GWAS of serum ALT and AST reveals an association of SLC30A10 Thr95Ile with hypermanganesemia symptoms

Enhancing stem cell therapy efficacy with functional lignin modified cerium-iron nanozyme through magnetic resonance imaging tracking and apoptosis protection in inflammatory environment

Stem cell transplantation provides a promising approach for addressing inflammation and functional disorders. Nonetheless, the viability of these transplanted cells diminishes significantly within pathological environments, limiting their therapeutic potential. Moreover, the non-invasive tracking of these cells in vivo remains a considerable challenge, hampering the assessment of their therapeutic efficacy. Transition-metal oxide nanocrystals, known for their unique "enzyme-like" catalytic property and imaging capability, provide a new avenue for clinical application. In this study, the lignin as a biocompatible macromolecule was modified with poly (ethylene glycol) through chain-transfer polymerization, and then it was utilized to incorporate superparamagnetic iron oxide and cerium oxide nanocrystals creating a functional nanozyme. The iron oxide nanocrystals self-assembled into the hydrophobic core of nano system, while the in-situ mineralization of cerium oxide particles was carried out with the assistance of peripheral phenolic hydroxyl groups. The product, cerium‑iron core-shell nanozyme, enabled effective stem cells labeling through endocytosis and exhibited catalase and superoxide dismutase activities within the cells. As a result, it could scavenge highly destructive hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals, shielding stem cells from apoptosis in inflammatory environment and maintaining their differentiation ability. Additionally, when these functionalized stem cells were administered to mice with acute inflammation, not only did they alleviate disease symptoms, but they also allowed for the visualization using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. This innovative therapeutic approach provides a new strategy for combatting diseases.

Impact of loss-of-function in angiopoietin-like 4 on the human phenome

BACKGROUND

Carriers of the E40K loss-of-function variant in Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), have lower plasma triglyceride levels as well as lower rates of coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). These genetic data suggest ANGPTL4 inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for cardiometabolic diseases. However, it is unknown whether the association between E40K and human diseases is due to linkage disequilibrium confounding. The broader impact of genetic ANGPTL4 inhibition is also unknown, raising uncertainties about the safety and validity of this target.

METHODS

To assess the impact of ANGPLT4 inhibition, we evaluated whether E40K and other loss-of-function variants in ANGPTL4 influenced a wide range of health markers and diseases using 29 publicly available genome-wide association meta-analyses of cardiometabolic traits and diseases, as well as 1589 diseases assessed in electronic health records within FinnGen (n = 309,154). To determine whether these relationships were likely causal, and not driven by other correlated variants, we used the Bayesian fine mapping algorithm CoPheScan.

RESULTS

The CoPheScan posterior probability of E40K being the causal variant for triglyceride levels was 99.99 %, validating the E40K to proxy lifelong lower activity of ANGPTL4. The E40K variant was associated with lower risk of CAD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84, 95 % CI = 0.81 to 0.87, p=3.6e-21) and T2D (OR = 0.91, 95 % CI = 0.87 to 0.95, p=2.8e-05) in GWAS meta-analyses, with results replicated in FinnGen. These significant results were also replicated using other rare loss-of-function variants identified through whole exome sequencing in 488,278 participants of the UK Biobank. Using a Mendelian randomization study design, the E40K variant effect on cardiometabolic diseases was concordant with lipoprotein lipase enhancement (r = 0.82), but not hepatic lipase enhancement (r = -0.10), suggesting that ANGPTL4 effects on cardiometabolic diseases are potentially mainly mediated through lipoprotein lipase. After correction for multiple testing, the E40K variant did not significantly increase the risk of any of the 1589 diseases tested in FinnGen.

CONCLUSIONS

ANGPTL4 inhibition may represent a potentially safe and effective target for cardiometabolic diseases prevention or treatment.

