The extracellular cyclophilin A-integrin ß2 complex as a therapeutic target of viral pneumonia.

The acute respiratory virus infection can induce uncontrolled inflammatory responses, such as cytokine storm and viral pneumonia, which are the major causes of death in clinical cases. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of resting cells and released into the extracellular space in response to inflammatory stimuli. Extracellular CypA (eCypA) is upregulated and promotes inflammatory response in severe COVID-19 patients. However, how eCypA promotes virus-induced inflammatory response remains elusive. Here, we observe that eCypA is induced by influenza A and B viruses and SARS-CoV-2 in cells, mice, or patients. Anti-CypA mAb reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines production, leukocytes infiltration, and lung injury in virus-infected mice. Mechanistically, eCypA binding to integrin ß2 triggers integrin activation, thereby facilitating leukocyte trafficking and cytokines production via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/GTPase and FAK/ERK/P65 pathways, respectively. These functions are suppressed by the anti-CypA mAb that specifically blocks eCypA-integrin ß2 interaction. Overall, our findings reveal that eCypA-integrin ß2 signaling mediates virus-induced inflammatory response, indicating that eCypA is a potential target for antibody therapy against viral pneumonia.

Cyclophilin A facilitates influenza B virus replication by stabilizing viral proteins.

Influenza B circulates annually and causes substantial disease burden in humans. However, little is known about the infection mechanisms of influenza B virus (IBV). Here, we find that the host factor cyclophilin A (CypA) facilitates IBV replication by targeting IBV non-structural protein 1 (BNS1) and nucleoprotein (BNP). CypA promotes OTUD4-mediated K48-linked BNS1 deubiquitination to stabilize BNS1 by upregulating OTUD4 expression. Meanwhile, CypA and the E3 ligase MIB1 competitively interact with BNP to inhibit its proteasomal degradation. Moreover, cyclosporine A treatment or CypA R55A mutation results in an impaired function of CypA in IBV replication. Notably, BNP hijacks CypA into the nucleus to enhance the activity of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes by enhancing the interaction between BNP and IBV polymerase basic protein 1. Taken together, this study unveils the critical role of CypA in facilitating IBV replication, suggesting that CypA is a promising target for anti-IBV drug.

PROTAC targeting cyclophilin A controls virus-induced cytokine storm.

Cytokine storms caused by viruses are associated with elevated cytokine levels and uncontrolled inflammatory responses that can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Current antiviral therapies are not sufficient to prevent or treat these complications. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a key factor that regulates the production of multiple cytokines and could be a potential therapeutic target for cytokine storms. Here, three proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) targeting CypA were designed. These PROTACs bind to CypA, enhance its ubiquitination, and promote its degradation in both cell lines and mouse organs. During influenza B virus (IBV) infection, PROTAC-mediated CypA depletion reduces P65 phosphorylation and NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory cytokine production in A549 cells. Moreover, Comp-K targeting CypA suppresses excessive secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, reduces lung injury, and enhances survival rates of IBV-infected mice. Collectively, we provide PROTACs targeting CypA, which are potential candidates for the control of cytokine storms.

Cyclosporine A Regulates Influenza A Virus-induced Macrophages Polarization and Inflammatory Responses by Targeting Cyclophilin A.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug that suppresses T cell responses and is broadly used in transplantation. Its immunosuppressive action is closely linked to its binding of cyclophilin A (CypA), which widely distributed in different cell types. CsA also regulates the functions of innate immune cells, but the mechanism remains elusive. Here, we investigate the role of CsA in regulating macrophages polarization in influenza A virus-infected mice and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. CsA downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and upregulates anti-inflammatory cytokines expression. Mechanically, CsA decreases the polarization of macrophages into pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and increases the polarization of macrophages into anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Further studies show that CsA regulates macrophages polarization-associated IFN-γ/STAT1 and IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathways. Meanwhile, all these roles of CsA are eliminated when CypA is absent, suggesting that CsA regulates macrophages polarization and inflammatory responses depend on its binding to CypA. Collectively, these results reveal a crucial mechanism of CsA in attenuating IAV-induced inflammatory responses by a switch in macrophages polarization.

