hLife Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-03-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2026.03.002

Yuling Xu , Xun Wang , Ning Yang , Xinyu Yang , Lin Gu , Zhaohui Tong , Nan Song , Jieqiong Li

{"title":"MMP12 exacerbates pulmonary inflammation by enhancing IL-17A expression","authors":"Yuling Xu , Xun Wang , Ning Yang , Xinyu Yang , Lin Gu , Zhaohui Tong , Nan Song , Jieqiong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.hlife.2026.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hlife.2026.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin is a key driver of <em>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</em>–mediated disease, yet its pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we established female C57BL/6J murine pneumonia models by intratracheal injection of CARDS toxin (700 pmol per mouse). In wild-type mice (<em>n</em> = 3 per group), single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing were performed to characterize functional alterations of lung macrophages. Pulmonary inflammation was evaluated by immunostaining and PCR analyses in wild-type (<em>n</em> = 3), <em>Lyz2-Mmp12</em><sup>−/−</sup> (<em>n</em> = 4), and <em>Mmp12</em>-CreERT2×<em>Rosa26</em>-iDTR mice (<em>n</em> = 5). To interrogate downstream signaling, interleukin-17A (IL-17A) signaling was blocked using a neutralizing antibody. Clinical relevance was assessed using proteomic analysis and ELISA measurements of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) proteins from disease control (<em>n</em> = 26) and <em>M</em>. <em>pneumoniae</em> pneumonia (MPP, <em>n</em> = 58) patients. We demonstrate that CARDS toxin exposure markedly increases the abundance of <em>Mmp12</em><sup>high</sup> macrophages in the murine lung, accompanied by overactivation of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling. Macrophage-specific <em>Mmp12</em> knockout attenuated CARDS toxin-induced pulmonary inflammation. Mechanistically, MMP12 promoted T helper 17 cells activation and subsequent IL-17A secretion <em>via</em> SPP1 and FN1, thereby exacerbating pulmonary inflammation. Notably, IL-17A blockade significantly mitigated these responses. Furthermore, MMP12 and IL-17A levels were elevated in the BALF of MPP patients. Collectively, these findings define a pro-inflammatory MMP12–IL-17A axis mediating CARDS toxin-driven pulmonary pathology, highlighting promising therapeutic targets for managing <em>M. pneumoniae</em>–associated respiratory disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100609,"journal":{"name":"hLife","volume":"4 5","pages":"Pages 309-326"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147872118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Hotspots of resistance: How Bangladesh’s environment fuels the antimicrobial resistance crisis 耐药性热点：孟加拉国的环境如何加剧抗菌素耐药性危机

hLife Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-29 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.12.009

Md. Shakil Ahmed , M. Mahadi Hasan

引用次数: 0

DrosGB: An integrated multi-omics database for comparative genomics and functional annotation of 35 Drosophila species DrosGB：一个集成的多组学数据库，用于35种果蝇的比较基因组学和功能注释

hLife Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-17 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2026.02.003

Qi Zheng , Chuanchang Zhang , Junhui Zhang , Haitian Hao , Xue Ming Wu , Hua Cai , Runxi Shen , Quan Zheng , Xiangrui Cai , Mo Liu

{"title":"DrosGB: An integrated multi-omics database for comparative genomics and functional annotation of 35 Drosophila species","authors":"Qi Zheng , Chuanchang Zhang , Junhui Zhang , Haitian Hao , Xue Ming Wu , Hua Cai , Runxi Shen , Quan Zheng , Xiangrui Cai , Mo Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.hlife.2026.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hlife.2026.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate identification of gene orthology is essential for understanding functional conservation and evolution. However, existing databases mainly focus on <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>, with limited resource integration of other <em>Drosophila</em> species. To address this gap, we developed the <em>Drosophila</em> Genomics Browser (DrosGB, <span><span>https://www.drosgb.com</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>), a multi-omics database and analysis platform for the <em>Drosophila</em> genus. The platform is implemented using Python and the Django framework with a MySQL backend and an interactive web interface. DrosGB integrates genomic data, 876 transcriptome datasets, approximately 420,000 three-dimensional (3D) protein structures, and Gene Ontology annotations across 35 <em>Drosophila</em> species. To improve orthology inference, the platform integrates results from four approaches—OrthoFinder, SonicParanoid, Foldseek, and TOGA—to construct a high-confidence ortholog set. Analysis of this dataset revealed 6889 core genes shared by all 35 species, mainly involved in basal metabolism and intracellular transport, as well as 200 <em>D. melanogaster</em>–specific genes enriched in sperm motility and flagellar function. Based on data integration and orthology analysis, DrosGB provides eight functional modules for data exploration and comparative research, including gene ID search, rapid ortholog ID mapping, BLAST alignment, gene tree construction, sequence retrieval, genome synteny analysis, and a 3D structure viewer. As a comprehensive multi-omics resource, DrosGB facilitates comparative genomics and evolutionary studies in the <em>Drosophila</em> genus and provides a valuable platform for investigating gene evolution and functional diversification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100609,"journal":{"name":"hLife","volume":"4 5","pages":"Pages 293-308"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147872117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Exploring innate immunity through the lens of fruit fly models 通过果蝇模型探索先天免疫

