Analysis of a hit-and-run tumor model by HPV in oropharyngeal cancers.

Several viruses are known to be associated with the development of certain cancers, including human papilloma virus (HPV), an established causative agent for a range of anogenital and head and neck cancers. However, the causality has been based on the presence of the virus, or its genetic material, in the sampled tumors. We have long wondered if viruses cause cancer via a "hit and run" mechanism such that they are no longer present in the resulting tumors. Here, we hypothesize that the absence of viral genes from the tumor does not necessarily exclude the viral aetiology. To test this, we used an HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) tumor model and CRISPR to delete the viral oncogene, E7. Indeed, the genetic removal of HPV E7 oncogene eliminates tumors in vivo. Remarkably, E7 deleted tumors recurred over time and develop new mutations not previously seen in HPV+ OPC tumors. Importantly, a number of these new mutations are found to be already present in HPV- OPC tumors.

Hyperactivation of p53 using CRISPRa kills human papillomavirus-driven cervical cancer cells.

Clinical and pre-clinical work for a number of cancer types has demonstrated relatively positive outcomes and effective tumour regression when the level and function of p53, a well-established tumour suppressor, is restored. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven cancers encode the E6 oncoprotein, which leads to p53 degradation, to allow the carcinogenic process to proceed. Indeed, there have been several attempts to revive p53 function in HPV-driven cancers by both pharmacological and genetic means to increase p53 bioavailability. Here, we employed a CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) approach to overcome HPV-mediated silencing of p53 by hyperexpressing the p53 gene promoter. Our data show that CRISPRa-mediated hyperexpression of p53 leads to HPV+ cervical cancer cell killing and the reduction of cell proliferation. This proof-of-concept data suggest that increasing p53 bioavailability may potentially be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of HPV-driven cancers.

Encephalomyocarditis Virus Abrogates the Interferon Beta Signaling Pathway via Its Structural Protein VP2.

Type I interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral responses are critical for modulating host-virus responses, and indeed, viruses have evolved strategies to antagonize this pathway. Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is an important zoonotic pathogen, which causes myocarditis, encephalitis, neurological disease, reproductive disorders, and diabetes in pigs. This study aims to understand how EMCV interacts with the IFN pathway. EMCV circumvents the type I IFN response by expressing proteins that antagonize cellular innate immunity. Here, we show that EMCV VP2 is a negative regulator of the IFN-ß pathway. This occurs via the degradation of the MDA5-mediated cytoplasmic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) antiviral sensing RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) pathway. We show that structural protein VP2 of EMCV interacts with MDA5, MAVS, and TBK1 through its C terminus. In addition, we found that EMCV VP2 could significantly degrade RLRs by the proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. For the first time, EMCV VP2 was shown to play an important role in EMCV evasion of the type I IFN signaling pathway. This study expands our understanding that EMCV utilizes its capsid protein VP2 to evade the host antiviral response.IMPORTANCE Encephalomyocarditis virus is an important pathogen that can cause encephalitis, myocarditis, neurological diseases, and reproductive disorders. It also causes huge economic losses for the swine industry worldwide. Innate immunity plays an important role in defending the host from pathogen infection. Understanding pathogen microorganisms evading the host immune system is of great importance. Currently, whether EMCV evades cytosolic RNA sensing and signaling is still poorly understood. In the present study, we found that viral protein VP2 antagonized the RLR signaling pathway by degrading MDA5, MAVS, and TBK1 protein expression to facilitate viral replication in HEK293 cells. The findings in this study identify a new mechanism for EMCV evading the host's innate immune response, which provide new insights into the virus-host interaction and help develop new antiviral approaches against EMCV.

