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Ukegbu CV, Gomes AR, Giorgalli M, Campos M, Bailey AJ, Besson TRB, Billker O, Vlachou D, Christophides GK. Identification of genes required for Plasmodium gametocyte-to-sporozoite development in the mosquito vector. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1539-1551.e6. [PMID: 37708854 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.08.010] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases. Reverse genetic screens offer a powerful approach to identify genes and molecular processes governing malaria parasite biology. However, the complex regulation of gene expression and genotype-phenotype associations in the mosquito vector, along with sexual reproduction, have hindered the development of screens in this critical part of the parasite life cycle. To address this, we developed a genetic approach in the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei that, in combination with barcode sequencing, circumvents the fertilization roadblock and enables screening for gametocyte-expressed genes required for parasite infection of the mosquito Anopheles coluzzii. Our results confirm previous findings, validating our approach for scaling up, and identify genes necessary for mosquito midgut infection, oocyst development, and salivary gland infection. These findings can aid efforts to study malaria transmission biology and to develop interventions for controlling disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Maria Giorgalli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Melina Campos
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alexander J Bailey
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Dina Vlachou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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Collins EL, Phelan JE, Hubner M, Spadar A, Campos M, Ward D, Acford-Palmer H, Gomes AR, Silva K, Ferrero Gomez L, Clark TG, Campino S. A next generation targeted amplicon sequencing method to screen for insecticide resistance mutations in Aedes aegypti populations reveals a rdl mutation in mosquitoes from Cabo Verde. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010935. [PMID: 36512510 PMCID: PMC9746995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes mosquito vectors transmit many viruses of global health concern, including dengue, chikungunya and Zika. These vector-borne viral diseases have a limited number of treatment options, and vaccines vary in their effectiveness. Consequently, integrated vector management is a primary strategy for disease control. However, the increasing emergence and spread of insecticide resistance is threatening the efficacy of vector control methods. Identifying mutations associated with resistance in vector populations is important to monitor the occurrence and evolution of insecticide resistance and inform control strategies. Rapid and cost-effective genome sequencing approaches are urgently needed. Here we present an adaptable targeted amplicon approach for cost-effective implementation within next generation sequencing platforms. This approach can identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions and deletions (indels) in genes involved in insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We designed and tested eleven amplicons, which included segments of the ace-1 (carbamate target), the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (vgsc; pyrethroids, DDT and organochlorines), and rdl (dieldrin) genes; thereby covering established knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations (e.g., S989P, I1011M/V, V1016G/I and F1534C), with the potential to identify novel ones. The amplicon assays were designed with internal barcodes, to facilitate multiplexing of large numbers of mosquitoes at low cost, and were sequenced using an Illumina platform. Our approach was evaluated on 152 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes collected in Cabo Verde, an archipelago with a history of arbovirus outbreaks. The amplicon sequence data revealed 146 SNPs, including four non-synonymous polymorphisms in the vgsc gene, one in ace-1 and the 296S rdl mutation previously associated with resistance to organochlorines. The 296S rdl mutation was identified in 98% of mosquitoes screened, consistent with the past use of an organochlorine compound (e.g., DDT). Overall, our work shows that targeted amplicon sequencing is a rapid, robust, and cost-effective tool that can be used to perform high throughput monitoring of insecticide resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Collins
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jody E. Phelan
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Hubner
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Spadar
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Campos
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ward
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Holly Acford-Palmer
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Keily Silva
- Universidade Jean Piaget (UniPiaget), Praia, Cabo Verde
| | | | - Taane G. Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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3
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Fernandes R, Ferreira JM, Alves AR, Almeida G, Lopes V, Cunha G, Costa G, Monteiro E, Guimarães J, Fernandes D, Gomes AR, Rosa JB, Campos G, Campos D, Loureiro C, Almeida JP, Martinho S, Martins P, Gonçalves L. Poster No. 106 Can we optimize d-dimer cut off value to predict pulmonary embolism in covid-19 patients? Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac157.086] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Covid-19 is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) therefore, should the cut off d-dimer value be adjusted for these patients?
Material and methods
Retrospective and observational study to understand if there is a d-dimer cut-off that could guide clinics to perform a thoracic computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with covid-19. The population was covid-19 patients admitted to covid-19 dedicated wards of a University Hospital Centre for one year.
Results and conclusions
725 (52%) patients with covid-19 had a d-dimer value dosed during the first 5 days of the disease. Those, 63 (9%) did a CTA with a diagnosis of 16 (25%) PE. Gender was equally represented, median age was 70 years (ID = 3.49) and the majority (94%) survived. Thirteen (81%) patients with PE had a d-dimer value above 2500 ng/mL (OR = 9.244, 95% CI 2.248–9.837), with 7 (54%) with values over 10000 ng/mL, but in 3 (9%) it was under 1500 ng/mL. Seventy-three (63%) of patients with a d-dimer over 1500 ng/mL did not had a thoracic CTA performed. In our population PE was not a frequent outcome. The results are influenced by the low number of thoracic CTA performed because, even tough the cut-off d-dimer value used at our hospital to perform a thoracic CTA to exclude PE is 1500 ng/mL, most patients with that d-dimer value did not take the exam and so PE could not be excluded. Although in most PE cases the d-dimer value was above 2500 ng/mL, the results of our study cannot verify if that is a better cut-off value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Gil Cunha
- Centro Hospitalar E Universitário De Coimbra
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Ward D, Gomes AR, Tetteh KKA, Sepúlveda N, Gomez LF, Campino S, Clark TG. Sero-epidemiological study of arbovirus infection following the 2015-2016 Zika virus outbreak in Cabo Verde. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11719. [PMID: 35810191 PMCID: PMC9271056 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16115-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In November 2015, cases of Zika virus infection were recorded in Cabo Verde (Africa), originating from Brazil. The outbreak subsided after seven months with 7580 suspected cases. We performed a serological survey (n = 431) in Praia, the capital city, 3 months after transmission ceased. Serum samples were screened for arbovirus antibodies using ELISA techniques and revealed seroconverted individuals with Zika (10.9%), dengue (1-4) (12.5%), yellow fever (0.2%) and chikungunya (2.6%) infections. Zika seropositivity was predominantly observed amongst females (70%). Using a logistic model, risk factors for increased odds of Zika seropositivity included age, self-reported Zika infection, and dengue seropositivity. Serological data from Zika and dengue virus assays were strongly correlated (Spearman's rs = 0.80), which reduced when using a double antigen binding ELISA (Spearman's rs = 0.54). Overall, our work improves an understanding of how Zika and other arboviruses have spread throughout the Cabo Verde population. It also demonstrates the utility of serological assay formats for outbreak investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Kevin K A Tetteh
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
- Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Susana Campino
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Taane G Clark
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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Djebbari F, Rampotas A, Panitsas F, Lim WY, Lees C, Tsagkaraki I, Gomes AR, Prideaux S, Chen L, Prodger C, Khera A, Gray N, Ellis L, Sangha G, Eyre TA, Moore S, Kothari J, Ramasamy K. Evaluation of the frailty characteristics and clinical outcomes according to the new frailty-based outcome prediction model (Myeloma Risk Profile-MRP) in a UK real-world cohort of elderly newly diagnosed Myeloma patients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262388. [PMID: 35015781 PMCID: PMC8752006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262388] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of myeloma in the elderly is shifting its focus towards reducing the risk of under-treating fit patients and the risk of over-treating frail patients. Frailty assessment is required in this patient group in order to individualise treatment decisions. In addition to the proven prognostic values of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) frailty score and the revised Myeloma Co-morbidity Index (R-MCI), a new easy-to-use frailty-based risk profile score (high-risk (i.e. frail), medium risk (i.e. intermediate-fitness) and low-risk (i.e. fit)) named Myeloma Risk Profile (MRP) was shown to be predictive of survival in the clinical trial setting. In this retrospective real-world study, we set out to evaluate the frailty characteristics and clinical outcomes according to the different MRP scoring algorithm categories (frail vs. intermediate vs fit), in a high risk cohort of elderly newly diagnosed myeloma patients treated with the fixed-duration triplet therapy VCD (bortezomib with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone). Clinical outcomes included: reason for treatment discontinuation, overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events (AEs). Out of 100 patients, 62 were frail, 27 were intermediate and 11 were fit, according to MRP scores. To enable meaningful comparisons between comparable numbers, subgroups analyses for ORR, OS, PFS, and AEs focused on frail (n = 62) versus intermediate or fit (n = 38) patients. The proportion of patients in each subgroup who were able to complete the planned course of treatment was (frail: 43.5% vs. intermediate or fit: 55.3%). A higher proportion in the frail subgroup discontinued therapy due to progressive disease (19.4% vs. 2.6%). Discontinuation due to toxicity was comparable across subgroups (14.5% vs. 15.8%), ORR in the total cohort was 75%, and this was comparable between subgroups (frail: 74.2% vs. intermediate or fit: 76.3%). There was a trend for a shorter median OS in the frail subgroup but without a statistical significance: (frail vs. intermediate or fit): (46 months vs. not reached, HR: 1.94, 95% CI 0.89–4.2, p = 0.094). There was no difference in median PFS between subgroups: (frail vs. intermediate or fit): (11.8 vs. 9.9 months, HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.61–1.61, P = 0.982). This cohort demonstrated a higher incidence rate of AEs in frail patients compared to those in the intermediate or fit group: patients with at least one any grade toxicity (85.5% vs. 71.1%), patients with at least one ≥G3 AE (37.1% vs. 21.1%). In conclusion, our study is to the first to evaluate clinical outcomes according to MRP in a high risk real-world cohort of patients treated exclusively with the proteasome inhibitor-based VCD therapy. Our study demonstrated a trend for worse OS in addition to worse AE outcomes in the frail group, but no difference in PFS with this fixed-duration therapy. MRP is an easy-to-use tool in clinical practice; its prognostic value was validated in the real-world in a large cohort of patients from the Danish Registry. Further evaluation of MRP in the real-world when continuous therapies are used, can further support the generalisability of its prognostic value in elderly myeloma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faouzi Djebbari
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexandros Rampotas
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Fotios Panitsas
- Department of Haematology, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Wen Yuen Lim
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Lees
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Prideaux
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Swindon, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Chen
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Prodger
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Akhil Khera
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Gray
- Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Ellis
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, United Kingdom
| | - Gina Sangha
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Toby A. Eyre
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Moore
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jaimal Kothari
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Karthik Ramasamy
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Sousa J, Gomes AR, Lopes J, Saleiro C, Lourenco C, Goncalves L. Subsegmental pulmonary embolism: yet another case for being a medical conservative. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1931] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The advent of multi-detector computed tomographic pulmonary angiography has allowed better assessment of the peripheral pulmonary arteries, thereby increasing the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE). Even though most patients with PE are treated with anticoagulation, its value in the subsegmental setting (SSPE) has not yet been confirmed.
Purpose
To perform a meta-analysis aimed at ascertaining the extent to which anticoagulation results in a net positive effect in patients with SSPE.
