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Shahbazi Khamas S, Van Dijk Y, Abdel-Aziz MI, Neerincx AH, Blankestijn J, Vijverberg SJH, Hashimoto S, Bush A, Kraneveld AD, Hedman AM, Toncheva AA, Almqvist C, Wolff C, Murray CS, Hedlin G, Roberts G, Adcock IM, Korta-Murua J, Bønnelykke K, Fleming LJ, Pino-Yanes M, Gorenjak M, Kabesch M, Sardón-Prado O, Montuschi P, Singer F, Corcuera-Elosegui P, Fowler SJ, Brandstetter S, Harner S, Dahlén SE, Potočnik U, Frey U, van Aalderen W, Brinkman P, Maitland-van der Zee AH. Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds for Asthma Control Classification in Children with Moderate to Severe Asthma: Results from the SysPharmPediA Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024. [PMID: 38648186 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202312-2270oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Early identification of children with poorly controlled asthma is imperative for optimizing treatment strategies. The analysis of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is an emerging approach to identify prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in pediatric asthma. OBJECTIVES To assess the accuracy of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based exhaled metabolite analysis to differentiate between controlled and uncontrolled pediatric asthma. METHODS This study encompassed a discovery (SysPharmPediA) and validation phase (U-BIOPRED, PANDA). Firstly, exhaled VOCs that discriminated asthma control levels were identified. Subsequently, outcomes were validated in two independent cohorts. Patients were classified as controlled or uncontrolled, based on asthma control test scores and number of severe attacks in the past year. Additionally, potential of VOCs in predicting two or more future severe asthma attacks in SysPharmPediA was evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Complete data were available for 196 children (SysPharmPediA=100, U-BIOPRED=49, PANDA=47). In SysPharmPediA, after randomly splitting the population into training (n=51) and test sets (n=49), three compounds (acetophenone, ethylbenzene, and styrene) distinguished between uncontrolled and controlled asthmatics. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) for training and test sets were respectively: 0.83 (95% CI: 0.65-1.00) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.58-0.96). Combinations of these VOCs resulted in AUROCCs of 0.74 ±0.06 (UBIOPRED) and 0.68 ±0.05 (PANDA). Attacks prediction tests, resulted in AUROCCs of 0.71 (95% CI 0.51-0.91) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.52-0.90) for training and test sets. CONCLUSIONS Exhaled metabolites analysis might enable asthma control classification in children. This should stimulate further development of exhaled metabolites-based point-of-care tests in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoni Van Dijk
- Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
| | - Mahmoud I Abdel-Aziz
- Amsterdam UMC - Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
| | - Anne H Neerincx
- Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
| | - Jelle Blankestijn
- Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary medicine, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
| | - Susanne J H Vijverberg
- Amsterdam UMC - Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
| | - Simone Hashimoto
- Amsterdam UMC - Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
| | - Andrew Bush
- Imperial College London National Heart and Lung Institute, 90897, National Heart and Lung Institute, , London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Aletta D Kraneveld
- Utrecht University Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 534214, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anna M Hedman
- Karolinska Institutet Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 211741, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Catarina Almqvist
- Karolinska Institute, 27106, Dept of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christine Wolff
- University Hospital Regensburg, 39070, Regensburg, Bayern, Germany
| | - Clare S Murray
- School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester, Respiratory Group,, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Gunilla Hedlin
- Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden, Woman and child health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Graham Roberts
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, 7425, National Institute for Health and Care Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ian M Adcock
- NHLI, Imperial College London, Airways Disease, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Javier Korta-Murua
- Hospital Universitario de Donostia, 16650, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
| | - Klaus Bønnelykke
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, 548559, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Louise J Fleming
- Royal BRompton Hospital, Respiratory Paediatrics, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Maria Pino-Yanes
- University of the Basque Country, 16402, Department of Pediatrics, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Mario Gorenjak
- Faculty of Medicine University of Maribor in Slovenia, 68939, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, Campus St. Hedwig, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Paolo Montuschi
- Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, 18654, Pharmacology, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | | | | | - Stephen J Fowler
- University of Manchester, Respiratory Research Group, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | | | - Susanne Harner
- University Hospital Regensburg, 39070, Regensburg, Bayern, Germany
| | - Sven-Erik Dahlén
- Karolinska Intitutet, Centre for Allergy Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Urs Frey
- UKBB, Pediatrics, Basel, BS, Switzerland
| | - Wim van Aalderen
- Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, 26066, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
| | - Paul Brinkman
- Amsterdam UMC - Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
| | - Anke H Maitland-van der Zee
- Amsterdam UMC - Locatie AMC, 26066, Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC - Locatie AMC, 26066, Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands;
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2
