Silencing GDI2 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer through activation of p53 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the effect of silencing GDP dissociation inhibitor 2 (GDI2) on colorectal cancer development and possible mechanisms based on transcriptomic analysis. Methods: The differences in the expression levels of GDI2 in normal colorectal tissues and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were detected. The correlation of GDI2 expression levels with survival and clinical characteristics of CRC patients was analyzed. The effects of GDI2 expression levels on the biological functions of CRC cells were examined by CCK-8 assay, plate clone formation assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay. The effect of GDI2 on the proliferation and growth of xenograft tumors was investigated by a xenograft tumor model of CRC in nude mice. Based on transcriptomics, we explored the possible mechanisms and associated pathways of the effect of silencing GDI2 on CRC cells. Cellular experiments and Western blot assays were performed to verify the potential mechanisms and related pathway of GDI2 action on CRC. Results: The expression levels of GDI2 in CRC tissues and cells were higher than those in normal tissues and cells. The expression level of GDI2 correlated with clinical characteristics such as lymphatic metastasis, tumor stage, tumor volume, and lymphocyte count. Silencing of GDI2 reduced the proliferative activity and migration and invasion ability of CRC cells, as well as inhibited the proliferation of CRC xenograft tumors. The differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in biological processes such as cell cycle arrest and the p53 signaling pathway after GDI2 silencing. The percentage of G0/G1 phase cells in CRC cells was increased after silencing GDI2 as verified by flow cytometry. RAB5A was highly associated with the p53 pathway and could interact with TP53 via the ZFYVE20 protein. The mutual binding between GDI2 protein and RAB5A protein was verified by immunoprecipitation assay. Silencing GDI2 while overexpressing RAB5A reversed the reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion ability as well as cell cycle arrest of CRC cells. Meanwhile, the addition of p53 signaling pathway inhibitor Pifithrin-α (PFT-α) also reversed the biological effects of silencing GDI2 on CRC cells. The p-p21 and p-p53 protein expression levels were significantly greater in the sh-GDI2 group than in the sh-NC group. However, the p-p21 and p-p53 protein expression levels were reduced after silencing GDI2 while overexpressing RAB5A. Conclusion: Silencing GDI2 activates the p53 signaling pathway by regulating RAB5A expression levels, which in turn induces cell cycle arrest and ultimately affects the proliferative activity, migration, and invasive ability of CRC cells.

Effectiveness of onsite and online education in enhancing knowledge and use of human immunodeficiency virus pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Enhancing awareness and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is vital to curb human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spread. High-risk behaviors prevalent among sexually transmitted infection clinic outpatients underscore the need for increased PrEP/PEP education in this group. AIM: To investigate the effects of both onsite and online health education on the knowledge of, and willingness to use, PrEP and PEP among individuals receiving PEP services. METHODS: Participants were drawn from a cohort study on PEP service intervention at an STD/AIDS outpatient clinic in designated HIV/AIDS hospitals in Beijing, conducted from January 1 to June 30, 2022. Health education was provided both onsite and online during follow-up. Surveys assessing knowledge of, and willingness to use, PrEP/PEP were administered at baseline and again at 24 wk post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 112 participants were enrolled in the study; 105 completed the follow-up at week 24. The percentage of participants with adequate knowledge of, and willingness to use, PrEP significantly increased from 65.2% and 69.6% at baseline to 83.8% and 82.9% at the end of the intervention (both P < 0.05). Similarly, those with adequate knowledge of, and willingness to use, PEP increased from 74.1% and 77.7% at baseline to 92.4% and 89.5% at week 24 (P < 0.05). Being between 31 years and 40 years of age, having a postgraduate degree or higher, and reporting a monthly expenditure of RMB 5000 or more were found to be significantly associated with knowledge of PrEP and PEP (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings show that both onsite and online health education significantly improved the knowledge of, and increased willingness to use, PrEP and PEP in individuals utilizing PEP services.

