TNFR2 regulates gut commensal microbiota tocontrol sex-biased spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (BA6P.138)

Host-commensal interactions influence the development and plasticity of gut-associated T helper (Th) and T regulatory (Treg) cells. In mice, the gut commensal segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) modulate TH17 and FoxP3+ Treg differentiation to enhance host protection against external pathogens. However, in the context of a susceptible genetic background, SFB has the potential to augment the development of autoimmunity, including multiple sclerosis (MS). We have previously demonstrated that greater than 90% of female, but few male, tumor necrosis alpha receptor type 2 (TNFR2)-deficient mice crossed onto the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide fragment 35-55 (MOG35-55)-specific T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic background rapidly develop spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We now report that oral administration of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic which has broad spectrum of activity against a variety of bacteria prevents the development of spontaneous EAE in TNFR2-deficient 2D2 TCR Tg mice. We have further combined Illumina MiSeq sequencing and RT-PCR to demonstrate a sex-biased microbiome profile in TNFR2-deficient MOG35-55-specific TCR mice, including increased SFB expression in the females relative to their male cohorts. Collectively, these findings suggest a role for TNFR2 in regulating commensal microbiota in the context of myelin autoantigen to control autoreactive T cells and autoimmune demyelination.

Bridging structure and mechanics of three-dimensional porous hydrogel with X-ray ultramicroscopy and atomic force microscopy

By combining phase contrast X-ray ultramicroscopy and nanoindentation with atomic force microscopy, the mechanics of individual hydrogel pores as well as their collective performance as a scaffold can be modelled and simulated.

Population structure of Squatina guggenheim (Squatiniformes, Squatinidae) from the south-western Atlantic Ocean

Population genetic analyses based on both mitochondrial cytochrome b and the internal transcribed spacer 2 of recombinant (r)DNA genes were implemented to examine hypotheses of population differentiation in the angular angel shark Squatina guggenheim, one of the four most-widespread endemic species inhabiting coastal ecosystems in the south-western Atlantic Ocean. A total of 82 individuals of S. guggenheim from 10 sampling sites throughout the Río de la Plata mouth, its maritime front, the outer shelf at the subtropical confluence and the coastal areas of the south-west Atlantic Ocean, were included. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on the second internal transcribed spacer (its-2) region supports that the samples from the outer shelf represent an isolated group from other sites. Historical gene flow in a coalescent-based approach revealed significant immigration and emigration asymmetry between sampling sites. Based on the low level of genetic diversity, the existence of a long-term population decline or a past recent population expansion following a population bottleneck could be proposed in S. guggenheim. This demographic differentiation suggests a degree of vulnerability to overexploitation in this endemic and endangered south-west Atlantic Ocean shark, given its longevity and low reproductive potential.

A quantitative exploration of attitudes out of line with the prevailing norms toward alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among European students

The study examines groups of 15-16-year-old students whose attitudes toward drug use are out of line with the prevailing norms. It analyzes data from eight countries from the 2003 European School Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD): Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Malta, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In those countries, 22,900 15-16-year-old pupils answered the ESPAD questionnaire. Groups of subjects whose responses are far removed from the modal value are sought and studied. The aim is to explore "rare answers" compared to what is perceived by the majority of students. In order to explore what can lead a pupil to an atypical perception of risk, a cluster analysis, based on the risk perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, was run to isolate the groups in which pupils tend to answer differently. Six clusters were established classifying students into those who failed to respond, deny the risks, do not know about the risks, see any drug use as great risk, see regular use as great risk, and who see a moderate risk for most frequencies of use. The nonresponders, risk deniers, and those ignorant of the risks are infrequent making up, in all, only 16.9% of the total sample. Gender, country, alcohol use, cannabis use, tobacco use, and friends' consumption were used to describe both the individual risk perceptions and the clusters based on them. Both global context (country) and "micro" context (frequencies of drug use, peers lifestyle, and parental permissiveness) appear to play a major role in the risk perception of drug use.

