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Blasi M, Kuon J, Lüders H, Misch D, Kauffmann-Guerrero D, Hilbrandt M, Kazdal D, Falkenstern-Ge RF, Hackanson B, Dintner S, Faehling M, Kirchner M, Volckmar AL, Kopp HG, Allgäuer M, Grohé C, Tufman A, Reck M, Frost N, Stenzinger A, Thomas M, Christopoulos P. First-line immunotherapy for lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping and the relevance of TP53 mutations. Eur J Cancer 2024; 199:113556. [PMID: 38271745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.113556] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with MET exon 14 skipping (METΔ14ex) remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS 110 consecutive METΔ14ex NSCLC patients receiving first-line chemotherapy (CHT) and/or immunotherapy (IO) in 10 German centers between 2016-2022 were analyzed. RESULTS Combined CHT-IO was given to 35/110 (32%) patients, IO alone to 43/110 (39%), and CHT to 32/110 (29%) upfront. Compared to CHT, CHT-IO showed longer progression-free survival (median PFS 6 vs. 2.5 months, p = 0.004), more objective responses (ORR 49% vs. 28%, p = 0.086) and numerically longer overall survival (OS 16 vs. 10 months, p = 0.240). For IO monotherapy, OS (14 vs. 16 months) and duration of response (26 vs. 22 months) were comparable to those of CHT-IO. Primary progressive disease (PD) was more frequent with IO compared to CHT-IO (13/43 vs. 3/35, p = 0.018), particularly for never-smokers (p = 0.041). Higher PD-L1 TPS were not associated with better IO outcomes, but TP53 mutated tumors showed numerically improved ORR (56% vs. 32%, p = 0.088) and PFS (6 vs. 3 months, p = 0.160), as well as longer OS in multivariable analysis (HR=0.54, p = 0.034) compared to their wild-type counterparts. Any second-line treatment was administered to 35/75 (47%) patients, with longer survival for capmatinib or tepotinib compared to crizotinib (PFS 10 vs. 3 months, p = 0.013; OS 16 vs. 13 months, p = 0.270). CONCLUSION CHT-IO is superior to CHT, and IO alone also effective for METΔ14ex NSCLC, especially in the presence of TP53 mutations and independent of PD-L1 expression, but never-smokers are at higher risk of primary PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Blasi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A Partnership Between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Kuon
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A Partnership Between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Lungenklinik Loewenstein, Department of Thoracic Oncology, Loewenstein, Germany
| | - Heike Lüders
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Evangelische Lungenklinik Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Misch
- Department of Pneumology, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diego Kauffmann-Guerrero
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Hilbrandt
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Kazdal
- Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Björn Hackanson
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany as part of the BZKF (Bavarian Center for Cancer Research) and Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany, part of the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Augsburg, Germany
| | - Martin Faehling
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Pneumologie, Klinikum Esslingen, Germany
| | - Martina Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Volckmar
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Kopp
- Robert Bosch Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (RBCT), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Allgäuer
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Grohé
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Evangelische Lungenklinik Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Amanda Tufman
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Reck
- Department of Pneumology, LungenClinic Großhansdorf, Großhansdorf, Germany; Airway Research Center North (ARCN), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Großhansdorf, Germany
| | - Nikolaj Frost
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Thomas
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A Partnership Between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petros Christopoulos
