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Ward LJ, Kling S, Engvall G, Söderberg C, Kugelberg FC, Green H, Elmsjö A. Postmortem metabolomics as a high-throughput cause-of-death screening tool for human death investigations. iScience 2024; 27:109794. [PMID: 38711455 PMCID: PMC11070332 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109794] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Autopsy rates are declining globally, impacting cause-of-death (CoD) diagnoses and quality control. Postmortem metabolomics was evaluated for CoD screening using 4,282 human cases, encompassing CoD groups: acidosis, drug intoxication, hanging, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and pneumonia. Cases were split 3:1 into training and test sets. High-resolution mass spectrometry data from femoral blood were analyzed via orthogonal-partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to discriminate CoD groups. OPLS-DA achieved an R2 = 0.52 and Q2 = 0.30, with true-positive prediction rates of 68% and 65% for training and test sets, respectively, across all groups. Specificity-optimized thresholds predicted 56% of test cases with a unique CoD, average 45% sensitivity, and average 96% specificity. Prediction accuracies varied: 98.7% for acidosis, 80.5% for drug intoxication, 81.6% for hanging, 73.1% for IHD, and 93.6% for pneumonia. This study demonstrates the potential of large-scale postmortem metabolomics for CoD screening, offering high specificity and enhancing throughput and decision-making in human death investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J. Ward
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sara Kling
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gustav Engvall
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Medicine, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Carl Söderberg
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Fredrik C. Kugelberg
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Henrik Green
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Albert Elmsjö
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
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Eriksson I, Ward LJ, Vainikka L, Sultana N, Leanderson P, Flodin U, Li W, Yuan XM. Imidacloprid Induces Lysosomal Dysfunction and Cell Death in Human Astrocytes and Fibroblasts-Environmental Implication of a Clinical Case Report. Cells 2023; 12:2772. [PMID: 38132092 PMCID: PMC10742227 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242772] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Imidacloprid (IMI), a neonicotinoid insecticide, has potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human and experimental models, respectively. While being an emerging environmental contaminant, occupational exposure and related cellular mechanisms are unknown. Herein, we were motivated by a specific patient case where occupational exposure to an IMI-containing plant protection product was associated with the diagnosis of Bell's palsy. The aim was to investigate the toxic effects and cellular mechanisms of IMI exposure on glial cells (D384 human astrocytes) and on human fibroblasts (AG01518). IMI-treated astrocytes showed a reduction in cell number and dose-dependent cytotoxicity at 24 h. Lower doses of IMI induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lysosomal membrane permeabilisation (LMP), causing apoptosis and autophagic dysfunction, while high doses caused significant necrotic cell death. Using normal fibroblasts, we found that IMI-induced autophagic dysfunction and lysosomal damage, activated lysophagy, and resulted in a compensatory increase in lysosomes. In conclusion, the observed IMI-induced effects on human glial cells and fibroblasts provide a possible link between IMI cytotoxicity and neurological complications observed clinically in the patient exposed to this neonicotinoid insecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Eriksson
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (I.E.); (L.V.)
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 85 Linköping, Sweden; (L.J.W.)
| | - Linda Vainikka
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (I.E.); (L.V.)
| | - Nargis Sultana
- Laboratory Medicine, Linköping University Hospital, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (N.S.)
| | - Per Leanderson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (P.L.); (U.F.); (X.-M.Y.)
| | - Ulf Flodin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (P.L.); (U.F.); (X.-M.Y.)
| | - Wei Li
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (W.L.)
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden; (P.L.); (U.F.); (X.-M.Y.)
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Maher GM, Ward LJ, Hernandez L, Kublickas M, Duvekot JJ, McCarthy FP, Khashan AS, Kublickiene K. Association between socioeconomic status with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: An international multicenter cohort. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023; 102:1459-1468. [PMID: 37602747 PMCID: PMC10577636 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14659] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous evidence examining the association between socioeconomic status and pregnancy complications are conflicted and often limited to using area-based measures of socioeconomic status. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between individual-level socioeconomic factors and a wide range of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes using data from the IMPROvED birth cohort conducted in Sweden, the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study cohort consisted of women who participated in the IMPROvED birth cohort between 2013 and 2017. Data on socioeconomic factors were self-reported and obtained at 15 weeks' gestation, and included level of education, employment status, relationship status, and income. Data on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes included gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, emergency cesarean section, preterm birth, post term delivery, small for gestational age and Apgar score at 1 min. These data were obtained within 72 h following delivery and confirmed using medical records. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association between each socioeconomic variable and each outcome separately adjusting for maternal age, maternal body mass index, maternal smoking, maternal alcohol consumption and cohort center. We also examined the effect of exposure to any ≥2 risk factors compared to none. RESULTS A total of 2879 participants were included. Adjusted results suggested that those with less than third level of education had an increased odds of gestational hypertension (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23-2.46), while those on a middle level of income had a reduced odds of emergency cesarean section (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.84). No significant associations were observed between socioeconomic variables and neonatal outcomes. Exposure to any ≥2 socioeconomic risk factors was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.06-2.89). CONCLUSIONS We did not find strong evidence of associations between individual-level socioeconomic factors and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in high-income settings overall, with only few significant associations observed among pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian M. Maher
- INFANT Research Centre, University College CorkCorkIreland
- School of Public Health, University College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Division of Renal MedicineCLINTEC, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic ToxicologyNational Board of Forensic MedicineLinköpingSweden
| | - Leah Hernandez
- Division of Renal MedicineCLINTEC, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Marius Kublickas
- Department of Fetal MedicineKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Johannes J. Duvekot
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MCUniversity Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Fergus P. McCarthy
- INFANT Research Centre, University College CorkCorkIreland
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Ali S. Khashan
- INFANT Research Centre, University College CorkCorkIreland
- School of Public Health, University College CorkCorkIreland
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Ward LJ, Laucyte-Cibulskiene A, Hernandez L, Ripsweden J, Stenvinkel P, Kublickiene K. Coronary artery calcification and aortic valve calcification in patients with kidney failure: a sex-disaggregated study. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:48. [PMID: 37443048 PMCID: PMC10347725 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00530-x] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked to an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. Albeit underappreciated, sex differences are evident in CKD with females being more prone to CKD development, but males progressing more rapidly to kidney failure (KF). Cardiovascular remodelling is a hallmark of CKD with increased arterial and valvular calcification contributing to CKD. However, little is known regarding sex differences in calcific cardiovascular remodelling in KF patients. Thus, we hypothesise that sex differences are present in coronary artery calcification (CAC) and aortic valve calcification (AVC) in patients with KF. METHODS KF patients, males (n = 214) and females (n = 107), that had undergone computer tomography (CT) assessment for CAC and AVC were selected from three CKD cohorts. All patients underwent non-contrast multi-detector cardiac CT scanning, with CAC and AVC scoring based on the Agatston method. Baseline biochemical measurements were retrieved from cohort databases, including plasma analyses for inflammation markers (IL-6, TNF, hsCRP) and oxidative stress by skin autofluorescence measuring advanced glycation end-products (AGE), amongst other variables. RESULTS Sex-disaggregated analyses revealed that CAC score was associated with age in both males and females (both p < 0.001). Age-adjusted analyses revealed that in males CAC was associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.018) and CVD (p = 0.011). Additionally, for females CAC associated with IL-6 (p = 0.005) and TNF (p = 0.004). In both females and males CAC associated with AGE (p = 0.042 and p = 0.05, respectively). CAC was associated with mortality for females (p = 0.015) independent of age. AVC in females was not reviewed due to low AVC-positive samples (n = 14). In males, in multivariable regression AVC was associated with age (p < 0.001) and inflammation, as measured by IL-6 (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS In female KF patients inflammatory burden and oxidative stress were associated with CAC. Whereas in male KF patients oxidative stress and inflammation were associated with CAC and AVC, respectively. Our findings suggest a sex-specific biomarker signature for cardiovascular calcification that may affect the development of cardiovascular complications in males and females with KF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Ward
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Agne Laucyte-Cibulskiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nephrology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Leah Hernandez
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonaz Ripsweden
- Unit of Radiology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Hernandez L, Ward LJ, Arefin S, Barany P, Wennberg L, Söderberg M, Bruno S, Cantaluppi V, Stenvinkel P, Kublickiene K. Blood–Brain Barrier Biomarkers before and after Kidney Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076628. [PMID: 37047601 PMCID: PMC10095132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation (KT) may improve the neurological status of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, reflected by the altered levels of circulating BBB-specific biomarkers. This study compares the levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurofilament light chain (NfL), and circulating plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) in kidney-failure patients before KT and at a two-year follow up. Using ELISA, NSE, BDNF, and NfL levels were measured in the plasma of 74 living-donor KT patients. Plasma EVs were isolated with ultracentrifugation, and characterized for concentration/size and surface protein expression using flow cytometry from a subset of 25 patients. Lower NSE levels, and higher BDNF and NfL were observed at the two-year follow-up compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). Male patients had significantly higher BDNF levels compared to those of females. BBB biomarkers correlated with the baseline lipid profile and with glucose, vitamin D, and inflammation markers after KT. BBB surrogate marker changes in the microcirculation of early vascular aging phenotype patients with calcification and/or fibrosis were observed only in NSE and BDNF. CD31+ microparticles from endothelial cells expressing inflammatory markers such as CD40 and integrins were significantly reduced after KT. KT may, thus, improve the neurological status of CKD patients, as reflected by changes in BBB-specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Hernandez