TNFR2-deficiency contributes to sex-biased spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (IRC4P.481)

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) antagonism has improved the treatment of autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease but is contraindicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to disease exacerbation. The mechanisms underlying these contrasting responses remain elusive. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of selective TNFR2 ablation on the autoreactivity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific T cells. We report that 92% of female C57BL/6 TNFR2-/- MOG-specific (2D2) TCR transgenic mice spontaneously develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); whereas, only 8% of male TNFR2-/- 2D2 littermates developed an autoimmune phenotype. Demyelination accompanied B cell and CD4 T cell infiltration in the spinal cords and optic nerves of TNFR2-/- 2D2 mice with EAE. CNS inflammation in these mice correlated with increased production of IFN-γ and IL-17 and elevated sera titers of MOG35-55-specific IgG2b. Ex vivo co-culture studies demonstrated autonomous TNFR2-/- 2D2 CD4 FoxP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) dysfunction as well as increased resilience by FoxP3-/- 2D2 CD4 T cells to respond to Treg suppression. These results suggest that TNFR2 plays a key role in the functional tolerance of MOG-specific CD4 T and B cells in a sex-related manner. This novel spontaneous autoimmune model provides a unique paradigm to study T and B cell interactions as well as sex-related factors in multiple sclerosis susceptibility.

CD4 T Cell-autonomous TNF receptor type 2 promotes interleukin-2 transcription (IRM6P.723)

Interleukin (IL)-2 plays a key role in adjusting the dynamic state of equilibrium between effector T cells (Teffs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) as well as channeling the outcome of immune responses. IL-2 is mainly produced by activated CD4 T cells and the absence of IL-2 signaling results in lethal autoimmunity. In this study we investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) receptors type 1 (TNFR1) and type 2 (TNFR2) on the regulation of IL-2 at the level of transcription during the primary activation of CD4 T cells. We generated TNFR1- and/or TNFR2-deficient-IL-2-GFF knock-in reporter mice to examine Il2 promoter activity at the single cell level. We found that the deficiency of TNFR2, but not TNFR1, markedly diminished the number of CD4 T cells that produced IL-2. We further correlated decreased Il2 transcription with impaired intracellular c-Rel expression in TNFR2 KO CD4 T cells. IL-2 production was augmented in response to the addition of soluble TNF implicating a role for transmembrane TNF (tmTNF). Collectively, these data suggest that CD4 T cell autonomous tmTNF/TNFR2 signaling contributes to the number of IL-2 producers by providing a critical third signal necessary for threshold Il2 promoter activity. These results have important implications for understanding the contribution of IL-2 signaling on the dynamic equilibrium between Teff cells and Treg cells and the outcome of inflammatory immune responses.

Pan-atlantic analysis of the overlap of a highly migratory species, the leatherback turtle, with pelagic longline fisheries

Large oceanic migrants play important roles in ecosystems, yet many species are of conservation concern as a result of anthropogenic threats, of which incidental capture by fisheries is frequently identified. The last large populations of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, occur in the Atlantic Ocean, but interactions with industrial fisheries could jeopardize recent positive population trends, making bycatch mitigation a priority. Here, we perform the first pan-Atlantic analysis of spatio-temporal distribution of the leatherback turtle and ascertain overlap with longline fishing effort. Data suggest that the Atlantic probably consists of two regional management units: northern and southern (the latter including turtles breeding in South Africa). Although turtles and fisheries show highly diverse distributions, we highlight nine areas of high susceptibility to potential bycatch (four in the northern Atlantic and five in the southern/equatorial Atlantic) that are worthy of further targeted investigation and mitigation. These are reinforced by reports of leatherback bycatch at eight of these sites. International collaborative efforts are needed, especially from nations hosting regions where susceptibility to bycatch is likely to be high within their exclusive economic zone (northern Atlantic: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Spain, USA and Western Sahara; southern Atlantic: Angola, Brazil, Namibia and UK) and from nations fishing in these high-susceptibility areas, including those located in international waters.