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A Partnership Between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Sommer S, Schmutz M, Schaller T, Mayr P, Dintner S, Märkl B, Huss R, Golas MM, Kuhlen M, Jordan F, Claus R, Heinrich B. Individualized targeted treatment in a case of a rare TFG::ROS1 fusion positive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e1916. [PMID: 37950626 PMCID: PMC10809190 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1916] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms with slow growth. Resection is considered as therapeutic standard, with chemotherapy being insufficiently effective in advanced disease. ALK translocations are present in 50% of cases, ROS1 fusions (YWHAE::ROS1, TFG::ROS1) are extremely rare. Here, we present a case with TFG::ROS1 fusion and highlight the significance of molecular tumor boards (MTBs) in clinical precision oncology for post-last-line therapy. CASE PRESENTATION A 32-year-old woman presented with IMT diagnosed at age 27 for biopsy and treatment evaluation. Previous treatments included multiple resections and systemic therapy with vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate. A computed tomography scan showed extensive tumor infiltration of the psoas muscles and the posterior abdomen. Next generation sequencing revealed an actionable ROS1 fusion (TFG::ROS1) with breakpoints at exon 4/35 including the kinase domain and activating the RAS-pathway. TFG, the Trk-fused gene, exerts functions such as intracellular trafficking and exhibits high sequence homology between species. Based on single reports about efficacy of ROS1-targeting in ROS1 translocation positive IMTs the patient was started on crizotinib, an ATP-competitive small molecule c-MET, ALK and ROS1-inhibitor. With a follow-up of more than 9 months, the patient continues to show a profound response with major tumor regression, improved quality of life and no evidence for severe adverse events. CONCLUSION This case underscores the importance of the availability of modern molecular diagnostics and interdisciplinarity in precision oncology to identify rare, disease-defining genotypes that make an otherwise difficult-to-treat disease targetable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sommer
- Department of Hematology and OncologyFaculty of Medicine, University of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Maximilian Schmutz
- Department of Hematology and OncologyFaculty of Medicine, University of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Tina Schaller
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Patrick Mayr
- Department of Hematology and OncologyFaculty of Medicine, University of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Bruno Märkl
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Ralf Huss
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - M. Monika Golas
- Department of Hematology and OncologyFaculty of Medicine, University of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
- Human Genetics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Michaela Kuhlen
- Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
- Swabian Children's Cancer CenterUniversity Medical Center AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Frank Jordan
- Department of Hematology and OncologyFaculty of Medicine, University of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Rainer Claus
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Augsburg (CCCA), Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Bernhard Heinrich
- Heinrich/BangerterHämatologie‐Onkologie im Zentrum MVZAugsburgGermany
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Dintner S, Schmutz M, Sommer S, Langer A, Hirschbühl K, Claus R, Schmid C, Trepel M, Märkl B. [NGS-based molecular genetics of leukemia-a powerful and decentralized approach]. Pathologie (Heidelb) 2023; 44:155-159. [PMID: 37975919 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-023-01268-4] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), originally based on morphological assessment alone, has to bring together more and more disciplines. Today, modern AML/MDS diagnostics rely on cytomorphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics. Only the integration of all these methods allows a comprehensive and complementary characterization of each case, which is a prerequisite for optimal AML/MDS diagnosis and treatment. In the following, we present why multidisciplinary and local diagnosis is essential today and will become even more important in the future, especially in the context of precision medicine. We present our idea and strategy implemented at Augsburg University Hospital, which has realized multidisciplinary diagnostics in AML/MDS in an interdisciplinary and decentralized approach. In particular, this includes the recent technical advances that molecular genetics provides with modern methods. The enormous amount of data generated by these techniques represents a major challenge, but also a unique opportunity. We will reflect on how this increase in knowledge can be integrated into routine practice to lead the way for personalized medicine in AML/MDS to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Dintner
- Institut für Pathologie und molekulare Diagnostik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Senglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland.
