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Coni P, Pichiri G, Lachowicz JI, Ravarino A, Ledda F, Fanni D, Gerosa C, Piras M, Coghe F, Gibo Y, Cau F, Castagnola M, Van Eyken P, Saba L, Piludu M, Faa G. Zinc as a Drug for Wilson's Disease, Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease and COVID-19-Related Liver Injury. Molecules 2021; 26:6614. [PMID: 34771023 PMCID: PMC8587580 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the human body, and it plays a fundamental role in human physiology, being an integral component of hundreds of enzymes and transcription factors. The discovery that zinc atoms may compete with copper for their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract let to introduce zinc in the therapy of Wilson's disease, a congenital disorder of copper metabolism characterized by a systemic copper storage. Nowadays, zinc salts are considered one of the best therapeutic approach in patients affected by Wilson's disease. On the basis of the similarities, at histological level, between Wilson's disease and non-alcoholic liver disease, zinc has been successfully introduced in the therapy of non-alcoholic liver disease, with positive effects both on insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Recently, zinc deficiency has been indicated as a possible factor responsible for the susceptibility of elderly patients to undergo infection by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we present the data correlating zinc deficiency with the insurgence and progression of Covid-19 with low zinc levels associated with severe disease states. Finally, the relevance of zinc supplementation in aged people at risk for SARS-CoV-2 is underlined, with the aim that the zinc-based drug, classically used in the treatment of copper overload, might be recorded as one of the tools reducing the mortality of COVID-19, particularly in elderly people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Coni
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppina Pichiri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Joanna Izabela Lachowicz
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Alberto Ravarino
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Francesca Ledda
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Daniela Fanni
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Clara Gerosa
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Monica Piras
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Ferdinando Coghe
- Dipartimento Servizi di Diagnosi e Cura, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari (A.O.U.), University of Cagliari, 09024 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Yukio Gibo
- Hepatology Clinic, 1-34-20 Muraimachiminami, Matsumoto, Nagano 399-0036, Japan;
| | - Flaviana Cau
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Massimo Castagnola
- Laboratorio di Proteomica e Metabonomica-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00013 Rome, Italy;
| | - Peter Van Eyken
- Department of Pathology, Genk Regional Ziekenhuis, 3600 Genk, Belgium;
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari—Polo di Monserrato s.s. 554, 09045 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Marco Piludu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Gavino Faa
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (A.R.); (F.L.); (D.F.); (C.G.); (M.P.); (F.C.); (G.F.)
- UOC Anatomia Patologica, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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Hu PS, Wang YC, Liao CH, Hsia NY, Wu MF, Yang JS, Yu CC, Chang WS, Bau DAT, Tsai CW. The Association of MMP7 Genotype With Pterygium. In Vivo 2020; 34:51-56. [PMID: 31882462 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM In literature, few studies have examined the diagnostic or prognostic potential of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in pterygium, whose formation and progression are closely related to imbalance in the extracellular microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the contribution of MMP7 promoter (A-181G and C-153T) polymorphic genotypes to pterygium risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 134 cases and 268 controls were collected and their MMP7 genotypes at A-181G and C-153T were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology. RESULTS The AA, AG and GG genotypes at MMP7 promoter A-181G were non-significantly differentially distributed between the two groups at 85.8, 11.2 and 3.0%, respectively, in pterygium cases and 88.4, 9.7 and 1.9% in controls, respectively (p for trend=0.6822). There was no polymorphic genotype for MMP7 C-153T among our Taiwanese cohort. CONCLUSION A-181G and C-153T genotypes at MMP7 do not have a direct role in determining Taiwanese susceptibility to pterygium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shin Hu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yun-Chi Wang
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Cheng-Hsi Liao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ning-Yi Hsia
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Ophthalmology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Meng-Feng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jai-Sing Yang
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chien-Chih Yu
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Shin Chang
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
| | - DA-Tian Bau
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. .,Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chia-Wen Tsai
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
