| 1. |
- Carmona-Gutierrez, D., et al.
(author)
-
Guidelines and recommendations on yeast cell death nomenclature
- 2018
-
In: Microbial Cell. - : Shared Science Publishers OG. - 2311-2638. ; 5:1, s. 4-31
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Elucidating the biology of yeast in its full complexity has major implications for science, medicine and industry. One of the most critical processes determining yeast life and physiology is cellular demise. However, the investigation of yeast cell death is a relatively young field, and a widely accepted set of concepts and terms is still missing. Here, we propose unified criteria for the definition of accidental, regulated, and programmed forms of cell death in yeast based on a series of morphological and biochemical criteria. Specifically, we provide consensus guidelines on the differential definition of terms including apoptosis, regulated necrosis, and autophagic cell death, as we refer to additional cell death routines that are relevant for the biology of (at least some species of) yeast. As this area of investigation advances rapidly, changes and extensions to this set of recommendations will be implemented in the years to come. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage the authors, reviewers and editors of scientific articles to adopt these collective standards in order to establish an accurate framework for yeast cell death research and, ultimately, to accelerate the progress of this vibrant field of research.
|
|
| 2. |
- Muller-Deile, J., et al.
(author)
-
Podocytes regulate the glomerular basement membrane protein nephronectin by means of miR-378a-3p in glomerular diseases
- 2017
-
In: Kidney International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0085-2538. ; 92:4, s. 836-849
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The pathophysiology of many proteinuric kidney diseases is poorly understood, and microRNAs (miRs) regulation of these diseases has been largely unexplored. Here, we tested whether miR-378a-3p is a novel regulator of glomerular diseases. MiR-378a-3p has two predicted targets relevant to glomerular function, the glomerular basement membrane matrix component, nephronectin (NPNT), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), miR-378a-3p mimic injection or npnt knockdown by a morpholino oligomer caused an identical phenotype consisting of edema, proteinuria, podocyte effacement, and widening of the glomerular basement membrane in the lamina rara interna. Zebrafish vegf-A protein could not rescue this phenotype. However, mouse Npnt constructs containing a mutated 3'UTR region prevented the phenotype caused by miR-378a-3p mimic injection. Overexpression of miR-378a-3p in mice confirmed glomerular dysfunction in a mammalian model. Biopsies from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranous nephropathy had increased miR-378a-3p expression and reduced glomerular levels of NPNT. Thus, miR-378a-3p-mediated suppression of the glomerular matrix protein NPNT is a novel mechanism for proteinuria development in active glomerular diseases.
|
|
| 3. |
- Kong, So Yeon, et al.
(author)
-
The Association between Glyceraldehyde-Derived Advanced Glycation End-Products and Colorectal Cancer Risk
- 2015
-
In: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. - 1055-9965 .- 1538-7755. ; 24:12, s. 1855-1863
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: A large proportion of colorectal cancers are thought to be associated with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle exposures, particularly energy excess, obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycemia. It has been suggested that these processes stimulate the production of toxic reactive carbonyls from sugars such as glyceraldehyde. Glyceraldehyde contributes to the production of a group of compounds known as glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products (glycer-AGEs), which may promote colorectal cancer through their proinflammatory and pro-oxidative properties. The objective of this study nested within a prospective cohort was to explore the association of circulating glycer-AGEs with risk of colorectal cancer. Methods: A total of 1,055 colorectal cancer cases (colon n = 659; rectal n = 396) were matchced (1: 1) to control subjects. Circulating glycer-AGEs were measured by a competitive ELISA. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusting for potential confounding factors, including smoking, alcohol, physical activity, body mass index, and diabetes status. Results: Elevated glycer-AGEs levels were not associated with colorectal cancer risk (highest vs. lowest quartile, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.82-1.49). Subgroup analyses showed possible divergence by anatomical subsites (OR for colon cancer, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.571.22; OR for rectal cancer, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.14-3.19; Pheterogeneity = 0.14). Conclusions: In this prospective study, circulating glycer-AGEs were not associated with risk of colon cancer, but showed a positive association with the risk of rectal cancer. Impact: Further research is needed to clarify the role of toxic products of carbohydrate metabolism and energy excess in colorectal cancer development.
|
|
| 4. |
- Bosmans, J W A M, et al.
(author)
-
Functional mucous layer and healing of proximal colonic anastomoses in an experimental model.
