Interferon-inducible Protein Research Articles

Effect of IP-10/CXCR3 signaling pathway on rats with diabetic retinopathy.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10)/C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) signaling pathway on rats with diabetic retinopathy. A total of 21 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the objects and divided into control (n=7), model (n=7) and inhibitor (n=7) groups. The rats in control group did not receive any treatment. The diabetic retinopathy model was established using streptozotocin and vascular endothelial growth factor in model group, while the rats in inhibitor group were treated with AMG 487, an inhibitor of the IP-10/CXCR3 signaling pathway, based on the treatment in model group. The changes in gene expression patterns in rats with diabetic retinopathy were screened by sequencing. After the differential genes were determined, the pathways mainly related to the complication were obtained via enrichment analysis. The expression of the IP-10/CXCR3 signaling pathway, the apoptotic cells and the expression of inflammatory molecules (IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IL-1β) in each group of rats were detected. It was shown in volcano plot that there were some differentially expressed genes (fold change >1.2, P<0.01) in retinal tissues of rats in control and model groups. Meanwhile, the heatmap displayed that there were great differences in the gene expression patterns between control and model groups, and the gene expressions of IP-10 and CXCR3 in model group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The differential genes in control and model groupwere enriched in such processes as the cAMP metabolic regulatory pathway, chemotaxis of immunocytes, proliferation of endothelial cells, response of cytokine receptors, apoptosis, mTOR signaling pathway and TGF-β-related signaling pathway. The mRNA expressions of IP-10 and CXCR3 in model group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05), while they were notably lower in inhibitor group than those in model group (P<0.05). Besides, the protein levels of IP-10 and CXCR3 were identical to the mRNA levels. The apoptotic cells were increased markedly in model group compared with those in control group (P<0.05) and inhibitor group (P<0.05). Model group exhibited higher expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in retinal tissues than control group (P<0.05), while inhibitor group had distinctly lower expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in retinal tissues than model group (P<0.05). The IP-10/CXCR3 signaling pathway can affect rats with diabetic retinopathy.

IFI16 Induced by Direct Interaction between Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Macrophages Promotes Tumor Progression via Secretion of IL-1α.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the major components of the tumor microenvironment, contribute to the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We previously established a direct co-culture system of human ESCC cells and macrophages and reported the promotion of malignant phenotypes, such as survival, growth, and migration, in ESCC cells. These findings suggested that direct interactions between cancer cells and macrophages contribute to the malignancy of ESCC, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we compared the expression levels of the interferon-induced genes between mono- and co-cultured ESCC cells using a cDNA microarray and found that interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) was most significantly upregulated in co-cultured ESCC cells. IFI16 knockdown suppressed malignant phenotypes and also decreased the secretion of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) from ESCC cells. Additionally, recombinant IL-1α enhanced malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells through the Erk and NF-κB signaling. Immunohistochemistry revealed that high IFI16 expression in human ESCC tissues tended to be associated with disease-free survival and was significantly associated with tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, and macrophage infiltration. The results of this study reveal that IFI16 is involved in ESCC progression via IL-1α and imply the potential of IFI16 as a novel prognostic factor for ESCC.

The Epigenetic Controller Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) Regulates the Outcome of Hepatitis C Viral Infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) alters gene expression epigenetically to rearrange the cellular microenvironment in a beneficial way for its life cycle. The host epigenetic changes induced by HCV lead to metabolic dysfunction and malignant transformation. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is an epigenetic controller of critical cellular functions that are essential for HCV propagation. We investigated the putative role of LSD1 in the establishment of HCV infection using genetic engineering and pharmacological inhibition to alter endogenous LSD1 levels. We demonstrated for the first time that HCV replication was inhibited in LSD1-overexpressing cells, while specific HCV proteins differentially fine-tuned endogenous LSD1 expression levels. Electroporation of the full-length HCV genome and subgenomic replicons in LSD1 overexpression enhanced translation and partially restored HCV replication, suggesting that HCV might be inhibited by LSD1 during the early steps of infection. Conversely, the inhibition of LSD1, followed by HCV infection in vitro, increased viral replication. LSD1 was shown to participate in an intriguing antiviral mechanism, where it activates endolysosomal interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) via demethylation, leading endocytosed HCV virions to degradation. Our study proposes that HCV-mediated LSD1 oscillations over countless viral life cycles throughout chronic HCV infection may promote epigenetic changes related to HCV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Exploring Inflammasome Complex as a Therapeutic Approach in Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammasomes, a group of multiprotein complexes, are essential in regulating inflammation and immune responses. Several inflammasomes, including nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3, NLRP6, NLRP7, NLRP12, interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), NOD-like receptor family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4), absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), and pyrin, have been studied in various inflammatory diseases. Activating inflammasomes leads to the processing and production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most extensively studied and well characterized. Consequently, targeting inflammasomes (particularly NLRP3) with several compounds, including small molecule inhibitors and natural compounds, has been studied as a potential therapeutic strategy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of different inflammasomes and their roles in six inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. We also discussed different strategies that target inflammasomes to develop effective therapeutics.