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Martin-Almeida M, Perez-Garcia J, Herrera-Luis E, Rosa-Baez C, Gorenjak M, Neerincx AH, Sardón-Prado O, Toncheva AA, Harner S, Wolff C, Brandstetter S, Valletta E, Abdel-Aziz MI, Hashimoto S, Berce V, Corcuera-Elosegui P, Korta-Murua J, Buntrock-Döpke H, Vijverberg SJH, Verster JC, Kerssemakers N, Hedman AM, Almqvist C, Villar J, Kraneveld AD, Potočnik U, Kabesch M, der Zee AHMV, Pino-Yanes M, Consortium OBOTS. Epigenome-Wide Association Studies of the Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Bronchodilator Drug Response in Moderate-to-Severe Pediatric Asthma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030676. [PMID: 36979655 PMCID: PMC10044864 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is the most prevalent pediatric chronic disease. Bronchodilator drug response (BDR) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) are clinical biomarkers of asthma. Although DNA methylation (DNAm) contributes to asthma pathogenesis, the influence of DNAm on BDR and FeNO is scarcely investigated. This study aims to identify DNAm markers in whole blood associated either with BDR or FeNO in pediatric asthma. We analyzed 121 samples from children with moderate-to-severe asthma. The association of genome-wide DNAm with BDR and FeNO has been assessed using regression models, adjusting for age, sex, ancestry, and tissue heterogeneity. Cross-tissue validation was assessed in 50 nasal samples. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and enrichment in traits and biological pathways were assessed. A false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.1 and a genome-wide significance threshold of p < 9 × 10−8 were used to control for false-positive results. The CpG cg12835256 (PLA2G12A) was genome-wide associated with FeNO in blood samples (coefficient= −0.015, p = 2.53 × 10−9) and nominally associated in nasal samples (coefficient = −0.015, p = 0.045). Additionally, three CpGs were suggestively associated with BDR (FDR < 0.1). We identified 12 and four DMRs associated with FeNO and BDR (FDR < 0.05), respectively. An enrichment in allergic and inflammatory processes, smoking, and aging was observed. We reported novel associations of DNAm markers associated with BDR and FeNO enriched in asthma-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Martin-Almeida
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier Perez-Garcia
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Esther Herrera-Luis
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Carlos Rosa-Baez
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Mario Gorenjak
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Anne H. Neerincx
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres—Loc. AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olaia Sardón-Prado
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Donostia University Hospital, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Antoaneta A. Toncheva
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Harner
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christine Wolff
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisa Valletta
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mahmoud I. Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres—Loc. AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Simone Hashimoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres—Loc. AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vojko Berce
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Clinic of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Paula Corcuera-Elosegui
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Donostia University Hospital, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Javier Korta-Murua
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Donostia University Hospital, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Heike Buntrock-Döpke
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne J. H. Vijverberg
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres—Loc. AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joris C. Verster
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Nikki Kerssemakers
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Hedman
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina Almqvist
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesús Villar
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Organ Dysfunction Evaluation Research Network, Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Aletta D. Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Uroš Potočnik
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Clinic of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Genomics, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, D-93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anke H. Maitland-van der Zee
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres—Loc. AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Pino-Yanes
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-9223-16502-6343
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3
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Blankestijn JM, Lopez-Rincon A, Neerincx AH, Vijverberg SJH, Hashimoto S, Gorenjak M, Sardón Prado O, Corcuera-Elosegui P, Korta-Murua J, Pino-Yanes M, Potočnik U, Bang C, Franke A, Wolff C, Brandstetter S, Toncheva AA, Kheiroddin P, Harner S, Kabesch M, Kraneveld AD, Abdel-Aziz MI, Maitland-van der Zee AH. Classifying asthma control using salivary and fecal bacterial microbiome in children with moderate-to-severe asthma. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e13919. [PMID: 36825736 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncontrolled asthma can lead to severe exacerbations and reduced quality of life. Research has shown that the microbiome may be linked with asthma characteristics; however, its association with asthma control has not been explored. We aimed to investigate whether the gastrointestinal microbiome can be used to discriminate between uncontrolled and controlled asthma in children. METHODS 143 and 103 feces samples were obtained from 143 children with moderate-to-severe asthma aged 6 to 17 years from the SysPharmPediA study. Patients were classified as controlled or uncontrolled asthmatics, and their microbiome at species level was compared using global (alpha/beta) diversity, conventional differential abundance analysis (DAA, analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction), and machine learning [Recursive Ensemble Feature Selection (REFS)]. RESULTS Global diversity and DAA did not find significant differences between controlled and uncontrolled pediatric asthmatics. REFS detected a set of taxa, including Haemophilus and Veillonella, differentiating uncontrolled and controlled asthma with an average classification accuracy of 81% (saliva) and 86% (feces). These taxa showed enrichment in taxa previously associated with inflammatory diseases for both sampling compartments, and with COPD for the saliva samples. CONCLUSION Controlled and uncontrolled children with asthma can be differentiated based on their gastrointestinal microbiome using machine learning, specifically REFS. Our results show an association between asthma control and the gastrointestinal microbiome. This suggests that the gastrointestinal microbiome may be a potential biomarker for treatment responsiveness and thereby help to improve asthma control in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle M Blankestijn
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Lopez-Rincon
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Data Science, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne H Neerincx
