Periodontal disease and its association to endothelial dysfunction and clinical changes in limited systemic sclerosis: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontal disease occurs frequently in patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) while data about underlying pathways contributing to periodontal changes are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate periodontal disease and to investigate its association with endothelial dysfunction and clinical changes in patients with lcSSc. METHODS: In 38 lcSSc patients and 38 controls, periodontal status was evaluated by disease-specific questionnaire, dental examination including bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth, and plaque index, and dental panoramic radiograph. Periodontopathogen bacteria were collected subgingivally using paper points and interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene polymorphisms were evaluated using buccal swabs. Endothelial dysfunction was measured by flow-mediated dilatation, pulse-wave velocity and biochemical analysis, including arginine metabolites and endothelial microparticles. Additionally, lcSSc-specific clinical changes and parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Periodontitis was present in 31 patients with lcSSc (81.6%) and in 27 controls (71.1%) (p = .280). LcSSc patients had a lower teeth number (p = .039) and Eikenella corrodens was to a higher degree detectable in patients with lcSSc (p = .041) while the remaining periodontal parameters revealed no differences between both cohorts. Significant correlations between parameters of arterial stiffness, EUSTAR index, number of teeth and BOP were observed (all p < .05). Detection of Prevotella intermedia was associated with selected IL-1 gene polymorphisms (p = .032) and Porphyromonas gingivalis was associated with severe periodontitis (p = .041). CONCLUSION: Periodontal disease may occur frequently in patients with lcSSc and may be associated with arterial stiffness and with SSc activity.

Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction and clinical events in patients with early-stage vasculopathy in limited systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) is characterised by vasculopathy contributing to vascular apoptosis, structural and functional changes. The aim of this study was to investigate parameters of endothelial dysfunction and their association to clinical events in lcSSc patients with early-stage vasculopathy. METHODS: Patients with lcSSc and early-stage vasculopathy defined as absent pre-existing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), digital ulcers, and symptomatic cardiovascular diseases were recruited together with age-, race- and sex-matched controls with primary Raynaud's phenomenon. All subjects underwent measurements of flow-mediated (FMD) and nitroglycerine-mediated dilation (NMD), pulse-wave analysis, and biochemical analysis, including arginine, homoarginine, citrulline, ornithine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and endothelial microparticles (EMP). Clinical events, including EUSTAR index, sicca symptoms, microvascular, skin, renal, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary involvement, were recorded by medical history, physical examination, laboratory parameters, disease-specific questionnaire, electrocardiogram, diagnostic imaging and spirometry. RESULTS: 38 patients with lcSSc and 38 controls were included after screening for eligibility. There was no difference in FMD (p=0.775), NMD (p=0.303), aortic pulse-wave velocity (p=0.662) or in augmentation index (p=0.600) between patients with lcSSc and controls. Higher values of ADMA (p=0.030), SDMA (p=0.025) and borderline significantly higher values for CD31+/CD42b- EMP (p=0.062) were observed in lcSSc patients, also with positive correlations between those parameters. ADMA, SDMA and CD31+/CD42b- were correlated with subclinical PAH, nephropathy and capillary changes. CONCLUSIONS: Selected parameters of endothelial dysfunction contribute to clinical events in lcSSc patients with early-stage vasculopathy and endothelial dysfunction seems to be primarily present in microvasculature, while its impact on macrovascular changes in lcSSc is still indistinct.

MAPK signaling determines lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced inflammation in microglia.

