Correction: Huang et al. Deep-Learning Based Label-Free Classification of Activated and Inactivated Neutrophils for Rapid Immune State Monitoring. Sensors 2021, 21, 512

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...]

SARS-CoV-2 Nsp5 Protein Causes Acute Lung Inflammation, A Dynamical Mathematical Model

In the present work we propose a dynamical mathematical model of the lung cells inflammation process in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this scenario the main protease Nsp5 enhances the inflammatory process, increasing the levels of NF kB, IL-6, Cox2, and PGE2 with respect to a reference state without the virus. In presence of the virus the translation rates of NF kB and IkB arise to a high constant value, and when the translation rate of IL-6 also increases above the threshold value of 7 pg mL−1 s−1 the model predicts a persistent over stimulated immune state with high levels of the cytokine IL-6. Our model shows how such over stimulated immune state becomes autonomous of the signals from other immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes, and does not shut down by itself. We also show that in the context of the dynamical model presented here, Dexamethasone or Nimesulide have little effect on such inflammation state of the infected lung cell, and the only form to suppress it is with the inhibition of the activity of the viral protein Nsp5. To that end, our model suggest that drugs like Saquinavir may be useful. In this form, our model suggests that Nsp5 is effectively a central node underlying the severe acute lung inflammation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The persistent production of IL-6 by lung cells can be one of the causes of the cytokine storm observed in critical patients with COVID19. Nsp5 seems to be the switch to start inflammation, the consequent overproduction of the ACE2 receptor, and an important underlying cause of the most severe cases of COVID19.

Development of Verruca Plana from Human Papillomavirus 78 Dependent on Host Immune State

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947 Recombinant myxoma virus MC509-N1 demonstrates antitumor efficacy as monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BackgroundThere are several obstacles to effective cancer immunotherapy including the heterogenic immune profile and the state of the tumor microenvironment. Oncolytic virotherapy provides an opportunity to overcome some of these limitations through high viral replication and the expression of therapeutic transgenes (TGs) within the tumor tissue. Myxoma virus (MYXV) belongs to the family of Poxviridae and represents a potent oncolytic virus and a safe platform as this virus is non-pathogenic in any hosts apart from lagomorphs. Importantly, MYXV has a high capacity of encoding for multiple TG payloads. Here we engineered MC509-N1, a novel double-encoding transgenes (TG1 and TG2) oncolytic MYXV designed for intravenous (IV) injection. The therapeutic TG1 acts to modify and remodel the immune state of the tumor microenvironment, and TG2 allows for prolonged self-evasion from the host immune defense.MethodsTransgenes expression upon infection was detected by ELISA and by flow cytometry. To determine anticancer efficacy, syngeneic B16F10 melanoma or MC38 colorectal cancer-bearing C57BL/6 mice were injected with MC509-N1 intratumorally or IV with or without immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Tumor growth and survival was monitored after treatment and the immune profile within the tumor microenvironment was analyzed by flow cytometry. Mice cured of their tumors from the original treatment were rechallenged with primary tumor cells to examine anticancer immunity.ResultsCells upon infection with MC509-N1 were found to express both transgenes at high levels and stimulate downstream mechanisms. Importantly, the engineering of both transgenes did not affect MC509-N1 infectivity and productivity as compared to wild-type MYXV. Intratumoral injections of MC509-N1 effectively suppressed tumor growth and improved overall survival of both syngeneic cancer models. Furthermore, MC509-N1 therapy effectively modulated the immune profile within the tumor microenvironment, especially the ratio between tumor infiltrated CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells. In addition, IV injections of MC509-N1 showed improved inhibition of tumor growth compared to wild type MYXV. The combination therapy of MC509-N1 with the ICI anti-PD-L1 further promoted inhibition of tumor growth as demonstrated by higher rate of complete regression and improved survival rate. Furthermore, rechallenge experiments revealed that this combination regimen established specific anticancer immune memory and protected from cancer recurrence.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that the novel engineered MC509-N1 exhibits potent anticancer efficacy, adequately modulates the immune state of the tumor microenvironment, and acts synergistically to eliminate cancer in combination with ICI.

Immune Cells Profiling in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Patients—Relation to Disease Activity

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of necrotizing multiorgan autoimmune vasculitides that predominantly affect small blood vessels and are associated with the presence of ANCAs. The aim was to assess regulatory and effector cell populations accompanied by the suPAR biomarker level and link the so-defined immune state to the AAV disease activity. The research involved a multicomponent description of an immune state encompassing a range of B and T cell subsets such as transitional/regulatory B cells (CD19+CD24++CD38++), naïve B cells (CD19+CD24INTCD38INT), Th17 cells, T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) and cytotoxic CD4+CD28− cells by flow cytometry. The suPAR plasma level was measured by ELISA. The results indicate that AAV is associated with an increased suPAR plasma level and immune fingerprint characterized by an expansion of Th17 cells and T cells lacking the costimulatory molecule CD28, accompanied by a decrease of regulatory populations (Tregs and transitional B cells) and NK cells. Decreased numbers of regulatory T cells and transitional B cells were shown to be linked to activation of the AAV disease while the increased suPAR plasma level—to AAV-related deterioration of kidney function. The observed immune fingerprint might be a reflection of peripheral tolerance failure responsible for development and progression of ANCA-associated vasculitides.

SARS CoV 2 Nsp5 Protein Causes Acute Lung Inflammation, a Dynamical Mathematical Model

In the present work we propose a dynamical mathematical model of the lung cells inflammation process in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this scenario, our model suggests that the main protease Nsp5 enhances the inflammatory process by increasing the levels of NF κB, IL-6, Cox2, and PGE2 with respect to a reference state without the virus. This overstimulated immune state becomes autonomous of the signals from other immune cells, and does not shut down by itself neither when the external signals are turned off. Our model suggests that Nsp5 is effectively the switch to start inflammation, the consequent overproduction of the ACE2 receptor, and an important underlying cause of the most severe cases of COVID19.