Developmental programming of adult haematopoiesis system

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B exposed to pregnant rats inhibits the hedgehog signaling pathway in thymic T lymphocytes of the offspring

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is involved in T cell differentiation and development and plays a major regulatory part in different stages of T cell development. A previous study by us suggested that prenatal exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) changed the percentages of T cell subpopulation in the offspring thymus. However, it is unclear whether prenatal SEB exposure impacts the Hh signaling pathway in thymic T cells. In the present study, pregnant rats at gestational day 16 were intravenously injected once with 15 μg SEB, and the thymi of both neonatal and adult offspring rats were aseptically acquired to scrutinize the effects of SEB on the Hh signaling pathway. It firstly found that prenatal SEB exposure clearly caused the increased expression of Shh and Dhh ligands of the Hh signaling pathway in thymus tissue of both neonatal and adult offspring rats, but significantly decreased the expression levels of membrane receptors of Ptch1 and Smo, transcription factor Gli1, as well as target genes of CyclinD1, C-myc, and N-myc in Hh signaling pathway of thymic T cells. These data suggest that prenatal SEB exposure inhibits the Hh signaling pathway in thymic T lymphocytes of the neonatal offspring, and this effect can be maintained in adult offspring via the imprinting effect.

Different Levels of Therapeutic Strategies to Recover the Microbiome to Prevent/Delay Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Arrest Its Progression in Children

Changes in the components, variety, metabolism, and products of microbiomes, particularly of the gut microbiome (GM), have been revealed to be closely associated with the onset and progression of numerous human illnesses, including hematological neoplasms. Among the latter pathologies, there is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most widespread malignant neoplasm in pediatric subjects. Accordingly, ALL cases present a typical dysfunctional GM during all its clinical stages and resulting inflammation, which contributes to its progression, altered response to therapy, and possible relapses. Children with ALL have GM with characteristic variations in composition, variety, and functions, and such alterations may influence and predict the complications and prognosis of ALL after chemotherapy treatment or stem cell hematopoietic transplants. In addition, growing evidence also reports the ability of GM to influence the formation, growth, and roles of the newborn's hematopoietic system through the process of developmental programming during fetal life as well as its susceptibility to the onset of onco-hematological pathologies, namely ALL. Here, we suggest some therapeutic strategies that can be applied at two levels of intervention to recover the microbiome and consequently prevent/delay ALL or arrest its progression.

The fascinating theory of fetal programming of adult diseases: A review of the fundamentals of the Barker hypothesis

The theory of fetal programming of adult diseases was first proposed by David J.P. Barker in the eighties of the previous century, to explain the higher susceptibility of some people toward the development of ischemic heart disease. According to his hypothesis, poor maternal living conditions during gestation represent an important risk factor for the onset of atherosclerotic heart disease later in life. The analysis of the early phases of fetal development is a fundamental tool for the risk stratification of children and adults, allowing the identification of susceptible or resistant subjects to multiple diseases later in life. Here, we provide a narrative summary of the most relevant evidence supporting the Barker hypothesis in multiple fields of medicine, including neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease, kidney failure, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer onset and progression, metabolic syndrome, and infectious diseases including COVID-19. Given the consensus on the role of body weight at birth as a practical indicator of the fetal nutritional status during gestation, every subject with a low birth weight should be considered an "at risk" subject for the development of multiple diseases later in life. The hypothesis of the "physiological regenerative medicine," able to improve fetal organs' development in the perinatal period is discussed, in the light of recent experimental data indicating Thymosin Beta-4 as a powerful growth promoter when administered to pregnant mothers before birth.

