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Compagnoni C, Zelli V, Bianchi A, Di Marco A, Capelli R, Vecchiotti D, Brandolini L, Cimini AM, Zazzeroni F, Allegretti M, Alesse E, Tessitore A. MicroRNAs Expression in Response to rhNGF in Epithelial Corneal Cells: Focus on Neurotrophin Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073597. [PMID: 35408969 PMCID: PMC8998691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Nerve growth factor efficacy was demonstrated for corneal lesions treatment, and recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) was approved for neurotrophic keratitis therapy. However, NGF-induced molecular responses in cornea are still largely unknown. We analyzed microRNAs expression in human epithelial corneal cells after time-dependent rhNGF treatment. METHODS Nearly 700 microRNAs were analyzed by qRT-PCR. MicroRNAs showing significant expression differences were examined by DIANA-miRpath v.3.0 to identify target genes and pathways. Immunoblots were performed to preliminarily assess the strength of the in silico results. RESULTS Twenty-one microRNAs (miR-26a-1-3p, miR-30d-3p, miR-27b-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-362-5p, mir-550a-5p, mir-34a-3p, mir-1227-3p, mir-27a-5p, mir-222-5p, mir-151a-5p, miR-449a, let7c-5p, miR-337-5p, mir-29b-3p, miR-200b-3p, miR-141-3p, miR-671-3p, miR-324-5p, mir-411-3p, and mir-425-3p) were significantly regulated in response to rhNGF. In silico analysis evidenced interesting target genes and pathways, including that of neurotrophin, when analyzed in depth. Almost 80 unique target genes (e.g., PI3K, AKT, MAPK, KRAS, BRAF, RhoA, Cdc42, Rac1, Bax, Bcl2, FasL) were identified as being among those most involved in neurotrophin signaling and in controlling cell proliferation, growth, and apoptosis. AKT and RhoA immunoblots demonstrated congruence with microRNA expression, providing preliminary validation of in silico data. CONCLUSIONS MicroRNA levels in response to rhNGF were for the first time analyzed in corneal cells. Novel insights about microRNAs, target genes, pathways modulation, and possible biological responses were provided. Importantly, given the putative role of microRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutic targets, our results make available data which might be potentially exploitable for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Compagnoni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
| | - Veronica Zelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
- Center for Molecular Diagnostics and Advanced Therapies, University of L’Aquila, Via Petrini, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianchi
- Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.B.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Antinisca Di Marco
- Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.B.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Roberta Capelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
| | - Davide Vecchiotti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
- Center for Molecular Diagnostics and Advanced Therapies, University of L’Aquila, Via Petrini, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Brandolini
- Dompé Farmaceutici Spa, via Campo di Pile, 1, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Anna Maria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, P.zza S. Tommasi, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Francesca Zazzeroni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
| | - Marcello Allegretti
- Dompé Farmaceutici Spa, via Campo di Pile, 1, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Edoardo Alesse
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
| | - Alessandra Tessitore
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (V.Z.); (R.C.); (D.V.); (F.Z.); (E.A.)
- Center for Molecular Diagnostics and Advanced Therapies, University of L’Aquila, Via Petrini, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-086-243-3518; Fax: +39-0862433131
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Mucosal immunology of the ocular surface. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1143-1157. [PMID: 36002743 PMCID: PMC9400566 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00551-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The eye is a sensory organ exposed to the environment and protected by a mucosal tissue barrier. While it shares a number of features with other mucosal tissues, the ocular mucosal system, composed of the conjunctiva, Meibomian glands, and lacrimal glands, is specialized to address the unique needs of (a) lubrication and (b) host defense of the ocular surface. Not surprisingly, most challenges, physical and immunological, to the homeostasis of the eye fall into those two categories. Dry eye, a dysfunction of the lacrimal glands and/or Meibomian glands, which can both cause, or arise from, sensory defects, including those caused by corneal herpes virus infection, serve as examples of these perturbations and will be discussed ahead. To preserve vision, dense neuronal and immune networks sense various stimuli and orchestrate responses, which must be tightly controlled to provide protection, while simultaneously minimizing collateral damage. All this happens against the backdrop of, and can be modified by, the microorganisms that colonize the ocular mucosa long term, or that are simply transient passengers introduced from the environment. This review will attempt to synthesize the existing knowledge and develop trends in the study of the unique mucosal and immune elements of the ocular surface.