Telomere length and risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cholangiocarcinoma in 63,272 individuals from the general population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inherited short telomeres are associated with a risk of liver disease, whereas longer telomeres predispose to cancer. The association between telomere length and risk of HCC and cholangiocarcinoma remains unknown.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We measured leukocyte telomere length using multiplex PCR in 63,272 individuals from the Danish general population. Telomere length and plasma ALT concentration were not associated (β = 4 ×10 -6 , p -value = 0.06) in a linear regression model, without any signs of a nonlinear relationship. We tested the association between telomere length and risk of cirrhosis, HCC, and cholangiocarcinoma using Cox regression. During a median follow-up of 11 years, 241, 76, and 112 individuals developed cirrhosis, HCC, and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively. Telomere length and risk of cirrhosis were inversely and linearly associated ( p -value = 0.004, p for nonlinearity = 0.27). Individuals with telomeres in the shortest vs. longest quartile had a 2.25-fold higher risk of cirrhosis. Telomere length and risk of HCC were nonlinearly associated ( p -value = 0.009, p -value for nonlinearity = 0.01). This relationship resembled an inverted J-shape, with the highest risk observed in individuals with short telomeres. Individuals with telomeres in the shortest versus longest quartile had a 2.29-fold higher risk of HCC. Telomere length was inversely and linearly associated with the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Individuals with telomeres in the shortest versus longest quartile had a 1.86-fold higher risk of cholangiocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Shorter telomere length is associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis, HCC, and cholangiocarcinoma.

AAV-mediated hepatic expression of SLC30A10 and the Thr95Ile variant attenuates manganese excess and other phenotypes in Slc30a10-deficient mice

The manganese (Mn) export protein SLC30A10 is essential for Mn excretion via the liver and intestines. Patients with SLC30A10 deficiency develop Mn excess, dystonia, liver disease, and polycythemia. Recent genome-wide association studies revealed a link between the SLC30A10 variant T95I and markers of liver disease. The in vivo relevance of this variant has yet to be investigated. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we explore the impact of the T95I variant on SLC30A10 function. While SLC30A10 I95 expressed at lower levels than T95 in transfected cell lines, both T95 and I95 variants protected cells similarly from Mn-induced toxicity. Adeno-associated virus 8-mediated expression of T95 or I95 SLC30A10 using the liver-specific thyroxine binding globulin promoter normalized liver Mn levels in mice with hepatocyte Slc30a10 deficiency. Furthermore, Adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of T95 or I95 SLC30A10 normalized red blood cell parameters and body weights and attenuated Mn levels and differential gene expression in livers and brains of mice with whole body Slc30a10 deficiency. While our in vivo data do not indicate that the T95I variant significantly compromises SLC30A10 function, it does reinforce the notion that the liver is a key site of SLC30A10 function. It also supports the idea that restoration of hepatic SLC30A10 expression is sufficient to attenuate phenotypes in SLC30A10 deficiency.

Manganese Exacerbates ConA-Induced Liver Inflammation via the cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway

There is a potential association between the dysregulation of trace elements and impaired liver function. Elevated levels of manganese, an essential metal ion, have been observed in liver-related diseases, and excessive intake of manganese can worsen liver damage. However, the specific mechanisms underlying manganese-induced liver injury are not well understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of excess manganese on autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and elucidate its mechanisms. Our findings revealed that manganese exacerbates liver damage under ConA-induced inflammatory conditions. Transcriptomic and experimental data suggested that manganese enhances inflammatory signaling and contributes to the inflammatory microenvironment in the liver of AIH mice. Further investigations demonstrated that manganese exacerbates liver injury by activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and its downstream pro-inflammatory factors such as IFN[Formula: see text], IFN[Formula: see text], TNF[Formula: see text], and IL-6 in the liver of AIH mice. These results suggest that manganese overload promotes the progression of AIH by activating cGAS-STING-mediated inflammation, providing a new perspective for the treatment and prognosis of AIH.

The nanoprodrug of polytemozolomide combines with MGMT siRNA to enhance the effect of temozolomide in glioma

Temozolomide (TMZ) is a conventional chemotherapeutic drug for glioma, however, its clinical application and efficacy is severely restricted by its drug resistance properties. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA repair enzyme, which can repair the DNA damage caused by TMZ. A large number of clinical data show that reducing the expression of MGMT can enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy of TMZ. Therefore, in order to improve the resistance of glioma to TMZ, an angiopep-2 (A2) modified nanoprodrug of polytemozolomide (P(TMZ)n) that combines with MGMT siRNA (siMGMT) targeting MGMT was developed (A2/T/D/siMGMT). It not only increased the amount of TMZ within tumor lesion site, but also reduced MGMT expression in glioma. The in vitro experiments indicated that the A2/T/D/siMGMT effectively enhanced the cellular uptake of TMZ and siMGMT, and resulted in a significant cell apoptosis and cytotoxicity in the glioma cells. The in vivo experiments showed that glioma growth was inhibited and the survival time of animals were prolonged remarkably after A2/T/D/siMGMT was injected via tail vein. The results showed that the therapeutic effect of A2/T/D/siMGMT in the treatment of glioma was significantly improved.

