Microneedles: quick and easy delivery methods of vaccines

Vaccination is the most efficient method for infectious disease prevention. Parenteral injections such as intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous injections have several advantages in vaccine delivery, but there are many drawbacks. Thus, the development of a new vaccine delivery system has long been required. Recently, microneedles have been attracting attention as new vaccination tools. Microneedle is a highly effective transdermal vaccine delivery method due to its mechanism of action, painlessness, and ease of use. Here, we summarized the characteristics of microneedles and the possibilities as a new vaccine delivery route.

Functions of Herpesvirus-Encoded Homologs of the Cellular Ribonucleotide Reductase Large Subunit

Deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs) are important for the efficient growth of DNA viruses. Therefore, many DNA viruses have strategies for the upregulation of cellular dNTP levels. Both α- and γ-herpesviruses encode functional homologs of cellular dNTP anabolic enzymes, including the class I ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) large (R1) and small (R2) subunits, whereas β-herpesviruses modulate host cells to induce genes that increase dNTP levels. Interestingly, β-herpesviruses still express the nonfunctional RNR R1 subunit. However, it is not clear why β-herpesviruses still carry inactive R1 homologs. Recently, the R1 homologs of herpesviruses have been shown to inhibit innate immune signaling pathways. In particular, both functional and nonfunctional R1 homologs target receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) and inhibit RIP1-mediated signaling pathways to promote viral replication. Here, we summarize recent findings on the activity of herpesviral R1 homologs and discuss their roles in the regulation of innate immune signaling pathways.

Differential Regulation of NF-kappaB Signaling during Human Cytomegalovirus Infection

NF-kappaB transcription factors are key regulators of immune and stress responses, apoptosis, and differentiation. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activates or represses NF-kappaB signaling at different times during infection. An initial increase in NF-kappaB activity occurs within a few hours of infection. The virus appears to adapt to this change since initial viral gene expression is promoted by the elevated NF-kappaB activity. Because NF-kappaB upregulates innate immune responses and inflammation, it has also been suggested that HCMV needs to downregulate NF-kappaB signaling. Recent studies have shown that HCMV has various mechanisms that inhibit NF-kappaB signaling. HCMV reduces cell surface expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and blocks the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, some HCMV tegument proteins antagonize NF-kappaB activation by targeting the key components of NF-kappaB signaling at late stages of infection. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on the relationship between HCMV and NF-kappaB signaling, focusing, in particular, on the viral mechanisms by which the NF-kappaB signaling pathway is inhibited.

Herpesvirus-encoded Deubiquitinating Proteases and Their Roles in Regulating Immune Signaling Pathways

Viruses interact with the host ubiquitination system in a variety of ways. Viral proteins are often a substrate for ubiquitination, which leads to proteasomal degradation. Viruses also have functions to modify the cellular ubiquitination machinery. Recently, deubiquitinating protease (DUB) activity has been found in many viral proteins. In herpesviruses, the DUB domain is found within the large tegument protein, which is conserved in all members of the herpesvirus family. Although a limited number of viral and cellular targets have been identified to date, accumulating evidence shows that herpesviral DUBs may primarily target key cellular regulators of immune signaling pathways to promote viral replication. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on viral DUBs. In particular, we focus on the herpesviral DUBs and their targets, and discuss their potential roles in the regulation of immune signaling pathways.

A survey of traumatic reticular diseases in Korea and the effects on beef quality grade / 대한수의학회지

This study surveyed the prevalence of traumatic reticular diseases (TRD) of slaughter cattle in Korea, the typology of the causative foreign bodies and the effects on beef quality and carcass weight. The overall prevalence of TRD in 3,121 slaughter cattle was 5.5%. However, the prevalence was significantly higher in Korea indigenous cattle Hanwoo (5.8%, p < 0.05) and female cattle (20.75%, p < 0.001). The prevalence significantly increased in aged cattle (p < 0.001). Major lesions related to foreign bodies were reticulitis (96%) and peritonitis (86%). Most causative foreign bodies were made of iron including nails, wires, steel rods, screw nails, and syringe needles. Cattle affected with TRD produced significantly lower grade quality of beef compared to normal cattle (p < 0.0001), but TRD did not affect carcass weight. The data will be useful in the management of TRD, with the aim of increasing beef productivity in Korea.