- 2017
-
In: The British journal of surgery. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1365-2168 .- 0007-1323. ; 104:5, s. 619-630
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most dreaded complication after colorectal surgery, causing high morbidity and mortality. Mucus is a first line of defence against external factors in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, the structural mucus protein Muc2 was depleted in genetically engineered mice and the effect on healing of colonic anastomoses studied in an experimental model.Mice of different Muc2 genotypes were used in a proximal colonic AL model. Tissues were scored histologically for inflammation, bacterial translocation was determined by quantitative PCR of bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA, and epithelial cell damage was determined by assessing serum levels of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein.Of 22 Muc2-deficient (Muc2(-/-) ) mice, 20 developed AL, compared with seven of 22 control animals (P <0·001). Control mice showed normal healing, whereas Muc2(-/-) mice had more inflammation with less collagen deposition and neoangiogenesis. A tendency towards higher bacterial translocation was seen in mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen in Muc2(-/-) mice. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels were significantly higher in Muc2(-/-) mice compared with controls (P = 0·011).A functional mucous layer facilitates the healing of colonic anastomoses. Clinical relevance Colorectal anastomotic leakage remains the most dreaded complication after colorectal surgery. It is known that the aetiology of anastomotic leakage is multifactorial, and a role is suggested for the interaction between intraluminal content and mucosa. In this murine model of proximal colonic anastomotic leakage, the authors investigated the mucous layer at the intestinal mucosa, as the first line of defence, and found that a normal, functioning mucous layer is essential in the healing process of colonic anastomoses. Further research on anastomotic healing should focus on positively influencing the mucous layer to promote better postoperative recovery.
|
|
| 5. |
- Nyström, Kristina, 1977, et al.
(author)
-
Neofunctionalization of the Sec1 alpha 1,2fucosyltransferase Paralogue in Leporids Contributes to Glycan Polymorphism and Resistance to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus
- 2015
-
In: Plos Pathogens. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7366 .- 1553-7374. ; 11:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- RHDV (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus), a virulent calicivirus, causes high mortalities in European rabbit populations (Oryctolagus cuniculus). It uses alpha 1,2fucosylated glycans, histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), as attachment factors, with their absence or low expression generating resistance to the disease. Synthesis of these glycans requires an alpha 1,2fucosyltransferase. In mammals, there are three closely located alpha 1,2fucosyltransferase genes rSec1, rFut2 and rFut1 that arose through two rounds of duplications. In most mammalian species, Sec1 has clearly become a pseudogene. Yet, in leporids, it does not suffer gross alterations, although we previously observed that rabbit Sec1 variants present either low or no activity. Still, a low activity rSec1 allele correlated with survival to an RHDV outbreak. We now confirm the association between the alpha 1,2fucosyltransferase loci and survival. In addition, we show that rabbits express homogenous rFut1 and rFut2 levels in the small intestine. Comparison of rFut1 and rFut2 activity showed that type 2 A, B and H antigens recognized by RHDV strains were mainly synthesized by rFut1, and all rFut1 variants detected in wild animals were equally active. Interestingly, rSec1 RNA levels were highly variable between individuals and high expression was associated with low binding of RHDV strains to the mucosa. Co-transfection of rFut1 and rSec1 caused a decrease in rFut1-generated RHDV binding sites, indicating that in rabbits, the catalytically inactive rSec1 protein acts as a dominant-negative of rFut1. Consistent with neofunctionalization of Sec1 in leporids, gene conversion analysis showed extensive homogenization between Sec1 and Fut2 in leporids, at variance with its limited degree in other mammals. Gene conversion additionally involving Fut1 was also observed at the C-terminus. Thus, in leporids, unlike in most other mammals where it became extinct, Sec1 evolved a new function with a dominant-negative effect on rFut1, contributing to fucosylated glycan diversity, and allowing herd protection from pathogens such as RHDV.
|
|
| 6. |
- Hansen, J. F., et al.
(author)
-
PRO-C3: a new and more precise collagen marker for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C
- 2018
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5521 .- 1502-7708. ; 53:1, s. 83-87
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Detecting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis remains important in treatment and follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis C Infection (CHC). The aim of this study was to assess the ability of PRO-C3 to identify significant fibrosis (Ishak score3) and cirrhosis (Ishak score5) both as a single test and as a part of algorithms.Materials and methods: PRO-C3 was assessed in baseline samples from the NORDynamIC trial. 270 patients were stratified into groups according to baseline biopsy. Baseline APRI, FIB-4 and GUCI scores were available for comparison in 232 patients.Results: PRO-C3 increased with Ishak scores (p=.001). Area under the curve (AUC) for significant fibrosis was 0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.81) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.68-0.84) for cirrhosis. FIB-4, APRI and GUCI had similar AUCs. In a PRO-C3 algorithm including age, platelet count, body mass index (BMI) and international normalised ratio (INR), the diagnostic efficacy improved to 0.85 (CI 0.80-0.89) and 0.90 (IQR 0.84-0.96) for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively.Conclusions: In our study, PRO-C3 was an independent predictor of fibrosis stage, and may play an important role in managing CHC patients.
|
|
| 7. |
- Lopes, A. M., et al.
