The Receptor-Like Kinase ERECTA Confers Improved Water Use Efficiency and Drought Tolerance to Poplar via Modulating Stomatal Density.

Poplar is one of the most important tree species in the north temperate zone, but poplar plantations are quite water intensive. We report here that CaMV 35S promoter-driven overexpression of the PdERECTA gene, which is a member of the LRR-RLKs family from Populus nigra × (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra), improves water use efficiency and enhances drought tolerance in triploid white poplar. PdERECTA localizes to the plasma membrane. Overexpression plants showed lower stomatal density and larger stomatal size. The abaxial stomatal density was 24-34% lower and the stomatal size was 12-14% larger in overexpression lines. Reduced stomatal density led to a sharp restriction of transpiration, which was about 18-35% lower than the control line, and instantaneous water use efficiency was around 14-63% higher in overexpression lines under different conditions. These phenotypic changes led to increased drought tolerance. PdERECTA overexpression plants not only survived longer after stopping watering but also performed better when supplied with limited water, as they had better physical and photosynthesis conditions, faster growth rate, and higher biomass accumulation. Taken together, our data suggest that PdERECTA can alter the development pattern of stomata to reduce stomatal density, which then restricts water consumption, conferring enhanced drought tolerance to poplar. This makes PdERECTA trees promising candidates for establishing more water use efficient plantations.

A cell based high-throughput screening approach for the discovery of new inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus.

BACKGROUND: Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a highly contagious pathogen and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia for infants and children under one year of age. Worldwide, greater than 33 million children under five years of age are affected by hRSV resulting in three million hospitalizations and 200,000 deaths. However, severe lower respiratory tract disease may occur at any age, especially among the elderly or those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems. There is no vaccine commercially available. Existing therapies for the acute infection are ribavirin and the prophylactic humanized monoclonal antibody (Synagis® from MedImmune) that is limited to use in high risk pediatric patients. Thus, the discovery of new inhibitors for hRSV would be clinically beneficial. RESULTS: We have developed and validated a 384-well cell-based, high-throughput assay that measures the cytopathic effect of hRSV (strain Long) in HEp-2 cells using a luminescent-based detection system for signal endpoint (Cell Titer Glo®). The assay is sensitive and robust, with Z factors greater than 0.8, signal to background greater than 35, and signal to noise greater than 24. Utilizing this assay, 313,816 compounds from the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository were screened at 10 µM. We identified 7,583 compounds that showed greater than 22% CPE inhibition in the primary screen. The top 2,500 compounds were selected for confirmation screening and 409 compounds showed at least 50% inhibition of CPE and were considered active. We selected fifty-one compounds, based on potency, selectivity and chemical tractability, for further evaluation in dose response and secondary assays Several compounds had SI50 values greater than 3, while the most active compound displayed an SI50 value of 58.9. CONCLUSIONS: A robust automated luminescent-based high throughput screen that measures the inhibition of hRSV-induced cytopathic effect in HEp-2 cells for the rapid identification of potential inhibitors from large compound libraries has been developed, optimized and validated. The active compounds identified in the screen represent different classes of molecules, including aryl sulfonylpyrrolidines which have not been previously identified as having anti-hRSV activity.

Automated quantification of measurable residual disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia using an artificial intelligence-assisted workflow.

Detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an important prognostic marker. The most common CLL MRD method in current use is multiparameter flow cytometry, but availability is limited by the need for expert manual analysis. Automated analysis has the potential to expand access to CLL MRD testing. We evaluated the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) workflow for CLL MRD. We randomly selected 113 CLL MRD FCS files and divided them into training and validation sets. The training set (n = 41) was gated by expert manual analysis and used to train the AI model. We then compared the validation set (n = 72) MRD results obtained by the AI-assisted analysis versus those by expert manual analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot method. In the validation set, the AI-assisted analysis correctly categorized cases as MRD-negative versus MRD-positive in 96% of cases. When comparing the AI-assisted analysis versus the expert manual analysis, the Pearson r was 0.8650, mean bias was 0.2237 log10 units, and the 95% limit of agreement (LOA) was ±1.0282 log10 units. The AI-assisted analysis performed sub-optimally in atypical immunophenotype CLL and in cases lacking residual normal B cells. When excluding these outlier cases, the mean bias improved to 0.0680 log10 units and the 95% LOA to ±0.2926 log10 units. An automated AI-assisted workflow allows for the quantification of MRD in CLL with typical immunophenotype. Further work is required to improve performance in atypical immunophenotype CLL.