A SARS-CoV-2 targeted siRNA-nanoparticle therapy for COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in humans. Despite several emerging vaccines, there remains no verifiable therapeutic targeted specifically to the virus. Here we present a highly effective small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2 infection using a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system. Multiple siRNAs targeting highly conserved regions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were screened, and three candidate siRNAs emerged that effectively inhibit the virus by greater than 90% either alone or in combination with one another. We simultaneously developed and screened two novel LNP formulations for the delivery of these candidate siRNA therapeutics to the lungs, an organ that incurs immense damage during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Encapsulation of siRNAs in these LNPs followed by in vivo injection demonstrated robust repression of virus in the lungs and a pronounced survival advantage to the treated mice. Our LNP-siRNA approaches are scalable and can be administered upon the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. We suggest that an siRNA-LNP therapeutic approach could prove highly useful in treating COVID-19 disease as an adjunctive therapy to current vaccine strategies.

cGAS-STING responses are dampened in high-risk HPV type 16 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are a major health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than 90% of these tumours are head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Amongst the common risk factors for HNCs (tobacco and alcohol use), there is a strong association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with HNSCCs. HPV type 16 (HPV 16), the major high-risk HPV type, is most commonly associated with HPV-driven HNSCCs. The promiscuous nature of the major HPV oncogene, E7, allows its interaction with a myriad of host proteins including STING, a component of the viral DNA-sensing cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) - stimulator of interferon genes (STING) machinery. Sensing of viral DNA by the cGAS-STING machinery results in a type I interferon (IFN)-mediated anti-viral response. Amelioration of IFN responses resulting from the direct blockade of STING by E7 was first demonstrated in high-risk HPV type 18 (HPV 18) positive (+) cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) cells. However, the role of E7 from HPV 16 (HPV 16E7) in antagonising cGAS-STING responses have not been investigated, let alone in the context of HNSCCs. Here, we show that HPV 16E7+, but not HPV 16E7 negative (-), HNSCC cells respond poorly to cGAS-STING activation stimulus. We further confirm that this inhibition occurred via the highly conserved LXCXE motif in 16E7. This finding contributes to the better understanding of role of high-risk HPV E7 in blocking cGAS-STING pathway, especially in the context of HNSCCs.

The presence of multidrug-resistant staphylococcal isolates outside of a major hospital in London, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: Drug-resistant staphylococci have been a growing threat to the community and hospitals due to the misuse of antibiotics by humans, industrialisation and lack of novel antimicrobials currently available. Little is known about the prevalence of drug-resistant staphylococci in non-healthcare environments outside hospitals in the London area. Staphylococci can spread via contact with contaminated objects. Traffic light buttons present a fast and easy transmission route for staphylococci. METHODS: Traffic light buttons outside a major hospital in London were swabbed and cultured onto selective media to isolate staphylococci bacteria before performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing on the isolates. The identity of the isolates were determined using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). Staphylococci isolates resistant to oxacillin were further tested for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). PCR analysis of the mecA gene, a gene that confers resistance to oxacillin, is used to determine the level of resistance to oxacillin. RESULTS: Eight different staphylococcal species were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. Out of the 66 staphylococci isolates, 16 were resistant to multiple antibiotics including six isolates which were oxacillin resistant. CONCLUSION: This work provides evidence of the presence of multidrug-resistant staphylococci in the vicinity of the hospital environment in London.

RNAi Targeting of Human Metapneumovirus P and N Genes Inhibits Viral Growth.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important human respiratory pathogen and is implicated in an array of respiratory illnesses, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe bronchiolitis. Currently, there is no reliable vaccine or specific antiviral therapy for hMPV infection and treatment is supportive. The use of ribonucleic acid interference has the potential to change that with the targeting of essential viral genes via small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) offering the ability to directly and rapidly treat viral infections. METHOD: The human lung carcinoma epithelial cell line, A549, was transfected with siRNAs targeting the N and P genes before infecting with hMPV A2 CAN97-83. Viral growth inhibition was then measured by the viral plaque assay and nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P) gene knockdown was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: In vitro prophylactic use of siRNAs targeting the 3'-abundantly expressed N and P genes of hMPV resulted in potent, sequence-specific viral inhibition. The viral inhibition was specific and not mediated by an anti-viral interferon-ß response or cell death. CONCLUSION: The findings presented here confirmed the highly potent, sequence-specific antiviral effect of siRNAs targeting the N and P gene of hMPV. These results may facilitate the development of a novel therapeutic agent for hMPV control.

Differential uptake and cross-presentation of soluble and necrotic cell antigen by human DC subsets.

