Unveiling the dynamics of the breast milk microbiome: impact of lactation stage and gestational age.

BACKGROUND: Breast milk (BM) provides complete nutrition for infants for the first six months of life and is essential for the development of the newborn's immature immune and digestive systems. While BM was conventionally believed to be sterile, recent advanced high throughput technologies have unveiled the presence of diverse microbial communities in BM. These insights into the BM microbiota have mainly originated from uncomplicated pregnancies, possibly not reflecting the circumstances of mothers with pregnancy complications like preterm birth (PTB). METHODS: In this article, we investigated the BM microbial communities in mothers with preterm deliveries (before 37 weeks of gestation). We compared these samples with BM samples from healthy term pregnancies across different lactation stages (colostrum, transitional and mature milk) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that the microbial communities became increasingly diverse and compositionally distinct as the BM matured. Specifically, mature BM samples were significantly enriched in Veillonella and lactobacillus (Kruskal Wallis; p < 0.001) compared to colostrum. The comparison of term and preterm BM samples showed that the community structure was significantly different between the two groups (Bray Curtis and unweighted unifrac dissimilarity; p < 0.001). Preterm BM samples exhibited increased species richness with significantly higher abundance of Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Propionibacterium acnes, unclassified Corynebacterium species. Whereas term samples were enriched in Staphylococcus epidermidis, unclassified OD1, and unclassified Veillonella among others. CONCLUSION: Our study underscores the significant influence of pregnancy-related complications, such as preterm birth (before 37 weeks of gestation), on the composition and diversity of BM microbiota. Given the established significance of the maternal microbiome in shaping child health outcomes, this investigation paves the way for identifying modifiable factors that could optimize the composition of BM microbiota, thereby promoting maternal and infant health.

A Genomic Study of the Japanese Population Focusing on the Glucocorticoid Receptor Interactome Highlights Distinct Genetic Characteristics Associated with Stress Response.

All living organisms have been programmed to maintain a complex inner equilibrium called homeostasis, despite numerous adversities during their lifespan. Any threatening or perceived as such stimuli for homeostasis is termed a stressor, and a highly conserved response system called the stress response system has been developed to cope with these stimuli and maintain or reinstate homeostasis. The glucocorticoid receptor, a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptors protein superfamily, has a major role in the stress response system, and research on its interactome may provide novel information regarding the mechanisms underlying homeostasis maintenance. A list of 149 autosomal genes that have an essential role in GR function or are prime examples of GRE-containing genes was composed in order to gain a comprehensive view of the GR interactome. A search for SNPs on those particular genes was conducted on a dataset of 3554 Japanese individuals, with mentioned polymorphisms being annotated with relevant information from the ClinVar, LitVar, and dbSNP databases. Forty-two SNPs of interest and their genomic locations were identified. These SNPs have been associated with drug metabolism and neuropsychiatric, metabolic, and immune system disorders, while most of them were located in intronic regions. The frequencies of those SNPs were later compared with a dataset consisting of 1465 Korean individuals in order to find population-specific characteristics based on some of the identified SNPs of interest. The results highlighted.that rs1043618 frequencies were different in the two populations, with mentioned polymorphism having a potential role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in response to environmental stressors. This SNP is located in the HSPA1A gene, which codes for an essential GR co-chaperone, and such information showcases that similar gene may be novel genomic targets for managing or combatting stress-related pathologies.

Bioinformatics Analyses of Spatial Peripheral Circadian Clock-Mediated Gene Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptor-Related Genes.