The body mass index increases the genetic risk scores' ability to predict risk of hepatic damage in European adolescents: The HELENA study

BACKGROUND

Hepatic disorders are often complex and multifactorial, modulated by genetic and environmental determinants. During the last years, the hepatic disease has been progressively established from early stages in life. The use of genetic risk scores (GRS) to predict the genetic susceptibility to a particular phenotype among youth has gained interest in recent years. Moreover, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) blood biomarker is often considered as hepatic screening tool, in combination with imaging techniques. The aim of the present study was to develop an ALT-specific GRS to help in the evaluation of hepatic damage risk in European adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 972 adolescents (51.3% females), aged 12.5-17.5 years, from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study were included in the analyses. The sample incorporated adolescents in all body mass index (BMI) categories and was divided considering healthy/unhealthy ALT levels, using sex-specific cut-off points. From 1212 a priori ALT-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) extracted from candidate gene selection, a first screening of 234 SNPs univariately associated was established, selecting seven significant SNPs (p < .05) in the multivariate model. An unweighted GRS (uGRS) was developed by summing the number of reference alleles, and a weighted GRS (wGRS), by multiplying each allele to its estimated coefficient.

RESULTS

The uGRS and wGRS were significantly associated with ALT (p < .001). The area under curve was obtained integrating BMI as clinical factor, improving the predictive ability for uGRS (.7039) and wGRS (.7035), using 10-fold internal cross-validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering BMI status, both GRSs could contribute as complementary tools to help in the early diagnosis of hepatic damage risk in European adolescents.

Disentangling the impact of gluteofemoral versus visceral fat accumulation on cardiometabolic health using sex-stratified Mendelian randomization

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Individuals with a higher abdominal adipose tissue accumulation are at higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. For a given body mass index (BMI), women typically present lower abdominal adipose tissue accumulation compared to men. Whether abdominal adiposity is a causal driver of cardiometabolic risk, or a mere marker of ectopic fat deposition is debated.

METHODS

We investigated the sex-specific and sex-combined impact of height and BMI-adjusted gluteofemoral adipose tissue (GFATadj) adjusted abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASATadj) and adjusted visceral adipose tissue (VATadj) on cardiometabolic traits and diseases using Mendelian randomization.

RESULTS

Leveraging genome-wide summary statistics on GFATadj, ASATadj and VATadj from 39,076 UK Biobank participants with full-body magnetic resonance imaging available, we found that GFATadj is associated with a more favourable cardiometabolic risk profile including lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, liver enzyme levels and blood pressure as well as higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. GFATadj also is negatively associated with ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ASATadj is not associated with cardiometabolic traits and diseases, whereas VATadj is associated with liver fat accumulation but not with NAFLD or other cardiometabolic traits or diseases. Although the absolute effect sizes of GFATadj on LDL cholesterol were more pronounced in women compared to men, most associations did not differ by sex.

CONCLUSIONS

The inability of subcutaneous fat depots to efficiently store energy substrates could be the causal factor underlying the association of visceral lipid deposition with cardiometabolic health.

Genome mining yields putative disease-associated ROMK variants with distinct defects

