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Influence of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Diversity on Immune Modulation, Pathogenesis, and Control of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus.

INTRODUCTION: Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus within the family Poxviridae, is an economically important transboundary viral pathogen affecting cattle and water buffalo. The disease causes severe production losses through decreased milk yield, infertility, hide damage, reduced growth performance, and occasional mortality. The rapid geographic spread of LSDV, together with its vectorborne transmission and emerging recombinant strains, has intensified the need for improved understanding of viral pathogenesis, host immune responses, and effective prevention strategies. In particular, the role of the bovine Major Histocompatibility Complex (BoLA/MHC) in regulating antiviral immunity, disease susceptibility, and vaccine responsiveness has gained increasing scientific attention. METHODS: This review summarises the published literature related to the epidemiology, transmission, structure, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and control of LSDV, with special emphasis on the immunological and molecular role of bovine MHC molecules. Relevant studies concerning BoLA-mediated antigen presentation, immunoinformaticsbased epitope prediction, vaccine development, antiviral drug repurposing, molecular docking, genomic surveillance, and diagnostic approaches, including PCR- and ELISAbased assays, were critically evaluated. Recent advances in computational biology, molecular virology, and host-pathogen interaction studies were also reviewed. RESULTS: The reviewed studies demonstrate that Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) possesses a complex double-stranded DNA genome enabling immune modulation and efficient transmission through arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies. Disease progression involves systemic viral replication, vascular injury, dermal necrosis, and inflammatory skin lesions. Real-time PCR remains the most sensitive diagnostic method for early detection, while ELISA supports surveillance. Evidence highlights the central role of bovine Major Histocompatibility Complex (BoLA) molecules in antigen presentation and T-cell activation. Computational studies identified promising BoLA-binding epitopes and repurposed antiviral candidates, including ivermectin, theaflavin, canagliflozin, and tepotinib, for future therapeutic development. DISCUSSION: Current evidence indicates that effective LSDV control requires integration of molecular diagnostics, vector management, vaccination, and host immunogenetics. BoLAguided immunoinformatics provides promising opportunities for developing multi-epitope vaccines, although experimental validation remains essential. Similarly, repurposed antiviral candidates require comprehensive in vivo and pharmacological evaluation before clinical application. Future research should focus on elucidating viral immune-evasion mechanisms, validating predicted epitopes, and translating computational findings into practical vaccines and therapeutics for sustainable disease control. CONCLUSION: Lumpy Skin Disease continues to pose a major threat to global cattle health and livestock economies. Advances in molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, antiviral drug discovery, and BoLA-guided vaccine design provide promising opportunities for improved disease control. Understanding the interaction between LSDV and the bovine MHC system is essential for developing next-generation vaccines, immunotherapeutics, and precision disease-management strategies. Future research should prioritise experimental validation of predicted epitopes, large-scale vaccine trials, and mechanistic studies on host-virus immune interactions to establish effective and sustainable global control programs for LSDV.

BoLA

Biomaterial-Integrated Electroporation for Therapeutic Delivery: From Gene Editing to Tumor Ablation and Immune Modulation.

Electroporation has evolved from a membrane-permeabilization method into a versatile therapeutic platform for intracellular delivery, locoregional tumor intervention, and bioelectrically regulated treatment. Depending on pulse intensity and duration, electroporation operates in two distinct modes: reversible electroporation (RE), which transiently permeabilizes the plasma membrane to enable delivery of nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules while preserving cell viability, and irreversible electroporation (IRE), which causes permanent membrane damage for non-thermal tissue ablation. Increasingly, the therapeutic scope of electroporation is being expanded through integration with biomaterials, including nanocarriers, hydrogels, soft conductors, and micro/nanoengineered bioelectronic interfaces. These material-assisted strategies improve cargo protection, field confinement, local retention, tissue conformity, and spatiotemporal control, thereby extending electroporation beyond conventional transfection toward gene editing, engineered cell manufacturing, electrochemotherapy, tumor ablation, immune modulation, and transdermal or localized delivery. In this Review, we summarize the biophysical principles of RE and IRE, discuss how biomaterials reshape electroporation performance across therapeutic settings, compare the design logic of major biomaterial-assisted electroporation platforms, and highlight key translational challenges, including pulse-material compatibility, manufacturing scalability, in vivo dosimetry, and regulatory complexity.

Humans

Transcriptomic changes in the gut mucosa of fasting northern elephant seal pups reveal immune modulation during early microbiome establishment.