BACKGROUND: In the extracellular environment, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) species are generated via autotaxin (ATX)-mediated hydrolysis of lysophospholipid precursors. Members of the LPA family are potent lipid mediators transmitting signals via six different G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPAR1-6). The LPA signaling axis is indispensable for brain development and function of the nervous system; however, during damage of the central nervous system, LPA levels can increase and aberrant signaling events counteract brain function. Here, we investigated regulation of the ATX/LPA/LPAR axis in response to lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation in mice and potential neurotoxic polarization programs in LPA-activated primary murine microglia. METHODS: In vivo, LPAR1-6 expression was established by qPCR in whole murine brain homogenates and in FACS-sorted microglia. ELISAs were used to quantitate LPA concentrations in the brain and cyto-/chemokine secretion from primary microglia in vitro. Transcription factor phosphorylation was analyzed by immunoblotting, and plasma membrane markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. We used MAPK inhibitors to study signal integration by the JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 branches in response to LPA-mediated activation of primary microglia. RESULTS: Under acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, we observed a significant increase in LPA concentrations and differential regulation of LPAR, ATX (encoded by ENPP2), and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (encoded by PLA2G4A) gene expression in the brain and FACS-sorted microglia. During pathway analyses in vitro, the use of specific MAPK antagonists (SP600125, SB203580, and PD98059) revealed that JNK and p38 inhibition most efficiently attenuated LPA-induced phosphorylation of proinflammatory transcription factors (STAT1 and -3, p65, and c-Jun) and secretion of IL-6 and TNFα. All three inhibitors decreased LPA-mediated secretion of IL-1ß, CXCL10, CXCL2, and CCL5. The plasma membrane marker CD40 was solely inhibited by SP600125 while all three inhibitors affected expression of CD86 and CD206. All MAPK antagonists reduced intracellular COX-2 and Arg1 as well as ROS and NO formation, and neurotoxicity of microglia-conditioned media. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we show that systemic inflammation induces aberrant ATX/LPA/LPAR homeostasis in the murine brain. LPA-mediated polarization of primary microglia via MAPK-dependent pathways induces features reminiscent of a neurotoxic phenotype.

Effects of an oral synbiotic on the gastrointestinal immune system and microbiota in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

PURPOSE: Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Probiotics and synbiotics have been shown to improve symptoms of IBS, although mechanisms of action are currently not understood. METHODS: We investigated the effects of a 4-week oral synbiotic treatment (OMNi-BiOTiC® Stress Repair) in ten IBS-D patients on gastrointestinal mucosal and fecal microbiota, mucosa-associated immune cells, and fecal short-chain fatty acids. The upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts were compared before and after a 4-week synbiotic treatment using endoscopic evaluation to collect mucosal specimens for FACS analysis and mucosal 16S rRNA gene analysis. In stool samples, analysis for fecal SCFAs using GC-MS, fecal zonulin using ELISA, and fecal 16S rRNA gene analysis was performed. RESULTS: Synbiotics led to an increased microbial diversity in gastric (p = 0.008) and duodenal (p = 0.025) mucosal specimens. FACS analysis of mucosal immune cells showed a treatment-induced reduction of CD4+ T cells (60 vs. 55%, p = 0.042) in the ascending colon. Short-chain fatty acids (acetate 101 vs. 202 µmol/g; p = 0.007) and butyrate (27 vs. 40 µmol/g; p = 0.037) were elevated in fecal samples after treatment. Furthermore, treatment was accompanied by a reduction of fecal zonulin concentration (67 vs. 36 ng/ml; p = 0.035) and disease severity measured by IBS-SSS (237 vs. 54; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that a short-course oral synbiotic trial may influence the human gastrointestinal tract in IBS-D patients on different levels which are region specific.

Levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 are elevated in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of haematological patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillus spp. have been shown to induce T-helper cell (Th) 1 and Th17 subsets resulting in elevated levels of several cytokines. The objective of this study was to analyse a bundle of cytokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with and without invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). This nested case-control analysis included 10 patients with probable/proven IPA and 20 matched controls without evidence of IPA, out of a pool of prospectively enrolled (2014-2017) adult cases with underlying haematological malignancies and suspected pulmonary infection. Serum samples were collected within 24 hours of BALF sampling. All samples were stored at -70°C for retrospective determination of cytokines. IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly associated with IPA in both serum (P = .011 and P = .028) and BALF (P = .006 and P = .012, respectively), and a trend was observed for serum IL-10 (P = .059). In multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, IL-10 remained a significant predictor of IPA in serum and IL-8 among BALF cytokines. In conclusion, levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly associated with probable/proven IPA, and a similar trend was observed for serum IL-10. Future cohort studies should determine the diagnostic potential of these cytokines for IPA, and evaluate combinations with other IPA biomarkers/diagnostic tests.

