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1.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi ; 49(14): 3736-3748, 2024 Jul.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39099348

ABSTRACT

To explore the mutagenic effect of the space environment on Pueraria montana and select the elite germplasm with good growth conditions and high isoflavone content, this study observed the agronomic traits, determined the flower isoflavone content, and labeled amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP) fluorescent molecular markers of 79 P. montana plants exposed to space mutagenesis(SP1 group) and 10 control plants of P. montana(CK group). Excel 2019, SPSS 25.0, NTSYSpc-2.11F, and Popgen 32 were employed to analyze the genetic diversity and perform the cluster analysis. The results showed that the SP1 group presented changed leaf hairy attitude and flower structure and higher CV and H' of quantitative traits than the CK group. The cluster analysis screened out five plants in the SP1 group. Ten P. montana plants in the SP1 group had higher content of 6″-O-xylosyl-tectoridin and tectoridin in the flowers than the control group, with the total content of both exceeding 11%. After clustering, 9 plants in the SP1 group were separated. Nine pairs of polymorphic primers were screened out frrom 64 pairs of primers. A total of 1 620 polymorphic loci were detected, with the average percentage of polymorphic loci(PPL) of 83.33%. The average Nei's gene diversity index(H) and Shannon's information index(I) were 0.192 2 and 0.305 2, respectively. After clustering, 4 plants in the SP1 group were screened out. According to the above results, plants No. 30, No. 66, and No. 89 in the SP1 group were subjected to greater mutagenic effect by the space environment and presented better growth and higher flower isoflavone content. Moreover, plant No. 30 showed the flower structure variation and flower weight two times of that in the CK group. These plants can be used as key materials for the subsequent experiments.


Subject(s)
Flowers , Genetic Variation , Pueraria , Pueraria/genetics , Pueraria/chemistry , Pueraria/growth & development , Flowers/genetics , Flowers/growth & development , Flowers/chemistry , Isoflavones , Mutagenesis , Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
2.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 1034, 2024 Aug 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39174713

ABSTRACT

The contributing genetic factors of vertigo remain poorly characterized, particularly in individuals of non-European ancestries. Here we show the genetic landscape of vertigo in an Asian population-based cohort. In a two-stage genome-wide association study (Ncase = 6199; Ncontrol = 54,587), we identify vertigo-associated genomic loci in DROSHA and ZNF91/LINC01224, with the latter replicating the findings in European ancestries. Gene-based association testing corroborates these findings. Interestingly, both genes are enriched in cerebellum, a key structure receiving sensory input from the vestibular system. Subjects carrying risk alleles from lead SNPs of DROSHA and ZNF91 incur a 1.74-fold risk of vertigo than those without. Moreover, composite clinical-polygenic risk scores allow differentiation between patients and controls, yielding an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.69. This study identified novel genomic loci for vertigo in an Asian population-based cohort, which may help identifying high risk subjects and provide mechanistic insight in understanding the pathogenesis of vertigo.


Subject(s)
Asian People , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genome-Wide Association Study , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Vertigo , Humans , Male , Female , Vertigo/genetics , Asian People/genetics , Middle Aged , Cohort Studies , Adult , Genetic Loci , Aged
3.
Rheumatol Int ; 2024 Aug 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39138675

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of breakthrough COVID-19 infections (BIs) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with patients with other rheumatic autoimmune diseases (rAIDs), patients with non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: The study was based on data from 7035 fully vaccinated respondents to the online COVAD questionnaire with SLE (N = 852), rAIDs (N = 3098), or nrAIDs (N = 414), and HCs (N = 2671). BI was defined as COVID-19 infection occurring in individuals vaccinated with ≥ 2 doses (or 1 dose of J&J) ≥ 14 days after vaccination and not after 6 months since the last vaccine dose. Data were analysed using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 91/852 (10.7%) SLE patients reported at least one BI. The frequency of BIs in SLE patients was comparable to that among HCs (277/2671; p = 0.847) and patients with nrAID (39/414; p = 0.552) but higher than that among patients with other rAIDs (235/3098; p = 0.005). No demographic factors or treatments were associated with BIs in SLE patients (p ≥ 0.05 for all). Joint pain was more frequent in SLE patients than in HCs (odds ratio [OR]: 3.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.89-6.04; p < 0.001) or nrAID patients (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.04-5.75; p = 0.041). Patient with SLE did not report a higher frequency of hospitalisation or need for advanced treatment for COVID-19 infection compared with disease controls and HCs, respectively. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccination conferred similar protection against COVID-19 infection in terms of frequency and severity in patients with SLE to that reported by healthy individuals.

