Stratifin-mediated activation of AKT signaling and therapeutic targetability in hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and presents a significant threat to human health. Despite its prevalence, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of HCC remain unclear. In this study, we integrated RNA-seq datasets, proteome dataset and survival analysis and unveiled Stratifin (SFN) as a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC. SFN knockdown inhibited HCC progression in cell cultures and mouse models. Conversely, ectopic expression of Sfn in primary mouse HCC model accelerated HCC progression. Mechanistically, SFN acted as an adaptor protein, activating AKT1 signaling by fostering the interaction between PDK1 and AKT1, with the R56 and R129 sites on SFN proving to be crucial for this binding. In the syngeneic implantation model, the R56A/R129A mutant of SFN inhibited Akt signaling activation and impeded HCC growth. Additionally, peptide inhibitors designed based on the binding motif of AKT1 to SFN significantly inhibited HCC progression. In summary, our findings establish that SFN promotes HCC progression by activating AKT signaling through the R56 and R129 binding sites. This discovery opens new avenues for a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.

Hepatitis B virus RNAs co-opt ELAVL1 for stabilization and CRM1-dependent nuclear export.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects 296 million people worldwide, posing a major global health threat. Export of HBV RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is indispensable for viral protein translation and genome replication, however the mechanisms regulating this critical process remain largely elusive. Here, we identify a key host factor embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, Drosophila-like 1 (ELAVL1) that binds HBV RNAs and controls their nuclear export. Using an unbiased quantitative proteomics screen, we demonstrate direct binding of ELAVL1 to the HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA). ELAVL1 knockdown inhibits HBV RNAs posttranscriptional regulation and suppresses viral replication. Further mechanistic studies reveal ELAVL1 recruits the nuclear export receptor CRM1 through ANP32A and ANP32B to transport HBV RNAs to the cytoplasm via specific AU-rich elements, which can be targeted by a compound CMLD-2. Moreover, ELAVL1 protects HBV RNAs from DIS3+RRP6+ RNA exosome mediated nuclear RNA degradation. Notably, we find HBV core protein is dispensable for HBV RNA-CRM1 interaction and nuclear export. Our results unveil ELAVL1 as a crucial host factor that regulates HBV RNAs stability and trafficking. By orchestrating viral RNA nuclear export, ELAVL1 is indispensable for the HBV life cycle. Our study highlights a virus-host interaction that may be exploited as a new therapeutic target against chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus hijacks TSG101 to facilitate egress via multiple vesicle bodies.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects 296 million individuals and there is no cure. As an important step of viral life cycle, the mechanisms of HBV egress remain poorly elucidated. With proteomic approach to identify capsid protein (HBc) associated host factors and siRNA screen, we uncovered tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101). Knockdown of TSG101 in HBV-producing cells, HBV-infected cells and HBV transgenic mice suppressed HBV release. Co-immunoprecipitation and site mutagenesis revealed that VFND motif in TSG101 and Lys-96 ubiquitination in HBc were essential for TSG101-HBc interaction. In vitro ubiquitination experiment demonstrated that UbcH6 and NEDD4 were potential E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and E3 ligase that catalyzed HBc ubiquitination, respectively. PPAY motif in HBc and Cys-867 in NEDD4 were required for HBc ubiquitination, TSG101-HBc interaction and HBV egress. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that TSG101 or NEDD4 knockdown reduces HBV particles count in multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Our work indicates that TSG101 recognition for NEDD4 ubiquitylated HBc is critical for MVBs mediated HBV egress.

[Surface modification of multifunctional ferrite magnetic nanoparticles and progress in biomedicine].

Magnetic ferrite nanoparticles (MFNPs) have great application potential in biomedical fields such as magnetic resonance imaging, targeted drugs, magnetothermal therapy and gene delivery. MFNPs can migrate under the action of a magnetic field and target specific cells or tissues. However, to apply MFNPs to organisms, further modifications on the surface of MFNPs are required. In this paper, the common modification methods of MFNPs are reviewed, their applications in medical fields such as bioimaging, medical detection, and biotherapy are summarized, and the future application directions of MFNPs are further prospected.

Antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in HBV immune tolerance mouse model.

