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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20624288
1. Genome Biol. 2010;11(7):R72. doi: 10.1186/gb-2010-11-7-r72. Epub 2010 Jul 12. Long noncoding RNA genes: conservation of sequence and brain expression among diverse amniotes. Chodroff RA(1), Goodstadt L, Sirey TM, Oliver PL, Davies KE, Green ED, Molnár Z, Ponting CP. Author information: (1)Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, Le Gros Clark Building South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK. BACKGROUND: Long considered to be the building block of life, it is now apparent that protein is only one of many functional products generated by the eukaryotic genome. Indeed, more of the human genome is transcribed into noncoding sequence than into protein-coding sequence. Nevertheless, whilst we have developed a deep understanding of the relationships between evolutionary constraint and function for protein-coding sequence, little is known about these relationships for non-coding transcribed sequence. This dearth of information is partially attributable to a lack of established non-protein-coding RNA (ncRNA) orthologs among birds and mammals within sequence and expression databases. RESULTS: Here, we performed a multi-disciplinary study of four highly conserved and brain-expressed transcripts selected from a list of mouse long intergenic noncoding RNA (lncRNA) loci that generally show pronounced evolutionary constraint within their putative promoter regions and across exon-intron boundaries. We identify some of the first lncRNA orthologs present in birds (chicken), marsupial (opossum), and eutherian mammals (mouse), and investigate whether they exhibit conservation of brain expression. In contrast to conventional protein-coding genes, the sequences, transcriptional start sites, exon structures, and lengths for these non-coding genes are all highly variable. CONCLUSIONS: The biological relevance of lncRNAs would be highly questionable if they were limited to closely related phyla. Instead, their preservation across diverse amniotes, their apparent conservation in exon structure, and similarities in their pattern of brain expression during embryonic and early postnatal stages together indicate that these are functional RNA molecules, of which some have roles in vertebrate brain development. DOI: 10.1186/gb-2010-11-7-r72 PMCID: PMC2926783 PMID: 20624288 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24299503
1. J Med Chem. 2014 Jan 9;57(1):131-43. doi: 10.1021/jm4015263. Epub 2013 Dec 18. Development of 1,8-naphthalimides as clathrin inhibitors. MacGregor KA(1), Robertson MJ, Young KA, von Kleist L, Stahlschmidt W, Whiting A, Chau N, Robinson PJ, Haucke V, McCluskey A. Author information: (1)Chemistry, Centre for Chemical Biology, The University of Newcastle , University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308 Australia. We reported the first small molecule inhibitors of the interaction between the clathrin N-terminal domain (TD) and endocyctic accessory proteins (i.e., clathrin inhibition1). Initial screening of a ∼17 000 small molecule ChemBioNet library identified 1. Screening of an existing in-house propriety library identified four substituted 1,8-napthalimides as ∼80-120 μM clathrin inhibitors. Focused library development gave 3-sulfo-N-(4-aminobenzyl)-1,8-naphthalimide, potassium salt (18, IC50 ≈ 18 μM). A second library targeting the 4-aminobenzyl moiety was developed, and four analogues displayed comparable activity (26, 27, 28, 34 with IC50 values of 22, 16, 15, and 15 μM respectively) with a further four (24, 25, 32, 33) more active than 18 with IC50 values of 10, 6.9, 12, and 10 μM, respectively. Docking studies rationalized the structure-activity relationship (SAR) with the biological data. 3-Sulfo-N-benzyl-1,8-naphthalimide, potassium salt (25) with an IC50 ≈ 6.9 μM, is the most potent clathrin terminal domain-amphiphysin inhibitor reported to date. DOI: 10.1021/jm4015263 PMID: 24299503 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23028352
1. PLoS Genet. 2012 Sep;8(9):e1002942. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002942. Epub 2012 Sep 13. Hominoid-specific de novo protein-coding genes originating from long non-coding RNAs. Xie C(1), Zhang YE, Chen JY, Liu CJ, Zhou WZ, Li Y, Zhang M, Zhang R, Wei L, Li CY. Author information: (1)Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China. Tinkering with pre-existing genes has long been known as a major way to create new genes. Recently, however, motherless protein-coding genes have been found to have emerged de novo from ancestral non-coding DNAs. How these genes originated is not well addressed to date. Here we identified 24 hominoid-specific de novo protein-coding genes with precise origination timing in vertebrate phylogeny. Strand-specific RNA-Seq analyses were performed in five rhesus macaque tissues (liver, prefrontal cortex, skeletal muscle, adipose, and testis), which were then integrated with public transcriptome data from human, chimpanzee, and rhesus macaque. On the basis of comparing the RNA expression profiles in the three species, we found that most of the hominoid-specific de novo protein-coding genes encoded polyadenylated non-coding RNAs in rhesus macaque or chimpanzee with a similar transcript structure and correlated tissue expression profile. According to the rule of parsimony, the majority of these hominoid-specific de novo protein-coding genes appear to have acquired a regulated transcript structure and expression profile before acquiring coding potential. Interestingly, although the expression profile was largely correlated, the coding genes in human often showed higher transcriptional abundance than their non-coding counterparts in rhesus macaque. The major findings we report in this manuscript are robust and insensitive to the parameters used in the identification and analysis of de novo genes. Our results suggest that at least a portion of long non-coding RNAs, especially those with active and regulated transcription, may serve as a birth pool for protein-coding genes, which are then further optimized at the transcriptional level. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002942 PMCID: PMC3441637 PMID: 23028352 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21622663
1. Bioinformatics. 2011 Jul 15;27(14):1894-900. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btr314. Epub 2011 May 26. Computational discovery of human coding and non-coding transcripts with conserved splice sites. Rose D(1), Hiller M, Schutt K, Hackermüller J, Backofen R, Stadler PF. Author information: (1)Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. dominic@bioinf.uni-leipzig.de MOTIVATION: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) resemble protein-coding mRNAs but do not encode proteins. Most lncRNAs are under lower sequence constraints than protein-coding genes and lack conserved secondary structures, making it hard to predict them computationally. RESULTS: We introduce an approach to predict spliced lncRNAs in vertebrate genomes combining comparative genomics and machine learning. It is based on detecting signatures of characteristic splice site evolution in vertebrate whole genome alignments. First, we predict individual splice sites, then assemble compatible sites into exon candidates, and finally predict multi-exon transcripts. Using a novel method to evaluate typical splice site substitution patterns that explicitly takes the species phylogeny into account, we show that individual splice sites can be accurately predicted. Since our approach relies only on predicted splice sites, it can uncover both coding and non-coding exons. We show that our predicted exons and partial transcripts are mostly non-coding and lack conserved secondary structures. These exons are of particular interest, since existing computational approaches cannot detect them. Transcriptome sequencing data indicate tissue-specific expression patterns of predicted exons and there is evidence that increasing sequencing depth and breadth will validate additional predictions. We also found a significant enrichment of predicted exons that form multi-exon transcript parts, and we experimentally validate such a novel multi-exon gene. Overall, we obtain 336 novel multi-exon transcript predictions from human intergenic regions. Our results indicate the existence of novel human transcripts that are conserved in evolution and our approach contributes to the completion of the human transcript catalog. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Predicted human splice sites, exons and gene structures together with a Perl implementation of the tree-based log-odds scoring and a supplementary PDF file containing additional figures and tables are available at: http://www.bioinf.uni-leipzig.de/publications/supplements/10-010. The five experimentally confirmed partial transcript isoforms have been deposited in GenBank under accession numbers HM587422-HM587426. DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btr314 PMID: 21622663 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21252793
1. Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Feb;117(2 Pt 2):470-472. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fd2e38. 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and vaccine failure in pregnancy. Louie JK(1), Wadford DA, Norman A, Jamieson DJ. Author information: (1)From the California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California; the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, Sacramento, California; and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. BACKGROUND: Emerging data suggest that pregnancy conveys high risk for severe complications from the 2009 pandemic influenza A virus (2009 H1N1) infection. CASE: We describe an infected pregnant woman with critical illness owing to acute respiratory distress syndrome despite previous vaccination. Early serologic testing indicated absent immunity, followed 11 days later by a robust immune response. The patient required mechanical ventilation for 11 days, but ultimately improved, and was discharged home on hospital day 14. CONCLUSION: With the expectation that 2009 H1N1 will continue to cause disease in the immediate future, the virus has been included as a component of the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine. Vaccination of pregnant women is strongly encouraged. However, regardless of vaccination history, clinicians should remain vigilant for 2009 H1N1 infection when the virus is in circulation, and should not delay antiviral treatment of pregnant women with suspected influenza. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fd2e38 PMID: 21252793 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22030045
1. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Sep;50(3):312-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2010.07.002. Pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus infection in pregnancy in Turkey. Ozyer S(1), Unlü S, Celen S, Uzunlar O, Saygan S, Su FA, Beşli M, Danışman N, Mollamahmutoğlu L. Author information: (1)Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. sebnemsenozyer@yahoo.com OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of the pregnant women who were hospitalized in a tertiary referral hospital with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus infection and neonatal outcomes from October 2009 to December 2009 during which the pandemic influenza cases peaked in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five pregnant women who were hospitalized with influenza-like illness and who had laboratory confirmation for pandemic influenza H1N1 virus infection were evaluated prospectively. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 4 (16%) were in the first trimester, 8 (32%) were in the second trimester, and 13 (52%) were in the third trimester. The median time from the onset of symptoms to the initiation of antiviral therapy was 1 day (range 1-9 days). Nineteen (76%) patients received oseltamivir treatment. It took 1.6 days on the average for the fever defervescence after the initiation of treatment or hospitalization. Of the 14 patients who underwent chest radiography, three had findings consistent with pneumonia. The mean duration of hospitalization was 4.8 days. Four women (16%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, but there were no maternal or neonatal deaths in this series. At the time of their H1N1 hospitalization, seven women delivered by cesarean at 33-40 weeks gestation, two vaginally at 38 weeks gestation, and two had an abortion at 10 weeks and 16 weeks of gestation, respectively. None of the infants had any evidence of influenza infection. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women are at increased risk for complications from pandemic influenza H1N1 virus infection. Timely medical attention with early recourse to antiviral therapy is associated with a better outcome in H1N1-affected pregnant women. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V. DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2010.07.002 PMID: 22030045 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20587619
1. RNA. 2010 Aug;16(8):1478-87. doi: 10.1261/rna.1951310. Epub 2010 Jun 29. Genome-wide computational identification and manual annotation of human long noncoding RNA genes. Jia H(1), Osak M, Bogu GK, Stanton LW, Johnson R, Lipovich L. Author information: (1)Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MO 48202, USA. Experimental evidence suggests that half or more of the mammalian transcriptome consists of noncoding RNA. Noncoding RNAs are divided into short noncoding RNAs (including microRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). We defined complementary DNAs (cDNAs) lacking any positive-strand open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 30 amino acids, as well as cDNAs lacking any evidence of interspecies conservation of their longer-than-30-amino acid ORFs, as noncoding. We have identified 5446 lncRNA genes in the human genome from approximately 24,000 full-length cDNAs, using our new ORF-prediction pipeline. We combined them nonredundantly with lncRNAs from four published sources to derive 6736 lncRNA genes. In an effort to distinguish standalone and antisense lncRNA genes from database artifacts, we stratified our catalog of lncRNAs according to the distance between each lncRNA gene candidate and its nearest known protein-coding gene. We concurrently examined the protein-coding capacity of known genes overlapping with lncRNAs. Remarkably, 62% of known genes with "hypothetical protein" names actually lacked protein-coding capacity. This study has greatly expanded the known human lncRNA catalog, increased its accuracy through manual annotation of cDNA-to-genome alignments, and revealed that a large set of hypothetical-protein genes in GenBank lacks protein-coding capacity. In addition, we have developed, independently of existing NCBI tools, command-line programs with high-throughput ORF-finding and BLASTP-parsing functionality, suitable for future automated assessments of protein-coding capacity of novel transcripts. DOI: 10.1261/rna.1951310 PMCID: PMC2905748 PMID: 20587619 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20428234
1. PLoS One. 2010 Apr 23;5(4):e10316. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010316. Mining mammalian transcript data for functional long non-coding RNAs. Khachane AN(1), Harrison PM. Author information: (1)Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. amit.khachane@mail.mcgill.ca BACKGROUND: The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in controlling gene expression has garnered increased interest in recent years. Sequencing projects, such as Fantom3 for mouse and H-InvDB for human, have generated abundant data on transcribed components of mammalian cells, the majority of which appear not to be protein-coding. However, much of the non-protein-coding transcriptome could merely be a consequence of 'transcription noise'. It is therefore essential to use bioinformatic approaches to identify the likely functional candidates in a high throughput manner. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We derived a scheme for classifying and annotating likely functional lncRNAs in mammals. Using the available experimental full-length cDNA data sets for human and mouse, we identified 78 lncRNAs that are either syntenically conserved between human and mouse, or that originate from the same protein-coding genes. Of these, 11 have significant sequence homology. We found that these lncRNAs exhibit: (i) patterns of codon substitution typical of non-coding transcripts; (ii) preservation of sequences in distant mammals such as dog and cow, (iii) significant sequence conservation relative to their corresponding flanking regions (in 50% cases, flanking regions do not have homology at all; and in the remaining, the degree of conservation is significantly less); (iv) existence mostly as single-exon forms (8/11); and, (v) presence of conserved and stable secondary structure motifs within them. We further identified orthologous protein-coding genes that are contributing to the pool of lncRNAs; of which, genes implicated in carcinogenesis are significantly over-represented. CONCLUSION: Our comparative mammalian genomics approach coupled with evolutionary analysis identified a small population of conserved long non-protein-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are potentially functional across Mammalia. Additionally, our analysis indicates that amongst the orthologous protein-coding genes that produce lncRNAs, those implicated in cancer pathogenesis are significantly over-represented, suggesting that these lncRNAs could play an important role in cancer pathomechanisms. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010316 PMCID: PMC2859052 PMID: 20428234 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22707570
1. Genome Res. 2012 Dec;22(12):2529-40. doi: 10.1101/gr.140475.112. Epub 2012 Jun 15. Long noncoding RNAs in C. elegans. Nam JW(1), Bartel DP. Author information: (1)Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA. Thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found in vertebrate animals, a few of which have known biological roles. To better understand the genomics and features of lncRNAs in invertebrates, we used available RNA-seq, poly(A)-site, and ribosome-mapping data to identify lncRNAs of Caenorhabditis elegans. We found 170 long intervening ncRNAs (lincRNAs), which had single- or multiexonic structures that did not overlap protein-coding transcripts, and about sixty antisense lncRNAs (ancRNAs), which were complementary to protein-coding transcripts. Compared to protein-coding genes, the lncRNA genes tended to be expressed in a stage-dependent manner. Approximately 25% of the newly identified lincRNAs showed little signal for sequence conservation and mapped antisense to clusters of endogenous siRNAs, as would be expected if they serve as templates and targets for these siRNAs. The other 75% tended to be more conserved and included lincRNAs with intriguing expression and sequence features associating them with processes such as dauer formation, male identity, sperm formation, and interaction with sperm-specific mRNAs. Our study provides a glimpse into the lncRNA content of a nonvertebrate animal and a resource for future studies of lncRNA function. DOI: 10.1101/gr.140475.112 PMCID: PMC3514682 PMID: 22707570 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20020530
1. Hum Mutat. 2010 Feb;31(2):E1146-62. doi: 10.1002/humu.21183. NKX2-1 mutations leading to surfactant protein promoter dysregulation cause interstitial lung disease in "Brain-Lung-Thyroid Syndrome". Guillot L(1), Carré A, Szinnai G, Castanet M, Tron E, Jaubert F, Broutin I, Counil F, Feldmann D, Clement A, Polak M, Epaud R. Author information: (1)INSERM UMR 938, UPMC, Université Paris 6, France. NKX2-1 (NK2 homeobox 1) is a critical regulator of transcription for the surfactant protein (SP)-B and -C genes (SFTPB and SFTPC, respectively). We identified and functionally characterized two new de novo NKX2-1 mutations c.493C>T (p.R165W) and c.786_787del2 (p.L263fs) in infants with closely similar severe interstitial lung disease (ILD), hypotonia, and congenital hypothyroidism. Functional analyses using A549 and HeLa cells revealed that NKX2-1-p.L263fs induced neither SFTPB nor SFTPC promoter activation and had a dominant negative effect on wild-type (WT) NKX2-1. In contrast,NKX2-1-p.R165W activated SFTPC, to a significantly greater extent than did WTNKX2-1, while SFTPB activation was only significantly reduced in HeLa cells. In accordance with our in vitro data, we found decreased amounts of SP-B and SP-C by western blot in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (patient with p.L263fs) and features of altered surfactant protein metabolism on lung histology (patient with NKX2-1-p.R165W). In conclusion, ILD in patients with NKX2-1 mutations was associated with altered surfactant protein metabolism, and both gain and loss of function of the mutated NKX2-1 genes on surfactant protein promoters were associated with ILD in "Brain-Lung-Thyroid syndrome". (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. DOI: 10.1002/humu.21183 PMID: 20020530 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22272853
1. S Afr Med J. 2011 Sep 27;101(10):744. Pregnancy and H1N1 influenza: lessons to learn. Moodley J, Blumberg L, Schoub BD. Pregnancy, with or without additional complications, constitutes a high-risk condition for complications of influenza infection and warrants early intervention with neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir, if influenza is suspected. Treatment should not be delayed for laboratory confirmation. In South Africa, the high burden of HIV infection is a further complication. PMID: 22272853 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17333874
1. Nurs Times. 2007 Feb 20-26;103(8):28-9. Use of tens in pain management: part two--how to use tens. Poole D(1). Author information: (1)Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is widely used in pain management but its effectiveness depends on the stimulation being targeted appropriately. This article, the second in a two-part series, outlines how to set up and use a TENS machine to achieve the most effective results. PMID: 17333874 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23467584
1. Int J Nanomedicine. 2013;8:899-908. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S38641. Epub 2013 Feb 28. Cancer stem cell theory: therapeutic implications for nanomedicine. Wang K(1), Wu X, Wang J, Huang J. Author information: (1)Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. Evidence continues to accumulate showing that tumors contain a minority population of cells responsible for tumor initiation, growth, and recurrence. These are termed "cancer stem cells" (CSCs). Functional assays have identified the self-renewal and tumor-initiation capabilities of CSCs. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that these CSCs is responsible for chemotherapy resistance within a tumor. Several mechanisms of chemoresistance have been proposed, including increased Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling, as well as high expression levels of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters, an active DNA repair capacity, and slow rate of self-renewal. Nanoscale drug-delivery systems, which transport therapeutically active molecules, prolong circulation, and improve biodistribution in the body, may allow more effective and specific therapies to address the challenges posed by CSCs. In particular, some nanovehicles are being exploited for selective drug delivery to CSCs and show promising results. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms of drug resistance and the novel strategies using nanoscale drugs to eliminate CSCs. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S38641 PMCID: PMC3589204 PMID: 23467584 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21208905
1. Clin Cancer Res. 2011 Jan 1;17(1):111-21. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-2075. Neural tumor-initiating cells have distinct telomere maintenance and can be safely targeted for telomerase inhibition. Castelo-Branco P(1), Zhang C, Lipman T, Fujitani M, Hansford L, Clarke I, Harley CB, Tressler R, Malkin D, Walker E, Kaplan DR, Dirks P, Tabori U. Author information: (1)The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Centre, Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Comment in Clin Cancer Res. 2011 Jan 1;17(1):3-5. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-2686. PURPOSE: Cancer recurrence is one of the major setbacks in oncology. Maintaining telomeres is essential for sustaining the limitless replicative potential of such cancers. Because telomerase is thought to be active in all tumor cells and normal stem cells, telomerase inhibition may be nonspecific and have detrimental effects on tissue maintenance and development by affecting normal stem cell self-renewal. METHODS: We examined telomerase activity, telomere maintenance, and stem cell maturation in tumor subpopulations from freshly resected gliomas, long-term, primary, neural tumor-initiating cells (TIC) and corresponding normal stem cell lines. We then tested the efficacy of the telomerase inhibitor Imetelstat on propagation and self-renewal capacity of TIC and normal stem cells in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Telomerase was undetectable in the majority of tumor cells and specific to the TIC subpopulation that possessed critically short telomeres. In contrast, normal tissue stem cells had longer telomeres and undetectable telomerase activity and were insensitive to telomerase inhibition, which results in proliferation arrest, cell maturation, and DNA damage in neural TIC. Significant survival benefit and late tumor growth arrest of neuroblastoma TIC were observed in a xenograft model (P = 0.02). Furthermore, neural TIC exhibited irreversible loss of self-renewal and stem cell capabilities even after cessation of treatment in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: TIC exhaustion with telomerase inhibition and lack of telomerase dependency in normal stem cells add new dimensions to the telomere hypothesis and suggest that targeting TIC with telomerase inhibitors may represent a specific and safe therapeutic approach for tumors of neural origin. ©2011 AACR. DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-2075 PMID: 21208905 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20232321