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 587 58 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Samsul Arefin
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Barany
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Wennberg
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Söderberg
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D AstraZeneca, 431 83 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stefania Bruno
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cantaluppi
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Unit, Department of Translational Medicine (DIMET), University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), “Maggiore della Carita” University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Eckersley A, Ozols M, Chen P, Tam V, Ward LJ, Hoyland JA, Trafford A, Yuan XM, Schiller HB, Chan D, Sherratt MJ. Peptide location fingerprinting identifies species- and tissue-conserved structural remodelling of proteins as a consequence of ageing and disease. Matrix Biol 2022; 114:108-137. [PMID: 35618217 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular matrices (ECMs) in the intervertebral disc (IVD), lung and artery are thought to undergo age-dependant accumulation of damage by chronic exposure to mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species, proteases and glycation. It is unknown whether this damage accumulation is species-dependant (via differing lifespans and hence cumulative exposures) or whether it can influence the progression of age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis. Peptide location fingerprinting (PLF) is a new proteomic analysis method, capable of the non-targeted identification of structure-associated changes within proteins. Here we applied PLF to publicly available ageing human IVD (outer annulus fibrosus), ageing mouse lung and human arterial atherosclerosis datasets and bioinformatically identified novel target proteins alongside common age-associated differences within protein structures which were conserved between three ECM-rich organs, two species, three IVD tissue regions, sexes and in an age-related disease. We identify peptide yield differences across protein structures which coincide with biological regions, potentially reflecting the functional consequences of ageing or atherosclerosis for macromolecular assemblies (collagen VI), enzyme/inhibitor activity (alpha-2 macroglobulin), activation states (complement C3) and interaction states (laminins, perlecan, fibronectin, filamin-A, collagen XIV and apolipoprotein-B). Furthermore, we show that alpha-2 macroglobulin and collagen XIV exhibit possible shared structural consequences in IVD ageing and arterial atherosclerosis, providing novel links between an age-related disease and intrinsic ageing. Crucially, we also demonstrate that fibronectin, laminin beta chains and filamin-A all exhibit conserved age-associated structural differences between mouse lung and human IVD, providing evidence that ECM, and their associating proteins, may be subjected to potentially similar mechanisms or consequences of ageing across both species, irrespective of differences in lifespan and tissue function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Eckersley
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Matiss Ozols
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Department of Human Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom; British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peikai Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518053, China
| | - Vivian Tam
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liam J Ward
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Judith A Hoyland
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Trafford
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Biological Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Herbert B Schiller
- Institute of Lung Health and Immunity and Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Danny Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael J Sherratt
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Ward LJ, Elmsjö A, Söderberg C, Engvall G, Green H, Kugelberg FC. Can postmortem metabolomics be used as a tool in the identification of deaths attributed to hypoglycaemia. Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.06.092] [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: 11/16/2022]
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Hernandez L, Laucyte-Cibulskiene A, Ward LJ, Kautzky-Willer A, Herrero MT, Norris CM, Raparelli V, Pilote L, Stenvinkel P, Kublickiene K. Gender dimension in cardio-pulmonary continuum. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:916194. [PMID: 36003909 PMCID: PMC9393639 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.916194] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardio-pulmonary diseases, which were once regarded as a man's illness, have been one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality for both men and women in many countries in recent years. Both gender and sex influence the functional and structural changes in the human body and therefore play an important role in disease clinical manifestation, treatment choice, and/or response to treatment and prognosis of health outcomes. The gender dimension integrates sex and gender analysis in health sciences and medical research, however, it is still relatively overlooked suggesting the need for empowerment in the medical research community. Latest advances in the field of cardiovascular research have provided supportive evidence that the application of biological variables of sex has led to the understanding that heart disease in females may have different pathophysiology compared to males, particularly in younger adults. It has also resulted in new diagnostic techniques and a better understanding of symptomatology, while gender analysis has informed more appropriate risk stratification and prevention strategies. The existing knowledge in the pulmonary field shows the higher prevalence of pulmonary disorders among females, however, the role of gender as a socio-cultural construct has yet to be explored for the implementation of targeted interventions. The purpose of this review is to introduce the concept of gender dimension and its importance for the cardiopulmonary continuum with a focus on shared pathophysiology and disease presentation in addition to interrelation with chronic kidney disease. The review presents basic knowledge of what gender dimension means, and the application of sex and gender aspects in cardiovascular medicine with a specific focus on early pulmonary development, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Early vascular aging and inflammation have been presented as a potential pathophysiological link, with further interactions between the cardiopulmonary continuum and chronic kidney disease. Finally, implications for potential future research have been provided to increase the impact of gender dimension on research excellence that would add value to everybody, foster toward precision medicine and ultimately improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Hernandez
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agne Laucyte-Cibulskiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nephrology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria-Trinidad Herrero
- Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, Institutes for Aging Research and Bio-Health Research of Murcia, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Colleen M. Norris
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cardiovascular and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Valeria Raparelli
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Louise Pilote
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Arefin S, Hernandez L, Ward LJ, Schwarz A, Barany P, Stenvinkel P, Kublickiene K. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine 2 in female and male patients with end-stage kidney disease. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13786. [PMID: 35366343 PMCID: PMC9541326 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with chronic kidney disease are affected by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to multiple comorbidities and altered immune system. The first step of the infection process is the binding of SARS-CoV-2 with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, followed by its priming by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). We hypothesized that circulating soluble ACE2 levels, as well as the expressions of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the microvasculature, are increased in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). METHODS A total of 210 participants were enrolled, representing 80 ESKD patients and 73 non-CKD controls for soluble ACE2, and 31 ESKD and 26 non-CKD controls for vasculature and fat tissue bioassays. We have assessed ACE2 expression in blood using ELISA and in tissue using immunofluorescence. RESULTS Soluble ACE2 levels were higher in ESKD patients compared to controls; however, there is no sex difference observed. In ESKD and controls, soluble ACE2 positively correlated with Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), respectively. Similarly, ACE2 tissue expression in the vasculature was higher in ESKD patients; moreover, this higher ACE2 expression was observed only in male ESKD patients. In addition, TMPRSS2 expression was observed in vessels from males and females but showed no sex difference. The expression of ACE2 receptor was higher in ESKD patients on ACE-inhibitor/angiotensin blocker treatment. CONCLUSION ESKD is associated with increased ACE2 levels in the circulation and pronounced in male vasculature; however, further studies are warranted to assess possible sex differences on specific treatment regime(s) for different comorbidities present in ESKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samsul Arefin
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leah Hernandez
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Liam J Ward
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Angelina Schwarz
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Barany
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Hernandez L, Ward LJ, Arefin S, Ebert T, Laucyte-Cibulskiene A, Heimbürger O, Barany P, Wennberg L, Stenvinkel P, Kublickiene K. Blood-brain barrier and gut barrier dysfunction in chronic kidney disease with a focus on circulating biomarkers and tight junction proteins. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4414. [PMID: 35292710 PMCID: PMC8924178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08387-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney failure and associated uraemia have implications for the cardiovascular system, brain, and blood–brain barrier (BBB). We aim to examine BBB disruption, by assessing brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels, and gut-blood barrier (GBB) disruption by trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Additionally, endothelial tight-junction protein expressions and modulation via TMAO were assessed. Serum from chronic kidney disease (CKD) female and male haemodialysis (HD) patients, and controls, were used to measure BDNF and NSE by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and TMAO by mass spectrometry. Immunofluorescent staining of subcutaneous fat biopsies from kidney transplant recipients, and controls, were used to measure microvascular expression of tight-junction proteins (claudin-5, occludin, JAM-1), and control microvasculature for TMAO effects. HD patients versus controls, had significantly lower and higher serum levels of BDNF and NSE, respectively. In CKD biopsies versus controls, reduced expression of claudin-5, occludin, and JAM-1 were observed. Incubation with TMAO significantly decreased expression of all tight-junction proteins in the microvasculature. Uraemia affects BBB and GBB resulting in altered levels of circulating NSE, BDNF and TMAO, respectively, and it also reduces expression of tight-junction proteins that confer BBB maintenance. TMAO serves as a potential candidate to alter BBB integrity in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Hernandez
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Liam J Ward
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Samsul Arefin
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Ebert
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agne Laucyte-Cibulskiene
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Olof Heimbürger
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Barany
