Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF superfamily. TRAIL has historically been distinct from the Fas ligand and TNFα in terms of selective ...apoptosis induction in tumor cells and has a nearly non-existent systemic toxicity. Consequently, in the search for an ideal drug for tumor therapy, TRAIL rapidly drew interest, promising effective tumor control with minimal side effects. However, euphoria gave way to disillusionment as it turned out that carcinoma cells possess or can acquire resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Additionally, studies on models of inflammation and autoimmunity revealed that TRAIL can influence immune cells in many different ways. While TRAIL was initially found to be an important player in tumor defense by natural killer cells or cytotoxic T cells, additional effects of TRAIL on regulatory T cells and effector T cells, as well as on neutrophilic granulocytes and antigen-presenting cells, became focuses of interest. The tumor-promoting effects of these interactions become particularly important for consideration in cases where tumors are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Consequently, murine models have shown that TRAIL can impair the tumor microenvironment toward a more immunosuppressive type, thereby promoting tumor growth. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on TRAIL's interactions with the immune system in the context of cancer.
Abstract Background A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs599839 located at chromosome 1p13.3 has previously been associated with risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and with serum levels of ...low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). A functional link explaining the association of SNP rs599839 with LDL-C levels and CAD risk has not yet been elucidated. Methods We analyzed the association of rs599839 with LDL-C in 6605 individuals across a wide age spectrum and with CAD in four case–control studies comprising 4287 cases and 7572 controls. Genome-wide expression array data was used to assess the association of SNP rs599839 with gene expression at chromosome 1p13. Finally, we overexpressed sortilin in transfected cells to study LDL-uptake in vitro. Results Each copy of the G-allele of rs599839 associated with a decrease of serum LDL-C by 0.14 mmol/L (90% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.17 mmol/L, p = 2.6 × 10−11 ). Moreover, each copy of the G-allele associated with a 9% decrease of CAD risk (90% CI 4–14%) in the presently studied four case–control samples and with a 13% decrease (90% CI 10–17%, p = 2.18 × 10−9 ) in a pooled meta-analysis including recent genome-wide association studies on CAD. The same allele was associated with higher mRNA-expression levels of the multiligand receptor sortilin (log transformed mRNA AA vs. GG = 8.31 vs. 8.55; p = 0.01). Overexpression of SORT1 cDNA resulted in a significant increase in LDL-particle uptake (+23%, p = 0.01). Conclusions Rs599839 associates with decreased LDL-C and a lower risk of CAD. Effects appear to be mediated by increased sortilin expression and subsequently enhanced LDL-uptake into cells.
Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is the only enzyme known to hydrolyze cholesteryl esters (CE) and triacylglycerols in lysosomes at an acidic pH. Despite the importance of lysosomal hydrolysis in skeletal ...muscle (SM), research in this area is limited. We hypothesized that LAL may play an important role in SM development, function, and metabolism as a result of lipid and/or carbohydrate metabolism disruptions.
Mice with systemic LAL deficiency (Lal-/-) had markedly lower SM mass, cross-sectional area, and Feret diameter despite unchanged proteolysis or protein synthesis markers in all SM examined. In addition, Lal-/- SM showed increased total cholesterol and CE concentrations, especially during fasting and maturation. Regardless of increased glucose uptake, expression of the slow oxidative fiber marker MYH7 was markedly increased in Lal-/-SM, indicating a fiber switch from glycolytic, fast-twitch fibers to oxidative, slow-twitch fibers. Proteomic analysis of the oxidative and glycolytic parts of the SM confirmed the transition between fast- and slow-twitch fibers, consistent with the decreased Lal-/- muscle size due to the "fiber paradox". Decreased oxidative capacity and ATP concentration were associated with reduced mitochondrial function of Lal-/- SM, particularly affecting oxidative phosphorylation, despite unchanged structure and number of mitochondria. Impairment in muscle function was reflected by increased exhaustion in the treadmill peak effort test in vivo.
We conclude that whole-body loss of LAL is associated with a profound remodeling of the muscular phenotype, manifested by fiber type switch and a decline in muscle mass, most likely due to dysfunctional mitochondria and impaired energy metabolism, at least in mice.
