Spatial Metabolomics Identifies LPC(18:0) and LPA(18:1) in Advanced Atheroma With Translation to Plasma for Cardiovascular Risk Estimation.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic alterations occurring within the arterial architecture during atherosclerosis development remain poorly understood, let alone those particular to each arterial tunica. We aimed first to identify, in a spatially resolved manner, the specific metabolic changes in plaque, media, adventitia, and cardiac tissue between control and atherosclerotic murine aortas. Second, we assessed their translatability to human tissue and plasma for cardiovascular risk estimation. METHODS: In this observational study, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was applied to identify region-specific metabolic differences between atherosclerotic (n=11) and control (n=11) aortas from low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice, via histology-guided virtual microdissection. Early and advanced plaques were compared within the same atherosclerotic animals. Progression metabolites were further analyzed by MSI in 9 human atherosclerotic carotids and by targeted mass spectrometry in human plasma from subjects with elective coronary artery bypass grafting (cardiovascular risk group, n=27) and a control group (n=27). RESULTS: MSI identified 362 local metabolic alterations in atherosclerotic mice (log2 fold-change ≥1.5; P≤0.05). The lipid composition of cardiac tissue is altered during atherosclerosis development and presents a generalized accumulation of glycerophospholipids, except for lysolipids. Lysolipids (among other glycerophospholipids) were found at elevated levels in all 3 arterial layers of atherosclerotic aortas. LPC(18:0) (lysophosphatidylcholine; P=0.024) and LPA(18:1) (lysophosphatidic acid; P=0.025) were found to be significantly elevated in advanced plaques as compared with mouse-matched early plaques. Higher levels of both lipid species were also observed in fibrosis-rich areas of advanced- versus early-stage human samples. They were found to be significantly reduced in human plasma from subjects with elective coronary artery bypass grafting (P<0.001 and P=0.031, respectively), with LPC(18:0) showing significant association with cardiovascular risk (odds ratio, 0.479 [95% CI, 0.225-0.883]; P=0.032) and diagnostic potential (area under the curve, 0.778 [95% CI, 0.638-0.917]). CONCLUSIONS: An altered phospholipid metabolism occurs in atherosclerosis, affecting both the aorta and the adjacent heart tissue. Plaque-progression lipids LPC(18:0) and LPA(18:1), as identified by MSI on tissue, reflect cardiovascular risk in human plasma.

Analysis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Reveals DNA Damage and Cell Cycle Arrest as Hallmarks in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is mainly sporadic and with higher incidence in the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) for unknown reasons. The lack of drug therapy to delay TAA progression lies in the limited knowledge of pathophysiology. We aimed to identify the molecular hallmarks that differentiate the aortic dilatation associated with BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from sporadic TAA patients with BAV or TAV were analyzed by mass spectrometry. DNA oxidative damage assay and cell cycle profiling were performed in three independent cohorts supporting proteomics data. The alteration of secreted proteins was confirmed in plasma. Stress phenotype, oxidative stress, and enhanced DNA damage response (increased S-phase arrest and apoptosis) were found in BAV-TAA patients. The increased levels of plasma C1QTNF5, LAMA2, THSB3, and FAP confirm the enhanced stress in BAV-TAA. Plasma FAP and BGN point to an increased inflammatory condition in TAV. The arterial wall of BAV patients shows a limited capacity to counteract drivers of sporadic TAA. The molecular pathways identified support the need of differential molecular diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for BAV and TAV patients, showing specific markers in plasma which may serve to monitor therapy efficacy.

An optimized MALDI MSI protocol for spatial detection of tryptic peptides in fresh frozen prostate tissue.

