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Planinić A, Begovac J, Rokić F, Šimičić P, Oroz M, Jakovac K, Vugrek O, Zidovec-Lepej S. Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Transmission Clusters and Transmitted Drug-Resistant Mutations in Croatia from 2019 to 2022. Viruses 2023; 15:2408. [PMID: 38140649 PMCID: PMC10747707 DOI: 10.3390/v15122408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection is challenging due to the highly diverse HIV-genome. We investigated the genetic diversity and prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) followed by phylogenetic analysis in 270 HIV-1 infected, treatment-naïve individuals from Croatia in the period 2019-2022. The results of this research confirmed a high overall prevalence of TDR of 16.7%. Resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside RTIs (NNRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) was found in 9.6%, 7.4%, and 1.5% of persons, respectively. No resistance to integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) was found. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 173/229 sequences (75.5%) were part of transmission clusters, and the largest identified was T215S, consisting of 45 sequences. Forward transmission was confirmed in several clusters. We compared deep sequencing (DS) with Sanger sequencing (SS) on 60 randomly selected samples and identified additional surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRMs) in 49 of them. Our data highlight the need for baseline resistance testing in treatment-naïve persons. Although no major INSTIs were found, monitoring of SDRMs to INSTIs should be continued due to the extensive use of first- and second-generation INSTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Planinić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Josip Begovac
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Filip Rokić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (F.R.); (K.J.); (O.V.)
| | - Petra Šimičić
- Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Oroz
- Cytogenetic Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Katja Jakovac
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (F.R.); (K.J.); (O.V.)
| | - Oliver Vugrek
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (F.R.); (K.J.); (O.V.)
| | - Snjezana Zidovec-Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Hat K, Kaštelan S, Planinić A, Muller D, Ježek D. Pathohistological features of the aging human lacrimal gland. Croat Med J 2023; 64:307-319. [PMID: 37927184 PMCID: PMC10668042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess sex-related differences in the pathohistological features of the human lacrimal gland and to investigate age-related and sex-related differences in stereologically measured volume density of the secretory tissue, connective tissue, and fat. METHODS We performed an observational analysis of acinar atrophy, periacinar fibrosis, periductal fibrosis, ductal dilation, ductal proliferation, fatty infiltration, and lymphocyte infiltration of hematoxylin and eosin-stained lacrimal gland samples from 81 cornea donors. Stereological analysis of the volume density of the secretory tissue, connective tissue, and fat was performed on samples from 66 donors. RESULTS Up to 69% of all samples showed degenerative changes. Female samples had a higher frequency of all observed degenerative changes, except ductal dilation. While acinar atrophy was significantly more prevalent in women, ductal dilation was significantly more prevalent in men. Stereological analysis indicated lower portions of acini and higher portions of connective tissue and fat, as well as a more pronounced age-related progression of degenerative changes in female samples. CONCLUSION Female lacrimal glands are more susceptible to degeneration, and this susceptibility could play an important role in the higher incidence of dry eye disease in older women. A further stereological analysis using more samples from younger age groups is needed to elucidate age-related and sex-related differences in the structure of the human lacrimal gland and their impact on dry eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koraljka Hat
- Koraljka Hat, Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia,
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Peng W, Kepsch A, Kracht TO, Hasan H, Wijayarathna R, Wahle E, Pleuger C, Bhushan S, Günther S, Kauerhof AC, Planinić A, Fietz D, Schuppe HC, Wygrecka M, Loveland KL, Ježek D, Meinhardt A, Hedger MP, Fijak M. Activin A and CCR2 regulate macrophage function in testicular fibrosis caused by experimental autoimmune orchitis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:602. [PMID: 36434305 PMCID: PMC9700630 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04632-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune-orchitis (EAO), a rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation and fibrosis, replicates pathogenic changes seen in some cases of human spermatogenic disturbances. During EAO, increased levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators such as TNF, CCL2, and activin A are accompanied by infiltration of leukocytes into the testicular parenchyma. Activin A levels correlate with EAO severity, while elevated CCL2 acting through its receptor CCR2 mediates leukocyte trafficking and recruits macrophages. CCR2 + CXCR4 + macrophages producing extracellular matrix proteins contribute widely to fibrogenesis. Furthermore, testicular macrophages (TMs) play a critical role in organ homeostasis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of the activin A/CCL2-CCR2/macrophage axis in the development of testicular fibrosis. Following EAO induction, we observed lower levels of organ damage, collagen deposition, and leukocyte infiltration (including fibronectin+, collagen I+ and CXCR4+ TMs) in Ccr2-/- mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, levels of Il-10, Ccl2, and the activin A subunit Inhba mRNAs were lower in Ccr2-/- EAO testes. Notably, fibronectin+ TMs were also present in biopsies from patients with impaired spermatogenesis and fibrotic alterations. Overexpression of the activin A antagonist follistatin reduced tissue damage and collagen I+ TM accumulation in WT EAO testes, while treating macrophages with activin A in vitro increased the expression of Ccr2, Fn1, Cxcr4, and Mmp2 and enhanced migration along a CCL2 gradient; these effects were abolished by follistatin. Taken together, our data indicate that CCR2 and activin A promote fibrosis during testicular inflammation by regulating macrophage function. Inhibition of CCR2 or activin A protects against damage progression, offering a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Peng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Artem Kepsch
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Till O Kracht
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hiba Hasan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eva Wahle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - A Christine Kauerhof
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Planinić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Małgorzata Wygrecka
- Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung, German Center for Lung Research, University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Davor Ježek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Mokos M, Planinić A, Bilić K, Katušić Bojanac A, Sinčić N, Bulić Jakuš F, Ježek D. Stereological properties of seminiferous tubules in infertile men with chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2021; 47:11-22. [PMID: 34328293 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.21.03589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is caused by genetic anomalies in 15%-30% of cases. This study aimed to determine stereological properties of seminiferous tubules in infertile men with genetic anomalies, including Klinefelter syndrome (KS), Y chromosome microdeletions (MYC) and CFTR gene mutations (CFTR), and to compare them to seminiferous tubules of men with obstructive azoospermia of non-genetic origin (control group). METHODS The study was conducted on 28 human testis biopsy specimens obtained from 14 patients with MYC, 18 samples from 9 patients with KS, and 6 samples from 3 patients with CFTR. Whenever possible, a bilateral biopsy was included in the study. The control group had 33 samples from 18 patients (3 of them with a solitary testis). Qualitative and quantitative (stereological) analysis of seminiferous tubules (including the status of spermatogenesis, volume, surface area, length and number of tubules) were performed in all groups. RESULTS Qualitative histological analysis revealed significant impairment of spermatogenesis in KS and MYC, whereas testicular parenchyma was fully maintained in CFTR and control groups. Spermatogenesis was most seriously impaired in KS. All stereological parameters were significantly lower in KS and MYC, compared to the CFTR and control groups. The total volume, surface and length of seminiferous tubules were significantly lower in KS compared with MYC. CONCLUSIONS Stereological analysis is valuable in evaluating male infertility, whereas qualitative histological analysis can be helpful in assessing sperm presence in testicular tissue of patients with KS or MYK undergoing TESE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mislav Mokos
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Planinić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Katarina Bilić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Katušić Bojanac
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sinčić
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Florijana Bulić Jakuš
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Ježek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia - .,Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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