Complement system is overactivated in patients with IgA nephropathy after COVID-19.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), which has been confirmed as a complement mediated autoimmune disease, is also one form of glomerulonephritis associated with COVID-19. Here, we aim to investigate the clinical and immunological characteristics of patients with IgAN after COVID-19. The level of plasma level of C5a (p < 0.001), soluble C5b-9 (p = 0.018), FHR5 (p < 0.001) were all significantly higher in Group CoV (33 patients with renal biopsy-proven IgAN experienced COVID-19) compared with Group non-CoV (44 patients with IgAN without COVID-19), respectively. Compared with Group non-CoV, the intensity of glomerular C4d (p = 0.017) and MAC deposition (p < 0.001) and Gd-IgA1 deposition (p = 0.005) were much stronger in Group CoV. Our finding revealed that for IgAN after COVID-19, mucosal immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in the overactivation of systemic and renal local complement system, and increased glomerular deposition of Gd-IgA1, which may lead to renal dysfunction and promote renal progression in IgAN patients.

Characteristics of blood immune cell profile and their correlation with disease progression in patients infected with HIV-1.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce viral load in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); however, some HIV-infected individuals still cannot achieve optimal immune recovery even after ART. Hence, we described the profile of peripheral immune cells and explored the association with disease progression in patients infected with HIV-1. METHODS: Mass cytometry analysis was used to characterize the circulating immune cells of 20 treatment-naïve (TNs), 20 immunological non-responders (INRs), 20 immunological responders (IRs), and 10 healthy controls (HCs). Correlation analysis was conducted between cell subpopulation percentages and indicators including HIV-1 cell-associated (CA)-RNA, DNA, CD4+ T cell count, and CD4/CD8 ratio. RESULTS: Global activation, immunosenescence, and exhaustion phenotypes were observed in myeloid cells and T cells from individuals with HIV-1 infection. We also found that specific subsets or clusters of myeloid, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cells were significantly lost or increased in TN individuals, which could be partially restored after receiving ART. The percentages of several subpopulations correlated with HIV-1 CA-RNA, DNA, CD4+ T cell count, and CD4/CD8 ratio, suggesting that changes in immune cell composition were associated with therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSION: These data provide a complete profile of immune cell subpopulations or clusters that are associated with disease progression during chronic HIV-1 infection, which will improve understanding regarding the mechanism of incomplete immune recovery in INRs.

Characterization of patients with IgA nephropathy with and without associated minimal change disease.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) presents various clinical manifestations and pathological phenotypes. Approximately 5% of patients with IgAN present with early onset nephrotic syndrome, mild mesangial lesions, and diffuse foot process effacement of podocytes, which resemble minimal change disease (MCD). These patients are defined as MCD-IgAN. Whether MCD-IgAN is a special type of IgAN or simply MCD accompanied by IgA deposition remains controversial. Methods: A total of 51 patients diagnosed with MCD-IgAN at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to September 2022 were recruited. The clinical and pathological characteristics of IgA-MCD were analyzed. Patients with IgAN but without MCD (non-MCD-IgAN) and healthy participants were enrolled as controls. Galactose-deficient immunoglobulin A1 (Gd-IgA1) and complement C3 were detected both in the circulation and in renal tissues. Results: We found that the levels of serum Gd-IgA1 were lower in participants with MCD-IgAN than in those with non-MCD-IgAN, but higher than in healthy participants. Gd-IgA1 was rarely deposited in the glomeruli of participants with MCD-IgAN, with a positive rate of only 13.7% (7/51); in contrast, the positive rate in participants with non-MCD-IgAN was 82.4% (42/51). Among renal Gd-IgA1-positive patients, Gd-IgA1 and immunoglobulin A (IgA) colocalized along the glomerular mesangial and capillary areas. Interestingly, we found that the circulating levels of complement C3 were significantly higher in participants with MCD-IgAN than in participants with non-MCD-IgAN. In addition, the intensity of C3c in glomeruli in participants with MCD-IgAN was significantly weaker than in participants with non-MCD-IgAN. Conclusions: Our study suggests that, in MCD-IgAN, most of the IgA that is deposited on glomeruli is not the same pathogenic Gd-IgA1 as found in general IgAN. Complement activation both in the circulation and in the renal locality was much weaker in MCD-IgAN than in non-MCD-IgAN. Our study suggests that IgAN with MCD might be MCD with coincidental IgA deposition.