Mast cell ontogeny: From fetal development to life-long health and disease

Mast cells (MCs) are evolutionarily ancient innate immune cells with important roles in protective immunity against bacteria, parasites, and venomous animals. They can be found in most organs of the body, where they also contribute to normal tissue functioning, for example by engaging in crosstalk with nerves. Despite this, they are most widely known for their detrimental roles in allergy, anaphylaxis, and atopic disease. Just like macrophages, mast cells were conventionally thought to originate from the bone marrow. However, they are already present in fetal tissues before the onset of bone marrow hematopoiesis, questioning this dogma. In recent years, our view of myeloid cell ontogeny has been revised. We now know that the first mast cells originate from progenitors made in the extra-embryonic yolk sac, and later get supplemented with mast cells produced from subsequent waves of hematopoiesis. In most connective tissues, sizeable populations of fetal-derived mast cells persist into adulthood, where they self-maintain largely independently from the bone marrow. These developmental origins are highly reminiscent of macrophages, which are known to have critical functions in development. Mast cells too may thus support healthy development. Their fetal origins and longevity also make mast cells susceptible to genetic and environmental perturbations, which may render them pathological. Here, we review our current understanding of mast cell biology from a developmental perspective. We first summarize how mast cell populations are established from distinct hematopoietic progenitor waves, and how they are subsequently maintained throughout life. We then discuss what functions mast cells may normally have at early life stages, and how they may be co-opted to cause, worsen, or increase susceptibility to disease.

Diagnosis of Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Failure by Color Doppler Ultrasound under the Intelligent Segmentation Algorithm

The aim of this study was to explore the application value of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound based on the improved mean shift algorithm in the diagnosis of idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF). In this study, 80 patients with idiopathic POF were selected and included in the experimental group, and 40 volunteers who underwent health examinations during the same period were selected and included in the control group, who underwent transvaginal Doppler ultrasound examination. At the same time, an improved mean shift algorithm was proposed based on artificial intelligence technology and applied to ultrasound image processing. In addition, the ovarian artery parameters of patients were compared in two groups, including peak systolic flow rate (PSV), diastolic flow rate (EDV), resistance index (RI), and pulsatile index (PI). The results showed that the relative difference degree (RDD) of the segmentation results of the algorithm in this study was significantly lower than that of Snake, Live_wire, and the traditional mean shift algorithm, while the relative overlap degree (ROD) and Dice coefficient were opposite, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). The mediolateral diameter of control group was 2.87±0.31cm, and the anteroposterior diameter was 1.86±0.28 cm; while those were 2.11±0.36 cm and 1.13±0.34 cm, respectively, in the experimental group, showing significant differences between the groups (P<0.05). Of the 80 patients in the experimental group, 132 cases with ovarian arteries were found; among 40 patients in the experimental group, 76 cases were found with ovarian arteries, and the hemodynamic detection rate of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The ovarian artery parameters PI, RI, and S/D of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The results showed that the segmentation results of the improved algorithm in this study were more superior to the segmentation results of other algorithms. The regional information loss of the segmentation results was not serious, and the resolution was higher and the definition was higher. The transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound based on the artificial intelligence segmentation algorithm can clearly show the functional status and hemodynamics of the patient's ovaries. The ovarian artery parameters PI and RI can be used as specific indicators for evaluating the POF.

The close link between brain vascular pathological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases: Focus on some examples and potential treatments

A close relationship is emerging among the age-related neurodegenerative decline, and the age-related typical alterations, dysfunctions, and related diseases of the cerobro-and/or cardiovascular system, which contributes in a significative manner to the triggering and progressing of neurodegenerative diseases (NeuroDegD). Specifically, macroinfarcts, microinfarcts, micro-hemorrhages (and particularly their number), atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy have been documented to be significantly associated with the onset of the cognitive impairment. In addition, vascular alterations and dysfunctions resulting in a reduced cerebral blood flow, and anomalies in the brain blood barrier (BBB), have been also demonstrated to contribute to NeuroDegD pathophysiologic processes. At the same time, such vascular alterations are also observed in cognitively unimpaired subjects. Here, some of these aspects are described with a particular focus on some NeuroDegD, as well as potential strategies for delaying or stopping their onset and progression.