High fluence laser damage precursors and their mitigation in fused silica

The use of any optical material is limited at high fluences by laser-induced damage to optical surfaces. In many optical materials, the damage results from a series of sources which initiate at a large range of fluences and intensities. Much progress has been made recently eliminating silica surface damage due to fracture-related precursors at relatively low fluences (i.e., less than 10 J/cm(2), when damaged by 355 nm, 5 ns pulses). At higher fluence, most materials are limited by other classes of damage precursors which exhibit a strong threshold behavior and high areal density (>10(5) cm(-2)); we refer to these collectively as high fluence precursors. Here, we show that a variety of nominally transparent materials in trace quantities can act as surface damage precursors. We show that by minimizing the presence of precipitates during chemical processing, we can reduce damage density in silica at high fluence by more than 100 times while shifting the fluence onset of observable damage by about 7 J/cm(2). A better understanding of the complex chemistry and physics of cleaning, rinsing, and drying will likely lead to even further improvements in the damage performance of silica and potentially other optical materials.

Development of a low-dose fast-dissolving tablet formulation of Newcastle disease vaccine for low-cost backyard poultry immunisation

The immunisation of backyard poultry is critical for maintaining healthy flocks to provide nutrition and income for low-resource farmers worldwide. A vaccine presentation for flocks of less than 50 birds could make it more affordable and accessible, increasing uptake and impact. Fast-dissolving tablets (FDT) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine were produced by freeze drying the LaSota NDV strain combined with excipients into tablets containing a small number of doses and packaged in polymer blister sheets. The NDV-FDT vaccine maintained virus stability for more than six months at 4°C, based on plaque assay and egg infectivity dose data. Stability was further confirmed in a challenge study, where the tablet vaccine elicited a strong immune response and provided 100 per cent protection to vaccinated chickens infected with a virulent strain of NDV. The vaccine tablet can be diluted in water (no needle or syringe required) and administered either in drinking water or with a dropper via an intraocular and/or intransal route. Results indicate that FDTs containing a small number of doses are a feasible presentation for backyard poultry farmers. The compact packaging of the FDTs will also provide cost savings in storing and distributing the vaccine in the cold chain.

Using Monte Carlo simulations to determine power and sample size for planned missing designs

Planned missing data designs allow researchers to increase the amount and quality of data collected in a single study. Unfortunately, the effect of planned missing data designs on power is not straightforward. Under certain conditions using a planned missing design will increase power, whereas in other situations using a planned missing design will decrease power. Thus, when designing a study utilizing planned missing data researchers need to perform a power analysis. In this article, we describe methods for power analysis and sample size determination for planned missing data designs using Monte Carlo simulations. We also describe a new, more efficient method of Monte Carlo power analysis, software that can be used in these approaches, and several examples of popular planned missing data designs.

Classification of large acoustic datasets using machine learning and crowdsourcing: application to whale calls

Vocal communication is a primary communication method of killer and pilot whales, and is used for transmitting a broad range of messages and information for short and long distance. The large variation in call types of these species makes it challenging to categorize them. In this study, sounds recorded by audio sensors carried by ten killer whales and eight pilot whales close to the coasts of Norway, Iceland, and the Bahamas were analyzed using computer methods and citizen scientists as part of the Whale FM project. Results show that the computer analysis automatically separated the killer whales into Icelandic and Norwegian whales, and the pilot whales were separated into Norwegian long-finned and Bahamas short-finned pilot whales, showing that at least some whales from these two locations have different acoustic repertoires that can be sensed by the computer analysis. The citizen science analysis was also able to separate the whales to locations by their sounds, but the separation was somewhat less accurate compared to the computer method.

The surgical management of spinal deformity in children with a Fontan circulation

The management of spinal deformity in children with univentricular cardiac pathology poses significant challenges to the surgical and anaesthetic teams. To date, only posterior instrumented fusion techniques have been used in these children and these are associated with a high rate of complications. We reviewed our experience of both growing rod instrumentation and posterior instrumented fusion in children with a univentricular circulation.

