A novel strategy to elicit enduring anti-morphine immunity and relief from addiction by targeting Acr1 protein nano vaccine through TLR-2 to dendritic cells.

Morphine addiction poses a significant challenge to global healthcare. Current opioid substitution therapies, such as buprenorphine, naloxone and methadone are effective but often lead to dependence. Thus, exploring alternative treatments for opioid addiction is crucial. We have developed a novel vaccine that presents morphine and Pam3Cys (a TLR-2 agonist) on the surface of Acr1 nanoparticles. This vaccine has self-adjuvant properties and targets TLR-2 receptors on antigen-presenting cells, particularly dendritic cells. Our vaccination strategy promotes the proliferation and differentiation of morphine-specific B-cells and Acr1-reactive CD4 T-cells. Additionally, the vaccine elicited the production of high-affinity anti-morphine antibodies, effectively eliminating morphine from the bloodstream and brain in mice. It also reduced the expression of addiction-associated µ-opioid receptor and dopamine genes. The significant increase in memory CD4 T-cells and B-cells indicates the vaccine's ability to induce long-lasting immunity against morphine. This vaccine holds promise as a prophylactic measure against morphine addiction.

Myeloid derived suppressor cells potentiate virus-specific memory CD8+ T cell response.

How therapeutically administered myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) modulate differentiation of virus-specific CD8+ T cell was investigated. In vitro generated MDSCs from bone marrow precursors inhibited the expansion of stimulated CD8+ T cells but the effector cells in the recipients of MDSCs showed preferential memory transition during Influenza A virus (IAV) or an α- (Herpes Simplex Virus) as well as a γ- (murine herpesvirus 68) herpesvirus infection. Memory CD8+ T cells thus generated constituted a heterogenous population with a large fraction showing effector memory (CD62LloCCR7-) phenotype. Such cells could be efficiently recalled in the rechallenged animals and controlled the secondary infection better. Memory potentiating effects of MDSCs occurred irrespective of the clonality of the responding CD8+ T cells as well as the nature of infecting viruses. Compared to the MDSCs recipients, effector cells of MDSCs recipients showed higher expression of molecules known to drive cellular survival (IL-7R, Bcl2) and memory formation (Tcf7, Id3, eomesodermin). Therapeutically administered MDSCs not only mitigated the tissue damaging response during a resolving IAV infection but also promoted the differentiation of functional memory CD8+ T cells. Therefore, MDSCs therapy could be useful in managing virus-induced immunopathological reactions without compromising immunological memory.

Peste des petits ruminants virus non-structural V and C proteins interact with the NF-κB p65 subunit and modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine gene induction.

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is known to induce transient immunosuppression in infected small ruminants by modulating several cellular pathways involved in the antiviral immune response. Our study shows that the PPRV-coded non-structural proteins C and V can interact with the cellular NF-κB p65 subunit. The PPRV-C protein interacts with the transactivation domain (TAD) while PPRV-V interacts with the Rel homology domain (RHD) of the NF-κB p65 subunit. Both viral proteins can suppress the NF-κB transcriptional activity and NF-κB-mediated transcription of cellular genes. PPRV-V protein expression can significantly inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 upon TNF-α stimulation, whereas PPRV-C does not affect it. The NF-κB-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression is significantly downregulated in cells expressing PPRV-C or PPRV-V protein. Our study provides evidence suggesting a role of PPRV non-structural proteins V and C in the modulation of NF-κB signalling through interaction with the NF-κB p65 subunit.

Controlling viral inflammatory lesions by rebalancing immune response patterns.

In this review, we discuss a variety of immune modulating approaches that could be used to counteract tissue-damaging viral immunoinflammatory lesions which typify many chronic viral infections. We make the point that in several viral infections the lesions can be largely the result of one or more aspects of the host response mediating the cell and tissue damage rather than the virus itself being directly responsible. However, within the reactive inflammatory lesions along with the pro-inflammatory participants there are also other aspects of the host response that may be acting to constrain the activity of the damaging components and are contributing to resolution. This scenario should provide the prospect of rebalancing the contributions of different host responses and hence diminish or even fully control the virus-induced lesions. We identify several aspects of the host reactions that influence the pattern of immune responsiveness and describe approaches that have been used successfully, mainly in model systems, to modulate the activity of damaging participants and which has led to lesion control. We emphasize examples where such therapies are, or could be, translated for practical use in the clinic to control inflammatory lesions caused by viral infections.

