Pin-Pointing the Key Hubs in the IFN-γ Pathway Responding to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) may be potential adjuvant immunotherapy for COVID-19 patients. In this work, we assessed gene expression profiles associated with the IFN-γ pathway in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Employing a case-control study from SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative patients, we identified IFN-γ-associated pathways to be enriched in positive patients. Bioinformatics analyses showed upregulation of MAP2K6, CBL, RUNX3, STAT1, and JAK2 in COVID-19-positive vs. -negative patients. A positive correlation was observed between STAT1/JAK2, which varied alongside the patient's viral load. Expression of MX1, MX2, ISG15, and OAS1 (four well-known IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs)) displayed upregulation in COVID-19-positive vs. -negative patients. Integrative analyses showcased higher levels of ISGs, which were associated with increased viral load and STAT1/JAK2 expression. Confirmation of ISGs up-regulation was performed in vitro using the A549 lung cell line treated with Poly (I:C), a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA; and in different pulmonary human cell lines and ferret tracheal biopsies infected with SARS-CoV-2. A pre-clinical murine model of Coronavirus infection confirmed findings displaying increased ISGs in the liver and lungs from infected mice. Altogether, these results demonstrate the role of IFN-γ and ISGs in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting alternative druggable targets that can boost the host response.

A Journey into the Clinical Relevance of Heme Oxygenase 1 for Human Inflammatory Disease and Viral Clearance: Why Does It Matter on the COVID-19 Scene?

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, is involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, exerting a cytoprotective role by its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory functions. HO-1 and its end products, biliverdin, carbon monoxide and free iron (Fe2+), confer cytoprotection against inflammatory and oxidative injury. Additionally, HO-1 exerts antiviral properties against a diverse range of viral infections by interfering with replication or activating the interferon (IFN) pathway. Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are characterized by systemic hyperinflammation, which, in some cases, leads to severe or fatal symptoms as a consequence of respiratory failure, lung and heart damage, kidney failure, and nervous system complications. This review summarizes the current research on the protective role of HO-1 in inflammatory diseases and against a wide range of viral infections, positioning HO-1 as an attractive target to ameliorate clinical manifestations during COVID-19.

Programme for Harmonization to the International Scale in Latin America for BCR-ABL1 quantification in CML patients: findings and recommendations.

Objectives The quantitation of BCR-ABL1 mRNA is mandatory for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, and RT-qPCR is the most extensively used method in testing laboratories worldwide. Nevertheless, substantial variation in RT-qPCR results makes inter-laboratory comparability hard. To facilitate inter-laboratory comparative assessment, an international scale (IS) for BCR-ABL1 was proposed. Methods The laboratory-specific conversion factor (CF) to the IS can be derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) genetic reference panel; however, this material is limited to the manufacturers to produce and calibrate secondary reference reagents. Therefore, we developed secondary reference calibrators, as lyophilized cellular material, aligned to the IS. Our purpose was both to re-evaluate the CF in 18 previously harmonized laboratories and to propagate the IS to new laboratories. Results Our field trial including 30 laboratories across Latin America showed that, after correction of raw BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratios using CF, the relative mean bias was significantly reduced. We also performed a follow-up of participating laboratories by annually revalidating the process; our results support the need for continuous revalidation of CFs. All participating laboratories also received a calibrator to determine the limit of quantification (LOQ); 90% of them could reproducibly detect BCR-ABL1, indicating that these laboratories can report a consistent deep molecular response. In addition, aiming to investigate the variability of BCR-ABL1 measurements across different RNA inputs, we calculated PCR efficiency for each individual assay by using different amounts of RNA. Conclusions In conclusion, for the first time in Latin America, we have successfully organized a harmonization platform for BCR-ABL1 measurement that could be of immediate clinical benefit for monitoring the molecular response of patients in low-resource regions.

miRNome profiling of LSC-enriched CD34+CD38-CD26+ fraction in Ph+ CML-CP samples from Argentinean patients: a potential new pharmacogenomic tool.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloid stem cell neoplasm characterized by an expansion of myeloid progenitor cells and the presence of BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. Since the introduction of specific BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), overall survival has improved significantly. However, under long-term therapy patients may have residual disease that originates from TKI-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSC). In this work, we analyzed the miRNome of LSC-enriched CD34+CD38-CD26+ and normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) fractions obtained from the same chronic phase (CP) CML patients, and stem and progenitor cells obtained from healthy donors (HD) by next-generation sequencing. We detected a global decrease of microRNA levels in LSC-enriched CD34+CD38-CD26+ and HSC fractions from CML-CP patients, and decreased levels of microRNAs and snoRNAs from a genomic cluster in chromosome 14, suggesting a mechanism of silencing of multiple non-coding RNAs. Surprisingly, HSC from CML-CP patients, despite the absence of BCR-ABL1 expression, showed an altered miRNome. We confirmed by RT-qPCR that the levels of miR-196a-5p were increased more than nine-fold in CD26+ (BCR-ABL1 + ) vs. CD26- (BCR-ABL1 -) CD34+CD38- fractions from CML-CP patients at diagnosis, and in silico analysis revealed a significant association to lipid metabolism and hematopoiesis functions. In the light of recent descriptions of increased oxidative metabolism in CML LSC-enriched fractions, these results serve as a guide for future functional studies that evaluate the role of microRNAs in this process. Metabolic vulnerabilities in LSCs open the road for new therapeutic strategies. This is the first report of the miRNome of CML-CP CD34+CD38- fractions that distinguishes between CD26+ (BCR-ABL1 + ) and their CD26- (BCR-ABL1 - ) counterparts, providing valuable data for future studies.