hLife Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-05-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.05.004

Di Chen , Hua Cai , Chuanxian Wei , Renjie Jiao , Jean-Luc Imler , Dominique Ferrandon , Jules A Hoffmann

引用次数: 0

Diagnostics for human pathogenic fungal infections: Current status and future prospects 人类致病性真菌感染的诊断：现状和未来展望

hLife Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-06 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.11.005

Xinhua Huang , Munika Moses , Lu Nie , Ernest Apondi Wandera , Changbin Chen

{"title":"Diagnostics for human pathogenic fungal infections: Current status and future prospects","authors":"Xinhua Huang , Munika Moses , Lu Nie , Ernest Apondi Wandera , Changbin Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.hlife.2025.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hlife.2025.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human fungal infections represent a rapidly emerging global health threat, especially threatening immunocompromised populations, highlighting the urgent need for accurate and timely diagnostic approaches to reduce morbidity and mortality. This review synthesizes recent advances in diagnostic methodologies, including serological assays, point-of-care diagnostics, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based and sequencing technologies, as well as artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-powered tools. Emerging diagnostic approaches have demonstrated notable improvements in detection accuracy, turnaround time, and antifungal resistance profiling capabilities, especially for drug-resistant strains. Nevertheless, substantial challenges persist in terms of standardization, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and implementation, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Future efforts should be directed toward the continuous innovation of rapid, sensitive, and multiplex diagnostic platforms for the simultaneous detection of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Such advances may accelerate result acquisition, enhance diagnostic accuracy, support the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes for patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100609,"journal":{"name":"hLife","volume":"4 3","pages":"Pages 135-164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Pan-prediction of major histocompatibility complex class II–restricted epitopes across species via an AlphaFold-based quantification scheme 基于alphafold的定量方案对物种间主要组织相容性复合体ii类限制性表位的泛预测

hLife Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-09 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.10.005

Suqiu Wang , Lingming Kong , Dongmei Hu , Liangzhen Zheng , Caiyi Fei , Liubao Du , Ziche Tang , Malgorzata A. Garstka , Onur Serçinoğlu , Lifeng Zhang , Sheng Wang , Shi Xu , Hanchun Yang , Nianzhi Zhang

{"title":"Pan-prediction of major histocompatibility complex class II–restricted epitopes across species via an AlphaFold-based quantification scheme","authors":"Suqiu Wang , Lingming Kong , Dongmei Hu , Liangzhen Zheng , Caiyi Fei , Liubao Du , Ziche Tang , Malgorzata A. Garstka , Onur Serçinoğlu , Lifeng Zhang , Sheng Wang , Shi Xu , Hanchun Yang , Nianzhi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.hlife.2025.10.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hlife.2025.10.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The high polymorphism of histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) alleles and limited immunopeptidomic data hinder pan-species epitope prediction. In this study, leveraging the predictive power of AlphaFold (AF) and the conserved structural features of the core region of MHC-II–binding peptides, derived from a comprehensive analysis of MHC-II structure data in the PDB database, we developed a new tool, AF-prediction (AF-pred), with explicit quantitative criteria for MHC-II–restricted epitope prediction. We validated AF-pred across human, porcine, bovine, and bat MHC-II molecules through large-scale <em>in silico</em> analyses using known immunopeptidome datasets (1000 positive and 1000 negative antigenic peptides), together with <em>in vitro</em> binding assays and crystallographic characterization of newly predicted epitopes. Using uncharacterized bat MHC-II structures, we demonstrated that AF-pred’s amino-acid interaction prediction underpins its pan-prediction capability and the underlying rationale of the method. Conversely, this characteristic limits the prediction of atypical MHC-II peptide-binding modes. Compared with sequence-based tools, AF-pred demonstrates enhanced cross-species MHC-II binding prediction, with higher accuracy and interpretability, and further reveals that iterative AF updates improve AF-pred performance. AF-pred has the potential to facilitate the development of novel T-cell epitope vaccines and advance the “One Health” initiative.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100609,"journal":{"name":"hLife","volume":"4 3","pages":"Pages 186-204"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Risk prediction model of postoperative infection after transplantation 移植术后感染风险预测模型

