Exploring the short linear motif-mediated protein-protein interactions of CrkL through ProP-PD

Adaptor proteins play a pivotal role in cellular signaling mediating a multitude of protein-protein interaction critical for cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of these interactions has been linked to the onset of various cancer pathologies and exploited by viral pathogens during host cell takeover. CrkL is an adaptor protein composed of an N-terminal SH2 domain followed by two SH3 domains that mediate interactions with diverse partners through the recognition of specific binding motifs. In this study, we employed proteomic peptide-phage display (ProP-PD) to comprehensively explore the short linear motif (SLiM)-based interactions of CrkL. Furthermore, we scrutinized how the binding affinity for selected peptides was influenced in the context of the full-length CrkL versus the isolated N-SH3 domain. Importantly, our results provided insights into SLiM-binding sites within previously reported interactors, as well as revealing novel human and viral ligands, expanding our understanding of the interactions mediated by CrkL and highlighting the significance of SLiM-based interactions in mediating adaptor protein function, with implications for cancer and viral pathologies.

Long-term exposure to PM10 and respiratory health among Parisian subway workers

Exposure to ambient PM10 may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung function decline. We evaluated the long-term exposure to PM10 and its relationship with COPD prevalence and lung function in Parisian subway workers. Participants were randomly selected from a 15,000-subway worker cohort. Individual annual external exposure to PM10 (ePM10) was estimated using a company-specific job-exposure-matrix based on PM10 measurements conducted between 2004 and 2019 in the Parisian subway network. Mean annual inhaled PM10 exposure (iPM10) was modeled as function of ePM10 exposure, inhalation rate, and filtration efficiency of the respiratory protection used. COPD diagnosis was performed in March-May 2021 based on post-bronchodilator spirometry. The relationship between iPM10 and outcomes was assessed using logistic and linear regression models, adjusted for exposure duration and potential confounders. Amongst 254 participants with complete data, 17 were diagnosed as COPD. The mean employment duration was 23.2 ± 7.3years, with annual mean ePM10 of 71.8 ± 33.7 μg/m3 and iPM10 of 0.59 ± 0.27 μg/shift, respectively. A positive but statistically non-significant association was found for COPD prevalence with iPM10 (OR = 1.034, 95%-CI = 0.781; 1.369, per 100 ng/shift) and ePM10 (OR = 1.029, 95%-CI = 0.879; 1.207, per 10 μg/m3). No decline in lung function was associated with PM10 exposure. However, forced expiratory volume during the first second and forced vital capacity lower than normal were positively associated with exposure duration (OR = 1.125, 95%-CI = 1.004; 1.260 and OR = 1.171, 95%-CI = 0.989; 1.386 per year, respectively). Current smoking was strongly associated with COPD prevalence (OR = 6.85, 95%-CI = 1.87; 25.10) and most lung function parameters. This is the first study assessing the relationship between long-term exposure to subway PM10 and respiratory health in subway workers. The risk estimates related with subway PM10 exposure are compatible with those related to outdoor PM10 exposure in the large recent studies. Large cohorts of subway workers are necessary to confirm these findings.

Oxidative Potential in Exhaled Air (OPEA) as a Tool for Predicting Certain Respiratory Disorders in the General Adult Population: Cross-Sectional Analysis Nested in the Swiss Health Study

In a pilot clinical study, OPEA allowed for distinguishing participants with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to assess whether abnormal spirometry parameters and immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are associated with increased OPEA and estimating the OPEA reference interval. Swiss adult residents of the Vaud Canton aged 20–69 years randomly selected from the Federal Statistical Office’s registries, speaking French or German, were included and examined between 1 October 2020 and 31 December 2021. General health status and presence of respiratory diseases were assessed by questionnaire and spirometry. Spirometric results were compared with the predicted values and their lower limits of norms of the Global Lung Function Initiative. SARS-CoV-2-seroprevalence was assessed using the Luminex-based test of IgG. Statistical analysis consisted of unilateral t-tests and ANOVA. Lower and upper limit of OPEA reference interval with associated 90%-confidence interval (90%CI) were estimated for the sub-sample of healthy adults by bootstrap, after excluding outliers. The study sample included 247 participants. SARS-CoV-2-seropositive participants and those with an obstructive syndrome had a significantly higher OPEA than seronegative and healthy participants. The estimated reference interval was: −0.0516 (90%CI = −0.0735; −0.0316); −0.0044 (90%CI = −0.0224; 0.0153). OPEA could predict inflammatory-based respiratory disorders, but needs further validation in different settings and for other pathologies.

