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Zhou L, Fang L, Roth M, Papakonstantinou E, Tamm M, Stolz D. Heat-Induced Secretion of Heat Shock Proteins 70 and 90 Does not Affect the Expression of the Glucocorticoid Receptor in Primary Airway Cells in COPD. Lung 2024:10.1007/s00408-024-00680-8. [PMID: 38641747 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-024-00680-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The response to glucocorticoids is hampered in many COPD patients by a yet unknown mechanism. Earlier we reported that short-term heat exposure of primary human bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) and airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) of asthma patients increased the expression and secretion of extracellular heat shock proteins (eHSPs) resulting in increased expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in BEC and inhibition of ASMC remodeling. The aim of the present study was to assess if the same mechanism is also present in primary airway wall cells of COPD patients. METHODS Primary BEC and ASMC were established from endobronchial biopsies obtained from COPD patients (n = 73), who participated in the HISTORIC study, an investigator-initiated and driven clinical trial. Secretion and protein expression of HSPs was assessed by ELISA and Western blotting. Expression of total GR, its isoforms GRα and GRβ and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was determined by Western-blotting. RESULTS Short heat exposure (65 °C, 10 s) of BEC resulted in a significant increase of the secretion of eHSP70 and eHSP90, while the intracellular protein was not altered. Heat treatment or exposure to eHSP70 or eHSP90 had no effect on the expression of GR and GR-isoforms. However, eHSP70 and eHSP90 significantly reduced the expression of TLR4. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that primary airway cells from COPD patients respond differently to heat exposure and extracellular HSP70 or HSP90 than cells from asthma patients regarding the expression of GR and this may explain the reduced response to glucocorticoids in patients with COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN11017699.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lei Fang
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Roth
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Tamm
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland.
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland.
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
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Wiśniewski M, Babirye P, Musubika C, Papakonstantinou E, Kirimunda S, Łaźniewski M, Szczepińska T, Joloba ML, Eliopoulos E, Bongcam-Rudloff E, Vlachakis D, Kumar Halder A, Plewczyński D, Wayengera M. Use of in silico approaches, synthesis and profiling of Pan-filovirus GP-1,2 preprotein specific antibodies. Brief Funct Genomics 2024:elae012. [PMID: 38605526 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elae012] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Intermolecular interactions of protein-protein complexes play a principal role in the process of discovering new substances used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. Among such complexes of proteins, we have to mention antibodies; they interact with specific antigens of two genera of single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Filoviridae-Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus; both cause rare but fatal viral hemorrhagic fever in Africa, with pandemic potential. In this research, we conduct studies aimed at the design and evaluation of antibodies targeting the filovirus glycoprotein precursor GP-1,2 to develop potential targets for the pan-filovirus easy-to-use rapid diagnostic tests. The in silico research using the available 3D structure of the natural antibody-antigen complex was carried out to determine the stability of individual protein segments in the process of its formation and maintenance. The computed free binding energy of the complex and its decomposition for all amino acids allowed us to define the residues that play an essential role in the structure and indicated the spots where potential antibodies can be improved. Following that, the study involved targeting six epitopes of the filovirus GP1,2 with two polyclonal antibodies (pABs) and 14 monoclonal antibodies (mABs). The evaluation conducted using Enzyme Immunoassays tested 62 different sandwich combinations of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), identifying 10 combinations that successfully captured the recombinant GP1,2 (rGP). Among these combinations, the sandwich option (3G2G12* - (rGP) - 2D8F11) exhibited the highest propensity for capturing the rGP antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Wiśniewski
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Peace Babirye
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carol Musubika
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Genetics Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology,Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 7511855 Athens, Greece
| | - Samuel Kirimunda
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michal Łaźniewski
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Teresa Szczepińska
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Moses L Joloba
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Genetics Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology,Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 7511855 Athens, Greece
| | - Erik Bongcam-Rudloff
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bioinformatics section, Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, PO Box 7023, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Genetics Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 7511855 Athens, Greece
| | - Anup Kumar Halder
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Plewczyński
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Misaki Wayengera
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