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne J H Vijverberg
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Hashimoto
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mario Gorenjak
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Olaia Sardón Prado
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Paula Corcuera-Elosegui
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Javier Korta-Murua
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Maria Pino-Yanes
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Uroš Potočnik
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Corinna Bang
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christine Wolff
- Science and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- Science and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- Science and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Parastoo Kheiroddin
- Science and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Harner
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Science and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Aletta D Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mahmoud I Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Anke H Maitland-van der Zee
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Kürner K, Goeral K, Atkinson A, Brandstetter S, Toncheva AA, Kabesch M, Apfelbacher C, Melter M, Seelbach-Göbel B, Berger A, Kuhle J, Wellmann S. Vaginal Delivery Is Associated with Neurochemical Evidence of Increased Neuroaxonal Remodelling in Infants from the KUNO-Kids Health Study: Cross-Sectional Analysis. Neonatology 2022; 119:769-776. [PMID: 36108619 DOI: 10.1159/000526472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM Little is known about neonatal brain plasticity or the impact of birth mode on neurointegrity. As a reflection of neuroaxonal damage, the neuronal structural protein neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a highly specific biomarker. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that vaginal delivery is associated with increased NfL in neonates. METHODS NfL concentrations were measured using single-molecule array immunoassay in umbilical cord serum from healthy term neonates enrolled in the prospective KUNO-Kids Health Study. NfL values were investigated for independent influencing factors using linear and logistic models, followed by post hoc propensity score-matching. RESULTS Of 665 neonates, n = 470 (70.7%) were delivered vaginally and n = 195 (29.3%) by cesarean section. Median serum NfL was significantly higher after vaginal delivery 14.4 pg/mL (11.6-18.5) compared to primary 7.5 pg/mL (6.1-8.9) and secondary cesarean delivery 9.3 pg/mL (7.5-12.0). Multivariable logistic regression models showed delivery mode and gestational age to be independently associated with NfL. Propensity score-matching analysis confirmed that assisted vaginal delivery generated higher NfL compared to vaginal (non-assisted), while lowest levels were associated with cesarean section. INTERPRETATION Our data confirm the significant impact of birth mode on neonatal NfL levels. The persistence of these differences and their potential long-term impact have yet to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kürner
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital of Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Goeral
- Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,
| | - Andrew Atkinson
- Department of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- University Children's Hospital of Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital of Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital of Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Apfelbacher
- Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Melter
- University Children's Hospital of Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Seelbach-Göbel
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Berger
- Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sven Wellmann
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital of Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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5
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Geis T, Brandstetter S, Toncheva AA, Laub O, Leipold G, Wagner R, Kabesch M, Kasser S, Kuhle J, Wellmann S. Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) values in a large cross-sectional population of children with asymptomatic to moderate COVID-19. J Neurol 2021; 268:3969-3974. [PMID: 33893540 PMCID: PMC8064423 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10554-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is an established biomarker of neuro-axonal damage in multiple neurological disorders. Raised sNfL levels have been reported in adults infected with pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Levels in children infected with COVID-19 have not as yet been reported. Objective To evaluate whether sNfL is elevated in children contracting COVID-19. Methods Between May 22 and July 22, 2020, a network of outpatient pediatricians in Bavaria, Germany, the Coronavirus antibody screening in children from Bavaria study network (CoKiBa), recruited healthy children into a cross-sectional study from two sources: an ongoing prevention program for 1–14 years, and referrals of 1–17 years consulting a pediatrician for possible infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We determined sNfL levels by single molecule array immunoassay and SARS-CoV-2 antibody status by two independent quantitative methods. Results Of the 2652 included children, 148 (5.6%) were SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive with asymptomatic to moderate COVID-19 infection. Neurological symptoms—headache, dizziness, muscle aches, or loss of smell and taste—were present in 47/148 cases (31.8%). Mean sNfL levels were 5.5 pg/ml (SD 2.9) in the total cohort, 5.1 (SD 2.1) pg/ml in the children with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and 5.5 (SD 3.0) pg/ml in those without. Multivariate regression analysis revealed age—but neither antibody status, antibody levels, nor clinical severity—as an independent predictor of sNfL. Follow-up of children with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (n = 14) showed no association with sNfL. Conclusions In this population study, children with asymptomatic to moderate COVID-19 showed no neurochemical evidence of neuronal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Geis
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Otto Laub
- Pediatric Office Dr. Laub, Rosenheim, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE), at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Severin Kasser
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children´s Hospital Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurology Clinic and Policlinic, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sven Wellmann
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany.
