1. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
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Long-range angular correlations on the near and away side in p-Pb collisions at root S-NN=5.02 TeV
- 2013
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In: Physics Letters. Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-2693. ; 719:1-3, s. 29-41
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Angular correlations between charged trigger and associated particles are measured by the ALICE detector in p-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV for transverse momentum ranges within 0.5 < P-T,P-assoc < P-T,P-trig < 4 GeV/c. The correlations are measured over two units of pseudorapidity and full azimuthal angle in different intervals of event multiplicity, and expressed as associated yield per trigger particle. Two long-range ridge-like structures, one on the near side and one on the away side, are observed when the per-trigger yield obtained in low-multiplicity events is subtracted from the one in high-multiplicity events. The excess on the near-side is qualitatively similar to that recently reported by the CMS Collaboration, while the excess on the away-side is reported for the first time. The two-ridge structure projected onto azimuthal angle is quantified with the second and third Fourier coefficients as well as by near-side and away-side yields and widths. The yields on the near side and on the away side are equal within the uncertainties for all studied event multiplicity and p(T) bins, and the widths show no significant evolution with event multiplicity or p(T). These findings suggest that the near-side ridge is accompanied by an essentially identical away-side ridge. (c) 2013 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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2. |
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- 2019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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3. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
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Measurement of prompt J/psi and beauty hadron production cross sections at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV
- 2012
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In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - 1029-8479. ; :11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ALICE experiment at the LHC has studied J/psi production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV through its electron pair decay on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L-int = 5.6 nb(-1). The fraction of J/psi from the decay of long-lived beauty hadrons was determined for J/psi candidates with transverse momentum p(t) > 1,3 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9. The cross section for prompt J/psi mesons, i.e. directly produced J/psi and prompt decays of heavier charmonium states such as the psi(2S) and chi(c) resonances, is sigma(prompt J/psi) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 8.3 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 1.1 (syst.)(-1.4)(+1.5) (syst. pol.) mu b. The cross section for the production of b-hadrons decaying to J/psi with p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c and vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9 is a sigma(J/psi <- hB) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 1.46 +/- 0.38 (stat.)(-0.32)(+0.26) (syst.) mu b. The results are compared to QCD model predictions. The shape of the p(t) and y distributions of b-quarks predicted by perturbative QCD model calculations are used to extrapolate the measured cross section to derive the b (b) over bar pair total cross section and d sigma/dy at mid-rapidity.
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4. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
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Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at root s=0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC
- 2012
-
In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - 1029-8479. ; :7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at root s = 0 : 9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum p(T),L-T in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different p(T) thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track p(T) threshold considered. Data are compared to PYTHIA 6.4, PYTHIA 8.1 and PHOJET. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed p(T) in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.
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5. |
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6. |
- Martin, Myriam, et al.
(author)
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Citrullination of C1-inhibitor as a mechanism of impaired complement regulation in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2023
-
In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundDysregulated complement activation, increased protein citrullination, and production of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins are hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Citrullination is induced by immune cell-derived peptidyl-Arg deiminases (PADs), which are overactivated in the inflamed synovium. We characterized the effect of PAD2- and PAD4-induced citrullination on the ability of the plasma-derived serpin C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) to inhibit complement and contact system activation. MethodsCitrullination of the C1-INH was confirmed by ELISA and Western blotting using a biotinylated phenylglyoxal probe. C1-INH-mediated inhibition of complement activation was analyzed by C1-esterase activity assay. Downstream inhibition of complement was studied by C4b deposition on heat-aggregated IgGs by ELISA, using pooled normal human serum as a complement source. Inhibition of the contact system was investigated by chromogenic activity assays for factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa. In addition, autoantibody reactivity to native and citrullinated C1-INH was measured by ELISA in 101 RA patient samples. ResultsC1-INH was efficiently citrullinated by PAD2 and PAD4. Citrullinated C1-INH was not able to bind the serine protease C1s and inhibit its activity. Citrullination of the C1-INH abrogated its ability to dissociate the C1-complex and thus inhibit complement activation. Consequently, citrullinated C1-INH had a decreased capacity to inhibit C4b deposition via the classical and lectin pathways. The inhibitory effect of C1-INH on the contact system components factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa was also strongly reduced by citrullination. In RA patient samples, autoantibody binding to PAD2- and PAD4-citrullinated C1-INH was detected. Significantly more binding was observed in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive than in ACPA-negative samples. ConclusionCitrullination of the C1-INH by recombinant human PAD2 and PAD4 enzymes impaired its ability to inhibit the complement and contact systems in vitro. Citrullination seems to render C1-INH more immunogenic, and citrullinated C1-INH might thus be an additional target of the autoantibody response observed in RA patients.
