CMIP is a negative regulator of T cell signaling

Ruxolitinib attenuates acute rejection and can serve as an immune induction therapy in heart transplantation

The benefits of IL2RA antagonists in heart transplant patients are controversial. We aimed to elucidate the effects of IL2RA antagonists and identify targets that could be better than IL2RA antagonists. By using single-cell RNA sequencing of immune cells at different time points in patients receiving IL2RA antagonists, we identified nineteen types of cells. We revealed higher IL2RA expression in regulatory T cells (Tregs), suggesting that IL2RA antagonists attenuated IL-2-induced Treg activation. CD4_C04_IFNGR1 and CD8_C05_IFITM2 which had more cytotoxic effects, remained elevated at later time points. IFNGR1 was upregulated in these two subtypes, but was not expressed in Treg. Ruxolitinib targeted the pathways of IFNGR1 (JAK1/2) while not affecting the pathway of IL-2-induced Tregs activation (JAK3). Ruxolitinib showed prolonged survival compared to IL2RA mAb-treated mice. Our study provided dynamic changes of immune cells after IL2RA antagonists treatment at single-cell resolution. Ruxolitinib has potential as a new immunoinduction therapy without affecting Treg.

Integrative GWAS and co-localisation analysis suggests novel genes associated with age-related multimorbidity

Advancing age is the greatest risk factor for developing multiple age-related diseases. Therapeutic approaches targeting the underlying pathways of ageing, rather than individual diseases, may be an effective way to treat and prevent age-related morbidity while reducing the burden of polypharmacy. We harness the Open Targets Genetics Portal to perform a systematic analysis of nearly 1,400 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) mapped to 34 age-related diseases and traits, identifying genetic signals that are shared between two or more of these traits. Using locus-to-gene (L2G) mapping, we identify 995 targets with shared genetic links to age-related diseases and traits, which are enriched in mechanisms of ageing and include known ageing and longevity-related genes. Of these 995 genes, 128 are the target of an approved or investigational drug, 526 have experimental evidence of binding pockets or are predicted to be tractable, and 341 have no existing tractability evidence, representing underexplored genes which may reveal novel biological insights and therapeutic opportunities. We present these candidate targets for exploration and prioritisation in a web application.

Negative intracellular regulators of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling as potential antitumor immunotherapy targets

Immunotherapy strategies aim to mobilize immune defenses against tumor cells by targeting mainly T cells. Co-inhibitory receptors or immune checkpoints (ICPs) (such as PD-1 and CTLA4) can limit T cell receptor (TCR) signal propagation in T cells. Antibody-based blocking of immune checkpoints (immune checkpoint inhibitors, ICIs) enable escape from ICP inhibition of TCR signaling. ICI therapies have significantly impacted the prognosis and survival of patients with cancer. However, many patients remain refractory to these treatments. Thus, alternative approaches for cancer immunotherapy are needed. In addition to membrane-associated inhibitory molecules, a growing number of intracellular molecules may also serve to downregulate signaling cascades triggered by TCR engagement. These molecules are known as intracellular immune checkpoints (iICPs). Blocking the expression or the activity of these intracellular negative signaling molecules is a novel field of action to boost T cell-mediated antitumor responses. This area is rapidly expanding. Indeed, more than 30 different potential iICPs have been identified. Over the past 5 years, several phase I/II clinical trials targeting iICPs in T cells have been registered. In this study, we summarize recent preclinical and clinical data demonstrating that immunotherapies targeting T cell iICPs can mediate regression of solid tumors including (membrane associated) immune-checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancers. Finally, we discuss how these iICPs are targeted and controlled. Thereby, iICP inhibition is a promising strategy opening new avenues for future cancer immunotherapy treatments.

