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1.
Nat Immunol ; 18(11): 1197-1206, 2017 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28920951

RESUMO

Activated natural killer (NK) cells engage in a robust metabolic response that is required for normal effector function. Using genetic, pharmacological and metabolic analyses, we demonstrated an essential role for Srebp transcription factors in cytokine-induced metabolic reprogramming of NK cells that was independent of their conventional role in the control of lipid synthesis. Srebp was required for elevated glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation and promoted a distinct metabolic pathway configuration in which glucose was metabolized to cytosolic citrate via the citrate-malate shuttle. Preventing the activation of Srebp or direct inhibition of the citrate-malate shuttle inhibited production of interferon-γ and NK cell cytotoxicity. Thus, Srebp controls glucose metabolism in NK cells, and this Srebp-dependent regulation is critical for NK cell effector function.


Assuntos
Glucose/metabolismo , Glicólise , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Proteína de Ligação a Elemento Regulador de Esterol 1/metabolismo , Proteína de Ligação a Elemento Regulador de Esterol 2/metabolismo , Animais , Proliferação de Células , Citocinas/metabolismo , Citometria de Fluxo , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Lipídeos/biossíntese , Fosforilação Oxidativa , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/metabolismo
2.
Nat Immunol ; 20(12): 1561-1563, 2019 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31659329
3.
Biochemistry ; 63(6): 733-742, 2024 Mar 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38437583

RESUMO

Photinus pyralis luciferase (FLuc) has proven a valuable tool for bioluminescence imaging, but much of the light emitted from the native enzyme is absorbed by endogenous biomolecules. Thus, luciferases displaying red-shifted emission enable higher resolution during deep-tissue imaging. A robust model of how protein structure determines emission color would greatly aid the engineering of red-shifted mutants, but no consensus has been reached to date. In this work, we applied deep mutational scanning to systematically assess 20 functionally important amino acid positions on FLuc for red-shifting mutations, predicting that an unbiased approach would enable novel contributions to this debate. We report dozens of red-shifting mutations as a result, a large majority of which have not been previously identified. Further characterization revealed that mutations N229T and T352M, in particular, bring about unimodal emission with the majority of photons being >600 nm. The red-shifting mutations identified by this high-throughput approach provide strong biochemical evidence for the multiple-emitter mechanism of color determination and point to the importance of a water network in the enzyme binding pocket for altering the emitter ratio. This work provides a broadly applicable mutational data set tying FLuc structure to emission color that contributes to our mechanistic understanding of emission color determination and should facilitate further engineering of improved probes for deep-tissue imaging.


Assuntos
Vaga-Lumes , Luciferases de Vaga-Lume , Animais , Luciferases de Vaga-Lume/química , Cinética , Luciferases/metabolismo , Vaga-Lumes/genética , Mutação , Medições Luminescentes/métodos
4.
Clin Exp Immunol ; 2024 Jul 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38953458

RESUMO

The recent pandemic was caused by the emergence of a new human pathogen, SARS-CoV-2. While the rapid development of many vaccines provided an end to the immediate crisis, there remains an urgent need to understand more about this new virus and what constitutes a beneficial immune response in terms of successful resolution of infection. Indeed, this is key for development of vaccines that provide long lasting protective immunity. The interferon lambda (IFNL) family of cytokines are produced early in response to infection and are generally considered anti-viral and beneficial. However, data regarding production of IFNL cytokines in COVID-19 patients is highly variable, and generally from underpowered studies. In this study, we measured all three IFNL1, IFNL2 and IFNL3 cytokines in plasma from a well characterised, large COVID-19 cohort (n=399) that included good representation from patients with a more indolent disease progression, and hence a beneficial immune response. While all three cytokines were produced, they differed in both the frequency of expression in patients, and the levels produced. IFNL3 was produced in almost all patients but neither protein level nor IFNL3/IFNL4 SNPs were associated with clinical outcome. In contrast, both IFNL1 and IFNL2 levels were significantly lower, or absent, in plasma of patients that had a more severe disease outcome. These data are consistent with the concept that early IFNL1 and IFNL2 cytokine production is protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

