Anisotropically Conductive Hydrogels with Directionally Aligned PEDOT:PSS in a PVA Matrix

Electrical anisotropy, which is characterized by the efficient transmission of electrical signals in specific directions, is prevalent in both natural and engineered systems. However, traditional anisotropically conductive materials are often rigid and dry, thus limiting their utility in applications aiming for the seamless integration of various technologies with biological tissues. In the present study, we introduce a method for precisely controlling the microstructures of conductive and insulating polymers to create highly anisotropically conductive composite hydrogels. Our methodology involves combining aligned poly­(vinyl alcohol) microfibrils, infused poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate, and sodium citrate precipitation to form dense, aligned conductive paths. This significantly enhances the electrical conductivity anisotropy (σ∥/σ⊥ ≈ 60.8) within these composite hydrogels

Diels−Alder Cycloadditions of 3,5-Dibromo-2-pyrone: A New Ambident Diene

D−A cycloadditions of 3,5-dibromo-2-pyrone were investigated with a series of electronically and sterically distinct dienophiles. Our results showed that it is a highly potent ambident diene, being more reactive and stereoselective than monobromo-2-pyrones, and thus capable of generating a variety of bicycloadducts in much higher chemical yields and endo/exo ratios than monobromo-2-pyrones. Another interesting feature of this study is that the two bromine groups on the cycloadducts could be independently manipulated to produce other synthetically useful bicyclolactones

Diels−Alder Cycloadditions of 3,5-Dibromo-2-pyrone: A New Ambident Diene

D−A cycloadditions of 3,5-dibromo-2-pyrone were investigated with a series of electronically and sterically distinct dienophiles. Our results showed that it is a highly potent ambident diene, being more reactive and stereoselective than monobromo-2-pyrones, and thus capable of generating a variety of bicycloadducts in much higher chemical yields and endo/exo ratios than monobromo-2-pyrones. Another interesting feature of this study is that the two bromine groups on the cycloadducts could be independently manipulated to produce other synthetically useful bicyclolactones

image_2_Human Plasmablast Migration Toward CXCL12 Requires Glucose Oxidation by Enhanced Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity via AKT.tiff

<p>Migration of human plasmablast to the bone marrow is essential for the final differentiation of plasma cells and maintenance of effective humoral immunity. This migration is controlled by CXCL12/CXCR4-mediated activation of the protein kinase AKT. Herein, we show that the CXCL12-induced migration of human plasmablasts is dependent on glucose oxidation. Glucose depletion markedly inhibited plasmablast migration by 67%, and the glucose analog 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) reduced the migration by 53%; conversely, glutamine depletion did not reduce the migration. CXCL12 boosted the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and 2-DG treatment significantly reduced the levels of all measured tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. AKT inhibitors blocked the CXCL12-mediated increase of OCR. CXCL12 enhanced the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity by 13.5-fold in an AKT-dependent manner to promote mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The knockdown and inhibition of PDH confirmed its indispensable role in CXCL12-induced migration. Cellular ATP levels fell by 91% upon exposure to 2-DG, and the mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin inhibited CXCL12-induced migration by 85%. Low ATP levels inhibited the CXCL12-induced activation of AKT and phosphorylation of myosin light chains by 42%, which are required for cell migration. Thus, we have identified a mechanism that controls glucose oxidation via AKT signaling and PDH activation, which supports the migration of plasmablasts. This mechanism can provide insights into the proper development of long-lived plasma cells and is, therefore, essential for optimal humoral immunity. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate metabolic mechanisms underlying human plasmablast migration toward CXCL12.</p

image_1_Human Plasmablast Migration Toward CXCL12 Requires Glucose Oxidation by Enhanced Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity via AKT.tiff

