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Gil E, Venturini C, Stirling D, Turner C, Tezera LB, Ercoli G, Baker T, Best K, Brown JS, Noursadeghi M. Pericyte derived chemokines amplify neutrophil recruitment across the cerebrovascular endothelial barrier. Front Immunol 2022; 13:935798. [PMID: 35967327 PMCID: PMC9371542 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.935798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive neutrophil extravasation can drive immunopathology, exemplified in pyogenic meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Insufficient knowledge of the mechanisms that amplify neutrophil extravasation has limited innovation in therapeutic targeting of neutrophil mediated pathology. Attention has focussed on neutrophil interactions with endothelia, but data from mouse models also point to a role for the underlying pericyte layer, as well as perivascular macrophages, the only other cell type found within the perivascular space in the cerebral microvasculature. We tested the hypothesis that human brain vascular pericytes (HBVP) contribute to neutrophil extravasation in a transwell model of the cerebral post-capillary venule. We show that pericytes augment endothelial barrier formation. In response to inflammatory cues, they significantly enhance neutrophil transmigration across the endothelial barrier, without increasing the permeability to small molecules. In our model, neither pericytes nor endothelia responded directly to bacterial stimulation. Instead, we show that paracrine signalling by multiple cytokines from monocyte derived macrophages drives transcriptional upregulation of multiple neutrophil chemokines by pericytes. Pericyte mediated amplification of neutrophil transmigration was independent of transcriptional responses by endothelia, but could be mediated by direct chemokine translocation across the endothelial barrier. Our data support a model in which microbial sensing by perivascular macrophages generates an inflammatory cascade where pericytes serve to amplify production of neutrophil chemokines that are translocated across the endothelial barrier to act directly on circulating neutrophils. In view of the striking redundancy in inflammatory cytokines that stimulate pericytes and in the neutrophil chemokines they produce, we propose that the mechanism of chemokine translocation may offer the most effective therapeutic target to reduce neutrophil mediated pathology in pyogenic meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Gil
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Eliza Gil, ; Mahdad Noursadeghi,
| | - Cristina Venturini
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Department, Institute for Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Stirling
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carolin Turner
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liku B. Tezera
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Center, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Ercoli
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tina Baker
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katharine Best
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy S. Brown
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mahdad Noursadeghi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Eliza Gil, ; Mahdad Noursadeghi,
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Ghahramani M, Rojas RF, Stirling D. Chest and pelvis coordination during functional reach test: A possible indication of balance deficiency in older adults. J Biomech 2022; 141:111177. [PMID: 35738059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111177] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Falls in older adults represent the most common cause of injuries and a major cause of mortality in this vulnerable population. The morbidity and mortality rate of falls among older people makes balance analysis in older adults very important. Therefore, this study aims to explore different metrics that can potentially be used to identify early indications of balance loss and fall risk. To that end, the motion strategies and chest and pelvis coordination of a group of younger, a group of older non-faller and a group of older faller participants while conducting the functional reach test were investigated. To analyse the motion strategies of the different participant groups, four metrics of maximum angular rotation of chest, maximum angular rotation of pelvis, time warped chest and pelvis angular rotation difference, and the mean continuous relative phase of the chest and pelvis were assessed. In this study younger participants are found to have larger maximum chest rotation, maximum pelvis rotation, and time warped chest and pelvis angular rotation difference compared to older participants. However, these metrics were not significantly different in older non-fallers compared to older fallers. Meanwhile, the mean continuous relative phase of the chest and pelvis was the only metric found to be significantly different among all three participant groups. This metric is indicative of the chest and pelvis coordination which is associated with the ability to construct proper coordination and maintain balance. The mean continuous relative phase yielded the sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 73.7% in recognizing older fallers from older non-fallers. The results suggest that this metric might be useful in identifying the risk of falling in older population, thus, it should be further studied in a prospective study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghahramani
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Australia.
| | | | - David Stirling
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
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Delaval A, Frost M, Bendall V, Hetherington SJ, Stirling D, Hoarau G, Jones CS, Noble LR. Population and seascape genomics of a critically endangered benthic elasmobranch, the blue skate Dipturus batis. Evol Appl 2022; 15:78-94. [PMID: 35126649 PMCID: PMC8792474 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The blue skate (Dipturus batis) has a patchy distribution across the North-East Atlantic Ocean, largely restricted to occidental seas around the British Isles following fisheries-induced population declines and extirpations. The viability of remnant populations remains uncertain and could be impacted by continued fishing and by-catch pressure, and the projected impacts of climate change. We genotyped 503 samples of D. batis, obtained opportunistically from the widest available geographic range, across 6 350 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a reduced-representation sequencing approach. Genotypes were used to assess the species' contemporary population structure, estimate effective population sizes and identify putative signals of selection in relation to environmental variables using a seascape genomics approach. We identified genetic discontinuities between inshore (British Isles) and offshore (Rockall and Faroe Island) populations, with differentiation most pronounced across the deep waters of the Rockall Trough. Effective population sizes were largest in the Celtic Sea and Rockall, but low enough to be of potential conservation concern among Scottish and Faroese sites. Among the 21 candidate SNPs under positive selection was one significantly correlated with environmental variables predicted to be affected by climate change, including bottom temperature, salinity and pH. The paucity of well-annotated elasmobranch genomes precluded us from identifying a putative function for this SNP. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that climate change could inflict a strong selective force upon remnant populations of D. batis, further constraining its already-restricted habitat. Furthermore, the results provide fundamental insights on the distribution, behaviour and evolutionary biology of D. batis in the North-East Atlantic that will be useful for the establishment of conservation actions for this and other critically endangered elasmobranchs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle Frost
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
| | - Victoria Bendall
- Centre for EnvironmentFisheries and Aquaculture ScienceLowestoftUK
| | | | | | - Galice Hoarau
- Faculty of Biosciences and AquacultureNord UniversityBodøNorway
| | | | - Leslie R. Noble
- Faculty of Biosciences and AquacultureNord UniversityBodøNorway
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
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Khan H, Sumner RP, Rasaiyaah J, Tan CP, Rodriguez-Plata MT, Van Tulleken C, Fink D, Zuliani-Alvarez L, Thorne L, Stirling D, Milne RSB, Towers GJ. HIV-1 Vpr antagonizes innate immune activation by targeting karyopherin-mediated NF-κB/IRF3 nuclear transport. eLife 2020; 9:e60821. [PMID: 33300875 PMCID: PMC7759385 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 must replicate in cells that are equipped to defend themselves from infection through intracellular innate immune systems. HIV-1 evades innate immune sensing through encapsidated DNA synthesis and encodes accessory genes that antagonize specific antiviral effectors. Here, we show that both particle associated, and expressed HIV-1 Vpr, antagonize the stimulatory effect of a variety of pathogen associated molecular patterns by inhibiting IRF3 and NF-κB nuclear transport. Phosphorylation of IRF3 at S396, but not S386, was also inhibited. We propose that, rather than promoting HIV-1 nuclear import, Vpr interacts with karyopherins to disturb their import of IRF3 and NF-κB to promote replication in macrophages. Concordantly, we demonstrate Vpr-dependent rescue of HIV-1 replication in human macrophages from inhibition by cGAMP, the product of activated cGAS. We propose a model that unifies Vpr manipulation of nuclear import and inhibition of innate immune activation to promote HIV-1 replication and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hataf Khan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Rebecca P Sumner
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jane Rasaiyaah
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Choon Ping Tan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Chris Van Tulleken
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Douglas Fink
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Lucy Thorne
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David Stirling
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Richard SB Milne
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Greg J Towers