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6
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Borchers NS, Santos-Valente E, Toncheva AA, Wehkamp J, Franke A, Gaertner VD, Nordkild P, Genuneit J, Jensen BAH, Kabesch M. Human β-Defensin 2 Mutations Are Associated With Asthma and Atopy in Children and Its Application Prevents Atopic Asthma in a Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2021; 12:636061. [PMID: 33717182 PMCID: PMC7946850 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma and allergies are complex, chronic inflammatory diseases in which genetic and environmental factors are crucial. Protection against asthma and allergy development in the context of farming environment is established by early animal contact, unpasteurized milk consumption and gut microbiota maturation. The human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2) is a host defense peptide present almost exclusively in epithelial tissues, with pronounced immunomodulatory properties, which has recently been shown to ameliorate asthma and IBD in animal models. We hypothesized that adequate hBD-2 secretion plays a role in the protection against asthma and allergy development and that genetic variations in the complex gene locus coding for hBD-2 may be a risk factor for developing these diseases, if as a consequence, hBD-2 is insufficiently produced. We used MALDI-TOF MS genotyping, sequencing and a RFLP assay to study the genetic variation including mutations, polymorphisms and copy number variations in the locus harboring both genes coding for hBD-2 (DEFB4A and DEFB4B). We administered hBD-2 orally in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-asthma before allergy challenge to explore its prophylactic potential, thereby mimicking a protective farm effect. Despite the high complexity of the region harboring DEFB4A and DEFB4B we identified numerous genetic variants to be associated with asthma and allergy in the GABRIELA Ulm population of 1,238 children living in rural areas, including rare mutations, polymorphisms and a lack of the DEFB4A. Furthermore, we found that prophylactic oral administration of hBD-2 significantly curbed lung resistance and pulmonary inflammation in our HDM mouse model. These data indicate that inadequate genetic capacity for hBD-2 is associated with increased asthma and allergy risk while adequate and early hBD-2 administration (in a mouse model) prevents atopic asthma. This suggests that hBD-2 could be involved in the protective farm effect and may be an excellent candidate to confer protection against asthma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha S. Borchers
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisangela Santos-Valente
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A. Toncheva
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wehkamp
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Vincent D. Gaertner
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
- Newborn Research Zürich, University Hospital and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Jon Genuneit
- Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin A. H. Jensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
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7
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Laub O, Leipold G, Toncheva AA, Peterhoff D, Einhauser S, Neckermann P, Borchers N, Santos-Valente E, Kheiroddin P, Buntrock-Döpke H, Laub S, Schöberl P, Schweiger-Kabesch A, Ewald D, Horn M, Niggel J, Ambrosch A, Überla K, Gerling S, Brandstetter S, Wagner R, Kabesch M. Symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, and Neutralization Capacity in a Cross Sectional-Population of German Children. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:678937. [PMID: 34671582 PMCID: PMC8522552 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.678937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Children and youth are affected rather mildly in the acute phase of COVID-19 and thus, SARS-CoV-2 infection infection may easily be overlooked. In the light of current discussions on the vaccinations of children it seems necessary to better identify children who are immune against SARS-CoV-2 due to a previous infection and to better understand COVID-19 related immune reactions in children. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, children aged 1-17 were recruited through primary care pediatricians for the study (a) randomly, if they had an appointment for a regular health check-up or (b) if parents and children volunteered and actively wanted to participate in the study. Symptoms were recorded and two antibody tests were performed in parallel directed against S (in house test) and N (Roche Elecsys) viral proteins. In children with antibody response in either test, neutralization activity was determined. Results: We identified antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 162 of 2,832 eligible children (5.7%) between end of May and end of July 2020 in three, in part strongly affected regions of Bavaria in the first wave of the pandemic. Approximately 60% of antibody positive children (n = 97) showed high levels (>97th percentile) of antibodies against N-protein, and for the S-protein, similar results were found. Sufficient neutralizing activity was detected for only 135 antibody positive children (86%), irrespective of age and sex. Initial COVID-19 symptoms were unspecific in children except for the loss of smell and taste and unrelated to antibody responses or neutralization capacity. Approximately 30% of PCR positive children did not show seroconversion in our small subsample in which PCR tests were performed. Conclusions: Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are unspecific in children and antibody responses show a dichotomous structure with strong responses in many and no detectable antibodies in PCR positive children and missing neutralization activity in a relevant proportion of the young population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Laub
- Pediatric Office Laub, Rosenheim, Germany
| | | | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - David Peterhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natascha Borchers