Evaluation of the primitive fraction by functional in vitro assays at the RNA and DNA level represents a novel tool for complementing molecular monitoring in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Quantification of BCR-ABL1 mRNA levels in peripheral blood of chronic myeloid leukemia patients is a strong indicator of response to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) treatment. However, additional prognostic markers are needed in order to better classify patients. The hypothesis of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) heterogeneity and persistence, suggests that their functional evaluation could be of clinical interest. In this work, we assessed the primitive and progenitor fractions in patients at diagnosis and during TKI treatment using functional in vitro assays, defining a "functional leukemic burden" (FLB). We observed that the FLB was reduced in vivo in both fractions upon treatment. However, different FLB levels were observed among patients according to their response to treatment, suggesting that quantification of the FLB could complement early molecular monitoring. Given that FLB assessment is limited by BCR-ABL1 mRNA expression levels, we developed a novel detection method of primitive cells at the DNA level, using patient-specific primers and direct nested PCR in colonies obtained from functional in vitro assays. We believe that this method could be useful in the context of discontinuation trials, given that it is unknown whether the persistent leukemic clone represents LSCs, able to resume the leukemia upon TKI removal.

[Guidelines for molecular monitoring of BCR-ABL1 in chronic myeloid leukemia patients by RT-qPCR]. / Recomendaciones metodológicas para el monitoreo molecular de BCR-ABL1 en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica por PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real.

Current clinical guidelines for managing chronic myeloid leukemia include molecular monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcript quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Despite the proven prognostic significance of molecular response, it is not widely appreciated that quantitative reverse-transcription PCR potentially produces highly variable data, which may affect the validity of results, making comparability between different laboratories difficult. Therefore, standardized reporting of BCR-ABL1 measurements is needed for optimal clinical management. An approach to achieve comparable BCR-ABL1 values is the use of an international reporting scale. Conversion to the international scale is achieved by the application of laboratory specific conversion factor that is obtained by using validated secondary reference calibrators. Moreover, with the aim to mitigate the interlaboratory imprecision of quantitative BCR-ABL1 measurements and to facilitate local laboratory results interpretation and reporting, we decide to prepare laboratory guidelines that will further facilitate interlaboratory comparative studies and independent quality-assessment programs, which are of paramount importance for worldwide standardization of BCR-ABL1 monitoring results, in particular for those most isolated laboratories, with not easy access to commercial kits or sample interchange programs.

Recomendaciones metodológicas para el monitoreo molecular BCR-ABL1 en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica por pcr cuantitativa en tiempo real / Guidelines for molecular monitoring of BCR-ABL1 in chronic myeloid leukemia patients by RT-qPCR

Actualmente las guías clínicas para el manejo de pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica incluyen el monitoreo molecular de BCR-ABL1 por PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real; esta metodología permite definir la respuesta molecular. A pesar de la probada importancia pronóstica de la respuesta molecular, en muchos casos no se tiene en cuenta que la PCR cuantitativa puede producir datos muy variables, que pueden afectar la validez de los resultados, y hacer difícil la comparación entre diferentes laboratorios. Por lo tanto, para un manejo clínico óptimo, es absolutamente necesaria la estandarización de las metodologías de medición de BCR-ABL1. La estrategia para obtener valores de BCR-ABL1 comparables consiste en la adopción de la escala internacional. La conversión a la escala internacional se logra mediante la aplicación de un factor de conversión específico para cada laboratorio; este factor de conversión se puede obtener mediante el uso de calibradores secundarios validados, que hoy se producen en Argentina, en el marco del programa nacional de armonización. Por otra parte, con el objetivo de mitigar las diferencias entre laboratorios y facilitar criterios uniformes en la interpretación de los resultados y presentación de los informes, decidimos preparar estas guías de laboratorio. Esto permitirá además a los laboratorios poder evaluar su calidad de trabajo, tarea muy importante, en particular para aquellos centros más aislados, que no tienen fácil acceso a costosos kits comerciales o programas internacionales de intercambio de muestras.