MALDI MS imaging (MSI) is a powerful analytical tool for spatial peptide detection in heterogeneous tissues. Proper sample preparation is crucial to achieve high quality, reproducible measurements. Here we developed an optimized protocol for spatially resolved proteolytic peptide detection with MALDI time-of-flight MSI of fresh frozen prostate tissue sections. The parameters tested included four different tissue washes, four methods of protein denaturation, four methods of trypsin digestion (different trypsin densities, sprayers, and incubation times), and five matrix deposition methods (different sprayers, settings, and matrix concentrations). Evaluation criteria were the number of detected and excluded peaks, percentage of high mass peaks, signal-to-noise ratio, spatial localization, and average intensities of identified peptides, all of which were integrated into a weighted quality evaluation scoring system. Based on these scores, the optimized protocol included an ice-cold EtOH+H2 O wash, a 5 min heating step at 95°C, tryptic digestion incubated for 17h at 37°C and CHCA matrix deposited at a final amount of 1.8 µg/mm2 . Including a heat-induced protein denaturation step after tissue wash is a new methodological approach that could be useful also for other tissue types. This optimized protocol for spatial peptide detection using MALDI MSI facilitates future biomarker discovery in prostate cancer and may be useful in studies of other tissue types.

Non-syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm: cellular and molecular insights.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) develops silently and asymptomatically and is a major cause of mortality. TAA prevalence is greatly underestimated, it is usually diagnosed incidentally, and its treatment consists mainly of prophylactic surgery based on the aortic diameter. The lack of effective drugs and biological markers to identify and stratify TAAs by risk before visible symptoms results from scant knowledge of its pathophysiological mechanisms. Here we integrate the structural impairment affecting non-syndromic non-familial TAA with the main cellular and molecular changes described so far and consider how these changes are interconnected through specific pathways. The ultimate goal is to define much-needed novel markers of TAA, and so the potential of previously identified molecules to aid in early diagnosis/prognosis is also discussed. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Analysis of urinary exosomal metabolites identifies cardiovascular risk signatures with added value to urine analysis.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical atherosclerosis may result in fatal cardiovascular (CV) events, but the underlying mechanisms and molecular players leading to disease are not entirely understood. Thus, novel approaches capable of identifying the factors involved in pathological progression and providing a better understanding of the subjacent mechanisms are needed. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to have numerous biological functions, and their metabolome has recently generated interest as a source of novel biomarkers. The metabolic content of the exosomes has been so far unexplored in cardiovascular disease (CVD), and here, we developed an analytical strategy aimed at probing urinary exosomal metabolite content and its association to CV risk. RESULTS: Direct analysis of the exosomes without metabolite extraction was evaluated by high-resolution magic angle spinning (1H HR-MAS). Other two methodologies for the analysis of exosomal metabolites by 1H NMR were set up, based on methanol or organic solvents sequential extraction. The three methods were compared in terms of the number of detected signals and signal to noise ratio (S/N). The methanol method was applied to identify altered metabolites in the urinary exosomes of subjects with programmed coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) versus a control group. Target mass spectrometry (MS) was also performed for differential analysis. The clinical performance of exosomal metabolites of interest in CVD was investigated, and the added value of the exosomes compared to urine analysis was evaluated. Based on S/N ratio, simplicity, reproducibility, and quality of the spectrum, the methanol method was chosen for the study in CVD. A cardiometabolic signature composed by 4-aminohippuric acid, N-1-methylnicotinamide, and citric acid was identified in urinary exosomes. Directly in urine, 4-aminohippuric acid and citric acid do not show variation between groups and changes in N-1-methylnicotinamide are less pronounced, proving the added value of exosomes. CONCLUSIONS: We set up a novel methodology to analyze metabolic alterations in urinary exosomes and identified a cardiometabolic signature in these microvesicles. This study constitutes the first evidence of a role for the exosomal metabolism in CVD and demonstrates the possibility to evaluate the urinary exosomal metabolic content by NMR and MS.

