Genomic Characteristics of Emerging Intraerythrocytic Anaplasma capra and High Prevalence in Goats, China.

Anaplasma capra is an emerging tickborne human pathogen initially recognized in China in 2015; it has been reported in ticks and in a wide range of domestic and wild animals worldwide. We describe whole-genome sequences of 2 A. capra strains from metagenomic sequencing of purified erythrocytes from infected goats in China. The genome of A. capra was the smallest among members of the genus Anaplasma. The genomes of the 2 A. capra strains contained comparable G+C content and numbers of pseudogenes with intraerythrocytic Anaplasma species. The 2 A. capra strains had 54 unique genes. The prevalence of A. capra was high among goats in the 2 endemic areas. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the A. capra strains detected in this study were basically classified into 2 subclusters with those previously detected in Asia. Our findings clarify details of the genomic characteristics of A. capra and shed light on its genetic diversity.

Characterization of bacterial communities in ticks parasitizing cattle in a touristic location in southwestern China.

The purpose of this study was to investigate tick species around Mount Fanjing and analyze bacterial communities in two species - Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemaphysalis longicornis - parasitizing cattle in Tongren, Guizhou province, Southwest China, using high-throughput sequencing methods. In April 2019, ticks were collected from five sites in Jiangkou County, Yinjiang County, and Songtao County. In total, 296 ticks were collected, comprising two genera and three species: H. longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, and R. microplus. Rhipicephalus microplus was the most representative species (57.4%) within the collected group, being the dominant species in Tongren City, followed by H. longicornis (39.5%) and H. flava (3.0%). Beta-diversity analysis revealed differences in bacterial community composition among the tick species. The bacterial community structure of R. microplus collected in the three counties was highly similar. Chlorella and Bacillus were highly abundant in H. longicornis. Rickettsia was detected at high relative abundance in R. microplus but in low relative abundance in H. longicornis, suggesting that Rickettsia is more associated with R. microplus than with H. longicornis. More in-depth investigations are needed to determine the pathogenic risk of Rickettsia and its relationship with the host. This is the first survey on tick-borne bacterial communities in this area, which is of great significance for the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases locally.

HomeoboxC6 affects the apoptosis of human vascular endothelial cells and is involved in atherosclerosis.

Apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) is highly important in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS). HomeboxC6 (HOXC6) is expressed in higher levels in multiple malignant tissues, and it influences the malignant biological behavior of the cancer cells. However, the effects of HOXC6 on AS and the apoptosis of VECs have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that HOXC6 expression was increased in aortic wall of AS rats and peripheral blood monocytes of patients with coronary heart disease. Furthermore, it was uncovered that BAX expression was upregulated, while BCL-2 expression was downregulated in the aortic wall of AS rats. The apoptosis of human VECs (HVECs) cultured normally or treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein in vitro was decreased after transfection with HOXC6-siRNA. Moreover, the results of Western blot analysis unveiled that the expressions of proapoptotic proteins, such as BAX, caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, and caspase-9 were reduced, while the expression of antiapoptotic protein, BCL-2, was elevated. Meanwhile, mRNA and protein expressions of phospholipase C beta (PLCß) were decreased, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C zeta (PKCζ) and nuclear transcription factor-κB-p65 (NF-κBp65) and the membrane translocation of PKCζ were reduced as well. Besides, the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) protein was downregulated. However, after overexpression of HOXC6, the opposite trends of the abovementioned indices were observed. Furthermore, the inhibition of apoptosis induced by HOXC6-siRNA was reversed by lysophosphatidylcholine, an activator of PKCζ. Taken together, our results indicated that HOXC6 can promote the apoptosis of HVECs and may be involved in the occurrence and development of AS, which may be partially associated with the activation of PLCß/PKCζ/NF-κBp65/IL-18 signaling pathway.