Elevated levels of interleukin 17A and kynurenine in candidemic patients, compared with levels in noncandidemic patients in the intensive care unit and those in healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: The interplay between Candida species and pattern recognition receptors, interleukins, kynurenine, and T cells has been studied in murine and ex vivo human studies, but data are lacking from patients with invasive fungal infections. Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) is considered an important component in host defense against Candida infections and is modulated by Candida-induced impairment of tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism. METHODS: Dectin-1, Toll-like receptor 2, and Toll-like receptor 4 expression; regulatory T cell (Treg) percentages; and interleukin 6, interleukin 10, IL-17A, interleukin 22, interleukin 23, interferon γ, kynurenine, and tryptophan levels were determined in candidemic patients and compared to levels in noncandidemic patients who are in the intensive care unit (ICU) and receiving antibiotic therapy and those in healthy controls, both with and without Candida colonization. RESULTS: Candidemic patients had significantly higher IL-17A and kynurenine levels, compared with noncandidemic patients, including Candida-colonized ICU patients and healthy controls. Within candidemic patients, time-dependent elevation of IL-17A and kynurenine levels was detected. IL-17A areas under the curve for differentiation between patients with early candidemia and those without candidemia (ICU patients, including Candida-colonized patients, and healthy controls) were between 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], .89-.99) and 0.99 (95% CI, .99-1). CONCLUSIONS: Candidemic patients had significantly higher IL-17A and kynurenine levels, compared with noncandidemic patients. The statistically significant association between IL-17A and kynurenine levels and candidemia suggests their potential as biomarkers for anticipation of invasive candidiasis. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT00786903.

Micro RNA-124a regulates lipolysis via adipose triglyceride lipase and comparative gene identification 58.

Lipolysis is the biochemical pathway responsible for the catabolism of cellular triacylglycerol (TG). Lipolytic TG breakdown is a central metabolic process leading to the generation of free fatty acids (FA) and glycerol, thereby regulating lipid, as well as energy homeostasis. The precise tuning of lipolysis is imperative to prevent lipotoxicity, obesity, diabetes and other related metabolic disorders. Here, we present our finding that miR-124a attenuates RNA and protein expression of the major TG hydrolase, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL/PNPLA2) and its co-activator comparative gene identification 58 (CGI-58/ABHD5). Ectopic expression of miR-124a in adipocytes leads to reduced lipolysis and increased cellular TG accumulation. This phenotype, however, can be rescued by overexpression of truncated Atgl lacking its 3'UTR, which harbors the identified miR-124a target site. In addition, we observe a strong negative correlation between miR-124a and Atgl expression in various murine tissues. Moreover, miR-124a regulates the expression of Atgl and Cgi-58 in murine white adipose tissue during fasting as well as the expression of Atgl in murine liver, during fasting and re-feeding. Together, these results point to an instrumental role of miR-124a in the regulation of TG catabolism. Therefore, we suggest that miR-124a may be involved in the regulation of several cellular and organismal metabolic parameters, including lipid storage and plasma FA concentration.

Targeted high-throughput sequencing identifies mutations in atlastin-1 as a cause of hereditary sensory neuropathy type I.

Hereditary sensory neuropathy type I (HSN I) is an axonal form of autosomal-dominant hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy distinguished by prominent sensory loss that leads to painless injuries. Unrecognized, these can result in delayed wound healing and osteomyelitis, necessitating distal amputations. To elucidate the genetic basis of an HSN I subtype in a family in which mutations in the few known HSN I genes had been excluded, we employed massive parallel exon sequencing of the 14.3 Mb disease interval on chromosome 14q. We detected a missense mutation (c.1065C>A, p.Asn355Lys) in atlastin-1 (ATL1), a gene that is known to be mutated in early-onset hereditary spastic paraplegia SPG3A and that encodes the large dynamin-related GTPase atlastin-1. The mutant protein exhibited reduced GTPase activity and prominently disrupted ER network morphology when expressed in COS7 cells, strongly supporting pathogenicity. An expanded screen in 115 additional HSN I patients identified two further dominant ATL1 mutations (c.196G>C [p.Glu66Gln] and c.976 delG [p.Val326TrpfsX8]). This study highlights an unexpected major role for atlastin-1 in the function of sensory neurons and identifies HSN I and SPG3A as allelic disorders.