4.
Semin Arthritis Rheum ; 68: 152531, 2024 Aug 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39154620

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This research elucidates the correlation between solar radiation insolation, polygenic risk score (PRS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis, utilizing genomic, environmental, and clinical data. METHODS: We included 1,800 SLE participants and 1,800 controls from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative, genotyped via the Affymetrix Genome-Wide TWB 2.0 SNP Array. The study employed a SLE-PRS tailored for individuals of Taiwanese ancestry, comprising 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). QGIS computed solar radiation insolation from participants' residences. We employed logistic regression to investigate the associations between SLE-PRS, solar insolation susceptibility, and SLE. Additive and multiplicative interactions were utilized to assess the interactions between solar insolation and SLE-PRS regarding the risk of SLE. RESULTS: SLE patients showed decreased solar insolation (p < 0.001). The highest decile of SLE-PRS exhibited a statistically significant lower solar insolation 1, 3, 6, and 12 months prior to diagnosis as compared to the lowest decile. Specifically, there were significant differences observed at 1 and 12 months (p = 0.025 and p = 0.004, respectively). It suggests that higher SLE-PRS correlated with reduced solar insolation tolerance. We observed an increase in SLE risk across ascending SLE-PRS percentiles exclusively in the high solar insolation group, not in the low solar insolation group. However, the interaction effect of SLE-PRS and solar insolation on SLE risk is not statistically significant. Compared to the lowest decile, the highest SLE-PRS decile showed a 10.98-fold increase in SLE risk (95 % CI, 3.773-31.952, p < 0.001). High SLE-PRS scores in conjunction with high solar insolation contribute to SLE incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Our study unveils the intertwined nature of UV insolation and polygenic risks in SLE. Future studies should explore the preventative potential of robust solar radiation protection for high-risk individuals before the disease onset.

5.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 17167, 2024 07 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39060355

ABSTRACT

Cephalosporin antibiotics are widely used in clinical settings, but they can cause hypersensitivity reactions, which may be influenced by genetic factors such as the expression of Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. This study aimed to investigate whether specific HLA alleles were associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions to cephalosporins among individuals in the Taiwanese population. This retrospective case-control study analyzed data from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI) on 27,933 individuals who received cephalosporin exposure and had HLA allele genotyping information available. Using logistic regression analyses, we examined the associations between HLA genotypes, comorbidities, allergy risk, and severity. Among the study population, 278 individuals had cephalosporin allergy and 2780 were in the control group. Our results indicated that certain HLA alleles, including HLA-B*55:02 (OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.18-2.61, p = 0.005), HLA-C*01:02 (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.05-1.77, p = 0.018), and HLA-DQB1*06:09 (OR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.62-4.12, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with an increased risk of cephalosporin allergy reactions. Additionally, the HLA-C*01:02 allele genotype was significantly associated with a higher risk of severe allergy (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.05-5.15, p = 0.04). This study identified significant associations between HLA alleles and an increased risk of cephalosporin allergy, which can aid in early detection and prediction of adverse drug reactions to cephalosporins. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of HLA typing in drug safety and expanding our knowledge of drug hypersensitivity syndromes.


Subject(s)
Alleles , Cephalosporins , Drug Hypersensitivity , Humans , Cephalosporins/adverse effects , Taiwan/epidemiology , Male , Female , Drug Hypersensitivity/genetics , Drug Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Case-Control Studies , Retrospective Studies , HLA Antigens/genetics , Adult , Aged , Genotype , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects
6.
Clin Rheumatol ; 43(8): 2503-2511, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38954278