5.
Chembiochem ; 24(6): e202200726, 2023 03 14.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36592373

RESUMO

Engineered luciferase-luciferin pairs have expanded the number of cellular targets that can be visualized in tandem. While light production relies on selective processing of synthetic luciferins by mutant luciferases, little is known about the origin of selectivity. The development of new and improved pairs requires a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of bioluminescent probes. In this work, we report a biochemical approach to assessing and optimizing two popular bioluminescent pairs: Cashew/d-luc and Pecan/4'-BrLuc. Single mutants derived from Cashew and Pecan revealed key residues for selectivity and thermal stability. Stability was further improved through a rational addition of beneficial residues. In addition to providing increased stability, the known stabilizing mutations surprisingly also improved selectivity. The resultant improved pair of luciferases are >100-fold selective for their respective substrates and highly thermally stable. Collectively, this work highlights the importance of mechanistic insight for improving bioluminescent pairs and provides significantly improved Cashew and Pecan enzymes which should be immediately suitable for multicomponent imaging applications.


Assuntos
Luciferina de Vaga-Lumes , Medições Luminescentes , Luciferina de Vaga-Lumes/química , Medições Luminescentes/métodos , Luciferases/genética , Luciferases/química , Luciferinas , Mutação
6.
Ophthalmology ; 130(4): 387-393, 2023 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36332841

RESUMO

PURPOSE: To evaluate the completeness of conflict-of-interest self-reporting by ophthalmology researchers and to assess factors associated with self-reporting. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS: We evaluated articles published between January and June 2017 in Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. To assess more accurately the cases in which an author published multiple articles, we defined a unit of analysis, authorship, for which each author of each article is a unique data point. To enable comparison with the Open Payments Database (OPD), we only included United States physician authorships. METHODS: For each authorship, we defined self-reported relationships as the companies listed in the article's conflict-of-interest disclosures. Based on journal policies, we defined OPD-reported relationships as the list of companies that reported payments to the author within 36 months before submission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For each authorship, we assessed the proportion of OPD-reported relationships that were self-reported. The primary measurement was the proportion of authorships reporting none of their OPD-reported relationships. RESULTS: Of the 660 total authorships (486 unique authors), 413 authorships (63%) reported none of their OPD-reported relationships, 112 (17%) reported some of them, 9 (1%) reported all of them, and 126 (19%) had 0 relationships. The proportion of authorships reporting none of their relationships did not differ significantly between journals that required reporting of all relationships compared with journals that required reporting only of relevant relationships (adjusted percentage, 61.4% vs. 64.3%; P = 0.46). Authorships with more dollars received during the reporting period showed higher rates of self-reporting (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even among journals that required complete reporting, self-reporting was low compared with an industry-maintained database of financial relationships. Deficiencies in reporting may undermine confidence in self-reporting and may compromise the transparency that is needed to interpret research results fairly. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.


Assuntos
Conflito de Interesses , Oftalmologia , Humanos , Estados Unidos , Estudos Transversais , Revelação , Bases de Dados Factuais , Autoria
7.
Intern Med J ; 53(6): 1042-1049, 2023 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37323107

RESUMO

As health care continues to change and evolve in a digital society, there is an escalating need for physicians who are skilled and enabled to deliver care using digital health technologies, while remaining able to successfully broker the triadic relationship among patients, computers and themselves. The focus needs to remain firmly on how technology can be leveraged and used to support good medical practice and quality health care, particularly around resolution of longstanding challenges in health care delivery, including equitable access in rural and remote areas, closing the gap on health outcomes and experiences for First Nations peoples and better support in aged care and those living with chronic disease and disability. We propose a set of requisite digital health competencies and recommend that the acquisition and evaluation of these competencies become embedded in physician training curricula and continuing professional development programmes.


