Functional anatomy of T cell activation and synapse formation.

T cell activation and function require a structured engagement of antigen-presenting cells. These cell contacts are characterized by two distinct dynamics in vivo: transient contacts resulting from promigratory junctions called immunological kinapses or prolonged contacts from stable junctions called immunological synapses. Kinapses operate in the steady state to allow referencing to self-peptide-MHC (pMHC) and searching for pathogen-derived pMHC. Synapses are induced by T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with agonist pMHC under specific conditions and correlate with robust immune responses that generate effector and memory T cells. High-resolution imaging has revealed that the synapse is highly coordinated, integrating cell adhesion, TCR recognition of pMHC complexes, and an array of activating and inhibitory ligands to promote or prevent T cell signaling. In this review, we examine the molecular components, geometry, and timing underlying kinapses and synapses. We integrate recent molecular and physiological data to provide a synthesis and suggest ways forward.

A nondegenerate code of deleterious variants in Mendelian loci contributes to complex disease risk.

Although countless highly penetrant variants have been associated with Mendelian disorders, the genetic etiologies underlying complex diseases remain largely unresolved. By mining the medical records of over 110 million patients, we examine the extent to which Mendelian variation contributes to complex disease risk. We detect thousands of associations between Mendelian and complex diseases, revealing a nondegenerate, phenotypic code that links each complex disorder to a unique collection of Mendelian loci. Using genome-wide association results, we demonstrate that common variants associated with complex diseases are enriched in the genes indicated by this "Mendelian code." Finally, we detect hundreds of comorbidity associations among Mendelian disorders, and we use probabilistic genetic modeling to demonstrate that Mendelian variants likely contribute nonadditively to the risk for a subset of complex diseases. Overall, this study illustrates a complementary approach for mapping complex disease loci and provides unique predictions concerning the etiologies of specific diseases.

Transcriptional insights into the CD8(+) T cell response to infection and memory T cell formation.

After infection, many factors coordinate the population expansion and differentiation of CD8+ effector and memory T cells. Using data of unparalleled breadth from the Immunological Genome Project, we analyzed the CD8+ T cell transcriptome throughout infection to establish gene-expression signatures and identify putative transcriptional regulators. Notably, we found that the expression of key gene signatures can be used to predict the memory-precursor potential of CD8+ effector cells. Long-lived memory CD8+ cells ultimately expressed a small subset of genes shared by natural killer T and γδ T cells. Although distinct inflammatory milieu and T cell precursor frequencies influenced the differentiation of CD8+ effector and memory populations, core transcriptional signatures were regulated similarly, whether polyclonal or transgenic, and whether responding to bacterial or viral model pathogens. Our results provide insights into the transcriptional regulation that influence memory formation and CD8+ T cell immunity.

The transcriptional landscape of αß T cell differentiation.

The differentiation of αßT cells from thymic precursors is a complex process essential for adaptive immunity. Here we exploited the breadth of expression data sets from the Immunological Genome Project to analyze how the differentiation of thymic precursors gives rise to mature T cell transcriptomes. We found that early T cell commitment was driven by unexpectedly gradual changes. In contrast, transit through the CD4(+)CD8(+) stage involved a global shutdown of housekeeping genes that is rare among cells of the immune system and correlated tightly with expression of the transcription factor c-Myc. Selection driven by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules promoted a large-scale transcriptional reactivation. We identified distinct signatures that marked cells destined for positive selection versus apoptotic deletion. Differences in the expression of unexpectedly few genes accompanied commitment to the CD4(+) or CD8(+) lineage, a similarity that carried through to peripheral T cells and their activation, demonstrated by mass cytometry phosphoproteomics. The transcripts newly identified as encoding candidate mediators of key transitions help define the 'known unknowns' of thymocyte differentiation.

Identification of transcriptional regulators in the mouse immune system.

The differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into cells of the immune system has been studied extensively in mammals, but the transcriptional circuitry that controls it is still only partially understood. Here, the Immunological Genome Project gene-expression profiles across mouse immune lineages allowed us to systematically analyze these circuits. To analyze this data set we developed Ontogenet, an algorithm for reconstructing lineage-specific regulation from gene-expression profiles across lineages. Using Ontogenet, we found differentiation stage-specific regulators of mouse hematopoiesis and identified many known hematopoietic regulators and 175 previously unknown candidate regulators, as well as their target genes and the cell types in which they act. Among the previously unknown regulators, we emphasize the role of ETV5 in the differentiation of γδ T cells. As the transcriptional programs of human and mouse cells are highly conserved, it is likely that many lessons learned from the mouse model apply to humans.

RNA-seq analysis reveals changes in mRNA expression during development in Daphnia mitsukuri.

Temporal transcriptional variation is a major contributor to functional evolution and the developmental process. Parthenogenetic water fleas of the genus Daphnia (Cladocera) provide an ideal model to characterize gene expression patterns across distinct developmental stages. Herein, we report RNA-seq data for female Daphnia mitsukuri at three developmental stages: the embryo, juvenile (three timepoints) and adult. Comparisons of gene expression patterns among these three developmental stages and weighted gene co-expression network analysis based on expression data across developmental stages identified sets of genes underpinning each of the developmental stages of D. mitsukuri. Specifically, highly expressed genes (HEGs) at the embryonic developmental stage were associated with cell proliferation, ensuring the necessary foundation for subsequent development; HEGs at the juvenile stages were associated with chemosensory perception, visual perception and neurotransmission, allowing individuals to enhance detection of potential environmental risks; HEGs at the adult stage were associated with antioxidative defensive systems, enabling adults to mount an efficient response to perceived environmental risks. Additionally, we found a significant overlap between expanded gene families of Daphnia species and HEGs at the juvenile stages, and these genes were associated with visual perception and neurotransmission. Our work provides a resource of developmental transcriptomes, and comparative analyses that characterize gene expression dynamics throughout development of Daphnia.

Paragonimiasis.

Paragonimiasis is a zoonotic disease caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus. Humans usually become infected by eating freshwater crabs or crayfish containing encysted metacercariae of these worms. However, an alternative route of infection exists: ingestion of raw meat from a mammalian paratenic host. Adult worms normally occur in pairs in cysts in the lungs from which they void their eggs via air passages. The pulmonary form is typical in cases of human infection due to P. westermani, P. heterotremus, and a few other species. Worms may occupy other sites in the body, notably the brain, but lung flukes have made their presence felt in almost every organ. Ectopic paragonimiasis is particularly common when infection is due to members of the P. skrjabini complex. Human paragonimiasis occurs primarily in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with different species being responsible in different areas (Table 6.1).

The ribosomal transcription units of five echinostomes and their taxonomic implications for the suborder Echinostomata (Trematoda: Platyhelminthes).

Five newly obtained nuclear ribosomal transcription unit (rTU) sequences from Echinostomatidae and Echinochasmidae are presented. The inter- and intrafamilial relationships of these and other families in the suborder Echinostomata are also analyzed. The sequences obtained are the complete rTU of Artyfechinostomum malayanum (9,499 bp), the near-complete rTU of Hypoderaeum conoideum (8,076 bp), and the coding regions (from 5'-terminus of 18S to 3'-terminus of 28S rRNA gene) in Echinostoma revolutum (6,856 bp), Echinostoma miyagawai (6,854 bp), and Echinochasmus japonicus (7,150 bp). Except for the longer first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) in Echinochasmus japonicus, all genes and spacers were almost identical in length. Comprehensive maximum-likelihood phylogenies were constructed using the PhyML software package. The datasets were either the concatenated 28S + 18S rDNA sequences (5.7-5.8 kb) from 60 complete rTUs of 19 families or complete 28S sequences only (about 3.8-3.9 kb) from 70 strains or species of 22 families. The phylogenetic trees confirmed Echinostomatoidea as monophyletic. Furthermore, a detailed phylogeny constructed from alignments of 169 28S D1-D3 rDNA sequences (1.1-1.3 kb) from 98 species of 50 genera of 10 families, including 154 echinostomatoid sequences (85 species/42 genera), clearly indicated known generic relationships within Echinostomatidae and Echinochasmidae and relationships of families within Echinostomata and several other suborders. Within Echinostomatidae, Echinostoma, Artyfechinostomum, and Hypoderaeum appeared as monophyletic, while Echinochasmus (Echinochasmidae) was polyphyletic. The Echinochasmidae are a sister group to the Psilostomidae. The datasets provided here will be useful for taxonomic reappraisal as well as studies of evolutionary and population genetics in the superfamily Echinostomatoidea, the sole superfamily in the suborder Echinostomata.

