CXCR4 Is a Potential Target for Anti-HIV Gene Therapy.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is a global issue. The estimated number of people with HIV is 39,000,000 to date. Antiviral therapy is the primary approach to treat the infection.

Substantial Antiviral Potential of Deoxyribozymes Fixed on Anatase Nanoparticles Against Influenza A Viruses in vitro and in vivo.

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are a high threat to humanity because of a lack of proper effective antiviral drugs and resistance of viruses to existing vaccines. We describe the sufficient anti-IAV effect of Ans/PL-Dz nanocomposites that contain deoxyribozymes (Dz) immobilized on anatase TiO nanoparticles (Ans) through polylysine linker (PL). The Dz-containing nanocomposites appear to be more efficient than the Ans/PL-ODN nanocomposites that contain common oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) targeted to the same RNA regions of the viral genome.

A New Cypovirus-1 Strain as a Promising Agent for Lepidopteran Pest Control.

Now more than ever researchers provide more and more evidence that it is necessary to develop an ecologically friendly approach to pest control. This is reflected in a sharp increase in the value of the biological insecticide market in recent decades. In our study, we found a virus strain belonging to the genus (Reoviridae); the strain was isolated from , possessing attractive features as a candidate for mass production of biological agents for lepidopteran-pest control.

Rock Microhabitats Provide Suitable Thermal Conditions for Overwintering Insects: A Case Study of the Spongy Moth ( L.) Population in the Altai Mountains.

Many insect species overwinter in various rock shelters (cavities and crevices), but the microclimates of rock biotopes remain poorly understood. We investigated the temperature dynamics in rock microhabitats where clusters of egg masses of the wintering spongy moth L. (SM) were observed.

Derivation of iPS cell line (ICGi032-A) from a patient affected with fragile X syndrome.

Trinucleotide repeat expansion diseases such as fragile X syndrome are of great interest to study since the mechanism of its development is still unknown. IPS cell lines are some of the most convenient models for studying. The ICGi032-A iPS cell line was obtained from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patient affected with fragile X syndrome.

Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) populations: Tolerance of eggs to extreme winter temperatures.

Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (GM) is a polyphagous insect and one of the most significant pests in the forests of Eurasia and North America (U.S. and Canada).

Effective Inhibition of Newly Emerged A/H7N9 Virus with Oligonucleotides Targeted to Conserved Regions of the Virus Genome.

Newly emerged highly pathogenic A/H7N9 viruses with pandemic potential are effectively transmitted from birds to humans and require the development of novel antiviral drugs. For the first time, we studied the and antiviral activity against A/H7N9 of oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs), which were delivered into the cells in the proposed TiO-based nanocomposites (TiO∼ODN). The highest inhibition of A/H7N9 (∼400-fold) and efficient, sequence-specific, and dose-dependent protection (up to 100%) of A/H7N9-infected mice was revealed when ODN was targeted to the conserved terminal 3'-noncoding region of viral (-)RNA.

A rare familial rearrangement of chromosomes 9 and 15 associated with intellectual disability: a clinical and molecular study.

Background: There are many reports on rearrangements occurring separately in the regions of chromosomes 9p and 15q affected in the case under study. 15q duplication syndrome is caused by the presence of at least one extra maternally derived copy of the Prader-Willi/Angelman critical region. Trisomy 9p is the fourth most frequent chromosome anomaly with a clinically recognizable syndrome often accompanied by intellectual disability.

Construction and Immunogenicity of Modified mRNA-Vaccine Variants Encoding Influenza Virus Antigens.

Nucleic acid-based influenza vaccines are a promising platform that have recently and rapidly developed. We previously demonstrated the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding artificial immunogens AgH1, AgH3, and AgM2, which contained conserved fragments of the hemagglutinin stem of two subtypes of influenza A-H1N1 and H3N2-and conserved protein M2. Thus, the aim of this study was to design and characterize modified mRNA obtained using the above plasmid DNA vaccines as a template.

Pronounced therapeutic potential of oligonucleotides fixed on inorganic nanoparticles against highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A virus in vivo.

This study describes the effective attack of oligonucleotides on the viral genome of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A virus (IAV) in vivo using for the first time the new delivery system consisting of biocompatible low-toxic titanium dioxide nanoparticles and immobilized polylysine-containing oligonucleotides with the native (ODN) and partially modified (ODN) internucleotide bonds. Intraperitoneal injection of the TiO•PL-ODN nanocomposite provided 65-70% survival of mice, while intraperitoneal or oral administration of TiO•PL-ODN was somewhat more efficient (~80% survival). The virus titer in the lung was reduced by two-three orders of magnitude.