Glucocorticoids are ubiquitous, pleotropic steroid hormones secreted from the cortices of the adrenal glands in a circadian fashion under the strong influence of the central Clock center located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. In previous work, we reported that the circadian transcription factor CLOCK and its heterodimer partner BMAL1 suppress the transcriptional activity of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) by acetylating a lysine cluster located in its hinge region between the DNA- and ligand-binding domains. This regulation of GR transcriptional activity by CLOCK/BMAL1 functions as a counter-regulatory loop against the diurnally fluctuating circulating glucocorticoids. Here, we have performed further analyses of our data using bioinformatics and computational methods. Gene expression data were analyzed using unsupervised machine learning methods, such as hierarchical clustering, k-means, Naïve Bayes classification, and polynomial regression analyses. We determined expression patterns of Clock-related genes, unraveled the dynamics of spatial data, and defined the temporal function of Clock-mediated GR-regulated genes. Gene expressions manifested nonlinear dynamics, possibly because we obtained dynamic results from stationary measurements. The mechanics of the circadian rhythms are still obscure, and more studies are required to understand how such rhythms influence mammalian physiology.

Dexamethasone for Severe COVID-19: How Does It Work at Cellular and Molecular Levels?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by infection of the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) significantly impacted human society. Recently, the synthetic pure glucocorticoid dexamethasone was identified as an effective compound for treatment of severe COVID-19. However, glucocorticoids are generally harmful for infectious diseases, such as bacterial sepsis and severe influenza pneumonia, which can develop respiratory failure and systemic inflammation similar to COVID-19. This apparent inconsistency suggests the presence of pathologic mechanism(s) unique to COVID-19 that renders this steroid effective. We review plausible mechanisms and advance the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 infection is accompanied by infected cell-specific glucocorticoid insensitivity as reported for some other viruses. This alteration in local glucocorticoid actions interferes with undesired glucocorticoid to facilitate viral replication but does not affect desired anti-inflammatory properties in non-infected organs/tissues. We postulate that the virus coincidentally causes glucocorticoid insensitivity in the process of modulating host cell activities for promoting its replication in infected cells. We explore this tenet focusing on SARS-CoV-2-encoding proteins and potential molecular mechanisms supporting this hypothetical glucocorticoid insensitivity unique to COVID-19 but not characteristic of other life-threatening viral diseases, probably due to a difference in specific virally-encoded molecules and host cell activities modulated by them.

Transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity is a rare disorder characterized by increased tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids and compensatory hypo-activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The condition itself and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To present the clinical manifestations, endocrinologic evaluation and transcriptomic profile in a patient with transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity. DESIGN AND RESULTS: A 9-year-old girl presented with an 8-month history of clinical manifestations suggestive of Cushing syndrome. Endocrinologic evaluation revealed undetectable 08:00 h ACTH (<1 pg/mL) and cortisol (0·025 µg/dL) concentrations, which remained decreased throughout the 24-h period and did not respond to stimulation with ovine CRH. The disease gradually resolved spontaneously over the ensuing 3 months. Sequencing of the human glucocorticoid receptor gene revealed no mutations or polymorphisms. Western blot analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed equal protein expression of hGRα of the patient in the disease and postresolution phases compared with a control subject. Transcriptomic analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the disease and postresolution phases identified 903 differentially expressed genes. Of these, 106 genes were up-regulated and 797 were down-regulated in the disease compared with the resolution phase. Bioinformatics analysis on the differentially expressed gene networks revealed Nuclear Factor-κB as the predominant transcription factor influencing the expression of the majority of differentially expressed genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that a transient postreceptor defect, or a virus- or bacterium-encoded molecule, may have enhanced glucocorticoid signal transduction, leading to transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity and hypo-activation of the HPA axis.

Recent advances in the molecular mechanisms determining tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids: novel mutations, circadian rhythm and ligand-induced repression of the human glucocorticoid receptor.