Association of amino acids and parameters of bone metabolism with endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathic changes in limited systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Pathways contributing to endothelial dysfunction in patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations of amino acids and parameters of bone metabolism with endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy-related changes in patients with lcSSc and early-stage vasculopathy. Methods: Amino acids, calciotropic parameters, including 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH), and bone turnover parameters, including osteocalcin and N-terminal peptide of procollagen-3 (P3NP), were measured in 38 lcSSc patients and 38 controls. Endothelial dysfunction was assessed by biochemical parameters, pulse-wave analysis, flow-mediated and nitroglycerine-mediated dilation. Additionally, vasculopathy-related and SSc-specific clinical changes including capillaroscopic, skin, renal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and periodontal parameters were recorded. Results: No significant differences in amino acids, calciotropic and bone turnover parameters were observed between lcSSc patients and controls. In patients with lcSSc, several significant correlations were found between selected amino acids, parameters of endothelial dysfunction, vasculopathy-related and SSc-specific clinical changes (all with p < 0.05). In addition, significant correlations were observed between PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D with homoarginine, and between osteocalcin, PTH and P3NP with modified Rodnan skin score and selected periodontal parameters (all with p < 0.05). Vitamin D deficiency defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/ml was associated with the presence of puffy finger (p = 0.046) and early pattern (p = 0.040). Conclusion: Selected amino acids may affect endothelial function and may be associated to vasculopathy-related and clinical changes in lcSSc patients, while the association with parameters of bone metabolism seems to be minor.

8-methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy acts via inhibition of the IL-23/Th17 axis and induction of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells involving CTLA4 signaling in a psoriasis-like skin disorder.

To elucidate the molecular action of 8-methoxypsoralen plus UVA (PUVA), a standard dermatological therapy, we used K5.hTGF-beta1 transgenic mice exhibiting a skin phenotype and cytokine abnormalities with strong similarities to human psoriasis. We observed that impaired function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and increased cytokine levels of the IL-23/Th17 pathway were responsible for the psoriatic phenotype in this mouse model. Treatment of K5.hTGF-beta1 transgenic mice with PUVA suppressed the IL-23/Th17 pathway, Th1 milieu, as well as transcription factors STAT3 and orphan nuclear receptor RORgammat. PUVA induced the Th2 pathway and IL-10-producing CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs with disease-suppressive activity that was abolished by anti-CTLA4 mAb treatment. These findings were paralleled by macroscopic and microscopic clearance of the diseased murine skin. Anti-IL-17 mAb treatment also diminished the psoriatic phenotype of the mice. This indicated that both induced Tregs involving CTLA4 signaling and inhibition of the IL-23/Th17 axis are central for the therapeutic action of PUVA.

Prion Protein on Human Leukocytes Is Reduced in Iron Deficiency - Possible Implications for Age-related Macular Degeneration?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting to the department of ophthalmology of the Medical University of Graz for reasons unrelated to prion diseases were enrolled. Parameters of iron metabolism, including ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor were measured by routine laboratory tests. Serum prion protein was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Surface prion protein on CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ T cells was analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorting. RESULTS: 95 patients were enrolled. Soluble transferrin receptor correlated significantly with prion protein levels on CD14+POM1+ monocytes (P = .001, r = -0.7) and on CD4+POM1+ T cells (P = .01, r = -0.62). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a connection between the physiological function of the prion protein and iron metabolism in humans.