Influence of chronic administration of morphine and its withdrawal on the behaviour of zebrafish.

Morphine is a potent analgesic opiate used to treat chronic pain, mostly in cancer patients. In addition, it is widely used as a drug of abuse. Due to the continuous rise of morphine-associated addiction, there is an urgent need to develop pre-clinical animal models to understand the behavioural pattern of drug dependence and its withdrawal. Recently, the experimental use of zebrafish has attained significance in behavioural neuroscience studies. The literature on zebrafish is conflicting with regard to morphine withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, no single model provides comprehensive details to evaluate zebrafish behaviour on opiate exposure. Further, the current models have various limitations, such as short duration, complexity of phenotypes, intricate quantification, and difficulty in studying withdrawal symptoms. Consequently, a firm standardization of the protocol to understand the influence of opiates on physiological and psychological behaviours is required. In this study, we have tried to overcome the shortcomings associated with the existing models and to optimize the protocols involving an array of parameters. We observed that the administration of morphine caused a significant increase in zebrafish behavioural patterns of spiral movements, circular movements, erratic movements, upper transitions, water surface transitions, wall licking, wall licking with upper transitions, wall licking with lower transitions, absolute angle changes, and time spent in the upper compartment. A decline in the freezing bouts and time spent in the lower compartment were noticed. In essence, this study offers a zebrafish model to comprehensively examine changes in behaviour of animals on opiate dependence and its withdrawal. The present study also reported that in zebrafish, the influence of chronic exposure of morphine modulates key gene targets involved in behaviour, neuroinflammation, and autophagy, which directly or indirectly are associated with morphine addiction in a chronic morphine model.

Nucleocapsid Protein (N) of Peste des petits ruminants Virus (PPRV) Interacts with Cellular Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K) Complex-I and Induces Autophagy.

Autophagy is an essential and highly conserved catabolic process in cells, which is important in the battle against intracellular pathogens. Viruses have evolved several ways to alter the host defense mechanisms. PPRV infection is known to modulate the components of a host cell's defense system, resulting in enhanced autophagy. In this study, we demonstrate that the N protein of PPRV interacts with the core components of the class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) complex-I and results in the induction of autophagy in the host cell over, thereby expressing this viral protein. Our data shows the interaction between PPRV-N protein and different core components of the autophagy pathway, i.e., VPS34, VPS15, BECN1 and ATG14L. The PPRV-N protein can specifically interact with VPS34 of the PI3K complex-I and colocalize with the proteins of PI3K complex-I in the same sub-cellular compartment, that is, in the cytoplasm. These interactions do not affect the intracellular localization of the different host proteins. The autophagy-related genes were transcriptionally modulated in PPRV-N-expressing cells. The expression of LC3B and SQSTM1/p62 was also modulated in PPRV-N-expressing cells, indicating the induction of autophagic activity. The formation of typical autophagosomes with double membranes was visualized by transmission electron microscopy in PPRV-N-expressing cells. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for the critical role of the N protein of the PPR virus in the induction of autophagy, which is likely to be mediated by PI3K complex-I of the host.

Protocol for investigating the biogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 S pseudoviruses in HEK293T cells transduced to express the virus-specific intrabodies.

The protocol is designed to investigate the influence of an anti-cleavage site intrabody in modulating the output of LV(CoV-2 S), a lentivirus-based pseudovirus expressing CoV-2 S protein using HEK293T cells. We clone the single-domain antibody sequence into a lentiviral vector (pLenti-GFP) for intracellular expression and assess not only the viral biogenesis but also the fate of the CoV-2 S protein in such cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Singh et al. (2022).1.

