Heterologous boost with mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 Delta/Omicron variants following an inactivated whole-virus vaccine

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has mutated quickly and caused significant global damage. This study characterizes two mRNA vaccines ZSVG-02 (Delta) and ZSVG-02-O (Omicron BA.1), and associating heterologous prime-boost strategy following the prime of a most widely administrated inactivated whole-virus vaccine (BBIBP-CorV). The ZSVG-02-O induces neutralizing antibodies that effectively cross-react with Omicron subvariants following an order of BA.1>BA.2>BA.4/5. In naive animals, ZSVG-02 or ZSVG-02-O induce humoral responses skewed to the vaccines targeting strains, but cellular immune responses cross-react to all variants of concern (VOCs) tested. Following heterologous prime-boost regimes, animals present comparable neutralizing antibody levels and superior protection across all VOCs. Single-boost only generated ancestral and omicron dual-responsive antibodies, probably by "recall" and "reshape" the prime immunity. New Omicron-specific antibody populations, however, appeared only following the second boost with ZSVG-02-O. Overall, our results support a heterologous boost with ZSVG-02-O, providing the best protection against current VOCs in inactivated virus vaccine- primed populations.

Structural basis of a two-antibody cocktail exhibiting highly potent and broadly neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 variants including diverse Omicron sublineages

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), especially the latest Omicron, have exhibited severe antibody evasion. Broadly neutralizing antibodies with high potency against Omicron are urgently needed for understanding working mechanisms and developing therapeutic agents. In this study, we characterized previously reported F61, which was isolated from convalescent patients infected with prototype SARS-CoV-2, as a broadly neutralizing antibody against all VOCs including Omicron BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4 sublineages by utilizing antigen binding and cell infection assays. We also identified and characterized another broadly neutralizing antibody D2 with epitope distinct from that of F61. More importantly, we showed that a combination of F61 with D2 exhibited synergy in neutralization and protecting mice from SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants. Cryo-EM structures of the spike-F61 and spike-D2 binary complexes revealed the distinct epitopes of F61 and D2 at atomic level and the structural basis for neutralization. Cryo-EM structure of the Omicron-spike-F61-D2 ternary complex provides further structural insights into the synergy between F61 and D2. These results collectively indicated F61 and F61-D2 cocktail as promising therapeutic antibodies for combating SARS-CoV-2 variants including diverse Omicron sublineages.

Identification and verification of key salt-tolerant amino acid sites of banana MaNHX5 / 生物工程学报

In order to improve the salt tolerance of banana NHX genes, we cloned a MaNHX5 gene from Musa acuminata L. AAA group and predicted the key salt-tolerant amino acid sites and mutant protein structure changes of MaNHX5 by using bioinformatics tools. The 276-position serine (S) of MaNHX5 protein was successfully mutated to aspartic acid (D) by site-directed mutagenesis, and the AXT3 salt-sensitive mutant yeast was used for a functional complementation test. The results showed that after the mutated MaNHX5 gene was transferred to AXT3 salt-sensitive mutant yeast, the salt tolerance of the mutant yeast was significantly improved under 200 mmol/L NaCl treatment. It is hypothesized that Ser276 of MaNHX5 protein plays an important role in the transport of Na+ across the tonoplast.

