Elevated serum periostin levels among arsenic-exposed individuals and their associations with the features of asthma

Acute and Subacute Oral Exposure to Inorganic Arsenic Significantly Impacted the Pathology of a Mouse Model With Th2- and Th17-, But Not Th1-Dependent Allergy Development

Increased blood levels of inorganic arsenic compounds (iAs) are associated with the onset of allergic diseases. This study investigated the direct relationship between oral exposure to iAs and the onset of several allergic diseases. A mouse model of type 1, 2, and 17 helper T cell (Th1, Th2, and Th17) dependent allergies was generated in female BALB/c mice by topical treatment with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, and imiquimod. Several concentrations of iAs (0, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) were administered orally for 3 or 4 days during each allergen challenge. Itch behavior and changes in skin thickness were monitored, the animals were euthanized, and inflammatory responses in the auricular lymph nodes and skin were analyzed. The influence of subacute oral exposure to iAs (0.3 and 3, and 24-52 days) on the development of chronic Th2 allergy was examined using mouse models of TDI-induced atopic dermatitis and Dermatophagoides farinae-induced asthma. Acute oral exposure to iAs significantly exacerbated Th2- and Th17-dependent allergies, whereas Th1-dependent allergic reactions were not significantly influenced. The influence of iAs exposure on Th2- and Th17-dependent allergy development was corroborated by subacute oral exposure to low concentrations of iAs in a chronic model of Th2 allergy. Symptoms and immune reactions were significantly increased following iAs exposure. Our findings imply that oral exposure to inorganic arsenic significantly affects the pathology of a mouse model of Th2- and Th17-dependent allergy development, but not a Th1-dependent allergy.

Periostin in Bullous Pemphigoid: A Potential Biomarker of Disease Activity and Severity

Elevated periostin levels are commonly observed in conditions characterised by increased IgE and eosinophilia, such as bullous pemphigoid (BP), which typically presents with eosinophil infiltration and elevated IgE levels. To explore the link between periostin levels and key clinical parameters in BP, serum periostin levels were assessed in 55 classic BP patients and 55 healthy controls using ELISA. Upon admission, the BP Disease Area Index (BPDAI) score, autoantibody levels, and peripheral blood immune cells of BP patients were evaluated. The investigation also employed the Olink proteomic platform to analyse circulating proinflammatory biomarkers. The results indicated significantly higher periostin levels in BP patients, showing a strong positive correlation with BPDAI scores, which was more pronounced compared to the correlation between BPDAI scores and BP 180 IgG or eosinophil counts. Correlation analysis revealed positive links between periostin levels in serum and attributes such as urticaria/erythema lesions, total IgE levels, serum BP180 IgG, BP180 IgE, BP230 IgE, and blood eosinophil counts. The findings from the Olink proteomic analysis provided additional evidence of the connection between periostin and type II inflammation in BP, which was further validated by the observed positive correlation between periostin and IL-13 using ELISA. Furthermore, it was observed that serum periostin levels decreased post-effective treatment. Overall, this study underscores a compelling association between periostin expression and the activity and severity of BP, as well as its reflection of type II inflammation.

Effect of Arsenic Exposure on AS3MT Protein Levels in Serum of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Compared to Non-diabetics

This research explores the impact of arsenic exposure on serum protein profiles in type 2 diabetes patients, with an emphasis on the AS3MT protein as a biomarker. Utilizing Bradford protein assay, SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and mass spectrometry, we quantified and analyzed variations in serum protein levels, focusing on differences between control groups (82.94 ± 8.03 µg/mL) and diabetic patients (96.95 ± 5.02 µg/mL) of high arsenic exposed in areas Kasur and Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The study revealed a significant increase in total serum proteins and specifically identified elevated levels of AS3MT in the diabetic group compared to controls. By using 15% gel, proteins were separated, and bands were visible at 42KD. Further investigations using HPLC provided a detailed chromatographic profile of AS3MT, isolating this protein effectively and displaying its heightened abundance through a marked peak within the sample chromatograms. Additionally, intact mass and tryptic digestion profiles analyzed by mass spectrometry (molecular weight of 41,747.79 D) further corroborated the identity and modification of AS3MT in the context of arsenic exposure. ELISA was used for the quantification of AS3MT protein concentration, and a 260% increase was confirmed in the diabetic group exposed to arsenic. These findings suggested that arsenic exposure significantly alters AS3MT protein and serum protein levels in diabetic patients, supporting the hypothesis that AS3MT can serve as a biomarker for arsenic-induced diabetic conditions.