ABSTRACT

Herpes zoster (HZ) risk is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) therapy. Identifying and evaluating the risk factors of HZ development in patients receiving JAKi therapy would be clinically helpful. We investigated HZ's incidence rates (IR), identified the risk factors, and further assessed their influence on HZ development in RA patients undergoing JAKi therapy. We retrospectively evaluated 249 RA patients who received JAKi therapy between 2015 and 2023. Data regarding clinical characteristics, HZ reactivation, HZ vaccination status, and concomitant medication use were collected. Among 249 JAKi-treated patients, 44 developed new-onset HZ (tofacitinib, 28/142; baricitinib, 6/35; upadacitinib,10/72), with an IR of 5.11/100patient-years. Multivariate analysis revealed significant predictors of HZ development: a long JAKi exposure period, prior HZ or COVID-19 history, and concomitant high-dose corticosteroids use. The interval between JAKi initiation and HZ development was significantly shorter in patients with prior HZ history than in those without (median, 6.5 months versus 33.5 months, p < 0.001), suggesting "biphasic" emergence of HZ. Only one patient who had experienced an HZ episode while receiving JAKi developed recurrent HZ. None of the seventeen patients immunized with the non-live recombinant zoster vaccine developed HZ. Our JAKi-treated patients had elevated HZ risks, a class effect across different JAKi. A long exposure period, prior history of HZ or COVID-19, and concomitant high-dose corticosteroid treatment may further increase the risk. The emergence of HZ shows a biphasic pattern: early HZ development in patients with prior HZ and late development in those without. Key Points • An increased risk of HZ was observed in Taiwanese RA patients treated with JAKi, presenting as a class effect. • Patients with a long JAKi exposure period, prior history of HZ or COVID-19, and concomitant use of high-dose corticosteroids were at high risk of HZ while receiving JAKi therapy. • The interval between JAKi initiation and HZ occurrence was shorter in patients with prior HZ than in those without, showing "biphasic" emergence.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Azetidines , Herpes Zoster , Janus Kinase Inhibitors , Humans , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Herpes Zoster/chemically induced , Herpes Zoster/prevention & control , Herpes Zoster/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Risk Factors , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/adverse effects , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Azetidines/adverse effects , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Sulfonamides/adverse effects , Sulfonamides/administration & dosage , Sulfonamides/therapeutic use , Piperidines/adverse effects , Piperidines/therapeutic use , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Incidence , Pyrazoles/adverse effects , Purines/adverse effects , Pyrimidines/adverse effects , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/adverse effects , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/therapeutic use , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/administration & dosage , COVID-19/epidemiology , Adult , SARS-CoV-2 , Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
7.
Acta Trop ; 257: 107318, 2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39002738

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exhibits high prevalence rates within Ethiopia. The genetic diversity of HBV, marked by mixed genotype infections, may hold significant implications for the trajectory of disease and responses to treatment. Ethiopia grapples with a substantial public health challenge posed by co-infections involving HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), particularly among vulnerable populations. METHODS: A comprehensive investigation into HBV, HCV, and HIV-1 co-infection was conducted. A total of 7,789 blood samples were meticulously analyzed, among which 815 exhibited HBV positivity. Among the HBV-positive samples, 630 were subjected to genotyping procedures, resulting in the identification of a prevalent trend of mixed infections characterized by HBV genotypes A/E/F (67.30%). Serological assessments were performed on 492 specimens to ascertain the presence of HCV and HIV-1 co-infections, revealing respective co-infection rates of 13.02% for HBV/HIV, 3.31% for HBV/HCV, and 2.07% for triple infection. RESULTS: The investigation revealed the intricate prevalence of co-infections in Ethiopia, notably underlining the continued transmission of viruses. The prominent occurrence of mixed HBV genotypes A/E/F suggests dynamic viral interactions and ongoing transmission pathways. These findings accentuate the necessity for targeted interventions and enhanced patient care, as co-infections carry significant clinical complexities. CONCLUSIONS: This study furnishes crucial insights into the molecular epidemiology of HBV, HCV, and HIV-1 co-infections in Ethiopia. The acquired knowledge can contribute to the advancement of strategies for clinical management and the formulation of public health interventions aimed at ameliorating the burden of viral infections within the nation.