Glucocorticoids are pleiotropic hormones, which are involved in almost every cellular, molecular and physiologic network of the organism, and regulate a broad spectrum of physiologic functions essential for life. The cellular response to glucocorticoids displays profound variability both in magnitude and in specificity of action. Tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids differs among individuals, within tissues of the same individual and within the same cell. The actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor, a ubiquitously expressed intracellular, ligand-dependent transcription factor. Multiple mechanisms, such as pre-receptor ligand metabolism, receptor isoform expression, and receptor-, tissue-, and cell type-specific factors, exist to generate diversity as well as specificity in the response to glucocorticoids. Alterations in the molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid receptor action impair glucocorticoid signal transduction and alter tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms determining tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids with particular emphasis on novel mutations and new information on the circadian rhythm and ligand-induced repression of the glucocorticoid receptor.

Design of a targeted blood transcriptional panel for monitoring immunological changes accompanying pregnancy.

Background: Immunomodulatory processes exert steering functions throughout pregnancy. Detecting diversions from this physiologic immune clock may help identify pregnant women at risk for pregnancy-associated complications. We present results from a data-driven selection process to develop a targeted panel of mRNAs that may prove effective in detecting pregnancies diverting from the norm. Methods: Based on a de novo dataset from a resource-constrained setting and a dataset from a resource-rich area readily available in the public domain, whole blood gene expression profiles of uneventful pregnancies were captured at multiple time points during pregnancy. BloodGen3, a fixed blood transcriptional module repertoire, was employed to analyze and visualize gene expression patterns in the two datasets. Differentially expressed genes were identified by comparing their abundance to non-pregnant postpartum controls. The selection process for a targeted gene panel considered (i) transcript abundance in whole blood; (ii) degree of correlation with the BloodGen3 module; and (iii) pregnancy biology. Results: We identified 176 transcripts that were complemented with eight housekeeping genes. Changes in transcript abundance were seen in the early stages of pregnancy and similar patterns were observed in both datasets. Functional gene annotation suggested significant changes in the lymphoid, prostaglandin and inflammation-associated compartments, when compared to the postpartum controls. Conclusion: The gene panel presented here holds promise for the development of predictive, targeted, transcriptional profiling assays. Such assays might become useful for monitoring of pregnant women, specifically to detect potential adverse events early. Prospective validation of this targeted assay, in-depth investigation of functional annotations of differentially expressed genes, and assessment of common pregnancy-associated complications with the aim to identify these early in pregnancy to improve pregnancy outcomes are the next steps.

HIV viral protein R induces loss of DCT1-type renal tubules.

Hyponatremia and salt wasting is a common occurance in patients with HIV/AIDS, however, the understanding of its contributing factors is limited. HIV viral protein R (Vpr) contributes to HIV-associated nephropathy. To investigate the effects of Vpr on the expression level of the Slc12a3 gene, encoding the Na-Cl cotransporter, which is responsible for sodium reabsorption in distal nephron segments, we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing of kidney cortices from three wild-type (WT) and three Vpr-transgenic (Vpr Tg) mice. The results showed that the percentage of distal convoluted tubule (DCT) cells was significantly lower in Vpr Tg mice compared with WT mice (P < 0.05), and that in Vpr Tg mice, Slc12a3 expression was not different in DCT cell cluster. The Pvalb+ DCT1 subcluster had fewer cells in Vpr Tg mice compared with WT (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated fewer Slc12a3+ Pvalb+ DCT1 segments in Vpr Tg mice. Differential gene expression analysis comparing Vpr Tg and WT in the DCT cluster showed Ier3, an inhibitor of apoptosis, to be the most downregulated gene. These observations demonstrate that the salt-wasting effect of Vpr in Vpr Tg mice is mediated by loss of Slc12a3+ Pvalb+ DCT1 segments via apoptosis dysregulation.

HIV-1 Vpr suppresses expression of the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride co-transporter in the distal convoluted tubule.

HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) impairs functions of both glomeruli and tubules. Attention has been previously focused on the HIVAN glomerulopathy. Tubular injury has drawn increased attention because sodium wasting is common in hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients. We used viral protein R (Vpr)-transgenic mice to investigate the mechanisms whereby Vpr contributes to urinary sodium wasting. In phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase promoter-driven Vpr-transgenic mice, in situ hybridization showed that Vpr mRNA was expressed in all nephron segments, including the distal convoluted tubule. Vpr-transgenic mice, compared with wild-type littermates, markedly increased urinary sodium excretion, despite similar plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels. Kidneys from Vpr-transgenic mice also markedly reduced protein abundance of the Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC), while mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) protein expression level was unchanged. In African green monkey kidney cells, Vpr abrogated the aldosterone-mediated stimulation of MR transcriptional activity. Gene expression of Slc12a3 (NCC) in Vpr-transgenic mice was significantly lower compared with wild-type mice, assessed by both qRT-PCR and RNAScope in situ hybridization analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified multiple MR response elements (MRE), located from 5 kb upstream of the transcription start site and extending to the third exon of the SLC12A3 gene. Mutation of MRE and SP1 sites in the SLC12A3 promoter region abrogated the transcriptional responses to aldosterone and Vpr, indicating that functional MRE and SP1 are required for the SLC12A3 gene suppression in response to Vpr. Thus, Vpr attenuates MR transcriptional activity and inhibits Slc12a3 transcription in the distal convoluted tubule and contributes to salt wasting in Vpr-transgenic mice.

The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor AKAP13 (BRX) is essential for cardiac development in mice.

A fundamental biologic principle is that diverse biologic signals are channeled through shared signaling cascades to regulate development. Large scaffold proteins that bind multiple proteins are capable of coordinating shared signaling pathways to provide specificity to activation of key developmental genes. Although much is known about transcription factors and target genes that regulate cardiomyocyte differentiation, less is known about scaffold proteins that couple signals at the cell surface to differentiation factors in developing heart cells. Here we show that AKAP13 (also known as Brx-1, AKAP-Lbc, and proto-Lbc), a unique protein kinase A-anchoring protein (AKAP) guanine nucleotide exchange region belonging to the Dbl family of oncogenes, is essential for cardiac development. Cardiomyocytes of Akap13-null mice had deficient sarcomere formation, and developing hearts were thin-walled and mice died at embryonic day 10.5-11.0. Disruption of Akap13 was accompanied by reduced expression of Mef2C. Consistent with a role of AKAP13 upstream of MEF2C, Akap13 siRNA led to a reduction in Mef2C mRNA, and overexpression of AKAP13 augmented MEF2C-dependent reporter activity. The results suggest that AKAP13 coordinates Galpha(12) and Rho signaling to an essential transcription program in developing cardiomyocytes.

The Israeli study of Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine in pregnancy: considering maternal and neonatal benefits.

Pregnant patients with COVID-19 are more likely to require intensive care and die compared with noninfected pregnant women. While the consequences of COVID-19 disease in pregnancy prompted many health care organizations to support vaccination in pregnancy, vaccine effects for mother and infant remained unclear. In this issue of the JCI, Beharier and Mayo et al. explored maternal and neonatal responses to the Pfizer BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. The authors examined blood samples from women and cord blood of neonates following childbirth. Samples were stratified into three groups: vaccine recipients, unvaccinated participants with past positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and unvaccinated participants without prior infection. Vaccinated mothers and mothers with previous infection generated and transferred protective IgG antibodies across the placenta. This study provides evidence to support the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy with protection to the neonate against infection, outlining clear vaccine benefits for both maternal and child health.

Vaginal Microbiota and Cytokine Levels Predict Preterm Delivery in Asian Women.