Cross-presentation is the mechanism by which exogenous Ag is processed for recognition by CD8(+) T cells. Murine CD8α(+) DCs are specialized at cross-presenting soluble and cellular Ag, but in humans this process is poorly characterized. In this study, we examined uptake and cross-presentation of soluble and cellular Ag by human blood CD141(+) DCs, the human equivalent of mouse CD8α(+) DCs, and compared them with human monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) and blood CD1c(+) DC subsets. MoDCs were superior in their capacity to internalize and cross-present soluble protein whereas CD141(+) DCs were more efficient at ingesting and cross-presenting cellular Ag. Whilst cross-presentation by CD1c(+) DCs and CD141(+) DCs was dependent on the proteasome, and hence cytosolic translocation, cross-presentation by MoDCs was not. Inhibition of endosomal acidification enhanced cross-presentation by CD1c(+) DCs and MoDCs but not by CD141(+) DCs. These data demonstrate that CD1c(+) DCs, CD141(+) DCs, and MoDCs are capable of cross-presentation; however, they do so via different mechanisms. Moreover, they demonstrate that human CD141(+) DCs, like their murine CD8α(+) DC counterparts, are specialized at cross-presenting cellular Ag, most likely mediated by an enhanced capacity to ingest cellular Ag combined with subtle changes in lysosomal pH during Ag processing and use of the cytosolic pathway.

Clinacanthus nutans: a review on ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological properties.

CONTEXT: Medicinal plants have attracted global attention for their hidden therapeutic potential. Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f) Lindau (Acanthaceae) (CN) is endemic in Southeast Asia. CN contains phytochemicals common to medicinal plants, such as flavonoids. Traditionally, CN has been used for a broad range of human ailments including snake bites and cancer. OBJECTIVES: This article compiles the ethnomedicinal uses of CN and its phytochemistry, and thus provides a phytochemical library of CN. It also discusses the known pharmacological and biological effects of CN to enable better investigation of CN. METHODS: This literature review was limited to articles and websites published in the English language. MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases were searched from December 2014 to September 2016 using the following keywords: "Clinacanthus nutans" and "Belalai gajah". The results were reviewed to identify relevant articles. Information from relevant selected studies was systematically analyzed from contemporary ethnopharmacological sources, evaluated against scientific literature, and extracted into tables. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 124 articles which were then further scrutinized revealing the promising biological activities of CN, including antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antitumorigenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Few articles discussed the mechanisms for these pharmacological activities. Furthermore, CN was beneficial in small-scale clinical trials for genital Herpes and aphthous stomatitis. CONCLUSION: Despite the rich ethnomedicinal knowledge behind the traditional uses of CN, the current scientific evidence to support these claims remains scant. More research is still needed to validate these medicinal claims, beginning by increasing the understanding of the biological actions of this plant.

Interaction and cellular uptake of surface-modified carbon dot nanoparticles by J774.1 macrophages.

Carbon dot (Cdot) nanoparticles are an emerging class of carbon nanomaterials with a promising potential for drug delivery and bio imaging applications. Although the interaction between Cdots and non-immune cell types has been well studied, Cdot interactions with macrophages have not been investigated. Exposure of Cdot nanoparticles to J774.1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, resulted in minimal toxicity, where notable toxicity was only seen with Cdot concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/ml. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that Cdots prepared from citric acid were internalized at significantly higher levels by macrophages compared with those prepared from bamboo leaves. Interestingly, macrophages preferentially took up phenylboronic acid (PB)-modified nanoparticles. By fluorescence microscopy, strong blue light-specific punctate Cdot fluorescence resembling Cdot structures in the cytosolic space was mostly observed in J774.1 macrophages exposed to PB-modified nanoparticles and not unmodified Cdot nanoparticles. PB binds to sialic acid residues that are overexpressed on diseased cell surfaces. Our findings demonstrate that PB-conjugated Cdots can be taken up by macrophages with low toxicity and high efficiency. These modified Cdots can be used to deliver drugs to suppress or eliminate aberrant immune cells such as macrophages associated with tumors such as tumor-associated macrophages.

FLT3-ligand treatment of humanized mice results in the generation of large numbers of CD141+ and CD1c+ dendritic cells in vivo.