Interleukin-27-induced HIV-resistant dendritic cells suppress reveres transcription following virus entry in an SPTBN1, autophagy, and YB-1 independent manner.

Interleukin (IL)-27, a member of the IL-12 family of cytokines, induces human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-resistant monocyte-derived macrophages and T cells. This resistance is mediated via the downregulation of spectrin beta, non-erythrocytic 1 (SPTBN1), induction of autophagy, or suppression of the acetylation of Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1); however, the role of IL-27 administration during the induction of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iDC) is poorly investigated. In the current study, we investigated the function of IL-27-induced iDC (27DC) on HIV infection. 27DC inhibited HIV infection by 95 ± 3% without significant changes in the expression of CD4, CCR5, and SPTBN1 expression, autophagy induction and acetylation of YB-1 compared to iDC. An HIV proviral DNA copy number assay displayed that 27DC suppressed reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction without influencing the virus entry. A DNA microarray analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes between 27DC and iDC. Compared to iDC, 51 genes were differentially expressed in 27DC, with more than 3-fold changes in four independent donors. Cross-reference analysis with the reported 2,214 HIV regulatory host genes identified nine genes as potential interests: Ankyrin repeat domain 22, Guanylate binding protein (GBP)-1, -2, -4, -5, Stabilin 1, Serpin family G member 1 (SERPING1), Interferon alpha inducible protein 6, and Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3. A knock-down study using si-RNA failed to determine a key factor associated with the anti-HIV activity due to the induction of robust amounts of off-target effects. Overexpression of each protein in cells had no impact on HIV infection. Thus, we could not define the mechanism of the anti-HIV effect in 27DC. However, our findings indicated that IL-27 differentiates monocytes into HIV-resistant DC, and the inhibitory mechanism differs from IL-27-induced HIV-resistant macrophages and T cells.

CAR Gene Delivery by T-cell Targeted Lentiviral Vectors is Enhanced by Rapamycin Induced Reduction of Antiviral Mechanisms.

Lentiviral vectors (LV) have become the dominant tool for stable gene transfer into lymphocytes including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene delivery to T cells, a major breakthrough in cancer therapy. Yet, room for improvement remains, especially for the latest LV generations delivering genes selectively into T cell subtypes, a key requirement for in vivo CAR T cell generation. Toward improving gene transfer rates with these vectors, whole transcriptome analyses on human T lymphocytes are conducted after exposure to CAR-encoding conventional vectors (VSV-LV) and vectors targeted to CD8+ (CD8-LV) or CD4+ T cells (CD4-LV). Genes related to quiescence and antiviral restriction are found to be upregulated in CAR-negative cells exposed to all types of LVs. Down-modulation of various antiviral restriction factors, including the interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) is achieved with rapamycin as verified by mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Strikingly, rapamycin enhances transduction by up to 7-fold for CD8-LV and CD4-LV without compromising CAR T cell activities but does not improve VSV-LV. When administered to humanized mice, CD8-LV results in higher rates of green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene delivery. Also in vivo CAR T cell generation is improved in kinetics and tumor control, however to a moderate extent, leaving room for improvement by optimizing the rapamycin administration schedule. The data favor multi-omics approaches for improvements in gene delivery.

Nuclear interferon-stimulated gene product maintains heterochromatin on the herpes simplex viral genome to limit lytic infection.