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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Ghahramani M, Stirling D, Naghdy F. The sit to stand to sit postural transition variability in the five time sit to stand test in older people with different fall histories. Gait Posture 2020; 81:191-196. [PMID: 32781369 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.07.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been proved that increased motion variability can be indicative of lack of stability. Despite the extensive literature on single sit to stand/stand to sit postural transitions analysis in older people, no studies to this date have assessed the sit to stand to sit (STSTS) transition variability in older adults. RESEARCH QUESTION To investigate the variability in STSTS transition during the five times sit to stand (FTSS) test in older people with different fall histories. METHODS Seventy-five older (80.5 ± 7.5) and twenty-five younger (27.7 ± 6.5) subjects participated in the study. The older participants were categorized into three groups of non-fallers, once-fallers, and multiple-fallers based on their fall histories. Subjects were fitted with an IMU at their lower backs and asked to fully stand up and then sit down again five times in a row. The angular rotation of the trunk in the sagittal plane was recorded. Using the DTW method, the first STSTS transition of each subject was compared to the last transition and the variability was measured. The correlation between STSTS variability and older participants' Berg balance scale (BBS) was investigated. RESULTS The STSTS variability results were significantly different in older fallers (multiple-fallers and once-fallers) compared to both younger participants and older non-fallers. The results yielded a sensitivity of 85.4 % and a specificity of 83.3 % in recognizing older fallers from older non-fallers and a sensitivity and specificity of 86.7 % and 85.7 % respectively in recognizing older multiple-fallers from other older participants. The STSTS variability was found to be significantly correlated with BBS. SIGNIFICANCE The findings demonstrated a strong indication of variability in the STSTS transition in older fallers and a significant correlation between STSTS variability and BBS. The results suggest that variability analysis of the STSTS transition has the potential to be used for fall risk analysis in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghahramani
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia; School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - David Stirling
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Fazel Naghdy
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
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Panhwarr YN, Naghdy F, Stirling D, Naghdy G, Potter J. Quantitative Frailty Assessment Based on Kinematic Parameters of Daily Living Activities. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2020; 2020:4233-4238. [PMID: 33018931 DOI: 10.1109/embc44109.2020.9175799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Frailty is a prevailing phenomena in older people. It is an age related syndrome that can increase the risk of fall in elderly. The people with age above 65 suffers from various functional decline and cognitive impairments. Such deficiencies are conventionally measured subjectively by geriatrics using questionnaire-based methods and clinical tests. Activities of daily living are also assessed in clinical settings by analysing simple tasks performed by the subject such as sit to stand and walking some distances. The clinical methods used to assess frailty and analyse the activity of daily living are subjective in nature and prone to human error. An objective method is proposed to quantitatively measure frailty using inertial sensor mounted on healthy, frail and nonfrail subjects while performing the sit to stand test (SiSt). An artificial neural networks based algorithm is developed to classify the frailty by extracting a unique set of features from 2D -Centre of Mass (CoM) trajectories derived from SiSt clinical test. The results indicate that the proposed algorithms provides an objective assessment of frailty that can be used by geriatrics in turn to make a more objective judgement of frailty status of older people.
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Morato T, González-Irusta JM, Dominguez-Carrió C, Wei CL, Davies A, Sweetman AK, Taranto GH, Beazley L, García-Alegre A, Grehan A, Laffargue P, Murillo FJ, Sacau M, Vaz S, Kenchington E, Arnaud-Haond S, Callery O, Chimienti G, Cordes E, Egilsdottir H, Freiwald A, Gasbarro R, Gutiérrez-Zárate C, Gianni M, Gilkinson K, Wareham Hayes VE, Hebbeln D, Hedges K, Henry LA, Johnson D, Koen-Alonso M, Lirette C, Mastrototaro F, Menot L, Molodtsova T, Durán Muñoz P, Orejas C, Pennino MG, Puerta P, Ragnarsson SÁ, Ramiro-Sánchez B, Rice J, Rivera J, Roberts JM, Ross SW, Rueda JL, Sampaio Í, Snelgrove P, Stirling D, Treble MA, Urra J, Vad J, van Oevelen D, Watling L, Walkusz W, Wienberg C, Woillez M, Levin LA, Carreiro-Silva M. Climate-induced changes in the suitable habitat of cold-water corals and commercially important deep-sea fishes in the North Atlantic. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:2181-2202. [PMID: 32077217 PMCID: PMC7154791 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The deep sea plays a critical role in global climate regulation through uptake and storage of heat and carbon dioxide. However, this regulating service causes warming, acidification and deoxygenation of deep waters, leading to decreased food availability at the seafloor. These changes and their projections are likely to affect productivity, biodiversity and distributions of deep-sea fauna, thereby compromising key ecosystem services. Understanding how climate change can lead to shifts in deep-sea species distributions is critically important in developing management measures. We used environmental niche modelling along with the best available species occurrence data and environmental parameters to model habitat suitability for key cold-water coral and commercially important deep-sea fish species under present-day (1951-2000) environmental conditions and to project changes under severe, high emissions future (2081-2100) climate projections (RCP8.5 scenario) for the North Atlantic Ocean. Our models projected a decrease of 28%-100% in suitable habitat for cold-water corals and a shift in suitable habitat for deep-sea fishes of 2.0°-9.9° towards higher latitudes. The largest reductions in suitable habitat were projected for the scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa and the octocoral Paragorgia arborea, with declines of at least 79% and 99% respectively. We projected the expansion of suitable habitat by 2100 only for the fishes Helicolenus dactylopterus and Sebastes mentella (20%-30%), mostly through northern latitudinal range expansion. Our results projected limited climate refugia locations in the North Atlantic by 2100 for scleractinian corals (30%-42% of present-day suitable habitat), even smaller refugia locations for the octocorals Acanella arbuscula and Acanthogorgia armata (6%-14%), and almost no refugia for P. arborea. Our results emphasize the need to understand how anticipated climate change will affect the distribution of deep-sea species including commercially important fishes and foundation species, and highlight the importance of identifying and preserving climate refugia for a range of area-based planning and management tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telmo Morato
- Okeanos Research Centre, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - José-Manuel González-Irusta
- Okeanos Research Centre, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Okeanos Research Centre, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Chih-Lin Wei
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Andrew Davies
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Andrew K Sweetman
- Marine Benthic Ecology, Biogeochemistry and In situ Technology Research Group, The Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science and Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gerald H Taranto
- Okeanos Research Centre, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Lindsay Beazley
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS, Canada
| | - Ana García-Alegre
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Mar Sacau
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Sandrine Vaz
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, IFREMER, CNRS, IRD, Sète, France
| | - Ellen Kenchington
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS, Canada
| | | | - Oisín Callery
- Earth and Ocean Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Giovanni Chimienti
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Erik Cordes
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - André Freiwald
- Marine Research Department, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Ryan Gasbarro
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Cristina Gutiérrez-Zárate
- Okeanos Research Centre, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | - Kent Gilkinson
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Fisheries and Ocean Canada, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Vonda E Wareham Hayes
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Fisheries and Ocean Canada, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Dierk Hebbeln
- MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Kevin Hedges
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Lea-Anne Henry
- Changing Oceans Group, School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Mariano Koen-Alonso
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Fisheries and Ocean Canada, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Cam Lirette
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Durán Muñoz
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Covadonga Orejas
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Palma, Spain
| | - Maria Grazia Pennino
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Patricia Puerta
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Palma, Spain
| | | | - Berta Ramiro-Sánchez
- Changing Oceans Group, School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jake Rice
- Fisheries and Ocean Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jesús Rivera
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Murray Roberts
- Changing Oceans Group, School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Steve W Ross
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - José L Rueda
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Íris Sampaio
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- Marine Research Department, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Paul Snelgrove
- Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - David Stirling
- Marine Laboratory, Marine Scotland Science, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Javier Urra
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Johanne Vad
- Changing Oceans Group, School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dick van Oevelen
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Utrecht University, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Les Watling
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Claudia Wienberg
- MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Lisa A Levin
- Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation and Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marina Carreiro-Silva
- Okeanos Research Centre, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
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Seoane PI, Taylor-Smith LM, Stirling D, Bell LCK, Noursadeghi M, Bailey D, May RC. Viral infection triggers interferon-induced expulsion of live Cryptococcus neoformans by macrophages. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008240. [PMID: 32106253 PMCID: PMC7046190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human pathogen, which causes serious disease in immunocompromised hosts. Infection with this pathogen is particularly relevant in HIV+ patients, where it leads to around 200,000 deaths per annum. A key feature of cryptococcal pathogenesis is the ability of the fungus to survive and replicate within the phagosome of macrophages, as well as its ability to be expelled from host cells via a novel non-lytic mechanism known as vomocytosis. Here we show that cryptococcal vomocytosis from macrophages is strongly enhanced by viral coinfection, without altering phagocytosis or intracellular proliferation of the fungus. This effect occurs with distinct, unrelated human viral pathogens and is recapitulated when macrophages are stimulated with the anti-viral cytokines interferon alpha or beta (IFNα or IFNβ). Importantly, the effect is abrogated when type-I interferon signalling is blocked, thus underscoring the importance of type-I interferons in this phenomenon. Lastly, our data help resolve previous, contradictory animal studies on the impact of type I interferons on cryptococcal pathogenesis and suggest that secondary viral stimuli may alter patterns of cryptococcal dissemination in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula I. Seoane