| | - Maximilian Schmutz
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Sebastian Sommer
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Angela Langer
- Augsburg Central BioBank, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Klaus Hirschbühl
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Rainer Claus
- Institut für Pathologie und molekulare Diagnostik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Senglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Christoph Schmid
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Martin Trepel
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Institut für Pathologie und molekulare Diagnostik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Senglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland
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4
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Schweizer L, Schaller T, Zwiebel M, Karayel Ö, Müller‐Reif JB, Zeng W, Dintner S, Nordmann TM, Hirschbühl K, Märkl B, Claus R, Mann M. Quantitative multiorgan proteomics of fatal COVID-19 uncovers tissue-specific effects beyond inflammation. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17459. [PMID: 37519267 PMCID: PMC10493576 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 may directly and indirectly damage lung tissue and other host organs, but there are few system-wide, untargeted studies of these effects on the human body. Here, we developed a parallelized mass spectrometry (MS) proteomics workflow enabling the rapid, quantitative analysis of hundreds of virus-infected FFPE tissues. The first layer of response to SARS-CoV-2 in all tissues was dominated by circulating inflammatory molecules. Beyond systemic inflammation, we differentiated between systemic and true tissue-specific effects to reflect distinct COVID-19-associated damage patterns. Proteomic changes in the lungs resembled those of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) in non-COVID-19 patients. Extensive organ-specific changes were also evident in the kidneys, liver, and lymphatic and vascular systems. Secondary inflammatory effects in the brain were related to rearrangements in neurotransmitter receptors and myelin degradation. These MS-proteomics-derived results contribute substantially to our understanding of COVID-19 pathomechanisms and suggest strategies for organ-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Schweizer
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Tina Schaller
- Pathology, Medical FacultyUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Maximilian Zwiebel
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Özge Karayel
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
- Present address:
Department of Physiological ChemistryGenentechSouth San FranciscoUSA
| | | | - Wen‐Feng Zeng
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | | | - Thierry M Nordmann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Klaus Hirschbühl
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical FacultyUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Pathology, Medical FacultyUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Rainer Claus
- Pathology, Medical FacultyUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical FacultyUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
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5
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Rentschler L, Märkl B, Schaller T, Hirschbühl K, Kleinlein I, Dintner S, Waidhauser J, Wolf S, Golling C, Vlasenko D. All-Body-Cavity (ABC)-scopy-An approach for a feasible method of minimally invasive autopsy to allow for postmortem tissue sampling in cases where a conventional autopsy is denied. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 241:154263. [PMID: 36527838 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154263] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The decreasing autopsy numbers in many western countries have been partially attributed to the invasiveness of the autopsy, which causes relatives to decline postmortem examination. This issue has been addressed by developing methods of minimally or non-invasive autopsy, which could be shown to increase acceptance for autopsies. The aim of this study is to compare the All-Body-Cavity-scopy (ABC-scopy) to conventional autopsies for diagnostic accuracy. METHODS The ABC-scopy is an endoscopic approach for minimally invasive autopsy involving laparoscopic and thoracoscopic evaluation of the accessible organs, followed by excision biopsies of relevant organs and conspicuous findings. The method was performed in 10 cases on deceased patients scheduled for autopsy, each followed by a conventional autopsy. RESULTS The results gathered from ABC-scopy through observation and histopathological evaluation provided an acceptable diagnostic accuracy in 9 out of 10 autopsies when compared to those of the conventional autopsy for diagnostic findings. CONCLUSIONS The ABC-scopy is a feasible approach for minimally invasive autopsy that provides acceptable diagnostic value. Despite its minimally invasive nature, the procedure enables representative histology through providing large size excision biopsies from intraabdominal and thoracic organs, which is especially useful for examining disseminated diseases such as metastasized tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Rentschler
- Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Tina Schaller
- Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Hirschbühl
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Irene Kleinlein
- Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Waidhauser
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wolf
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christian Golling
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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6
