A Privacy-Preserving Framework Using Homomorphic Encryption for Smart Metering Systems.

Smart metering systems (SMSs) have been widely used by industrial users and residential customers for purposes such as real-time tracking, outage notification, quality monitoring, load forecasting, etc. However, the consumption data it generates can violate customers' privacy through absence detection or behavior recognition. Homomorphic encryption (HE) has emerged as one of the most promising methods to protect data privacy based on its security guarantees and computability over encrypted data. However, SMSs have various application scenarios in practice. Consequently, we used the concept of trust boundaries to help design HE solutions for privacy protection under these different scenarios of SMSs. This paper proposes a privacy-preserving framework as a systematic privacy protection solution for SMSs by implementing HE with trust boundaries for various SMS scenarios. To show the feasibility of the proposed HE framework, we evaluated its performance on two computation metrics, summation and variance, which are often used for billing, usage predictions, and other related tasks. The security parameter set was chosen to provide a security level of 128 bits. In terms of performance, the aforementioned metrics could be computed in 58,235 ms for summation and 127,423 ms for variance, given a sample size of 100 households. These results indicate that the proposed HE framework can protect customer privacy under varying trust boundary scenarios in SMS. The computational overhead is acceptable from a cost-benefit perspective while ensuring data privacy.

B-Cell Receptor Features and Database Establishment in Recovered COVID-19 Patients by Combining 5'-RACE with PacBio Sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies induced by viral infection can not only prevent subsequent virus infection, but can also mediate pathological injury following infection. Therefore, understanding the B-cell receptor (BCR) repertoire of either specific neutralizing or pathological antibodies from patients convalescing from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is of benefit for the preparation of therapeutic or preventive antibodies, and may provide insight into the mechanisms of COVID-19 pathological injury. METHODS: In this study, we used a molecular approach of combining 5' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (5'-RACE) with PacBio sequencing to analyze the BCR repertoire of all 5 IgH and 2 IgL genes in B-cells harvested from 35 convalescent patients after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. RESULTS: We observed numerous BCR clonotypes within most COVID-19 patients, but not in healthy controls, which validates the association of the disease with a prototypical immune response. In addition, many clonotypes were found to be frequently shared between different patients or different classes of antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: These convergent clonotypes provide a resource to identify potential therapeutic/prophylactic antibodies, or identify antibodies associated with pathological effects following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

A Self-Propagating c-Met-SOX2 Axis Drives Cancer-Derived IgG Signaling That Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Stemness.

SIGNIFICANCE: Sialylated cancer IgG activates c-Met-SOX2 signaling to promote stemness properties in cancer cells and can be targeted to suppress tumor growth.

A new strategy: identification of specific antibodies for neutralizing epitope on SARS-CoV-2 S protein by LC-MS/MS combined with immune repertoire.

Although the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has been widely used worldwide, not all individuals can produce neutralization antibodies, so it is still urgent to find and prepare neutralization antibodies for COVID-19 prevention or treatment. In this study, we created a new strategy to effectively obtain neutralizing antibodies or complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. We first predicted and synthesized several B cell epitopes on RBD and adjacent RBD of S protein, then the B cell epitopes were used to prepare affinity chromatography columns respectively and purify the binding IgG from serum samples of convalescent COVID-19 patients. After these IgGs were identified to have neutralizing activity, the peptide sequences of the antigen-binding regions (variable region) of neutralizing antibodies were analyzed by protein mass spectrometry. Subsequently, the B cells from the same individual were sorted and used to obtain their full BCR repertoire by 5' RACE combined with high-throughput of PacBio sequencing method. Then, the peptide sequence of neutralizing antibody variable region by protein mass spectrometry was mapped to the full BCR repertoire and found the full variable region sequence of neutralizing antibodies. Finally, we obtained and synthesized numerous CDR3 peptides of neutralizing antibodies to confirm the neutralizing activity for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results indicate that the novel scheme will be suitable for rapid screening of neutralizing antibodies, including screening neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic microorganisms.