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne M. Taylor-Smith
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David Stirling
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy C. K. Bell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mahdad Noursadeghi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robin C. May
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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9
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Thomas S, Mohammed F, Reijmers RM, Woolston A, Stauss T, Kennedy A, Stirling D, Holler A, Green L, Jones D, Matthews KK, Price DA, Chain BM, Heemskerk MHM, Morris EC, Willcox BE, Stauss HJ. Framework engineering to produce dominant T cell receptors with enhanced antigen-specific function. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4451. [PMID: 31575864 PMCID: PMC6773850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12441-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [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: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
TCR-gene-transfer is an efficient strategy to produce therapeutic T cells of defined antigen specificity. However, there are substantial variations in the cell surface expression levels of human TCRs, which can impair the function of engineered T cells. Here we demonstrate that substitutions of 3 amino acid residues in the framework of the TCR variable domains consistently increase the expression of human TCRs on the surface of engineered T cells.The modified TCRs mediate enhanced T cell proliferation, cytokine production and cytotoxicity, while reducing the peptide concentration required for triggering effector function up to 3000-fold. Adoptive transfer experiments in mice show that modified TCRs control tumor growth more efficiently than wild-type TCRs. Our data indicate that simple variable domain modifications at a distance from the antigen-binding loops lead to increased TCR expression and improved effector function. This finding provides a generic platform to optimize the efficacy of TCR gene therapy in humans.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens/immunology
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism
- Cell Engineering
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/genetics
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/immunology
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Domains
- Protein Engineering
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharyn Thomas
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Fiyaz Mohammed
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rogier M Reijmers
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Woolston
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Theresa Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Alan Kennedy
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David Stirling
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Louisa Green
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David Jones
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Katherine K Matthews
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - David A Price
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Benjamin M Chain
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emma C Morris
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Benjamin E Willcox
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hans J Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
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10
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Hallowell N, Wright S, Stirling D, Gourley C, Young O, Porteous M. Moving into the mainstream: healthcare professionals' views of implementing treatment focussed genetic testing in breast cancer care. Fam Cancer 2019; 18:293-301. [PMID: 30689103 PMCID: PMC6560008 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-019-00122-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A proportion of breast cancers are attributable to BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Technological advances has meant that mutation testing in newly diagnosed cancer patients can be used to inform treatment plans. Although oncologists increasingly deliver treatment-focused genetic testing (TFGT) as part of mainstream ovarian cancer care, we know little about non-genetics specialists' views about offering genetic testing to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. This study sought to determine genetics and non-genetics specialists' views of a proposal to mainstream BRCA1 and 2 testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Qualitative interview study. Nineteen healthcare professionals currently responsible for offering TFGT in a standard (triage + referral) pathway (breast surgeons + clinical genetics team) and oncologists preparing to offer TFGT to breast cancer patients in a mainstreamed pathway participated in in-depth interviews. Genetics and non-genetics professionals' perceptions of mainstreaming are influenced by their views of: their clinical roles and responsibilities, the impact of TFGT on their workload and the patient pathway and the perceived relevance of genetic testing for patient care in the short-term. Perceived barriers to mainstreaming may be overcome by: more effective communication between specialities, clearer guidelines/patient pathways and the recruitment of mainstreaming champions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Hallowell
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities and the Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, Big Data Institute Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - S Wright
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D Stirling
- MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C Gourley
- MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - O Young
- Edinburgh Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - M Porteous
- MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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11
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Panhwar YN, Naghdy F, Naghdy G, Stirling D, Potter J. Assessment of frailty: a survey of quantitative and clinical methods. BMC Biomed Eng 2019; 1:7. [PMID: 32903310 PMCID: PMC7422496 DOI: 10.1186/s42490-019-0007-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frailty assessment is a critical approach in assessing the health status of older people. The clinical tools deployed by geriatricians to assess frailty can be grouped into two categories; using a questionnaire-based method or analyzing the physical performance of the subject. In performance analysis, the time taken by a subject to complete a physical task such as walking over a specific distance, typically three meters, is measured. The questionnaire-based method is subjective, and the time-based performance analysis does not necessarily identify the kinematic characteristics of motion and their root causes. However, kinematic characteristics are crucial in measuring the degree of frailty. RESULTS The studies reviewed in this paper indicate that the quantitative analysis of activity of daily living, balance and gait are significant methods for assessing frailty in older people. Kinematic parameters (such as gait speed) and sensor-derived parameters are also strong markers of frailty. Seventeen gait parameters are found to be sensitive for discriminating various frailty levels. Gait velocity is the most significant parameter. Short term monitoring of daily activities is a more significant method for frailty assessment than is long term monitoring and can be implemented easily using clinical tests such as sit to stand or stand to sit. The risk of fall can be considered an outcome of frailty. CONCLUSION Frailty is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that is defined by various domains; physical, social, psychological and environmental. The physical domain has proven to be essential in the objective determination of the degree of frailty in older people. The deployment of inertial sensor in clinical tests is an effective method for the objective assessment of frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Janette Potter
- University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
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12
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Rust K, Spiliopoulou P, Tang CY, Bell C, Stirling D, Phang T, Davidson R, Mackean M, Nussey F, Glasspool RM, Reed NS, Sadozye A, Porteous M, McGoldrick T, Ferguson M, Miedzybrodzka Z, McNeish IA, Gourley C. Routine germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in patients with ovarian carcinoma: analysis of the Scottish real-life experience. BJOG 2018; 125:1451-1458. [PMID: 29460478 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the rates of germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Scottish patients with ovarian cancer, before and after a change in testing policy. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Four cancer/genetics centres in Scotland. POPULATION Patients with ovarian cancer undergoing germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 (gBRCA1/2) sequencing before 2013 (under the 'old criteria', with selection based solely on family history), after 2013 (under the 'new criteria', with sequencing offered to newly presenting patients with non-mucinous ovarian cancer), and in the 'prevalent population' (who presented before 2013, but were not eligible for sequencing under the old criteria but were sequenced under the new criteria). METHODS Clinicopathological and sequence data were collected before and for 18 months after this change in selection criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Frequency of germline BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C, and RAD51D mutations. RESULTS Of 599 patients sequenced, 205, 236, and 158 were in the 'old criteria', 'new criteria', and 'prevalent' populations, respectively. The frequency of gBRCA1/2 mutations was 30.7, 13.1, and 12.7%, respectively. The annual rate of gBRCA1/2 mutation detection was 4.2 before and 20.7 after the policy change. A total of 48% (15/31) 'new criteria' patients with gBRCA1/2 mutations had a Manchester score of <15 and would not have been offered sequencing based on family history criteria. In addition, 20 patients with gBRCA1/2 were identified in the prevalent population. The prevalence of gBRCA1/2 mutations in patients aged >70 years was 8.2%. CONCLUSIONS Sequencing all patients with non-mucinous ovarian cancer gives a much higher annual gBRCA1/2 mutation detection rate, with the frequency of positive tests still exceeding the 10% threshold upon which many family history-based models operate. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT BRCA sequencing all non-mucinous cancer patients increases mutation detection five fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rust
- Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - C Y Tang