The TNF-superfamily member TRAIL is known to mediate selective apoptosis in tumor cells suggesting this protein as a potential antitumor drug target. However, initial successful pr-clinical results ...could not be translated into the clinic. Reasons for the ineffectiveness of TRAIL-targeting in tumor therapies could include acquired TRAIL resistance. A tumor cell acquires TRAIL resistance, for example, by upregulation of antiapoptotic proteins. In addition, TRAIL can also influence the immune system and thus, tumor growth. We were able to show in our previous work that TRAIL
mice show improved survival in a mouse model of pancreatic carcinoma. Therefore, in this study we aimed to immunologically characterize the TRAIL
mice. We observed no significant differences in the distribution of CD3
, CD4
, CD8
T-cells, Tregs, and central memory CD4
and CD8
cells. However, we provide evidence for relevant differences in the distribution of effector memory T-cells and CD8
CD122
cells but also in dendritic cells. Our findings suggest that T-lymphocytes of TRAIL
mice proliferate at a lower rate, and that the administration of recombinant TRAIL significantly increases their proliferation, while regulatory T-cells (Tregs) from TRAIL
mice are less suppressive. Regarding the dendritic cells, we found more type-2 conventional dendritic cells (DC2s) in the TRAIL
mice. For the first time (to the best of our knowledge), we provide a comprehensive characterization of the immunological landscape of TRAIL-deficient mice. This will establish an experimental basis for future investigations of TRAIL-mediated immunology.
Tissue-resident lymphocytes provide organ-adapted protection against invading pathogens. Whereas their biology has been examined in great detail in various infection models, their generation and ...functionality in response to vaccination have not been comprehensively analyzed in humans. We therefore studied SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-specific T cells in surgery specimens of kidney, liver, lung, bone marrow, and spleen compared with paired blood samples from largely virus-naive individuals. As opposed to lymphoid tissues, nonlymphoid organs harbored significantly elevated frequencies of spike-specific CD4+ T cells compared with blood showing hallmarks of tissue residency and an expanded memory pool. Organ-derived CD4+ T cells further exhibited increased polyfunctionality over those detected in blood. Single-cell RNA-Seq together with T cell receptor repertoire analysis indicated that the clonotype rather than organ origin is a major determinant of transcriptomic state in vaccine-specific CD4+ T cells. In summary, our data demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination entails acquisition of tissue memory and residency features in organs distant from the inoculation site, thereby contributing to our understanding of how local tissue protection might be accomplished.
Anthracyclines are among the most used and effective anticancer drugs. Their activity has been attributed to DNA double-strand breaks resulting from topoisomerase II poisoning and to eviction of ...histones from select sites in the genome. Here, we show that the extensively used anthracyclines Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, and Epirubicin decrease the transcription of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-dependent gene targets, but not interferon-responsive genes in primary mouse (
) macrophages. Using an NMR-based structural approach, we demonstrate that anthracyclines disturb the complexes formed between the NF-κB subunit RelA and its DNA-binding sites. The anthracycline variants Aclarubicin, Doxorubicinone, and the newly developed Dimethyl-doxorubicin, which share anticancer properties with the other anthracyclines but do not induce DNA damage, also suppressed inflammation, thus uncoupling DNA damage from the effects on inflammation. These findings have implications for anticancer therapy and for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs with limited side effects for life-threatening conditions such as sepsis.
General practitioners (GPs) should regularly review patients' medications and, if necessary, deprescribe, as inappropriate polypharmacy may harm patients' health. However, deprescribing can be ...challenging for physicians. This study investigates GPs' deprescribing decisions in 31 countries.
In this case vignette study, GPs were invited to participate in an online survey containing three clinical cases of oldest-old multimorbid patients with potentially inappropriate polypharmacy. Patients differed in terms of dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) and were presented with and without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). For each case, we asked GPs if they would deprescribe in their usual practice. We calculated proportions of GPs who reported they would deprescribe and performed a multilevel logistic regression to examine the association between history of CVD and level of dependency on GPs' deprescribing decisions.
Of 3,175 invited GPs, 54% responded (N = 1,706). The mean age was 50 years and 60% of respondents were female. Despite differences across GP characteristics, such as age (with older GPs being more likely to take deprescribing decisions), and across countries, overall more than 80% of GPs reported they would deprescribe the dosage of at least one medication in oldest-old patients (> 80 years) with polypharmacy irrespective of history of CVD. The odds of deprescribing was higher in patients with a higher level of dependency in ADL (OR =1.5, 95%CI 1.25 to 1.80) and absence of CVD (OR =3.04, 95%CI 2.58 to 3.57).