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Christopoulou ME, Skandalis SS, Papakonstantinou E, Stolz D, Aletras AJ. WISP1 induces the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in human lung fibroblasts through Src kinases and EGFR-activated signaling pathways. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C850-C865. [PMID: 38145300 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00410.2023] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Wnt1-inducible signaling protein 1 (WISP1/CCN4) is a secreted matricellular protein that is implicated in lung and airway remodeling. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been associated with chronic lung diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the WISP1 signaling pathway and its ability to induce the expression of MIF in primary cultures of fibroblasts from normal human lungs (HLFs). Our results showed that WISP1 significantly stimulated the expression of MIF in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. In WISP1-induced expression of MIF, αvβ5-integrin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans as well as Src tyrosine kinases, MAP kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, PKC, and NF-κB were involved. WISP1-induced expression of MIF was attenuated in the presence of the Src kinase inhibitor PP2 or the MIF tautomerase activity inhibitor ISO-1. Moreover, WISP1 significantly increased the phosphorylation and activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) through transactivation by Src kinases. WISP1 also induced the expression of MIF receptor CD74 and coreceptor CD44, through which MIF exerts its effects on HLFs. In addition, it was found that MIF induced its own expression, as well as its receptors CD74/CD44, acting in an autocrine manner. Finally, WISP1-induced MIF promoted the expression of cyclooxygenase 2, prostaglandin E2, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 demonstrating the regulatory role of WISP1-MIF axis in lung inflammation and remodeling involving mainly integrin αvβ5, Src kinases, PKC, NF-κB, and EGFR. The specific signaling pathways involved in WISP1-induced expression of MIF may prove to be excellent candidates for novel targets to control inflammation in chronic lung diseases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrates for the first time that Wnt1-inducible signaling protein 1 (WISP1) regulates migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression and activity and identifies the main signaling pathways involved. The newly discovered WISP1-MIF axis may drive lung inflammation and could result in the design of novel targeted therapies in inflammatory lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Elpida Christopoulou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Clinic of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Spyros S Skandalis
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexios J Aletras
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Nikolakis G, Vaiopoulos AG, Georgopoulos I, Papakonstantinou E, Gaitanis G, Zouboulis CC. Insights, Advantages, and Barriers of Teledermatology vs. Face-to-Face Dermatology for the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:578. [PMID: 38339329 PMCID: PMC10854718 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030578] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teledermatology is employed in the diagnosis and follow-up of skin cancer and its use was intensified during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, demographic changes result in an overall increase in non-melanoma skin cancer and skin precancerous lesions. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of teledermatology in comparison to conventional face-to-face dermatology for such lesions and determine the advantages and limitations of this workflow for patients and physicians. METHODS Research was performed using relevant keywords in MEDLINE and CENTRAL. Relevant articles were chosen following a predetermined standardized extraction form. RESULTS Diagnostic accuracy and interrater/intrarater agreement can be considered comparable-although lower-than in-person consultation. Improvement of particular features such as image quality, medical history availability, and teledermoscopy can further increase accuracy. Further aspects of limitations and advantages (mean time-to-assessment, time-to-treatment, cost-effectiveness) are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Teledermatology has comparable diagnostic accuracy with face-to-face dermatology and can be utilized both for the effective triage of non-melanocytic epithelial tumors and precancerous lesions, as well as the follow-up. Easy access to dermatologic consultation with shorter mean times to diagnostic biopsy and/or treatment coupled with cost-effectiveness could compensate for the lower sensitivity of teledermatology and offer easier access to medical care to the affected populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Nikolakis
- Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology, Staedtisches Klinikum Dessau, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, 06847 Dessau, Germany;
- Docandu Ltd., London Ν8 0ES, UK;
| | - Aristeidis G. Vaiopoulos
- Second Department of Dermatology and Venereology, “Attikon” University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Ioannis Georgopoulos
- Docandu Ltd., London Ν8 0ES, UK;
- Surgical Department, “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - George Gaitanis
- Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Christos C. Zouboulis
- Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology, Staedtisches Klinikum Dessau, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, 06847 Dessau, Germany;