IgG antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein correlate with the severity of COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) is a current worldwide threat for which the immunological features after infection need to be investigated. The aim of this study was to establish a highly sensitive and quantitative detection method for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody and to compare the antibody reaction difference in patients with different disease severity. RESULTS: Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to establish an indirect IgG ELISA detection system. The sensitivity of the ELISA was 100% with a specificity of 96.8% and a 98.3% concordance when compared to a colloidal gold kit, in addition, the sensitivity of the ELISA was 100% with a specificity of 98.9% and a 99.4% concordance when compared to a SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 protein IgG antibody ELISA kit. The increased sensitivity resulted in a higher rate of IgG antibody detection for COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the quantitative detection can be conducted with a much higher serum dilution (1:400 vs 1:10, 1:400 vs 1:100). The antibody titers of 88 patients with differing COVID-19 severity at their early convalescence ranged from 800 to 102,400, and the geometric mean titer for severe and critical cases, moderate cases, asymptomatic and mild cases was 51,203, 20,912, and 9590 respectively. CONCLUSION: The development of a highly sensitive ELISA system for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies is described herein. This system enabled a quantitative study of rSARS-CoV-2-N IgG antibody titers in COVID-19 patients, the occurrence of higher IgG antibody titers were found to be correlated with more severe cases.

Immunotherapeutic effects of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells on systemic lupus erythematosus.

Mesenchymal stem cells have been applied to treat graft versus host disease as they have immunosuppressive ability and can overcome the major histocompatibility complex-histocompatibility barrier. The potential of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was investigated in this study. MRL/lpr mice which can develop acquired SLE-like phenotypes were selected as an animal model. Mesenchymal stem cells obtained from green fluorescent protein-transgenic ICR mice were infused into MRL/lpr mice at either the early or late stage of disease. The dosage was 1 × 106/mice per infusion. Mice were stratified into six groups including negative controls and those receiving one, two, three, four or five doses at 2-weekly intervals. The phenotypes were monitored regularly. After treatment, the spleen CD3+CD4-CD8- T and CD19+ B cells of two-dose mesenchymal stem cell-treated mice were significantly lower than those of the phosphate-buffered saline control. In terms of reducing the severity of SLE such as hair loss, skin ulcers, proteinuria and anti-dsDNA level, mesenchymal stem cells given at the early stage responded better and mice receiving two doses of mesenchymal stem cells performed better than those receiving either a lower dose (one dose) or higher doses (three, four or five doses). In conclusion, early treatment and an optimal dose of mesenchymal stem cells can effectively suppress the murine SLE model.

Abnormal expression of homeobox c6 in the atherosclerotic aorta and its effect on proliferation and migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

Homeobox c6 (Hoxc6) affects the proliferation, migration, and infiltration of malignant tumor cells; however, the effect of Hoxc6 on atherosclerosis (AS) as well as the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which play a role in promoting AS, has not yet been well clarified. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Hoxc6 affects the proliferation and migration of rat VSMCs, and hence is involved in AS. The results showed that the expression of Hoxc6 mRNA and protein was higher in normal rat aortic wall than in the myocardium. Subsequently, a rat model of AS was established by high-fat feeding for 2 months. The expression of Hoxc6 mRNA and protein was increased significantly in AS lesions, while the expression of p53 protein was decreased and that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was increased. Moreover, not only the proliferation and mobility of cells in normal culture were decreased, but also the proliferation was stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein, which was decreased after downregulation of Hoxc6 expression in VSMCs in rat. Consecutively, the expression of PCNA protein was decreased, while that of p53 was increased. These results indicated that Hoxc6 is probably involved in AS via p53 and PCNA by affecting the proliferation and migration of VSMCs.

High-Mobility Group Nucleosome-Binding Protein 1 Mediates Renal Fibrosis Correlating with Macrophages Accumulation and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Diabetic Nephropathy Mice Model.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Renal fibrosis is essential for the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Macrophages accumulate in diabetic kidneys and are involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a vital mechanism leading to renal fibrosis. Recently, high-mobility group nucleosome-binding protein 1(HMGN1) was documented in promoting the recruitment and activation of antigen-presenting cells. In this study, we first reported its roles in renal fibrosis and the underlying mechanism associated with macrophage filtration and EMT. METHODS: Twenty C57BL/6J mice were administered streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes for 6 weeks and then divided into 4 groups: normal control group; DN group; benazepril-treated group, and insulin-treated group. Blood glucose, creatinine, and albumin in urine, hematoxylin and eosin, and Sirius red staining of kidney tissues were used to assess the renal pathology. ELISA, immunochemistry, and in situ hybridization were performed to determine the expression of HMGN1, CD68, F4/80, α-smooth muscle actin, and E-cadherin. RESULTS: The renal expression levels of HMGN1, macrophage markers, and EMT makers were increased in DN group, and insulin treatment could reduce the overexpression of these indicators with a better effect than benazepril treatment. Both treatments could not obviously ameliorate urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, collagen expression, and renal histological changes in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Correlation analysis indicated that there was a relationship among HMGN1, macrophage markers, EMT markers, and collagen expression in DN mice. CONCLUSION: HMGN1 may promote macrophages accumulation and EMT, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing renal fibrosis development in DN.

Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems using rift valley fever virus nucleocapsid protein and inactivated virus as antigens.

BACKGROUND: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis. To detect RVF virus (RVFV) infection, indirect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) which utilize recombinant RVFV nucleocapsid (RVFV-N) protein as assay antigen, have reportedly been used, however, there is still a need to develop more sensitive and specific methods of detection. METHODS: RVFV-N protein was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified by histidine-tag based affinity chromatography. This recombinant RVFV-N (rRVFV-N) protein was then used as antigen to develop an IgG sandwich ELISA and IgM capture ELISAs for human sera. Ninety six serum samples collected from healthy volunteers during the RVF surveillance programme in Kenya in 2013, and 93 serum samples collected from RVF-suspected patients during the 2006-2007 RVF outbreak in Kenya were used respectively, to evaluate the newly established rRVFV-N protein-based IgG sandwich ELISA and IgM capture ELISA systems in comparison with the inactivated virus-based ELISA systems. RESULTS: rRVFV-N protein-based-IgG sandwich ELISA and IgM capture ELISA for human sera were established. Both the new ELISA systems were in 100% concordance with the inactivated virus-based ELISA systems, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant RVFV-N is a safe and affordable antigen for RVF diagnosis. Our rRVFV-N-based ELISA systems are safe and reliable tools for diagnosis of RVFV infection in humans and especially useful in large-scale epidemiological investigation and for application in developing countries.

The world first two cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: An epidemiological study in Nagasaki, Japan.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV), a novel phlebovirus belonging to the family Bunyaviridae, was reported in China for the first time in 2009. We observed two cases where the SFTSV was isolated for the first time in Nagasaki, Japan, in 2005. Two males in their 60s, a farmer and a hunter, respectively, living in Nagasaki developed SFTS during the same period. The patients developed similar clinical symptoms and signs, such as fever, loss of consciousness, and multiple organ dysfunction. The farmer died and the hunter survived. A retrospective diagnosis of SFTS was made in 2013, and genetic analysis revealed that the patients were infected with different SFTSV strains. Retrospective analysis of cytokine production in non-fatal case revealed interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and interferon-γ level of acute phase was low and could be potential prognostic factors. As there are no epidemiological studies of positive rate of SFTSV antibody in people living in endemic areas in Japan, a field study was performed. Volunteers at high risk for tick bites, such as hunters, farmers, and soldiers, were recruited in 6 regions, including the areas where the SFTS cases occurred. Three hundred and twenty six volunteers in Nagasaki prefecture were examined and none of these tested positive for the SFTSV antibody. Our data indicates that the risk for SFTSV infection is not high in Nagasaki prefecture. Further collection of blood samples from endemic areas is warranted for the prevention of SFTSV infection.

Application of recombinant severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus nucleocapsid protein for the detection of SFTSV-specific human IgG and IgM antibodies by indirect ELISA.

BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging disease that was first reported in China in 2011. It is caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV) which is a member of the Phlebovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family. SFTSV has been classified as a BSL3 pathogen. There is a need to develop safe and affordable serodiagnostic methods for proper clinical management of infected patients. METHODS: The full length nucleocapsid (N) gene of SFTSV Yamaguchi strain was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned to an expression vector pQE30. The recombinant (r) SFTSV-N protein was expressed by using Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression system and purified under native conditions. rSFTSV-N protein based indirect IgG and IgM enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems were established to detect specific human IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. One hundred fifteen serum samples from clinically suspected-SFTS patients were used to evaluate the newly established systems and the results were compared with the total antibody detecting sandwich ELISA system. RESULTS: The native form of recombinant (r) SFTSV-N protein was expressed and purified. Application of the rSFTSV-N protein based indirect IgG ELISA to the 115 serum samples showed results that perfectly matched those of the total antibody sandwich ELISA with a sensitivity and specificity of 100 %. The rSFTSV-N protein based indirect IgM ELISA missed 8 positive samples that were detected by the total antibody sandwich ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of rSFTSV-N-IgM capture ELISA were 90.59 and 100 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rSFTSV-N protein is highly immunoreactive and a good target for use as an assay antigen in laboratory diagnosis. Its preparation is simpler in comparison with that used for the total antibody sandwich system. Our rSFTSV-N protein-based IgG and IgM ELISA systems have the advantage of distinguishing two types of antibodies and require small volume of serum sample only. They are safe to use for diagnosis of SFTS virus infection and especially fit in large-scale epidemiological investigations.