Subject(s)
Coinfection , Genotype , HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Hepacivirus , Hepatitis B virus , Hepatitis B , Hepatitis C , Molecular Epidemiology , Humans , Ethiopia/epidemiology , Coinfection/epidemiology , Coinfection/virology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/virology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/virology , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis B/virology , Male , Adult , Female , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B virus/classification , Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification , HIV-1/genetics , HIV-1/classification , HIV-1/isolation & purification , Young Adult , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepacivirus/classification , Hepacivirus/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Child , Child, Preschool , Aged , Infant , Genetic Variation
8.
Cell Commun Signal ; 22(1): 354, 2024 Jul 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38972975

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperactive neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation plays a crucial role in active severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, what triggers the imbalance in dysregulated NETs formation in SLE is elusive. Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel non-coding RNAs, which participate in various cellular processes. We explore the role of tsRNAs on NETs formation in SLE. METHODS: We analyzed the levels of NETs DNA and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (pEVs) from 50 SLE patients and 20 healthy control subjects. The effects of pEVs on NETs formation were evaluated by using immunofluorescence assay and myeloperoxidase-DNA PicoGreen assay. The regulatory mechanism of pEVs on NETs formation and inflammatory cytokines production were investigated using an in vitro cell-based assay. RESULTS: Increased circulating NETs DNA and pEVs were shown in SLE patients and were associated with disease activity (P < 0.005). We demonstrated that SLE patient-derived immune complexes (ICs) induced platelet activation, followed by pEVs release. ICs-triggered NETs formation was significantly enhanced in the presence of pEVs through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 8 activation. Increased levels of tRF-His-GTG-1 in pEVs and neutrophils of SLE patients were associated with disease activity. tRF-His-GTG-1 interacted with TLR8 to prime p47phox phosphorylation in neutrophils, resulting in reactive oxygen species production and NETs formation. Additionally, tRF-His-GTG-1 modulated NF-κB and IRF7 activation in neutrophils upon TLR8 engagement, resulting IL-1ß, IL-8, and interferon-α upregulation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The level of tRF-His-GTG-1 was positively correlated with NETs formation in SLE patients; tRF-His-GTG-1 inhibitor could efficiently suppress ICs-triggered NETs formation/hyperactivation, which may become a potential therapeutic target.


Neutrophils and platelets are key members in the immunopathogenesis of SLE. EVs play a key role in intercellular communication. Abnormal NETs formation promotes vascular complications and organ damage in SLE patients. tsRNA is a novel regulatory small non-coding RNA and participates in diverse pathological processes. Herein, we showed that SLE patient-derived ICs activates platelets directly, followed by intracellular tRF-His-GTG-1 upregulation, which is loaded into pEVs. The pEV-carried tRF-His-GTG-1 could interact with TLR8 in neutrophils, followed by activation of the downstream signaling pathway, including p47phox-NOX2-ROS, which causes NETs enhancement, while IRF7 promotes the expression of IFN-α. The tRF-His-GTG-1 inhibitor could suppress efficiently SLE ICs-induced NETs formation and pEVs primed NETs enhancement. This study offers new molecular machinery to explain the association between the platelets-derived tsRNAs, pEVs, and hyperactive NETs formation in lupus. tRF-His-GTG-1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target and help to advance our understanding of tsRNAs in SLE pathogenesis.


Subject(s)
Extracellular Traps , Extracellular Vesicles , Interferon-alpha , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Blood Platelets/metabolism , Extracellular Traps/metabolism , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Interferon-alpha/metabolism , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Neutrophils/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 8/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 8/genetics , RNA, Transfer/chemistry , RNA, Transfer/metabolism
9.
J Neurol Sci ; 462: 123109, 2024 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38941707

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary disease caused by NOTCH3 mutation. Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive technique typically used for rheumatic diseases. It has potential in other conditions linked to vascular pathology. However, capillaroscopy in CADASIL has not been explored. This study aims to investigate whether capillaroscopy measurements can correlate with brain vascular changes in preclinical CADASIL patients, specifically those with NOTCH3 mutation. METHODS: This study included 69 participants from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI) dataset who visited Taichung Veterans General Hospital from January to December 2022. All individuals underwent genetic studies, brain imaging and nailfold capillaroscopy. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare results of brain imaging between carriers and controls. It was also used to compare measurements in nailfold capillaroscopy within each group. Spearman Rank Correlation Analysis was used to explore the relationship between capillary measurements and brain MRI results. RESULTS: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) expression was positively correlated with capillary dimension and negatively correlated with density. Our results presented that R544C carriers exhibited a diffuse increase in WMH (p < 0.001) and a global reduction in gray matter volume but preserved in specific areas. The white matter lesion scores in all brain regions were higher in the mutation carriers than the controls. (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This research highlights the association of nailfold capillaroscopy findings with white matter lesions in preclinical CADASIL patients. Capillaroscopy guides an effective screening strategy in individuals with NOTCH3 mutations.