Assuntos
Médicos , Humanos , Idoso , Atenção à Saúde , Currículo
8.
Dyslexia ; 29(1): 22-39, 2023 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36401356

RESUMO

Accelerated reader (AR) is a computerized reading program commonly used in schools. The program aims to enhance students' reading achievement and encourage students to read more through goal setting and frequent reading practice. A meta-analytic review of the AR was conducted to analyse its effectiveness as an evidence-based intervention for improving student reading achievement, attitude, and motivation. This study investigated potential moderating variables, including publication type, participant, and study characteristics that impact student reading outcomes. A total of 44 studies from peer-reviewed journal articles and dissertations met the inclusion criteria. Participants included 16,653 students enrolled in elementary, middle, and high school. Hedges' g effect sizes measures suggest pretest-posttest one-group AR studies have moderate effects (g = 0.541) while comparison group AR studies have marginal effects (g = 0.278). A meta-regression model of six potential categorical moderators of comparison group studies indicted no significant moderators. Implications and the need for further research regarding evidence-based and culturally appropriate reading interventions are discussed.


Assuntos
Sucesso Acadêmico , Dislexia , Humanos , Criança , Leitura , Estudantes , Instituições Acadêmicas
9.
Eur J Immunol ; 51(1): 91-102, 2021 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32946110

RESUMO

Cellular metabolism is dynamically regulated in NK cells and strongly influences their responses. Metabolic dysfunction is linked to defective NK cell responses in diseases such as obesity and cancer. The transcription factors, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) and cMyc, are crucial for controlling NK cell metabolic and functional responses, though the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study reveals a new role for SREBP in NK cells in supporting de novo polyamine synthesis through facilitating elevated cMyc expression. Polyamines have diverse roles and their de novo synthesis is required for NK cell glycolytic and oxidative metabolism and to support optimal NK cell effector functions. When NK cells with impaired SREBP activity were supplemented with exogenous polyamines, NK cell metabolic defects were not rescued but these NK cells displayed significant improvement in some effector functions. One role for polyamines is in the control of protein translation where spermidine supports the posttranslational hypusination of translation factor eIF5a. Pharmacological inhibition of hypusination also impacts upon NK cell metabolism and effector function. Considering recent evidence that cholesterol-rich tumor microenvironments inhibit SREBP activation and drive lymphocyte dysfunction, this study provides key mechanistic insight into this tumor-evasion strategy.


Assuntos
Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Poliaminas/metabolismo , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Glicólise , Células Matadoras Naturais/efeitos dos fármacos , Lisina/análogos & derivados , Lisina/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Fosforilação Oxidativa , Fatores de Iniciação de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Poliaminas/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-myc/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-myc/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a Elemento Regulador de Esterol/deficiência , Proteínas de Ligação a Elemento Regulador de Esterol/metabolismo , Fator de Iniciação de Tradução Eucariótico 5A
10.
South Med J ; 115(8): 603-610, 2022 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35922046

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Medicaid recipients are vulnerable to increased morbidity and mortality secondary to high tobacco use prevalence and barriers to accessing tobacco treatment. The purpose of the pilot study was to explore managed care administrators' perceptions of the facilitators and barriers to tobacco treatment for Medicaid recipients. METHODS: Focus groups with key informants (n = 14) from managed care organizations were conducted in fall 2018. Participants included case, integrated care, quality and field care managers, and individuals working in provider and network relations. RESULTS: Facilitators to tobacco treatment were universal quality reporting requirements, access to medications, and the role of case management in identifying and engaging tobacco users in treatment. Barriers included bias regarding smokers' ability to quit, communication challenges, and competing priorities. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis provided data to support the development of a policy brief and recommendations to the Department for Medicaid Services for enhancing tobacco dependence treatment.


Assuntos
Medicaid , Nicotiana , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Projetos Piloto , Uso de Tabaco , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia
11.
Vet Anaesth Analg ; 49(6): 536-545, 2022 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36031557

