The transmembrane and cytosolic domains of equine herpesvirus type 1 glycoprotein D determine Golgi retention by regulating vesicle formation

Accumulating evidence underscores the pivotal role of envelope proteins in viral secondary envelopment. However, the intricate molecular mechanisms governing this phenomenon remain elusive. To shed light on these mechanisms, we investigated a Golgi-retained gD of EHV-1 (gDEHV-1), distinguishing it from its counterparts in Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) and Pseudorabies Virus (PRV). To unravel the specific sequences responsible for the Golgi retention phenotype, we employed a gene truncation and replacement strategy. The results suggested that Golgi retention signals in gDEHV-1 exhibiting a multi-domain character. The extracellular domain of gDEHV-1 was identified as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident domain, the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail (TM-CT) of gDEHV-1 were integral in facilitating the protein's residence within the Golgi complex. Deletion or replacement of either of these dual domains consistently resulted in the mutant gDEHV-1 being retained in an ER-like structure. Moreover, (TM-CT)EHV-1 demonstrated a preference for binding to endomembranes, inducing the generation of a substantial number of vesicles, potentially originate from the Golgi complex or the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment. In conclusion, our findings provide insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms governing the Golgi retention of gDEHV-1, facilitating the comprehension of the processes underlying viral secondary envelopment.

[Gene analysis and clinical features of MYH9-related disease]

Objective: To identify gene variants and investigate clinical features of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain 9-related disease (MYH9-RD). Methods: In this retrospective study, the data of patients with MYH9-RD admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital from July 2017 to September 2020 were extracted. The gene variants, clinical features and laboratory tests results were summarized. Results: Among the 6 children, 4 were males and 2 were females, aged 4.0 (0.5-7.6) years. Main clinical manifestations included thrombocytopenia (6 cases), epistaxis (3 cases), petechias (2 cases), traumatic hematoma (1 case), and abnormal liver enzymes (1 case). One patient had no family history, and the other 5 cases were pedigrees. Two pedigrees (2 cases) had long-term microscopic hematuria, one pedigree (2 cases) had history of early cataract, and three pedigrees (5 cases) had chronic mild elevation of liver enzymes. Four MYH9 gene variants were found in 12 patients, including c.2104C>T(p.R702C) in exon 17, c.4270G>A(p.D1424N) in exon 31, c.5521G>A (p.E1841K) in exon 39, and c.5797C>T (p.R1933X) in exon 41. According to the family pedigrees analysis, except for the case of variant in exon 17 which was spontaneous mutation with no family history, the other variants were from their father or mother. The complete blood count results showed a decreased platelet number in these patients, and the counting results of the automated hematology analyzer were significantly lower than that of manual counting method ((33.4±17.2) × 10⁹ vs. (60.4±21.0) × 10⁹/L,t=-5.83, P<0.05). The examination of the peripheral blood smear revealed the presence of thrombocytopenia with giant platelets and granulocyte inclusion bodies. The MYH9 gene variant (R702C) located at the N-terminus head domain of non-muscle myosin heavy chain ⅡA (NMMHC-ⅡA), which has ATPase activity, led to severe reduction of platelet number (<20×10⁹/L) and obscure granulocyte inclusion bodies. However, higher platelet numbers (40×10⁹-80×10⁹/L) and obvious granulocyte inclusion bodies were observed in patients with tail-position mutations at C-terminus. Conclusions: The clinical phenotypes of MYH9-RD were variable. The mutations in certain regions of MYH9 gene were related to platelet count and granulocyte inclusion bodies. MYH9-RD should be considered in individuals with unknown etiology and persistent thrombocytopenia which is non-responsive to conventional treatment, regardless of family history. Complete blood count and blood smear morphology examinations are the first steps to screen and diagnose the disease. The laboratory should pay attention to the morphological review rules and standardized reports.

Radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases: A randomized, placebo-controlled study

PURPOSE

Median survival of patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer is poor. This study was to investigate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole combined with whole-brain radiotherapy of multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-four patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer were included: the study group (n=32) received whole-brain radiotherapy combined with sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30minutes before radiotherapy, three times a week; the control group (n=32) only received whole-brain radiotherapy. The primary end point was central nervous system (CNS) progression-free survival and overall survival. The treatment-related toxicity was also recorded.

RESULTS

The CNS disease control rate was better (90.6% vs 65.6%, P=0.016) in the study group than in the control group at 3 month of follow-up. The median CNS progression-free survival time was longer in the study group than in the control group (7.0 months vs 4.0 months, P=0.038). There was no significant difference of the median overall survival time between the study group and the control group (11.0 months vs 9.0 months, P=0.418). On the other hand, the treatment-related toxicity showed no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that sodium glycididazole was an effective, promising radiation-enhancing agent that improved CNS disease control rate, extended the median CNS progression-free survival time and was well tolerated in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases.

Safety and immunogenicity of live attenuated hepatitis A virus vaccine (H2 strain) in humans

A study was made in Neijiang City, Sichuan Province to observe the safety and immunogenicity of a live attenuated hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine (H2 strain). 3,031 children, aged 6 to 9 years, were injected subcutaneously with 10(6.0) TCID50, 10(5.5) TCID50, and 10(5.0) TCID50 of HAV vaccine; the seroconversion rate and antibody GMT were 97.52%-90.68%, GMT = 1:5.19 +/- 1.90-1:3.36 +/- 1.94; 84.75%-76.27%, GMT = 1:4.29 +/- 1.96-1:2.0 +/- 2.67; 53.23%-51.61%, GMT = 1:2.57 +/- 1.89-1:1.68 +/- 1.41 respectively after 4 weeks to 12 months of inoculation. Forty-eight children in the control group were anti-HAV negative at 4, 8, and 12 weeks; 21 children in the oral group were not antibody positive 4 and 8 weeks after oral administration of the vaccine. The stool specimens of 3 of the 14 vaccinated children were HAA positive. The results suggest that the live attenuated HAV vaccine (H2 strain) is of good immunogenicity and safety.