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisangela Santos-Valente
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Parastoo Kheiroddin
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Heike Buntrock-Döpke
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Laub
- Pediatric Office Laub, Rosenheim, Germany
| | - Patricia Schöberl
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Schweiger-Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Ewald
- Pediatric Office Dr. Heuschmann & Dr. Ewald, Regenstauf, Germany
| | | | | | - Andreas Ambrosch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Gerling
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Member of the Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
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8
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Brandstetter S, Roth S, Harner S, Buntrock-Döpke H, Toncheva AA, Borchers N, Gruber R, Ambrosch A, Kabesch M. Symptoms and immunoglobulin development in hospital staff exposed to a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2020; 31:841-847. [PMID: 32413201 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide, the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections is increasing. Serological immunoglobulin tests may help to better understand the development of immune mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 cases and exposed but asymptomatic individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to SARS-CoV-2, symptoms, and antibody responses in a large sample of healthcare workers following a COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS A COVID-19 outbreak among staff members of a major German children's and women's hospital was followed by massive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 tests and provided the opportunity to study symptoms, chains of infection, and SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses (IgG and IgA) by ELISA. Study participants were classified as COVID-19 cases, and persons with close, moderate, or no exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the clinical setting, respectively. RESULTS Out of 201 study participants, 31 were COVID-19 cases. While most study participants experienced many symptoms indicative for SARS-CoV-2 infection, anosmia and coughing were remarkably more frequent in COVID-19 cases. Approximately 80% of COVID-19 cases developed some specific antibody response (IgA and IgG) approximately 3 weeks after onset of symptoms. Subjects in the non-COVID-19 groups had also elevated IgG (1.8%) and IgA values (7.6%) irrespective of contact history with cases. CONCLUSION We found that a significant number of diseased did not develop relevant antibody responses three weeks after symptom onset. Our data also suggest that exposure to COVID-19 positive co-workers in a hospital setting is not leading to the development of measurable immune responses in a significant proportion of asymptomatic contact persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Brandstetter
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Samra Roth
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Harner
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Heike Buntrock-Döpke
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natascha Borchers
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Gruber
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Ambrosch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Research and Development Campus Regensburg (WECARE) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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9
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Fill Malfertheiner S, Brandstetter S, Roth S, Harner S, Buntrock-Döpke H, Toncheva AA, Borchers N, Gruber R, Ambrosch A, Kabesch M, Häusler S. Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in health care workers following a COVID-19 outbreak: A prospective longitudinal study. J Clin Virol 2020; 130:104575. [PMID: 32805631 PMCID: PMC7406471 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Currently, little is known about the progression of an immune response against SARSCoV- 2 upon infection or sub-infection-exposure over time. We examined the serologic response in healthcare workers up to 12 weeks after a well-documented and contained outbreak and compared results with findings from earlier serologic testing in the same population. METHODS This study followed 166 health care workers of the University Perinatal Care Center, Regensburg, Germany, for up to 12 weeks. 27 of the subjects had previously tested positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by PCR testing and developed COVID-19. Serologic responses were tested with two independent commercially available test kits. RESULTS 77.8 % of COVID-19 study subjects developed a specific IgG-response over the course of the 12-week study, while none of the COVID-19 contact groups had a detectable IgG response. Amongst most COVID-19 patients the values of detectable IgG-responses significantly increased over time as confirmed with both tests, while that of positive IgA responses decreased. Between the number of reported symptoms and antibody responses in COVID-19 patients no correlation was found and no new cases of seroconversion were identified in asymptomatic coworkers with negative PCR during the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS Immune response after COVID-19 increases significantly over time but still approximately 22 % of COVID-19 patients did not mount a measurable serologic immune response within 60 days. Exposed co-workers did not develop any relevant antibody levels at all. We conclude that immunity after infection increases over time, but the antibody response does not develop reliably in all infected people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fill Malfertheiner
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; WECARE Research and Development Campus Regensburg at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; WECARE Research and Development Campus Regensburg at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Samra Roth
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Harner
