Transmigrating neutrophils shape the mucosal microenvironment through localized oxygen depletion to influence resolution of inflammation.

Acute intestinal inflammation involves early accumulation of neutrophils (PMNs) followed by either resolution or progression to chronic inflammation. Based on recent evidence that mucosal metabolism influences disease outcomes, we hypothesized that transmigrating PMNs influence the transcriptional profile of the surrounding mucosa. Microarray studies revealed a cohort of hypoxia-responsive genes regulated by PMN-epithelial crosstalk. Transmigrating PMNs rapidly depleted microenvironmental O2 sufficiently to stabilize intestinal epithelial cell hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). By utilizing HIF reporter mice in an acute colitis model, we investigated the relative contribution of PMNs and the respiratory burst to "inflammatory hypoxia" in vivo. CGD mice, lacking a respiratory burst, developed accentuated colitis compared to control, with exaggerated PMN infiltration and diminished inflammatory hypoxia. Finally, pharmacological HIF stabilization within the mucosa protected CGD mice from severe colitis. In conclusion, transcriptional imprinting by infiltrating neutrophils modulates the host response to inflammation, via localized O2 depletion, resulting in microenvironmental hypoxia and effective inflammatory resolution.

Parkinson's and the couple relationship: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to synthesise the current qualitative literature on the impact of Parkinson's on the couple relationship, including individual and dyad studies. METHODS: Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography approach was applied; 19 studies were included in the review following a systematic search of four electronic databases. The studies included experiences of 137 People with Parkinson's and 191 partners. FINDINGS: Analysis produced three themes: (1) Disruption of roles and responsibilities; (2) Challenges to communication and closeness; and (3) Grief, burden, and isolation. The themes are discussed with supporting extracts from the 19 included studies. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the challenges that couples experience and the individual and relational resources that support coping. Support should be individually tailored to each couple as the impact on the couple may change in response to individual and contextual factors. This review adds further evidence to the case for relationally focused multidisciplinary team input at all stages of Parkinson's disease.

Hypoxanthine is a checkpoint stress metabolite in colonic epithelial energy modulation and barrier function.

Intestinal epithelial cells form a selectively permeable barrier to protect colon tissues from luminal microbiota and antigens and to mediate nutrient, fluid, and waste flux in the intestinal tract. Dysregulation of the epithelial cell barrier coincides with profound shifts in metabolic energy, especially in the colon, which exists in an energetically depleting state of physiological hypoxia. However, studies that systematically examine energy flux and adenylate metabolism during intestinal epithelial barrier development and restoration after disruption are lacking. Here, to delineate barrier-related energy flux, we developed an HPLC-based profiling method to track changes in energy flux and adenylate metabolites during barrier development and restoration. Cultured epithelia exhibited pooling of phosphocreatine and maintained ATP during barrier development. EDTA-induced epithelial barrier disruption revealed that hypoxanthine levels correlated with barrier resistance. Further studies uncovered that hypoxanthine supplementation improves barrier function and wound healing and that hypoxanthine appears to do so by increasing intracellular ATP, which improved cytoskeletal G- to F-actin polymerization. Hypoxanthine supplementation increased the adenylate energy charge in the murine colon, indicating potential to regulate adenylate energy charge-mediated metabolism in intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, experiments in a murine colitis model disclosed that hypoxanthine loss during active inflammation correlates with markers of disease severity. In summary, our results indicate that hypoxanthine modulates energy metabolism in intestinal epithelial cells and is critical for intestinal barrier function.

Stabilization of HIF through inhibition of Cullin-2 neddylation is protective in mucosal inflammatory responses.

There is interest in understanding post-translational modifications of proteins in inflammatory disease. Neddylation is the conjugation of the molecule neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 8 (NEDD8) to promote protein stabilization. Cullins are a family of NEDD8 targets important in the stabilization and degradation of proteins, such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF; via Cullin-2). Here, we elucidate the role of human deneddylase-1 (DEN-1, also called SENP8) in inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo and define conditions for targeting neddylation in models of mucosal inflammation. HIF provides protection in inflammatory models, so we examined the contribution of DEN-1 to HIF stabilization. Pharmacologic targeting of neddylation activity with MLN4924 (IC50, 4.7 nM) stabilized HIF-1α, activated HIF promoter activity by 2.5-fold, and induced HIF-target genes in human epithelial cells up to 5-fold. Knockdown of DEN-1 in human intestinal epithelial cells resulted in increased kinetics in barrier formation, decreased permeability, and enhanced barrier restitution by 2 ± 0.5-fold. Parallel studies in vivo revealed that MLN4924 abrogated disease severity in murine dextran sulfate sodium colitis, including weight loss, colon length, and histologic severity. We conclude that DEN-1 is a regulator of cullin neddylation and fine-tunes the inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacologic inhibition of cullin neddylation may provide a therapeutic opportunity in mucosal inflammatory disease.