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7. |
- Tesi, Bianca, et al.
(author)
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Gain-of-function SAMD9L mutations cause a syndrome of cytopenia, immunodeficiency, MDS, and neurological symptoms
- 2017
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In: Blood. - : AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. - 0006-4971 .- 1528-0020. ; 129:16, s. 2266-2279
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Several monogenic causes of familial myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) have recently been identified. We studied 2 families with cytopenia, predisposition to MDS with chromosome 7 aberrations, immunodeficiency, and progressive cerebellar dysfunction. Genetic studies uncovered heterozygous missense mutations in SAMD9L, a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome arm 7q. Consistent with a gain-of-function effect, ectopic expression of the 2 identified SAMD9L mutants decreased cell proliferation relative to wild-type protein. Of the 10 individuals identified who were heterozygous for either SAMD9L mutation, 3 developed MDS upon loss of the mutated SAMD9L allele following intracellular infections associated with myeloid, B-, and natural killer (NK)-cell deficiency. Five other individuals, 3 with spontaneously resolved cytopenic episodes in infancy, harbored hematopoietic revertant mosaicism by uniparental disomy of 7q, with loss of the mutated allele or additional in cis SAMD9L truncating mutations. Examination of 1 individual indicated that somatic reversions were postnatally selected. Somatic mutations were tracked to CD34 1 hematopoietic progenitor cell populations, being further enriched in B and NK cells. Stimulation of these cell types with interferon (IFN)-alpha or IFN-gamma induced SAMD9L expression. Clinically, revertant mosaicism was associated with milder disease, yet neurological manifestations persisted in 3 individuals. Two carriers also harbored a rare, in trans germ line SAMD9L missense loss-of-function variant, potentially counteracting the SAMD9L mutation. Our results demonstrate that gain-of-function mutations in the tumor suppressor SAMD9L cause cytopenia, immunodeficiency, variable neurological presentation, and predisposition to MDS with 27/del(7q), whereas hematopoietic revertant mosaicism commonly ameliorated clinical manifestations. The findings suggest a role for SAMD9L in regulating IFN-driven, demand-adapted hematopoiesis.
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8. |
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9. |
- Burman, Joachim, et al.
(author)
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Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for aggressive multiple sclerosis : the Swedish experience
- 2014
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In: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. - London, United Kingdom : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0022-3050 .- 1468-330X. ; 85:10, s. 1116-1121
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a viable option for treatment of aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS). No randomised controlled trial has been performed, and thus, experiences from systematic and sustained follow-up of treated patients constitute important information about safety and efficacy. In this observational study, we describe the characteristics and outcome of the Swedish patients treated with HSCT for MS.Methods: Neurologists from the major hospitals in Sweden filled out a follow-up form with prospectively collected data. Fifty-two patients were identified in total; 48 were included in the study and evaluated for safety and side effects; 41 patients had at least 1 year of follow-up and were further analysed for clinical and radiological outcome. In this cohort, 34 patients (83%) had relapsing-remitting MS, and mean follow-up time was 47 months.Results: At 5 years, relapse-free survival was 87%; MRI event-free survival 85%; expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score progression-free survival 77%; and disease-free survival (no relapses, no new MRI lesions and no EDSS progression) 68%. Presence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions prior to HSCT was associated with a favourable outcome (disease-free survival 79% vs 46%, p=0.028). There was no mortality. The most common long-term side effects were herpes zoster reactivation (15%) and thyroid disease (8.4%).Conclusions: HSCT is a very effective treatment of inflammatory active MS and can be performed with a high degree of safety at experienced centres.
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10. |
- Chen, Yihong, et al.
