1
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Sakane S, Hikita H, Shirai K, Sakamoto T, Narumi R, Adachi J, Kakita N, Yamada Y, Toyoda H, Takahashi H, Suda G, Kai M, Tahata Y, Sakamori R, Kumazaki S, Fukumoto K, Myojin Y, Murai K, Kodama T, Tatsumi T, Tomonaga T, Sakamoto N, Morii E, Takehara T. Proteomic analysis of serum extracellular vesicles reveals Fibulin-3 as a new marker predicting liver-related events in MASLD. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0448. [PMID: 38829196 PMCID: PMC11150025 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need for novel noninvasive markers for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) to stratify patients at high risk for liver-related events including liver cancer and decompensation. In the present study, we used proteomic analysis of proteins in extracellular vesicles (EVs) to identify new biomarkers that change with fibrosis progression and can predict the development of liver-related events. METHODS We analyzed serum EVs from 50 patients with MASLD assessed for liver fibrosis by biopsy and identified proteins that altered with advanced fibrosis. A further evaluation was conducted on another cohort of 463 patients with MASLD with biopsy. RESULTS Eight candidate proteins were identified by proteomic analysis of serum EVs. Among them, serum levels of Fibulin-3, Fibulin-1, and Ficolin 1 correlated with their EV levels. In addition, serum Fibulin-3 and serum Fibulin-1 levels changed significantly with advanced fibrosis. Using another cohort with biopsy, we found that the serum Fibulin-3 concentration was significantly greater in those with advanced fibrosis but that the serum Fibulin-1 concentration was not significantly different. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that a higher Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and higher serum Fibulin-3 concentration were independent risk factors for liver-related events. When the cutoff value for the serum Fibulin-3 concentration was 6.0 µg/mL according to the Youden index of AUROCs, patients with high serum Fibulin-3 significantly more frequently developed liver-related events than did other patients. Validation using another cohort of 226 patients with clinically diagnosed MASLD confirmed that high serum Fibulin-3 levels are associated with a greater frequency of liver-related events. CONCLUSIONS Serum Fibulin-3 was identified as a biomarker for predicting liver-related events in patients with MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kumiko Shirai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryohei Narumi
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naruyasu Kakita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukinori Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | | | - Goki Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Machiko Kai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Tahata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shusuke Kumazaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Fukumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuta Myojin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tomonaga
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Eiichi Morii
- Department of Pathology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Forghani I, Lang SH, Rodier MJ, Bivona SA, Morales AA, Zuchner S, Bademci G, Tekin M. EFEMP1 haploinsufficiency causes a Marfan-like hereditary connective tissue disorder. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:e63556. [PMID: 38348595 PMCID: PMC11060917 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Phenotypic features of a hereditary connective tissue disorder, including craniofacial characteristics, hyperextensible skin, joint laxity, kyphoscoliosis, arachnodactyly, inguinal hernia, and diverticulosis associated with biallelic pathogenic variants in EFEMP1 have been previously described in four patients. Genome sequencing on a proband and her mother with comparable phenotypic features revealed that both patients were heterozygous for a stop-gain variant c.1084C>T (p.Arg362*). Complementary RNA-seq on fibroblasts revealed significantly reduced levels of mutant EFEMP1 transcript. Considering the absence of other molecular explanations, we extrapolated that EFEMP1 could be the cause of the patient's phenotypes. Furthermore, nonsense-mediated decay was demonstrated for the mutant allele as the principal mechanism for decreased levels of EFEMP1 mRNA. We provide strong clinical and genetic evidence for the haploinsufficiency of EFEMP1 due to nonsense-medicated decay to cause severe kyphoscoliosis, generalized hypermobility of joints, high and narrow arched palate, and potentially severe diverticulosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an autosomal dominant EFEMP1-associated hereditary connective tissue disorder and therefore expands the phenotypic spectrum of EFEMP1 related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irman Forghani
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Steven H. Lang
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Matthew J. Rodier
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Stephanie A. Bivona
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | | | - Alejo A. Morales
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Stephan Zuchner
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Guney Bademci
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Mustafa Tekin
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
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3
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Duan L, Tadi MJ, O'Hara KM, Maki CG. Novel markers of MCL1 inhibitor sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107375. [PMID: 38762181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer sub-type with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Currently, standard treatments for TNBC include surgery, chemotherapy, and anti-PDL1 therapy. These therapies have limited efficacy in advanced stages. Myeloid-cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) is an anti-apoptotic BCL2 family protein. High expression of MCL1 contributes to chemotherapy resistance and is associated with a worse prognosis in TNBC. MCL1 inhibitors are in clinical trials for TNBC, but response rates to these inhibitors can vary and predictive markers are lacking. Currently, we identified a 4-member (AXL, ETS1, IL6, EFEMP1) gene signature (GS) that predicts MCL1 inhibitor sensitivity in TNBC cells. Factors encoded by these genes regulate signaling pathways to promote MCL1 inhibitor resistance. Small molecule inhibitors of the GS factors can overcome resistance and sensitize otherwise resistant TNBC cells to MCL1 inhibitor treatment. These findings offer insights into potential therapeutic strategies and tumor stratification for MCL1 inhibitor use in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Duan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Mehrdad Jafari Tadi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kelsey M O'Hara
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Carl G Maki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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4