Fasting is an integral component of the life-history of many species. Following abrupt weaning, northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris) undergo an extended post-weaning fast of approximately 60 days. During this period, enteric bacterial diversity increases, suggesting that host immune regulation may facilitate the establishment of microbial communities. However, the molecular processes occurring within the intestinal mucosa during this transition remain poorly understood. To investigate these mechanisms, we characterized transcriptional changes in the enteric mucosa of male and female northern elephant seal pups sampled at weaning and after one month of fasting. Total RNA isolated from rectal swabs was sequenced and aligned to the Mirounga angustirostris reference genome. Differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses were used to identify genes and pathways associated with fasting and sex-specific responses. Fasting was accompanied primarily by transcriptional downregulation, including genes involved in antimicrobial defense, inflammation, protein turnover, and epithelial remodeling. In contrast, several genes associated with B-cell activity and immune recognition were upregulated. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed coordinated activation of immune-regulatory pathways indicating dynamic modulation of intestinal immunity rather than generalized immune suppression. Pronounced sex-specific differences were also observed. Male pups exhibited transcriptional patterns consistent with enhanced immune tolerance, whereas females showed broader immune-pathway activation, including enrichment of pro-inflammatory and stress-response pathways. Several non-coding RNAs also displayed sex-specific changes in expression. Together, these findings suggest that fasting induces transcriptional remodeling of the gut and may contribute to immune regulation during a critical period of microbiome establishment in northern elephant seal pups.

Animals

Streptococcus pneumoniae adaptation to nutrient deprivation and immune modulation drives upper respiratory tract colonization.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a successful colonizer of the human upper respiratory tract; however, the mechanisms that enable its persistence in this nutrient-limited environment, with numerous immune mechanisms in place, remain enigmatic. Here, we examined how pneumococci adapt to upper respiratory tract conditions and how this affects host interactions. We measured intranasal metal ion and monosaccharide concentrations to create an in vivo-mimicking medium for studying pneumococcal adaptation. Growth in this medium was reduced compared to glucose-rich chemically defined media (CDM). Proteome analysis revealed a shift to galactose as the major carbohydrate source, and decreased levels of fatty acid biosynthesis proteins and pneumolysin, compared to other CDMs. Glycerophosphocholine accumulated extracellularly leading to decreased C-reactive protein and Immunoglobulin M binding to pneumococci. Pneumococci grown in in vivo-mimicking medium, compared to glucose-rich media, were more capable colonizers of primary epithelium and induced less epithelial cytokine release. Together, this shows how pneumococci adapt to the nutrient-limited respiratory environment, modulate epithelial cells, and evade humoral responses to facilitate persistent colonization.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Oncogenic EME1 promotes tumor progression and immune modulation in human cancers with therapeutic targeting potential.

BACKGROUND: EME1, a critical DNA repair endonuclease, has emerged as a potential oncogene implicated in genome instability and cancer progression. However, its pan-cancer roles, prognostic significance, immune interactions, and therapeutic targeting remain underexplored. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis integrating multi-omics data from public databases, including TIMER2.0, GEPIA2, TISIDB, and cBioPortal, to evaluate EME1 expression, genetic alterations, and their association with clinical outcomes, immune infiltration, and molecular pathways. Virtual screening of 3180 FDA-approved drugs and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to identify and validate potential EME1 inhibitors. RESULTS: EME1 was significantly overexpressed in various human cancers and positively associated with advanced tumor grade and stage. High EME1 expression and mutations were linked to poor overall and disease-free survival. Immunogenomic profiling revealed strong positive correlations between EME1 and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), alongside a negative association with endothelial cell function, suggesting immunosuppressive roles. Machine learning models based on EME1-associated genes demonstrated high predictive accuracy for liver hepatocellular carcinoma (AUC > 0.90). Virtual screening identified eight promising drug candidates, including Everolimus and Dioscin, with strong binding affinities. MD simulations confirmed the stability of these interactions, particularly for Dioscin. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the multifaceted oncogenic roles of EME1 in tumor progression, immune evasion, and prognosis. It proposes EME1 as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target across multiple cancer types. The identified drug candidates warrant further in vitro and in vivo validation for potential repurposing in EME1-targeted cancer therapy.