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Reitsam NG, Märkl B, Dintner S, Waidhauser J, Vlasenko D, Grosser B. Concurrent loss of MLH1, PMS2 and MSH6 immunoexpression in digestive system cancers indicating a widespread dysregulation in DNA repair processes. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1019798. [PMID: 36387226 PMCID: PMC9643848 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1019798] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunohistochemical analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression is widely used to identify tumors with a deficient MMR (dMMR). MMR proteins (MLH1/PMS2 and MSH2/MSH6) work as functional heterodimers, which usually leads to the loss of expression in only one functional MMR heterodimer. Recently, there have been studies showing the simultaneous loss of immunoexpression in proteins of both heterodimers. Yet, this phenomenon has been rarely investigated. In this study, we retrospectively considered cases of different digestive system cancers (gastric cancer, ampullary cancer, small bowel cancer, colorectal cancer), which were immunohistochemically tested for dMMR within a 4-year period at our university hospital (n=352). Of the 103 cases showing dMMR, 5 cases (1.4% of all, 5.1% of dMMR cases) showed a concurrent loss of MLH1, PMS2 and MSH6 immunoexpression, whereas in the other 98 dMMR cases only one MMR heterodimer was affected. MLH1-/PMS2-/MSH6- cancer cases almost arose throughout the entire digestive tract: from the gastric antrum to the left colic flexur. To provide a comprehensive molecular characterization of this MLH1-/PMS2-/MSH6- immunophenotype, tumors were analyzed for microsatellite instability, MLH1 promotor hypermethylation and BRAF exon 15 status. Furthermore, we performed next-generation sequencing focusing on genes related to DNA repair. Here, we could detect pathogenic germline variants as well as multiple sporadic mutations in different genes involved in MMR and homologous recombination repair (HRR) respectively. The affected MMR/HRR-related genes were: ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, CDK12, CHEK1, CHEK2, FANCA, MLH1, MSH6, PALB2, TP53. Considering the biologic function of HRR/MMR proteins as potential drug targets and the low frequency of most of these mutations in digestive system cancers in general, their common occurrence in our MLH1-/PMS2-/MSH6- cases seems to be even more noteworthy, highlighting the need for recognition, awareness and further investigation of this unusual IHC staining pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nic Gabriel Reitsam
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Nic Gabriel Reitsam, ;
| | - Bruno Märkl
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Waidhauser
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Augsburg / University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Bianca Grosser
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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7
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Christopoulos P, Kluck K, Kirchner M, Lüders H, Roeper J, Falkenstern-Ge RF, Szewczyk M, Sticht F, Saalfeld FC, Wesseler C, Hackanson B, Dintner S, Faehling M, Kuon J, Janning M, Kauffmann-Guerrero D, Kazdal D, Kurz S, Eichhorn F, Bozorgmehr F, Shah R, Tufman A, Wermke M, Loges S, Brueckl WM, Schulz C, Misch D, Frost N, Kollmeier J, Reck M, Griesinger F, Grohé C, Hong JL, Lin HM, Budczies J, Stenzinger A, Thomas M. The impact of TP53 co-mutations and immunologic microenvironment on outcome of lung cancer with EGFR exon 20 insertions. Eur J Cancer 2022; 170:106-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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Schwierzeck V, Effner R, Abel F, Reiger M, Notheis G, Held J, Simon V, Dintner S, Hoffmann R, Hagl B, Huebner J, Mellmann A, Renner ED. Molecular Assessment of Staphylococcus Aureus Strains in STAT3 Hyper-IgE Syndrome Patients. J Clin Immunol 2022; 42:1301-1309. [PMID: 35655107 PMCID: PMC9537231 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-022-01293-7] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Hyper-IgE syndromes (HIES) are a group of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) caused by monogenic defects such as in the gene STAT3 (STAT3-HIES). Patients suffering from HIES show an increased susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) including skin abscesses and pulmonary infections. To assess if the underlying immune defect of STAT3-HIES patients influences the resistance patterns, pathogenicity factors or strain types of S. aureus. We characterized eleven S. aureus strains isolated from STAT3-HIES patients (n = 4) by whole genome sequencing (WGS) to determine presence of resistance and virulence genes. Additionally, we used multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and protein A (spa) typing to classify these isolates. Bacterial isolates collected from this cohort of STAT3-HIES patients were identified as common spa types in Germany. Only one of the isolates was classified as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). For one STAT3 patient WGS illustrated that infection and colonization occurred with different S. aureus isolates rather than one particular clone. The identified S. aureus carriage profile on a molecular level suggests that S. aureus strain type in STAT3-HIES patients is determined by local epidemiology rather than the underlying immune defect highlighting the importance of microbiological assessment prior to antibiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Schwierzeck
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany. .,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany. .,Institute of Hygiene, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Renate Effner
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Abel
