Genetically modified T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) demonstrate robust responses against lineage restricted, non-essential targets in hematologic cancers. However, in solid ...tumors, the full potential of CAR T cell therapy is limited by the availability of cell surface antigens with sufficient cancer-specific expression. The majority of CAR targets have been normal self-antigens on dispensable hematopoietic tissues or overexpressed shared antigens. Here, we established that abnormal self-antigens can serve as targets for tumor rejection. We developed a CAR that recognized cancer-associated Tn glycoform of MUC1, a neoantigen expressed in a variety of cancers. Anti-Tn-MUC1 CAR T cells demonstrated target-specific cytotoxicity and successfully controlled tumor growth in xenograft models of T cell leukemia and pancreatic cancer. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells directed against Tn-MUC1 and present aberrantly glycosylated antigens as a novel class of targets for tumor therapy with engineered T cells.
•Cancer cells of many tissues express an abnormal glycoform of MUC1, Tn-MUC1•Normal human tissue does not express detectable Tn-MUC1 on the cellular surface•CAR T cells are engineered to target Tn-MUC1 lyse tumor cells in vitro and in vivo•Abnormal glycoform epitopes are valid clinical targets for CAR T cells
Posey and colleagues developed a CAR T cell therapy to break immune tolerance to solid tumors by targeting an aberrantly glycosylated, cancer-specific glycoprotein in multiple cancer histotypes and demonstrated efficacy and safety in tumors as diverse as leukemia and pancreatic cancer.
Summary
The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) has revised the UK guideline for the assessment and management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures in postmenopausal ...women, and men age 50 years and older. Accredited by NICE, this guideline is relevant for all healthcare professionals involved in osteoporosis management.
Introduction
The UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) first produced a guideline on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in 2008, with updates in 2013 and 2017. This paper presents a major update of the guideline, the scope of which is to review the assessment and management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures in postmenopausal women, and men age 50 years and older.
Methods
Where available, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials were used to provide the evidence base. Conclusions and recommendations were systematically graded according to the strength of the available evidence.
Results
Review of the evidence and recommendations are provided for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, fracture-risk assessment and intervention thresholds, management of vertebral fractures, non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments, including duration and monitoring of anti-resorptive therapy, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and models of care for fracture prevention. Recommendations are made for training; service leads and commissioners of healthcare; and for review criteria for audit and quality improvement.
Conclusion
The guideline, which has received accreditation from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), provides a comprehensive overview of the assessment and management of osteoporosis for all healthcare professionals involved in its management. This position paper has been endorsed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation and by the European Society for the Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases.
Genome-wide transcriptional profiling was used to characterize the molecular underpinnings of neocortical organization in rhesus macaque, including cortical areal specialization and laminar cell-type ...diversity. Microarray analysis of individual cortical layers across sensorimotor and association cortices identified robust and specific molecular signatures for individual cortical layers and areas, prominently involving genes associated with specialized neuronal function. Overall, transcriptome-based relationships were related to spatial proximity, being strongest between neighboring cortical areas and between proximal layers. Primary visual cortex (V1) displayed the most distinctive gene expression compared to other cortical regions in rhesus and human, both in the specialized layer 4 as well as other layers. Laminar patterns were more similar between macaque and human compared to mouse, as was the unique V1 profile that was not observed in mouse. These data provide a unique resource detailing neocortical transcription patterns in a nonhuman primate with great similarity in gene expression to human.
► Discrete layers of primate neocortex display distinct transcriptional profiles ► Neighboring cortical layers and areas show the strongest transcriptional similarities ► Primate primary visual cortex has the most distinctive areal molecular profile ► Laminar and areal cellular expression patterns are conserved between macaque, human
Transcriptional profiling provides abundant information for understanding functional differentiation of brain regions and constituent cell types. Bernard et al. use high-resolution transcriptome analysis to probe the molecular underpinnings of neocortical laminar and areal identity in rhesus macaque.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Rhabdoviridae Walker, Peter J; Blasdell, Kim R; Calisher, Charles H ...
Journal of general virology,
04/2018, Letnik:
99, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The family Rhabdoviridae comprises viruses with negative-sense (-) single-stranded RNA genomes of 10.8-16.1 kb. Virions are typically enveloped with bullet-shaped or bacilliform morphology but can ...also be non-enveloped filaments. Rhabdoviruses infect plants and animals including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, as well as arthropods which serve as single hosts or act as biological vectors for transmission to animals or plants. Rhabdoviruses include important pathogens of humans, livestock, fish and agricultural crops. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of Rhabdoviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/rhabdoviridae.
Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira bacteria, is a common zoonosis worldwide, especially in the tropics. Reservoir species and risk factors have been identified but surveys for environmental sources ...are rare. Furthermore, understanding of environmental Leptospira containing virulence associated genes and possibly capable of causing disease is incomplete, which may convolute leptospirosis diagnosis, prevention, and epidemiology.
We collected environmental samples from 22 sites in Puerto Rico during three sampling periods over 14-months (Dec 2018-Feb 2020); 10 water and 10 soil samples were collected at each site. Samples were screened for DNA from potentially pathogenic Leptospira using the lipL32 PCR assay and positive samples were sequenced to assess genetic diversity. One urban site in San Juan was sampled three times over 14 months to assess persistence in soil; live leptospires were obtained during the last sampling period. Isolates were whole genome sequenced and LipL32 expression was assessed in vitro. We detected pathogenic Leptospira DNA at 15/22 sites; both soil and water were positive at 5/15 sites. We recovered lipL32 sequences from 83/86 positive samples (15/15 positive sites) and secY sequences from 32/86 (10/15 sites); multiple genotypes were identified at 12 sites. These sequences revealed significant diversity across samples, including four novel lipL32 phylogenetic clades within the pathogenic P1 group. Most samples from the serially sampled site were lipL32 positive at each time point. We sequenced the genomes of six saprophytic and two pathogenic Leptospira isolates; the latter represent a novel pathogenic Leptospira species likely belonging to a new serogroup.
Diverse and novel pathogenic Leptospira are widespread in the environment in Puerto Rico. The disease potential of these lineages is unknown but several were consistently detected for >1 year in soil, which could contaminate water. This work increases understanding of environmental Leptospira diversity and should improve leptospirosis surveillance and diagnostics.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aims/hypothesis
The NEFA-responsive G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) has been implicated in the regulation of inflammation, in the control of incretin secretion and as a predisposing factor ...influencing the development of type 2 diabetes by regulation of islet cell apoptosis. However, there is still considerable controversy about the tissue distribution of GPR120 and, in particular, it remains unclear which islet cell types express this molecule. In the present study, we have addressed this issue by constructing a
Gpr120
-knockout/β-galactosidase (
LacZ
) knock-in (KO/KI) mouse to examine the distribution and functional role of GPR120 in the endocrine pancreas.
Methods
A KO/KI mouse was generated in which exon 1 of the
Gpr120
gene (also known as
Ffar4
) was replaced in frame by
LacZ
, thereby allowing for regulated expression of β-galactosidase under the control of the endogenous GPR120 promoter. The distribution of GPR120 was inferred from expression studies detecting β-galactosidase activity and protein production. Islet hormone secretion was measured from isolated mouse islets treated with selective GPR120 agonists.
Results
β-galactosidase activity was detected as a surrogate for GPR120 expression exclusively in a small population of islet endocrine cells located peripherally within the islet mantle. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed co-localisation with somatostatin suggesting that GPR120 is preferentially produced in islet delta cells. In confirmation of this, glucose-induced somatostatin secretion was inhibited by a range of selective GPR120 agonists. This response was lost in GPR120-knockout mice.
Conclusions/interpretation
The results imply that GPR120 is selectively present within the delta cells of murine islets and that it regulates somatostatin secretion.
There is a need for valid self-report measures of core health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains.
To derive brief, reliable and valid health profile measures from the Patient Reported Outcomes ...Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) item banks.
Literature review, investigator consensus process, item response theory (IRT) analysis, and expert review of scaling results from multiple PROMIS data sets. We developed 3 profile measures ranging in length from 29 to 57 questions. These profiles assess important HRQoL domains with highly informative subsets of items from respective item banks and yield reliable information across mild-to-severe levels of HRQoL experiences. Each instrument assesses the domains of pain interference, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, physical function, and social function using 4-, 6-, and 8-item short forms for each domain, and an average pain intensity domain score, using a 0-10 numeric rating scale.
With few exceptions, all domain short forms within the profile measures were highly reliable across at least 3 standard deviation (30 T-score) units and were strongly correlated with the full bank scores. Construct validity with ratings of general health and quality of life was demonstrated. Information to inform statistical power for clinical and general population samples is also provided.
Although these profile measures have been used widely, with summary scoring routines published, description of their development, reliability, and initial validity has not been published until this article. Further evaluation of these measures and clinical applications are encouraged.
