mRNA Vaccines against Flaviviruses

Numerous vaccines have now been developed using the mRNA platform. In this approach, mRNA coding for a viral antigen is in vitro synthesized and injected into the host leading to exogenous protein expression and robust immune responses. Vaccines can be rapidly developed utilizing the mRNA platform in the face of emerging pandemics. Additionally, the mRNA coding region can be easily manipulated to test novel hypotheses in order to combat viral infections which have remained refractory to traditional vaccine approaches. Flaviviruses are a diverse family of viruses that cause widespread disease and have pandemic potential. In this review, we discuss the mRNA vaccines which have been developed against diverse flaviviruses.

Exogenous Protein as an Environmental Stimuli of Biofilm Formation in Select Bacterial Strains

ABSTRACTA screening of environmental conditions that would elicit robust biofilm in a collection ofSerratia marcescensisolated from soil revealed that exogenous milk protein increased biofilm productivity up to ten-fold. A select screening of fish pathogens, freshwater and human isolates identified several other species that responded similarly to exogenous protein. The optimal protein concentration was species specific;S. marcescensat 5% milk protein,Aeromonassp. at 2-3%,Flavobacterium columnareat 1% andPseudomonas aeruginosaat 0.1-0.4%. Media supplemented with milk protein also increased the cell counts in biofilm as well as the protein incorporated into the biofilm matrix. These data suggest that relatively high concentrations of exogenous protein may serve as an environmental trigger for biofilm formation, particularly for pathogenic bacteria exposed to relatively high concentrations of protein in bodily fluids and mucosal surfaces.

The expression level of S100A4 protein affects the migration activity of breast cancer cells

Reduced expression of S100A4 protein metastasis marker in tripletnegative breast cancer cells (BC) MDA MB 231 leads to a decrease in the migratory ability of cells and increases the sensitivity of modified cells to docetaxel therapy. Cells capable of migration differ from immobile cells in the S100A4 protein content inside the cell, and this difference is preserved after the cells are treated with agents that lower the intracellular level of S100A4. The presence of exogenous protein S100A4 in the culture medium reduces the protein content in breast cancer cells. The results of the research indicate that the ability of BC cells to migrate depends on the concentration of S100A4 protein inside the cell.