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Heike Buntrock-Döpke
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; WECARE Research and Development Campus Regensburg at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natascha Borchers
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Gruber
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Ambrosch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; WECARE Research and Development Campus Regensburg at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Häusler
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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10
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Brandstetter S, Toncheva AA, Niggel J, Wolff C, Gran S, Seelbach-Göbel B, Apfelbacher C, Melter M, Kabesch M. KUNO-Kids birth cohort study: rationale, design, and cohort description. Mol Cell Pediatr 2019; 6:1. [PMID: 30627823 PMCID: PMC6326917 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-018-0088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Birth cohort studies can contribute substantially to the understanding of health and disease — in childhood and over the life course. The KUNO-Kids birth cohort study was established to investigate various aspects of child health, using novel omics technologies in a systems medicine approach. Results After 3 years of recruitment, 2515 infants and their families have joined the study. Parents with higher education are overrepresented as in many other birth cohorts and are more likely to complete follow-up assessments via self-report questionnaires. The vast majority of participants consented to clinical examinations of their child and to the non-invasive collection of diverse biosamples, which were processed specifically for their integrated use in omics technology covering genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbiome analyses of the skin, oral cavity, and stool. Conclusions The data and diverse biomaterial collected in the KUNO-Kids birth cohort study will provide extensive opportunities for investigating child health and its determinants in a holistic approach. The combination of a broad range of research questions in one study will allow for a cost-effective use of biomaterial and omics results and for a comprehensive analysis of biological and social determinants of health and disease. Aiming for low attrition and ensuring participants’ long-term commitment will be crucial to fully exploit the potential of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Brandstetter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Niggel
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christine Wolff
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Silvia Gran
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Seelbach-Göbel
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology St. Hedwig, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Apfelbacher
- Medical Sociology, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Melter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), University of Regensburg, Clinic St. Hedwig, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, 93049, Regensburg, Germany
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11
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Twardziok M, Schröder PC, Krusche J, Casaca VI, Illi S, Böck A, Loss GJ, Kabesch M, Toncheva AA, Roduit C, Depner M, Genuneit J, Renz H, Roponen M, Weber J, Braun-Fahrländer C, Riedler J, Lauener R, Vuitton DA, Dalphin JC, Pekkanen J, von Mutius E, Schaub B, Hyvärinen A, Karvonen AM, Kirjavainen PV, Remes S, Kaulek V, Dalphin ML, Ege M, Pfefferle PI, Doekes G. Asthmatic farm children show increased CD3 +CD8 low T-cells compared to non-asthmatic farm children. Clin Immunol 2017; 183:285-292. [PMID: 28917722 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Twardziok
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul C Schröder
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johanna Krusche
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany; Member of German Center for Lung Research, DZL, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Vera I Casaca
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabina Illi
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Böck
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg J Loss
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany; University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, CA, USA
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Roduit
- Zurich University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland and Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Martin Depner
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jon Genuneit
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Harald Renz
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Member of German Center for Lung Research, DZL, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Marjut Roponen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juliane Weber
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | | | - Roger Lauener
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland and Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Public health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Erika von Mutius
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany; Member of German Center for Lung Research, DZL, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Schaub
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany; Member of German Center for Lung Research, DZL, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | | | - Anne Hyvärinen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M Karvonen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pirkka V Kirjavainen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sami Remes
- Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vincent Kaulek
- University Hospital of Besançon, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Marie-Laure Dalphin
- University Hospital of Besançon, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Markus Ege
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany; Member of German Center for Lung Research, DZL, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Petra I Pfefferle