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Wennberg
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
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11
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Laucyte-Cibulskiene A, Ward LJ, Ebert T, Tosti G, Tucci C, Hernandez L, Kautzky-Willer A, Herrero MT, Norris CM, Pilote L, Söderberg M, Brismar TB, Ripsweden J, Stenvinkel P, Raparelli V, Kublickiene K. Role of GDF-15, YKL-40 and MMP 9 in patients with end-stage kidney disease: focus on sex-specific associations with vascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. Biol Sex Differ 2021; 12:50. [PMID: 34526107 PMCID: PMC8444580 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-021-00393-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences are underappreciated in the current understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in association with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A hallmark of CKD is vascular aging that is characterised, amongst others, by; systemic inflammation, microbiota disbalance, oxidative stress, and vascular calcification-features linked to atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis development. Thus, it is the necessary to introduce novel biomarkers related to athero-/arteriosclerotic damage for better assessment of vascular ageing in patients CKD. However, little is known about the relationship between uraemia and novel CVD biomarkers, such as growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), cartilage glycoprotein-39 (YKL-40) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Therefore, we hypothesise that there are sex-specific relationships between GDF-15, YKL-40, MMP-9 levels in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients in relation to gut microbiota, vascular calcification, inflammation, comorbidities, and all-cause mortality. METHODS ESKD patients, males (n = 151) and females (n = 79), not receiving renal replacement therapy were selected from two ongoing prospective ESKD cohorts. GDF-15, YKL-40 and MMP9 were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Biomarker levels were analysed in the context of gut microbiota-derived trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), vascular calcification, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, comorbidities, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Increased GDF-15 correlated with higher TMAO in females only, and with higher coronary artery calcification and IL-6. In females, diabetes was associated with elevated GDF-15 and MMP-9, whilst males with diabetes only had elevated GDF-15. No associations were found between biomarkers and CVD comorbidity. Deceased males and females had higher GDF-15 concentrations (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively), meanwhile only YKL-40 was increased in deceased males (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, in males GDF-15 and YKL-40 were related to vascular calcification, inflammation, and oxidative stress, whilst in females GDF-15 was related to TMAO. Increased levels of YKL-40 and GDF-15 in males, and only GDF-15 in females, were associated with all-cause mortality. Our findings suggest that sex-specific associations of novel CVD biomarkers have a potential to affect development of cardiovascular complications in patients with ESKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agne Laucyte-Cibulskiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nephrology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Liam J Ward
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Ebert
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giulia Tosti
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Tucci
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Leah Hernandez
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria-Trinidad Herrero
- Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, Institutes for Aging Research and Bio-Health Research of Murcia, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Colleen M Norris
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cardiovascular and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Louise Pilote
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Magnus Söderberg
- Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Torkel B Brismar
- Division of Medical Imaging and Technology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonaz Ripsweden
- Division of Medical Imaging and Technology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valeria Raparelli
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department for Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Karolinska University Hospital-Flemingsberg Campus, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
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12
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Assenhöj M, Ward LJ, Ghafouri B, Graff P, Ljunggren SA. Metal exposure from additive manufacturing and its effect on the nasal lavage fluid proteome - a pilot study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256746. [PMID: 34464420 PMCID: PMC8407577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) is steadily increasing and is an emerging concern regarding occupational exposure. In this study, non-invasive sampled nasal lavage fluid (NLF) from the upper airways was collected from metal AM operators at the beginning and end of a workweek during two consecutive years with preventive interventions in the occupational setting in-between (n = 5 year 1, n = 9 year 2). During year one, NLF was also collected from welders (n = 6) from the same company to get a comparison with a traditional manufacturing technique with known exposure and health risks. The samples were investigated using untargeted proteomics, as well as using multi-immunoassay to analyze a panel of 71 inflammatory protein markers. NLF in AM operators from year 1 showed decreased levels of Immunoglobulin J and WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2 and increased levels of Golgi membrane protein 1, Uteroglobin and Protein S100-A6 at the end of the workweek. At year two, after preventive interventions, there were no significant differences at the end of the workweek. In welders, Annexin A1 and Protein S100-A6 were increased at the end of the workweek. The analysis of 71 inflammatory biomarkers showed no significant differences between the beginning and the end of workweek year 1 in AM operators. We identified several proteins of interest in the AM operators that could serve as possible markers for exposure in future studies with a larger cohort for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assenhöj
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bijar Ghafouri
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Pain and Rehabilitation Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Pål Graff
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan A. Ljunggren
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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13
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Ljunggren SA, Ward LJ, Graff P, Persson A, Lind ML, Karlsson H. Metal additive manufacturing and possible clinical markers for the monitoring of exposure-related health effects. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248601. [PMID: 33735215 PMCID: PMC7971853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) includes a series of techniques used to create products, in several different materials, such as metal, polymer or ceramics, with digital models. The main advantage of AM is that it allows the creation of complex structures, but AM promises several additional advantages including the possibility to manufacture on demand or replacing smaller worn parts by directly building on an existing piece. Therefore, the interest for and establishment of AM is rapidly expanding, which is positive, however it is important to be aware that new techniques may also result in new challenges regarding health and safety issues. Metals in blood and possible clinical effects due to metal exposure were investigated in AM operators at one of the first serial producing AM facilities in the world during two consecutive years with implementation of preventive measures in-between. As comparison, welders and office workers as control group were investigated. Health investigations comprised of surveys, lung function tests, antioxidant activity and vascular inflammation as well as renal- and hepatic function analysis. AM operators had significantly reduced nickel levels in blood (10.8 vs 6.2 nmol/L) as well as improved lung function (80 vs 92% of predicted) from year 1 to year 2. This is in line with previously published results displaying reduced exposure. Blood cobalt and nickel levels correlated with previously reported urinary levels, while blood chromium did not. Multivariate modelling showed that blood cobalt, antioxidant/inflammatory marker serum amyloid A1/serum paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 activity and the hepatic markers aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in AM operators compared to controls. The study show that the selected clinical analyses could function as a complement to metal analyses in biological fluids when investigating exposure-related health effects in AM operators. However, validation in larger cohorts is necessary before more definite conclusions could be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan A. Ljunggren
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center in Linköping, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pål Graff
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Helen Karlsson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center in Linköping, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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14
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Ward LJ, Nilsson S, Hammar M, Lindh-Åstrand L, Berin E, Lindblom H, Spetz Holm AC, Rubér M, Li W. Resistance training decreases plasma levels of adipokines in postmenopausal women. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19837. [PMID: 33199796 PMCID: PMC7669850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76901-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical inactivity and the onset of menopause increase the risk of cardiovascular disease amongst postmenopausal women. We aim to investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) on plasma levels of selected cytokines, adipokines, myokines, and sex hormones in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms. This was a sub-study of a randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of RT on vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. Women were randomised to join a 15-week RT program (n = 26) or remain sedentary as control (n = 29). Venous blood samples were taken at week-0 and week-15 for all participants. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and multiple bead assays were used to measure cytokines, adipokines, myokines, and sex hormones in plasma. Plasma measurements of 16 of 33 analytes were within detectable limits. After adjusting for good compliance in the RT group (58% of RT participants), after 15 weeks, significantly lower plasma levels of adiponectin (p < 0.001), lipocalin-2 (p < 0.01) and resistin (p = 0.04) were found. Comparing control and RT women, using change-over-time values, significant increases in median testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin levels were seen in RT women. RT intervention lowers the levels of adipokines, particularly adiponectin, in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms. These results were secondary outcomes of a clinical trial, and further investigations in a larger cohort are essential with the additional control of diet control and body composition analyses. Nevertheless, our study shows RT may be a beneficial intervention in reducing inflammation amongst postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Ward
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. .,Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center in Linköping, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, 58185, Linköping, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Sigrid Nilsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mats Hammar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lotta Lindh-Åstrand
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Emilia Berin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hanna Lindblom
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna-Clara Spetz Holm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marie Rubér
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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15