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St. Leger AJ, Koelle DM, Kinchington PR, Verjans GMGM. Local Immune Control of Latent Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in Ganglia of Mice and Man. Front Immunol 2021; 12:723809. [PMID: 34603296 PMCID: PMC8479180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.723809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen. HSV-1 genomes persist in trigeminal ganglia neuronal nuclei as chromatinized episomes, while epithelial cells are typically killed by lytic infection. Fluctuations in anti-viral responses, broadly defined, may underlay periodic reactivations. The ganglionic immune response to HSV-1 infection includes cell-intrinsic responses in neurons, innate sensing by several cell types, and the infiltration and persistence of antigen-specific T-cells. The mechanisms specifying the contrasting fates of HSV-1 in neurons and epithelial cells may include differential genome silencing and chromatinization, dictated by variation in access of immune modulating viral tegument proteins to the cell body, and protection of neurons by autophagy. Innate responses have the capacity of recruiting additional immune cells and paracrine activity on parenchymal cells, for example via chemokines and type I interferons. In both mice and humans, HSV-1-specific CD8 and CD4 T-cells are recruited to ganglia, with mechanistic studies suggesting active roles in immune surveillance and control of reactivation. In this review we focus mainly on HSV-1 and the TG, comparing and contrasting where possible observational, interventional, and in vitro studies between humans and animal hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. St. Leger
- Department of Ophthalmology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David M. Koelle
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Paul R. Kinchington
- Department of Ophthalmology and Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Benchabane S, Slimani-Kaddouri A, Acheli D, Bendimerad-Iratene T, Mesbah R, Touil-Boukoffa C. Association between increased Bcl-2, Fas and FasL levels and inflammation extent in labial salivary glands during primary Sjögren's syndrome. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2021; 22:328-338. [PMID: 34370657 DOI: 10.2174/1871530321666210809155147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by epithelial atrophy, mononuclear infiltration in exocrine glands resulting in defective function of these glands. In pSS, atrophy of the epithelium is caused by an increased amount of apoptosis. OBJECTIVE The main aim of this study is to investigate the role of the apoptosis-related factors by studying Bcl-2, Fas and FasL expression in relation to the extent of inflammation as well as the effect of therapy on the expression of these mediators. METHODS In pSS patients (n=62) documented for their serological and clinical features, Fas, FasL and Bcl-2 plasma levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In the same context, we investigated their expression by immunohistochemistry analysis in the labial salivary glands samples in association with the extent of inflammation. RESULTS Interestingly, our results indicated that in pSS patients, the plasmatic Bcl-2, Fas and FasL levels, which appear to be associated with the severity of inflammation and were significantly elevated in comparison to the healthy controls. Moreover, a significant decrease in all these factors was observed in patients after combined corticosteroids-hydroxychloroquine therapy. Importantly, we report a strong positive correlation between Bcl-2 and NO levels. The immunohistochemical staining reveals a strong Bcl-2 expression in infiltrating mononuclear cells and a total absence in the acinar cells. The Bcl-2 level varies according to the severity of the pathology. However, the expression of Fas and FasL was less important and predominantly localized in infiltrating mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION Our current study highlights the involvement of Bcl-2, Fas and FasL in pSS glands injury. These factors may act as useful predictor markers of a clinical course in pSS suggesting a novel approach in the pSS patients monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Benchabane
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology (LBCM), Cytokines and NO Synthases Group, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers. Algeria
| | | | - Dahbia Acheli
- Internal Medicine Department, Douera Hospital, Algiers. Algeria
| | | | - Redouane Mesbah
- Anatomical Pathology Service, Issad Hassani Hospital (Beni-Messous), Algiers. Algeria
| | - Chafia Touil-Boukoffa
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology (LBCM), Cytokines and NO Synthases Group, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers. Algeria
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Gregory-Ksander M, Marshak-Rothstein A. The FasLane to ocular pathology-metalloproteinase cleavage of membrane-bound FasL determines FasL function. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 110:965-977. [PMID: 33565149 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3ri1220-834r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fas ligand (FasL) is best known for its ability to induce cell death in a wide range of Fas-expressing targets and to limit inflammation in immunoprivileged sites such as the eye. In addition, the ability of FasL to induce a much more extensive list of outcomes is being increasingly explored and accepted. These outcomes include the induction of proinflammatory cytokine production, T cell activation, and cell motility. However, the distinct and opposing functions of membrane-associated FasL (mFasL) and the C-terminal soluble FasL fragment (sFasL) released by metalloproteinase cleavage is less well documented and understood. Both mFasL and sFasL can form trimers that engage the trimeric Fas receptor, but only mFasL can form a multimeric complex in lipid rafts to trigger apoptosis and inflammation. By contrast, a number of reports have now documented the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity of sFasL, pointing to a