Arterialization requires the timely suppression of cell growth.

The formation of arteries is thought to occur by the induction of a highly conserved arterial genetic programme in a subset of vessels that will later experience an increase in oxygenated blood flow1,2. The initial steps of arterial specification require both the VEGF and Notch signalling pathways3-5. Here, we combine inducible genetic mosaics and transcriptomics to modulate and define the function of these signalling pathways in cell proliferation, arteriovenous differentiation and mobilization. We show that endothelial cells with high levels of VEGF or Notch signalling are intrinsically biased to mobilize and form arteries; however, they are not genetically pre-determined, and can also form veins. Mechanistically, we found that increased levels of VEGF and Notch signalling in pre-arterial capillaries suppresses MYC-dependent metabolic and cell-cycle activities, and promotes the incorporation of endothelial cells into arteries. Mosaic lineage-tracing studies showed that endothelial cells that lack the Notch-RBPJ transcriptional activator complex rarely form arteries; however, these cells regained the ability to form arteries when the function of MYC was suppressed. Thus, the development of arteries does not require the direct induction of a Notch-dependent arterial differentiation programme, but instead depends on the timely suppression of endothelial cell-cycle progression and metabolism, a process that precedes arterial mobilization and complete differentiation.

Effective breast cancer combination therapy targeting BACH1 and mitochondrial metabolism.

Mitochondrial metabolism is an attractive target for cancer therapy1,2. Reprogramming metabolic pathways could improve the ability of metabolic inhibitors to suppress cancers with limited treatment options, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)1,3. Here we show that BTB and CNC homology1 (BACH1)4, a haem-binding transcription factor that is increased in expression in tumours from patients with TNBC, targets mitochondrial metabolism. BACH1 decreases glucose utilization in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and negatively regulates transcription of electron transport chain (ETC) genes. BACH1 depletion by shRNA or degradation by hemin sensitizes cells to ETC inhibitors such as metformin5,6, suppressing growth of both cell line and patient-derived tumour xenografts. Expression of a haem-resistant BACH1 mutant in cells that express a short hairpin RNA for BACH1 rescues the BACH1 phenotype and restores metformin resistance in hemin-treated cells and tumours7. Finally, BACH1 gene expression inversely correlates with ETC gene expression in tumours from patients with breast cancer and in other tumour types, which highlights the clinical relevance of our findings. This study demonstrates that mitochondrial metabolism can be exploited by targeting BACH1 to sensitize breast cancer and potentially other tumour tissues to mitochondrial inhibitors.

Proteomics reveals NNMT as a master metabolic regulator of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

High-grade serous carcinoma has a poor prognosis, owing primarily to its early dissemination throughout the abdominal cavity. Genomic and proteomic approaches have provided snapshots of the proteogenomics of ovarian cancer1,2, but a systematic examination of both the tumour and stromal compartments is critical in understanding ovarian cancer metastasis. Here we develop a label-free proteomic workflow to analyse as few as 5,000 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cells microdissected from each compartment. The tumour proteome was stable during progression from in situ lesions to metastatic disease; however, the metastasis-associated stroma was characterized by a highly conserved proteomic signature, prominently including the methyltransferase nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) and several of the proteins that it regulates. Stromal NNMT expression was necessary and sufficient for functional aspects of the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype, including the expression of CAF markers and the secretion of cytokines and oncogenic extracellular matrix. Stromal NNMT expression supported ovarian cancer migration, proliferation and in vivo growth and metastasis. Expression of NNMT in CAFs led to depletion of S-adenosyl methionine and reduction in histone methylation associated with widespread gene expression changes in the tumour stroma. This work supports the use of ultra-low-input proteomics to identify candidate drivers of disease phenotypes. NNMT is a central, metabolic regulator of CAF differentiation and cancer progression in the stroma that may be therapeutically targeted.

Reduced Satb1 expression predisposes CD4+ T conventional cells to Treg suppression and promotes transplant survival.