Climate has contributed to population diversification of Daphnia galeata across Eurasia.

Climate is a fundamental abiotic factor that plays a key role in driving the evolution, distribution and population diversification of species. However, there have been few investigations of genomic signatures of adaptation to local climatic conditions in cladocerans. Here, we have provided the first high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly (~143 Mb, scaffold N50 12.6 Mb) of the waterflea, Daphnia galeata, and investigated genomic variation in 22 populations from Central Europe and Eastern China. Our ecological-niche models suggested that the historic distribution of D. galeata in Eurasia was significantly affected by Quaternary climate fluctuations. We detected pronounced genomic and morphometric divergences between European and Chinese D. galeata populations. Such divergences could be partly explained by genomic signatures of thermal adaptation to distinct climate regimes: a set of candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) potentially associated with climate were detected. These SNPs were in genes significantly enriched in the Gene ontology terms "determination of adult lifespan" and "translation repressor activity", and especially, mthl5 and SOD1 involved in the IIS pathway, and EIF4EBP2 involved in the target of the rapamycin signalling pathway. Our study indicates that certain alleles might be associated with particular temperature regimes, playing a functional role in shaping the population structure of D. galeata at a large geographical scale. These results highlight the potential role of molecular variation in the response to climate variation, in the context of global climate change.

Phylogeography and genetic diversity of the Scapholeberis kingii species complex (Cladocera: Daphniidae) in China.

There is increasing interest in the diversity and phylogeography of aquatic invertebrate zooplankton in the Eastern Palearctic, yet this topic remains largely unexplored in China. Here, we investigated the lineage diversity and phylogeography of an important cladoceran taxon, the Scapholeberis kingii (Cladocera: Daphniidae) species complex, members of which live in the surface layers of freshwater ecosystems. We identified only the S. smirnovi morphospecies from this species complex in 29 of 491 Chinese water bodies examined. Its phylogenetic position was verified using both a mitochondrial (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; COI) and a nuclear marker (the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene; 28S). Pronounced geographical separation among three S. smirnovi mitochondrial lineages was observed in China: only a single lineage (Lineage A) was present in the Eastern Plain, whereas Lineages B and C were restricted to the Inner Mongolia-Xinjiang Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau respectively. This deep mtDNA divergence and the substantial genetic differentiation among S. smirnovi populations from different regions is likely a result of the rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and associated ecological changes. This study contributes to an understanding of the genetic diversity of the S. kingii complex, a key component of neustonic zooplankton.

Responses to predation pressure involve similar sets of genes in two divergent species of Daphnia.