Macrophage-Derived Immunoglobulin M Inhibits Inflammatory Responses via Modulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Immunoglobulin (Ig), a characteristic marker of B cells, is a multifunctional evolutionary conserved antibody critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis and developing fully protective humoral responses to pathogens. Increasing evidence revealed that Ig is widely expressed in non-immune cells; moreover, Ig produced by different lineages cells plays different biological roles. Recently, it has been reported that monocytes or macrophages also express Ig. However, its function remains unclear. In this study, we further identified that Ig, especially Ig mu heavy chain (IgM), was mainly expressed in mice macrophages. We also analyzed the IgM repertoire characteristic in macrophages and found that the VHDJH rearrangements of macrophage-derived IgM showed a restricted and conservative VHDJH pattern, which differed from the diverse VHDJH rearrangement pattern of the B cell-expressed IgM in an individual. Functional investigation showed that IgM knockdown significantly promoted macrophage migration and FAK/Src-Akt axis activation. Furthermore, some inflammatory cytokines such as MCP1 and IL-6 increased after IgM knockdown under LPS stimulation. A mechanism study revealed that the IgM interacted with binding immunoglobulin protein (Bip) and inhibited inflammatory response and unfolded protein response (UPR) activation in macrophages. Our data elucidate a previously unknown function of IgM in macrophages that explains its ability to act as a novel regulator of Bip to participate in endoplasmic reticulum stress and further regulate the inflammatory response.

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Heteroarenyne Cycloisomerization Reaction.

The extensively developed ene-type enantioselective cycloisomerization of classical 1,n-enynes provides an efficient approach to chiral cyclic 1,4-dienes. In contrast, the catalytic asymmetric heteroarenyne (heteroarene-alkyne) cycloisomerization involving the dearomative transformation of endocyclic aromatic C=C bonds remains unknown. Herein, we communicate a PdH-catalyzed enantioselective heteroarenyne cycloisomerization reaction of alkyne-tethered indole substrates (formal 1,5- and 1,6-enynes). Based on this strategy, a variety of structurally diverse chiral spiro and fused indoline derivatives bearing quaternary stereocenters and exocyclic C=C bonds are afforded in moderate to excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98 % ee). The classical ene-type enantioselective 1,5-enyne cycloisomerization of N-vinylpropiolamides is also developed to afford chiral 2-pyrrolones in good to excellent ee values.

Ketone-Directed Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed Regioselective C2 Amidation of Indoles.

An efficient cobalt(III)-catalyzed method for the direct C-H amidation of unprotected indoles for 2-amino indole scaffold construction has been developed. With dioxazolone as the amidating reagent, a variety of 2-amino indole derivatives were achieved in moderate to excellent yields using an organic acid as the additive and a ketone as the directing group.

Cancer-derived sialylated IgG promotes tumor immune escape by binding to Siglecs on effector T cells.

To date, IgG in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been considered a product of B cells and serves as an antitumor antibody. However, in this study, using a monoclonal antibody against cancer-derived IgG (Cancer-IgG), we found that cancer cells could secrete IgG into the TME. Furthermore, Cancer-IgG, which carries an abnormal sialic acid modification in the CH1 domain, directly inhibited effector T-cell proliferation and significantly promoted tumor growth by reducing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltration into tumor tissues. Mechanistic studies showed that the immunosuppressive effect of sialylated Cancer-IgG is dependent on its sialylation and binding to sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins (Siglecs) on effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Importantly, we show that several Siglecs are overexpressed on effector T cells from cancer patients, but not those from healthy donors. These findings suggest that sialylated Cancer-IgG may be a ligand for Siglecs, which may serve as potential checkpoint proteins and mediate tumor immune evasion.

Potassium tert-Butoxide-Mediated Condensation Cascade Reaction: Transition Metal-Free Synthesis of Multisubstituted Aryl Indoles and Benzofurans.

An efficient and facile method to synthesize valuable disubstituted 2-aryl indoles and benzofurans in good yields has been demonstrated, based on a tert-butoxide-mediated condensation reaction involving a vinyl sulfoxide intermediate. Products are obtained from N- or O-benzyl benzaldehydes using dimethyl sulfoxide as a carbon source. The methodology features a wide functional group tolerance and transition metal-free environment. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction involves a tandem aldol reaction/Michael addition/dehydrosulfenylation/isomerization sequence through an ionic protocol.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma cells express non-canonically glycosylated IgG that activates integrin-FAK signaling.

It is increasingly recognized that many human carcinomas express immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules that are distinct from B-cell-derived Ig and play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of cancer-derived Ig remain elusive. Here, we report that lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells frequently express high levels of cancer IgG (CIgG) that is specifically recognized by a monoclonal antibody RP215. RP215 recognizes CIgG via a novel epitope that involves an N-glycan modification at a non-consensus site within the CH1 domain. We demonstrate that RP215 recognized CIgG (RP215-CIgG) promotes survival, migration and in vivo growth of LSCC cells, and these oncogenic activities are strongly inhibited by RP215. Mechanistically, RP215-CIgG executes its oncogenic function through interacting with the integrin α6ß4 complex and activating the FAK and Src pathways. Notably, the CIgG-integrin-FAK signaling depends on the N-glycan epitope, which is inhibited by RP215. Together, our studies identified a novel CIgG molecule that activates the oncogenic integrin-FAK signaling in LSCC cells. In addition, the activity of CIgG is inhibited by RP215, providing an attractive target for antibody-based therapy of LSCC.