Interferons (IFN) are expressed in and secreted from cells in response to virus infection, and they induce the expression of a variety of genes called interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in infected and surrounding cells to block viral infection and limit spread. The mechanisms of action of a number of cytoplasmic ISGs have been well defined, but little is known about the mechanism of action of nuclear ISGs. Constitutive levels of nuclear interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) serve to induce innate signaling and epigenetic silencing of herpes simplex virus (HSV), but only when the HSV infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) E3 ligase, which promotes IFI16 degradation, is inactivated. In this study, we found that following IFN induction, the pool of IFI16 within the infected cell remains high and can restrict wild-type viral gene expression and replication due to both the induced levels of IFI16 and the IFI16-mediated repression of ICP0 levels. Restriction of viral gene expression is achieved by IFI16 promoting the maintenance of heterochromatin on the viral genome, which silences it epigenetically. These results indicate that a nuclear ISG can restrict gene expression and replication of a nuclear DNA virus by maintaining or preventing the removal of repressive heterochromatin associated with the viral genome.

Changes in aqueous concentrations of various cytokines after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

This study aimed to investigate changes in cytokine levels after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). In a prospective interventional trial, 12 eyes of 12 patients with chronic CSC and 6 eyes of 6 patients who underwent cataract surgery were included as controls. Patients diagnosed as with CSC received a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). Aqueous humor samples were collected from the patients and controls. Best-corrected visual acuity and foveal thickness were evaluated, and aqueous samples were obtained before and 4 weeks after injection. The aqueous concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using a multiplex bead assay. After injection, the foveal thickness decreased significantly from 328 (210-477) to 283 (168-356) (p = 0.048), but the best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly different (p = 0.066). The aqueous levels of IL-8 increased significantly from 3.3 pg/mL (1.5-8.3) to 4.7 pg ⁄ mL (2.2-11.6) at 4 weeks after the injection (p = 0.046). The aqueous levels of VEGF decreased significantly from 31.4 pg/mL (17.0-53.3) to 15.2 pg/mL (7.7-21.5) (p < 0.01). No significant changes in IL-6, IP-10, MCP-1, and PDGF-AA levels were noted 4 weeks after injection (p = 0.455, p = 0.055, p = 0.076, and p = 0.339, respectively). In this study we found intravitreal bevacizumab injection decreased VEGF and increased IL-8 in the eyes of patients with chronic CSC. This study suggests the possibility that the pathogenesis of CSC may be related to abnormal circulation of the choroidal blood vessels through VEGF and IL-8 cytokine level changes.

Oncostatin M Induces IFITM1 Expression to Inhibit Hepatitis B Virus Replication Via JAK-STAT Signaling

Functional cure is achieved by a limited number of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after nucleotide analogue(s) and interferon treatment. It is urgent to develop therapies that can help a larger proportion of patients achieve functional cure. The present study was designed to explore the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) potency of interleukin-6 family cytokines and to characterize the underlying mechanisms of the cytokine displaying the highest anti-HBV potency. HBV-infected cells were used to screened the anti-HBV potency of interleukin-6 family cytokines. The concentration of oncostatin M (OSM) in patients with chronic HBV infection was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The underlying mechanism of OSM anti-HBV was explored through RNA-seq. C57BL/6 mice injected with rAAV8-1.3HBV were used to explore the suppression effect of OSM on HBV invivo. OSM is the most effective of the interleukin-6 family cytokines for suppression of HBV replication (percentage of average inhibition: hepatitis B surface antigen, 34.44%; hepatitis B e antigen, 32.52%; HBV DNA, 61.57%). Hepatitis B e antigen-positive CHB patients with high OSM levels had lower hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen than those with low levels. OSM activated JAK-STAT signaling pathway promoting the formation of STAT1-IRF9 transcription factor complex. Following this, OSM increased the expression of various genes with known functions in innate and adaptive immunity, which was higher expression in patients with CHB in immune clearance phase than in immune tolerance phase (data from GEO: GSE65359). Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1, one of the most differentially expressed genes, was identified as an HBV restriction factor involved in OSM-mediated anti-HBV effect. Invivo, we also found OSM significantly inhibited HBV replication and induced expression of antiviral effector interferon-induced transmembrane protein1. Our study shows that OSM remodels the immune response against HBV and exerts potent anti-HBV activity, supporting its further development as a potential therapy for treating CHB.