Preterm birth (PTB) is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately half of PTBs is linked with microbial etiologies, including pathologic changes to the vaginal microbiota, which vary according to ethnicity. Globally more than 50% of PTBs occur in Asia, but studies of the vaginal microbiome and its association with pregnancy outcomes in Asian women are lacking. This study aimed to longitudinally analyzed the vaginal microbiome and cytokine environment of 18 Karen and Burman pregnant women who delivered preterm and 36 matched controls delivering at full term. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing we identified a predictive vaginal microbiota signature for PTB that was detectable as early as the first trimester of pregnancy, characterized by higher levels of Prevotella buccalis, and lower levels of Lactobacillus crispatus and Finegoldia, accompanied by decreased levels of cytokines including IFNγ, IL-4, and TNFα. Differences in the vaginal microbial diversity and local vaginal immune environment were associated with greater risk of preterm birth. Our findings highlight new opportunities to predict PTB in Asian women in low-resource settings who are at highest risk of adverse outcomes from unexpected PTB, as well as in Burman/Karen ethnic minority groups in high-resource regions.

Chrousos syndrome: a seminal report, a phylogenetic enigma and the clinical implications of glucocorticoid signalling changes.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids regulate a broad spectrum of physiologic functions and play important roles in resting and stress homeostasis. Their actions are mediated by the nuclear glucocorticoid receptor (GR). DESIGN: Using a patient as a stimulus, we reviewed briefly the area of Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance in man and nonhuman primates. RESULTS: In man, Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance is a rare sporadic or familial syndrome characterized by target-tissue insensitivity to glucocorticoids and compensatory elevations in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to increased secretion of cortisol and adrenal steroids with mineralocorticoid and/or androgenic activity, and causing hypermineralocorticoidism and hyperandrogenism without Cushing stigmata. The presentation, diagnosis and therapy of this condition are summarized. Many or, most likely, all New World primates have markedly elevated cortisol and ACTH, and resistance to dexamethasone suppression, without any pathology. These primates in fact have 'pan-steroid/sterol' resistance, including all five steroid hormones and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D. In humans, the molecular basis of Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance has been mainly ascribed to recent mutations in the GR gene, which impair glucocorticoid signal transduction. In contrast, in the primates, steroid/sterol signalling systems have adapted under yet unknown selective pressures or genetic drift over many million years. Of course, other molecules of the signaling pathways may also be involved in both states. There are now a host of human states associated with tissue-specific pathologic glucocorticoid target tissue changes. These include allergic, autoimmune, inflammatory and lymphoproliferative disorders. CONCLUSIONS: In recognition of Professor George P. Chrousos' extensive ground-breaking research in this field, and for the sake of brevity, we propose that 'Chrousos syndrome' is used instead of 'Primary Generalized Familial or Sporadic Glucocorticoid Resistance'.

Circadian rhythm transcription factor CLOCK regulates the transcriptional activity of the glucocorticoid receptor by acetylating its hinge region lysine cluster: potential physiological implications.

Glucocorticoids, end products of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, influence functions of virtually all organs and tissues through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Circulating levels of glucocorticoids fluctuate naturally in a circadian fashion and regulate the transcriptional activity of GR in target tissues. The basic helix-loop-helix protein CLOCK, a histone acetyltransferase (HAT), and its heterodimer partner BMAL1 are self-oscillating transcription factors that generate circadian rhythms in both the central nervous system and periphery. We found that CLOCK/BMAL1 repressed GR-induced transcriptional activity in a HAT-activity- dependent fashion. In serum-shock-synchronized cells, transactivational activity of GR, accessed by mRNA expression of an endogenous-responsive gene, fluctuated spontaneously in a circadian fashion in reverse phase with CLOCK/BMAL1 mRNA expression. CLOCK and GR interacted with each other physically, and CLOCK suppressed binding of GR to its DNA recognition sequences by acetylating multiple lysine residues located in its hinge region. These findings indicate that CLOCK/BMAL1 functions as a reverse-phase negative regulator of glucocorticoid action in target tissues, possibly by antagonizing biological actions of diurnally fluctuating circulating glucocorticoids. Further, these results suggest that a peripheral target tissue circadian rhythm indirectly influences the functions of every organ and tissue inside the body through modulation of the ubiquitous and diverse actions of glucocorticoids.