Limiting CD4+ T cell responses is important to prevent solid organ transplant rejection. In a mouse model of costimulation blockade-dependent cardiac allograft tolerance, we previously reported that alloreactive CD4+ conventional T cells (Tconvs) develop dysfunction, losing proliferative capacity. In parallel, induction of transplantation tolerance is dependent on the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Whether susceptibility of CD4+ Tconvs to Treg suppression is modulated during tolerance induction is unknown. We found that alloreactive Tconvs from transplant tolerant mice had augmented sensitivity to Treg suppression when compared with memory T cells from rejector mice and expressed a transcriptional profile distinct from these memory T cells, including down-regulated expression of the transcription factor Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (Satb1). Mechanistically, Satb1 deficiency in CD4+ T cells limited their expression of CD25 and IL-2, and addition of Tregs, which express higher levels of CD25 than Satb1-deficient Tconvs and successfully competed for IL-2, resulted in greater suppression of Satb1-deficient than wild-type Tconvs in vitro. In vivo, Satb1-deficient Tconvs were more susceptible to Treg suppression, resulting in significantly prolonged skin allograft survival. Overall, our study reveals that transplantation tolerance is associated with Tconvs' susceptibility to Treg suppression, via modulated expression of Tconv-intrinsic Satb1. Targeting Satb1 in the context of Treg-sparing immunosuppressive therapies might be exploited to improve transplant outcomes.

Parents' perceived barriers to active commuting to school. Comparative study between Spanish and Ecuadorian cities.

Parents´ perceptions can influence their children´s mode of commuting to school. In this sense, the purposes of this study were to compare parental barriers towards active commuting to school (ACS) between Ecuadorian and Spanish children, and to analyze the associations between those barriers and the children's mode of commuting. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed using Chi-square and T-student test. Associations were analyzed by several logistic regression models. Results showed that road safety is the main barrier for ACS, and that all the barriers are perceived as higher by Ecuadorian parents (p<0.001). It was also found that Ecuadorian children were less likely to be active when parents perceive greater total barriers (OR=0.15, CI=0.06, 0.40). Public policies should focus on reducing the parental barriers in order to increase ACS, specifically those related to road safety.

A highly diverse set of novel immunoglobulin-like transcript (NILT) genes in zebrafish indicates a wide range of functions with complex relationships to mammalian receptors.

Multiple novel immunoglobulin-like transcripts (NILTs) have been identified from salmon, trout, and carp. NILTs typically encode activating or inhibitory transmembrane receptors with extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig) domains. Although predicted to provide immune recognition in ray-finned fish, we currently lack a definitive framework of NILT diversity, thereby limiting our predictions for their evolutionary origin and function. In order to better understand the diversity of NILTs and their possible roles in immune function, we identified five NILT loci in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) genome, defined 86 NILT Ig domains within a 3-Mbp region of zebrafish (Danio rerio) chromosome 1, and described 41 NILT Ig domains as part of an alternative haplotype for this same genomic region. We then identified transcripts encoded by 43 different NILT genes which reflect an unprecedented diversity of Ig domain sequences and combinations for a family of non-recombining receptors within a single species. Zebrafish NILTs include a sole putative activating receptor but extensive inhibitory and secreted forms as well as membrane-bound forms with no known signaling motifs. These results reveal a higher level of genetic complexity, interindividual variation, and sequence diversity for NILTs than previously described, suggesting that this gene family likely plays multiple roles in host immunity.

In silico and in vivo neuropharmacological evaluation of two γ-amino acid isomers derived from 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans, as ligands of GluN1-GluN2A NMDA receptor.

The GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission systems are involved in seizures and other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Benzofuran derivatives often serve as the core in drugs used to treat such neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to synthesize new γ-amino acids structurally related to GABA and derived from 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans, analyze in silico their potential toxicity, ADME properties, and affinity for the GluN1-GluN2A NMDA receptor, and evaluate their potential activity and neuronal mechanisms in a murine model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)- and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced seizures. The in silico analysis evidenced a low risk of toxicity for the test compounds as well as the probability that they can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach their targets in the CNS. According to docking simulations, these compounds bind at the active site of the NMDA glutamate receptor with high affinity. The in vivo assays demonstrated that 4 protects against 4-AP-induced seizure episodes, suggesting negative allosteric modulation (NAMs) at the glutamatergic NMDA receptor. Contrarily, 3 (the regioisomer of 4) and its racemic derivatives (cis-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans) were previously described to exacerbate such episodes, pointing to their positive allosteric modulation (PAMs) of the same receptor.

Future assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the electricity market based on a stochastic socioeconomic model.

