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Dubowsky JG, Estevez JJ, Craig JE, Appukuttan B, Carr JM. Disease profiles in the Indigenous Australian population are suggestive of a common complement control haplotype. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:105453. [PMID: 37245779 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (respectfully referred to as Indigenous Australians herein) are disparately burdened by many infectious and chronic diseases relative to Australians with European genetic ancestry. Some of these diseases are described in other populations to be influenced by the inherited profile of complement genes. These include complement factor B, H, I and complement factor H-related (CFHR) genes that can contribute to a polygenic complotype. Here the focus is on the combined deletion of CFHR1 and 3 to form a common haplotype (CFHR3-1Δ). The prevalence of CFHR3-1Δ is high in people with Nigerian and African American genetic ancestry and correlates to a higher frequency and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but a lower prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and IgA-nephropathy (IgAN). This pattern of disease is similarly observed among Indigenous Australian communities. Additionally, the CFHR3-1Δ complotype is also associated with increased susceptibility to infection with pathogens, such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pyogenes, which also have high incidences in Indigenous Australian communities. The prevalence of these diseases, while likely influenced by social, political, environmental and biological factors, including variants in other components of the complement system, may also be suggestive of the CFHR3-1Δ haplotype in Indigenous Australians. These data highlight a need to define the Indigenous Australian complotypes, which may lead to the discovery of new risk factors for common diseases and progress towards precision medicines for treating complement-associated diseases in Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Herein, the disease profiles suggestive of a common complement CFHR3-1Δ control haplotype are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua G Dubowsky
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Public Health, and Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jose J Estevez
- Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia; Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Optometry and Vision Science, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Binoy Appukuttan
- Molecular Medical Science, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jillian M Carr
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Public Health, and Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
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Kumar V, Pouw RB, Autio MI, Sagmeister MG, Phua ZY, Borghini L, Wright VJ, Hoggart C, Pan B, Tan AKY, Binder A, Brouwer MC, Pinnock E, De Groot R, Hazelzet J, Emonts M, Van Der Flier M, Reiter K, Nöthen MM, Hoffmann P, Schlapbach LJ, Bellos E, Anderson S, Secka F, Martinón-Torres F, Salas A, Fink C, Carrol ED, Pollard AJ, Coin LJ, Zenz W, Wouters D, Ang LT, Hibberd ML, Levin M, Kuijpers TW, Davila S. Variation in CFHR3 determines susceptibility to meningococcal disease by controlling factor H concentrations. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1680-1691. [PMID: 36007525 PMCID: PMC9502058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis protects itself from complement-mediated killing by binding complement factor H (FH). Previous studies associated susceptibility to meningococcal disease (MD) with variation in CFH, but the causal variants and underlying mechanism remained unknown. Here we attempted to define the association more accurately by sequencing the CFH-CFHR locus and imputing missing genotypes in previously obtained GWAS datasets of MD-affected individuals of European ancestry and matched controls. We identified a CFHR3 SNP that provides protection from MD (rs75703017, p value = 1.1 × 10-16) by decreasing the concentration of FH in the blood (p value = 1.4 × 10-11). We subsequently used dual-luciferase studies and CRISPR gene editing to establish that deletion of rs75703017 increased FH expression in hepatocyte by preventing promotor inhibition. Our data suggest that reduced concentrations of FH in the blood confer protection from MD; with reduced access to FH, N. meningitidis is less able to shield itself from complement-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Kumar
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Richard B Pouw
- Division of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matias I Autio
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | | | - Zai Yang Phua
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lisa Borghini
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Victoria J Wright
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Clive Hoggart
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bangfen Pan
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Antson Kiat Yee Tan
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alexander Binder
- Department of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mieke C Brouwer
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ronald De Groot
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Hazelzet
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Emonts
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; National Institute for Health and Care Research Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre Based at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Department, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michiel Van Der Flier
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Karl Reiter
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Dr. von Hauner's Children's Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Per Hoffmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Luregn J Schlapbach