eIF3a gene polymorphism and chemo-sensitivity to platinum-based drugs in ovarian cancer / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the relationship between the eukaryotic initiation factor 3a (eIF3a)polymorphisms and chemo-sensitivity to platinum-based drug in ovarian cancer.
@*METHODS@#Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis was performed to detect 57 cases of eIF3a polymorphic genotypes (rs3824830, rs77382849, rs10787899 and rs3740556) after platinum-based chemotherapy drugs up to 6 cycles in primary ovarian cancer. The association between these gene sites was analyzed.
@*RESULTS@#There were 3 genotypes for eIF3a rs3824830, named AA, GA and GG. The frequency distribution for them was 43.86%, 36.84% and 15.79% (2 cases did not detect the genotype, 3.51%), respectively. There were 2 genotypes for eIF3a rs77382849, named CC and TC. The frequency distribution for them was 85.96% and 12.28%(1 case did not detect the genotype, 1.76%), respectively. There were 3 genotypes for eIF3a rs10787899, named GG, GA and AA, respectively. The frequency distribution for them was 26.32%, 47.36% and 26.32%, respectively. There were significant difference in different genotypes between age group and FIGO stage (P0.05) among these genotype groups. In all blood samples, there was only one genotype for eIF3a rs3740556, named GG.
@*CONCLUSION@#There is no mutation genotype in eIF3a rs3740556 loci. Polymorphism in the eIF3a rs3824830, rs77382849 and rs10787899 doesn't affect the response of ovarian cancer to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Proteomic analysis of human ovarian cancer paclitaxel-resistant cell lines / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the proteins related to paclitaxel-resistant of ovarian cancer cell line.@*METHODS@#The total proteins of paclitaxel-resistant and paclitaxel-sensitive human ovarian cancer cell lines were separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed using image analysis software. The differential proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Western blot was used to determine the differential expression levels of the 2 proteins.@*RESULTS@#Forty differentially expressed proteins were found by image analysis software, and 24 differential proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. These proteins included proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nm23, prohibitin (PHB), annexin, alpha-enolase, heat shock protein (HSP), and so on.@*CONCLUSION@#Twenty-four proteins in human ovarian cancer cell lines of paclitaxel-resistant and paclitaxel-sensitive are found by proteomic techniques, which may be involved in the paclitaxel-resistance of human ovarian cancer cells.

Clinical features and prognosis of cervical cancer in young women / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the prevalence, etiology, clinical presentation and pathological features, treatment and prognosis of cervical cancer in young women.@*METHODS@#Clinical data of 132 young women with cervical cancer were reviewed.@*RESULTS@#Positive rate of human papillomavirus 18 was high in young women with cervical cancer. The primary clinical presentation of young patients with cervical cancer was contact bleeding of vagina, and the signs were out-expanding of cervical mass. The percentage of adenocarcinoma increased. The main treatment for cervical cancer was surgery. The patients had radical hysterectomy plus ovarian transplantation, none of whom had ovarian metastases and menopause syndrome. Prognosis of most patients was good.@*CONCLUSION@#Contact bleeding is a significant symptom in young women with cervical cancer. Surgery is first considered in the treatment. Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be used in patients with locally advanced and late stage cervical cancer. Ovarian transplantation during operation can retain the ovary function.

Polymorphism of Five X-STRs Loci with a New Pentaplex PCR / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective] To learn about the genetic diversity,we studied the five X-chromosomal STR (X-STR) loci in Guangdong Han Nationality Groups.[Methods] The five Loci (DXS6803,DXS981,DXS6809,DXS6789,and DXS7132) were amplified in a pentaplex PCR reaction.PCR products were analyzed using capillary electrophoresis and ABI prism 3100 Genetic Analyzer,with GeneMapper ID 3.1 Analysis Software.[Results] A total of 363 individuals (181 unrelated male and 182 unrelated female) from Guangdong Han population were tested,54 alleles were observed for these loci.Polymorphism information content is 0.6935 ～ 0.8177.Power of discrimination in females was 0.8976 ～ 0.9562.Mean exclusion chance for X-STR in standard trios with daughters was 0.7805 ～ 0.8467.[Conclusion] The five loci in the multiplex system provide high polymorphism information for forensic identification and paternity testing,particularly for difficult paternity deficiency cases.

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on cervical carcinoma / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on cervical carcinoma and its association with clinical data.@*METHODS@#A total of 97 patients with stage Ib2 approximately IIIa of cervical cancinoma were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The effect of chemotherapy, factors associated with outcome of chemotherapy, and histology were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Effective rate of chemotherapy was 86.6% which was associated with clinical stage and histology. Eight-four patients received radical hysterectomy. The histological grade of 17 patients was lowered, lymph nodes in 19 patients were positive, and 6 patients had parametrium invasion. One patient died within 1 year after the operation, and 5 patients recurred.@*CONCLUSION@#The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancinoma is good. Surgery after chemotherapy can improve the prognosis and 5-year survival rate.