The heterophilicic epitopes in conserved HA regions of human and avian influenza viruses can produce antibodies that bound to kidney tissue.

Influenza virus infection can cause kidney damage. However, the link between influenza infection and disease is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between heterophilic epitopes on H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA) and disease. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) against H5N1 was prepared, mAbs binding to human kidney tissue were screened, and the reactivities of mAbs with five different subtypes of influenza virus were detected. Design and synthesize the peptides according to the common amino acid sequence of these antigens, and analyze the distribution of the epitope on the crystal structure of HA. Immunological methods were used to detect whether the heterophilic epitopes could induce the production of antibodies that cross-react with kidney tissue. The results showed that H5-30 mA b binding to human kidney tissue recognized the heterophilic epitope 191-LVLWGIHHP-199 on the head of HA. The key amino acid were V192, L193, W194 and I196, which were highly conserved in human and avian influenza virus HA. The heterophilic epitope could induce mice to produce different mAbs binding to kidney tissue. Such heterophilic antibodies were also detected in the serum of the patients. It can provide materials for the mechanism of renal diseases caused by influenza virus infection.

Identification of Heterophilic Epitopes of H1N1 Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin.

Our previous studies found that the H1-50 monoclonal antibody (mAb) of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) cross-reacted with pancreatic tissue and islet ß-cells, and further studies showed that H1-50 mAb binds to prohibitin (PHB) protein of islet ß-cells. These suggest that there are heterophilic epitopes between influenza virus HA and pancreatic tissue, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. To further investigate these heterophilic epitopes, we screened binding epitopes of H1-50 mAb using a phage 12-peptide library. DNA sequencing and comparative analysis were performed on specific positive phage clones, and the sequence of 12-peptide binding to H1-50 mAb was obtained. The binding epitopes of H1-50 mAb in influenza virus HA were determined by sequence analysis and experimental verification, and their distribution within the three-dimensional structure was assessed by PyMOL. The results showed that H1-50 mAb specifically binds to polypeptides (306-SLPFQNIHPITIGK-319) of influenza A virus HA, located in the stem of the HA protein. However, there is no specific binding sequence between H1-50 mAb and the PHB protein of islet ß-cells in the primary structure, and we speculate that the binding of H1-50 mAb to islet ß-cells may depend on the spatial conformation. The identification of the heterophilic epitopes of H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin provides a new perspective on type 1 diabetes that may be caused by influenza virus infection, which may contribute to the prevention and control of influenza.

Xin-Ji-Er-Kang Alleviates Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy in Mice through the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway.

Xin-Ji-Er-Kang (XJEK) inhibited cardiovascular remodeling in hypertensive mice in our previous studies. We hypothesized that XJEK may prevent isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial hypertrophy (MH) in mice by ameliorating oxidative stress (OS) through a mechanism that may be related to the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) pathways. Forty SPF male Kunming mice were randomized into 5 groups (n = 8 mice per group): control group, MH group, MH + different doses of XJEK (7.5 g/kg/day and 10 g/kg/day), and MH + metoprolol (60 mg/kg/day). On the eighth day after drug treatment, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography were performed, the mice were sacrificed, and blood and heart tissues were collected for further analysis. XJEK administration markedly ameliorated cardiovascular remodeling (CR), as manifested by a decreased HW/BW ratio and CSA and less collagen deposition after MH. XJEK administration also improved MH, as evidenced by decreased atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and ß-myosin heavy chain (ß-MHC) levels. XJEK also suppressed the decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum of mice with MH. XJEK-induced oxidative stress may be related to potentiating Nrf2 nuclear translocation and HO-1 expression compared with the MH groups. XJEK ameliorates MH by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, suggesting that XJEK is a potential treatment for MH.