NMI promotes tumor progression and gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer via STAT3-IFIT3 axis.

N-myc and STAT interactor (NMI)has been reported to interact with several transcription factors, including STATs family, c-Myc, N-Myc, and BRCA1, to indirectly affect transcription events and participate in multiple cellular processes. However, its function in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)has seldom been studied. In this study, we investigated the regulation of NMI on PDAC progression and uncovered the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that NMI expression was significantly upregulated in PDAC and high NMI expression was related to a worse patient survival. Cell proliferation and migration assay, including cell viability, transwell assay, wound healing, and subcutaneous mouse model were utilized to confirm the function of NMI in PDAC progression. Downregulation of NMI abrogates tumor progression of PDAC both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing was utilized to identify the downstream molecules of NMI and interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3)was confirmed to be regulated by NMI in both mRNA and protein level. The binding function of NMI to STAT3 was essential in regulating the IFIT3 expression. Moreover, the NMI/STAT3-IFIT3axis was identified to markedly facilitate the gemcitabine resistance in PDAC cells.

Tetherin antagonism by SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and spike protein enhances virus release.

The antiviral restriction factor, tetherin, blocks the release of several different families of enveloped viruses, including the Coronaviridae. Tetherin is an interferon-induced protein that forms parallel homodimers between the host cell and viral particles, linking viruses to the surface of infected cells and inhibiting their release. We demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes tetherin downregulation and that tetherin depletion from cells enhances SARS-CoV-2 viral titres. We investigate the potential viral proteins involved in abrogating tetherin function and find that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a reduces tetherin localisation within biosynthetic organelles where Coronaviruses bud, and increases tetherin localisation to late endocytic organelles via reduced retrograde recycling. We also find that expression of Spike protein causes a reduction in cellular tetherin levels. Our results confirm that tetherin acts as a host restriction factor for SARS-CoV-2 and highlight the multiple distinct mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 subverts tetherin function.

AIM2 promotes TH17 cells differentiation by regulating RORγt transcription activity

AIM2 is an interferon-inducible HIN-200 protein family member and is well-documented for its roles in innate immune responses as a DNA sensor. Recent studies have highlighted AIM2's function on regulatory Tcells (Treg) and follicular Tcells (Tfh). However, its involvement in Th17 cell differentiation remains unclear. This study reveals that AIM2 promotes Th17 cell differentiation. AIM2 deficiency decreases IL-17A production and downregulates key Th17 associated proteins (RORγt, IL-1R1, IL-23R). AIM2 is located in the nucleus of Th17 cells, where it interacts with RORγt, enhancing its binding to the Il17a promoter. The absence of AIM2 hinders naive CD4 Tcells from differentiating into functional Th17 cells and from inducing colitis in Rag1-/- mice. This study uncovers AIM2's role as a regulator of Th17 cell transcriptional programming, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for Th17 cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.

GBP2 is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immunotherapeutic responses in gastric cancer

BackgroundThe interferon-induced protein known as guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) has been linked to multiple different cancer types as an oncogenic gene. Although the role of GBP2 in cancer has been preliminarily explored, it is unclear how this protein interacts with tumor immunity in gastric cancer.MethodsThe expression, prognostic value, immune-correlations of GBP2 in gastric cancer was explored in multiple public and in-house cohorts. In addition, the pan-cancer analysis was performed to investigate the immunological role of GBP2 based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, and the predictive value of GBP2 for immunotherapy was also examined in multiple public cohorts.ResultsGBP2 was highly expressed in tumor tissues and associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer. In addition, GBP2 was associated with the immune-hot phenotype. To be more specific, GBP2 was positively related to immuno-modulators, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), immunotherapy biomarkers, and even well immunotherapeutic response. In addition to gastric cancer, GBP2 was expected to be an indicator of high immunogenicity in most cancer types. Importantly, GBP2 could predict the immunotherapeutic responses in at least four different cancer types, including melanoma, urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer.ConclusionsTo sum up, GBP2 expression is a promising pan-cancer biomarker for estimating the immunological characteristics of tumors and may be utilized to detect immuno-hot tumors in gastric cancer.