Bartter syndrome is a group of rare genetic disorders that compromise kidney function by impairing electrolyte reabsorption. Left untreated, the resulting hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and dehydration can be fatal, and there is currently no cure. Bartter syndrome type II specifically arises from mutations in KCNJ1, which encodes the renal outer medullary potassium channel, ROMK. Over 40 Bartter syndrome-associated mutations in KCNJ1 have been identified, yet their molecular defects are mostly uncharacterized. Nevertheless, a subset of disease-linked mutations compromise ROMK folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which in turn results in premature degradation via the ER associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. To identify uncharacterized human variants that might similarly lead to premature degradation and thus disease, we mined three genomic databases. First, phenotypic data in the UK Biobank were analyzed using a recently developed computational platform to identify individuals carrying KCNJ1 variants with clinical features consistent with Bartter syndrome type II. In parallel, we examined genomic data in both the NIH TOPMed and ClinVar databases with the aid of Rhapsody, a verified computational algorithm that predicts mutation pathogenicity and disease severity. Subsequent phenotypic studies using a yeast screen to assess ROMK function-and analyses of ROMK biogenesis in yeast and human cells-identified four previously uncharacterized mutations. Among these, one mutation uncovered from the two parallel approaches (G228E) destabilized ROMK and targeted it for ERAD, resulting in reduced cell surface expression. Another mutation (T300R) was ERAD-resistant, but defects in channel activity were apparent based on two-electrode voltage clamp measurements in X. laevis oocytes. Together, our results outline a new computational and experimental pipeline that can be applied to identify disease-associated alleles linked to a range of other potassium channels, and further our understanding of the ROMK structure-function relationship that may aid future therapeutic strategies to advance precision medicine.

Intestinal Microbiomics and Metabolomics Insights into the Hepatoprotective Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei CCFM1222 Against the Acute Liver Injury in Mice

In recent years, acute liver injury (ALI) has received wide-range attention in the world due to its relatively high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective effect of Lactobacillus paracasei CCFM1222 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice and further elaborate its mechanism of action from the perspective of intestinal microbiomics and metabolomics. The results displayed that L. paracasei CCFM1222 pretreatment significantly decreased the serum ALT, and AST levels, inhibited the releases of hepatic TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, and activated the SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities in LPS-treated mice. The cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) levels were increased in LPS-treated mice with L. paracasei CCFM1222 pretreatment. In addition, L. paracasei CCFM1222 pretreatment remarkably shifted the intestinal microbiota composition, including the higher abundance of Faecalibaculum, Bifidobacterium, and lower abundance of the Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group, which is positively associated with the cecal propionic, butyric, valeric, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids. The metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF/MS revealed that L. paracasei CCFM1222 pretreatment significantly regulated the composition of feces metabolites in LPS-treated mice, especially the potential biomarker-related butanoate metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, caffeine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, arginine, and proline metabolism. Moreover, L. paracasei CCFM1222 pretreatment remarkably regulated the expression of gene-associated ALI (including Tlr4, Myd88, Nf-kβ, iNOS, Cox2, Iκ-Bα, Nrf2, and Sirt-1). In conclusion, these results suggest the possibility that L. paracasei CCFM1222 supplementation has beneficial effects on preventing the occurrence and development of ALI by inhibiting the inflammatory responses and altering intestinal microbiota composition and their metabolites.

Lipid droplet biogenesis and functions in health and disease

Ubiquitous yet unique, lipid droplets are intracellular organelles that are increasingly being recognized for their versatility beyond energy storage. Advances uncovering the intricacies of their biogenesis and the diversity of their physiological and pathological roles have yielded new insights into lipid droplet biology. Despite these insights, the mechanisms governing the biogenesis and functions of lipid droplets remain incompletely understood. Moreover, the causal relationship between the biogenesis and function of lipid droplets and human diseases is poorly resolved. Here, we provide an update on the current understanding of the biogenesis and functions of lipid droplets in health and disease, highlighting a key role for lipid droplet biogenesis in alleviating cellular stresses. We also discuss therapeutic strategies of targeting lipid droplet biogenesis, growth or degradation that could be applied in the future to common diseases, such as cancer, hepatic steatosis and viral infection.

CsPbBr3 and Cs4PbBr6 perovskite light-emitting diodes using a thermally evaporated host-dopant system

This article shows the results of fabricating a device through vacuum deposition by synthesizing a perovskite thin film in the powder form. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated using a single-source and host-dopant system of the perovskite produced in the powder form. Both CsPbBr₃ and Cs₄PbBr₆ used in the host-dopant system were green, and the host was tris(8-quinolinolato) aluminum(III). It is confirmed that the display efficiency and optical characteristics are significantly improved by the dopant ratio. The 3%-doped CsPbBr₃ based LED shows a luminance of 9083 cd m^-2, 3.36% external quantum efficiency (EQE), and 96% photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) efficiency (for the undoped CsPbBr₃ LED, luminance: 844 cd m^-2/EQE: 1.93%/PLQY: 85%). The LED based on 5%-doped Cs₄PbBr₆ shows a luminance of 11 440 cd m^-2, an EQE of 6.27%, and 99% PLQY efficiency (for the undoped Cs₄PbBr₆ LED, luminance:1113 cd m^-2/EQE: 1.64%/PLQY: 93%). It is expected that the results of this research will contribute to the perovskite LED research performed by thermal evaporation in the future.

