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1.
J Neuroimmunol ; 392: 578373, 2024 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38776710

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C has been discovered to be an important regulator of the response to tissue injury and repair in cerebrovascular diseases. This study investigated if tenascin-C is released in response to infections in the central nervous system (CNS). METHODS: Tenascin-C concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was measured in patients, (>18 years) with and without CNS infections, admitted to a department of infectious diseases in Denmark. CSF tenascin-C was measured on the Meso-scale platform. RESULTS: 174 patients were included of which 140 were diagnosed with a CNS infection and 34 where this was ruled out (control group). Median CSF tenascin-C levels were significantly higher among patients with bacterial meningitis (147 pg/mL), viral meningitis (33 mg/mL), viral encephalitis (39 pg/mL) and Lyme neuroborreliosis (45 pg/mL) when compared to controls (21 pg/mL). Correlations between tenascin-C and CSF markers of inflammation and age were only moderate. CONCLUSION: Levels of CSF tenascin-C are higher among patients with bacterial and viral neuroinfections, already on admission, but exhibit only a modest correlation with baseline indices of neuroinflammation. CSF tenascin-C is highest among patients with bacterial meningitis compared to the other CNS infections. Patients with unfavorable outcomes presented with higher median CSF tenascin-C than their counterparts.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Central Nervous System Infections , Tenascin , Humans , Tenascin/cerebrospinal fluid , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Adult , Central Nervous System Infections/cerebrospinal fluid , Central Nervous System Infections/diagnosis , Aged , Biomarkers/cerebrospinal fluid , Young Adult , Aged, 80 and over
2.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(18): e2404188121, 2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38657045

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. HCC incidence is on the rise, while treatment options remain limited. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in HCC development has become a priority to guide future therapies. While previous studies implicated the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) (Fos/Jun) transcription factor family members c-Fos and c-Jun in HCC formation, the contribution of Fos-related antigens (Fra-) 1 and 2 is unknown. Here, we show that hepatocyte-restricted expression of a single chain c-Jun~Fra-2 protein, which functionally mimics the c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 dimer, results in spontaneous HCC formation in c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice. Several hallmarks of human HCC, such as cell cycle dysregulation and the expression of HCC markers are observed in liver tumors arising in c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice. Tumorigenesis occurs in the context of mild inflammation, low-grade fibrosis, and Pparγ-driven dyslipidemia. Subsequent analyses revealed increased expression of c-Myc, evidently under direct regulation by AP-1 through a conserved distal 3' enhancer. Importantly, c-Jun~Fra-2-induced tumors revert upon switching off transgene expression, suggesting oncogene addiction to the c-Jun~Fra-2 transgene. Tumors escaping reversion maintained c-Myc and c-Myc target gene expression, likely due to increased c-Fos. Interfering with c-Myc in established tumors using the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif inhibitor JQ-1 diminished liver tumor growth in c-Jun~Fra-2 mutant mice. Thus, our data establish c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice as a model to study liver tumorigenesis and identify the c-Jun/Fra-2-Myc interaction as a potential target to improve HCC patient stratification and/or therapy.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Fos-Related Antigen-2 , Liver Neoplasms , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc , Transcription Factor AP-1 , Animals , Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism , Transcription Factor AP-1/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics , Mice , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/metabolism , Fos-Related Antigen-2/metabolism , Fos-Related Antigen-2/genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Humans , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Protein Multimerization , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Mice, Transgenic
3.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 2088, 2024 Mar 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38453924

ABSTRACT

Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) poses a significant therapeutic challenge with high mortality rates. Utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 in vivo, we target five potential tumor suppressor genes (Pten, Trp53, Rb1, Stk11, and RnaseL) in the mouse prostate, reaching humane endpoint after eight weeks without metastasis. By further depleting three epigenetic factors (Kmt2c, Kmt2d, and Zbtb16), lung metastases are present in all mice. While whole genome sequencing reveals few mutations in coding sequence, RNA sequencing shows significant dysregulation, especially in a conserved genomic region at chr5qE1 regulated by KMT2C. Depleting Odam and Cabs1 in this region prevents metastasis. Notably, the gene expression signatures, resulting from our study, predict progression-free and overall survival and distinguish primary and metastatic human prostate cancer. This study emphasizes positive genetic interactions between classical tumor suppressor genes and epigenetic modulators in metastatic PCa progression, offering insights into potential treatments.