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Intensive Care and Neonatology and Children`s Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Evangelos Bellos
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Fatou Secka
- Medical Research Council Unit Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Genetics, Vaccines, Infectious Diseases, and Pediatrics Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Salas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Colin Fink
- Micropathology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Enitan D Carrol
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Lachlan J Coin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Werner Zenz
- Department of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Diana Wouters
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lay Teng Ang
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin L Hibberd
- Infectious Diseases, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael Levin
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Division of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Sonia Davila
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
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Tirado TC, Moura LL, Shigunov P, Figueiredo FB. Methodological Appraisal of Literature Concerning the Analysis of Genetic Variants or Protein Levels of Complement Components on Susceptibility to Infection by Trypanosomatids: A Systematic Review. Front Immunol 2021; 12:780810. [PMID: 34899745 PMCID: PMC8656155 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.780810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosomatids are protozoa responsible for a wide range of diseases, with emphasis on Chagas Disease (CD) and Leishmaniasis, which are in the list of most relevant Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) according to World Health Organization (WHO). During the infectious process, immune system is immediately activated, and parasites can invade nucleated cells through a broad diversity of receptors. The complement system − through classical, alternative and lectin pathways − plays a role in the first line of defense against these pathogens, acting in opsonization, phagocytosis and lysis of parasites. Genetic modifications in complement genes, such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), can influence host susceptibility to these parasites and modulate protein expression. Methods In March and April 2021, a literature search was conducted at the PubMed and Google Scholar databases and the reference lists obtained were verified. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the selected studies were evaluated and scored according to eleven established criteria regarding their thematic approach and design, aiming at the good quality of publications. Results Twelve papers were included in this systematic review: seven investigating CD and five focusing on Leishmaniasis. Most articles presented gene and protein approaches, careful determination of experimental groups, and adequate choice of experimental techniques, although several of them were not up-to-date. Ten studies explored the association of polymorphisms and haplotypes with disease progression, with emphasis on lectin complement pathway genes. Decreased and increased patient serum protein levels were associated with susceptibility to CD and Visceral Leishmaniasis, respectively. Conclusion This systematic review shows the influence of genetic alterations in complement genes on the progression of several infectious diseases, with a focus on conditions caused by trypanosomatids, and contributes suggestions and evidence to improve experimental design in future research proposals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Cristina Tirado
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Larine Lowry Moura
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Shigunov
- Laboratório de Biologia Básica de Células-Tronco, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Fabiano Borges Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil
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Spinsanti M, Brignoli T, Bodini M, Fontana LE, De Chiara M, Biolchi A, Muzzi A, Scarlato V, Delany I. Deconvolution of intergenic polymorphisms determining high expression of Factor H binding protein in meningococcus and their association with invasive disease. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009461. [PMID: 33770146 PMCID: PMC8026042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a strictly human pathogen and is the major cause of septicemia and meningitis worldwide. Factor H binding protein (fHbp) is a meningococcal surface-exposed lipoprotein that binds the human Complement factor H allowing the bacterium to evade the host innate immune response. FHbp is also a key antigen in two vaccines against N. meningitidis serogroup B. Although the fHbp gene is present in most circulating meningococcal strains, level of fHbp expression varies among isolates and has been correlated to differences in promoter sequences upstream of the gene. Here we elucidated the sequence determinants that control fHbp expression in globally circulating strains. We analyzed the upstream fHbpintergenic region (fIR) of more than 5800 strains representative of the UK circulating isolates and we identified eleven fIR sequence alleles which represent 88% of meningococcal strains. By engineering isogenic recombinant strains where fHbp expression was under the control of each of the eleven fIR alleles, we confirmed that the fIR sequence determines a specific and distinct level of expression. Moreover, we identified the molecular basis for variation in expression through polymorphisms within key regulatory regions that are known to affect fHbp expression. We experimentally established three expression groups, high–medium–low, that correlated directly with the susceptibility to killing mediated by anti-fHbp antibodies and the ability of the meningococcal strain to survive within human serum. By using this sequence classification and