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Maxia C, Murtas D, Isola M, Tamma R, Zucca I, Piras F, Ribatti D, Diana A, Perra MT. Immunophenotypic characterization of telocyte-like cells in pterygium. Mol Vis 2018; 24:853-866. [PMID: 30713424 PMCID: PMC6334986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Telocytes (TCs) are peculiar interstitial cells, characterized by their typical elongated and interconnected processes called telopodes. TCs are supposed to contribute to maintain tissue homeostasis but also to be involved in the pathophysiology of many disorders. The aim of the study was to identify TCs in pterygium, a chronic condition of bulbar conjunctiva, and to examine possible differences in TCs in terms of immunophenotype and/or localization between pterygium and normal conjunctiva, to evaluate the possible involvement of TCs in pathogenesis of pterygium. Methods The analysis of the immunophenotype of TCs was performed on a group of 40 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded primary pterygium and ten bulbar conjunctiva samples. We examined with immunohistochemistry the expression of 11 commercially available antibodies (PDGFRα, CD34, c-kit, nestin, vimentin, α-SMA, laminin, S100, VEGF, CD133, and CD31) and with double immunofluorescence the concomitant expression of PDGFRα and CD34, and PDGFRα and nestin. In addition, we performed an ultrastructural study with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on a group of five pterygium and three conjunctiva biopsy specimens. Results TCs, ultrastructurally identified according to their "moniliform" prolongations, were localized underneath the epithelium along the basement membrane, around the vessels, and near the nerves and scattered in the stroma. In contrast, TCs, as fibroblasts, were almost absent in the fibrotic areas. In pterygium and normal conjunctiva, the TCs shared the same distribution pattern, except a marked TC hyperplasia detected in pterygium. Moreover, in pterygium, the immunohistochemical analysis of TCs showed a strong immunoreactivity to PDGFRα, CD34, and nestin. This result was confirmed with double immunofluorescence labeling, revealing that in pterygium stromal TCs always showed a PDGFRα+/nestin+ and PDGFRα+/CD34+ immunophenotype. Furthermore, moderate staining to vimentin and VEGF was detected, but only a small number of cells were weakly immunoreactive to laminin and S100. Only adventitial TCs of the perivascular sheaths exhibited strong immunoreactivity to α-SMA. Conversely, despite showing mild immunoreactivity to PDGFRα and CD34, the TCs in normal conjunctiva did not show any immunoreactivity to nestin and VEGF. Moreover, in pterygium and conjunctiva, the TCs were always negative for c-kit. Conclusions Because of the distribution and immunophenotype, TCs in pterygium may represent a subpopulation of relatively immature cells with regenerative potential. In addition, the expression of nestin may suggest possible involvement of TCs as active players in the regeneration of ultraviolet-damaged stroma and vascular remodeling. The fibrotic transformation in the cicatricial area may stand for a breakdown of the regenerative process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maxia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michela Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Ignazio Zucca
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Franca Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Diana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
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Maurizi E, Schiroli D, Atkinson SD, Mairs L, Courtney DG, O'Hagan B, McGilligan VE, Pagnamenta AT, Taylor JC, Vasquez JJD, Illanes-Velarde DE, Goldsmith D, Gouws P, Moore JE, Nesbit MA, Moore CBT. A novel role for CRIM1 in the corneal response to UV and pterygium development. Exp Eye Res 2018; 179:75-92. [PMID: 30365943 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pterygium is a pathological proliferative condition of the ocular surface, characterised by formation of a highly vascularised, fibrous tissue arising from the limbus that invades the central cornea leading to visual disturbance and, if untreated, blindness. Whilst chronic ultraviolet (UV) light exposure plays a major role in its pathogenesis, higher susceptibility to pterygium is observed in some families, suggesting a genetic component. In this study, a Northern Irish family affected by pterygium but reporting little direct exposure to UV was identified carrying a missense variant in CRIM1 NM_016441.2: c.1235 A > C (H412P) through whole-exome sequencing and subsequent analysis. CRIM1 is expressed in the developing eye, adult cornea and conjunctiva, having a role in cell differentiation and migration but also in angiogenesis, all processes involved in pterygium formation. We demonstrate elevated CRIM1 expression in pterygium tissue from additional individual Northern Irish patients compared to unaffected conjunctival controls. UV irradiation of HCE-S cells resulted in an increase in ERK phosphorylation and CRIM1 expression, the latter further elevated by the addition of the MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126. Conversely, siRNA knockdown of CRIM1 led to decreased UV-induced ERK phosphorylation and increased BCL2 expression. Transient expression of the mutant H412P CRIM1 in corneal epithelial HCE-S cells showed that, unlike wild-type CRIM1, it was unable to reduce the cell proliferation, increased ERK phosphorylation and apoptosis induced through a decrease of BCL2 expression levels. We propose here a series of intracellular events where CRIM1 regulation of the ERK pathway prevents UV-induced cell proliferation and may play an important role in the in the pathogenesis of pterygium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Maurizi
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Davide Schiroli
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Sarah D Atkinson
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK; Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, C-TRIC Building Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Ulster University, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6SB, UK
| | - Laura Mairs
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - David G Courtney
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Barry O'Hagan
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Victoria E McGilligan