Evaluation of Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammatory Vasculopathy After SARS-CoV-2 Infection-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Rising data suggest that COVID-19 affects vascular endothelium while the underlying mechanisms promoting COVID-19-associated endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory vasculopathy are largely unknown. The aim was to evaluate the contribution of COVID-19 to persisting vascular injury and to identify parameters linked to COVID-19-associated endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory vasculopathy. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitroglycerine-related dilation (NMD), pulse-wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index, intima-media thickness (IMT), compounds of the arginine and kynurenine metabolism, homocysteine, von Willebrand factor (vWF), endothelial microparticles (EMP), antiendothelial cell antibodies, inflammatory, and immunological parameters, as well as nailfold capillary morphology were measured in post-COVID-19 patients, patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and healthy controls without prior or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: Post-COVID-19 patients had higher values of PWV, augmentation index, IMT, asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine, vWF, homocysteine, CD31+/CD42b- EMP, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, and ß-2-glycoprotein antibodies as well as lower levels of homoarginine and tryptophan compared to healthy controls (all with p < 0.05). A higher total number of pathologically altered inflammatory conditions and higher rates of capillary ramifications, loss, caliber variability, elongations and bushy capillaries with an overall higher microangiopathy evolution score were also observed in post-COVID-19 patients (all with p < 0.05). Most parameters of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation were comparably altered in post-COVID-19 patients and patients with ASCVD, including FMD and NMD. Conclusion: COVID-19 may affect arterial stiffness, capillary morphology, EMP and selected parameters of arginine, kynurenine and homocysteine metabolism as well as of inflammation contributing to COVID-19-associated endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory vasculopathy.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Plasma Cytokine Levels in Patients with Invasive Candidiasis.

Interleukin (IL) 17A plays a decisive role in anti-Candida host defense. Previous data demonstrated significantly increased IL-17A values in candidemic patients. We evaluated levels and time courses of IL-17A, and other cytokines suggested to be involved in Candida-specific immunity (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, Pentraxin-related protein 3, transforming growth factor-ß) in patients with invasive candidiasis (IC) compared to bacteremic patients (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli) and healthy controls (from previous 4 days up to day 14 relative to the index culture (-4; 14)). IL-17A levels were significantly elevated in all groups compared to healthy controls. In IC, the highest IL-17A values were measured around the date of index sampling (-1; 2), compared to significantly lower levels prior and after sampling the index culture. Candidemic patients showed significantly higher IL-17A values compared to IC other than candidemia at time interval (-1; 2) and (3; 7). No significant differences in IL-17A levels could be observed for IC compared to bacteremic patients. Candidemic patients had higher IL-8, IL-10, IL-22, IFN-γ, PTX3 and TNF-α values compared to non-candidemic. Based on the limited discriminating competence between candidemia and bacteremia, IL-17A has to be considered a biomarker for blood stream infection rather than invasive Candida infection.

Plasmid r1 conjugative DNA processing is regulated at the coupling protein interface.

Selective substrate uptake controls initiation of macromolecular secretion by type IV secretion systems in gram-negative bacteria. Type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) are essential, but the molecular mechanisms governing substrate entry to the translocation pathway remain obscure. We report a biochemical approach to reconstitute a regulatory interface between the plasmid R1 T4CP and the nucleoprotein relaxosome dedicated to the initiation stage of plasmid DNA processing and substrate presentation. The predicted cytosolic domain of T4CP TraD was purified in a predominantly monomeric form, and potential regulatory effects of this protein on catalytic activities exhibited by the relaxosome during transfer initiation were analyzed in vitro. TraDDeltaN130 stimulated the TraI DNA transesterase activity apparently via interactions on both the protein and the DNA levels. TraM, a protein interaction partner of TraD, also increased DNA transesterase activity in vitro. The mechanism may involve altered DNA conformation as TraM induced underwinding of oriT plasmid DNA in vivo (DeltaL(k) = -4). Permanganate mapping of the positions of duplex melting due to relaxosome assembly with TraDDeltaN130 on supercoiled DNA in vitro confirmed localized unwinding at nic but ruled out formation of an open complex compatible with initiation of the TraI helicase activity. These data link relaxosome regulation to the T4CP and support the model that a committed step in the initiation of DNA export requires activation of TraI helicase loading or catalysis.