Can the triumph of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 be extended to other viral infections of humans and domesticated animals?

The unprecedented success of mRNA vaccines in managing the COVID-19 pandemic raises the prospect of applying the mRNA platform to other viral diseases of humans and domesticated animals, which may lead to more efficacious vaccines for some agents. We briefly discuss reasons why mRNA vaccines achieved such success against COVID-19 and indicate what other virus infections and disease conditions might also be ripe for control using mRNA vaccines. We also evaluate situations where mRNA could prove valuable to rebalance the status of immune responsiveness and achieve success as a therapeutic vaccine approach against infections that induce immunoinflammatory lesions.

Targeting dendritic cells with TLR-2 ligand-coated nanoparticles loaded with Mycobacterium tuberculosis epitope induce antituberculosis immunity.

Novel vaccination strategies are crucial to efficiently control tuberculosis, as proposed by the World Health Organization under its flagship program "End TB Strategy." However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), particularly in those coinfected with HIV-AIDS, constitutes a major impediment to achieving this goal. We report here a novel vaccination strategy that involves synthesizing a formulation of an immunodominant peptide derived from the Acr1 protein of Mtb. This nanoformulation in addition displayed on the surface a toll-like receptor-2 ligand to offer to target dendritic cells (DCs). Our results showed an efficient uptake of such a concoction by DCs in a predominantly toll-like receptor-2-dependent pathway. These DCs produced elevated levels of nitric oxide, proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and upregulated the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules as well as costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86. Animals injected with such a vaccine mounted a significantly higher response of effector and memory Th1 cells and Th17 cells. Furthermore, we noticed a reduction in the bacterial load in the lungs of animals challenged with aerosolized live Mtb. Therefore, our findings indicated that the described vaccine triggered protective anti-Mtb immunity to control the tuberculosis infection.

Robust anti-SARS-CoV2 single domain antibodies cross neutralize multiple viruses.

We report robust SARS-CoV2 neutralizing sdAbs targeting the viral peptides encompassing the polybasic cleavage site (CSP) and in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein. Both the sdAbs inhibited infectivity of the CoV2 S protein expressing pseudoviruses (LV-CoV2S). Both anti-CSP and RBD intrabodies (IB) inhibited the output of LV(CoV2 S). Anti-CSP IB altered the proteolytic processing and targeted the viral S protein for degradation. Because of cross-reactive CSPs in the entry mediators, the anti-CSP sdAb neutralized in vitro and in vivo the infectivity of SARS-CoV2 unrelated viruses such as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) and pestes des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). Conversely, anti-HSV1 and anti-PPRV sera neutralized LV(CoV2 S) owing to the presence of CSP reactive antibodies indicating that a prior infection with such pathogens could impact on the pattern of COVID-19.

A Mouse Model of PPRV Infection for Elucidating Protective and Pathological Roles of Immune Cells.

The study was aimed at developing an accessible laboratory animal model to elucidate protective and pathological roles of immune mediators during Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infection. It is because of the critical roles of type I IFNs in anti-viral defense, we assessed the susceptibility of IFN receptor knock out (IFNR KO) mice to PPRV infection. IFNR KO mice were exceedingly susceptible to the infection but WT animals efficiently controlled PPRV. Accordingly, the PPRV infected IFNR KO mice gradually reduced their body weights and succumbed to the infection within 10 days irrespective of the dose and route of infection. The lower infecting doses predominantly induced immunopathological lesions. The viral antigens as well as the replicating PPRV were abundantly present in most of the critical organs such as brain, lungs, heart and kidneys of IFNR KO mice infected with high dose of the virus. Neutrophils and macrophages transported the replicating virus to central nervous system (CNS) and contributed to pathology while the elevated NK and T cell responses directly correlated with the resolution of PPRV infection in WT animals. Using an array of fluorescently labeled H-2Kb tetramers, we discovered four immunogenic epitopes of PPRV. The PPRV-peptides interacted well with H-2Kb in acellular and cellular assay as well as expanded the virus-specific CD8+ T cells in immunized or infected mice. Adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells helped control PPRV in infected mice. Our study therefore established and employed a mouse model for investigating the pathogenesis of PPRV. The model could be useful for elucidating the contribution of immune cells in disease progression as well as to test anti-viral agents.