Validation of a 12-color flow cytometry assay for acute myeloid leukemia minimal/measurable residual disease detection.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) by multicolor flow cytometry is a complex laboratory developed test (LDT), challenging for implementation. We share our experience in the validation of a 12-color AML MRD flow cytometry assay to meet stringent regulatory requirements. METHODS: We worked under the guidelines of the CLSI HL62 publication, illustrated the details of the validation process that was tailored to uniqueness of AML MRD, and tested its clinical validity in 61 patients. The "trueness" was determined by correlating with concurrent molecular genetic testing and follow-up bone marrow examinations. RESULTS: Under assay specificity, we shared the details of panel design, analysis, and criteria for interpretation and reporting. The assay accuracy was assessed by testing known positive and negative samples and correlating with molecular genetic testing and follow-up bone marrow examination. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were validated to a level between 0.01% and 0.1%, varied from the leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIP) and the numbers of events obtained for analysis. Assay linearity, precision and carry over studies all met acceptable criteria. In the clinical validity test, the concordance was 93%, specificity 98% and sensitivity 83%. The most challenging aspects of the assay were the discrimination of pre-leukemic cells (persistent clonal hematopoiesis) or underlying myelodysplastic clones from AML MRD with immunophenotypic switch or subclone selection. CONCLUSION: The validation met all criteria and obtained FDA IDE (investigational device exemption) approval. This study provides ample technical and professional details in setting up the AML MRD flow cytometry assay and illustrates through the example of the "fit for purpose" validation process. We also highlight the need for further characterization of abnormal blasts bearing the potential for AML relapse.

Immunophenotypic and Molecular Features of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Differentiation Are Distinct from Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with ≥2% plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) has been recently described as AML with pDC differentiation (pDC-AML) characterized by pDC expansion with frequent RUNX1 mutations. In this study, we investigated a cohort of 53 pDC-AML cases representing about 3% of all AML cases. We characterized their immunophenotype and genetic profiles and compared these findings with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). pDC-differentiation/expansion was preferentially observed in AML with an immature myeloid or myelomonocytic immunophenotype, where myeloblasts were frequently positive for CD34 (98%), CD117 (94%), HLA-DR (100%) and TdT (79%), with increased CD123 (89%) expression. The median number of pDCs in pDC-AML was 6.6% (range, 2% to 26.3%) and their immunophenotype reminiscent of pDCs in early or intermediate stages of differentiation. The immunophenotype of pDCs in pDC-AML was different from BPDCN (n = 39), with major disparities in CD34 (96% vs. 0%), CD56 (8% vs. 97%) and TCL1 (12% vs. 98%) and significant differences in frequency of CD4, CD13, CD22, CD25, CD36, CD38, CD117 and CD303 expression. At the molecular level, the genetic landscapes of pDC-AML and BPDCN also differ, with RUNX1 mutations detected in 64% of pDC-AML versus 2% of BPDCN. Disparities in TET2 (21% vs. 56%), FLT3 (23% vs. 0%), DNMT3A (32% vs. 10%) and ZRSR2 (2% vs. 16%) (all p < 0.05) were also detected. The distinct immunophenotypic and mutation profiles of pDC-AML and BPDCN indicate that the neoplastic pDCs in pDC-AML and BPDCN derived from different subsets of pDC precursors.