Subject(s)
CADASIL , Capillaries , Microscopic Angioscopy , Mutation , Receptor, Notch3 , Humans , CADASIL/genetics , CADASIL/diagnostic imaging , Receptor, Notch3/genetics , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Adult , Capillaries/pathology , Capillaries/diagnostic imaging , Microscopic Angioscopy/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Nails/blood supply , Nails/diagnostic imaging , Aged , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain/pathology , White Matter/diagnostic imaging , White Matter/pathology
10.
Int J Immunogenet ; 2024 May 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38741273

ABSTRACT

Penicillin allergy is a potentially life-threatening condition that is common among patients. However, the genetic associations with penicillin allergy are not yet recognized for prevention or diagnosis, particularly in East Asian populations. We conducted a retrospective case-control study using data from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative and analysing DNA samples to identify eight major MHC Class I and Class II loci. We employed imputation methods for accurate HLA typing and enrolled 17,827 individuals who received penicillin. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to explore associations between HLA genotypes, comorbidities and allergy risk, while simultaneously conducting a subgroup analysis to explore the association between HLA genotypes, comorbidities and the severity of allergic reactions. Our study assigned 496 cases to the penicillin allergy group and 4960 controls to a matched group. The risk of penicillin allergy was significantly higher with HLA-DPB1*05:01 (OR = 1.36, p = .004) and HLA-DQB1*05:01 (OR = 1.54, p = .03), with adjusted p-values of .032 and .24, respectively. Urticaria was identified as a separate risk factor (OR = 1.73, p < .001). However, neither the HLA alleles nor the comorbidities had a significant relationship with the risk of severe penicillin-induced allergy. HLA-DPB1*05:01 was found to be significantly associated with penicillin allergy reactions among the Taiwanese population.

11.
Microorganisms ; 12(5)2024 May 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38792802

ABSTRACT

Anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies are linked to varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. Given the elevated risks of herpes zoster (HZ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis), we aimed to examine the relationship between anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies with HZ development in JAKi-treated patients. Serum titers of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies, plasma levels of IFN-γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) were measured by ELISA. Among the 66 enrolled RA patients, 24 developed new-onset HZ. Significantly lower MCP-1 levels were observed in patients with HZ compared to those without (median, 98.21 pg/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 77.63-150.30 pg/mL versus 142.3 pg/mL, IQR 106.7-175.6 pg/mL, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in anti-IFN-γ titers, IFN-γ levels, or IP-10 levels between patients with and without HZ. Three of 24 patients with HZ had severe HZ with multi-dermatomal involvement. Anti-IFN-γ titers were significantly higher in patients with severe HZ than in those with non-severe HZ (median 24.8 ng/mL, IQR 21.0-38.2 ng/mL versus 10.5 ng/mL, IQR 9.9-15.0 ng/mL, p < 0.005). Our results suggest an association between reduced MCP-1 levels and HZ development in JAKi-treated RA patients. High-titer anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies may be related to severe HZ in these patients.

12.
Int J Med Sci ; 21(5): 784-794, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38617006

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with clinical features of retinal dystrophy, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, renal anomalies, learning disabilities, hypogonadism, and genitourinary abnormalities. Nevertheless, previous studies on the phenotypic traits of BBS heterozygous carriers have generated inconclusive results. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of BBS heterozygosity on carriers when compared to non-carriers within the Taiwanese population. Materials and Methods: This study follows a hospital-based case-control design. We employed the Taiwan Biobank version 2 (TWBv2) array to identify three specific loci associated with BBS (rs773862084, rs567573386, and rs199910690). In total, 716 patients were included in the case group, and they were compared to a control group of 2,864 patients who lacked BBS alleles. The control group was selected through gender and age matching at a ratio of 1:4. The association between BBS-related loci and comorbidity was assessed using logistic regression models. Results: We found that BBS heterozygous carriers exhibited a significant association with elevated BMI levels, especially the variant rs199910690 in MKS1 (p=0.0037). The prevalence of comorbidities in the carriers' group was not higher than that in the non-carriers' group. Besides, the average values of the biochemistry data showed no significant differences, except for creatinine level. Furthermore, we conducted a BMI-based analysis to identify specific risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our findings revealed that individuals carrying the CA/AA genotype of the BBS2 rs773862084 variant or the CT/TT genotype of the MKS1 rs199910690 variant showed a reduced risk of developing CKD, irrespective of their BMI levels. When stratified by BMI level, obese males with the MKS1 rs199910690 variant and obese females with the BBS2 rs773862084 variant exhibited a negative association with CKD development. Conclusion: We found that aside from the association with overweight and obesity, heterozygous BBS mutations did not appear to increase the predisposition of individuals to comorbidities and metabolic diseases. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic susceptibility associated with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), further research is warranted.