1. Chem Biodivers. 2010 Mar;7(3):477-93. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.200900187. Oligonucleotide n3'-->p5' phosphoramidates and thio-phoshoramidates as potential therapeutic agents. Gryaznov SM(1). Author information: (1)Geron Corporation, 230 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. sgryaznov@geron.com Nucleic acids analogues, i.e., oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates and N3'-->P5' thio-phosphoramidates, containing 3'-amino-3'-deoxy nucleosides with various 2'-substituents were synthesized and extensively studied. These compounds resist nuclease hydrolysis and form stable duplexes with complementary native phosphodiester DNA and, particularly, RNA strands. An increase in duplexes' melting temperature, DeltaT(m), relative to their phosphodiester counterparts, reaches 2.2-4.0 degrees per modified nucleoside. 2'-OH- (RNA-like), 2'-O-Me-, and 2'-ribo-F-nucleoside substitutions result in the highest degree of duplex stabilization. Moreover, under close to physiological salt and pH conditions, the 2'-deoxy- and 2'-fluoro-phosphoramidate compounds form extremely stable triple-stranded complexes with either single- or double-stranded phosphodiester DNA oligonucleotides. Melting temperature, T(m), of these triplexes exceeds T(m) values for the isosequential phosphodiester counterparts by up to 35 degrees . 2'-Deoxy-N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates adopt RNA-like C3'-endo or N-type nucleoside sugar-ring conformations and hence can be used as stable RNA mimetics. Duplexes formed by 2'-deoxy phosphoramidates with complementary RNA strands are not substrates for RNase H-mediated cleavage in vitro. Oligonucleotide phosphoramidates and especially thio-phosphoramidates conjugated with lipid groups are cell-permeable and demonstrate high biological target specific activity in vitro. In vivo, these compounds show good bioavailability and efficient biodistribution to all major organs, while exerting acceptable toxicity at therapeutically relevant doses. Short oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' thio-phosphoramidate conjugated to 5'-palmitoyl group, designated as GRN163L (Imetelstat), was recently introduced as a potent human telomerase inhibitor. GRN163L is not an antisense agent; it is a direct competitive inhibitor of human telomerase, which directly binds to the active site of the enzyme and thus inhibits its activity. This compound is currently in multiple Phase-I and Phase-I/II clinical trials as potential broad-spectrum anticancer agent. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200900187 PMID: 20232321 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24257253
1. J Vet Med Sci. 2014 Mar;76(3):377-87. doi: 10.1292/jvms.13-0512. Epub 2013 Nov 20. Demonstration of the clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis at the maternal-fetal barrier in mouse placenta after intravenous administration of gold nanoparticles. Rattanapinyopituk K(1), Shimada A, Morita T, Sakurai M, Asano A, Hasegawa T, Inoue K, Takano H. Author information: (1)Department of Veterinary Pathology, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan. Exposure to nanoparticles during pregnancy is a public concern, because nanoparticles may pass from the mother to the fetus across the placenta. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible translocation pathway of gold nanoparticles across the maternal-fetal barrier as well as the toxicity of intravenously administered gold nanoparticles to the placenta and fetus. Pregnant ICR mice were intravenously injected with 0.01% of 20- and 50-nm gold nanoparticle solutions on the 16th and 17th days of gestation. There was no sign of toxic damage to the placentas as well as maternal and fetal organs of the mice treated with 20- and 50-nm gold nanoparticles. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated significant amounts of gold deposited in the maternal livers and placentas, but no detectable level of gold in the fetal organs. However, electron microscopy demonstrated an increase of endocytic vesicles in the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblasts and fetal endothelial cells in the maternal-fetal barrier of mice treated with gold nanoparticles. Clathrin immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting showed increased immunoreactivity of clathrin protein in the placental tissues of mice treated with 20- and 50-nm gold nanoparticles; clathrin immunopositivity was observed in syncytiotrophoblasts and fetal endothelial cells. In contrast, caveolin-1 immunopositivity was observed exclusively in the fetal endothelium. These findings suggested that intravenous administration of gold nanoparticles may upregulate clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis at the maternal-fetal barrier in mouse placenta. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.13-0512 PMCID: PMC4013364 PMID: 24257253 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21062983
1. Cancer Res. 2010 Nov 15;70(22):9494-504. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-0233. Epub 2010 Nov 9. The telomerase inhibitor imetelstat depletes cancer stem cells in breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Joseph I(1), Tressler R, Bassett E, Harley C, Buseman CM, Pattamatta P, Wright WE, Shay JW, Go NF. Author information: (1)Geron Corporation, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA. ijoseph@geron.com Cancer stem cells (CSC) are rare drug-resistant cancer cell subsets proposed to be responsible for the maintenance and recurrence of cancer and metastasis. Telomerase is constitutively active in both bulk tumor cell and CSC populations but has only limited expression in normal tissues. Thus, inhibition of telomerase has been shown to be a viable approach in controlling cancer growth in nonclinical studies and is currently in phase II clinical trials. In this study, we investigated the effects of imetelstat (GRN163L), a potent telomerase inhibitor, on both the bulk cancer cells and putative CSCs. When breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with imetelstat in vitro, telomerase activity in the bulk tumor cells and CSC subpopulations were inhibited. Additionally, imetelstat treatment reduced the CSC fractions present in the breast and pancreatic cell lines. In vitro treatment with imetelstat, but not control oligonucleotides, also reduced the proliferation and self-renewal potential of MCF7 mammospheres and resulted in cell death after <4 weeks of treatment. In vitro treatment of PANC1 cells showed reduced tumor engraftment in nude mice, concomitant with a reduction in the CSC levels. Differences between telomerase activity expression levels or telomere length of CSCs and bulk tumor cells in these cell lines did not correlate with the increased sensitivity of CSCs to imetelstat, suggesting a mechanism of action independent of telomere shortening for the effects of imetelstat on the CSC subpopulations. Our results suggest that imetelstat-mediated depletion of CSCs may offer an alternative mechanism by which telomerase inhibition may be exploited for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2010 AACR. DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-0233 PMID: 21062983 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24327604
1. Oncotarget. 2013 Dec;4(12):2186-207. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.1497. Drug resistance in multiple myeloma: latest findings and new concepts on molecular mechanisms. Abdi J(1), Chen G, Chang H. Author information: (1)Dept. of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Erratum in Oncotarget. 2015 Apr 10;6(10):7364. Oncotarget. 2015 Apr 10;6(10):7364. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.3810. In the era of new and mostly effective therapeutic protocols, multiple myeloma still tends to be a hard-to-treat hematologic cancer. This hallmark of the disease is in fact a sequel to drug resistant phenotypes persisting initially or emerging in the course of treatment. Furthermore, the heterogeneous nature of multiple myeloma makes treating patients with the same drug challenging because finding a drugable oncogenic process common to all patients is not yet feasible, while our current knowledge of genetic/epigenetic basis of multiple myeloma pathogenesis is outstanding. Nonetheless, bone marrow microenvironment components are well known as playing critical roles in myeloma tumor cell survival and environment-mediated drug resistance happening most possibly in all myeloma patients. Generally speaking, however; real mechanisms underlying drug resistance in multiple myeloma are not completely understood. The present review will discuss the latest findings and concepts in this regard. It reviews the association of important chromosomal translocations, oncogenes (e.g. TP53) mutations and deranged signaling pathways (e.g. NFκB) with drug response in clinical and experimental investigations. It will also highlight how bone marrow microenvironment signals (Wnt, Notch) and myeloma cancer stem cells could contribute to drug resistance in multiple myeloma. DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1497 PMCID: PMC3926819 PMID: 24327604 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22382179
1. Indian J Med Res. 2012;135(1):26-30. doi: 10.4103/0971-5916.93420. Expression of telomerase & its significance in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Zisuh AV(1), Han TQ, Zhan SD. Author information: (1)Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong, University School of Medicine, Sinan Road, PR of China. Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses among all types of cancers. The survival rate is less than 5 per cent; this is due to difficulty in diagnosing at an early stage. Despite the improvements in diagnostic imaging techniques such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc., the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is still difficult. Alternative methods of diagnosing pancreatic cancer at an early stage are presently been explored. The detection of telomerase activity has been proposed to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Telomerase is made up of three major parts namely, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, human telomerase and telomerase -associated protein. Several researchers have shown telomerase activity in tissues and fluids of patients with pancreatic and other types of cancers. About 95 per cent telomerase activity has been detected in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Since telomerase activity is present in a vast majority of human cancers, it might have a role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.93420 PMCID: PMC3307179 PMID: 22382179 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23272238
1. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52335. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052335. Epub 2012 Dec 18. Recapitulation of tumor heterogeneity and molecular signatures in a 3D brain cancer model with decreased sensitivity to histone deacetylase inhibition. Smith SJ(1), Wilson M, Ward JH, Rahman CV, Peet AC, Macarthur DC, Rose FR, Grundy RG, Rahman R. Author information: (1)Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom. INTRODUCTION: Physiologically relevant pre-clinical ex vivo models recapitulating CNS tumor micro-environmental complexity will aid development of biologically-targeted agents. We present comprehensive characterization of tumor aggregates generated using the 3D Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS). METHODS: CNS cancer cell lines were grown in conventional 2D cultures and the RCCS and comparison with a cohort of 53 pediatric high grade gliomas conducted by genome wide gene expression and microRNA arrays, coupled with immunohistochemistry, ex vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy and drug sensitivity evaluation using the histone deacetylase inhibitor, Vorinostat. RESULTS: Macroscopic RCCS aggregates recapitulated the heterogeneous morphology of brain tumors with a distinct proliferating rim, necrotic core and oxygen tension gradient. Gene expression and microRNA analyses revealed significant differences with 3D expression intermediate to 2D cultures and primary brain tumors. Metabolic profiling revealed differential profiles, with an increase in tumor specific metabolites in 3D. To evaluate the potential of the RCCS as a drug testing tool, we determined the efficacy of Vorinostat against aggregates of U87 and KNS42 glioblastoma cells. Both lines demonstrated markedly reduced sensitivity when assaying in 3D culture conditions compared to classical 2D drug screen approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive characterization demonstrates that 3D RCCS culture of high grade brain tumor cells has profound effects on the genetic, epigenetic and metabolic profiles of cultured cells, with these cells residing as an intermediate phenotype between that of 2D cultures and primary tumors. There is a discrepancy between 2D culture and tumor molecular profiles, and RCCS partially re-capitulates tissue specific features, allowing drug testing in a more relevant ex vivo system. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052335 PMCID: PMC3525561 PMID: 23272238 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21332640
1. J Cell Mol Med. 2011 Jul;15(7):1433-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01279.x. Targeting telomerase-expressing cancer cells. Ouellette MM(1), Wright WE, Shay JW. Author information: (1)Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. The role of telomeres and telomerase as a target for cancer therapeutics is an area of continuing interest. This review is intended to provide an update on the field, pointing to areas in which our knowledge remains deficient and exploring the details of the most promising areas being advanced into clinical trials. Topics that will be covered include the role of dysfunctional telomeres in cellular aging and how replicative senescence provides an initial barrier to the emergence of immortalized cells, a hallmark of cancer. As an important translational theme, this review will consider possibilities for selectively targeting telomeres and telomerase to enhance cancer therapy. The role of telomerase as an immunotherapy, as a gene therapy approach using telomerase promoter driven oncolytic viruses and as a small oligonucleotide targeted therapy (Imetelstat) will be discussed. © 2011 The Authors Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine © 2011 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd. DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01279.x PMCID: PMC3370414 PMID: 21332640 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25584909
1. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2014 Nov-Dec;35(6):429-34. doi: 10.2500/aap.2014.35.3798. Atopic dermatitis: the updated practice parameter and beyond. Boguniewicz M(1). Author information: (1)Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health and University of Colorado School of Medicine Denver, Colorado, USA. An update to the atopic dermatitis (AD) practice parameter was published in 2013 using an established grading system for determining category of evidence and strength of recommendation. Since the previous update in 2004, a number of seminal observations regarding skin barrier and immune dysregulation in AD have been made with important therapeutic implications. A key addition to the treatment algorithm based on our understanding that normal-appearing skin in patients with AD is not normal is proactive therapy. Studies with both topical steroids and a topical calcineurin inhibitor have shown that in patients with relapsing AD, if they are able to clear or almost clear their eczema, then twice-weekly proactive treatment of normal-appearing skin that tends to flare leads to better disease control. For difficult-to-manage patients, the value of wet wrap therapy is reaffirmed in the practice parameter update. In addition, allergen immunotherapy is now a consideration in select patients with AD and aeroallergen sensitivity. Beyond the practice parameter, novel approaches to filaggrin deficiency are being evaluated. With respect to immune dysregulation, dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody directed at the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit was recently shown to be effective in treating adults with moderate-to-severe AD. DOI: 10.2500/aap.2014.35.3798 PMID: 25584909 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23386830
1. Front Pharmacol. 2013 Jan 31;4:5. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2013.00005. eCollection 2013. Small Molecules, Inhibitors of DNA-PK, Targeting DNA Repair, and Beyond. Davidson D(1), Amrein L, Panasci L, Aloyz R. Author information: (1)Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada. Many current chemotherapies function by damaging genomic DNA in rapidly dividing cells ultimately leading to cell death. This therapeutic approach differentially targets cancer cells that generally display rapid cell division compared to normal tissue cells. However, although these treatments are initially effective in arresting tumor growth and reducing tumor burden, resistance and disease progression eventually occur. A major mechanism underlying this resistance is increased levels of cellular DNA repair. Most cells have complex mechanisms in place to repair DNA damage that occurs due to environmental exposures or normal metabolic processes. These systems, initially overwhelmed when faced with chemotherapy induced DNA damage, become more efficient under constant selective pressure and as a result chemotherapies become less effective. Thus, inhibiting DNA repair pathways using target specific small molecule inhibitors may overcome cellular resistance to DNA damaging chemotherapies. Non-homologous end joining a major mechanism for the repair of double-strand breaks (DSB) in DNA is regulated in part by the serine/threonine kinase, DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). The DNA-PK holoenzyme acts as a scaffold protein tethering broken DNA ends and recruiting other repair molecules. It also has enzymatic activity that may be involved in DNA damage signaling. Because of its' central role in repair of DSBs, DNA-PK has been the focus of a number of small molecule studies. In these studies specific DNA-PK inhibitors have shown efficacy in synergizing chemotherapies in vitro. However, compounds currently known to specifically inhibit DNA-PK are limited by poor pharmacokinetics: these compounds have poor solubility and have high metabolic lability in vivo leading to short serum half-lives. Future improvement in DNA-PK inhibition will likely be achieved by designing new molecules based on the recently reported crystallographic structure of DNA-PK. Computer based drug design will not only assist in identifying novel functional moieties to replace the metabolically labile morpholino group but will also facilitate the design of molecules to target the DNA-PKcs/Ku80 interface or one of the autophosphorylation sites. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2013.00005 PMCID: PMC3560216 PMID: 23386830
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24275927
1. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2014 Jan;20(1):87-94. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000007. Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of refractory asthma. Hambly N(1), Nair P. Author information: (1)Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A small proportion of patients with asthma have severe disease characterized by persistent airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic airway inflammation. This review focuses on the clinical efficacy of inhibiting T helper 2-cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses using monoclonal antibodies directed against immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-4/IL-13 in patients with severe refractory asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: The heterogeneity of airway inflammation in severe asthma has led to the recognition of multiple pathophysiologically distinct severe asthma endotypes. Biomarkers are being developed and evaluated to identify these endotypes and to guide the use of specific biologics in the appropriate patients who remain uncontrolled on high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators or oral corticosteroids. Examples include the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with severe refractory atopic asthma characterized by raised serum total IgE, mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab in patients with recurrent eosinophilic exacerbations characterized by blood and sputum eosinophilia despite high doses of corticosteroids, and lebrikizumab, pitrakinra, dupilumab, and tralokinumab that target the IL-4/IL-13 signalling pathways in patients with eosinophilic asthma or raised serum periostin. SUMMARY: In severe refractory asthma, both an understanding of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms driving airway inflammation and the identification of appropriate biomarkers in individual patients are critical in guiding the use of biologics and monoclonal antibodies that target the specific pathological processes. DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000007 PMID: 24275927 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21445329
1. PLoS Biol. 2011 Mar;9(3):e1001037. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001037. Epub 2011 Mar 22. Regarding the amazing choreography of clathrin coats. Traub LM(1). Author information: (1)Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America. traub@pitt.edu Comment in PLoS Biol. 9(3):e1000604. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001037 PMCID: PMC3062531 PMID: 21445329 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The author has declared that no competing interests exist.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24122441
1. Hum Mol Genet. 2014 Mar 1;23(5):1163-74. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt510. Epub 2013 Oct 10. Inactivation of the Carney complex gene 1 (PRKAR1A) alters spatiotemporal regulation of cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase: a study using genetically encoded FRET-based reporters. Cazabat L(1), Ragazzon B, Varin A, Potier-Cartereau M, Vandier C, Vezzosi D, Risk-Rabin M, Guellich A, Schittl J, Lechêne P, Richter W, Nikolaev VO, Zhang J, Bertherat J, Vandecasteele G. Author information: (1)INSERM U1016, Paris F-75014, France. Carney complex (CNC) is a hereditary disease associating cardiac myxoma, spotty skin pigmentation and endocrine overactivity. CNC is caused by inactivating mutations in the PRKAR1A gene encoding PKA type I alpha regulatory subunit (RIα). Although PKA activity is enhanced in CNC, the mechanisms linking PKA dysregulation to endocrine tumorigenesis are poorly understood. In this study, we used Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensors for cAMP and PKA activity to define the role of RIα in the spatiotemporal organization of the cAMP/PKA pathway. RIα knockdown in HEK293 cells increased basal as well as forskolin or prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated total cellular PKA activity as reported by western blots of endogenous PKA targets and the FRET-based global PKA activity reporter, AKAR3. Using variants of AKAR3 targeted to subcellular compartments, we identified similar increases in the response to PGE1 in the cytoplasm and at the outer mitochondrial membrane. In contrast, at the plasma membrane, the response to PGE1 was decreased along with an increase in basal FRET ratio. These results were confirmed by western blot analysis of basal and PGE1-induced phosphorylation of membrane-associated vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein. Similar differences were observed between the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane in human adrenal cells carrying a RIα inactivating mutation. RIα inactivation also increased cAMP in the cytoplasm, at the outer mitochondrial membrane and at the plasma membrane, as reported by targeted versions of the cAMP indicator Epac1-camps. These results show that RIα inactivation leads to multiple, compartment-specific alterations of the cAMP/PKA pathway revealing new aspects of signaling dysregulation in tumorigenesis. DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt510 PMCID: PMC3919008 PMID: 24122441 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23326372
1. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e52989. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052989. Epub 2013 Jan 9. Mitochondrial telomerase protects cancer cells from nuclear DNA damage and apoptosis. Singhapol C(1), Pal D, Czapiewski R, Porika M, Nelson G, Saretzki GC. Author information: (1)Institute for Ageing and Health, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Most cancer cells express high levels of telomerase and proliferate indefinitely. In addition to its telomere maintenance function, telomerase also has a pro-survival function resulting in an increased resistance against DNA damage and decreased apoptosis induction. However, the molecular mechanisms for this protective function remain elusive and it is unclear whether it is connected to telomere maintenance or is rather a non-telomeric function of the telomerase protein, TERT. It was shown recently that the protein subunit of telomerase can shuttle from the nucleus to the mitochondria upon oxidative stress where it protects mitochondrial function and decreases intracellular oxidative stress. Here we show that endogenous telomerase (TERT protein) shuttles from the nucleus into mitochondria upon oxidative stress in cancer cells and analyzed the nuclear exclusion patterns of endogenous telomerase after treatment with hydrogen peroxide in different cell lines. Cell populations excluded TERT from the nucleus upon oxidative stress in a heterogeneous fashion. We found a significant correlation between nuclear localization of telomerase and high DNA damage, while cells which excluded telomerase from the nucleus displayed no or very low DNA damage. We modeled nuclear and mitochondrial telomerase using organelle specific localization vectors and confirmed that mitochondrial localization of telomerase protects the nucleus from inflicted DNA damage and apoptosis while, in contrast, nuclear localization of telomerase correlated with higher amounts of DNA damage and apoptosis. It is known that nuclear DNA damage can be caused by mitochondrially generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). We demonstrate here that mitochondrial localization of telomerase specifically prevents nuclear DNA damage by decreasing levels of mitochondrial ROS. We suggest that this decrease of oxidative stress might be a possible cause for high stress resistance of cancer cells and could be especially important for cancer stem cells. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052989 PMCID: PMC3541395 PMID: 23326372 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: Gabriele Saretzki is a PLOS ONE editor and Editorial Board member. This does not alter the authors′ adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21549308
1. Mol Cell. 2011 May 6;42(3):297-307. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2011.03.020. Processive and distributive extension of human telomeres by telomerase under homeostatic and nonequilibrium conditions. Zhao Y(1), Abreu E, Kim J, Stadler G, Eskiocak U, Terns MP, Terns RM, Shay JW, Wright WE. Author information: (1)Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. Specific information about how telomerase acts in vivo is necessary for understanding telomere dynamics in human tumor cells. Our results imply that, under homeostatic telomere length-maintenance conditions, only one molecule of telomerase acts at each telomere during every cell division and processively adds ∼60 nt to each end. In contrast, multiple molecules of telomerase act at each telomere when telomeres are elongating (nonequilibrium conditions). Telomerase extension is less processive during the first few weeks following the reversal of long-term treatment with the telomerase inhibitor Imetelstat (GRN163L), a time when Cajal bodies fail to deliver telomerase RNA to telomeres. This result implies that processing of telomerase by Cajal bodies may affect its processivity. Overexpressed telomerase is also less processive than the endogenously expressed telomerase. These findings reveal two major distinct extension modes adopted by telomerase in vivo. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2011.03.020 PMCID: PMC3108241 PMID: 21549308 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20824134
1. PLoS One. 2010 Sep 1;5(9):e12487. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012487. Telomerase inhibition targets clonogenic multiple myeloma cells through telomere length-dependent and independent mechanisms. Brennan SK(1), Wang Q, Tressler R, Harley C, Go N, Bassett E, Huff CA, Jones RJ, Matsui W. Author information: (1)Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. BACKGROUND: Plasma cells constitute the majority of tumor cells in multiple myeloma (MM) but lack the potential for sustained clonogenic growth. In contrast, clonotypic B cells can engraft and recapitulate disease in immunodeficient mice suggesting they serve as the MM cancer stem cell (CSC). These tumor initiating B cells also share functional features with normal stem cells such as drug resistance and self-renewal potential. Therefore, the cellular processes that regulate normal stem cells may serve as therapeutic targets in MM. Telomerase activity is required for the maintenance of normal adult stem cells, and we examined the activity of the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat against MM CSC. Moreover, we carried out both long and short-term inhibition studies to examine telomere length-dependent and independent activities. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Human MM CSC were isolated from cell lines and primary clinical specimens and treated with imetelstat, a specific inhibitor of the reverse transcriptase activity of telomerase. Two weeks of exposure to imetelstat resulted in a significant reduction in telomere length and the inhibition of clonogenic MM growth both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to these relatively long-term effects, 72 hours of imetelstat treatment inhibited clonogenic growth that was associated with MM CSC differentiation based on expression of the plasma cell antigen CD138 and the stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase. Short-term treatment of MM CSC also decreased the expression of genes typically expressed by stem cells (OCT3/4, SOX2, NANOG, and BMI1) as revealed by quantitative real-time PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase activity regulates the clonogenic growth of MM CSC. Moreover, reductions in MM growth following both long and short-term telomerase inhibition suggest that it impacts CSC through telomere length-dependent and independent mechanisms. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012487 PMCID: PMC2931698 PMID: 20824134 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: R.T., C.H., N.G., and E.B. are employees of Geron. W.M. received research funding from Geron. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23516479
1. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58423. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058423. Epub 2013 Mar 14. A novel telomerase activator suppresses lung damage in a murine model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Le Saux CJ(1), Davy P, Brampton C, Ahuja SS, Fauce S, Shivshankar P, Nguyen H, Ramaseshan M, Tressler R, Pirot Z, Harley CB, Allsopp R. Author information: (1)University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA. The emergence of diseases associated with telomere dysfunction, including AIDS, aplastic anemia and pulmonary fibrosis, has bolstered interest in telomerase activators. We report identification of a new small molecule activator, GRN510, with activity ex vivo and in vivo. Using a novel mouse model, we tested the potential of GRN510 to limit fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mTERT heterozygous mice. Treatment with GRN510 at 10 mg/kg/day activated telomerase 2-4 fold both in hematopoietic progenitors ex vivo and in bone marrow and lung tissue in vivo, respectively. Telomerase activation was countered by co-treatment with Imetelstat (GRN163L), a potent telomerase inhibitor. In this model of bleomycin-induced fibrosis, treatment with GRN510 suppressed the development of fibrosis and accumulation of senescent cells in the lung via a mechanism dependent upon telomerase activation. Treatment of small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) or lung fibroblasts ex vivo with GRN510 revealed telomerase activating and replicative lifespan promoting effects only in the SAEC, suggesting that the mechanism accounting for the protective effects of GRN510 against induced lung fibrosis involves specific types of lung cells. Together, these results support the use of small molecule activators of telomerase in therapies to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058423 PMCID: PMC3597721 PMID: 23516479 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following conflict: Authors CBH, ZP, RT, SF and MR own stock in Geron Corporation, a company that is developing GRN510 as a potential drug. In addition, ZP and MR are affiliated with Geron Corp, CBH is affiliated with Telome-Health, SF is affiliated with Beckman-Coulter, and RT is affiliated with Cellerant. None of these affiliations alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23526891
1. PLoS Comput Biol. 2013;9(3):e1002968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002968. Epub 2013 Mar 14. RFECS: a random-forest based algorithm for enhancer identification from chromatin state. Rajagopal N(1), Xie W, Li Y, Wagner U, Wang W, Stamatoyannopoulos J, Ernst J, Kellis M, Ren B. Author information: (1)Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. Transcriptional enhancers play critical roles in regulation of gene expression, but their identification in the eukaryotic genome has been challenging. Recently, it was shown that enhancers in the mammalian genome are associated with characteristic histone modification patterns, which have been increasingly exploited for enhancer identification. However, only a limited number of cell types or chromatin marks have previously been investigated for this purpose, leaving the question unanswered whether there exists an optimal set of histone modifications for enhancer prediction in different cell types. Here, we address this issue by exploring genome-wide profiles of 24 histone modifications in two distinct human cell types, embryonic stem cells and lung fibroblasts. We developed a Random-Forest based algorithm, RFECS (Random Forest based Enhancer identification from Chromatin States) to integrate histone modification profiles for identification of enhancers, and used it to identify enhancers in a number of cell-types. We show that RFECS not only leads to more accurate and precise prediction of enhancers than previous methods, but also helps identify the most informative and robust set of three chromatin marks for enhancer prediction. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002968 PMCID: PMC3597546 PMID: 23526891 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25645542
1. Hautarzt. 2015 Feb;66(2):108-13. doi: 10.1007/s00105-014-3575-8. [Status quo and prospects for systemic therapy of atopic dermatitis. Biologics ante portas]. [Article in German] Biedermann T(1), Werfel T. Author information: (1)Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Biedersteinerstraße 29, 80802, München, Deutschland. Currently the only approved drug available for the systemic therapy of atopic dermatitis is cyclosporine; however, based on current data from published studies, azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid can be administered off-label. Some biologics on the market that have been approved for other indications (ustekinumab, rituximab, tocilizumab) have been successfully used in a few patients with atopic dermatitis. The world's first prospective controlled studies with the biologic human anti-IL4R antibody dupilumab for the indication "atopic dermatitis" were published in 2014. These motivated (1) to extend the studies to dupilumab and (2) to clinically test antagonization of other target molecules of TH2 polarized, atopic inflammation, e.g., IL-13, IL-31, IL-22, TSLP, and CRTH2. A number of clinical trials are currently recruiting in this area and will provide interesting new insights for future therapeutic approaches in atopic dermatitis. DOI: 10.1007/s00105-014-3575-8 PMID: 25645542 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23688323
1. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jun 27;368(26):2455-66. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1304048. Epub 2013 May 21. Dupilumab in persistent asthma with elevated eosinophil levels. Wenzel S(1), Ford L, Pearlman D, Spector S, Sher L, Skobieranda F, Wang L, Kirkesseli S, Rocklin R, Bock B, Hamilton J, Ming JE, Radin A, Stahl N, Yancopoulos GD, Graham N, Pirozzi G. Author information: (1)Division of Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. wenzelse@upmc.edu Comment in N Engl J Med. 2013 Jun 27;368(26):2511-3. doi: 10.1056/NEJMe1305426. N Engl J Med. 2013 Sep 26;369(13):1276. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1309809. N Engl J Med. 2013 Sep 26;369(13):1275. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1309809. N Engl J Med. 2013 Sep 26;369(13):1275-6. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1309809. BACKGROUND: Moderate-to-severe asthma remains poorly treated. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dupilumab (SAR231893/REGN668), a fully human monoclonal antibody to the alpha subunit of the interleukin-4 receptor, in patients with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma and elevated eosinophil levels. METHODS: We enrolled patients with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma and a blood eosinophil count of at least 300 cells per microliter or a sputum eosinophil level of at least 3% who used medium-dose to high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids plus long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). We administered dupilumab (300 mg) or placebo subcutaneously once weekly. Patients were instructed to discontinue LABAs at week 4 and to taper and discontinue inhaled glucocorticoids during weeks 6 through 9. Patients received the study drug for 12 weeks or until a protocol-defined asthma exacerbation occurred. The primary end point was the occurrence of an asthma exacerbation; secondary end points included a range of measures of asthma control. Effects on various type 2 helper T-cell (Th2)-associated biomarkers and safety and tolerability were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were assigned to the dupilumab group, and 52 patients were assigned to the placebo group. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Three patients had an asthma exacerbation with dupilumab (6%) versus 23 with placebo (44%), corresponding to an 87% reduction with dupilumab (odds ratio, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.02 to 0.28; P<0.001). Significant improvements were observed for most measures of lung function and asthma control. Dupilumab reduced biomarkers associated with Th2-driven inflammation. Injection-site reactions, nasopharyngitis, nausea, and headache occurred more frequently with dupilumab than with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma and elevated eosinophil levels who used inhaled glucocorticoids and LABAs, dupilumab therapy, as compared with placebo, was associated with fewer asthma exacerbations when LABAs and inhaled glucocorticoids were withdrawn, with improved lung function and reduced levels of Th2-associated inflammatory markers. (Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01312961.). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1304048 PMID: 23688323 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24037088
1. Cell Death Differ. 2013 Dec;20(12):1675-87. doi: 10.1038/cdd.2013.119. Epub 2013 Sep 13. HINCUTs in cancer: hypoxia-induced noncoding ultraconserved transcripts. Ferdin J(1), Nishida N, Wu X, Nicoloso MS, Shah MY, Devlin C, Ling H, Shimizu M, Kumar K, Cortez MA, Ferracin M, Bi Y, Yang D, Czerniak B, Zhang W, Schmittgen TD, Voorhoeve MP, Reginato MJ, Negrini M, Davuluri RV, Kunej T, Ivan M, Calin GA. Author information: (1)1] Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, So Campus Research Building 3, 1881 East Road, Houston, TX 77030, USA [2] Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3 1230, Domzale, Slovenia. Recent data have linked hypoxia, a classic feature of the tumor microenvironment, to the function of specific microRNAs (miRNAs); however, whether hypoxia affects other types of noncoding transcripts is currently unknown. Starting from a genome-wide expression profiling, we demonstrate for the first time a functional link between oxygen deprivation and the modulation of long noncoding transcripts from ultraconserved regions, termed transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs). Interestingly, several hypoxia-upregulated T-UCRs, henceforth named 'hypoxia-induced noncoding ultraconserved transcripts' (HINCUTs), are also overexpressed in clinical samples from colon cancer patients. We show that these T-UCRs are predominantly nuclear and that the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is at least partly responsible for the induction of several members of this group. One specific HINCUT, uc.475 (or HINCUT-1) is part of a retained intron of the host protein-coding gene, O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase, which is overexpressed in epithelial cancer types. Consistent with the hypothesis that T-UCRs have important function in tumor formation, HINCUT-1 supports cell proliferation specifically under hypoxic conditions and may be critical for optimal O-GlcNAcylation of proteins when oxygen tension is limiting. Our data gives a first glimpse of a novel functional hypoxic network comprising protein-coding transcripts and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) from the T-UCRs category. DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2013.119 PMCID: PMC3824588 PMID: 24037088 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19908230
1. Int J Cancer. 2010 Jul 15;127(2):321-31. doi: 10.1002/ijc.25043. The effects of telomerase inhibition on prostate tumor-initiating cells. Marian CO(1), Wright WE, Shay JW. Author information: (1)Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men, and patients with metastatic disease have poor outcome even with the most advanced therapeutic approaches. Most cancer therapies target the bulk tumor cells, but may leave intact a small population of tumor-initiating cells (TICs), which are believed to be responsible for the subsequent relapse and metastasis. Using specific surface markers (CD44, integrin alpha(2)beta(1) and CD133), Hoechst 33342 dye exclusion, and holoclone formation, we isolated TICs from a panel of prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, C4-2 and LNCaP). We have found that prostate TICs have significant telomerase activity which is inhibited by imetelstat sodium (GRN163L), a new telomerase antagonist that is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for several hematological and solid tumor malignancies. Prostate TICs telomeres were of similar average length to the telomeres of the main population of cells and significant telomere shortening was detected in prostate TICs as a result of imetelstat treatment. These findings suggest that telomerase inhibition therapy may be able to efficiently target the prostate TICs in addition to the bulk tumor cells, providing new opportunities for combination therapies. DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25043 PMID: 19908230 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22870217
1. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e41401. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041401. Epub 2012 Aug 3. Identification of CBX3 and ABCA5 as putative biomarkers for tumor stem cells in osteosarcoma. Saini V(1), Hose CD, Monks A, Nagashima K, Han B, Newton DL, Millione A, Shah J, Hollingshead MG, Hite KM, Burkett MW, Delosh RM, Silvers TE, Scudiero DA, Shoemaker RH. Author information: (1)Screening Technologies Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America. Erratum in PLoS One. 2012;7(11). doi:10.1371/annotation/8c74aaee-897d-4682-b62d-d95a3506c210. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the role of tumor stem cells (TSCs) in tumorigenesis, chemoresistance, and relapse of malignant tumors including osteosarcoma. The potential exists to improve osteosarcoma treatment through characterization of TSCs and identification of therapeutic targets. Using transcriptome, proteome, immunophenotyping for cell-surface markers, and bioinformatic analyses, heterogeneous expression of previously reported TSC or osteosarcoma markers, such as CD133, nestin, POU5F1 (OCT3/4), NANOG, SOX2, and aldehyde dehydrogenase, among others, was observed in vitro. However, consistently significantly lower CD326, CD24, CD44, and higher ABCG2 expression in TSC-enriched as compared with un-enriched osteosarcoma cultures was observed. In addition, consistently higher CBX3 expression in TSC-enriched osteosarcoma cultures was identified. ABCA5 was identified as a putative biomarker of TSCs and/or osteosarcoma. Lastly, in a high-throughput screen we identified epigenetic (5-azacytidine), anti-microtubule (vincristine), and anti-telomerase (3,11-difluoro-6,8,13-trimethyl- 8H-quino [4,3,2-kl] acridinium methosulfate; RHPS4)-targeted therapeutic agents as candidates for TSC ablation in osteosarcoma. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041401 PMCID: PMC3411700 PMID: 22870217 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. There are no financial, personal, or professional interests that could be construed to have influenced the paper. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20802525
1. Oncogene. 2010 Dec 2;29(48):6390-401. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.361. Epub 2010 Aug 30. CpG island hypermethylation-associated silencing of non-coding RNAs transcribed from ultraconserved regions in human cancer. Lujambio A(1), Portela A, Liz J, Melo SA, Rossi S, Spizzo R, Croce CM, Calin GA, Esteller M. Author information: (1)Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08907L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain. Erratum in Oncogene. 2019 Jan;38(5):765-766. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0560-1. Although only 1.5% of the human genome appears to code for proteins, much effort in cancer research has been devoted to this minimal fraction of our DNA. However, the last few years have witnessed the realization that a large class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), named microRNAs, contribute to cancer development and progression by acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Recent studies have also shown that epigenetic silencing of microRNAs with tumor suppressor features by CpG island hypermethylation is a common hallmark of human tumors. Thus, we wondered whether there were other ncRNAs undergoing aberrant DNA methylation-associated silencing in transformed cells. We focused on the transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs), a subset of DNA sequences that are absolutely conserved between orthologous regions of the human, rat and mouse genomes and that are located in both intra- and intergenic regions. We used a pharmacological and genomic approach to reveal the possible existence of an aberrant epigenetic silencing pattern of T-UCRs by treating cancer cells with a DNA-demethylating agent followed by hybridization to an expression microarray containing these sequences. We observed that DNA hypomethylation induces release of T-UCR silencing in cancer cells. Among the T-UCRs that were reactivated upon drug treatment, Uc.160+, Uc283+A and Uc.346+ were found to undergo specific CpG island hypermethylation-associated silencing in cancer cells compared with normal tissues. The analysis of a large set of primary human tumors (n=283) demonstrated that hypermethylation of the described T-UCR CpG islands was a common event among the various tumor types. Our finding that, in addition to microRNAs, another class of ncRNAs (T-UCRs) undergoes DNA methylation-associated inactivation in transformed cells supports a model in which epigenetic and genetic alterations in coding and non-coding sequences cooperate in human tumorigenesis. DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.361 PMCID: PMC3007676 PMID: 20802525 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22617881
1. RNA Biol. 2012 Jun;9(6):881-90. doi: 10.4161/rna.19353. Epub 2012 May 23. CpG island hypermethylation-associated silencing of small nucleolar RNAs in human cancer. Ferreira HJ(1), Heyn H, Moutinho C, Esteller M. Author information: (1)Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Much effort in cancer research has focused on the tiny part of our genome that codes for mRNA. However, it has recently been recognized that microRNAs also contribute decisively to tumorigenesis. Studies have also shown that epigenetic silencing by CpG island hypermethylation of microRNAs with tumor suppressor activities is a common feature of human cancer. The importance of other classes of non-coding RNAs, such as long intergenic ncRNAs (lincRNAs) and transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) as altered elements in neoplasia, is also gaining recognition. Thus, we wondered whether there were other ncRNAs undergoing CpG island hypermethylation-associated inactivation in cancer cells. We focused on the small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), a subset of ncRNA with a wide variety of cellular functions, such as chemical modification of RNA, pre-RNA processing and control of alternative splicing. By data mining snoRNA databases and the scientific literature, we selected 49 snoRNAs that had a CpG island within ≤ 2 Kb or that were processed from a host gene with a 5'-CpG island. Bisulfite genomic sequencing of multiple clones in normal colon mucosa and the colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116 showed that 46 snoRNAs were equally methylated in the two samples: completely unmethylated (n = 26) or fully methylated (n = 20). Most interestingly, the host gene-associated 5'-CpG islands of the snoRNAs SNORD123, U70C and ACA59B were hypermethylated in the cancer cells but not in the corresponding normal tissue. CpG island hypermethylation was associated with the transcriptional silencing of the respective snoRNAs. Results of a DNA methylation microarray platform in a comprehensive collection of normal tissues, cancer cell lines and primary malignancies demonstrated that the observed hypermethylation of snoRNAs was a common feature of various tumor types, particularly in leukemias. Overall, our findings indicate the existence of a new subclass of ncRNAs, snoRNAs, that are targeted by epigenetic inactivation in human cancer. DOI: 10.4161/rna.19353 PMCID: PMC3495749 PMID: 22617881 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21298224