Commensal microbiota is closely related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Gut bacteria maturation accelerates HBV immune clearance in hydrodynamic injection (HDI) HBV mouse model. However, the effect of gut bacteria on HBV replication in recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-HBV mouse model with immune tolerance remains obscure. We aim to investigate its role on HBV replication in AAV-HBV mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were administrated with broad-spectrum antibiotic mixtures (ABX) to deplete gut bacteria and intravenously injected with AAV-HBV to establish persistent HBV replication. Gut microbiota community was analyzed by fecal qPCR assay and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. HBV replication markers in blood and liver were determined by ELISA, qPCR assay and Western blot at indicated time points. Immune response in AAV-HBV mouse model was activated through HDI of HBV plasmid or poly(I:C) and then detected by quantifying the percentage of IFN-γ+/CD8+ T cells in the spleen via flow cytometry as well as the splenic IFN-γ mRNA level via qPCR assay. We found that antibiotic exposure remarkably decreased gut bacteria abundance and diversity. Antibiotic treatment failed to alter the levels of serological HBV antigens, intrahepatic HBV RNA transcripts and HBc protein in AAV-HBV mouse model, but contributed to HBsAg increase after breaking of immune tolerance. Overall, our data uncovered that antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in immune tolerant AAV-HBV mouse model, providing new thoughts for elucidating the correlation between gut bacteria dysbiosis by antibiotic abuse and clinical chronic HBV infection.

Crystallographically Textured and Magnetic LaCu-Substituted Ba-Hexaferrite with Excellent Gyromagnetic Properties.

Excellent gyromagnetic properties of textured, bulk Ba-hexaferrite samples are required for low-loss, self-biased applications for microwave and millimeter-wave (MMW) devices. However, conventionally processed bulk Ba-hexaferrite ceramics typically demonstrate low remanent magnetization values, 4πMr, of 2.0~3.0 kG, and relatively large ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidths, ΔHFMR, of 0.8~2 kOe. These properties lead to the development of high-performance, practical devices. Herein, crystallographically textured Ba-hexaferrite samples, of the composition Ba0.8La0.2Fe11.8Cu0.2O19, having excellent functional properties, are proposed. These materials exhibit strong anisotropy fields, Ha, of ~14.6 kOe, high remanent magnetization, 4πMr, of 3.96 kGs, and a low ΔHFMR of 401 Oe at zero-bias field at the Q-band. Concomitantly, the broadband millimeter-wave transmittance was utilized to determine the complex permeability, µ*, and permittivity, ε*, of textured hexaferrites. Based on Schlöemann's theory of complex permeability, µ*, the remanent magnetization, 4πMr, anisotropy field, Ha, and effective linewidth, ΔHeff, were estimated; these values agree well with measured values.

Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Is Not Required for Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcriptional Regulation.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, and currently there is no cure. The persistence of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the major obstacle for antiviral trement. HBV core protein (HBc) has emerged as a promising antiviral target, as it plays important roles in critical steps of the viral life cycle. However, whether HBc could regulate HBV cccDNA transcription remains under debate. In this study, different approaches were used to address this question. In synthesized HBV cccDNA and HBVcircle transfection assays, lack of HBc showed no effect on transcription of HBV RNA as well as HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) production in a hepatoma cell line and primary human hepatocytes. Reconstitution of HBc did not alter the expression of cccDNA-derived HBV markers. Similar results were obtained from an in vivo mouse model harboring cccDNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) or ChIP sequencing assays revealed transcription regulation of HBc-deficient cccDNA chromatin similar to that of wild-type cccDNA. Furthermore, treatment with capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) dramatically reduced extracellular HBV DNA but could not alter viral RNA and HBsAg. Our results demonstrate that HBc neither affects histone modifications and transcription factor binding of cccDNA nor directly influences cccDNA transcription. Although CAMs could reduce HBc binding to cccDNA, they do not suppress cccDNA transcriptional activity. Thus, therapeutics targeting capsid or HBc should not be expected to sufficiently reduce cccDNA transcription. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) has emerged as a promising antiviral target. However, whether HBc can regulate HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcription remains elusive. This study illustrated that HBc has no effect on epigenetic regulation of cccDNA, and it does not participate in cccDNA transcription. Given that HBc is dispensable for cccDNA transcription, novel cccDNA-targeting therapeutics are needed for an HBV cure.

Targeting matrix metalloproteinase MMP3 greatly enhances oncolytic virus mediated tumor therapy.