NS1' protein expression facilitates production of Japanese encephalitis virus in avian cells and embryonated chicken eggs.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which belongs to the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae, is a leading cause of meningo-encephalitis in Asian countries. The flavivirus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) plays a role in virus replication and in the elicitation of an immune response. The NS1' protein found among the members of the JEV subgroup is an extended form of NS1 and is generated by a -1 ribosomal frameshift. This protein is known to be involved in viral pathogenicity; however, its specific function is still unknown. Here, we describe an investigation of the molecular function of NS1' protein through the production of JEV NS1'-expressing and -non-expressing clones and their infection of avian and mammalian cells. Efficient NS1' protein expression was observed in avian cells and was found to facilitate JEV production in both avian cultured cells and embryonated chicken eggs. NS1' protein was observed to co-localize with NS5 protein and resulted in increased viral RNA levels in avian cells. These findings clearly indicate that NS1' enhances the production of JEV in avian cells and may facilitate the amplification/maintenance role of birds in the virus transmission cycle in nature.

Tanay virus, a new species of virus isolated from mosquitoes in the Philippines.

In 2005, we isolated a new species of virus from mosquitoes in the Philippines. The virion was elliptical in shape and had a short single projection. The virus was named Tanay virus (TANAV) after the locality in which it was found. TANAV genomic RNA was a 9562 nt+poly-A positive strand, and polycistronic. The longest ORF contained putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP); however, conserved short motifs in the RdRP were permuted. TANAV was phylogenetically close to Negevirus, a recently proposed taxon of viruses isolated from haemophagic insects, and to some plant viruses, such as citrus leprosis virus C, hibiscus green spot virus and blueberry necrotic ring blotch virus. In this paper, we describe TANAV and the permuted structure of its RdRP, and discuss its phylogeny together with those of plant viruses and negevirus.

Abnormal protein SUMOylation in liver disease: novel target for therapy.

SUMOylation is an important protein post-translational modification (PTM) process, in which the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein covalently binds to the target protein and regulates stability, subcellular localization, and protein-protein interaction of the target protein. Protein SUMOylation exerts crucial regulatory function in the liver, and its abnormalities are associated with various liver-related disease processes. This review focuses on the biological functions of protein SUMOylation in liver-related diseases in recent years, summarizes the molecular mechanisms of SUMOylation in the replication of hepatitis viruses and the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma, and discusses the significance of SUMOylation in liver-related disorders, which is essential for understanding liver biological processes and formulating therapeutic strategies.

[High mobility group nucleosome binding protein 1 (HMGN1) induces activation of mouse BV2 microglia and upregulates their pro-inflammatory mediator expression by activating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB p65/IKK-ß signal pathway].