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Tan J, Cai S, Luo X, Li Q, Chen Y, Chen Z, Mao Y, Liu G, Yang M, Liu X. Stop codon variant in EFEMP1 is associated with primary open-angle glaucoma due to impaired regulation of aqueous humor outflow. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109859. [PMID: 38467175 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
It is known that the actin cytoskeleton and its associated cellular interactions in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and juxtacanalicular tissues mainly contribute to the formation of resistance to aqueous outflow of the eye. Fibulin-3, encoded by EFEMP1 gene, has a role in extracellular matrix (ECM) modulation, and interacts with enzymatic ECM regulators, but the effects of fibulin-3 on TM cells has not been explored. Here, we report a stop codon variant (c.T1480C, p.X494Q) of EFEMP1 that co-segregates with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a Chinese pedigree. In the human TM cells, overexpression of wild-type fibulin-3 reduced intracellular actin stress fibers formation and the extracellular fibronectin levels by inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling. TGFβ1 up-regulated fibulin-3 protein levels in human TM cells by activating Rho/ROCK signaling. In rat eyes, overexpression of wild-type fibulin-3 decreased the intraocular pressure and the fibronectin expression of TM, however, overexpression of mutant fibulin-3 (c.T1480C, p.X494Q) showed opposite effects in cells and rat eyes. Taken together, the EFEMP1 variant may impair the regulatory capacity of fibulin-3 which has a role for modulating the cell contractile activity and ECM synthesis in TM cells, and in turn may maintain normal resistance of aqueous humor outflow. This study contributes to the understanding of the important role of fibulin-3 in TM pathophysiology and provides a new possible POAG therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junkai Tan
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Suping Cai
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaolin Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanbing Chen
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Zijie Chen
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Yukai Mao
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Guo Liu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Mingming Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Shi WQ, Li T, Liang R, Li B, Zhou X. Targeting scleral remodeling and myopia development in form deprivation myopia through inhibition of EFEMP1 expression. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166981. [PMID: 38101653 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the axial elongation associated with myopia has not been fully elucidated, although it is considered a significant factor. EFEMP1, a regulator of ECM, has been associated with various pathological conditions. This study aimed to examine the involvement of EFEMP1 in scleral remodeling during form deprivation myopia. The results indicate a progressive increase in EFEMP1 expression following prolonged form deprivation treatment, followed by a subsequent decrease upon recovery. To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism of EFEMP1, we conducted transcriptome sequencing on primary scleral fibroblasts that were subjected to lentivirus-mediated overexpression of EFEMP1. Validation was performed using lentivirus-induced overexpression and shRNA targeting EFEMP1 in combination with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. Our findings suggest that EFEMP1 may be involved in the development of FDM by regulating the expression of the PI3K/AKT/MMP2 axis. The AAV-mediated injection of shEFEMP1 under Tenon's capsule in guinea pigs was observed to effectively delay the progression of myopia and posterior scleral remodeling. In contrast, the AAV-mediated overexpression of EFEMP1 exacerbated the development of myopia and resulted in further thinning of collagen fibers in the posterior sclera. In summary, adjusting EFEMP1 concentrations could potentially serve as a viable approach to prevent and treat myopia by influencing the remodeling process of the posterior sclera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qing Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongbin Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Central Laboratory, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Fu S, Tan Z, Shi H, Chen J, Zhang Y, Guo C, Feng W, Xu H, Wang J, Wang H. Development of a stemness-related prognostic index to provide therapeutic strategies for bladder cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:14. [PMID: 38245587 PMCID: PMC10799910 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease with varying clinical outcomes. Recent evidence suggests that cancer progression involves the acquisition of stem-like signatures, and assessing stemness indices help uncover patterns of intra-tumor molecular heterogeneity. We used the one-class logistic regression algorithm to compute the mRNAsi for each sample in BLCA cohort. We subsequently classified BC patients into two subtypes based on 189 mRNAsi-related genes, using the unsupervised consensus clustering. Then, we identified nine hub genes to construct a stemness-related prognostic index (SRPI) using Cox regression, LASSO regression and Random Forest methods. We further validated SRPI using two independent datasets. Afterwards, we examined the molecular and immune characterized of SRPI. Finally, we conducted multiply drug screening and experimental approaches to identify and confirm the most proper agents for patients with high SRPI. Based on the mRNAsi-related genes, BC patients were classified into two stemness subtypes with distinct prognosis, functional annotations, genomic variations and immune profiles. Using the SRPI, we identified a specific subgroup of BC patients with high SRPI, who had a poor response to immunotherapy, and were less sensitive to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, FGFR inhibitors, and EGFR inhibitors. We further identified that dasatinib was the most promising therapeutic agent for this subgroup of patients. This study provides further insights into the stemness classification of BC, and demonstrates that SRPI is a promising tool for predicting prognosis and therapeutic opportunities for BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Fu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center of Urological Disease, Kunming, China
| | - Zhiyong Tan
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center of Urological Disease, Kunming, China
| | - Hongjin Shi
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center of Urological Disease, Kunming, China
| | - Junhao Chen
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center of Urological Disease, Kunming, China
| | | | - Chunming Guo
- School for Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Haole Xu
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiansong Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center of Urological Disease, Kunming, China.
| | - Haifeng Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- Yunnan Clinical Medical Center of Urological Disease, Kunming, China.