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Ward LJ, Hammar M, Lindh-Åstrand L, Berin E, Lindblom H, Rubér M, Spetz Holm AC, Li W. Does resistance training have an effect on levels of ferritin and atherogenic lipids in postmenopausal women? - A pilot trial. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3838. [PMID: 32123242 PMCID: PMC7052219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60759-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if 15 weeks of resistance training (RT) can alter the levels of blood lipids, body iron status, and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms. Postmenopausal women enrolled in a randomised controlled trial were allocated to either a sedentary control group (n = 29) or a RT group (n = 26). Blood samples were taken at week-0 and week-15 for all participants. Blood lipids and iron status were measured via routine clinical analyses. Immunoassays were used to measure oxidative stress markers. The RT group, with good compliance, was associated with significant reductions in ferritin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, ferritin was positively correlated with atherogenic lipids while negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein in RT women. This occurred without alterations in serum iron, transferrin, transferrin-saturation, C-reactive protein and oxidative stress markers. No differences were found in control women. This study suggests that RT in postmenopausal women both reduces levels of ferritin and counteracts atherogenic lipid profiles independent of an apparent oxidative mechanism. RT may be a beneficial intervention in postmenopausal women via an interaction between ferritin and lipids; however, further investigation in a larger cohort is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Ward
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. .,Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center in Linköping, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Mats Hammar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lotta Lindh-Åstrand
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Emilia Berin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hanna Lindblom
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marie Rubér
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna-Clara Spetz Holm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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16
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Oppi S, Nusser-Stein S, Blyszczuk P, Wang X, Jomard A, Marzolla V, Yang K, Velagapudi S, Ward LJ, Yuan XM, Geiger MA, Guillaumon AT, Othman A, Hornemann T, Rancic Z, Ryu D, Oosterveer MH, Osto E, Lüscher TF, Stein S. Macrophage NCOR1 protects from atherosclerosis by repressing a pro-atherogenic PPARγ signature. Eur Heart J 2020; 41:995-1005. [PMID: 31529020 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Nuclear receptors and their cofactors regulate key pathophysiological processes in atherosclerosis development. The transcriptional activity of these nuclear receptors is controlled by the nuclear receptor corepressors (NCOR), scaffolding proteins that form the basis of large corepressor complexes. Studies with primary macrophages demonstrated that the deletion of Ncor1 increases the expression of atherosclerotic molecules. However, the role of nuclear receptor corepressors in atherogenesis is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated myeloid cell-specific Ncor1 knockout mice and crossbred them with low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) knockouts to study the role of macrophage NCOR1 in atherosclerosis. We demonstrate that myeloid cell-specific deletion of nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCOR1) aggravates atherosclerosis development in mice. Macrophage Ncor1-deficiency leads to increased foam cell formation, enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and atherosclerotic lesions characterized by larger necrotic cores and thinner fibrous caps. The immunometabolic effects of NCOR1 are mediated via suppression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) target genes in mouse and human macrophages, which lead to an enhanced expression of the CD36 scavenger receptor and subsequent increase in oxidized low-density lipoprotein uptake in the absence of NCOR1. Interestingly, in human atherosclerotic plaques, the expression of NCOR1 is reduced whereas the PPARγ signature is increased, and this signature is more pronounced in ruptured compared with non-ruptured carotid plaques. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that macrophage NCOR1 blocks the pro-atherogenic functions of PPARγ in atherosclerosis and suggest that stabilizing the NCOR1-PPARγ binding could be a promising strategy to block the pro-atherogenic functions of plaque macrophages and lesion progression in atherosclerotic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Oppi
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Nusser-Stein
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Przemyslaw Blyszczuk
- Department of Rheumatology, Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008 Cracow, Poland
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Anne Jomard
- Laboratory of Translational Nutrition Biology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vincenzo Marzolla
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Kangmin Yang
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Srividya Velagapudi
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Liam J Ward
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Martin A Geiger
- Vascular Diseases Discipline, Clinics Hospital of the University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ana T Guillaumon
- Vascular Diseases Discipline, Clinics Hospital of the University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil
| | - Alaa Othman
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thorsten Hornemann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zoran Rancic
- Clinic for Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dongryeol Ryu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 16419 Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Maaike H Oosterveer
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Liver Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Osto
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Translational Nutrition Biology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas F Lüscher
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Trust, London, SW3 6NP, UK
- Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sokrates Stein
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
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17
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Ward LJ, Olausson P, Li W, Yuan XM. Proteomics and multivariate modelling reveal sex-specific alterations in distinct regions of human carotid atheroma. Biol Sex Differ 2018; 9:54. [PMID: 30594242 PMCID: PMC6311011 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-018-0217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Atherosclerotic lesions are comprised of distinct regions with different proteomic profiles. Men and women develop differences in lesion phenotype, with lesions from women generally being more stable and less prone to rupture. We aimed to investigate the differences in proteomic profiles between sexes, including distinct lesion regions, to identify altered proteins that contribute to these differences observed clinically. Methods Carotid endarterectomy samples (ten men/ten women) were obtained, and intraplaque biopsies from three distinct regions (internal control, fatty streak and plaque) were analysed by tandem-mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical modelling, using orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis, was used to discriminate the proteomes between men and women. Results Multivariate discriminant modelling revealed proteins from 16 functional groups that displayed sex-specific associations. Additional statistics revealed ten proteins that display region-specific alterations when comparing sexes, including proteins related to inflammatory response, response to reactive oxygen species, complement activation, transport and blood coagulation. Transport protein afamin and blood coagulation proteins antithrombin-III and coagulation factor XII were significantly increased in plaque region from women. Inflammatory response proteins lysozyme C and phospholipase A2 membrane-associated were significantly increased in plaque region from men. Limitations with this study are the small sample size, limited patient information and lack of complementary histology to control for cell type differences between sexes. Conclusions This pilot study, for the first time, utilises a multivariate proteomic approach to investigate sexual dimorphism in human atherosclerotic tissue, and provides an essential proteomic platform for further investigations to help understand sexual dimorphism and plaque vulnerability in atherosclerosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13293-018-0217-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Ward
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden. .,Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Patrik Olausson
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wei Li
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Yuan XM, Ward LJ, Forssell C, Siraj N, Li W. Carotid Atheroma From Men Has Significantly Higher Levels of Inflammation and Iron Metabolism Enabled by Macrophages. Stroke 2017; 49:419-425. [PMID: 29284736 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.117.018724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Men differ from women in the manifestation of atherosclerosis and iron metabolism. Intraplaque hemorrhage and hemoglobin (Hb) catabolism by macrophages are associated with atherosclerotic lesion instability. The study aims were to investigate sex differences in (1) lesion severity in relation to blood Hb, (2) iron homeostasis in human carotid plaques, and (3) macrophage polarization within atheroma. METHODS The carotid artery samples from 39 men and 23 women were immunostained with cell markers for macrophages, smooth muscle cells, ferritin, and TfR1 (transferrin receptor 1), which were further analyzed according to sex in relation to iron, Hb, and lipids in circulation. Additionally, samples of predefined regions from human carotid atherosclerotic lesions, including internal controls, were used for proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry. RESULTS Male patients, compared with women, had larger necrotic cores and more plaque rupture, which were associated with higher levels of Hb. Atheroma of male patients had significantly higher levels of Hb in circulation and CD68 macrophages, ferritin, and TfR1 in lesions. CD68 macrophages were significantly correlated with ferritin and TfR1. Plaques from male patients comparatively possessed higher levels of inflammatory macrophage subsets, CD86 (M1) and CD163 (M2), but lower levels of STF (serotransferrin) and HPX (hemopexin). CONCLUSIONS Male patients with carotid atheroma had more advanced and ruptured lesions associated with significantly higher levels of inflammatory macrophage infiltration and high iron stores in the blood and in their plaques. These findings help to understand sex differences and iron metabolism in atherosclerosis and factors related to atheroma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Ming Yuan
- From the Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (X.-M.Y., L.J.W., N.S.) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (L.J.W., W.L.), Linköping University, Sweden; Vascular Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden (C.F.); and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (N.S.).
| | - Liam J Ward
- From the Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (X.-M.Y., L.J.W., N.S.) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (L.J.W., W.L.), Linköping University, Sweden; Vascular Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden (C.F.); and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (N.S.)
| | - Claes Forssell
- From the Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (X.-M.Y., L.J.W., N.S.) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (L.J.W., W.L.), Linköping University, Sweden; Vascular Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden (C.F.); and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (N.S.)
| | - Nabeel Siraj
- From the Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (X.-M.Y., L.J.W., N.S.) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (L.J.W., W.L.), Linköping University, Sweden; Vascular Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden (C.F.); and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (N.S.)
| | - Wei Li
- From the Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (X.-M.Y., L.J.W., N.S.) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (L.J.W., W.L.), Linköping University, Sweden; Vascular Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden (C.F.); and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (N.S.)