- Department of Oncology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
| | - C Bell
- Department of Medical Genetics, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - D Stirling
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thf Phang
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - R Davidson
- Department of Genetics, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - M Mackean
- Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Edinburgh, UK
| | - F Nussey
- Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - N S Reed
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - A Sadozye
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - M Porteous
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - T McGoldrick
- Department of Oncology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
| | - M Ferguson
- Department of Oncology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
| | - Z Miedzybrodzka
- Department of Medical Genetics, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - I A McNeish
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - C Gourley
- Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Edinburgh, UK
- Nicola Murray Centre for Ovarian Cancer Research, University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Ghahramani M, Stirling D, Naghdy F, Naghdy G, Potter J. Body postural sway analysis in older people with different fall histories. Med Biol Eng Comput 2018; 57:533-542. [PMID: 30259474 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-018-1901-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study of postural sway analysis in older non-fallers, once-fallers and multiple-fallers using five common standing tests was conducted. Eighty-six older subjects with an average age of 80.4 years (SD ± 7.9) participated in the study. The angular rotation and velocity of the trunk of the participants in the roll (lateral) and pitch (sagittal) planes were recorded using an inertial sensor mounted on their lower backs. The Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM), Expectation-Maximisation (EM) and the Minimum Message Length (MML) algorithms were applied to the acquired data to obtain an index indicative of the body sway. The standing with feet together and standing with one foot in front, sway index distinguished older fallers from non-fallers with specificity of 75.7% and 77.7%, respectively, and sensitivity of 78.6% and 82.1%, respectively. This compares favourably with the Berg Balance Scales (BBS) with specificity of 70.5% and sensitivity of 75.3%. The results suggest that the proposed method has potential as a protocol to diagnose balance disorder in older people. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghahramani
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - David Stirling
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Fazel Naghdy
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Golshah Naghdy
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Janette Potter
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia
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14
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Vial A, Stirling D, Field M, Ros M, Ritz C, Carolan M, Holloway L, Miller AA. The role of deep learning and radiomic feature extraction in cancer-specific predictive modelling: a review. Transl Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2018.05.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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15
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Field M, Holloway L, Vinod S, Barakat M, Ahern V, Bailey M, Carolan M, Delaney G, Ghose A, Hau E, Lehmann J, Lustberg T, Miller A, Stirling D, Sykes J, Van Soest J, Walsh S, Dekker A, Thwaites D. EP-1404: Non-linear radiomic signatures characterizing overall survival from non-small cell lung cancer. Radiother Oncol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(18)31713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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16
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Abstract
SummaryCirculating factor VIII (fVIII) levels increase during inflammation suggesting that fVIII synthesis or secretion is stimulated during acute inflammation. To examine the mechanisms underlying this increase in circulating factor VIII, we have developed a sensitive and reliable semi-quantitative assay for fVIII mRNA utilising competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, and used this to study two human liver cell lines, Hep-G2 and Chang Liver cells. These cells were cultured under basal conditions or following treatment with interleukin-1, -2 and 6 (IL-1, -2, and -6). Following 18h culture with IL-6 (maximum concentration 40U/ml), these levels had risen 6 and 9 fold respectively, with no concomitant rise in control RNA levels. The dose responses for both cell types were similar, with an ED50 of 11 U/ml. The time course of this response was also similar in both cell lines with the increase in fVIII mRNA first reaching significance by 3 h, and reaching maximum levels by 12 h. IL-1 and IL-2 had no effect at any of the doses studied. This study provides the first evidence for regulated expression of fVIII in human cell lines, and suggests that increased plasma fVIII levels during the acute phase response may be due to increased expression of fVIII mRNA.
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17
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Barakat MS, Field M, Ghose A, Stirling D, Holloway L, Vinod S, Dekker A, Thwaites D. The effect of imputing missing clinical attribute values on training lung cancer survival prediction model performance. Health Inf Sci Syst 2017; 5:16. [PMID: 29255599 DOI: 10.1007/s13755-017-0039-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the estimations of the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research in Cancer, lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. The last few years have witnessed a rise in the attention given to the use of clinical decision support systems in medicine generally and in cancer in particular. These can predict patients' likelihood of survival based on analysis of and learning from previously treated patients. The datasets that are mined for developing clinical decision support functionality are often incomplete, which adversely impacts the quality of the models developed and the decision support offered. Imputing missing data using a statistical analysis approach is a common method to addressing the missing data problem. This work investigates the effect of imputation methods for missing data in preparing a training dataset for a Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer survival prediction model using several machine learning algorithms. The investigation includes an assessment of the effect of imputation algorithm error on performance prediction and also a comparison between using a smaller complete real dataset or a larger dataset with imputed data. Our results show that even when the proportion of records with some missing data is very high (> 80%) imputation can lead to prediction models with an AUC (0.68-0.72) comparable to those trained with complete data records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S Barakat
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia
| | - Matthew Field
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia
| | - Aditya Ghose
- School of Computing and Information Technology, University of Wollongong, Northfield Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - David Stirling
- School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Wollongong, Northfield Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Lois Holloway
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia.,Liverpool & Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Sydney, NSW 2170 Australia
| | - Shalini Vinod
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Australia.,Liverpool & Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Sydney, NSW 2170 Australia
| | - Andre Dekker
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - David Thwaites
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
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18
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Lewis EEL, Wheadon H, Lewis N, Yang J, Mullin M, Hursthouse A, Stirling D, Dalby MJ, Berry CC. A Quiescent, Regeneration-Responsive Tissue Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Bone Marrow Niche Model via Magnetic Levitation. ACS Nano 2016; 10:8346-8354. [PMID: 27602872 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b02841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The bone marrow niche represents a specialized environment that regulates mesenchymal stem cell quiescence and self-renewal, yet fosters stem cell migration and differentiation upon demand. An in vitro model that embodies these features would open up the ability to perform detailed study of stem cell behavior. In this paper we present a simple bone marrow-like niche model, which comprises of nanomagnetically levitated stem cells cultured as multicellular spheroids within a type I collagen gel. The stem cells maintained are nestin positive and remain quiescent until regenerative demand is placed upon them. In response to coculture wounding, they migrate and appropriately differentiate upon engraftment. This tissue engineered regeneration-responsive bone marrow-like niche model will allow for greater understanding of stem cell response to injury and also facilitate as a testing platform for drug candidates in a multiwell plate format.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Wheadon
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, University of Glasgow , Shelley Road, Glasgow G11 0YN, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Hursthouse
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland , Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - David Stirling
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland , Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
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19
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20
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Field M, Stirling D, Pan Z, Naghdy F. Learning Trajectories for Robot Programing by Demonstration Using a Coordinated Mixture of Factor Analyzers. IEEE Trans Cybern 2016; 46:706-717. [PMID: 25826815 DOI: 10.1109/tcyb.2015.2414277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents an approach for learning robust models of humanoid robot trajectories from demonstration. In this formulation, a model of the joint space trajectory is represented as a sequence of motion primitives where a nonlinear dynamical system is learned by constructing a hidden Markov model (HMM) predicting the probability of residing in each motion primitive. With a coordinated mixture of factor analyzers as the emission probability density of the HMM, we are able to synthesize motion from a dynamic system acting along a manifold shared by both demonstrator and robot. This provides significant advantages in model complexity for kinematically redundant robots and can reduce the number of corresponding observations required for further learning. A stability analysis shows that the system is robust to deviations from the expected trajectory as well as transitional motion between manifolds. This approach is demonstrated experimentally by recording human motion with inertial sensors, learning a motion primitive model and correspondence map between the human and robot, and synthesizing motion from the manifold to control a 19 degree-of-freedom humanoid robot.