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7
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Yao S, Ci H. No Causal Association Between Inguinal Hernia and Aortic Aneurysm Using Mendelian Randomization Analysis. Angiology 2024:33197241226509. [PMID: 38176684 DOI: 10.1177/00033197241226509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a serious disease that affects the aging population worldwide. Potential risk or associated factors, such as inguinal hernia, have been suggested by conventional studies. In the present study, summary statistics data for the associations of inguinal hernia were derived from a large genome-wide association study including 18,791 inguinal hernia cases and 93,955 controls in the UK Biobank. Corresponding data of AA were extracted from FinnGen, comprising 7603 cases and 317,899 controls in Finland. The causal association was assessed using Mendelian Randomization-Egger, weighted median, and inverse variance weighting methods, and compared with observational estimates previously published. Our analysis found no convincing causal effect between genetically predicted inguinal hernia and the risk of AA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.85-1.31, P = .65), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.92-1.46, P = .22), and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA, OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.85-1.30, P = .67). The results are in contrast to previous observational evidence suggesting a potentially common causal association between inguinal hernia and AA. Further research is needed to better understand the interplay between risk factors and their impact on aneurysm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Yao
- Division of Vascular Surgery, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbo Ci
- Division of Vascular Surgery, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
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8
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Raman R, Bahri MA, Degueldre C, Caetano da Silva C, Sanchez C, Ostertag A, Collet C, Cohen-Solal M, Plenevaux A, Henrotin Y, Muller M. A Zebrafish Mutant in the Extracellular Matrix Protein Gene efemp1 as a Model for Spinal Osteoarthritis. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:74. [PMID: 38200805 PMCID: PMC10778253 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative articular disease affecting mainly aging animals and people. The extracellular matrix protein Efemp1 was previously shown to have higher turn-over and increased secretion in the blood serum, urine, and subchondral bone of knee joints in osteoarthritic patients. Here, we use the zebrafish as a model system to investigate the function of Efemp1 in vertebrate skeletal development and homeostasis. Using in situ hybridization, we show that the efemp1 gene is expressed in the brain, the pharyngeal arches, and in the chordoblasts surrounding the notochord at 48 hours post-fertilization. We generated an efemp1 mutant line, using the CRISPR/Cas9 method, that produces a severely truncated Efemp1 protein. These mutant larvae presented a medially narrower chondrocranium at 5 days, which normalized later at day 10. At age 1.5 years, µCT analysis revealed an increased tissue mineral density and thickness of the vertebral bodies, as well as a decreased distance between individual vertebrae and ruffled borders of the vertebral centra. This novel defect, which has, to our knowledge, never been described before, suggests that the efemp1 mutant represents the first zebrafish model for spinal osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratish Raman
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration (LOR), GIGA Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Mohamed Ali Bahri
- GIGA CRC In Vivo Imaging, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.A.B.); (C.D.); (A.P.)
| | - Christian Degueldre
- GIGA CRC In Vivo Imaging, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.A.B.); (C.D.); (A.P.)
| | - Caroline Caetano da Silva
- Hospital Lariboisière, Reference Centre for Rare Bone Diseases, INSERM U1132, Université de Paris-Cité, F-75010 Paris, France; (C.C.d.S.); (A.O.); (C.C.); (M.C.-S.)
| | - Christelle Sanchez
- MusculoSKeletal Innovative Research Lab, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.S.); (Y.H.)
| | - Agnes Ostertag
- Hospital Lariboisière, Reference Centre for Rare Bone Diseases, INSERM U1132, Université de Paris-Cité, F-75010 Paris, France; (C.C.d.S.); (A.O.); (C.C.); (M.C.-S.)
| | - Corinne Collet
- Hospital Lariboisière, Reference Centre for Rare Bone Diseases, INSERM U1132, Université de Paris-Cité, F-75010 Paris, France; (C.C.d.S.); (A.O.); (C.C.); (M.C.-S.)
- UF de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpital Robert Debré, APHP, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Martine Cohen-Solal
- Hospital Lariboisière, Reference Centre for Rare Bone Diseases, INSERM U1132, Université de Paris-Cité, F-75010 Paris, France; (C.C.d.S.); (A.O.); (C.C.); (M.C.-S.)
| | - Alain Plenevaux
- GIGA CRC In Vivo Imaging, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.A.B.); (C.D.); (A.P.)
| | - Yves Henrotin
- MusculoSKeletal Innovative Research Lab, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.S.); (Y.H.)
| | - Marc Muller
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration (LOR), GIGA Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
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9
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Sorino C, Mondoni M, Marchetti G, Agati S, Inchingolo R, Mei F, Flamini S, Lococo F, Feller-Kopman D. Pleural Mesothelioma: Advances in Blood and Pleural Biomarkers. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7006. [PMID: 38002620 PMCID: PMC10672377 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a type of cancer that is highly related to exposure to asbestos fibers. It shows aggressive behavior, and the current therapeutic approaches are usually insufficient to change the poor prognosis. Moreover, apart from staging and histological classification, there are no validated predictors of its response to treatment or its long-term outcomes. Numerous studies have investigated minimally invasive biomarkers in pleural fluid or blood to aid in earlier diagnosis and prognostic assessment of PM. The most studied marker in pleural effusion is mesothelin, which exhibits good specificity but low sensitivity, especially for non-epithelioid PM. Other biomarkers found in pleural fluid include fibulin-3, hyaluronan, microRNAs, and CYFRA-21.1, which have lower diagnostic capabilities but provide prognostic information and have potential roles as therapeutic targets. Serum is the most investigated matrix for biomarkers of PM. Several serum biomarkers in PM have been studied, with mesothelin, osteopontin, and fibulin-3 being the most often tested. A soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) is the only FDA-approved biomarker in patients with suspected mesothelioma. With different serum and pleural fluid cut-offs, it provides useful information on the diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up, and response to therapy in epithelioid PM. Panels combining different markers and proteomics technologies show promise in terms of improving clinical performance in the diagnosis and monitoring of mesothelioma patients. However, there is still no evidence that early detection can improve the treatment outcomes of PM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Sorino
- Division of Pulmonology, Sant’Anna Hospital of Como, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Michele Mondoni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sergio Agati
- Division of Pulmonology, Sant’Anna Hospital of Como, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Riccardo Inchingolo
- Pulmonary Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federico Mei
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Sara Flamini
- Departement of Thoracic Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (F.L.)
- Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Lococo
- Departement of Thoracic Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (F.L.)
- Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - David Feller-Kopman
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA;
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
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10
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Zhou M, Jin W, Li P, Wang R, Guo X. Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of hemorrhoids-a review of preparations used and their mechanism of action. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1270339. [PMID: 37927595 PMCID: PMC10620711 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1270339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhoids are a proctological disease primarily characterized by bleeding, prolapse, edema, and pain, severely affecting the quality of life. Surgery is an effective treatment for hemorrhoids, but the cost is relatively high, and complications such as difficulty in defecation, persistent pain, and heavy bleeding may occur postoperatively. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a distinctive advantage in alleviating the clinical symptoms of hemorrhoid patients, reducing pain, and improving the quality of life. However, there are few summary literature about the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoids. Based on the etiology of hemorrhoids in both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, this paper reviews the recent research on the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of hemorrhoids, hoping to provide a basis for the better application of TCM in clinical and experimental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng’en Zhou
- Department of Anorectal, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | | | - Xiutian Guo
- Department of Anorectal, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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11
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Merle DA, Sen M, Armento A, Stanton CM, Thee EF, Meester-Smoor MA, Kaiser M, Clark SJ, Klaver CCW, Keane PA, Wright AF, Ehrmann M, Ueffing M. 10q26 - The enigma in age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101154. [PMID: 36513584 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite comprehensive research efforts over the last decades, the pathomechanisms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remain far from being understood. Large-scale genome wide association studies (GWAS) were able to provide a defined set of genetic aberrations which contribute to disease risk, with the strongest contributors mapping to distinct regions on chromosome 1 and 10. While the chromosome 1 locus comprises factors of the complement system with well-known functions, the role of the 10q26-locus in AMD-pathophysiology remains enigmatic. 10q26 harbors a cluster of three functional genes, namely PLEKHA1, ARMS2 and HTRA1, with most of the AMD-associated genetic variants mapping to the latter two genes. High linkage disequilibrium between ARMS2 and HTRA1 has kept association studies from reliably defining the risk-causing gene for long and only very recently the genetic risk region has been narrowed to ARMS2, suggesting that this is the true AMD gene at this locus. However, genetic associations alone do not suffice to prove causality and one or more of the 14 SNPs on this haplotype may be involved in long-range control of gene expression, leaving HTRA1 and PLEKHA1 still suspects in the pathogenic pathway. Both, ARMS2 and HTRA1 have been linked to extracellular matrix homeostasis, yet their exact molecular function as well as their role in AMD pathogenesis remains to be uncovered. The transcriptional regulation of the 10q26 locus adds an additional level of complexity, given, that gene-regulatory as well as epigenetic alterations may influence expression levels from 10q26 in diseased individuals. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview on the 10q26 locus and its three gene products on various levels of biological complexity and discuss current and future research strategies to shed light on one of the remaining enigmatic spots in the AMD landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Merle
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria.