Identifying novel genetic loci associated with polycystic ovary syndrome based on its shared genetic architecture with type 2 diabetes

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several common variants associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the etiology behind PCOS remains incomplete. Available evidence suggests a potential genetic correlation between PCOS and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The publicly available data may provide an opportunity to enhance the understanding of the PCOS etiology. Here, we quantified the polygenic overlap between PCOS and T2D using summary statistics of PCOS and T2D and then identified the novel genetic variants associated with PCOS behind this phenotypic association. A bivariate causal mixture model (MiXeR model) found a moderate genetic overlap between PCOS and T2D (Dice coefficient = 44.1% and after adjusting for body mass index, 32.1%). The conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate method identified 11 potential risk variants of PCOS conditional on associations with T2D, 9 of which were novel and 6 of which were jointly associated with two phenotypes. The functional annotation of these genetic variants supports a significant role for genes involved in lipid metabolism, immune response, and the insulin signaling pathway. An expression quantitative trait locus functionality analysis successfully repeated that 5 loci were significantly associated with the expression of candidate genes in many tissues, including the whole blood, subcutaneous adipose, adrenal gland, and cerebellum. We found that SCN2A gene is co-localized with PCOS in subcutaneous adipose using GWAS-eQTL co-localization analyses. A total of 11 candidate genes were differentially expressed in multiple tissues of the PCOS samples. These findings provide a new understanding of the shared genetic architecture between PCOS and T2D and the underlying molecular genetic mechanism of PCOS.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of imaging genetics studies of specific reading disorder

The imaging genetics of specific reading disabilities (SRD) is an emerging field that aims to characterize the disabilities' neurobiological causes, including atypical brain structure and function and distinct genetic architecture. The present review aimed to summarize current imaging genetics studies of SRD, characterize the effect sizes of reported results by calculating Cohen's d, complete a Fisher's Combined Probability Test for genes featured in multiple studies, and determine areas for future research. Results demonstrate associations between SRD risk genes and reading network brain phenotypes. The Fisher's test revealed promising results for the genes DCDC2, KIAA0319, FOXP2, SLC2A3, and ROBO1. Future research should focus on exploratory approaches to identify previously undiscovered genes. Using comprehensive neuroimaging (e.g., functional and effective connectivity) and genetic (e.g., sequencing and epigenetic) techniques, and using larger samples, diverse stages of development, and longitudinal investigations, would help researchers understand the neurobiological correlates of SRD to improve early identification.

Circulating plasmablasts and high level of BAFF are hallmarks of minimal change nephrotic syndrome in adults

BACKGROUND

The recent success achieved with the use of B cell-depleting agents in some patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) suggests an unexpected role for B lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of this immune-mediated glomerular disease. Nevertheless, no extensive B-cell phenotyping analysis has ever been performed in untreated adult patients soon after MCNS diagnosis.

METHODS

We investigated the distribution of the different B-cell subpopulations in 22 untreated adult patients with biopsy-proven MCNS [MCNS relapse (MCNS-Rel)]. We compared these data with those for 24 healthy controls, 13 MCNS patients in remission (with no specific treatment) and 19 patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).

RESULTS

Patients with MCNS-Rel or IMN had higher proteinuria and lower serum albumin and gammaglobulin levels (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons) than MCNS patients in remission. Plasmablasts were the only B-cell subsets present at significantly higher levels in MCNS-Rel patients than in the patients of the other three groups (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). The lower albumin levels and higher proteinuria levels were positively correlated with the percentage of circulating plasmablasts (Spearman test's ρ = -0.54, P = 0.01 and ρ = 0.65, P = 0.002, respectively). Similarly, the increase of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and the decrease of IgG levels were significantly associated with the percentage of plasmablasts in MCNS-Rel patients (Spearman's ρ = 0.36, P = 0.01 and Spearman's ρ = -0.60, P = 0.01, respectively). Increased production of interleukin (IL)-21, IL-6 and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in the serum of MCNS-Rel patients was found significantly correlated with the percentage of plasmablasts (ρ = 0.72, P = 0.0002, ρ = 0.49, P = 0.04 and ρ = 0.62, P = 0.009, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in the proportion of circulating plasmablasts seems to be a hallmark of untreated MCNS in adult patients. Further studies are required to more precisely determine the phenotype and functions of these cells.

