Abstract 3823: Viral transcript and tumor immune microenvironment-based transcriptomic profiling of HPV-associated head and neck cancer identifies subtypes associated with prognosis

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HPV+HNSCC) is now the most common HPV-associated malignancy in the United States. Current treatments can be associated with severe side-effects or lack of efficacy yet prognostic biomarkers are limited, slowing efforts to personalize treatment in HPV+HNSCC. Here, we describe the use of a transcriptomic-based analytical platform to analyze expression patterns of viral transcripts, the tumor microenvironment (TME), and viral genome integration, and associate these features with overall survival.

Functional gene expression signatures were analyzed on publicly available HPV+HNSCC expression data (n=266). Unsupervised clustering analysis revealed 5 distinct and novel TME types across patients (immune-enriched non-fibrotic, immune-enriched fibrotic, fibrotic, immune-desert, immune-enriched luminal). These microenvironment subtypes were highly correlated with both overall survival and patient prognosis. Tumors with an immune-enriched microenvironment showed the highest survival rates, whereas fibrotic TME types were associated with poor survival (p < 0.05). Unsupervised clustering of a HPV+HNSCC cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (n=53), based on HPV transcript expression, revealed 4 HPV-related subtypes. Each subtype was enriched for distinct viral transcripts: E2/E5, E6/E7, E1/E4 and L1/L2. We then validated TME and HPV transcript-related classifications on an independent HPV+HNSCC cohort (n=132). Utilizing both viral transcript and TME subtypes, we found that the E2/E5 HPV subtype was associated with an immune-enriched TME and had a higher overall survival compared to the other subtypes. The E2/E5 subtype was also enriched for samples without HPV-genome integration, suggesting that HPV episomal DNA status and E2/E5 expression pattern may drive an inflamed microenvironment and improved prognosis. In contrast, E6/E7 subtype samples were associated with the fibrotic and depleted TME types, with lower values of T-cell and B-cell gene expression signatures and a lower survival rate. Both E1/E4 and L1/L2 subtypes were associated with the immune-enriched luminal TME types.

These findings suggest that HPV-transcript expression patterns may drive modulation of the TME, and hence impact prognosis. Further validation of the relationships between viral gene expression, TME, and prognosis is warranted to understand if such subtypes could aid in the development of prognostic biomarkers for treatment selection.

Citation Format: Daria Kiriy, Dmitry Tychinin, Nikita Kotlov, Olga Kudryashova, Anastasia Nikitina, Andrey Tyshevich, Naira Samarina, Ksenia Demina, Sandrine Degryse, Susan Raju Paul, Mark Poznansky, Krystle Lang Kuhs, James S. Lewis, Robert L. Ferris, Xiaowei Wang, Alexander Bagaev, Nathan Fowler, Lori Wirth, Daniel Faden. Viral transcript and tumor immune microenvironment-based transcriptomic profiling of HPV-associated head and neck cancer identifies subtypes associated with prognosis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3823.

Magnetic Properties of Bacterial Magnetosomes Produced by Magnetospirillum caucaseum SO-1

In this study, the magnetic properties of magnetosomes isolated from lyophilized magnetotactic bacteria Magnetospirillum caucaseum SO-1 were assessed for the first time. The shape and size of magnetosomes and cell fragments were studied by electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. Phase and elemental composition were analyzed by X-ray and electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Magnetic properties were studied using vibrating sample magnetometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Theoretical analysis of the magnetic properties was carried out using the model of clusters of magnetostatically interacting two-phase particles and a modified method of moments for a system of dipole-dipole-interacting uniaxial particles. Magnetic properties were controlled mostly by random aggregates of magnetosomes, with a minor contribution from preserved magnetosome chains. Results confirmed the high chemical stability and homogeneity of bacterial magnetosomes in comparison to synthetic iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles.

PSII-25 The effect of the organic acid on the bulls’ sperm quality

Carnitine is actively used in medicine in the treatment of male infertility. L-carnitine is an organic acid that normalizes the balance of oxidative and antioxidant processes. Bulls (n = 15) with low sperm quality (low sperm activity) were selected. The bulls were injected intramuscularly L-carnitine solution (NaturVet, Australia) at the rate of 1 ml per 30 kg of animal body weight twice a week for one month. A macroscopic assessment of the ejaculate was carried out, the activity of the spermatozoa in the freshly obtained ejaculate, the concentration, the activity of the spermatozoa after thawing the sperm samples was evaluated.Investigated samples obtained from bulls one month before the start of L-carnitine using, during the period of the experiment and during one month after the end of the experiment.The minimum value of sperm activity in the period prior to the use of L-carnitine was 2 points. The average activity of bull semen is 2.7 points. Research results showed that the average score of sperm activity increased to 7.2 points. The maximum value of sperm activity is 8 points.The volume in the period prior to the injection of L-carnitine was 1.9 ml, while the drug was in use - 3.4 ml. The sperm production rate increased by 44%.The average value of sperm concentration in the ejaculate of bulls when using L- carnitine was 0.9 billion / ml. This indicator increased by 11% compared to this indicator in the period before using of the drug (0.8 billion / ml). Thus, based on the data obtained, it can be noted that using the injection form of the L-carnitine solution has a positive effect on the quality of sperm obtained from bulls.