This paper proposes a time-series stochastic socioeconomic model for analyzing the impact of the pandemic on the regulated distribution electricity market. The proposed methodology combines the optimized tariff model (socioeconomic market model) and the random walk concept (risk assessment technique) to ensure robustness/accuracy. The model enables both a past and future analysis of the impact of the pandemic, which is essential to prepare regulatory agencies beforehand and allow enough time for the development of efficient public policies. By applying it to six Brazilian concession areas, results demonstrate that consumers have been/will be heavily affected in general, mainly due to the high electricity tariffs that took place with the pandemic, overcoming the natural trend of the market. In contrast, the model demonstrates that the pandemic did not/will not significantly harm power distribution companies in general, mainly due to the loan granted by the regulator agency, named COVID-account. Socioeconomic welfare losses averaging 500 (MR$/month) are estimated for the equivalent concession area, i.e., the sum of the six analyzed concession areas. Furthermore, this paper proposes a stochastic optimization problem to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the electricity market over time, considering the interests of consumers, power distribution companies, and the government. Results demonstrate that it is successful as the tariffs provided by the algorithm compensate for the reduction in demand while increasing the socioeconomic welfare of the market.

miRNA profiling of human naive CD4 T cells links miR-34c-5p to cell activation and HIV replication.

Cell activation is a vital step for T-cell memory/effector differentiation as well as for productive HIV infection. To identify novel regulators of this process, we used next-generation sequencing to profile changes in microRNA expression occurring in purified human naive CD4 T cells in response to TCR stimulation and/or HIV infection. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the transcriptional up-regulation of miR-34c-5p in response to TCR stimulation in naive CD4 T cells. The induction of this miR was further consistently found to be reduced by both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. Overexpression of miR-34c-5p led to changes in the expression of several genes involved in TCR signaling and cell activation, confirming its role as a novel regulator of naive CD4 T-cell activation. We additionally show that miR-34c-5p promotes HIV-1 replication, suggesting that its down-regulation during HIV infection may be part of an anti-viral host response.

Circulating plasma exosomes in obstructive sleep apnoea and reverse dipping blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) increases the risk of an abnormal nondipping 24 h blood pressure profile, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined differential exosomal microRNA (miRNA) expression in untreated OSA patients with normal dipping blood pressure (NDBP) and reverse dipping blood pressure (RDBP), an extreme form of nondipping, to understand the mechanisms underlying nondipping blood pressure in OSA. METHODS: 46 patients (15 RDBP versus 31 NDBP) matched for OSA severity (respiratory event index 32.6±22.5 versus 32.2±18.1 events·h-1; p=0.9), age (54.8±12.9 versus 49±9.9 years; p=0.09) and body mass index (36.2±6.6 versus 34.4±6.8 kg·m-2; p=0.4) were included. Plasma exosomes were characterised by flow cytometry and functional in vitro reporter assays were conducted on cultured endothelial cells. Exosome miRNA cargo was profiled with microarrays followed by bioinformatics analyses. RESULTS: Exosomes from RDBP patients increased the permeability of endothelial cell tight junctions and adhesion molecule expression. Principal component analyses of miRNA array data showed strict separation and identification of the two groups. A restricted and validated signature of exosomal miRNAs was identified in the RDBP versus NDBP group. Their predicted target genes involved phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt (p=0.004), Ras (p=3.42E-05), Wnt (p=0.003) and hypoxia inducible factor-1 signalling (p=0.04), inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential channels (p=0.01), and several cancer-related pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RDBP have altered miRNA cargoes in circulating exosomes that invoke in vitro endothelial dysfunction. A selected number of circulating exosomal miRNAs play an important role in abnormal circadian regulation of blood pressure and may provide prognostic biomarkers of CVD risk in OSA.

Identification of two arylimides as cholinesterase inhibitors and testing of propranolol addition on impaired rat memory.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clearly linked to the decline of acetylcholine (ACh) effects in the brain. These effects are regulated by the hydrolytic action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Therefore, a central palliative treatment of AD is the administration of AChE inhibitors although additional mechanisms are currently described and tested for generating advantageous therapeutic strategies. In this work, we tested new arylamides and arylimides as potential inhibitors of AChE using in silico tools. Then, these compounds were tested in vitro, and two selected compounds, C7 and C8, as well as propranolol showed inhibition of AChE. In addition, they demonstrated an advantageous acute toxicity profile compared to that of galantamine as a reference AChE inhibitor. in vivo evaluation of memory performance enhancement was performed in an animal model of cognitive disturbance with each of these compounds and propranolol individually as well as each compound combined with propranolol. Memory improvement was observed in each case, but without a significant additive effect with the combinations.