information about the variant, we predicted fHbp expression in the panel of UK strains and we observed that strains with higher expressing fIR alleles are more likely associated with invasive disease. Overall, our findings can contribute to understand and predict vaccine coverage mediated by fHbp as well as to shed light on the role of this virulence factor in determining an invasive phenotype. Complement plays a key role in the immunity against Neisseria meningitidis. The meningococcus uses the Factor H binding protein (fHbp), to bind a negative regulator of the alternative complement pathway, factor H, to its surface thus preventing complement deposition and lysis. The use of fHbp as an antigen in two licensed vaccines highlights its public health relevance. Therefore the levels of this antigen produced by the bacterium are pivotal on the one hand for the survival of N. meningitidis in blood and on the other hand for the susceptibility to vaccine-induced killing antibodies. Here, we identify the predominant nucleotide sequences that drive distinct levels of the fHbp antigen in circulating meningococcal strains. We cluster them into distinct groups with increasing levels and observe that strains expressing higher fHbp amounts are associated with invasive disease. Our findings show that the nucleotide sequence of the fHbp promoter can be used for the prediction of antigen levels of any given strain and consequently for both the assessment of its sensitivity to killing by fHbp antibodies and its likelihood to cause invasive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarcisio Brignoli
- GSK, Siena, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Scarlato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Zhang Y, Chen X, Cao Y, Yang Z. C8B in Complement and Coagulation Cascades Signaling Pathway is a predictor for Survival in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:3503-3515. [PMID: 33911900 PMCID: PMC8075182 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s302917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The role of the complement and coagulation cascades signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of cancers remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the associations between enriched differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in this pathway and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical and gene expression data of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) series profile GSE14520 were downloaded. The "Limma" package was used to screen the DEGs and the "clusterProfiler" package was used to identify the complement and coagulation cascades pathway and enriched significant genes. Cox regression analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method, and the nomogram model were used to address the correlations between significantly enriched DEGs in the complement and coagulation cascades pathway and HCC survival. RESULTS A total of 220 HBV-related HCC patients were enrolled in this study. The complement and coagulation cascades pathway was significantly enriched by 37 DEGs (p-value < 0.05 and adjusted p-value < 0.05). Complement 8 beta chain (C8B) expression levels had protective effects on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in HBV-related HCC patients. High levels of C8B contributed to favorable OS and RFS in this population (both p < 0.01), even after adjustment of clinicopathological characteristics including tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, Barcelona Clinic liver cancer (BCLC) staging, gender, and fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) expression (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION C8B in the complement and coagulation cascades signaling pathway serves as a predictive candidate for survival in HBV-related HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yajuan Cao
- Clinical Translation Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China
- Yajuan Cao Clinical Translation Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China Email
| | - Zongguo Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Zongguo Yang Department of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201508, People’s Republic of China Email
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Koelman DLH, Brouwer MC, van de Beek D. Targeting the complement system in bacterial meningitis. Brain 2020; 142:3325-3337. [PMID: 31373605 PMCID: PMC6821383 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial meningitis is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis and continues to pose a major public health threat. Morbidity and mortality of meningitis are driven by an uncontrolled host inflammatory response. This comprehensive update evaluates the role of the complement system in upregulating and maintaining the inflammatory response in bacterial meningitis. Genetic variation studies, complement level measurements in blood and CSF, and experimental work have together led to the identification of anaphylatoxin C5a as a promising treatment target in bacterial meningitis. In animals and patients with pneumococcal meningitis, the accumulation of neutrophils in the CSF was mainly driven by C5-derived chemotactic activity and correlated positively with disease severity and outcome. In murine pneumococcal meningitis, adjunctive treatment with C5 antibodies prevented brain damage and death. Several recently developed therapeutics target C5 conversion, C5a, or its receptor C5aR. Caution is warranted because treatment with C5 antibodies such as eculizumab also inhibits the formation of the membrane attack complex, which may result in decreased meningococcal killing and increased meningococcal disease susceptibility. The use of C5a or C5aR antagonists to specifically target the harmful anaphylatoxins-induced effects, therefore, are most promising and present opportunities for a phase 2 clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diederik L H Koelman
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs C Brouwer