Species that are not closely related can express similar inducible traits, but molecular mechanisms underlying the observed responses are often unknown, nor is it known if these mechanisms are shared between such species. Here, we compared transcriptional profiles of two Daphnia species (D. mitsukuri and D. sinensis) from different subgenera, at both juvenile and adult developmental stages. Both species were exposed to the same predation threat (fish kairomones), and both showed similar induced morphological changes (reduced body length). At the early developmental stage, response to predation risk resulted in similar changes in expression levels of 23 orthologues in both species. These orthologues, involved in 107 GO categories, changed in the same direction in both species (over- or underexpressed), in comparison to non-exposed controls. Several of these orthologues were associated with DNA replication, structural constituents of cuticle or innate immune response. In both species, the differentially expressed (DE) genes on average had higher ω (dN /dS ) values than non-DE genes, suggesting that these genes had experienced greater positive selection or lower purifying selection than non-DE genes. Overall, our results suggest that similar suites of genes, responding in similar ways to predation pressure, have been retained in Daphnia for many millions of years.

Mitogenomic and nuclear ribosomal transcription unit datasets support the synonymy of Paragonimus iloktsuenensis and P. ohirai (Paragonimidae: Platyhelminthes).

The complete mitogenome (mtDNA) of nominal Paragonimus iloktsuenensis (Paragonimidae: Trematoda) and the nuclear ribosomal transcription unit (rTU) coding region (rTU*: from 5'-terminus of 18S to 3'-terminus of 28S rRNA gene, excluding the external spacer region) of this species and of P. ohirai were obtained and used to further support the previously suggested synonymy of these taxa in the P. ohirai complex. The complete mitogenome of P. iloktsuenensis was 14,827 bp long (GenBank: ON961029) and nearly identical to that of P. ohirai (14,818 bp; KX765277), with a 99.12% nucleotide identity. The rTU* was 7543 bp and 6932 bp in these two taxa, respectively. All genes and spacers in the rTU were identical in length, with exception of the first internal transcribed spacer, which contained multiple tandem repeat units (6.7 for P. iloktsuenensis and 5.7 for P. ohirai). There was near 100% identity for the rTU genes. The phylogenetic topology inferred from the mtDNA and from individual gene regions (partial cox1 of 387 bp and the ITS-2 of 282 bp - 285 bp) indicated a very close relationship consistent with synonymy of P. iloktsuenensis and P. ohirai. The datasets provided here will be useful for taxonomic reappraisal as well as studies of evolutionary and population genetics of the genus Paragonimus and family Paragonimidae.

Diversity of Brachionus plicatilis species complex (Rotifera) in inland saline waters from China: Presence of a new mitochondrial clade on the Tibetan Plateau.

The biogeography and molecular phylogeny of invertebrate zooplankton populations from inland saline waters remains under-explored in the Eastern Palearctic, especially the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Here, we surveyed the diversity of the Brachionus plicatilis Müller, 1786 species complex from inland saline waters across China. We compared morphometrics with DNA taxonomy (using two genetic markers: the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1)). Our phylogenies based on the sequences of ITS-1 recognized two distinct clades (i.e. two species: B. plicatilis sensu stricto (s.s.) and B. asplanchnoidis) in China. We detected two mitochondrial clades within B. plicatilis s.s and one within B. asplanchnoidis across China, consistent with the three morphogroups present. One of these three clades was novel and restricted to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, where it exhibited evidence of recent expansion across the region. The new mitochondrial clade fell within B. plicatilis s.s. but was sister to all other mitochondrial sequences of that species, suggesting a period of isolation from other populations. Moreover, significant morphological differences were identified: B. plicatilis s.s. from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau had a larger lorica length and width than did members of this species from lowland China. Our data demonstrate the successful adaptation of this species complex to the harsh environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Ceriodaphnia (Cladocera: Daphniidae) in China: Lineage diversity, phylogeography and possible interspecific hybridization.