Exposure of pregnant rats to staphylococcal enterotoxin B increases offspring splenic Treg number and function via decreasing FoxP3 methylation

Staphylococcus aureus is an infectious pathogen that is relatively common, but that can cause severe disease in pregnant women and their fetus. We previously demonstrated that exposing pregnant rats to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) altered splenic CD4/CD8 T cell frequencies in their offspring. Whether prenatal SEB exposure impacts Tregs in these offspring, however, remains to be determined. As such, in this study, we intravenously injected pregnant rats with 15 μg of SEB on gestational day 16. Splenic tissue was then harvested from 1-, 3-, and 5-day-old neonatal rats and analyzed via flow cytometry to assess Treg numbers. In addition, FoxP3 expression levels were assessed via qPCR and western blotting, while FoxP3 methylation status was evaluated via methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation qPCR. Immunosuppression assays were additionally used to gauge Treg suppressive functionality. We found that exposing pregnant rats to SEB resulted in a significant increase in Treg numbers, FoxP3 expression, and Treg suppressive capacity in the spleens of both neonatal and adult offspring. In addition, total T cell, CD4+T cell, and non-Treg CD4+ T cell numbers were elevated in the spleens of offspring following prenatal SEB exposure. We additionally determined that SEB exposure resulted in a significant reduction in FoxP3 DNA methylation. Together, our results indicate that prenatal SEB exposure can markedly enhance offspring splenic Treg numbers and functionality at least in part by decreasing FoxP3 methylation.

Fetal-Derived Immune Cells at the Roots of Lifelong Pathophysiology

Tissue-resident innate immune cells exert a wide range of functions in both adult homeostasis and pathology. Our understanding of when and how these cellular networks are established has dramatically changed with the recognition that many lineages originate at least in part from fetal sources and self-maintain independently from hematopoietic stem cells. Indeed, fetal-derived immune cells are found in most organs and serous cavities of our body, where they reside throughout the entire lifespan. At the same time, there is a growing appreciation that pathologies manifesting in adulthood may be caused by adverse early life events, a concept known as “developmental origins of health and disease” (DOHaD). Yet, whether fetal-derived immune cells are mechanistically involved in DOHaD remains elusive. In this review, we summarize our knowledge of fetal hematopoiesis and its contribution to adult immune compartments, which results in a “layered immune system.” Based on their ontogeny, we argue that fetal-derived immune cells are prime transmitters of long-term consequences of prenatal adversities. In addition to increasing disease susceptibility, these may also directly cause inflammatory, degenerative, and metabolic disorders. We explore this notion for cells generated from erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMP) produced in the extra-embryonic yolk sac. Focusing on macrophages and mast cells, we present emerging evidence implicating them in lifelong disease by either somatic mutations or developmental programming events resulting from maternal and early environmental perturbations.

The close link between the fetal programming imprinting and neurodegeneration in adulthood: The key role of "hemogenic endothelium" programming

The research on neurodegenerative diseases (NeuroDegD) has been traditionally focused on later life stages. There is now an increasing evidence, that they may be programmed during early development. Here, we propose that NeuroDegD are the result of the complex process of imprinting on fetal hemogenic endothelium, from which the microglial cells make to origin. The central role of placenta and epigenetic mechanisms (methylation of DNA, histone modifications and regulation by non-coding RNAs) in mediating the short and long-term effects has been also described. Precisely, it reports their role in impacting plasticity and memory of microglial cells. In addition, we also underline the necessity of further studies for clearing all mechanisms involved and developing epigenetic methods for identifying potential targets as biomarkers, and for developing preventive measures. Such biomarkers might be used to identify individuals at risk to NeuroDegD. Finally, the sex dependence of fetal programming process has been discussed. It might justify the sex differences in the epidemiologic, imaging, biomarkers, and pathology studies of these pathologies. The discovery of related mechanisms might have important clinical implications in both the etiology of disorders and the management of pregnant women for encouraging healthy long-term outcomes for their children, and future generations. Impending research on the mechanisms related to transgenerational transmission of prenatal stress might consent the development and application of therapies and/or intervention strategies for these disorders in humans.