We established a humanized mouse model incorporating FLT3-ligand (FLT3-L) administration after hematopoietic cell reconstitution to investigate expansion, phenotype, and function of human dendritic cells (DC). FLT3-L increased numbers of human CD141(+) DC, CD1c(+) DC, and, to a lesser extent, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) in the blood, spleen, and bone marrow of humanized mice. CD1c(+) DC and CD141(+) DC subsets were expanded to a similar degree in blood and spleen, with a bias toward expansion of the CD1c(+) DC subset in the bone marrow. Importantly, the human DC subsets generated after FLT3-L treatment of humanized mice are phenotypically and functionally similar to their human blood counterparts. CD141(+) DC in humanized mice express C-type lectin-like receptor 9A, XCR1, CADM1, and TLR3 but lack TLR4 and TLR9. They are major producers of IFN-λ in response to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid but are similar to CD1c(+) DC in their capacity to produce IL-12p70. Although all DC subsets in humanized mice are efficient at presenting peptide to CD8(+) T cells, CD141(+) DC are superior in their capacity to cross-present protein Ag to CD8(+) T cells following activation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. CD141(+) DC can be targeted in vivo following injection of Abs against human DEC-205 or C-type lectin-like receptor 9A. This model provides a feasible and practical approach to dissect the function of human CD141(+) and CD1c(+) DC and evaluate adjuvants and DC-targeting strategies in vivo.

Parasitic Mistletoes of the Genera Scurrula and Viscum: From Bench to Bedside.

The mistletoes, stem hemiparasites of Asia and Europe, have been used as medicinal herbs for many years and possess sophisticated systems to obtain nutrients from their host plants. Although knowledge about ethnomedicinal uses of mistletoes is prevalent in Asia, systematic scientific study of these plants is still lacking, unlike its European counterparts. This review aims to evaluate the literature on Scurrula and Viscum mistletoes. Both mistletoes were found to have anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antihypertensive properties. Plants from the genus Scurrula were found to inhibit cancer growth due to presence of phytoconstituents such as quercetin and fatty acid chains. Similar to plants from the genus Viscum, Scurrula also possesses TNFα activity to strengthen the immune system to combat cancer. In line with its anticancer activity, both mistletoes are rich in antioxidants that confer protection against cancer as well as neurodegeneration. Extracts from plants of both genera showed evidence of vasodilation and thus, antihypertensive effects. Other therapeutic effects such as weight loss, postpartum and gastrointestinal healing from different plants of the genus Scurrula are documented. As the therapeutic effects of plants from Scurrula are still in exploration stage, there is currently no known clinical trial on these plants. However, there are few on-going clinical trials for Viscum album that demonstrate the functionalities of these mistletoes. Future work required for exploring the benefits of these plants and ways to develop both parasitic plants as a source of pharmacological drug are explained in this article.

Intranasal antivirals against respiratory syncytial virus: the current therapeutic development landscape.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes bronchiolitis and other respiratory issues in immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and children. After six decades of research, we have only recently seen the approval of two RSV vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo. Direct-acting antivirals against RSV have been more difficult to develop with ribavirin and palivizumab giving very modest reductions in hospitalizations and no differences in mortality. Recently, nirsevimab was licensed and has proven to be much more effective when given prophylactically. These are delivered intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM), but an intranasal (IN) antiviral has several advantages in terms of ease of use, lower resource need, and acting at the site of infection. AREAS COVERED: In this paper, we review the available literature on the current pre-clinical research landscape of anti-RSV therapeutics tested for IN delivery. EXPERT OPINION: As RSV is a respiratory virus that infects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, efforts are focused on developing a therapeutic that can be delivered via the nasal route. The rationale is to directly target the replicating virus with an obvious respiratory tract tropism. This approach will not only pave the way for a nasal delivery approach aimed at reducing respiratory viral illness but also controlling aerosol virus transmission.

An intranasally delivered ultra-conserved siRNA prophylactically represses SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung and nasal cavity.