EME1

CCT8 drives colorectal cancer progression via the RPL4-MDM2-p53 axis and immune modulation.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks high in global mortality, emphasizing the need for effective interventions. The aim of the research is to elucidate the oncogenic role of CCT8 in CRC and its interaction with RPL4 in the RPL4-MDM2-p53 axis. METHODS: TIMER 2.0, TCGA, and GTEx databases were used to analyze CCT8 expression patterns in CRC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine CCT8 distribution in CRC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Functional assays, including CCK-8, transwell, wound-healing, and flow cytometry, were conducted using DLD-1 and HCT116 cell lines to assess the effects of CCT8 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Gene set enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network analysis, and co-immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the interaction between CCT8 and RPL4 and their role in the RPL4-MDM2-p53 pathway. Additionally, gene set variation analysis was applied to investigate the relationship between CCT8/RPL4 expression and immune infiltration patterns in CRC. RESULTS: CCT8 was significantly upregulated in CRC and associated with tumor progression. Mechanistically, CCT8 potentially synergizes with RPL4 concluded from their positive correlation and similar immune infiltration patterns, influencing the RPL4-MDM2-p53 axis and contributing to p53 ubiquitination and degradation. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the oncogenic significance of CCT8 in CRC and shed light on its molecular mechanisms, paving the way for potential therapeutic applications.

Humans

PTBP1 at the host-virus interface: mechanistic roles in viral RNA translation, replication, and immune modulation.

Viruses require the involvement of host RNA binding proteins for completion of important steps of their life cycle. Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) is an RNA-binding protein found ubiquitously which performs important regulatory functions like alternative splicing, RNA stability, RNA localization, and translation by virtue of its four RRMs and shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm. There is increasing evidence showing that many viruses make use of such regulatory roles of PTBP1 to facilitate their gene expression and replication. This review describes the existing mechanistic knowledge about the PTBP1 functions during viral infection, paying attention to the role of PTBP1 in viral RNA translation, viral RNA genome replication, and regulation of host antiviral response. Special attention is paid to the regulation by PTBP1 of IRES-dependent translation of enteroviruses and hepatitis C virus, as well as to the PTBP1 contribution to RNA stabilization, long-distance RNA interactions, and genome cyclization of flaviviruses such as dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Recent data on the PTBP1 function in coronavirus RNA metabolism are discussed as well. Furthermore, the role of PTBP1 in being both proviral and antiviral is reviewed in terms of innate immunity signalling pathways, stress granule biology, and virus-host interaction. Finally, we will explore the possibility of PTBP1 being used as a host-directed antiviral drug target despite the hurdles in doing so considering its multifunctionality as an essential cellular RNA-binding protein.

Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein

TYK2 :p.Pro1104Ala Variant Protects Against Autoimmunity by Modulating Immune Cell Levels.

The TYK2:p.Pro1104Ala (rs34536443) hypomorph variant has been associated with protection against numerous autoimmune disorders. Thus, its mechanism of action becomes of great interest. Here, consistent with the participation of activated immune cells in autoimmunity, we show that the variant regulates the levels of immune cells at a human, general population level and is associated particularly with higher levels of T and B lymphocytes, especially the naïve (non-activated) compartment. Also, consistent with a protective function in autoimmunity, the level of regulatory CD4+ T cells was increased. Thus, this variant decreases immune activation thereby protecting from autoimmunity. Our work links the cellular mechanism regulated by the TYK2:p.Pro1104Ala variant to autoimmunity protection and supports TYK2 as a therapeutic target in autoimmunity.

Humans

Pharmacologic control of the hormonally modulated immune response. III. Prolongation of allogeneic skin graft rejection and prevention of runt disease by a combination of drugs acting on neuroendocrine functions.

A recently developed pharmacologic means for suppressing acquired immunity by drugs acting on neuroendocrine regulation has been applied to transplantation immune reactions. A number of drugs have been tested singly and in combination for their capacity to suppress the immune response of mice grafted with allogeneic skin. Another model involved newborn F1 hybrid recipients inoculated with spleen cells from donors of parental strains that had been made specifically "unresponsive" by drug and alloantigen treatment. These procedures led to the identification of a combination of four drugs that induced a remarkable delay in allograft rejection and a prolonged unresponsiveness to alloantigens. This combination of drugs also abrogated the graft-vs-host-runting syndrome in newborn hybrid recipients.

Animals

Improved immunosuppression for cardiac transplantation: immune monitoring and individualized modulation of recipient immunity by in vitro testing.