Using Interleukin 6 and 8 in Blood and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid to Predict Survival in Hematological Malignancy Patients With Suspected Pulmonary Mold Infection.

Background: Molds and other pathogens induce elevated levels of several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of IL-6 and IL-8 as well as fungal biomarkers in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) for overall survival in patients with underlying hematological malignancies and suspected mold infection. Methods: This cohort study included 106 prospectively enrolled adult cases undergoing bronchoscopy. Blood samples were collected within 24 h of BAL sampling and, in a subset of 62 patients, serial blood samples were collected up until 4 days after bronchoscopy. IL-6, IL-8, and other cytokines as well as galactomannan (GM) and ß-D-glucan (BDG) were assayed in blood and BAL fluid and associations with overall mortality were assessed at the end of the study using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Both blood IL-8 (AUC 0.731) and blood IL-6 (AUC 0.699) as well as BAL IL-6 (AUC 0.763) and BAL IL-8 (AUC 0.700) levels at the time of bronchoscopy were predictors of 30-day all-cause mortality. Increasing blood IL-6 levels between bronchoscopy and day four after bronchoscopy were significantly associated with higher 90-day mortality, with similar findings for increasing IL-8 levels. In ROC analysis the difference of blood IL-8 levels between 4 days after bronchoscopy and the day of bronchoscopy had an AUC of 0.829 (95%CI 0.71-0.95; p < 0.001) for predicting 90-day mortality. Conclusions: Elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in blood or BAL fluid at the time of bronchoscopy, and rising levels in blood 4 days following bronchoscopy were predictive of mortality in these patients with underlying hematological malignancy who underwent bronchoscopy for suspected mold infection.

HHV-6 Specific T-Cell Immunity in Healthy Children and Adolescents.

Objective: Primary infection with human herpes virus 6 (mainly HHV-6B) commonly occurs in the first 2 years of life leading to persistence and the possibility of virus reactivation later in life. Consequently, a specific cellular immune response is essential for effective control of virus reactivation. We have studied cell-mediated immune response to HHV-6 (U54) in healthy children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: By flow cytometry, the amount of cytokine (interferon gamma-IFN- γ, interleukin 2-IL-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha-TNF-α) secreting T-cells were measured after 10 days of pre-sensitization and 6 h of re-stimulation with mixtures of pooled overlapping peptides from U54, staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB, positive control), or Actin (negative control) in healthy children and adolescents without any underlying immune disorder or infectious disease. Results: All individuals showed a virus-specific response for at least one cytokine in either CD4+ or CD8+ cells. Percentages of individuals with HHV-6-specific TNF-α response in CD4+ (48% of individuals) as well as CD8+ (56% of individuals) were always the highest. Our data show significantly higher frequencies of HHV-6-specific TNF-α producing CD8+ T-cells in individuals older than 10 years of life (p = 0.033). Additionally, the frequency of HHV-6 specific TNF-α producing CD8+ T-cells positively correlated with the age of the individuals. Linear regression analysis showed a positive relation between age and frequency of HHV-6-specific TNF-α producing CD8+ T-cells. Conclusion: Results indicate that T-cell immune response against HHV-6 is commonly detectable in healthy children and adolescents with higher frequencies of antigen-specific T-cells in older children and adolescents possibly reflecting repeated stimulation by viral persistence and subclinical reactivation.

Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in hematological malignancy patients: Performance of cytokines, Asp LFD, and Aspergillus PCR in same day blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples.