The majority of GPs in this study were willing to deprescribe one or more medications in oldest-old multimorbid patients with polypharmacy. Willingness was higher in patients with increased dependency in ADL and lower in patients with CVD.
Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are marine toxins that cause ciguatera fish poisoning, a debilitating disease dominated by sensory and neurological disturbances that include cold allodynia and various painful ...symptoms as well as long-lasting pruritus. Although CTXs are known as the most potent mammalian sodium channel activator toxins, the etiology of many of its neurosensory symptoms remains unresolved. We recently described that local application of 1 nM Pacific Ciguatoxin-1 (P-CTX-1) into the skin of human subjects induces a long-lasting, painful axon reflex flare and that CTXs are particularly effective in releasing calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) from nerve terminals. In this study, we used mouse and rat skin preparations and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to study the molecular mechanism by which P-CTX-1 induces CGRP release. We show that P-CTX-1 induces CGRP release more effectively in mouse as compared to rat skin, exhibiting EC50 concentrations in the low nanomolar range. P-CTX-1-induced CGRP release from skin is dependent on extracellular calcium and sodium, but independent from the activation of various thermosensory transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. In contrast, lidocaine and tetrodotoxin (TTX) reduce CGRP release by 53-75%, with the remaining fraction involving L-type and T-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC). Using transgenic mice, we revealed that the TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) NaV1.9, but not NaV1.8 or NaV1.7 alone and the combined activation of the TTX-sensitive VGSC subtypes NaV1.7 and NaV1.1 carry the largest part of the P-CTX-1-caused CGRP release of 42% and 34%, respectively. Given the contribution of CGRP to nociceptive and itch sensing pathways, our findings contribute to a better understanding of sensory symptoms of acute and chronic ciguatera that may help in the identification of potential therapeutics.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides the unique ability to monitor several disease-related pathological processes via their characteristic metabolic markers in vivo. In the present study ...metabolic compositions were assessed every six months over the period of two years in 36 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) including 21 relapsing-remitting (RR), 15 secondary progressive (SP) patients and 12 normal subjects. The concentrations of the main MRS-detectable metabolites N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), creatine and phosphocreatine (tCr), choline containing compounds (Cho), myo-Inositol (Ins), glutamine and glutamate (Glx) and their ratios were calculated in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and in selected non-enhancing white matter (WM) lesions. Association between metabolic concentrations in the NAWM and disability were investigated. Concentration of tNAA, a marker for neuroaxonal integrity, did not show any difference between the investigated groups. However, the patients with SPMS showed significant reduction of tNAA in the NAWM over the investigation period of two years indicating diffuse neuroaxonal loss during the disease course. Furthermore, we found a significant increase of Ins, Ins/tCr and Ins/tNAA in WM lesions independently from the course of the disease suggesting ongoing astrogliosis in silent-appearing WM lesions. Analyzing correlations between MRS metabolites in the NAWM and patients clinical status we found the positive correlation of Ins/tNAA with disability in patients with RRMS. In SPMS positive correlation of Cho with disability was found.
Background Information on the course of wound healing after fractional carbon-dioxide laser therapy has so far been gathered by histopathology. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and optical ...coherence tomography (OCT) allow the visualization of the upper layers of the skin in vivo over time. Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether CLSM and OCT can be used to quantify the kinetics of the dynamic wound-healing process. Methods Twenty healthy probands were treated with fractional carbon-dioxide laser with 8- and 16-W laser power, respectively. Optical follow-ups using CLSM and OCT were performed right after laser application and during the next 3 weeks. Results Although wound healing seems to be completed after day 7 to 14 clinically, on day 21 in 89.5% of the 8 W–treated areas and in 100% of the 16 W–treated areas subepidermal skin damage was still visible using CLSM and OCT imaging. Limitations The maximal penetration depth of CLSM is limited to the papillary dermis, whereas OCT can visualize deeper but with lower resolution. Conclusion In vivo CLSM and OCT are able to visualize changes after fractional laser treatment noninvasively. They allow especially the detection and quantification of substance defects and thereby help to elucidate the therapeutic effects.
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