Comprehensive immunophenotypic study of acute myeloid leukemia with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangement in adults: A single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangement is known for monocytic or myelomonocytic differentiation, but the full immunophenotypic spectrum and dynamic changes of the immunophenotype in this genetically defined disease have not been systematically studied. METHODS: We reviewed the immunophenotype, karyotype, and mutations at the time of initial diagnosis and relapse of adults with AML with KMT2A rearrangement in our institution between 2007 and 2020. RESULTS: We identified 102 patients: 44 men and 58 women with a median age of 52 years (range, 18-87). Forty-three patients were considered to be therapy-related. Twenty-four out of 64 patients relapsed from complete remission after induction therapy, 34 had persistent/progressive disease, and 58 patients died with a median overall survival of 17 months. We detected five immunophenotypes: immature monocytic (38%); myelomonocytic (22%); myeloblastic (22%); mature monocytic (10%); and acute promyelocytic (APL)-like (8%). By chromosomal breakpoints, we presumed 11 different partners; t(9;11) (p22;q23)/MLLT3-KMT2A was the most common rearrangement (n = 56, 55%), followed by t(6;11) (q27;q23)/AFDN-KMT2A (n = 13,13%). Patients with t(6;11) (q27;q23)/AFDN-KMT2A preferentially showed a myeloblastic phenotype (p = 0.026). Mutations were detected in 39/64 (61%) cases, and RAS pathway (NRAS/KRAS/PTPN11) was involved in 26/64 (41%) cases. None of the APL-like cases had mutations detected. At the time of disease relapse, 10/24 (42%) showed major immunophenotypic change, and 7/10 cases gained additional cytogenetic and/or molecular alterations. CONCLUSION: The immunophenotype of AML with KMT2A rearrangement is more diverse than previously recognized, with a substantial subset showing no evidence of monocytic differentiation. Major immunophenotype change is common at the time of relapse.

AIMp1 Potentiates TH1 Polarization and Is Critical for Effective Antitumor and Antiviral Immunity.

Dendritic cells (DCs) must integrate a broad array of environmental cues to exact control over downstream immune responses including TH polarization. The multienzyme aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex component AIMp1/p43 responds to cellular stress and exerts pro-inflammatory functions; however, a role for DC-expressed AIMp1 in TH polarization has not previously been shown. Here, we demonstrate that the absence of AIMp1 in bone marrow-derived DC (BMDC) significantly impairs cytokine and costimulatory molecule expression, p38 MAPK signaling, and TH1 polarization of cocultured T-cells while significantly dysregulating immune-related gene expression. These deficits resulted in significantly compromised BMDC vaccine-mediated protection against melanoma. AIMp1 within the host was also critical for innate and adaptive antiviral immunity against influenza virus infection in vivo. Cancer patients with AIMp1 expression levels in the highest tertiles exhibited a 70% survival advantage at 15-year postdiagnosis as determined by bioinformatics analysis of nearly 9,000 primary human tumor samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. These data establish the importance of AIMp1 for the effective governance of antitumor and antiviral immune responses.

The REGγ proteasome regulates hepatic lipid metabolism through inhibition of autophagy.

The ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy-lysosome systems are major proteolytic pathways, whereas function of the Ub-independent proteasome pathway is yet to be clarified. Here, we investigated roles of the Ub-independent REGγ-proteasome proteolytic system in regulating metabolism. We demonstrate that mice deficient for the proteasome activator REGγ exhibit dramatic autophagy induction and are protected against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver steatosis through autophagy. Molecularly, prevention of steatosis in the absence of REGγ entails elevated SirT1, a deacetylase regulating autophagy and metabolism. REGγ physically binds to SirT1, promotes its Ub-independent degradation, and inhibits its activity to deacetylate autophagy-related proteins, thereby inhibiting autophagy under normal conditions. Moreover, REGγ and SirT1 dissociate from each other through a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism under energy-deprived conditions, unleashing SirT1 to stimulate autophagy. These observations provide a function of the REGγ proteasome in autophagy and hepatosteatosis, underscoring mechanistically a crosstalk between the proteasome and autophagy degradation system in the regulation of lipid homeostasis.