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21
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Forbes G, Rutherford S, Stirling D, Young L, Clarkson J. Current practice and factors influencing the provision of periodontal healthcare in primary dental care in Scotland: an explorative study. Br Dent J 2015; 218:387-91; discussion 391. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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22
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Elouafkaoui P, Bonetti D, Clarkson J, Stirling D, Young L, Cassie H. Is further intervention required to translate caries prevention and management recommendations into practice? Br Dent J 2015; 218:E1. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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23
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Lewis EEL, Child HW, Hursthouse A, Stirling D, McCully M, Paterson D, Mullin M, Berry CC. The influence of particle size and static magnetic fields on the uptake of magnetic nanoparticles into three dimensional cell-seeded collagen gel cultures. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2014; 103:1294-301. [PMID: 25358626 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.33302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Over recent decades there has been and continues to be major advances in the imaging, diagnosis and potential treatment of medical conditions, by the use of magnetic nanoparticles. However, to date the majority of cell delivery studies employ a traditional 2D monolayer culture. This article aims to determine the ability of various sized magnetic nanoparticles to penetrate and travel through a cell seeded collagen gel model, in the presence or absence of a magnetic field. Three different sized (100, 200, and 500 nm) nanoparticles were employed in the study. The results showed cell viability was unaffected by the presence of nanoparticles over a 24-h test period. The initial uptake of the 100 nm nanoparticle into the collagen gel structure was superior compared to the larger sized nanoparticles under the influence of a magnetic field and incubated for 24 h. Interestingly, it was the 200 nm nanoparticles, which proved to penetrate the gel furthest, under the influence of a magnetic field, during the initial culture stage after 1-h incubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E L Lewis
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, G12 8QQ
| | - Hannah W Child
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, G12 8QQ
| | - Andrew Hursthouse
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK, PA1 2BE
| | - David Stirling
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK, PA1 2BE
| | - Mark McCully
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, G12 8QQ
| | - David Paterson
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, G12 8QQ
| | - Margaret Mullin
- Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, G12 8QQ
| | - Catherine C Berry
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, G12 8QQ
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24
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Nganje TN, Hursthouse AS, Edet A, Stirling D, Adamu CI. Assessment of the Health Risk, Aesthetic and Agricultural Quality of Rainwater, Surface Water and Groundwater in the Shale Bedrock Areas, Southeastern Nigeria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12403-014-0136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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25
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McGaffin G, Harper K, Stirling D, McLintock L. JAK2 V617F and CALR mutations are not mutually exclusive; findings from retrospective analysis of a small patient cohort. Br J Haematol 2014; 167:276-8. [PMID: 24935260 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gillian McGaffin
- Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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26
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Walsh K, Wallace WA, Butler R, Mackean MJ, Harrison DJ, Stirling D, Oniscu A. A cautionary lesson on the use of targeted methods for EGFR mutation analysis: a case report. J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:734-5. [PMID: 24811487 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation analysis is recommended for lung cancer patients prior to the prescription of first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in order to predict response to treatment. There are many methods available to identify mutations in the EGFR gene; a large number of clinical laboratories use the therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR kit (Qiagen). We report a case where this kit detected an exon 19 deletion, predicting sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which on further analysis was found to be a 2 bp indel (c.2239_2240delinsCC, p.(Leu747Pro)). Two of four published cases with this mutation were found to be associated with resistance to EGFR TKI. The sample was also tested using two other commercial kits, one of which indicated a deletion. This is a rare mutation making the erroneous detection of a deletion unlikely; however, it is important that clinical laboratories are aware of the potential failings of two commercial kits for EGFR mutation analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Walsh
- Department of Molecular Pathology, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - W A Wallace
- Department of Pathology, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - R Butler
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff, UK
| | - M J Mackean
- Department of Clinical Oncology, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D J Harrison
- Department of Pathology, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D Stirling
- Department of Haematology, NHS Lothan, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A Oniscu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
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Young L, Stirling D, Elouafkaoui P, Rutherford S, Ramsay C, Clarkson J. P326 Implementing an Audit and Feedback Intervention to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing in General Dental Practice. BMJ Qual Saf 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002293.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Chaudhary S, Smith CA, del Pino P, de la Fuente JM, Mullin M, Hursthouse A, Stirling D, Berry CC. Elucidating the function of penetratin and a static magnetic field in cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2013; 6:204-22. [PMID: 24275948 PMCID: PMC3816682 DOI: 10.3390/ph6020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology plays an increasingly important role in the biomedical arena. In particular, magnetic nanoparticles (mNPs) have become important tools in molecular diagnostics, in vivo imaging and improved treatment of disease, with the ultimate aim of producing a more theranostic approach. Due to their small sizes, the nanoparticles can cross most of the biological barriers such as the blood vessels and the blood brain barrier, thus providing ubiquitous access to most tissues. In all biomedical applications maximum nanoparticle uptake into cells is required. Two promising methods employed to this end include functionalization of mNPs with cell-penetrating peptides to promote efficient translocation of cargo into the cell and the use of external magnetic fields for enhanced delivery. This study aimed to compare the effect of both penetratin and a static magnetic field with regards to the cellular uptake of 200 nm magnetic NPs and determine the route of uptake by both methods. Results demonstrated that both techniques increased particle uptake, with penetratin proving more cell specific. Clathrin- medicated endocytosis appeared to be responsible for uptake as shown via PCR and western blot, with Pitstop 2 (known to selectively block clathrin formation) blocking particle uptake. Interestingly, it was further shown that a magnetic field was able to reverse or overcome the blocking, suggesting an alternative route of uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Chaudhary
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Carol Anne Smith
- Integrated Microscopy Facility, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Pablo del Pino
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragon, University of Zaragoza, Edif I+D, C/ Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesus M. de la Fuente
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragon, University of Zaragoza, Edif I+D, C/ Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Margaret Mullin
- Integrated Microscopy Facility, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Andrew Hursthouse
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK; E-Mail: (H.A.); (D.S.)
| | - David Stirling
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK; E-Mail: (H.A.); (D.S.)
| | - Catherine C. Berry
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK; E-Mail:
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Ho CKM, Stirling D, Hannant W, Walker SW. Genetic mutations in patients with possible familial hypercholesterolaemia in South East Scotland. Scott Med J 2013; 57:148-51. [PMID: 22859806 DOI: 10.1258/smj.2012.012020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is one of the most common genetic disorders in the general population. Genetic testing of this condition is increasingly available in the UK to confirm its diagnosis, but the strategies of genetic testing vary. In this pilot study, we sought to investigate whether a strategy that focuses on the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) genes can identify the majority of genetic variants in patients with possible FH in South East Scotland. Forty patients with a clinical diagnosis of possible FH according to the Simon Broome criteria were recruited in a lipid clinic serving South East Scotland. All 18 exons of the LDLR gene were sequenced and multiplex ligation probe amplification was performed to identify major deletions and duplications. Variants of the APOB gene at codon 3527 were investigated by direct sequencing. Genetic mutations were detected in 45% of the patients. Sixteen patients (40%) were found to have mutations in their LDLR gene, whereas two other patients (5%) were identified as heterozygous for the APOB variant commonly associated with FH (c.10580G>A; p.R3527Q). None of these genetic variants were detected in more than two patients. Multiple genetic mutations are associated with a clinical phenotype of FH in South East Scotland. A genetic testing strategy which focuses on a limited number of mutations is unlikely to confirm the diagnosis of FH in the majority of patients in this part of Scotland.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K M Ho
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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Child HW, Del Pino PA, De La Fuente JM, Hursthouse AS, Stirling D, Mullen M, McPhee GM, Nixon C, Jayawarna V, Berry CC. Working together: the combined application of a magnetic field and penetratin for the delivery of magnetic nanoparticles to cells in 3D. ACS Nano 2011; 5:7910-9. [PMID: 21894941 DOI: 10.1021/nn202163v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) are currently being developed as vehicles for in vivo drug delivery. Two of the biggest barriers facing this therapy are the site-specific targeting and consequent cellular uptake of drug-loaded NPs(1). In vitro studies in 2D cell cultures have shown that an external magnetic field (MF) and functionalization with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have the capacity to overcome these barriers. This study aimed to investigate if the potential of these techniques, which has been reported in 2D, can be successfully applied to cells growing in a 3D environment. As such, this study provides a more realistic assessment of how these techniques might perform in future clinical settings. The effect of a MF and/or penetratin attachment on the uptake of 100 and 200 nm fluorescent iron oxide magnetic NPs (mNPs) into a fibroblast-seeded 3D collagen gel was quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The most suitable mNP species was further investigated by fluorescence microscopy, histology, confocal microscopy, and TEM. Results show that gel mNP uptake occurred on average twice as fast in the presence of a MF and up to three times faster with penetratin attachment. In addition, a MF increased the distance of mNP travel through the gel, while penetratin increased mNP cell localization. This work is one of the first to demonstrate that MFs and CPPs can be effectively translated for use in 3D systems and, if applied together, will make excellent partners to achieve therapeutic drug delivery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah W Child