SPOP and FOXA1 mutations are associated with PSA recurrence in ERG wt tumors, and SPOP downregulation with ERG-rearranged prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: ERG fusion-related prostate cancer (PrCa) is the most prevalent oncogenic driver subclass. SPOP, FOXA1, and IDH1 mutations are other three main oncogenic driver subclasses in non-ETS-fusion PrCa. ERG protein levels seem to be increased in SPOP-mutated cases, and different studies reported that SPOP mutations and ERG fusions are mutually exclusive. The aim of this study has been to analyze the alterations in non-ETS-oncogenic drivers in PrCa. METHODS: SPOP, FOXA1, and IDH mutations were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger direct sequencing. ERG, SPOP, and TMPRSS2-ERG messenger RNA expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR from complementary DNA, and the presence of the fusion was also analyzed by nonquantitative PCR. The clinical pathological features were retrieved from the charts of the 111 patients included in the study (MARBiobanc, Barcelona, Spain). RESULTS: Loss of SPOP expression (25.2%) was associated with ERG overexpression (P = 0.0036). SPOP mutations were found in 5.4% cases, all with wild-type (wt) ERG (P = 0.007). FOXA1 mutations were found in 8.2% cases, most of them ERG wt (P = 0.06). No IDH1 mutations were found. SPOP or FOXA1 mutations were found in 1.7% of ERG-rearranged, and 34.2% of non-ERG-rearranged cases (P < 0.0001). SPOP or FOXA1 alterations (mutations or expression loss) were significantly more common in GG5, while isolated ERG overexpression was more common in GG1 tumors (P = 0.042). SPOP-or FOXA1-mutated cases were associated with a shorter time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence in the univariate (P = 0.0009), and with the PSA recurrence risk in the multivariate (P = 0.023) analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, SPOP and FOXA1 mutations may have prognostic value in ERG wt tumors. Interestingly, in absence of SPOP mutations, downregulation of this gene is a feature of many ERG-rearranged prostate tumors.

Precise co-registration of mass spectrometry imaging, histology, and laser microdissection-based omics.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an analytical technique for the unlabeled and multiplex imaging of molecules in biological tissue sections. It therefore enables the spatial and molecular annotations of tissues complementary to histology. It has already been shown that MSI can guide subsequent material isolation technologies such as laser microdissection (LMD) to enable a more in-depth molecular characterization of MSI-highlighted tissue regions. However, with MSI now reaching spatial resolutions at the single-cell scale, there is a need for a precise co-registration between MSI and the LMD. As proof-of-principle, MSI of lipids was performed on a breast cancer tissue followed by a segmentation of the data to detect molecularly distinct segments within its tumor areas. After image processing of the segmentation results, the coordinates of the MSI-detected segments were passed to the LMD system by three co-registration steps. The errors of each co-registration step were quantified and the total error was found to be less than 13 µm. With this link established, MSI data can now accurately guide LMD to excise MSI-defined regions of interest for subsequent extract-based analyses. In our example, the excised tissue material was then subjected to ultrasensitive microproteomics in order to determine predominant molecular mechanisms in each of the MSI-highlighted intratumor segments. This work shows how the strengths of MSI, histology, and extract-based omics can be combined to enable a more comprehensive molecular characterization of in situ biological processes.

CD274 (PDL1) and JAK2 genomic amplifications in pulmonary squamous-cell and adenocarcinoma patients.