OC 78.3 Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 in Platelets Mediates Granule Secretion, Thrombosis, and Pathophysiological Outcomes in Sepsis

OC 78.3 Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 in Platelets Mediates Granule Secretion, Thrombosis, and Pathophysiological Outcomes in Sepsis

IFP35 aggravates Staphylococcus aureus infection by promoting Nrf2-regulated ferroptosis

IntroductionSerious Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infection is one of the most life-threatening diseases. Interferon-induced protein 35 (IFP35) is a pleiotropic factor that participates in multiple biological functions, however, its biological role in SA infection is not fully understood. Ferroptosis is a new type of regulated cell death driven by the accretion of free iron and toxic lipid peroxides and plays critical roles in tissue damage. Whether ferroptosis is involved in SA-induced immunopathology and its regulatory mechanisms remain unknown. ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the role and underlying mechanisms of IFP35 in SA-induced lung infections. MethodsSA infection models were established using wild-type (WT) and IFP35 knockout (Ifp35−/−) mice or macrophages. Histological analysis was performed to assess lung injury. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy were performed to detect ferroptosis. Co-IP and immunofluorescence were used to elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanisms. ResultsWe found that IFP35 levels increased in the macrophages and lung tissue of SA-infected mice. IFP35 deficiency protected against SA-induced lung damage in mice. Moreover, ferroptosis occurred and contributed to lung injury after SA infection, which was ameliorated by IFP35 deficiency. Mechanically, IFP35 facilitated the ubiquitination and degradation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), aggravating SA-induced ferroptosis and lung injury. ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that IFP35 promotes ferroptosis by facilitating the ubiquitination and degradation of Nrf2 to exacerbate SA infection. Targeting IFP35 may be a promising approach for treating infectious diseases caused by SA.

Avian sarcoma/leukosis virus (RCAS)-mediated over-expression of IFITM3 protects chicks from highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1

Broad-spectrum antiviral activities of interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) are primarily attributed to in vitro inhibition of viral entry. Here, we used an avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (RCAS)-based gene transfer system and successfully generated chicks that constitutively express chicken IFITM3 (chIFITM3). The chIFITM3-overexpressing chicks showed significant protection and disease tolerance against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 (Clade 2.2.1.2). The chicks, overexpressing chIFITM3, also showed delayed onset of clinical symptoms, reduced viral shedding, and alleviated histopathologic alterations compared to control and challenged chicks. These findings highlight that overexpression of chIFITM3 provide a substantial defense against zoonotic H5N1 in vivo.

Type I/type III IFN and related factors regulate JEV infection and BBB endothelial integrity

BackgroundJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) remains a predominant cause of Japanese encephalitis (JE) globally. Its infection is usually accompanied by disrupted blood‒brain barrier (BBB) integrity and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation in a poorly understood pathogenesis. Productive JEV infection in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) is considered the initial event of the virus in penetrating the BBB. Type I/III IFN and related factors have been described as negative regulators in CNS inflammation, whereas their role in JE remains ambiguous.MethodsRNA-sequencing profiling (RNA-seq), real-time quantitative PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting analysis were performed to analyze the gene and protein expression changes between mock- and JEV-infected hBMECs. Bioinformatic tools were used to cluster altered signaling pathway members during JEV infection. The shRNA-mediated immune factor-knockdown hBMECs and the in vitro transwell BBB model were utilized to explore the interrelation between immune factors, as well as between immune factors and BBB endothelial integrity.ResultsRNA-Seq data of JEV-infected hBMECs identified 417, 1256, and 2748 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12, 36, and 72 h post-infection (hpi), respectively. The altered genes clustered into distinct pathways in gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, including host antiviral immune defense and endothelial cell leakage. Further investigation revealed that pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs, including TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5) sensed JEV and initiated IRF/IFN signaling. IFNs triggered the expression of interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) via the JAK/STAT pathway. Distinct PRRs exert different functions in barrier homeostasis, while treatment with IFN (IFN-β and IFN-λ1) in hBMECs stabilizes the endothelial barrier by alleviating exogenous destruction. Despite the complex interrelationship, IFITs are considered nonessential in the IFN-mediated maintenance of hBMEC barrier integrity.ConclusionsThis research provided the first comprehensive description of the molecular mechanisms of host‒pathogen interplay in hBMECs responding to JEV invasion, in which type I/III IFN and related factors strongly correlated with regulating the hBMEC barrier and restricting JEV infection. This might help with developing an attractive therapeutic strategy in JE.