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Karakioulaki M, Berkemeier CM, Heijnen I, Grize L, Papakonstantinou E, Goulas A, Tamm M, Stolz D. Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A- and B-specific IgE in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Res 2023; 24:225. [PMID: 37740199 PMCID: PMC10517478 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02520-4] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensitization to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins A (SEA) and B (SEB) has been associated with asthma severity, exacerbations, and disease control. Our study aimed to investigate if there are differences in serum SEA-IgE and SEB-IgE levels between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and controls, and to assess the association between SE sensitization and COPD clinical parameters and Th2 inflammation biomarkers in two well-defined COPD cohorts. Our findings suggest that COPD patients do not exhibit higher SEA and SEB sensitization compared to asthma patients and controls. However, in COPD patients, the presence of atopy and allergy is associated with positivity for SEA-IgE and SEB-IgE. Consequently, these allergens may aid in identifying atopic or allergic subgroups within the COPD population, but they are not directly associated with the diagnosis of COPD, elevated circulating blood eosinophils, or fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meropi Karakioulaki
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Caroline Maria Berkemeier
- Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ingmar Heijnen
- Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Antonis Goulas
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Clinical Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Stolz D, Papakonstantinou E, Pascarella M, Jahn K, Siebeneichler A, Darie AM, Herrmann MJ, Strobel W, Salina A, Grize L, Savic Prince S, Tamm M. Airway smooth muscle area to predict steroid responsiveness in COPD patients receiving triple therapy (HISTORIC): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, investigator-initiated trial. Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2300218. [PMID: 37385657 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00218-2023] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are highly effective in asthma, they provide significant, but modest, clinical benefit in COPD. Here, we tested the hypothesis that high bronchial airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) area in COPD is associated with ICS responsiveness. METHODS In this investigator-initiated and -driven, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial (HISTORIC), 190 COPD patients, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage B-D, underwent bronchoscopy with endobronchial biopsy. Patients were divided into groups A and B, with high ASMC area (HASMC: >20% of the bronchial tissue area) and low ASMC area (LASMC: ≤20% of the bronchial tissue area), respectively, and followed a run-in period of 6 weeks on open-label triple inhaled therapy with aclidinium (ACL)/formoterol (FOR)/budesonide (BUD) (400/12/400 μg twice daily). Subsequently, patients were randomised to receive either ACL/FOR/BUD or ACL/FOR/placebo and followed for 12 months. The primary end-point of the study was the difference in post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) over 12 months between patients with LASMC and HASMC receiving or not receiving ICS. RESULTS In patients with LASMC, ACL/FOR/BUD did not significantly improve FEV1 over 12 months, as compared to ACL/FOR/placebo (p=0.675). However, in patients with HASMC, ACL/FOR/BUD significantly improved FEV1, as compared to ACL/FOR/placebo (p=0.020). Over 12 months, the difference of FEV1 change between the ACL/FOR/BUD group and the ACL/FOR/placebo group was 50.6 mL·year-1 within the group of patients with LASMC and 183.0 mL·year-1 within the group of patients with HASMC. CONCLUSION COPD patients with ΗASMC respond better to ICS than patients with LASMC, suggesting that this type of histological analysis may predict ICS responsiveness in COPD patients receiving triple therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria Pascarella
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Jahn
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aline Siebeneichler
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrei M Darie
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias J Herrmann
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Werner Strobel
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Salina
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Spasenija Savic Prince
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Papakonstantinou E, Christopoulou ME, Karakioulaki M, Grize L, Tamm M, Stolz D. Ηeparan sulphate in infectious and non-infectious exacerbations of COPD. Respirology 2023. [PMID: 37311657 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14531] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are associated with worsening health outcomes and effective treatment of each episode is essential. In this study, we aimed to investigate if plasma levels of heparan sulphate (HS) are associated with the aetiology of AECOPD. METHODS COPD patients (N = 1189), GOLD grade II-IV, from a discovery cohort (N = 638) and from a validation cohort (N = 551), were included in the study. HS and heparanase (HSPE-1) were measured longitudinally in plasma at stable state, at AECOPD and at 4 weeks follow-up. RESULTS Plasma HS was higher in patients with COPD as compared with non-COPD controls and was significantly increased at AECOPD as compared to stable state (p < 0.001) in the discovery and in the validation cohorts. Four distinct exacerbation groups were classified based on aetiology (no-infection/bacterial-infection/viral-infection/bacterial and viral coinfection) in the validation cohort. The fold-increase of HS from stable state to AECOPD was associated with the aetiology of exacerbation and was higher in cases with bacterial and viral coinfections. HSPE-1 was also significantly increased at AECOPD, however, there was no association of HSPE-1 levels with the aetiology of these events. The probability of having an infection at AECOPD was raised as HS levels increased from stable state to AECOPD. This probability was higher for bacterial infections than viral infections. CONCLUSION The results of our study indicate that circulating levels of HS are increased at AECOPD and this increase may be associated with the aetiology of these events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria-Elpida Christopoulou
- Department of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Meropi Karakioulaki
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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8