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of high-mobility group nucleosome-binding protein 1 (HMGN1) on the inflammatory response of mouse BV2 microglia. Methods BV2 cells were incubated with recombinant HMGN1 at different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 ng/mL) for 6 hours, and the morphological changes were observed under a microscope. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were detected by real time quantitative PCR. Microglial cells were then randomly divided into a control group, model group, inhibitor group and antagonist group. The cells in the model group were treated with 500 ng/mL HMGN1, while the antagonist group was treated with 500 ng/mL TAK-242 (resatorvid), a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist, in addition to HMGN1. Real time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of M1/M2 markers in the four groups, and Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein expression levels of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor88 (MyD88), nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) and inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB)kinase ß(IKK-ß). Results After the treatment of HMGN1, the morphology of BV2 cells changed significantly, showing an amoeba-like appearance. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß and MCP-1 increased with the HMGN1 concentration, with a statistically significant difference compared to the 0 ng/mL HMGN1 group. At the same time, the mRNA level of iNOS, a M1 phenotype marker, increased with the HMGN1 concentration, while the level of CD206, a M2 phenotype marker, decreased with HMGN1 concentration, showing a statistically significant difference compared to the 0 ng/mL HMGN1 group. Compared with the model group, the mRNA level of M1 phenotypic marker iNOS in the antagonist group was significantly lower, and the level of M2 phenotypic marker CD206 was significantly higher. The results of immunofluorescence cytochemistry also showed that the expression of M1 phenotypic marker iNOS in the antagonist group was lower. The results of Western blot suggested that the protein expression levels of iNOS, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB p65 and IKK-ß decreased significantly in the antagonist group. Conclusion HMGN1 may induce the activation of BV2 microglial cells by upregulating pro-inflammatory mediators through activating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB p65/IKK-ß signaling pathway.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in breast cancer: a predictive model for prognosis and therapy selection.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of mortality among women, underscoring the urgent need for improved therapeutic predictio. Developing a precise prognostic model is crucial. The role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ERS) in cancer suggests its potential as a critical factor in BC development and progression, highlighting the importance of precise prognostic models for tailored treatment strategies. Methods: Through comprehensive analysis of ERS-related gene expression in BC, utilizing both single-cell and bulk sequencing data from varied BC subtypes, we identified eight key ERS-related genes. LASSO regression and machine learning techniques were employed to construct a prognostic model, validated across multiple datasets and compared with existing models for its predictive accuracy. Results: The developed ERS-model categorizes BC patients into distinct risk groups with significant differences in clinical prognosis, confirmed by robust ROC, DCA, and KM analyses. The model forecasts survival rates with high precision, revealing distinct immune infiltration patterns and treatment responsiveness between risk groups. Notably, we discovered six druggable targets and validated Methotrexate and Gemcitabine as effective agents for high-risk BC treatment, based on their sensitivity profiles and potential for addressing the lack of active targets in BC. Conclusion: Our study advances BC research by establishing a significant link between ERS and BC prognosis at both the molecular and cellular levels. By stratifying patients into risk-defined groups, we unveil disparities in immune cell infiltration and drug response, guiding personalized treatment. The identification of potential drug targets and therapeutic agents opens new avenues for targeted interventions, promising to enhance outcomes for high-risk BC patients and paving the way for personalized cancer therapy.

Enhancing breast cancer outcomes with machine learning-driven glutamine metabolic reprogramming signature.

Background: This study aims to identify precise biomarkers for breast cancer to improve patient outcomes, addressing the limitations of traditional staging in predicting treatment responses. Methods: Our analysis encompassed data from over 7,000 breast cancer patients across 14 datasets, which included in-house clinical data and single-cell data from 8 patients (totaling 43,766 cells). We utilized an integrative approach, applying 10 machine learning algorithms in 54 unique combinations to analyze 100 existing breast cancer signatures. Immunohistochemistry assays were performed for empirical validation. The study also investigated potential immunotherapies and chemotherapies. Results: Our research identified five consistent glutamine metabolic reprogramming (GMR)-related genes from multi-center cohorts, forming the foundation of a novel GMR-model. This model demonstrated superior accuracy in predicting recurrence and mortality risks compared to existing clinical and molecular features. Patients classified as high-risk by the model exhibited poorer outcomes. IHC validation in 30 patients reinforced these findings, suggesting the model's broad applicability. Intriguingly, the model indicates a differential therapeutic response: low-risk patients may benefit more from immunotherapy, whereas high-risk patients showed sensitivity to specific chemotherapies like BI-2536 and ispinesib. Conclusions: The GMR-model marks a significant leap forward in breast cancer prognosis and the personalization of treatment strategies, offering vital insights for the effective management of diverse breast cancer patient populations.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids: Current progress and challenges.

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived kidney organoids share similarities with the fetal kidney. However, the current hPSC-derived kidney organoids have some limitations, including the inability to perform nephrogenesis and lack of a corticomedullary definition, uniform vascular system, and coordinated exit pathway for urinary filtrate. Therefore, further studies are required to produce hPSC-derived kidney organoids that accurately mimic human kidneys to facilitate research on kidney development, regeneration, disease modeling, and drug screening. In this review, we discussed recent advances in the generation of hPSC-derived kidney organoids, how these organoids contribute to the understanding of human kidney development and research in disease modeling. Additionally, the limitations, future research focus, and applications of hPSC-derived kidney organoids were highlighted.