Methods
We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar, from inception to March 2021, for controlled studies addressing the effect of anticoagulation on SSPE patients. Specifically, venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence served as the primary efficacy endpoint, whereas clinically significant bleeding represented the primary safety outcome. Furthermore, major bleeding, PE-related and all-cause mortality were also studied, as secondary endpoints. All anticoagulation strategies, namely oral or parenteral, met inclusion criteria. Study-specific odds ratios (ORs) were pooled, under a random-effects model.
Results
1 cross-sectional, 8 retrospective and 4 prospective non-randomized studies, encompassing 82, 641 and 157 patients, respectively, were regarded as eligible for quantitative evaluation. 667 patients (75.8%) were allocated to the anticoagulation arm. The absolute number of events for each outcome may be reported as follows: primary efficacy endpoint, 5; primary safety endpoint, 60; major bleeding, 38; PE-related mortality, 0; all-cause mortality, 25. 7 studies reported their respective outcomes under a prespecified 3-month follow-up period, while only 1 featured cancer patients as its entire sample. As for the primary efficacy endpoint, and despite the surprising adjudication of all its 5 events to the anticoagulated patients, their relative overrepresentation (371 vs. 143 patients) stemmed a non-significant tendency towards a decrease in VTE recurrence in this arm (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.09–3.81, P 0.58, i2 0%). On the other hand, anticoagulation was associated with a significant increase in clinically significant hemorrhages (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.07–7.80, P 0.04, i2 0%) and a non-significant propensity towards an increment in major bleeding (OR 2.44, 95% CI 0.79–7.59, P 0.12, i2 0%). Lastly, and even though no events of PE-related mortality were reported, anticoagulation was linked with a meaningful reduction in all-cause mortality (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11–0.82, P 0.02, i2 0%).
Conclusion
Currently available evidence underpins marginal efficacy and safety concerns regarding the use of anticoagulation in SSPE patients, who are expected to experience very low to none PE-related mortality. The association of anticoagulation with lower all-cause death may be attributable to selection bias. Randomized controlled trials are, however, still needed to fully validate this hypothesis.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sousa
- Centro hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A R Gomes
- Centro hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J Lopes
- Centro hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C Saleiro
- Centro hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C Lourenco
- Centro hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L Goncalves
- Centro hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Bahram Sangani N, Gomes AR, Curfs LMG, Reutelingsperger CP. The role of Extracellular Vesicles during CNS development. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 205:102124. [PMID: 34314775 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
With a diverse set of neuronal and glial cell populations, Central Nervous System (CNS) has one of the most complex structures in the body. Intercellular communication is therefore highly important to coordinate cell-to-cell interactions. Besides electrical and chemical messengers, CNS cells also benefit from another communication route, what is known as extracellular vesicles, to harmonize their interactions. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) and their subtype exosomes are membranous particles secreted by cells and contain information packaged in the form of biomolecules such as small fragments of DNA, lipids, miRNAs, mRNAs, and proteins. They are able to efficiently drive changes upon their arrival to recipient cells. EVs actively participate in all stages of CNS development by stimulating neural cell proliferation, differentiation, synaptic formation, and mediating reciprocal interactions between neurons and oligodendrocyte for myelination process. The aim of the present review is to enlighten the presence and contribution of EVs at each CNS developmental milestone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Bahram Sangani
- Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands; GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Leopold M G Curfs
- GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Chris P Reutelingsperger
- Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands; GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Tabernilla A, dos Santos Rodrigues B, Pieters A, Caufriez A, Leroy K, Van Campenhout R, Cooreman A, Gomes AR, Arnesdotter E, Gijbels E, Vinken M. In Vitro Liver Toxicity Testing of Chemicals: A Pragmatic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5038. [PMID: 34068678 PMCID: PMC8126138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22095038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is among the most frequently targeted organs by noxious chemicals of diverse nature. Liver toxicity testing using laboratory animals not only raises serious ethical questions, but is also rather poorly predictive of human safety towards chemicals. Increasing attention is, therefore, being paid to the development of non-animal and human-based testing schemes, which rely to a great extent on in vitro methodology. The present paper proposes a rationalized tiered in vitro testing strategy to detect liver toxicity triggered by chemicals, in which the first tier is focused on assessing general cytotoxicity, while the second tier is aimed at identifying liver-specific toxicity as such. A state-of-the-art overview is provided of the most commonly used in vitro assays that can be used in both tiers. Advantages and disadvantages of each assay as well as overall practical considerations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.T.); (B.d.S.R.); (A.P.); (A.C.); (K.L.); (R.V.C.); (A.C.); (A.R.G.); (E.A.); (E.G.)
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9
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Gomes AR, Fernandes TG, Cabral JM, Diogo MM. Modeling Rett Syndrome with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Mechanistic Outcomes and Future Clinical Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3751. [PMID: 33916879 PMCID: PMC8038474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073751] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Among many different roles, MeCP2 has a high phenotypic impact during the different stages of brain development. Thus, it is essential to intensively investigate the function of MeCP2, and its regulated targets, to better understand the mechanisms of the disease and inspire the development of possible therapeutic strategies. Several animal models have greatly contributed to these studies, but more recently human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been providing a promising alternative for the study of RTT. The rapid evolution in the field of hPSC culture allowed first the development of 2D-based neuronal differentiation protocols, and more recently the generation of 3D human brain organoid models, a more complex approach that better recapitulates human neurodevelopment in vitro. Modeling RTT using these culture platforms, either with patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or genetically-modified hPSCs, has certainly contributed to a better understanding of the onset of RTT and the disease phenotype, ultimately allowing the development of high throughput drugs screening tests for potential clinical translation. In this review, we first provide a brief summary of the main neurological features of RTT and the impact of MeCP2 mutations in the neuropathophysiology of this disease. Then, we provide a thorough revision of the more recent advances and future prospects of RTT modeling with human neural cells derived from hPSCs, obtained using both 2D and organoids culture systems, and its contribution for the current and future clinical trials for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago G. Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim M.S. Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Margarida Diogo
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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10
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Van Campenhout R, Gomes AR, De Groof TW, Muyldermans S, Devoogdt N, Vinken M. Mechanisms Underlying Connexin Hemichannel Activation in Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073503. [PMID: 33800706 PMCID: PMC8036530 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073503] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels mediate intercellular and extracellular communication, respectively. While gap junctions are seen as the “good guys” by controlling homeostasis, connexin hemichannels are considered as the “bad guys”, as their activation is associated with the onset and dissemination of disease. Open connexin hemichannels indeed mediate the transport of messengers between the cytosol and extracellular environment and, by doing so, fuel inflammation and cell death in a plethora of diseases. The present mini-review discusses the mechanisms involved in the activation of connexin hemichannels during pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raf Van Campenhout
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (R.V.C.); (A.R.G.)
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (R.V.C.); (A.R.G.)
| | - Timo W.M. De Groof
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (T.W.M.D.G.); (N.D.)
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (T.W.M.D.G.); (N.D.)
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (R.V.C.); (A.R.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2-4774587
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11
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Rampotas A, Djebbari F, Panitsas F, Lees C, Tsagkaraki I, Gomes AR, Prideaux S, Chen L, Prodger C, Khera A, Gray N, Ellis L, Sangha G, Lim WY, Eyre TA, Moore S, Ramasamy K, Kothari J. Efficacy and tolerability of VCD chemotherapy in a UK real-world dataset of elderly transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed myeloma patients. Eur J Haematol 2021; 106:563-573. [PMID: 33496996 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are limited data on the efficacy and tolerability of VCD chemotherapy in transplant-non-eligible (TNE) newly diagnosed myeloma (NDMM) patients. In this retrospective study, we set out to evaluate this triplet combination in this setting across Thames Valley Cancer Network (UK). METHODS The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary outcomes included event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS In a total cohort of 158 patients, ORR for total cohort was 72.1%. Median EFS was 10.5 months, and for subgroups by age (<75:11.7 vs ≥75:10.3 months, P = .124), by Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) (<5:11.1 vs ≥5:8.2 months, P = .345). The 4-month landmark analysis showed the following median EFS results: by cumulative bortezomib dose (≥26 mg/m2 : 9.0 months vs <26 mg/m2 : 6.4, P = .13), by cumulative cyclophosphamide dose (≥7000 mg: 9.2 vs <7000 mg: 7.0 months, P = .02) and by cumulative dexamethasone dose (>600 mg: 7.8 vs ≤600 mg: 8.3 months, P = .665). Median OS was 46.9 months. The incidence rate of AE was as follows: any grade (76.8%), ≥G3 (27.1%), ≥G3 haematological AEs (7.9%), any grade infections (31.1%) and ≥G3 infections (11.9%). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a good ORR achieved from fixed duration VCD, which was reasonably well tolerated. This was followed by modest median EFS. We envisage that the latter may be improved in this patient group with the use of a higher cumulative bortezomib dose (≥26 mg/m2 ) which showed a trend for improved EFS although without statistical significance (P = .13), and with the use of a higher cumulative cyclophosphamide doses (≥7000 mg, P = .02), subject to tolerability and close monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Rampotas
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School, Oxford, UK
| | - Faouzi Djebbari
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Fotios Panitsas
- Department of Haematology, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Steve Prideaux
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Swindon, UK
| | - Lucia Chen
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Catherine Prodger
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Akhil Khera
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Lauren Ellis
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, UK
| | - Gavinda Sangha
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Wen Yuen Lim
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Toby A Eyre
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sally Moore
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Karthik Ramasamy
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jaimal Kothari
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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12
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Gurung P, Gomes AR, Martins RM, Juranek SA, Alberti P, Mbang-Benet DE, Urbach S, Gazanion E, Guitard V, Paeschke K, Lopez-Rubio JJ. PfGBP2 is a novel G-quadruplex binding protein in Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13303. [PMID: 33340385 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13303] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Guanine-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical DNA structures that can regulate key biological processes such as transcription, replication and telomere maintenance in several organisms including eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses. Recent reports have identified the presence of G4s within the AT-rich genome of Plasmodium falciparum, the protozoan parasite causing malaria. In Plasmodium, potential G4-forming sequences (G4FS) are enriched in the telomeric and sub-telomeric regions of the genome where they are associated with telomere maintenance and recombination events within virulence genes. However, there is a little understanding about the biological role of G4s and G4-binding proteins. Here, we provide the first snapshot of G4-interactome in P. falciparum using DNA pull-down assay followed by LC-MS/MS. Interestingly, we identified ~24 potential G4-binding proteins (G4-BP) that bind to a stable G4FS (AP2_G4). Furthermore, we characterised the role of G-strand binding protein 2 (PfGBP2), a putative telomere-binding protein in P. falciparum. We validated the interaction of PfGBP2 with G4 in vitro as well as in vivo. PfGBP2 is expressed throughout the intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle and is essential for the parasites in the presence of G4-stabilising ligand, pyridostatin. Gene knockout studies showed the role of PfGBP2 in the expression of var genes. Taken together, this study suggests that PfGBP2 is a bona fide G4-binding protein, which is likely to be involved in the regulation of G4-related functions in these malarial parasites. In addition, this study sheds light on this understudied G4 biology in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Rafael M Martins
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Stefan A Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Patrizia Alberti
- Laboratory Genome Structure and Instability, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS UMR 7196, INSERM U 1154, Paris, France
| | - Diane-Ethna Mbang-Benet
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Serge Urbach
- BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5203, IGF, Montpellier, France
| | - Elodie Gazanion
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Guitard
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jose-Juan Lopez-Rubio