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Member of German Center for Lung Research, DZL, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Gert Doekes
- Utrecht University, Institut for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Devision of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Fuchs O, Gorlanova O, Latzin P, Schmidt A, Schieck M, Toncheva AA, Michel S, Gaertner VD, Kabesch M, Frey U. 6q12 and 11p14 variants are associated with postnatal exhaled nitric oxide levels and respiratory symptoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140:1015-1023. [PMID: 28109725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a biomarker of airway inflammation and seems to precede respiratory symptoms, such as asthma, in childhood. Identifying genetic determinants of postnatal eNO levels might aid in unraveling the role of eNO in epithelial function or airway inflammation and disease. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify genetic determinants of early postnatal eNO levels and subsequent respiratory symptoms during the first year of life. METHODS Within a population-based birth cohort, eNO levels were measured in healthy term infants aged 5 weeks during quiet tidal breathing in unsedated sleep. We assessed associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms with eNO levels in a genome-wide association study and subsequent symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections during the first year of life and asked whether this was modified by prenatal and early-life environmental factors. RESULTS We identified thus far unknown determinants of infant eNO levels: rs208515 (P = 3.3 × 10-8), which is located at 6q12, probably acting in "trans" and explaining 10.3% of eNO level variance, and rs1441519 (P = 1.6 × 10-6), which is located at 11p14, potentially affecting nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) expression, as shown by means of in vitro functional analyses. Moreover, the 6q12 locus was inversely associated with subsequent respiratory symptoms (P < .05) and time to recovery after first respiratory symptoms during the first year of life (P < .05). CONCLUSION The identification of novel genetic determinants of infant eNO levels might implicate that postnatal eNO metabolism in healthy infants before first viral infections and sensitization is related to mechanisms other than those associated with asthma, atopy, or increased risk thereof later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Fuchs
- University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munch, and the Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M; Member of the German Center for Lung Research [DZL]), Munich, Germany; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olga Gorlanova
- University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Latzin
- University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne Schmidt
- University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Schieck
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sven Michel
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Vincent D Gaertner
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany, and Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Germany (member of the German Center for Lung Research [DZL]), Hannover, Germany
| | - Urs Frey
- University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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13
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Schedel M, Michel S, Gaertner VD, Toncheva AA, Depner M, Binia A, Schieck M, Rieger MT, Klopp N, von Berg A, Bufe A, Laub O, Rietschel E, Heinzmann A, Simma B, Vogelberg C, Genuneit J, Illig T, Kabesch M. Polymorphisms related to ORMDL3 are associated with asthma susceptibility, alterations in transcriptional regulation of ORMDL3, and changes in TH2 cytokine levels. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 136:893-903.e14. [PMID: 25930191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosome 17q21, harboring the orosomucoid 1-like 3 (ORMDL3) gene, has been consistently associated with childhood asthma in genome-wide association studies. OBJECTIVE We investigated genetic variants in and around ORMDL3 that can change the function of ORMDL3 and thus contribute to asthma susceptibility. METHODS We performed haplotype analyses and fine mapping of the ORMDL3 locus in a cross-sectional (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase II, n = 3557 total subjects, n = 281 asthmatic patients) and case-control (Multicenter Asthma Genetics in Childhood Study/International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase II, n = 1446 total subjects, n = 763 asthmatic patients) data set to identify putative causal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the locus. Top asthma-associated polymorphisms were analyzed for allele-specific effects on transcription factor binding and promoter activity in vitro and gene expression in PBMCs after stimulation ex vivo. RESULTS Two haplotypes (H1 and H2) were significantly associated with asthma in the cross-sectional (P = 9.9 × 10(-5) and P = .0035, respectively) and case-control (P = 3.15 × 10(-8) and P = .0021, respectively) populations. Polymorphisms rs8076131 and rs4065275 were identified to drive these effects. For rs4065275, a quantitative difference in transcription factor binding was found, whereas for rs8076131, changes in upstream stimulatory factor 1 and 2 transcription factor binding were observed in vitro by using different cell lines and PBMCs. This might contribute to detected alterations in luciferase activity paralleled with changes in ORMDL3 gene expression and IL-4 and IL-13 cytokine levels ex vivo in response to innate and adaptive stimuli in an allele-specific manner. Both SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium with asthma-associated 17q21 SNPs previously related to altered ORMDL3 gene expression. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms in a putative promoter region of ORMDL3, which are associated with childhood asthma, alter transcriptional regulation of ORMDL3, correlate with changes in TH2 cytokines levels, and therefore might contribute to the childhood asthma susceptibility signal from 17q21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Schedel