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK; Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, C-TRIC Building Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Ulster University, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6SB, UK
| | | | - Jenny C Taylor
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Dave Goldsmith
- Andean Medical Mission, 42, Sherwood Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9DR, UK
| | - Pieter Gouws
- Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7RD, UK
| | - Jonathan E Moore
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - M Andrew Nesbit
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK.
| | - C B Tara Moore
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK.
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5
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Hu PS, Chang WS, Chou AK, Hsia NY, Hung YW, Lin CW, Wu CW, Huang CY, Wu MF, Liao CH, Tsai CW, Bau DAT, Gong CL. The Association of MMP-8 Genotypes with Pterygium. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 32:41-46. [PMID: 29275297 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Pterygium is composed of proliferating fibrovascular tissue, and its formation and progression are closely related to the homeostasis of the extracellular microenvironment. However, few studies have examined the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) to either diagnostic or prognostic potential in pterygium. In this study, we investigated the contribution of a polymorphism in the promoter region of MMP-8 (-799C/T) and two non-synonymous polymorphisms (Val436Ala and Lys460Thr) to pterygium. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, 134 patients with pterygium and 268 non-cancer controls patients were collected and the MMP-8 -799C/T, Val436Ala and Lys460Thr polymorphic genotypes of each subject were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS The results showed that the three polymorphisms investigated were not significantly associated with risk of pterygium. In addition, the stratified analysis showed that there was no interaction between MMP-8 genotype with age or gender on pterygium risk determination. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms at MMP-8 -799C/T, Val436Ala and Lys460Thr may not mainly contribute to determining personal susceptibility to pterygium in the Taiwanese examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shin Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Shin Chang
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - An-Kuo Chou
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Anesthesiology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ning-Yi Hsia
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yi-Wen Hung
- Department of Medicine Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chia-Wen Lin
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Cin-Wun Wu
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chung-Yu Huang
- Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Meng-Feng Wu
- Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Cheng-Hsi Liao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chia-Wen Tsai
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
| | - DA-Tian Bau
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chi-Li Gong
- Department of Physiology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
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Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown that the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in the CACAN1C gene, rs1006737, is related to different mood disorder illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Current day molecular procedures for allele detection of this gene can be very expensive and time consuming. Hence, a sensitive and specific molecular procedure for detecting these mutations in a large number of subjects is desirable, especially for research groups who have no complex laboratory equipment. Objective: The possibility of using a Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) probe was evaluated by means of bioinformatic tools, designed for forecasting the molecular behavior of DNA probes used in the research field or for laboratory analysis methods. Method: In this study we used the DINAMelt Web Server to predict the Tms of FRET oligo in the presence of the A and/or G allele in rs1006737. The PCR primers were designed by using oligo 4 and oligo 6 primer analysis software, Results: The molecular probe described in this study detected a Tm difference of 5-6°C between alleles A and G in rs1006737, which also showed good discrimination for a heterozygous profile for this genomic region. Conclusion: Although in silico studies represent a relatively new avenue of inquiry, they have now started to be used to predict how a molecular probe interacts with its biological target, reducing the time and costs of molecular test tuning. The results of this study seem promising for further laboratory tests on allele detection in rs1006737 region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germano Orrù
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Molecular Biology Service (MBS), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,National Research Council of Italy, ISPA, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mauro Giovanni Carta
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessia Bramanti
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti, ISASI, Messina, Italy
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7
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Maxia C, Murtas D, Corrias M, Zucca I, Minerba L, Piras F, Marinelli C, Perra MT. Vitamin D and vitamin D receptor in patients with ophthalmic pterygium. Eur J Histochem 2017; 61:2837. [PMID: 29313597 PMCID: PMC5686448 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2017.2837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maxia
- University of Cagliari, Department of Biomedical Sciences.
