Challenges of CRISPR/Cas-Based Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes: How Not to Engineer a "Trojan Horse".

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of insulin-producing ß-cells in the pancreas by cytotoxic T-cells. To date, there are no drugs that can prevent the development of T1D. Insulin replacement therapy is the standard care for patients with T1D. This treatment is life-saving, but is expensive, can lead to acute and long-term complications, and results in reduced overall life expectancy. This has stimulated the research and development of alternative treatments for T1D. In this review, we consider potential therapies for T1D using cellular regenerative medicine approaches with a focus on CRISPR/Cas-engineered cellular products. However, CRISPR/Cas as a genome editing tool has several drawbacks that should be considered for safe and efficient cell engineering. In addition, cellular engineering approaches themselves pose a hidden threat. The purpose of this review is to critically discuss novel strategies for the treatment of T1D using genome editing technology. A well-designed approach to ß-cell derivation using CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing technology will significantly reduce the risk of incorrectly engineered cell products that could behave as a "Trojan horse".

Cardiovascular and metabolic status in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: a single-center experience.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic disorders (MD) have retained leading positions in the structure of morbidity and mortality for many years. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is also associated with a greater incidence of CVD and MD. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence and structure of CVD and MD in hospitalized patients with PHPT and to search for possible associations between these pathologies. Methods: 838 patients with a verified PHPT were included in the study. The studied cohort was divided into 2 groups according to their age at the time of admission: patients aged 18 to 49 years (group A, n = 150); patients aged 50 years and older (group B, n = 688). Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in parameters of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Obesity was diagnosed in 24.2% of patients in group A and in 35.9% in group B. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was more common in older patients (14.4% in group B vs. 2.6% in group A). Arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic heart failure and brachiocephalic arteries atherosclerosis were more frequent in older patients, occurring in 79.1%, 10.8%, 8.4%, and 84% of cases respectively. The cutoff points that increased the risk of CVD detection turned out to be age above 56 years, eGFR below 92 ml/min/1.73m2, BMI above 28.3 kg/m2. Discussion: The present study demonstrated a high incidence of some CVD, as well as disorders of lipid, carbohydrate and purine metabolism in patients with PHPT.

The Russian registry of primary hyperparathyroidism, latest update.

Introduction: Until recently no major epidemiological research of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been conducted in the Russian Federation, this led to the creation of the Russian online registry. The objective of this study is to estimate the clinical and biochemical profile, classical and non-classical complications, surgical intervention and medical therapy of the patients with different forms of PHPT in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional, observational, continuous study was conducted at the Endocrinology Research Centre (Moscow). The present study explored retrospective data from 6003 patients submitted to the Registry between 12.12.2016 and 25.10.2022 from 81 regions of the Russian Federation (http://pgpt.clin-reg.ru/). Results: The median age was 59 [60; 66] years with a female:male ratio of 11.7:1. Symptomatic PHPT was observed in 74.3% while asymptomatic form - only in 25.7% of cases. Bone pathology was the predominant clinical manifestation in 62.5% of cases (n=2293), mostly in combination with visceral complications 45.7% (n=1676). The majority of patients (63.3%) had combined visceral disorders including kidney damage in 51.8% and gastroduodenal erosions/ulcers in 32.3% of patients. Symptomatic patients were older (60 [53; 67] vs. 54 [45; 62] years, p<0.001) and had more severe biochemical alterations of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Cardiovascular disease (СVD) was recorded in 48% of patients, among them the most frequent was arterial hypertension (up to 93.9%). A genetic test was conducted in 183 cases (suspicious for hereditary PHPT) revealing the mutations in MEN1, CDC73, RET genes in 107, 6 and 2 cases, respectively. Surgery was performed in 53.4% of patients with remission achievement in 87%, the relapse/persistence were recorded in 13% of cases. Histological examination revealed carcinoma in 4%, atypical adenoma in 2%, adenoma in 84% and hyperplasia in 11% of cases. Drug therapy was prescribed in 54.0% of cases, most often cholecalciferol. Conclusion: The detection rate of PHPT has increased in the Russian Federation in recent years. This increase is associated with the start of online registration. However, the majority of patients remain symptomatic with significant alterations of phosphorus-calcium metabolism that indicates delayed diagnosis and requires further modifications of medical care.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in young patients is associated with metabolic disorders: a prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Components of metabolic syndrome can be observed in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The link between these disorders remains unclear due to the lack of relevant experimental models and the heterogeneity of examined groups. The effect of surgery on metabolic abnormalities is also controversial. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of metabolic parameters in young patients with PHPT. METHODS: One-center prospective comparative study was carried out. The participants underwent a complex biochemical and hormonal examination, a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic and hyperglycemic clamps, a bioelectrical impedance analysis of the body composition before and 13 months after parathyroidectomy compared to sex-, age- and body mass index matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: 45.8% of patients (n = 24) had excessive visceral fat. Insulin resistance was detected in 54.2% of cases. PHPT patients had higher serum triglycerides, lower M-value and higher C-peptide and insulin levels in both phases of insulin secretion compared to the control group (p < 0.05 for all parameters). There were tendencies to decreased fasting glucose (p = 0.031), uric acid (p = 0.044) and insulin levels of the second secretion phase (p = 0.039) after surgery, but no statistically significant changes of lipid profile and M-value as well as body composition were revealed. We obtained negative correlations between percent body fat and osteocalcin and magnesium levels in patients before surgery. CONCLUSION: PHPT is associated with insulin resistance that is the main risk factor of serious metabolic disorders. Surgery may potentially improve carbohydrate and purine metabolism.