(S)-N-(2,5-Dimethylphenyl)-1-(quinoline-8-ylsulfonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide as a small molecule inhibitor probe for the study of respiratory syncytial virus infection.

A high-throughput, cell-based screen was used to identify chemotypes as inhibitors for human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV). Optimization of a sulfonylpyrrolidine scaffold resulted in compound 5o that inhibited a virus-induced cytopathic effect in the entry stage of infection (EC50 = 2.3 ± 0.8 µM) with marginal cytotoxicity (CC50 = 30.9 ± 1.1 µM) and reduced viral titer by 100-fold. Compared to ribavirin, sulfonylpyrrolidine 5o demonstrated an improved in vitro potency and selectivity index.

Characterization of the Streptococcus suis XerS recombinase and its unconventional cleavage of the difSL site.

XerC and XerD are members of the tyrosine recombinase family and mediate site-specific recombination that contributes to the stability of circular chromosomes in bacteria by resolving plasmid multimers and chromosome dimers to monomers prior to cell division. Homologues of xerC/xerD genes have been found in many bacteria, and in the lactococci and streptococci, a single recombinase called XerS can perform the functions of XerC and XerD. The xerS gene of Streptococcus suis was cloned, overexpressed and purified as a maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion. The purified MBP-XerS fusion showed specific DNA-binding activity to both halves of the dif site of S. suis, and covalent protein-DNA complexes were also detected with dif site suicide substrates. These substrates were also cleaved in a specific fashion by MBP-XerS, generating cleavage products separated by an 11-bp spacer region, unlike the traditional 6-8-bp spacer observed in most tyrosine recombinases. Furthermore, xerS mutants of S. suis showed significant growth and morphological changes.

Discovery of novel benzoquinazolinones and thiazoloimidazoles, inhibitors of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses, from a cell-based high-throughput screen.

A highly reproducible and robust cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assay was adapted for screening of small molecules for antiviral activity against influenza virus strain A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1). The NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network (MLSCN) 100,000-compound library was screened at 50 µM. The "hit" rate (>25% inhibition of the viral cytopathic effect) from the single-dose screen was 0.32%. The hits were evaluated for their antiviral activity, cell toxicity, and selectivity in dose-response experiments. The screen yielded 5 active compounds (SI value >3). One compound showed an SI(50) value of greater than 3, 3 compounds had SI values ranging from greater than 14 to 34, and the most active compound displayed an SI value of 94. The active compounds represent 2 different classes of molecules, benzoquinazolinones and thiazoloimidazoles, which have not been previously identified as having antiviral/anti-influenza activity. These molecules were also effective against influenza A/California/04/2009 virus (H1N1) and other H1N1 and H5N1 virus strains in vitro but not H3N2 strains. Real-time qRT-PCR results reveal that these chemotypes significantly reduced M1 RNA levels as compared to the no-drug influenza-infected Madin Darby canine kidney cells.

The SARS-CoV ferret model in an infection-challenge study.

Phase I human clinical studies involving therapeutics for emerging and biodefense pathogens with low incidence, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), requires at a minimum preclinical evaluation of efficacy in two well-characterized and robust animal models. Thus, a ferret SARS-CoV model was evaluated over a period of 58 days following extensive optimization and characterization of the model in order to validate clinical, histopathological, virological and immunological endpoints. Ferrets that were infected intranasally with 10(3) TCID50 SARS-CoV showed higher body temperature (2-6 d.p.i.), sneezing (5-10 d.p.i.), lesions (5-7 d.p.i.) and decreased WBC/lymphocytes (2-5 d.p.i.). SARS-CoV was detected up to 7 d.p.i. in various tissues and excreta, while neutralizing antibody titers rose at 7 d.p.i. and peaked at 14 d.p.i. At 29 d.p.i., one group was challenged with 10(3) TCID50 SARS-CoV, and an anamnestic response in neutralizing antibodies was evident with no detectable virus. This study supports the validity of the ferret model for use in evaluating efficacy of potential therapeutics to treat SARS.