Identification of hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1A as transcriptional regulator of the A2B adenosine receptor during acute lung injury.

Although acute lung injury (ALI) contributes significantly to critical illness, resolution often occurs spontaneously through endogenous pathways. We recently found that mechanical ventilation increases levels of pulmonary adenosine, a signaling molecule known to attenuate lung inflammation. In this study, we hypothesized a contribution of transcriptionally controlled pathways to pulmonary adenosine receptor (ADOR) signaling during ALI. We gained initial insight from microarray analysis of pulmonary epithelia exposed to conditions of cyclic mechanical stretch, a mimic for ventilation-induced lung disease. Surprisingly, these studies revealed a selective induction of the ADORA2B. Using real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting, we confirmed an up to 9-fold induction of the ADORA2B following cyclic mechanical stretch (A549, Calu-3, or human primary alveolar epithelial cells). Studies using ADORA2B promoter constructs identified a prominent region within the ADORA2B promoter conveying stretch responsiveness. This region of the promoter contained a binding site for the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1. Additional studies using site-directed mutagenesis or transcription factor binding assays demonstrated a functional role for HIF-1 in stretch-induced increases of ADORA2B expression. Moreover, studies of ventilator-induced lung injury revealed induction of the ADORA2B during ALI in vivo that was abolished following HIF inhibition or genetic deletion of Hif1a. Together, these studies implicate HIF in the transcriptional control of pulmonary adenosine signaling during ALI.

IFN-γ-mediated induction of an apical IL-10 receptor on polarized intestinal epithelia.

Cytokines secreted at sites of inflammation impact the onset, progression, and resolution of inflammation. In this article, we investigated potential proresolving mechanisms of IFN-γ in models of inflammatory bowel disease. Guided by initial microarray analysis, in vitro studies revealed that IFN-γ selectively induced the expression of IL-10R1 on intestinal epithelia. Further analysis revealed that IL-10R1 was expressed predominantly on the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells. Receptor activation functionally induced canonical IL-10 target gene expression in epithelia, concomitant with enhanced barrier restitution. Furthermore, knockdown of IL-10R1 in intestinal epithelial cells results in impaired barrier function in vitro. Colonic tissue isolated from murine colitis revealed that levels of IL-10R1 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 were increased in the epithelium and coincided with increased tissue IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines. In parallel, studies showed that treatment of mice with rIFN-γ was sufficient to drive expression of IL-10R1 in the colonic epithelium. Studies of dextran sodium sulfate colitis in intestinal epithelial-specific IL-10R1-null mice revealed a remarkable increase in disease susceptibility associated with increased intestinal permeability. Together, these results provide novel insight into the crucial and underappreciated role of epithelial IL-10 signaling in the maintenance and restitution of epithelial barrier and of the temporal regulation of these pathways by IFN-γ.

Control of creatine metabolism by HIF is an endogenous mechanism of barrier regulation in colitis.

Mucosal surfaces of the lower gastrointestinal tract are subject to frequent, pronounced fluctuations in oxygen tension, particularly during inflammation. Adaptive responses to hypoxia are orchestrated largely by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). As HIF-1α and HIF-2α are coexpressed in mucosal epithelia that constitute the barrier between the lumen and the underlying immune milieu, we sought to define the discrete contribution of HIF-1 and HIF-2 transactivation pathways to intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis. The present study identifies creatine kinases (CKs), key metabolic enzymes for rapid ATP generation via the phosphocreatine-creatine kinase (PCr/CK) system, as a unique gene family that is coordinately regulated by HIF. Cytosolic CKs are expressed in a HIF-2-dependent manner in vitro and localize to apical intestinal epithelial cell adherens junctions, where they are critical for junction assembly and epithelial integrity. Supplementation with dietary creatine markedly ameliorated both disease severity and inflammatory responses in colitis models. Further, enzymes of the PCr/CK metabolic shuttle demonstrate dysregulated mucosal expression in a subset of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease patients. These findings establish a role for HIF-regulated CK in epithelial homeostasis and reveal a fundamental link between cellular bioenergetics and mucosal barrier.