COVID-19: disease, or no disease? - that is the question. It's the dose stupid!

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many issues not the least of which is the reason for its high variability in consequences to the infected person. In this opinion letter, we advocate that the dose and presentation of the infecting virus is a major factor that affects whether the outcome is subclinical, tissue damaging or even lethal following infection. We briefly describe the known effects of virus dose on the course COVID-19 and discuss practical maneuvers as well as largely untested procedures that can raise the threshold dose needed to break through barriers of resistance.

A Combinatorial in-silico, in-vitro and in-vivo Approach to Quantitatively Study Peptide Induced MHC Stability.

Here, we describe a combinatorial approach in reverse vaccinology to identify immunogenic class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) displayed epitopes derived from a morbillivirus named pestes des petits ruminants (PPRV). The protocol describes an in silico prediction of immunogenic epitopes using an IEDB tool. The predicted peptides were further analysed by molecular docking with mouse class I MHC (H-2Kb), to assess their binding affinity, and their immunogenicity was validated, using acellular and cellular assays. Finally, an enumeration of the expanded PPRV-specific CD8+ T cells in infected or immunized mice against the immunogenic peptides was performed ex vivo. Synthetic peptide derivatives from different structural and non-structural proteins of PPRV were used to measure the extent of stabilized H2-Kb, using an ELISA based acellular assay and TAP deficient RMA/s cells. Fluorescently labelled H2-Kb-tetramers were generated by displacing a UV photocleavable conditional ligand with the PPRV-peptides. The resulting reagents were used to identify and enumerate virus-specific CD8+ T cells in immunized or PPRV-infected mice. The combinatorial approach described here could be used to identify immunogenic epitopes of any pathogen, autoantigens, as well as cancer antigens. Graphic abstract: Figure 1.General schematic to identify immunogenic peptides and their stabilization on MHC I molecule.

Perspective: Reducing SARS-CoV2 Infectivity and Its Associated Immunopathology.

COVID-19 has become difficult to contain in our interconnected world. In this article, we discuss some approaches that could reduce the consequences of COVID-19. We elaborate upon the utility of camelid single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), also referred to as nanobodies, which are naturally poised to neutralize viruses without enhancing its infectivity. Smaller sized sdAbs can be easily selected using microbes or the subcellular organelle display methods and can neutralize SARS-CoV2 infectivity. We also discuss issues related to their production using scalable platforms. The favorable outcome of the infection is evident in patients when the inflammatory response is adequately curtailed. Therefore, we discuss approaches to mitigate hyperinflammatory reactions initiated by SARS-CoV2 but orchestrated by immune mediators.

Does the hygiene hypothesis apply to COVID-19 susceptibility?

In this commentary we argue that the hygiene hypothesis may apply to COVID-19 susceptibility and also that residence in low hygienic conditions acts to train innate immune defenses to minimize the severity of infection. We advocate that approaches, which elevate innate immune functions, should be used to minimize the consequences of COVID-19 infection at least until effective vaccines and antiviral therapies are developed.

Galectin-3 as a modifier of anti-microbial immunity: Unraveling the unknowns.

Galectins play diverse roles in pathophysiology of infectious diseases and cancers. Galectin-3 is one of the most studied family member and the only chimeric type lectin. Many aspects of its biogenesis, range of activities, and the disease-modifying potential particularly during microbial infections are yet to be known. We review our current understanding of these issues and also highlight gaps in better defining the immune modulatory potential of galectin-3 during different stages of host responsiveness when an infection sets in. Additionally, we discuss commonly used strategies to disrupt galectin-3 functions both extracellulalry and intracellularly. Existing and improved novel strategies could help fine-tune immune responses to achieve better prognosis of infectious diseases.