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Stolz D, Matera MG, Rogliani P, van den Berge M, Papakonstantinou E, Gosens R, Singh D, Hanania N, Cazzola M, Maitland-van der Zee AH, Fregonese L, Mathioudakis AG, Vestbo J, Rukhadze M, Page CP. Current and future developments in the pharmacology of asthma and COPD: ERS seminar, Naples 2022. Breathe (Sheff) 2023; 19:220267. [PMID: 37377851 PMCID: PMC10292790 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0267-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological management of airway obstructive diseases is a fast-evolving field. Several advances in unravelling disease mechanisms as well as intracellular and molecular pathways of drug action have been accomplished. While the clinical translation and implementation of in vitro results to the bedside remains challenging, advances in comprehending the mechanisms of respiratory medication are expected to assist clinicians and scientists in identifying meaningful read-outs and designing clinical studies. This European Respiratory Society Research Seminar, held in Naples, Italy, 5-6 May 2022, focused on current and future developments of the drugs used to treat asthma and COPD; on mechanisms of drug action, steroid resistance, comorbidities and drug interactions; on prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers; on developing novel drug targets based on tissue remodelling and regeneration; and on pharmacogenomics and emerging biosimilars. Related European Medicines Agency regulations are also discussed, as well as the seminar's position on the above aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Gabriella Matera
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Maarten van den Berge
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, and Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dave Singh
- Medicines Evaluation Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicola Hanania
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alexander G. Mathioudakis
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Jørgen Vestbo
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Maia Rukhadze
- Center of Allergy and Immunology, Teaching University Geomedi LLC, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Clive P. Page
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
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9
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Bali G, Kokka I, Gonidakis F, Papakonstantinou E, Vlachakis D, Chrousos GP, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Bacopoulou F. Validation of the Eating Habits Questionnaire in Greek adults. EMBnet J 2023; 28:e1029. [PMID: 37378379 PMCID: PMC10299750 DOI: 10.14806/ej.28.0.1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Healthy eating has gained ground in people's daily lives in modern society. However, an overwhelming preoccupation with healthy eating can lead to a pathological form setting the ground for orthorexia nervosa. This study aimed to validate the Greek version of the Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ) in adults 18 to 65 years old. The EHQ evaluates orthorexia nervosa traits. An online survey was conducted among adults of the general Greek population by administrating a battery of self-report instruments. The IPIP Big-Five personality questionnaire, Beck's Depression Inventory, the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, the Bulimic Investigatory Test, the Edinburg BITE, and the Eating Attitudes Test-13 were used. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and criterion validity were examined. A total of 551 adults (92.2% females) voluntarily participated in the study. Results suggest that the Greek version of the instrument has good psychometric properties. Analysis revealed a 3-factor model explaining 48.20% of the total variance. Cronbach's alphas ranged between 0.80 to 0.82, indicating good internal consistency. The test-retest reliability analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the measurements of the first and the post-2 weeks. Correlations with other eating disorder-related constructs were found to be weak to moderate. Body mass index was not significantly correlated with neither of the three EHQ subscales. The Greek version of EHQ is a robust instrument that could be used in clinical practice and research in the field of eating disorders in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Bali
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Science and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioulia Kokka
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Science and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Fragiskos Gonidakis
- Eating Disorders Unit, First Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Genetics Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Genetics Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Science and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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10
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Christopoulou ME, Papakonstantinou E, Stolz D. Matrix Metalloproteinases in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043786. [PMID: 36835197 PMCID: PMC9966421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043786] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade proteins of the extracellular matrix and the basement membrane. Thus, these enzymes regulate airway remodeling, which is a major pathological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, proteolytic destruction in the lungs may lead to loss of elastin and the development of emphysema, which is associated with poor lung function in COPD patients. In this literature review, we describe and appraise evidence from the recent literature regarding the role of different MMPs in COPD, as well as how their activity is regulated by specific tissue inhibitors. Considering the importance of MMPs in COPD pathogenesis, we also discuss MMPs as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in COPD and present evidence from recent clinical trials in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Elpida Christopoulou