| | - Merve Sen
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Angela Armento
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Chloe M Stanton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Eric F Thee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Magda A Meester-Smoor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Markus Kaiser
- Center of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University Duisburg-Essen, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Simon J Clark
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Radboudumc, 6525EX, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pearse A Keane
- Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Alan F Wright
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Michael Ehrmann
- Center of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University Duisburg-Essen, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Ahlawat S, Choudhary V, Arora R, Kumar A, Kaur M, Chhabra P. Exploring the Transcriptome Dynamics of In Vivo Theileria annulata Infection in Crossbred Cattle. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1663. [PMID: 37761803 PMCID: PMC10530335 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular changes occurring in the host in response to in vivo Theileria annulata parasitic infection are not well understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the differential expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) across Theileria annulata-infected and non-infected crossbred cows. The differential expression profiles from PBMCs of infected and non-infected crossbred cows were generated by RNA sequencing. A marked difference in the expression of genes associated with innate immunity (FTH1, ACTB, ISG15) was observed between the two groups. The over-represented pathways in Theileria annulata-infected cows were associated with the immune system and regulation of the mitotic cycle. Enriched genes and pathways in non-infected animals were associated with the maintenance of chromatin integrity and cell structure. The highly connected genes identified in this study form potential candidates for further investigation into host-parasite interactions in cattle. An improved understanding of the transcriptomic dynamics during theileriosis would lead to underpinning molecular level differences related to the health status of cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonika Ahlawat
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Vikas Choudhary
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Reena Arora
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Pooja Chhabra
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
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Du J, Yuan X, Deng H, Huang R, Liu B, Xiong T, Long X, Zhang L, Li Y, She Q. Single-cell and spatial heterogeneity landscapes of mature epicardial cells. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:894-907. [PMID: 37719196 PMCID: PMC10499659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tbx18, Wt1, and Tcf21 have been identified as epicardial markers during the early embryonic stage. However, the gene markers of mature epicardial cells remain unclear. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis was performed with the Seurat, Monocle, and CellphoneDB packages in R software with standard procedures. Spatial transcriptomics was performed on chilled Visium Tissue Optimization Slides (10x Genomics) and Visium Spatial Gene Expression Slides (10x Genomics). Spatial transcriptomics analysis was performed with Space Ranger software and R software. Immunofluorescence, whole-mount RNA in situ hybridization and X-gal staining were performed to validate the analysis results. Spatial transcriptomics analysis revealed distinct transcriptional profiles and functions between epicardial tissue and non-epicardial tissue. Several gene markers specific to postnatal epicardial tissue were identified, including Msln, C3, Efemp1, and Upk3b. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that cardiac cells from wildtype mouse hearts (from embryonic day 9.5 to postnatal day 9) could be categorized into six major cell types, which included epicardial cells. Throughout epicardial development, Wt1, Tbx18, and Upk3b were consistently expressed, whereas genes including Msln, C3, and Efemp1 exhibited increased expression during the mature stages of development. Pseudotime analysis further revealed two epicardial cell fates during maturation. Moreover, Upk3b, Msln, Efemp1, and C3 positive epicardial cells were enriched in extracellular matrix signaling. Our results suggested Upk3b, Efemp1, Msln, C3, and other genes were mature epicardium markers. Extracellular matrix signaling was found to play a critical role in the mature epicardium, thus suggesting potential therapeutic targets for heart regeneration in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Du
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Haijun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Rongzhong Huang
- Precision Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Tianhua Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xianglin Long
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yingrui Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Qiang She
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
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Shi WQ, Wan T, Li B, Li T, Zhou XD. EFEMP1 is a potential biomarker of choroid thickness change in myopia. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1144421. [PMID: 36891459 PMCID: PMC9987712 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1144421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the possible molecular mechanism by which epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) regulates choroid thickness (CT) in the development of myopia. Methods In total, 131 subjects were divided into the emmetropia (EM) group, non-high myopia (non-HM) group and high myopia (HM) group. Their age, refraction, intraocular pressure, and other ocular biometric parameters were collected. A 6 × 6 mm area centered on the optic disc was scanned by coherent optical tomography angiography (OCTA) to measure CT, and the tear concentrations of EFEMP1 were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Twenty-two guinea pigs were divided into the control group and the form-deprivation myopia (FDM) group. The right eye of the guinea pig in the FDM group was covered for 4 weeks, and the diopter and axial length of the right eye of the guinea pig were measured before and after the treatment. After the measurement, the guinea pig was euthanized, and the eyeball was removed. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting assays and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of EFEMP1 in the choroid. Results There were significant differences in CT among the three groups (p < 0.001). CT was positively correlated with age in HM (r = -0.3613, p = 0.0021), but no significant correlation with SE (p > 0.05) was observed. Furthermore, there were increased levels of EFEMP1 in the tears of myopic patients. After 4 weeks of covering the right eye of the FDM guinea pigs, there was a significant increase in axial length and a decrease in diopter (p < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of EFEMP1 was significantly increased in the choroid. Conclusion Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in myopic patients, and the expression level of EFEMP1 in the choroid increased during the development of FDM. Therefore, EFEMP1 may be involved in the regulation of choroidal thickness in myopia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qing Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Li
- Central Laboratory, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Ahmed WUR, Patel MIA, Ng M, McVeigh J, Zondervan K, Wiberg A, Furniss D. Shared genetic architecture of hernias: A genome-wide association study with multivariable meta-analysis of multiple hernia phenotypes. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272261. [PMID: 36584111 PMCID: PMC9803250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal hernias are common and characterised by the abnormal protrusion of a viscus through the wall of the abdominal cavity. The global incidence is 18.5 million annually and there are limited non-surgical treatments. To improve understanding of common hernia aetiopathology, we performed a six-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 62,637 UK Biobank participants with either single or multiple hernia phenotypes including inguinal, femoral, umbilical and hiatus hernia. Additionally, we performed multivariable meta-analysis with metaUSAT, to allow integration of summary data across traits to generate combined effect estimates. On individual hernia analysis, we identified 3404 variants across 38 genome-wide significant (p < 5×10-8) loci of which 11 are previously unreported. Robust evidence for five shared susceptibility loci was discovered: ZC3H11B, EFEMP1, MHC region, WT1 and CALD1. Combined hernia phenotype analyses with additional multivariable meta-analysis of summary statistics in metaUSAT revealed 28 independent (seven previously unreported) shared susceptibility loci. These clustered in functional categories related to connective tissue and elastic fibre homeostasis. Weighted genetic risk scores also correlated with disease severity suggesting a phenotypic-genotypic severity correlation, an important finding to inform future personalised therapeutic approaches to hernia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waheed Ul-Rahman Ahmed