- LPHI, UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, CNRS UMR 5290 MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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13
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Borges T, Gomes AR, Santos J, Silva S. Primary systemic vasculitides as the bridge in immune-mediated disorders: small vessels for autoimmunity, medium vessels for autoinflammation. Acta Reumatol Port 2021; 46:58-68. [PMID: 33820892] [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: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Vasculitides have been classically considered to be mostly of autoimmune origin, but the role of the innate immune system is being increasingly recognized among primary systemic vasculitides. For example, Behçet's syndrome (BS) shares more common features with autoinflammatory disorders (AIDs) than autoimmune diseases (ADs) and has recently been considered to be a polygenic AID by several authors, while others have classified it as a "mixed-pattern" disorder. This review aims to make a balance between autoinflammatory and autoimmune features of primary systemic vasculitides, including sex prevalence, association and/or familial aggregation with others AIDs or ADs, with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system and/or disease-specific autoantibodies, type of cellular infiltration (neutrophilic or lymphocytic), clinical pattern (episodic or progressive), size of involved joints when articular involvement occurs, presence of lymphadenopathy or hypergammaglobulinemia, and therapeutic benefit of colchicine, IL-1 inhibitors and rituximab. Except for Henöch-Schonlein purpura, autoimmunity is usually predominant in small vessel vasculitides, where disease-specific autoantibodies are common. On the other hand, medium vessel and even variable vessel vasculitides such as BS often course with autoinflammatory features (e.g. increased levels of IL-1, neutrophilic infiltration) are often more obvious than those typical of autoimmunity. Therefore, it is possible that disorders like polyarteritis nodosa or Kawasaki disease may be considered as "mixed-pattern" diseases in the future. Finally, both the innate and adaptive immune systems can have significant roles in large vessel vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Borges
- Department of Internal Medicine, Trofa Saúde Hospital Privado de Gaia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira, Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
| | - João Santos
- ACES Baixo Tâmega, UCSP Resende, Resende, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Silva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Trofa Saúde Hospital Privado de Gaia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
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14
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Gomes AR, Sangani NB, Fernandes TG, Diogo MM, Curfs LMG, Reutelingsperger CP. Extracellular Vesicles in CNS Developmental Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9428. [PMID: 33322331 PMCID: PMC7763819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex structure in the body, consisting of multiple cell types with distinct morphology and function. Development of the neuronal circuit and its function rely on a continuous crosstalk between neurons and non-neural cells. It has been widely accepted that extracellular vesicles (EVs), mainly exosomes, are effective entities responsible for intercellular CNS communication. They contain membrane and cytoplasmic proteins, lipids, non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs. Their cargo modulates gene and protein expression in recipient cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that EVs play a role in modifying signal transduction with subsequent physiological changes in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis and network circuit formation and activity, as well as synaptic pruning and myelination. Several studies demonstrate that neural and non-neural EVs play an important role in physiological and pathological neurodevelopment. The present review discusses the role of EVs in various neurodevelopmental disorders and the prospects of using EVs as disease biomarkers and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (M.M.D.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
- GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Nasim Bahram Sangani
- Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
- GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Tiago G. Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (M.M.D.)
| | - M. Margarida Diogo
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (M.M.D.)
| | - Leopold M. G. Curfs
- GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Chris P. Reutelingsperger
- Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
- GKC-Rett Expertise Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
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15
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Gomes AR, Fernandes TG, Vaz SH, Silva TP, Bekman EP, Xapelli S, Duarte S, Ghazvini M, Gribnau J, Muotri AR, Trujillo CA, Sebastião AM, Cabral JMS, Diogo MM. Modeling Rett Syndrome With Human Patient-Specific Forebrain Organoids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:610427. [PMID: 33363173 PMCID: PMC7758289 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.610427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering brain organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is a powerful tool for modeling brain development and neurological disorders. Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, can greatly benefit from this technology, since it affects multiple neuronal subtypes in forebrain sub-regions. We have established dorsal and ventral forebrain organoids from control and RTT patient-specific hiPSCs recapitulating 3D organization and functional network complexity. Our data revealed a premature development of the deep-cortical layer, associated to the formation of TBR1 and CTIP2 neurons, and a lower expression of neural progenitor/proliferative cells in female RTT dorsal organoids. Moreover, calcium imaging and electrophysiology analysis demonstrated functional defects of RTT neurons. Additionally, assembly of RTT dorsal and ventral organoids revealed impairments of interneuron’s migration. Overall, our models provide a better understanding of RTT during early stages of neural development, demonstrating a great potential for personalized diagnosis and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago G Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra H Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa P Silva
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Evguenia P Bekman
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine (Lisbon Campus), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Xapelli
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Duarte
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mehrnaz Ghazvini
- Erasmus MC iPS Facility, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Cleber A Trujillo
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim M S Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Margarida Diogo
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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16
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Campos M, Ward D, Morales RF, Gomes AR, Silva K, Sepúlveda N, Gomez LF, Clark TG, Campino S. Surveillance of Aedes aegypti populations in the city of Praia, Cape Verde: Zika virus infection, insecticide resistance and genetic diversity. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:481. [PMID: 32958043 PMCID: PMC7507728 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04356-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes spp. are responsible for the transmission of many arboviruses, which contribute to rising human morbidity and mortality worldwide. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a main vector for chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever infections, whose incidence have been increasing and distribution expanding. This vector has also driven the emergence of the Zika virus (ZIKV), first reported in Africa which spread rapidly to Asia and more recently across the Americas. During the outbreak in the Americas, Cape Verde became the first African country declaring a Zika epidemic, with confirmed cases of microcephaly. Here we investigate the prevalence of ZIKV and dengue (DENV) infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the weeks following the outbreak in Cape Verde, and the presence of insecticide resistance in the circulating vector population. Genetic diversity in the mosquito population was also analysed. METHODS From August to October 2016, 816 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were collected in several locations across Praia, Cape Verde, the major hot spot of reported ZIKV cases in the country. All mosquitoes were screened by reverse transcription PCR for ZIKV and DENV, and a subset (n = 220) were screened for knockdown insecticide resistance associated mutations in the voltage gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene by capillary sequencing. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nad4) gene was sequenced in 100 mosquitoes. These data were compared to 977 global sequences in a haplotype network and a phylogenetic tree analysis. RESULTS Two Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were ZIKV positive (0.25%). There were no SNP mutations found in the VGSC gene associated with insecticide resistance. Analysis of the nad4 gene revealed 11 haplotypes in the Cape Verdean samples, with 5 being singletons. Seven haplotypes were exclusive to Cape Verde. Several of the remaining haplotypes were frequent in the global dataset, being present in several countries (including Cape Verde) across five different continents. The most common haplotype in Cape Verde (50.6 %) was also found in Africa and South America. CONCLUSIONS There was low-level Zika virus circulation in mosquitoes from Praia shortly after the outbreak. The Ae. aegypti population did not appear to have the kdr mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance. Furthermore, haplotype and phylogenetic analyses revealed that Cape Verde Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are most closely related to those from other countries in Africa and South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Campos
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Daniel Ward
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Raika Francesca Morales
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Keily Silva
- Universidade Jean Piaget (UniPiaget), Praia, Cabo Verde
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Centre of Statistics and Its Applications of University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Taane G. Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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17
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Gazanion E, Lacroix L, Alberti P, Gurung P, Wein S, Cheng M, Mergny JL, Gomes AR, Lopez-Rubio JJ. Genome wide distribution of G-quadruplexes and their impact on gene expression in malaria parasites. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008917. [PMID: 32628663 PMCID: PMC7365481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of transcriptional control in malaria parasites are still not fully understood. The positioning patterns of G-quadruplex (G4) DNA motifs in the parasite's AT-rich genome, especially within the var gene family which encodes virulence factors, and in the vicinity of recombination hotspots, points towards a possible regulatory role of G4 in gene expression and genome stability. Here, we carried out the most comprehensive genome-wide survey, to date, of G4s in the Plasmodium falciparum genome using G4Hunter, which identifies G4 forming sequences (G4FS) considering their G-richness and G-skewness. We show an enrichment of G4FS in nucleosome-depleted regions and in the first exon of var genes, a pattern that is conserved within the closely related Laverania Plasmodium parasites. Under G4-stabilizing conditions, i.e., following treatment with pyridostatin (a high affinity G4 ligand), we show that a bona fide G4 found in the non-coding strand of var promoters modulates reporter gene expression. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling of pyridostatin-treated parasites, shows large scale perturbations, with deregulation affecting for instance the ApiAP2 family of transcription factors and genes involved in ribosome biogenesis. Overall, our study highlights G4s as important DNA secondary structures with a role in Plasmodium gene expression regulation, sub-telomeric recombination and var gene biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Gazanion
- MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224, CNRS 5290, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Lacroix
- IBENS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Inserm, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Patrizia Alberti
- "Structure and Instability of Genomes" laboratory, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Inserm U1154, CNRS UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Pratima Gurung
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Sharon Wein
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Mingpan Cheng
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, CNRS UMR5320, INSERM U1212, Bordeaux University, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, CNRS UMR5320, INSERM U1212, Bordeaux University, Pessac, France
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
- Laboratoire d’Optique et Biosciences, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, France
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Jose-Juan Lopez-Rubio
- MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224, CNRS 5290, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
- Laboratory of Pathogen-Host Interactions (LPHI), UMR5235, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
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18
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Rajashekaraiah R, Kumar PR, Prakash N, Rao GS, Devi VR, Metta M, Narayanaswamy HD, Swamy MN, Satyanarayan K, Rao S, Rathnamma D, Sahadev A, Sunilchandra U, Santhosh CR, Dhanalakshmi H, Kumar SN, Ruban SW, Kalmath GP, Gomes AR, Kumar KRA, Govindappa PK. Anticancer efficacy of 6-thioguanine loaded chitosan nanoparticles with or without curcumin. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 148:704-714. [PMID: 31954127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
6-Thioguanine encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (6-TG-CNPs) has formulated by the ionic-gelation method. Morphologically, the 6-TG-CNPs were spherical and showed mean size, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of 261.63 ± 6.01 nm, 0.34 ± 0.10, +15.97 ± 0.46 mV and 44.27%, respectively. The IR spectra confirmed the 6-TG complex with chitosan. The in vitro drug release profile of 6-TG-CNPs revealed an increase in sustained-release (91.40 ± 1.08% at 48 h) at pH 4.8 compared to less sustained-release (73.96 ± 1.12% at 48 h) at pH 7.4. The MTT assay was conducted on MCF-7 and PA-1 cell lines at 48 h incubation to determine % cell viability. The IC50 values of 6-TG, 6-TG-CNPs, and curcumin for MCF-7 were 23.09, 17.82, and 15.73 μM, respectively. Likewise, IC50 values of 6-TG, 6-TG-CNPs, and curcumin for PA-1 were 5.81, 3.92, and 12.89 μM, respectively. A combination of 6-TG-CNPs (IC25) with curcumin (IC25) on PA-1 and MCF-7 showed % cell viability of 43.67 ± 0.02 and 49.77 ± 0.05, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity potential in terms of % cell viability, early apoptosis, G2/M phase arrest, and DNA demethylating activity of 6-TG-CNPs alone and combination with curcumin proved to be more effective than that of 6-TG on PA-1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Rajashekaraiah
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India.