CMIP SNPs and their haplotypes are associated with dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy

The relationship between serum lipid profiles and related clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and c-Maf-inducing protein (CMIP) gene polymorphisms is unclear. The present study was designed to examine the effect of CMIP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic features of IgAN. Clinical and pathological data from patients with IgAN diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were collected. DNA was extracted from blood samples. CMIP rs2925979 and CMIP rs16955379 genotypes were determined by PCR and direct sequencing. Among 543 patients, 281 had dyslipidaemia (51.7%). Compared with the non-dyslipidaemia group, the dyslipidaemia group exhibited higher blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and body mass index; higher prevalence of oedema, haematuria, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis; and lower albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate. In the dyslipidaemia group, the frequency of C allele carriers was higher than that of non-C allele carriers for rs16955379. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were associated with rs16955379C allele carriers. Apolipoprotein B was associated with A allele carriers of rs2925979. Linkage disequilibrium was observed between rs16955379 and rs2925979, and rs2925979G-rs16955379T was the most common haplotype. The frequencies of the four CMIP SNP haplotypes differed between dyslipidaemia and non-dyslipidaemia groups in IgAN (P<0.05, for all above). Dyslipidaemia is a common complication in IgAN patients, and those with dyslipidaemia present poor clinicopathologic features. CMIP SNPs and their haplotypes are closely correlated with the occurrence of dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic damage in IgAN patients.

The Enigmatic Emerging Role of the C-Maf Inducing Protein in Cancer

The C-Maf-Inducing protein (CMIP) was first described as overexpressed in T cell subpopulations of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) patients. Later, it was found concomitantly upregulated in podocytes. CMIP expression has also been reported in several types of cancer, including blood malignancies and solid tumors, in many cases accompanied by nephrotic syndrome. In addition to these observations, the duality of CMIP overexpression in the kidney and INS lesions, has been extensively reported as one of the adverse effects of anticancer therapy based on anti-receptor tyrosine kinase drugs. As a consequence, a growing body of evidence points at CMIP as playing a role in cancer. This includes its reciprocal regulatory ties with NF-κB and WT1, and the more recent reports showing an involvement in regulatory circuits in cancer cells. The ensemble of the current information justifies to propose CMIP as an important piece of the puzzle of biological systems involved in cancer and other diseases and its potential as a target.

Gangliosides in Podocyte Biology and Disease

Gangliosides constitute a subgroup of glycosphingolipids characterized by the presence of sialic acid residues in their structure. As constituents of cellular membranes, in particular of raft microdomains, they exert multiple functions, some of them capital in cell homeostasis. Their presence in cells is tightly regulated by a balanced expression and function of the enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis, ganglioside synthases, and their degradation, glycosidases. The dysregulation of their abundance results in rare and common diseases. In this review, we make a point on the relevance of gangliosides and some of their metabolic precursors, such as ceramides, in the function of podocytes, the main cellular component of the glomerular filtration barrier, as well as their implications in podocytopathies. The results presented in this review suggest the pertinence of clinical lipidomic studies targeting these metabolites.

FOXC1-induced LINC01123 acts as a mediator in triple negative breast cancer

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) representing a subclass of non-coding RNAs are dynamically expressed and participate in multiple pathological responses, whereas, the expression pattern or function of miRNAs has not been fully addressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Currently we concentrate on dissecting the probable role of microRNA-663a (miR-663a) in TNBC cellular processes.

Methods

qRT-PCR detected the expression of miR-663a in TNBC cells. Besides, we monitored the effects of miR-663a on TNBC proliferation and apoptosis. On the basis of bioinformatics assistance and mechanical validation, we identified the miRNA-sponging role of LINC01123 and downstream target of miR-663a in TNBC was assessed and verified. The transcription activation of was explored via ChIP and luciferase reporter assays.

Results

In comparison to MCF-10A, we certified the downregulation of miR-663a in TNBC cell lines. Augmentation of miR-663a was anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis in TNBC cell lines. LINC01123 protected CMIP against miR-663a suppression through acting as a sponge of miR-663a in TNBC. LINC01123 was transcriptionally induced by FOXC1. Rescue experiment proved that miR-663a suppression or CMIP (c-Maf inducing protein) enhancement could countervail LINC01123 depletion-mediated effects on TNBC cellular processes.

Conclusion

LINC01123, activated by FOXC1, regulated TNBC growth through miR-663a/CMIP signaling, which unveiled a new functional pathway of FOXC1-induced LINC01123/miR-663a/CMIP in TNBC.