Two-step interferometry by a regularized optical flow algorithm

A two-step phase-shifting method, that can demodulate open-and closed-fringed patterns without local sign ambiguity is presented. The proposed method only requires a constant phase-shift between the two interferograms. This phase-shift does not need to be known and can take any value inside the range (0, 2 π), excluding the singular case where it corresponds to π. The proposed method is based on determining first the fringe direction map by a regularized optical flow algorithm. After that, we apply the spiral phase transform (SPT) to one of the fringe patterns and we determine its quadrature signal using the previously determined direction. The proposed technique has been applied to simulated and experimental interferograms obtaining satisfactory results. A complete MATLAB software package is provided in [http://goo.gl/Snnz7]

Fringe pattern denoising by image dimensionality reduction

Noise is a key problem in fringe pattern processing, especially in single frame demodulation of interferograms. In this work, we propose to filter the pattern noise using a straightforward, fast and easy to implement denoising method, which is based on a dimensionality reduction approach, in the sense of image rank reduction. The proposed technique has been applied to simulated and experimental ESPI interferograms obtaining satisfactory results

Predicting MHC I restricted T cell epitopes in mice with NAP-CNB, a novel online tool

Lack of a dedicated integrated pipeline for neoantigen discovery in mice hinders cancer immunotherapy research. Novel sequential approaches through recurrent neural networks can improve the accuracy of T-cell epitope binding affinity predictions in mice, and a simplified variant selection process can reduce operational requirements. We have developed a web server tool (NAP-CNB) for a full and automatic pipeline based on recurrent neural networks, to predict putative neoantigens from tumoral RNA sequencing reads. The developed software can estimate H-2 peptide ligands, with an AUC comparable or superior to state-of-the-art methods, directly from tumor samples. As a proof-of-concept, we used the B16 melanoma model to test the system's predictive capabilities, and we report its putative neoantigens. NAP-CNB web server is freely available at http://biocomp.cnb.csic.es/NeoantigensApp/ with scripts and datasets accessible through the download section

Enhancement of the HIV-1-Specific Immune Response Induced by an mRNA Vaccine through Boosting with a Poxvirus MVA Vector Expressing the Same Antigen

Development of a vaccine against HIV remains a major target goal in the field. The recent success of mRNA vaccines against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is pointing out a new era of vaccine designs against pathogens. Here, we have generated two types of mRNA vaccine candidates against HIV-1; one based on unmodified vectors and the other on 1-methyl-3′-pseudouridylyl modified vectors expressing a T cell multiepitopic construct including protective conserved epitopes from HIV-1 Gag, Pol and Nef proteins (referred to as RNA-TMEP and RNA-TMEPmod, respectively) and defined their biological and immunological properties in cultured cells and in mice. In cultured cells, both mRNA vectors expressed the corresponding protein, with higher levels observed in the unmodified mRNA, leading to activated macrophages with differential induction of innate immune molecules. In mice, intranodal administration of the mRNAs induced the activation of specific T cell (CD4 and CD8) responses, and the levels were markedly enhanced after a booster immunization with the poxvirus vector MVA-TMEP expressing the same antigen. This immune activation was maintained even three months later. These findings revealed a potent combined immunization regimen able to enhance the HIV-1-specific immune responses induced by an mRNA vaccine that might be applicable to human vaccination programs with mRNA and MVA vectors.This study was partially supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy (MINECO) (grants: SAF2015-66193-R, SAF-2017-88089-R, RTI2018-096309-B-I00); the Fondo Europeo para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); the SPANISH AIDS Research Network RD16/0025/0002 and RD16/0025/0014-ISCIII-FEDER (RIS); the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS) AC16/00051 and PI18/00699; the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grants: COV20/00214; ICI20/00067) and the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya SGR 615 and SGR 653. This manuscript was funded by the European Commission [grant numbers: FP7-HEALTH-2013-INNOVATION-1 602570-2, H2020-SC1- 2016-2017 (H2020-SC1-2016-RTD) Proposal: 731626-HIVACAR].Peer reviewe

Immunogenicity and efficacy of a novel multi-patch SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 vaccine candidate

23 Pág.While there has been considerable progress in the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, largely based on the S (spike) protein of the virus, less progress has been made with vaccines delivering different viral antigens with cross-reactive potential.This research was supported by La Caixa Banking Foundation grant CF01-00008, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN)/Spanish Research Agency grant PID2020-117425RB-C22, Fondo COVID-19 grant COV20/00151 (Spanish Health Ministry and Instituto de Salud Carlos III), CSIC grant 2020E84 and Ferrovial donations (to ME). AcknowledgmentsPeer reviewe