(author)
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Identification of an osteopontin-derived peptide that binds neuropilin-1 and activates vascular repair responses and angiogenesis
- 2024
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In: Pharmacological Research. - 1096-1186. ; 205
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The osteopontin-derived peptide FOL-005 stimulates hair growth. Using ligand-receptor glyco-capture technology we identified neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), a known co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, as the most probable receptor for FOL-005 and the more stable analogue FOL-026. X-ray diffraction and microscale thermophoresis analysis revealed that FOL-026 shares binding site with VEGF in the NRP-1 b1-subdomain. Stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with FOL-026 resulted in phosphorylation of VEGFR-2, ERK1/2 and AKT, increased cell growth and migration, stimulation of endothelial tube formation and inhibition of apoptosis in vitro. FOL-026 also promoted angiogenesis in vivo as assessed by subcutaneous Matrigel plug and hind limb ischemia models. NRP-1 knock-down or treatment of NRP-1 antagonist EG00229 blocked the stimulatory effects of FOL-026 on endothelial cells. Exposure of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells to FOL-026 stimulated cell growth, migration, inhibited apoptosis, and induced VEGF gene expression and VEGFR-2/AKT phosphorylation by an NRP-1-dependent mechanism. RNA sequencing showed that FOL-026 activated pathways involved in tissue repair. These findings identify NRP-1 as the receptor for FOL-026 and show that its biological effects mimic that of growth factors binding to the VEGF receptor family. They also suggest that FOL-026 may have therapeutical potential in conditions that require vascular repair and/or enhanced angiogenesis.
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11. |
- Culina, Antica, et al.
(author)
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Connecting the data landscape of long-term ecological studies : The SPI-Birds data hub
- 2021
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In: Journal of Animal Ecology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0021-8790 .- 1365-2656. ; 90:9, s. 2147-2160
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The integration and synthesis of the data in different areas of science is drastically slowed and hindered by a lack of standards and networking programmes. Long-term studies of individually marked animals are not an exception. These studies are especially important as instrumental for understanding evolutionary and ecological processes in the wild. Furthermore, their number and global distribution provides a unique opportunity to assess the generality of patterns and to address broad-scale global issues (e.g. climate change). To solve data integration issues and enable a new scale of ecological and evolutionary research based on long-term studies of birds, we have created the SPI-Birds Network and Database ()-a large-scale initiative that connects data from, and researchers working on, studies of wild populations of individually recognizable (usually ringed) birds. Within year and a half since the establishment, SPI-Birds has recruited over 120 members, and currently hosts data on almost 1.5 million individual birds collected in 80 populations over 2,000 cumulative years, and counting. SPI-Birds acts as a data hub and a catalogue of studied populations. It prevents data loss, secures easy data finding, use and integration and thus facilitates collaboration and synthesis. We provide community-derived data and meta-data standards and improve data integrity guided by the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR), and aligned with the existing metadata languages (e.g. ecological meta-data language). The encouraging community involvement stems from SPI-Bird's decentralized approach: research groups retain full control over data use and their way of data management, while SPI-Birds creates tailored pipelines to convert each unique data format into a standard format. We outline the lessons learned, so that other communities (e.g. those working on other taxa) can adapt our successful model. Creating community-specific hubs (such as ours, COMADRE for animal demography, etc.) will aid much-needed large-scale ecological data integration.
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12. |
- De Luca, Alberto, et al.
(author)
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On the generalizability of diffusion MRI signal representations across acquisition parameters, sequences and tissue types : Chronicles of the MEMENTO challenge
- 2021
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In: NeuroImage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1053-8119 .- 1095-9572. ; 240
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Diffusion MRI (dMRI) has become an invaluable tool to assess the microstructural organization of brain tissue. Depending on the specific acquisition settings, the dMRI signal encodes specific properties of the underlying diffusion process. In the last two decades, several signal representations have been proposed to fit the dMRI signal and decode such properties. Most methods, however, are tested and developed on a limited amount of data, and their applicability to other acquisition schemes remains unknown. With this work, we aimed to shed light on the generalizability of existing dMRI signal representations to different diffusion encoding parameters and brain tissue types. To this end, we organized a community challenge - named MEMENTO, making available the same datasets for fair comparisons across algorithms and techniques. We considered two state-of-the-art diffusion datasets, including single-diffusion-encoding (SDE) spin-echo data from a human brain with over 3820 unique diffusion weightings (the MASSIVE dataset), and double (oscillating) diffusion encoding data (DDE/DODE) of a mouse brain including over 2520 unique data points. A subset of the data sampled in 5 different voxels was openly distributed, and the challenge participants were asked to predict the remaining part of the data. After one year, eight participant teams submitted a total of 80 signal fits. For each submission, we evaluated the mean squared error, the variance of the prediction error and the Bayesian information criteria. The received submissions predicted either multi-shell SDE data (37%) or DODE data (22%), followed by cartesian SDE data (19%) and DDE (18%). Most submissions predicted the signals measured with SDE remarkably well, with the exception of low and very strong diffusion weightings. The prediction of DDE and DODE data seemed more challenging, likely because none of the submissions explicitly accounted for diffusion time and frequency. Next to the choice of the model, decisions on fit procedure and hyperparameters play a major role in the prediction performance, highlighting the importance of optimizing and reporting such choices. This work is a community effort to highlight strength and limitations of the field at representing dMRI acquired with trending encoding schemes, gaining insights into how different models generalize to different tissue types and fiber configurations over a large range of diffusion encodings.
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13. |
- Einarsdottir, Berglind Osk, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Melanoma patient-derived xenografts accurately model the disease and develop fast enough to guide treatment decisions.
- 2014
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In: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 5:20, s. 9609-18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The development of novel therapies against melanoma would benefit from individualized tumor models to ensure the rapid and accurate identification of biomarkers of therapy response. Previous studies have suggested that patient-derived xenografts (PDXes) could be useful. However, the utility of PDXes in guiding real-time treatment decisions has only been reported in anecdotal forms. Here tumor biopsies from patients with stage III and IV metastatic malignant melanoma were transplanted into immunocompromised mice to generate PDXes. 23/26 melanoma biopsies generated serially transplantable PDX models, and their histology, mutation status and expression profile resembled their corresponding patient biopsy. The potential treatment for one patient was revealed by an in vitro drug screen and treating PDXes with the MEK inhibitor trametinib. In another patient, the BRAF mutation predicted the response of both the patient and its corresponding PDXes to MAPK-targeted therapy. Importantly, in this unselected group of patients, the time from biopsy for generation of PDXes until death was significantly longer than the time required to reach the treatment phase of the PDXes. Thus, it could be clinically meaningful to use this type of platform for melanoma patients as a pre-selection tool in clinical trials.
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14. |
- Folkersen, Lasse, et al.
(author)
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Genomic and drug target evaluation of 90 cardiovascular proteins in 30,931 individuals.
- 2020
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In: Nature metabolism. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2522-5812. ; 2:10, s. 1135-1148
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Circulating proteins are vital in human health and disease and are frequently used as biomarkers for clinical decision-making or as targets for pharmacological intervention. Here, we map and replicate protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) for 90 cardiovascular proteins in over 30,000 individuals, resulting in 451 pQTLs for 85 proteins. For each protein, we further perform pathway mapping to obtain trans-pQTL gene and regulatory designations. We substantiate these regulatory findings with orthogonal evidence for trans-pQTLs using mouse knockdown experiments (ABCA1 and TRIB1) and clinical trial results (chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5), with consistent regulation. Finally, we evaluate known drug targets, and suggest new target candidates or repositioning opportunities using Mendelian randomization. This identifies 11 proteins with causal evidence of involvement in human disease that have not previously been targeted, including EGF, IL-16, PAPPA, SPON1, F3, ADM, CASP-8, CHI3L1, CXCL16, GDF15 and MMP-12. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the utility of large-scale mapping of the genetics of the proteome and provide a resource for future precision studies of circulating proteins in human health.
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15. |
- Hess, Timo, et al.