Subject(s)
CRISPR-Cas Systems , Prostatic Neoplasms , Male , Humans , Animals , Mice , CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Transcriptome , Multigene Family
4.
Am J Hypertens ; 37(7): 455-464, 2024 Jun 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38477704

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with accelerated vascular calcification and increased central systolic blood pressure when measured invasively (invCSBP) relative to cuff-based brachial systolic blood pressure (cuffSBP). The contribution of aortic wall calcification to this phenomenon has not been clarified. We, therefore, examined the effects of aortic calcification on cuffSBP and invCSBP in a cohort of patients representing all stages of CKD. METHODS: During elective coronary angiography, invCSBP was measured in the ascending aorta with a fluid-filled catheter with simultaneous recording of cuffSBP using an oscillometric device. Furthermore, participants underwent a non-contrast computed tomography scan of the entire aorta with observer-blinded calcification scoring of the aortic wall ad modum Agatston. RESULTS: We included 168 patients (mean age 67.0 ±â€…10.5, 38 females) of whom 38 had normal kidney function, while 30, 40, 28, and 32 had CKD stages 3a, 3b, 4, and 5, respectively. Agatston scores adjusted for body surface area ranged from 48 to 40,165. We found that invCSBP increased 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.4-5.7) mm Hg relative to cuffSBP for every 10,000-increment in aortic Agatston score. This association remained significant after adjustment for age, diabetes, antihypertensive treatment, smoking, eGFR, and BP level. No such association was found for diastolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced aortic calcification have relatively higher invCSBP for the same cuffSBP as compared to patients with less calcification. Advanced aortic calcification in CKD may therefore result in hidden central hypertension despite apparently well-controlled cuffSBP. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04114695.


Subject(s)
Blood Pressure Determination , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Vascular Calcification , Humans , Female , Male , Aged , Middle Aged , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/physiopathology , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/diagnosis , Vascular Calcification/diagnostic imaging , Vascular Calcification/physiopathology , Blood Pressure Determination/methods , Aortic Diseases/physiopathology , Aortic Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Blood Pressure , Computed Tomography Angiography , Brachial Artery/physiopathology , Brachial Artery/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Angiography , Aortography , Predictive Value of Tests
5.
Clin Kidney J ; 17(1): sfad249, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38186886

ABSTRACT

Background: Dapagliflozin and finerenone reduce albuminuria and slow CKD progression, but additive effects remain unstudied. We compared their individual and combined efficacy and safety in patients with non-diabetic CKD. Methods: In an open-label, randomized clinical trial, we included patients aged 18-80 on maximal tolerated ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker with eGFR 25-45 mL/min/1,73 m2 and albuminuria 150-2000 mg/g. Participants received either finerenone 20 mg/day or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day for four weeks, followed by combination therapy for four weeks. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Results: Twenty patients (10 per group) with a mean mGFR of 34 mL/min/1,73 m2 and a mean urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) of 469 mg/g were included. Finerenone alone or in addition to dapagliflozin resulted in -24% (95% CI, -36% to -11%) and -34% (95% CI, -47% to -18%) change in UACR, respectively. Dapagliflozin alone or in addition to finerenone resulted in -8% (95% CI, -22 to 9%) and -10% (95% CI, -28% to 12%) change in UACR, respectively. Overall, UACR change after 8 weeks was -36% (95% CI, -46% to -24%). After 8 weeks, systolic blood pressure and mGFR were reduced by 10 mmHg (95% CI, 6-13 mmHg) and 7 mL/min/1,73 m2 (95% CI, 5-8 mL/min/1,73 m2). Adverse effects were minimal. Conclusions: The combination of finerenone and dapagliflozin was safe and significantly reduced albuminuria. The effect of combination therapy was at least equal to the calculated, combined effect of each of the drugs, suggesting an additive effect on albuminuria. Larger studies assessing long-term effects and safety are warranted.