Xin-Ji-Er-Kang protects heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury by rebalancing lipid metabolism.

Background and Purpose: We have previously reported a cardioprotective effect with Xin-Ji-Er-Kang (XJEK) treatment in mice with myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure, but no report about its potential functions in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIR) injury. Here we studied the therapeutic effects of XJEK on MIR injury and investigated the mechanisms involved. Experimental Approach: MIR model of Balb/c mice induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for half an hour, followed by reperfusion, was utilized to study the potential therapeutic effects of XJEK on MIR-induced cardiac injury. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem Orbitrap mass spectrometry platform was used for studying serum lipid metabolic signatures. Key Results: MIR caused cardiac dysfunctions, cardiac injury, myocardial fibrosis, and increased inflammation, and all the observed abnormalities caused by MIR were largely corrected by XJEK treatment. Mechanistically, XJEK exerts its cardioprotective effect in the context of MIR injury by suppressing MIR-induced inflammation and dysregulation of serum lipid metabolism. Conclusion and Implications: We have demonstrated for the first time that XJEK protects heart from MIR injury by restoring dysregulated lipidomics. Our data provide new evidence to support a therapeutic effect for XIEK on MIR-induced cardiac injury, and pave the way for exploring the therapeutic potential of XJEK in large animal study and early clinical trial.

Identification and analysis of B cell epitopes of hemagglutinin of H1N1 influenza virus.

The frequent variation of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) antigen is the main cause of influenza pandemic. Therefore, the study of B cell epitopes of HA is of great significance in the prevention and control of influenza virus. In this study, the split vaccine of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus was used as immunogen, and the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared by conventional hybridoma fusion and screening techniques. The characteristics of mAbs were identified by ELISA method, Western-blot test and hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). Using the obtained mAbs as a tool, the B cell epitopes of HA were predicted by ELISA blocking test, sandwich ELISA method and computer simulation method. Finally, four mAbs against HA antigen of H1N1 influenza virus were obtained. The results of ELISA and computer prediction showed that there were at least two types of epitopes on HA of influenza virus. The results of this study complemented the existing methods for predicting HA epitopes, and also provided a new method for predicting other pathogenic microorganisms.

Overactivation of the complement system may be involved in intrarenal arteriolar lesions in IgA nephropathy.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) encompasses a wide range of clinical and histology features. Some patients present without hematuria, with or without hypertension, still rapidly progress in renal function. Renal pathology of this part of patients were predominant intrarenal arteriolar lesions, rarely presented glomerular proliferative lesions. We aim to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of these IgAN patients and initially explore whether the abnormal activation of complement is involved in the intrarenal arteriolar lesions of IgAN. Methods: A total of 866 patients with renal biopsy-proven IgAN diagnosed at Beijing Anzhen Hospital were recruited. IgAN patients without intrarenal arteriolar lesions and proliferative lesions were excluded (n = 115), the rest were divided into arteriolar lesions group (n = 202) and proliferative lesions group (n = 549). Among them, 255 patients were regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Renal biopsy tissues of 104 IgAN patients were stained for complement components by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results: Compared with proliferative lesions group, the arteriolar lesions group experienced high percentage of hypertension (p = 0.004), low percentage of gross hematuria (p = 0.001), microscopic hematuria (p < 0.001) and less initial proteinuria (p = 0.033). Renal survival between the two groups was not significantly different (p = 0.133). MBL, C4d, FH and FHR5, C3c, and MAC deposited on intrarenal arteriole in arteriolar lesions group. Compare with the proliferative lesion group, the arteriolar lesions group exhibited a higher intensity of C3c deposition on the intrarenal arterioles (p = 0.048). C3c and CD31 co-deposited on intrarenal arterioles area in patients with intrarenal arteriolar lesions. Conclusion: Renal survival of the IgAN patients in arteriolar lesions group was not better than those in proliferative lesions group. Abnormal activation of complement may be involved in the pathogenesis of arteriolar damage through the injury of endothelial cells in this clinical phenotype of IgAN.