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19
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Ward LJ, Ljunggren SA, Karlsson H, Li W, Yuan XM. Exposure to atheroma-relevant 7-oxysterols causes proteomic alterations in cell death, cellular longevity, and lipid metabolism in THP-1 macrophages. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174475. [PMID: 28350877 PMCID: PMC5370125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The 7-oxysterols are recognised as strong enhancers of inflammatory processes in foamy macrophages. Atheroma-relevant 7-oxysterol mixtures induce a mixed type of cell death in macrophages, and trigger cellular oxidative stress responses, which mimic oxidative exposures observed in atherosclerotic lesions. However, the macrophage proteome has not previously been determined in the 7-oxysterol treated cell model. The aim of the present study was to determine the specific effects of an atheroma-relevant 7-oxysterol mixture on human macrophage proteome. Human THP-1 macrophages were exposed to an atheroma-relevant mixture of 7β-hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry techniques were used to analyse the alterations in macrophage proteome, which resulted in the identification of 19 proteins with significant differential expression upon oxysterol loading; 8 increased and 11 decreased. The expression patterns of 11 out of 19 identified significant proteins were further confirmed by tandem-mass spectrometry, including further validation of increased histone deacetylase 2 and macrophage scavenger receptor types I and II expressions by western blot analysis. Identified proteins with differential expression in the cell model have been associated with i) signalling imbalance in cell death and cellular longevity; ii) lipid uptake and metabolism in foam cells; and iii) inflammatory proteins. The presented findings highlight a new proteomic platform for further studies into the functional roles of macrophages in atherosclerosis, and present a cell model for future studies to modulate the macrophage proteome by potential anti-atherosclerotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J. Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- * E-mail: (LJW); (X-MY)
| | - Stefan A. Ljunggren
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helen Karlsson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- * E-mail: (LJW); (X-MY)
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20
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Liang W, Ward LJ, Karlsson H, Ljunggren SA, Li W, Lindahl M, Yuan XM. Distinctive proteomic profiles among different regions of human carotid plaques in men and women. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26231. [PMID: 27198765 PMCID: PMC4873748 DOI: 10.1038/srep26231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of atherosclerotic tissue has limited comprehension in proteomic and metabolomic analyses. To elucidate the functional implications, and differences between genders, of atherosclerotic lesion formation we investigated protein profiles from different regions of human carotid atherosclerotic arteries; internal control, fatty streak, plaque shoulder, plaque centre, and fibrous cap. Proteomic analysis was performed using 2-DE with MALDI-TOF, with validation using nLC-MS/MS. Protein mapping of 2-DE identified 52 unique proteins, including 15 previously unmapped proteins, of which 41 proteins were confirmed by nLC-MS/MS analysis. Expression levels of 18 proteins were significantly altered in plaque regions compared to the internal control region. Nine proteins showed site-specific alterations, irrespective of gender, with clear associations to extracellular matrix remodelling. Five proteins display gender-specific alterations with 2-DE, with two alterations validated by nLC-MS/MS. Gender differences in ferritin light chain and transthyretin were validated using both techniques. Validation of immunohistochemistry confirmed significantly higher levels of ferritin in plaques from male patients. Proteomic analysis of different plaque regions has reduced the effects of plaque heterogeneity, and significant differences in protein expression are determined in specific regions and between genders. These proteomes have functional implications in plaque progression and are of importance in understanding gender differences in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhao Liang
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liam J Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helen Karlsson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Stefan A Ljunggren
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mats Lindahl
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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21
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Li W, Sultana N, Siraj N, Ward LJ, Pawlik M, Levy E, Jovinge S, Bengtsson E, Yuan XM. Autophagy dysfunction and regulatory cystatin C in macrophage death of atherosclerosis. J Cell Mol Med 2016; 20:1664-72. [PMID: 27079462 PMCID: PMC4988293 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy dysfunction in mouse atherosclerosis models has been associated with increased lipid accumulation, apoptosis and inflammation. Expression of cystatin C (CysC) is decreased in human atheroma, and CysC deficiency enhances atherosclerosis in mice. Here, we first investigated the association of autophagy and CysC expression levels with atheroma plaque severity in human atherosclerotic lesions. We found that autophagy proteins Atg5 and LC3β in advanced human carotid atherosclerotic lesions are decreased, while markers of dysfunctional autophagy p62/SQSTM1 and ubiquitin are increased together with elevated levels of lipid accumulation and apoptosis. The expressions of LC3β and Atg5 were positively associated with CysC expression. Second, we investigated whether CysC expression is involved in autophagy in atherosclerotic apoE-deficient mice, demonstrating that CysC deficiency (CysC(-/-) ) in these mice results in reduction of Atg5 and LC3β levels and induction of apoptosis. Third, macrophages isolated from CysC(-/-) mice displayed increased levels of p62/SQSTM1 and higher sensitivity to 7-oxysterol-mediated lysosomal membrane destabilization and apoptosis. Finally, CysC treatment minimized oxysterol-mediated cellular lipid accumulation. We conclude that autophagy dysfunction is a characteristic of advanced human atherosclerotic lesions and is associated with reduced levels of CysC. The deficiency of CysC causes autophagy dysfunction and apoptosis in macrophages and apoE-deficient mice. The results indicate that CysC plays an important regulatory role in combating cell death via the autophagic pathway in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nargis Sultana
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Heart and Medicine Center, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nabeel Siraj
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Heart and Medicine Center, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of internal medicine, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Liam J Ward
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Heart and Medicine Center, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Monika Pawlik
- Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Efrat Levy
- Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Departments of Psychiatry and Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefan Jovinge
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eva Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Xi-Ming Yuan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Heart and Medicine Center, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
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22
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Yuan XM, Sultana N, Siraj N, Ward LJ, Ghafouri B, Li W. Autophagy Induction Protects Against 7-Oxysterol-induced Cell Death via Lysosomal Pathway and Oxidative Stress. J Cell Death 2016; 9:1-7. [PMID: 26966389 PMCID: PMC4782829 DOI: 10.4137/jcd.s37841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [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: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
7-Oxysterols are major toxic components in oxidized low-density lipoprotein and human atheroma lesions, which cause lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and cell death. Autophagy may function as a survival mechanism in this process. Here, we investigated whether 7-oxysterols mixed in an atheroma-relevant proportion induce autophagy, whether autophagy induction influences 7-oxysterol-mediated cell death, and the underlying mechanisms, by focusing on cellular lipid levels, oxidative stress, and LMP in 7-oxysterol-treated macrophages. We found that 7-oxysterols induced cellular lipid accumulation, autophagy dysfunction, and cell death in the form of both apoptosis and necrosis. Exposure to 7-oxysterols induced autophagic vacuole synthesis in the form of increased autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) and LC3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) and autophagic vacuole formation. This led to an accumulation of p62, indicating a reduction in autophagic vacuole degradation. Importantly, autophagy induction significantly reduced 7-oxysterol-mediated cell death by diminishing LMP and oxidative stress. Moreover, autophagy induction minimized cellular lipid accumulation induced by 7-oxysterols. These findings highlight the importance of autophagy in combating cellular stress, LMP, and cell death in atherosclerosis. Therefore, activation of the autophagy pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for prevention of necrotic core formation in atherosclerotic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Ming Yuan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Heart and Medicine Center, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nargis Sultana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nabeel Siraj
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Liam J Ward
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.; Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Bijar Ghafouri
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Heart and Medicine Center, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden.; Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.; Pain and Rehabilitation Center, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.; Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
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23
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Iredahl F, Sadda V, Ward LJ, Hackethal J, Farnebo S, Tesselaar E, Sjöberg F. Modeling Perfusion Dynamics in the Skin During Iontophoresis of Vasoactive Drugs Using Single-Pulse and Multiple-Pulse Protocols. Microcirculation 2015; 22:446-53. [DOI: 10.1111/micc.12211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Iredahl
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Veeranjaneyulu Sadda
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Liam J. Ward
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Johannes Hackethal
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical and Experimental Traumatology; University of Applied Sciences; Vienna Austria
| | - Simon Farnebo
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Erik Tesselaar
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - Folke Sjöberg
- Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery; Burns and Intensive care and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
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Abstract
Atomized spray plasma deposition (ASPD) using a precursor mixture of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacryloyl-functionalized 15 nm silica nanoparticles leads to the formation of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-silica nanocomposite layers. The direct application of these coatings to overlapping glass-glass joints gives rise to excellent in situ adhesion reaching 84 MPa shear bond strength and 6 GPa shear modulus prior to the onset of adherent (bulk glass) failure. This significant enhancement in interfacial adhesion arises due to the silica nanoparticle surface methacryloyl groups enhancing cross-linking throughout the nanocomposite layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Wood