Transcriptomic Changes of Murine Visceral Fat Exposed to Intermittent Hypoxia at Single Cell Resolution.

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and induces metabolic dysfunction manifesting as inflammation, increased lipolysis and insulin resistance in visceral white adipose tissues (vWAT). However, the cell types and their corresponding transcriptional pathways underlying these functional perturbations are unknown. Here, we applied single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) coupled with aggregate RNA-seq methods to evaluate the cellular heterogeneity in vWAT following IH exposures mimicking OSA. C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to IH and room air (RA) for 6 weeks, and nuclei from vWAT were isolated and processed for snRNA-seq followed by differential expressed gene (DEGs) analyses by cell type, along with gene ontology and canonical pathways enrichment tests of significance. IH induced significant transcriptional changes compared to RA across 14 different cell types identified in vWAT. We identified cell-specific signature markers, transcriptional networks, metabolic signaling pathways, and cellular subpopulation enrichment in vWAT. Globally, we also identify 298 common regulated genes across multiple cellular types that are associated with metabolic pathways. Deconvolution of cell types in vWAT using global RNA-seq revealed that distinct adipocytes appear to be differentially implicated in key aspects of metabolic dysfunction. Thus, the heterogeneity of vWAT and its response to IH at the cellular level provides important insights into the metabolic morbidity of OSA and may possibly translate into therapeutic targets.

Circulating Exosomal miRNAs Signal Circadian Misalignment to Peripheral Metabolic Tissues.

Night shift work increases risk of metabolic disorders, particularly obesity and insulin resistance. While the underlying mechanisms are unknown, evidence points to misalignment of peripheral oscillators causing metabolic disturbances. A pathway conveying such misalignment may involve exosome-based intercellular communication. Fourteen volunteers were assigned to a simulated day shift (DS) or night shift (NS) condition. After 3 days on the simulated shift schedule, blood samples were collected during a 24-h constant routine protocol. Exosomes were isolated from the plasma samples from each of the blood draws. Exosomes were added to naïve differentiated adipocytes, and insulin-induced pAkt/Akt expression changes were assessed. ChIP-Seq analyses for BMAL1 protein, mRNA microarrays and exosomal miRNA arrays combined with bioinformatics and functional effects of agomirs and antagomirs targeting miRNAs in NS and DS exosomal cargo were examined. Human adipocytes treated with exosomes from the NS condition showed altered Akt phosphorylation responses to insulin in comparison to those treated with exosomes from the DS condition. BMAL1 ChIP-Seq of exosome-treated adipocytes showed 42,037 binding sites in the DS condition and 5538 sites in the NS condition, with a large proportion of BMAL1 targets including genes encoding for metabolic regulators. A significant and restricted miRNA exosomal signature emerged after exposure to the NS condition. Among the exosomal miRNAs regulated differentially after 3 days of simulated NS versus DS, proof-of-concept validation of circadian misalignment signaling was demonstrated with hsa-mir-3614-5p. Exosomes from the NS condition markedly altered expression of key genes related to circadian rhythm in several cultured cell types, including adipocytes, myocytes, and hepatocytes, along with significant changes in 29 genes and downstream gene network interactions. Our results indicate that a simulated NS schedule leads to changes in exosomal cargo in the circulation. These changes promote reduction of insulin sensitivity of adipocytes in vitro and alter the expression of core clock genes in peripheral tissues. Circulating exosomal miRNAs may play an important role in metabolic dysfunction in NS workers by serving as messengers of circadian misalignment to peripheral tissues.

The side population enriches for leukemia-propagating cell activity and Wnt pathway expression in zebrafish acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Cancer stem cells have been strongly linked to resistance and relapse in many malignancies. However, purifying them from within the bulk tumor has been challenging, so their precise genetic and functional characteristics are not well defined. The side population assay exploits the ability of some cells to efflux Hoechst dye via ATP-binding cassette transporters. Stem cells have increased expression of these transporters and this assay has been shown to enrich for stem cells in various tissues and cancers. This study identifies the side population within a zebrafish model of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and correlates the frequency of side population cells with the frequency of leukemia stem cells (more precisely referred to as leukemia-propagating cells within our transplantation model). In addition, the side population within the leukemia evolves with serial transplantation, increasing in tandem with leukemia-propagating cell frequency over subsequent generations. Sorted side population cells from these tumors are enriched for leukemia-propagating cells and have enhanced engraftment compared to sorted non-side population cells when transplanted into syngeneic recipients. RNA-sequencing analysis of sorted side population cells compared to non-side population cells identified a shared expression profile within the side population and pathway analysis yielded Wnt-signaling as the most overrepresented. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that stem cell differentiation and canonical Wnt-signaling were significantly upregulated in the side population. Overall, these results demonstrate that the side population in zebrafish acute lymphoblastic leukemia significantly enriches for leukemia-propagating cells and identifies the Wnt pathway as a likely genetic driver of leukemia stem cell fate.