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Glasgow University, Joseph Black Building, G12 8QQ, U.K
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Zahra S, Anderson J, Stirling D, Ludlam C. Plasma microparticles are not elevated in fresh plasma from patients with gynaecological malignancy — An observational study. Gynecol Oncol 2011; 123:152-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Brown SD, Nativo P, Smith JA, Stirling D, Edwards PR, Venugopal B, Flint DJ, Plumb JA, Graham D, Wheate NJ. Gold nanoparticles for the improved anticancer drug delivery of the active component of oxaliplatin. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:4678-84. [PMID: 20225865 PMCID: PMC3662397 DOI: 10.1021/ja908117a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 512] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
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The platinum-based anticancer drugs cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are an important component of chemotherapy but are limited by severe dose-limiting side effects and the ability of tumors to develop resistance rapidly. These drugs can be improved through the use of drug-delivery vehicles that are able to target cancers passively or actively. In this study, we have tethered the active component of the anticancer drug oxaliplatin to a gold nanoparticle for improved drug delivery. Naked gold nanoparticles were functionalized with a thiolated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) monolayer capped with a carboxylate group. [Pt(1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane)(H2O)2]2NO3 was added to the PEG surface to yield a supramolecular complex with 280 (±20) drug molecules per nanoparticle. The platinum-tethered nanoparticles were examined for cytotoxicity, drug uptake, and localization in the A549 lung epithelial cancer cell line and the colon cancer cell lines HCT116, HCT15, HT29, and RKO. The platinum-tethered nanoparticles demonstrated as good as, or significantly better, cytotoxicity than oxaliplatin alone in all of the cell lines and an unusual ability to penetrate the nucleus in the lung cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Brown
- Centre for Molecular Nanometrology, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Thomas Graham Building, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, G1 1XL Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Wright RJ, Newby DE, Stirling D, Ludlam CA, Macdonald IA, Frier BM. Effects of acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia on indices of inflammation: putative mechanism for aggravating vascular disease in diabetes. Diabetes Care 2010; 33:1591-7. [PMID: 20587725 PMCID: PMC2890364 DOI: 10.2337/dc10-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia on inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet activation in adults with and without type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We studied 16 nondiabetic adults and 16 subjects with type 1 diabetes during euglycemia (blood glucose 4.5 mmol/l) and hypoglycemia (blood glucose 2.5 mmol/l). Markers of inflammation, thrombosis, and endothelial dysfunction (soluble P-selectin, interleukin-6, von Willebrand factor [vWF], tissue plasminogen activator [tPA], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], and soluble CD40 ligand [sCD40L]) were measured; platelet-monocyte aggregation and CD40 expression on monocytes were determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS In nondiabetic participants, platelet activation occurred after hypoglycemia, with increments in platelet-monocyte aggregation and P-selectin (P <or= 0.02). Inflammation was triggered with CD40 expression increasing maximally at 24 h (3.13 +/- 2.3% vs. 2.06 +/- 1.0%) after hypoglycemia (P = 0.009). Both sCD40L and hsCRP (P = 0.02) increased with a nonsignificant rise in vWF and tPA, indicating a possible endothelial effect. A reduction in sCD40L, tPA, and P-selectin occurred during euglycemia (P = 0.03, P <or= 0.006, and P = 0.006, respectively). In type 1 diabetes, both CD40 expression (5.54 +/- 4.4% vs. 3.65 +/- 1.8%; P = 0.006) and plasma sCD40L concentrations increased during hypoglycemia (peak 3.41 +/- 3.2 vs. 2.85 +/- 2.8 ng/ml; P = 0.03). Platelet-monocyte aggregation also increased significantly at 24 h after hypoglycemia (P = 0.03). A decline in vWF and P-selectin occurred during euglycemia (P <or= 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Acute hypoglycemia may provoke upregulation and release of vasoactive substances in adults with and without type 1 diabetes. This may be a putative mechanism for hypoglycemia-induced vascular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohana J Wright
- Department of Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the major obstacles to the exploitation of genetic variation in human medicine, veterinary medicine, and animal breeding is the difficulty in defining haplotypes in unrelated individuals. RESULTS We have developed a Multiplex Double Amplification Refractory Mutation System combined with Solid Phase PCR on Fluorescently labelled beads. The process is inherently amenable to automation. It provides a high degree of internal Quality Control, as each PCR product is represented in duplicate on the bead array, and each SNP is tested against multiple partners. This technique can resolve very complex genotypes into their constituent haplotypes; it defined all the alleles at 60 SNP in exon 2 of the ovine DRB1 MHC locus in a sample of 109 rams. These 60 SNP formed 33 DRB1 exon 2 alleles; two of which had not been previously identified; although both of them have been independently confirmed. CONCLUSION This technique has the same resolution as allele specific sequencing. Sequencing has the advantage of identifying novel polymorphic sites but where all SNP sites have been identified this novel procedure can resolve all alleles and haplotypes and identify novel combinations of polymorphisms. This method is similar in price to direct sequencing and provides a low cost system for direct haplotyping of extended DNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Stirling
- Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Michael J Stear
- Division of Animal Production and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow University, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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Torrance KW, Keenan HE, Hursthouse AS, Stirling D. Measurement of arsenic and gallium content of gallium arsenide semiconductor waste streams by ICP-MS. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2010; 45:471-5. [PMID: 20390892 DOI: 10.1080/10934520903540133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The chemistry of semiconductor wafer processing liquid waste, contaminated by heavy metals, was investigated to determine arsenic content. Arsenic and gallium concentrations were determined for waste slurries collected from gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafer processing at three industrial sources and compared to slurries prepared under laboratory conditions. The arsenic and gallium content of waste slurries was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) and it is reported that the arsenic content of the waste streams was related to the wafer thinning process, with slurries from wafer polishing having the highest dissolved arsenic content at over 1,900 mgL(-1). Lapping slurries had much lower dissolved arsenic (< 90 mgL(-1)) content, but higher particulate contents. It is demonstrated that significant percentage of GaAs becomes soluble during wafer lapping. Grinding slurries had the lowest dissolved arsenic content at 15 mgL(-1). All three waste streams are classified as hazardous waste, based on their solids content and dissolved arsenic levels and treatment is required before discharge or disposal. It is calculated that as much as 93% of material is discarded through the entire GaAs device manufacturing process, with limited recycling. Although gallium can be economically recovered from waste slurries, there is little incentive to recover arsenic, which is mostly landfilled. Options for treating GaAs processing waste streams are reviewed and some recommendations made for handling the waste. Therefore, although the quantities of hazardous waste generated are miniscule in comparison to other industries, sustainable manufacturing practices are needed to minimize the environmental impact of GaAs semiconductor device fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith W Torrance
- David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C McGorum
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Galustian C, Meyer B, Labarthe MC, Dredge K, Klaschka D, Henry J, Todryk S, Chen R, Muller G, Stirling D, Schafer P, Bartlett JB, Dalgleish AG. The anti-cancer agents lenalidomide and pomalidomide inhibit the proliferation and function of T regulatory cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2009; 58:1033-45. [PMID: 19009291 PMCID: PMC11030759 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0620-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Accepted: 10/22/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Lenalidomide (Revlimid; CC-5013) and pomalidomide (CC-4047) are IMiDs proprietary drugs having immunomodulatory properties that have both shown activity in cancer clinical trials; lenalidomide is approved in the United States for a subset of MDS patients and for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma when used in combination with dexamethasone. These drugs exhibit a range of interesting clinical properties, including anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative, and pro-erythropoietic activities although exact cellular target(s) remain unclear. Also, anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated monocytes (TNF-alpha is decreased) and costimulatory effects on anti-CD3 stimulated T cells, (enhanced T cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine production) are observed. These drugs also cause augmentation of NK-cell cytotoxic activity against tumour-cell targets. Having shown that pomalidomide confers T cell-dependent adjuvant-like protection in a preclinical whole tumour-cell vaccine-model, we now show that lenalidomide and pomalidomide strongly inhibit T-regulatory cell proliferation and suppressor-function. Both drugs inhibit IL-2-mediated generation of FOXP3 positive CTLA-4 positive CD25high CD4+ T regulatory cells from PBMCs by upto 50%. Furthermore, suppressor function of pre-treated T regulatory cells against autologous responder-cells is abolished or markedly inhibited without drug related cytotoxicity. Also, Balb/C mice exhibit 25% reduction of lymph-node T regulatory cells after pomalidomide treatment. Inhibition of T regulatory cell function was not due to changes in TGF-beta or IL-10 production but was associated with decreased T regulatory cell FOXP3 expression. In conclusion, our data provide one explanation for adjuvant properties of lenalidomide and pomalidomide and suggest that they may help overcome an important barrier to tumour-specific immunity in cancer patients.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Colonic Neoplasms/immunology
- Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Female
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/immunology
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology
- Interleukin-10/immunology
- Interleukin-10/metabolism
- Lenalidomide
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/drug effects
- Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/immunology
- Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism
- Receptors, OX40/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, OX40/immunology
- Receptors, OX40/metabolism
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/drug effects
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/immunology
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/drug effects
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/immunology
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- Thalidomide/analogs & derivatives
- Thalidomide/pharmacology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/drug effects
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/immunology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Galustian
- Department of Oncology, St Georges University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, UK.
