human health. In this study, an H3N2 SIV [A/swine/Zhejiang/19/2019(H3N2) (ZJ-SW19)] was isolated from a sick pig in Eastern China in 2019, and its molecular genetics were characterized.

Humanized dual-targeting antibody-drug conjugates specific to MET and RON receptors as a pharmaceutical strategy for the treatment of cancers exhibiting phenotypic heterogeneity.

Cancer heterogeneity, characterized by diverse populations of tumorigenic cells, involves the occurrence of differential phenotypes with variable expressions of receptor tyrosine kinases. Aberrant expressions of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) and recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptors contribute to the phenotypic heterogeneity of cancer cells, which poses a major therapeutic challenge. This study aims to develop a dual-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that can act against both MET and RON for treating cancers with high phenotypic heterogeneity.

Enhancing antibody levels and T cell activity of quadrivalent influenza vaccine by combining it with CpG HP021.

Influenza virus infections are a serious danger to people's health worldwide as they are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks. There is an urgent need to improve the effectiveness and durability longevity of the immune response to influenza vaccines. We synthesized the CpG HP021 and examined the impact of it on the immune response to an influenza vaccine.

Short-chain fatty acids play a key role in antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in people living with HIV.

High SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels can protect against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. The gut microbiome can affect a host's immune response. However, its role in the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV (PLWH) remains poorly understood.

Progress in SARS-CoV-2, diagnostic and clinical treatment of COVID-19.

Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)is a global pandemic novel coronavirus infection disease caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although rapid, large-scale testing plays an important role in patient management and slowing the spread of the disease. However, there has been no good and widely used drug treatment for infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Boosting the immune response in COVID-19 vaccines via an Alum:CpG complex adjuvant.

Selecting appropriate adjuvants is crucial for developing an effective vaccine. However, studies on the immune responses triggered by different adjuvants in COVID-19 inactivated vaccines are scarce. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of Alum, CpG HP021, Alum combined with CpG HP021 (Alum/CpG), or MF-59 adjuvants with COVID-19 inactivated vaccines in K18-hACE2 mice, and compared the different immune responses between K18-hACE2 and BALB/c mice.

Pharmaceutical innovation and advanced biotechnology in the biotech-pharmaceutical industry for antibody-drug conjugate development.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), from prototypes in the 1980s to first- and second-generation products in the 2000s, and now in their multiformats, have progressed tremendously to meet oncological challenges. Currently, 13 ADCs have been approved for medical practice, with over 200 candidates in clinical trials. Moreover, ADCs have evolved into different formats, including bispecific ADCs, probody-drug conjugates, pH-responsive ADCs, target-degrading ADCs, and immunostimulating ADCs.

Preparation and characterization of mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies against the hemagglutinin of the H1N1 influenza virus.

H1N1 influenza virus is a significant global public health concern. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting specific viral proteins such as hemagglutinin (HA) have become an important therapeutic strategy, offering highly specific targeting to block viral transmission and infection. This study focused on the development of mAbs targeting HA of the A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1pdm09, VIC-19) strain by utilizing hybridoma technology to produce two mAbs with high binding capacity.

Phase separation-competent FBL promotes early pre-rRNA processing and translation in acute myeloid leukaemia.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are pivotal in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a lethal disease. Although specific phase separation-competent RBPs are recognized in AML, the effect of their condensate formation on AML leukaemogenesis, and the therapeutic potential of inhibition of phase separation are underexplored. In our in vivo CRISPR RBP screen, fibrillarin (FBL) emerges as a crucial nucleolar protein that regulates AML cell survival, primarily through its phase separation domains rather than methyltransferase or acetylation domains.

Host proteins interact with viral elements and affect the life cycle of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H7N9.

Host-virus interactions can significantly impact the viral life cycle and pathogenesis; however, our understanding of the specific host factors involved in highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H7N9 (HPAI H7N9) infection is currently restricted. Herein, we designed and synthesized 65 small interfering RNAs targeting host genes potentially associated with various aspects of RNA virus life cycles. Afterward, HPAI H7N9 viruses were isolated and RNA interference was used to screen for host factors likely to be involved in the life cycle of HPAI H7N9.

Sulfated liposome-based artificial cell membrane glycocalyx nanodecoys for coronavirus inactivation by membrane fusion.

As a broad-spectrum antiviral nanoparticle, the cell membrane nanodecoy is a promising strategy for preventing viral infections. However, most of the cell membrane nanodecoys can only catch virus and cannot induce inactivation, which may bring about a considerably high risk of re-infection owing to the possible viral escape from the nanodecoys. To tackle this challenge, sulfated liposomes are employed to mimic the cell membrane glycocalyx for constructing an artificial cell membrane glycocalyx nanodecoy that exhibits excellent anti-coronavirus activity against HCoV-OC43, wild-type SARS-CoV-2, Alpha and Delta variant SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus.

Immune interference in effectiveness of influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccines are known to function as the most effective interventional therapeutics for controlling infectious diseases, including polio, smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis, influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Smallpox has been eliminated completely and polio is almost extinct because of vaccines. Rabies vaccines and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines could effectively protect humans against respective infections.