- Department of Chemistry Science Laboratories, Durham University , Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
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25
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Bayley PJ, Isaac L, Kong JY, Adamson MM, Ashford JW, Mahoney LA, Beltran M, Brown-Elhillali A, Held A, Ajayi A, Belcher H, Bond A, Mason H, Lemaster C, Shaw S, Mullin C, Holick E, Saper R, Braun TD, Riley KE, Park CL, Trehern AE, Davis MB, Mastronardi EL, Butzer B, Khalsa SBS, Shorter SM, Reinhardt KM, Cope S, Cheung C, Justice C, Wyman J, Cook-Cottone CP, Daly LA, Haden SC, Hagins M, Danhauer SC, Griffin LP, Avis NE, Sohl SJ, Lawrence J, Jesse MT, Addington EL, Messino MJ, Giguere JK, Lucas SL, Wiliford SK, Shaw E, de Manincor M, Bensoussan A, Smith C, Fahey P, Bourchier S, Desrochers DIM, Viswanathan S, Partharasathy BR, Doherty K, Moye J, Walsh C, Pokaski-Azar J, Gosian J, Chapman J, King K, Sohl S, Danhauer S, Dunbar E, Gabriel MG, Huebner M, Hofmann SG, Khalsa SBS, Gaskins RB, Jennings E, Thind H, Fava JL, Hartman S, Bock BC, Gramann P, Haaz S, Bingham CO, Bartlett SJ, Hagins M, States R, Selfe T, Innes K, Harris AR, Jennings PA, Abenavoli RM, Katz DA, Hudecek KM, Greenberg MT, Jeter PE, Nkodo AF, Haaz S, Dagnelie G, Keosaian JE, Lemaster CM, Chao M, Saper RB, King KD, Gosian J, Doherty K, Walsh C, Pokaski Azar J, Chapman J, Danhauer SC, Moye J, Kinser P, Bourguignon C, Taylor A, Mahoney LA, Bayley PJ, Collery LM, Menzies-Toman D, Nilsson M, Frykman V, Noggle JJ, Braun T, Khalsa SBS, Nosaka M, Okamura H, Fukatu N, Potts A, Weidknecht K, Coulombe S, Davies B, Ryan C, Day D, Reale J, Staples JK, Knoefel J, Herman C, Riley KE, Park CL, Bedesin EY, Stewart VM, Riley KE, Braun TD, Park CL, Pescatello LS, Davis MB, Trehern AE, Mastronardi EL, Rioux J, Rosen RK, Thind H, Gaskins R, Jennings E, Morrow K, Williams D, Bock B, Rousseau D, Jackson E, Schmid AA, Miller KK, Van Puymbroeck M, Debaun EL, Schalk N, Dierks TD, Altenburger P, Damush T, Williams LS, Selman L, Citron T, Howie-Esquivel J, McDermott K, Milic M, Donesky D, Shook A, Ruzic R, Galloway F, Van Puymbroeck M, Miller KK, Schalk N, Schmid AA, Ward LJ, Stebbings S, Sherman K, Cherkin D, Baxter GD, West JI, Duffy N, Liang B. 2013 SYR Accepted Poster Abstracts. Int J Yoga Therap 2013; 23:32-53. [PMID: 24016822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
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Abstract
Pectobacterium atrosepticum, P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis, P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, and P. wasabiae were detected in potato stems with blackleg symptoms using species- and subspecies-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The tests included a new assay for P. wasabiae based on the phytase gene sequence. Identification of isolates from diseased stems by biochemical or physiological characterization, PCR, and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) largely confirmed the PCR detection of Pectobacterium spp. in stem samples. P. atrosepticum was most commonly present but was the sole Pectobacterium sp. detected in only 52% of the diseased stems. P. wasabiae was most frequently present in combination with P. atrosepticum and was the sole Pectobacterium sp. detected in 13% of diseased stems. Pathogenicity of P. wasabiae on potato and its capacity to cause blackleg disease were demonstrated by stem inoculation and its isolation as the sole Pectobacterium sp. from field-grown diseased plants produced from inoculated seed tubers. Incidence of P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis was low in diseased stems, and the ability of Canadian strains to cause blackleg in plants grown from inoculated tubers was not confirmed. Canadian isolates of P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis differed from Brazilian isolates in diagnostic biochemical tests but conformed to the subspecies in PCR specificity and typing by MLST.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H De Boer
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Charlottetown, Canada
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27
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Ward LJ. SMILE: Simple, Mental Health, Initiative in Learning and Education. Educ Health (Abingdon) 2011; 24:537. [PMID: 22267348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT SMILE is a Simple, Mental health, Initiative in Learning and Education. SMILE was a pilot project introduced into an undergraduate clinical nursing program, Southern Cross University, Australia 2010. The program aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of third-year nursing students participating in their first clinical placement in mental healthcare. METHODS Complementary to the clinical nursing program and the university curriculum, SMILE provided further training and support for student learning in mental healthcare. The SMILE project was a structured 15-day education program that covered the following topics: suicide prevention; psychosis; drugs and alcohol education; mental state exam; families and carers in mental health; and the Mental Health Act. The education sessions were one hour in duration. The educational material and resources were created from current research, literature and health service policy. A problem-based learning approach was used to support this education project. The dynamic factor related to SMILE was that it was based in the field. SMILE enabled the students to bridge a theory-practice gap and expand upon their current knowledge base as well as participate in ward activity. Twenty students attending their first clinical placement in mental healthcare participated in SMILE and were asked to complete a pre- and post- evaluation questionnaire before starting and upon completion of the 15-day project. RESULTS The students participating in SMILE reported a greater understanding of mental healthcare issues and expressed a developing knowledge base and improved practical skill level. CONCLUSION SMILE was a positive initiative that provided valuable feedback and opportunity to improve on clinical education in mental healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
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28
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Garrod RP, Harris LG, Schofield WCE, McGettrick J, Ward LJ, Teare DOH, Badyal JPS. Mimicking a Stenocara beetle's back for microcondensation using plasmachemical patterned superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic surfaces. Langmuir 2007; 23:689-93. [PMID: 17209621 DOI: 10.1021/la0610856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A simple two-step plasmachemical methodology is outlined for the fabrication of microcondensor surfaces. This comprises the creation of a superhydrophobic background followed by pulsed plasma deposition of a hydrophilic polymer array. Microcondensation efficiency has been explored in terms of the chemical nature of the hydrophilic pixels and their dimensions. These results are compared to the hydrophilic-hydrophobic pattern present on the Stenocara beetle's back, which is used by the insect to collect water in the desert. Potential applications include fog harvesting, microfluidics, and biomolecule immobilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Garrod
- Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham, England, U.K
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Teare DOH, Barwick DC, Schofield WCE, Garrod RP, Ward LJ, Badyal JPS. Substrate-independent approach for polymer brush growth by surface atom transfer radical polymerization. Langmuir 2005; 21:11425-30. [PMID: 16285821 DOI: 10.1021/la051772h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A simple method for growing polymer brushes by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) off solid surfaces has been devised. This entails pulsed plasmachemical deposition of a halogen-containing initiator layer, followed by either organic or aqueous phase controlled surface polymerization. The wide-scale applicability of this approach is exemplified by functionalizing flat substrates, microbeads, and nonwoven textiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- D O H Teare
- Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, United Kingdom
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30
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Abstract
AIMS To determine the characteristics of bacteria associated with the blackleg disease of potato in Brazil and compare them with species and subspecies of pectolytic Erwinia. METHODS AND RESULTS Biochemical and physiological characteristics of 16 strains from blackleg-infected potatoes in State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were determined and differentiated them from all the E. carotovora subspecies and E. chrysanthemi. Pathogenicity and maceration ability of the Brazilian strains were greater than those of E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica, the causal agent of potato blackleg in temperate zones. Analyses of serological reaction and fatty acid composition confirmed that the Brazilian strains differed from E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica, but the sequence of 16S rDNA gene and the 16S-23S intergenic spacer (IGS) region confirmed the Brazilian strains as pectolytic Erwinia. Restriction analysis of the IGS region differentiated the Brazilian strains from the subspecies of E. carotovora and from E. chrysanthemi. A unique SexAI restriction site in the IGS region was used as the basis for a primer to specifically amplify DNA from the Brazilian potato blackleg bacterium in PCR. CONCLUSIONS The bacterium that causes the blackleg disease of potato in Brazil differs from E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica, the blackleg pathogen in temperate zones. It also differs from other subspecies of E. carotovora and from E. chrysanthemi and warrants status as a new subspecies, which would be appropriately named E. carotovora subsp. brasiliensis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The blackleg disease of potato is caused by a different strain of pectolytic Erwinia in Brazil than in temperate potato-growing regions. The Brazilian strain is more virulent than E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica, the usual causal agent of potato blackleg.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Duarte
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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31
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Flint SH, Ward LJ, Walker KM. Functional grouping of thermophilic Bacillus strains using amplification profiles of the 16S-23S internal spacer region. Syst Appl Microbiol 2001; 24:539-48. [PMID: 11876361 DOI: 10.1078/0723-2020-00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Molecular and biochemical assays were used to determine the identification of thermophilic bacilli isolated from New Zealand milk powder. One hundred and forty one isolates of thermophilic bacilli were classified into six species using biochemical profiles. Geobacillus stearothermophilus represented 56% of the isolates. All isolates were also analysed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, with 45 types identified. Amplification of the 16S-23S rDNA internal spacer region produced two to eight amplification products per strain. The patterns from gel electrophoresis of the internal spacer region amplicons formed two major groupings suggesting the possibility of two distinct species. Partial sequences of 16S rDNA from representatives from each group were compared with sequences in GeneBank and were found to match the 16S rDNA sequences of B. flavothermus and G. thermoleovorans. Primers were designed for these species and used to screen an arbitrary selection of 59 of the dairy isolates. This enabled the identification of 28 isolates as B. flavothermus and 31 isolates as Geobacillus species and these appear to be the predominant isolates in the New Zealand milk powder samples examined. Comparison of the fragment pattern generated by amplification of the 16S-23S rDNA internal spacer region is a simple method to differentiate thermophilic Bacillus species associated with the dairy industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Flint
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North.