Influenza A and B Virus-Triggered Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Is Relevant to the Binding Ability of NA to Latent TGF-ß.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism of lung tissue repair after injury, but excessive EMT may lead to pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, and even death. The EMT triggered by influenza A virus (IAV) and influenza B virus (IBV) is not well understood. We hypothesized that there was difference in EMT induced by different influenza virus strains. Here we discovered that both IAV [A/WSN/1933 (H1N1), WSN] and IBV (B/Yamagata/16/88, Yamagata) infection caused EMT in mouse lung and A549 cells, and more EMT-related genes were detected in mice and cells infected with WSN than those infected with Yamagata. Neuraminidase (NA) of IAV is able to activate latent TGF-ß and the downstream TGF-ß signaling pathway, which play a vital role in EMT. We observed that IAV (WSN) triggered more activated TGF-ß expression and stronger TGF-ß/smad2 signaling pathway than IBV (Yamagata). Most importantly, WSN NA combined more latent TGF-ß than Yamagata NA in A549 cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that both IAV and IBV induce TGF-ß/smad2 signaling pathway to promote EMT, which might depend on the binding ability of NA to latent TGF-ß.

Delicate regulation of IL-1ß-mediated inflammation by cyclophilin A.

The inflammatory response is tightly regulated, but its regulatory principles are still incompletely understood. Cyclophilin A (CypA) has long been considered as a pro-inflammatory factor. Here, we discover how CypA precisely regulates interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-mediated inflammatory responses. In lipopolysaccharide-treated mice, CypA deficiency initially inhibits and then promotes lung inflammation, which is closely related to IL-1ß production. Mechanistically, CypA not only facilitates pro-IL-1ß processing by increasing Smurf1-mediated K63-linked ubiquitination in an ATP-dependent manner but also accelerates pro-IL-1ß degradation, depending on Smurf1-mediated K48-linked ubiquitination. Moreover, in IL-1ß-treated mice, CypA exacerbates lung injury by enhancing cytokine production. It also upregulates the ILK/AKT pathway by inhibiting Cyld-mediated K63-linked ILK deubiquitination, which promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to facilitate lung repair. Collectively, CypA promotes inflammation activation by increasing IL-1ß production and then promotes inflammation resolution by enhancing redundant pro-IL-1ß degradation and IL-1ß-induced EMT, indicating the complex and delicate regulation of inflammatory response.

Wide Band BAW Filter Based on Single-Crystalline LiNbO3 Thin Film With Insulating Bragg Reflector.

Bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter with large bandwidth is an urgent need in fifth-generation (5G) communication systems. In the present work, 43° Y-cut lithium niobate (LN) single-crystal film is prepared on multilayer oxide film, and bulk acoustic filter with oxide Bragg reflector (BR) is successfully achieved. The design method of the filter and the fabrication process are presented. Atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are used to characterize the quality of thin films. The results demonstrate the feasibility of transferring single-crystal film onto multilayer oxide, which is efficient for the confinement of acoustic energy. The resonator has effective electromechanical coupling coefficient of 14.6% and figure of merit (FOM) of 32.94. The filter with a compact size of 600 [Formula: see text] has a relative bandwidth of 10.3% at a center frequency of 3.128 GHz, which is promising for the application of 5G systems.

Cyclophilin A is a key positive and negative feedback regulator within interleukin-6 trans-signaling pathway.

Cyclophilin A (CypA), a member of the cyclophilin family, plays a vital role in microorganismal infections, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine, exerting variety of effects on inflammation, immune response, hematopoiesis, and tumor proliferation. Binding of IL-6 to soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) induces pro-inflammatory trans-signaling, which has been described to be stronger than anti-inflammatory classic signaling triggered by the binding of IL-6 to membrane-bound IL-6 receptor. Here we found that upon the treatment of IL-6 and sIL-6R, CypA inhibited the ubiquitination-mediated degradation of IL-6 membrane receptor gp130 and enhanced its dimerization, thereby positively regulated the IL-6 trans-signaling and increased the expression of downstream iNOS, IL-6, and CypA. Furthermore, CypA expression could be negatively regulated by suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1). The SH2 and Box domains of SOCS1 interacted with CypA and promoted its K48-linked ubiquitination-mediated degradation, which inhibited the IL-6 trans-signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings reveal an important role of CypA in the positive and negative feedback regulation of the IL-6 trans-signaling pathway.