| | - P Ravi Kumar
- NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram 521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - N Prakash
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - G Srinivasa Rao
- NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram 521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - V Rama Devi
- NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram 521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - M Metta
- NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Gannavaram 521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - H D Narayanaswamy
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - M Narayana Swamy
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - K Satyanarayan
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - Suguna Rao
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - D Rathnamma
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - A Sahadev
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - U Sunilchandra
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - C R Santhosh
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - H Dhanalakshmi
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - S Naveen Kumar
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - S Wilfred Ruban
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - G P Kalmath
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - A R Gomes
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - K R Anjan Kumar
- Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar 585401, Karnataka, India
| | - Prem Kumar Govindappa
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Centre for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS), College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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19
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Da Conceicao Pedro Pais JA, Fazendas P, Marques A, Congo K, Gomes AC, Pereira AR, Gomes AR, Cruz I, Joao I, Pereira H. 107 Low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis: aortic valve area estimated by continuity equation versus simplified method of projected aortic valve area. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez319.026] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The evaluation of real severity of "low-flow low-gradient" aortic stenosis (LFLG AS) is particularly challenging. TOPAS study demonstrated that projected aortic valve area at a normal transvalvular flow rate (AVAproj) derived from dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is superior to the traditional Doppler indices to discriminate true severe-AS and pseudosevere-AS.
Purpose
To compare two echocardiographic methods to estimate severity of LFLG AS with DSE (aortic valve area (AVA) estimated by continuity equation (AVA-CE) and simplified method of AVAproj) in patients (pts) with low transvalvular flow rate (<250mL/seg).
Methods
Unicentric, retrospective study, that included pts with LFLG AS undergoing DSE with low dose dobutamine protocol, during Nov 2013-Dec 2018 period. Evaluation at rest and peak DSE of vital signs, mean transaortic gradient, aortic VTI, LVOT VTI and VTI ratio, valvulo-arterial impedance (ZVA), AVA-CE, simplified method of AVAproj and global longitudinal strain (GLS).
Results
A total of 27 DSE were performed in 23 different pts, mean age of 76 ± 8 years, 82% male. At rest 55% in sinus rhythm, mean heart rate (HR) was 76 ± 12 bpm, mean systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was 122 ± 22 mmHg, mean ZVA 4.3 ± 2 mmHg/ml/m2; mean diameter of LVOT was 21,7 ± 2,6cm, mean of mean aortic gradients 21 ± 7 mmHg, 67% of pts had a VTI ratio at rest compatible with severe AS and remaining compatible with moderate AS. Estimated mean AVA-CE was 0.86 ± 0.29 cm2 with 67% of pts classified as severe AS. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction at rest was 31 ± 9%, systolic volume index 28,7 ± 8 mL/m2 and GLS -5,9%.
During low dose perfusion protocol of dobutamine
100% patients remained asymptomatic, mean HR was 110 ± 25 bpm, mean SAP was 123 ± 26 mmHg, mean ZVA 3.6 ± 1.7 mmHg/mL/m2, mean of mean aortic gradients 28 ± 9mmHg, 37% of pts presented VTI ratio compatible with severe AS and remaining compatible with moderate AS. Mean flow reserve was 16 ± 16% and mean GLS-7.2%. AVA-CE was 1,06 ± 0,35 cm2 with 56% of pts classified as severe AS and mean projected AVA was 1.01 ± 0.22cm2, without significant difference in AVA estimated by the two methods (p = 0.344). Projected AVA allowed re-classification of AS in 22% of pts (5 patients), with 31% of severe AS reclassified as moderate AS while AVA-CE allowed re-classification in 13% (3 patients), with 19% of severe AS reclassified as moderate AS.
Considering medium follow up of 24 months, 6 patients were submitted aortic valve replacement surgery and another 6 patients to transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The simplified projected valve area calculation show no significant therapeutic impact in the selection of this patients.
Conclusion
The simplified projected valve area calculation is technically feasible and accessible. This study shows a good correlation in pts with low cardiac flow. If AVAproj method had been used 2 extra patients would have been reclassified during DSE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Fazendas
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
| | - A Marques
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
| | - K Congo
- Hospital Espirito Santo de Evora, Departement of Cardiology, Evora, Portugal
| | - A C Gomes
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
| | - A R Pereira
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
| | - A R Gomes
- Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira, Cardiology, Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
| | - I Cruz
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
| | - I Joao
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
| | - H Pereira
- Hospital Garcia de Orta, Cardiology, Almada, Portugal
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20
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Benavente ED, Gomes AR, De Silva JR, Grigg M, Walker H, Barber BE, William T, Yeo TW, de Sessions PF, Ramaprasad A, Ibrahim A, Charleston J, Hibberd ML, Pain A, Moon RW, Auburn S, Ling LY, Anstey NM, Clark TG, Campino S. Whole genome sequencing of amplified Plasmodium knowlesi DNA from unprocessed blood reveals genetic exchange events between Malaysian Peninsular and Borneo subpopulations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9873. [PMID: 31285495 PMCID: PMC6614422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46398-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi parasite is the most common cause of human malaria in Malaysia. Genetic analysis has shown that the parasites are divided into three subpopulations according to their geographic origin (Peninsular or Borneo) and, in Borneo, their macaque host (Macaca fascicularis or M. nemestrina). Whilst evidence suggests that genetic exchange events have occurred between the two Borneo subpopulations, the picture is unclear in less studied Peninsular strains. One difficulty is that P. knowlesi infected individuals tend to present with low parasitaemia leading to samples with insufficient DNA for whole genome sequencing. Here, using a parasite selective whole genome amplification approach on unprocessed blood samples, we were able to analyse recent genomes sourced from both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. The analysis provides evidence that recombination events are present in the Peninsular Malaysia parasite subpopulation, which have acquired fragments of the M. nemestrina associated subpopulation genotype, including the DBPβ and NBPXa erythrocyte invasion genes. The NBPXb invasion gene has also been exchanged within the macaque host-associated subpopulations of Malaysian Borneo. Our work provides strong evidence that exchange events are far more ubiquitous than expected and should be taken into consideration when studying the highly complex P. knowlesi population structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Matthew Grigg
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Harriet Walker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bridget E Barber
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.,Infectious Diseases Society Sabah-Menzies School of Health Research Clinical Research Unit, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Timothy William
- Infectious Diseases Society Sabah-Menzies School of Health Research Clinical Research Unit, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.,Clinical Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.,Jesselton Medical Centre, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Tsin Wen Yeo
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | | | - Abhinay Ramaprasad
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amy Ibrahim
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Charleston
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin L Hibberd
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Genomics Institute, Biopolis, Singapore
| | - Arnab Pain
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Robert W Moon
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Auburn
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | | | - Nicholas M Anstey
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. .,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
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21
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He Y, Campino S, Diez Benavente E, Warhurst DC, Beshir KB, Lubis I, Gomes AR, Feng J, Jiazhi W, Sun X, Huang F, Tang LH, Sutherland CJ, Clark TG. Artemisinin resistance-associated markers in Plasmodium falciparum parasites from the China-Myanmar border: predicted structural stability of K13 propeller variants detected in a low-prevalence area. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213686. [PMID: 30883571 PMCID: PMC6422288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria reduction and future elimination in China is made more difficult by the importation of cases from neighboring endemic countries, particularly Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, and increased travel to Africa by Chinese nationals. The increasing prevalence of artemisinin resistant parasites across Southeast Asia highlights the importance of monitoring the parasite importation into China. Artemisinin resistance in the Mekong region is associated with variants of genes encoding the K13 kelch domain protein (pf13k), found in specific genetic backgrounds, including certain alleles of genes encoding the chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) and multidrug resistance transporter PgH1 (pfmdr1). METHODS In this study we investigated the prevalence of drug resistance markers in 72 P. falciparum samples from uncomplicated malaria infections in Tengchong and Yingjiang, counties on the Yunnan-Myanmar border. Variants of pf13k, pfcrt and pfmdr1 are described. RESULTS Almost all parasites harboured chloroquine-resistant alleles of pfcrt, whereas pfmdr1 was more diverse. Major mutations in the K13 propeller domain associated with artemisinin resistance in the Mekong region (C580Y, R539T and Y493H) were absent, but F446I and two previously undescribed mutations (V603E and V454I) were identified. Protein structural modelling was carried out in silico on each of these K13 variants, based on recently published crystal structures for the K13 propeller domain. Whereas F446I was predicted to elicit a moderate destabilisation of the propeller structure, the V603E substitution is likely to lead to relatively high protein instability. We plotted these stability estimates, and those for all previously described variants, against published values for in vivo parasitaemia half-life, and found that quadratic regression generates a useful predictive algorithm. CONCLUSION This study provides a baseline of P. falciparum resistance-associated mutations prevalent at the China-Myanmar border. We also show that protein modelling can be used to generate testable predictions as to the impact of pfk13 mutations on in vivo (and potentially in vitro) artemisinin susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C. Warhurst
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid B. Beshir
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Inke Lubis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Feng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wang Jiazhi
- Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Provincial Centre of Malaria Research, Provincial Collaborative Innovation Centre for Public Health and Disease Prevention and Control, Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-borne Diseases Control and Research, Puer, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Tengchong County Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Guanghua village, Tiancheng district, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Fang Huang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin-hua Tang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Colin J. Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Taane G. Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Karadedou CT, Gomes AR, Chen J, Petkovic M, Ho KK, Zwolinska AK, Feltes A, Wong SY, Chan KYK, Cheung YN, Tsang JWH, Brosens JJ, Khoo US, Lam EWF. Correction: FOXO3a represses VEGF expression through FOXM1-dependent and -independent mechanisms in breast cancer. Oncogene 2019; 38:5111-5112. [PMID: 30867566 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0770-1] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In the published version of this article, the images for cytoplasmic and nuclear FGF7 in MDA-MB-231 cells were duplicated and mistaken for total FGF7 in SKBR-3 and MDA-MB-231 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Karadedou
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - A R Gomes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - J Chen
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK.,Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - M Petkovic
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - K-K Ho
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - A K Zwolinska
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - A Feltes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - S Y Wong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - K Y K Chan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Y-N Cheung
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - J W H Tsang
- Department of Clinical Oncology Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - J J Brosens
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - U-S Khoo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - E W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Cancer Research-UK Labs, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK.
