visualizing-surface-t-cell-receptor-dynamics-four-dimensionally-using

Visualizing Surface T-Cell Receptor Dynamics Four-Dimensionally Using Lattice Light-Sheet Microscopy

The signaling and function of a cell are dictated by the dynamic structures and interactions of its surface receptors. To truly understand the ...

regulatory-effect-moxibustion-on-macrophage-polarization-migration-ra

Regulatory Effect of Moxibustion on Macrophage Polarization and Migration in RA Model Rats and the Role of TIM-3

This study aimed to examine the regulatory effects of moxibustion on macrophage polarization and migration in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis, as well ...

Here we report a peptide-MHC (pMHC) dodecamer as a "next generation" technology that is a significantly more sensitive and versatile alternative to pMHC tetramers for the detection, isolation, and phenotypic analysis of antigen-specific T cells. In particular, dodecamers are able to detect two- to fivefold more antigen-specific T cells in both human and murine CD4(+)and CD8(+)αβ T-cell compartments compared with the equivalent tetramers. The low-affinity, tetramer-negative, dodecamer-positive T cells showed comparable effector cytokine responses as those of high-affinity, tetramer-positive T cells. Dodecamers are able to detect early stage CD4(+)CD8(+)double-positive thymocytes on which T-cell receptors are 10- to 30-fold less dense than mature T cells. Dodecamers also show utility in the analysis of γδ T cells and in cytometry by time-of-flight applications. This construct has a simple structure with a central scaffold protein linked to four streptavidin molecules, each having three pMHC ligands or other molecules. The dodecamer is straightforward and inexpensive to produce and is compatible with current tetramer technology and commercially available streptavidin conjugates. 

Detection, phenotyping, and quantification of antigen-specific T cells using a peptide-MHC dodecamer.

Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a powerful technique for studying the conformation dynamics and interactions of individual biomolecules. In this review, we describe the concept and principle of smFRET, illustrate general instrumentation and microscopy settings for experiments, and discuss the methods and algorithms for data analysis. Subsequently, we review applications of smFRET in protein conformational changes, ion channel open-close properties, receptor-ligand interactions, nucleic acid structure regulation, vesicle fusion, and force induced conformational dynamics. Finally, we discuss the main limitations of smFRET in molecular biology.

Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer in molecular biology.

CD8 T cells and NK cells are both cytotoxic effector cells of the immune system, but the recognition, specificity, sensitivity, and memory mechanisms are drastically different. While many of these topics have been extensively studied in CD8 T cells, very little is known about NK cells. Current cancer immunotherapies mainly focus on CD8 T cells, but have many issues of toxicity and efficacy. Given the heterogeneous nature of cancer, personalized cancer immunotherapy that integrates the power of both CD8 T cells in adaptive immunity and NK cells in innate immunity might be the future direction, along with precision targeting and effective delivery of tumor-specific, memory CD8 T cells and NK cells.

CD8 T Cells and NK Cells: Parallel and Complementary Soldiers of Immunotherapy.

Epigenetic modifications to histones dictate the differentiation of naïve CD4 T cells into different subsets of effector T helper (T) cells. The histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been implicated in the mechanism regulating the differentiation of T1, T2 and regulatory T (T) cells. However, whether and how EZH2 regulates follicular helper T (T) cell differentiation remain unknown. Using a mouse model of acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, we observed abundant EZH2 expression and associated H3K27me3 modifications preferentially in the early committed virus-specific T cells compared to those in T1 cells. Ablation of EZH2 in LCMV-specific CD4 T cells leads to a selective impairment of early T cell fate commitment, but not late T differentiation or memory T maintenance. Mechanistically, EZH2 specifically stabilizes the chromatin accessibility of a cluster of genes that are important for T fate commitment, particularly B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), and thus directs T cell commitment. Therefore, we identified the chromatin-modifying enzyme EZH2 as a novel regulator of early T differentiation during acute viral infection.

The histone methyltransferase EZH2 primes the early differentiation of follicular helper T cells during acute viral infection.

Mass spectrometry enables global analysis of posttranslationally modified proteoforms from biological samples, yet we still lack methods to systematically predict, or even prioritize, which modification sites may perturb protein function. Here we describe a proteomic method, Hotspot Thermal Profiling, to detect the effects of site-specific protein phosphorylation on the thermal stability of thousands of native proteins in live cells. This massively parallel biophysical assay unveiled shifts in overall protein stability in response to site-specific phosphorylation sites, as well as trends related to protein function and structure. This method can detect intrinsic changes to protein structure as well as extrinsic changes to protein-protein and protein-metabolite interactions resulting from phosphorylation. Finally, we show that functional 'hotspot' protein modification sites can be discovered and prioritized for study in a high-throughput and unbiased fashion. This approach is applicable to diverse organisms, cell types and posttranslational modifications.

High throughput discovery of functional protein modifications by Hotspot Thermal Profiling.

While many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) studies have been performed in Liangshan, most were focused only on HIV infection and based on a sampling survey. In order to fully understand HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and related risk factors in this region, this study implemented in 2009, included a survey, physical examination, HIV and HCV test in two towns.

The impact of social factors on human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus co-infection in a minority region of Si-chuan, the People's Republic of China: a population-based survey and testing study.

There are country and regional variations in the prevalence of hyperuricaemia (HUA). The prevalence of HUA and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in southern China is unknown.

High prevalence of hyperuricaemia and its impact on non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the cross-sectional Guangzhou (China) Heart Study.