6.
J Hum Hypertens ; 38(2): 146-154, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37821599

ABSTRACT

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) may be stressful and associated with discomfort, possibly influenced by the number of cuff inflations. We compared a low frequency (LF-ABPM) regimen with one cuff inflation per hour, with a high frequency (HF-ABPM) regimen performed according to current guidelines using three cuff-inflations per hour during daytime and two cuff-inflations during night time. In a crossover study, patients underwent ABPMs with both frequencies, in a randomized order, within an interval of a few days. Patients reported pain (visual analogue scale from 0 to 10) and sleep disturbances after each ABPM. The primary endpoint was the difference in mean 24 h systolic BP (SBP) between HF-ABPM and LF-ABPM. A total of 171 patients were randomized, and data from 131 (age 58 ± 14 years, 47% females, 24% normotensive, 53% mildly hypertensive, and 22% moderately-severely hypertensive) completing both ABPMs were included in the analysis. Mean SBP was 137.5 mmHg (95% CI, 134.8;140.2) for HF-ABPM and 138.2 mmHg (95%CI, 135.2;141.1) for LF-ABPM. The 95% limits of agreement were -15.3 mmHg and +14.0 mmHg. Mean 24 h SBP difference between HF-ABPM and LF-ABPM was -0.7 mmHg (95%CI, -2.0;0.6). Coefficients of variation were similar for LF-ABPM and HF-ABPM. Pain scores (median with interquartile range), for HF-ABPM and LF-ABPM were 1.5 (0.6;3.0) and 1.3 (0.6;2.9) during daytime, and 1.3 (0.4:3.4) and 0.9 (0.4;2.0) during nighttime (P < 0.05 for both differences). We conclude that LF-ABPM and HF-ABPM values are in good agreement without any clinically relevant differences in BP. Furthermore, LF-ABPM causes a relatively modest reduction in procedure-related pain.


Subject(s)
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory , Hypertension , Female , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Male , Cross-Over Studies , Blood Pressure/physiology , Pain/complications
7.
Cancer Lett ; 579: 216480, 2023 11 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37931834

ABSTRACT

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with a median survival of 15 months and has limited treatment options. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown minimal efficacy in combating GBM, and large clinical trials have failed. New immunotherapy approaches and a deeper understanding of immune surveillance of GBM are needed to advance treatment options for this devastating disease. In this study, we used two preclinical models of GBM: orthotopically delivering either GBM stem cells or employing CRISPR-mediated tumorigenesis by adeno-associated virus, to establish immunologically proficient and non-inflamed tumors, respectively. After tumor development, the innate immune system was activated through long-term STING activation by a pharmacological agonist, which reduced tumor progression and prolonged survival. Recruitment and activation of cytotoxic T-cells were detected in the tumors, and T-cell specificity towards the cancer cells was observed. Interestingly, prolonged STING activation altered the tumor vasculature, inducing hypoxia and activation of VEGFR, as measured by a kinome array and VEGF expression. Combination treatment with anti-PD1 did not provide a synergistic effect, indicating that STING activation alone is sufficient to activate immune surveillance and hinder tumor development through vascular disruption. These results guide future studies to refine innate immune activation as a treatment approach for GBM, in combination with anti-VEGF to impede tumor progression and induce an immunological response against the tumor.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Glioblastoma , Humans , Brain Neoplasms/immunology , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Glioblastoma/immunology , Glioblastoma/metabolism , Immunotherapy/methods , Tumor Microenvironment , Immunity, Innate
9.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 51(18): 10059-10074, 2023 Oct 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37678882