In cancer, the extracellular matrix is extensively remodeled during chronic inflammation, thus affecting cell transcription, differentiation, migration and cell-cell interactions. Matrix metalloproteinases can degrade the extracellular matrix of tumor tissues and take important roles in disease progression. Numerous efforts to develop cancer treatments targeting matrix metalloproteinases have failed in clinical trials owing to the ineffectiveness and toxicity of the applied inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the potential of targeting matrix metalloproteinases and oncolytic virus combination in cancer therapy. We found that MMP3 expression was upregulated in various cancers and MMP3 expression in the tumor cells, but not in other tissues, was important for tumor growth and metastasis. Single treatment of colon cancer with multiple MMP3 inhibitors was not effective in mice. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effect of MMP3 was greatly improved by combination with an oncolytic virus. A potential mechanism of MMP3 in regulating tumor cell proliferation and invasion was mediated via Erk1/2 an NF-κB signaling. This study reveals that MMP3 is a promising target and the combined treatment with oncolytic virus is a potential strategy for cancer therapy.

A handheld testing device for the fast and ultrasensitive recognition of cardiac troponin I via an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is an efficient and specific biomarker for the accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), one of the diseases with the highest mortality worldwide. Due to the short course and high fatality of this disease, a rapid, accurate and portable device for quantitative detection is urgently needed for early diagnosis and treatment. In this work, we designed a handheld device based on a dual-gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) for early and accurate warning of AMI through cTnI detection. A one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay strategy was proposed for use in this device to recognize trace cTnI in serum, converting the cTnI concentration to a drain-source current generated by an ultrasensitive ISFET. This portable device exhibited an ultrahigh sensitivity of 132 pA pg-1·mL-1, a wide linear range from 1 to 1000 pg/mL that enabled coverage far exceeding the threshold level (280 pg/mL), and a low detection limit of 0.3 pg/mL for the cTnI assay, which was much lower than the current diagnostic cut-off for a healthy control level for AMI (40 pg/mL). In addition, this handheld device showed satisfactory selectivity and reliable results in the analysis of real serum within 20 min, indicating its potential applications in early screening and diagnosis for the clinical evaluation of AMI.

Design and Implementation of a pH Sensor for Micro Solution Based on Nanostructured Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor.

pH sensors based on a nanostructured ion-sensitive field-effect transistor have characteristics such as fast response, high sensitivity and miniaturization, and they have been widely used in biomedicine, food detection and disease monitoring. However, their performance is affected by many factors, such as gate dielectric material, channel material and channel thickness. In order to obtain a pH sensor with high sensitivity and fast response, it is necessary to determine the appropriate equipment parameters, which have high processing cost and long production time. In this study, a nanostructured ion-sensitive field-effect transistor was developed based on the SILVACO technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulator. Through experiments, we analyzed the effects of the gate dielectric material, channel material and channel thickness on the electrical characteristics of the nanostructured field-effect transistor. Based on simulation results, silicon nitride was selected as the gate dielectric layer, while indium oxide was chosen as the channel layer. The structure and parameters of the dual channel ion-sensitive field-effect transistor were determined and discussed in detail. Finally, according to the simulation results, a pH sensor based on the nanostructured ion-sensitive field-effect transistor was fabricated. The accuracy of simulation results was verified by measuring the output, transfer and pH characteristics of the device. The fabricated pH sensor had a subthreshold swing as low as 143.19 mV/dec and obtained an actual sensitivity of 88.125 mV/pH. In addition, we also tested the oxidation reaction of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase, and the sensitivity was up to 144.26 pA mol-1 L-1, verifying that the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) can be used to detect the pH of micro solution, and then combine the enzyme-linked assay to detect the concentration of protein, DNA, biochemical substances, biomarkers, etc.