There remains a striking overall mortality burden of COVID-19 worldwide. Given the waning effectiveness of current SARS-CoV-2 antivirals due to the rapid emergence of new variants of concern (VOC), we employed a direct-acting molecular therapy approach using gene silencing RNA interference (RNAi) technology. In this study, we developed and screened several ultra-conserved small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) before selecting one potent siRNA candidate for pre-clinical in vivo testing. This non-immunostimulatory, anti-SARS-CoV-2 siRNA candidate maintains its antiviral activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 VOC and works effectively as a single agent. For the first time, significant antiviral effects in both the lungs and nasal cavities of SARS-CoV-2 infected mice were observed when this siRNA candidate was delivered intranasally (IN) as a prophylactic agent with the aid of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Importantly, a pre-exposure prophylactic IN-delivered anti-SARS-CoV-2 siRNA antiviral that can ameliorate viral replication in the nasal cavity could potentially prevent aerosol spread of respiratory viruses. An IN delivery approach would allow for the development of a direct-acting nasal spray approach that could be self-administered prophylactically.

Pseudorabies virus VHS protein abrogates interferon responses by blocking NF-κB and IRF3 nuclear translocation.

Herpesviruses antagonize host antiviral responses through a myriad of molecular strategies culminating in the death of the host cells. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a significant veterinary pathogen in pigs, causing neurological sequalae that ultimately lead to the animal's demise. PRV is known to trigger apoptotic cell death during the late stages of infection. The virion host shutdown protein (VHS) encoded by UL41 plays a crucial role in the PRV infection process. In this study, we demonstrate that UL41 inhibits PRV-induced activation of inflammatory cytokine and negatively regulates the cGAS-STING-mediated antiviral activity by targeting IRF3, thereby inhibiting the translocation and phosphorylation of IRF3. Notably, mutating the conserved amino acid sites (E192, D194, and D195) in the RNase domain of UL41 or knocking down UL41 inhibits the immune evasion of PRV, suggesting that UL41 may play a crucial role in PRV's evasion of the host immune response during infection. These results enhance our understanding of how PRV structural proteins assist the virus in evading the host immune response.

Extracellular Vesicles Loaded with Long Antisense RNAs Repress Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

Long antisense RNAs (asRNAs) have been observed to repress HIV and other virus expression in a manner that is refractory to viral evolution. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease, has a distinct ability to evolve resistance around antibody targeting, as was evident from the emergence of various SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody variants. Importantly, the effectiveness of current antivirals is waning due to the rapid emergence of new variants of concern, more recently the omicron variant. One means of avoiding the emergence of viral resistance is by using long asRNA to target SARS-CoV-2. Similar work has proven successful with HIV targeting by long asRNA. In this study, we describe a long asRNA targeting SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene and the ability to deliver this RNA in extracellular vesicles (EVs) to repress virus expression. The observations presented in this study suggest that EV-delivered asRNAs are one means to targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is both effective and broadly applicable as a means to control viral expression in the absence of mutation. This is the first demonstration of the use of engineered EVs to deliver long asRNA payloads for antiviral therapy.

Mammalian reovirus µ1 protein attenuates RIG-I and MDA5-mediated signaling transduction by blocking IRF3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation.

Mammalian reovirus (MRV) is a non-enveloped, gene segmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus. It is an important zoonotic pathogen that infects many mammals and vertebrates that act as natural hosts and causes respiratory and digestive tract diseases. Studies have reported that RIG-I and MDA5 in the innate immune cytoplasmic RNA-sensing RIG-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway can recognize dsRNA from MRV and promote antiviral type I interferon (IFN) responses. However, the mechanism by which many MRV-encoded proteins evade the host innate immune response remains unclear. Here, we show that exogenous µ1 protein promoted the proliferation of MRV in vitro, while knockdown of MRV µ1 protein expression by shRNA could impair MRV proliferation. Specifically, µ1 protein inhibited MRV or poly(I:C)-induced IFN-ß expression, and attenuated RIG-I/MDA5-mediated signaling axis transduction during MRV infection. Importantly, we found that µ1 protein significantly decreased IFN-ß mRNA expression induced by MDA5, RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1, IRF3(5D), and degraded the protein expression of exogenous MDA5, RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1 and IRF3 via the proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. Additionally, we show that µ1 protein can physically interact with MDA5, RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1, and IRF3 and attenuate the RIG-I/MDA5-mediated signaling cascades by blocking the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3. In conclusion, our findings reveal that MRV outer capsid protein µ1 is a key factor in antagonizing RLRs signaling cascades and provide new strategies for effective prevention and treatment of MRV infection.