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Mills NL, Tura O, Padfield GJ, Millar C, Lang NN, Stirling D, Ludlam C, Turner ML, Barclay GR, Newby DE. Dissociation of phenotypic and functional endothelial progenitor cells in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Heart 2009; 95:2003-8. [DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2008.163162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Zeldis JB, Heller C, Seidel G, Yuldasheva N, Stirling D, Shutack Y, Libutti SK. A randomized phase II trial comparing two doses of lenalidomide for the treatment of stage IV ocular melanoma. J Clin Oncol 2009. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.e20012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
e20012 Background: Ocular melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults with an incidence of 4.3 new cases per million. Approximately 50% of patients will develop metastases and the mean survival of those with liver metastases is 8–10 months. There are no effective systemic therapies. Pre-clinical studies of the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory agent, lenalidomide, have shown promise in animal models of human ocular melanoma. We therefore conducted a phase II trial comparing two doses of oral lenalidomide. Methods: Patients with stage IV ocular melanoma, who met eligibility criteria and demonstrated disease progression, were enrolled on an IRB approved prospective random assignment trial comparing 5 mg and 25 mg of lenalidomide administered once a day orally for 21 days with a 7 day recovery (one cycle). Lesions were measured at baseline and every 3 months and scored for response by RECIST criteria. Patients who completed 3 cycles were eligible for response evaluation. Patients with responding lesions or with stable disease could continue receiving the agent. Toxicity was assessed using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria. Results: Seventeen patients (13 female, 4 male; mean age 53) met eligibility criteria and were randomized to 5 mg (9 patients) or 25 mg (8 patients) of lenalidomide. The agent was well tolerated at both doses with only three grade 3 toxicities (two decreased ANC and one rash/puritis) requiring dose adjustments. Sixteen patients were eligible for response assessments. Nine patients had progressive disease by RECIST criteria following 3 cycles of therapy. Seven patients (44%) had stable disease for a mean of 7 months (range 6–12 months). There were no RECIST defined responders. There were no differences between the two dose groups with respect to toxicity or disease stabilization. Conclusions: Lenalidomide is well tolerated at doses of 5 mg and 25 mg orally for a 21 day cycle by patients with stage IV ocular melanoma. While no responses were seen, disease stabilization for a mean of 7 months was seen in 44% of patients. This effect was consistent with the pre-clinical animal data. Based on these results, further development of lenalidomide in combination with other agents should be considered for the treatment of metastatic ocular melanoma. [Table: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- J. B. Zeldis
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - C. Heller
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - G. Seidel
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - N. Yuldasheva
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - D. Stirling
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Y. Shutack
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - S. K. Libutti
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the western world. It is also resistant to most chemotherapeutic modalities. Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (PDE4is) have found applications in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic effect of 2 novel PDE4is, the CC-8075 and CC-8062 compounds in pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS Cell proliferation was measured using the sulforhodamine B protein dye. Induction of apoptosis was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Regulation of proteins and posttranslational modifications were determined using immunoblotting. RESULTS Treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with CC-8075 and CC-8062 reduces their proliferation and increases apoptosis that is caspase dependent in T3M4 cells. Furthermore, PDE4is increase phosphorylation of p38MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 3/6,MAPKYactivated protein kinase 2, Atf2, and Hsp27. The use of thep38MAPK-specific inhibitors SB202190 and SB203580 results in a modest reduction in PDE4i-induced apoptosis in T3M4 cells. Also, retinoids enhance apoptosis induced by CC-8075 and CC-8062 in GER cells. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the antiproliferative effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors CC-8075 and CC-8062 in pancreatic cancer cells and suggest that activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway may be associated with this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros X E Mouratidis
- Division of Oncology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St George's University of London, London, UK.
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Wu L, Adams M, Carter T, Chen R, Muller G, Stirling D, Schafer P, Bartlett JB. lenalidomide enhances natural killer cell and monocyte-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of rituximab-treated CD20+ tumor cells. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:4650-7. [PMID: 18628480 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-4405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 347] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lenalidomide has significant activity in myelodysplastic syndromes, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In previous studies, natural killer (NK) cell expansion by lenalidomide was shown to enhance the cytotoxic effect of rituximab. This study assessed the ability of lenalidomide to enhance antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in rituximab-treated NHL cell lines and primary tumor cells from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN An in vitro ADCC system was used to assess the ability of lenalidomide to enhance human NK cell and monocyte function in response to rituximab. RESULTS Lenalidomide directly enhanced IFN-gamma production via Fc-gamma receptor-mediated signaling in response to IgG. It was also a potent enhancer of NK cell-mediated and monocyte-mediated tumor cell ADCC for a variety of rituximab-treated NHL cell lines in vitro, an effect that was dependent on the presence of antibody and either interleukin-2 or interleukin-12. Lenalidomide also enhanced the ability of NK cells to kill primary tumor cells derived from three patients with B-CLL who have been treated previously with fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide. Enhanced NK cell ADCC was associated with enhanced granzyme B and Fas ligand expression and could be inhibited by a granzyme B inhibitor and partially inhibited by antibody to FasL. Enhanced NK cell Fc-gamma receptor signaling is associated with enhanced phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase levels leading to enhanced effector function. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that lenalidomide has the potential to enhance the rituximab-induced killing of NHL cell lines and primary B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells via a NK cell-mediated and monocyte-mediated ADCC mechanism in vitro, providing a strong rationale for the combination of lenalidomide with IgG1 antibodies to target tumor-specific antigens in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wu
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, New Jersey 07901, USA
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Zhang L, Schafer P, Muller G, Stirling D, Bartlett B. The ratio of cyclin D1/p21kip baseline gene expression and SPARC gene expression can be potential predictors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patient response to lenalidomide therapy. J Clin Oncol 2008. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.26.15_suppl.22150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Wu L, Adams M, Schafer P, Muller G, Stirling D, Bartlett B. Effect of lenalidomide and pomalidomide combined with IgG1-isotype antibodies on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) via cytokine signaling and effector cell granzyme B and FasL expression. J Clin Oncol 2008. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.26.15_suppl.3058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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45
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Evans DG, Gaarenstroom KN, Stirling D, Shenton A, Maehle L, Dørum A, Steel M, Lalloo F, Apold J, Porteous ME, Vasen HFA, van Asperen CJ, Moller P. Screening for familial ovarian cancer: poor survival of BRCA1/2 related cancers. J Med Genet 2008; 46:593-7. [PMID: 18413372 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2008.058248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D G Evans
- Academic Unit of Medical Genetics and Regional Genetics Service, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
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46