- Department of Pneumology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Department of Pneumology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Department of Pneumology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-761-270-37050
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11
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Papageorgiou L, Kalospyrou E, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Exarchos TP, Vlamos P, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. DRDs and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Share a Common Therapeutic Ground: A Novel Bioinformatic Approach Sheds New Light Toward Pharmacological Treatment of Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1424:97-115. [PMID: 37486484 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31982-2_11] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive and behavioral disorders are subgroups of mental health disorders. Both cognitive and behavioral disorders can occur in people of different ages, genders, and social backgrounds, and they can cause serious physical, mental, or social problems. The risk factors for these diseases are numerous, with a range from genetic and epigenetic factors to physical factors. In most cases, the appearance of such a disorder in an individual is a combination of his genetic profile and environmental stimuli. To date, researchers have not been able to identify the specific causes of these disorders, and as such, there is urgent need for innovative study approaches. The aim of the present study was to identify the genetic factors which seem to be more directly responsible for the occurrence of a cognitive and/or behavioral disorder. More specifically, through bioinformatics tools and software as well as analytical methods such as systemic data and text mining, semantic analysis, and scoring functions, we extracted the most relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes connected to these disorders. All the extracted SNPs were filtered, annotated, classified, and evaluated in order to create the "genomic grammar" of these diseases. The identified SNPs guided the search for top suspected genetic factors, dopamine receptors D and neurotrophic factor BDNF, for which regulatory networks were built. The identification of the "genomic grammar" and underlying factors connected to cognitive and behavioral disorders can aid in the successful disease profiling and the establishment of novel pharmacological targets and provide the basis for personalized medicine, which takes into account the patient's genetic background as well as epigenetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Papageorgiou
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Efstathia Kalospyrou
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Themis P Exarchos
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics & Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Vlamos
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics & Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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12
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Papakonstantinou E, Efthymiou V, Dragoumani K, Christodoulou M, Vlachakis D. Collaborative Platforms and Matchmaking Algorithms for Research and Education, Establishment, and Optimization of Consortia. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1424:125-133. [PMID: 37486486 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31982-2_13] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Matchmaking has a great position in the rational allocation of resources in several fields, ranging from market operation to people's daily lives. Matchmakers have evolved through artificial intelligence technologies and are being introduced in numerous aspects of industry, research, and academia in solving decision issues, research innovation design, and building robust and efficient networks. The goal of this report is to describe the collaborative platforms and matchmaking algorithms for research and education, as well as the establishment and optimization of consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Efthymiou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Christodoulou
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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13
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Papageorgiou L, Mangana E, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Exarchos TP, Vlamos P, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. An Updated Evolutionary and Structural Study of TBK1 Reveals Highly Conserved Motifs as Potential Pharmacological Targets in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1423:41-57. [PMID: 37525032 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31978-5_5] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
TANK-binding kinase 1 protein (TBK1) is a kinase that belongs to the IκB (IKK) family. TBK1, also known as T2K, FTDALS4, NAK, IIAE8, and NF-κB, is responsible for the phosphorylation of the amino acid residues, serine and threonine. This enzyme is involved in various key biological processes, including interferon activation and production, homeostasis, cell growth, autophagy, insulin production, and the regulation of TNF-α, IFN-β, and IL-6. Mutations in the TBK1 gene alter the protein's normal function and may lead to an array of pathological conditions, including disorders of the central nervous system. The present study sought to elucidate the role of the TBK1 protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a human neurodegenerative disorder. A broad evolutionary and phylogenetic analysis of TBK1 was performed across numerous organisms to distinguish conserved regions important for the protein's function. Subsequently, mutations and SNPs were explored, and their potential effect on the enzyme's function was investigated. These analytical steps, in combination with the study of the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of TBK1, enabled the identification of conserved motifs, which can function as novel pharmacological targets and inform therapeutic strategies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Mangana
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Themis P Exarchos