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23
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Gomes AR, Ravenhall M, Benavente ED, Talman A, Sutherland C, Roper C, Clark TG, Campino S. Corrigendum to "Genetic diversity of next generation antimalarial targets: A baseline for drug resistance surveillance programmes" [Int. J. Parasitol. Drugs and Drug Resist. 7 (2017) 174-180]. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2017; 7:433. [PMID: 29128302 PMCID: PMC6401521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matt Ravenhall
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Arthur Talman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Colin Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cally Roper
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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24
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Bushell E, Gomes AR, Sanderson T, Anar B, Girling G, Herd C, Metcalf T, Modrzynska K, Schwach F, Martin RE, Mather MW, McFadden GI, Parts L, Rutledge GG, Vaidya AB, Wengelnik K, Rayner JC, Billker O. Functional Profiling of a Plasmodium Genome Reveals an Abundance of Essential Genes. Cell 2017; 170:260-272.e8. [PMID: 28708996 PMCID: PMC5509546 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.6] [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: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The genomes of malaria parasites contain many genes of unknown function. To assist drug development through the identification of essential genes and pathways, we have measured competitive growth rates in mice of 2,578 barcoded Plasmodium berghei knockout mutants, representing >50% of the genome, and created a phenotype database. At a single stage of its complex life cycle, P. berghei requires two-thirds of genes for optimal growth, the highest proportion reported from any organism and a probable consequence of functional optimization necessitated by genomic reductions during the evolution of parasitism. In contrast, extreme functional redundancy has evolved among expanded gene families operating at the parasite-host interface. The level of genetic redundancy in a single-celled organism may thus reflect the degree of environmental variation it experiences. In the case of Plasmodium parasites, this helps rationalize both the relative successes of drugs and the greater difficulty of making an effective vaccine. Two-thirds of Plasmodium berghei genes contribute to normal blood stage growth The core genome of malaria parasites is highly optimized for rapid host colonization Essential parasite genes and pathways are identified for drug target prioritization Low functional redundancy reflects the constant environment encountered by a parasite
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Bushell
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Theo Sanderson
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Burcu Anar
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Gareth Girling
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Colin Herd
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Tom Metcalf
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Katarzyna Modrzynska
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Frank Schwach
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Rowena E Martin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Australia
| | - Leopold Parts
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Gavin G Rutledge
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Akhil B Vaidya
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kai Wengelnik
- DIMNP, CNRS, INSERM, University Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
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Mancio-Silva L, Slavic K, Grilo Ruivo MT, Grosso AR, Modrzynska KK, Vera IM, Sales-Dias J, Gomes AR, MacPherson CR, Crozet P, Adamo M, Baena-Gonzalez E, Tewari R, Llinás M, Billker O, Mota MM. Nutrient sensing modulates malaria parasite virulence. Nature 2017; 547:213-216. [PMID: 28678779 PMCID: PMC5511512 DOI: 10.1038/nature23009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [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: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The lifestyle of intracellular pathogens, such as malaria parasites, is intimately connected to that of their host, primarily for nutrient supply. Nutrients act not only as primary sources of energy but also as regulators of gene expression, metabolism and growth, through various signalling networks that enable cells to sense and adapt to varying environmental conditions. Canonical nutrient-sensing pathways are presumed to be absent from the causative agent of malaria, Plasmodium, thus raising the question of whether these parasites can sense and cope with fluctuations in host nutrient levels. Here we show that Plasmodium blood-stage parasites actively respond to host dietary calorie alterations through rearrangement of their transcriptome accompanied by substantial adjustment of their multiplication rate. A kinome analysis combined with chemical and genetic approaches identified KIN as a critical regulator that mediates sensing of nutrients and controls a transcriptional response to the host nutritional status. KIN shares homology with SNF1/AMPKα, and yeast complementation studies suggest that it is part of a functionally conserved cellular energy-sensing pathway. Overall, these findings reveal a key parasite nutrient-sensing mechanism that is critical for modulating parasite replication and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Mancio-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ksenija Slavic
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida T. Grilo Ruivo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Grosso
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Iset Medina Vera
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Sales-Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | | | - Mattia Adamo
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, Center for Malaria Research, and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Maria M. Mota
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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Dombrowski JG, Souza RM, Curry J, Hinton L, Silva NRM, Grignard L, Gonçalves LA, Gomes AR, Epiphanio S, Drakeley C, Huggett J, Clark TG, Campino S, Marinho CRF. G6PD deficiency alleles in a malaria-endemic region in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Malar J 2017; 16:253. [PMID: 28619120 PMCID: PMC5471696 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1889-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium vivax parasites are the predominant cause of malaria infections in the Brazilian Amazon. Infected individuals are treated with primaquine, which can induce haemolytic anaemia in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient individuals and may lead to severe and fatal complications. This X-linked disorder is distributed globally and is caused by allelic variants with a geographical distribution that closely reflects populations exposed historically to endemic malaria. In Brazil, few studies have reported the frequency of G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) present in malaria-endemic areas. This is particularly important, as G6PDd screening is not currently performed before primaquine treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of G6PDd in the region of Alto do Juruá, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, an area characterized by a high prevalence of P. vivax infection. METHODS Five-hundred and sixteen male volunteers were screened for G6PDd using the fluorescence spot test (Beutler test) and CareStart™ G6PD Biosensor system. Demographic and clinical-epidemiological data were acquired through an individual interview. To assess the genetic basis of G6PDd, 24 SNPs were genotyped using the Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR assay. RESULTS Twenty-three (4.5%) individuals were G6PDd. No association was found between G6PDd and the number of malaria cases. An increased risk of reported haemolysis symptoms and blood transfusions was evident among the G6PDd individuals. Twenty-two individuals had the G6PDd A(-) variant and one the G6PD A(+) variant. The Mediterranean variant was not present. Apart from one polymorphism, almost all SNPs were monomorphic or with low frequencies (0-0.04%). No differences were detected among ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS The data indicates that ~1/23 males from the Alto do Juruá could be G6PD deficient and at risk of haemolytic anaemia if treated with primaquine. G6PD A(-) is the most frequent deficiency allele in this population. These results concur with reported G6PDd in other regions in Brazil. Routine G6PDd screening to personalize primaquine administration should be considered, particularly as complete treatment of patients with vivax malaria using chloroquine and primaquine, is crucial for malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamille G Dombrowski
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M Souza
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Acre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Natercia R M Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lynn Grignard
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ligia A Gonçalves
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sabrina Epiphanio
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jim Huggett
- Molecular and Cell Biology, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, UK.,School of Biosciences & Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Claudio R F Marinho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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27
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Gomes AR, Ravenhall M, Benavente ED, Talman A, Sutherland C, Roper C, Clark TG, Campino S. Genetic diversity of next generation antimalarial targets: A baseline for drug resistance surveillance programmes. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2017; 7:174-180. [PMID: 28376349 PMCID: PMC5379905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a recurrent problem in the fight against malaria. Genetic and epidemiological surveillance of antimalarial resistant parasite alleles is crucial to guide drug therapies and clinical management. New antimalarial compounds are currently at various stages of clinical trials and regulatory evaluation. Using ∼2000 Plasmodium falciparum genome sequences, we investigated the genetic diversity of eleven gene-targets of promising antimalarial compounds and assessed their potential efficiency across malaria endemic regions. We determined if the loci are under selection prior to the introduction of new drugs and established a baseline of genetic variance, including potential resistant alleles, for future surveillance programmes. Genetic diversity of 11gene-targets of new antimalarial compounds was investigated. Genetic data was analysed for 18 malaria endemic countries. No signals of selective pressure was observed. A mutation linked to resistance to a new antimalarial was found in African parasites. Amino-acid changes close to reported antimalarial resistant mutations were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matt Ravenhall
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Arthur Talman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK
| | - Colin Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cally Roper
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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28
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Gomes AR, Souteiro P, Silva CG, Sousa-Pinto B, Almeida F, Sarmento A, Carvalho D, Freitas P. Prevalence of testosterone deficiency in HIV-infected men under antiretroviral therapy. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:628. [PMID: 27809804 PMCID: PMC5096002 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1892-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of hypogonadism in HIV-infected patients is still a matter of debate as there is no standardized consensual diagnostic method. In addition, the etiology and endocrine/metabolic implications of hypogonadism in this population remain controversial. This study aims to determine the prevalence of testosterone deficiency in a single-site hospital and to evaluate its association with potential risk factors, lipodystrophy, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. METHODS This study analyzed 245 HIV-infected men on combined antiretroviral therapy. Patients with low total testosterone (TT) levels (<2.8 ng/mL) and/or low calculated free testosterone (FT) levels (<6.5 ng/dL) were considered testosterone deficient. According to their LH and FSH levels, patients were classified as having hypogonadotropic or hypergonadotropic dysfunction. Other clinical, anthropometric, and analytic parameters were also collected and analyzed. RESULTS The prevalence of testosterone deficiency in our population was 29.4 %. Among them, 56.9 % had hypogonadotropic dysfunction and 43.1 % presented with hypergonadotropic dysfunction. Patients with testosterone deficiency were older (p < 0.001), had higher HbA1c levels (p = 0.016) and higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.007). Patients with lower testosterone levels had higher prevalence of isolated central fat accumulation (p = 0.015) and had higher median cardiovascular risk at 10 years as measured by the Framingham Risk Score (p = 0.004) and 10-Year ASCVD risk (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of testosterone deficiency in this HIV population is high, with hypogonadotropic dysfunction being responsible for the majority of cases. Testosterone deficiency might predispose to, or be involved, in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Patients with low testosterone levels have higher cardiovascular risk, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Souteiro
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carolina Germana Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bernardo Sousa-Pinto
- Department of Health Information and Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine (CIDES), University of Porto, Rua Dr. Placido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Placido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Almeida
- Infectious Diseases Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Sarmento
- Infectious Diseases Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Davide Carvalho
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Freitas
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Schäfer GS, Valderramas S, Gomes AR, Budib MB, Wolff ÁLP, Ramos AAT. Physical exercise, pain and musculoskeletal function in patients with haemophilia: a systematic review. Haemophilia 2016; 22:e119-29. [PMID: 27075748 DOI: 10.1111/hae.12909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exercise can provide numerous benefits to haemophilia patients, including bleeding reduction in muscles and joints. AIM This systematic review (SR) aims to evaluate the effects of physical exercise on pain and the musculoskeletal function of patients with hemophilia. METHODS Literature searches of Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDro, Cochrane, Clinical Trials SciELO and Lilacs were performed. The risks of bias were measured using the JADAD scale. RESULTS Nine controlled clinical trials were included in the SR. CONCLUSION Physical exercise can promote a reduction in the perception of pain and can increase ROM and muscle strength in haemophilia patients. Future RCTs with greater methodological rigor that focus on the parameters used to prescribe exercises are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Schäfer