Interplay between Immune Cell Infiltration and Tumor Histological Subtype: A Case of Adrenocortical Cancer.

The analysis of the tumor microenvironment, especially tumor-infiltrated immune cells, is essential for predicting tumor prognosis, clinical outcomes, and therapy strategies. Adrenocortical cancer is a rare nonimmunogenic malignancy in which the importance of the presence of immune cells is not well understood. In our study, we made the first attempt to understand the interplay between the histology of adrenocortical cancer and its immune landscape using cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and the Endocrinology Research Centre collection (Moscow, Russia). We showed that the oncocytic variant of adrenocortical cancer is characterized by intensive immune infiltration and better survival, and it is crucial to analyze the effect of immune infiltration independently for each histological variant.

Mathematical model for preoperative differential diagnosis for the parathyroid neoplasms.

Background and objective: Preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is critical for the determination of the scope of surgical intervention. Nowadays, specific diagnostic markers for differentiation of PC and benign tumors are unknown, and less than half of patients with PC undergo necessary en bloc surgery. The aim of this study was to develop the instrument for preoperative diagnosis of PC. Methods: A multi-center retrospective study included 242 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: 50 patients with PC, 30 with аtypical adenoma (AA), and 162 with adenoma of the parathyroid glands. Results: Patients with PC and AA had higher levels of PTH, ionized and albumin-corrected calcium, ALP, volume and the largest diameter of neoplasm, and the higher frequency of GFR decrease less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 compared to patients with adenoma. The frequency of low-energy fractures was higher in the carcinoma group versus the adenoma group (32% vs 8%). Heterogeneous structure and indefinite contour of glands detected by US were more typical for PC than for AA and adenomas. The mathematical model was developed using CatBoost gradient boosting algorithm for the noninvasive preoperative differential diagnosis of PC, AA, and adenoma. Conclusions: Model can predict adenoma with PPV 100% and PC with PPV 81-92%. Using model clinicians could plan extended en bloc resection for PC and selective parathyroidectomy for adenoma. If AA is predicted, he has to make a decision on the choice of the necessary volume of PTE based on his experience, because AA are the zone of uncertainty.

The Russian Registry of Chronic Hypoparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hypoparathyroidism is a relatively rare disease associated with multicomponent medical therapy and various complications. The analysis of large databases of patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism is a necessary tool to enhance quality of medical care, as well as to determine the optimal clinical and therapeutic approaches, and prognostic markers of the disease. THE AIM: of this study is to estimate the clinical and biochemical profile, long-term complications, medical therapy and disease control of the patients with chronic postsurgical and non-surgical hypoparathyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the cross-sectional, observational, continuous study was based on the Russian Registry of patients with hypoparathyroidism. 544 patients from 63 regions of the Russian Federation were included in this study. RESULTS: The majority of cases had postsurgical etiology (88.4%). Postsurgical hypoparathyroidism prevailed in females (р<0.001). About a half of patients had blood calcium and phosphorus targets, 56 and 52% respectively. Nephrolithiasis was confirmed in 32.5%, nephrocalcinosis - in 12.3% of cases. The risk of nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis increased by 1.85 times with disease duration more than 4.5 years. The cataract was found in 9.4%. The cut-off point for the development of cataracts was 9.5 years, with a 6.96-fold increased risk. The longer duration of hypoparathyroidism of any etiology was associated with more frequent cataract (p=0.0018).We found brain calcification in 4%, arrhythmias in 7.2% and neuropsychiatric symptoms in 5.15% of cases. Generally, the BMD in the studied group corresponded to age values, and there was no evidence for the phenomenon of high bone density. TBS was consistent with normal bone microarchitectonics. In our study, the majority of patients (83.5%) was treated with standard therapy of calcium and vitamin D supplements. 5 patients with severe disease course were treated with rhPTH (1-34). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the presented database indicates insufficient diagnosis of the complications associated with chronic hypoparathyroidism. Overall, hypoparathyroidism is associated with higher risks of renal stone formation, decreased GFR, cataract especially in patients with longer duration of disease.

Characterization of vitamin D metabolism in active acromegaly in the setting of bolus (150,000 IU) cholecalciferol treatment.