AIMS: CD274 (PDL1) and JAK2 (9p24.1) gene amplifications have been recently described in pulmonary carcinomas in association with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Furthermore, PTEN loss has been explored preclinically in relation to PD-L1 expression. Our aim was to determine whether these genomic alterations affect PD-L1 expression levels in non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: PD-L1 and PTEN expression determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and CD274, JAK2 and PTEN copy number alterations (CNAs) determined by fluorescence in-situ hybridisation, were studied in 171 pulmonary carcinoma specimens. PD-L1 expression was positive in 40 cases (23.3%), and CD274 amplification was present in 14 tumours (8.8%). Concordance between both events was found in 12 of 14 amplified cases (P = 0.0001). We found nine JAK2-amplified cases (5.7%), seven with PD-L1 expression (P = 0.0006). Moreover, six of the seven cases had JAK2 and CD274 coamplification (9p24.1 genomic amplification). Remarkably, the average PD-L1 IHC score was higher in these amplified cases (230 versus 80; P = 0.001). Non-statistical associations were observed between PD-L1 expression and PTEN loss and PTEN deletions. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a subset of patients (8.2%) who had 9p24.1 amplifications resulting in high expression of PD-L1. Our results provide evidence for genomic up-regulation of PD-L1 expression in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Cytoskeleton deregulation and impairment in amino acids and energy metabolism in early atherosclerosis at aortic tissue with reflection in plasma.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, being atherosclerosis the main cause. Main risk factors are known and current effort is very much dedicated to improve prevention. However, the asymptomatic and silent course of atherosclerosis hampers an accurate and individualized risk evaluation. OBJECTIVES: Here we investigate subjacent molecular changes taking place in arterial tissue which can be ultimately translated in a measurable fingerprint in plasma. METHODS: First, we applied a combined approach to find out main molecular alterations at protein and metabolite level in response to early atherosclerosis development in a rabbit model. A potential reflection of all these alterations observed in aortic tissue was investigated in rabbit plasma and further analyzed in a translational study in human plasma from 62 individuals. RESULTS: Data link the structural remodeling taking place in atherosclerotic arteries in terms of loss of contractile properties and favored cellular migration, with an up-regulation of integrin linked kinase, tropomyosin isoform 2 and capping protein gelsolin-like, and a down-regulation of vinculin. A molecular response to oxidative stress is evidenced, involving changes in the glucose metabolism enzymes pyruvate kinase (PKM) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), and pyruvate. Up-regulation of aspartate connects different changes observed in amino acid metabolism and, additionally, alterations in the phosphatidylcholine route of the glycerophospholipid metabolism were found. CONCLUSIONS: A specific molecular marker panel composed by PKM, valine and pyruvate is shown here linked to cardiovascular risk.

Concurrent TMPRSS2-ERG and SLC45A3-ERG rearrangements plus PTEN loss are not found in low grade prostate cancer and define an aggressive tumor subset.

BACKGROUND: SLC45A3 is the second most common ERG partner in prostate cancer (PrCa). Coexisting TMPRSS2 and SLC45A3 rearrangements are found in a subset of cases, but the meaning is still unknown. METHODS: SLC45A3-ERG and TMPRSS2-ERG rearrangements and their association with ERG and PTEN expression and with clinical and pathological features have been analyzed in 80 PrCa (PSMAR-Biobank, Barcelona, Spain). ERG and PTEN mRNA were assessed by qRT-PCR; TMPRSS2-ERG and SLC45A3-ERG by RT-PCR, FISH, and direct sequencing; and ERG expression by IHC. The endpoints were Gleason score (GS), stage, and PSA progression-free survival. RESULTS: Single TMPRSS2-ERG was found in 51.6% GS ≤ 7 and 22.2% GS ≥ 8 tumors (P = 0.027). SLC45A3-ERG was found in 25 cases, 20 of them with concurrent TMPRSS2-ERG rearrangement: 11.5% GS = 6, 22.2% GS = 7, and 50% GS ≥ 8 tumors (P = 0.013). Double rearrangements were associated with higher levels of ERG mRNA (P = 0.04). Double rearrangement plus PTEN loss was detected in 0% GS = 6; 14.7% GS = 7, and 29.4% GS ≥ 8 tumors (P = 0.032). Furthermore, this triple change was present in 19.2% stage T3-4 but not in any of stage T2 tumors (P = 0.05). No relationship was found with PSA progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Single TMPRSS2-ERG translocation is associated with low grade PrCa. Subsequent development of SLC45A3-ERG results in higher ERG expression. The combination of double rearrangement plus PTEN loss, according to our series, is never found in low grade, low stage tumors. These findings could be potentially useful in therapeutic decision making in PrCa. Tumors with combined TMPRSS2-ERG/SLC45A3-ERG fusions plus PTEN loss should be excluded from watchful waiting and are candidates for intensive therapy. Prostate 76:854-865, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Molecular histology of arteries: mass spectrometry imaging as a novel ex vivo tool to investigate atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is usually the underlying cause of a fatal event such as myocardial infarction or ictus. The atherome plaque develops silently and asymptomatically within the arterial intima layer. In this context, the possibility to analyze the molecular content of arterial tissue while preserving each molecule's specific localization is of great interest as it may reveal further insights into the physiopathological changes taking place. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enables the spatially resolved molecular analysis of proteins, peptides, metabolites, lipids and drugs directly in tissue, with a resolution sufficient to reveal molecular features specific to distinct arterial structures. MSI represents a novel ex vivo imaging tool still underexplored in cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on the MSI technique applied to cardiovascular disease and covers the main contributions to date, ongoing efforts, the main challenges and current limitations of MSI.