HIF-dependent regulation of AKAP12 (gravin) in the control of human vascular endothelial function.

Hypoxia has been widely implicated in many pathological conditions, including those associated with inflammation and tumorigenesis. A number of recent studies have implicated hypoxia in the control of vasculogenesis and permeability, the basis for which is not fully understood. Here we examine the transcriptional regulation of angiogenesis and permeability by hypoxia in endothelial cells. Guided by a global profiling approach in cultured endothelial cells, these studies revealed the selective induction of human gravin (protein kinase A anchoring protein 12) by hypoxia. Analysis of the cloned gravin promoter identified a functional hypoxia-responsive region including 2 binding sites for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Site-directed mutagenesis identified the most distal HIF-binding site as essential for the induction of gravin by hypoxia. Further studies examining gravin gain and loss of function confirmed strong dependence of gravin in control of microvascular endothelial tube formation, wherein gravin functions as a "braking" system for angiogenesis. Additional studies in confluent endothelia revealed that gravin functionally couples to control endothelial barrier function in response to protein kinase A (PKA) agonists. Taken together, these results demonstrate transcriptional coordination of gravin by HIF-1α and amplified PKA-dependent endothelial responses. These findings provide an important link between hypoxia and metabolic conditions associated with inflammation and angiogenesis.

Elevated ecto-5'-nucleotidase-mediated increased renal adenosine signaling via A2B adenosine receptor contributes to chronic hypertension.

RATIONALE: Hypertension is the most prevalent life-threatening disease worldwide and is frequently associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the molecular basis underlying hypertensive CKD is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify specific factors and signaling pathways that contribute to hypertensive CKD and thereby exacerbate disease progression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using high-throughput quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction profiling, we discovered that the expression level of 5'-ectonucleotidase (CD73), a key enzyme that produces extracellular adenosine, was significantly increased in the kidneys of angiotensin II-infused mice, an animal model of hypertensive nephropathy. Genetic and pharmacological studies in mice revealed that elevated CD73-mediated excess renal adenosine preferentially induced A2B adenosine receptor (ADORA2B) production and that enhanced kidney ADORA2B signaling contributes to angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Similarly, in humans, we found that CD73 and ADORA2B levels were significantly elevated in the kidneys of CKD patients compared with normal individuals and were further elevated in hypertensive CKD patients. These findings led us to further discover that elevated renal CD73 contributes to excess adenosine signaling via ADORA2B activation that directly stimulates endothelin-1 production in a hypoxia-inducible factor-α-dependent manner and underlies the pathogenesis of the disease. Finally, we revealed that hypoxia-inducible factor-α is an important factor responsible for angiotensin II-induced CD73 and ADORA2B expression at the transcriptional level. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our studies reveal that angiotensin II-induced renal CD73 promotes the production of renal adenosine that is a prominent driver of hypertensive CKD by enhanced ADORA2B signaling-mediated endothelin-1 induction in a hypoxia-inducible factor-α-dependent manner. The inhibition of excess adenosine-mediated ADORA2B signaling represents a novel therapeutic target for the disease.

Central role for endothelial human deneddylase-1/SENP8 in fine-tuning the vascular inflammatory response.

A deeper understanding of the mechanisms that control responses to inflammation is critical to the development of effective therapies. We sought to define the most proximal regulators of the Cullin (Cul)-RING ligases, which play a central role in the stabilization of NF-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). In these studies, we identify the human deneddylase-1 (SENP8) as a key regulator of Cul neddylation response in vitro and in vivo. Using human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs), we examined inflammatory responses to LPS or TNF-α by assessing Cul neddylation status, NF-κB and HIF-1α stabilization, and inflammatory cytokine secretion. HMECs with an intact neddylation pathway showed a time-dependent induction of Cul-1 neddylation, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, stabilization of HIF-1α, and increased NF-κB/HIF-α promoter activity in response to LPS. HMECs lacking SENP8 were unable to neddylate Cul-1 and subsequently were unable to activate NF-κB or HIF-1α. Pharmacological targeting of neddylation (MLN4924) significantly abrogated NF-κB responses, induced HIF-1α promoter activity, and reduced secretion of TNF-α-elicited proinflammatory cytokines. MLN4924 stabilized HIF and abrogated proinflammatory responses while maintaining anti-inflammatory IL-10 responses in vivo following LPS administration. These studies identify SENP8 as a proximal regulator of Cul neddylation and provide an important role for SENP8 in fine-tuning the inflammatory response. Moreover, our findings provide feasibility for therapeutic targeting of the Culs during inflammation.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha-dependent induction of FoxP3 drives regulatory T-cell abundance and function during inflammatory hypoxia of the mucosa.

