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Abstract Development of a vaccine against gonorrhoea is a global priority, driven by the rise in antibiotic resistance. Although Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infection does not induce substantial protective immunity, highly exposed individuals may develop immunity against re-infection with the same strain. Retrospective epidemiological studies have shown that vaccines containing Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) provide a degree of cross-protection against Ng infection. We conducted a clinical trial (NCT04297436) of 4CMenB (Bexsero, GSK), a licensed Nm vaccine containing OMVs and recombinant antigens, comprising a single arm, open label study of two doses with 50 adults in coastal Kenya who have high exposure to Ng. Data from a Ng antigen microarray established that serum IgG and IgA reactivities against the gonococcal homologs of the recombinant antigens in the vaccine peaked at 10 but had declined by 24 weeks. For most reactive OMV-derived antigens, the reverse was the case. A cohort of similar individuals with laboratory-confirmed gonococcal infection were compared before, during, and after infection: their reactivities were weaker and differed from the vaccinated cohort. We conclude that the cross-protection of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonorrhoea could be explained by cross-reaction against a diverse selection of antigens derived from the OMV component.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genomics, decreasing sequencing costs and allowing researchers to draw correlations between diseases and DNA or RNA changes. Technical advances have enabled the analysis of RNA expression changes between single cells within a heterogeneous population, known as single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq). Despite resolving transcriptomes of cellular subpopulations, scRNA-seq has not replaced RNA-seq, due to higher costs and longer hands-on time. Here, we developed an automated workflow to increase throughput (up to 48 reactions) and to reduce by 75% the hands-on time of scRNA-seq library preparation, using the 10X Genomics Single Cell 3’ kit. After gel bead-in-emulsion (GEM) generation on the 10X Genomics Chromium Controller, cDNA amplification was performed, and the product was normalized and subjected to either the manual, standard library preparation method or a fully automated, walk-away method using a Biomek i7 Hybrid liquid handler. Control metrics showed that both quantity and quality of the single-cell gene expression libraries generated were equivalent in size and yield. Key scRNA-seq downstream quality metrics, such as unique molecular identifiers count, mitochondrial RNA content, and cell and gene counts, further showed high correlations between automated and manual workflows. Using the UMAP dimensionality reduction technique to visualize all cells, we were able to further correlate the results observed between the manual and automated methods (R=0.971). The method developed here allows for the fast, error-free, and reproducible multiplex generation of high-quality single-cell gene expression libraries.

In many solid cancers, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) represent the predominant myeloid cell population. Antigen (Ag) cross-presentation leading to tumor Ag–directed cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses is crucial for antitumor immunity. However, the role of recruited monocyte-derived macrophages, including TAM, as potential cross-presenting cells is not well understood. Here, we show that primary human as well as mouse CD206+ macrophages are effective in functional cross-presentation of soluble self-Ag and non–self-Ag, including tumor-associated Ag (TAA), as well as viral Ag. To confirm the presence of cross-presenting TAM in vivo, we performed phenotypic and functional analysis of TAM from B16-F10 and CT26 syngeneic tumor models and have identified CD11b+F4/80hiCD206+ TAM to effectively cross-present TAA. We show that CD11b+CD206+ TAM represent the dominant tumor-infiltrating myeloid cell population, expressing a unique cell surface repertoire, promoting Ag cross-presentation and Ag-specific CD8+ T cell activation comparable with cross-presenting CLEC9A+ DCs (cDC1). The presence of cross-presenting CD206+ TAM is associated with reduced tumor burden in mouse syngeneic tumor models and with improved overall survival in cutaneous melanoma patients. Therefore, the demonstration of effective Ag cross-presentation capabilities of CD206+ TAM, including their clinical relevance, expands our understanding of TAM phenotypic diversity and functional versatility.