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To compare dexmedetomidine and fentanyl constant rate infusions in anesthetic protocols for septic dogs with pyometra, using microcirculatory, hemodynamic and metabolic variables. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical study. ANIMALS: A total of 33 dogs with pyometra with two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome variables undergoing ovariohysterectomy. METHODS: Dogs were randomized into two groups: group DG, dexmedetomidine (3 µg kg-1 hour-1; 17 dogs) and group FG, fentanyl (5 µg kg-1 hour-1; 16 dogs) infused during isoflurane anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Microcirculation flow index (MFI), total vessel density and De Backer score were assessed using orthogonal polarization spectral imaging at the sublingual site. Heart rate, invasive blood pressure, temperature, arterial blood gas analysis and lactate concentration were obtained at various time points. Variables were recorded at baseline (BL), immediately before (T0), 30 (T30) and 60 (T60) minutes after infusion, and 60 minutes after surgery. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. To compare variables between groups, the unpaired Student t test was used. Comparison between evaluation time points was performed with two-way anova for repeated measures. Where statistical significance was detected, the Bonferroni post hoc test was used. RESULTS: MFI was significantly higher in group FG at T30. Mean arterial pressure at T30 was higher in group DG (89 ± 15 mmHg) than in group FG (72 ± 13 mmHg). Lactate concentrations were not significantly different between groups at each time point. Both groups had similar clinical outcomes (mortality, extubation time and occurrence of hypotension and bradyarrhythmias). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dexmedetomidine (3 µg kg-1 hour-1) without a loading dose can be included in the maintenance of anesthesia in dogs with pyometra and sepsis without compromising microcirculation and hemodynamic values when compared with fentanyl (5 µg kg-1 hour-1).


Assuntos
Anestesia , Anestésicos Inalatórios , Dexmedetomidina , Doenças do Cão , Isoflurano , Piometra , Sepse , Feminino , Cães , Animais , Microcirculação , Piometra/veterinária , Fentanila , Anestesia/veterinária , Sepse/veterinária , Lactatos , Doenças do Cão/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças do Cão/cirurgia
12.
J Immunol ; 200(12): 3934-3941, 2018 06 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29720425

RESUMO

Cytokines stimulate rapid metabolic changes in human NK cells, including increases in both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. However, how these are subsequently regulated is not known. In this study, we demonstrate that TGF-ß can inhibit many of these metabolic changes, including oxidative phosphorylation, glycolytic capacity, and respiratory capacity. TGF-ß also inhibited cytokine-induced expression of the transferrin nutrient receptor CD71. In contrast to a recent report on murine NK cells, TGF-ß-mediated suppression of these metabolic responses did not involve the inhibition of the metabolic regulator mTORC1. Inhibition of the canonical TGF-ß signaling pathway was able to restore almost all metabolic and functional responses that were inhibited by TGF-ß. These data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of TGF-ß could provide a metabolic advantage to NK cells that is likely to result in improved functional responses. This has important implications for NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies.


Assuntos
Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/imunologia , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/imunologia , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Citocinas/imunologia , Citocinas/metabolismo , Humanos , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina/imunologia , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina/metabolismo , Fosforilação Oxidativa
13.
Semin Immunol ; 28(4): 343-50, 2016 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26979658

RESUMO

Immunological memory mediated by antigen-specific T and B cells is the foundation of adaptive immunity and is fundamental to the heightened and rapid protective immune response induced by vaccination or following re-infection with the same pathogen. While the innate immune system has classically been considered to be non-specific and devoid of memory, it now appears that it can be trained following exposure to microbes or their products and that this may confer a form of memory on innate immune cells. The evidence for immunological memory outside of T and B cells has been best established for natural killer (NK) cells, where it has been known for decades that NK cells have heighten responses following immunological re-challenge. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that monocyte/macrophages, and probably dendritic cells, can be re-programmed through epigenetic modification, following exposure to pathogens or their products, resulting in heighted responses following a second stimulation. Unlike antigen-specific memory of the adaptive immune system, the second stimulation does not have to be with the same pathogen or antigen. Indirect evidence for this comes from reports on the non-specific beneficial effect of certain live vaccines, such as Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) against unrelated childhood infectious diseases. It also appears that certain pathogen or pathogen-derived molecules can prime immune cells, especially macrophages, to secrete more anti-inflammatory and less pro-inflammatory cyokines, thus opening up the possibility of exploiting innate immune training as a new therapeutic approach for inflammatory diseases.