Red cell distribution width (RDW): a prognostic indicator of severe COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The global mortality rate for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is 3.68%, but the mortality rate for critically ill patients is as high as 50%. Therefore, the exploration of prognostic predictors for patients with COVID-19 is vital for prompt clinical intervention. Our study aims to explore the predictive value of hematological parameters in the prognosis of patients with severe COVID-19. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at Jingzhou Central Hospital and Central Hospital of Wuhan, Hubei Province, were included in this study. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 59 [28-80] years; the median age of patients with a good prognosis was 56 [28-79] years, and the median age of patients with a poor outcome was 67 [35-80] years. The patients in the poor outcome group were older than the patients in the good outcome group (P<0.05). The comparison of hematological parameters showed that lymphocyte count (Lym#), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly lower in the poor outcome group than in the good outcome group (P<0.05). Further, the red cell volume distribution width-CV (RDW-CV) and red cell volume distribution width-SD (RDW-SD) were significantly higher in the poor outcome group than in the good outcome group (P<0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed RDW-SD, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.870 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.796-0.943], was the most significant single parameter for predicting the prognosis of severe patients. When the cut-off value was 42.15, the sensitivity and specificity of RDW-SD for predicting the prognosis of severe patients were 73.1% and 80.2%, respectively. Reticulocyte (RET) channel results showed the RET level was significantly higher in critical patients than in moderate patients and severe patients (P<0.05), which may be one cause of the elevated RDW in patients with a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the hematological parameters of COVID-19 patients were statistically analyzed. RDW was found to be a prognostic predictor for patients with severe COVID-19, and the increase in RET may contribute to elevated RDW.

Calpain regulates CVB3 induced viral myocarditis by promoting autophagic flux upon infection.

Calpains are calcium-activated neutral cysteine proteases. The dysregulation of calpain activity has been found to be related to cardiovascular diseases, for which calpain inhibition is used as a treatment. Viral myocarditis (VMC) is primarily caused by Coxsackievirus group B3 virus infection (CVB3). CVB3 virus infection induces autophagy and hijacks this process to facilitate its replication. In this study, we found that calpain was significantly activated in hearts affected by VMC. However, pharmacologically inhibiting calpain aggravated VMC symptoms in mice due to myocardial inflammation and cardiac dysfunction. The inhibition of calpain activity in vitro led to the accumulation of LC3-II and increased levels of p62/SQSTM1 protein expression, suggesting that autophagic flux was impaired by calpain inhibition. These effects of calpain inhibition were also observed in capn4-specific myocardial knockout mice in vivo. Furthermore, our results provided evidence that calpain inhibition in VMC, unlike other cardiovascular diseases, exacerbated the disease symptom by impairing CVB3-induced autophagic flux, which may subsequently reduce virus autolysosome degradation. Our findings indicated that calpain inhibition may not be a good treatment for VMC disease in a clinical setting.

The transmembrane nucleoporin Pom121 ensures efficient HIV-1 pre-integration complex nuclear import.

HIV-1 hijacks host classical cargo nuclear transportation, or nonclassical pathways by directly interacting with importin-ß family proteins or nucleoporins for efficient pre-integration complex (PIC) nuclear import. Recently, an N-terminal truncated form of nucleoporin Pom121c (601-987 aa) was reported to inhibit HIV-1 replication. In contrast, we found that HIV-1 replication was significantly decreased in 293T and TZM-b1 cells with siRNA-mediated Pom121 knockdown. Quantitative PCR indicated that viral replication was impaired at the step of cDNA nuclear import. Furthermore, we found that karyopherin-ß1 (KPNB1), which belongs to the importin-ß family, interacts with Pom121 and is involved in Pom121-mediated PIC nuclear import. Rescue experiment indicated that the FG-repeats and the following α-helix in Pom121 are required for its role in HIV-1 PIC nuclear import. Taken together, our results showed that full-length Pom121 enables efficient PIC nuclear import, and suggested that this process may rely on KPNB1 dependent classical cargo nuclear transportation way.

Calculation of exchange integrals and Curie temperature for La-substituted barium hexaferrites.

As the macro behavior of the strength of exchange interaction, state of the art of Curie temperature Tc, which is directly proportional to the exchange integrals, makes sense to the high-frequency and high-reliability microwave devices. Challenge remains as finding a quantitative way to reveal the relationship between the Curie temperature and the exchange integrals for doped barium hexaferrites. Here in this report, for La-substituted barium hexaferrites, the electronic structure has been determined by the density functional theory (DFT) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA). By means of the comparison between the ground and relative state, thirteen exchange integrals have been calculated as a function of the effective value Ueff. Furthermore, based on the Heisenberg model, the molecular field approximation (MFA) and random phase approximation (RPA), which provide an upper and lower bound of the Curie temperature Tc, have been adopted to deduce the Curie temperature Tc. In addition, the Curie temperature Tc derived from the MFA are coincided well with the experimental data. Finally, the strength of superexchange interaction mainly depends on 2b-4f1, 4f2-12k, 2a-4f1, and 4f1-12k interactions.