ABSTRACT

Implementation of therapeutic in vivo gene editing using CRISPR/Cas relies on potent delivery of gene editing tools. Administration of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes consisting of Cas protein and single guide RNA (sgRNA) offers short-lived editing activity and safety advantages over conventional viral and non-viral gene and RNA delivery approaches. By engineering lentivirus-derived nanoparticles (LVNPs) to facilitate RNP delivery, we demonstrate effective administration of SpCas9 as well as SpCas9-derived base and prime editors (BE/PE) leading to gene editing in recipient cells. Unique Gag/GagPol protein fusion strategies facilitate RNP packaging in LVNPs, and refinement of LVNP stoichiometry supports optimized LVNP yield and incorporation of therapeutic payload. We demonstrate near instantaneous target DNA cleavage and complete RNP turnover within 4 days. As a result, LVNPs provide high on-target DNA cleavage and lower levels of off-target cleavage activity compared to standard RNP nucleofection in cultured cells. LVNPs accommodate BE/sgRNA and PE/epegRNA RNPs leading to base editing with reduced bystander editing and prime editing without detectable indel formation. Notably, in the mouse eye, we provide the first proof-of-concept for LVNP-directed in vivo gene disruption. Our findings establish LVNPs as promising vehicles for delivery of RNPs facilitating donor-free base and prime editing without formation of double-stranded DNA breaks.

10.
Cancers (Basel) ; 15(17)2023 Aug 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37686488

ABSTRACT

Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men and typically progresses slowly for several decades before becoming aggressive and spreading to other organs, leaving few treatment options. While large animals have been studied, the dog's prostate is anatomically similar to humans and has been used to study spontaneous prostate cancer. However, most research currently focuses on the mouse as a model organism due to the ability to genetically modify their prostatic tissues for molecular analysis. One milestone in this research was the identification of the prostate-specific promoter Probasin, which allowed for the prostate-specific expression of transgenes. This has led to the generation of mice with aggressive prostatic tumors through overexpression of the SV40 oncogene. The Probasin promoter is also used to drive Cre expression and has allowed researchers to generate prostate-specific loss-of-function studies. Another landmark moment in the process of modeling prostate cancer in mice was the orthoptic delivery of viral particles. This technology allows the selective overexpression of oncogenes from lentivirus or the use of CRISPR to generate complex loss-of-function studies. These genetically modified models are complemented by classical xenografts of human prostate tumor cells in immune-deficient mice. Overall, pre-clinical models have provided a portfolio of model systems to study and address complex mechanisms in prostate cancer for improved treatment options. This review will focus on the advances in each technique.

11.
EMBO J ; 42(19): e113118, 2023 Oct 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37646198

ABSTRACT

Neurotropic viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, have the capacity to infect neurons and can cause severe diseases. This is associated with neuronal cell death, which may contribute to morbidity or even mortality if the infection is not controlled. However, the mechanistic details of HSV-induced neuronal cell death remain enigmatic. Here, we report that lytic HSV-2 infection of human neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells and primary human and murine brain cells leads to cell death mediated by gasdermin E (GSDME). HSV-2-induced GSDME-mediated cell death occurs downstream of replication-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress driven by inositol-requiring kinase 1α (IRE1α), leading to activation of caspase-2, cleavage of the pro-apoptotic protein BH3-interacting domain death agonist (BID), and mitochondria-dependent activation of caspase-3. Finally, necrotic neurons released alarmins, which activated inflammatory responses in human iPSC-derived microglia. In conclusion, lytic HSV infection in neurons activates an ER stress-driven pathway to execute GSDME-mediated cell death and promote inflammation.