- Bioinformatics & Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Informatics, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Vlamos
- Bioinformatics & Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Informatics, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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14
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Mitsis T, Papageorgiou L, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Kino T, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. A Genomic Study of the Japanese Population Focusing on the Glucocorticoid Receptor Interactome Highlights Distinct Genetic Characteristics Associated with Stress Response. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1423:101-113. [PMID: 37525035 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31978-5_8] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
All living organisms have been programmed to maintain a complex inner equilibrium called homeostasis, despite numerous adversities during their lifespan. Any threatening or perceived as such stimuli for homeostasis is termed a stressor, and a highly conserved response system called the stress response system has been developed to cope with these stimuli and maintain or reinstate homeostasis. The glucocorticoid receptor, a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptors protein superfamily, has a major role in the stress response system, and research on its interactome may provide novel information regarding the mechanisms underlying homeostasis maintenance. A list of 149 autosomal genes that have an essential role in GR function or are prime examples of GRE-containing genes was composed in order to gain a comprehensive view of the GR interactome. A search for SNPs on those particular genes was conducted on a dataset of 3554 Japanese individuals, with mentioned polymorphisms being annotated with relevant information from the ClinVar, LitVar, and dbSNP databases. Forty-two SNPs of interest and their genomic locations were identified. These SNPs have been associated with drug metabolism and neuropsychiatric, metabolic, and immune system disorders, while most of them were located in intronic regions. The frequencies of those SNPs were later compared with a dataset consisting of 1465 Korean individuals in order to find population-specific characteristics based on some of the identified SNPs of interest. The results highlighted.that rs1043618 frequencies were different in the two populations, with mentioned polymorphism having a potential role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in response to environmental stressors. This SNP is located in the HSPA1A gene, which codes for an essential GR co-chaperone, and such information showcases that similar gene may be novel genomic targets for managing or combatting stress-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanasis Mitsis
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Tomoshige Kino
- Department of Human Genetics, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece.
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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15
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Papageorgiou L, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Semantic and Population Analysis of the Genetic Targets Related to COVID-19 and Its Association with Genes and Diseases. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1423:59-78. [PMID: 37525033 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31978-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus responsible for one of the most serious, modern worldwide pandemics, with lasting and multifaceted effects. By late 2021, SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 180 million people and has killed more than 3 million. The virus gains entrance to human cells through binding to ACE2 via its surface spike protein and causes a complex disease of the respiratory system, termed COVID-19. Vaccination efforts are being made to hinder the viral spread, and therapeutics are currently under development. Toward this goal, scientific attention is shifting toward variants and SNPs that affect factors of the disease such as susceptibility and severity. This genomic grammar, tightly related to the dark part of our genome, can be explored through the use of modern methods such as natural language processing. We present a semantic analysis of SARS-CoV-2-related publications, which yielded a repertoire of SNPs, genes, and disease ontologies. Population data from the 1000 Genomes Project were subsequently integrated into the pipeline. Data mining approaches of this scale have the potential to elucidate the complex interaction between COVID-19 pathogenesis and host genetic variation; the resulting knowledge can facilitate the management of high-risk groups and aid the efforts toward precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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16
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Papakonstantinou E, Vlamos P, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Human Breast Milk Omics and Neurodevelopment. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1423:235-236. [PMID: 37525049 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31978-5_22] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Breast milk is the ideal food for the premature and mature babies and has undoubtedly immediate and ultimate benefits. Among other things, it protects against infections, reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy of the premature babies, improves neurodevelopmental outcome, and reduces the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome later in life. In the present study, breast milk will be studied with all the available omics technologies. More specifically, functional genomics, comparative genomics, transcriptomics, sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics will be performed. The above results and this multidimensional information will be coordinated under the framework of a holistic approach of systems biology and bioinformatic analysis. Important IncRNAs and protein molecules will be validated as candidate biomarkers in exosomes of a larger group of breast milk and blood/serum samples. Validated ncRNAs/proteins will be analyzed in exudates of breast milk and bovine, goat, and sheep milk to explore new ways to improve milk synthesis. Expression of ncRNAs, unlike mRNAs, is a direct indicator of their functional presence. The information to be generated in this study will be analyzed by mining and data combining techniques and algorithms. After defining breast milk molecular fingerprinting, an attempt will be made to enhance the commercial product. The benefits of breast milk are attributed to its various components, including nutrients, hormones, growth factors, immune cells, antibodies, cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, and extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Vlamos