(author)
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Dissecting the genetic heterogeneity of gastric cancer
- 2023
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In: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier. - 2352-3964. ; 92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is clinically heterogenous according to location (cardia/non-cardia) and histopathology (diffuse/intestinal). We aimed to characterize the genetic risk architecture of GC according to its subtypes. Another aim was to examine whether cardia GC and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and its precursor lesion Barrett's oesophagus (BO), which are all located at the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ), share polygenic risk architecture.Methods: We did a meta-analysis of ten European genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of GC and its subtypes. All patients had a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. For the identification of risk genes among GWAS loci we did a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) study from gastric corpus and antrum mucosa. To test whether cardia GC and OAC/BO share genetic aetiology we also used a European GWAS sample with OAC/BO.Findings: Our GWAS consisting of 5816 patients and 10,999 controls highlights the genetic heterogeneity of GC according to its subtypes. We newly identified two and replicated five GC risk loci, all of them with subtype-specific association. The gastric transcriptome data consisting of 361 corpus and 342 antrum mucosa samples revealed that an upregulated expression of MUC1, ANKRD50, PTGER4, and PSCA are plausible GC-pathomechanisms at four GWAS loci. At another risk locus, we found that the blood-group 0 exerts protective effects for non-cardia and diffuse GC, while blood-group A increases risk for both GC subtypes. Furthermore, our GWAS on cardia GC and OAC/BO (10,279 patients, 16,527 controls) showed that both cancer entities share genetic aetiology at the polygenic level and identified two new risk loci on the single-marker level.Interpretation: Our findings show that the pathophysiology of GC is genetically heterogenous according to location and histopathology. Moreover, our findings point to common molecular mechanisms underlying cardia GC and OAC/BO.
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16. |
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17. |
- Nilsson, E.J.C., et al.
(author)
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Using microdispensing to manufacture a customized cell dish for microbeam irradiation of single, living cells
- 2009
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In: Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-583X. ; 267:7, s. 1199-1205
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper is described the preparation of patterned cell dishes to be used in studies of low dose irradiation effects on living cells. Using a droplet microdispenser, an 8 mu m thick polypropylene cell substrate, to which cells do not naturally adhere, was coated in a matrix pattern with the cell adhesive mussel protein Cell-Tak. Cells were shown to adhere and grow on the protein-coated spots, but not on the uncoated parts, providing for guided cell growth. Cultivation of isolated cell colonies provides an opportunity to study how low doses of ionizing radiation affect neighbouring un-irradiated cell colonies. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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18. |
- Nilsson-Ehle, Herman, et al.
(author)
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Quality of life, physical function and MRI T2*in elderly low-risk MDS patients treated to a haemoglobin level of andgt;= 120 g/L with darbepoetin alfa +/- filgrastim or erythrocyte transfusions
- 2011
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In: European Journal of Haematology. - : John Wiley and Sons. - 0902-4441 .- 1600-0609. ; 87:3, s. 244-252
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Anaemia in low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL). Response to treatment with erythropoietin +/- granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is associated with improved QoL, but whether transfusion therapy with higher haemoglobin (Hb) target levels has similar effects is unknown. The objective for this prospective phase II Nordic multicentre trial was to assess QoL, response rate and physical function in elderly anaemic MDS patients treated to a target Hb level of andgt; 120 g /L. Methods: Thirty-six elderly patients with low-and intermediate-1 risk MDS received darbepoetin (DA) 300 mu g/wk, with the addition of G-CSF if no response. If the Hb target was reached at 16 wk, treatment was maintained until week 26. Remaining patients were transfused to reach the target level for at least 8 wk. Results: Twenty-seven patients completed the study. Response rate to DA +/- G-CSF was 67% in evaluable patients and 56% according to intention to treat. Eighteen patients reached the target Hb level according to protocol. QoL scores for fatigue, dyspnoea, constipation, and physical, role and social functioning improved significantly during study, with similar results for transfused and untransfused patients. Maintaining Hb andgt; 120 g /L did not confer a higher transfusion rate, once the target was reached. In two of fourteen patients, magnetic resonance imaging T2* indicated cardiac iron overload, however, without association with ferritin levels. Conclusions: In elderly anaemic MDS patients, an increment in haemoglobin is associated with improved QoL, whether induced by growth factor treatment or transfusion therapy.
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19. |
- Nilsson, Jan-Eric, et al.