12.
PLoS One ; 18(3): e0282004, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36862691

ABSTRACT

The present study describes diagnostic and prognostic abilities of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in central nervous system (CNS) infections. CSF PTX3 was measured retrospectively from 174 patients admitted under suspicion of CNS infection. Medians, ROC curves and Youdens index was calculated. CSF PTX3 was significantly higher among all CNS infections and undetectable in most of the patients in the control group, and significantly higher in bacterial infections compared to viral and Lyme infections. No association was found between CSF PTX3 and Glasgow Outcome Score. PTX3 in the CSF can distinguish bacterial infection from viral and Lyme infections and non-CNS infections. Highest levels were found in bacterial meningitis. No prognostic abilities were found.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Infections , Lyme Disease , Humans , Retrospective Studies , C-Reactive Protein
13.
Cancers (Basel) ; 14(20)2022 Oct 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36291798

ABSTRACT

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are widely used in cancer research to edit specific genes and study their functions. This applies both to in vitro and in vivo studies where CRISPR technology has accelerated the generation of specific loss- or gain-of-function mutations. This review focuses on CRISPR for generating in vivo models of cancer by editing somatic cells in specific organs. The delivery of CRISPR/Cas to designated tissues and specific cell compartments is discussed with a focus on different methods and their advantages. One advantage of CRISPR/Cas is the possibility to target multiple genes simultaneously in the same cell and therefore generate complex mutation profiles. This complexity challenges the interpretation of results and different methods to analyze the samples discussed herein. CRISPR-induced tumors are also different from classical tumors in pre-clinical models. Especially the clonal evolution of CRISPR-induced tumors adds new insight into cancer biology. Finally, the review discusses future perspectives for CRISPR technology in pre-clinical models with a focus on in vivo screening, CRISPR activation/inhibition, and the development of prime/ base-editing for the introduction of specific gene editing.

14.
Cancers (Basel) ; 14(18)2022 Sep 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36139541

ABSTRACT

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the Western world and the number is rising. Prostate cancer is notoriously heterogeneous, which makes it hard to generate and study in pre-clinical models. The family of Forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors are often altered in prostate cancer with especially high mutation burden in FOXA1 and FOXP1. FOXA1 harbors loss or gain of function mutations in 8% of prostate cancer, which increases to 14% in metastatic samples. FOXP1 predominately occurs with loss of function mutations in 7% of primary tumors, and similar incidents are found in metastatic samples. Here, we applied in vivo CRISPR editing, to study the loss of functions of these two FOX transcription factors, in murine prostate in combination with loss of Pten. Deficiency of Foxp1 increased proliferation in combination with loss of Pten. In contrast, proliferation was unchanged when androgen was deprived. The expression of Tmprss2 was increased when Foxp1 was mutated in vivo, showing that Foxp1 is a repressor for this androgen-regulated target. Furthermore, analysis of FOXP1 and TMPRSS2 expression in a human prostate cancer data set revealed a negative correlation. Mutation of Foxa1 in the murine prostate induces cell plasticity to luminal cells. Here, epithelial cells with loss of Foxa1 were transdifferentiated to cells with expression of the basal markers Ck5 and p63. Interestingly, these cells were located in the lumen and did not co-express Ck8. Overall, this study reveals that loss of Foxp1 increases cell proliferation, whereas loss of Foxa1 induces epithelial plasticity in prostate cancer.