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Manal I. A. Patel
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Ng
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James McVeigh
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Krina Zondervan
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Akira Wiberg
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Furniss
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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16
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Laochareonsuk W, Kayasut K, Surachat K, Chiengkriwate P, Sangkhathat S. Impact of EFEMP1 on the survival outcome of biliary atresia in Thai infants. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15603. [PMID: 36114336 PMCID: PMC9481615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified a genetic associated between EFEMP1 and biliary atresia (BA). To examine the susceptibility of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EFEMP1 in Thai BA patients, we performed an analysis of the genetic associations and biological interactions with previously reported key SNPs in ADD3, a key gene associated with BA. The study also used high-throughput sequencing to detect novel variants in both genes. In addition, the clinical impact of EFEMP1 SNPs in terms of survival association was also evaluated. The genotypes of 60 BA patients and 179 controls were evaluated using a TaqMan genotyping assay for rs2501577 and rs17095355 in ADD3 and rs6761893 and rs727878 in EFEMP1. The genotype frequencies were analyzed together with the SNP-SNP interactions. Fine mapping by whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify deleterious variants within both genes, and the survival analysis results were analyzed with the EFEMP1 SNPs. The recessive genotypes of rs2501577, rs17095355 and rs6761893 showed significantly higher frequencies in the BA patients than the controls, and a logistic regression showed that minor alleles of those SNPs increased the BA risk by ORs of 1.86, 1.67, and 1.84, respectively. Moreover, the SNP-SNP interference suggested that a combination of recessive alleles from the 2 genes resulted in an additive risk to BA. In addition, rare missense variants in the gene coding sequences were identified in 7 cases. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a pattern of ADD3 downregulation and EFEMP1 overexpression in the bile ducts of BA patients. Patients with the AA genotype of rs6761893 had significantly lower 5-year native liver survival (34.0%) than those with AT/TT (75.0%), with a log-rank p value of 0.041. Variants in EFEMP1 are associated with the occurrence of BA in Thai patients. In addition, these variants have an additive influence on BA risk when combined with ADD3 variants. Moreover, rs6761893 in EFEMP1 was indicative of survival in Thai BA patients.
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Fibulin-3 sponges Tiam1 to manipulate MMP-7 activity through β-catenin signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:154. [PMID: 35852664 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01746-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (named OSCC) is considered the most frequent malignancy in oral cavity, which has become a rapid increasing problem for the global public health with unclear molecular mechanism. Previously, Tiam1 (T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis inducing factor 1) has been reported as a potential oncogene for OSCC. Here, we in-depth explored its signaling mechanism for the disorder. The mRNA and protein expression levels of primary differentially expressed genes (Tiam1, Fibulin-3, and MMP-7) were measured in different TNM stages of OSCC patients using RT-PCR and ELISA methods. Based on the analysis of human OSCC cell line CAL27, the relationships between these factors have been further investigated and the interactions were also examined. The luciferase reporter assay was established for the promoter region of MMP-7. Both the epithelial (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal protein markers (Vimentin and Snail) expressions were examined using western blotting. The mRNA and protein activities of Fibulin-3 declined as the increase of TNM stage. Inversely, the mRNA and protein levels of Tiam1 and MMP-7 elevated significantly as OSCC progressed. Tiam1 transfection in CAL27 cells stimulated the expression of MMP-7 by accelerating the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which was opposite to the functions of Fibulin-3. Moreover, Tiam1 interacted directly with Fibulin-3. The Tiam1 induced OSCC epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via MMP-7 activation, which was dependent on the direct binding of β-catenin at the promoter region. Collectively, these results indicated that Tiam1 competed with Fibulin-3 for nuclear β-catenin translocation, which subsequently stimulated MMP-7 expression by TCF-4 domain interaction following EMT initiation in OSCC development. Our systematical work hypothesized an innovative signaling cassette for OSCC progression, which provided beneficial references for future clinical study.
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Sharma P, Beck D, Murtha LA, Figtree G, Boyle A, Gentile C. Fibulin-3 Deficiency Protects Against Myocardial Injury Following Ischaemia/ Reperfusion in in vitro Cardiac Spheroids. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:913156. [PMID: 35795376 PMCID: PMC9251181 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.913156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI, or heart attack) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Myocardial ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury typical of MI events is also associated with the development of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure in patients. Fibulin-3 is an extracellular matrix component that plays a role in regulating MI response in the heart. In this study, we generated and compared in vitro cardiac spheroids (CSs) from wild type (WT) and fibulin-3 knockout (Fib-3 KO) mice. These were then exposed to pathophysiological changes in oxygen (O2) concentrations to mimic an MI event. We finally measured changes in contractile function, cell death, and mRNA expression levels of cardiovascular disease genes between WT and Fib-3 KO CSs. Our results demonstrated that there are significant differences in growth kinetics and endothelial network formation between WT and Fib-3 KO CSs, however, they respond similarly to changes in O2 concentrations. Fib-3 deficiency resulted in an increase in viability of cells and improvement in contraction frequency and fractional shortening compared to WT I/R CSs. Gene expression analyses demonstrated that Fib-3 deficiency inhibits I/R injury and cardiac fibrosis and promotes angiogenesis in CSs. Altogether, our findings suggest that Fib-3 deficiency makes CSs resistant to I/R injury and associated cardiac fibrosis and helps to improve the vascular network in CSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Sharma
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Engineering and IT, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dominik Beck
- Faculty of Engineering and IT, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lucy A. Murtha
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Gemma Figtree
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Boyle
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Carmine Gentile
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Engineering and IT, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Carmine Gentile
