Host and environmental factors shape upper airway microbiota and respiratory health across the human lifespan.

Our understanding of the normal variation in the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota across the human lifespan and how these relate to host, environment, and health is limited. We studied the microbiota of 3,104 saliva (<10 year-olds)/oropharynx (≥10 year-olds) and 2,485 nasopharynx samples of 3,160 Dutch individuals 0-87 years of age, participating in a cross-sectional population-wide study (PIENTER-3) using 16S-rRNA sequencing. The microbiota composition was strongly related to age, especially in the nasopharynx, with maturation occurring throughout childhood and adolescence. Clear niche- and age-specific associations were found between the microbiota composition and host/environmental factors and health outcomes. Among others, social interaction, sex, and season were associated with the nasopharyngeal microbial community. By contrast, the oral microbiota was more related to antibiotics, tobacco, and alcohol use. We present an atlas of the URT microbiota across the lifespan in association with environment and health, establishing a baseline for future research.

Efficient treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis in rhesus macaques by an HIV fusion-inhibitory lipopeptide.

Two HIV fusion-inhibitory lipopeptides (LP-97 and LP-98) were designed with highly potent, long-acting antiviral activity. Monotherapy using a low dose of LP-98 sharply reduced viral loads and maintained long-term viral suppression in 21 SHIVSF162P3-infected rhesus macaques. We found that five treated monkeys achieved potential posttreatment control (PTC) efficacy and had lower viral DNA in deep lymph nodes, whereas monkeys with a stable viral rebound had higher viral DNA in superficial lymph nodes. The tissues of PTC monkeys exhibited significantly decreased quantitative viral outgrowth and fewer PD-1+ central memory CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells contributed to virologic control efficacy. Moreover, LP-98 administrated as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) provided complete protection against SHIVSF162P3 and SIVmac239 infections in 51 monkeys via intrarectal, intravaginal, or intravenous challenge. In conclusion, our lipopeptides exhibit high potential as an efficient HIV treatment or prevention strategy.

Therapeutic alphavirus cross-reactive E1 human antibodies inhibit viral egress.

Alphaviruses cause severe arthritogenic or encephalitic disease. The E1 structural glycoprotein is highly conserved in these viruses and mediates viral fusion with host cells. However, the role of antibody responses to the E1 protein in immunity is poorly understood. We isolated E1-specific human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with diverse patterns of recognition for alphaviruses (ranging from Eastern equine encephalitis virus [EEEV]-specific to alphavirus cross-reactive) from survivors of natural EEEV infection. Antibody binding patterns and epitope mapping experiments identified differences in E1 reactivity based on exposure of epitopes on the glycoprotein through pH-dependent mechanisms or presentation on the cell surface prior to virus egress. Therapeutic efficacy in vivo of these mAbs corresponded with potency of virus egress inhibition in vitro and did not require Fc-mediated effector functions for treatment against subcutaneous EEEV challenge. These studies reveal the molecular basis for broad and protective antibody responses to alphavirus E1 proteins.

A Therapeutic Non-self-reactive SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Protects from Lung Pathology in a COVID-19 Hamster Model.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 led to pandemic spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), manifesting with respiratory symptoms and multi-organ dysfunction. Detailed characterization of virus-neutralizing antibodies and target epitopes is needed to understand COVID-19 pathophysiology and guide immunization strategies. Among 598 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from 10 COVID-19 patients, we identified 40 strongly neutralizing mAbs. The most potent mAb, CV07-209, neutralized authentic SARS-CoV-2 with an IC50 value of 3.1 ng/mL. Crystal structures of two mAbs in complex with the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain at 2.55 and 2.70 Å revealed a direct block of ACE2 attachment. Interestingly, some of the near-germline SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing mAbs reacted with mammalian self-antigens. Prophylactic and therapeutic application of CV07-209 protected hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 infection, weight loss, and lung pathology. Our results show that non-self-reactive virus-neutralizing mAbs elicited during SARS-CoV-2 infection are a promising therapeutic strategy.

