Opioids and viral infections: A double-edged sword

Opioids and their receptors have received remarkable attention because they have the ability to alter immune function, which affects disease progression. In vitro and in vivo findings as well as observations in humans indicate that opioids and their receptors positively or negatively affect viral replication and virus-mediated pathology. The present study reviews recent insights in the role of opioids and their receptors in viral infections and discusses possible therapeutic opportunities. This review supports the emerging concept that opioids and their receptors have both favorable and unfavorable effects on viral disease, depending on the type of virus. Targeting of the opioid system is a potential option for developing effective therapies; however caution is required in relation to the beneficial functions of opioid systems. © 2016 Tahamtan, Tavakoli-Yaraki, Mokhtari-Azad, Teymoori-Rad, Bont, Shokri and Salimi

An insight to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) pathogenesis; evidence from high-throughput data integration and meta-analysis

Background Human T-lymphotropic virus 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that significantly affected spinal cord, nevertheless, the pathogenesis pathway and reliable biomarkers have not been well determined. This study aimed to employ high throughput meta-analysis to find major genes that are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP. Results High-throughput statistical analyses identified 832, 49, and 22 differentially expressed genes for normal vs. ACs, normal vs. HAM/TSP, and ACs vs. HAM/TSP groups, respectively. The protein-protein interactions between DEGs were identified in STRING and further network analyses highlighted 24 and 6 hub genes for normal vs. HAM/TSP and ACs vs. HAM/TSP groups, respectively. Moreover, four biologically meaningful modules including 251 genes were identified for normal vs. ACs. Biological network analyses indicated the involvement of hub genes in many vital pathways like JAK-STAT signaling pathway, interferon, Interleukins, and immune pathways in the normal vs. HAM/TSP group and Metabolism of RNA, Viral mRNA Translation, Human T cell leukemia virus 1 infection, and Cell cycle in the normal vs. ACs group. Moreover, three major genes including STAT1, TAP1, and PSMB8 were identified by network analysis. Real-time PCR revealed the meaningful down-regulation of STAT1 in HAM/TSP samples than AC and normal samples (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively), up-regulation of PSMB8 in HAM/TSP samples than AC and normal samples (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively), and down-regulation of TAP1 in HAM/TSP samples than those in AC and normal samples (P = 0.008 and P = 0.02, respectively). No significant difference was found among three groups in terms of the percentage of T helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (P = 0.55 and P = 0.12). Conclusions High-throughput data integration disclosed novel hub genes involved in important pathways in virus infection and immune systems. The comprehensive studies are needed to improve our knowledge about the pathogenesis pathways and also biomarkers of complex diseases.Peer reviewe

Seed yield and physiological responses to deal with drought stress and late sowing date for promising lines of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

The introduction of new genotypes of crop plants is among the most strategic research programmes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. To study the effect of drought stress on seed yield and some physiological traits of promising lines of rapeseed at different sowing dates, an experiment was conducted for two years (2015-2017) in a semi-arid region of Iran. In this research, two conventional sowing dates were set in October 12 and November 1 (late sowing). Irrigation was carried out at two levels: normal irrigation (control) and irrigation interruption from the silique formation stage to the next stage (late-season drought stress). The genotypes included four promising lines (L1112, L1091, L1093, L1206), and a cultivar (Okapi) as a control. Results showed that delayed sowing and drought stress increased carbohydrate content and decreased seed yield, with the highest carbohydrate content and highest yield loss in L1112 and the lowest carbohydrate and lowest yield loss in the L1206 line. Among the physiological traits measured, stomatal resistance had the highest degree of correlation and the highest direct negative effect on seed yield, which declined with increasing stomatal resistance. L1112 had the highest stomatal resistance (52.76 s cm-1) in delayed sowing and drought stress conditions. Therefore, L1206 and L1112 were revealed to be resistant and sensitive lines, respectively

CAR T cells: Living HIV drugs

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), is a major global public health issue. Although the advent of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) has made significant progress in inhibiting HIV replication in patients, HIV-infected cells remain the principal cellular reservoir of HIV, this allows HIV to rebound immediately upon stopping ART, which is considered the major obstacle to curing HIV infection. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapy has provided new opportunities for HIV treatment. Engineering T cells or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to generate CAR T cells is a rapidly growing approach to develop an efficient immune cell to fight HIV. Herein, we review preclinical and clinical data available for the development of CAR T cells. Further, the advantages and disadvantages of clinical application of anti-HIV CAR T cells will be discussed. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Lt

Ten challenging questions about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recently introduced as a global public health problem by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus outbreak has been documented around the world. Updating data in different aspects of the virus could force us to revise our idea about the main questions concerning coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Areas covered: Although our knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 is largely based on the very limited data, the information is growing rapidly. The renewed answers to the specific research questions concerning updating data not only reveal gaps for future research but also re-categorized our information. Here, we attempt to briefly discuss 10 important questions about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Expert opinion: Since our knowledge about different aspects of SARS-CoV-2 appears to be in its infancy and is rapidly changing, the provision of the right data is more difficult in this regard. However, we try to rely on results from more extensive research to answer the main questions about this new virus. Therefore, further studies, particularly in the context of the virus pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development, are warranted. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

The role of microRNAs in respiratory viral infection: friend or foe?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a class of regulatory RNAs in host�pathogen interactions. Aberrant miRNA expression seems to play a central role in the pathology of several respiratory viruses, promoting development and progression of infection. miRNAs may thus serve as therapeutic and prognostic factors for respiratory viral infectious disease caused by a variety of agents. We present a comprehensive review of recent findings related to the role of miRNAs in different respiratory viral infections and discuss possible therapeutic opportunities aiming to attenuate the burden of viral infections. Our review supports the emerging concept that cellular and viral-encoded miRNAs might be broadly implicated in human respiratory viral infections, with either positive or negative effects on virus life cycle. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd