| 1. |
- Andersson, Linda, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Glucosylceramide synthase deficiency in the heart compromises β1-adrenergic receptor trafficking
- 2021
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 42:43, s. 4481-4492
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: Cardiac injury and remodelling are associated with the rearrangement of cardiac lipids. Glycosphingolipids are membrane lipids that are important for cellular structure and function, and cardiac dysfunction is a characteristic of rare monogenic diseases with defects in glycosphingolipid synthesis and turnover. However, it is not known how cardiac glycosphingolipids regulate cellular processes in the heart. The aim of this study is to determine the role of cardiac glycosphingolipids in heart function.METHODS AND RESULTS: Using human myocardial biopsies, we showed that the glycosphingolipids glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide are present at very low levels in non-ischaemic human heart with normal function and are elevated during remodelling. Similar results were observed in mouse models of cardiac remodelling. We also generated mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deficiency in Ugcg, the gene encoding glucosylceramide synthase (hUgcg-/- mice). In 9- to 10-week-old hUgcg-/- mice, contractile capacity in response to dobutamine stress was reduced. Older hUgcg-/- mice developed severe heart failure and left ventricular dilatation even under baseline conditions and died prematurely. Using RNA-seq and cell culture models, we showed defective endolysosomal retrograde trafficking and autophagy in Ugcg-deficient cardiomyocytes. We also showed that responsiveness to β-adrenergic stimulation was reduced in cardiomyocytes from hUgcg-/- mice and that Ugcg knockdown suppressed the internalization and trafficking of β1-adrenergic receptors.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that cardiac glycosphingolipids are required to maintain β-adrenergic signalling and contractile capacity in cardiomyocytes and to preserve normal heart function.
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| 2. |
- Bejerot, Susanne, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with rituximab for psychotic disorder in adults (RCT-Rits)
- 2023
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In: BMC Psychiatry. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-244X. ; 23:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The role of inflammation in the aetiology of schizophrenia has gained wide attention and research on the association shows an exponential growth in the last 15 years. Autoimmune diseases and severe infections are risk factors for the later development of schizophrenia, elevated inflammatory markers in childhood or adolescence are associated with a greater risk of schizophrenia in adulthood, individuals with schizophrenia have increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to healthy controls, and autoimmune diseases are overrepresented in schizophrenia. However, treatments with anti-inflammatory agents are so far of doubtful clinical relevance. The primary objective of this study is to test whether the monoclonal antibody rituximab, directed against the B-cell antigen CD20 ameliorates psychotic symptoms in adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and to examine potential mechanisms. A secondary objective is to examine characteristics of inflammation-associated psychosis and to identify pre-treatment biochemical characteristics of rituximab responders. A third objective is to interview a subset of patients and informants on their experiences of the trial to obtain insights that rating scales may not capture.METHODS: A proof-of-concept study employing a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled design testing the effect of B-cell depletion in patients with psychosis. 120 participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) (ICD-10 codes F20, F25) will receive either one intravenous infusion of rituximab (1000 mg) or saline. Psychiatric measures and blood samples will be collected at baseline, week 12, and week 24 post-infusion. Brief assessments will also be made in weeks 2 and 7. Neuroimaging and lumbar puncture, both optional, will be performed at baseline and endpoints. Approximately 40 of the patients and their informants will be interviewed for qualitative analyses on the perceived changes in well-being and emotional qualities, in addition to their views on the research.DISCUSSION: This is the first RCT investigating add-on treatment with rituximab in unselected SSD patients. If the treatment is helpful, it may transform the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders. It may also heighten the awareness of immune-psychiatric disorders and reduce stigma.TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05622201, EudraCT-nr 2022-000220-37 version 2.1. registered 14th of October 2022.