Can Blood-Circulating Factors Unveil and Delay Your Biological Aging?

According to the World Health Organization, the population of over 60 will double in the next 30 years in the developed countries, which will enforce a further raise of the retirement age and increase the burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, there is an acute issue of maintaining health and prolonging active working longevity, as well as implementation of early monitoring and prevention of premature aging and age-related disorders to avoid early disability. Traditional indicators of biological age are not always informative and often require extensive and expensive analysis. The study of blood factors is a simple and easily accessible way to assess individual health and supplement the traditional indicators of a person's biological age with new objective criteria. With age, the processes of growth and development, tissue regeneration and repair decline; they are gradually replaced by enhanced catabolism, inflammatory cell activity, and insulin resistance. The number of senescent cells supporting the inflammatory loop rises; cellular clearance by autophagy and mitophagy slows down, resulting in mitochondrial and cellular damage and dysfunction. Monitoring of circulated blood factors not only reflects these processes, but also allows suggesting medical intervention to prevent or decelerate the development of age-related diseases. We review the age-related blood factors discussed in recent publications, as well as approaches to slowing aging for healthy and active longevity.

Toxicological risk factors in the burden of malnutrition: The case of nutrition (and risk) transition in sub-Saharan Africa

Toxicant exposures may worsen the micronutrient status, especially during the womb-to-childhood development, impairing organism programming and increasing the risk for health disorders in adulthood. Growing evidence calls for an integrated risk analysis of the interplay of environment, behavior and lifestyle, where a) imbalanced diet and micronutrient deficiencies may increase the vulnerability to toxicants and alter body defence systems and b) intake of antinutrients and contaminants may increase nutritional requirements. Such scenarios are especially evident in communities undergoing a fast nutrition transition, such as in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Specific challenges of toxicological risk analysis in sub-Saharan Africa still need a thorough assessment, including: rapid changes of lifestyle and consumers' preferences; dumping of foods and consumer' products; risk management under weak or non-existent awareness, legislation enforcement and infrastructures. The significant and growing literature from Africa-led scientific research should be used to build quality-controlled data repositories supporting regulatory top-down actions. Meanwhile, bottom-up actions (eg consumer's empowerment) could exploit social and economic drivers toward a qualified African presence in the global and local markets. A science-based combination of top-down and bottom-up actions on preventable toxicological risk factors will contribute fighting the new forms of malnutrition and prevent multi-factorial diseases. Exposures to toxicants should be included in the integrated approach proposed by WHO to address the urgent health challenge of simultaneously reduce the risk or burden of both malnutrition (ie deficiency of one or more essential nutrients) and overweight, obesity, and diet-related NCDs.

Stem cell therapy: old challenges and new solutions

Stem cell therapy (SCT), born as therapeutic revolution to replace pharmacological treatments, remains a hope and not yet an effective solution. Accordingly, stem cells cannot be conceivable as a "canonical" drug, because of their unique biological properties. A new reorientation in this field is emerging, based on a better understanding of stem cell biology and use of cutting-edge technologies and innovative disciplines. This will permit to solve the gaps, failures, and long-term needs, such as the retention, survival and integration of stem cells, by employing pharmacology, genetic manipulation, biological or material incorporation. Consequently, the clinical applicability of SCT for chronic human diseases will be extended, as well as its effectiveness and success, leading to long-awaited medical revolution. Here, some of these aspects are summarized, reviewing and discussing recent advances in this rapidly developing research field.