PURPOSE: To reveal distinctive features of vitamin D metabolism in patients with active acromegaly compared to healthy individuals, particularly in the setting of cholecalciferol treatment. METHODS: The study group included 34 adults with active acromegaly, and the control group included 30 apparently healthy adults with similar age, sex, and BMI. All participants received a single dose (150,000 IU) of cholecalciferol aqueous solution orally. Laboratory assessments including serum vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 1,25(OH)2D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3), free 25(OH)D, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) as well as serum and urine biochemical parameters were performed before the intake and on Days 1, 3, and 7 after the administration. All data were analyzed with nonparametric statistics. RESULTS: Patients with acromegaly had tendency to lower baseline 25(OH)D3 levels (p = 0.05) and lower 25(OH)D3 levels (p < 0.05) during the follow-up. They were also characterized by PTH suppression (lower baseline PTH levels and lower prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism), altered production of main vitamin D metabolites (higher 1,25(OH)2D3 and lower 24,25(OH)2D3 levels with corresponding lower 25(ОН)D3/1,25(ОН)2D3 and higher 25(ОН)D3/24,25(ОН)2D3 ratios) as well as concordant biochemical features (higher levels of serum phosphorus and albumin-adjusted calcium levels) throughout the study (p < 0.05). The acromegaly group showed an increase in DBP levels after cholecalciferol intake as opposed to the control group (p < 0.05) and had lower increase in free 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.05). Δ25(OH)D3 was similar between the groups (p > 0.05), showed a negative correlation with the disease activity markers-both IGF-1 levels (r = -0.44, p < 0.05) and fasting GH levels (r = -0.56, p < 0.05)-and lacked correlation with BMI in the acromegaly group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with active acromegaly have dysregulated vitamin D metabolism characterized by higher 1,25(ОН)2D3, lower 24,25(ОН)2D3 and altered DBP production. The response to vitamin D supplementation in acromegaly patients might be influenced by hormonal excess. Obtained results require reproducibility check and further study to develop specific clinical recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04844164 (release date: April 9, 2021; retrospectively registered).

[COVID-19 pandemic and endocrinopathies].

Many endocrinopathies have chronic course; patients with endocrinopathies (above all diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases) who receive outpatient care on a regular basis amount up to 80% of patients with chronic diseases. Endocrinologists most likely play the role of general practitioners for these patients; therefore, they should quickly and efficiently explain the patients with diabetes, thyroid, hypophysis and adrenal diseases how to behave in new setting of COVID19 pandemic (coronavirus infection). The most severe course of the infection can be observed in patients older than 65 years with chronic diseases, especially endocrinopathies. This review sums up the currently available data on the disease pathogenesis and progression. It also provides information about patient responsibility to prevent infection, special aspects of communication between the patient and the physician in the setting of self-isolation and quarantine, additional care needed in case of COVID19 in patients with most severe endocrinopathies.

[The role of HLA genes: from autoimmune diseases to COVID-19].

Genes of HLA system (Human Leukocyte Antigen) play an essential role in the normal functioning of the immune system. There are three classes of genes: I, II, and III. The function of HLA molecules class I is to present antigens of peptides from the cytoplasm to T-lymphocytes on the cell surface, and class II - to present antigens of peptides from the extracellular space. In the classical view, the pathological activation of the immune system in patients with a genetic predisposition can result in the development of autoimmune diseases. However, the influence of this system on the development of non-autoimmune diseases, their severity and prognosis, has been recently considered. Besides, HLA molecules provide a presentation of various infectious agents. In this connection, the loci of the main histocompatibility complex can be considered candidates for determining the genetic predisposition to infectious diseases themselves and their course. This review hypothesizes that specific variants of HLA genes may cause the formation of a «cytokine storm¼ in patients with COVID-19. Identification of a group of patients with particular genetic variations that cause violation of immune tolerance and hyperresponse in the setting of viral infection will help to optimize the algorithm for disease prevention and treatment of such patients and, as a result, to reduce the severity of the epidemiological situation.

A Case of Pregnancy Complicated by Primary Hyperparathyroidism Due to a Parathyroid Adenoma.

BACKGROUND Primary hyperparathyroidism is most common in women during the menopause and its occurrence in pregnant women is rare. However, because neonatal mortality is associated with maternal hyperparathyroidism, early diagnosis is essential. This report describes the case of a late diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism in a 28-year-old pregnant woman and describes the effects on the mother and neonate. CASE REPORT During her second pregnancy, a 28-year-old woman presented with symptoms of general weakness, bone and joint pain, multiple fractures with bone deformity, muscle weakness, and gait disturbance. Due to the high risk of perinatal pathology, a cesarean section was performed. Several weeks later, she underwent thoracoscopic removal of an ectopic parathyroid gland located at the aortic arch. Hypocalcemia in the newborn infant required treatment with calcium and magnesium supplements. CONCLUSIONS This case demonstrates that primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy requires timely diagnosis and treatment to reduce potential maternal and fetal complications. Screening for primary hyperparathyroidism should be undertaken in pregnant women with any symptoms associated with hypercalcemia. Treatment should be individualized and includes conservative management, parathyroidectomy in the second trimester, or parathyroidectomy performed in the early postpartum period.