Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genome of the Takin Lungworm Varestrongylus eleguneniensis (Strongylida: Protostrongylidae)

The takin lungworm Varestrongylus eleguneniensis (Strongylida: Protostrongylidae) causes lethal bronchopneumonia and represents severe threats to captive and wild populations. However, until now there has been very limited information available concerning the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary biology of V. eleguneniensis. Mitochondrial genomes (mtDNAs) can provide resources for investigations in these areas and, therefore, can assist with the surveillance and control of this lungworm. Herein, the complete mtDNA of V. eleguneniensis was sequenced and characterized with Illumina pipeline analyses. This circular genome (13,625 bp) encoded twelve protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNAs, and twenty-two tRNAs, with notable levels of AT and GC skews. Comparative genomics revealed a purifying selection among PCGs, with cox1 and nad6 having the lowest and the highest evolutionary rate, respectively. Genome-wide phylogenies showed a close relationship between V. eleguneniensis and Protostrongylus rufescens in Strongylida. Single gene (PCGs or rRNAs)-based phylogenies indicated that cox1 and nad5 genes shared the same family-level topology with that inferred from genomic datasets, suggesting that both genes could be suitable genetic markers for evolutionary and phylogenetic studies of Strongylida species. This was the first mtDNA of any member of the genus Varestrongylus, and its comprehensive molecular characterization represents a new resource for systematic, population genetic and evolutionary biological studies of Varestrongylus lungworms in wildlife.     

A Novel Antithrombocytopenia Agent,Rhizoma cibotii,Promotes Megakaryopoiesis and Thrombopoiesis through the PI3K/AKT,MEK/ERK,and JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathways

Background: Cibotii rhizoma (CR) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to treat bleeding, rheumatism, lumbago, etc. However, its therapeutic effects and mechanism against thrombocytopenia are still unknown so far. In the study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extracts of Cibotii rhizoma (AECRs) against thrombocytopenia and its molecular mechanism.Methods: Giemsa staining, phalloidin staining, and flow cytometry were performed to measure the effect of AECRs on the megakaryocyte differentiation in K562 and Meg-01 cells. A radiation-induced thrombocytopenia mouse model was constructed to assess the therapeutic actions of AECRs on thrombocytopenia. Network pharmacology and experimental verification were carried out to clarify its mechanism against thrombocytopenia. Results: AECRs promoted megakaryocyte differentiation in K562 and Meg-01 cells and accelerated platelet recovery and megakaryopoiesis with no systemic toxicity in radiation-induced thrombocytopenia mice. The PI3K/AKT, MEK/ERK, and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways contributed to AECR-induced megakaryocyte differentiation. The suppression of the above signaling pathways by their inhibitors blocked AERC-induced megakaryocyte differentiation. Conclusions: AECRs can promote megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis through activating PI3K/AKT, MEK/ERK, and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways, which has the potential to treat radiation-induced thrombocytopenia in the clinic.     

Effects of Alhagi Honey Polysaccharides as Feed Supplement on Intestine Function and Microbiome,Immune Function,and Growth Performance in Chicken

Hy-Line Brown chickens’ health is closely related to poultry productivity and it is mainly maintained by the immune system, healthy intestinal function, and microflora of chicken. Polysaccharides are biological macromolecules with a variety of activities that can be used as a potential prebiotic to improve poultry health. In this experiment, the function of Alhagi honey polysaccharides (AH) as an immunomodulator on the chicken was investigated. All chicken (120) were randomly distributed to four groups (five replicas/group, six hens/replica). A total of 0.5 mL water was taken orally by the chicken in control group. AH (0.5 mL) in different concentrations (three dosages, 0.3 g/kg, 0.6 g/k, and 1.2 g/kg) were used for the AH-0.3 g/kg, AH-0.6 g/k, and AH-1.2 g/kg group, respectively. The results showed that the growth performance of the chickens and the index of immune organs (the weight of immune organs/the body weight) were enhanced significantly after being AH-treated (p < 0.05). The content of sIgA and cytokines was upregulated remarkably in the intestine after being AH-treated (p < 0.05). The AH treatment significantly enhanced the intestinal epithelial barrier (p < 0.05). Moreover, the percentage of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the ileum, spleen, and serum were obviously upscaled (p < 0.05). In addition, the AH treatment significantly enhanced the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and improved the structure of gut microbiota (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that AH-1.2g/kg was the best dosage to improve the chicken’s health, and these data demonstrated that AH could be used as a potential tool to enhance growth performance through improving intestine function, immunity, and gut microbiome in chicken.     