Genome mining yields new disease-associated ROMK variants with distinct defects

Bartter syndrome is a group of rare genetic disorders that compromise kidney function by impairing electrolyte reabsorption. Left untreated, the resulting hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and dehydration can be fatal. Although there is no cure for this disease, specific genes that lead to different Bartter syndrome subtypes have been identified. Bartter syndrome type II specifically arises from mutations in the KCNJ1 gene, which encodes the renal outer medullary potassium channel, ROMK. To date, over 40 Bartter syndrome-associated mutations in KCNJ1 have been identified. Yet, their molecular defects are mostly uncharacterized. Nevertheless, a subset of disease-linked mutations compromise ROMK folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which in turn results in premature degradation via the ER associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. To identify uncharacterized human variants that might similarly lead to premature degradation and thus disease, we mined three genomic databases. First, phenotypic data in the UK Biobank were analyzed using a recently developed computational platform to identify individuals carrying KCNJ1 variants with clinical features consistent with Bartter syndrome type II. In parallel, we examined ROMK genomic data in both the NIH TOPMed and ClinVar databases with the aid of a computational algorithm that predicts protein misfolding and disease severity. Subsequent phenotypic studies using a high throughput yeast screen to assess ROMK function-and analyses of ROMK biogenesis in yeast and human cells-identified four previously uncharacterized mutations. Among these, one mutation uncovered from the two parallel approaches (G228E) destabilized ROMK and targeted it for ERAD, resulting in reduced protein expression at the cell surface. Another ERAD-targeted ROMK mutant (L320P) was found in only one of the screens. In contrast, another mutation (T300R) was ERAD-resistant, but defects in ROMK activity were apparent after expression and two-electrode voltage clamp measurements in Xenopus oocytes. Together, our results outline a new computational and experimental pipeline that can be applied to identify disease-associated alleles linked to a range of other potassium channels, and further our understanding of the ROMK structure-function relationship that may aid future therapeutic strategies.

Author Summary

Bartter syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by defective renal electrolyte handing, leading to debilitating symptoms and, in some patients, death in infancy. Currently, there is no cure for this disease. Bartter syndrome is divided into five types based on the causative gene. Bartter syndrome type II results from genetic variants in the gene encoding the ROMK protein, which is expressed in the kidney and assists in regulating sodium, potassium, and water homeostasis. Prior work established that some disease-associated ROMK mutants misfold and are destroyed soon after their synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Because a growing number of drugs have been identified that correct defective protein folding, we wished to identify an expanded cohort of similarly misshapen and unstable disease-associated ROMK variants. To this end, we developed a pipeline that employs computational analyses of human genome databases with genetic and biochemical assays. Next, we both confirmed the identity of known variants and uncovered previously uncharacterized ROMK variants associated with Bartter syndrome type II. Further analyses indicated that select mutants are targeted for ER-associated degradation, while another mutant compromises ROMK function. This work sets-the-stage for continued mining for ROMK loss of function alleles as well as other potassium channels, and positions select Bartter syndrome mutations for correction using emerging pharmaceuticals.

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Oligopeptides Alleviate Alcohol-Induced Acute Liver Injury through the Inhibition of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rats

The study was aimed at investigating the effects of walnut oligopeptides (WOPs) on alcohol-induced acute liver injury and its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control, alcohol control, whey protein (440 mg/kg.bw), and three WOPs (220 mg/kg.bw, 440 mg/kg.bw, 880 mg/kg.bw) groups. After 30 days of gavage, ethanol with a volume fraction of 50%, administered at a dose of 7 g/kg.bw., caused acute liver injury. A righting reflex experiment and a blood ethanol concentration evaluation were then performed. Serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory cytokines, liver alcohol metabolism enzymes, oxidative stress biomarkers, liver nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB p65), and cytochrome P4502E1 expression were determined. The results revealed that the intervention of 440 mg/kg and 880 mg/kg WOPs could alleviate the degree of intoxication, decrease blood ethanol concentration, alleviate alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis, enhance the activity of hepatic ethanol metabolizing enzymes and antioxidant capacity, reduce lipid oxidation products and pro-inflammatory factor contents, and inhibit the expression of NF-κBp65 in the livers of rats. The outcomes of the study suggest that WOPs have beneficial effects on liver damage caused by acute ethanol binge drinking, with the high-dose WOPs (880 mg/kg.bw) exerting the most pronounced hepatoprotective effect.