Recent studies have demonstrated dramatic shifts in metabolic supply-and-demand ratios during inflammation, a process resulting in localized tissue hypoxia within inflammatory lesions ("inflammatory hypoxia"). As part of the adaptive immune response, T cells are recruited to sites of inflammatory hypoxia. Given the profound effects of hypoxia on gene regulation, we hypothesized that T-cell differentiation is controlled by hypoxia. To pursue this hypothesis, we analyzed the transcriptional consequences of ambient hypoxia (1% oxygen) on a broad panel of T-cell differentiation factors. Surprisingly, these studies revealed selective, robust induction of FoxP3, a key transcriptional regulator for regulatory T cells (Tregs). Studies of promoter binding or loss- and gain-of-function implicated hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in inducing FoxP3. Similarly, hypoxia enhanced Treg abundance in vitro and in vivo. Finally, Treg-intrinsic HIF-1α was required for optimal Treg function and Hif1a-deficient Tregs failed to control T-cell-mediated colitis. These studies demonstrate that hypoxia is an intrinsic molecular cue that promotes FoxP3 expression, in turn eliciting potent anti-inflammatory mechanisms to limit tissue damage in conditions of reduced oxygen availability.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Challenges: Irish General practitioners' preparedness for publicly funded Assisted reproductive technologies.

OBJECTIVES: Global access to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) remains highly inequitable. Until recently, access to ART in Ireland was solely available through private fertility clinics. Publicly funded ART was introduced in September 2023 but eligibility requires patients to meet strict access criteria that include referral by their primary care general practitioner (GP) to the local fertility service. Previous studies report that fertility training amongst doctors, including GPs, is variable and an obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) rotation is not mandatory for GP trainees in Ireland. This study aimed to investigate GPs' knowledge of fertility investigations and management, as well as attitudes towards publicly funded ART access criteria. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to GPs working in Ireland between September 2023 and January 2024. The survey questionnaire explored attitudes to, and knowledge of, ART including the publicly funded access criteria. Responses to free-text questions were qualitatively analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The study had 154 respondents, representing approximately 4 % of GPs in Ireland. Three quarters (n = 120, 78 %) of respondents were female, 68 % (n = 105) had completed an O&G training rotation and 72 % (n = 111) had further O&G qualifications. However, 69 % (n = 107) reported that they had no training in subfertility investigation and management, and 34 % (n = 53) were not aware of the access criteria for publicly funded ART prior to completing the survey. Almost all GPs (97 %, n = 149) felt that they would benefit from more education on fertility. Qualitative content analysis generated two themes regarding publicly funded ART: (i) the access criteria are too restrictive and (ii) the workload for GPs will increase. CONCLUSIONS: GPs in Ireland are now being tasked with managing infertility and fertility treatment referrals, but most have not been provided with sufficient training. Our study shows that GPs in Ireland desire broader access criteria for publicly funded ART and better fertility training and education for their own clinical practice.

Evolutionary Analysis of the Mammalian IL-17 Cytokine Family Suggests Conserved Roles in Female Fertility.

PROBLEM: The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family includes pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17A-F with important roles in mucosal defence, barrier integrity and tissue regeneration. IL-17A can be dysregulated in fertility complications, including pre-eclampsia, endometriosis and miscarriage. Because mammalian subclasses (eutherian, metatherian, and prototherian) have different related reproductive strategies, IL-17 genes and proteins were investigated in the three mammalian classes to explore their involvement in female fertility. METHOD OF STUDY: Gene and protein sequences for IL-17s are found in eutherian, metatherian and prototherian mammals. Through synteny and multiple sequence protein alignment, the relationships among mammalian IL-17s were inferred. Publicly available datasets of early pregnancy stages and female fertility in therian mammals were collected and analysed to retrieve information on IL-17 expression. RESULTS: Synteny mapping and phylogenetic analyses allowed the classification of mammalian IL-17 family orthologs of human IL-17. Despite differences in their primary amino acid sequence, metatherian and prototherian IL-17s share the same tertiary structure as human IL-17s, suggesting similar functions. The analysis of available datasets for female fertility in therian mammals shows up-regulation of IL-17A and IL-17D during placentation. IL-17B and IL-17D are also found to be over-expressed in human fertility complication datasets, such as endometriosis or recurrent implantation failure. CONCLUSIONS: The conservation of the IL-17 gene and protein across mammals suggests similar functions in all the analysed species. Despite significant differences, the upregulation of IL-17 expression is associated with the establishment of pregnancy in eutherian and metatherian mammals. The dysregulation of IL-17s in human reproductive disorders suggests them as a potential therapeutic target.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on seminal and systemic inflammation in men.

