LY3041658/ interleukin-8 complex structure as targets for IL-8 small molecule inhibitors discovery using a combination of in silico methods.

Since interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) and its receptor, CXCR1 and CXCR2, were known in the early 1990s, biological pathways related to these proteins were proven to have high clinical value in cancer and inflammatory/autoimmune conditions treatment. Recently, IL-8 has been identified as biomarker for severe COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 prognosis. Boyles et al. (mAbs 12 (2020), pp. 1831880) have published a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of the LY3041658 Fab in a complex human CXCL8. They described the ability to bind to IL-8 and the blocking of IL-8/its receptors interaction by the LY3041658 monoclonal antibody. Therefore, the study has been designed to identify potential small molecules inhibiting interleukin-8 by targeting LY3041658/IL-8 complex structure using an in silico approach. A structure­based pharmacophore and molecular docking models of the protein active site cavity were generated to identify possible candidates, followed by virtual screening with the ZINC database. ADME analysis of hit compounds was also conducted. Molecular dynamics simulations were then performed to survey the behaviour and stability of the ligand-protein complexes. Furthermore, the MM/PBSA technique has been utilized to evaluate the free binding energy. The final data confirmed that one newly obtained compound, ZINC21882765, may serve as the best potential inhibitor for IL-8.

The impact of green finance, economic growth and energy usage on CO2 emission in Vietnam – a multivariate time series analysis

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between green finance, economic growth, renewable energy consumption (energy efficiency), energy import and CO2 emission in Vietnam using multivariate time series analysis. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from 1986 to 2018 since Vietnam initiated the economic reforms, namely “Doi Moi” in 1986. The concept and methods of cointegration, Granger causality and error correction model (ECM) were employed to establish the relationship between the variables of interest. Findings: Our results confirmed the existence of cointegration among the variables. The Granger causality test revealed unidirectional causality running from renewable energy consumption to CO2 emission and green investment to CO2 emission. Originality/value: This study results confirm the existence of cointegration among the variables. The results of the study imply that policies on economic development impose a significant impact on pollution in Vietnam. This study has described Vietnam, its economic development, green manufacturing practices, its environmental health and level of carbon dioxide emission which was enhanced due to COVID-19. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.