Assuntos
Doenças Transmissíveis/imunologia , Imunidade Inata , Memória Imunológica , Inflamação/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Monócitos/imunologia , Imunidade Adaptativa , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Reprogramação Celular , Doenças Transmissíveis/terapia , Epigênese Genética , Humanos , Células Matadoras Naturais/virologia , Moléculas com Motivos Associados a Patógenos/imunologia
14.
J Immunol ; 196(6): 2552-60, 2016 Mar 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26873994

RESUMO

Human NK cells can be classified into phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets based on levels of CD56 receptor. CD56(dim) cells are generally considered more cytotoxic, whereas the CD56(bright) cells are potent producers of IFN-γ. In this study, we define the metabolic changes that occur in peripheral blood NK cells in response to cytokine. Metabolic analysis showed that NK cells upregulate glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in response to either IL-2 or IL-12/15 cytokine combinations. Despite the fact that both these cytokine combinations robustly upregulated mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 in human NK cells, only the IL-2-induced metabolic changes were sensitive to mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 inhibition by rapamycin. Interestingly, we found that CD56(bright) cells were more metabolically active compared with CD56(dim) cells. They preferentially upregulated nutrient receptors and also differed substantially in terms of their glucose metabolism. CD56(bright) cells expressed high levels of the glucose uptake receptor, Glut1 (in the absence of any cytokine), and had higher rates of glucose uptake compared with CD56(dim) cells. Elevated levels of oxidative phosphorylation were required to support both cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production in all NK cells. Finally, although elevated glycolysis was not required directly for NK cell degranulation, limiting the rate of glycolysis significantly impaired IFN-γ production by the CD56(bright) subset of cells. Overall, we have defined CD56(bright) NK cells to be more metabolically active than CD56(dim) cells, which supports their production of large amounts of IFN-γ during an immune response.


Assuntos
Interferon gama/biossíntese , Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Subpopulações de Linfócitos/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos/metabolismo , Antígeno CD56/biossíntese , Antígeno CD56/imunologia , Citometria de Fluxo , Glicólise/imunologia , Humanos
16.
J Nutr ; 146(9): 1801-6, 2016 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27489009

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Changes in tryptophan metabolism through the vitamin B-6-dependent kynurenine pathway have been linked to activation of the immune system. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that blood concentrations of tryptophan and its catabolites were associated with biomarkers relevant to inflammatory processes in healthy noninflamed subjects. METHODS: Healthy young adults (n = 737) aged 18-28 y without any known diseases or clinical evidence of inflammation provided blood samples for analysis of serum tryptophan/kynurenine metabolites, neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) with LC-tandem mass spectrometry methodologies. A panel of cytokines was measured in serum by using high-sensitivity ELISA assays. Anthropometric and lifestyle data were collected by questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis to determine the effect of measured serum cytokine concentrations as predictors of tryptophan metabolites was performed on inverse normal-rank transformations of the data, adjusted for sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, and contraceptive use in women. RESULTS: Median serum CRP and neopterin concentrations were well below established clinical cutoffs for inflammation. We observed significant positive associations between serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and serum kynurenine (P = 0.0002), the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio (KTR) (P = 0.003), 3-hydroxykynurenine (P = 0.01), and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (P = 0.04). Serum neopterin was positively associated with kynurenine, the KTR (both P < 0.0001), and anthranilic acid (P = 0.004), and was negatively associated with serum tryptophan (P = 0.01) and PLP (P < 0.0001). Serum tumor necrosis factor α was also negatively associated with tryptophan (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy young adults with no apparent inflammatory conditions, serum tryptophan metabolites are significantly associated with key immune system biomarkers. The observed association between IL-10 and kynurenine is unexpected and suggests that kynurenine-linked mechanisms promoting negative regulation of inflammatory responses are associated with normal immune homeostasis.


Assuntos
Biomarcadores/sangue , Interleucina-10/sangue , Neopterina/sangue , Triptofano/sangue , Ácido 3-Hidroxiantranílico/metabolismo , Adolescente , Adulto , Índice de Massa Corporal , Proteína C-Reativa/metabolismo , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Inflamação/sangue , Cinurenina/análogos & derivados , Cinurenina/sangue , Modelos Lineares , Masculino , Fosfato de Piridoxal/sangue , Inquéritos e Questionários , Triptofano/metabolismo , Vitamina B 6/sangue , Adulto Jovem , ortoaminobenzoatos/sangue
17.
J Immunol ; 193(9): 4477-84, 2014 Nov 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25261477