hLife Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-09-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.09.002

Qijing Gao , Yani Wu , Ruiheng Peng , Jin-An Zhou , Ruolin Tao , Lingxiang Kong , Lan Zhu , Shaohua Song , Wenjun Shang , Turun Song , Liping Guo , Sijun Wang , Yahui Huang , Haili Bao , Zhiren Fu , Lin Zhong , Gang Chen , Jie Zhao , Jiayin Yang , Wenzhi Guo , Ning-Ning Liu

引用次数: 0

Move without moving: Kidney-produced betaine mimics exercise to slow aging 不动就动：肾脏产生的甜菜碱模仿运动来延缓衰老

hLife Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-06-25 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.06.007

Yue Li , Xinxin Tang , Yinkun Fu , Ming He

引用次数: 0

Berberine alleviates radiation-induced lung injury by promoting microbiota-derived inosine via the gut–lung axis 小檗碱通过促进肠道-肺轴微生物来源的肌苷来减轻辐射引起的肺损伤

hLife Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-09 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.12.006

Shuyuan Wang , Siyuan Huai , Zhen Yuan , Tiannan Ji , Yinmei Xu , Yifan Ren , Niansong Qian , Shengjie Sun , Jianxiong Li

{"title":"Berberine alleviates radiation-induced lung injury by promoting microbiota-derived inosine via the gut–lung axis","authors":"Shuyuan Wang , Siyuan Huai , Zhen Yuan , Tiannan Ji , Yinmei Xu , Yifan Ren , Niansong Qian , Shengjie Sun , Jianxiong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.hlife.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hlife.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a common complication of radiotherapy. Although berberine (BBR) has been suggested to be associated with reduced RILI incidence, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we investigated whether the gut microbiota mediates the radioprotective effects of BBR using a C57BL/6 RILI mouse model with 20 Gy thoracic irradiation (<em>n</em> = 6 per group). BBR (100 mg/kg) and inosine (INO, 300 mg/kg) were administered orally <em>in vivo</em>. Antibiotic depletion and fecal microbiota transplantation were performed to assess microbiota dependence. Lung injury was assessed by histology, pulmonary function, and cytokine levels. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolites were profiled using LC-MS/MS. Transcriptomic and epigenomic alterations were assessed by RNA sequencing, ATAC sequencing, and CUT&Tag analysis. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance were used to assess metabolite–protein interactions. We demonstrated that BBR alleviated RILI in a microbiota-dependent manner. BBR increased <em>Akkermansia muciniphila</em> abundance and metabolite INO levels. Mechanistically, INO was associated with reduced neuron navigator 3 (NAV3) expression, accompanied by decreased chromatin accessibility and increased histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) at the <em>NAV3</em> locus. Together, these findings reveal a gut microbiota–mediated mechanism underlying BBR-mediated protection against RILI, and suggest microbiota-informed biomarkers for risk stratification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100609,"journal":{"name":"hLife","volume":"4 3","pages":"Pages 165-185"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Decoding influenza virus: From polymerase mechanisms to translational therapeutics 解码流感病毒：从聚合酶机制到转化疗法

hLife Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlife.2025.12.003

Tao Deng , George Fu Gao , Stephen Cusack , Mark von Itzstein , Ervin Fodor , Jonathan Grimes , Aartjan J.W. te Velthuis

引用次数: 0

hLife最新文献