Cascade-Responsive 2-DG Nanocapsules Encapsulate aV-siCPT1C Conjugates to Inhibit Glioblastoma through Multiple Inhibition of Energy Metabolism

Aerobic glycolysis is the primary energy supply mode for glioblastoma (GBM) cells to maintain growth and proliferation. However, due to the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, GBM can still produce energy through fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and amino acid metabolism after blocking this metabolic pathway. In addition, GBM can provide a steady stream of nutrients through high-density neovascularization, which puts the block energy metabolism therapy for glioma in the situation of "internal and external problems". Herein, based on the abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in the tumor microenvironment and cytoplasm, we successfully designed and developed a cascade-responsive 2-DG nanocapsule delivery system. This nanocapsule contains a conjugate of anti-VEGFR2 monoclonal antibody (aV) and CPT1C siRNA (siCPT1C) linked by a disulfide cross-linker (aV-siCPT1C). The surface of this nanocapsule (2-DG/aV-siCPT1C NC) is loaded with the glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG, and it utilizes GLUT1, which is highly expressed on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and GBM cells, to effectively penetrate the BBB and target GBM. The nanocapsule realizes multidrug codelivery, jointly blocks glycolysis and FAO of GBM, and reduces angiogenesis. Meanwhile, it also solves the problems of low delivery efficiency of mAb in the central nervous system (CNS) and easy degradation of siRNA. In general, this drug joint delivery strategy could open up a new avenue for the treatment of GBM.

Manganese efflux transporter SLC30A10 missense polymorphism T95I associated with liver injury retains manganese efflux activity

The activity of the manganese (Mn) efflux transporter SLC30A10 in the liver and intestines is critical for Mn excretion and preventing Mn toxicity. Homozygous loss-of-function mutations in SLC30A10 are a well-established cause of hereditary Mn toxicity. But, the relationship between more common SLC30A10 polymorphisms, Mn homeostasis, and disease is only recently emerging. In 2021, the first coding SNP in SLC30A10 (T95I) was associated with liver disease raising the hypothesis that the T95I substitution may induce disease by inhibiting the Mn efflux function of SLC30A10. Here, we test this hypothesis using structural, viability, and metal quantification approaches. Analyses of a predicted structure of SLC30A10 revealed that the side chain of T95 pointed away from the putative Mn-binding cavity, raising doubts about the impact of the T95I substitution on SLC30A10 function. In HeLa or HepG2 cells, overexpression of SLC30A10-WT or T95I resulted in comparable reductions of intracellular Mn levels and protection against Mn-induced cell death. Furthermore, ΔSLC30A10 HepG2 cells, generated using CRISPR/Cas9, exhibited elevated Mn levels and heightened sensitivity to Mn-induced cell death, and these phenotypic changes were similarly rescued by expression of SLC30A10-WT or T95I. Finally, turnover rates of SLC30A10-WT or T95I were also comparable. In summary, our results indicate that the Mn transport activity of SLC30A10-T95I is essentially comparable to the WT protein. Our findings imply that SLC30A10-T95I either has a complex association with liver injury that extends beyond the simple reduction in SLC30A10 activity or alternatively the T95I mutation lacks a causal role in liver disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that the T95I polymorphism in the manganese transporter SLC30A10, which has been associated with liver disease in human GWAS studies, does not impact transporter function in cell culture. These findings raise doubts about the causal relationship of the T95I polymorphism with human disease and highlight the importance of validating GWAS findings using mechanistic approaches.