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32
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Christensson C, Pillidge CJ, Ward LJ, O'Toole PW. Nucleotide sequence and characterization of the cell envelope proteinase plasmid in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris HP. J Appl Microbiol 2001; 91:334-43. [PMID: 11473599 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01390.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The major cell envelope proteinase (lactocepin; EC 3.4.21.96) produced by Lactococcus lactis cheese starter bacteria is required for starter growth and acid production in milk. The aim of this study was to characterize a lactocepin plasmid from a L. lactis subsp. cremoris cheese starter strain. METHODS AND RESULTS A restriction map of the lactocepin plasmid pHP003 from strain HP was constructed, fragments were cloned in Escherichia coli vectors, and the complete DNA sequence (13,433 bp) was determined. Among 120 industrial L. lactis starter strains screened, five contained the same specificity-type lactocepin as pHP003. The lactocepin gene in these strains was invariably linked with a partially-deleted abiB gene. CONCLUSION The lactocepin specificity type of strain HP, conferred by a known configuration of key residues, is relatively uncommon. The gene is invariably linked with a partially deleted abiB gene on each lactocepin plasmid. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This is the first complete sequence reported for a lactocepin plasmid, and provides the basis for better understanding, or manipulation, of lactocepin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Christensson
- Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Palmerstown North, Massey University, New Zealand
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33
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Abstract
Lactococcus lactis strains isolated from vegetable products transferred the ability to ferment sucrose in conjugation experiments with the recipient strain L. lactis MG1614. Nisin production and sucrose fermentation were transferred together from two strains, but transfer also occurred from several other strains which did not produce nisin. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis showed that all transconjugants had acquired large chromosomal insertions at two main sites. Nisin sucrose transconjugants had gained inserts of 70 kb, while those that fermented sucrose without nisin production contained inserts of between 50 and 110 kb. Transconjugants from one donor had acquired a separate insertion of 55 kb which correlated with enhanced bacteriophage resistance, but contained neither nisin nor sucrose fermentation genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Kelly
- Horticulture and Food Research Institute, Palmerston North Research Centre, New Zealand.
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34
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Abstract
Lactobacillus casei, Lact. paracasei and Lact. rhamnosus form a closely related taxonomic group within the heterofermentative lactobacilli. These three species are difficult to differentiate using traditional fermentation profiles. We have developed polymerase chain reaction primers which are specific for each of these species based on differences in the V1 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Sixty-three Lactobacillus isolates from cheese were identified using these primers. The 12 Lact. rhamnosus and 51 Lact. paracasei identified in this way were also differentiated using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primer.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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35
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Abstract
Thermophilic streptococci were isolated from biofilms on stainless steel samples exposed to pasteurized skimmed milk and from dairy products from a dairy manufacturing plant. The phenotypic characters of these isolates were distinct from those of other thermophilic streptococci of dairy origin (Streptococcus thermophilus and Streptococcus bovis). Genotypic data [restriction endonuclease analysis, ribotyping, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles, DNA-DNA hybridization and G + C contents] support the classification of these isolates as a new species. The sequence of the 16S rRNA was compared with that of 29 species of streptococci and shown to be significantly different. The sequence of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region also differed from published sequences of closely related species. A fluorescent in situ hybridization probe prepared to a specific part of the 16S rRNA gene sequence was able to distinguish the unknown isolates from reference isolates of S. thermophilus and S. bovis. It is proposed that these thermophilic streptococcal isolates from a dairy environment be classified in the genus Streptococcus as a new species, Streptococcus waius (from waiu, the New Zealand Maori word for milk). The type strain is 3/1T (= NZRCC 20100T).
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Base Composition
- Base Sequence
- Biofilms/growth & development
- DNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- Dairying
- Genes, rRNA
- Hot Temperature
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Milk/microbiology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/genetics
- Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
- Restriction Mapping
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Stainless Steel
- Streptococcus/classification
- Streptococcus/genetics
- Streptococcus/isolation & purification
- Streptococcus/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Flint
- Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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36
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Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria isolated from minimally processed fresh fruit and vegetable products were identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis on the basis of phenotypic tests, presence of lactococcal IS elements, and partial sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Isolated bacteria were differentiated using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of SmaI digests of genomic DNA. Sprouted seeds were the best source of strains, and lactococci appear to be the dominant microflora on these products during the period they are intended to be eaten. Although these plant strains showed many similarities to strains of L. lactis used as dairy starter cultures, their carbohydrate fermentation patterns were unusual and probably reflect their environmental origin. Most strains fermented sucrose and xylose, and some also fermented raffinose and melibiose. Most of the bacteriocin-producing strains produced nisin, and nisin genes could also be detected in strains that showed no bacteriocin activity, or that produced a different bacteriocin with a narrow spectrum of activity. One strain produced nisin but was unable to ferment sucrose, properties that have been generally regarded as linked. These strains may have uses as biopreservatives for minimally processed plant products.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Kelly
- Horticulture and Food Research Institute, Palmerston North Research Centre, New Zealand.