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Hodeib S, Herberg JA, Levin M, Sancho-Shimizu V. Human genetics of meningococcal infections. Hum Genet 2020; 139:961-980. [PMID: 32067109 PMCID: PMC7272491 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02128-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. Meningococcal disease is rare but can be life threatening with a tendency to affect children. Many studies have investigated the role of human genetics in predisposition to N. meningitidis infection. These have identified both rare single-gene mutations as well as more common polymorphisms associated with meningococcal disease susceptibility and severity. These findings provide clues to the pathogenesis of N. meningitidis, the basis of host susceptibility to infection and to the aetiology of severe disease. From the multiple discoveries of monogenic complement deficiencies to the associations of complement factor H and complement factor H-related three polymorphisms to meningococcal disease, the complement pathway is highlighted as being central to the genetic control of meningococcal disease. This review aims to summarise the current understanding of the host genetic basis of meningococcal disease with respect to the different stages of meningococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hodeib
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Jethro A Herberg
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Michael Levin
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
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Kasanmoentalib ES, Valls Serón M, Engelen-Lee JY, Tanck MW, Pouw RB, van Mierlo G, Wouters D, Pickering MC, van der Ende A, Kuijpers TW, Brouwer MC, van de Beek D. Complement factor H contributes to mortality in humans and mice with bacterial meningitis. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:279. [PMID: 31883521 PMCID: PMC6935240 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1675-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The complement system is a vital component of the inflammatory response occurring during bacterial meningitis. Blocking the complement system was shown to improve the outcome of experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Complement factor H (FH) is a complement regulatory protein inhibiting alternative pathway activation but is also exploited by the pneumococcus to prevent complement activation on its surface conferring serum resistance. Methods In a nationwide prospective cohort study of 1009 episodes with community-acquired bacterial meningitis, we analyzed whether genetic variations in CFH influenced FH cerebrospinal fluid levels and/or disease severity. Subsequently, we analyzed the role of FH in our pneumococcal meningitis mouse model using FH knock-out (Cfh−/−) mice and wild-type (wt) mice. Finally, we tested whether adjuvant treatment with human FH (hFH) improved outcome in a randomized investigator blinded trial in a pneumococcal meningitis mouse model. Results We found the major allele (G) of single nucleotide polymorphism in CFH (rs6677604) to be associated with low FH cerebrospinal fluid concentration and increased mortality. In patients and mice with bacterial meningitis, FH concentrations were elevated during disease and Cfh−/− mice with pneumococcal meningitis had increased mortality compared to wild-type mice due to C3 depletion. Adjuvant treatment of wild-type mice with purified human FH led to complement inhibition but also increased bacterial outgrowth which resulted in similar disease outcomes. Conclusion Low FH levels contribute to mortality in pneumococcal meningitis but adjuvant treatment with FH at a clinically relevant time point is not beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Soemirien Kasanmoentalib
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mercedes Valls Serón
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joo Yeon Engelen-Lee
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael W Tanck
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Richard B Pouw
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard van Mierlo
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Diana Wouters
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthew C Pickering
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Division of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Arie van der Ende
- Department of Medical Microbiology and The Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs C Brouwer
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Haapasalo K, Meri S. Regulation of the Complement System by Pentraxins. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1750. [PMID: 31428091 PMCID: PMC6688104 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The functions of pentraxins, like C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein P (SAP) and pentraxin-3 (PTX3), are to coordinate spatially and temporally targeted clearance of injured tissue components, to protect against infections and to regulate related inflammation together with the complement system. For this, pentraxins have a dual relationship with the complement system. Initially, after a focused binding to their targets, e.g., exposed phospholipids or cholesterol in the injured tissue area, or microbial components, the pentraxins activate complement by binding its first component C1q. However, the emerging inflammation needs to be limited to the target area. Therefore, pentraxins inhibit complement at the C3b stage to prevent excessive damage. The complement inhibitory functions of pentraxins are based on their ability to interact with complement inhibitors C4bp or factor H (FH). C4bp binds to SAP, while FH binds to both CRP and PTX3. FH promotes opsonophagocytosis through inactivation of C3b to iC3b, and inhibits AP activity thus preventing formation of the C5a anaphylatoxin and the complement membrane attack complex (MAC). Monitoring CRP levels gives important clinical information about the extent of tissue damage and severity of infections. CRP is a valuable marker for distinguishing bacterial infections from viral infections. Disturbances in the functions and interactions of pentraxins and complement are also involved in a number of human diseases. This review will summarize what is currently known about the FH family proteins and pentraxins that interact with FH. Furthermore, we will discuss diseases, where interactions between these molecules may play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karita Haapasalo