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8
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Navarrete HP, Soler LH, Mares RE, Ramos MA. Frequency of Alu insertions within the ACE and PR loci in Northwestern Mexicans. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:339. [PMID: 28750672 PMCID: PMC5530943 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Presently, non-LTR retrotransposons are the most active mobile elements in the human genome. Among these, Alu elements are highly represented in the modern population. Worldwide, distribution of Alu polymorphisms (insertion/deletion; I/D) shows variability between different populations. Two Alu insertion loci, ACE and PR, are significant biomarkers that have served in several genotype-phenotype association studies. In Mexico, studies concerning the frequency of these biomarkers have been conducted mainly in subpopulations from central and southern regions. Here, we screened a population sample of the northwestern region to gain further knowledge regarding the prevalence of Alu polymorphisms within ACE and PR loci. RESULTS For ACE locus, the observed genotype frequencies were 26.5, 51.0 and 22.5% for II, ID, and DD, respectively; and allelic frequencies for I and D were 52 and 48%. Whereas respective genotype frequencies for PR locus were 2.7, 26.5 and 70.8%, and the corresponding allele frequencies were 16 and 84%. Furthermore, the insertion frequency within ACE locus was similar between central, western and northwestern subpopulations, and rather higher in southeastern subpopulation (p < 0.05). Although the occurrence of Alu polymorphisms within PR locus has not been widely examined, the insertion frequency was higher in northwestern subpopulation, as compared with western and southeastern subpopulations (p < 0.05). Based on the frequency of Alu insertions found in ACE and PR loci, subpopulations from the northwestern, western and central regions share a common genetic origin, but apparently not with the subpopulation from the southeastern region, in accordance with the notion that assumes the existence of a broad genomic diversity in the Mexican population. In addition, the high prevalence of Alu insertions reveals their potential application as biomarkers with prognostic value for the associated diseases; e.g., as part of the standard protocols for clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilda P Navarrete
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calzada Universidad 14418, Parque Industrial Internacional, 22390, Tijuana, BCN, Mexico
| | - Linda H Soler
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calzada Universidad 14418, Parque Industrial Internacional, 22390, Tijuana, BCN, Mexico
| | - Rosa E Mares
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calzada Universidad 14418, Parque Industrial Internacional, 22390, Tijuana, BCN, Mexico
| | - Marco A Ramos
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calzada Universidad 14418, Parque Industrial Internacional, 22390, Tijuana, BCN, Mexico.
