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The retinoic-acid inducible gene (RIG)-I is a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor that senses single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds) RNA. RIG-I also senses AT-rich dsDNA, poly(dA:dT), through the action of an RNA polymerase III-transcribed RNA intermediate. Upon the binding of an RNA ligand, RIG-I binds to the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and induces the formation of filamentous aggregates of MAVS, leading to the formation of a signaling complex that drives Type I interferon (IFN) responses. In the current study, we investigated the issue of whether the SUMOylation of MAVS induced by poly(dA:dT) affects the aggregation of MAVS in the RIG-I/MAVS pathway in human keratinocytes. Our results show that the poly(dA:dT)-induced secretion of IFN-β was dependent on RIG-I and MAVS. The inhibition of SUMOylation by Ginkgolic acid or Ubc9 siRNA was found to inhibit the poly(dA:dT)-induced secretion of IFN-β, suggesting that the SUMOylation is required for the poly(dA:dT)-activated RIG-I/MAVS pathway, which drives the secretion of IFN-β. In addition, treatment with poly(dA:dT) enhanced the formation of polymeric chains of small-ubiquitin like modifiers (SUMO)3, but not SUMO1 and SUMO2, on MAVS. Our results also show that the conjugation of SUMO3 to MAVS induced by poly (dA:dT) enhanced the aggregation of MAVS. These collective results show that the formation of SUMO3-conjugated chains of MAVS induced by poly (dA:dT), a ligand of RIG-I, enhances the aggregation of MAVS which, in turn, drives the secretion of IFN-β in human keratinocytes.

In 2017, two new tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) isolates were collected from greenhouses in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. Full-length cDNAs of the new ToMV isolates were cloned into dual cauliflower mosaic virus 35S and T7 promoter-driven vectors, sequenced and their pathogenicities investigated. The nucleotide sequences of isolates GW1 (MH507165) and GW2 (MH507166) were 99% identical, resulting in only two amino acid differences in nonconserved region II and the helicase domain, Ile668Thr and Val834Ile. The two isolates were most closely related to a ToMV isolate from Taiwan (KJ207374). Isolate GW1 (Ile668, Val834) induced a systemic hypersensitive response in Nicotiana benthamiana compared with the isolate GW2, which a single residue substitution showed was due to Val834.

The incidence of plant virus diseases infecting important cucurbit vegetables in Korea has increased as new isolates have been introduced, associated with warming temperatures and vector movement caused by climate change. Transcript infectivity of full-length infectious clones of three new ZYMV isolates was dependent upon the length of the poly(A) tract; transcripts with 55 A residues were inefficiently infectious, whereas 60 A residues resulted in highly efficient infection and significantly reduced time to production of systemic symptoms. Sequences of isolates BR1 (MH042024), BR2 (MH042025), and BR3 (MH042026) showed 99% pair-wise identity and differed at only five amino acid positions in: HC-Pro (D134N in BR2), CI (F31 L in BR1), and 6 K2 (A24V in BR3), and two positions in NIb (T300S in BR2, H429Q in BR3). Cucurbita pepo plants inoculated with transcripts of clones with these amino acid differences showed symptoms that ranged from mild to severe. Phylogenetic analysis of these new ZYMV isolates with previously characterized isolates indicated that the new isolates had 87.8–97.5% identity to other ZYMV isolates and were most closely related to recent ZYMV isolates from Australia and Spain.

Two isolates of Youcai mosaic virus (YoMV) were obtained, and their full-length genomic sequences were determined. Full-length infectious cDNA clones of each isolate were generated in which the viral sequence was under the control of dual T7 and 35S promoters for both in vitro transcript production and agro-infiltration. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of the encoded proteins revealed only four differences between the isolates: three in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) (V383I and M492I in the 125-kDa protein and T1245M in the 182-kDa protein); and one in the overlapping region of the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) genes, affecting only the N-terminal domain of CP (CP M17T). One of the isolates caused severe symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, while the other caused only mild symptoms. In order to identify the amino acid residues associated with symptom severity, chimeric constructs were generated by combining parts of the two infectious YoMV clones, and the symptoms in infected plants were compared to those induced by the parental isolates. This allowed us to conclude that the M17T substitution in the N-terminal domain of CP was responsible for the difference in symptom severity. The M17T variation was found to be unique among characterized YoMV isolates. A difference in potential post-translational modification resulting from the presence of a predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation site only in the CP of isolate HK2 may be responsible for the symptom differences.