(author)
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Transport Infrastructure Investment : Options for Efficiency
- 2008
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Surface transport plays a fundamental role in nearly all social and economic activity. Providing and maintaining the infrastructure consumes enormous resources. Thus, it is essential that this be carried out in the most efficient and effective way possible. Many options are available to provide surface transport infrastructure – public ministries and agencies, public-private partnerships (PPPs), state-owned companies, private and non-profit entities, and outright privatisation. There are also various means of paying for it, including user charging, subsidies, public borrowing or private financing. This report examines key principles that should be considered by governments in deciding how to provide and pay for surface transport infrastructure, with a view to best serving societies’ needs and employing public resources. It also considers the key issues that must be resolved in making more use of private financing and expertise.
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20. |
- Nordin Fredrikson, Gunilla, et al.
(author)
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Association between IgM against an aldehyde-modified peptide in apo B-100 and progression of carotid disease.
- 2007
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In: Stroke. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 38, s. 1495-1500
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Purpose— Autoantibodies against antigens in oxidized low-density lipoprotein are common in people; experimental studies suggest that these immune responses have a functional role in the disease process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the immune response against one defined oxidized low-density lipoprotein antigen, the aldehyde-modified peptide corresponding amino acids 3136 and 3155 (MDA-p210) in apolipoprotein (apo) B-100, and progression of carotid intima media thickness (IMT).Methods— IgM and IgG against MDA-p210 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with placebo, metoprolol, fluvastatin, or metoprolol/fluvastatin in 751 individuals participating in the BCAPS. Carotid IMT was assessed by ultrasonography at baseline and after 18 and 36 months of treatment.Results— Antibody levels did not change in response to treatment, but high baseline MDA-p210 IgM levels were associated with a more rapid progression of carotid disease both at 18 (r=0.09, P<0.05) and 36 months (r=0.12, P<0.005). At 36 months, the difference in IMT progression rate per year between those with high MDA-p210 IgM levels and those with low was 0.011 mm (95% CI=0.005 to 0.018 mm, P<0.0001). Treatment with fluvastatin markedly decreased the progression of IMT among subjects with high but not with low MDA-p210 IgM levels. There was no association between MDA-p210 IgG and carotid IMT progression.Conclusions— IgM against the aldehyde-modified peptide corresponding amino acids 3136 and 3155 in apo B-100 is common in subjects with asymptomatic carotid disease, and high levels are associated with a more rapid progression of carotid IMT. The observation that the effect of fluvastatin was restricted to subjects with high MDA-p210 IgM levels may reflect the increased rate of disease progression in this group.
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21. |
- Nordin Fredrikson, Gunilla, et al.
(author)
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Association between IgM against an aldehyde-modified peptide in apolipoprotein B-100 and progression of carotid disease
- 2007
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In: Stroke: a journal of cerebral circulation. - 1524-4628. ; 38:5, s. 1495-1500
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Purpose - Autoantibodies against antigens in oxidized low-density lipoprotein are common in people; experimental studies suggest that these immune responses have a functional role in the disease process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the immune response against one defined oxidized low-density lipoprotein antigen, the aldehyde-modified peptide corresponding amino acids 3136 and 3155 (MDA-p210) in apolipoprotein (apo) B-100, and progression of carotid intima media thickness (IMT). Methods - IgM and IgG against MDA-p210 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with placebo, metoprolol, fluvastatin, or metoprolol/ fluvastatin in 751 individuals participating in the BCAPS. Carotid IMT was assessed by ultrasonography at baseline and after 18 and 36 months of treatment. Results - Antibody levels did not change in response to treatment, but high baseline MDA-p210 IgM levels were associated with a more rapid progression of carotid disease both at 18 ( r = 0.09, P < 0.05) and 36 months ( r = 0.12, P < 0.005). At 36 months, the difference in IMT progression rate per year between those with high MDA-p210 IgM levels and those with low was 0.011 mm ( 95% CI = 0.005 to 0.018 mm, P < 0.0001). Treatment with fluvastatin markedly decreased the progression of IMT among subjects with high but not with low MDA-p210 IgM levels. There was no association between MDA-p210 IgG and carotid IMT progression. Conclusions - IgM against the aldehyde-modified peptide corresponding amino acids 3136 and 3155 in apo B-100 is common in subjects with asymptomatic carotid disease, and high levels are associated with a more rapid progression of carotid IMT. The observation that the effect of fluvastatin was restricted to subjects with high MDA-p210 IgM levels may reflect the increased rate of disease progression in this group.