These studies demonstrate that immune monitoring and individualized modulation of recipient immune reactivity using a quality-controlled preparation of rabbit antithymocyte globulin can improve results of cardiac transplantation. The most valuable assay in individualizing drug doses was the serial measurement of T-cell levels using a complete lymphocyte profile technique and monitoring with phytohemagglutinin to rule out false low T-cell levels. Using this system, the incidence and severity of early rejections were markedly reduced and no grafts were lost to rejection in the first month. The recent first-year graft survival has been about 60%, an improvement largely related to a reduction in early rejection and infection. This technique of immunosuppression appears quite promising for improving the results of future cardiac transplantations.

Antilymphocyte Serum

The role of KIAA1467 in breast cancer: insights from pan-cancer and single-cell sequencing analysis.

BACKGROUND: Improving the response rate of single-agent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) urgently requires the discovery of new therapeutic targets for combinatorial regimens. Analyses of tumor microenvironment (TME)-associated biomarkers have verified that KIAA1467 drives the formation of an immune-excluded, non-inflamed TME in breast cancer (BRCA). This study systematically explores the expression pattern, prognostic value, immune regulatory function, biological effects, and drug resistance relevance of FAM234B (also known as KIAA1467) in BRCA. METHODS: We performed pan-cancer survival analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. Multi-omics bioinformatics analyses were conducted to evaluate KIAA1467 expression across malignancies. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from GSE176078 was utilized to localize KIAA1467 expression at the cellular level. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assays validated KIAA1467 expression in BRCA clinical specimens. Correlation analyses were implemented to assess relationships between KIAA1467 expression, clinicopathological features, immune modulators, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and p53 mutation status. Functional enrichment analysis uncovered relevant signaling pathways. Bioinformatic half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) prediction and in vitro cellular experiments were applied to evaluate associations between KIAA1467 and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. RESULTS: TCGA pan-cancer survival analysis demonstrated that elevated KIAA1467 expression significantly predicted shortened overall survival in BRCA and multiple other tumor types. KIAA1467 displayed distinct expression patterns across cancers, with prominent upregulation in BRCA. scRNA-seq confirmed enriched KIAA1467 expression within BRCA cells, and its upregulation in BRCA tissues was further verified by immunohistochemistry and western blot. High KIAA1467 expression was positively correlated with advanced tumor grade and lymphatic metastasis. KIAA1467 showed negative correlations with most immune modulators and core immune checkpoint molecules, as well as tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the TME, implying its potential function in tumor immune evasion. Low KIAA1467 expression was tightly linked to p53 mutations. Enrichment analysis indicated participation of KIAA1467 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, high KIAA1467 expression corresponded to higher estimated IC50 values of cisplatin, gefitinib, paclitaxel and gemcitabine, consistent with reduced chemosensitivity observed in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the multifaceted oncogenic role of KIAA1467 in BRCA. KIAA1467 participates in remodeling an immunosuppressive TME, correlates with malignant progression and chemoresistance, and may serve as a promising candidate target to optimize ICB-based combination therapy for BRCA. These findings offer new perspectives for the clinical treatment and comprehensive management of BRCA.

KIAA1467

Modulation of immune responses by suppressor T cells.

The activity of suppressor T cells has been demonstrated in almost every phase of the immune response. These regulatory cells modulate both humoral and cell-mediated immunity utilizing antigen-specific and nonspecific mechanisms. For comparative purposes two murine models are described, the nonspecific suppressor T cell stimulated by the mitogen concanavalin A and the antigen-specific suppressor T cell stimulated by injection of the synthetic terpolymer acid 60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT) in nonresponder mice. These two T cells are similar to expression of Ly alloantigens, ability to inhibit antibody responses, and the mediation of suppression, at least in part, by soluble products. However, differences in radio-resistance and antigenic specificity of the suppressor T cells, as well as differences in molecular characteristics of the soluble factors and their targets suggest that these T cells regulate the immune response by different mechanisms. The relationship of these two suppressor T cells to other nonspecific and antigen-specific suppressor T cells is discussed.