A Proteomics-Based Approach Identifies the NEDD4 Adaptor NDFIP2 as an Important Regulator of Ifitm3 Levels.

IFITMs are a family of highly related interferon-induced transmembrane proteins that interfere with the processes of fusion between viral and cellular membranes and are thus endowed with broad antiviral properties. A number of studies have shown how the antiviral potency of IFITMs is highly dependent on their steady-state levels, their intracellular distribution and a complex pattern of post-translational modifications, parameters that are overall tributary of a number of cellular partners. In an effort to identify additional protein partners involved in the biology of IFITMs, we devised a proteomics-based approach based on the piggyback incorporation of IFITM3 partners into extracellular vesicles. MS analysis of the proteome of vesicles bearing or not bearing IFITM3 identified the NDFIP2 protein adaptor protein as an important regulator of IFITM3 levels. NDFIP2 is a membrane-anchored adaptor protein of the E3 ubiquitin ligases of the NEDD4 family that have already been found to be involved in IFITM3 regulation. We show here that NDFIP2 acts as a recruitment factor for both IFITM3 and NEDD4 and mediates their distribution in lysosomal vesicles. The genetic inactivation and overexpression of NDFIP2 drive, respectively, lower and higher levels of IFITM3 accumulation in the cell, overall suggesting that NDFIP2 locally competes with IFITM3 for NEDD4 binding. Given that NDFIP2 is itself tightly regulated and highly responsive to external cues, our study sheds light on a novel and likely dynamic layer of regulation of IFITM3.

Comprehensive proteomics and meta-analysis of COVID-19 host response

COVID-19 is characterised by systemic immunological perturbations in the human body, which can lead to multi-organ damage. Many of these processes are considered to be mediated by the blood. Therefore, to better understand the systemic host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we performed systematic analyses of the circulating, soluble proteins in the blood through global proteomics by mass-spectrometry (MS) proteomics. Here, we show that a large part of the soluble blood proteome is altered in COVID-19, among them elevated levels of interferon-induced and proteasomal proteins. Some proteins that have alternating levels in human cells after a SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in different organs of COVID-19 patients are deregulated in the blood, suggesting shared infection-related changes.The availability of different public proteomic resources on soluble blood proteome alterations leaves uncertainty about the change of a given protein during COVID-19. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of MS global proteomics studies of soluble blood proteomes, including up to 1706 individuals (1039 COVID-19 patients), to provide concluding estimates for the alteration of 1517 soluble blood proteins in COVID-19. Finally, based on the meta-analysis we developed CoViMAPP, an open-access resource for effect sizes of alterations and diagnostic potential of soluble blood proteins in COVID-19, which is publicly available for the research, clinical, and academic community.

Soft Tissue Manipulation Alters RANTES/CCL5 and IL-4 Cytokine Levels in a Rat Model of Chronic Low Back Pain.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint that can impede physical function and mobility. Current management often involves pain medication, but there is a need for non-pharmacological and non-invasive interventions. Soft tissue manipulation (STM), such as massage, has been shown to be effective in human subjects, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these findings are not well understood. In this paper, we evaluated potential changes in the soft tissue levels of more than thirty pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines following instrument-assisted STM (IASTM) in rats with chronic, induced LBP using Complete Freund's Adjuvant. Our results indicate that IASTM is associated with reduced soft tissue levels of Regulated on Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES)/Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) and increased soft tissue levels of Interleukin (IL)-4, which are pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, respectively, by 120 min post-treatment. IASTM was not associated with tissue-level changes in C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand (CXCL)-5/Lipopolysaccharide-Induced CXC Chemokine (LIX)-which is the murine homologue of IL-8, CXCL-7, Granulocyte-Macrophage-Colony Simulating Factor (GM-CSF), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1, IL1-Receptor Antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, Interferon-Inducible Protein (IP)-10/CXCL-10, L-selectin, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) at either 30 or 120 min post-treatment. Combined, our findings raise the possibility that IASTM may exert tissue-level effects associated with improved clinical outcomes and potentially beneficial changes in pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines in circulation and at the tissue level.