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,University Children's Hospital, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Reiger
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty of University Augsburg, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Gundula Notheis
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,University Children's Hospital, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Held
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valeska Simon
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Hoffmann
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Beate Hagl
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,University Children's Hospital, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Huebner
- University Children's Hospital, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Mellmann
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ellen D Renner
- Translational Immunology in Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804, Munich, Germany
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Brandner JM, Boor P, Borcherding L, Edler C, Gerber S, Heinemann A, Hilsenbeck J, Kasajima A, Lohner L, Märkl B, Pablik J, Schröder AS, Slotta-Huspenina J, Sommer L, Sperhake JP, von Stillfried S, Dintner S. Contamination of personal protective equipment during COVID-19 autopsies. Virchows Arch 2022; 480:519-528. [PMID: 34993593 PMCID: PMC8735722 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Confronted with an emerging infectious disease at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical community faced concerns regarding the safety of autopsies on those who died of the disease. This attitude has changed, and autopsies are now recognized as indispensable tools for understanding COVID-19, but the true risk of infection to autopsy staff is nevertheless still debated. To clarify the rate of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in personal protective equipment (PPE), swabs were taken at nine points in the PPE of one physician and one assistant after each of 11 full autopsies performed at four centers. Swabs were also obtained from three minimally invasive autopsies (MIAs) conducted at a fifth center. Lung/bronchus swabs of the deceased served as positive controls, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR. In 9 of 11 full autopsies, PPE samples tested RNA positive through PCR, accounting for 41 of the 198 PPE samples taken (21%). The main contaminated items of the PPE were gloves (64% positive), aprons (50% positive), and the tops of shoes (36% positive) while the fronts of safety goggles, for example, were positive in only 4.5% of the samples, and all the face masks were negative. In MIAs, viral RNA was observed in one sample from a glove but not in other swabs. Infectious virus isolation in cell culture was performed on RNA-positive swabs from the full autopsies. Of all the RNA-positive PPE samples, 21% of the glove samples, taken in 3 of 11 full autopsies, tested positive for infectious virus. In conclusion, PPE was contaminated with viral RNA in 82% of autopsies. In 27% of autopsies, PPE was found to be contaminated even with infectious virus, representing a potential risk of infection to autopsy staff. Adequate PPE and hygiene measures, including appropriate waste deposition, are therefore essential to ensure a safe work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Brandner
- Business Division of Safety, Security, and Compliance, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, Rheinisch Westfaelische Technische Hochschule, Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lukas Borcherding
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Edler
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Gerber
- Business Division of Safety, Security, and Compliance, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Heinemann
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Hilsenbeck
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Atsuko Kasajima
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Larissa Lohner
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bruno Märkl
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany. .,General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Jessica Pablik
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ann Sophie Schröder
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Slotta-Huspenina
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Linna Sommer
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Sperhake
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Saskia von Stillfried
- DEFEAT PANDEMIcs Working Group, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Rheinisch Westfaelische Technische Hochschule, Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
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10
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Grosser B, Glückstein MI, Dhillon C, Schiele S, Dintner S, VanSchoiack A, Kroeppler D, Martin B, Probst A, Vlasenko D, Schenkirsch G, Märkl B. Stroma AReactive Invasion Front Areas (SARIFA) - a new prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer related to tumor-promoting adipocytes. J Pathol 2021; 256:71-82. [PMID: 34580877 DOI: 10.1002/path.5810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Compared to other malignancies, there is a lack of easy-to-evaluate biomarkers for gastric cancer, which is associated with an adverse clinical outcome in many cases. Here, we present Stroma AReactive Invasion Front Areas (SARIFA) as a new histological prognostic marker. We defined SARIFA as the direct contact between a cluster of tumor glands/cells comprising at least five tumor cells and inconspicuous surrounding adipose tissue at the invasion front. A total of 480 adenocarcinomas of the stomach and the gastroesophageal junction from two different collections were classified according to