The distribution and species/lineage diversity of freshwater invertebrate zooplankton remains understudied in China. Here, we explored the species/lineage diversity and phylogeography of Ceriodaphnia species across China. The taxonomy of this genus is under-explored. Seven morphospecies of Ceriodaphnia (C. cornuta, C. laticaudata, C. megops, C. pulchella, C. quadrangula, C. rotunda and C. spinata) were identified across 45 of 422 water bodies examined. Rather little morphological variation was observed within any single morphospecies regardless of country of origin. Nevertheless, we recognized that some or all of these morphospecies might represent species complexes. To investigate this, phylogenetic relationships within and among these morphospecies were investigated based on mitochondrial (partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) and nuclear (partial 28S rRNA gene) markers. The mitochondrial marker placed these populations in nine lineages corresponding to the morphospecies: C. laticaudata and C. pulchella were each represented by two lineages, suggesting that both are species complexes. The remaining five morphospecies were each represented by a single mtDNA lineage. Three of the nine mitochondrial lineages (belonging to C. pulchella, C. rotunda and C. megops) are newly reported and exhibited a restricted distribution within China. The nuclear-DNA phylogeny also recognized seven Ceriodaphnia taxa within China. We detected occasional mito-nuclear discordances in Ceriodaphnia taxa across China, suggesting interspecific introgression and hybridization. Our study contributes to an understanding of the species/lineage diversity of Ceriodaphnia, a genus with understudied taxonomy.

Expanding the phenotype of PIK3C2A related syndrome: Report of two siblings with novel features and genotype.

A pair of siblings was ascertained due to multiple congenital anomalies, including strikingly similar facial, skeletal, and ocular abnormalities. Exome sequencing of both the children and their mother revealed two novel PIK3C2A variants in the siblings, c.4381delC (p.Arg1461Glufs*31) and c.1555C > T (p.Arg519Ter). PIK3C2A belongs to the Class IIa family of Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases, which create second messenger lipids that regulate a wide range of downstream signaling pathways involved in cell growth, survival and migration. Tiosano et al. (2019) identified the first monogenic disorder associated with biallelic PIK3C2A loss-of-function variants (oculoskeletodental syndrome). The novel syndrome was characterized by short stature, coarse facial features, ocular and skeletal abnormalities. This report describes two additional siblings affected by the PIK3C2A-related syndrome, confirms core clinical features, establishes intrafamilial variability and expands the phenotype to include proteinuria.

Lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus: ancient and re-emerging pathogens.

The title of this article refers to Table 1 in Zhou (2022, Infectious diseases of poverty: progress achieved during the decade gone and perspectives for the future. Infectious Diseases of Poverty 11, 1), in which it is indicated that Paragonimus species, like many other foodborne trematodes, are ancient pathogens that are also re-emerging to cause disease in modern times. This article provides a general overview of Paragonimus species and the disease they cause. This is followed by comments on several specific topics of current interest: taxonomy and distribution of members of the genus; details of the life cycle; global and regional prevalence of paragonimiasis; genomics of lung flukes and possible effects of global environmental change. Unresolved questions relating to these topics are discussed and gaps in knowledge identified.

Diversity of Trichobilharzia in New Zealand with a new species and a redescription, and their likely contribution to cercarial dermatitis.

In response to annual outbreaks of human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) in Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, ducks and snails were collected and screened for avian schistosomes. During the survey from 2009 to 2017, four species of Trichobilharzia were recovered. Specimens were examined both morphologically and genetically. Trichobilharzia querquedulae, a species known from four continents, was found in the visceral veins of the duck Spatula rhynchotis but the snail host remains unknown. Cercaria longicauda [i.e. Trichobilharzia longicauda (Macfarlane, 1944) Davis, 2006], considered the major aetiological agent of HCD in Lake Wanaka, was discovered, and redescribed from adults in the visceral veins of the duck Aythya novaeseelandiae and cercariae from the snail Austropeplea tomentosa. Recovered from the nasal mucosa of Ay. novaeseelandiae is a new species of Trichobilharzia that was also found to cycle naturally through Au. tomentosa. Cercariae of a fourth species of Trichobilharzia were found in Au. tomentosa but the species remains unidentified.