Magnesium Isoglycyrrhizinate Reduces the Target-Binding Amount of Cisplatin to Mitochondrial DNA and Renal Injury through SIRT3

Nephrotoxicity is the dose-limiting factor of cisplatin treatment. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) has been reported to ameliorate renal ischemia–reperfusion injury. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and possible mechanisms of MgIG against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity from the perspective of cellular pharmacokinetics. We found that cisplatin predominantly accumulated in mitochondria of renal tubular epithelial cells, and the amount of binding with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was more than twice that with nuclear DNA (nDNA). MgIG significantly lowered the accumulation of cisplatin in mitochondria and, in particular, the degree of target-binding to mtDNA. MgIG notably ameliorated cisplatin-induced changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, morphology, function, and cell viability, while the magnesium donor drugs failed to work. In a mouse model, MgIG significantly alleviated cisplatin-caused renal dysfunction, pathological changes of renal tubules, mitochondrial ultrastructure variations, and disturbed energy metabolism. Both in vitro and in vivo data showed that MgIG recovered the reduction of NAD⁺-related substances and NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) level caused by cisplatin. Furthermore, SIRT3 knockdown weakened the protective effect of MgIG on mitochondria, while SIRT3 agonist protected HK-2 cells from cisplatin and specifically reduced platinum-binding activity with mtDNA. In conclusion, MgIG reduces the target-binding amount of platinum to mtDNA and exerts a protective effect on cisplatin-induced renal injury through SIRT3, which may provide a new strategy for the treatment of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Critical Players and Therapeutic Targets in Chronic Itch

Chronic itch is one of the most prominent clinical characteristics of diverse systematic diseases. It is a devastating sensation in pathological diseases. Despite its importance, there are no FDA-labelled drugs specifically geared toward chronic itch. The associated complex pathogenesis and diverse causes escalate chronic itch to being one of the top challenges in healthcare. Humanized antibodies against IL-13, IL-4, and IL-31 proved effective in treatment of itch-associated atopic dermatitis but remain to be validated in chronic itch. There are still no satisfactory anti-itch therapeutics available toward itch-related neuropeptides including GRP, BNP, SST, CGRP, and SP. The newly identified potential itch targets including OSM, NMB, glutamate, periostin, and Serpin E1 have opened new avenues for therapeutic development. Proof-of-principle studies have been successfully performed on antagonists against these proteins and their receptors in itch treatment in animal models. Their translational interventions in humans need to be evaluated. It is of great importance to summarize and compare the newly emerging knowledge on chronic itch and its pathways to promote the development of novel anti-itch therapeutics. The goal of this review is to analyze the different physiologies and pathophysiologies of itch mediators, whilst assessing their suitability as new targets and discussing future therapeutic development.     

Quinolizidines as Novel SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors

COVID-19, caused by the highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread and become a pandemic since its outbreak in 2019. We have previously discovered that aloperine is a new privileged scaffold that can be modified to become a specific antiviral compound with markedly improved potency against different viruses, such as the influenza virus. In this study, we have identified a collection of aloperine derivatives that can inhibit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Compound 5 is the most potent tested aloperine derivative that inhibited the entry of SARS-CoV-2 (D614G variant) spike protein-pseudotyped virus with an IC₅₀ of 0.5 µM. The compound was also active against several other SARS-CoV-2 variants including Delta and Omicron. Results of a confocal microscopy study suggest that compound 5 inhibited the viral entry before fusion to the cell or endosomal membrane. The results are consistent with the notion that aloperine is a privileged scaffold that can be used to develop potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors.     

Prime Editing: An All-Rounder for Genome Editing

Prime editing (PE), as a “search-and-replace” genome editing technology, has shown the attractive potential of versatile genome editing ability, which is, in principle, currently superior to other well-established genome-editing technologies in the all-in-one operation scope. However, essential technological solutions of PE technology, such as the improvement of genome editing efficiency, the inhibition of potential off-targets and intended edits accounting for unexpected side-effects, and the development of effective delivery systems, are necessary to broaden its application. Since the advent of PE, many optimizations have been performed on PE systems to improve their performance, resulting in bright prospects for application in many fields. This review briefly discusses the development of PE technology, including its functional principle, noteworthy barriers restraining its application, current efforts in technical optimization, and its application directions and potential risks. This review may provide a concise and informative insight into the burgeoning field of PE, highlight the exciting prospects for this powerful tool, and provide clues for questions that may propel the field forward.     

Density Functional Theory Study of Low-Dimensional (2D, 1D, 0D) Boron Nitride Nanomaterials Catalyzing Acetylene Acetate Reaction

In this paper, density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the possibility of low-dimensional (2D, 1D, 0D) boron nitride nanomaterials to catalyze acetylene acetate reaction, and further explore the possible source of this catalytic activity. It is found that the catalytic activity of boron nitride nanomaterials for acetylene acetate reaction will change with the change of the geometric structure (dimension) and reaction site of the catalyst. From the geometric structure, the reaction components and the zero-dimensional BN catalyst can form chemical bonds and form complexes, while only physical adsorption occurs on the surface of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional BN catalysts. From the reaction site, the properties of different C sites on the B₁₂N₁₂NC-C₂H₂ complexes are different. Namely, a C atom connected with a B atom is more likely to have an electrophilic reaction with H⁺, and a C atom connected with an N atom is more likely to have a nucleophilic reaction with CH₃COO⁻. Through the study of three kinds of BN nanomaterials with low dimensions, we found that the zero-dimensional B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage broke the inherent reaction inertia of BN materials and showed good catalytic activity in an acetylene acetate reaction, which is very likely to be a non-metallic catalyst for the acetylene gas-phase preparation of vinyl acetate.