Subject(s)
Bardet-Biedl Syndrome , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Female , Male , Humans , Bardet-Biedl Syndrome/epidemiology , Bardet-Biedl Syndrome/genetics , Comorbidity , Heterozygote , Obesity/epidemiology , Obesity/genetics , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/genetics
13.
J Autoimmun ; 146: 103221, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38643728

ABSTRACT

Inflammatory T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Analysis of the T-cell transcriptomics data of two independent SLE patient cohorts by three machine learning models revealed the pseudogene UHRF1P as a novel SLE biomarker. The pseudogene-encoded UHRF1P protein was overexpressed in peripheral blood T cells of SLE patients. The UHRF1P protein lacks the amino-terminus of its parental UHRF1 protein, resulting in missing the proteasome-binding ubiquitin-like (Ubl) domain of UHRF1. T-cell-specific UHRF1P transgenic mice manifested the induction of IL-17A and autoimmune inflammation. Mechanistically, UHFR1P prevented UHRF1-induced Lys48-linked ubiquitination and degradation of MAP4K3 (GLK), which is a kinase known to induce IL-17A. Consistently, IL-17A induction and autoimmune phenotypes of UHRF1P transgenic mice were obliterated by MAP4K3 knockout. Collectively, UHRF1P overexpression in T cells inhibits the E3 ligase function of its parental UHRF1 and induces autoimmune diseases.


Subject(s)
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins , Interleukin-17 , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Mice, Transgenic , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism , Animals , Interleukin-17/metabolism , Interleukin-17/genetics , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Humans , Mice , CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/metabolism , CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Ubiquitination , Mice, Knockout , Disease Models, Animal , Signal Transduction , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Autoimmunity , Female
15.
RMD Open ; 10(2)2024 Apr 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38637112

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a predictive model using polygenic risk score (PRS) to forecast renal outcomes for adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Taiwanese population. METHODS: Patients with SLE (n=2782) and matched non-SLE controls (n=11 128) were genotyped using Genome-Wide TWB 2.0 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. PRS models (C+T, LDpred2, Lassosum, PRSice-2, PRS-continuous shrinkage (CS)) were constructed for predicting SLE susceptibility. Logistic regression was assessed for C+T-based PRS association with renal involvement in patients with SLE. RESULTS: In the training set, C+T-based SLE-PRS, only incorporating 27 SNPs, outperformed other models with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.629, surpassing Lassosum (AUC=0.621), PRSice-2 (AUC=0.615), LDpred2 (AUC=0.609) and PRS-CS (AUC=0.602). Additionally, C+T-based SLE-PRS demonstrated consistent predictive capacity in the testing set (AUC=0.620). Individuals in the highest quartile exhibited earlier SLE onset (39.06 vs 44.22 years, p<0.01), higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores (3.00 vs 2.37, p=0.04), elevated risks of renal involvement within the first year of SLE diagnosis, including WHO class III-IV lupus nephritis (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.80, p<0.01), estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.89, p<0.01) and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio >150 mg/day (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.89, p<0.01), along with increased seropositivity risks, compared with those in the lowest quartile. Furthermore, among patients with SLE with onset before 50 years, the highest PRS quartile was significantly associated with more serious renal diseases within the first year of SLE diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: PRS of SLE is associated with earlier onset, renal involvement within the first year of SLE diagnosis and seropositivity in Taiwanese patients. Integrating PRS with clinical decision-making may enhance lupus nephritis screening and early treatment to improve renal outcomes in patients with SLE.