Secretory PLA2 specific single domain antibody neutralizes Russell viper venom induced cellular and organismal toxicity.

Despite continued destruction of human lives by snakebites, appreciable improvements in immunotherapies have not been made. We selected and characterized venom-specific single domain antibodies (sdAbs) from a constructed phage display library of camelid variable region of heavy chain of the heavy chain antibodies (VHHs). Secretory phospholipase A2-specific sdAbs neutralized venom-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Such monoclonal sdAbs could serve as an alternative to help manage snakebites to save lives.

Divergent Effects of a Transient Corticosteroid Therapy on Virus-Specific Quiescent and Effector CD8+ T Cells.

We investigated the influence of a transient treatment of corticosteroid on CD8+ T cells during herpesvirus infection. Dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid, induced apoptosis of naïve and memory CD8+ T cells but virus-specific effector cells were spared. CD8+ T cell susceptibility was directly correlated with the expression of nr3c1. Both α-(HSV1) and γ-(MHV68) herpesvirus infection expanded CD8+ T cells down regulated nr3c1 indicating corticosteroid-mediated effects were not limited to one pathogen or the specific clonotype. Dexamethasone compromised anti-viral immunity to subsequent infections, likely through reductions in the naïve cell pool. Dexamethasone augmented the function and inflammatory tissue homing potential of effector cells via upregulation of CXCR3. Accordingly, an antibody neutralization of CXCR3 diminished dexamethasone-induced migration of CD8+ T cells to tissues resulting in increased virus burden. Our study therefore suggests that even a transient corticosteroid therapy influences both ongoing CD8+ T cell responses as well as the size of the naïve and memory repertoire.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Confer Infectious Tolerance to Dampen Virus-Induced Tissue Immunoinflammation.

In this study, we investigated the response of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) during the pathogenesis of an immunoblinding disease of the cornea caused by HSV type 1 infection. We also measured the anti-inflammatory potential of in vitro-differentiated MDSCs in dampening herpetic stromal keratitis resulting from primary ocular HSV1 infection in mice. In the lymphoid organs and inflamed corneal tissues, MDSCs were phenotypically characterized as CD11b+Gr1lo-int cells. Sorted CD11b+Gr1lo-int cells, but not CD11b+Gr1hi cells, suppressed the proliferation and cytokine production by stimulated CD4+ T cells. In vitro-generated MDSCs inhibited the activity of stimulated CD4+ T cells in a predominantly contact-dependent manner. An adoptive transfer of in vitro-generated MDSCs before or after ocular HSV1 infection controlled herpetic stromal keratitis lesions. The transferred MDSCs were primarily recovered from the lymphoid organs of recipients. Surprisingly, MDSCs recipients expanded their endogenous Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). We further demonstrated the MDSCs mediated stabilization of Foxp3 expression in already differentiated Tregs and their ability to cause an efficient de novo conversion of Foxp3+ Tregs from stimulated Foxp3-CD4+ T cells. These effects occurred independent of TGF-ß signaling. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of MDSCs could be harnessed as a multipronged strategy to confer an infectious tolerance to the host by activating endogenous regulatory mechanisms.

Galectin-3 Regulates γ-Herpesvirus Specific CD8 T Cell Immunity.

To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms and pathways involved in the activation of γ-herpesvirus (MHV68)-specific T cell receptor transnuclear (TN) CD8+ T cells, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis. Upon viral infection, we observed differential expression of several thousand transcripts encompassing various networks and pathways in activated TN cells compared with their naive counterparts. Activated cells highly upregulated galectin-3. We therefore explored the role of galectin-3 in influencing anti-MHV68 immunity. Galectin-3 was recruited at the immunological synapse during activation of CD8+ T cells and helped constrain their activation. The localization of galectin-3 to immune synapse was evident during the activation of both naive and memory CD8+ T cells. Galectin-3 knockout mice mounted a stronger MHV68-specific CD8+ T cell response to the majority of viral epitopes and led to better viral control. Targeting intracellular galectin-3 in CD8+ T cells may therefore serve to enhance response to efficiently control infections.