Clinical Factors Associated with SFTS Diagnosis and Severity in Cats.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a potentially fatal tick-borne zoonosis caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). In addition to tick bites, animal-to-human transmission of SFTSV has been reported, but little is known about feline SFTSV infection. In this study, we analyzed data on 187 cats with suspected SFTS to identify biomarkers for SFTS diagnosis and clinical outcome. Body weight, red and white blood cell and platelet counts, and serum aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels were useful for SFTS diagnosis, whereas alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and serum SFTSV RNA levels were associated with clinical outcome. We developed a scoring model to predict SFTSV infection. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to reveal the relationship between disease severity and viral strain. This study provides comprehensive information on feline SFTS and could contribute to the protection of cat owners, community members, and veterinarians from the risk of cat-transmitted SFTSV infection.

Discovery of the first insect nidovirus, a missing evolutionary link in the emergence of the largest RNA virus genomes.

Nidoviruses with large genomes (26.3-31.7 kb; 'large nidoviruses'), including Coronaviridae and Roniviridae, are the most complex positive-sense single-stranded RNA (ssRNA+) viruses. Based on genome size, they are far separated from all other ssRNA+ viruses (below 19.6 kb), including the distantly related Arteriviridae (12.7-15.7 kb; 'small nidoviruses'). Exceptionally for ssRNA+ viruses, large nidoviruses encode a 3'-5'exoribonuclease (ExoN) that was implicated in controlling RNA replication fidelity. Its acquisition may have given rise to the ancestor of large nidoviruses, a hypothesis for which we here provide evolutionary support using comparative genomics involving the newly discovered first insect-borne nidovirus. This Nam Dinh virus (NDiV), named after a Vietnamese province, was isolated from mosquitoes and is yet to be linked to any pathology. The genome of this enveloped 60-80 nm virus is 20,192 nt and has a nidovirus-like polycistronic organization including two large, partially overlapping open reading frames (ORF) 1a and 1b followed by several smaller 3'-proximal ORFs. Peptide sequencing assigned three virion proteins to ORFs 2a, 2b, and 3, which are expressed from two 3'-coterminal subgenomic RNAs. The NDiV ORF1a/ORF1b frameshifting signal and various replicative proteins were tentatively mapped to canonical positions in the nidovirus genome. They include six nidovirus-wide conserved replicase domains, as well as the ExoN and 2'-O-methyltransferase that are specific to large nidoviruses. NDiV ORF1b also encodes a putative N7-methyltransferase, identified in a subset of large nidoviruses, but not the uridylate-specific endonuclease that - in deviation from the current paradigm - is present exclusively in the currently known vertebrate nidoviruses. Rooted phylogenetic inference by Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods indicates that NDiV clusters with roniviruses and that its branch diverged from large nidoviruses early after they split from small nidoviruses. Together these characteristics identify NDiV as the prototype of a new nidovirus family and a missing link in the transition from small to large nidoviruses.

Acteoside alleviates UUO-induced inflammation and fibrosis by regulating the HMGN1/TLR4/TREM1 signaling pathway.

Purpose: Acteoside (Act), a phenylethanoid compound that was first isolated from mullein, has been widely used for the investigation of anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effect. However, the mechanism of Act against unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-mediated renal injury is largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of Act on UUO rats and possible mechanisms. Methods: A total of 20 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into three groups (n ≥ 6): (i) sham-operated group (Sham); (ii) UUO group (UUO+Saline); and (iii) UUO + Act 40 mg/kg/day, (UUO+Act); Continuous gavage administration for 2 weeks postoperatively, while the rats in Sham and UUO+saline groups were given equal amounts of saline. All rats were sacrificed after 14 days, the urine and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, the renal tissues were collected for pathological staining and immunohistochemistry. Correlations between individual proteins were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The results of renal function indexes and histopathological staining showed that Act could improve renal function by reducing serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urine protein at the same time, Act could alleviate renal inflammation and fibrosis. In addition, the results of immunohistochemistry showed that Act could reduce the expression of inflammation and kidney injury-related proteins F4/80, Mcp-1, KIM-1 proteins, as well as the expression of fibrosis-related protein α-SMA and ß-catenin. More importantly, Act can also reduce the expression of HMGN1, TLR4 and TREM-1 proteins. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that Act can ameliorate UUO-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis in rats probably through triggering HMGN1/TLR4/TREM-1 pathway.