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22. |
- Nordin Fredrikson, Gunilla, et al.
(author)
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Identification of autoantibodies in human plasma recognizing an apoB-100 LDL receptor binding site peptide
- 2006
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In: Journal of Lipid Research. - 1539-7262 .- 0022-2275. ; 47:9, s. 2049-2054
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that autoantibodies recognize amino acid sequences in the LDL receptor binding region of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100). Autoantibodies against an unmodified or malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL receptor binding site peptide were determined by ELISA in baseline plasma samples of 78 cases with coronary events and 149 matched controls recruited from the prospective Malmo Diet Cancer Study. IgG and IgM recognizing this peptide were detected in all subjects but did not differ between cases and controls. Inverse associations were observed between IgG against the native binding site and plasma oxidized LDL (r = -0.21, P < 0.005), but there were no significant associations with total or LDL cholesterol levels. In univariate analyses, inverse associations were found between baseline carotid intima-media thickness and IgG against the MDA-modified binding site (r = -0.14, P < 0.05), but this association was lost when controlling for other major cardiovascular risk factors. Specificity studies demonstrated that the binding of autoantibodies to these sequences could be inhibited by oxidized but not by native LDL. Autoantibodies recognizing the LDL receptor binding site in apoB-100 are frequently expressed. Their association with plasma oxidized LDL suggests that they have been generated in response to breakdown products of LDL oxidation, but their influence on cholesterol metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis appears limited.
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23. |
- Skov, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Waterbird Populations and Pressures in the Baltic Sea
- 2011
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Book (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This report outlines the results of the internationally coordinated census of wintering waterbirds in the Baltic Sea 2007-2009 undertaken under the SOWBAS project (Status of wintering Waterbird populations in the Baltic Sea). The estimated total number of wintering waterbirds was 4.41 million compared to 7.44 million during the last co-ordinated census 1992-1993. Despite the general declines stable or increasing populations of herbivorous species were recorded. While benthic carnivores with a coastal distribution have either shown moderate declines, stable or increasing populations seaducks with an offshore distribution have declined seriously.
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24. |
- Abdel-Motal, Ussama M., et al.
(author)
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Major histocompatibility complex class I binding glycopeptides for the estimation of 'empty' class I molecules
- 1995
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In: Journal of Immunological Methods. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-1759. ; 188:1, s. 21-31
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Different forms of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I heavy chains are known to be expressed on the cell surface, including molecules which are functionally 'empty'. Direct peptide binding to cells is obvious during sensitization of target cells in vitro for cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing and 'empty' MHC-I molecules are comparatively abundant on TAP- 1 2 peptide transporter mutant cells. In the present work we have estimated the fraction of 'empty' MHC class I molecules using glycosylated peptides and cellular staining with carbohydrate specific monoclonal antibodies. Synthetic Db and Kb binding peptides were coupled at different positions with different di- or trisaccharides, using different spacing between the carbohydrate and the peptide backbone. Binding of sugar specific mAbs was compared in ELISA and cellular assays. An optimal Db binding glycopeptide was used for comparative staining with anti-Db and anti-carbohydrate monoclonal antibodies to estimate fractions of 'empty' molecules on different T lymphoid cells. On activated normal T cells, a large fraction of Db molecules were found to be 'empty'. The functional cole of such 'empty' MHC class I molecules on T cells is presently unclear. However, on antigen presenting cells they might participate in the antigen presentation process.
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25. |
- Adler, Jan-Olof, et al.
(author)
-
A broad range tagging spectrometer for the MAX-laboratory
- 1997
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In: Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment. - 0167-5087. ; 388:1-2, s. 17-26
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A broad range tagging spectrometer together with a new beam transport system for photonuclear experiments at the MAX-laboratory in Lund is described. The spectrometer consists of a quadrupole followed by an Elbek-type dipole and has a large momentum acceptance. It can produce both polarized and unpolarized tagged photons in the energy range 10–80 MeV with an energy resolution of about 300 keV.
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