SARIFA. To understand the potential underlying mechanisms, a transcriptome analysis was conducted using digital spatial profiling (DSP). It was found that 20% of the tumors were SARIFA-positive. Kappa values between the three pathologists were good in both collections: 0.74 and 0.78. Patients who presented SARIFA-positive tumors had a significantly lower overall survival in Collections A (median: 20.0 versus 44.0 months; p = 0.014, n = 160) and B (median: 15.0 versus 41.0 months; p < 0.0001, n = 320). SARIFA positivity emerged as a negative independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR 1.638, 95% CI 1.153-2.326, p = 0.006). Using DSP, the most upregulated genes in SARIFA-positive cases were those associated with triglyceride catabolism and endogenous sterols. COL15A1, FABP2, and FABP4 were differentially expressed in positive cases. At the protein level, the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism was confirmed. SARIFA combines low inter-observer variability, minimal effort, and high prognostic relevance, and is therefore an extremely promising biomarker related to tumor-promoting adipocytes in gastric cancer. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Grosser
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Marie-Isabelle Glückstein
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christine Dhillon
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schiele
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Benedikt Martin
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Probst
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | | | - Bruno Märkl
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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11
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Wylezich C, Schaller T, Claus R, Hirschbühl K, Märkl B, Kling E, Spring O, Höper D, Schlegel J, Beer M, Dintner S. Whole-genome analysis of SARS-CoV-2 samples indicate no tissue specific genetic adaptation of the virus in COVID-19 patients' upper and lower respiratory tract. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 101:115520. [PMID: 34536911 PMCID: PMC8376524 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sample panels of SARS-CoV-2 cases were retrospectively whole-genome sequenced. In three individuals, samples of upper and lower respiratory tract resulted in identical sequences suggesting virus stability including the spike protein cleavage site. In a fourth case, low-level intra-host genomic evolution and a unique 5-nucleotide deletion was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Tina Schaller
- Department of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Claus
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Hirschbühl
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Department of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kling
- Department of Microbiology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Spring
- Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine,University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schlegel
- Department of Neuropathology, School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Department of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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12
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Glückstein MI, Dintner S, Arndt TT, Vlasenko D, Schenkirsch G, Agaimy A, Müller G, Märkl B, Grosser B. Comprehensive Immunohistochemical Study of the SWI/SNF Complex Expression Status in Gastric Cancer Reveals an Adverse Prognosis of SWI/SNF Deficiency in Genomically Stable Gastric Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3894. [PMID: 34359794 PMCID: PMC8345509 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153894] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The SWI/SNF complex has important functions in the mobilization of nucleosomes and consequently influences gene expression. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mutations or deficiency of one or more subunits can have an oncogenic effect and influence the development, progression, and eventual therapy resistance of tumor diseases. Genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF complex are mutated in approximately 20% of all human tumors. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, association with clinicopathological characteristics, and prognosis of immunohistochemical expression of proteins of the SWI/SNF complexes, SMARCA2, SMARCA4 SMARCB1, ARID1A, ARID1B, and PBRM1 in 477 adenocarcinomas of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction. Additionally, the tumors were classified immunohistochemically in analogy to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification. Overall, 32% of cases demonstrated aberrant expression of the SWI/SNF complex. Complete loss of SMARCA4 was detected in three cases (0.6%) and was associated with adverse clinical characteristics. SWI/SNF aberration emerged as an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival in genomically stable patients in analogy to TCGA. In conclusion, determination of SWI/SNF status could be suggested in routine diagnostics in genomically stable tumors to identify patients who might benefit from new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Isabelle Glückstein
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Tim Tobias Arndt
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Gerhard Schenkirsch
- Tumor Data Management, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Gernot Müller
- Institute of Mathematics and Computational Statistics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Bruno Märkl
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
| | - Bianca Grosser
- Institute of General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (M.-I.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.A.); (B.M.)
