Dickkopf-1 inhibits the secretion of MUC5AC induced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae P1-C in mouse lung epithelial cells / 生物工程学报

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most common pathogen of respiratory tract infection in children and adults. Clinical observation shows that M. pneumoniae infection can cause massive mucus secretion in the respiratory tract, which makes the breathing of patients difficult. Studies have shown that M. pneumoniae infection can cause massive secretion of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC). Adhesin P1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae infection by mediating the adhesion of pathogens to host cells, and the C-terminal residues of P1 (P1-C) are immunogenic. This study investigated the molecular mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) in the secretion of MUC5AC in mouse airway epithelial cells (MAECs) induced by P1-C. Scanning electron microscope and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to observe the effect of P1-C on mucus secretion of MAECs. Protein chip was used to detect the secretion of cytokines and analyse the enrichment of related signaling pathways induced by P1-C in MAECs. Periodic acid schiff stain (PAS) staining, Tunel staining and Masson staining were used to detect the damage of the lungs of mouse exposed to P1-C. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the secretion of MUC5AC expression, and Western blotting was used to reveal the molecular mechanism of DKK1-regulated secretion of MUC5AC induced by P1-C protein in MACES. The results showed that P1-C induced the massive secretion of mucus and inflammatory factors in MAECs. During P1-C infection, DKK1 down-regulated janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphorylation signaling and transcription activator 1 (p-STAT1) and phosphorylation signaling and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) expression. Overexpression of DKK1 significantly up-regulated the expression of MUC5AC repressor transcription factor fork-head box protein A2 (FOXA2). At the same time, the expression of MUC5AC induced by P1-C was inhibited significantly. It is speculated that DKK1 can effectively reduce the secretion of MUC5AC in MAECs induced by P1-C by inhibiting the JAK/STAT1-STAT3 signaling pathway and up-regulating the expression of FOXA2.

Recent advances in the application of nanobody technology: a review / 生物工程学报

As a malleable and novel tool for antigen recognition and modulation, nanobodies have the advantages of small size, easiness of expression, screening and modification, as well as high affinity and stability. Nanobodies are capable of recognizing more cryptic antigenic epitopes that are difficult to be recognized by traditional antibodies, making them increasingly used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and assays. Nanobodies are also playing an irreplaceable role in the basic research. This review summarized the recent development of nanobodies and their derivatives in the detection of small molecules, pathogenic microorganisms and diagnosis of diseases, as well as in the fields of targeted therapies, cellular and molecular imaging. Broad prospects of nanobodies in the field of protein conformation studies were also reviewed.

Application of nanobody in cancer treatment / 生物工程学报

Camelidae can produce a unique antibody that lacks light chain called variable heavy chain domain, also known as nanobodies. This antibody contains only one variable region, with high affinity, high stability, strong tissue penetration, efficient expression. Besides, their toxicity and immunogenicity are both low to be used for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications, as well as research tools. In this review, we discuss how nanobody has been explored as therapeutics in oncology, and provide ideas for the further development of nanobody.