critical regulatory function of the soluble molecule. The immunomodulatory activity of FasL is particularly evident in ocular pathology where elimination of the metalloproteinase cleavage site and the ensuing increased expression of mFasL can severely exacerbate the extent of inflammation and cell death. By contrast, both homeostatic and increased expression of sFasL can limit inflammation and cell death. The mechanism(s) responsible for the protective activity of sFasL are discussed but remain controversial. Nevertheless, it will be important to consider therapeutic applications of sFasL for the treatment of ocular diseases such as glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Gregory-Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Department of Medicine/Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Koujah L, Suryawanshi RK, Shukla D. Pathological processes activated by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection in the cornea. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:405-419. [PMID: 30327839 PMCID: PMC6349487 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2938-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous pathogen that infects a large majority of the human population worldwide. It is also a leading cause of infection-related blindness in the developed world. HSV-1 infection of the cornea begins with viral entry into resident cells via a multistep process that involves interaction of viral glycoproteins and host cell surface receptors. Once inside, HSV-1 infection induces a chronic immune-inflammatory response resulting in corneal scarring, thinning and neovascularization. This leads to development of various ocular diseases such as herpes stromal keratitis, resulting in visual impairment and eventual blindness. HSV-1 can also invade the central nervous system and lead to encephalitis, a relatively common cause of sporadic fetal encephalitis worldwide. In this review, we discuss the pathological processes activated by corneal HSV-1 infection and existing antiviral therapies as well as novel therapeutic options currently under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulia Koujah
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1855 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Rahul K Suryawanshi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1855 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Deepak Shukla
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1855 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Gregory-Ksander M, Perez VL, Marshak-Rothstein A, Ksander BR. Soluble Fas ligand blocks destructive corneal inflammation in mouse models of corneal epithelial debridement and LPS induced keratitis. Exp Eye Res 2018; 179:47-54. [PMID: 30365944 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophil-mediated inflammation plays a critical role in corneal damage following injury or infection. Previous studies demonstrated that membrane-bound FasL (mFasL) induces neutrophil chemokine production. However, the extracellular domain of mFasL is normally cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases to release a soluble form of FasL (sFasL) and sFasL antagonizes mFasL-mediated chemokine production. Therefore, we hypothesized that sFasL could be used to prevent neutrophil-mediated corneal inflammation associated with injury and bacterial keratitis. To test this hypothesis, GFP-only, sFasL-GFP, or mFasL-GFP were expressed in the corneal stroma of C57BL/6 mice, using intra-stromal injections of plasmid DNA or adenoviral vectors (AV) and the role of mFasL and sFasL in corneal inflammation was examined in models of corneal injury and LPS-induced keratitis. Our work addresses an important area of disagreement in the field of FasL, with regard to the mechanism by which sFasL regulates ocular inflammation. Herein, we demonstrate that an intrastromal injection of GFP-only, sFasL-GFP, or mFasL-GFP plasmid DNA resulted in GFP expression throughout the corneal stroma for up to two weeks with little to no evidence of inflammation in the GFP-only and sFasL-GFP groups and mild corneal inflammation in the mFasL-GFP group. Similarly, following epithelial debridement, corneas expressing GFP-only or sFasL-GFP showed no significant signs of corneal inflammation, with clear corneas at 15 days post debridement. By contrast, epithelial debridement of corneas expressing mFasL-GFP triggered persistent corneal inflammation and the development of central corneal opacities that was blocked by sFasL. Similar to the mFasL-GFP plasmid DNA, intrastromal injection of mFasL-GFP AV triggered mild corneal inflammation, but it was transient and resolved by day 10 with corneas remaining clear out to 30 days post injection. Nevertheless, intrastromal expression of mFasL-GFP AV exacerbated LPS-induced keratitis, corneal opacity, and neovascularization, while sFasL-GFP AV expression prevented LPS-induced keratitis, resulting in a clear cornea. Histological analysis of corneas with LPS-induced keratitis revealed a robust infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils and sFasL expression specifically blocked the neutrophil influx. Overall, our data demonstrate that stromal expression of mFasL is inflammatory, while sFasL is non-inflammatory, and opposes the effects of mFasL in mouse models of epithelial debridement and LPS-induced keratitis. These data demonstrate that a delicate balance between sFasL and mFasL regulates ocular inflammation. This study further identifies sFasL as a potent inhibitor of neutrophil-mediated corneal damage, and supports the potential use of sFasL in the treatment of neutrophil-mediated keratitis. These results strongly support the hypothesis that, in the immune privileged environment of the eye, the isoform of FasL regulates immune privilege and determines the extent of inflammation: mFasL promotes inflammation and sFasL blocks inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Gregory-Ksander
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor L Perez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Bruce R Ksander
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, USA.