Urinary alpha-1 antitrypsin and CD59 glycoprotein predict albuminuria development in hypertensive patients under chronic renin-angiotensin system suppression.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a multi-factorial disease of increasing prevalence and a major risk factor for cardiovascular mortality even in the presence of adequate treatment. Progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs frequently during chronic renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) suppression, and albuminuria is a marker of CV risk. High prevalence of albuminuria in treated hypertensive patients has been demonstrated, but there are no available markers able to predict evolution. The aim of this study was the identification of novel indicators of albuminuria progression measurable in urine of diabetic and non-diabetic patients. METHODS: 1143 hypertensive patients under chronic treatment were followed for a minimum period of 3 years. Among them, 105 diabetic and non-diabetic patients were selected and classified in three groups according to albuminuria development during follow-up: (a) patients with persistent normoalbuminuria; (b) patients developing de novo albuminuria; (c) patients with maintained albuminuria. Differential urine analysis was performed by 2D gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and further confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied. RESULTS: CD59 glycoprotein and alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) resulted already altered in patients developing albuminuria de novo, with a similar response in those with maintained albuminuria. A prospective study in a sub-group of normoalbuminuric patients who were clinically followed up for at least 1 year from urine sampling, revealed CD59 and AAT proteins significantly varied in the urine collected from normoalbuminurics who will negatively progress, serving as predictors of future albuminuria development. CONCLUSIONS: CD59 and AAT proteins are significantly altered in hypertensive patients developing albuminuria. Interestingly, CD59 and AAT are able to predict, in normoalbuminuric individuals, who will develop albuminuria in the future, being potential predictors of vascular damage and CV risk. These findings contribute to early identify patients at risk of developing albuminuria even when this classical predictor is still in the normal range, constituting a novel strategy towards a prompt and more efficient therapeutic intervention with better outcome.

Association of ERG and TMPRSS2-ERG with grade, stage, and prognosis of prostate cancer is dependent on their expression levels.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy in the literature on the role of the fusion TMPRSS2-ERG in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. The quantitative differences in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion expression have received very limited attention in the literature. METHODS: We have quantitatively analyzed the mRNA levels of TMPRSS2-ERG, ERG, PTEN, and AR (n = 83), as well as ERG immunostaining (n = 78) in a series of prostate tumors. RESULTS: Among the TMPRSS2-ERG cases (n = 57), high fusion levels were associated with GS ≥8 (P = 0.025). ERG mRNA overexpression was associated with GS ≥8 (P = 0.047), and with stage T3-T4 tumors (P = 0.032). Among the ERG overexpressing cases (n = 54), higher expression levels were found in 92.3% of GS ≥8 tumors (P = 0.02). ERG immunostaining, regardless of staining intensity, was also associated with high stage (P = 0.05). There was a statistical association between ERG immunostaining and PSA progression-free survival (Log Rank test, P = 0.048). Decreased PTEN expression was associated with TMPRSS2-ERG (P = 0.01), ERG mRNA overexpression (P = 0.003) and ERG immunostaining (P = 0.007). Furthermore, decreased PTEN expression, alone (P = 0.041) and also combined with TMPRSS2-ERG (P = 0.04) or with ERG overexpression (P = 0.04) was associated with GS ≥7 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Although more studies are needed to further clarify their role, our findings emphasize that the expression levels of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and ERG mRNA, rather than their mere presence, are related to a more aggressive phenotype, have an effect on prognosis and could be molecular markers of progression for prostate cancer. Furthermore, ERG immunohistochemistry could be also a potentially useful prognostic factor.