Insight into genetic, biological, and environmental determinants of sexual-dimorphism in type 2 diabetes and glucose-related traits

There is growing evidence that sex and gender differences play an important role in risk and pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Men develop T2D earlier than women, even though there is more obesity in young women than men. This difference in T2D prevalence is attenuated after the menopause. However, not all women are equally protected against T2D before the menopause, and gestational diabetes represents an important risk factor for future T2D. Biological mechanisms underlying sex and gender differences on T2D physiopathology are not yet fully understood. Sex hormones affect behavior and biological changes, and can have implications on lifestyle; thus, both sex-specific environmental and biological risk factors interact within a complex network to explain the differences in T2D risk and physiopathology in men and women. In addition, lifetime hormone fluctuations and body changes due to reproductive factors are generally more dramatic in women than men (ovarian cycle, pregnancy, and menopause). Progress in genetic studies and rodent models have significantly advanced our understanding of the biological pathways involved in the physiopathology of T2D. However, evidence of the sex-specific effects on genetic factors involved in T2D is still limited, and this gap of knowledge is even more important when investigating sex-specific differences during the life course. In this narrative review, we will focus on the current state of knowledge on the sex-specific effects of genetic factors associated with T2D over a lifetime, as well as the biological effects of these different hormonal stages on T2D risk. We will also discuss how biological insights from rodent models complement the genetic insights into the sex-dimorphism effects on T2D. Finally, we will suggest future directions to cover the knowledge gaps.

Germline Mutations in CIDEB and Protection against Liver Disease

BACKGROUND

Exome sequencing in hundreds of thousands of persons may enable the identification of rare protein-coding genetic variants associated with protection from human diseases like liver cirrhosis, providing a strategy for the discovery of new therapeutic targets.

METHODS

We performed a multistage exome sequencing and genetic association analysis to identify genes in which rare protein-coding variants were associated with liver phenotypes. We conducted in vitro experiments to further characterize associations.

RESULTS

The multistage analysis involved 542,904 persons with available data on liver aminotransferase levels, 24,944 patients with various types of liver disease, and 490,636 controls without liver disease. We found that rare coding variants in APOB, ABCB4, SLC30A10, and TM6SF2 were associated with increased aminotransferase levels and an increased risk of liver disease. We also found that variants in CIDEB, which encodes a structural protein found in hepatic lipid droplets, had a protective effect. The burden of rare predicted loss-of-function variants plus missense variants in CIDEB (combined carrier frequency, 0.7%) was associated with decreased alanine aminotransferase levels (beta per allele, -1.24 U per liter; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.66 to -0.83; P = 4.8×10^-9) and with 33% lower odds of liver disease of any cause (odds ratio per allele, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.79; P = 9.9×10^-7). Rare coding variants in CIDEB were associated with a decreased risk of liver disease across different underlying causes and different degrees of severity, including cirrhosis of any cause (odds ratio per allele, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.70). Among 3599 patients who had undergone bariatric surgery, rare coding variants in CIDEB were associated with a decreased nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (beta per allele in score units, -0.98; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.41 [scores range from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating more severe disease]). In human hepatoma cell lines challenged with oleate, CIDEB small interfering RNA knockdown prevented the buildup of large lipid droplets.

CONCLUSIONS

Rare germline mutations in CIDEB conferred substantial protection from liver disease. (Funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.).

A rare genetic variant in the manganese transporter SLC30A10 and elevated liver enzymes in the general population

BACKGROUND

A genetic variant in the manganese transporter SLC30A10 (rs188273166, p.Thr95Ile) was associated with increased plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) in a recent genome-wide association study in the UK Biobank (UKB). The aims of the present study were to test the association of rs188273166 with ALT in an independent cohort, and to begin to assess the clinical, hepatic, and biochemical phenotypes associated with the variant.

METHODS

We included n = 334,886 white participants from UKB, including 14,462 with hepatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and n = 113,612 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study and the Copenhagen General Population Study combined.