Clathrin regulates lymphocyte migration by driving actin accumulation at the cellular leading edge

Lymphocyte migration, which is essential for effective immune responses, belongs to the so-called amoeboid migration. The lymphocyte migration is up to 100 times faster than between mesenchymal and epithelial cell types. Migrating lymphocytes are highly polarized in three well-defined structural and functional zones: uropod, medial zone, and leading edge (LE). The actiomyosin-dependent driving force moves forward the uropod, whereas massive actin rearrangements protruding the cell membrane are observed at the LE. These actin rearrangements resemble those observed at the immunological synapse driven by clathrin, a protein normally involved in endocytic processes. Here, we used cell lines as well as primary lymphocytes to demonstrate that clathrin and clathrin adaptors colocalize with actin at the LE of migrating lymphocytes, but not in other cellular zones that accumulate both clathrin and actin. Moreover, clathrin and clathrin adaptors, including Hrs, the clathrin adaptor for multivesicular bodies, drive local actin accumulation at the LE. Clathrin recruitment at the LE resulted necessary for a complete cell polarization and further lymphocyte migration in both 2D and 3D migration models. Therefore, clathrin, including the clathrin population associated to internal vesicles, controls lymphocyte migration by regulating actin rearrangements occurring at the LE.This work was supported by the grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (MICINN; BFU2011-29450 to E.V.) and Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO; SAF2014-56716-REDT and BFU2014-59585-R to E.V., SAF2011-25834 to F.S.M., SAF2014-58895-JIN to A.C.A and BFU2014-54181-P to J.L.C.), the Madrid regional government (INDISNET-S2011/BMD-2332 to F.S.M.) and the European Research Council (ERC-2011-AdG 294340-GENTRIS to F.S.M.). We are grateful to the “Centro de Transfusión” of the “Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid” for providing the Buffy Coats

The structural role of SARS-CoV-2 genetic background in the emergence and success of spike mutations: The case of the spike A222V mutation

The S:A222V point mutation, within the G clade, was characteristic of the 20E (EU1) SARS-CoV-2 variant identified in Spain in early summer 2020. This mutation has since reappeared in the Delta subvariant AY.4.2, raising questions about its specific effect on viral infection. We report combined serological, functional, structural and computational studies characterizing the impact of this mutation. Our results reveal that S:A222V promotes an increased RBD opening and slightly increases ACE2 binding as compared to the parent S:D614G clade. Finally, S:A222V does not reduce sera neutralization capacity, suggesting it does not affect vaccine effectiveness

A phase I randomized therapeutic MVA-B vaccination improves the magnitude and quality of the T cell immune responses in HIV-1-infected subjects on HAART

Trial Design Previous studies suggested that poxvirus-based vaccines might be instrumental in the therapeutic HIV field. A phase I clinical trial was conducted in HIV-1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with CD4 T cell counts above 450 cells/mm3 and undetectable viremia. Thirty participants were randomized (2:1) to receive either 3 intramuscular injections of MVA-B vaccine (coding for clade B HIV-1 Env, Gag, Pol and Nef antigens) or placebo, followed by interruption of HAART. Methods The magnitude, breadth, quality and phenotype of the HIV-1-specific T cell response were assayed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) in 22 volunteers pre- and post-vaccination. Results MVA-B vaccine induced newly detected HIV-1-specific CD4 T cell responses and expanded pre-existing responses (mostly against Gag, Pol and Nef antigens) that were high in magnitude, broadly directed and showed an enhanced polyfunctionality with a T effector memory (TEM) phenotype, while maintaining the magnitude and quality of the pre-existing HIV-1- specific CD8 T cell responses. In addition, vaccination also triggered preferential CD8+ T cell polyfunctional responses to the MVA vector antigens that increase in magnitude after two and three booster doses

PhDAY 2020 -FOO (Facultad de Óptica y Optometría)

Por cuarto año consecutivo los doctorandos de la Facultad de Óptica y Optometría de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid cuentan con un congreso propio organizado por y para ellos, el 4º PhDAY- FOO. Se trata de un congreso gratuito abierto en la que estos jóvenes científicos podrán presentar sus investigaciones al resto de sus compañeros predoctorales y a toda la comunidad universitaria que quiera disfrutar de este evento. Apunta en tu agenda: el 15 de octubre de 2020. En esta ocasión será un Congreso On-line para evitar que la incertidumbre asociada a la pandemia Covid-19 pudiera condicionar su celebración