On the Road to Accurate Biomarkers for Cardiometabolic Diseases by Integrating Precision and Gender Medicine Approaches

The need to facilitate the complex management of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) has led to the detection of many biomarkers, however, there are no clear explanations of their role in the prevention, diagnosis or prognosis of these diseases. Molecules associated with disease pathways represent valid disease surrogates and well-fitted CMD biomarkers. To address this challenge, data from multi-omics types (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, and nutrigenomics), from human and animal models, have become available. However, individual omics types only provide data on a small part of molecules involved in the complex CMD mechanisms, whereas, here, we propose that their integration leads to multidimensional data. Such data provide a better understanding of molecules related to CMD mechanisms and, consequently, increase the possibility of identifying well-fitted biomarkers. In addition, the application of gender medicine also helps to identify accurate biomarkers according to gender, facilitating a differential CMD management. Accordingly, the impact of gender differences in CMD pathophysiology has been widely demonstrated, where gender is referred to the complex interrelation and integration of sex (as a biological and functional marker of the human body) and psychological and cultural behavior (due to ethnical, social, and religious background). In this review, all these aspects are described and discussed, as well as potential limitations and future directions in this incipient field.

Developmental origins of type 2 diabetes: Focus on epigenetics

Traditionally, genetics and lifestyle are considered as main determinants of aging-associated pathological conditions. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that risk of many age-related diseases is not only determined by genetic and adult lifestyle factors but also by factors acting during early development. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), an age-related disease generally manifested after the age of 40, is among such disorders. Since several age-related conditions, such as pro-inflammatory states, are characteristic of both T2D and aging, this disease is conceptualized by many authors as a kind of premature or accelerated aging. There is substantial evidence that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), induced by poor or unbalanced nutrient intake, exposure to xenobiotics, maternal substance abuse etc., may impair fetal development, thereby causing the fetal adipose tissue and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. Consequently, persisting adaptive changes may occur in the glucose-insulin metabolism, including reduced capacity for insulin secretion and insulin resistance. These changes can lead to an improved ability to store fat, thus predisposing to T2D development in later life. The modulation of epigenetic regulation of gene expression likely plays a central role in linking the adverse environmental conditions early in life to the risk of T2D in adulthood. In animal models of IUGR, long-term persistent changes in both DNA methylation and expression of genes implicated in metabolic processes have been repeatedly reported. Findings from human studies confirming the role of epigenetic mechanisms in linking early-life adverse experiences to the risk for T2D in adult life are scarce compared to data from animal studies, mainly because of limited access to suitable biological samples. It is, however, convincing evidence that these mechanisms may also operate in human beings. In this review, theoretical models and research findings evidencing the role of developmental epigenetic variation in the pathogenesis of T2D are summarized and discussed.

Deregulation of TLR4 signaling pathway characterizes Bicuspid Aortic valve syndrome

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is recognized to be a syndrome with a complex and multifaceted pathophysiology. Its progression is modulated by diverse evolutionary conserved pathways, such as Notch-1 pathway. Emerging evidence is also highlighting the key role of TLR4 signaling pathway in the aortic valve pathologies and their related complications, such as sporadic ascending aorta aneurysms (AAA). Consistent with these observations, we aimed to evaluate the role of TLR4 pathway in both BAV disease and its common complication, such as AAA. To this aim, 70 subjects with BAV (M/F 50/20; mean age: 58.8 ± 14.8 years) and 70 subjects with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) (M/F 35/35; mean age: 69.1 ± 12.8 years), with and without AAA were enrolled. Plasma assessment, tissue and gene expression evaluations were performed. Consistent with data obtained in the previous study on immune clonotypic T and B altered responses, we found reduced levels of systemic TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 cytokines in BAV cases, either in the presence or absence of AAA, than TAV cases (p < 0.0001 by ANOVA test). Interestingly, we also detected reduced levels of s-TLR4 in BAV cases with or without AAA in comparison to the two groups of TAV subjects (p < 0.0001 by ANOVA test). These results may suggest a deregulation in the activity or in the expression of TLR4 signaling pathway in all BAV cases. Portrait of these data is, indeed, the significantly decreased gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and TLR4, in both normal and aneurysmatic tissue samples, from BAV with AAA than TAV with AAA. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that subjects with BAV display a significant deregulation of TLR4 signaling pathway paralleled by a deregulation of Notch-1 pathway, as previously showed. This data suggests that the crosstalk between the Notch-1 and TLR4 signaling pathways may play a crucial role in both physiological embryological development, and homeostasis and functionality of aortic valve in adult life.