Short-term efficacy of a fixed association of Palmitoylethanolamide and other phytochemicals as add-on therapy in the management of chronic pain in elderly patients: a real-world retrospective study

Phytochemicals are promising adjuvant agents for the treatment of pain. This study aimed to explore the short-term efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combined therapy with Palmitoylethanolamide and other phytochemicals as add-on therapy in elderly patients. Data on 47 elderly patients with non-oncologic chronic pain of mild-moderate degree were analyzed in a retrospective, descriptive, no-profit, double-center realworld study. Patients were administered the combined phytochemical therapy for 6 weeks, in addition to analgesics administered when needed. Patients showed a reduction in pain intensity both in mixed /nociceptive and in neuropathic pain and improvements in functional abilities, quality of life, and in the subjective belief about the efficacy of treatment. These results were also observed in the small subgroup of patients in monotherapy with phytochemicals (n=13). No adverse event led to treatment withdrawal. This exploratory study suggests that phytochemicals may represent an effective source of analgesics to be added to chemically synthesized drugs, therefore reducing the need of their up-titration and the risk of toxicity. These data must be considered as preliminary and need to be tested in randomized trials.

Beta-cell markers and autoantigen expression by a human insulinoma cell line: similarities to native beta cells

In the present study we have evaluated the expression of different beta-cell markers, islet molecules and auto-antigens relevant in diabetes autoimmunity by a human insulinoma cell line (CM) in order to define its similarities with native beta cells and to discover whether it could be considered as a model for studies on immunological aspects of Type 1 diabetes. First, the positivity of the CM cell line for known markers of neuroendocrine derivation was determined by means of immunocytochemical analysis using different anti-islet monoclonal antibodies including A2B5 and 3G5 reacting with islet gangliosides, and HISL19 binding to an islet glycoprotein. Secondly, the expression and characteristics of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and of GM2-1 ganglioside, both known to be islet autoantigens in diabetes autoimmunity and expressed by human native beta cells, were investigated in the CM cell line. The pattern of ganglioside expression in comparison to that of native beta cells was also evaluated. Thirdly, the binding of diabetic sera to CM cells reacting with islet cytoplasmic antigens (ICA) was studied by immunohistochemistry. The results of this study showed that beta cell markers identified by anti-islet monoclonal antibodies A2B5, 3G5 and HISL-19 are expressed by CM cells; similarly, islet molecules such as GAD and GM2-1 ganglioside are present and possess similar characteristics to those found in native beta cells; the pattern of expression of other gangliosides by CM cells is also identical to human pancreatic islets; beta cell autoantigen(s) reacting with antibodies present in islet cell antibodies (ICA) positive diabetic sera identified by ICA binding are also detectable in this insulinoma cell line. We conclude that CM cells show close similarities to native beta cells with respect to the expression of neuro-endocrine markers, relevant beta cell autoantigens in Type 1 diabetes (GAD, GM2-1, ICA antigen), and other gangliosides. Therefore, this insulinoma cell line may be considered as an ideal model for studies aimed at investigating autoimmune phenomena occurring in Type 1 diabetes.

[Prognostic factors in operated breast carcinoma]

The traditional prognostic factors (tumour size, lymph node involvement, receptor status) have now been shown to have limits in terms of prognostic definition. These limits may be partially overcome when parameters exist to determine the extent of tumour biological aggression and the patient's degree of immune response. It is important to clarify these links because they may lead to more precise indications regarding the prognosis and choice of therapy, above all in cases of breast cancer operated with no lymph node involvement. Breast carcinoma is often surrounded by inflammatory cells showing host and tumour interaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of lymphocyte infiltration in operated breast cancer. The degree of lymphocyte infiltration observed in 56 breast cancer patients was compared with other prognostic factors (tumour size, lymph node status, histological variants, necrotic areas and desmoplastic reaction). This preliminary study allowed the authors to examine the degree of peritumoral lymphocyte density as an important predictive index of overall survival in patients with breast cancer and N-.

Viral infection induces cytokine release by beta islet cells

Viral infection has been suggested to play a triggering role in the pancreatic beta cell destruction which occurs in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM). However, the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is unknown. In this study a human insulinoma cell line has been infected with measles, mumps and rubella viruses since a temporal association is reported between the clinical onset of IDDM and diseases caused by these viruses. The infection with measles and mumps viruses induced the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by the cell line as assessed by a bioassay and up-regulated the expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II antigens as evaluated by cytofluorimetric analysis. Stimulation with rubella virus induced the release of IL-6 only and had no effect on HLA antigen expression. These data show for the first time that IL-1 and IL-6 secretion by an insulinoma cell line may occur after viral infection and suggest that cytokine release and increased expression of HLA molecules by beta cells may act to induce the immune response towards beta cells in IDDM.

[Chronic calcifying pancreatitis in hospitals in the Ivory Coast]

The authors report on 34 cases of chronic calcifying pancreatitis in Ivory Coast. Chronic calcifying pancreatitis is rare (0.24 P.C. of admitted patients) and appears mainly in man 40 years old, revealed by diabetes (73.5 P.C.). Principal aetiology was alcoholism, 50 P.C. Genuine tropical chronic calcifying pancreatitis exists in small number. It seems its physiopathological mechanism is not only nutritional.