Japanese encephalitis virus E protein domain III immunization mediates cross-protection against Zika virus in mice via antibodies and CD8T cells.

Zika virus (ZIKV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) are antigenically related flaviviruses that co-circulate in many countries/territories. The interaction between the two viruses needs to be determined. Recent findings by ourselves and other labs showed that JEV-elicited antibodies (Abs) and CD8T cells exacerbate and protect against subsequent ZIKV infection, respectively.

An optimal thoracoscopic segmentectomy approach: Combined ultra-high-definition 4K endovision systems with "no-waiting" technique in S8-9 complex segmentectomy.

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy might be an alternative to lobectomy for small size lung cancer. Precise identification of the pulmonary intersegmental plane was needed for an optimal segmentectomy. Recently, (1) the ultra-high-definition 4K systems had claimed to overcome the lack of depth perception by secondary visual cues; (2) the no-waiting procedure was induced as an alternative and optimized method for identifying the plane.

Integrating multifunctional catalytic sites in COF@ZIF-67 derived carbon for the HER and ORR.

Covalent organic framework (COF)-derived carbons have various applications in electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. In this work, we have constructed a highly active catalyst (Ir-COF@ZIF) for the HER and ORR by integrating multifunctional sites (Ir nanoparticles, Co-N sites and Co nanoparticles) into core-shell COF@ZIF-67-derived carbon.

Cellulose based hyper-crosslinked polymer for efficiently recovering valuable materials from PO/SM wastewater.

Herein, a TEMPO-oxidized cellulose-grafted-polystyrene hypercrosslinked polymer (TOC-PS-HCP) was synthesized facilely by TEMPO oxidation, grafting copolymerization and post crosslinking route. Based on the structural characterization, it was confirmed that TOC-PS-HCP mainly consisted of polystyrene chain on cellulose and rigid crosslinked bridge. Additionally, the as-prepared TOC-PS-HCP displayed appropriate hydrophobicity (water contact angle = 102.

Japanese encephalitis virus-primed CD8+ T cells prevent antibody-dependent enhancement of Zika virus pathogenesis.

Cross-reactive anti-flaviviral immunity can influence the outcome of infections with heterologous flaviviruses. However, it is unclear how the interplay between cross-reactive antibodies and T cells tilts the balance toward pathogenesis versus protection during secondary Zika virus (ZIKV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infections. We show that sera and IgG from JEV-vaccinated humans and JEV-inoculated mice cross-reacted with ZIKV, exacerbated lethal ZIKV infection upon transfer to mice, and promoted viral replication and mortality upon ZIKV infection of the neonates born to immune mothers.

Dengue virus envelope protein domain III-elicited antibodies mediate cross-protection against Zika virus in a mouse model.

Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are antigenically related mosquito-transmitted viruses which represent a big public health problem. Although the antigenic cross-reactivity between two viruses were intensively investigated at the antibody and T cell levels, how DENV envelope protein domain III (EDIII)-elicited antibodies (Abs) impact the outcome of ZIKV infection is uncertain. Here, our results show that the sera isolated from DENV-EDIII-immunized wild-type mice recognized ZIKV-EDIII and cross-neutralized ZIKV in vitro.

[Preparation of mouse monoclonal antibodies against EV71 capsid protein VP1].

Objective To prepare enterovirus 71 (EV71) capsid protein VP1-specific murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and determine their characteristics. Methods We synthesized EV71 VP1-encoding gene and cloned it into prokaryotic plasmid pET21a. Recombinant VP1 was used to immunize BALB/c mice; the splenocytes were fused with myeloma SP2/0 cell line and the hybridoma cells which could produce VP1-specific mAbs were screened using ELISA; the hybridoma cells were inoculated intraperitoneally into mice.

[Identification and application of Mycobacterium tuberculosis esxN-specific cell epitopes in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective To identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 protein esxN-specific HLA-A*0201-restricted CTL epitopes and assess the diagnostic potential of the identified epitopes in pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods The esxN-specific HLA-A*0201-restricted CTL epitopes were predicted by the T epitope prediction software SYFPEITHI and further synthesized. The binding affinity of the candidate epitopes for HLA-A*0201 was detected using MHC-peptide complex stabilization assay.

The diagnostic potential of MPT63-derived HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes for active pulmonary tuberculosis.

MPT63 protein is found only in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, including M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.

Identification of cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes in dengue virus serotype 1.

Dengue virus (DENV) has a serious and growing impact on global health and the exact role of DENV-specific CD8(+) T-cells in DENV infection is still uncertain. In the present study, SYFPEITHI algorithm was used to screen the amino acid sequence of Dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1) for potential epitopes, and seven putative HLA-A*1101-restricted and five putative HLA-A*2402-restricted epitopes conserved in hundreds of DENV-1 strains were synthesized. The binding affinity of these epitope candidates to corresponding HLA molecules was evaluated using competitive peptide-binding assay.

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PPE68-specific HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes for tuberculosis diagnosis.

PPE68 is a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific protein which is absent from the vaccine strains of BCG. A panel of 14 PPE68-derived peptides predicted to bind to HLA-A*0201 was synthesized. The HLA-A*0201 restriction of these peptides was determined in T2 cell line and HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice.

Identification of conserved and HLA-A*2402-restricted epitopes in Dengue virus serotype 2.

In this study, we set out to identify dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2)-specific HLA-A*2402-restricted epitopes and determine the characteristics of T cells generated to these epitopes. We screened the full-length amino-acid sequence of DENV-2 to find potential epitopes using the SYFPEITHI algorithm. Twelve putative HLA-A*2402-binding peptides conserved in hundreds of DENV-2 strains were synthesized, and the HLA restriction of peptides was tested in HLA-A*2402 transgenic mice.

Two novel squamous cell carcinoma antigen-derived HLA-A*0201-binding peptides induce in vitro and in vivo CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is overexpressed in many squamous cell cancers and SCCA‑derived peptide-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes can display cytotoxicity against tumor cells. In the present study, we screened the SCCA amino acid sequence for potential HLA-A*0201-binding CD8(+) T‑cell epitopes using two predictive computational algorithms. Seven epitope candidates were selected of which SCCA(246-254)(llpneidgl), SCCA(223-231)(sledvqakv), SCCA(328‑336)(vlhkafvev) and SCCA(324‑332)(vlsgvlhka) significantly stabilized HLA-A*0201 molecules on T2 cells.

HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes identified in dengue viruses.

Background: All four dengue virus (DV) serotypes (D1V, D2V, D3V and D4V) can cause a series of disorders, ranging from mild dengue fever (DF) to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). Previous studies have revealed that DV serotype-specific CD8(+) T cells are involved in controlling DV infection. Serotype cross-reactive CD8(+) T-cells may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of DHF/DSS.

Identification of a dengue virus-specific HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T cell epitope.

In this study, a combination of epitope-prediction programs and in vitro assays was used to identify dengue virus (DENV)-specific CD8(+) T cell epitopes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from patients who recovered from dengue fever were stimulated with candidate epitope peptides derived from DENV, which were predicted by using SYFPEITHI and RANKpep epitope-prediction programs. The IFN-gamma ELISpot results and the results of intracellular staining of IFN-gamma showed that peptides NS4b_40 (TLYAVATTI), E_256 (QEGAMHTAL), NS3_205 (LPAIVREAI), NS5_210 (SRNSTHEMY), and NS3_207 (AIVREAIKR) could induce the recall response of CD8(+) T cells.