Characterization of an Escherichia coli phage Tequatrovirus YZ2 and its application in bacterial wound infection.

The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) resulting from the excessive utilization of antibiotics necessitates the immediate exploration of alternative approaches to counteract pathogenic E. coli.

Self-Assembled Virus-Like Particle Vaccines via Fluorophilic Interactions Enable Infection Mimicry and Immune Protection.

Influenza epidemics persistently threaten global health. Vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLPs), which resemble the native conformation of viruses, have emerged as vaccine candidates. However, the production of VLPs via genetic engineering remains constrained by challenges such as low yields, high costs, and being time consuming.

Nanofiber-mediated sequential photothermal antibacteria and macrophage polarization for healing MRSA-infected diabetic wounds.

Background: Diabetic wound healing remains a challenge because of its susceptibility to drug-resistant bacterial infection and its persistent proinflammatory state. Switching from proinflammatory M1 macrophages (Mφs) to proregenerative M2 dominant Mφs in a timely manner accelerates wound healing by coordinating inflammatory, proliferative, and angiogenic processes.

Methods: We propose a sequential photothermal antibacterial and subsequent M2 Mφ polarization strategy based on nanofibers (NFs) consisting of polydopamine (PDA) coating on curcumin (Cur) nanocrystals to treat Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected diabetic wounds.

Erythrocyte-enabled immunomodulation for vaccine delivery.

Erythrocytes capture pathogens in circulation and present them to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the spleen. Senescent or apoptotic erythrocytes are physiologically eliminated by splenic APCs in a non-inflammatory manner as to not induce an immune reaction, while damaged erythrocytes tend to induce immune activation. The distinct characteristics of erythrocytes in their lifespan or different states inspire the design of targeting splenic APCs for vaccine delivery.

Delivery of nanoparticle antigens to antigen-presenting cells: from extracellular specific targeting to intracellular responsive presentation.

An appropriate delivery system can improve the immune effects of antigens against various infections or tumors. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are specialized to capture and process antigens in vivo, which link the innate and adaptive immune responses. Functionalization of vaccine delivery systems with targeting moieties to APCs is a promising strategy for provoking potent immune responses.

Neuromedin B regulates steroidogenesis, cell viability and apoptosis in rabbit Leydig cells.

Mammalian bombesin-related peptide, neuromedin B (NMB) action is mediated by its receptor (NMBR), and NMB/NMBR system plays a major role in regulating hormone secretions, reproduction and cell growth. Here we report the functions of NMB in regulating steroidogenesis (testosterone synthesis), cell viability and apoptosis. The primary rabbit Leydig cells were employed as the paradigm for this research.