Delivery of mRNA Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Using a Polyglucin:Spermidine Conjugate.

One of the key stages in the development of mRNA vaccines is their delivery. Along with liposome, other materials are being developed for mRNA delivery that can ensure both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and also facilitate its storage and transportation. In this study, we investigated the polyglucin:spermidine conjugate as a carrier of an mRNA-RBD vaccine encoding the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

miRNA expression and interaction with the 3'UTR of FMR1 in FRAXopathy pathogenesis.

FRAXopathies are caused by the expansion of the CGG repeat in the 5'UTR of the gene, which encodes the protein responsible for the synthesis of FMRP. This mutation leads to dramatic changes in FMRP expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Evidence is emerging that changes in mRNA expression can lead to the dysregulation of the miRNAs that target its 3'UTR.

Establishment of an induced pluripotent stem cell line (ICGi026-A) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient with fragile X syndrome.

Expansion over 200 CGG repeats in FMR1 gene causes inherited intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder named as fragile X syndrome. Despite the known cause fragile X syndrome pathogenesis has not been specified yet. The ICGi026-A iPSCs line was obtained by the reprogramming of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a 9-year-old boy with fragile X syndrome.

Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Influenza A DNA Vaccines Encoding Artificial Antigens Based on Conservative Hemagglutinin Stem Region and M2 Protein in Mice.

Background: Development of a universal vaccine capable to induce antibody responses against a broad range of influenza virus strains attracts growing attention. Hemagglutinin stem and the exposed fragment of influenza virus M2 protein are promising targets for induction of cross-protective humoral and cell-mediated response, since they contain conservative epitopes capable to induce antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to a wide range of influenza virus subtypes.

Methods: In this study, we generated DNA vaccine constructs encoding artificial antigens AgH1, AgH3, and AgM2 designed on the basis of conservative hemagglutinin stem fragments of two influenza A virus subtypes, H1N1 and H3N2, and conservative M2 protein, and evaluate their immunogenicity and protective efficacy.

Mystery of Expansion: DNA Metabolism and Unstable Repeats.

The mammalian genome mostly contains repeated sequences. Some of these repeats are in the regulatory elements of genes, and their instability, particularly the propensity to change the repeat unit number, is responsible for 36 well-known neurodegenerative human disorders. The mechanism of repeat expansion has been an unsolved question for more than 20 years.

Reactivation of FMR1 gene expression is a promising strategy for fragile X syndrome therapy.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder and is caused by CGG repeat expansion in the promoter region of the FMR1 gene, which encodes fragile X mental retardation protein. This event leads to gene silencing and the loss of gene products through DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling. Due to the pathogenesis of FXS, targeted, symptomatic, and etiological approaches have been developed for its treatment.

Comparative Chromosome Mapping of Musk Ox and the X Chromosome among Some Bovidae Species.

Bovidae, the largest family in Pecora infraorder, are characterized by a striking variability in diploid number of chromosomes between species and among individuals within a species. The bovid X chromosome is also remarkably variable, with several morphological types in the family. Here we built a detailed chromosome map of musk ox (), a relic species originating from Pleistocene megafauna, with dromedary and human probes using chromosome painting.

[Development and assessment of a reagent kit for RNA detection of CrimeanCongo hemorrhagic fever virus with using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification method.].

This study presents the results of laboratory trials of the reagent kit for the rapid detection of RNA of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) using loop-mediated isothermal amplification with reverse transcription (RT-LAMP). The developed RT-LAMP reagent kit was used to detect the CCHFV and showed a sensitivity of 103 GE/ml of viral RNA, which is sufficient for detection of the CCHFV in the early stage of human infections. The kit showed high specificity and no cross-reactivity with viral panel from the State collection of viruses of the FBRI SRC VB «Vector» (arboviruses and hemorrhagic fever viruses).

Non-agglomerated silicon-organic nanoparticles and their nanocomplexes with oligonucleotides: synthesis and properties.

The development of efficient and convenient systems for the delivery of nucleic-acid-based drugs into cells is an urgent task. А promising approach is the use of various nanoparticles. Silica nanoparticles can be used as vehicles to deliver nucleic acid fragments into cells.