Does Opisthorchis viverrini circulate between humans and domestic cats in an endemic area in Thailand?

The liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is a foodborne trematode that, in chronic infection, is a leading cause of bile-duct cancer ­ cholangiocarcinoma. Cats and dogs are acknowledged as reservoir hosts of this parasite. However, this assumption is based on morphological similarity of flukes recovered from these hosts, without any molecular genetic evidence. The aim of this study was to obtain molecular data from O. viverrini eggs present in feces of humans and cats in the same locality in Thanya sub-district, Kalasin, Thailand. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was used as the marker for a population-genetic study. A DNA fragment of the cox1 gene was amplified from stool samples and subjected to nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses were performed. The cox1 sequences of O. viverrini eggs from humans and cats largely formed separate clades on the phylogenetic trees, with an Fst value of 0.64 (P < 0.05), indicating largely distinct populations in the 2 species. However, 5 samples from cats were placed in the human cluster and 1 sample from a human was placed in the cat cluster. This suggests that host specificity of 'human' and 'cat' clades is not absolute. These results indicate that there are 2 populations of O. viverrini, one circulates primarily in humans and the other in cats. However, cross-transmission can occur between these 2 hosts. Taken altogether, the population-genetic evidence from this study partially supports the assumption that the cat can act as a reservoir host of O. viverrini.

The complete mitogenome of the Asian lung fluke Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii and its implications for the family Paragonimidae (Trematoda: Platyhelminthes).

The complete circular mitogenome of Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii (Platyhelminthes: Paragonimidae) from Japan, obtained by PacBio long-read sequencing, was 17 591 bp and contained 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 mitoribosomal RNA and 22 transfer RNA genes. The atp8 gene was absent, and there was a 40 bp overlap between nad4L and nad4. The long non-coding region (4.3 kb) included distinct types of long and short repeat units. The pattern of base usage for PCGs and the mtDNA coding region overall in Asian and American Paragonimus species (P. s. miyazakii, P. heterotremus, P. ohirai and P. kellicotti) and the Indian form of P. westermani was T > G > A > C. On the other hand, East-Asian P. westermani used T > G > C > A. Five Asian and American Paragonimus species and P. westermani had TTT/Phe, TTG/Leu and GTT/Val as the most frequently used codons, whereas the least-used codons were different in each species and between regional forms of P. westermani. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed from a concatenated alignment of amino acids of 12 PCGs from 36 strains/26 species/5 families of trematodes confirmed that the Paragonimidae is monophyletic, with 100% nodal support. Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii was resolved as a sister to P. heterotremus. The P. westermani clade was clearly separate from remaining congeners. The latter clade was comprised of 2 subclades, one of the East-Asian and the other of the Indian Type 1 samples. Additional mitogenomes in the Paragonimidae are needed for genomic characterization and are useful for diagnostics, identification and genetic/ phylogenetic/ epidemiological/ evolutionary studies of the Paragonimidae.

A comprehensive review on current technologies for removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals from wastewaters.

In the recent years, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) has received increasing attention due to their significant toxic effects on human beings and wildlife by affecting their endocrine systems. As an important group of emerging pollutant, EDCs have been detected in various aquatic environments, including surface waters, groundwater, wastewater, runoff, and landfill leachates. Their removal from water resources has also been an emerging concern considering growing population as well as reducing access to fresh water resources. EDC removal from wastewaters is highly dependent on physicochemical properties of the given EDCs present in each wastewater types as well as various aquatic environments. Due to chemical, physical and physicochemical diversities in these parameters, variety of technologies consisting of physical, biological, electrochemical, and chemical processes have been developed for their removal. This review highlights that the effectiveness of EDC removal is highly dependent of selecting the appropriate technology; which decision is made upon a full wastewater chemical characterization. This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective about all the current technologies used for EDCs removal from various aquatic matrices along with rising challenges such as the antimicrobial resistance gene transfer during EDC treatment.