G protein beta interacts with the glucocorticoid receptor and suppresses its transcriptional activity in the nucleus.

Extracellular stimuli that activate cell surface receptors modulate glucocorticoid actions via as yet unclear mechanisms. Here, we report that the guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor-activated WD-repeat Gbeta interacts with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), comigrates with it into the nucleus and suppresses GR-induced transactivation of the glucocorticoid-responsive genes. Association of Ggamma with Gbeta is necessary for this action of Gbeta. Both endogenous and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-fused Gbeta2 and Ggamma2 proteins were detected in the nucleus at baseline, whereas a fraction of EGFP-Gbeta2 and DsRed2-GR comigrated to the nucleus or the plasma membrane, depending on the exposure of cells to dexamethasone or somatostatin, respectively. Gbeta2 was associated with GR/glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) in vivo and suppressed activation function-2-directed transcriptional activity of the GR. We conclude that the Gbetagamma complex interacts with the GR and suppresses its transcriptional activity by associating with the transcriptional complex formed on GR-responsive promoters.

Human glucocorticoid receptor isoform beta: recent understanding of its potential implications in physiology and pathophysiology.

The human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene expresses two splicing isoforms alpha and beta through alternative use of specific exons 9alpha and 9beta. In contrast to the classic receptor GRalpha, which mediates most of the known actions of glucocorticoids, the functions of GRbeta have been largely unexplored. Owing to newly developed methods, for example microarrays and the jellyfish fluorescence proteins, we and others have recently revealed novel functions of GRbeta. Indeed, this enigmatic GR isoform influences positively and negatively the transcriptional activity of large subsets of genes, most of which are not responsive to glucocorticoids, in addition to its well-known dominant negative effect against GRalpha-mediated transcriptional activity. A recent report suggested that the "ligand-binding domain" of GRbeta is active, forming a functional ligand-binding pocket associated with the synthetic compound RU 486. In this review, we discuss the functions of GRbeta, its mechanisms of action, and its pathologic implications.

The alkalizer citrate reduces serum uric Acid levels and improves renal function in hyperuricemic patients treated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperuricemia, an integral component of metabolic syndrome, is a major health problem causing gout and renal damage. Urine alkalizers such as citrate preparations facilitate renal excretion of the uric acid, but its supportive effect on xanthine oxidase inhibitors has not been tested yet. We performed a randomized, prospective study of the effect of a combination of allopurinol and a citrate preparation on renal function in patients with hyperuricemia, employing 70 patients who had hyperuricemia with serum uric acid levels ≥7.0 mg/dL, or those diagnosed as having hyperuricemia in the past. METHODS: They were randomly enrolled into two study groups: the allopurinol monotherapy (MT) group or combination treatment (CT) group with allopurinol and a citrate preparation. Allopurinol (100-200 mg/day) in the absence or presence of a citrate preparation (3 g/day) was administered for 12 weeks and levels of serum uric acid, its urinary clearance (Cua), and the renal glomerular filtration rates assessed with the creatinine clearance (Ccr) were evaluated before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Serum levels of uric acid decreased significantly in both groups, whereas the change observed was much greater in CT group. Cua was significantly increased in CT group but not in MT group. Ccr was not altered in both groups in general, whereas it was significantly increased in a fraction of CT group with decreased renal function. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an additional use of citrate preparations with xanthine oxidase inhibitors is beneficial for patients with hyperuricemia, reducing circulating uric acid and improving their glomerular filtration rates.