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13
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Hirschbühl K, Dintner S, Beer M, Wylezich C, Schlegel J, Delbridge C, Borcherding L, Lippert J, Schiele S, Müller G, Moiraki D, Spring O, Wittmann M, Kling E, Braun G, Kröncke T, Claus R, Märkl B, Schaller T. Viral mapping in COVID-19 deceased in the Augsburg autopsy series of the first wave: A multiorgan and multimethodological approach. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254872. [PMID: 34280238 PMCID: PMC8289110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is only partly understood, and the level of evidence available in terms of pathophysiology, epidemiology, therapy, and long-term outcome remains limited. During the early phase of the pandemic, it was necessary to effectively investigate all aspects of this new disease. Autopsy can be a valuable procedure to investigate the internal organs with special techniques to obtain information on the disease, especially the distribution and type of organ involvement. METHODS During the first wave of COVID-19 in Germany, autopsies of 19 deceased patients were performed. Besides gross examination, the organs were analyzed with standard histology and polymerase-chain-reaction for SARS-CoV-2. Polymerase chain reaction positive localizations were further analyzed with immunohistochemistry and RNA-in situ hybridization for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS Eighteen of 19 patients were found to have died due to COVID-19. Clinically relevant histological changes were only observed in the lungs. Diffuse alveolar damage in considerably different degrees was noted in 18 cases. Other organs, including the central nervous system, did not show specific micromorphological alterations. In terms of SARS-CoV-2 detection, the focus remains on the upper airways and lungs. This is true for both the number of positive samples and the viral load. A highly significant inverse correlation between the stage of diffuse alveolar damage and viral load was found on a case and a sample basis. Mediastinal lymph nodes and fat were also affected by the virus at high frequencies. By contrast, other organs rarely exhibited a viral infection. Moderate to strong correlations between the methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 were observed for the lungs and for other organs. CONCLUSIONS The lung is the most affected organ in gross examination, histology and polymerase chain reaction. SARS-CoV-2 detection in other organs did not reveal relevant or specific histological changes. Moreover, we did not find CNS involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Hirschbühl
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schlegel
- Department of Neuropathology, School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claire Delbridge
- Department of Neuropathology, School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lukas Borcherding
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Jirina Lippert
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schiele
- Computational Statistics and Data Analysis, Institute of Mathematics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Gernot Müller
- Computational Statistics and Data Analysis, Institute of Mathematics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Dimitra Moiraki
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Spring
- Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Michael Wittmann
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kling
- Microbiology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Georg Braun
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kröncke
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Claus
- Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Bruno Märkl
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Tina Schaller
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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14
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Schmutz M, Schaller T, Kubuschok B, Fleischmann C, Hirschbühl K, Dintner S, Häckel T, Märkl B, Trepel M, Claus R. [Periodic fever and pancytopenia in a 35-year-old patient]. Internist (Berl) 2019; 60:1305-1310. [PMID: 31549186 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-019-00679-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
MEDICAL HISTORY AND INITIAL PRESENTATION A 35-year-old patient with a previous history of persistent episodic fever, sore throat, myalgia, and cephalgia presented for evaluation of pancytopenia. He had no recent travel history, except for a stay in Italy 1 year prior to admission and in Spain several years in the past. DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP Laboratory evaluation confirmed pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, and elevated infection parameters without indicative serological results en par with lymphadenitis colli. Computed tomography scanning revealed cervical lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and colitis with occult perforation of the sigmoid colon. Bone marrow biopsy showed an infiltration of polyclonal plasma cells. Lymph node biopsy was compatible with necrotizing lymphadenitis. DIAGNOSIS Polymerase chain reaction analysis of a lymph node specimen confirmed the presence of Leishmania species, thereby enabling the diagnosis of visceral Leishmania. THERAPY COURSE Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was initiated. Both fever and lymphadenopathy quickly resolved. CONCLUSION VL is a clinically pleiotropic, severe disease with fatal outcome if left untreated. It often presents with distinct similarities to hematologic malignancies. Exacerbation can occasionally occur as fulminant macrophage activation syndrome. Disease incidence is globally increasing and has not peaked as yet. A complex interplay between pathogen and the immune system is the key pathophysiological mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schmutz
- 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland.