During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), consistent and considerable differences in disease severity and mortality rate of patients treated in Hubei province compared to those in other parts of China have been observed. We sought to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients being treated inside and outside Hubei province, and explore the factors underlying these differences.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 treated in Hubei (epicentre) and outside Hubei (non-epicentre): a nationwide analysis of China.

Tubeless video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary ground-glass nodules: expert consensus and protocol (Guangzhou).

Post-transcriptional regulation by small RNAs and post-translational modifications (PTM) such as lysine acetylation play fundamental roles in physiological circuits, offering rapid responses to environmental signals with low energy consumption. Yet, the interplay between these regulatory systems remains underexplored. Here, we unveil the cross-talk between sRNAs and lysine acetylation in Streptococcus mutans, a primary cariogenic pathogen known for its potent acidogenic virulence. Through systematic overexpression of sRNAs in S. mutans, we identified sRNA SmsR1 as a critical player in modulating acidogenicity, a key cariogenic virulence feature in S. mutans. Furthermore, combined with the analysis of predicted target mRNA and transcriptome results, potential target genes were identified and experimentally verified. A direct interaction between SmsR1 and 5'-UTR region of pdhC gene was determined by in vitro binding assays. Importantly, we found that overexpression of SmsR1 reduced the expression of pdhC mRNA and increased the intracellular concentration of acetyl-CoA, resulting in global changes in protein acetylation levels. This was verified by acetyl-proteomics in S. mutans, along with an increase in acetylation level and decreased activity of LDH. Our study unravels a novel regulatory paradigm where sRNA bridges post-transcriptional regulation with post-translational modification, underscoring bacterial adeptness in fine-tuning responses to environmental stress.

Small RNA SmsR1 modulates acidogenicity and cariogenic virulence by affecting protein acetylation in Streptococcus mutans.

Waiganfengsha Granule, an over-the-counter drug, is commonly used for treating windheat cold and sore throat in clinical settings. However, its material basis of medicinal efficacy is still unclear. In this study, an efficient integrated analytical strategy was established for its chemical and metabolite profiles study.

Comprehensive Analysis of Chemical Ingredients of Waiganfengsha Granule and Absorbed Components in Rat Plasma Based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication following surgery. Electroacupuncture (EA), manual acupuncture (MA), transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), and cognitive training (CT) can effectively maintain or improve the postoperative cognitive function of patients. However, it remains unclear which therapy is the most effective. Therefore, this network meta-analysis aims to compare and rank the efficacy of these non-pharmacological therapies for POCD to identify the optimal therapy.

Comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies for postoperative cognitive dysfunction: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common, highly disabling degenerative osteoarthropathy among middle-aged and elderly people. Moxibustion has been widely used in the treatment of KOA and exerts effects through multiple pathways with remarkable curative effects. This paper retrieved the relevant literature on moxibustion in the treatment of KOA at home and abroad in the past 10 years. After sorting and summarizing, it elaborated on the effective mechanisms of moxibustion from aspects such as inhibiting inflammatory responses, promoting the repair of joint tissues, regulating immunity and gut microbiota. Based on the current research, it also carried out thinking and prospects, aiming to provide references for relevant mechanism research in the future.

[Research progress on the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the past decade].

Sex-based differences in psychological symptoms have been well documented but remain significantly underexplored among healthcare workers who work in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to explore the sex-based differences in psychological symptoms among Chinese ICU healthcare workers and compare psychological symptoms between those who directly participated in COVID-19 anti-epidemic work and those who did not.

Sex differences and anti-epidemic work in psychological symptoms of healthcare workers in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

ArticleTotal : 2	Year
Publication title Cited by 6	2020
Publication title	2026

Article	Year
Detection, phenotyping, and quantification of antigen-specific T cells using a peptide-MHC dodecamer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America\| PubMed ID: 26979955	2016
Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer in molecular biology. Nanoscale\| PubMed ID: 27883140	2016
CD8 T Cells and NK Cells: Parallel and Complementary Soldiers of Immunotherapy. Current opinion in chemical engineering\| PubMed ID: 29623254	2018
The histone methyltransferase EZH2 primes the early differentiation of follicular helper T cells during acute viral infection. Cellular & molecular immunology\| PubMed ID: 30842630	2019
High throughput discovery of functional protein modifications by Hotspot Thermal Profiling. Nature methods\| PubMed ID: 31384043	2019
The impact of social factors on human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus co-infection in a minority region of Si-chuan, the People's Republic of China: a population-based survey an... PloS one\| PubMed ID: 24988219	2014
High prevalence of hyperuricaemia and its impact on non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the cross-sectional Guangzhou (China) Heart Study. BMJ open\| PubMed ID: 31147367	2019
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 treated in Hubei (epicentre) and outside Hubei (non-epicentre): a nationwide analysis of China. The European respiratory journal\| PubMed ID: 32269086	2020
Tubeless video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary ground-glass nodules: expert consensus and protocol (Guangzhou). Translational lung cancer research\| PubMed ID: 34584853	2021
Small RNA SmsR1 modulates acidogenicity and cariogenic virulence by affecting protein acetylation in Streptococcus mutans. PLoS pathogens\| PubMed ID: 38620039	2024
Comprehensive Analysis of Chemical Ingredients of Waiganfengsha Granule and Absorbed Components in Rat Plasma Based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Current drug metabolism\| PubMed ID: 38779735	2024
Comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies for postoperative cognitive dysfunction: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis. PloS one\| PubMed ID: 39700183	2024
[Research progress on the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the past decade]. Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research\| PubMed ID: 40691035	2025
Sex differences and anti-epidemic work in psychological symptoms of healthcare workers in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide cross-sectional study. BMJ open\| PubMed ID: 40854837	2025

Jun Huang

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