1. ScientificWorldJournal. 2011 Feb 3;11:340-52. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2011.35. The transcribed-ultraconserved regions: a novel class of long noncoding RNAs involved in cancer susceptibility. Scaruffi P(1). Author information: (1)Center of Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy. paola.scaruffi@hsanmartino.it During recent years, novel approaches and new technologies have revealed a startling level of complexity of higher eukaryotes' transcriptome. A large proportion of the transcriptional output is represented by protein noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that arise from the "dark matter" of the genome. Focus on such sequences has revealed numerous RNA subtypes with several functions in RNA processing and gene expression regulation, and deep sequencing studies imply that many remain to be discovered. This review gives a picture of the state of the art of a novel class of long ncRNA known as transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs). Most recent studies show that they are significantly altered in adult chronic lymphocytic leukemias, carcinomas, and pediatric neuroblastomas, leading to the hypothesis that UCRs may play a role in tumorigenesis and promising innovative future T-UCR-based therapeutic approaches. DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2011.35 PMCID: PMC5720018 PMID: 21298224 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25214796
1. J Asthma Allergy. 2014 Sep 4;7:123-30. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S52387. eCollection 2014. Dupilumab: a novel treatment for asthma. Vatrella A(1), Fabozzi I(1), Calabrese C(2), Maselli R(3), Pelaia G(3). Author information: (1)Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. (2)Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. (3)Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy. Simultaneously with the steady progress towards a better knowledge of the pathobiology of asthma, the potential usefulness of anticytokine therapies is emerging as one of the key concepts in the newly developing treatments of this widespread airway disease. In particular, given the key role played by interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in the pathophysiology of the most typical aspects of asthma, such as chronic airway inflammation, tissue remodeling, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, these pleiotropic cytokines are now considered as suitable therapeutic targets. Among the recently developed antiasthma biologic drugs, the monoclonal antibody dupilumab is very promising because of its ability to inhibit the biological effects of both IL-4 and IL-13. Indeed, dupilumab prevents IL-4/13 interactions with the α-subunit of the IL-4 receptor complex. A recent trial showed that in patients with difficult-to-control asthma, dupilumab can markedly decrease asthma exacerbations and improve respiratory symptoms and lung function; these effects were paralleled by significant reductions in T-helper 2-associated inflammatory biomarkers. However, further larger and longer trials are required to extend and validate these preliminary results, and also to carefully study the safety and tolerability profile of dupilumab. DOI: 10.2147/JAA.S52387 PMCID: PMC4159398 PMID: 25214796
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17042739
1. J Bone Miner Res. 2007 Jan;22(1):7-18. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.061012. Craniosynostosis-associated gene nell-1 is regulated by runx2. Truong T(1), Zhang X, Pathmanathan D, Soo C, Ting K. Author information: (1)Dental of Craniofacial Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. We studied the transcriptional regulation of NELL-1, a craniosynostosis-related gene. We identitifed three OSE2 elements in the NELL-1 promoter that are directly bound and transactivated by Runx2. Forced expression of Runx2 induces NELL-1 expression in rat calvarial cells. INTRODUCTION: We previously reported the upregulation of NELL-1 in human craniosynostosis and the overexpression of Nell-1 in transgenic animals that induced premature suture closure associated with increased osteoblast differentiation. To study the transcriptional regulation of NELL-1, we analyzed the 5' flanking region of the human NELL-1 gene. We identified three osteoblast specific binding elements 2 (OSE2) sites (A, B, and C) within 2.2 kb upstream of the transcription start site and further studied the functionality of these sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An area of 2.2 kb and a truncated 325 bp, which lacked the three OSE sites, were cloned into a luciferase reporter gene, and co-transfected with Runx2 expression plasmid. The three OSE2 sites were individually mutated and co-transfected with Runx2 expression plasmid into Saos2 cells. Gel shifts and supershifts with Runx2 antibodies were used to determine specific binding to OSE2 sites. CHIP assays were used to study in vivo binding of Runx2 to the Nell-1 promoter. Runx2 expression plasmid was transfected into wildtype and Runx2(-/-) calvarial cells. Nell-1, osteocalcin, and Runx2 expression levels were measured using RT-PCR. RESULTS: Addition of Runx2 dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in the human NELL-1 promoter-luciferase p2213. The p325 truncated NELL-1 construct showed significantly lower basal level of activity. Nuclear extract from Saos2 cells formed complexes with site A, B, and C probes and were supershifted with Runx2 antibody. Mutation of sites A, B, and C significantly decreased basal promoter activity. Furthermore, mutation of sites B and C had a blunted response to Runx2, whereas mutation of site A had a lesser effect. Runx2 bound to NELL-1 promoter in vivo. Transfection of Runx2 in rat osteoblasts upregulated Nell-1 and Ocn expression, and in Runx2 null calvarial cells, both Nell-1 and Ocn expression were rescued. CONCLUSIONS: Runx2 directly binds to the OSE2 elements and transactivates the human NELL-1 promoter. These results suggest that Nell-1 is likely a downstream target of Runx2. These findings may also extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis. DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.061012 PMID: 17042739 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24247010
1. Epigenetics. 2014 Jan;9(1):113-8. doi: 10.4161/epi.27237. Epub 2013 Nov 18. Epigenetic loss of the PIWI/piRNA machinery in human testicular tumorigenesis. Ferreira HJ(1), Heyn H(2), Garcia del Muro X(3), Vidal A(4), Larriba S(5), Muñoz C(6), Villanueva A(6), Esteller M(7). Author information: (1)Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC); Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL); Barcelona, Spain; Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine; Centre for Neurosciences and Cell Biology; University of Coimbra; Coimbra, Portugal. (2)Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC); Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL); Barcelona, Spain. (3)Medical Oncology Department; Catalan Institute of Oncology; Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL); Barcelona, Spain. (4)Pathology Department; University Hospital Bellvitge; Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBEL); Barcelona, Spain. (5)Human Molecular Genetics Group; Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL); Barcelona, Spain. (6)Translational Research Laboratory; Catalan Institute of Oncology; Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL); Barcelona, Spain. (7)Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC); Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL); Barcelona, Spain; Department of Physiological Sciences II; School of Medicine; University of Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain; Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA); Barcelona, Spain. Although most cancer research has focused in mRNA, non-coding RNAs are also an essential player in tumorigenesis. In addition to the well-recognized microRNAs, recent studies have also shown that epigenetic silencing by CpG island hypermethylation of other classes of non-coding RNAs, such as transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) or small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), also occur in human neoplasia. Herein we have studied the putative existence of epigenetic aberrations in the activity of PIWI proteins, an Argonaute family protein subclass, and the small regulatory PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in testicular cancer, as the PIWI/piRNA pathway plays a critical role in male germline development. We have observed the existence of promoter CpG island hypermethylation-associated silencing of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL4, and TDRD1 in primary seminoma and non-seminoma testicular tumors, in addition to testicular germ cell tumor cell lines. Most importantly, these epigenetic lesions occur in a context of piRNA downregulation and loss of DNA methylation of the LINE-1 repetitive sequences, one of the target genomic loci where the PIWI/piRNA machinery acts as a caretaker in non-transformed cells. DOI: 10.4161/epi.27237 PMCID: PMC3928173 PMID: 24247010 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25006719
1. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 10;371(2):130-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1314768. Dupilumab treatment in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Beck LA(1), Thaçi D, Hamilton JD, Graham NM, Bieber T, Rocklin R, Ming JE, Ren H, Kao R, Simpson E, Ardeleanu M, Weinstein SP, Pirozzi G, Guttman-Yassky E, Suárez-Fariñas M, Hager MD, Stahl N, Yancopoulos GD, Radin AR. Author information: (1)From the Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester (L.A.B.), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown (J.D.H., N.M.G., H.R., R.K., M.A., S.P.W., M.D.H., N.S., G.D.Y., A.R.R.), the Department of Dermatology and the Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (E.G.-Y.), the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology (E.G.-Y., M.S.-F.) and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (M.S.-F.), Rockefeller University, New York - all in New York; the Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck (D.T.), and the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Bonn, Bonn (T.B.) - both in Germany; Sanofi, Bridgewater, NJ (R.R., J.E.M., G.P.); and the Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (E.S.). BACKGROUND: Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, has shown efficacy in patients with asthma and elevated eosinophil levels. The blockade by dupilumab of these key drivers of type 2 helper T-cell (Th2)-mediated inflammation could help in the treatment of related diseases, including atopic dermatitis. METHODS: We performed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials involving adults who had moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis despite treatment with topical glucocorticoids and calcineurin inhibitors. Dupilumab was evaluated as monotherapy in two 4-week trials and in one 12-week trial and in combination with topical glucocorticoids in another 4-week study. End points included the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, the investigator's global assessment score, pruritus, safety assessments, serum biomarker levels, and disease transcriptome. RESULTS: In the 4-week monotherapy studies, dupilumab resulted in rapid and dose-dependent improvements in clinical indexes, biomarker levels, and the transcriptome. The results of the 12-week study of dupilumab monotherapy reproduced and extended the 4-week findings: 85% of patients in the dupilumab group, as compared with 35% of those in the placebo group, had a 50% reduction in the EASI score (EASI-50, with higher scores in the EASI indicating greater severity of eczema) (P<0.001); 40% of patients in the dupilumab group, as compared with 7% in the placebo group, had a score of 0 to 1 (indicating clearing or near-clearing of skin lesions) on the investigator's global assessment (P<0.001); and pruritus scores decreased (indicating a reduction in itch) by 55.7% in the dupilumab group versus 15.1% in the placebo group (P<0.001). In the combination study, 100% of the patients in the dupilumab group, as compared with 50% of those who received topical glucocorticoids with placebo injection, met the criterion for EASI-50 (P=0.002), despite the fact that patients who received dupilumab plus glucocorticoids used less than half the amount of topical glucocorticoids used by those who received placebo plus the topical medication (P=0.16). Adverse events, such as skin infection, occurred more frequently with placebo; nasopharyngitis and headache were the most frequent adverse events with dupilumab. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with dupilumab had marked and rapid improvement in all the evaluated measures of atopic dermatitis disease activity. Side-effect profiles were not dose-limiting. (Funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01259323, NCT01385657, NCT01639040, and NCT01548404.). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1314768 PMID: 25006719 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9585042
1. Clin Radiol. 1998 Apr;53(4):268-73. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9260(98)80125-6. Radiological malformations of the ear in Pendred syndrome. Phelps PD(1), Coffey RA, Trembath RC, Luxon LM, Grossman AB, Britton KE, Kendall-Taylor P, Graham JM, Cadge BC, Stephens SG, Pembrey ME, Reardon W. Author information: (1)Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK. Pendred syndrome comprises the association of severe congenital sensorineural deafness with thyroid pathology. Although it is the commonest form of syndromic hearing loss, the primary genetic defect remains unknown. The variable clinical presentation allied to the difficulty in securing the diagnosis have resulted in relatively poor documentation of the radiological features of this syndrome. We now present data on 40 patients, all complying with strict diagnostic criteria for the disorder, and describe our experience of the prevalence of specific malformations of the inner ear as well as comparing the relative merits of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the investigation of this inherited condition. Deficiency of the interscalar septum in the distal coils of the cochlea (Mondini deformity) was found to be a common but probably not a constant feature of Pendred syndrome. However, enlargement of the endolymphatic sac and duct in association with a large vestibular aqueduct was present in all 20 patients examined by MRI. We conclude that thin section high resolution MRI on a T2 protocol in the axial and sagittal planes is the imaging investigation of choice. DOI: 10.1016/s0009-9260(98)80125-6 PMID: 9585042 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22328099
1. Oncology. 2012;82(2):114-8. doi: 10.1159/000336479. Epub 2012 Feb 11. Expression levels of transcribed ultraconserved regions uc.73 and uc.388 are altered in colorectal cancer. Sana J(1), Hankeova S, Svoboda M, Kiss I, Vyzula R, Slaby O. Author information: (1)Department of Comprehensive Cancer Care, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic. OBJECTIVES: The development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by multiple genetic alterations. Transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) are a subset of 481 sequences longer than 200 bp, which are absolutely conserved between orthologous regions of human, rat and mouse genomes, and are actively transcribed. It has recently been proven in cancer systems that differentially expressed T-UCRs could alter the functional characteristics of malignant cells. Genome-wide profiling revealed that T-UCRs have distinct signatures in human leukemia and carcinoma. METHODS: In our study, we examined the expression levels of uc.43, uc.73, uc.134, uc.230, uc.339, uc.388 and uc.399 in 54 samples of primary colorectal carcinomas and 15 samples of non-tumoral adjacent tissues by real-time PCR. T-UCR expression levels were also correlated with commonly used clinicopathological features of CRC. RESULTS: Expression levels of uc.73 (p = 0.0139) and uc.388 (p = 0.0325) were significantly decreased in CRC tissue, and uc.73 indicated a positive correlation with overall survival (p = 0.0315). The lower expression of uc.388 was associated with the distal location of CRC (p = 0.0183), but no correlation of any evaluated T-UCR with clinical stage, grade and tumor diameter was observed. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that uc.73 and uc.388 could be potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in CRC patients. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel. DOI: 10.1159/000336479 PMID: 22328099 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18323801
1. Leukemia. 2008 Jun;22(6):1095-105. doi: 10.1038/leu.2008.30. Epub 2008 Mar 6. MicroRNAs and noncoding RNAs in hematological malignancies: molecular, clinical and therapeutic implications. Fabbri M(1), Garzon R, Andreeff M, Kantarjian HM, Garcia-Manero G, Calin GA. Author information: (1)Human Cancer Genetics, Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of 19-24 nucleotide noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) with posttranscriptional regulatory functions. Increasing evidences from the literature show that miRNAs play a pivotal role in human tumorigenesis. Many studies have addressed the role of miRNAs in normal hematopoiesis, giving an interpretative key to the aberrancies of expression observed in human hematological malignancies. Moreover, the recent demonstration that other ncRNAs, the ultraconserved genes (UCGs) or transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs), are involved in human cancerogenesis, suggests that the wider family of ncRNAs (including both miRNAs and UCGs) could contribute to the development of the malignant phenotype. Here we review the main studies investigating the role of miRNAs and UCRs in both normal hemopoiesis and hematological malignancies, and identify the molecular, clinical and therapeutic implications of these recent findings. DOI: 10.1038/leu.2008.30 PMID: 18323801 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11375792
1. Eur J Endocrinol. 2001 Jun;144(6):585-93. doi: 10.1530/eje.0.1440585. Clinical and molecular analysis of three Mexican families with Pendred's syndrome. Gonzalez Trevino O(1), Karamanoglu Arseven O, Ceballos CJ, Vives VI, Ramirez RC, Gomez VV, Medeiros-Neto G, Kopp P. Author information: (1)Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Clinic, Instituto Nacional Nutrition S. Zubiran, Mexico City, Mexico. BACKGROUND: The autosomal recessive Pendred's syndrome is defined by congenital sensorineural deafness, goiter, and impaired iodide organification. It is caused by mutations in the Pendred's syndrome (PDS) gene that encodes pendrin, a chloride/iodide transporter expressed in the thyroid, the inner ear, and the kidney. OBJECTIVE: To perform a detailed clinical and molecular analysis of patients with Pendred's syndrome from four patients from three unrelated Mexican families. METHODS: Thyroid function tests, perchlorate test, thyroid scintigraphy, audiometry, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed in all affected individuals. Haplotype analyses were performed using microsatellite markers flanking the PDS locus, and the PDS gene was submitted to direct sequence analysis. RESULTS: All patients presented with sensorineural deafness, Mondini malformations of the cochlea, an enlarged vestibular aqueduct, goiter, and a positive perchlorate test. Two patients were hypothyroid, two individuals were euthyroid. Sequence analysis revealed a complex homozygous deletion/insertion mutation at the end of exon 4 in the index patient of family 1 resulting in a premature stop codon at position 138. In family 2, the affected individuals were compound heterozygous for a splice acceptor mutation (IVS2 -1G>A) and a 1231G>C transversion substituting alanine 411 by proline (A411P). In family 3, the index patient was found to be homozygous for a transversion 412G>T in exon 4 replacing valine 138 by phenylalanine (V138F). CONCLUSIONS: All patients included in this study presented with the classic Pendred syndrome triad and molecular analysis revealed pendrin mutations as the underlying cause. The identification of three novel mutations, one of them of complex structure, expands the spectrum of mutations in the PDS gene and emphasizes that they display marked allelic heterogeneity. DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1440585 PMID: 11375792 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10914960
1. Acta Paediatr. 2000 Jun;89(6):672-4. doi: 10.1080/080352500750043972. A unique point mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3) causes non-syndromic craniosynostosis. Tsai FJ(1), Wu JY, Lee CC, Tsa CH. Author information: (1)Department of Pediatrics, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. d0704@hpd.cmch.org.tw A unique Pro250Arg mutation in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) was recently found in patients with non-syndromic craniosynostosis. We studied 18 Taiwan Chinese patients with various types of craniosynostosis to evaluate if this mutation is also prevalent in the Chinese population. Genomic DNA was analysed by polymerase chain reaction based restriction analysis and direct sequencing to identify the Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3. Five (28%) of 18 probands were heterozygous for the Pro250Arg mutation. Only those patients with coronal synostosis carried this mutation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that all patients with coronal synostosis should be examined for this unique mutation. DOI: 10.1080/080352500750043972 PMID: 10914960 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25524798
1. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Jan;16(1):25-35. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71159-3. Epub 2014 Dec 16. The cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with letrozole versus letrozole alone as first-line treatment of oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18): a randomised phase 2 study. Finn RS(1), Crown JP(2), Lang I(3), Boer K(4), Bondarenko IM(5), Kulyk SO(6), Ettl J(7), Patel R(8), Pinter T(9), Schmidt M(10), Shparyk Y(11), Thummala AR(12), Voytko NL(13), Fowst C(14), Huang X(15), Kim ST(15), Randolph S(15), Slamon DJ(16). Author information: (1)University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. (2)Irish Cooperative Oncology Research Group, Dublin, Ireland. (3)Orszagos Onkologiai Intezet, Budapest, Hungary. (4)Szent Margit Korhaz, Onkologia, Budapest, Hungary. (5)Dnipropetrovsk Medical Academy, City Multiple-Discipline Clinical Hospital 4, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. (6)Municipal Treatment and Prophylactic Institution, Donetsk, Ukraine. (7)Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. (8)Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, Bakersfield, CA, USA. (9)Petz Aladar Megyei Oktato Korhaz, Gyor, Hungary. (10)University Hospital Mainz, Mainz, Germany. (11)Lviv State Oncologic Regional Treatment and Diagnostic Centre, Lviv, Ukraine. (12)Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA. (13)Kyiv City Clinical Oncology Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine. (14)Pfizer Oncology, Milan, Italy. (15)Pfizer Oncology, San Diego, CA, USA. (16)University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: dslamon@mednet.ucla.edu. Comment in Lancet Oncol. 2015 Jan;16(1):2-3. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71188-X. BACKGROUND: Palbociclib (PD-0332991) is an oral, small-molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6 with preclinical evidence of growth-inhibitory activity in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells and synergy with anti-oestrogens. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of palbociclib in combination with letrozole as first-line treatment of patients with advanced, oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. METHODS: In this open-label, randomised phase 2 study, postmenopausal women with advanced oestrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer who had not received any systemic treatment for their advanced disease were eligible to participate. Patients were enrolled in two separate cohorts that accrued sequentially: in cohort 1, patients were enrolled on the basis of their oestrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative biomarker status alone, whereas in cohort 2 they were also required to have cancers with amplification of cyclin D1 (CCND1), loss of p16 (INK4A or CDKN2A), or both. In both cohorts, patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via an interactive web-based randomisation system, stratified by disease site and disease-free interval, to receive continuous oral letrozole 2.5 mg daily or continuous oral letrozole 2.5 mg daily plus oral palbociclib 125 mg, given once daily for 3 weeks followed by 1 week off over 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. Accrual to cohort 2 was stopped after an unplanned interim analysis of cohort 1 and the statistical analysis plan for the primary endpoint was amended to a combined analysis of cohorts 1 and 2 (instead of cohort 2 alone). The study is ongoing but closed to accrual; these are the results of the final analysis of progression-free survival. The study is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00721409. FINDINGS: Between Dec 22, 2009, and May 12, 2012, we randomly assigned 165 patients, 84 to palbociclib plus letrozole and 81 to letrozole alone. At the time of the final analysis for progression-free survival (median follow-up 29.6 months [95% CI 27.9-36.0] for the palbociclib plus letrozole group and 27.9 months [25.5-31.1] for the letrozole group), 41 progression-free survival events had occurred in the palbociclib plus letrozole group and 59 in the letrozole group. Median progression-free survival was 10.2 months (95% CI 5.7-12.6) for the letrozole group and 20.2 months (13.8-27.5) for the palbociclib plus letrozole group (HR 0.488, 95% CI 0.319-0.748; one-sided p=0.0004). In cohort 1 (n=66), median progression-free survival was 5.7 months (2.6-10.5) for the letrozole group and 26.1 months (11.2-not estimable) for the palbociclib plus letrozole group (HR 0.299, 0.156-0.572; one-sided p<0.0001); in cohort 2 (n=99), median progression-free survival was 11.1 months (7.1-16.4) for the letrozole group and 18.1 months (13.1-27.5) for the palbociclib plus letrozole group (HR 0.508, 0.303-0.853; one-sided p=0.0046). Grade 3-4 neutropenia was reported in 45 (54%) of 83 patients in the palbociclib plus letrozole group versus one (1%) of 77 patients in the letrozole group, leucopenia in 16 (19%) versus none, and fatigue in four (4%) versus one (1%). Serious adverse events that occurred in more than one patient in the palbociclib plus letrozole group were pulmonary embolism (three [4%] patients), back pain (two [2%]), and diarrhoea (two [2%]). No cases of febrile neutropenia or neutropenia-related infections were reported during the study. 11 (13%) patients in the palbociclib plus letrozole group and two (2%) in the letrozole group discontinued the study because of adverse events. INTERPRETATION: The addition of palbociclib to letrozole in this phase 2 study significantly improved progression-free survival in women with advanced oestrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. A phase 3 trial is currently underway. FUNDING: Pfizer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71159-3 PMID: 25524798 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20383195
1. Oncogene. 2010 Jun 17;29(24):3583-92. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.106. Epub 2010 Apr 12. An integrative genomics screen uncovers ncRNA T-UCR functions in neuroblastoma tumours. Mestdagh P(1), Fredlund E, Pattyn F, Rihani A, Van Maerken T, Vermeulen J, Kumps C, Menten B, De Preter K, Schramm A, Schulte J, Noguera R, Schleiermacher G, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Laureys G, Powel R, Nittner D, Marine JC, Ringnér M, Speleman F, Vandesompele J. Author information: (1)Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, East-Flanders, Belgium. Different classes of non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, have recently been implicated in the process of tumourigenesis. In this study, we examined the expression and putative functions of a novel class of non-coding RNAs known as transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) in neuroblastoma. Genome-wide expression profiling revealed correlations between specific T-UCR expression levels and important clinicogenetic parameters such as MYCN amplification status. A functional genomics approach based on the integration of multi-level transcriptome data was adapted to gain insights into T-UCR functions. Assignments of T-UCRs to cellular processes such as TP53 response, differentiation and proliferation were verified using various cellular model systems. For the first time, our results define a T-UCR expression landscape in neuroblastoma and suggest widespread T-UCR involvement in diverse cellular processes that are deregulated in the process of tumourigenesis. DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.106 PMID: 20383195 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20643727
1. Pediatrics. 2010 Aug;126(2):e391-400. doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-3491. Epub 2010 Jul 19. Prevalence and complications of single-gene and chromosomal disorders in craniosynostosis. Wilkie AO(1), Byren JC, Hurst JA, Jayamohan J, Johnson D, Knight SJ, Lester T, Richards PG, Twigg SR, Wall SA. Author information: (1)Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. awilkie@hammer.imm.ox.ac.uk OBJECTIVES: We describe the first cohort-based analysis of the impact of genetic disorders in craniosynostosis. We aimed to refine the understanding of prognoses and pathogenesis and to provide rational criteria for clinical genetic testing. METHODS: We undertook targeted molecular genetic and cytogenetic testing for 326 children who required surgery because of craniosynostosis, were born in 1993-2002, presented to a single craniofacial unit, and were monitored until the end of 2007. RESULTS: Eighty-four children (and 64 relatives) had pathologic genetic alterations (86% single-gene mutations and 14% chromosomal abnormalities). The FGFR3 P250R mutation was the single largest contributor (24%) to the genetic group. Genetic diagnoses accounted for 21% of all craniosynostosis cases and were associated with increased rates of many complications. Children with an initial clinical diagnosis of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis were more likely to have a causative mutation if the synostoses were unicoronal or bicoronal (10 of 48 cases) than if they were sagittal or metopic (0 of 55 cases; P = .0003). Repeat craniofacial surgery was required for 58% of children with single-gene mutations but only 17% of those with chromosomal abnormalities (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical genetic assessment is critical for the treatment of children with craniosynostosis. Genetic testing of nonsyndromic cases (at least for FGFR3 P250R and FGFR2 exons IIIa/c) should be targeted to patients with coronal or multisuture synostoses. Single-gene disorders that disrupt physiologic signaling in the cranial sutures often require reoperation, whereas chromosomal abnormalities follow a more-indolent course, which suggests a different, secondary origin of the associated craniosynostosis. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-3491 PMCID: PMC3535761 PMID: 20643727 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16258006
1. J Med Genet. 2006 Jun;43(6):534-40. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2005.037820. Epub 2005 Oct 28. Balanced translocation in a patient with craniosynostosis disrupts the SOX6 gene and an evolutionarily conserved non-transcribed region. Tagariello A, Heller R, Greven A, Kalscheuer VM, Molter T, Rauch A, Kress W, Winterpacht A. Craniosynostosis is a congenital developmental disorder involving premature fusion of cranial sutures, which results in an abnormal shape of the skull. Significant progress in understanding the molecular basis of this phenotype has been made for a small number of syndromic craniosynostosis forms. Nevertheless, in the majority of the approximately 100 craniosynostosis syndromes and in non-syndromic craniosynostosis the underlying gene defects and pathomechanisms are unknown. Here we report on a male infant presenting at birth with brachycephaly, proptosis, midfacial hypoplasia, and low set ears. Three dimensional cranial computer tomography showed fusion of the lambdoid sutures and distal part of the sagittal suture with a gaping anterior fontanelle. Mutations in the genes for FGFR2 and FGFR3 were excluded. Standard chromosome analysis revealed a de novo balanced translocation t(9;11)(q33;p15). The breakpoint on chromosome 11p15 disrupts the SOX6 gene, known to be involved in skeletal growth and differentiation processes. SOX6 mutation screening of another 104 craniosynostosis patients revealed one missense mutation leading to the exchange of a highly conserved amino acid (p.D68N) in a single patient and his reportedly healthy mother. The breakpoint on chromosome 9 is located in a region without any known or predicted genes but, interestingly, disrupts patches of evolutionarily highly conserved non-genic sequences and may thus led to dysregulation of flanking genes on chromosome 9 or 11 involved in skull vault development. The present case is one of the very rare reports of an apparently balanced translocation in a patient with syndromic craniosynostosis, and reveals novel candidate genes for craniosynostoses and cranial suture formation. DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2005.037820 PMCID: PMC2564540 PMID: 16258006 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing interests: there are no competing interests
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18000908
1. Am J Med Genet A. 2007 Dec 15;143A(24):2937-43. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32092. Syndromic craniosynostosis due to complex chromosome 5 rearrangement and MSX2 gene triplication. Bernardini L(1), Castori M, Capalbo A, Mokini V, Mingarelli R, Simi P, Bertuccelli A, Novelli A, Dallapiccola B. Author information: (1)CSS Hospital, IRCSS, San Giovanni Rotondo and CSS-Mendel Institute, Rome, Italy. Craniosynostosis is a common birth defect ( approximately 1/3,000 births) resulting from chromosome imbalances, gene mutations or unknown causes. We report a 6-month-old female with multiple sutural synostosis and prenatal onset growth deficiency, developmental delay, facial dysmorphism, congenital heart defect, and inguinal hernia. An integrated approach of standard cytogenetics, mBAND, locus-specific FISH, and 75 kb resolution array-CGH disclosed a complex chromosome 5 rearrangement, resulting in 3 paracentric inversions, 2 between-arm insertions, and partial duplication of 5q35. An extra copy of the MSX2 gene, which maps within the duplicated segment and is mutated in Boston-type craniosynostosis, was confirmed by molecular cytogenetic studies. Our study confirms that early fusion of cranial sutures commonly observed in the dup(5q) syndrome is caused by triplication of the MSX2 gene and strongly supports the crucial role of this gene in the development of craniofacial structures. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32092 PMID: 18000908 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8476169
1. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1993 Apr;102(4 Pt 1):285-8. doi: 10.1177/000348949310200407. Pendred's syndrome. Kabakkaya Y(1), Bakan E, Yiğitoğlu MR, Gökçe G, Doğan M. Author information: (1)Department of Otolaryngology, Orta Doğu Private Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey. Although 5% of all cases of congenital deafness are caused by Pendred's syndrome, there are few reports in the literature. Seven patients with Pendred's syndrome in three families living in the same village were detected. For that reason, the syndrome is reviewed in light of the literature. The sex distribution of the patients with Pendred's syndrome and their families was recorded. We tested for thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine resin uptake, and perchlorate, and performed caloric testing. In one patient, subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. In the histopathologic study, a thyroid nodule filled with colloid was found. Chromosome studies showed no anomalies in any patient. Five of the patients were deaf-mutes. We observed that the parents were cousins in all three families. These families also had healthy children, and the existence of the syndrome in both sexes points to an autosomal recessive trait. DOI: 10.1177/000348949310200407 PMID: 8476169 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21704276
1. J Mol Diagn. 2011 Jul;13(4):416-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2011.03.003. Epub 2011 Apr 29. Mutation analysis of SLC26A4 for Pendred syndrome and nonsyndromic hearing loss by high-resolution melting. Chen N(1), Tranebjærg L, Rendtorff ND, Schrijver I. Author information: (1)Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. Pendred syndrome and DFNB4 (autosomal recessive nonsyndromic congenital deafness, locus 4) are associated with autosomal recessive congenital sensorineural hearing loss and mutations in the SLC26A4 gene. Extensive allelic heterogeneity, however, necessitates analysis of all exons and splice sites to identify mutations for individual patients. Although Sanger sequencing is the gold standard for mutation detection, screening methods supplemented with targeted sequencing can provide a cost-effective alternative. One such method, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, was developed for clinical mutation detection in SLC26A4. However, this method inherently cannot distinguish homozygous changes from wild-type sequences. High-resolution melting (HRM), on the other hand, can detect heterozygous and homozygous changes cost-effectively, without any post-PCR modifications. We developed a closed-tube HRM mutation detection method specific for SLC26A4 that can be used in the clinical diagnostic setting. Twenty-eight primer pairs were designed to cover all 21 SLC26A4 exons and splice junction sequences. Using the resulting amplicons, initial HRM analysis detected all 45 variants previously identified by sequencing. Subsequently, a 384-well plate format was designed for up to three patient samples per run. Blinded HRM testing on these plates of patient samples collected over 1 year in a clinical diagnostic laboratory accurately detected all variants identified by sequencing. In conclusion, HRM with targeted sequencing is a reliable, simple, and cost-effective method for SLC26A4 mutation screening and detection. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2011.03.003 PMCID: PMC3123795 PMID: 21704276 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16924389
1. J Hum Genet. 2006;51(9):805-810. doi: 10.1007/s10038-006-0027-z. Epub 2006 Aug 19. Association of SLC26A4 mutations with clinical features and thyroid function in deaf infants with enlarged vestibular aqueduct. Iwasaki S(1), Tsukamoto K(2), Usami S(2), Misawa K(3), Mizuta K(3), Mineta H(3). Author information: (1)Department of Otolaryngology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Hamamatsu city, 431-3192, Japan. iwasaki@hama-med.ac.jp. (2)Department of Otolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Shinshu, Japan. (3)Department of Otolaryngology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Hamamatsu city, 431-3192, Japan. Pendred syndrome and non-syndromic recessive deafness associated with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (NSRD with EVA) are caused by mutations in the SLC26A4 (PDS) gene. Unlike NSRD with EVA, Pendred syndrome is characterized by goiter, which may be present after early adulthood. However, the clinical diagnosis of these two disorders is difficult in deaf children. Expression of the SLC26A4 gene may be responsible for iodide transport in the thyroid as well as for formation and function of the inner ear. Here, we analyzed the SLC26A4 gene and performed thyroid function tests (FT3, FT4, TSH, and Thyroglobulin) on six congenitally deaf infants (mean age 2.7 years) with EVA. Mutation of the SLC26A4 gene was identified in five patients: four were compound heterozygous (H723R/919-2A>G, H723R/IVS15+5G>A, H723R/R581S, IVS7-2A>G/IVS8+1G>A), the fifth had a frameshift mutation (322delC). All the patients demonstrated an elevation of serum thyroglobulin level. FT3 level was elevated in four of the five patients. The patient who did not have a detectable gene mutation showed normal thyroid function. We conclude that the mutations in the SLC26A4 gene identified here are highly associated with high serum thyroglobulin levels in congenital and deafness infants. These mutations may be of value for the diagnosis of Pendred syndrome and NSRD with EVA. DOI: 10.1007/s10038-006-0027-z PMID: 16924389 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22109890
1. Endocrinology. 2012 Jan;153(1):512-21. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-1548. Epub 2011 Nov 22. TSH regulates pendrin membrane abundance and enhances iodide efflux in thyroid cells. Pesce L(1), Bizhanova A, Caraballo JC, Westphal W, Butti ML, Comellas A, Kopp P. Author information: (1)Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. Thyroid hormones are essential for normal development and metabolism. Their synthesis requires transport of iodide into thyroid follicles. The mechanisms involving the apical efflux of iodide into the follicular lumen are poorly elucidated. The discovery of mutations in the SLC26A4 gene in patients with Pendred syndrome (congenital deafness, goiter, and defective iodide organification) suggested a possible role for the encoded protein, pendrin, as an apical iodide transporter. We determined whether TSH regulates pendrin abundance at the plasma membrane and whether this influences iodide efflux. Results of immunoblot and immunofluorescence experiments reveal that TSH and forskolin rapidly increase pendrin abundance at the plasma membrane through the protein kinase A pathway in PCCL-3 rat thyroid cells. The increase in pendrin membrane abundance correlates with a decrease in intracellular iodide as determined by measuring intracellular (125)iodide and can be inhibited by specific blocking of pendrin. Elimination of the putative protein kinase A phosphorylation site T717A results in a diminished translocation to the membrane in response to forskolin. These results demonstrate that pendrin translocates to the membrane in response to TSH and suggest that it may have a physiological role in apical iodide transport and thyroid hormone synthesis. DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1548 PMCID: PMC3249672 PMID: 22109890 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26236140
1. P T. 2015 Aug;40(8):511-20. First-in-Class CDK4/6 Inhibitor Palbociclib Could Usher in a New Wave of Combination Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer. McCain J. Women with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- negative breast cancer-the most common subtype-have new options as palbociclib and similar drugs debut. This article outlines the rationale and evidence for their use. PMCID: PMC4517534 PMID: 26236140
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21274344
1. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2010;2(2):81-4. doi: 10.4274/jcrpe.v2i2.81. Epub 2010 May 6. Congenital goitrous hypothyroidism, deafness and iodide organification defect in four siblings: Pendred or pseudo-Pendred syndrome? Kara C(1), Kılıç M, Uçaktürk A, Aydın M. Author information: (1)Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Endocrinology, Samsun, Turkey. cengizkara68@yahoo.com Pendred syndrome (PDS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital deafness, goiter and iodide organification defect. Presence of inner ear malformations is essential for the clinical diagnosis. Most individuals with PDS are clinically and biochemically euthyroid. Mutations in the PDS gene encoding pendrin protein have been shown to be associated with PDS. It has been recently demonstrated that some families with features of PDS do not have the inner ear malformations and mutations in the PDS gene. This condition has been named as "pseudo-Pendred syndrome" (pseudo-PDS), and has been hypothesized to be of autoimmune origin. Here we report four siblings who have goiter, severe hypothyroidism, a positive perchlorate discharge test and sensorineural deafness, but not the inner ear abnormality which is diagnostic for PDS. We suggest that thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene should be analyzed in pseudo-PDS patients with congenital goitrous hypothyroidism and deafness. DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.v2i2.81 PMCID: PMC3005669 PMID: 21274344 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18250610
1. J Endocrinol Invest. 2007 Dec;30(11):907-13. doi: 10.1007/BF03349236. Two common and three novel PDS mutations in Thai patients with Pendred syndrome. Snabboon T(1), Plengpanich W, Saengpanich S, Sirisalipoch S, Keelawat S, Sunthornyothin S, Khovidhunkit W, Suwanwalaikorn S, Sridama V, Shotelersuk V. Author information: (1)Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. thiti.s@chula.ac.th Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital sensorineural deafness, goiter, and impaired iodide organification. It is caused by mutations in the PDS gene. Most published mutation studies of Pendred syndrome have dealt with Western populations. In this study, we examined clinical and molecular characteristics of 16 affected individuals in 6 unrelated Thai families. Of all the affected, 100% (16/16) had bilateral deafness, 68.8% (11/16) goiters, and 25% (4/16) hypothyroidism. Follicular thyroid carcinoma and Hürthle cell adenoma were found in affected members of a family, raising the possibility of an increased risk of thyroid carcinoma in Pendred syndrome patients. Sequence analysis of the entire coding region of the PDS gene successfully identified all 12 mutant alleles in these 6 families. The 12 identified mutant alleles constituted 6 distinct mutations including 3 splice site mutations (IVS4-1G>A, IVS7-2A>G, IVS9- 1G>A), one frame shift mutation (1548insC) and 2 missense mutations (T67S, H723R). Eight mutations out of 12 were constituted by IVS7- 2A>G and 1548insC, each one being present in 4 distinct alleles in our studied group. The identification of these two frequent PDS mutations will facilitate the molecular diagnosis of Pendred syndrome in Thai populations. In addition, three newly identified mutations, T67S, IVS4-1G>A, and IVS9-1G>A, were not observed in 50 unrelated healthy Thai controls. DOI: 10.1007/BF03349236 PMID: 18250610 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14727345
1. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2003 Jul-Sep;15(3):59-64. Syndromic and non-syndromic deafness, molecular aspects of Pendred syndrome and its reported mutations. Shaukat S(1), Fatima Z, Zehra U, Waqar AB. Author information: (1)National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore. Deafness means partial or complete hearing impairment and is one of the most prevalent sensory defects in humans. It can be due to genetic or environmental causes or a combination of both and may be Syndromic (associated with additional clinical features) or nonsyndromic (no other recognizable abnormal associated phenotype). The overall impact of hearing impairment is greatly influenced by the severity of hearing defect and by the age of onset. If defect is severe and presents in early childhood, it has dramatic effect on speech acquisition and thereby cognitive and psychosocial development. The mutations shown in the paper results in the conformational changes of protein and influence the phenotype of the affected individuals. For recessive cases of deafness it is possible to reduce the incidence of deafness by carrier screening in the families with multiple affected individuals and genetic counselling. Pendred Syndrome can be characterized by the triad composed of familial goitre, abnormal perchlorate discharge and congenital deafness. PMID: 14727345 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9070918
1. Genomics. 1997 Feb 15;40(1):48-54. doi: 10.1006/geno.1996.4541. The gene for Pendred syndrome is located between D7S501 and D7S692 in a 1.7-cM region on chromosome 7q. Coucke P(1), Van Camp G, Demirhan O, Kabakkaya Y, Balemans W, Van Hauwe P, Van Agtmael T, Smith RJ, Parving A, Bolder CH, Cremers CW, Willems PJ. Author information: (1)Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp-UIA, Belgium. Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by goiter and congenital deafness. The primary defect is not yet known, although the gene causing Pendred syndrome has been localized very recently on chromosome 7q, a region that also contains a gene responsible for nonsyndromal hearing loss (DFNB4). We confirmed linkage to this chromosome 7 region in five Pendred families originating from different ethnic groups, with a highest cumulative lod score of 8.26 for marker D7S501. In combination with previous reports, our results define a candidate region for the Pendred gene of 1.7 cM flanked by markers D7S501 and D7S692. DOI: 10.1006/geno.1996.4541 PMID: 9070918 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25488697