We characterized Müller cell gliosis induced by the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid-type 4 (TRPV4) and assessed whether statins could modulate the gliosis. The human Müller cell line, MIO-M1, was used to analyze the gliosis caused by glaucomatous stimulation. To induce Müller gliosis in MIO-M1 cells, GSK101 was used to activate TRPV4, and Müller gliosis was evaluated by analyzing vimentin, nestin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. The expression level of TNF-α was determined by ELISA. To evaluate the GSK101 activation of the NF-κB pathway, p65 phosphorylation was measured by Western blotting, and the nuclear translocation of p65 and IκBα phosphorylation were assessed by immunostaining. To assess the effect of statins on MIO-M1 gliosis, cells were pretreated for 24 h with statins before GSK101 treatment. Vimentin, nestin, and GFAP expression were upregulated by GSK101, while statins effectively inhibited them. The expression of TNF-α was increased by GSK101. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 and IκBα phosphorylation, which occurs prior to p65 activation, were induced. Statins suppressed the GSK101-mediated phosphorylation of IκBα and p65 translocation. Statins can mitigate gliosis in the human Müller cell line. Because TRPV4 activation in Müller cells reflects glaucoma pathophysiology, statins may have the potential to prevent RGC death.

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy in which the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) results in irreversible vison loss. Therefore, neuroprotection of RGCs from glaucomatous afflictions is crucial for glaucoma treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of statins in the protection of RGCs using a rat model. Glaucomatous injury was induced in rats by chronic ocular hypertension (OHT) achieved after performing a circumlimbal suture. The rats were given either statins such as simvastatin and atorvastatin or a solvent weekly for 6 weeks. Retina sections underwent hematoxylin and eosin, Brn3a, or cleaved casepase-3 staining to evaluate RGC survival. In addition, modulation of glial activation was assessed. While the retinas without statin treatment exhibited increased RGC death due to chronic OHT, statins promoted the survival of RGCs and reduced apoptosis. Statins also suppressed chronic OHT-mediated glial activation in the retina. Our results demonstrate that statins exert neuroprotective effects in rat retinas exposed to chronic OHT, which may support the prospect of statins being a glaucoma treatment.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces oxidative injury and inflammation in human skin. Scutellaria radix (SR, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) contains flavonoids with high UV absorptivity and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential use of SR extract as an additive in cosmetic products for UV protection. SR extract and its butanol (BuOH) fraction strongly absorbed UV radiation and displayed free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radials and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals. They also attenuated the UV-induced death of HaCaT cells. Sunscreen creams, with or without supplementation of SR extract BuOH fraction, were tested in vivo in human trials to evaluate potential skin irritation and determine the sun protection factor (SPF). Both sunscreen creams induced no skin irritation. A sunscreen cream containing 24% ZnO showed an SPF value of 17.8, and it increased to 22.7 when supplemented with 5% SR extract BuOH fraction. This study suggests that SR-derived materials are useful as safe cosmetic additives that provide UV protection.

BACKGROUND Dissolving microneedles (DMNs), microscale needles with a biodegradable polymer matrix, have been widely investigated for transdermal drug delivery. However, the restricted drug loading space of DMNs limited the delivery of the desired quantity of active compounds. In this study, we developed novel combinatorial therapies involving sequential application of adenosine-loaded DMN (Ad-DMN) patches and a topical adenosine-loaded cream (Ad-cream). The application of DMNs created skin channels, which delivered encapsulated drugs from both the DMNs and cream. The use of combinatorial therapies can maximize drug delivery. METHODS To compare the efficacy of combinatorial therapies and Ad-cream application, a double-blind clinical test was conducted over 10 weeks on 21 females with wrinkles around their eyes, and the skin parameters such as wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration were analyzed. The skin irritation test was assessed by expert interviewers to elucidate undesirable side effects. RESULTS The combinatorial therapies showed statistically significant efficacy for the improvement of average depth of wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration after an 8-week application (P

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces oxidative injury and inflammation in human skin. Scutellaria radix (SR, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) contains flavonoids with high UV absorptivity and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential use of SR extract as an additive in cosmetic products for UV protection. SR extract and its butanol (BuOH) fraction strongly absorbed UV radiation and displayed free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radials and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals. They also attenuated the UV-induced death of HaCaT cells. Sunscreen creams, with or without supplementation of SR extract BuOH fraction, were tested in vivo in human trials to evaluate potential skin irritation and determine the sun protection factor (SPF). Both sunscreen creams induced no skin irritation. A sunscreen cream containing 24% ZnO showed an SPF value of 17.8, and it increased to 22.7 when supplemented with 5% SR extract BuOH fraction. This study suggests that SR-derived materials are useful as safe cosmetic additives that provide UV protection.

Human have the microorganisms in the skin, gut and mouth. Human skin microbiome based on the 16S rRNA encoding gene can reveal bacterial species diversity. Also bacterial species in the skin have diverse and unique composition between individuals. We thought that a bacterial fingerprint obtained from surfaces including computer keyboards aids forensic individual identification in case of evidence deficiency. Next generation sequencing was used to analyze the bacterial community on objects and fingertips to match the object to the individual. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was submitted to EMBL SRA with accession number PRJEB8760. Higher similarity of bacterial community between public computer keyboards and laboratory member’s fingertips were evident than between other locations including doorknobs. Here we studied the challenges that bacterial fingerprint can be used as a human identification tool in forensic fields.