Mammalian orthoreovirus capsid protein σ3 antagonizes RLR-mediated antiviral responses by degrading MAVS.

Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) outer capsid protein σ3 is a multifunctional protein containing a double-stranded RNA-binding domain, which facilitates viral entry and assembly. We reasoned that σ3 has an innate immune evasion function. Here, we show that σ3 protein localizes in the mitochondria and interacts with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) to activate the intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. Consequently, σ3 protein promotes the degradation of MAVS through the intrinsic caspase-9/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway. Moreover, σ3 protein can also inhibit the expression of the components of the RNA-sensing retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway to block antiviral type I interferon responses. Mechanistically, σ3 inhibits RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 expression is independent of its inhibitory effect on MAVS. Overall, we demonstrate that the MRV σ3 protein plays a vital role in negatively regulating the RLR signaling pathway to inhibit antiviral responses. This enables MRV to evade host defenses to facilitate its own replication providing a target for the development of effective antiviral drugs against MRV. IMPORTANCE: Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) is an important zoonotic pathogen, but the regulatory role of its viral proteins in retinoic acid-inducible gene-like receptor (RLR)-mediated antiviral responses is still poorly understood. Herein, we show that MRV σ3 protein co-localizes with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) in the mitochondria and promotes the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway to cleave and consequently degrade MAVS. Furthermore, tryptophan at position 133 of σ3 protein plays a key role in the degradation of MAVS. Importantly, we show that MRV outer capsid protein σ3 is a key factor in antagonizing RLR-mediated antiviral responses, providing evidence to better unravel the infection and transmission mechanisms of MRV.

Escherichia coli 83972 expressing a P fimbriae oligosaccharide receptor mimic impairs adhesion of uropathogenic E. coli.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are a significant health concern, exacerbated by the rapid emergence of multidrug resistant strains refractory to antibiotic treatment. P fimbriae are strongly associated with upper urinary tract colonization due to specific binding to α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-4)-ß-D-galactopyranoside receptors in the kidneys. Thus, inhibiting P-fimbrial adhesion may reduce the incidence of UPEC-mediated UTI. E. coli 83972 is an asymptomatic bacteriuria isolate successfully used as a prophylactic agent to prevent UTI in human studies. We constructed a recombinant E. coli 83972 strain displaying a surface-located oligosaccharide P fimbriae receptor mimic that bound to P-fimbriated E. coli producing any of the 3 PapG adhesin variants. The recombinant strain, E. coli 83972::lgtCE, impaired P fimbriae-mediated adhesion to human erythrocytes and kidney epithelial cells. Additionally, E. coli 83972::lgtCE impaired urine colonization by UPEC in a mouse UTI model, demonstrating its potential as a prophylactic agent to prevent UTI.

Human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus co-infection in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) is the most common head-and-neck malignancy. Importantly, we are experiencing an alarming rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) globally. Oncogenic viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are known to be co-associated with OSCC and OPSCC cases. However, the reported incidence of HPV and EBV co-infection in OSCCs and OPSCCs globally is unknown. To address this, we performed a formal meta-analysis and systematic review on published studies that report the detection of both EBV and HPV in OSCCs and OPSCCs. Our analysis revealed 18 relevant studies out of a total of 1820 cases (1181 from the oral cavity and 639 from the oropharynx). Overall, HPV and EBV co-infection was found in 11.9% of OSCC and OPSCC cases combined (95% CI: 8%-14.1%). Based on anatomical subsite, dual positivity estimates were 10.5% (95% CI: 6.7%-15.1%) for OSCC and 14.2% (95% CI: 9.1%-21.3%) for OPSCC. The highest dual positivity rates described were in European countries: for OSCC 34.7% (95% CI: 25.9%-44.6%) in Sweden and for OPSCC, 23.4% (95% CI: 16.9%-31.5%) in Poland. Given these substantive prevalence rates, the value of detecting dual infection in the diagnosis and prognosis of these cancers deserves careful longitudinal studies, as do implications for cancer prevention and therapy. We further proposed molecular mechanisms that could explain how HPV and EBV could co-contribute to the aetiology of OSCCs and OPSCCs.