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells modulated Cx43 and Cx45 expression in rats with myocardial infarction.

At present, little is known about the influence of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on connexin43 (Cx43) and connexin45 (Cx45) remodeling in the ischemic heart. In this study, we investigated the effect of MSC transplantation on Cx43 and Cx45 remodeling in the ischemic heart. Wistar rats were subjected to left anterior descending artery ligation to induce myocardial infarction (MI) and then randomly allocated to receive an intramyocardial injection of PBS (MI group) or 5-azacytidine-induced MSCs (MSCs group). Histological examination and western blotting were performed 4 weeks after cell transplantation. We found that the MSCs exhibited plasticity by differentiating into cardiomyocyte-like cells. Gap junction remodeling after MI was characterized by a decrease in Cx43 expression and an increase in Cx45 expression. MSC transplantation modulated the MI-induced abnormalities by up-regulating Cx43 and down-regulating Cx45 expression. MSCs exhibited plasticity by differentiating into cardiomyocyte-like cells and modulated abnormal Cx43 and Cx45 remodeling following MI.

Free immunoglobulin light chain (FLC) promotes murine colitis and colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis by activating the inflammasome.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that free Ig light chain (FLC), a novel inflammation mediator, participates in many inflammatory diseases by activating mast cells and extending the survival of neutrophils. However, it remains unclear whether FLC is involved in colitis and colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis (CAC). In this study, we found a significant increase in FLC in murine models of DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt)-induced colitis and CAC compared to controls. Peptide F991, a functional blocker of FLC, significantly attenuated colitis progression, which included abrogating the development of diarrhea and tumor burden, elevating survival rate, greatly reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells (such as ROS+ active neutrophils), especially reducing tumorigenesis in CAC. Furthermore, we demonstrated that F991 inhibited the activation of the inflammasome by reducing the expression of cleaved caspase-1 and the maturation of IL-1ß and IL-18. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that FLC can promote the pathogenesis of colitis and CAC and may be used as novel biomarker for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, F991 may become a potential therapeutic option for colitis or colorectal cancer.

IgG and IgA with potential microbial-binding activity are expressed by normal human skin epidermal cells.

The innate immune system of the skin is thought to depend largely on a multi-layered mechanical barrier supplemented by epidermis-derived antimicrobial peptides. To date, there are no reports of antimicrobial antibody secretion by the epidermis. In this study, we report the expression of functional immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), previously thought to be only produced by B cells, in normal human epidermal cells and the human keratinocyte line HaCaT. While B cells express a fully diverse Ig, epidermal cell-expressed IgG or IgA showed one or two conservative VHDJH rearrangements in each individual. These unique VDJ rearrangements in epidermal cells were found neither in the B cell-derived Ig VDJ databases published by others nor in our positive controls. IgG and IgA from epidermal cells of the same individual had different VDJ rearrangement patterns. IgG was found primarily in prickle cells, and IgA was mainly detected in basal cells. Both epidermal cell-derived IgG and IgA showed potential antibody activity by binding pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, the most common pathogenic skin bacteria, but the microbial-binding profile was different. Our data indicates that normal human epidermal cells spontaneously express IgG and IgA, and we speculate that these Igs participate in skin innate immunity.

Production of tyramine by Enterococcus faecalis strains in water-boiled salted duck.

The potential to produce biogenic amines was investigated with 15 Lactococcus lactis and 15 Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from water-boiled salted duck. The production of biogenic amines from the isolated strains grown in de Man Rogosa Sharpe broth containing precursor amino acids was determined by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. None of the L. lactis strains produced any biogenic amines, whereas 12 strains of E. faecalis produced tyramine and b -phenylethylamine. PCR assays were used to detect the presence of tyrosine decarboxylase genes in all of the isolated strains. Only the 12 biogenic amine-producing Enterococcus strains had a 924-bp fragment characteristic for the tyrosine decarboxylase gene. The comparison of the amplified partial tyrDC gene sequences of the 12 positive Enterococcus strains revealed 99% similarity within the same species. The tyramine production of the sterilized water-boiled salted duck inoculated with E. faecalis R612Z1 increased significantly during storage. This study reveals that the isolated E. faecalis strains can produce tyramine and ß-phenylethylamine in the medium; however, they can only produce tyramine in water-boiled salted duck.