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Meri
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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10
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Guiducci S, Moriondo M, Nieddu F, Ricci S, De Vitis E, Casini A, Poggi GM, Indolfi G, Resti M, Azzari C. Culture and Real-time Polymerase Chain reaction sensitivity in the diagnosis of invasive meningococcal disease: Does culture miss less severe cases? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212922. [PMID: 30865671 PMCID: PMC6415896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a highly lethal disease. Diagnosis is commonly performed by culture or Realtime-PCR (qPCR). AIMS Our aim was to evaluate, retrospectively, whether culture positivity correlates with higher bacterial load and fatal outcome. Our secondary aim was to compare culture and qPCR sensitivity. METHODS The National Register for Molecular Surveillance was used as data source. Cycle threshold (CT), known to be inversely correlated with bacterial load, was used to compare bacterial load in different samples. RESULTS Three-hundred-thirteen patients were found positive for Neisseria meningitidis by qPCR, or culture, or both; 41 died (case fatality rate 13.1%); 128/143 (89.5%) blood samples and 138/144 (95.8%) CSF were positive by qPCR, 37/143 (25.9%) blood samples and 45/144 (31.2%) CSF were also positive in culture. qPCR was 3.5 times (blood) or 3.1 times (CSF) more sensitive than culture in achieving a laboratory diagnosis of IMD (OR 24.4; 95% CI 12.2-49.8; p < .10-4; Cohen's κ 0.08 for blood and OR 49.0; 95% CI 19.1-133.4; p<10-4; Cohen's κ 0.02; for CSF). Positivity of culture did not correlate with higher bacterial loads in blood (mean CT 27.7±5.71, and CT 28.1±6.03, p = 0.739 respectively in culture positive or negative samples) or in CSF (mean CT 23.1±4.9 and 24.7±5.4 respectively in positive or negative CSF samples, p = 0.11).CT values in blood from patients who died were significantly lower than in patients who survived (respectively mean 18.0, range 14-23 and mean 29.6, range 16-39; p<10-17). No deaths occurred in patients with CT in blood over 23. Positive blood cultures were found in 10/25 (40%) patients who died and in 32/163 (19.6%) patients who survived, p = 0.036, OR 2.73; 95% CL 1.025-7.215), however 60% of deaths would have remained undiagnosed with the use of culture only. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion our study demonstrated that qPCR is significantly (at least 3 times) more sensitive than culture in the laboratory confirmation of IMD. The study also demonstrated that culture negativity is not associated with lower bacterial loads and with less severe cases. On the other side, in patients with sepsis, qPCR can predict fatal outcome since higher bacterial load, evaluated by qPCR, appears strictly associated with most severe cases and fatal outcome. The study also showed that molecular techniques such as qPCR can provide a valuable addition to the proportion of diagnosed and serotyped cases of IMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Guiducci
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic 2, Pediatric Immunology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Moriondo
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Nieddu
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic 2, Pediatric Immunology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Silvia Ricci
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic 2, Pediatric Immunology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisa De Vitis
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic 2, Pediatric Immunology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Arianna Casini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maria Poggi
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Interdisciplinary Pediatrics, Section of Medical Pediatrics, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Indolfi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Pediatrics, Section of Medical Pediatrics, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Resti
- Department of Interdisciplinary Pediatrics, Section of Medical Pediatrics, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Azzari
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic 2, Pediatric Immunology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy
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Gowin E, Świątek-Kościelna B, Kałużna E, Strauss E, Wysocki J, Nowak J, Michalak M, Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska D. How many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) must be tested in order to prove susceptibility to bacterial meningitis in children? Analysis of 11 SNPs in seven genes involved in the immune response and their effect on the susceptibility to bacterial meningitis in children. Innate Immun 2018. [PMID: 29534633 PMCID: PMC6852385 DOI: 10.1177/1753425918762038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of single single-nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as their combinations in genes encoding proteins
involved in the immune response in children with bacterial meningitis. The
prospective study group consisted of 39 children with bacterial meningitis and
49 family members surveyed between 2012 and 2016. Eleven SNPs in seven genes
involved in immune response were analysed. The mean number of minor frequency
alleles (MAF) of studied SNPs was lowest in the control group and highest in