Six children underwent spinal corrective surgery, two with cavopulmonary shunts and four following completion of a Fontan procedure. Three underwent growing rod instrumentation, two had a posterior fusion and one had spinal growth arrest. There were no complications following surgery, and the children undergoing growing rod instrumentation were successfully lengthened. We noted a trend for greater blood loss and haemodynamic instability in those whose surgery was undertaken following completion of a Fontan procedure. At a median follow-up of 87.6 months (interquartile range (IQR) 62.9 to 96.5) the median correction of deformity was 24.2% (64.5° (IQR 46° to 80°) vs 50.5° (IQR 36° to 63°)).

We believe that early surgical intervention with growing rod instrumentation systems allows staged correction of the spinal deformity and reduces the haemodynamic insult to these physiologically compromised children. Due to the haemodynamic changes that occur with the completed Fontan circulation, the initial scoliosis surgery should ideally be undertaken when in the cavopulmonary shunt stage.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:94–9.

Abstract P4-07-01: Upregulation of miR-224 in breast cancer exhibiting hyperactivation of ERK1/2 MAPK signaling associates with repression of Raf kinase inhibitory protein and poor clinical outcome

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer which lacks expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors, and which does not have amplification of HER2. One particular characteristic of TNBC is overexpression of EGFR, a growth factor receptor, and hyperactivation of downstream signaling pathways. Women with breast cancers that overexpress EGFR and exhibit hyperactive growth factor signaling pathways tend to suffer higher incidence of disease recurrence, metastasis, and disease-related death, suggesting that targeting EGFR signaling or the pathways and genes that it activates may present an opportunity to identify genes that can be utilized as targeted therapy in TNBC.

Our lab has recently identified a microRNA signature that is associated with hyperactive ERK1/2 MAPK signaling, a key pathway activated downstream of EGFR. Our hyperactive MAPK microRNA signature (hMAPK-miRNA) is found in the substantial majority of ER-negative breast tumors as well as in a subset of ER+ breast tumors with low expression of ER, and is significantly associated with poor survival and increased disease recurrence. One of these upregulated microRNAs, miR-224, has recently been shown to act as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma by repressing RAF-kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), a negative regulator of ERK1/2 MAPK signaling through repression of RAF1. RKIP is also involved in repressing a number of genes associated with breast cancer metastasis including OPN, CXCR4, and MMP1. Building on these observations and the fact that many TNBC exhibit activated growth factor signaling through the ERK1/2 MAPK axis, we hypothesize that miR-224 may act as an oncogene in breast cancer by repressing RKIP, leading to a feed-forward loop resulting in sustained activation of MAPK signaling.

Here we show that breast tumors classified as hMAPK-miRNA by our hMAPK-miRNA signature display significantly lower expression of RKIP, elevated expression of miR-224, and show a significant inverse correlation between expression of RKIP and miR-224. We also observe significantly higher expression of RKIP repressed genes OPN, CXCR4, and MMP1 in hMAPK-miRNA tumors. Using MCF-7 cell lines stably transfected to have hyperactivation of ERK1/2 MAPK signaling, we investigate the effects that alterations of MAPK signaling has on expression of miR-224, RKIP, and RKIP regulated genes. We further demonstrate the effects of knockdown of miR-224 expression in our primary tumor cultures from TNBC on RKIP-regulated gene expression, hMAPK activity and miRNAs, and in vitro and in vivo measures of tumorigenesis and metastasis.

miR-224 targeting of RKIP leading to sustained hMAPK activation then would be expected to result to aberrant expression of MAPK-mediated miRNAs, repressing ER, CCND1, and other genes involved in luminal identity, activating CCNB1 and other basal-associated genes, contributing to an ER-negative phenotype and driving breast cancer cell proliferation, survival, EMT, and metastasis.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-07-01.

The Direct Assessment of Nonvertebral Fractures in Community Experience (DANCE) study: 2-year nonvertebral fragility fracture results

This observational study evaluated the occurrence of nonvertebral fragility fractures (NVFX) in over 4,000 men and women with osteoporosis treated with teriparatide (TPTD). The incidence of new NVFX decreased for patients receiving TPTD treatment for greater than 6 months. No new significant safety findings were observed in this large trial.