PSVI-27 Kidney damage in cows with steatosis

Steatosis is an often detected pathology in cows. Due to hypertension, the load on the urinary system increases, which is accompanied by kidney damage. Often in cows with steatosis, necritis, pyelitis and kidney dystrophy are detected at autopsy. The goal of this study was to determine the characteristic features of kidney damage in cows with steatosis and to identify alterations in blood biochemistry. In 2018, a histological study was carried out on 7 samples of cow liver and kidneys with signs of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Observed pathological changes in the liver in the form of fatty degeneration, as well as a decrease in the content of glycogen in hepatocytes were recorded. The livers had a girder structure, moderately full. The sinusoids of the liver and Disse space were moderately dilated. Portal tracts had a typical histological structure; hepatic triads, represented by an interlobular artery, vein, and bile duct, were detected in the stroma. Schiff-iodic acid by MacManus stain showed decrease or absence of glycogen in the samples. The use of the same staining protocol showed positive staining of the reticular fibers of the interstitial kidney tissue. In the kidneys, hyaline droplet epithelium of the tubule, accumulation of hyaline-like substance in the spaces between the capsule and the vascular glomerulus, and development of fibrosing interstitial glomerulonephritis were noted. Biochemical analysis of blood showed normal levels of creatinine (68.5±2.7 μmol/L), and urea (6.6±0.3 mmol/L), and reduced concentration of albumin to 23.2±0.9%. Liver function parameters were elevated: total bilirubin (28.1±1.9 μmol/L), total protein (89.3±3.4 g/L), gamma-glutamyltransferase (131.9±18.0 IU/L). Urine analysis demonstrated proteinuria and hematuria.

PSVI-22 Immunity indicators of calves obtained from cows with ketosis during the treatment process

The purpose of these studies was to determine the indicators of cellular and humoral immunity of calves. Compared to calves obtained from untreated cows, the number of T-lymphocytes in young calves born from cows treated with Timolin increased the level of T-cells to 32.9%, while using Timosplenin 45%. As a result of the use of immunomodulators in treating cows with ketosis in mothers, the relative content of T-lymphocytes in the blood of calves born from them increased when using the drug Leucogen by 1.7 times, Timosplenin by 2.3 times, Timalin in 2.2 times. The use of Leucogen for cows with ketosis contributed to an increase in the percentage of B cells in the blood of calves born by 23%, Timosplenin 83%, and Timalin 42%. At the same time, the absolute number of B-lymphocytes in the treatment of “Leucogen” increased 1.9 times and reached the level of healthy calves, in the treatment with the preparations “Timosplenin” and “Timalin” - the increase was, respectively, 3.0 and 2.3 times and was higher this indicator in young animals born from healthy calves. Thus, the inclusion of dry immunomodulators in the treatment regimen of patients with ketosis leads not only to normalization of metabolism, but is also accompanied by an increase in the level of cellular immunity factors in calves born from them. Under the influence of “Leucogen,” the percentage of lymphocytes was normalized, whereas with the introduction of “Timalin” and “Timosplenin,” the content of this type of cells in newborn calves even exceeded those in healthy young.

PSVI-33 Queen bees’ artificial breeding using selenium compounds

The aim of the study was to research the effect of selenium-containing drugs on the efficiency of artificial hatching, using them in the composition of feeding of starter-families. The experiment was conducted in a private apiary located in the Penza region, Russia (30 bee colonies). The predominant honey plants - melilot, rose bay. The average productivity -65–70 kg of marketable honey.In the maternal family, 1.5-day-old larvae were taken, transferred to artificial pans and placed for a day in the family-starters, and then - in the queen-rearing colony. Families-starters once received a sugar syrup with selenium-containing drugs. Sugar syrup(S) was prepared in a 1: 1 ratio, selenium drugs were added to it. The introduction of selenopyran as part of top-dressing to the starter-family at a dose of 0.2 mg of selenium per 1 kg of bees causes an increase in selenium content in the body of bees by 138%, while the administration of sodium selenite and selenocystin does not lead to significant changes in the selenium status of insects under the same conditions.Sodium selenite, introduced as part of top-dressing to the family-starter up to 0.2 mg selenium per 1 kg of bee mass, increases the selenium content in the body of the queens that were in the 1st day of development in this family by 225%, while selenopyran with this method administration causes an increase in selenium level in the body of the uterus by 121%, and selenocystin - by 73%, compared with the control.The use of selenocystine and sodium selenite as part of feeding to starter families contributes to better preservation of the larvae in the development process in queen-rearing colony, compared with the control and provides a higher yield of queens (respectively, 214% and 157% higher).

Draft mitochondrial genomes of Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo verbana (Annelida, Hirudinea)

Here we present two incomplete mitochondrial genome sequences of Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo verbana (Annelida, Hirudinea). The corresponding sequences are 14,729 and 14,604 base pairs in length. They contain all mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs) but lack the non-coding region. Nevertheless, the robust reconstruction of their phylogenetic relationships presented here reveals distinct separation of both leeches from other annelids and at the same time relatively high dissimilarity between each other.

Endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure

Congestive heart failure is characteristically associated with systemic vasoconstriction and impaired vasodilatory capacity, leading to decreased peripheral perfusion. Factors identified as possible causes of reduced vasodilatory capacity include activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system, vascular stiffness due to increased sodium and fluid retention, and structural vascular changes. More recently, the role of the endothelium as a mediator of vasoregulation and tissue perfusion has been recognized.