patients with pneumococcal meningitis. We found that carrying ≥6 MAF of studied
SNPs was associated with an increased risk of pneumococcal meningitis. The
prevalence of risky variants was noted to be higher in patients with
pneumococcal meningitis as compared to the control group. In conclusion, genetic
factors are a relevant factor in determining the susceptibility to bacterial
meningitis. A statistically significant cumulative effect of mutated variants on
increasing the risk of bacterial meningitis was detected. Combining all three
SNPs in MBL2 improves the prediction of susceptibility to
pneumococcal meningitis. Analysis of risky alleles can help indicate people
prone to the disease who are ‘gene-immunocompromised’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Gowin
- 1 Department of Family Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | | | - Ewelina Kałużna
- 2 Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan Poland
| | - Ewa Strauss
- 2 Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan Poland
| | - Jacek Wysocki
- 3 Department of Health Promotion, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Jerzy Nowak
- 2 Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan Poland
| | - Michał Michalak
- 4 Department of Biostatistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Danuta Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska
- 2 Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan Poland.,5 Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
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12
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Hughes AE, Bridgett S, Meng W, Li M, Curcio CA, Stambolian D, Bradley DT. Sequence and Expression of Complement Factor H Gene Cluster Variants and Their Roles in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Risk. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:2763-9. [PMID: 27196323 PMCID: PMC4884056 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-18744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate how potentially functional genetic variants are coinherited on each of four common complement factor H (CFH) and CFH-related gene haplotypes and to measure expression of these genes in eye and liver tissues. Methods We sequenced the CFH region in four individuals (one homozygote for each of four common CFH region haplotypes) to identify all genetic variants. We studied associations between the haplotypes and AMD phenotypes in 2157 cases and 1150 controls. We examined RNA-seq profiles in macular and peripheral retina and retinal pigment epithelium/choroid/sclera (RCS) from eight eye donors and three liver samples. Results The haplotypic coinheritance of potentially functional variants (including missense variants, novel splice sites, and the CFHR3–CFHR1 deletion) was described for the four common haplotypes. Expression of the short and long CFH transcripts differed markedly between the retina and liver. We found no expression of any of the five CFH-related genes in the retina or RCS, in contrast to the liver, which is the main source of the circulating proteins. Conclusions We identified all genetic variants on common CFH region haplotypes and described their coinheritance. Understanding their functional effects will be key to developing and stratifying AMD therapies. The small scale of our expression study prevented us from investigating the relationships between CFH region haplotypes and their expression, and it will take time and collaboration to develop epidemiologic-scale studies. However, the striking difference between systemic and ocular expression of complement regulators shown in this study suggests important implications for the development of intraocular and systemic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Hughes
- Formerly of Centre for Public Health Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Bridgett
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Weihua Meng
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Christine A Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Declan T Bradley
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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13
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Analysis of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 single nucleotide polymorphisms in children with bacterial meningitis and their healthy family members. Int J Infect Dis 2017; 60:23-28. [PMID: 28487240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2017.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim was to analyse TLR2 rs5743708, TLR2 rs4696480, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR9 rs5743836, and TLR9 rs352140 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in children with pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis and their family members. METHODS The study group consisted of 39 children with bacterial meningitis (25 with meningococcal meningitis and 14 with pneumococcal meningitis) and 49 family members. Laboratory test results and the course of the diseases were analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from 1.2ml of peripheral blood in order to analyze the five SNPs. RESULTS Patients with pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis showed a similar male/female ratio, mean age, and duration of symptoms. There were no statistically significant differences in biochemical markers between the two groups. All patients possessed at least one polymorphic variant of the analyzed SNPs. The most common SNP was TLR9 rs352140, detected in 89.7% of patients. No significant differences in SNP frequency were found between patients, family members, and the general population. CONCLUSIONS The allele frequencies in the population studied are in accordance with the literature data. The study did not find an association between the analyzed SNPs and susceptibility to bacterial meningitis. The role of SNPs in genes coding toll-like receptors and the interactions between them in controlling inflammation in the central nervous system needs further evaluation.