Density of immunogenic antigens does not explain the presence or absence of the T-cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment in melanoma.

Melanoma metastases can be categorized by gene expression for the presence of a T-cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment, which correlates with clinical efficacy of immunotherapies. T cells frequently recognize mutational antigens corresponding to nonsynonymous somatic mutations (NSSMs), and in some cases shared differentiation or cancer-testis antigens. Therapies are being pursued to trigger immune infiltration into non-T-cell-inflamed tumors in the hope of rendering them immunotherapy responsive. However, whether those tumors express antigens capable of T-cell recognition has not been explored. To address this question, 266 melanomas from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were categorized by the presence or absence of a T-cell-inflamed gene signature. These two subsets were interrogated for cancer-testis, differentiation, and somatic mutational antigens. No statistically significant differences were observed, including density of NSSMs. Focusing on hypothetical HLA-A2+ binding scores, 707 peptides were synthesized, corresponding to all identified candidate neoepitopes. No differences were observed in measured HLA-A2 binding between inflamed and noninflamed cohorts. Twenty peptides were randomly selected from each cohort to evaluate priming and recognition by human CD8+ T cells in vitro with 25% of peptides confirmed to be immunogenic in both. A similar gene expression profile applied to all solid tumors of TCGA revealed no association between T-cell signature and NSSMs. Our results indicate that lack of spontaneous immune infiltration in solid tumors is unlikely due to lack of antigens. Strategies that improve T-cell infiltration into tumors may therefore be able to facilitate clinical response to immunotherapy once antigens become recognized.

Alternative haplotypes of antigen processing genes in zebrafish diverged early in vertebrate evolution.

Antigen processing and presentation genes found within the MHC are among the most highly polymorphic genes of vertebrate genomes, providing populations with diverse immune responses to a wide array of pathogens. Here, we describe transcriptome, exome, and whole-genome sequencing of clonal zebrafish, uncovering the most extensive diversity within the antigen processing and presentation genes of any species yet examined. Our CG2 clonal zebrafish assembly provides genomic context within a remarkably divergent haplotype of the core MHC region on chromosome 19 for six expressed genes not found in the zebrafish reference genome: mhc1uga, proteasome-ß 9b (psmb9b), psmb8f, and previously unknown genes psmb13b, tap2d, and tap2e We identify ancient lineages for Psmb13 within a proteasome branch previously thought to be monomorphic and provide evidence of substantial lineage diversity within each of three major trifurcations of catalytic-type proteasome subunits in vertebrates: Psmb5/Psmb8/Psmb11, Psmb6/Psmb9/Psmb12, and Psmb7/Psmb10/Psmb13. Strikingly, nearby tap2 and MHC class I genes also retain ancient sequence lineages, indicating that alternative lineages may have been preserved throughout the entire MHC pathway since early diversification of the adaptive immune system ∼500 Mya. Furthermore, polymorphisms within the three MHC pathway steps (antigen cleavage, transport, and presentation) are each predicted to alter peptide specificity. Lastly, comparative analysis shows that antigen processing gene diversity is far more extensive than previously realized (with ancient coelacanth psmb8 lineages, shark psmb13, and tap2t and psmb10 outside the teleost MHC), implying distinct immune functions and conserved roles in shaping MHC pathway evolution throughout vertebrates.

Quantum Reality in the Selective Reduction of a Benzofuran System.

Two 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans (1 and 2), analogs of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), were synthesized to obtain their 2,3-dihydro derivatives from the Pd/C-driven catalytic reduction of the double bond in the furanoid ring. The synthesis produced surprising by-products. Therefore, theoretical calculations of global and local reactivity were performed based on Pearson's hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) principle to understand the regioselectivity that occurred in the reduction of the olefinic carbons of the compounds. Local electrophilicity (ωk) was the most useful parameter for explaining the selectivity of the polar reactions. This local parameter was defined with the condensed Fukui function and redefined with the electrophilic (Pk+) Parr function. The similar patterns of both resulting sets of values helped to demonstrate the electrophilic behavior (soft acid) of the olefinic carbons in these compounds. The theoretical calculations, nuclear magnetic resonance, and resonance hybrids showed the moieties in each compound that are most susceptible to reduction.