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| 3. |
- de Faire, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Low levels of IgM antibodies to phosphorylcholine predict cardiovascular disease in 60-year old men : Effects on uptake of oxidized LDL in macrophages as a potential mechanism
- 2010
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In: Journal of Autoimmunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-8411 .- 1095-9157. ; 34:2, s. 73-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: We here determine the role of IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) in prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and on macrophage uptake of Oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Methods: From a screening of 4232 subjects, 60-year-old (2039 men and 2193 women), 211 incident cases of CVD (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or hospitalized angina pectoris) and 633 age- and sex-matched controls were identified through a 5-7 year follow-up. Serum levels of IgM anti-PC was determined by ELISA. Anti-PC was extracted from pooled human IgM and the effect of anti-PC on the uptake of OxLDL was studied by FACScan. Results: Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (Cl) by quartiles of anti-PC levels with quartile 4 set as the reference value (RR = 1.0) and adjusted for smoking, BMI, type 11 diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and high blood pressure yielded an excess risk for CVD only for those within the lowest quartile of anti-PC values with an RR of 1.37 (CI 0.87-2.16). However, for men stronger associations were noted with increasing multivariately adjusted RRs from quartile 4 to quartile 1. Subjects within quartile I (values below 29.7 U/ml) had a significantly increased RR of 1.96 (Cl 1.09-3.55). Further adjustments for hsCRP gave essentially the same results. No excess risk was noted for women. Specific anti-PC could be extracted from IgM and these antibodies inhibited macrophage uptake of OxLDL Conclusions: Low IgM anti-PC could be a novel risk marker for CVD among men. One possible mechanism could be inhibition of uptake of oxLDL in macrophages.
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| 4. |
- Grönlund, Hans, et al.
(author)
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Low levels of IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine predict development of acute myocardial infarction in a population-based cohort from northern Sweden.
- 2009
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In: European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation. - : Sage. - 1741-8267 .- 1741-8275. ; 16:3, s. 382-386
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Phosphorylcholine (PC) is one important epitope on oxidized low-density lipoprotein that may play an important role by contributing to the atherogenicity of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. IgM antibodies against PC (anti-PC) are present ubiquitously in the population as natural antibodies. We here determine the association between anti-PC and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: We studied 462 incident cases of first events of MI and 888 age-matched and sex-matched controls identified through 13 years of follow-up (1987-1999) of participants in a population-based study from northern Sweden. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident MI with adjustments for age, sex, geographical region, hypertension, diabetes, BMI, smoking habits, s-cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined. Anti-PC levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Low anti-PC values were associated with increased risk of MI. Significant associations were found for values below 26.8 U/ml, corresponding to the lowest 25th percentile, and the highest association was seen below 16.9 U/ml. These results remained almost the same after adjustment for confounding factors (RR crude: 1.56, CI: 1.07-2.28 and RR adjusted: 1.69, CI: 1.09-2.54). CONCLUSION: Low levels of natural IgM anti-PC could play an important role as risk markers for development of MI. Adjustment for common confounders only marginally affected the RR, suggesting that the addition of IgM anti-PC add independent information to the more traditional risk factors.
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| 5. |
- Sjöberg, Beatrice G., et al.
(author)
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Low levels of IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine : a potential risk marker for ischemic stroke in men
- 2009
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In: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9150 .- 1879-1484. ; 203:2, s. 528-532
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Natural antibodies specific for phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) have been implicated as protective factors in atherosclerosis. We herein determined the relationship between IgM anti-PC and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: We studied 349 incident cases (200 men) of first events of CVD (coronary heart disease (CHD; n=203 or ischemic stroke; n=146) and 693 age- and sex-matched controls identified through 12 years of follow-up (1991-2003) of subjects from the cardiovascular cohort within the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study. Relative risks (RR) of CVD with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incident CVD with adjustments for age, smoking, total cholesterol and blood pressure were determined. Anti-PC-levels were measured using ELISA (Athera CVDefine). RESULTS: As determined using Athera CVDefine, significant associations were attained with values of anti-PC below 17U/ml (corresponding to the lowest 9th percentile), which remained after taking confounders into account (RR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.09-2.94, p=0.021). If men were studied separately, significance was evident at values below 17U/ml (RR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.11-3.67, p=0.022), which was not the case among women. Furthermore, values below 17U/ml were also associated with ischemic stroke (RR=3.67, 95% CI: 1.34-10.1, p=0.01), but not with CHD. CONCLUSION: Low IgM anti-PC could be a novel risk marker for development of ischemic stroke in men. Further studies are needed to establish gender and subgroup differences.
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