Identification of a urine metabolomic signature in patients with advanced-stage chronic kidney disease.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing and frequently progresses to end-stage renal disease. There is an urgent demand to discover novel markers of disease that allow monitoring disease progression and, eventually, response to treatment. To identify such markers, and as a proof of principle, we determined if a metabolite signature corresponding to CKD can be found in urine. In the discovery stage, we analyzed the urine metabolome by NMR of 15 patients with CKD and compared that with the metabolome of 15 healthy individuals and found a classification pattern clearly indicative of CKD. A validation cohort of urine samples from an additional 16 patients with CKD and 15 controls was then analyzed by (Selected Reaction Monitoring) liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and indicated that a group of seven urinary metabolites differed between CKD and non-CKD urine samples. This profile consisted of 5-oxoproline, glutamate, guanidoacetate, α-phenylacetylglutamine, taurine, citrate, and trimethylamine N-oxide. Thus, we identified a panel of urine metabolites differentially present in urine that may help identify and monitor patients with CKD.

Urine 2DE proteome analysis in healthy condition and kidney disease.

Urine is a source of potential markers of disease. In the context of renal disease, urine is particularly important as it may directly reflect kidney injury. Current markers of renal dysfunction lack both optimal specificity and sensitivity, and improved technologies and approaches are needed. There is no clear consensus about the best sample pretreatment procedure for 2DE analysis of the urine proteome. Sample pretreatment conditions spots resolution and detection sensitivity, critically. As a first goal, we exhaustively compared eight different sample cleaning and protein purification methodologies for 2DE analysis of urine from healthy individuals. Oasis® HLB cartridges allowed the detection of the highest number of low molecular weight proteins; while PD10 desalting columns resulted in the highest number of detected spots in the high molecular weight area. Sample pretreatment strategies were also explored in the context of proteinuria, a clinical condition often associated to renal damage. Testing of urine samples from 13 patients with hypertension or kidney disease and different levels of proteinuria identified Oasis® HLB cartridge purification in combination with albumin depletion by ProteoPrep kit as the best option for urine proteome profiling from patients with proteinuric (> 30 mg/L albumin in urine) renal disease.

Obesity in Pregnancy as a Risk Factor in Maternal and Child Health-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen dramatically in the last few years. This has led to an increase in both conditions in pregnant women. Obesity and overweight are associated with complications for both the mother and the newborn. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with the risk of complications during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women who delivered from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2018. Results: A higher prevalence of obesity is observed in the group of women aged 35 or older. Women with a BMI > 25 present a higher risk of cesarean section (aOR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.37-1.61), preeclampsia (aOR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.19-2.26), high-risk pregnancy (aOR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.68-2.6), Apgar < 7 at one minute (aOR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.25-1.89) and macrosomia (aOR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.83-2.37). Maternal overweight and obesity are important determinants of the risk of complications for both the mother and the newborn.

Reference Material Production and Milk Protein Concentration as Elements to Improve Bluetongue Serological Diagnosis in Bulk Tank Milk.

The serological surveillance of bluetongue in bulk tank milk is an efficient and cost-effective method for the early detection of bluetongue virus incursions in unvaccinated free areas of the disease. In addition, the availability of standardized and reliable reagents and refined diagnostic procedures with high sensitivity and specificity are essential for surveillance purposes. However, no available reference materials for bluetongue virus serological surveillance in bulk tank milk exist. This study shows the production and characterization of reference material for the implementation of a commercially available bluetongue milk ELISA test in official laboratories, as well as the evaluation of a procedure to increase the sensitivity in samples with low levels of antibodies. This procedure, based on milk protein concentration, allowed us to notably increase the ELISA test's analytical sensitivity, which is useful for milk samples from farms with low within-herd prevalence or pools of bulk tank milk samples. The standardized milk reference material produced here, together with the evaluated procedure to improve analytical sensitivity, could be applied as tools to ensure an accurate diagnosis by official laboratories in bluetongue unvaccinated free areas.

Complex Karyotype Detection in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Comparison of Parallel Cytogenetic Cultures Using TPA and IL2+DSP30 from a Single Center.