Sequencing of lariat termini in S. cerevisiae reveals 5' splice sites, branch points, and novel splicing events.

Pre-mRNA splicing is a central step in the shaping of the eukaryotic transcriptome and in the regulation of gene expression. Yet, due to a focus on fully processed mRNA, common approaches for defining pre-mRNA splicing genome-wide are suboptimal-especially with respect to defining the branch point sequence, a key cis-element that initiates the chemistry of splicing. Here, we report a complementary intron-centered approach designed to more efficiently, simply, and directly define splicing events genome-wide. Specifically, we developed a method distinguished by deep sequencing of lariat intron termini (LIT-seq). In a test of LIT-seq using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we not only successfully captured the majority of annotated, expressed splicing events but also uncovered 45 novel splicing events, establishing the sensitivity of LIT-seq. Moreover, our libraries were highly enriched with reads that reported on splice sites; by a simple and direct inspection of sequencing reads, we empirically defined both 5' splice sites and branch sites, as well as their consensus sequences, with nucleotide resolution. Additionally, our study revealed that the 3' termini of lariat introns are subject to nontemplated addition of adenosines, characteristic of signals sensed by 3' to 5' RNA turnover machinery. Collectively, this work defines a novel, genome-wide approach for analyzing splicing with unprecedented depth, specificity, and resolution.

Post-Transcriptional Regulation of KLF4 by High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses Is Necessary for the Differentiation-Dependent Viral Life Cycle.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are epithelial tropic viruses that link their productive life cycles to the differentiation of infected host keratinocytes. A subset of the over 200 HPV types, referred to as high-risk, are the causative agents of most anogenital malignancies. HPVs infect cells in the basal layer, but restrict viral genome amplification, late gene expression, and capsid assembly to highly differentiated cells that are active in the cell cycle. In this study, we demonstrate that HPV proteins regulate the expression and activities of a critical cellular transcription factor, KLF4, through post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Our studies show that KLF4 regulates differentiation as well as cell cycle progression, and binds to sequences in the upstream regulatory region (URR) to regulate viral transcription in cooperation with Blimp1. KLF4 levels are increased in HPV-positive cells through a post-transcriptional mechanism involving E7-mediated suppression of cellular miR-145, as well as at the post-translational level by E6-directed inhibition of its sumoylation and phosphorylation. The alterations in KLF4 levels and functions results in activation and suppression of a subset of KLF4 target genes, including TCHHL1, VIM, ACTN1, and POT1, that is distinct from that seen in normal keratinocytes. Knockdown of KLF4 with shRNAs in cells that maintain HPV episomes blocked genome amplification and abolished late gene expression upon differentiation. While KLF4 is indispensable for the proliferation and differentiation of normal keratinocytes, it is necessary only for differentiation-associated functions of HPV-positive keratinocytes. Increases in KLF4 levels alone do not appear to be sufficient to explain the effects on proliferation and differentiation of HPV-positive cells indicating that additional modifications are important. KLF4 has also been shown to be a critical regulator of lytic Epstein Barr virus (EBV) replication underscoring the importance of this cellular transcription factor in the life cycles of multiple human cancer viruses.

Acute Chagas disease in the state of Pará, Amazon Region: is it increasing?

Acute Chagas disease (ACD) has a distinct epidemiological profile in the Amazon Region, with cases and outbreaks of Trypanosoma cruzi infection being possibly related to the ingestion of contaminated food. Data on ACD in the state of Pará retrieved from 2000 to 2016 from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) were evaluated. During this period, 2,030 of the 16,807 reported cases were confirmed, with a higher incidence between the months of August and December, thus characterising a seasonal pattern of acute infection, and coinciding with the higher production of "açaí", one fruit likely involved in the oral transmission of the disease. Evaluation of the absolute numbers of confirmed ACD cases secondary to oral infection suggests that infection through this route increased during the 2010-2016 period, differing from what was recorded in terms of vectorial or other infection routes. These findings point to the need of intensifying strategies to prevent or substantially reduce oral transmission.