Induction of cyclophilin A by influenza A virus infection facilitates group A Streptococcus coinfection.

During influenza A epidemics, bacterial coinfection is a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality. However, the roles of host factors in regulating influenza A virus (IAV)-triggered bacterial coinfection remain elusive. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is an important regulator of infection and immunity. Here, we show that IAV-induced CypA expression facilitates group A Streptococcus (GAS) coinfection both in vitro and in vivo. Upon IAV infection, CypA interacts with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and inhibited E3 ligase cCbl-mediated, K48-linked ubiquitination of FAK, which positively regulates integrin α5 expression and actin rearrangement via the FAK/Akt signaling pathway to facilitate GAS colonization and invasion. Notably, CypA deficiency or inhibition by cyclosporine A significantly inhibits IAV-triggered GAS coinfection in mice. Collectively, these findings reveal that CypA is critical for GAS infection, and induction of CypA expression is another way for IAV to promote bacterial coinfection, suggesting that CypA is a promising therapeutic target for the secondary bacterial infection.

A Solidly Mounted Resonator Fabricated by LiNbO3 Single-Crystalline Film on Flexible Polyimide Substrate.

A solidly mounted resonator on flexible polyimide (PI) substrate with high-effective coupling coefficient ( Kt2 ) of 14.06% is reported in this article. This high Kt2 is resulting from the LiNbO3 (LN) single-crystalline film and [SiO2/Mo]3 Bragg reflector. The quality of LN film fabricated by the crystal-ion-slicing (CIS) technique using benzocyclobutene (BCB) bonding layer was close to the bulk crystalline LN. The interfaces of the Al/LN/Al/[SiO2/Mo]3 Bragg reflector/BCB/PI multilayer are sharp, and the thickness of each layer is consistent with its design value. The resonant frequency and Kt2 keep stable when it is bent at different radii. These results demonstrate a feasible approach to realizing RF filters on flexible polymer substrates, which is an indispensable device for building integrated and multifunctional wireless flexible electronic systems.

Record-Low Subthreshold-Swing Negative-Capacitance 2D Field-Effect Transistors.

Power consumption is one of the most challenging bottlenecks for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor integration. Negative-capacitance field-effect transistors (NC-FETs) offer a promising platform to break the thermionic limit defined by the Boltzmann tyranny and architect energy-efficient devices. However, it is a great challenge to achieving ultralow-subthreshold-swing (SS) (10 mV dec-1 ) and small-hysteresis NC-FETs simultaneously at room temperature, which has only been reported using the hafnium zirconium oxide system. Here, based on a ferroelectric LiNbO3 thin film with great spontaneous polarization, an ultralow-SS NC-FET with small hysteresis is designed. The LiNbO3 NC-FET platform exhibits a record-low SS of 4.97 mV dec-1 with great repeatability due to the superior capacitance matching characteristic as evidenced by the negative differential resistance phenomenon. By modulating the structure and operating parameters (such as channel length (Lch ), drain-sourse bias (Vds ), and gate bias (Vg )) of devices, an optimized SS from ≈40 to ≈10 mV dec-1 and hysteresis from ≈900 to ≈60 mV are achieved simultaneously. The results provide a new potential method for future highly integrated electronic and optical integrated energy-efficient devices.

Phosphorylation Status of Tyrosine 78 Residue Regulates the Nuclear Export and Ubiquitination of Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein.