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Ahmed WUR, Kleeman S, Ng M, Wang W, Auton A, Lee R, Handa A, Zondervan KT, Wiberg A, Furniss D. Genome-wide association analysis and replication in 810,625 individuals with varicose veins. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3065. [PMID: 35654884 PMCID: PMC9163161 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30765-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Varicose veins affect one-third of Western society, with a significant subset of patients developing venous ulceration, costing $14.9 billion annually in the USA. Current management consists of either compression stockings, or surgical ablation for more advanced disease. Most varicose veins patients report a positive family history, and heritability is ~17%. We describe the largest two-stage genome-wide association study of varicose veins in 401,656 individuals from UK Biobank, and replication in 408,969 individuals from 23andMe (total 135,514 cases and 675,111 controls). Forty-nine signals at 46 susceptibility loci were discovered. We map 237 genes to these loci, several of which are biologically plausible and tractable to therapeutic targeting. Pathway analysis identified enrichment in extracellular matrix biology, inflammation, (lymph)angiogenesis, vascular smooth muscle cell migration, and apoptosis. Using a polygenic risk score (PRS) derived in an independent cohort, we demonstrate its predictive utility and correlation with varicose veins surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waheed-Ul-Rahman Ahmed
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Botnar Research Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Sam Kleeman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Michael Ng
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Botnar Research Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Wei Wang
- 23andMe, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Regent Lee
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Ashok Handa
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Krina T Zondervan
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Akira Wiberg
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Botnar Research Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Dominic Furniss
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Botnar Research Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK. .,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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20
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Eguchi R, Kawabe JI, Wakabayashi I. VEGF-Independent Angiogenic Factors: Beyond VEGF/VEGFR2 Signaling. J Vasc Res 2022; 59:78-89. [DOI: 10.1159/000521584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors induce angiogenesis to acquire oxygen and nutrition from their adjacent microenvironment. Tumor angiogenesis has been believed to be induced primarily by the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) from various tumors. VEGF-A binds to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), resulting in subsequent activation of cellular substances regulating cell proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. Antiangiogenic therapies targeting the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 axis, including bevacizumab and ramucirumab, humanized monoclonal antibodies against VEGF-A and VEGFR2, respectively, have been proposed as a promising strategy aimed at preventing tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Phase III clinical trials using bevacizumab and ramucirumab have shown that not all tumor patients benefit from such antiangiogenic agents, and that some patients who initially benefit subsequently become less responsive to these antibodies, suggesting the possible existence of VEGF-independent angiogenic factors. In this review, we focus on VEGF-independent and VEGFR2-dependent tumor angiogenesis, as well as VEGFR2-independent tumor angiogenesis. Additionally, we discuss VEGF-independent angiogenic factors which have been reported in previous studies. Various molecular targeting drugs are currently being evaluated as potential antitumor therapies. We expect that precision medicine will permit the development of innovative antiangiogenic therapies targeting individual angiogenic factors selected on the basis of the genetic screening of tumors.
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21
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Pietzner M, Wheeler E, Carrasco-Zanini J, Cortes A, Koprulu M, Wörheide MA, Oerton E, Cook J, Stewart ID, Kerrison ND, Luan J, Raffler J, Arnold M, Arlt W, O’Rahilly S, Kastenmüller G, Gamazon ER, Hingorani AD, Scott RA, Wareham NJ, Langenberg C. Mapping the proteo-genomic convergence of human diseases. Science 2021; 374:eabj1541. [PMID: 34648354 PMCID: PMC9904207 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj1541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Characterization of the genetic regulation of proteins is essential for understanding disease etiology and developing therapies. We identified 10,674 genetic associations for 3892 plasma proteins to create a cis-anchored gene-protein-disease map of 1859 connections that highlights strong cross-disease biological convergence. This proteo-genomic map provides a framework to connect etiologically related diseases, to provide biological context for new or emerging disorders, and to integrate different biological domains to establish mechanisms for known gene-disease links. Our results identify proteo-genomic connections within and between diseases and establish the value of cis-protein variants for annotation of likely causal disease genes at loci identified in genome-wide association studies, thereby addressing a major barrier to experimental validation and clinical translation of genetic discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Pietzner
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK,Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eleanor Wheeler
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Julia Carrasco-Zanini
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Mine Koprulu
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Maria A. Wörheide
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Erin Oerton
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - James Cook
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Isobel D. Stewart
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Nicola D. Kerrison
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jian’an Luan
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Johannes Raffler
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany,Institut für Digitale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Arnold
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen O’Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Gabi Kastenmüller
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany,German Centre for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eric R. Gamazon
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA,Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 9AL, United Kingdom
| | - Aroon D. Hingorani
- UCL British Heart Foundation Research Accelerator, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Health Data Research UK, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK,Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, UK
| | | | - Nicholas J. Wareham
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK,Health Data Research UK, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Claudia Langenberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK,Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany,Health Data Research UK, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK,Correspondence to Dr. Claudia Langenberg ()
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22
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Diagnostic definition of malattia leventinese in a family from Colombia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 41:388-395. [PMID: 34559486 PMCID: PMC8519600 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The malattia leventinese is an autosomal dominant inherited disease whose symptoms appear between the second and fourth decades of life. It is characterized by the appearance of drusen located between the retinal pigment epithelium and the Bruch membrane. It is usually associated with low vision and may progress to blindness. The pathogenic variant p.Arg345Trp in the EFEMP1 gene has been associated with this disease. We characterized clinically and molecularly a family with malattia leventinese using a comprehensive approach that involved ophthalmologists, pediatricians, and geneticists. This approach is of great importance since the phenotype of this disease is often confused with acular degeneration. All family members underwent ophthalmological evaluation and DNA extraction from a peripheral blood sample. All exons of the EFEMP1 gene were amplified and sequenced. The pathogenic variant p.Arg345Trp was identified in affected individuals in this family.