Subject(s)
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Lupus Nephritis , Adult , Humans , Lupus Nephritis/diagnosis , Lupus Nephritis/epidemiology , Lupus Nephritis/genetics , Genetic Risk Score , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/epidemiology , Kidney , Genotype
16.
J Biomed Sci ; 31(1): 39, 2024 Apr 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38637878

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High levels of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation or NETosis and autoantibodies are related to poor prognosis and disease severity of COVID-19 patients. Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cross-reactive anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (SARS-CoV-2 RBD) antibodies (CR Abs) have been reported as one of the sources of anti-ACE2 autoantibodies. However, the pathological implications of CR Abs in NET formation remain unknown. METHODS: In this study, we first assessed the presence of CR Abs in the sera of COVID-19 patients with different severity by serological analysis. Sera and purified IgG from CR Abs positive COVID-19 patients as well as a mouse monoclonal Ab (mAb 127) that can recognize both ACE2 and the RBD were tested for their influence on NETosis and the possible mechanisms involved were studied. RESULTS: An association between CR Abs levels and the severity of COVID-19 in 120 patients was found. The CR Abs-positive sera and IgG from severe COVID-19 patients and mAb 127 significantly activated human leukocytes and triggered NETosis, in the presence of RBD. This NETosis, triggered by the coexistence of CR Abs and RBD, activated thrombus-related cells but was abolished when the interaction between CR Abs and ACE2 or Fc receptors was disrupted. We also revealed that CR Abs-induced NETosis was suppressed in the presence of recombinant ACE2 or the Src family kinase inhibitor, dasatinib. Furthermore, we found that COVID-19 vaccination not only reduced COVID-19 severity but also prevented the production of CR Abs after SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide possible pathogenic effects of CR Abs in exacerbating COVID-19 by enhancing NETosis, highlighting ACE2 and dasatinib as potential treatments, and supporting the benefit of vaccination in reducing disease severity and CR Abs production in COVID-19 patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Animals , Mice , SARS-CoV-2 , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 , COVID-19 Vaccines , Dasatinib , Immunoglobulin G/metabolism , Autoantibodies/metabolism , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Protein Binding
17.
Br J Haematol ; 204(5): 1986-1993, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38438140

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the association between the steroid use patterns and the risk of AEs in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). A total of 2691 newly diagnosed adults with ITP between 2011 and 2018 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, and the date of first steroid use was defined as the index date. Post-index steroid use was calculated on a 90-day basis as a time-dependent variable and categorized by the average prednisolone-equivalent daily dose (<10 mg vs. ≥10 mg) and intensity (medication possession ratio <80% vs. ≥80%). Patients were followed up for 1 year from the index date for acute AE events, while chronic AEs were assessed until death, or end of 2019. Compared to patients with low-dose+low-intensity steroid use, those with high-dose+high-intensity steroid use were associated with a higher risk of acute AE (adjusted incident rate ratio [aIRR]: 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-1.78, p < 0.01) and chronic AE (aIRR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08-1.47, p < 0.01). Metabolic/endocrine and ophthalmologic disorders demonstrated the strongest correlation with a high dose and intensity. The joint effect of steroid dose and intensity was observed in patients with ITP, and the findings suggest that steroids should be used carefully.


Subject(s)
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic , Humans , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/drug therapy , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/epidemiology , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Adult , Aged , Taiwan/epidemiology , Longitudinal Studies , Steroids/adverse effects , Steroids/therapeutic use , Steroids/administration & dosage , Databases, Factual , Young Adult , Adolescent
18.
Neurosci Bull ; 40(7): 921-936, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38498092

ABSTRACT

As a noninvasive technique, ultrasound stimulation is known to modulate neuronal activity both in vitro and in vivo. The latest explanation of this phenomenon is that the acoustic wave can activate the ion channels and further impact the electrophysiological properties of targeted neurons. However, the underlying mechanism of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS)-induced neuro-modulation effects is still unclear. Here, we characterize the excitatory effects of LIPUS on spontaneous activity and the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured hippocampal neurons. By whole-cell patch clamp recording, we found that 15 min of 1-MHz LIPUS boosts the frequency of both spontaneous action potentials and spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents (sEPSCs) and also increases the amplitude of sEPSCs in hippocampal neurons. This phenomenon lasts for > 10 min after LIPUS exposure. Together with Ca2+ imaging, we clarified that LIPUS increases the [Ca2+]cyto level by facilitating L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs). In addition, due to the [Ca2+]cyto elevation by LIPUS exposure, the Ca2+-dependent CaMKII-CREB pathway can be activated within 30 min to further regulate the gene transcription and protein expression. Our work suggests that LIPUS regulates neuronal activity in a Ca2+-dependent manner via LTCCs. This may also explain the multi-activation effects of LIPUS beyond neurons. LIPUS stimulation potentiates spontaneous neuronal activity by increasing Ca2+ influx.