| | - T Schaller
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - B Kubuschok
- 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - C Fleischmann
- 3. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - K Hirschbühl
- 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - S Dintner
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - T Häckel
- Klinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - B Märkl
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - M Trepel
- 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - R Claus
- 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Deutschland
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15
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Gottschlich L, Bortfeld-Miller M, Gäbelein C, Dintner S, Vorholt JA. Phosphorelay through the bifunctional phosphotransferase PhyT controls the general stress response in an alphaproteobacterium. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007294. [PMID: 29652885 PMCID: PMC5898713 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems constitute phosphotransfer signaling pathways and enable adaptation to environmental changes, an essential feature for bacterial survival. The general stress response (GSR) in the plant-protecting alphaproteobacterium Sphingomonas melonis Fr1 involves a two-component system consisting of multiple stress-sensing histidine kinases (Paks) and the response regulator PhyR; PhyR in turn regulates the alternative sigma factor EcfG, which controls expression of the GSR regulon. While Paks had been shown to phosphorylate PhyR in vitro, it remained unclear if and under which conditions direct phosphorylation happens in the cell, as Paks also phosphorylate the single domain response regulator SdrG, an essential yet enigmatic component of the GSR signaling pathway. Here, we analyze the role of SdrG and investigate an alternative function of the membrane-bound PhyP (here re-designated PhyT), previously assumed to act as a PhyR phosphatase. In vitro assays show that PhyT transfers a phosphoryl group from SdrG to PhyR via phosphoryl transfer on a conserved His residue. This finding, as well as complementary GSR reporter assays, indicate the participation of SdrG and PhyT in a Pak-SdrG-PhyT-PhyR phosphorelay. Furthermore, we demonstrate complex formation between PhyT and PhyR. This finding is substantiated by PhyT-dependent membrane association of PhyR in unstressed cells, while the response regulator is released from the membrane upon stress induction. Our data support a model in which PhyT sequesters PhyR, thereby favoring Pak-dependent phosphorylation of SdrG. In addition, PhyT assumes the role of the SdrG-phosphotransferase to activate PhyR. Our results place SdrG into the GSR signaling cascade and uncover a dual role of PhyT in the GSR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julia A. Vorholt
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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16
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Campagne S, Dintner S, Gottschlich L, Thibault M, Bortfeld-Miller M, Kaczmarczyk A, Francez-Charlot A, Allain FHT, Vorholt JA. Role of the PFXFATG[G/Y] Motif in the Activation of SdrG, a Response Regulator Involved in the Alphaproteobacterial General Stress Response. Structure 2016; 24:1237-1247. [PMID: 27396826 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2016.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Two-component systems are major signal transduction pathways, which consist of histidine kinases and response regulators that communicate through phosphorylation. Here, we highlight a distinct class of single-domain response regulators containing the PFXFATG[G/Y] motif that are activated by a mechanism distinct from the Y-T coupling described for prototypical receiver domains. We first solved the structures of inactive and active SdrG, a representative of the FAT GUY family, and then biochemically and genetically characterized variants in which residues in this motif were mutated. Our results support a model of activation mainly driven by a conserved lysine and reveal that the rotation of the threonine induces the reorganization of several aromatic residues in and around the PFXFATG[G/Y] motif to generate intermediates resembling those occurring during classical Y-T coupling. Overall, this helps define a new subfamily of response regulators that emerge as important players in physiological adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Campagne
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Hönggerbergring 64, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Sebastian Dintner
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Gottschlich
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Maxence Thibault
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Hönggerbergring 64, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Bortfeld-Miller
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kaczmarczyk
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Francez-Charlot
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Hönggerbergring 64, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julia A Vorholt
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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Dintner S, Heermann R, Fang C, Jung K, Gebhard S. A sensory complex consisting of an ATP-binding cassette transporter and a two-component regulatory system controls bacitracin resistance in Bacillus subtilis. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:27899-910. [PMID: 25118291 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.596221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance against antimicrobial peptides in many Firmicutes bacteria is mediated by detoxification systems that are composed of a two-component regulatory system (TCS) and an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. The histidine kinases of these systems depend entirely on the transporter for sensing of antimicrobial peptides, suggesting a novel mode of signal transduction where the transporter constitutes the actual sensor. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of this unusual signaling pathway in more detail, using the bacitracin resistance system BceRS-BceAB of Bacillus subtilis as an example. To analyze the proposed communication between TCS and the ABC transporter, we characterized their interactions by bacterial two-hybrid analyses and could show that the permease BceB and the histidine kinase BceS interact directly. In vitro pulldown assays confirmed this interaction, which was found to be independent of bacitracin. Because it was unknown whether BceAB-type transporters could detect their substrate peptides directly or instead recognized the peptide-target complex in the cell envelope, we next analyzed substrate binding by the transport permease, BceB. Direct and specific binding of bacitracin by BceB was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Finally, in vitro signal transduction assays indicated that complex formation with the transporter influenced the autophosphorylation activity of the histidine kinase. Taken together, our findings clearly show the existence of a sensory complex composed of TCS and ABC transporters and provide the first functional insights into the mechanisms of stimulus perception, signal transduction, and antimicrobial resistance employed by Bce-like detoxification systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chong Fang
- From the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, and
| | - Kirsten Jung
- From the Department of Biology I, Microbiology, and Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
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