Current CLL guidelines recommend a two parallel cultures assessment using TPA and IL2+DSP30 mitogens for complex karyotype (CK) detection. Studies comparing both mitogens for CK identification in the same cohort are lacking. We analyzed the global performance, CK detection, and concordance in the complexity assessment of two cytogenetic cultures from 255 CLL patients. IL2+DSP30 identified more altered karyotypes than TPA (50 vs. 39%, p = 0.031). Moreover, in 71% of those abnormal by both, IL2+DSP30 identified more abnormalities and/or abnormal metaphases. CK detection was similar for TPA and IL2+DSP30 (10% vs. 11%). However, 11/33 CKs (33%) were discordant, mainly due to the detection of a normal karyotype or no metaphases in the other culture. Patients requiring treatment within 12 months after sampling (active CLL) displayed significantly more CKs than those showing a stable disease (55% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). Disease status did not impact cultures' concordance (κ index: 0.735 and 0.754 for stable and active). Although CK was associated with shorter time to first treatment (TTFT) using both methods, IL2+DSP30 displayed better accuracy than TPA for predicting TTFT (C-index: 0.605 vs. 0.580, respectively). In summary, the analysis of two parallel cultures is the best option to detect CKs in CLL. Nonetheless, IL2+DSP30 could be prioritized above TPA to optimize cytogenetic assessment in clinical practice.

Development and Validation of Three Triplex Real-Time RT-PCR Assays for Typing African Horse Sickness Virus: Utility for Disease Control and Other Laboratory Applications.

The African horse sickness virus (AHSV) belongs to the Genus Orbivirus, family Sedoreoviridae, and nine serotypes of the virus have been described to date. The AHSV genome is composed of ten linear segments of double-stranded (ds) RNA, numbered in decreasing size order (Seg-1 to Seg-10). Genome segment 2 (Seg-2) encodes outer-capsid protein VP2, the most variable AHSV protein and the primary target for neutralizing antibodies. Consequently, Seg-2 determines the identity of the virus serotype. An African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak in an AHS-free status country requires identifying the serotype as soon as possible to implement a serotype-specific vaccination program. Considering that nowadays 'polyvalent live attenuated' is the only commercially available vaccination strategy to control the disease, field and vaccine strains of different serotypes could co-circulate. Additionally, in AHS-endemic countries, more than one serotype is often circulating at the same time. Therefore, a strategy to rapidly determine the virus serotype in an AHS-positive sample is strongly recommended in both epidemiological situations. The main objective of this study is to describe the development and validation of three triplex real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) methods for rapid AHSV serotype detection. Samples from recent AHS outbreaks in Kenia (2015-2017), Thailand (2020), and Nigeria (2023), and from the AHS outbreak in Spain (1987-1990), were included in the study for the validation of these methods.

A 12-gene expression signature is associated with aggressive histological in prostate cancer: SEC14L1 and TCEB1 genes are potential markers of progression.

The main challenge for clinical management of prostate cancer is to distinguish tumors that will progress faster and will show a higher tendency to recur from the more indolent ones. We have compared expression profiles of 18 prostate cancer samples (seven with a Gleason score of 6, eight with a Gleason score of 7, and three with a Gleason score of ≥8) and five nonneoplastic prostate samples, using the Affymetrix Human Array GeneChip Exon 1.0 ST. Microarray analysis revealed 99 genes showing statistically significant differences among tumors with Gleason scores of 6, 7, and ≥8. In addition, mRNA expression of 29 selected genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR with microfluidic cards in an extended series of 30 prostate tumors. Of the 29 genes, 18 (62%) were independently confirmed in the extended series by quantitative RT-PCR: 14 were up-regulated and 4 were down-regulated in tumors with a higher Gleason score. Twelve of these genes were differentially expressed in tumors with a Gleason score of 6 to 7 versus ≥8. Finally, IHC validation of the protein levels of two genes from the 12-gene signature (SEC14L1 and TCEB1) showed strong protein expression levels of both genes, which were statistically associated with a high combined Gleason score, advanced stage, and prostate-specific antigen progression. This set of genes may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis of prostate cancer. TCEB1 and SELC14L1 are good candidate markers for predicting prognosis and progression of prostate cancer.