Bestrophinopathies, one of the most common forms of inherited macular degenerations, are caused by mutations in the BEST1 gene expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Both human and canine ...BEST1-linked maculopathies are characterized by abnormal accumulation of autofluorescent material within RPE cells and bilateral macular or multifocal lesions; however, the specific mechanism leading to the formation of these lesions remains unclear. We now provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the molecular pathology of bestrophinopathies, and explore factors promoting formation of RPE-neuroretinal separations, using the first spontaneous animal model of BEST1-associated retinopathies, canine Best (cBest). Here, we characterize the nature of the autofluorescent RPE cell inclusions and report matching spectral signatures of RPE-associated fluorophores between human and canine retinae, indicating an analogous composition of endogenous RPE deposits in Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (BVMD) patients and its canine disease model. This study also exposes a range of biochemical and structural abnormalities at the RPE-photoreceptor interface related to the impaired cone-associated microvillar ensheathment and compromised insoluble interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM), the major pathological culprits responsible for weakening of the RPE-neuroretina interactions, and consequently, formation of vitelliform lesions. These salient alterations detected at the RPE apical domain in cBest as well as in BVMD- and ARB-hiPSC-RPE model systems provide novel insights into the pathological mechanism of BEST1-linked disorders that will allow for development of critical outcome measures guiding therapeutic strategies for bestrophinopathies.
Display omitted
•Fresh perspective on the development of macular lesions in BEST1-linked disorders.•Novel insights into BEST1 pathogenesis derived from canine model and hiPSC-RPE.•Underdeveloped RPE apical domain underlies lesion formation in bestrophinopathies.•New disease aspects for guidance of therapeutic strategies for bestrophinopathies.•Advances in understanding of the molecular pathology of bestrophinopathies.
Abstract We report the results of an extensive set of simulations exploring the sensitivity of the BlackCAT CubeSat to long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). BlackCAT is a NASA APRA-funded CubeSat ...mission for the detection and real-time subarcminute localization of high-redshift ( z ≳ 3.5) GRBs. Thanks to their luminous and long-lived afterglow emissions, GRBs are uniquely valuable probes of high-redshift star-forming galaxies and the intergalactic medium. In addition, each detected GRB with a known redshift serves to localize a region of high-redshift star formation in three dimensions, enabling deep follow-on searches for host galaxies and associated local and large-scale structures. We explore two distinct models for the GRB redshift distribution and luminosity function, both consistent with Swift observations. We find that, for either model, BlackCAT is expected to detect a mean of 42 bursts per year on orbit, with 6.7% to 10% of these at z > 3.5. BlackCAT bursts will be localized to an r 90 ≲ 55″ precision and reported to the community within seconds. Due to the mission orbit and pointing scheme, bursts will be located in the night sky and well placed for deep multiwavelength follow-up observations. BlackCAT is on schedule to achieve launch readiness in 2025.
Insulin-mediated pseudoacromegaly (IMPA) is a rare, severe insulin resistance syndrome linked to digenic mutations in FGFR1 and KLB. These proteins form the receptor complex for FGF21, a hepatokine ...that plays a critical role in adipose tissue insulin sensitivity. Patients with IMPA have normal growth hormone and IGF-1. However, they have markedly increased insulin levels, tall stature, and obesity. To assess the pathogenicity of these mutations, we isolated iPSC from the proband with IMPA. We used CRISPR gene editing to correct the FGFR1 and KLB mutations and differentiated the iPSC lines into adipocytes. Western immunoblotting demonstrated that the uncorrected (mutant) cells demonstrated decreased levels of FGFR1 and pERK1/2 in response to insulin and/or FGF21 compared to corrected (wild-type) cells. Additionally, mutant adipocytes demonstrated significantly larger lipid droplets when stained with BODIPY. To complement the iPSC work, a humanized transgenic knock-in mouse line was created using CRISPR gene editing. When exposed to a high fat diet (HFD), female mice harboring variants in FGFR1 and KLB (DM - Double Mutant) developed significant weight gain compared to wild-type (WT) littermates. The difference in body weight was attributed to a difference in body fat. Similar to the human phenotype, the DM mice experience intermittent hyperglycemia and significant hyperinsulinemia. Explants of gonadal white adipose tissue demonstrated decreased lipolysis and pAKT and pERK. Mac-2 staining of white adipose tissue demonstrated abundant adipose tissue macrophages forming crown-like structures, suggesting adipose tissue inflammation. Additionally, we measured gene expression in brown adipose tissue, and noting that Ucp1 expression in DM mice was 37% when compared to WT. These results suggest pathogenic mechanisms in which FGFR1 and KLB mutations lead to IMPA via decreased FGF21-mediated signaling in the adipose tissue.
Disclosure
N.Phan: None. D.M.Ornitz: None. S.I.Stone: None.
Funding
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R21HD098872); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K08 DK124574, P30DK020579, P30DK056341); National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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