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37
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Ward LJ, Brown JC, Davey GP. Two methods for the genetic differentiation of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and cremoris based on differences in the 16S rRNA gene sequence. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1998; 166:15-20. [PMID: 9741080 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1998.tb13177.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and ssp. cremoris differ by 9-10 bp (depending on strain), within the first 200 bp of the sequence. These differences were used to develop two methods of genetically differentiating lactis and cremoris strains. Primers to conserved sequences in the 16S rRNA gene were used in a PCR reaction to amplify fragments of the 16S rRNA gene. A single base difference at position 180 of the sequence was utilised to develop a ligase chain reaction to differentiate lactis and cremoris sequences. The second method involved digestion of the amplified fragments with restriction endonucleases specific for either the lactis or cremoris sequence. Resolution of the digested fragments on an agarose gel allowed the strains to be identified as genetically lactis or cremoris. This method was used to examine lactococci isolated from raw milk. Of 31 raw milk strains examined, 21 contained the cremoris 16S rRNA sequence, however, all 31 strains exhibited the phenotypic characteristics of the lactis subspecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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38
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Li X, De Boer SH, Ward LJ. Improved microscopic identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus cells by combining in situ hybridization with immunofluorescence. Lett Appl Microbiol 1997; 24:431-4. [PMID: 9203395 DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765x.1997.00283.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
An oligonucleotide probe was selected from the 16S rRNA gene of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus for specific in situ hybridization. The rhodamine-labelled oligonucleotide probe was used in conjunction with an indirect immunofluorescence procedure based on a specific monoclonal antibody detected with a fluorescein-labelled conjugate. Simultaneous labelling of bacterial cells with the oligonucleotide and antibody probes allows accurate microscopic identification of single cells when isolation and other methods of confirming bacterial identity are not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Li
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agriculture Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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39
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Abstract
The insertion sequence (IS) ISS1 from Lactococcus lactis was amplified from lactococcal genomic DNA using a primer to the 18-bp inverted repeat sequence. The amplified product hybridized to a single EcoRI fragment in a total genomic DNA digest of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. dextranicum NZDRI 2218. The DNA sequence of this ISS1-like element (IS1297) and the Le. mesenteroides sequences flanking the IS were determined and compared with other iso-ISS1 elements. No direct repeats were found immediately flanking IS1297; however, direct repeats were present approximately 60 bp on either side of the insertion site. IS1297 contained a major open reading frame (ORF) of 681 bp, encoding a putative 226-amino-acid protein with 96.5% homology to the presumed transposase of ISS1. An overlapping ORF of 174 bp in the same orientation was also present. A putative ORF in the opposite orientation to the transposase ORF, which has been shown in some iso-ISS1 elements, was not present in IS1297. IS1297 was shown to hybridize with other dairy Leuconostoc strains. This is the first sequence of an ISS1-like element from a genus other than Lactococcus; however, IS1297 has close similarity to the lactococcal iso-ISS1 elements, especially the iso-ISS1 element from the lactose plasmid, pTD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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40
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Affiliation(s)
- S H De Boer
- Pacific Agriculture Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
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41
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Abstract
This paper reports the design of a Leuconostoc-specific oligonucleotide based on 16S rRNA sequence data. When this oligonucleotide was used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in conjunction with an oligonucleotide to a conserved region of the 16S rRNA sequence, a Leuconostoc-specific PCR product of approximately 470 bp was produced. The use of a second oligonucleotide to a conserved region allowed the production of an approximately 350 bp product in all PCRs, acting as a positive control. The PCR procedure described was particularly useful for detecting the presence of Leuconostoc in mixed mesophilic starter cultures. The Leuconostoc-specific oligonucleotide was used also as a specific hybridization probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North
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42
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Lubbers MW, Ward LJ, Beresford TP, Jarvis BD, Jarvis AW. Sequencing and analysis of the cos region of the lactococcal bacteriophage c2. Mol Gen Genet 1994; 245:160-6. [PMID: 7816023 DOI: 10.1007/bf00283263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The cohesive termini of the DNA genome of the lactococcal bacteriophage c2 were directly sequenced and appeared to be complementary, non-symmetrical, 9-nucleotide single-stranded, 3' extended DNAs, with the following sequence: 5'-GTTAGGCTT-3' 3'-CAATCCGAA-5'. DNA located on either side of the cohesive ends was sequenced and several repeats and a region with the potential for a DNA bend were found. Previously sequenced cos regions of 13 other bacteriophages were also examined for similar sequence features. All of the bacteriophages from gram-positive hosts had 3' extended DNA termini, in contrast to the bacteriophages from gram-negative hosts, which had 5' extended DNA termini. All bacteriophages had a region of dyad symmetry close to the cohesive termini. A 7.3 kb DNA fragment of the c2 genome containing the cos sequences was cloned; transduction experiments demonstrated that these cloned sequences could act as a substrate for packaging enzymes of phage c2.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Lubbers
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North
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43
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Abstract
Intact bacteriophage of Lactococcus lactis were recovered from small volumes of lysate by centrifugation at 15,000 g without precipitation with polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride, or ultracentrifugation in a caesium chloride gradient. DNA was then extracted and purified by standard protocols. This DNA was readily digested with restriction endonucleases and used successfully in hybridization experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Brown
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North
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44
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Ward LJ, Brown JC, Davey GP. Application of the ligase chain reaction to the detection of nisinA and nisinZ genes in Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1994; 117:29-33. [PMID: 8181709 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1994.tb06738.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reports on the application of the ligase chain reaction (LCR) to the specific detection of variants of the nisin structural gene (nisinA and nisinZ) in nisin producing strains of Lactococcus lactis ssp lactis. The LCR assay was used to screen nisin producing strains to determine which form of the nisin structural gene they contained. This method of differentiating the nisin structural gene variants provides a useful alternative to the only other available genetic differentiation, that of sequencing the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North
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45
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Beresford TP, Ward LJ, Jarvis AW. Temporally Regulated Transcriptional Expression of the Genomes of Lactococcal Bacteriophages c2 and sk1. Appl Environ Microbiol 1993; 59:3708-12. [PMID: 16349085 PMCID: PMC182521 DOI: 10.1128/aem.59.11.3708-3712.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [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
Transcription maps of the
Lactococcus lactis
subsp.
lactis
prolate phage c2 and small isometric phage sk1 were constructed. Early and late transcripts were demonstrated in phage c2. Early transcription was localized to within a 7.5-kb
Eco
RV fragment, and late transcription included the region which encodes the phage structural proteins and a lysin gene. Early, middle, and late transcripts were demonstrated in phage sk1. Transcription was confined to an 11.3-kb region defined by the three
Eco
RV restriction fragments of 6.2, 4.7, and 0.46 kb during the early part of the sk1 life cycle. Middle gene transcripts extended from the
Eco
RV site (defining the left-hand limit of early gene expression) through the
cos
site and included the 4.3-kb
Pvu
II-
cos
fragment. Late transcription was detected over the remainder of the phage genome. These results indicated that gene expression was temporally regulated at the level of transcription in these two lactococcal phages and that two regions of time-dependent transcription exist in phage c2 and three in phage sk1.
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Affiliation(s)
- T P Beresford
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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46
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Abstract
The use of insertion sequence probes for the analysis of fusants obtained following protoplast fusion is described. Hybridization of both total and plasmid DNA from parent and fusant strains with probes to IS904 and ISS1 showed that of the four protoplast fusions examined, three appeared to involve a rearrangement of genetic material while in the fourth the fusant appeared similar to one of the parental strains. This method of analysis provides more information about the changes induced by protoplast fusion than that obtained by monitoring the acquisition or loss of individual characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North
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47
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Ward LJ, Beresford TP, Lubbers MW, Jarvis BD, Jarvis AW. Sequence analysis of the lysin gene region of the prolate lactococcal bacteriophage c2. Can J Microbiol 1993; 39:767-74. [PMID: 8221377 DOI: 10.1139/m93-113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 80% of the genome of the prolate-headed lactococcal bacteriophage c2 was cloned into shuttle vectors pSA3 and pFX3 in Escherichia coli and transferred to Lactococcus lactis. A 1.67-kilobase EcoRV fragment containing the gene for the phage lysin was identified and the position and orientation of the phage lysin gene in the physical map of the phage were determined. The phage lysin was expressed in E. coli and its sequence was determined and compared with the sequences of other bacteriophage lytic genes. The sequence was similar, but not identical, to that of the related lactococcal phage m13, having a number of silent substitutions and an apparent deletion that altered the carboxy terminus of the protein. Possible alternative translation initiation codons for the lysin gene and two possible alternative mechanisms for access of the lysin enzyme to the cell wall are discussed. An open reading frame upstream of the putative lysin gene was found to be 177 base pairs longer than that reported for phage m13. A codon usage table for the lysin genes of several phages as well as for reported gene sequences from L. lactis and lactococcal bacteriophages is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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48
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Purohit
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112
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49
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Ward LJ, Jarvis AW. Rapid removal of cesium chloride from DNA obtained from ultracentrifuge gradients. Biotechniques 1992; 12:76. [PMID: 1734927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L J Ward
- New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North
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50
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Keats BJ, Pollack MS, McCall A, Wilensky MA, Ward LJ, Lu M, Zoghbi HY. Tight linkage of the gene for spinocerebellar ataxia to D6S89 on the short arm of chromosome 6 in a kindred for which close linkage to both HLA and F13A1 is excluded. Am J Hum Genet 1991; 49:972-7. [PMID: 1928103 PMCID: PMC1683235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A locus for an autosomal dominant form of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA1) has been assigned to the short arm of chromosome 6 on the basis of linkage to the major histocompatibility system (HLA). In this study of a five-generation American black family, close linkage between the disease locus and both HLA and the coagulation factor XIIIA (F13A1) locus was excluded, and lod scores for all locations of the disease locus between HLA and F13A1 were less than -1.4. These results suggest that the locus causing spinocerebellar ataxia in this family is not in this region. However, the disease locus was found to be closely linked to a microsatellite polymorphism, D6S89, which is between HLA and F13A1. The maximum lod score for SCA1 and D6S89 is 4.90 at a recombination fraction of 0, both in males and in females. These data show that exclusion of close linkage to the HLA complex and F13A1 in a kindred with spinocerebellar ataxia does not rule out the possibility that the disease locus in that family is on 6p. Accordingly, all families segregating a dominantly inherited ataxia should be evaluated for linkage to D6S89, to determine whether the locus causing the disease is SCA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Keats
- Department of Biometry and Genetics, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112
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