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of nucleoprotein (NP) play significant roles in the life cycle of influenza A virus (IAV), and the biological functions of each phosphorylation site on NP are not exactly the same in controlling viral replication. Here, we identified tyrosine 78 residue (Y78) of NP as a novel phosphorylation site by mass spectrometry. Y78 is highly conserved, and the constant NP phosphorylation mimicked by Y78E delayed NP nuclear export through reducing the binding of NP to the cellular export receptor CRM1, and impaired virus growth. Furthermore, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors Dasatinib and AG490 reduced Y78 phosphorylation and accelerated NP nuclear export, suggesting that the Janus and Src kinases-catalyzed Y78 phosphorylation regulated NP nuclear export during viral replication. More importantly, we found that the NP phosphorylation could suppress NP ubiquitination via weakening the interaction between NP and E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM22, which demonstrated a cross-talk between the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of NP. This study suggests that the phosphorylation status of Y78 regulates IAV replication by inhibiting the nuclear export and ubiquitination of NP. Overall, these findings shed new light on the biological roles of NP phosphorylation, especially its negative role in NP ubiquitination.

Interferon as a Mucosal Adjuvant for an Influenza Vaccine in Pigs.

Interferon, a natural protein that is produced by a variety of cells during viral infection, activates the transcription of multiple functional genes in cells, regulates synergy among various signaling pathways, and mediates many biological functions such as antiviral activity, immune regulation, and cell growth. However, clinical research on interferon in livestock is lacking. In this study, recombinant porcine interferon (PoIFNα) was used as an adjuvant, in combination with inactivated influenza virus, to vaccinate 6-week-old pigs via nasal infusion. The transcription of target genes was then monitored and the functions of PoIFNα were determined with respect to the activation of mucosal immunity. We found that a combination of low-dose PoIFNα and inactivated influenza virus could significantly up-regulate the expression of immunoregulatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-18, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR, suggesting the induction of a strong mucosal innate immune response after administration. In addition, low-dose PoIFNα can significant enhancing the transcription of genes encoding homing factors including CCR9 and CCR10 (P < 0.001), thereby resulting in the induction of higher levels of HA-specific antibodies (P < 0.05), which can be determined by ELISA and IFA. Post-immunization challenges with H1N1 virus demonstrated that PoIFNα, combined with inactivated influenza virus, could alleviate clinical signs in pigs during the early stages of viral infection. These studies reveal low-dose PoIFNα as a potential mucosal adjuvant for influenza virus in pigs.

microRNA-222 Attenuates Mitochondrial Dysfunction During Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Infection.

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is a member of Coronaviridae family. Our previous research showed that TGEV infection could induce mitochondrial dysfunction and upregulate miR-222 level. Therefore, we presumed that miR-222 might be implicated in regulating mitochondrial dysfunction induced by TGEV infection. To verify the hypothesis, the effect of miR-222 on mitochondrial dysfunction was tested and we showed that miR-222 attenuated TGEV-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-222 in TGEV-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, a quantitative proteomic analysis of PK-15 cells that were transfected with miR-222 mimics and infected with TGEV was performed. In total, 4151 proteins were quantified and 100 differentially expressed proteins were obtained (57 upregulated, 43 downregulated), among which thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) were downregulated. THBS1 was identified as the target of miR-222. Knockdown of THBS1 and CD47 decreased mitochondrial Ca2+ level and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level. Reversely, overexpression of THBS1 and CD47 elevated mitochondrial Ca2+ level and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level. Together, our data establish a significant role of miR-222 in regulating mitochondrial dysfunction in response to TGEV infection.

microRNA-4331 Promotes Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV)-induced Mitochondrial Damage Via Targeting RB1, Upregulating Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein (IL1RAP), and Activating p38 MAPK Pathway In Vitro.