INTRODUCTION

The Direct Assessment of Nonvertebral Fractures in Community Experience (DANCE) study evaluated the occurrence of NVFX in patients receiving TPTD for osteoporosis in a real-world setting.

METHODS

DANCE is a multicenter, prospective, observational trial that examined the long-term effectiveness of TPTD in men and women with osteoporosis whom study physicians judged to be suitable for TPTD therapy. Patients received 20 μg TPTD per day by subcutaneous injection for up to 24 months and were followed for 24 months after treatment cessation. The incidence of patients experiencing a new NVFX, defined as a fracture associated with low trauma, was evaluated during four 6-month periods in both the treatment and cessation phases with >0 to ≤6 months serving as the reference. We also observed the spectrum and occurrence of serious adverse events.

RESULTS

Of the 4,167 patients enrolled, 4,085 took one or more doses of TPTD (safety population); 3,720 were included in the efficacy analysis. The incidence of patients experiencing a NVFX was 1.42, 0.91, 0.70, and 0.81 % for the four treatment periods, respectively, and 0.80, 0.68, 0.33, and 0.33 % for the four periods after treatment cessation. Differences for each period were statistically significant compared with the reference period (first 6-month interval, each p < 0.05). No new significant safety findings were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the incidence of NVFX decreased for patients receiving TPTD for all three treatment periods >6 months compared to 0 to ≤6 months, and this trend persisted throughout the cessation phase. TPTD was generally well tolerated.

Inhibitory synaptic plasticity: spike timing-dependence and putative network function

While the plasticity of excitatory synaptic connections in the brain has been widely studied, the plasticity of inhibitory connections is much less understood. Here, we present recent experimental and theoretical findings concerning the rules of spike timing-dependent inhibitory plasticity and their putative network function. This is a summary of a workshop at the COSYNE conference 2012.

Abstract P1-04-06: Insertional mutagenesis identifies HACE1 as a HER2/Neu Cooperating Breast Cancer Tumor Suppressor Gene

The development of human breast cancer is a multi-step process leading from normal epithelium to fully transformed breast cancer. Early genetic changes result in hyperplasias which evolves into ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and culminates as invasive ductal carcinoma. The transition from DCIS to invasive disease has been implicated as the key transition in breast cancer progression. Specific genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic alterations responsible for this transition process have yet to been elucidated.

HER2/Neu, a member of the EGFR family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is associated with poor clinical outcome. HER2/Neu overexpression/amplification is commonly seen (50–60%) in non-invasive lesions but is significantly less common (20–30%) in invasive and metastatic breast carcinoma. This indicates that HER2/Neu gives normal epithelium a proliferative advantage but additional genetic alterations are required for full malignant transformation. This idea is supported by the fact that transgenic mice that overexpress HER2/Neu develop spontaneous mammary tumors but only after a prolonged latency period.

Recent forward genetic approaches use insertional mutagenesis to randomly integrate a strong promoter into the genome, activating downstream gene transcription that can lead to either gain or loss-of-function mutations based on the integration site. We used this insertional mutagenesis approach to induce anchorage-independent growth of isolated murine HER2/Neu over-expressing mammary epithelial cells. We identified HECT domain and ankyrin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (HACE1) as a putative breast tumor suppressor protein whose loss leads to the formation of anchorage-independent colonies.

Loss of HACE1 expression is commonly seen in breast cancer patients [as well as other tumor types] supporting the role of HACE1 as a breast tumor suppressor gene. Knockdown of HACE1 in human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) results in the acquisition of anchorage-independent growth. Moreover, knockdown of HACE1 in established breast cancer cell lines that express moderate levels of HACE1 results in enhanced cloniginicity.

Therefore, we propose that the loss of HACE1 can potentially be used as a predictive marker for breast cancer progression. Additional studies investigating the mechanism of HACE1 action may also identify therapeutic targets that counteract HACE1 loss.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-04-06.