This is the first report of malattia leventinese in a family with the p.Arg345Trp pathogenic variant in Colombia. The molecular diagnosis of retinal dystrophies is essential to differentiate this type of pathology.
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23
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Hemicentin-1 is an essential extracellular matrix component of the dermal-epidermal and myotendinous junctions. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17926. [PMID: 34504132 PMCID: PMC8429575 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96824-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix architecture is composed of supramolecular fibrillar networks that define tissue specific cellular microenvironments. Hemicentins (Hmcn1 and Hmcn2) are ancient and very large members (> 600 kDa) of the fibulin family, whose short members are known to guide proper morphology and functional behavior of specialized cell types predominantly in elastic tissues. However, the tissue distribution and function of Hemicentins within the cellular microenvironment of connective tissues has remained largely unknown. Performing in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence analyses, we found that mouse Hmcn1 and Hmcn2 show a complementary distribution throughout different tissues and developmental stages. In postnatal dermal–epidermal junctions (DEJ) and myotendinous junctions (MTJ), Hmcn1 is primarily produced by mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts, tenocytes), Hmcn2 by cells of epithelial origin (keratinocytes, myocytes). Hmcn1−/− mice are viable and show no overt phenotypes in tissue tensile strength and locomotion tests. However, transmission electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural basement membrane (BM) alterations at the DEJ and MTJ of Hmcn1−/− mice, pointing to a thus far unknown role of Hmcn1 for BM and connective tissue boundary integrity.
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24
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Verlee M, Beyens A, Gezdirici A, Gulec EY, Pottie L, De Feyter S, Vanhooydonck M, Tapaneeyaphan P, Symoens S, Callewaert B. Loss-of-Function Variants in EFEMP1 Cause a Recognizable Connective Tissue Disorder Characterized by Cutis Laxa and Multiple Herniations. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040510. [PMID: 33807164 PMCID: PMC8066907 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary disorders of connective tissue (HDCT) compromise a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding different components of the extracellular matrix and characterized by pleiotropic manifestations, mainly affecting the cutaneous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy with a discernible connective tissue disorder characterized by cutis laxa (CL) and multiple herniations and caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in EFEMP1. Hence, we identified EFEMP1 as a novel disease-causing gene in the CL spectrum, differentiating it from other HDCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Verlee
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aude Beyens
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alper Gezdirici
- Department of Medical Genetics, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, 34480 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Elif Yilmaz Gulec
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, 34303 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Lore Pottie
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Silke De Feyter
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel Vanhooydonck
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Piyanoot Tapaneeyaphan
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie Symoens
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Callewaert
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.V.); (P.T.); (S.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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25
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Lu ZG, May A, Dinh B, Lin V, Su F, Tran C, Adivikolanu H, Ehlen R, Che B, Wang ZH, Shaw DH, Borooah S, Shaw PX. The interplay of oxidative stress and ARMS2-HTRA1 genetic risk in neovascular AMD. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 5. [PMID: 34017939 PMCID: PMC8133762 DOI: 10.20517/2574-1209.2020.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 60 years old globally. There are two forms of advanced AMD: “dry” and “wet”. Dry AMD is characterized by geographic atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and overlying photoreceptors in the macular region; whereas wet AMD is characterized by vascular penetrance from the choroid into the retina, known as choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Both phenotypes eventually lead to loss of central vision. The pathogenesis of AMD involves the interplay of genetic polymorphisms and environmental risk factors, many of which elevate retinal oxidative stress. Excess reactive oxygen species react with cellular macromolecules, forming oxidation-modified byproducts that elicit chronic inflammation and promote CNV. Additionally, genome-wide association studies have identified several genetic variants in the age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2/high-temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 (ARMS2-HTRA1) locus associated with the progression of late-stage AMD, especially the wet subtype. In this review, we will focus on the interplay of oxidative stress and HTRA1 in drusen deposition, chronic inflammation, and chronic angiogenesis. We aim to present a multifactorial model of wet AMD progression, supporting HTRA1 as a novel therapeutic target upstream of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the conventional target in AMD therapeutics. By inhibiting HTRA1’s proteolytic activity, we can reduce pro-angiogenic signaling and prevent proteolytic breakdown of the blood-retina barrier. The anti-HTRA1 approach offers a promising alternative treatment option to wet AMD, complementary to anti-VEGF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Lu
- Department of Neurology, First People's Hospital of Jingmen, Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen 448000, Hubei, China.,Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Adam May
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Brian Dinh
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Victor Lin
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Fei Su
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christina Tran
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Harini Adivikolanu
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rachael Ehlen
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Briana Che
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zhi-Hao Wang
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Daniel H Shaw
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Westview High School, San Diego, CA 92131, USA
| | - Shyamanga Borooah
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Peter X Shaw
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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