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), a member of the coronaviridae family, could cause fatal diarrhea of piglets and result in numerous economic losses. Previous studies demonstrated that TGEV infection could lead to mitochondrial damage and upregulate miR-4331 level. So miR-4331 may play an important regulatory role in the control of mitochondrial function. To explore the potential role of miR-4331 in mitochondrial damage, we adopted a strategy consisting of quantitative proteomic analysis of porcine kidney (PK-15) cells in response to miR-4331 and TGEV infection. Eventually, 69 differentially expressed proteins were gained. The target of miR-4331 was identified. The effects of miR-4331 and its target RB1 on mitochondrial Ca2+ level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP), p38 MAPK signaling pathway were investigated. The results showed that miR-4331 elevated mitochondrial Ca2+ level, reduced MMP, targets Retinoblastoma 1 (RB1), upregulated IL1RAP, and induced activation of p38 MAPK pathway during TGEV infection. RB1 was identified as the direct targets of miR-4331 and downregulated IL1RAP, suppressed the activation of p38 MPAK, and attenuated TGEV-induced mitochondrial damage. In addition, IL1RAP played a positive role in activating p38 MAPK signaling and negative role in TGEV-induced mitochondrial damage. The data indicate that miR-4331 aggravates TGEV-induced mitochondrial damage by repressing expression of RB1, promoting IL1RAP, and activating p38 MAPK pathway.

miR-27b attenuates apoptosis induced by transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) infection via targeting runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1).

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), belonging to the coronaviridae family, is the key cause of the fatal diarrhea of piglets and results in many pathological processes. microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in the regulation of virus-induced apoptosis. During the process of apoptosis induced by TGEV infection in PK-15 cells, the miR-27b is notably down-regulated. Thus, we speculate that miR-27b is involved in regulating the process of apoptosis in PK-15 cells. In this study we demonstrated that the over-expression of miR-27b led to the inhibition of TGEV-induced apoptosis, reduction of Bax protein level, and decrease of caspase-3 and -9 activities. Conversely, silencing of miR-27b by miR-27b inhibitors enhanced apoptosis via up-regulating Bax expression and promoting the activities of caspase-3 and -9 in TGEV-infected cells. Subsequently, the runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) is a candidate target of miR-27b predicted by bioinformatics search. We further identified that the miR-27b directly bound to the 3' UTR of RUNX1 mRNA and suppressed RUNX1 expression, which indicates RUNX1 is the direct target gene of miR-27b. The over-expression of RUNX1 increased apoptosis and knockdown RUNX1blocked apoptosis of viral-infected cells via regulating Bax expression and the activities of caspase-3 and -9. Our data reveal that miR-27b may repress the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis by targeting RUNX1, indicating that TGEV may induce apoptosis via down-regulating miR-27b and that miR-27b may act as a target for therapeutic intervention.

Porcine parvovirus infection activates mitochondria-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway by inducing ROS accumulation.

BACKGROUND: Porcine parvovirus (PPV) infection primarily causes reproductive failure of pregnant swine and results in host cell death. Boars, as an important disseminator, shed PPV to sows via semen. PPV infects and numerously replicates in boar testicle, which results in damage of swine testicle in vivo. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a mediator of cell apoptosis, play a crucial role in the mitochondria apoptotic pathway. However, whether PPV infection induces ST cells apoptosis and ROS accumulation is still unclear. METHODS: To determine the effects of PPV infection on the apoptosis, we detected morphological changes, DNA ladder, activities of caspases, and expression of PARP in PPV-infected ST cells. Moreover, aiming to investigate the effect of PPV infection on the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and ROS accumulation, we detected the Δψm, apoptosis-related genes, and ROS. To investigate the role of ROS in the process of PPV-induced apoptosis, the ST cells were infected with PPV and treated with the ROS antioxidants. The ROS level was measured using Reactive Oxygen Species Assay Kit and the Δψm, expression level of Bcl-2, translocation of Bax, and redistribution of mitochondria cytochrome c were tested. RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated that PPV infection could induce apoptosis that was characterized by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and activation of caspases. Moreover, PPV infection suppressed Bcl-2 expression, enhanced Bax expression and translocation to mitochondria, decreased the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and triggered the release of cytochrome c, which caused the subsequent activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and initiation of apoptosis. However, during the process of PPV-induced apoptosis, the protein levels of Fas and FasL were not affected. Further studies showed that PPV infection caused ROS accumulation. Inhibition of ROS could reduce mitochondrial transmembrane potential and could significantly block ST cells apoptosis via suppressing Bax translocation, cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: All these results suggest that PPV-induced ROS accumulation mediates apoptosis in ST cells, which provided theoretical basis for the molecular pathogenesis of PPV infection.