- Resident of the Adult and Elderly Health Programme of the Clinics Hospital - Federal University of Paraná (HC/UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - S Valderramas
- Internal Medicine Masters/Doctorate Programme of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Multi-Professional Residency Programme in Health and Health Professions (HC/UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - A R Gomes
- Master's/Doctorate Programme in Physical Education of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Multi-Professional Residency Programme in Health and Health Professions (HC/UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - M B Budib
- Resident of the Adult and Elderly Health Programme of the Clinics Hospital - Federal University of Paraná (HC/UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Á L P Wolff
- Multi-Professional Residency Programme in Health and Health Professions (HC/UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - A A T Ramos
- Multi-Professional Residency Programme in Health and Health Professions (HC/UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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30
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Khongkow P, Gomes AR, Gong C, Man EPS, Tsang JWH, Zhao F, Monteiro LJ, Coombes RC, Medema RH, Khoo US, Lam EWF. Paclitaxel targets FOXM1 to regulate KIF20A in mitotic catastrophe and breast cancer paclitaxel resistance. Oncogene 2016; 35:990-1002. [PMID: 25961928 PMCID: PMC4538879 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [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: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
FOXM1 has been implicated in taxane resistance, but the molecular mechanism involved remains elusive. In here, we show that FOXM1 depletion can sensitize breast cancer cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts into entering paclitaxel-induced senescence, with the loss of clonogenic ability, and the induction of senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and flat cell morphology. We also demonstrate that FOXM1 regulates the expression of the microtubulin-associated kinesin KIF20A at the transcriptional level directly through a Forkhead response element (FHRE) in its promoter. Similar to FOXM1, KIF20A expression is downregulated by paclitaxel in the sensitive MCF-7 breast cancer cells and deregulated in the paclitaxel-resistant MCF-7Tax(R) cells. KIF20A depletion also renders MCF-7 and MCF-7Tax(R) cells more sensitive to paclitaxel-induced cellular senescence. Crucially, resembling paclitaxel treatment, silencing of FOXM1 and KIF20A similarly promotes abnormal mitotic spindle morphology and chromosome alignment, which have been shown to induce mitotic catastrophe-dependent senescence. The physiological relevance of the regulation of KIF20A by FOXM1 is further highlighted by the strong and significant correlations between FOXM1 and KIF20A expression in breast cancer patient samples. Statistical analysis reveals that both FOXM1 and KIF20A protein and mRNA expression significantly associates with poor survival, consistent with a role of FOXM1 and KIF20A in paclitaxel action and resistance. Collectively, our findings suggest that paclitaxel targets the FOXM1-KIF20A axis to drive abnormal mitotic spindle formation and mitotic catastrophe and that deregulated FOXM1 and KIF20A expression may confer paclitaxel resistance. These findings provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance and have implications for the development of predictive biomarkers and novel chemotherapeutic strategies for paclitaxel resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Khongkow
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - A R Gomes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - C Gong
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - E P S Man
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - J W-H Tsang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - F Zhao
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - L J Monteiro
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - R C Coombes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - R H Medema
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - U S Khoo
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - E W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
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31
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Schwach F, Bushell E, Gomes AR, Anar B, Girling G, Herd C, Rayner JC, Billker O. PlasmoGEM, a database supporting a community resource for large-scale experimental genetics in malaria parasites. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:D1176-82. [PMID: 25593348 PMCID: PMC4383951 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Schwach
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ellen Bushell
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Burcu Anar
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Gareth Girling
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Colin Herd
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
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32
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Gong C, Fujino K, Monteiro LJ, Gomes AR, Drost R, Davidson-Smith H, Takeda S, Khoo US, Jonkers J, Sproul D, Lam EWF. FOXA1 repression is associated with loss of BRCA1 and increased promoter methylation and chromatin silencing in breast cancer. Oncogene 2015; 34:5012-24. [PMID: 25531315 PMCID: PMC4430311 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
FOXA1 expression correlates with the breast cancer luminal subtype and patient survival. RNA and protein analysis of a panel of breast cancer cell lines revealed that BRCA1 deficiency is associated with the downregulation of FOXA1 expression. Knockdown of BRCA1 resulted in the downregulation of FOXA1 expression and enhancement of FOXA1 promoter methylation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, whereas the reconstitution of BRCA1 in Brca1-deficent mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMECs) promoted Foxa1 expression and methylation. These data suggest that BRCA1 suppresses FOXA1 hypermethylation and silencing. Consistently, the treatment of MMECs with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycitydine induced Foxa1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, treatment with GSK126, an inhibitor of EZH2 methyltransferase activity, induced FOXA1 expression in BRCA1-deficient but not in BRCA1-reconstituted MMECs. Likewise, the depletion of EZH2 by small interfering RNA enhanced FOXA1 mRNA expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis demonstrated that BRCA1, EZH2, DNA methyltransferases (DNMT)1/3a/3b and H3K27me3 are recruited to the endogenous FOXA1 promoter, further supporting the hypothesis that these proteins interact to modulate FOXA1 methylation and repression. Further co-immunoprecipitation and ChIP analysis showed that both BRCA1 and DNMT3b form complexes with EZH2 but not with each other, consistent with the notion that BRCA1 binds to EZH2 and negatively regulates its methyltransferase activity. We also found that EZH2 promotes and BRCA1 impairs the deposit of the gene silencing histone mark H3K27me3 on the FOXA1 promoter. These associations were validated in a familial breast cancer patient cohort. Integrated analysis of the global gene methylation and expression profiles of a set of 33 familial breast tumours revealed that FOXA1 promoter methylation is inversely correlated with the transcriptional expression of FOXA1 and that BRCA1 mutation breast cancer is significantly associated with FOXA1 methylation and downregulation of FOXA1 expression, providing physiological evidence to our findings that FOXA1 expression is regulated by methylation and chromatin silencing and that BRCA1 maintains FOXA1 expression through suppressing FOXA1 gene methylation in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gong
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - K Fujino
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - L J Monteiro
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - A R Gomes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - R Drost
- Division of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Davidson-Smith
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S Takeda
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - U S Khoo
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - J Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D Sproul
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - E W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
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33
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Nestal de Moraes G, Khongkow P, Gong C, Yao S, Gomes AR, Ji Z, Kandola N, Delbue D, Man EPS, Khoo US, Sharrocks AD, Lam EWF. Forkhead box K2 modulates epirubicin and paclitaxel sensitivity through FOXO3a in breast cancer. Oncogenesis 2015; 4:e167. [PMID: 26344694 PMCID: PMC4767938 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2015.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The forkhead transcription factor FOXK2 has recently been implicated in cancer cell proliferation and survival, but a role in cancer chemotherapeutic drug resistance has hitherto not been explored. Here we demonstrate that FOXK2 has a central role in mediating the cytotoxic drug response in breast cancer. Clonogenic and cell viability assays showed that enhanced FOXK2 expression sensitizes MCF-7 breast cancer cells to paclitaxel or epirubicin treatment, whereas FOXK2 depletion by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) confers drug resistance. Our data also showed that the activation of the tumour suppressor FOXO3a by paclitaxel and epirubicin is mediated through the induction of FOXK2, as depletion of FOXK2 by siRNA limits the induction of FOXO3a by these drugs in MCF-7 cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis showed that in response to drug treatment, FOXK2 accumulates and binds to the proximal FOXO3a promoter region in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, we also uncovered that FOXK2 is deregulated and, therefore, can express at high levels in the nucleus of both the paclitaxel and epirubicin drug-resistant MCF-7 cells. Our results showed that ectopically overexpressed FOXK2 accumulates in the nuclei of drug-resistant MCF-7 cells but failed to be recruited to target genes, including FOXO3a. Crucially, we found that FOXO3a is required for the anti-proliferative and epirubicin-induced cytotoxic function of FOXK2 in MCF-7 cells by sulphorhodamine and clonogenic assays. The physiological importance of the regulation of FOXO3a by FOXK2 is further confirmed by the significant correlations between FOXO3a and FOXK2 expression in breast carcinoma patient samples. Further survival analysis also reveals that high nuclear FOXK2 expression significantly associates with poorer clinical outcome, particularly in patients who have received conventional chemotherapy, consistent with our finding that FOXK2 is deregulated in drug-resistant cells. In summary, our results suggest that paclitaxel and epirubicin target the FOXK2 to modulate their cytotoxicity and deregulated FOXK2 confers drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Nestal de Moraes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK.,Laboratório de Hemato-Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Programa de Hemato-Oncologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P Khongkow
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - C Gong
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK.,Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - S Yao
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - A R Gomes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - Z Ji
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - N Kandola
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - D Delbue
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK.,Laboratório de Hemato-Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Programa de Hemato-Oncologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - E P S Man
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - U S Khoo
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - A D Sharrocks
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - E W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
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Cianferotti L, Gomes AR, Fabbri S, Tanini A, Brandi ML. The calcium-sensing receptor in bone metabolism: from bench to bedside and back. Osteoporos Int 2015; 26:2055-71. [PMID: 26100412 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-015-3203-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), a key player in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis, can influence bone modeling and remodeling by directly acting on bone cells, as demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro evidence. The modulation of CaSR signaling can play a role in bone anabolism. INTRODUCTION The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a key player in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis through the regulation of PTH secretion and calcium homeostasis, thus indirectly influencing bone metabolism. In addition to this role, in vitro and in vivo evidence points to direct effects of CaSR in bone modeling and remodeling. In addition, the activation of the CaSR is one of the anabolic mechanisms implicated in the action of strontium ranelate, to reduce fracture risk. METHODS This review is based upon the acquisition of data from a PubMed enquiry using the terms "calcium sensing receptor," "CaSR" AND "bone remodeling," "bone modeling," "bone turnover," "osteoblast," "osteoclast," "osteocyte," "chondrocyte," "bone marrow," "calcilytics," "calcimimetics," "strontium," "osteoporosis," "skeletal homeostasis," and "bone metabolism." RESULTS A fully functional CaSR is expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, so that these cells are able to sense changes in the extracellular calcium and as a result modulate their behavior. CaSR agonists (calcimimetics) or antagonists (calcilytics) have the potential to indirectly influence skeletal homeostasis through the modulation of PTH secretion by the parathyroid glands. The bone anabolic effect of strontium ranelate, a divalent cation used as a treatment for postmenopausal and male osteoporosis, might be explained, at least in part, by the activation of CaSR in bone cells. CONCLUSIONS Calcium released in the bone microenvironment during remodeling is a major factor in regulating bone cells. Osteoblast and osteoclast proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are influenced by local extracellular calcium concentration. Thus, the calcium-sensing properties of skeletal cells can be exploited in order to modulate bone turnover and can explain the bone anabolic effects of agents developed and employed to revert osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cianferotti
- Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
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Teixeira AS, Oliveira MC, Menezes JF, Gouvea BM, Teixeira SR, Gomes AR. Poultry litter of wood shavings and/or sugarcane bagasse: animal performance and bed quality. REV COLOMB CIENC PEC 2015. [DOI: 10.17533/udea.rccp.v28n3a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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36