Subject(s)
Calcium Channels, L-Type , Calcium , Hippocampus , Neurons , Ultrasonic Waves , Animals , Hippocampus/metabolism , Neurons/physiology , Neurons/metabolism , Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism , Calcium/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials/physiology , Rats , Action Potentials/physiology , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Rats, Sprague-Dawley
19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38430474

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BIs) in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) using data from the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study. METHODS: A validated patient self-reporting e-survey was circulated by the COVAD study group to collect data on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in 2022. BIs were defined as COVID-19 occurring ≥14 days after 2 vaccine doses. We compared BIs characteristics and severity among IIMs, other autoimmune rheumatic and non-rheumatic diseases (AIRD, nrAID), and healthy controls (HC). Multivariable Cox regression models assessed the risk factors for BI, severe BI and hospitalisations among IIMs. RESULTS: Among 9449 included response, BIs occurred in 1447 (15.3%) respondents, median age 44 years (IQR 21), 77.4% female, and 182 BIs (12.9%) occurred among 1406 IIMs. Multivariable Cox regression among IIMs showed age as a protective factor for BIs [Hazard Ratio (HR)=0.98, 95%CI = 0.97-0.99], hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine use were risk factors (HR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.24-2.64, and HR = 3.79, 95%CI = 1.69-8.42, respectively). Glucocorticoid use was a risk factor for severe BI (HR = 3.61, 95%CI = 1.09-11.8). Non-White ethnicity (HR = 2.61, 95%CI = 1.03-6.59) was a risk factor for hospitalisation. Compared with other groups, patients with IIMs required more supplemental oxygen therapy (IIM = 6.0% vs AIRD = 1.8%, nrAID = 2.2%, and HC = 0.9%), intensive care unit admission (IIM = 2.2% vs AIRD = 0.6%, nrAID, and HC = 0%), advanced treatment with antiviral or monoclonal antibodies (IIM = 34.1% vs AIRD = 25.8%, nrAID = 14.6%, and HC = 12.8%), and had more hospitalisation (IIM = 7.7% vs AIRD = 4.6%, nrAID = 1.1%, and HC = 1.5%). CONCLUSION: Patients with IIMs are susceptible to severe COVID-19 BI. Age and immunosuppressive treatments were related to the risk of BIs.

20.
Rheumatol Adv Pract ; 8(2): rkae028, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38524696

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To investigate health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and without autoimmune diseases (controls) using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instrument data obtained from the second COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD-2) e-survey database. Methods: Demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, disease activity, treatments and PROMIS instrument data were analysed. Primary outcomes were PROMIS Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores. Factors affecting GPH and GMH scores in IIMs were identified using multivariable regression analysis. Results: We analysed responses from 1582 IIM, 4700 non-IIM AIRD and 545 nrAID patients and 3675 controls gathered through 23 May 2022. The median GPH scores were the lowest in IIM and non-IIM AIRD patients {13 [interquartile range (IQR) 10-15] IIMs vs 13 [11-15] non-IIM AIRDs vs 15 [13-17] nrAIDs vs 17 [15-18] controls, P < 0.001}. The median GMH scores in IIM patients were also significantly lower compared with those without autoimmune diseases [13 (IQR 10-15) IIMs vs 15 (13-17) controls, P < 0.001]. Inclusion body myositis, comorbidities, active disease and glucocorticoid use were the determinants of lower GPH scores, whereas overlap myositis, interstitial lung disease, depression, active disease, lower PROMIS Physical Function 10a and higher PROMIS Fatigue 4a scores were associated with lower GMH scores in IIM patients. Conclusion: Both physical and mental health are significantly impaired in IIM patients, particularly in those with comorbidities and increased fatigue, emphasizing the importance of patient-reported experiences and optimized multidisciplinary care to enhance well-being in people with IIMs.

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