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14
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Podack ER, Munson GP. Killing of Microbes and Cancer by the Immune System with Three Mammalian Pore-Forming Killer Proteins. Front Immunol 2016; 7:464. [PMID: 27857713 PMCID: PMC5093134 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunology is the science of biological warfare between the defenses of our immune systems and offensive pathogenic microbes and cancers. Over the course of his scientific career, Eckhard R. Podack made several seminal discoveries that elucidated key aspects of this warfare at a molecular level. When Eckhard joined the complement laboratory of Müller-Eberhard in 1974, he was fascinated by two questions: (1) what is the molecular mechanism by which complement kills invasive bacteria? and (2) which one of the complement components is the killer molecule? Eckhard’s quest to answer these questions would lead to the discovery C9 and later, two additional pore-forming killer molecules of the immune system. Here is a brief account of how he discovered poly-C9, the pore-forming protein of complement in blood and interstitial fluids: Perforin-1, expressed by natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes; and Perforin-2 (MPEG1), expressed by all cell types examined to date. All the three killing systems are crucial for our survival and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eckhard R Podack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami , Miami, FL , USA
| | - George P Munson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami , Miami, FL , USA
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15
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Martinón-Torres F, Png E, Khor CC, Davila S, Wright VJ, Sim KS, Vega A, Fachal L, Inwald D, Nadel S, Carrol ED, Martinón-Torres N, Alonso SM, Carracedo A, Morteruel E, López-Bayón J, Torre AC, Monge CC, de Aguilar PAG, Torné EE, Martínez-Padilla MDC, Martinón-Sánchez JM, Levin M, Hibberd ML, Salas A. Natural resistance to Meningococcal Disease related to CFH loci: Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35842. [PMID: 27805046 PMCID: PMC5090968 DOI: 10.1038/srep35842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningococcal disease (MD) remains an important infectious cause of life threatening infection in both industrialized and resource poor countries. Genetic factors influence both occurrence and severity of presentation, but the genes responsible are largely unknown. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) examining 5,440,063 SNPs in 422 Spanish MD patients and 910 controls. We then performed a meta-analysis of the Spanish GWAS with GWAS data from the United Kingdom (combined cohorts: 897 cases and 5,613 controls; 4,898,259 SNPs). The meta-analysis identified strong evidence of association (P-value ≤ 5 × 10−8) in 20 variants located at the CFH gene. SNP rs193053835 showed the most significant protective effect (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (C.I.) = 0.52–0.73; P-value = 9.62 × 10−9). Five other variants had been previously reported to be associated with susceptibility to MD, including the missense SNP rs1065489 (OR = 0.64, 95% C.I.) = 0.55–0.76, P-value = 3.25 × 10−8). Theoretical predictions point to a functional effect of rs1065489, which may be directly responsible for protection against MD. Our study confirms the association of CFH with susceptibility to MD and strengthens the importance of this link in understanding pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Martinón-Torres
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and GENVIP Research Group (www.genvip.org), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Galicia, Spain
| | - Eileen Png
- Infectious Diseases, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Sonia Davila
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victoria J Wright
- Section of Paediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Kar Seng Sim
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ana Vega
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), and Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Fachal
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), and Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - David Inwald
- Section of Paediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Simon Nadel
- Section of Paediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Enitan D Carrol
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nazareth Martinón-Torres
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and GENVIP Research Group (www.genvip.org), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Galicia, Spain
| | - Sonia Marcos Alonso
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and GENVIP Research Group (www.genvip.org), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Galicia, Spain
| | - Angel Carracedo
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), and Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Unidade de Xenética, Departamento de Anatomía Patolóxica e Ciencias Forenses, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, and GenPop Research Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Galicia, Spain.,Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziaz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elvira Morteruel
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP), Hospital de Cruces, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Julio López-Bayón
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP), Hospital de Cruces, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Andrés Concha Torre
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - José María Martinón-Sánchez
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and GENVIP Research Group (www.genvip.org), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Galicia, Spain
| | - Michael Levin
- Section of Paediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | | | - Antonio Salas
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and GENVIP Research Group (www.genvip.org), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Galicia, Spain.,Unidade de Xenética, Departamento de Anatomía Patolóxica e Ciencias Forenses, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, and GenPop Research Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Galicia, Spain
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