Current clinical guidelines for managing chronic myeloid leukemia include molecular monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcript quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Despite the proven prognostic significance of molecular response, it is not widely appreciated that quantitative reverse-transcription PCR potentially produces highly variable data, which may affect the validity of results, making comparability between different laboratories difficult. Therefore, standardized reporting of BCR-ABL1 measurements is needed for optimal clinical management. An approach to achieve comparable BCR-ABL1 values is the use of an international reporting scale. Conversion to the international scale is achieved by the application of laboratory specific conversion factor that is obtained by using validated secondary reference calibrators. Moreover, with the aim to mitigate the interlaboratory imprecision of quantitative BCR-ABL1 measurements and to facilitate local laboratory results interpretation and reporting, we decide to prepare laboratory guidelines that will further facilitate interlaboratory comparative studies and independent quality-assessment programs, which are of paramount importance for worldwide standardization of BCR-ABL1 monitoring results, in particular for those most isolated laboratories, with not easy access to commercial kits or sample interchange programs.

Dendritic cell-based vaccination in cancer: therapeutic implications emerging from murine models.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in the orchestration of immune responses, and are thus key targets in cancer vaccine design. Since the 2010 FDA approval of the first cancer DC-based vaccine (Sipuleucel-T), there has been a surge of interest in exploiting these cells as a therapeutic option for the treatment of tumors of diverse origin. In spite of the encouraging results obtained in the clinic, many elements of DC-based vaccination strategies need to be optimized. In this context, the use of experimental cancer models can help direct efforts toward an effective vaccine design. This paper reviews recent findings in murine models regarding the antitumoral mechanisms of DC-based vaccination, covering issues related to antigen sources, the use of adjuvants and maturing agents, and the role of DC subsets and their interaction in the initiation of antitumoral immune responses. The summary of such diverse aspects will highlight advantages and drawbacks in the use of murine models, and contribute to the design of successful DC-based translational approaches for cancer treatment.

CD207⁺ cells recruitment to the vaccination site and draining lymph nodes after the administration of DC-Apo/Nec vaccine in mice.

De novo ectopic lymphoid tissue formation is known to occur in certain disease and inflammatory settings. After an effective vaccination with dendritic cells (DC) charged with melanoma apoptotic/necrotic cells (Apo/Nec), a subcutaneous tertiary lymphoid structure was organized, where retained vaccine cells interacted with recruited inflammatory and T cells. In this work we report for the first time the recruitment of two morphologically different CD207(+) cells to vaccination site. The time-course behavior of CD207(+) cells was reciprocal between vaccination site and draining lymph nodes (DLNs). After 6-10 days, CD207(+) cells localized at the paracortical region of DLNs, in close contact with T cell population. DLNs were enriched in a peculiar MHCII(+) CD11c((-)) CD207(+) population, whose role remains to be determined. Whether CD207(+) cells migration to the vaccination site can be associated with a differential anti-tumoral response remains as an open and exciting question.

Anti-melanoma vaccinal capacity of CD11c-positive and -negative cell populations present in GM-CSF cultures derived from murine bone marrow precursors.

We have initially shown that DC/ApoNec vaccine can induce protection against the poorly immunogenic B16F1 melanoma in mice. The population of DC obtained for vaccination after 7days culture with murine GM-CSF is heterogeneous and presents about 60% of CD11c+ DC. Therefore, our purpose was to identify the phenotype of the cells obtained after differentiation and its immunogenicity once injected. DC were separated with anti-CD11c microbeads and the two populations identified in terms of CD11c positivity (DC+ and DC-) were also studied. Approximately 26.6% of the cells in DC+ fraction co-expressed CD11c+ and F4/80 markers and 75.4% were double positive for CD11c and CD11b markers. DC+ fraction also expressed Ly6G. DC- fraction was richer in CD11c-/F4/80+ macrophages (44.7%), some of which co-expressed Ly6G (41.8%), and F4/80-/Ly6-G+ neutrophils (34.6%). Both DC+ and DC- fractions displayed similar capacity to phagocyte and endocyte antigens and even expressed levels of MHC Class II and CD80, CD83 and CD86 costimulatory molecules similar to those in the DC fraction. However, only DC/ApoNec vaccine was capable to induce protection in mice (p<0.01). After 24h co-culture, no detectable level of IL-12 was recorded in DC/ApoNec vaccine, either in supernatant or intracellularly. Therefore, the protection obtained with DC/ApoNec vaccine seemed to be independent of the vaccine's ability to secrete this inflammatory cytokine at the time of injection. In conclusion, we demonstrated that all cell types derived from the culture of mouse bone marrow with GM-CSF are necessary to induce antitumor protection in vivo.