C2H2-Type Zinc Finger Proteins in Brain Development, Neurodevelopmental, and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Systematic Literature-Based Analysis.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are multifaceted pathologic conditions manifested with intellectual disability, autistic features, psychiatric problems, motor dysfunction, and/or genetic/chromosomal abnormalities. They are associated with skewed neurogenesis and brain development, in part through dysfunction of the neural stem cells (NSCs) where abnormal transcriptional regulation on key genes play significant roles. Recent accumulated evidence highlights C2H2-type zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZNFs), the largest transcription factor family in humans, as important targets for the pathologic processes associated with NDDs. In this review, we identified their significant accumulation (74 C2H2-ZNFs: ~10% of all human member proteins) in brain physiology and pathology. Specifically, we discuss their physiologic contribution to brain development, particularly focusing on their actions in NSCs. We then explain their pathologic implications in various forms of NDDs, such as morphological brain abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, and psychiatric disorders. We found an important tendency that poly-ZNFs and KRAB-ZNFs tend to be involved in the diseases that compromise gross brain structure and human-specific higher-order functions, respectively. This may be consistent with their characteristic appearance in the course of species evolution and corresponding contribution to these brain activities.

A Neutrophil-Driven Inflammatory Signature Characterizes the Blood Transcriptome Fingerprint of Psoriasis.

Transcriptome profiling approaches have been widely used to investigate the mechanisms underlying psoriasis pathogenesis. Most researchers have measured changes in transcript abundance in skin biopsies; relatively few have examined transcriptome changes in the blood. Although less relevant to the study of psoriasis pathogenesis, blood transcriptome profiles can be readily compared across various diseases. Here, we used a pre-established set of 382 transcriptional modules as a common framework to compare changes in blood transcript abundance in two independent public psoriasis datasets. We then compared the resulting "transcriptional fingerprints" to those obtained for a reference set of 16 pathological or physiological states. The perturbations in blood transcript abundance in psoriasis were relatively subtle compared to the changes we observed in other autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases. However, we did observe a consistent pattern of changes for a set of modules associated with neutrophil activation and inflammation; interestingly, this pattern resembled that observed in patients with Kawasaki disease. This similarity between the blood-transcriptome signatures in psoriasis and Kawasaki disease suggests that the immune mechanisms driving their pathogenesis might be partially shared.

Cohort profile: molecular signature in pregnancy (MSP): longitudinal high-frequency sampling to characterise cross-omic trajectories in pregnancy in a resource-constrained setting.

PURPOSE: A successful pregnancy relies on the interplay of various biological systems. Deviations from the norm within a system or intersystemic interactions may result in pregnancy-associated complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Systems biology approaches provide an avenue of unbiased, in-depth phenotyping in health and disease. The molecular signature in pregnancy (MSP) cohort was established to characterise longitudinal, cross-omic trajectories in pregnant women from a resource constrained setting. Downstream analysis will focus on characterising physiological perturbations in uneventful pregnancies, pregnancy-associated complications and adverse outcomes. PARTICIPANTS: First trimester pregnant women of Karen or Burman ethnicity were followed prospectively throughout pregnancy, at delivery and until 3 months post partum. Serial high-frequency sampling to assess whole blood transcriptomics and microbiome composition of the gut, vagina and oral cavity, in conjunction with assessment of gene expression and microbial colonisation of gestational tissue, was done for all cohort participants. FINDINGS TO DATE: 381 women with live born singletons averaged 16 (IQR 15-18) antenatal visits (13 094 biological samples were collected). At 5% (19/381) the preterm birth rate was low. Other adverse events such as maternal febrile illness 7.1% (27/381), gestational diabetes 13.1% (50/381), maternal anaemia 16.3% (62/381), maternal underweight 19.2% (73/381) and a neonate born small for gestational age 20.2% (77/381) were more often observed than preterm birth. FUTURE PLANS: Results from the MSP cohort will enable in-depth characterisation of cross-omic molecular trajectories in pregnancies from a population in a resource-constrained setting. Moreover, pregnancy-associated complications and unfavourable pregnancy outcomes will be investigated at the same granular level, with a particular focus on population relevant needs such as effect of tropical infections on pregnancy. More detailed knowledge on multiomic perturbations will ideally result in the development of diagnostic tools and ultimately lead to targeted interventions that may disproportionally benefit pregnant women from this resource-limited population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02797327.