Heavy metal levels are positively associated with serum periostin and miRNA-125b levels, but inversely associated with miRNA-26a levels in pediatric asthma cases. A case-control study

BACKGROUND

The study investigated heavy metals levels [urinary cadmium (U-Cd), erythrocytic cadmium (E-Cd), urinary arsenic (U-As), and whole blood lead (WB-Pb)] in children with bronchial asthma (BA) and tested their associations with serum periostin, miRNA-125b and miRNA-26a levels, and with asthma severity clinically and laboratory [blood eosinophils count (BEC) and serum total immunoglobin E (IgE)]. Also, we tested cut-off points, for the studied parameters, to distinguish BA cases from healthy children.

METHODS

This case-control study included 158 children divided into control group; n = 72 and BA group; n = 86. Heavy metals were measured by an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer. Serum periostin and IgE levels were measured by their corresponding ELISA kits. miRNAs relative expressions were estimated by RT-qPCR using the 2-ΔΔCT method.

RESULTS

Heavy metals, serum periostin, and miR-125b levels were significantly high in BA group (p < 0.001). Heavy metals levels correlated positively with serum periostin, miR-125b and IgE levels, BEC, and asthma severity. The reverse was observed regarding serum miR-26a levels. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed good to excellent abilities of U-Cd, E-Cd, U-As, WB-Pb, serum periostin, miRNA-125b, and miRNA - 26a, and total IgE levels to distinguish BA cases from healthy children.

CONCLUSIONS

Heavy metal toxicity in children is associated with BA severity, increased serum periostin and miRNA-125b levels, and decreased miRNA-26a levels. Specific measures to reduce children's exposure to heavy metals should be taken. Future research should consider blocking miRNA-125b action or enhancing miRNA-26a action to manage BA cases.

Association between serum periostin levels and the severity of arsenic-induced skin lesions

Arsenic is a potent environmental toxicant and human carcinogen. Skin lesions are the most common manifestations of chronic exposure to arsenic. Advanced-stage skin lesions, particularly hyperkeratosis have been recognized as precancerous diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of arsenic-induced skin lesions remains unknown. Periostin, a matricellular protein, is implicated in the pathogenesis of many forms of skin lesions. The objective of this study was to examine whether periostin is associated with arsenic-induced skin lesions. A total of 442 individuals from low- (n = 123) and high-arsenic exposure areas (n = 319) in rural Bangladesh were evaluated for the presence of arsenic-induced skin lesions (Yes/No). Participants with skin lesions were further categorized into two groups: early-stage skin lesions (melanosis and keratosis) and advanced-stage skin lesions (hyperkeratosis). Drinking water, hair, and nail arsenic concentrations were considered as the participants' exposure levels. The higher levels of arsenic and serum periostin were significantly associated with skin lesions. Causal mediation analysis revealed the significant effect of arsenic on skin lesions through the mediator, periostin, suggesting that periostin contributes to the development of skin lesions. When skin lesion was used as a three-category outcome (none, early-stage, and advanced-stage skin lesions), higher serum periostin levels were significantly associated with both early-stage and advanced-stage skin lesions. Median (IQR) periostin levels were progressively increased with the increasing severity of skin lesions. Furthermore, there were general trends in increasing serum type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels with the progression of the disease. The median (IQR) of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, and IgE levels were significantly higher in the early-and advanced-stage skin lesions compared to the group of participants without skin lesions. The results of this study suggest that periostin is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of arsenic-induced skin lesions through the dysregulation of type 2 immune response.

Urinary Arsenic Concentration and Its Relationship with Bronchial Asthma in Children from Arica, Chile

In the city of Arica, northern Chile, the population has been involuntarily exposed to arsenic of natural and anthropogenic origin. This study aims to evaluate the association between urinary arsenic concentration and bronchial asthma diagnosis in the children of Arica. A cross-sectional analysis of a database of 1892 subjects under 18 years of age enrolled in the Environmental Health Centre between 2009 and 2021 was carried out. Arsenic exposure was obtained from a urine sample and bronchial asthma diagnosis from the database of the system for the management of explicit health guarantees. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between inorganic arsenic and asthma. The median inorganic arsenic was 15 μg/L, and the prevalence of asthma was 7.4%. After adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, and urinary creatinine, children with the highest tertile of urinary arsenic concentration (≥21.4 μg/L) had a greater chance of developing asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.13-3.18]). When exploring the modifying effect of ethnicity, the association increased among children belonging to any ethnic group (OR 3.51, 95%CI [1.43-8.65]). These findings suggest a relationship between arsenic exposure and bronchial asthma in children. While further studies are needed to assess the impact of arsenic on respiratory health, mitigation efforts to reduce arsenic exposure should be maintained.