<p>Migration of human plasmablast to the bone marrow is essential for the final differentiation of plasma cells and maintenance of effective humoral immunity. This migration is controlled by CXCL12/CXCR4-mediated activation of the protein kinase AKT. Herein, we show that the CXCL12-induced migration of human plasmablasts is dependent on glucose oxidation. Glucose depletion markedly inhibited plasmablast migration by 67%, and the glucose analog 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) reduced the migration by 53%; conversely, glutamine depletion did not reduce the migration. CXCL12 boosted the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and 2-DG treatment significantly reduced the levels of all measured tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. AKT inhibitors blocked the CXCL12-mediated increase of OCR. CXCL12 enhanced the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity by 13.5-fold in an AKT-dependent manner to promote mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The knockdown and inhibition of PDH confirmed its indispensable role in CXCL12-induced migration. Cellular ATP levels fell by 91% upon exposure to 2-DG, and the mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin inhibited CXCL12-induced migration by 85%. Low ATP levels inhibited the CXCL12-induced activation of AKT and phosphorylation of myosin light chains by 42%, which are required for cell migration. Thus, we have identified a mechanism that controls glucose oxidation via AKT signaling and PDH activation, which supports the migration of plasmablasts. This mechanism can provide insights into the proper development of long-lived plasma cells and is, therefore, essential for optimal humoral immunity. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate metabolic mechanisms underlying human plasmablast migration toward CXCL12.</p

Table_1_Distinct Immune Response at 1 Year Post-COVID-19 According to Disease Severity.docx

BackgroundDespite the fact of ongoing worldwide vaccination programs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), understanding longevity, breadth, and type of immune response to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still important to optimize the vaccination strategy and estimate the risk of reinfection. Therefore, we performed thorough immunological assessments 1 year post-COVID-19 with different severity.MethodsWe analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples at 1 year post-COVID-19 in patients who experienced asymptomatic, mild, and severe illness to assess titers of various isotypes of antibodies (Abs) against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, phagocytic capability, and memory B- and T-cell responses.FindingsA total of 24 patients (7, 9, and 8 asymptomatic, mild, and severe patients, respectively) and eight healthy volunteers were included in this study. We firstly showed that disease severity is correlated with parameters of immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19 that play an important role in protecting against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, namely, the phagocytic capacity of Abs and memory B-cell responses.InterpretationVarious immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19, particularly the phagocytic capacity and memory B-cell responses, were dependent on the severity of the prior COVID-19. Our data could provide a clue for a tailored vaccination strategy after natural infection according to the severity of COVID-19.</p

Additional file 5 of Broad humoral and cellular immunity elicited by one-dose mRNA vaccination 18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Additional file 5: Figure S4. Cytokine-producing T cells against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the Delta variant according to vaccination status after COVID-19. a CD4+ T-cell populations producing specific cytokines. b CD8+ T-cell populations producing specific cytokines. NS, not significant; IFN-γ, interferon- γ; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α

DataSheet_1_Distinct Immune Response at 1 Year Post-COVID-19 According to Disease Severity.pdf

BackgroundDespite the fact of ongoing worldwide vaccination programs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), understanding longevity, breadth, and type of immune response to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still important to optimize the vaccination strategy and estimate the risk of reinfection. Therefore, we performed thorough immunological assessments 1 year post-COVID-19 with different severity.MethodsWe analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples at 1 year post-COVID-19 in patients who experienced asymptomatic, mild, and severe illness to assess titers of various isotypes of antibodies (Abs) against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, phagocytic capability, and memory B- and T-cell responses.FindingsA total of 24 patients (7, 9, and 8 asymptomatic, mild, and severe patients, respectively) and eight healthy volunteers were included in this study. We firstly showed that disease severity is correlated with parameters of immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19 that play an important role in protecting against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, namely, the phagocytic capacity of Abs and memory B-cell responses.InterpretationVarious immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19, particularly the phagocytic capacity and memory B-cell responses, were dependent on the severity of the prior COVID-19. Our data could provide a clue for a tailored vaccination strategy after natural infection according to the severity of COVID-19.</p

Additional file 1 of Broad humoral and cellular immunity elicited by one-dose mRNA vaccination 18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Purification of recombinant RBD proteins of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The purity of the purified recombinant protein was determined by non-reducing (left) and reducing (right) 14% SDS-PAGE gels. M, protein ladder. 1. RBD wild-type; 2. RBD Alpha (B.1.1.7, with N501Y mutation); 3. RBD Beta (B.1.351, with K417N, E484K, and N501Y); 4. RBD Gamma (P.1, with K417T, E484K, and N501Y mutations); 5. RBD Delta (B.1.617.2, with L452R and T478K mutations); 6. RBD Omicron (B. 1.1.529, with G339D, S371L, S373P, S375F, K417N, N440K, G446S, S477N, T478K, E484A, Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, and Y505H)

Additional file 2 of Broad humoral and cellular immunity elicited by one-dose mRNA vaccination 18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Additional file 2: Figure S2. Representative gating strategy for the SARS-CoV-2-specific activated and cytokine-producing T cells