Gap junctions contain hydrophilic membrane channels that allow direct communication between neighboring cells through the diffusion of ions, metabolites, and small cell signaling molecules. They are made up of a hexameric array of polypeptides encoded by the connexin multi-gene family. Cell-cell communication mediated by connexins is crucial to various cellular functions, including the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and development. Mutations in connexin genes have been linked to a variety of human diseases, including cardiovascular anomalies, peripheral neuropathy, deafness, skin disorders, and cataracts. In addition to their coupling function, recent studies suggest that connexin proteins may also mediate signaling. This could involve interactions with other protein partners that may play a role not only in connexin assembly, trafficking, gating and turnover, but also in the coordinate regulation of cell-cell communication with cell adhesion and cell motility. The integration of these cell functions is likely to be important in the role of gap junctions in development and disease.

Vaccination represents an efficient and cost-effective way to contain influenza epidemics and preserve public health. Since their introduction in the 1940s, seasonal influenza vaccines have saved countless lives and limited pandemic spread. Influenza viruses nonetheless continue to evolve through genetic mutation and escape from natural immunity, and vaccines must be updated yearly. The protective efficacy of the current licensed vaccines varies each year (Fig. 1a), depending on the antigenic match between circulating viruses and vaccine strains. The immune status of the host can also affect vaccine efficacy. For example, young and elderly individuals are more susceptible to the complications of influenza infection [1][2][3] .New influenza viruses have precipitated pandemics several times over the past 100 years, specifically in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009 (reF. 4 ). The threat of the reemergence of old pandemic viruses and the emergence of novel viruses with pandemic potential underscore the need for durable and broadly protective influenza vaccines. Advances in immunology and virology, together with information from structural biology and bioinformatics, are facilitating the development of novel vaccine approaches [5][6][7][8] . Of particular interest are human broadly neutralizing antibodies directed to conserved viral structures. These antibodies arise naturally and can also be elicited through immunization .Current licensed influenza vaccines contain either in activated or live attenuated influenza viruses. Most in activated vaccines consist of split viruses or subunit influenza antigens (Table 1). Split vaccines are produced by disrupting viral particles with chemicals or detergents Haemagglutinin (Ha). a homotrimeric glycoprotein found on the surface of influenza virus particles responsible for the recognition of the host target cell through the binding of sialic acid-containing receptors.

Previous studies have indicated an intimate linkage between gap junction and adherens junction formation. It was suggested this could reflect the close membranemembrane apposition required for junction formation. In NIH3T3 cells, we observed the colocalization of connexin43 (Cx43␣1) gap junction protein with N-cadherin, p120, and other N-cadherin-associated proteins at regions of cell-cell contact. We also found that Cx43␣1, N-cadherin, and N-cadherin-associated proteins were coimmunoprecipitated by antibodies to either Cx43␣1, N-cadherin, or various N-cadherin-associated proteins. These findings suggest that Cx43␣1 and N-cadherin are coassembled in a multiprotein complex containing various N-cadherin-associated proteins. Studies using siRNA knockdown indicated that cell surface expression of Cx43␣1 required N-cadherin, and conversely, Ncadherin cell surface expression required Cx43␣1. Pulse-chase labeling and cell surface biotinylation experiments indicated that in the absence of N-cadherin, Cx43␣1 cell surface trafficking is blocked. Surprisingly, siRNA knockdown of p120, an N-cadherin-associated protein known to modulate cell surface turnover of Ncadherin, reduced N-cadherin cell surface expression without altering Cx43␣1 expression. These observations suggest that in contrast to the coregulated cell surface trafficking of Cx43␣1 and N-cadherin, N-cadherin turnover at the cell surface may be regulated independently of Cx43␣1. Functional studies showed gap junctional communication is reduced and cell motility inhibited with N-cadherin or Cx43␣1 knockdown, consistent with the observed loss of both gap junction and cadherin contacts with either knockdown. Overall, these studies indicate that the intracellular coassembly of connexin and cadherin is required for gap junction and adherens junction formation, a process that likely underlies the intimate association between gap junction and adherens junction formation.