BCR-Associated Protein 31 Regulates Macrophages Polarization and Wound Healing Function via Early Growth Response 2/C/EBPß and IL-4Rα/C/EBPß Pathways.

The BCR-associated protein 31 (BAP31), a transmembrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum, participates in the regulation of immune cells, such as microglia and T cells, and has potential functions in macrophages that remain to be unexplored. In this study, we designed and bred macrophage-specific BAP31 knockdown mice to detect the polarization and functions of macrophages. The results revealed that M2 macrophage-associated genes were suppressed in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages of Lyz2 Cre-BAP31flox/flox mice. Multiple macrophage-associated transcription factors were demonstrated to be able to be regulated by BAP31. Among these factors, C/EBPß was the most significantly decreased and was regulated by early growth response 2. BAP31 could also affect C/EBPß via modulating IL-4Rα ubiquitination and proteasome degradation in IL-4-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, we found that BAP31 affects macrophages functions, including angiogenesis and skin fibrosis, during the wound healing process through IL-4Rα, as confirmed by infection with adeno-associated virus-short hairpin (sh)-IL-4Rα in Lyz2 Cre-BAP31flox/flox mice. Our findings indicate a novel mechanism of BAP31 in regulating macrophages and provide potential solutions for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds.

Influences of fresh and frozen embryo transfer on neonatal birthweight and the expression of imprinted genes PEG10 /L3MBTL1 in placenta.

To investigate the influences of fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen embryo transfer (FET) on neonatal birthweight and the expression of imprinted genes PEG10 and L3MBTL1 in the placenta after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), we analyzed the neonatal birthweight between fresh ET and FET transfer cycles. Then, we collected placentas delivered by fresh ET and FET, and real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of PEG10 and L3MBTL1. The mean neonatal birthweight of fresh ET was lower than that of FET(3348.48 ± 521.05 vs. 3450.34 ± 524.13, P < 0.001). The risks of low birthweight (LBW) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) were lower after FET (3.9 % vs. 5.4 %; 7.2 % vs. 10.3 %), with adjusted rate ratios of 0.74 (95 % CI, 0.59-0.93; P = 0.003) and 0.70 (95 % CI, 0.59-0.84; P < 0.001), respectively. FET resulted in higher frequencies of macrosomia and large-for-gestational age (LGA) (14.2 % vs. 10.3; 11.0 % vs. 7.1 %) than fresh ET, with adjusted rate ratios of 1.45 (95 % CI, 1.26-1.68; P < 0.001) and 1.62 (95 % CI, 1.37-1.91; P < 0.001), respectively. We also observed PEG10 mRNA and protein expression levels in placentas delivered by fresh ET and FET were significantly different, but there were no significant differences in L3MBTL1 between the two groups. Fresh ET may affect the expression of the imprinted gene PEG10 in the placenta and adverse to placental implantation and development, resulting to increasing incidences of LBW and SGA.

Long-term exposure to copper induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mouse hearts.

Copper is a trace element necessary for the normal functioning of organisms, but excessive copper contents may be toxic to the heart. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of excessive copper accumulation in mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis inhibition. In vivo, the heart copper concentration and cardiac troponin I (c-TnI) and N-terminal forebrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels increased in the copper-laden model group compared to those of the control group. Histopathological and ultrastructural observations revealed that the myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF), perivascular collagen area (PVCA) and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (CSA) were markedly elevated in the copper-laden model group compared with the control group. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the mitochondrial double-layer membrane was incomplete in the copper-laden model groups. Furthermore, cytochrome C (Cyt-C) expression was downregulated in mitochondria but upregulated in the cytoplasm in response to copper accumulation. In addition, Bcl-2 expression decreased, while Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels increased. These results indicate that copper accumulation in cardiomyocyte mitochondria induces mitochondrial injury, and Cyt-C exposure and induces apoptosis, further resulting in heart damage.

Modulation of bovine serum albumin aggregation by glutathione functionalized MoS2 quantum dots.

In present study, a novel glutathione functionalized MoS2 quantum dots (GSH-MoS2 QDs) was synthesized from sodium molybdate dehydrate and glutathione by using a one-pot hydrothermal method. After they were characterized, the influence of GSH-MoS2 QDs on amyloid aggregation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by various analytical methods including thioflavin T fluorescence assay, circular dichroism and transmission electron microscope. Moreover, the effect of GSH-MoS2 QDs on cytotoxicity induced by BSA amyloid fibrils and cell penetration were evaluated by MTT assay and confocal fluorescence imaging, respectively. The results indicated that the GSH-MoS2 QDs not only had good water solubility, excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, but also could obviously inhibit the aggregation of BSA and depolymerize the formed BSA aggregates. The data obtained from this work demonstrated that the GSH-MoS2 QDs is expected to become a candidate drug for the treatment of amyloid-related diseases.

Computed tomography-guided cryoablation for adrenal metastases secondary to lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess the clinical efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided cryoablation as a means to treat adrenal metastasis (AM) secondary to lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-center retrospective study that analyzed 39 consecutive patients with AM secondary to lung cancer who underwent CT-guided cryoablation in our center. The rates of complete ablation, local recurrence, local recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: The rates of primary and secondary complete ablation were 94.9% and 100%, respectively, and none of the patients suffered from a hypertensive crisis associated with the treatment. Over the follow-up period, 20.5% of the patients experienced local recurrence, and the median RFS duration was 26 months. The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year local RFS rates in this study were 84.6%, 51.3%, and 5.9%, respectively. Extra-adrenal gland metastases were detected in five patients. Over the course of follow-up, 26 patients died. The mean OS duration was 34 months with cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of 89.7%, 53.4%, and 8.3%, respectively. Advanced age (P = 0.001), primary adenocarcinoma (P = 0.006), other primary lung cancers (P = 0.038), and primary Stage III lung cancers (P = 0.007) were all found to be independent predictive factors of poor OS in these patients. CONCLUSION: CT-guided cryoablation can be safely and effectively used to control AM secondary to lung cancer, and patients with AM secondary to lung squamous cell carcinoma may be best suited for this form of treatment.

Monoclonal Antibody Targeting the HA191/199 Region of H1N1 Influenza Virus Mediates the Damage of Neural Cells.

Vaccination is the most effective mean of preventing influenza virus infections. However, vaccination-induced adverse reactions of the nervous system, the causes of which are unknown, lead to concerns on the safety of influenza A vaccine. In this study, we used flow cytometry, cell ELISA, and immunofluorescence to find that H1-84 monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the191/199 region of the H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein binds to neural cells and mediates cell damage. Using molecular simulation software, such as PyMOL and PDB viewer, we demonstrated that the HA191/199 region maintains the overall structure of the HA head. Since the HA191/199 region cannot be removed from the HA structure, it has to be altered via introducing point mutations by site-directed mutagenesis. This will provide an innovative theoretical support for the subsequent modification the influenza A vaccine for increasing its safety.

Investigation on the effect of three isoflavones on the fibrillation of hen egg-white lysozyme.

In this paper, the effects of three isoflavones including daidzein, genistein, and puerarin on fibrillation of hen egg-white lysozyme were investigated by various analytical methods. The results demonstrated that all isoflavones could effectively inhibit the fibrillogenesis of hen egg-white lysozyme and destabilized the preformed fibrils of hen egg-white lysozyme in a dose-dependent manner. To further understand the inhibition mechanism, molecular modeling was carried out. The docking results demonstrated that the isoflavones could bind to two key fibrogenic sites in hen egg-white lysozyme through van der Waals force, electrostatic forces, and hydrogen bonding, as well as σ-π stacking. By these means, isoflavones could not only obviously enhance the hydrophobicity of the binding sites, but also greatly stabilize the native state of HEWL, which was able to postpone the fibrosis process of hen egg-white lysozyme.