Identification of a novel caspase cleavage motif AEAD.

Infections of many viruses induce caspase activation to regulate multiple cellular pathways, including programmed cell death, immune signaling and etc. Characterizations of caspase cleavage sites and substrates are important for understanding the regulation mechanisms of caspase activation. Here, we identified and analyzed a novel caspase cleavage motif AEAD, and confirmed its caspase dependent cleavage activity in natural substrate, such as nitric oxide-associated protein 1 (NOA1).

Bioactive compounds from Huashi Baidu decoction possess both antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing global health concern, and effective antiviral reagents are urgently needed. Traditional Chinese medicine theory-driven natural drug research and development (TCMT-NDRD) is a feasible method to address this issue as the traditional Chinese medicine formulae have been shown effective in the treatment of COVID-19. Huashi Baidu decoction (Q-14) is a clinically approved formula for COVID-19 therapy with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.

SARS-CoV-2 Z-RNA activates the ZBP1-RIPK3 pathway to promote virus-induced inflammatory responses.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger strong inflammatory responses and cause severe lung damage in COVID-19 patients with critical illness. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the infection induces excessive inflammatory responses are not fully understood. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 infection results in the formation of viral Z-RNA in the cytoplasm of infected cells and thereby activates the ZBP1-RIPK3 pathway.

Pre-B-cell colony enhancing factor regulates the alveolar epithelial sodium-water transport system through the ERK and AKT pathways.

The sodium-water transport system is crucial for alveolar fluid clearance. The pulmonary edema caused by extracorporeal circulation is mainly due to increased alveolar capillary permeability and reduced fluid clearance. We previously demonstrated that pre-B-cell colony enhancing factor (PBEF) increases alveolar capillary permeability and inhibits the sodium-water transport system.

pre-B cell colony enhancing factor negatively regulates Na and fluid transport in lung epithelial cells.

Unlabelled: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of pre-B cell colony enhancing factor (PBEF) on Na and fluid transport in lung epithelial cells.

Methods: Type 1 and 2 cells were isolated from lung epithelium. After hypoxia reoxygenation treatment, the primary cell cultures were transfected with a plasmid over-expressing PBEF.