TaGW2-TaVOZ1 module regulates wheat salt tolerance via both E3 ligase-dependent and -independent pathways.

Wheat production is limited by the rapid expansion of salinized arable land worldwide. Identification of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the salt stress response is of great importance. Here, we uncovered the NAC-type transcription factor, TaVOZ1, as a positive regulator of wheat salt tolerance.

A system genetics analysis uncovers the regulatory variants controlling drought response in wheat.

Plants activate a variable response to drought stress by modulating transcription of key genes. However, our knowledge of genetic variations governing gene expression in response to drought stress remains limited in natural germplasm. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptional variability of 200 wheat accessions in response to drought stress by using a systems genetics approach integrating pan-transcriptome, co-expression networks, transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) mapping.

Deciphering the Significance of Platelet-Derived Chloride Ion Channel Gene (BEST3) Through Platelet-Related Subtypes Mining for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

This study investigates platelet-related subtypes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and seeks to identify genes associated with prognosis, focusing on the clinical significance of the chloride ion channel gene BEST3. We utilised sequencing and clinical data from GEO, TCGA and the Xena platform, building a risk model based on genetic features. TCGA and GSE37745 served as training cohorts, while GSE50081, GSE13213, GSE30129 and GSE42127 were validation cohorts.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase TaGW2 facilitates TaSnRK1γ and TaVPS24 degradation to enhance stripe rust susceptibility in wheat.

Wheat stripe rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), threatens global wheat production, and therefore discovering genes involved in stripe rust susceptibility is essential for balancing yield with disease resistance in sustainable breeding strategies.

The E3 ligase TaGW2 mediates transcription factor TaARR12 degradation to promote drought resistance in wheat.

Drought stress limits crop yield, but the molecular modulators and their mechanisms underlying the trade-off between drought resistance and crop growth and development remain elusive. Here, a grain width and weight2 (GW2)-like really interesting new gene finger E3 ligase, TaGW2, was identified as a pivotal regulator of both kernel development and drought responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum). TaGW2 overexpression enhances drought resistance but leads to yield drag under full irrigation conditions.

Breastfeeding initiation: impact of obesity in a large Canadian perinatal cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate incidence of breastfeeding initiation according to maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in "Grossesse en Santé", a large prospective birth cohort in Quebec City.

Methods: Breastfeeding initiation in the post-partum period, pre-pregnancy BMI, sociodemographic determinants and obstetrical and neonatal factors were collected from years 2005 to 2010 in 6592 women with single pregnancies. Prenatal non-intention to breastfeed was documented in a subgroup of the cohort (years 2009-2010).

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for extremely preterm infants: a systematic review.

Background And Objective: Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) exposure can be associated with reduced neonatal morbidities. We systematically review the evidence for the benefits of omega-3 LCPUFAs for reducing neonatal morbidities in extremely preterm infants.

Methods: Data sources were PubMed, Embase, Center for Reviews and Dissemination, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials.

Influence of hydrophilic amino acids and GC-content on expression of recombinant proteins used in vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease virus in Escherichia coli.

Epitope-based protein expression in Escherichia coli can be improved by adjusting its amino acid composition and encoding genes. To that end, we analyzed 24 recombinant epitope proteins (rEPs) that carry multiple epitopes derived from VP1 protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus. High level expression of the rEPs was attributed to a high content of Arg, Asn, Asp and Thr, a low content of Gln, Pro and Lys, a high content of hydrophilic amino acids and a higher isoelectric point value resulting from abundant Arg.

Effect of prophylactically applied CpG ODN on the development of myocarditis in mice infected with Coxsackievirus B3.

Coxsackievirus B3 was one of the major pathogens causing viral myocarditis. Toll-like receptor 9 activation contributed to the innate immune response in the process of CVB3-induced myocarditis. In order to find out how CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, known as a TLR-9 agonist, would affect the CVB3-induced myocarditis, we chose a C-type CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (YW002) injected to the mice one day before CVB3 challenge.

Immunization with a HSP65-HER2 fusion peptide selectively eliminates HER2(+) B16 melanoma cells in a xenograft tumor mouse model.

HER2/neu peptide-based vaccines can eliminate human tumors overexpressing the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), but the efficacy of this therapeutic strategy is suboptimal. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are capable of eliciting efficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses by cross-presentation. To evaluate whether immunization with a HSP65-HER2 fusion peptide could selectively eliminate HER2(+) B16 melanoma cells in a xenograft tumor mouse model, a HSP65-HER2 fusion peptide was incubated with immature dendritic cells (iDCs) in vitro to determine whether loading of iDCs with HSP65-HER2 could induce the expression of the immunomodulatory cell surface molecule, CD86.

Recombinant mycobacterial HSP65 in combination with incomplete Freund's adjuvant induced rat arthritis comparable with that induced by complete Freund's adjuvant.

Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) containing the inactivated mycobacterium has been conventionally used to induce typical arthritis in rats. In comparison, incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), lacking the mycobacterium, can only induce less severe arthritis. However, the key components responsible for the arthritogenic effect of the whole mycobacterium are rarely known.

Recombinant heat shock protein 65 carrying PADRE and HBV epitopes activates dendritic cells and elicits HBV-specific CTL responses.

BCG Hsp65 and PADRE have been shown to be potent to enhance antigen specific immunity. In order to explore the possibility to utilize them for the development of HBV therapeutic vaccine, a chimeric protein, Hsp65-HBV, was created by fusing PADRE and epitopes from HBV to the carboxyl-terminus of BCG Hsp65 and expressed in E. coli.

Detection of circulating anti-mucin 1 (MUC1) antibodies in breast tumor patients by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a recombinant MUC1 protein containing six tandem repeats and expressed in Escherichia coli.

Mucin 1 (MUC1), a tumor-associated antigen, is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by normal epithelial cells and overexpressed by carcinomas of epithelial origin. Autoantibodies against MUC1 are often found in circulation, either free or bound to immune complexes, which might contribute to limit tumor outgrowth and dissemination by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and were found favorably predictive of survival in early breast cancer patients. There is no commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for detecting the anti-MUC1 antibodies in human serum thus far.

Vaccination with B16 tumor cell lysate plus recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70 induces antimelanoma effect in mice.

Tumor cell lysate (TCL) has an advantage of containing an extensive repertoire of tumor antigens but requires proper adjuvants to enhance its immunogenicity when used as an efficient tumor vaccine. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-derived heat shock protein 70 (TBHsp70) has been shown to assist crosspresentation of exogenously applied tumor antigens and activate innate immunity against tumor cells. In this study, TBHsp70-B16TCL, a preparation generated by mixing recombinant TBHsp70 and TCL of B16 melanoma cells directly, was tested for its immunogenicity as a tumor vaccine.

Vaccination with TCL plus MHSP65 induces anti-lung cancer immunity in mice.

To develop effective anti-lung cancer vaccines, we directly mixed mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (MHSP65) and tumor cell lysate (TCL) from Lewis lung cancer cells in vitro and tested its efficacy on stimulating anti-tumor immunity. Our results showed that MHSP65-TCL immunization significantly inhibited the growth of lung cancer in mice and prolonged the survival of lung cancer bearing mice. In vivo and in vitro data suggest that MHSP65-TCL could induce specific CTL responses and non-specific immunity, both of which could contribute to the tumor inhibition.

A novel canine favored CpG oligodeoxynucleotide capable of enhancing the efficacy of an inactivated aluminum-adjuvanted rabies vaccine of dog use.

In order to develop novel canine CpG ODNs as adjuvant for rabies vaccine of dog use, a panel of CpG ODNs containing different CpG motifs was designed and screened for their ability to induce the proliferation of canine splenocytes. Three AACGTT motif-containing CpG ODNs, designated as YW07, YW08 and YW09, respectively, were outshined with stronger ability to activate canine immune cells. The CpG ODNs were tested for their adjuvant activity for rabies vaccine in mice and dogs.

[Expression, purification and activity analysis of BCG HSP70.].

Aim: To get BCG HSP70 protein with excellent biologic activity through E.coli. expression and purification.

Therapeutic injection of C-class CpG ODN in draining lymph node area induces potent activation of immune cells and rejection of established breast cancer in mice.

In order to develop novel CpG ODNs for the treatment of breast cancer, we have designed a series of CpG ODNs and evaluated their anti-tumor activity in a breast cancer mouse model. Interestingly, a C-class CpG ODN, designated as YW002, showed a vigorous activity on the inhibition of tumor growth in mice and completely cured some of the tumor-bearing mice through injection at tumor draining lymph node (TDLN) area. The expansion of immune cells in the TDLN and tumor and the generation of tumor specific immune memory were found associated with YW002-induced anti-tumor activity in mice.

[Expression of predicted B cell epitope peptide in S2 subunit of SARS coronavirus spike protein in E.coli and identification of its mimic antigenicity].

Aim: To study the expression of predicted B cell epitope peptide in S2 subunit of SARS coronavirus spike protein in E.coli and its mimic antigenicity to S2 protein.

Methods: B cell epitopes in S2 subunit of SARS coronavirus spike protein was predicted using DNAStar software.

Heat shock fusion protein induces both specific and nonspecific anti-tumor immunity.

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a tumor antigen, and the most important epitopes that can induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) reside in the variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR). Heat shock protein (HSP) complexes isolated from tumors have been shown to induce specific anti-tumor immunity. HSP alone can also induce nonspecific immunity.