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Impact of Type I Interferon on the Safety and Immunogenicity of an Experimental Live-Attenuated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Vaccine in Mice. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.02342-16. [PMID: 28122977 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02342-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral fitness dictates virulence and capacity to evade host immune defenses. Understanding the biological underpinnings of such features is essential for rational vaccine development. We have previously shown that the live-attenuated herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) mutant lacking the nuclear localization signal (NLS) on the ICP0 gene (0ΔNLS) is sensitive to inhibition by interferon beta (IFN-β) in vitro and functions as a highly efficacious experimental vaccine. Here, we characterize the host immune response and in vivo pathogenesis of HSV-1 0ΔNLS relative to its fully virulent parental strain in C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, we explore the role of type 1 interferon (IFN-α/β) signaling on virulence and immunogenicity of HSV-1 0ΔNLS and uncover a probable sex bias in the induction of IFN-α/β in the cornea during HSV-1 infection. Our data show that HSV-1 0ΔNLS lacks neurovirulence even in highly immunocompromised mice lacking the IFN-α/β receptor. These studies support the translational viability of the HSV-1 0ΔNLS vaccine strain by demonstrating that, while it is comparable to a virulent parental strain in terms of immunogenicity, HSV-1 0ΔNLS does not induce significant tissue pathology.IMPORTANCE HSV-1 is a common human pathogen associated with a variety of clinical presentations ranging in severity from periodic "cold sores" to lethal encephalitis. Despite the consistent failures of HSV subunit vaccines in clinical trials spanning the past 28 years, opposition to live-attenuated HSV vaccines predicated on unfounded safety concerns currently limits their widespread acceptance. Here, we demonstrate that a live-attenuated HSV-1 vaccine has great translational potential.
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A Potential of sFasL in Preventing Gland Injury in Sjogren's Syndrome. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:5981432. [PMID: 28326325 PMCID: PMC5343225 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5981432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fas and its ligand FasL, members of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, have been implicated in the process of cell apoptosis. FasL consists of two forms, membrane FasL (mFasL) and soluble FasL (sFasL). sFasL can be produced by mFasL cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and also reveals a role for binding to Fas which is expressed on cell surface. Although Fas/FasL axis has been implicated in a variety of diseases, its role in Sjogren's syndrome still remains ill defined. In this study, we investigated the potential of sFasL in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome (SS). We found that the serum levels of sFasL in SS patients were significantly lower than healthy subjects. Moreover, serum levels of sFasL in patients with mild disease activity were higher than patients with severe disease activity. There is a positive correlation of the serum level of sFasL with uptake index of parotid gland in our expectation. In addition, liver injury involvement in SS patients showed decreased level of sFasL. Furthermore, we here also observed that the protective cytokine IL-10 expression was positively correlated with sFasL expression. Thus, our results here suggest a potential of sFasL in maintaining gland organ homeostasis.
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McElroy AK, Harmon JR, Flietstra TD, Campbell S, Mehta AK, Kraft CS, Lyon MG, Varkey JB, Ribner BS, Kratochvil CJ, Iwen PC, Smith PW, Ahmed R, Nichol ST, Spiropoulou CF. Kinetic Analysis of Biomarkers in a Cohort of US Patients With Ebola Virus Disease. Clin Infect Dis 2016; 63:460-7. [PMID: 27353663 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ebola virus (EBOV) infection causes a severe and often fatal disease. Despite the fact that more than 30 000 individuals have acquired Ebola virus disease (EVD), the medical and scientific community still does not have a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which EBOV causes such severe disease. METHODS In this study, 54 biomarkers in plasma samples serially collected from 7 patients with EVD were analyzed in an attempt to define the kinetics of inflammatory modulators. Two clinical disease groups were defined (moderate and severe) based on the need for clinical support. Biomarkers were evaluated for correlation with viremia and clinical disease in an effort to identify pathways that could be useful targets of therapeutic intervention. RESULTS Patients with severe disease had higher viremia than those with moderate disease. Several biomarkers of immune activation and control were significantly elevated in patients with moderate disease. A series of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly elevated in patients with severe disease. CONCLUSIONS Biomarkers that were associated with severe EVD were proinflammatory and indicative of endothelial or coagulation cascade dysfunction, as has been seen historically in patients with fatal outcomes. In contrast, biomarkers that were associated with moderate EVD were suggestive of a strong interferon response and control of both innate and adaptive responses. Therefore, clinical interventions that modulate the phenotype and magnitude of immune activation may be beneficial in treating EVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita K McElroy
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease
| | - Jessica R Harmon
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease
| | - Timothy D Flietstra
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | - Shelley Campbell
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| | | | - Colleen S Kraft
- Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Philip W Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha
| | | | - Stuart T Nichol
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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