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colo; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sven Michel
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vincent D Gaertner
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antoaneta A Toncheva
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Depner
- Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Aristea Binia
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Nestlé Research Centre, Nutrition & Health Department, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Schieck
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marie T Rieger
- Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Norman Klopp
- Research Group of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea von Berg
- Research Institute for the Prevention of Allergic Diseases, Children's Department, Marien-Hospital, Wesel, Germany
| | - Albrecht Bufe
- Department of Experimental Pneumology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Otto Laub
- Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Rietschel
- University Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andrea Heinzmann
- University Children's Hospital, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Burkard Simma
- Children's Department, Feldkirch Hospital, Feldkirch, Austria
| | | | - Jon Genuneit
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Illig
- Research Group of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Kabesch
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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14
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Schieck M, Sharma V, Michel S, Toncheva AA, Worth L, Potaczek DP, Genuneit J, Kretschmer A, Depner M, Dalphin JC, Riedler J, Frei R, Pekkanen J, Tost J, Kabesch M. A polymorphism in the TH 2 locus control region is associated with changes in DNA methylation and gene expression. Allergy 2014; 69:1171-80. [PMID: 24866380 DOI: 10.1111/all.12450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomewide association and epigenetic studies found a region within the RAD50 gene on chromosome 5q31 to be associated with total serum IgE levels and asthma. In mice, this region harbors a locus control region for nearby TH 2 cytokines, which is characterized by four Rad50 DNase I hypersensitive sites (RHS4-7). Among these, RHS7 seems to have the strongest impact on TH 2 differentiation. We investigated whether within the human homolog of RHS7, functional polymorphisms exist, which could affect DNA methylation or gene expression in the 5q31 locus and might have an influence on asthma status or IgE regulation. METHODS The human RHS7 region was fine mapped using 1000 genomes database information. In silico analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to assess SNP function. Allele-specific effects on DNA methylation were evaluated in cord blood (n = 73) and at age of 4.5 years (n = 61) by pyrosequencing. Allele-specific effects on RAD50, IL4, and IL13 expression were analyzed in 100 subjects. Associations with asthma and IgE levels were investigated in the MAGICS/ISAAC II population (n = 1145). RESULTS Polymorphism rs2240032 in the RHS7 region is suggestive of allele-specific transcription factor binding, affects methylation of the IL13 promoter region and influences RAD50 and IL4 expression (lowest P = 0.0027). It is also associated with total serum IgE levels (P = 0.0227). CONCLUSION A functional relevant polymorphism in the TH 2 locus control region, equivalent to RHS7 in mice, affects DNA methylation and gene expression within 5q31 and influences total serum IgE on the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schieck
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergy, University Children`s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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15
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Toncheva AA, Suttner K, Michel S, Klopp N, Illig T, Balschun T, Vogelberg C, von Berg A, Bufe A, Heinzmann A, Laub O, Rietschel E, Simma B, Frischer T, Genuneit J, von Mutius E, Kabesch M. Genetic variants in Protocadherin-1, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and asthma subphenotypes in German children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012; 23:636-41. [PMID: 23050600 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2012.01334.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) was reported as a novel susceptibility gene for bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) and asthma. PCDH1 is located on chromosome 5q31-33, in the vicinity of several known candidate genes for asthma and allergy. To exclude that the associations observed for PCDH1 originate from the nearby cytokine cluster, an extensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was performed. Effects of polymorphisms in PCDH1 on asthma, BHR, and related phenotypes were studied comprehensively. METHODS Genotype information was acquired from Illumina HumanHap300Chip genotyping, MALDI-TOF MS genotyping, and imputation. LD was assessed by Haploview 4.2 software. Associations were investigated in a population of 1454 individuals (763 asthmatics) from two German study populations [MAGICS and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase II (ISAAC II)] using logistic regression to model additive effects. RESULTS No relevant LD between PCDH1 tagging polymorphisms and 98 single nucleotide polymorphisms within the cytokine cluster was detected. While BHR was not associated with PCDH1 polymorphisms, significant associations with subphenotypes of asthma were observed. CONCLUSION Protocadherin-1 polymorphisms may specifically affect the development of non-atopic asthma in children. Functional studies are needed to further investigate the role of PCDH1 in BHR and asthma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoaneta A Toncheva
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergy and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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