Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays an important role in innate immunity against infections, including influenza. Here we have dissected bLf into its C- and N-lobes and show that inhibition of influenza virus hemagglutination and cell infection is entirely attributable to the C-lobe and that all major virus subtypes, including H1N1 and H3N2, are inhibited. By far-western blotting and sequencing studies, we demonstrate that bLf C-lobe strongly binds to the HA(2) region of viral hemagglutinin, precisely the highly conserved region containing the fusion peptide. By molecular docking studies, three C-lobe fragments were identified which inhibited virus hemagglutination and infection at fentomolar concentration range. Besides contributing to explain the broad anti-influenza activity of bLf, our findings lay the foundations for exploiting bLf fragments as source of potential anti-influenza therapeutics.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/2047773212Y.0000000004 | DOI Listing |
Nucleic Acids Res
January 2025
CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
The heterotrimeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of influenza A virus catalyzes viral RNA transcription (vRNA→mRNA) and replication (vRNA→cRNA→vRNA) by adopting different conformations. A switch from transcription to replication occurs at a relatively late stage of infection. We recently reported that the viral NS2 protein, expressed at later stages from a spliced transcript of the NS segment messenger RNA (mRNA), inhibits transcription, promotes replication and plays a key role in the transcription-to-replication switch.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany.
Mucus is a complex hydrogel that acts as a defensive and protective barrier in various parts of the human body. The rise in the level of viral infections has underscored the importance of advancing research into mucus-mimicking hydrogels for the efficient design of antiviral agents. Herein, we demonstrate the gram-scale synthesis of biocompatible, lignin-based virus-binding inhibitors that reduce waste and ensure long-term availability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVirol J
January 2025
Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China.
Infection with Influenza A virus (IAV) induces severe inflammatory responses and lung injury, contributing significantly to mortality and morbidity rates. Alterations in the microbial composition of the lungs and intestinal tract resulting from infection could influence disease progression and treatment outcomes. Xiyanping (XYP) injection has demonstrated efficacy in clinical treatment across various viral infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHum Vaccin Immunother
December 2025
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Influenza causes 100,000-710,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S. Patients with liver disease are at higher risk of severe outcomes following influenza infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMech Ageing Dev
January 2025
CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province 475004, China. Electronic address:
Background: Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are the primary targets of many pathogens and play an important role in sensing viruses and regulating immunity. Yet, little is known about the antiviral responses in the aged AECs.
Methods: The responses of young or aged AECs after viral infection were analyzed using methods such as flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot detection, and transwell chemotaxis assay.
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