RESULTS

Genotyping SLC30A10 p.Thr95Ile identified 816 heterozygotes in the UKB and 111 heterozygotes in the Copenhagen cohort. Compared to noncarriers, heterozygotes had 4 and 5 U/L higher levels of ALT in the UKB and Copenhagen cohort, respectively, and 3 U/L higher plasma aspartate transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in the UKB. Heterozygotes also had higher corrected T1 on liver MRI, a marker of hepatic inflammation (p = 4 × 10-7), but no change in MRI-quantified steatosis (p = 0.57). Plasma manganese was within the normal range in nine heterozygotes that provided new blood samples. SLC30A10 p.Thr95Ile heterozygotes had an eightfold increased risk of biliary tract cancer in UKB (p = 4 × 10-7), but this association was not replicated in the Copenhagen cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

SLC30A10 p.Thr95Ile was associated with elevated liver enzymes in two large general population cohorts, and with MRI-quantified hepatic inflammation. A rare genetic variant (p.Thr95Ile) in the manganese transporter SLC30A10 is associated with elevated plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and higher corrected T1 on liver MRI, markers of liver inflammation. These data support that the variant may increase the risk of liver disease.

Genome-wide association studies of metabolites in Finnish men identify disease-relevant loci

Few studies have explored the impact of rare variants (minor allele frequency < 1%) on highly heritable plasma metabolites identified in metabolomic screens. The Finnish population provides an ideal opportunity for such explorations, given the multiple bottlenecks and expansions that have shaped its history, and the enrichment for many otherwise rare alleles that has resulted. Here, we report genetic associations for 1391 plasma metabolites in 6136 men from the late-settlement region of Finland. We identify 303 novel association signals, more than one third at variants rare or enriched in Finns. Many of these signals identify genes not previously implicated in metabolite genome-wide association studies and suggest mechanisms for diseases and disease-related traits.

Fluoride exposure induces mitochondrial damage and mitophagy via activation of the IL-17A pathway in hepatocytes

As an environmental toxicant, the damage of fluoride to the body has attracted global attention. Because liver is an essential organ for fluoride accumulation and damage. Our previous studies revealed fluoride-induced hepatic injury through interleukin 17A (IL-17A) pathway, but the underlying cellular mechanism remains unclear. Hence, this research explored the mechanism of IL-17A pathway and mitophagy in fluoride-induced liver injury through the use of the mice fluorosis model, IL-17A addition fluorosis cell model, IL-17A gene knockout mice fluorosis model, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence double staining, ELISA, western blotting, and other techniques. The results showed that fluoride reduced the bodyweight and liver coefficient, increased the bone fluoride content, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) levels, caspase 8 and caspase 9 activities, and induced liver morphology and ultrastructure damage. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of IL-17A pathway key proteins, IL-17A, IL-17R, and Act1 were increased, but IκB was decreased after fluoride exposure. In addition, fluoride exposure elevated the mitochondrial depolarization percent, the mitochondria damage, the fluorescent spots of mitophagy, and the LC3II/LC3I protein relative expression level. To further verify the role of the IL-17A pathway in fluoride-induced hepatocyte mitochondrial damage and mitophagy disorder, the IL-17A was added and knocked out in cells of animals. The results showed that the addition of IL-17A aggravated fluoride-induced liver morphology and functional damage, activation of the IL-17A pathway, mitochondrial injury, and mitophagy, but the IL-17A knockout mitigated fluoride-induced changes. These results suggested that fluoride exposure induced mitochondrial damage and mitophagy through the IL-17A pathway in hepatocytes.

Nano-metal-organic-frameworks for treating H2O2-Secreting bacteria alleviate pulmonary injury and prevent systemic sepsis

As a vital bacteria-secreted toxin, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can destroy infected tissues and increase vascular permeability, leading to life-threatening systemic bacteremia or sepsis. No strategy that can alleviate H₂O₂-induced injury and prevent systemic sepsis has been reported. Herein, as a proof of concept, we demonstrate the use of H₂O₂-reactive metal-organic framework nanosystems (MOFs) for treating H₂O₂-secreting bacteria. In mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) isolated from patients, MOFs efficiently accumulate in the lungs after systemic administration due to infection-induced alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction. Moreover, MOFs sequester pneumococcal H₂O₂, reduce endothelial DNA damage, and prevent systemic dissemination of bacteria. In addition, this nanosystem exhibits excellent chemodynamic bactericidal effects against drug-resistant bacteria. Through synergistic therapy with the antibiotic ampicillin, MOFs eliminate over 98% of invading S. pneumoniae, resulting in a survival rate of greater than 90% in mice infected with a lethal dose of S. pneumoniae. This work opens up new paths for the clinical treatment of toxin-secreting bacteria.