RESUMO

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a key regulator of cellular metabolism and also has fundamental roles in controlling immune responses. Emerging evidence suggests that these two functions of mTORC1 are integrally linked. However, little is known regarding mTORC1 function in controlling the metabolism and function of NK cells, lymphocytes that play key roles in antiviral and antitumor immunity. This study investigated the hypothesis that mTORC1-controlled metabolism underpins normal NK cell proinflammatory function. We demonstrate that mTORC1 is robustly stimulated in NK cells activated in vivo and in vitro. This mTORC1 activity is required for the production of the key NK cell effector molecules IFN-γ, which is important in delivering antimicrobial and immunoregulatory functions, and granzyme B, a critical component of NK cell cytotoxic granules. The data reveal that NK cells undergo dramatic metabolic reprogramming upon activation, upregulating rates of glucose uptake and glycolysis, and that mTORC1 activity is essential for attaining this elevated glycolytic state. Directly limiting the rate of glycolysis is sufficient to inhibit IFN-γ production and granzyme B expression. This study provides the highly novel insight that mTORC1-mediated metabolic reprogramming of NK cells is a prerequisite for the acquisition of normal effector functions.


Assuntos
Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Complexos Multiproteicos/metabolismo , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR/metabolismo , Animais , Ativação Enzimática , Expressão Gênica , Glicólise , Granzimas/genética , Granzimas/metabolismo , Interferon gama/biossíntese , Células Matadoras Naturais/efeitos dos fármacos , Ativação Linfocitária , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina , Camundongos , Poli I-C/farmacologia
18.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 108(14): 5736-41, 2011 Apr 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21402922

RESUMO

Hepatitis C is a common infection with significant morbidity and mortality, and only a minority of patients successfully clear the infection. Identification of factors that influence disease progression in HCV infection is difficult owing to the lack of well-defined patient cohorts. However, recent evidence supports a role for the innate immune system in virus clearance. In this study, we investigated innate immune genes for their contribution to disease progression in a unique cohort of well-controlled HCV-infected patients. The Irish cohort of HCV patients is uniquely homogenous; patients were infected with a single genotype of HCV from contaminated anti-D Ig. We genotyped 543 infected patients, including 247 patients who spontaneously resolved infection, for natural killer (NK) cell-associated killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) genes and the recently reported IL28B (IFNλ3) SNP. The NK cell gene KIR2DS3 was significantly increased in patients with chronic infection [odds ratio (OR) 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.90, P < 0.002]. The IL28B "T" allele was also significantly increased in chronically infected patients (OR 7.38, 95% CI 4.93-11.07, P < 10(-8)). The presence of both markers synergized to significantly increase the risk of chronic infection over either factor alone (OR 20.11, 95% CI 9.05-44.68, P < 10(-7)). In functional experiments, we found that IL28A significantly inhibited IFN-γ production by NK cells. Thus, we demonstrate a functional link between NK cells and type 3 IFN. Our findings may contribute to the development of a prognostic test for HCV and identify therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of HCV-infected patients.


Assuntos
Hepacivirus/imunologia , Hepatite C/imunologia , Imunidade Inata/genética , Interleucinas/metabolismo , Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Receptores KIR/metabolismo , Genótipo , Hepatite C/genética , Humanos , Irlanda , Razão de Chances , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único/genética , Receptores KIR/genética , Fatores de Risco
19.
Aust Health Rev ; 38(5): 564-74, 2014 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25297518