Abstract Background Partially methylated domains are extended regions in the genome exhibiting a reduced average DNA methylation level. They cover gene-poor and transcriptionally inactive regions and tend to be heterochromatic. We present a comprehensive comparative analysis of partially methylated domains in human and mouse cells, to identify structural and functional features associated with them. Results Partially methylated domains are present in up to 75% of the genome in human and mouse cells irrespective of their tissue or cell origin. Each cell type has a distinct set of partially methylated domains, and genes expressed in such domains show a strong cell type effect. The methylation level varies between cell types with a more pronounced effect in differentiating and replicating cells. The lowest level of methylation is observed in highly proliferating and immortal cancer cell lines. A decrease of DNA methylation within partially methylated domains tends to be linked to an increase in heterochromatic histone marks and a decrease of gene expression. Characteristic combinations of heterochromatic signatures in partially methylated domains are linked to domains of early and middle S-phase and late S-G2 phases of DNA replication. Conclusions Partially methylated domains are prominent signatures of long-range epigenomic organization. Integrative analysis identifies them as important general, lineage- and cell type-specific topological features. Changes in partially methylated domains are hallmarks of cell differentiation, with decreased methylation levels and increased heterochromatic marks being linked to enhanced cell proliferation. In combination with broad histone marks, partially methylated domains demarcate distinct domains of late DNA replication.

Comprehensive characterisation of RNA-protein interactions requires different levels of resolution. Here, the authors present an integrated mass spectrometry-based approach that allows them to define the Drosophila RNA-protein interactome from the level of multisubunit complexes down to the RNA-binding amino acid.

Airway mucociliary regeneration and function are key players for airway defense and are impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using transcriptome analysis in COPD-derived bronchial biopsies, we observed a positive correlation between cilia-related genes and microRNA-449 (miR449). In vitro, miR449 was strongly increased during airway epithelial mucociliary differentiation. In vivo, miR449 was upregulated during recovery from chemical or infective insults. miR0449−/− mice (both alleles are deleted) showed impaired ciliated epithelial regeneration after naphthalene and Haemophilus influenzae exposure, accompanied by more intense inflammation and emphysematous manifestations of COPD. The latter occurred spontaneously in aged miR449−/− mice. We identified Aurora kinase A and its effector target HDAC6 as key mediators in miR449-regulated ciliary homeostasis and epithelial regeneration. Aurora kinase A is downregulated upon miR449 overexpression in vitro and upregulated in miR449−/− mouse lungs. Accordingly, imaging studies showed profoundly altered cilia length and morphology accompanied by reduced mucociliary clearance. Pharmacological inhibition of HDAC6 rescued cilia length and coverage in miR449−/− cells, consistent with its tubulin-deacetylating function. Altogether, our study establishes a link between miR449, ciliary dysfunction, and COPD pathogenesis.

Although topologically associating domains (TADs) have been extensively investigated, it is not clear to what extent DNA sequence contributes to their formation. Here the authors develop software to identify high-resolution TAD boundaries and reveal their relationship to underlying DNA motifs.

Introducción: las esferas de poliestireno se utilizan como soporte sólido de biomoléculas en inmunoensayos de aglutinación de látex, con aplicaciones en el diagnóstico de enfermedades y la identificación de microorganismos. Objetivos: sintetizar y caracterizar tres lotes consecutivos de látex de poliestireno y su aplicación en la elaboración de reactivos para la tipificación de la bacteria Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo W. Métodos: la síntesis se realizó mediante polimerización en emulsión libre de surfactantes. La morfología y limpieza de las partículas se observó mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido. El diámetro y el potencial Z de las esferas se determinó mediante dispersión dinámica y electroforética de la luz. Se utilizó la espectroscopía infrarroja con transformada de Fourier (FT-IR) como ensayo de identidad. Para estudiar la capacidad de las esferas para adsorber proteínas se empleó el anticuerpo monoclonal (AcM) 5C11F1, específico para el polisacárido capsular de N. meningitidis serogrupo W. Resultados: se obtuvieron tres lotes consecutivos de látex de poliestireno con esferas de diámetro medio en el intervalo de 0,8 ± 0,1 µm y se demostró su similitud con tres látex comerciales respecto a limpieza, morfología y espectros FT-IR. Los látex fueron estables al menos durante 24 meses, en coincidencia con los potenciales Z medidos por debajo de -30 mV. Las superficies de las partículas se saturaron en el intervalo de 48 a 63 µg de AcM por mg de esferas para los tres lotes de látex y para un látex comercial utilizado como control. Los reactivos de látex obtenidos por adsorción del AcM 5C11F1 a las esferas de poliestireno se aplicaron con éxito en la identificación de cepas de N. meningitidis serogrupo W.

Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, W, Y and X are the main responsible of meningococcal disease. Vaccines are necessary to prevent this disease. The Finlay Institute is developing polysaccharide vaccines against serogroups A, C, W, Y and X. In the development of vaccines, the identity assay is a mandatory requirement for final product release. This test is performed by Dot Blot technique using commercial polyclonal antibodies (PAb). However, the Finlay Institute has monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against capsular polysaccharides from N. meningitidis (CPs). The objective of this work was to use these mAbs in identity tests to replace commercial PAb. The specificity of the mAbs, the cross-reactivity with other CPs and the identity of the CPs present in four multivalent polysaccharide vaccines, were evaluated. All tested mAbs showed high specificity, and no cross-reactivity was found. Also all mAbs were able to identify the presence of homologous PsC in multivalent vaccine formulations. We conclude that the mAbs obtained in our institution can be used for identity assays of vaccines

Human cells contain five canonical, replication-dependent somatic histone H1 subtypes (H1.1, H1.2, H1.3, H1.4, and H1.5). Although they are key chromatin components, the genomic distribution of the H1 subtypes is still unknown, and their role in chromatin processes has thus far remained elusive. Here, we map the genomic localization of all somatic replication-dependent H1 subtypes in human lung fibroblasts using an integrative DNA adenine methyltransferase identification (DamID) analysis. We find in general that H1.2 to H1.5 are depleted from CpG-dense regions and active regulatory regions. H1.1 shows a DamID binding profile distinct from the other subtypes, suggesting a unique function. H1 subtypes can mark specific domains and repressive regions, pointing toward a role for H1 in three-dimensional genome organization. Our work integrates H1 subtypes into the epigenome maps of human cells and provides a valuable resource to refine our understanding of the significance of H1 and its heterogeneity in the control of genome function.

Histone acetyl transferases (HATs) play distinct roles in many cellular processes and are frequently misregulated in cancers. Here, we study the regulatory potential of MYST1-(MOF)-containing MSL and NSL complexes in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and neuronal progenitors. We find that both complexes influence transcription by targeting promoters and TSS-distal enhancers. In contrast to flies, the MSL complex is not exclusively enriched on the X chromosome, yet it is crucial for mammalian X chromosome regulation as it specifically regulates Tsix, the major repressor of Xist lncRNA. MSL depletion leads to decreased Tsix expression, reduced REX1 recruitment, and consequently, enhanced accumulation of Xist and variable numbers of inactivated X chromosomes during early differentiation. The NSL complex provides additional, Tsix-independent repression of Xist by maintaining pluripotency. MSL and NSL complexes therefore act synergistically by using distinct pathways to ensure a fail-safe mechanism for the repression of X inactivation in ESCs.

GenLab es el nombre que tiene el software diseñado por nosotros, en el cual se modela el proceso meiótico y la fecundación en organismos diploides. El objetivo de esta aplicación es ilustrar el resultado de un cruce determinado, tratando de ser lo más ajustados a la realidad. La modelación de la reproducción sexual se realiza internamente y el GenLab se limita a presentar los resultados según el número de descendencia seleccionado para un cruce específico, esto significa que se puede escoger una gran cantidad de características para los parentales y se puede estudiar la frecuencia de estos en la descendencia. El modelo cuenta con base de datos donde están almacenados algunos de los locus de Drosophila melanogaster junto con su ubicación en centimorgans 1. EI propósito de este modelo es servir como herramienta pedagógica y didáctica tanto en universidades como en colegios, facilitando el aprendizaje de algunos principios básicos de la genética, por lo cual puede ser usado si se cuenta con una conexión a Internet y un navegador visitando http://biologia.unal.edu.co/fidel.