H5 DNA priming enhances antibody responses after an MIV boost when the prime-boost interval is 12-24 weeks. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01086657.

The authors note the following: "Due to an error in the evaluation of the raw ITC-data, we reported the wrong sign for the enthalpy values and correspondingly incorrect entropy values. The correct values are as follows: at pH 5.7: ΔH −54 ± 4 kJ/ mol, ΔS −68 ± 14 J/mol K and at pH 7.2: ΔH −62 ± 6 kJ/mol and ΔS −98 ± 18 J/mol K (Table 3)." The authors note that on page 5381, left column, first paragraph, line 9 "Two E1 entities dimerize upon their interaction with heparin, requiring 8-12 sugar rings to form the heparin-bridged APP-E1 dimer in an endothermic and pH-dependent process that is characterized by a low micromolar dissociation constant" should have read "Two E1 entities dimerize upon their interaction with heparin, requiring 8-12 sugar rings to form the heparin-bridged APP-E1 dimer in an exothermic and pH-dependent process that is characterized by a low micromolar dissociation constant." On page 5384, right column, third paragraph, line 23 "This reaction is driven by high entropy contributions of around 300 J/mol · K, probably resulting from the release of associated ions and water molecules upon heparin binding, as also observed for other heparin-binding proteins (reviewed, e.g., in ref. 39)" should have read "This reaction is driven by significant enthalpic contributions, probably arising from protein-protein interactions, also observed for other heparin-binding proteins (reviewed, e.g., in ref. 39)." This error does not affect the conclusions of the article.

A stabilized form of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) protein has been explored as a vaccine to prevent viral infection because it presents several potent neutralizing epitopes. Here, we used a structure-based rational design to optimize antigen presentation and focus antibody (Ab) responses to key epitopes on the pre-fusion (pre-F) protein. This protein was fused to ferritin nanoparticles (pre-F-NP) and modified with glycans to mask nonneutralizing or poorly neutralizing epitopes to further focus the Ab response. The multimeric pre-F-NP elicited durable pre-F–specific Abs in nonhuman primates (NHPs) after >150 days and elicited potent neutralizing Ab (NAb) responses in mice and NHPs in vivo, as well as in human cells evaluated in the in vitro MIMIC system. This optimized pre-F-NP stimulated a more potent Ab response than a representative pre-F trimer, DS-Cav1. Collectively, this pre-F vaccine increased the generation of NAbs targeting the desired pre-F conformation, an attribute that facilitates the development of an effective RSV vaccine.

A growing global health concern, Lyme disease has become the most common tick-borne disease in the United States and Europe. Caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl), this disease can be debilitating if not treated promptly. Because diagnosis is challenging, prevention remains a priority; however, a previously licensed vaccine is no longer available to the public. Here, we designed a six component vaccine that elicits antibody (Ab) responses against all Borrelia strains that commonly cause Lyme disease in humans. The outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia was fused to a bacterial ferritin to generate selfassembling nanoparticles. OspA-ferritin nanoparticles elicited durable high titer Ab responses to the seven major serotypes in mice and non-human primates at titers higher than a previously licensed vaccine. This response was durable in rhesus macaques for more than 6 months. Vaccination with adjuvanted OspA-ferritin nanoparticles stimulated protective immunity from both B. burgdorferi and B. afzelii infection in a tick-fed murine challenge model. This multivalent Lyme vaccine offers the potential to limit the spread of Lyme disease.

Seasonal influenza vaccines elicit strain-specific immune responses designed to protect against circulating viruses. Because these vaccines often show limited efficacy, the search for a broadly protective seasonal vaccine remains a priority. Among different influenza virus subtypes, H1N1 has long been circulating in humans and has caused pandemic outbreaks. In order to assess the potential of a multivalent HA combination vaccine to improve the breadth of protection against divergent H1N1 viruses, HA-ferritin nanoparticles were made and evaluated in mice against a panel of historical and contemporary influenza virus strains. Trivalent combinations of H1 nanoparticles improved the breadth of immunity against divergent H1 influenza viruses.