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To implement and evaluate strategies for improving access to emergency department (ED) care in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective pre-post intervention study using routinely collected data involving all patients presenting acutely to the ED of a major tertiary hospital over a 2-year period. Main outcome measures were changes in: the percentage of patients exiting the ED (all patients, patients discharged directly from the ED, patients admitted to inpatient wards); mean patient transit times in the ED; inpatient mortality rates; rates of ED 'did not wait' and re-presentations within 48 h of ED discharge; and selected safety indicators. Qualitative data on staff perceptions of interventions were also gathered. RESULTS: Working groups focused on ED internal processes, ED-inpatient unit interface, hospital-wide discharge processes and performance monitoring and feedback. Twenty-five different reforms were enacted over a 9-month period from April to December 2012. Comparing the baseline period (January-March 2012) with the post-reform period (January-March 2013), the percentage of patients exiting the ED within 4 h rose for all patients presenting to the ED (from 32% to 62%), for patients discharged directly from the ED (from 41% to 75%) and for admitted patients (from 12% to 32%; P<0.001 for all comparisons). The mean (±s.d.) time all patients spent in the ED was reduced from 7.2±5.8 to 4.4±3.5 h (P<0.001) and, for admitted patients, was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (from 2.3% to 1.7%; P=0.045). The 'did not wait' rates in ED fell from 6.9% to 1.9% (P<0.001), whereas ED re-presentations within 48 h among patients discharged from the ED rose slightly (from 3.1% to 3.8%; P=0.023). Improvements in outcome measures were maintained over the subsequent 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple reforms targeting processes both within the ED and its interface with inpatient units greatly improved access to ED care over 12 months and were associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Prolonged stays in the ED result in overcrowding, delayed ambulance access to ED care and increased adverse outcomes for admitted patients. The introduction in Australia of National Emergency Access Targets (NEAT), which stipulate at least 70% of patients in the ED must exit the department within 4h, have spurred hospitals into implementing a wide range of reforms with varying levels of success in achieving such targets. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD?: This study demonstrates how multiple reforms implemented in a poor performing tertiary hospital caused the proportion of patients exiting the ED within 4h to double within 9 months to reach levels comparable with best performing peer hospitals. This was associated with a 26% reduction in in-hospital mortality for admitted patients and no clinically significant adverse effects. It demonstrates the importance of robust governance structures, executive sponsorship, cross-disciplinary collaboration, regular feedback of NEAT performance data and major redesign of existing clinical processes, work practices and bed management operations. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICIANS AND MANAGERS?: Improving access to emergency care should be regarded as a problem located and resolved both within and without the ED. It requires a whole-of-hospital solution involving interdisciplinary collaboration and significant change in culture and practice relating to inpatient units and their interface with the ED.


Assuntos
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde/normas , Segurança do Paciente , Melhoria de Qualidade , Bases de Dados Factuais , Humanos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Centros de Atenção Terciária
20.
HIV Clin Trials ; 14(5): 192-203, 2013.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24144896

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: GSK1265744 is an HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor selected for clinical development. OBJECTIVE: This first-time-in-human and phase IIa investigation assessed GSK1265744 antiviral activity, pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability in healthy and HIV-1-infected subjects. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study consisted of a dose escalation of single (part A) and multiple (part B) oral doses in 48 healthy subjects and an oral dose (part C) in 11 HIV-1-infected subjects. In part A, 2 cohorts of 9 subjects received either 5 and 25 mg or 10 and 50 mg. In part B, 3 cohorts of 10 subjects received 5, 10, or 25 mg once daily for 14 days. In part C and the phase IIa study, subjects received 5 or 30 mg once daily for 10 days. RESULTS: Dose-proportional increases in drug exposure were observed in healthy and HIV-1-infected subjects. In healthy subjects, pharmacokinetic variability was low following single or repeat dosing (coefficient of variation, 13%-34% and 15%-23%, respectively). Mean plasma half-life was 31.5 hours. GSK1265744 monotherapy significantly reduced plasma HIV-1 RNA from baseline to day 11 in HIV-1-infected subjects receiving 5 or 30 mg versus placebo (P < .001); mean decrease was 2.2 to 2.3 log10 copies/mL, respectively. Study drug was generally well tolerated with no clinically relevant trends in laboratory values, vital signs, or electrocardiograms. CONCLUSIONS: GSK1265744 was well tolerated in healthy and HIV-1-infected subjects. Results demonstrate once-daily doses of 5 or 30 mg exceeded minimum target therapeutic concentrations and produced a significant reduction in plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load.


Assuntos
Fármacos Anti-HIV/farmacocinética , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Piridonas/farmacocinética , Adulto , Fármacos Anti-HIV/efeitos adversos , Fármacos Anti-HIV/uso terapêutico , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Genótipo , HIV-1/genética , HIV-1/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Piridonas/efeitos adversos , Piridonas/uso terapêutico , RNA Viral , Carga Viral , Adulto Jovem
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