Alanine

How the microbiome shapes epigenetic trained memory in neuroinflammation: Implications for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly recognized as disorders involving immune dysregulation. However, the mechanisms underlying this dysfunction remain poorly characterized. Trained immunity has recently emerged as a potential contributor to immune dysregulation, particularly in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, where trained immunity is the epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune responses following an initial inflammatory stimulus, which increases responses to subsequent exposures. In parallel, although the brain has traditionally been viewed as an immune-privileged organ, growing evidence indicates that peripheral immune activity exerts significant influence on neuroinflammation in the brain. A major driver of peripheral immunity is the microbiome. Therefore, this perspective aims to present a conceptual framework for a relationship between the microbiome, trained immunity, and neurodegenerative diseases. We first summarize evidence of trained immunity in the brain and its role in neurodegeneration. Next, we highlight the role of the microbiome in peripheral immune modulation and in trained immunity. Finally, we propose potential mechanisms through which the microbiome may induce or modulate trained immunity in the brain. These include: 1) immunogenic microbial metabolites that cross the blood-brain barrier and alter host cell epigenetics; 2) migration of peripherally trained myeloid cells into the brain; 3) viral infection-induced trained immunity that may predispose to neurodegeneration. Together, this perspective suggests that microbiome-induced trained immunity offers a novel mechanism linking peripheral immune regulation with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration with implications for therapeutic targeting of epigenetic modification as a molecular prevention strategy for progression of neurodegeneration.

Humans

Genomic Insights Into the Probiotic and Safety Attributes of Pediococcus acidilactici BC-7 for its Potential Application in Livestock Health.

Pediococcus acidilactici is widely recognized for its health-beneficial aspects and has gained increasing interest for use in livestock industry. It shows strong probiotic efficacy, antimicrobial activity, cholesterol-lowering potential, immune modulation, and other therapeutic attributes. The novel strain from indigenous habitats mainly depicted potent probiotic efficacy and high adaptability. In this study, we evaluated the probiotic characteristics and genomic features of strain BC-7 obtained from a Nili - Ravi buffalo calf raised under domestic conditions using phenotypic assessment, genomic analysis and in vivo studies. The strain BC-7 exhibited key probiotic traits i.e., gut tolerance (70.43% - 97.5%), auto-aggregation (85.24%), co-aggregation (14.33% - 25.88%), hydrophobicity (78.33% - 88%), antioxidant potential (54%), and antibacterial activity (16.47-18 mm). The safety analysis revealed that BC-7 exhibited susceptibility and resistance to various antimicrobial agents and showed no β hemolytic activity. BC-7 was taxonomically classified as Pediococcus acidilactici by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis showed that P. acidilactici BC-7 contains a 1.9 Mb genome with 42% GC content. Pediococccus acidilactici BC-7 harbored 1900 genes, which were mainly associated with metabolism and genetic processes. Based on genomic comparison, BC-7 shared 99% average nucleotide identity and strong genomic collinearity with P. acidilactici NARCC1 which is a TYPE strain having potent probiotic potential. Probiotic strain BC-7 shared 1,664 core genes with reference strains and 69 unique genes specific for metabolism and genetic processes. The BC-7 strain contained unique bacteriocins-associated genes and defense-related CAzymes, it harbors only vancomycin resistance genes and lacked true virulence determinants. In vivo trial showed that BC-7 treated mice showed increased growth rate, improved immune modulation, and membrane integrity. These significant findings revealed that BC-7 emerging as a potential probiotic strain with strong functionality and efficacy. Thus, our strain BC-7 could be used as a promising candidate for applications in the animal health industry.

Gastrointestinal tract

Antigen-induced strain-specific autoantiidiotypic antibodies modulate the immune response to dextran B 512.

Sera from CBA and C57BL mice immunized against dextran B 512 eight or more days earlier contain mainly IgG antibodies that specifically suppress the development of plaque-forming cells against dextran in vitro. Suppression was not caused by antibodies against the alpha 1-6 epitope of dextran to any major extent. Sera from CBA mice (IgCH allotype j) suppressed plaque-forming cells from CBA mice, whereas sera from C57BL mice (allotype b) inhibited plaques from C57BL and CBA/Ig-1b mice. Sera from dextran-tolerant mice or from mice that are genetic unresponders to dextran did not suppress plaque-forming cells. Both thymus-independent and thymus-dependent forms of dextran induced the appearance of these autoantiidiotypic antibodies that can distinguish between anti-alpha 1-6 antibodies produced in mouse strains having different IgCH-locus-determined allotypes.

Animals

Modulation of immune response by killed Brucella abortus organisms: comparison of the effects of smooth and rough strains on T-dependent responses.

Inactivated Brucella abortus organisms of the smooth (S) or rough (R) strain were tested comparatively on two T-dependent immune responses: mixed-lymphocyte reaction and delayed-type hypersensitivity. The intravenous injection of S organisms depressed the two tests, whereas R organisms increased mixed-lymphocyte reaction and did not alter delayed-type hypersensitivity significantly. This observation may be helpful in understanding the differences in adjuvant properties of S and R brucellae.

Brucella abortus