Expedited development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines led to public concerns regarding impacts of the novel vaccine on gametes in patients seeking assisted reproduction. In cases of an acute intermittent illness or fever in men, it is often advised to postpone ART treatments so that efforts can be made to enhance wellbeing and improve sperm parameters. However, it is unknown whether sperm parameters are altered in the acute (24-72 hour) phase following COVID-19 vaccination. We performed a longitudinal cohort study of 17 normospermic male patients attending a fertility clinic for semen analysis. Semen and matched peripheral blood samples were collected prior to vaccination, within 46 + 18.9 hours of vaccine course completion (acute) and at 88.4 + 12 days (3 months) post-vaccination. No overall change from baseline was seen in symptoms, mean volume, pH, sperm concentration, motility, morphology or DNA damage in the acute or long phase. Seminal plasma was found to be negative for anti-SARS-CoV2 Spike antibody detection, and MCP-1 levels showed an acute but transient elevation post-vaccine, while IL-8 was marginally increased 3 months after completion of vaccination. A modest, positive correlation was noted between serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and self-reported symptoms post-vaccine. Our findings are reassuring in that no significant adverse effect of vaccination was noted and provide evidence to support the current recommendations of reproductive medicine organisations regarding timing of vaccination during fertility treatment.

Effects of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species on HIF-1α stabilization following clostridium difficile toxin exposure of the Caco-2 epithelial cell line.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Stabilization of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) is proposed to provide a protective host-response to C. difficile intoxication. Here, we aimed to elucidate whether nitric oxide and/or reactive oxygen species produced during C. difficile toxin exposure could influence HIF-1α stability and initiate protection against epithelial cell damage. METHODS/RESULTS: HIF-1α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) proteins were up-regulated whereas factor-inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1) protein was down-regulated in Caco-2 epithelial cell monolayers with in vitro toxin exposure. We demonstrate using the biotin-switch assay that the stabilization of HIF-1α protein occurred via iNOS-dependent nitrosylation. Inhibition of iNOS activity by selective inhibitor (1400W) attenuated HIF-1α stabilization and exacerbated toxin-dependent disruptions in Caco-2 monolayer morphology and tight junctional integrity in vitro. Treatment of Caco-2 cell monolayers with N-actylcysteine (NAC), a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), attenuated toxin-dependent increases in iNOS and HIF-1α protein levels but had no effect on FIH-1 responses. In addition, mice that were exposed to C. difficile toxin in vivo also demonstrated a significant increase in HIF-1α protein and nitrosylation levels. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data suggest that important synergistic actions exist between nitric oxide and ROS to stabilize HIF-1α and its innate, protective actions in the context of C. difficile toxin-mediated epithelial injury.

IFN-γ attenuates hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activity in intestinal epithelial cells through transcriptional repression of HIF-1ß.

Numerous studies have revealed that hypoxia and inflammation occur coincidentally in mucosal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease. During inflammation, epithelial-expressed hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) serves an endogenously protective function. In this study, we sought to explore how mucosal immune responses influence HIF-dependent end points. Guided by a screen of relevant inflammatory mediators, we identified IFN-γ as a potent repressor of HIF-dependent transcription in human intestinal epithelial cells. Analysis of HIF levels revealed that HIF-1ß, but not HIF-1α, is selectively repressed by IFN-γ in a JAK-dependent manner. Cloning and functional analysis of the HIF-1ß promoter identified a prominent region for IFN-γ-dependent repression. Further studies revealed that colonic IFN-γ and HIF-1ß levels were inversely correlated in a murine colitis model. Taken together, these studies demonstrated that intestinal epithelial HIF is attenuated by IFN-γ through transcriptional repression of HIF-1ß. These observations are relevant to the pathophysiology of colitis (i.e., that loss of HIF signaling during active inflammation may exacerbate disease pathogenesis).

An endogenously anti-inflammatory role for methylation in mucosal inflammation identified through metabolite profiling.