Potent Henipavirus Neutralization by Antibodies Recognizing Diverse Sites on Hendra and Nipah Virus Receptor Binding Protein.

Hendra (HeV) and Nipah (NiV) viruses are emerging zoonotic pathogens in the Henipavirus genus causing outbreaks of disease with very high case fatality rates. Here, we report the first naturally occurring human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against HeV receptor binding protein (RBP). All isolated mAbs neutralized HeV, and some also neutralized NiV. Epitope binning experiments identified five major antigenic sites on HeV-RBP. Animal studies demonstrated that the most potent cross-reactive neutralizing mAbs, HENV-26 and HENV-32, protected ferrets in lethal models of infection with NiV Bangladesh 3 days after exposure. We solved the crystal structures of mAb HENV-26 in complex with both HeV-RBP and NiV-RBP and of mAb HENV-32 in complex with HeV-RBP. The studies reveal diverse sites of vulnerability on RBP recognized by potent human mAbs that inhibit virus by multiple mechanisms. These studies identify promising prophylactic antibodies and define protective epitopes that can be used in rational vaccine design.

A self-sustaining layer of early-life-origin B cells drives steady-state IgA responses in the adult gut.

The adult immune system consists of cells that emerged at various times during ontogeny. We aimed to define the relationship between developmental origin and composition of the adult B cell pool during unperturbed hematopoiesis. Lineage tracing stratified murine adult B cells based on the timing of output, revealing that a substantial portion originated within a restricted neonatal window. In addition to B-1a cells, early-life time-stamped B cells included clonally interrelated IgA plasma cells in the gut and bone marrow. These were actively maintained by B cell memory within gut chronic germinal centers and contained commensal microbiota reactivity. Neonatal rotavirus infection recruited recurrent IgA clones that were distinct from those arising by infection with the same antigen in adults. Finally, gut IgA plasma cells arose from the same hematopoietic progenitors as B-1a cells during ontogeny. Thus, a complex layer of neonatally imprinted B cells confer unique antibody responses later in life.

HIV-1 VRC01 Germline-Targeting Immunogens Select Distinct Epitope-Specific B Cell Receptors.

Activating precursor B cell receptors of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies requires specifically designed immunogens. Here, we compared the abilities of three such germline-targeting immunogens against the VRC01-class receptors to activate the targeted B cells in transgenic mice expressing the germline VH of the VRC01 antibody but diverse mouse light chains. Immunogen-specific VRC01-like B cells were isolated at different time points after immunization, their VH and VL genes were sequenced, and the corresponding antibodies characterized. VRC01 B cell sub-populations with distinct cross-reactivity properties were activated by each immunogen, and these differences correlated with distinct biophysical and biochemical features of the germline-targeting immunogens. Our study indicates that the design of effective immunogens to activate B cell receptors leading to protective HIV-1 antibodies will require a better understanding of how the biophysical properties of the epitope and its surrounding surface on the germline-targeting immunogen influence its interaction with the available receptor variants in vivo.

Cold-responsive adipocyte progenitors couple adrenergic signaling to immune cell activation to promote beige adipocyte accrual.

The full array of cold-responsive cell types within white adipose tissue that drive thermogenic beige adipocyte biogenesis remains undefined. We demonstrate that acute cold challenge elicits striking transcriptomic changes specifically within DPP4+ PDGFRß+ adipocyte precursor cells, including a ß-adrenergic receptor CREB-mediated induction in the expression of the prothermogenic cytokine, Il33 Doxycycline-inducible deletion of Il33 in PDGFRß+ cells at the onset of cold exposure attenuates ILC2 accumulation and beige adipocyte accrual. These studies highlight the multifaceted roles for adipocyte progenitors and the ability of select mesenchymal subpopulations to relay neuronal signals to tissue-resident immune cells in order to regulate tissue plasticity.

Bacterial Endotoxin Activates the Coagulation Cascade through Gasdermin D-Dependent Phosphatidylserine Exposure.