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Gomes AR, Bushell E, Schwach F, Girling G, Anar B, Quail MA, Herd C, Pfander C, Modrzynska K, Rayner JC, Billker O. A genome-scale vector resource enables high-throughput reverse genetic screening in a malaria parasite. Cell Host Microbe 2015; 17:404-413. [PMID: 25732065 PMCID: PMC4362957 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2015.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
The genome-wide identification of gene functions in malaria parasites is hampered by a lack of reverse genetic screening methods. We present a large-scale resource of barcoded vectors with long homology arms for effective modification of the Plasmodium berghei genome. Cotransfecting dozens of vectors into the haploid blood stages creates complex pools of barcoded mutants, whose competitive fitness can be measured during infection of a single mouse using barcode sequencing (barseq). To validate the utility of this resource, we rescreen the P. berghei kinome, using published kinome screens for comparison. We find that several protein kinases function redundantly in asexual blood stages and confirm the targetability of kinases cdpk1, gsk3, tkl3, and PBANKA_082960 by genotyping cloned mutants. Thus, parallel phenotyping of barcoded mutants unlocks the power of reverse genetic screening for a malaria parasite and will enable the systematic identification of genes essential for in vivo parasite growth and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ellen Bushell
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Frank Schwach
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Gareth Girling
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Burcu Anar
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Michael A Quail
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Colin Herd
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Claudia Pfander
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Julian C Rayner
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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Fabbri S, Ciuffi S, Nardone V, Gomes AR, Mavilia C, Zonefrati R, Galli G, Luzi E, Tanini A, Brandi ML. PTH-C1: a rat continuous cell line expressing the parathyroid phenotype. Endocrine 2014; 47:90-9. [PMID: 24627164 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-014-0229-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The lack of a continuous cell line of epithelial parathyroid cells able to produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) has hampered the studies on in vitro evaluation of the mechanisms involved in the control of parathyroid cell function and proliferation. The PT-r cell line was first established from rat parathyroid tissue in 1987, but these cells were known to express the parathyroid hormone-related peptide (Pthrp) gene, but not the Pth gene. In an attempt to subclone the PT-r cell line, a rat parathyroid cell strain was isolated and named PTH-C1. During 3 years, in culture, PTH-C1 cells maintained an epithelioid morphology, displaying a diploid chromosome number, a doubling time around 15 h during the exponential phase of growth, and parathyroid functional features. PTH-C1 cell line produces PTH and expresses the calcium sensing receptor (Casr) gene and other genes known to be involved in parathyroid function. Most importantly, the PTH-C1 cells also exhibit an in vitro secretory response to calcium. Altogether these findings indicate the uniqueness of the PTH-C1 cell line as an in vitro model for cellular and molecular studies on parathyroid physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Fabbri
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
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Madruga MJ, Silva L, Gomes AR, Libânio A, Reis M. The influence of particle size on radionuclide activity concentrations in Tejo River sediments. J Environ Radioact 2014; 132:65-72. [PMID: 24561724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Sediment samples from Tejo River were analyzed for (228)Ra, (226)Ra, (137)Cs and (40)K by HPGe gamma spectrometry. The activity concentration data were statistically analyzed. The activity concentrations values were in the range of about two orders of magnitude for each radionuclide. The influence of the particle size on the radionuclide concentrations was observed. The different environmental origins of the radionuclides (228)Ra, (226)Ra, (137)Cs and (40)K, in the sediments were demonstrated through correlation analysis. Cluster analysis showed a close relationship between (228)Ra and (226)Ra and a different behavior for (40)K. The data obtained in this study provides useful information on the background radioactivity of the studied area and can be further used for radiological mapping of the Tejo River.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Madruga
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, E.N. 10 (ao km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - L Silva
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, E.N. 10 (ao km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - A R Gomes
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, E.N. 10 (ao km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - A Libânio
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, E.N. 10 (ao km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - M Reis
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, E.N. 10 (ao km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
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Brochet M, Collins MO, Smith TK, Thompson E, Sebastian S, Volkmann K, Schwach F, Chappell L, Gomes AR, Berriman M, Rayner JC, Baker DA, Choudhary J, Billker O. Phosphoinositide metabolism links cGMP-dependent protein kinase G to essential Ca²⁺ signals at key decision points in the life cycle of malaria parasites. PLoS Biol 2014; 12:e1001806. [PMID: 24594931 PMCID: PMC3942320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [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: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Many critical events in the Plasmodium life cycle rely on the controlled release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores to activate stage-specific Ca²⁺-dependent protein kinases. Using the motility of Plasmodium berghei ookinetes as a signalling paradigm, we show that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase, PKG, maintains the elevated level of cytosolic Ca²⁺ required for gliding motility. We find that the same PKG-dependent pathway operates upstream of the Ca²⁺ signals that mediate activation of P. berghei gametocytes in the mosquito and egress of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites from infected human erythrocytes. Perturbations of PKG signalling in gliding ookinetes have a marked impact on the phosphoproteome, with a significant enrichment of in vivo regulated sites in multiple pathways including vesicular trafficking and phosphoinositide metabolism. A global analysis of cellular phospholipids demonstrates that in gliding ookinetes PKG controls phosphoinositide biosynthesis, possibly through the subcellular localisation or activity of lipid kinases. Similarly, phosphoinositide metabolism links PKG to egress of P. falciparum merozoites, where inhibition of PKG blocks hydrolysis of phosphatidylinostitol (4,5)-bisphosphate. In the face of an increasing complexity of signalling through multiple Ca²⁺ effectors, PKG emerges as a unifying factor to control multiple cellular Ca²⁺ signals essential for malaria parasite development and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Brochet
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark O. Collins
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Schools of Biology and Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, The North Haugh, The University of Saint Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Thompson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Sebastian
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katrin Volkmann
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Schwach
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lia Chappell
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jyoti Choudhary
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Gomes AR, Guerra M, Martins D, Mota JC, Vieira M, Pereira E, Ribeiro J, Pinto-Ribeiro F, Vouga L. Mid-term outcomes of mitral valve repair in a low-volume hospital. Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc 2014; 21:21-25. [PMID: 25596391] [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] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mitral valve repair is feasible for all patients with mitral regurgitation and its advantages are well documented; however, there is general agreement that it is technically demanding and that success rates are related to volume/ experience centers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic mid-term outcomes of patients who underwent a mitral repair in a low-volume hospital. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 2009 and 2014, 55 patients (23 female) with mitral regurgitation underwent mitral repair. The mean age was 60.7±11.4 years (range, 21-81 yr). The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were: hypertension 61.8%, dyslipidemia 47.3% and diabetes 21.8%. Nine patients (16.4%) were in class III-IV of NYHA and ten (18.2%) had atrial fibrillation. Repair procedures included mitral ring annuloplasty (n=55), quadrangular resection (n=20), chordal replacement (n=13) and commissuroplasty (n=5). Postoperative complications included atrial fibrillation 16.4%, check bleeding 3.6%, wound infection 1.8% and renal failure 1.8%. The hospital mortality rate was 1.8%. Follow-up echocardiography (median 19±5 months) revealed trivial or no mitral regurgitation in 38.2%, mild (1+) in 34.5% and severe (3+) only in 3 patients. CONCLUSION In the current era, patients undergoing successful mitral valve repair have low mortality and morbidity even in low-volume hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Serviços de Cirurgia Cardiotorácica, de Cardiologia e de Anestesiologia do Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho e Escola de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Myatt SS, Kongsema M, Man CWY, Kelly DJ, Gomes AR, Khongkow P, Karunarathna U, Zona S, Langer JK, Dunsby CW, Coombes RC, French PM, Brosens JJ, Lam EWF. SUMOylation inhibits FOXM1 activity and delays mitotic transition. Oncogene 2013; 33:4316-29. [PMID: 24362530 PMCID: PMC4096495 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The forkhead box transcription factor FOXM1 is an essential effector of G2/M-phase transition, mitosis and the DNA damage response. As such, it is frequently deregulated during tumorigenesis. Here we report that FOXM1 is dynamically modified by SUMO1 but not by SUMO2/3 at multiple sites. We show that FOXM1 SUMOylation is enhanced in MCF-7 breast cancer cells in response to treatment with epirubicin and mitotic inhibitors. Mutation of five consensus conjugation motifs yielded a SUMOylation-deficient mutant FOXM1. Conversely, fusion of the E2 ligase Ubc9 to FOXM1 generated an auto-SUMOylating mutant (FOXM1-Ubc9). Analysis of wild-type FOXM1 and mutants revealed that SUMOylation inhibits FOXM1 activity, promotes translocation to the cytoplasm and enhances APC/Cdh1-mediated ubiquitination and degradation. Further, expression of the SUMOylation-deficient mutant enhanced cell proliferation compared with wild-type FOXM1, whereas the FOXM1-Ubc9 fusion protein resulted in persistent cyclin B1 expression and slowed the time from mitotic entry to exit. In summary, our findings suggest that SUMOylation attenuates FOXM1 activity and causes mitotic delay in cytotoxic drug response.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Myatt
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - M Kongsema
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - C W-Y Man
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - D J Kelly
- 1] Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK [2] Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A R Gomes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - P Khongkow
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - U Karunarathna
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - S Zona
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - J K Langer
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - C W Dunsby
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - R C Coombes
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
| | - P M French
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J J Brosens
- Division of Reproductive Health, Warwick Medical School, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, University Hospital, Coventry, UK
| | - E W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, UK
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Suarez C, Volkmann K, Gomes AR, Billker O, Blackman MJ. The malarial serine protease SUB1 plays an essential role in parasite liver stage development. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003811. [PMID: 24348254 PMCID: PMC3861531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [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: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of the malaria parasite to its vertebrate host involves an obligatory exoerythrocytic stage in which extensive asexual replication of the parasite takes place in infected hepatocytes. The resulting liver schizont undergoes segmentation to produce thousands of daughter merozoites. These are released to initiate the blood stage life cycle, which causes all the pathology associated with the disease. Whilst elements of liver stage merozoite biology are similar to those in the much better-studied blood stage merozoites, little is known of the molecular players involved in liver stage merozoite production. To facilitate the study of liver stage biology we developed a strategy for the rapid production of complex conditional alleles by recombinase mediated engineering in Escherichia coli, which we used in combination with existing Plasmodium berghei deleter lines expressing Flp recombinase to study subtilisin-like protease 1 (SUB1), a conserved Plasmodium serine protease previously implicated in blood stage merozoite maturation and egress. We demonstrate that SUB1 is not required for the early stages of intrahepatic growth, but is essential for complete development of the liver stage schizont and for production of hepatic merozoites. Our results indicate that inhibitors of SUB1 could be used in prophylactic approaches to control or block the clinically silent pre-erythrocytic stage of the malaria parasite life cycle. Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite and is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. The inoculated sporozoite forms of the parasite invade liver cells where they replicate, eventually releasing thousands of merozoites into the bloodstream to initiate the blood stage parasite life cycle which causes clinical malaria. The liver stage of the parasite life cycle is asymptomatic, so it is widely considered a potential target for prophylactic vaccine- or drug-based approaches designed to prevent infection. In this study, we use a robust, highly efficient gene engineering approach called recombineering, combined with a conditional gene deletion strategy to examine the function in liver stages of a parasite protease called SUB1, previously implicated in release of blood stage parasites. We show that SUB1 is expressed in the liver stage schizont and that the protease is essential for production of liver stage merozoites. Our results enhance our understanding of malarial liver stage biology, provide new tools for studying essential gene function in malaria, and suggest that inhibitors of SUB1 could be used as prophylactic drugs to prevent clinical malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Suarez