15.
Mol Ther ; 30(9): 2942-2951, 2022 09 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35808824

ABSTRACT

Prime editing is a new CRISPR-based, genome-editing technology that relies on the prime editor (PE), a fusion protein of Cas9-nickase and M-MLV reverse transcriptase (RT), and a prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) that serves both to target PE to the desired genomic locus and to carry the edit to be introduced. Here, we make advancements to the RT moiety to improve prime editing efficiencies and truncations to mitigate issues with adeno-associated virus (AAV) viral vector size limitations, which currently do not support efficient delivery of the large prime editing components. These efforts include RT variant screening, codon optimization, and PE truncation by removal of the RNase H domain and further trimming. This led to a codon-optimized and size-minimized PE that has an expression advantage (1.4-fold) and size advantage (621 bp shorter). In addition, we optimize the split intein PE system and identify Rma-based Cas9 split sites (573-574 and 673-674) that combined with the truncated PE delivered by dual AAVs result in superior AAV titer and prime editing efficiency. We also show that this minimized PE gives rise to superior lentiviral vector titers (46-fold) over the regular PE in an all-in-one PE lentiviral vector. We finally deliver the minimized PE to mouse liver by dual AAV8 vectors and show up to 6% precise editing of the PCSK9 gene, thereby demonstrating the value of this truncated split PE system for in vivo applications.


Subject(s)
CRISPR-Cas Systems , Proprotein Convertase 9 , Animals , Dependovirus/genetics , Gene Editing , Genetic Vectors/genetics , Mice , Proprotein Convertase 9/genetics , RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/genetics , RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/genetics
16.
Cancer Res ; 82(16): 2918-2927, 2022 08 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35731928

ABSTRACT

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer death, yet the evolutionary processes behind it remain largely unknown. Here, through analysis of large panel-based genomic datasets from the AACR Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange project, including 40,979 primary and metastatic tumors across 25 distinct cancer types, we explore how the evolutionary pressure of cancer metastasis shapes the selection of genomic drivers of cancer. The most commonly affected genes were TP53, MYC, and CDKN2A, with no specific pattern associated with metastatic disease. This suggests that, on a driver mutation level, the selective pressure operating in primary and metastatic tumors is similar. The most highly enriched individual driver mutations in metastatic tumors were mutations known to drive resistance to hormone therapies in breast and prostate cancer (ESR1 and AR), anti-EGFR therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (EGFR T790M), and imatinib in gastrointestinal cancer (KIT V654A). Specific mutational signatures were also associated with treatment in three cancer types, supporting clonal selection following anticancer therapy. Overall, this implies that initial acquisition of driver mutations is predominantly shaped by the tissue of origin, where specific mutations define the developing primary tumor and drive growth, immune escape, and tolerance to chromosomal instability. However, acquisition of driver mutations that contribute to metastatic disease is less specific, with the main genomic drivers of metastatic cancer evolution associating with resistance to therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study leverages large datasets to investigate the evolutionary landscape of established cancer genes to shed new light upon the mystery of cancer dissemination and expand the understanding of metastatic cancer biology.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , ErbB Receptors/genetics , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Mutation , Protein Kinase Inhibitors
17.
J Exp Med ; 219(6)2022 06 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35442417

ABSTRACT

Type I interferons (IFN-I) play a critical role in human antiviral immunity, as demonstrated by the exceptionally rare deleterious variants of IFNAR1 or IFNAR2. We investigated five children from Greenland, Canada, and Alaska presenting with viral diseases, including life-threatening COVID-19 or influenza, in addition to meningoencephalitis and/or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis following live-attenuated viral vaccination. The affected individuals bore the same homozygous IFNAR2 c.157T>C, p.Ser53Pro missense variant. Although absent from reference databases, p.Ser53Pro occurred with a minor allele frequency of 0.034 in their Inuit ancestry. The serine to proline substitution prevented cell surface expression of IFNAR2 protein, small amounts of which persisted intracellularly in an aberrantly glycosylated state. Cells exclusively expressing the p.Ser53Pro variant lacked responses to recombinant IFN-I and displayed heightened vulnerability to multiple viruses in vitro-a phenotype rescued by wild-type IFNAR2 complementation. This novel form of autosomal recessive IFNAR2 deficiency reinforces the essential role of IFN-I in viral immunity. Further studies are warranted to assess the need for population screening.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Interferon Type I , Antiviral Agents/metabolism , Child , Humans , Inheritance Patterns , Interferon Type I/genetics , Interferon Type I/metabolism , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
18.
Curr Opin Pharmacol ; 61: 91-97, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34656940