BACKGROUND: Aspergillus spp. induce elevated levels of several cytokines. It remains unknown whether these cytokines hold value for clinical routine and enhance diagnostic performances of established and novel biomarkers/tests for invasive aspergillosis (IA). METHODS: This cohort study included 106 prospectively enrolled (2014-2017) adult cases with underlying hematological malignancies and suspected pulmonary infection undergoing bronchoscopy. Serum samples were collected within 24 hours of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sampling. Both, serum and BALF samples were used to evaluate diagnostic performances of the Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device test (LFD), Aspergillus PCR, ß-D-glucan, and cytokines that have shown significant associations with IA before. RESULTS: Among 106 cases, 11 had probable IA, and 32 possible IA; 80% received mold-active antifungals at the time of sampling. Diagnostic tests and biomarkers showed better performance in BALF versus blood, with the exception of serum interleukin (IL)-8 which was the most reliable blood biomarker. Combinations of serum IL-8 with either BALF LFD (sensitivity 100%, specificity 94%) or BALF PCR (sensitivity 91%, specificity 97%) showed promise for differentiating probable IA from no IA. CONCLUSIONS: High serum IL-8 levels were highly specific, and when combined with either the BALF Aspergillus-specific LFD, or BALF Aspergillus PCR also highly sensitive for diagnosis of IA.

Mucosal biopsy shows immunologic changes of the colon in patients with early MS.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immune cells of the colonic mucosa and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in treatment-naive patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or early relapsing MS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional proof-of-concept study, we obtained mucosal specimens during ileocolonoscopy from 15 untreated patients with CIS/MS and 10 controls. Mucosal immune cells were analyzed by FACS, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements of stool samples served to determine SCFA. RESULTS: The number of total dendritic cells (DCs), CD103+ tolerogenic DCs, and CD4+25+127-regulatory T cells (Tregs) was significantly reduced in the distal colon of patients with CIS/MS compared with controls, whereas we found no differences in the proximal colon. The patients' fecal samples also showed a substantially lower content of SCFA and especially lower levels of butyrate and acetate. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a disturbed homeostasis of colonic DCs and Tregs in patients with MS which could be associated with colonic SCFA depletion. Although not implying causality, these findings confirm parallel abnormalities of the gut in MS and warrant further research if modulation of the colonic SCFA profile or the colonic Treg pool can serve to modify the course of MS.

hCDC4 gene mutations in endometrial cancer.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activated by cyclin E is involved in the initiation of DNA replication and other S phase functions. Consistent with this role, cyclin E protein accumulates at the G1-S phase transition and declines during early S phase. This profile of expression is the result of periodic transcription and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis directed by SCF(hCdc4). However, in many types of human tumors cyclin E protein is elevated and deregulated relative to the cell cycle by an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that the F-box protein hCdc4 that targets cyclin E to the SCF (Skp1-Cull-F-box) protein ubiquitin ligase is mutated in at least 16% of human endometrial tumors. Mutations were found either in the substrate-binding domain of the protein or at the amino terminus, suggesting a critical role for the region of hCdc4 upstream of the F-box. hCDC4 gene mutations were accompanied by loss of heterozygosity and correlated with aggressive disease. The hCDC4 gene is localized to chromosome region 4q32, which is deleted in over 30% of human tumors. Our results show that the hCDC4 gene is mutated in primary human tumors and suggest that it may function as a tumor suppressor in the genesis of many human cancers.

Seek and destroy: SCF ubiquitin ligases in mammalian cell cycle control.

The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of a series of sequential phases, the order of which is highly regulated to ensure the faithful transmission of intact genome equivalents to daughter cells. Progression through the cell cycle depends on the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), which drive the transitions between phases by targeting numerous, but largely unknown, substrates for phosphorylation. The activity of Cdks is subject to both positive and negative regulation by their temporal association with cyclins and Cdk inhibitors, respectively. Whereas Cdks are constitutively expressed throughout the cell cycle, the levels of cyclins and Cdk inhibitors are regulated by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. The discovery that many cyclins and Cdk inhibitors are unstable proteins has implicated regulated protein degradation as a critical mechanism in cell cycle control. Proteolysis allows for the rapid removal of cell cycle regulators promoting irreversible transitions between cell cycle phases. The rapid removal of positive regulators prevents them from interfering with regulation of subsequent cell cycle events. In this review, we highlight the recent advances of our understanding of how a recently discovered ubiquitin ligase, designated SCF, contributes to mammalian cell cycle control.