- Division of Parasitology, Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katrin Volkmann
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (OB); (MJB)
| | - Michael J. Blackman
- Division of Parasitology, Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (OB); (MJB)
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Sousa-Pinto B, Gomes AR, Oliveira A, Ivo C, Costa G, Ramos J, Silva J, Carneiro MC, Domingues MJ, Cunha MJ, Costa-Pereira AD, Freitas A. [Hospital readmissions in Portugal over the last decade]. ACTA MEDICA PORT 2013; 26:711-720. [PMID: 24388258] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hospital readmissions are associated with increased healthcare expenses and with higher hospital fatality rates. We aim to characterize unplanned hospital readmissions occurred within 30 days after discharge, according to its Major Diagnosis Category, hospital type and location, and patients' demographic attributes. We also intend to estimate the hospital fatality rates associated to those readmissions, as well as to study the evolution of hospital readmissions rates in the last decade (2000-2008). Moreover, we aim to characterize heart failure readmissions. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analysed a database (provided by Autoridade Central do Sistema de Saúde) containing all hospital admissions occurred in Portuguese public hospitals. In order to compare readmissions rates, we performed chi-square tests and linear-by-linear association tests. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2008, there were 5 514 331 unplanned admissions, of which 4.1% corresponded to hospital readmissions, classified with the same Major Diagnosis Category of the first admission. Between 2000 and 2008, hospital readmissions rate increased continuously from 3.0% to 4.7%. Hospital fatality rate was significantly higher among readmitted cases (9.5 versus 5.6%, p < 0.001). Readmissions rates were also significantly higher among episodes involving older patients (2.6% in children versus 5.3% in the elderly) and males (4.5% versus 3.9% in females, p < 0.001), being lower in Lisbon region (2.7%) and in central hospitals (3.0%, p < 0.001). For episodes of heart failure, we found a readmissions rate of 6.7%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Most of the differences found are consistent with those described in other Western countries. Readmission episodes, whose rates have been increasing in Portugal, are associated with higher hospital fatality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Sousa-Pinto
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Andreia Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Carlos Ivo
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Gustavo Costa
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - João Ramos
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Joel Silva
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Maria Carolina Carneiro
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Maria João Domingues
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Maria João Cunha
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal
| | - Altamiro Da Costa-Pereira
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal. & Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Sistemas de Informação em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto (CINTESIS). Porto. Portugal
| | - Alberto Freitas
- Departamento de Ciências da Informação e da Decisão em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal. & Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Sistemas de Informação em Saúde. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto (CINTESIS). Porto. Portugal
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Fortes LDS, Kakeshita IS, Almeida SS, Gomes AR, Ferreira MEC. Eating behaviours in youths: A comparison between female and male athletes and non-athletes. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2013; 24:e62-8. [PMID: 23889336 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study compared the different factors associated with eating behaviors among young female and male athletes and non-athletes. A total of 580 female and male athletes and 362 female and male non-athletes between 10 and 19 years old participated. We used the subscales of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) to evaluate the factors associated with unhealthy eating behaviors. We found higher scores for females on the diet subscale compared with males, regardless of athletic group (P < 0.05). Non-athlete youths scored higher on this subscale compared with male athletes (P < 0.05). Our findings indicate higher scores for female athletes with regard to the bulimia and preoccupation with food subscale compared with other the groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, we observed that non-athlete males were more likely to engage in binge eating compared with athletes of the same sex (P < 0.05). Finally, females had higher scores on the oral self subscale than males, regardless of athletic group (P < 0.05). We concluded that the factors associated with eating behaviors differ with regard to sex and group.
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Affiliation(s)
- L de S Fortes
- Foundations of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Brito AF, Abrantes AM, Pinto-Costa C, Gomes AR, Mamede AC, Casalta-Lopes J, Gonçalves AC, Sarmento-Ribeiro AB, Tralhão JG, Botelho MF. Hepatocellular carcinoma and chemotherapy: the role of p53. Chemotherapy 2012; 58:381-6. [PMID: 23257706 DOI: 10.1159/000343656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary neoplasm of the liver. A major proportion of HCCs also present mutation of the gene that encodes p53, which confers chemoresistance. The main goal of this work is to investigate the effect of cisplatin, doxorubicin and 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) in three human HCC cell lines which differ in p53 expression. METHODS HepG2 (expressing normal p53), HuH7 (expressing mutated p53) and Hep3B2.1-7 (not expressing p53) cell lines were cultivated in the presence of cisplatin, doxorubicin and 5-FU. Cell proliferation was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT assay). The type of cell death and Bax and Bcl2 activation were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS It was found that for all of the cell lines studied, the agent that gave the most satisfactory results was doxorubicin. 5-FU demonstrated no activity in these cell lines. CONCLUSIONS For all the cell lines studied, doxorubicin was the most satisfactory agent. In HepG2 and HuH7 cell lines, it can activate Bax with statistical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Brito
- Biophysics Unit, IBILI - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Hegde R, Isloor S, Prabhu KN, Shome BR, Rathnamma D, Suryanarayana VVS, Yatiraj S, Prasad CR, Krishnaveni N, Sundareshan S, Akhila DS, Gomes AR, Hegde NR. Incidence of subclinical mastitis and prevalence of major mastitis pathogens in organized farms and unorganized sectors. Indian J Microbiol 2012; 53:315-20. [PMID: 24426129 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-012-0336-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Subclinical mastitis (SCM) represents a major proportion of the burden of mastitis. Determining somatic cell count (SCC) and electrical conductivity (EC) of milk are useful approaches to detect SCM. In order to correlate grades of SCM with the load of five major mastitis pathogens, 246 milk samples from a handful of organized and unorganized sectors were screened. SCC (>5 × 10(5)/mL) and EC (>6.5 mS/cm) identified 110 (45 %) and 153 (62 %) samples, respectively, to be from SCM cases. Randomly selected SCM-negative samples as well as 186 samples positive by either SCC or EC were then evaluated for isolation of five major mastitis-associated bacteria. Of the 323 isolates obtained, 95 each were S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), 48 were E. coli and 85 were streptococci. There was no association between the distribution of organisms and (a) the different groups of SCC, or (b) organised farms and unorganised sectors. By contrast, there was a significant difference in the distribution of CoNS, and not other species, between organized farms and unorganized sectors. In summary, bacteria were isolated irrespective of the density of somatic cells or the type of farm setting, and the frequency of isolation of CoNS was higher with organized farms. These results suggest the requirement for fine tuning SCC and EC limits and the higher probability for CoNS to be associated with SCM in organized diary sectors, and have implications for the identification, management and control of mastitis in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raveendra Hegde
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India ; Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - Shrikrishna Isloor
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - K Nithin Prabhu
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - B R Shome
- Project Directorate on Animal Disease Monitoring and Surveillance, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - D Rathnamma
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | | | - S Yatiraj
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - C Renuka Prasad
- Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - N Krishnaveni
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - S Sundareshan
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - D S Akhila
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - A R Gomes
- Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal, 560024 Bengaluru India
| | - Nagendra R Hegde
- Ella Foundation, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Shameerpet Mandal, Hyderabad, 500078 Andhra Pradesh India
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Gomes-Santos CSS, Braks J, Prudêncio M, Carret C, Gomes AR, Pain A, Feltwell T, Khan S, Waters A, Janse C, Mair GR, Mota MM. Transition of Plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein Pumilio. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002046. [PMID: 21625527 PMCID: PMC3098293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 11/27/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from slender, motile and cell-cycle arrested sporozoites is believed to depend on environmental changes experienced during the transmission of the parasite from the mosquito vector to the vertebrate host. Here we identify a Plasmodium member of the RNA binding protein family PUF as a key regulator of this transformation. In the absence of Pumilio-2 (Puf2) sporozoites initiate EEF development inside mosquito salivary glands independently of the normal transmission-associated environmental cues. Puf2- sporozoites exhibit genome-wide transcriptional changes that result in loss of gliding motility, cell traversal ability and reduction in infectivity, and, moreover, trigger metamorphosis typical of early Plasmodium intra-hepatic development. These data demonstrate that Puf2 is a key player in regulating sporozoite developmental control, and imply that transformation of salivary gland-resident sporozoites into liver stage-like parasites is regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina S. S. Gomes-Santos
- Malaria Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa,
Portugal
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Center for
Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra,
Portugal
| | - Joanna Braks
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical
Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Céline Carret
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon,
Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon,
Portugal
| | - Arnab Pain
- Pathogen Genetics Group, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge,
United Kingdom
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Chemical Life Sciences
and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Theresa Feltwell
- Pathogen Genetics Group, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge,
United Kingdom
| | - Shahid Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical
Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Waters
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical
Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences
and Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research
Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
- * E-mail: (GRM); (AW); (MM)
| | - Chris Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical
Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gunnar R. Mair
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon,
Portugal
- * E-mail: (GRM); (AW); (MM)
| | - Maria M. Mota
- Malaria Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa,
Portugal
- * E-mail: (GRM); (AW); (MM)
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48
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Gomes-Santos CSS, Braks JAM, Prudêncio M, Carret CK, Gomes AR, Pain A, Feltwell T, Khan SM, Waters AP, Janse CJ, Mair GR, Mota MM. Developmental transition of Plasmodium sporozoites into liver-stage forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein Pumilio 2. Malar J 2010. [PMCID: PMC2963252 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-s2-p13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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49
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Fernandes SS, Nunes A, Gomes AR, de Castro B, Hider RC, Rangel M, Appelberg R, Gomes MS. Identification of a new hexadentate iron chelator capable of restricting the intramacrophagic growth of Mycobacterium avium. Microbes Infect 2010; 12:287-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2009] [Revised: 01/06/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
Most methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates identified among blood isolates collected in Denmark between 1957 and 1970 belonged to either phage group III or the closely related 83A complex and had a PSTM antibiotype (resistance to penicillin [P], streptomycin [S], tetracycline [T], and methicillin [M]). Recently, some of these isolates were shown to have the same genetic backgrounds as contemporary epidemic MRSA isolates, and Danish methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates from the 1960s with a PST antibiotype were proposed to have been the recipients of the mecA gene in those lineages. In this study, we investigated the genetic backgrounds of isolates from the 83A complex that were fully susceptible or resistant to penicillin only in order to try to trace the evolutionary trajectory of contemporary MRSA lineages. We also studied MSSA and MRSA isolates from other phage groups in order to investigate if they had the potential to develop into contemporary MRSA clones. Most susceptible or penicillin-resistant isolates from phage group III or the 83A complex belonged to sequence type 8 (ST8) or ST5, while four isolates were ST254. STs 30, 45 and 25 were represented by MSSA isolates from other phage groups, which also included several singletons. Representatives of most of the current major epidemic MRSA lineages were identified among fully susceptible isolates collected in the 1960s, suggesting that these were MSSA lineages which carried genetic traits important for superior epidemicity before the acquisition of methicillin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Gomes
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa,, Oeiras, Portugal
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