ABSTRACT

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent form of primary malignant brain tumor in adults and remains almost invariably lethal owing to its aggressive and invasive nature. There have only been marginal improvements in its bleak survival rate of 12-15 months over the last four decades. The lack of preclinical models that efficiently recapitulate tumor biology and the tumor microenvironment is also in part responsible for the slow phase of translational GBM research. Emerging three-dimensional (3D) organoids and cell culture systems offer new and innovative possibilities for GBM modelling. These 3D models find their application to engineer the disease, screen drugs, establishing live biobank, and explore personalized therapy. Furthermore, these models can also be genetically modified by using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology, which would allow one to study the specific role of key genes associated with gliomagenesis. Establishment of a coculture system with GBM cells to understand its invasive behavior is yet another major application of this model. Despite these merits, the organoid models also have certain limitations, including the absence of immune responses and vascular systems. In recent years, major progress has been made in the development and refinement of 3D models of GBM. In this review, we intend to highlight these recent advances and the potential future implications of this rapidly evolving field, which should facilitate a better understanding of GBM biology.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Glioblastoma , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Glioblastoma/drug therapy , Glioblastoma/genetics , Humans , Organoids , Tumor Microenvironment
19.
Oncotarget ; 12(19): 1956-1961, 2021 Sep 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34548912

ABSTRACT

Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. It is a slow progressing cancer, but when the disease reaches an advanced stage, treatment options are limited. Sequencing analyses of cancer samples have identified genes that can potentially drive disease progression. We implemented the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to simultaneously manipulate multiple genes in the murine prostate and thus to functionally test putative cancer driver genes in vivo. The activating protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor is associated with many different cancer types, with the proto-oncogenes JUN and FOS being the two most intensely studied subunits. We analyzed expression of FOS and JUNB in human prostate cancer datasets and observed decreased expression in advanced stages. By applying CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the role of these two transcription factors in prostate cancer progression was functionally tested. Our data revealed that loss of either JunB or Fos in the context of Pten loss drives prostate cancer progression to invasive disease. Furthermore, loss of Fos increases Jun expression, and CRISPR inactivation of Jun in this context decreases cell proliferation. Overall, these in vivo studies reveal that JunB and Fos exhibit a tumor suppressor function by repressing invasive disease, whereas Jun is oncogenic and increases cell proliferation. This demonstrates that AP-1 factors are implicated in prostate cancer progression at different stages and display a dual function as tumor suppressor and as an oncogene in cancer progression.

20.
Blood Press ; 30(6): 341-347, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34263666

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Twenty-four hours of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is recommended in several guidelines as the best method for diagnosing hypertension. In general, the prognostic value of ABPM is superior to single office blood pressure (BP) measurements. Unfortunately, some patients experience considerable discomfort during frequently repeated forceful cuff inflations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we investigated the difference in mean daytime systolic BP (SBP) between low-frequency ABPM (LF-ABPM), measuring once every hour, and high-frequency ABPM (HF-ABPM), measuring three times an hour during daytime, and two times an hour during night-time. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included in the analysis. All included patients had an HF-ABPM performed first and within a few weeks they underwent an LF-ABPM. The average day time difference in SBP between the two frequencies was 3.8 mmHg (p-value = 0.07) for mild, 8.2 mmHg (p-value < 0.01) for moderate and 15 mmHg (p-value < 0.001) for severe hypertension. A similar pattern was seen for night-time SBP. This study suggests that mean BP is similar between the two measuring frequencies for normotensive and mild hypertensive patients, while HF-ABPM results in a higher 24-h mean BP for moderate- and severe hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: LF-ABPM may more correctly reflect the resting blood pressure in patients with moderate and severe hypertension.


Subject(s)
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory , Hypertension , Blood Pressure , Blood Pressure Determination , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Systole
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