STING agonist-containing microparticles improve seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy and durability in ferrets over standard adjuvant.

The current pandemic highlights the need for effective vaccines against respiratory viruses. An ideal vaccine should induce robust and long-lasting responses with high manufacturing scalability. We use an adjuvant comprised of a Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) agonist incorporated in a scalable microparticle platform to achieve durable protection against the influenza virus.

Lipopolysaccharide exposure during the early postnatal period adversely affects the structure and function of the developing rat carotid body.

The carotid body (CB) substantially influences breathing in premature infants by affecting the frequency of apnea and periodic breathing. In adult animals, inflammation alters the structure and chemosensitivity of the CB, yet it is not known if this pertains to neonates. We hypothesized that early postnatal inflammation leads to morphological and functional changes in the developing rat CB, which persists for 1 wk after the initial provoking insult.

Inflammation in the carotid body during development and its contribution to apnea of prematurity.

Breathing is a complex function that is dynamic, responsive, automatic and often unstable during early development. The carotid body senses dynamic changes in arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tension and reflexly alters ventilation and plays an essential role in terminating apnea. The carotid body contributes 10-40% to baseline ventilation in newborns and has the greatest influence on breathing in premature infants who characteristically have unstable breathing leading to apnea of prematurity.

Effect of hyperoxic exposure during early development on neurotrophin expression in the carotid body and nucleus tractus solitarii.

Synaptic activity can modify expression of neurotrophins, which influence the development of neuronal circuits. In the newborn rat, early hyperoxia silences the synaptic activity and input from the carotid body, impairing the development and function of chemoreceptors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether early hyperoxic exposure, sufficient to induce hypoplasia of the carotid body and decrease the number of chemoafferents, would also modify neurotrophin expression within the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS).

Cannabinoid receptor expression in peripheral arterial chemoreceptors during postnatal development.

Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke increases risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Marijuana is frequently smoked in conjunction with tobacco, and perinatal exposure to marijuana is associated with increased incidence of SIDS. Abnormalities in peripheral arterial chemoreceptor responses during sleep may be operative in infants at risk for SIDS, and nicotine exposure adversely affects peripheral arterial chemoreceptor responses.