Excessive activation of the coagulation system leads to life-threatening disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying the activation of coagulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major cell-wall component of Gram-negative bacteria. We found that caspase-11, a cytosolic LPS receptor, activated the coagulation cascade. Caspase-11 enhanced the activation of tissue factor (TF), an initiator of coagulation, through triggering the formation of gasdermin D (GSDMD) pores and subsequent phosphatidylserine exposure, in a manner independent of cell death. GSDMD pores mediated calcium influx, which induced phosphatidylserine exposure through transmembrane protein 16F, a calcium-dependent phospholipid scramblase. Deletion of Casp11, ablation of Gsdmd, or neutralization of phosphatidylserine or TF prevented LPS-induced DIC. In septic patients, plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1ß, biomarkers of GSDMD activation, correlated with phosphatidylserine exposure in peripheral leukocytes and DIC scores. Our findings mechanistically link immune recognition of LPS to coagulation, with implications for the treatment of DIC.

Reductions in premature deaths from heat and particulate matter air pollution in South Asia, China, and the United States under decarbonization.

Following a sustainable development pathway designed to keep warming below 2 °C will benefit human health. We quantify premature deaths attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and heat exposures for China, South Asia, and the United States using projections from multiple climate models under high- and low-emission scenarios. Projected changes in premature deaths are typically dominated by population aging, primarily reflecting increased longevity leading to greater sensitivity to environmental risks. Changes in PM2.5 exposure typically have small impacts on premature deaths under a high-emission scenario but provide substantial benefits under a low-emission scenario. PM2.5-attributable deaths increase in South Asia throughout the century under both scenarios but shift to decreases by late century in China, and US values decrease throughout the century. In contrast, heat exposure increases under both scenarios and combines with population aging to drive projected increases in deaths in all countries. Despite population aging, combined PM2.5- and heat-related deaths decrease under the low-emission scenario by ~2.4 million per year by midcentury and ~2.9 million by century's end, with ~3% and ~21% of these reductions from heat, respectively. Intermodel variations in exposure projections generally lead to uncertainties of <40% except for US and China heat impacts. Health benefits of low emissions are larger from reduced heat exposure than improved air quality by the late 2090s in the United States. In contrast, in South and East Asia, the PM2.5-related benefits are largest throughout the century, and their valuation exceeds the cost of decarbonization, especially in China, over the next 30 y.

Hypothalamic vasopressin sex differentiation is observed by embryonic day 15 in mice and is disrupted by the xenoestrogen bisphenol A.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular region (AVPPVN) mediate sex-biased social behaviors across most species, including mammals. In mice, neural sex differences are thought to be established during a critical window around birth ( embryonic (E) day 18 to postnatal (P) day 2) whereby circulating testosterone from the fetal testis is converted to estrogen in sex-dimorphic brain regions. Here, we found that AVPPVN neurons are sexually dimorphic by E15.5, prior to this critical window, and that gestational bisphenol A (BPA) exposure permanently masculinized female AVPPVN neuronal numbers, projections, and electrophysiological properties, causing them to display male-like phenotypes into adulthood. Moreover, we showed that nearly twice as many neurons that became AVP+ by P0 were born at E11 in males and BPA-exposed females compared to control females, suggesting that AVPPVN neuronal masculinization occurs between E11 and P0. We further narrowed this sensitive period to around the timing of neurogenesis by demonstrating that exogenous estrogen exposure from E14.5 to E15.5 masculinized female AVPPVN neuronal numbers, whereas a pan-estrogen receptor antagonist exposed from E13.5 to E15.5 blocked masculinization of males. Finally, we showed that restricting BPA exposure to E7.5-E15.5 caused adult females to display increased social dominance over control females, consistent with an acquisition of male-like behaviors. Our study reveals an E11.5 to E15.5 window of estrogen sensitivity impacting AVPPVN sex differentiation, which is impacted by prenatal BPA exposure.

Propagation of distinct CWD prion strains during peripheral and intracerebral challenges of gene-targeted mice.