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Blansfield JA, Caragacianu D, Alexander HR, Tangrea MA, Morita SY, Lorang D, Schafer P, Muller G, Stirling D, Royal RE, Libutti SK. Combining agents that target the tumor microenvironment improves the efficacy of anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:270-80. [PMID: 18172279 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Over the past 60 years, cytotoxic chemotherapy has targeted the cancer cell. Despite this, there have been few cancer cures. A new approach to cancer therapy is to target the multicellular biological entity of the tumor microenvironment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug, sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and low-dose metronomic cyclophosphamide, were tested alone and in combination for their abilities to inhibit endothelial cell tube formation, rat aortic ring outgrowth, tumor growth, and metastatic development in mice. In addition, ectopic tumor lysates were evaluated for the presence of proangiogenic proteins. RESULTS The three agents alone were shown to significantly inhibit endothelial cells' ability to form tubes and significantly inhibit the multicellular microenvironment in the rat aortic ring assay (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). This effect was also significantly augmented when the agents were combined. Furthermore, the three-drug combination was able halt the progression of tumor growth almost completely in xenograft models of ocular melanoma, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cutaneous melanoma. These agents significantly decrease the number of proliferating cells in tumors, significantly increase the number of cells undergoing active cell death in tumors, and significantly decrease the number of blood vessels in treated tumors (P < 0.05). Combination therapy shows a decrease in the compensatory up-regulation of proangiogenic proteins after treatment when compared with single-agent therapy. CONCLUSIONS This combination of agents causes an inhospitable microenvironment for tumor cells and shows great promise for use in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Blansfield
- Tumor Angiogenesis Section, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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Anderson E, Berg J, Black R, Bradshaw N, Campbell J, Carnaghan H, Cetnarkyj R, Drummond S, Davidson R, Dunlop J, Fordyce A, Gibbons B, Goudie D, Gregory H, Holloway S, Longmuir M, McLeish L, Murday V, Miedzybrodska Z, Nicholson D, Pearson P, Porteous M, Reis M, Slater S, Smith K, Smyth E, Snadden L, Steel M, Stirling D, Watt C, Whyte C, Young D. Prospective surveillance of women with a family history of breast cancer: auditing the risk threshold. Br J Cancer 2008; 98:840-4. [PMID: 18283300 PMCID: PMC2259176 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate current guidelines criteria for inclusion of women in special ‘breast cancer family history’ surveillance programmes, records were reviewed of women referred to Scottish breast cancer family clinics between January 1994 and December 2003 but discharged as at ‘less than ‘moderate’ familial risk’. The Scottish Cancer Registry was then interrogated to determine subsequent age-specific incidence of breast cancer in this cohort and corresponding Scottish population figures. Among 2074 women, with an average follow-up of 4.0 years, 28 invasive breast cancers were recorded up to December 2003, where 14.4 were expected, a relative risk (RR) of 1.94. Eleven further breast cancers were recorded between January 2004 and February 2006 (ascertainment incomplete for this period). The overall RR for women in the study cohort exceeded the accepted ‘cutoff’ level (RR=1.7) for provision of special counselling and surveillance. The highest RR was found for the age group 45–59 years and this group also generated the majority of breast cancers. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (‘NICE’) guidelines appear to be more accurate than those of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (‘SIGN’) in defining ‘moderate’ familial risk, and longer follow-up of this cohort could generate an evidence base for further modification of familial breast cancer services.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Anderson
- Edinburgh Breast Cancer Family Service, Department of Clinical Genetics and Edinburgh Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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Slight RD, Ferguson R, Stirling D, McClelland DBL, Mankad PS. Experience with sodium fluorescein flow cytometry in the determination of red cell volume. Int J Lab Hematol 2008; 31:233-5. [PMID: 18279426 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553x.2008.01029.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sodium fluorescein flow cytometry for the calculation of red cell volume is an exciting proposition in that the repeatability of the technique in a short time frame should allow for applications such as the measurement of surgical red cell volume loss. Our results found that the rapid decay in fluorescence negated the usefulness of this technique as currently described. However, further investigation into the behaviour of the sodium fluorescein labelled red blood cells may allow for the mathematical correction of the fluorescent red cell population prior to red cell volume calculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Slight
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Chalmers EA, Brown SA, Keeling D, Liesner R, Richards M, Stirling D, Thomas A, Vidler V, Williams MD, Young D. Early factor VIII exposure and subsequent inhibitor development in children with severe haemophilia A. Haemophilia 2007; 13:149-55. [PMID: 17286767 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2006.01418.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports have suggested that the incidence of inhibitors in haemophilia is the highest in those first exposed to factor VIII under 6 months of age. In this study, we investigated inhibitor development in children first exposed to FVIII as neonates and also examined the effect of other genetic and environmental variables. Three hundred and forty-eight children with severe haemophilia A were investigated. Inhibitors developed in 68 of 348 (20%), with 34 of 348 (10%) high titre inhibitors. The incidence in relation to initial FVIII exposure was: <1 month nine of 35 (26%), 1-6 months 13 of 51 (25%), 6-12 months 27 of 130 (21%), 12-18 months 13 of 66 (20%) and >18 months six of 66 (9%). While we observed a significant difference in inhibitor development and age at first exposure across all age groups (P = 0.018), no significant difference was observed in children treated at different time points during the first year of life (P = 0.44). Similar results were obtained for high titre inhibitors. There was also no difference in the incidence of inhibitors in relation to initial FVIII exposure in a subgroup of 144 children with the intron 22 mutation. Inhibitors developed more frequently in those initially treated with recombinant when compared with plasma-derived FVIII (P = 0.006) and in those with a major molecular defect (P = 0.009). In this study, exposure to FVIII during the neonatal period was not associated with a higher incidence of inhibitors than those treated later during the first year of life. Initial treatment with recombinant FVIII and the presence of a major molecular defect were the most important variables affecting inhibitor development.
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Bartlett JB, Wu L, Adams M, Schafer P, Muller G, Stirling D. Lenalidomide and pomalidomide strongly enhance tumor cell killing in vitro during antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by trastuzumab, cetuximab and rituximab. J Clin Oncol 2007. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.3023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
3023 Background: Potential mechanisms of action of lenalidomide and pomalidomide (CC-4047) include anti-angiogenic, anti- proliferative and immunomodulatory activities, e.g., enhancement of T cell and NK cell function. Both drugs appear to enhance T cell activation and Th1-type cytokines in cancer patients. Also, both drugs have been shown to enhance rituximab-mediated protection in a mouse lymphoma model. Methods: We have utilized an in vitro ADCC system to assess the ability of these drugs to enhance human NK cell function in response to the approved therapeutic antibodies trastuzumab, cetuximab and rituximab. Results: Pre-treatment of NK cells with either pomalidomide or lenalidomide greatly enhanced IFN-γ production by NK cells in response to IgG in the presence of either IL-2 or IL- 12. In a series of functional ADCC assays, Her2/neu overexpressing breast cancer cells (SKBR3 & MCF-7) pre-coated with trastuzumab, EGFR positive colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) pre-coated with cetuximab and NHL cell lines (Namalwa, Farage & Raji) pre-coated with rituximab, were exposed to NK cells pre-treated with pomalidomide, lenalidomide or thalidomide. Both pomalidomide and lenalidomide synergistically increased (up to 6-fold) NK cell-mediated killing of antibody coated tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. Thalidomide had no effect in this system. There was minimal tumor cell killing by antibody alone or in the absence of antibody. The presence of IL-2 or IL-12 was required to see enhanced killing by either drug. Enhanced ADCC was associated with increased signaling in NK cells, specifically with inhibition of the negative regulator SHIP-1. Other downstream effects on signaling pathways are also being investigated. Monocyte-mediated tumor cell ADCC was also enhanced by both drugs. Conclusions: We have shown that pomalidomide and lenalidomide (but not thalidomide) strongly enhance the ability of therapeutic antibodies to induce ADCC via NK cell/monocyte-mediated killing of tumor cells in vitro. These results provide a strong rationale for combination of either lenalidomide or pomalidomide with antibodies to tumor-specific surface antigens in cancer patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L. Wu
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ
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