1. Drugs. 2015 Jan;75(1):33-59. doi: 10.1007/s40265-014-0337-y. Pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Scheen AJ(1). Author information: (1)Division of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, CHU Sart Tilman (B35), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium, andre.scheen@chu.ulg.ac.be. Inhibitors of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) are proposed as a novel approach for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several compounds are already available in many countries (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin and ipragliflozin) and some others are in a late phase of development. The available SGLT2 inhibitors share similar pharmacokinetic characteristics, with a rapid oral absorption, a long elimination half-life allowing once-daily administration, an extensive hepatic metabolism mainly via glucuronidation to inactive metabolites, the absence of clinically relevant drug-drug interactions and a low renal elimination as parent drug. SGLT2 co-transporters are responsible for reabsorption of most (90 %) of the glucose filtered by the kidneys. The pharmacological inhibition of SGLT2 co-transporters reduces hyperglycaemia by decreasing renal glucose threshold and thereby increasing urinary glucose excretion. The amount of glucose excreted in the urine depends on both the level of hyperglycaemia and the glomerular filtration rate. Results of numerous placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials of 12-104 weeks duration have shown significant reductions in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of patients reaching HbA1c targets, and a significant lowering of fasting plasma glucose when SGLT2 inhibitors were administered as monotherapy or in addition to other glucose-lowering therapies including insulin in patients with T2DM. In head-to-head trials of up to 2 years, SGLT2 inhibitors exerted similar glucose-lowering activity to metformin, sulphonylureas or sitagliptin. The durability of the glucose-lowering effect of SGLT2 inhibitors appears to be better; however, this remains to be more extensively investigated. The risk of hypoglycaemia was much lower with SGLT2 inhibitors than with sulphonylureas and was similarly low as that reported with metformin, pioglitazone or sitagliptin. Increased renal glucose elimination also assists weight loss and could help to reduce blood pressure. Both effects were very consistent across the trials and they represent some advantages for SGLT2 inhibitors when compared with other oral glucose-lowering agents. The pharmacodynamic response to SGLT2 inhibitors declines with increasing severity of renal impairment, and prescribing information for each SGLT2 inhibitor should be consulted regarding dosage adjustments or restrictions in moderate to severe renal dysfunction. Caution is also recommended in the elderly population because of a higher risk of renal impairment, orthostatic hypotension and dehydration, even if the absence of hypoglycaemia represents an obvious advantage in this population. The overall effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the risk of cardiovascular disease is unknown and will be evaluated in several ongoing prospective placebo-controlled trials with cardiovascular outcomes. The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on renal function and their potential to influence the course of diabetic nephropathy also deserve more attention. SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well-tolerated. The most frequently reported adverse events are female genital mycotic infections, while urinary tract infections are less commonly observed and generally benign. In conclusion, with their unique mechanism of action that is independent of insulin secretion and action, SGLT2 inhibitors are a useful addition to the therapeutic options available for the management of T2DM at any stage in the natural history of the disease. Although SGLT2 inhibitors have already been extensively investigated, further studies should even better delineate the best place of these new glucose-lowering agents in the already rich armamentarium for the management of T2DM. DOI: 10.1007/s40265-014-0337-y PMID: 25488697 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9398842
1. Nat Genet. 1997 Dec;17(4):411-22. doi: 10.1038/ng1297-411. Pendred syndrome is caused by mutations in a putative sulphate transporter gene (PDS). Everett LA(1), Glaser B, Beck JC, Idol JR, Buchs A, Heyman M, Adawi F, Hazani E, Nassir E, Baxevanis AD, Sheffield VC, Green ED. Author information: (1)Genome Technology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. Pendred syndrome is a recessively inherited disorder with the hallmark features of congenital deafness and thyroid goitre. By some estimates, the disorder may account for upwards of 10% of hereditary deafness. Previous genetic linkage studies localized the gene to a broad interval on human chromosome 7q22-31.1. Using a positional cloning strategy, we have identified the gene (PDS) mutated in Pendred syndrome and found three apparently deleterious mutations, each segregating with the disease in the respective families in which they occur. PDS produces a transcript of approximately 5 kb that was found to be expressed at significant levels only in the thyroid. The predicted protein, pendrin, is closely related to a number of known sulphate transporters. These studies provide compelling evidence that defects in pendrin cause Pendred syndrome thereby launching a new area of investigation into thyroid physiology, the pathogenesis of congenital deafness and the role of altered sulphate transport in human disease. DOI: 10.1038/ng1297-411 PMID: 9398842 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24309553
1. Chem Commun (Camb). 2014 Jan 28;50(8):1027-9. doi: 10.1039/c3cc47347c. Highly specific enrichment of N-linked glycopeptides based on hydrazide functionalized soluble nanopolymers. Zhang L(1), Jiang H, Yao J, Wang Y, Fang C, Yang P, Lu H. Author information: (1)Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. luhaojie@fudan.edu.cn. In this work, for the first time, hydrazide functionalized PAMAM was designed and synthesized for efficient and selective enrichment of N-linked glycopeptides from complex biological samples using FASP (filter-aided sample preparation) mode. DOI: 10.1039/c3cc47347c PMID: 24309553 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25962253
1. Harefuah. 2015 Mar;154(3):200-3, 210. [SGLT2 inhibitors: a new therapeutic class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus]. [Article in Hebrew] Dagan A, Dagan B, SegaL G. SGLT2 (Sodium Glucose co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors) inhibitors are a new group of oral medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. These medications interfere with the process of glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubules in the kidneys, therefore increasing both glucose and water diuresis. SGLT2 inhibitors were found to be effective in lowering HbA1c levels in double-blinded studies, both as monotherapy and in combination with other oral hypoglycemic medications of various other mechanisms of action. SGLT2 Inhibitors are not a risk factor for hypoglycemia and are suitable for combination with insulin therapy. Their unique mode of action, relying on glomerular filtration, make these medication unsuitable for usage as treatment for type 2 diabetes patients who are also suffering from moderate to severe renal failure. Their main adverse effects are increased risk for urinary and genital tract infections. The following review describes the relevant pathophysiology addressed by these novel medications, evidence for efficacy and the safety profile of SGLT2 Inhibitors. PMID: 25962253 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23807940
1. Drugs Today (Barc). 2013 Jun;49(6):363-76. doi: 10.1358/dot.2013.49.6.1965099. Canagliflozin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Babu A(1). Author information: (1)Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, John Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA. ababu@cookcountyhhs.org Canagliflozin, an oral inhibitor of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in the kidneys, leads to glucosuria and provides a unique mechanism to lower blood glucose levels in diabetes. It corrects a novel pathophysiological defect, has an insulin-independent action, reduces HbA1c by 0.5 to 1.1%, promotes weight loss, has a low incidence of hypoglycemia, complements the action of other antidiabetic agents, can be used at any stage of diabetes and appears to be safe in patients with compromised renal function. Due to side effects such as urinary tract and genital infections and decrease in blood pressure, proper patient selection for drug initiation and close monitoring will be important. Results of ongoing cardiovascular safety trials are important to determine the risk-benefit ratio. Canagliflozin is the first oral SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the U.S. market and it represents a promising approach for the treatment of diabetes in this era of increasing obesity. Copyright 2013 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1358/dot.2013.49.6.1965099 PMID: 23807940 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23214492
1. J Proteome Res. 2013 Feb 1;12(2):1040-8. doi: 10.1021/pr301009u. Epub 2012 Dec 24. Combining filter-aided sample preparation and pseudoshotgun technology to profile the proteome of a low number of early passage human melanoma cells. Maurer M(1), Müller AC, Wagner C, Huber ML, Rudashevskaya EL, Wagner SN, Bennett KL. Author information: (1)Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. The performance of two proteomic sample preparation methods, "pseudoshotgun" (PSG) and filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) were compared in terms of the number of identified proteins, representation of cellular component GO (gene ontology) categories in the obtained list of proteins, and the efficiency of both methods in the proteomic analysis of a very low number of cells. Both methods were combined to obtain a proteomic profile of a short-term culture (passage 3) of melanoma cells, established in our laboratory from a human metastatic melanoma lesion. The data revealed that with FASP, usually more proteins are identified than with PSG when analyzing a higher number of cells (≥ 5000/injection), whereas PSG is favorable when analyzing only a very small amount of cells (250-500/injection). PSG and FASP, however, are complementary techniques, as combining both methods further increases the number of identified proteins. Moreover, we show that it is feasible to identify a substantial number of proteins from only 250 cells/injection that is equivalent to 60 ng of protein. DOI: 10.1021/pr301009u PMID: 23214492 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24315007
1. Transplant Proc. 2013;45(10):3719-23. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.08.079. Urinary exosomes as a source of kidney dysfunction biomarker in renal transplantation. Alvarez S(1), Suazo C, Boltansky A, Ursu M, Carvajal D, Innocenti G, Vukusich A, Hurtado M, Villanueva S, Carreño JE, Rogelio A, Irarrazabal CE. Author information: (1)Transplantation Unit, Davila Clinic, Santiago, Chile. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requires for its treatment permanent dialysis or kidney transplantation (KT). KT is the best clinical treatment, however, the early function of the allograft varies depending on multiple factors associated with cold ischemia time (CIT) and the allograft rejection process. It is known that serum creatinine is an insensitive and late marker for predicting graft recovery after KT, mainly in patients with delayed graft function (DGF). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is produced in the distal nephron and it is one of the most promising novel biomarkers for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). NGAL has been proposed to be a predictor of organ recovery from DGF after KT from donors after cardiac death. Because nonrenal diseases can also induce NGAL, more information is necessary to validate the sensitivity and specificity of urine and plasma NGAL in clinical samples. The exosomes are vesicles released into the urine from the kidney epithelium and they have been proposed as better source to explore as biomarker of renal dysfunction. The molecular composition of the urinary exosomes could be representative of the physiological or physiopathologic condition of the urinary system. We propose that determination of NGAL in urinary exosomes is a better predictor of kidney dysfunction after KT than other urinary fractions. We analyzed 15 kidney allograft recipients, with a mean age of 36 years (range, 16-60 years) and 75% were male: 11 living donors (LD) and 4 deceased donors (DD). The average length of CIT was 14 hours in DD and less than 1 hour in LD. Three patient developed DGF. Using Western blot analysis, NGAL was detectable in the cellular and exosomal fraction of the urine. The exosomes expressed higher levels of NGAL than the cellular fraction. The expression of NGAL was observed from the first day after transplantation. In the cellular fraction of the urine, no significant differences of NGAL were observed between the patients. However, the median of NGAL expression in the exosomes fraction was significantly higher in DD patient, from the first day after KT (P < .05). Moreover, we noticed that NGAL expression in exosomes remained elevated in the patients with DGF compared with non-DGF patients (P < .05). Considering the highest abundance of NGAL in the urinary exosomes and its correlation with DGF patients, we suggest the exosomal fraction as a more sensitive substrate to evaluate early biomarkers of DGF after KT. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.08.079 PMID: 24315007 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22977310
1. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012;5:313-27. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S22545. Epub 2012 Aug 31. Clinical potential of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes. Kim Y(1), Babu AR. Author information: (1)Division of Endocrinology, John, Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County and Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA. BACKGROUND: The kidney plays an important role in glucose metabolism, and has been considered a target for therapeutic intervention. The sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) mediates most of the glucose reabsorption from the proximal renal tubule. Inhibition of SGLT2 leads to glucosuria and provides a unique mechanism to lower elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes. The purpose of this review is to explore the physiology of SGLT2 and discuss several SGLT2 inhibitors which have clinical data in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We performed a PubMed search using the terms "SGLT2" and "SGLT2 inhibitor" through April 10, 2012. Published articles, press releases, and abstracts presented at national and international meetings were considered. RESULTS: SGLT2 inhibitors correct a novel pathophysiological defect, have an insulin-independent action, are efficacious with glycosylated hemoglobin reduction ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%, promote weight loss, have a low incidence of hypoglycemia, complement the action of other antidiabetic agents, and can be used at any stage of diabetes. They are generally well tolerated. However, due to side effects, such as repeated urinary tract and genital infections, increased hematocrit, and decreased blood pressure, appropriate patient selection for drug initiation and close monitoring after initiation will be important. Results of ongoing clinical studies of the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on diabetic complications and cardiovascular safety are crucial to determine the risk-benefit ratio. A recent decision by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has recommended approval of dapagliflozin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise, in combination with other glucose-lowering medicinal products, including insulin, and as a monotherapy for metformin-intolerant patients. Clinical research also remains to be carried out on the long-term effects of glucosuria and other potential effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, especially in view of the observed increase in the incidence of bladder and breast cancer. SGLT2 inhibitors represent a promising approach for the treatment of diabetes, and could potentially be an addition to existing therapies. DOI: 10.2147/DMSO.S22545 PMCID: PMC3437808 PMID: 22977310
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24281781
1. Clin Chem. 2014 Mar;60(3):471-80. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2013.210302. Epub 2013 Nov 26. State of the art for measurement of urine albumin: comparison of routine measurement procedures to isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Bachmann LM(1), Nilsson G, Bruns DE, McQueen MJ, Lieske JC, Zakowski JJ, Miller WG. Author information: (1)Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Comment in Clin Chem. 2014 Mar;60(3):435-7. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2013.218800. BACKGROUND: Urine albumin is the primary biomarker for detection and monitoring of kidney damage. Because fixed decision criteria are used to identify patients with increased values, we investigated if commonly used routine measurement procedures gave comparable results. METHODS: Results from 17 commercially available urine albumin measurement procedures were investigated vs an isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) procedure. Nonfrozen aliquots of freshly collected urine from 332 patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension were distributed to manufacturers to perform urine albumin measurements according to the respective instructions for use for each procedure. Frozen aliquots were used for measurements by the IDMS procedure. An error model was used to determine imprecision and bias components. RESULTS: Median differences between the largest positive and negative biases vs IDMS were 45%, 37%, and 42% in the concentration intervals of 12-30 mg/L, 31-200 mg/L, and 201-1064 mg/L, respectively. Biases varied with concentration for most procedures and exceeded ± 10% over the concentration interval for 14 of 16 quantitative procedures. Mean biases ranged from -35% to 34% at 15 mg/L. Dilution of samples with high concentrations introduced bias for 4 procedures. The combined CV was >10% for 5 procedures. It was not possible to estimate total error due to dependence of bias on concentration. CVs for sample-specific influences were 0% to 15.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Bias was the dominant source of disagreement among routine measurement procedures. Consequently, standardization efforts will improve agreement among results. Variation of bias with concentration needs to be addressed by manufacturers. DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2013.210302 PMID: 24281781 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20425065
1. Curr Diab Rep. 2010 Feb;10(1):37-42. doi: 10.1007/s11892-009-0080-z. The emerging role of biomarkers in diabetic and hypertensive chronic kidney disease. Chaudhary K(1), Phadke G, Nistala R, Weidmeyer CE, McFarlane SI, Whaley-Connell A. Author information: (1)Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, CE417, DC043.0, Five Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. Currently used measures to assess kidney function and injury are largely inadequate. Markers such as serum creatinine, formulas to estimate glomerular filtration rate, cystatin C, and proteinuria largely identify an underlying disease process that is well established. Thus, there has been a recent effort to identify new biomarkers that reflect kidney function, early injury, and/or repair that ultimately can relate to progression or regression of damage. Several biomarkers emerged recently that are able to detect kidney damage earlier than is currently possible with traditional biomarkers such as serum creatinine and proteinuria. Identification of urine biomarkers has proven to be beneficial in recent years because of ease of handling, stability, and the ability to standardize the various markers to creatinine or other peptides generally already present in the urine. Recent markers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and podocin have garnered a lot of attention. The emergence of these and other biomarkers is largely because of the evolution of novel genomic and proteomic applications in investigations of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. In this article, we focus on the applications of these biomarkers in disease. DOI: 10.1007/s11892-009-0080-z PMID: 20425065 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24455799
1. Acta Clin Belg. 2013 Jul-Aug;68(4):287-93. doi: 10.2143/ACB.3349. SGLT2-inhibitors: a novel class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes introduction of SGLT2-inhibitors in clinical practice. Cuypers J(1), Mathieu C(2), Benhalima K(2). Author information: (1)Department of Internal Medicine, UZ Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium. (2)Department of Endocrinology, UZ Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium. Treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) continues to present challenges, with significant proportion of patients failing to achieve and maintain glycemic targets. Despite the availability of many oral antidiabetic agents, therapeutic efficacy is offset by side effects such as weight gain and hypoglycemia. Therefore, the search for novel therapeutic agents with an improved benefit-risk profile continues. Recent research has focused on the kidney as a potential therapeutic target, especially because maximal renal glucose reabsorption is increased in T2DM. Under normal physiological conditions, nearly all filtered glucose is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule of the nephron, principally via the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). SGLT2-inhibitors are a new class of oral antidiabetics, which reduce hyperglycemia by increasing urinary glucose excretion independently of insulin secretion or action. Clinical results are promising with significant lowering of HbA1c without increased risk of hypoglycemia, reduction of body weight and reduction of systolic blood pressure. Dapagliflozin is the first highly selective SGLT2-inhibitor approved by the European Medecine Agency. Canagliflozin and empagliflozin are undergoing phase III trials. Actual safety issues are an increased risk for genital- and urinary tract infections and a possible increased risk for bladder and breast cancer. This led to refusal of dapagliflozin by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A large randomized control trial is therefore warranted by the FDA. This review provides an overview of the current evidence available so far on the therapeutic potential of the SGLT2-inhibitors for the treatment of T2DM. DOI: 10.2143/ACB.3349 PMID: 24455799 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22092713
1. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2011 Oct;323(2):142-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02370.x. Epub 2011 Aug 25. Quantitative proteomics of Chlorobaculum tepidum: insights into the sulfur metabolism of a phototrophic green sulfur bacterium. Falkenby LG(1), Szymanska M, Holkenbrink C, Habicht KS, Andersen JS, Miller M, Frigaard NU. Author information: (1)Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Chlorobaculum (Cba.) tepidum is a green sulfur bacterium that oxidizes sulfide, elemental sulfur, and thiosulfate for photosynthetic growth. To gain insight into the sulfur metabolism, the proteome of Cba. tepidum cells sampled under different growth conditions has been quantified using a rapid gel-free, filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) protocol with an in-solution isotopic labeling strategy. Among the 2245 proteins predicted from the Cba. tepidum genome, approximately 970 proteins were detected in unlabeled samples, whereas approximately 630-640 proteins were detected in labeled samples comparing two different growth conditions. Wild-type cells growing on thiosulfate had an increased abundance of periplasmic cytochrome c-555 and proteins of the periplasmic thiosulfate-oxidizing SOX enzyme system when compared with cells growing on sulfide. A dsrM mutant of Cba. tepidum, which lacks the dissimilatory sulfite reductase DsrM protein and therefore is unable to oxidize sulfur globules to sulfite, was also investigated. When compared with wild type, the dsrM cells exhibited an increased abundance of DSR enzymes involved in the initial steps of sulfur globule oxidation (DsrABCL) and a decreased abundance of enzymes putatively involved in sulfite oxidation (Sat-AprAB-QmoABC). The results show that Cba. tepidum regulates the cellular levels of enzymes involved in sulfur metabolism and other electron-transferring processes in response to the availability of reduced sulfur compounds. © 2011 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02370.x PMID: 22092713 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23061738
1. Biomarkers. 2012 Dec;17(8):714-20. doi: 10.3109/1354750X.2012.722229. Epub 2012 Oct 15. Urinary mRNA expression of CCN2/CCN3 as a noninvasive marker for monitoring glomerular structure changes in nondiabetic chronic kidney disease. Chen L(1), Wu YG, Liu D, Lv LL, Zheng M, Ni HF, Cao YH, Liu H, Zhang P, Zhang JD, Liu BC. Author information: (1)Institute of Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China. BACKGROUND: We investigated whether urinary mRNA of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) and nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (CCN3) can provide clinical insight into the management of patients with nondiabetic CKD. METHODS: Urinary mRNA expression of CCN2 and CCN3 were measured by Real-time PCR in 35 CKD patients and 12 controls. RESULTS: Urinary mRNA of CCN2 and CCN3 were distinctively greater in CKDs than healthy controls. Urinary CCN3/CCN2 mRNA ratio correlated to the degree of glomerular histological changes in those who received renal biopsy. CONCLUSION: Urinary CCN3/CCN2 mRNA ratio may be a useful noninvasive biomarker for evaluating patients with nondiabetic CKD prior to renal biopsy. DOI: 10.3109/1354750X.2012.722229 PMID: 23061738 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24825435
1. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2014 Aug;28(4):331-4. doi: 10.1007/s10557-014-6522-0. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: new among antidiabetic drugs. Opie LH(1). Author information: (1)University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa, lionel.opie@uct.ac.za. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by decreased insulin secretion and sensitivity. The available oral anti-diabetic drugs act on many different molecular sites. The most used of oral anti-diabetic agents is metformin that activates glucose transport vesicles to the cell surface. Others are: the sulphonylureas; agents acting on the incretin system; GLP-1 agonists; dipetidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors; meglinitide analogues; and the thiazolidinediones. Despite these many drugs acting by different mechanisms, glycaemic control often remains elusive. None of these drugs have a primary renal mechanism of action on the kidneys, where almost all glucose excreted is normally reabsorbed. That is where the inhibitors of glucose reuptake (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, SGLT2) have a unique site of action. Promotion of urinary loss of glucose by SGLT2 inhibitors embodies a new principle of control in type 2 diabetes that has several advantages with some urogenital side-effects, both of which are evaluated in this review. Specific approvals include use as monotherapy, when diet and exercise alone do not provide adequate glycaemic control in patients for whom the use of metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications, or as add-on therapy with other anti-hyperglycaemic medicinal products including insulin, when these together with diet and exercise, do not provide adequate glycemic control. The basic mechanisms are improved β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. When compared with sulphonylureas or other oral antidiabetic agents, SGLT2 inhibitors provide greater HbA1c reduction. Urogenital side-effects related to the enhanced glycosuria can be troublesome, yet seldom lead to discontinuation. On this background, studies are analysed that compare SGLT2 inhibitors with other oral antidiabetic agents. Their unique mode of action, unloading the excess glycaemic load, contrasts with other oral agents that all act to counter the effects of diabetic hyperglycaemia. DOI: 10.1007/s10557-014-6522-0 PMID: 24825435 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23042029
1. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2013 Jan;22(1):113-9. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e32835a17ae. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 and the diabetic kidney. Komala MG(1), Panchapakesan U, Pollock C, Mather A. Author information: (1)Renal laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Reabsorption of glucose in the proximal tubule occurs predominantly via the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). There has been intense interest in this transporter as a number of SGLT2 inhibitors have entered clinical development. SGLT2 inhibitors act to lower plasma glucose by promoting glycosuria and this review aims to outline the effect on the diabetic kidney of this hypoglycaemic agent. RECENT FINDINGS: This review provides an overview of recent findings in this area: the transcriptional control of SGLT2 expression in human proximal tubular cells implicates a number of cytokines in the alteration of SGLT2 expression; experimental data show that SGLT2 inhibition may correct early detrimental effects of diabetes by reducing proximal tubular sodium and glucose transport, suggesting a possible renoprotective effect independent of the glucose lowering effects of these agents; and the nonglycaemic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors may have an impact on renal outcomes. SUMMARY: The available clinical evidence shows consistent reduction in glycaemic parameters and some evidence suggests additional effects including weight loss and mild blood pressure reduction. There are some side effects that warrant further investigation and establishing whether SGLT2 inhibition provides a renal benefit relies on future long-term studies with specific renal end-points. DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e32835a17ae PMID: 23042029 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24341330
1. BMC Endocr Disord. 2013 Dec 17;13:58. doi: 10.1186/1472-6823-13-58. Sodium glucose co-transport 2 inhibitors in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized double-blind controlled trials. Berhan A(1), Barker A. Author information: (1)Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, P, O, Box: 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia. asresb@hu.edu.et. BACKGROUND: The discovery of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, with a novel mechanism independent of insulin secretion or sensitization, bring about a new therapeutic approach to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors at different doses in randomized double blind clinical trials. METHODS: This meta-analysis was conducted by including randomized double-blind controlled trials of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes irrespective of their antidiabetic drug exposure history but with an inadequate glycemic control. All the effect sizes were computed using the random effects model. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (OR) were computed for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Additional analyses like sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were also performed. RESULTS: The pooled analyses demonstrated a significant reduction in mean changes in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (SMD = -0.78%, 95% CI, -0.87 to -0.69), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (SMD = -0.70 mg/dl, 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.61), body weight (overall SMD = -0.59 kg, 95% CI, -0.65 to -0.52) and blood pressure from baseline with SGLT2 inhibitors based therapy. Consistently a significant number of patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors achieved HbA1c < 7% (OR = 2.09, 95% CI, 1.77 to 2.46). SGLT2 inhibitors based therapy was associated with adverse events like genital and urinary tract infections. CONCLUSION: All studied doses of SGLT2 inhibitors, either as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic agents, consistently improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, a small percentage of patients suffer from genital and urinary tract infections. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6823-13-58 PMCID: PMC3883465 PMID: 24341330
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21467162
1. Clin Cancer Res. 2011 May 1;17(9):2900-7. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-3069. Epub 2011 Apr 5. Excellent prognosis in a subset of patients with Ewing sarcoma identified at diagnosis by CD56 using flow cytometry. Ash S(1), Luria D, Cohen IJ, Goshen Y, Toledano H, Issakov J, Yaniv I, Avigad S. Author information: (1)Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel. n-ash@zahav.net.il PURPOSE: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is considered a systemic disease with the majority of patients harboring micrometastases at diagnosis. Multiparameter flow cytometry (MPFC) was used to detect ES cells in bone marrow (BM) of ES patients at diagnosis and to evaluate the prognostic significance of CD56 expression in BM samples. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: BM samples from 46 ES patients, 6 tumor aspirates, 2 ES cell lines, and 10 control BM samples were analyzed by MPFC. ES cells were identified by the combination of CD45-/CD90+/CD99+. CD56 was evaluated on these cells by a cutoff of 22%. RESULTS: BM samples obtained from all patients at diagnosis were found to be positive for micrometastatic tumor cells assessed by CD99+/CD90+/CD45- expression. A total of 60% of the BM samples harbored high CD56 expression. There was a highly significant correlation between CD56 expression and progression-free survival (PFS; 69% in low/negative expression versus 30% in high expression groups, P = 0.024). In patients with localized nonpelvic disease, those expressing low/negative CD56 had 100% PFS versus 40% in the high expressing group (P = 0.02). By Cox regression analysis, CD56 was found to be an independent prognostic marker with an 11-fold increased risk for relapse in patients with localized disease (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: All samples contained cells that are positive for the CD99+/CD90+/CD45- combination at diagnosis, indicating that ES is a systemic disease. CD56 expression could be used to reveal ES patients with excellent prognosis or patients predisposed to relapse, thus improving treatment stratification and implementation of personalized therapy. ©2011 AACR. DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-3069 PMID: 21467162 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22914685
1. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2012 Nov;21(6):619-27. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e32835846e3. Biomarkers in native and transplant kidneys: opportunities to improve prediction of outcomes in chronic kidney disease. De Serres SA(1), Varghese JC, Levin A. Author information: (1)Transplantation Unit, Renal Division, Department of Medicine, CHUQ L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Predicting the outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important from both patient and healthcare system perspectives. This review examines the current state of conventional and nonconventional biomarkers as noninvasive tools to improve risk-stratification and outcome prediction in CKD. RECENT FINDINGS: Conventional biomarkers (serum creatinine, urine albumin, and clinical variables such as sex, age, and diabetes) have been the cornerstone of most prediction models for CKD progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and adverse cardiovascular outcomes including death. With better understanding of the pathophysiology of CKD and the evolution of molecular diagnostics, numerous novel or nonconventional markers have emerged. They have been examined individually and in combination to predict specific outcomes. We highlight these markers and studies, conducted primarily in patients with native kidneys. In those with transplant kidneys, markers of both acute and chronic kidney dysfunction have been examined, although to a lesser extent. Similarities and differences in knowledge derived from these two populations are highlighted. SUMMARY: Improving prediction of outcomes in CKD patients with either native or transplant kidneys remains an important goal. Increasingly sophisticated biomarkers may potentially identify targets for clinical research, improve the nature and timing of therapeutic interventions, and guide resource allocation. DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e32835846e3 PMID: 22914685 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23354439
1. Nat Genet. 2013 Mar;45(3):308-13. doi: 10.1038/ng.2539. Epub 2013 Jan 27. Reduced dosage of ERF causes complex craniosynostosis in humans and mice and links ERK1/2 signaling to regulation of osteogenesis. Twigg SR(1), Vorgia E, McGowan SJ, Peraki I, Fenwick AL, Sharma VP, Allegra M, Zaragkoulias A, Sadighi Akha E, Knight SJ, Lord H, Lester T, Izatt L, Lampe AK, Mohammed SN, Stewart FJ, Verloes A, Wilson LC, Healy C, Sharpe PT, Hammond P, Hughes J, Taylor S, Johnson D, Wall SA, Mavrothalassitis G, Wilkie AO. Author information: (1)Clinical Genetics Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. The extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are key proteins mediating mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling downstream of RAS: phosphorylation of ERK1/2 leads to nuclear uptake and modulation of multiple targets. Here, we show that reduced dosage of ERF, which encodes an inhibitory ETS transcription factor directly bound by ERK1/2 (refs. 2,3,4,5,6,7), causes complex craniosynostosis (premature fusion of the cranial sutures) in humans and mice. Features of this newly recognized clinical disorder include multiple-suture synostosis, craniofacial dysmorphism, Chiari malformation and language delay. Mice with functional Erf levels reduced to ∼30% of normal exhibit postnatal multiple-suture synostosis; by contrast, embryonic calvarial development appears mildly delayed. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and high-throughput sequencing, we find that ERF binds preferentially to elements away from promoters that contain RUNX or AP-1 motifs. This work identifies ERF as a novel regulator of osteogenic stimulation by RAS-ERK signaling, potentially by competing with activating ETS factors in multifactor transcriptional complexes. DOI: 10.1038/ng.2539 PMCID: PMC3683605 PMID: 23354439 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24631482
1. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2014 May;8(5):330-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2014.02.003. Epub 2014 Feb 12. Blood pressure effects of sodium-glucose co-transport 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Oliva RV(1), Bakris GL(2). Author information: (1)Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines. (2)ASH Comprehensive Hypertension Center, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: gbakris@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu. Management of hypertension in diabetes is critical for reduction of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. While blood pressure (BP) control has improved over the past two decades, the control rate is still well below 50% in the general population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A new class of oral glucose-lowering agents has recently been approved; the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which act by eliminating large amounts of glucose in the urine. Two agents, dapagliflozin and canagliflozin, are currently approved in the United States and Europe, and empagliflozin and ipragliflozin have reported Phase 3 trials. In addition to glucose lowering, SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with weight loss and act as osmotic diuretics, resulting in a lowering of BP. While not approved for BP-lowering, they may potentially aid BP goal achievement in people within 7-10 mm Hg of goal. It should be noted that the currently approved agents have side effects that include an increased incidence of genital infections, predominantly in women. The approved SGLT2 inhibitors have limited use based on kidney function and should be used only in those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for dapagliflozin and ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m2 for canagliflozin. Cardiovascular outcome trials are ongoing with these agents and will be completed within the next 4-5 years. Copyright © 2014 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.jash.2014.02.003 PMID: 24631482 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9692823
1. Virchows Arch. 1998 Jul;433(1):35-40. doi: 10.1007/s004280050213. Identification of CD56 and CD57 by flow cytometry in Ewing's sarcoma or primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Gardner LJ(1), Polski JM, Fallon R, Dunphy CH. Author information: (1)Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO, USA. CD56 and CD57 are commonly considered as natural killer and neuroectodermal markers, but their expression has been identified in a wide spectrum of neoplasms including some cases of Ewing's sarcoma (ES) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). We report two cases of small, round blue cell tumor (SRBCT), in which flow cytometry immunophenotyping (FCI) detected strong expression of CD56 and CD57 (one case). Immunohistochemical staining with Leu-19 and Leu-7 confirmed the FI results. Although CD56 and CD57 expression is consistent with ES/PNET, it can be potentially misleading if results of FCI are interpreted in the absence of other findings. These cases suggest the utility of FCI in undifferentiated SRBCT. The literature on CD56 and CD57 expression in ES/PNET is reviewed and discussed. DOI: 10.1007/s004280050213 PMID: 9692823 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19895697
1. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009 Nov 6;10:136. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-10-136. Does physical activity change predict functional recovery in low back pain? Protocol for a prospective cohort study. Hendrick P(1), Milosavljevic S, Bell ML, Hale L, Hurley DA, McDonough SM, Melloh M, Baxter DG. Author information: (1)Centre for Physiotherapy Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. paul.hendrick@otago.ac.nz BACKGROUND: Activity advice and prescription are commonly used in the management of low back pain (LBP). Although there is evidence for advising patients with LBP to remain active, facilitating both recovery and return to work, to date no research has assessed whether objective measurements of free living physical activity (PA) can predict outcome, recovery and course of LBP. METHODS: An observational longitudinal study will investigate PA levels in a cohort of community-dwelling working age adults with acute and sub-acute LBP. Each participant's PA level, functional status, mood, fear avoidance behaviours, and levels of pain, psychological distress and occupational activity will be measured on three occasions during for 1 week periods at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year. Physical activity levels will be measured by self report, RT3 triaxial accelerometer, and activity recall questionnaires. The primary outcome measure of functional recovery will be the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Free living PA levels and changes in functional status will be quantified in order to look at predictive relationships between levels and changes in free living PA and functional recovery in a LBP population. DISCUSSION: This research will investigate levels and changes in activity levels of an acute LBP cohort and the predictive relationship to LBP recovery. The results will assess whether occupational, psychological and behavioural factors affect the relationship between free living PA and LBP recovery. Results from this research will help to determine the strength of evidence supporting international guidelines that recommend restoration of normal activity in managing LBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: [Clinical Trial Registration Number, ACTRN12609000282280]. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-10-136 PMCID: PMC2777147 PMID: 19895697 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19945334
1. Man Ther. 2010 Apr;15(2):185-9. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2009.10.007. Epub 2009 Nov 27. The relationship between psychological distress and free-living physical activity in individuals with chronic low back pain. Ryan CG(1), Gray HG, Newton M, Granat MH. Author information: (1)School of Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, G4 0BA, Scotland, UK. cormac.ryan@gcal.ac.uk The aim of this cross-sectional pilot-study was to investigate the relationship between psychological distress and free-living physical activity (PA) in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Thirty-eight participants with non-specific CLBP (29=distressed; 9=non-distressed) were recruited. PA levels were measured using an accelerometer (activPAL activity monitor) over a one week period. The following parameters of physical activity were recorded: time upright (standing or walking), time standing, time walking, and step count. Psychological distress was assessed using a modified version of the distress risk assessment method (DRAM) which is a combination of somatic anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Distressed group spent significantly less time upright over a mean 24h day (-1.47h, 95% CI -2.70 to -0.23h, p<0.05), attributable to 1.01h less standing and 0.46h less walking. Depressive symptoms were a statistically significant independent predictor of time upright (beta=-0.49, p<0.05). This pilot-study found that individuals with CLBP and elevated levels of distress spend less time upright than their non-distressed counterparts. Clinically, when treating individuals with CLBP and elevated distress levels, free-living PA may be low and interventions aimed at increasing upright activity may be appropriate. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2009.10.007 PMID: 19945334 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18752975
1. Eur J Pain. 2009 Jul;13(6):649-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.07.005. Epub 2008 Aug 26. Daily physical activities in chronic lower back pain patients assessed with accelerometry. van Weering MG(1), Vollenbroek-Hutten MM, Tönis TM, Hermens HJ. Author information: (1)Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, The Netherlands. m.vanweering@rrd.nl BACKGROUND: Normalization of activities in daily living is an important goal in rehabilitation treatment of chronic lower back pain (CLBP) patients. Clinicians indicate that CLBP patients often show deconditioning but also CLBP patients who seem to be too active are seen. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to gain more insight into the daily activity pattern of CLBP patients compared to controls, using accelerometry. METHODS: Daily activities were assessed by measuring body movement with a tri-axial accelerometer that was worn for seven consecutive days during waking hours. Measurements were performed in the daily environment (in-doors and out-doors) of the participant. Differences between activity level, time of day and work status were tested. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 29 CLBP patients and 20 controls. Results show that the overall activity levels of patients (mean 0.75; SD 0.43) are not significantly different from those of controls (mean 0.71; SD 0.44). However, patients show significantly higher activity levels in the morning (p<0.001) and significantly lower activity levels in the evening (p<0.01) compared to controls. No significant differences in activity levels were found between leisure time and working days within either group; furthermore no significant differences in activity levels were found between patients with different work status. CONCLUSION: Overall activity levels do not differ significantly between CLBP patients and controls, but the distribution of activities over the day differs significantly. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.07.005 PMID: 18752975 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23865908
1. Disabil Rehabil. 2014;36(9):749-55. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2013.814723. Epub 2013 Jul 18. Physical activity and low back pain: the role of subgroups based on the avoidance-endurance model. Plaas H(1), Sudhaus S, Willburger R, Hasenbring MI. Author information: (1)Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University of Bochum , Bochum , Germany and. PURPOSE: This study examines the relationship between low back pain, disability and fatigue and overt physical activity with respect to fear-avoidance and endurance-related subgroups. METHOD: 49 patients completed questionnaires (Pain, Disability, Fatigue, Depression, Pain-responses pattern) 6 months after lumbar disc surgery and underwent an 8-hour accelerometer assessment measuring overall physical activity (PAL), constant strain postures (CSP), standing time (ST) and lying time (LT). Four subgroups, representing patterns of distress-endurance (DER), eustress-endurance (EER), fear-avoidance (FAR) and adaptive responses (AR) due to the avoidance-endurance model of pain-regulation were investigated. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses of covariance revealed significantly higher pain, disability and fatigue in FAR compared to AR patients and, as expected lower PAL and CSP in FAR than in endurance patients. Both endurance groups revealed higher pain accompanied by higher accelerometer-based physical activity (PAL, CSP) than AR and FAR patients. Most of the subgroup differences displayed moderate to high effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate different pathways to chronic pain and disability with physical underuse in FAR patients and overuse/overload in endurance patients suggesting the need for individually targeted cognitive-behavioral treatments in the maladaptive groups. Implications for Rehabilitation Improving the return to a normal physical activity level is an important goal for the rehabilitation of patients after lumbar disc surgery. Different pathways to chronic pain and disability with physical underuse in fear-avoidance patients and overuse in endurance patients should be considered. Different pain-related pain response pattern, based on the avoidance-endurance model, indicate the need for individual targeting of rehabilitation programs. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2013.814723 PMID: 23865908 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23339563