Since prion diseases result from infection and neurodegeneration of the central nervous system (CNS), experimental characterizations of prion strain properties customarily rely on the outcomes of intracerebral challenges. However, natural transmission of certain prions, including those causing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in elk and deer, depends on propagation in peripheral host compartments prior to CNS infection. Using gene-targeted GtE and GtQ mice, which accurately control cellular elk or deer PrP expression, we assessed the impact that peripheral or intracerebral exposures play on CWD prion strain propagation and resulting CNS abnormalities. Whereas oral and intraperitoneal transmissions produced identical neuropathological outcomes in GtE and GtQ mice and preserved the naturally convergent conformations of elk and deer CWD prions, intracerebral transmissions generated CNS prion strains with divergent biochemical properties in GtE and GtQ mice that were changed compared to their native counterparts. While CWD replication kinetics remained constant during iterative peripheral transmissions and brain titers reflected those found in native hosts, serial intracerebral transmissions produced 10-fold higher prion titers and accelerated incubation times. Our demonstration that peripherally and intracerebrally challenged Gt mice develop dissimilar CNS diseases which result from the propagation of distinct CWD prion strains points to the involvement of tissue-specific cofactors during strain selection in different host compartments. Since peripheral transmissions preserved the natural features of elk and deer prions, whereas intracerebral propagation produced divergent strains, our findings illustrate the importance of experimental characterizations using hosts that not only abrogate species barriers but also accurately recapitulate natural transmission routes of native strains.

Anthropogenic short-lived halogens increase human exposure to mercury contamination due to enhanced mercury oxidation over continents.

Mercury (Hg) is a contaminant of global concern, and an accurate understanding of its atmospheric fate is needed to assess its risks to humans and ecosystem health. Atmospheric oxidation of Hg is key to the deposition of this toxic metal to the Earth's surface. Short-lived halogens (SLHs) can provide halogen radicals to directly oxidize Hg and perturb the budget of other Hg oxidants (e.g., OH and O3). In addition to known ocean emissions of halogens, recent observational evidence has revealed abundant anthropogenic emissions of SLHs over continental areas. However, the impacts of anthropogenic SLHs emissions on the atmospheric fate of Hg and human exposure to Hg contamination remain unknown. Here, we show that the inclusion of anthropogenic SLHs substantially increased local Hg oxidation and, consequently, deposition in/near Hg continental source regions by up to 20%, thereby decreasing Hg export from source regions to clean environments. Our modeling results indicated that the inclusion of anthropogenic SLHs can lead to higher Hg exposure in/near Hg source regions than estimated in previous assessments, e.g., with increases of 8.7% and 7.5% in China and India, respectively, consequently leading to higher Hg-related human health risks. These results highlight the urgent need for policymakers to reduce local Hg and SLHs emissions. We conclude that the substantial impacts of anthropogenic SLHs emissions should be included in model assessments of the Hg budget and associated health risks at local and global scales.

It matters what you see: Graphic media images of war and terror may amplify distress.

Media exposure to graphic images of violence has proliferated in contemporary society, particularly with the advent of social media. Extensive exposure to media coverage immediately after the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombings (BMB) was associated with more early traumatic stress symptoms; in fact, several hours of BMB-related daily media exposure was a stronger correlate of distress than being directly exposed to the bombings themselves. Researchers have replicated these findings across different traumatic events, extending this work to document that exposure to graphic images is independently and significantly associated with stress symptoms and poorer functioning. The media exposure-distress association also appears to be cyclical over time, with increased exposure predicting greater distress and greater distress predicting more media exposure following subsequent tragedies. The war in Israel and Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, provides a current, real-time context to further explore these issues as journalists often share graphic images of death and destruction, making media-based graphic images once again ubiquitous and potentially challenging public well-being. For individuals sharing an identity with the victims or otherwise feeling emotionally connected to the Middle East, it may be difficult to avoid viewing these images. Through a review of research on the association between exposure to graphic images and public health, we discuss differing views on the societal implications of viewing such images and advocate for media literacy campaigns to educate the public to identify mis/disinformation and understand the risks of viewing and sharing graphic images with others.