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9
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Josifovska N, Szabó DJ, Nagymihály R, Veréb Z, Facskó A, Eriksen K, Moe MC, Petrovski G. Cultivation and characterization of pterygium as an ex vivo study model for disease and therapy. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2017; 40:283-292. [PMID: 28550976 DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Development of ex vivo model to study pathogenesis, inflammation and treatment modalities for pterygium. METHODS Pterygium obtained from surgery was cultivated (3 months). Gravitational attachment method using viscoelastic facilitated adherence of graft and outgrowing cells. Medium contained serum as the only growth supplement with no use of scaffolds. Surface profiling of the multi-layered cells for hematopoietic- and mesenchymal stem cell markers was performed. Examination of cells by immunohistochemistry using pluripotency, oxidative stress, stemness, migration and proliferation, epithelial and secretory markers was performed. The effect of anti-proliferative agent Mitomycin C upon secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 was assessed. RESULTS Cells showed high expression of migration- (CXCR4), secretory- (MUC1, MUC4) and oxidative damage- (8-OHdG) markers, and low expression of hypoxia- (HIF-1α) and proliferation- (Ki-67) markers. Moderate and low expression of the pluripotency markers (Vimentin and ΔNp63) was present, respectively, while the putative markers of stemness (Sox2, Oct4, ABCG-2) and epithelial cell markers- (CK19, CK8-18) were weak. The surface marker profile of the outgrowing cells revealed high expression of the hematopoietic marker CD47, mesenchymal markers CD90 and CD73, minor or less positivity for the hematopoietic marker CD34, mesenchymal marker CD105, progenitor marker CD117 and attachment protein markers while low levels of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion ex vivo, were inhibited upon Mitomycin C treatment. CONCLUSION Ex vivo tissue engineered pterygium consists of a mixture of cells of different lineage origin, suitable for use as a disease model for studying pathogenesis ex vivo, while opening possibilities for new treatment and prevention modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Josifovska
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 10-11, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dóra Júlia Szabó
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 10-11, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Richárd Nagymihály
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 10-11, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Veréb
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 10-11, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Facskó
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 10-11, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ketil Eriksen
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten C Moe
- Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 10-11, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway.
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Fawzy MS, Toraih EA, Aly NM, Fakhr-Eldeen A, Badran DI, Hussein MH. Atherosclerotic and thrombotic genetic and environmental determinants in Egyptian coronary artery disease patients: a pilot study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2017; 17:26. [PMID: 28086795 PMCID: PMC5237236 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-016-0456-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multiple genetic variants in combination with various environmental risk factors have been implicated. This study aimed to investigate the association of twelve thrombotic and atherosclerotic gene variants in combination with other environmental risk factors with CAD risk in a preliminary sample of Egyptian CAD patients. METHODS Twenty three consecutive CAD patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography and 34 unrelated controls, have been enrolled in the study. Genotyping was based on polymerase chain reaction and reverse multiplex hybridization. Five genetic association models were tested. Data distribution and variance homogeneity have been checked by Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene test, respectively; then the appropriate comparison test was applied. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis and logistic regression has been performed to adjust for significant risk factors. Clustering the study participants according to gene-gene and gene-environment interaction has been done by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). RESULTS The univariate analysis indicated that the five variants; rs1800595 (FVR2; factor 5), rs1801133 (MTHFR; 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), rs5918 (HPA-1; human platelet antigen 1), rs1799752 (ACE; angiotensin-converting enzyme), and rs7412 and rs429358 (ApoE; apolipoprotein E) were significantly associated with CAD susceptibility under different genetic models. Multivariate analysis revealed clustering of the study population into three patient groups (P) and one control group. FVR2 was the most variant associated with CAD patients, combined with the factor V Leiden (FVL) variant in P1 cluster and with both ACE and MTHFR 667C > T in P2. Whereas, P3 was mostly affected by both MTHFR 667C > T and FXIII (factor 13) V89L mutations. When combined with traditional risk factors, P1 was mostly affected by dyslipidemia, smoking and hypertension, while P2 was mostly affected by their fasting blood sugar levels and ApoE variant. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these preliminary results could have predictive value to be applied in refining a risk profile for our CAD patients, in order to implement early preventive interventions including specific antithrombotic therapy. Further large scale and follow-up studies are highly recommended to confirm the study findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal S Fawzy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
| | - Eman A Toraih
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology (Genetics Unit), Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
| | - Nagwa M Aly
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Abeer Fakhr-Eldeen
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Dahlia I Badran
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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