1. Biomarkers. 2013 Mar;18(2):103-15. doi: 10.3109/1354750X.2012.749302. Epub 2013 Jan 23. Clinical and research markers of oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease. Tucker PS(1), Dalbo VJ, Han T, Kingsley MI. Author information: (1)Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia. CONTEXT: Kidney-related pathologies have increasing prevalence rates, produce a considerable financial burden, and are characterized by elevated levels of oxidative stress (OS). OBJECTIVE: This review examines relationships between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and markers of OS and antioxidant status (AS). METHODS: A systematic review of MEDLINE-indexed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials and comparative studies that examined OS and AS was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Several markers emerged as well-suited indicators of OS and AS in CKD: malondialdehyde, F2-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides, asymmetric dimethylarginine, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, protein carbonyls, advanced oxidation protein products and glutathione-related activity. DOI: 10.3109/1354750X.2012.749302 PMID: 23339563 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16381983
1. Nucleic Acids Res. 2006 Jan 1;34(Database issue):D95-7. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkj115. A new generation of JASPAR, the open-access repository for transcription factor binding site profiles. Vlieghe D(1), Sandelin A, De Bleser PJ, Vleminckx K, Wasserman WW, van Roy F, Lenhard B. Author information: (1)Department for Molecular Biomedical Research (DMBR), VIB-Ghent University, Technologiepark 927 B-9052, Ghent (Zwijnaarde), Belgium. JASPAR is the most complete open-access collection of transcription factor binding site (TFBS) matrices. In this new release, JASPAR grows into a meta-database of collections of TFBS models derived by diverse approaches. We present JASPAR CORE--an expanded version of the original, non-redundant collection of annotated, high-quality matrix-based transcription factor binding profiles, JASPAR FAM--a collection of familial TFBS models and JASPAR phyloFACTS--a set of matrices computationally derived from statistically overrepresented, evolutionarily conserved regulatory region motifs from mammalian genomes. JASPAR phyloFACTS serves as a non-redundant extension to JASPAR CORE, enhancing the overall breadth of JASPAR for promoter sequence analysis. The new release of JASPAR is available at http://jaspar.genereg.net. DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkj115 PMCID: PMC1347477 PMID: 16381983 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21816077
1. Crit Care. 2011 Aug 4;15(4):R186. doi: 10.1186/cc10339. Urine hepcidin has additive value in ruling out cardiopulmonary bypass-associated acute kidney injury: an observational cohort study. Haase-Fielitz A(1), Mertens PR, Plass M, Kuppe H, Hetzer R, Westerman M, Ostland V, Prowle JR, Bellomo R, Haase M. Author information: (1)Department of Nephrology and Hypertension & Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany. INTRODUCTION: Conventional markers of acute kidney injury (AKI) lack diagnostic accuracy and are expressed only late after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Recently, interest has focused on hepcidin, a regulator of iron homeostasis, as a unique renal biomarker. METHODS: We studied 100 adult patients in the control arm of a randomized, controlled trial http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/NCT00672334 who were identified as being at increased risk of AKI after cardiac surgery with CPB. AKI was defined according to the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage renal disease classification of AKI classification stage. Samples of plasma and urine were obtained simultaneously (1) before CPB (2) six hours after the start of CPB and (3) twenty-four hours after CPB. Plasma and urine hepcidin 25-isoforms were quantified by competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: In AKI-free patients (N = 91), urine hepcidin concentrations had largely increased at six and twenty-four hours after CPB, and they were three to seven times higher compared to patients with subsequent AKI (N = 9) in whom postoperative urine hepcidin remained at preoperative levels (P = 0.004, P = 0.002). Furthermore, higher urine hepcidin and, even more so, urine hepcidin adjusted to urine creatinine at six hours after CPB discriminated patients who did not develop AKI (area under the curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristic curve 0.80 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.71 to 0.87] and 0.88 [95% CI 0.78 to 0.97]) or did not need renal replacement therapy initiation (AUC 0.81 [95% CI 0.72 to 0.88] 0.88 [95% CI 0.70 to 0.99]) from those who did. At six hours, urine hepcidin adjusted to urine creatinine was an independent predictor of ruling out AKI (P = 0.011). Plasma hepcidin did not predict no development of AKI. The study findings remained essentially unchanged after excluding patients with preoperative chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that urine hepcidin is an early predictive biomarker of ruling out AKI after CPB, thereby contributing to early patient risk stratification. DOI: 10.1186/cc10339 PMCID: PMC3387629 PMID: 21816077 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16426878
1. Eur J Pain. 2006 Nov;10(8):701-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2005.11.004. Epub 2006 Jan 19. The relationship between activity and pain in patients 6 months after lumbar disc surgery: do pain-related coping modes act as moderator variables? Hasenbring MI(1), Plaas H, Fischbein B, Willburger R. Author information: (1)Ruhr-University of Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, 44780 Bochum, NRW, Germany. BACKGROUND: In LBP patients, the relationship between pain and physical activity remains unclear. Whereas a negative relationship between pain and self-reported physical activity was found, this relation disappeared in the case of overt behavioral data (e.g., accelerometer). Cognitive-behavioral models of the development of chronic pain suggest subgroups with signs of physical underuse and overuse. AIMS: To examine if patients with pain-related adaptive, endurance and fear-avoidance coping differ in pain, self-reported physical function and overt physical activity 6 months after disc surgery. METHODS: 24 patients completed questionnaires (Von Korff chronic pain grade (CPG), Kiel pain inventory (KPI), Funktionsfragebogen Hannover-Rücken FFbH-R) and underwent an 8-h accelerometer assessment in their daily life (physical activity level (PAL), number of constant postures (CP)). The KPI differed between adaptive coping (AC) (N=9), fear avoidance coping (FAC) (N=1) and endurance coping (EC) (N=14). RESULTS: In the whole group, pain intensity was negative related to self-reported physical activity whereas PAL and CP displayed no correlation with pain. EC patients showed significantly higher pain scores and lower self-reported physical functioning compared to AC but the same level of PAL and furthermore, a significantly higher number of CPs in daily life. The visual inspection of the FAC patient revealed also high pain, low physical functioning and low overt physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of pain-related coping modes yielded an important differentiation between subgroups of LBP patients 6 months after surgery. Endurance copers displayed signs of overuse in their daily behavior in spite of pain than adaptive copers. The one fear avoidance coper tends to do less physical activity in the sense of underuse. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2005.11.004 PMID: 16426878 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24133923
1. Clin Lab. 2013;59(7-8):909-13. Concentration of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in patients with chronic kidney disease. Wu KD(1), Hsing LL, Huang YF. Author information: (1)Department of Clinical Laboratory, Pingtung Christian Hospital, Taiwan. BACKGROUND: The inclining incidence of chronic kidney disease which has led to high mortality and immense medical burden over the past decades has become a distressing concern in epidemiology. Unfortunately, the number of biomarkers that allow the monitoring of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an emerging biomarker which has been shown to be able to diagnose kidney injuries. METHODS: Eighty-one nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease, stage 2 to 5, were recruited for this study, and 17 healthy volunteers with eGFR greater than 90 mL/minute/1.73m(2) were selected as the control group. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that the pNGAL level is elevated during CKD, and the pNGL level has a strong correlation with the concentration of sCr and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a potent tool in the diagnosis of chronic kidney diseases and is shown to have high correlation with serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate. PMID: 24133923 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16437292
1. J Clin Monit Comput. 2005 Dec;19(6):411-4. doi: 10.1007/s10877-005-0392-8. Epub 2006 Jan 25. Analysis of nighttime activity and daytime pain in patients with chronic back pain using a self-organizing map neural network. Liszka-Hackzell JJ(1), Martin DP. Author information: (1)Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, 85724, USA. hackzell@u.arizona.edu There may be a relationship between sleep and pain in patients with chronic back pain. We collected day-time pain and nighttime activity data from 18 patients diagnosed with chronic back pain. The patients were followed for 6 days and 5 nights. Pain levels were collected every 90 min between 0800 hours and 2,200 hours using a computerized electronic diary. Activity levels were collected using a wrist accelerometer (Actiwatch AW-64). The Actiwatch sampled activity counts every 1 min. Patients were asked to wear the Actiwatch on their non-dominant arm. The pain level measurements were interpolated using cubic splines. A mean pain level was calculated for each period 0800 hours to 2,200 hours as well as for the 6-day period. The difference between the mean pain levels for the 6-day period and each 0800 hours to 2,200 hours period was calculated for each patient. Nighttime activity data were analyzed using the Actiwatch Sleep Analysis software. Correlations were calculated between the Actiwatch Sleep Analysis variables and the mean pain level differences for each patient and period. The correlation analysis was performed with SPSS 7.5. We were unable to show any significant relationships.A different approach to analyze the data was used. A Self-Organizing Map (SOM) Neural Network was trained using the original nighttime activity level time series from 10 randomly selected patients. Recall was then performed on all the activity level data. Correlations were calculated between the pain level variance for the 6-day period for each patient and the corresponding difference in the SOM output coordinates. The correlation was found to be r = 0.73, p < 0.01). We conclude that daytime pain levels are not directly correlated with sleep in the following night and that sleep is not directly correlated with daytime pain levels on the following day in this group of patients. There appears to be a correlation between the difference in nighttime activity levels and patterns and the daytime pain variance. Patients who experience large fluctuations in daytime pain levels also show a higher variability in their nighttime activity levels and patterns. Even though we were unable to show a direct relationship between daytime pain and sleep, it may be reasonable to assume that better pain control resulting in less daytime pain fluctuations can provide more stable nighttime activity levels and patterns in this limited group of patients. By using a neural network model, we were able to extract information from the nighttime activity levels even though a traditional statistical analysis was unsuccessful. DOI: 10.1007/s10877-005-0392-8 PMID: 16437292 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19945891
1. Eur J Pain. 2010 Jul;14(6):661-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2009.10.014. Epub 2009 Nov 28. Is physical functioning influenced by activity-related pain prediction and fear of movement in patients with subacute low back pain? Huijnen IP(1), Verbunt JA, Peters ML, Seelen HA. Author information: (1)Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. ivan.huijnen@maastrichtuniversity.nl In patients with low back pain (LBP), physical functioning may be negatively influenced by both expectations on pain and pain-related fear. It is unclear whether these factors influence both physical functioning in the laboratory as well as in daily life. The aim of this study was to test if a combination of persistent overprediction of pain and fear of movement predicts lab-based performance and whether these factors are relevant for predicting daily-life functioning. One hundred and twenty four patients with subacute LBP performed a laboratory-based performance test twice. Maximum voluntary contraction, pre-test pain expectations, perceived pain during testing and fear of movement were measured. Patients were classified as correct or incorrect predictors, based on differences between expected and perceived pain on the second attempt. Next, physical activity in daily life was measured with an accelerometer. In explaining physical functioning in the laboratory and in daily life an interaction effect between fear and pain prediction was observed. In overpredictors, fear was negatively associated with lab-based performance (beta=-0.48, p<0.01), and positively associated with daily-life functioning (beta=0.50, p<0.05). No significant association between fear and performance or daily-life functioning were found in correct predictors. In contrast to correct predictors, in overpredictors lab-based performance and daily-life functioning was additionally explained by fear of movement. Thus it appears that fear of movement is only predictive of performance in patients with LBP who simultaneously overpredict the consequences of movements in terms of painfulness. Copyright (c) 2009 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2009.10.014 PMID: 19945891 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21099121
1. Circ J. 2011;75(1):99-105. doi: 10.1253/circj.cj-10-0525. Epub 2010 Nov 16. Impact of cytochrome P450 2C19*2 polymorphism on intra-stent thrombus after drug-eluting stent implantation in Japanese patients receiving clopidogrel. Sawada T(1), Shinke T, Shite J, Honjo T, Haraguchi Y, Nishio R, Shinohara M, Toh R, Ishida T, Kawamori H, Kozuki A, Inoue T, Hariki H, Hirata K. Author information: (1)Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. BACKGROUND:  The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19*2 polymorphism is associated with reduced responsiveness to clopidogrel and poor clinical outcome after stent implantation. Despite the high frequency of this polymorphism in Japanese patients, its contribution to cardiac events and stent thrombi after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is not clear in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS:  One hundred Japanese patients received clopidogrel and underwent follow-up optical coherence tomography (OCT) after DES implantation. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with at least one CYP2C19*2 allele (*2 carriers) and non-carriers. The incidence of stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; ie, death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) was compared between the 2 groups. In addition, OCT was used to evaluate the incidence of intra-stent thrombus, defined as a mass protruding into the lumen with significant attenuation. Of the 100 patients, 42 were *2 carriers. No remarkable differences in the baseline characteristics were noted. Although MACE did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, a subclinical intra-stent thrombus was detected more frequently in *2 carriers than in non-carriers (52.3% vs. 15.5%, P=0.0002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of the CYP2C19*2 polymorphism was the only independent predictive factor for intra-stent thrombus (P=0.00006). CONCLUSIONS:  From these results it is suggested that CYP2C19*2 polymorphism is associated with subclinical thrombus formation among Japanese patients receiving clopidogrel. (Circ J 2011; 75: 99-105). DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-10-0525 PMID: 21099121 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19463375
1. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2008 Dec;1(6):620-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2008.09.008. The pharmacogenetics and pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel response: an analysis from the PRINC (Plavix Response in Coronary Intervention) trial. Gladding P(1), Webster M, Zeng I, Farrell H, Stewart J, Ruygrok P, Ormiston J, El-Jack S, Armstrong G, Kay P, Scott D, Gunes A, Dahl ML. Author information: (1)Green Lane Cardiovascular Service, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. patrickg@adhb.govt.nz Comment in JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2008 Dec;1(6):628-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2008.10.002. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effect of pharmacogenetics on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. BACKGROUND: Variability in clopidogrel response might be influenced by polymorphisms in genes coding for drug metabolism enzymes (cytochrome P450 [CYP] family), transport proteins (P-glycoprotein) and/or target proteins for the drug (adenosine diphosphate-receptor P2Y12). METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention in the randomized PRINC (Plavix Response in Coronary Intervention) trial had platelet function measured using the VerifyNow P2Y12 analyzer after a 600-mg or split 1,200-mg loading dose and after a 75- or 150-mg daily maintenance dosage. Polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping evaluated polymorphisms in the CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, ABCB1, P2Y12, and CES genes. RESULTS: CYP2C19*1*1 carriers had greater platelet inhibition 2 h after a 600-mg dose (median: 23%, range: 0% to 66%), compared with platelet inhibition in CYP2C19*2 or *4 carriers (10%, 0% to 56%, p = 0.029) and CYP2C19*17 carriers (9%, 0% to 98%, p = 0.026). CYP2C19*2 or *4 carriers had greater platelet inhibition with the higher loading dose than with the lower dose at 4 h (37%, 8% to 87% vs. 14%, 0% to 22%, p = 0.002) and responded better with the higher maintenance dose regimen (51%, 15% to 86% vs. 14%, 0% to 67%, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Carriers of the CYP2C19*2 and *4 alleles showed reduced platelet inhibition after a clopidogrel 600-mg loading dose but responded to higher loading and maintenance dose regimens. Genotyping for the relevant gene polymorphisms may help to individualize and optimize clopidogrel treatment. (Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12606000129583). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcin.2008.09.008 PMID: 19463375 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24205707
1. Rinsho Byori. 2013 Jul;61(7):635-40. [Urinary L-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as a new urinary biomarker promulgated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan]. [Article in Japanese] Kamijo-Ikemori A(1), Ichikawa D, Matsui K, Yokoyama T, Sugaya T, Kimura K. Author information: (1)Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki 261-8511, Japan. Liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is a 14kDa protein found in the cytoplasm of human renal proximal tubules. Fatty acids are bound with L-FABP and transported to the mitochondria or peroxisomes, where fatty acids are beta-oxidized, and this may play a role in fatty acid homeostasis. Moreover, L-FABP has high affinity and capacity to bind long-chain fatty acid oxidation products, and may be an effective endogenous antioxidant. Renal L-FABP is rarely expressed in the kidneys of rodents. In order to evaluate the pathological dynamics of renal L-FABP in kidney disease, human L-FABP chromosomal transgenic mice were generated. Various stress, such as massive proteinuria, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and toxins overloaded in the proximal tubules were revealed to up-regulate the gene expression of renal L-FABP and increase the excretion of L-FABP derived from the proximal tubules into urine. In clinical studies of chronic kidney disease (CKD), urinary L-FABP accurately reflected the degree of tubulointerstitial damage and correlated with the rate of CKD progression. Furthermore, a multicenter trial has shown that urinary L-FABP is more sensitive than urinary protein in predicting the progression of CKD. With respect to diabetic nephropathy and acute kidney disease (AKI), urinary L-FABP is an early diagnostic of kidney disease or a predictive marker for renal prognosis. After many clinical studies, urinary L-FABP was approved as a new tubular biomarker promulgated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. PMID: 24205707 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21886760
1. J Dermatol Case Rep. 2011 Mar 26;5(1):14-6. doi: 10.3315/jdcr.2011.1064. Photoletter to the editor: A new variant of ichthyosis follicularis with alopecia and photophobia (IFAP) syndrome with coexisting psoriasiform lesions and palmoplantar keratoderma. IFAP-PPK syndrome? Alshami M(1), Bawazir MA, Atwan AA. Author information: (1)Department of Dermatology, Kuwait University Hospital, Sana'a University, P.O. Box 1950, Sana'a, Yemen. IFAP is an acronym for a rare congenital ectodermal disorder characterized by ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia and photophobia. A recessive X-linked mode of inheritance was initially proposed but recent reports in girls suggested genetic heterogeneity of this syndrome. We herein describe a 1-year-old boy with clinical features typical of IFAP syndrome plus psoriasis-like lesions and palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). DOI: 10.3315/jdcr.2011.1064 PMCID: PMC3163350 PMID: 21886760
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10398262
1. Am J Med Genet. 1999 Aug 6;85(4):365-8. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(19990806)85:4<365::aid-ajmg12>3.0.co;2-#. Linear lesions reflecting lyonization in women heterozygous for IFAP syndrome (ichthyosis follicularis with atrichia and photophobia). König A(1), Happle R. Author information: (1)Department of Dermatology, Philipp University, Marburg, Germany. A diagnosis of IFAP (ichthyosis follicularis with atrichia and photophobia) syndrome was established in a 1-year-old boy with congenital hairlessness, generalized ichthyotic skin changes with follicular hyperkeratoses, and photophobia. IFAP syndrome is considered to be an X-linked recessive trait. The phenotype present in female carriers has so far not been delineated. A 2-year-old sister had atrophoderma and ichthyotic skin lesions arranged in a linear pattern and a large noncicatrical bald patch on her scalp. Similarly, the mother had linear lesions of scaling and atrophy as well as circumscribed hairless areas involving the scalp, the axillary region, and the lower legs. Sweat testing by means of iodine starch-reaction visualized hypohidrotic linear lesions corresponding to the areas of hyperkeratosis and atrophy. In both mother and daughter the lesions followed the lines of Blaschko, whereas the boy was diffusely affected. Family history showed that the boy's maternal uncle who had died at age 1 year was likewise affected with the same disorder. Moreover, the maternal grandmother had reportedly bald patches on her scalp and very dry skin. This is the first report to document linear skin lesions visualizing lyonization in women heterozygous for IFAP syndrome. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc. DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(19990806)85:4<365::aid-ajmg12>3.0.co;2-# PMID: 10398262 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006571
1. Nucleic Acids Res. 2008 Jan;36(Database issue):D102-6. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkm955. Epub 2007 Nov 15. JASPAR, the open access database of transcription factor-binding profiles: new content and tools in the 2008 update. Bryne JC(1), Valen E, Tang MH, Marstrand T, Winther O, da Piedade I, Krogh A, Lenhard B, Sandelin A. Author information: (1)Computational Biology Unit, Bergen Center for Computational Science, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, N-5008 Bergen, Norway. JASPAR is a popular open-access database for matrix models describing DNA-binding preferences for transcription factors and other DNA patterns. With its third major release, JASPAR has been expanded and equipped with additional functions aimed at both casual and power users. The heart of the JASPAR database-the JASPAR CORE sub-database-has increased by 12% in size, and three new specialized sub-databases have been added. New functions include clustering of matrix models by similarity, generation of random matrices by sampling from selected sets of existing models and a language-independent Web Service applications programming interface for matrix retrieval. JASPAR is available at http://jaspar.genereg.net. DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkm955 PMCID: PMC2238834 PMID: 18006571 [Indexed for MEDLINE]