Alveolar macrophage function is impaired following inhalation of berry e-cigarette vapor.

In the lower respiratory tract, the alveolar spaces are divided from the bloodstream and the external environment by only a few microns of interstitial tissue. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) defend this delicate mucosal surface from invading infections by regularly patrolling the site. AMs have three behavior modalities to achieve this goal: extending cell protrusions to probe and sample surrounding areas, squeezing the whole cell body between alveoli, and patrolling by moving the cell body around each alveolus. In this study, we found Rho GTPase, cell division control protein 42 (CDC42) expression significantly decreased after berry-flavored e-cigarette (e-cig) exposure. This shifted AM behavior from squeezing to probing. Changes in AM behavior led to a reduction in the clearance of inhaled bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings shed light on pathways involved in AM migration and highlight the harmful impact of e-cig vaping on AM function.

Reevaluating the "deaths of despair" narrative: Racial/ethnic heterogeneity in the trend of psychological distress-related death.

Despite the significant scientific advancement in deciphering the "deaths of despair" narrative, most relevant studies have focused on drug-, alcohol-, and suicide-related (DAS) deaths. This study directly investigated despair as a determinant of death and the temporal variation and racial heterogeneity among individuals. We used psychological distress (PD) as a proxy for despair and drew data from the US National Health Interview Survey-Linked Mortality Files 1997 to 2014, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Multiple Cause of Death database 1997 to 2014, CDC bridged-race population files 1997 to 2014, Current Population Survey 1997 to 1999, and the American Community Survey 2000 to 2014. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate mortality hazard ratios of PD and compared age-standardized PD- and DAS-related mortality rates by race/ethnicity and over time. We found that while Whites had a lower prevalence of PD than Blacks and Hispanics throughout the whole period, they underwent distinctive increases in PD-related death and have had a higher PD-related mortality rate than Blacks and Hispanics since the early 2000s. This was predominantly due to Whites' relatively high and increasing vulnerability to PD less the prevalence of PD. Furthermore, PD induced a more pervasive mortality consequence than DAS combined for Whites and Blacks. In addition, PD- and DAS-related deaths displayed a concordant trend among Whites but divergent patterns for Blacks and Hispanics. These findings suggest that 1) DAS-related deaths underestimated the mortality consequence of despair for Whites and Blacks but overestimated it for Hispanics; and 2) despair partially contributed to the DAS trend among Whites but probably not for Blacks and Hispanics.

TMEM16F exacerbates tau pathology and mediates phosphatidylserine exposure in phospho-tau-burdened neurons.

TMEM16F is a calcium-activated phospholipid scramblase and nonselective ion channel, which allows the movement of lipids bidirectionally across the plasma membrane. While the functions of TMEM16F have been extensively characterized in multiple cell types, the role of TMEM16F in the central nervous system remains largely unknown. Here, we sought to study how TMEM16F in the brain may be involved in neurodegeneration. Using a mouse model that expresses the pathological P301S human tau (PS19 mouse), we found reduced tauopathy and microgliosis in 6- to 7-mo-old PS19 mice lacking TMEM16F. Furthermore, this reduction of pathology can be recapitulated in the PS19 mice with TMEM16F removed from neurons, while removal of TMEM16F from microglia of PS19 mice did not significantly impact tauopathy at this time point. Moreover, TMEM16F mediated aberrant phosphatidylserine exposure in neurons with phospho-tau burden. These studies raise the prospect of targeting TMEM16F in neurons as a potential treatment of neurodegeneration.

Surface atom knockout for the active site exposure of alloy catalyst.