Tissues of the mucosa are lined by an epithelium that provides barrier and transport functions. It is now appreciated that inflammatory responses in inflammatory bowel diseases are accompanied by striking shifts in tissue metabolism. In this paper, we examined global metabolic consequences of mucosal inflammation using both in vitro and in vivo models of disease. Initial analysis of the metabolic signature elicited by inflammation in epithelial models and in colonic tissue isolated from murine colitis demonstrated that levels of specific metabolites associated with cellular methylation reactions are significantly altered by model inflammatory systems. Furthermore, expression of enzymes central to all cellular methylation, S-adenosylmethionine synthetase and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, are increased in response to inflammation. Subsequent studies showed that DNA methylation is substantially increased during inflammation and that epithelial NF-κB activity is significantly inhibited following treatment with a reversible S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitor, DZ2002. Finally, these studies demonstrated that inhibition of cellular methylation in a murine model of colitis results in disease exacerbation while folate supplementation to promote methylation partially ameliorates the severity of murine colitis. Taken together, these results identify a global change in methylation, which during inflammation, translates to an overall protective role in mucosal epithelia.

Resolvin E1-induced intestinal alkaline phosphatase promotes resolution of inflammation through LPS detoxification.

Resolvin-E1 (RvE1) has been demonstrated to promote inflammatory resolution in numerous disease models. Given the importance of epithelial cells to coordination of mucosal inflammation, we hypothesized that RvE1 elicits an epithelial resolution signature. Initial studies revealed that the RvE1-receptor (ChemR23) is expressed on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and that microarray profiling of cells exposed to RvE1 revealed regulation of inflammatory response gene expression. Notably, RvE1 induced intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALPI) expression and significantly enhanced epithelial ALPI enzyme activity. One role recently attributed to ALPI is the detoxification of bacterial LPS. In our studies, RvE1-exposed epithelia detoxified LPS (assessed by attenuation of NF-kappaB signaling). Furthermore, in epithelial-bacterial interaction assays, we determined that ALPI retarded the growth of Escherichia coli. To define these features in vivo, we used a murine dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis. Compared with vehicle controls, administration of RvE1 resulted in significant improvement of disease activity indices (e.g., body weight, colon length) concomitant with increased ALPI expression in the intestinal epithelium. Moreover, inhibition of ALPI activity resulted in increased severity of colitis in DSS-treated animals and partially abrogated the protective influence of RvE1. Together, these data implicate a previously unappreciated role for ALPI in RvE1-mediated inflammatory resolution.

Irish fertility patients' attitudes to pregnancy and risk mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The effects of COVID-19 on fertility services became evident in early 2020. Fertility treatments were initially suspended following advice from international fertility governing bodies. We performed a web-based study to investigate the attitudes of male and female fertility patients in Ireland, for risk mitigation strategies and pregnancy advice during the first wave of COVID-19. Despite international recommendations and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and pregnancy, over two thirds of patients continued trying to conceive, while awaiting recommencement of fertility services. When services resumed, the majority were keen to continue fertility treatment. They were agreeable to telemedicine in place of face-to-face consultations. They felt that privacy was maintained and were comfortable signing consent forms via video link. Large numbers, however, strongly disagreed with the no-partner policy for embryo transfer and early pregnancy scanning, highlighting the importance of partner support. Patients felt strongly that fertility treatments should be classified as essential services and that every effort should be made to continue treatments in future pandemics. These results highlight the importance of maintaining fertility services, while adapting to new practices that may be required. The primary concern of the infertility population is the desire for pregnancy and parenthood. This innate human need trumps concerns regarding COVID-19 for the majority of those affected.

N-glycans from serum IgG and total serum glycoproteins specific for endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory gynaecological disease characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. There are currently no definitive non-invasive diagnostic tools. Glycosylation is the most common posttranslational modification of proteins and altered glycosylation has been found in many diseases, including chronic inflammatory conditions and cancer. Sialylation and galactosylation on serum IgG have previously been found to be altered in endometriosis and serum sialylation changed after Zoladex (Goserelin Acetate) therapy. Using IgG and whole serum glycoproteins, we investigated N-glycosylation in two clinical cohorts of women with and without endometriosis. PNGase F-digested serum samples were fluorescently labelled and N-glycans were profiled by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Clinical data was collected to link glycomic findings with metabolic and hormonal profiles. Total serum glycoprotein and IgG glycosylation differed in patients with endometriosis compared to control cases. The most significantly altered was glycan peak 3 from IgG, containing bisected biantennary glycans, which was decreased in the endometriosis cohorts (p = 0.0000005-0.018). In conclusion, this is the first pilot study to identify changes in N-glycans from whole serum glycoproteins associated with endometriosis. A larger validation study is now warranted and such studies should include the follow-up of surgically and pharmacologically treated patients.