(author)
-
Host-Specific Glycans Are Correlated with Susceptibility to Infection by Lagoviruses, but Not with Their Virulence
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Virology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0022-538X .- 1098-5514. ; 92:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) are two lagoviruses from the family Caliciviridae that cause fatal diseases in two leporid genera, Oryctolagus and Lepus, respectively. In the last few years, several examples of host jumps of lagoviruses among leporids were recorded. In addition, a new pathogenic genotype of RHDV emerged, and many nonpathogenic strains of lagoviruses have been described. The molecular mechanisms behind host shifts and the emergence of virulence are unknown. Since RHDV uses glycans of the histo-blood group antigen type as attachment factors to initiate infection, we studied if glycan specificities of the new pathogenic RHDV genotype, nonpathogenic lagoviruses, and EBHSV potentially play a role in determining the host range and virulence of lagoviruses. We observed binding to A, B, or H antigens of the histo-blood group family for all strains known to primarily infect European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which have recently been classified as GI strains. However, we could not explain the emergence of virulence, since similar glycan specificities were found in several pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains. In contrast, EBHSV, recently classified as GII. 1, bound to terminal beta -linked N-acetylglucosamine residues of O-glycans. Expression of these attachment factors in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts in three lagomorph species (Oryctolagus cuniculus, Lepus europaeus, and Sylvilagus floridanus) showed species-specific patterns regarding susceptibility to infection by these viruses, indicating that species-specific glycan expression is likely a major contributor to lagovirus host specificity and range. IMPORTANCE Lagoviruses constitute a genus of the family Caliciviridae comprising highly pathogenic viruses, RHDV and EBHSV, that infect rabbits and hares, respectively. Recently, nonpathogenic strains were discovered and new pathogenic strains have emerged. In addition, host jumps between lagomorphs have been observed. The mechanisms responsible for the emergence of pathogenicity and host species range are unknown. Previous studies showed that RHDV strains attach to glycans expressed in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts of rabbits, the likely portals of virus entry. Here, we studied the glycan-binding properties of novel pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains looking for a link between glycan binding and virulence or between glycan specificity and host range. We found that glycan binding did not correlate with virulence. However, expression of glycan motifs in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts of lagomorphs revealed species-specific patterns associated with the host ranges of the virus strains, suggesting that glycan diversity contributes to lagovirus host ranges.
|
|
| 8. |
- McCulloch, Laura J, et al.
(author)
-
COL6A3 is regulated by leptin in human adipose tissue and reduced in obesity.
- 2015
-
In: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7170 .- 0013-7227. ; 156:1, s. 134-46
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fibrosis of adipose tissue (AT) increases AT rigidity, reduces its expandability and contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Collagen type VI, alpha3 (COL6A3) encodes one subunit of a fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) protein highly expressed in rodent AT. Knock-out of collagen VI in rodent AT led to a significant improvement in metabolic health in obese, diabetic (ob/ob) mice however, it is unknown whether this collagen has the same metabolic significance in human AT. We therefore aimed to undertake a comprehensive assessment of COL6A3 in relation to human AT and obesity. Characterisation of COL6A3 in human AT showed 5 fold higher expression in the stromalvascular fraction compared with adipocyte expression and significantly higher expression in subcutaneous than omental AT. In both depots COL6A3 expression appeared to be lowered in obesity, whilst diet and surgery-induced weight loss increased COL6A3 expression in subcutaneous AT. Leptin treatment caused a dose dependent decrease in COL6A3 expression although no effect was seen with insulin or glucose treatment and no difference observed in subjects with diabetes. In addition, we found that the collagen expression profile in humans differs significantly from rodents as COL6A3 does not appear to be the predominant collagen in adipose, muscle or liver. Our findings oppose those initially seen in rodent studies and most importantly, demonstrate a direct regulation of COL6A3 by leptin. This highlights the importance of a paracrine leptin signalling pathway in human AT and suggests an additional mechanism by which leptin can regulate ECM composition and with it AT expandability.
|
|
| 9. |
- Muller-Deile, J., et al.