The fine regulation of catalysts by the atomic-level removal of inactive atoms can promote the active site exposure for performance enhancement, whereas suffering from the difficulty in controllably removing atoms using current micro/nano-scale material fabrication technologies. Here, we developed a surface atom knockout method to promote the active site exposure in an alloy catalyst. Taking Cu3Pd alloy as an example, it refers to assemble a battery using Cu3Pd and Zn as cathode and anode, the charge process of which proceeds at about 1.1 V, equal to the theoretical potential difference between Cu2+/Cu and Zn2+/Zn, suggesting the electricity-driven dissolution of Cu atoms. The precise knockout of Cu atoms is confirmed by the linear relationship between the amount of the removed Cu atoms and the battery cumulative specific capacity, which is attributed to the inherent atom-electron-capacity correspondence. We observed the surface atom knockout process at different stages and studied the evolution of the chemical environment. The alloy catalyst achieves a higher current density for oxygen reduction reaction compared to the original alloy and Pt/C. This work provides an atomic fabrication method for material synthesis and regulation toward the wide applications in catalysis, energy, and others.

PM2.5 exposure contributes to anxiety and depression-like behaviors via phenyl-containing compounds interfering with dopamine receptor.

As a global problem, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) really needs local fixes. Considering the increasing epidemiological relevance to anxiety and depression but inconsistent toxicological results, the most important question is to clarify whether and how PM2.5 causally contributes to these mental disorders and which components are the most dangerous for crucial mitigation in a particular place. In the present study, we chronically subjected male mice to a real-world PM2.5 exposure system throughout the winter heating period in a coal combustion area and revealed that PM2.5 caused anxiety and depression-like behaviors in adults such as restricted activity, diminished exploratory interest, enhanced repetitive stereotypy, and elevated acquired immobility, through behavioral tests including open field, elevated plus maze, marble-burying, and forced swimming tests. Importantly, we found that dopamine signaling was perturbed using mRNA transcriptional profile and bioinformatics analysis, with Drd1 as a potential target. Subsequently, we developed the Drd1 expression-directed multifraction isolating and nontarget identifying framework and identified a total of 209 compounds in PM2.5 organic extracts capable of reducing Drd1 expression. Furthermore, by applying hierarchical characteristic fragment analysis and molecular docking and dynamics simulation, we clarified that phenyl-containing compounds competitively bound to DRD1 and interfered with dopamine signaling, thereby contributing to mental disorders. Taken together, this work provides experimental evidence for researchers and clinicians to identify hazardous factors in PM2.5 and prevent adverse health outcomes and for local governments and municipalities to control source emissions for diminishing specific disease burdens.

Investigation of the α9-nicotinic receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms induced oncogenic properties and molecular mechanisms in breast cancer.

α9-nAChR, a subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, is significantly overexpressed in female breast cancer tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Previous studies have proposed that specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CHRNA9 (α9-nAChR) gene are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in interaction with smoking. The study conducted a breast cancer risk assessment of the α9-nAChR SNP rs10009228 (NM_017581.4:c.1325A > G) in the Taiwanese female population, including 308 breast cancer patients and 198 healthy controls revealed that individuals with the heterozygous A/G or A/A wild genotype have an increased susceptibility to developing breast cancer in the presence of smoking compared to carriers of the G/G variant genotype. Our investigation confirmed the presence of this missense variation, resulting in an alteration of the amino acid sequence from asparagine (N442) to serine (S442) to facilitate phosphorylation within the α9-nAchR protein. Additionally, overexpression of N442 (A/A) in breast cancer cells significantly enhanced cell survival, migration, and cancer stemness compared to S442 (G/G). Four-line triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft (TNBC-PDX) models with distinct α9-nAChR rs10009228 SNP genotypes (A/A, A/G, G/G) further demonstrated that chronic nicotine exposure accelerated tumor growth through sustained activation of the α9-nAChR downstream oncogenic AKT/ERK/STAT3 pathway, particularly in individuals with the A/G or A/A genotype. Collectively, our study established the links between genetic variations in α9-nAChR and smoking exposure in promoting breast tumor development. This emphasizes the need to consider gene-environment interactions carefully while developing effective breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies.