Leptospirosis: A dual threat - predisposing risk for renal transplant and trigger for renal transplant dysfunction.

Leptospirosis (LTPS) is a bacterial infection that affects humans, often with mild or no symptoms. It is estimated that approximately 10 % of patients with LTPS may experience multi-organ dysfunction, including renal abnormalities. In regions where LTPS is widespread, a considerable number of instances involving acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown etiology (CKDu) have been reported. Additionally, studies have shown a correlation between kidney graft dysfunction in patients with stable kidney transplants after LTPS. These findings indicate that exposure to LTPS may increase the likelihood of kidney transplantation due to the onset of both acute and chronic kidney injuries. Simultaneously, it poses a potential risk to the stability of kidney grafts. Unfortunately, there is limited scientific literature addressing this issue, making it difficult to determine the negative impact that LTPS may have, such as its role as a risk factor for the need of kidney transplantation or as a threat to individuals who have undergone kidney transplants. This study aims to shed light on the immune mechanisms triggered during LTPS infection and their importance in both kidney damage and allograft dysfunction.

The interplay between pathogen-associated and danger-associated molecular patterns: an inflammatory code in cancer?

There is increasing evidence of a close link between inflammation and cancer, and at the core of inflammation there are both pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger (or damage)-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Microorganisms harbor molecules structurally conserved within groups called PAMPs that are recognized by specific receptors present on immune cells, such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs); these are the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Activation through different PRRs leads to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. A robust immune response also requires the presence of endogenous molecules that pose 'danger' to self-tissues and are produced by damaged or stressed cells; these are the DAMPs, which act also as inducers of inflammation. PAMPs and DAMPs are each recognized by a limited set of receptors that in number probably do not exceed 100. PAMPs and DAMPs interact with each other, and a single PRR can bind to a PAMP as well as a DAMP. Within this framework, we propose that PAMPs and DAMPs act in synchrony, modifying the activation threshold of one another. Thus, the range of PAMP-DAMP partnerships defines the course of inflammation, in a predictable manner, in an 'inflammatory code'. The definition of relevant PAMP-DAMP complexes is important for the understanding of inflammatory disorders in general, and of cancer in particular. Here, we review relevant findings that support the notion of a PAMP-DAMP-based inflammatory code, with emphasis on cancer immunology and immunotherapy.

Specific detection of naturally occurring hepatitis C virus mutants with resistance to telaprevir and boceprevir (protease inhibitors) among treatment-naïve infected individuals.

The use of telaprevir and boceprevir, both protease inhibitors (PI), as part of the specifically targeted antiviral therapy for hepatitis C (STAT-C) has significantly improved sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. However, different clinical studies have also identified several mutations associated with viral resistance to both PIs. In the absence of selective pressure, drug-resistant hepatitis C virus (HCV) mutants are generally present at low frequency, making mutation detection challenging. Here, we describe a mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) PCR method for the specific detection of naturally occurring drug-resistant HCV mutants. MAMA PCR successfully identified the corresponding HCV variants, while conventional methods such as direct sequencing, endpoint limiting dilution (EPLD), and bacterial cloning were not sensitive enough to detect circulating drug-resistant mutants in clinical specimens. Ultradeep pyrosequencing was used to confirm the presence of the corresponding HCV mutants. In treatment-naïve patients, the frequency of all resistant variants was below 1%. Deep amplicon sequencing allowed a detailed analysis of the structure of the viral population among these patients, showing that the evolution of the NS3 is limited to a rather small sequence space. Monitoring of HCV drug resistance before and during treatment is likely to provide important information for management of patients undergoing anti-HCV therapy.

Identification of hepatitis C virus transmission using a next-generation sequencing approach.

Here, we describe a transmission event of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among injection drug users. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to assess the intrahost viral genetic variation. Deep amplicon sequencing of HCV hypervariable region 1 allowed for a detailed analysis of the structure of the viral population. Establishment of the genetic relatedness between cases was accomplished by phylogenetic analysis. NGS is a powerful tool with applications in molecular epidemiology studies and outbreak investigations.

Interleukin-28B genotyping by melt-mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917, a useful tool for prediction of therapy response in hepatitis C patients.

Several studies have identified associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occurring near the interleukin-28B (IL-28B) gene and response to antiviral treatment among hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. Here, we describe a reliable melt-mismatch amplification mutation assay (melt-MAMA) PCR-based genotyping method for IL-28B which can be used in the management of HCV patients, helping to better define the course of therapy.

Molecular epidemiology of autochthonous dengue virus strains circulating in Mexico.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most important arthropod-borne viral infection in humans. Here, the genetic relatedness among autochthonous DENV Mexican isolates was assessed. Phylogenetic and median-joining network analyses showed that viral strains recovered from different geographic locations are genetically related and relatively homogeneous, exhibiting limited nucleotide diversity.

Self-Assembling Peptides as an Emerging Platform for the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of comorbidities that represent a major risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. Alarmingly, metabolic syndrome reaches epidemic proportions worldwide. Today, lifestyle changes and multiple drug-based therapies represent the gold standard to address metabolic syndrome. However, such approaches face two major limitations: complicated drug therapeutic regimes, which in most cases could lead to patient incompliance, and limited drug efficacy. This has encouraged scientists to search for novel routes to deal with metabolic syndrome and related diseases. Within such approaches, self-assembled peptide formulations have emerged as a promising alternative for treating metabolic syndrome. In particular, self-assembled peptide hydrogels, either as acellular or cell-load three-dimensional scaffoldings have reached significant relevance in the biomedical field to prevent and restore euglycemia, as well as for controlling cardiovascular diseases and obesity. This has been possible thanks to the physicochemical tunability of peptides, which are developed from a chemical toolbox of versatile amino acids enabling flexibility of designing a wide range of self-assembled/co-assembled nanostructures forming biocompatible viscoelastic hydrogels. Peptide hydrogels can be combined with several biological entities, such as extracellular matrix proteins, drugs or cells, forming functional biologics with therapeutic ability for treatment of metabolic syndrome-comorbidities. Additionally, self-assembly peptides combine safety, tolerability, and effectivity attributes; by this presenting a promising platform for the development of novel pharmaceuticals capable of addressing unmet therapeutic needs for diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and obesity. In this review, recent advances in developing self-assembly peptide nanostructures tailored for improving treatment of metabolic syndrome and related diseases will be discussed from basic research to preclinical research studies. Challenges facing the development of approved medicinal products based on self-assembling peptide nanomaterials will be discussed in light of regulatory requirement for clinical authorization.