Cancer immunotherapy with enveloped self-amplifying mRNA CARG-2020 that modulates IL-12, IL-17 and PD-L1 pathways to prevent tumor recurrence

Targeting multiple immune mechanisms may overcome therapy resistance and further improve cancer immunotherapy for humans. Here, we describe the application of virus-like vesicles (VLV) for delivery of three immunomodulators alone and in combination, as a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. VLV vectors were designed to deliver single chain interleukin (IL)-12, short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and a dominant-negative form of IL-17 receptor A (dn-IL17RA) as a single payload or as a combination payload. Intralesional delivery of the VLV vector expressing IL-12 alone, as well as the trivalent vector (designated CARG-2020) eradicated large established tumors. However, only CARG-2020 prevented tumor recurrence and provided long-term survival benefit to the tumor-bearing mice, indicating a benefit of the combined immunomodulation. The abscopal effects of CARG-2020 on the non-injected contralateral tumors, as well as protection from the tumor cell re-challenge, suggest immune-mediated mechanism of protection and establishment of immunological memory. Mechanistically, CARG-2020 potently activates Th1 immune mechanisms and inhibits expression of genes related to T cell exhaustion and cancer-promoting inflammation. The ability of CARG-2020 to prevent tumor recurrence and to provide survival benefit makes it a promising candidate for its development for human cancer immunotherapy.

Introduction of RNAvirus evolution

Several viruses, in particular RNA viruses, have high mutation rates and relatively short generation times. Particle stability during infection in nature or in laboratory triggers the evolutionary event toward different mechanisms such as genome segmentation, point mutation and recombination. The frequency of mutant genomes increase and modify the previous distribution, which, consequently, lead to emergence of a new infectious particle. Mutation and selection are the most fundamental processes in evolution. High mutation rate of RNA viruses has an important role in viral fitness. Therefore, it increase our understanding about molecular biology of viral infections and their evolution by selection, mutation could reliably determine our ability to challenge destructive viruses. This review focuses on existing impressions of genetic organization and mechanisms of RNA viruses evolution

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis of Iranian patients with neonatal diabetes demonstrating mutations in KCNJ11 gene

We screened the KCNJ11 gene from 35 individuals clinically diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus under the age of 6 months in 3 years duration. Six different heterozygous missense mutations were found in 7 of the 35 probands, which accounted for 20% of all individuals. A novel mutation W68R [No Locus, GU170814; 2009] was identified in the kir6.2, the pore-forming subunit of the KATP channels from pancreatic beta -cells. Our results demonstrated that activating mutations in KCNJ11 gene could cause Permanent Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus [PNDM] with onset prior to six months

[Rearranged bovine rotavirus production through cultivation of virus by high multiplicity of infection [MOI] in cell culture and amplification of non-structural genes using RT-PCR]

Group A rotaviruses [GARV] are responsible for the vast majority of severe diarrhea worldwide that kills an estimated 600,000-870,000 children annually. Since infantile gastroenteritis is a main health problem, therefore diagnosis and treatment of this disease is crucial. Gene rearrangements have been detected in vitro during serial passages of the virus at a high multiplicity of infection [MOI] in cell culture, as well as in chronically infected immunodeficient individuals. In this study, we developed an RT-PCR method to detect and diagnose the standard and gene rearranged bovine rotavirus. Rotavirus RNA was extracted from confluent monolayers of infected MA-104 cells, stained with silver nitrate, and then electrophoresed in a 10% polyacrylamide gel. The full-length gene products that encoded the NSP1, 2, and 3 genes of the standard and rearranged rotavirus were amplified by RT-PCR using specific primers. We observed rearranged NSP1 and NSP3 genes that had different migration patterns seen with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. NSP1, 2, and 3 gene segments from standard and rearranged rotaviruses were amplified by RT-PCR, then the complete nucleotide sequence of each gene was subjected to sequencing. The results showed the generation of gene rearrangement through serial passages of the bovine rotavirus RF strain. Serial passage of rotavirus in cell culture at a high MOI and chronic infection in immunodeficient target groups might alter rotavirus evolution. The methods utilized for detection and characterization of rotaviruses are continually evolving and being refined. Data collection is necessary to understand the molecular and antigenic features of the rotavirus in order to have a successful implementation of rotavirus studies and the development of a rotavirus vaccine. This study shows the importance of genetic variation and can provide valuable information about the amplification, diversity, biology, and evolution of rotaviruses