(author)
-
Identification of cell and disease specific microRNAs in glomerular pathologies
- 2019
-
In: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1582-1838 .- 1582-4934. ; 23:6, s. 3927-3939
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in physiological processes as well as in diseases. Currently miRs are already used to find novel mechanisms involved in diseases and in the future, they might serve as diagnostic markers. To identify miRs that play a role in glomerular diseases urinary miR-screenings are a frequently used tool. However, miRs that are detected in the urine might simply be filtered from the blood stream and could have been produced anywhere in the body, so they might be completely unrelated to the diseases. We performed a combined miR-screening in pooled urine samples from patients with different glomerular diseases as well as in cultured human podocytes, human mesangial cells, human glomerular endothelial cells and human tubular cells. The miR-screening in renal cells was done in untreated conditions and after stimulation with TGF-beta. A merge of the detected regulated miRs led us to identify disease-specific, cell type-specific and cell stress-induced miRs. Most miRs were down-regulated following the stimulation with TGF-beta in all cell types. Up-regulation of miRs after TGF-beta was cell type-specific for most miRs. Furthermore, urinary miRs from patients with different glomerular diseases could be assigned to the different renal cell types. Most miRs were specifically regulated in one disease. Only miR-155 was up-regulated in all disease urines compared to control and therefore seems to be rather unspecific. In conclusion, a combined urinary and cell miR-screening can improve the interpretation of screening results. These data are useful to identify novel miRs potentially involved in glomerular diseases.
|
|
| 10. |
- Murphy, Neil, et al.
(author)
-
A Nested Case-Control Study of Metabolically Defined Body Size Phenotypes and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)
- 2016
-
In: PLoS Medicine. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1549-1277 .- 1549-1676. ; 13:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Obesity is positively associated with colorectal cancer. Recently, body size subtypes categorised by the prevalence of hyperinsulinaemia have been defined, and metabolically healthy overweight/obese individuals (without hyperinsulinaemia) have been suggested to be at lower risk of cardiovascular disease than their metabolically unhealthy (hyperinsulinaemic) overweight/obese counterparts. Whether similarly variable relationships exist for metabolically defined body size phenotypes and colorectal cancer risk is unknown.Methods and Findings The association of metabolically defined body size phenotypes with colorectal cancer was investigated in a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Metabolic health/body size phenotypes were defined according to hyperinsulinaemia status using serum concentrations of C-peptide, a marker of insulin secretion. A total of 737 incident colorectal cancer cases and 737 matched controls were divided into tertiles based on the distribution of C-peptide concentration amongst the control population, and participants were classified as metabolically healthy if below the first tertile of C-peptide and metabolically unhealthy if above the first tertile. These metabolic health definitions were then combined with body mass index (BMI) measurements to create four metabolic health/body size phenotype categories: (1) metabolically healthy/normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), (2) metabolically healthy/overweight (BMI >= 25 kg/m2), (3) metabolically unhealthy/normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), and (4) metabolically unhealthy/overweight (BMI >= 25 kg/m2). Additionally, in separate models, waist circumference measurements (using the International Diabetes Federation cut-points [>= 80 cm for women and >= 94 cm for men]) were used (instead of BMI) to create the four metabolic health/body size phenotype categories. Statistical tests used in the analysis were all two-sided, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression models with BMI used to define adiposity, compared with metabolically healthy/normal weight individuals, we observed a higher colorectal cancer risk among metabolically unhealthy/normal weight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, 95% CI 1.10-2.28) and metabolically unhealthy/overweight (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.01-1.94) participants, but not among metabolically healthy/overweight individuals (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.65-1.42). Among the overweight individuals, lower colorectal cancer risk was observed for metabolically healthy/overweight individuals compared with metabolically unhealthy/overweight individuals (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.96). These associations were generally consistent when waist circumference was used as the measure of adiposity. To our knowledge, there is no universally accepted clinical definition for using C-peptide level as an indication of hyperinsulinaemia. Therefore, a possible limitation of our analysis was that the classification of individuals as being hyperinsulinaemic-based on their C-peptide level-was arbitrary. However, when we used quartiles or the median of C-peptide, instead of tertiles, as the cut-point of hyperinsulinaemia, a similar pattern of associations was observed.Conclusions These results support the idea that individuals with the metabolically healthy/overweight phenotype (with normal insulin levels) are at lower colorectal cancer risk than those with hyperinsulinaemia. The combination of anthropometric measures with metabolic parameters, such as C-peptide, may be useful for defining strata of the population at greater risk of colorectal cancer.
|
|