- Bioinformatics & Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Informatics, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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17
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Papageorgiou L, Christou E, Louka E, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. ADRA2B and HTR1A: An Updated Study of the Biogenic Amine Receptors Reveals Novel Conserved Motifs Which Play Key Role in Mental Disorders. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1423:79-99. [PMID: 37525034 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31978-5_7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Mental disorders are strongly connected with several psychiatric conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorder, and suicides. There are many biological conditions and pathways that define these complicated illnesses. For example, eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that require the intervention of geneticists, psychiatrists, and medical experts in order to alleviate their symptoms. A patient with suicidal ideation should first be identified and consequently monitored by a similar team of specialists. Both genetics and epigenetics can shed light on eating disorders and suicides as they are found in the main core of such investigations. In the present study, an analysis has been performed on two specific members of the GPCR family toward drawing conclusions regarding their functionality and implementation in mental disorders. Specifically, evolutionary and structural studies on the adrenoceptor alpha 2b (ADRA2B) and the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A (HTR1A) have been carried out. Both receptors are classified in the biogenic amine receptors sub-cluster of the GPCRs and have been connected in many studies with mental diseases and malnutrition conditions. The major goal of this study is the investigation of conserved motifs among biogenic amine receptors that play an important role in this family signaling pathway, through an updated evolutionary analysis and the correlation of this information with the structural features of the HTR1A and ADRA2B. Furthermore, the structural comparison of ADRA2B, HTR1A, and other members of GPCRs related to mental disorders is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Christou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Effrosyni Louka
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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18
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Papakonstantinou E, Vlachakis D, Thireou T, Vlachoyiannopoulos PG, Eliopoulos E. Computational Methods for Anticancer Drug Discovery; The MCT4 Paradigm. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1424:231. [PMID: 37486498 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31982-2_25] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Modern anticancer research has employed advanced computational techniques and artificial intelligence methods for drug discovery and development, along with the massive amount of generated clinical and in silico data over the last decades. Diverse computational techniques and state-of-the-art algorithms are being developed to enhance traditional Rational Drug Design pipelines and achieve cost-efficient and successful anticancer candidates to promote human health. Towards this direction, we have developed a pharmacophore- based drug design approach against MCT4, a member of the monocarboxylate transporter family (MCT), which is the main carrier of lactate across the membrane and highly involved in cancer cell metabolism. Specifically, MCT4 is a promising target for therapeutic strategies as it overexpresses in glycolytic tumors, and its inhibition has shown promising anticancer effects. Due to the lack of experimentally determined structure, we have elucidated the key features of the protein through an in silico drug design strategy, including for molecular modelling, molecular dynamics, and pharmacophore elucidation, towards the identification of specific inhibitors as a novel anti-cancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Trias Thireou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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19
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Malliari K, Papakonstantinou E, Mitsis T, Papageorgiou L, Pierouli K, Diakou I, Dragoumani K, Spandidos DA, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Dark DNA and stress (Review). Int J Mol Med 2023; 51:8. [PMID: 36484387 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5211] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, research at the molecular level has focused on the part of the genome that does not encode protein sequences. Since the discovery of transcriptional evidence from the hitherto considered 'junk' DNA, this region of the genome, which is currently termed dark DNA, is constantly gaining interest. The term borrows an analogy from the corresponding eminent fields of dark matter and dark energy in physics and cosmology. In fact, an increasing number of attempts are being made to enhance the current understanding of the non‑coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts produced by such regions. Although the base‑pair length and gene number appear to be very diverse between species, it appears that the amount of the non‑coding regions of the genome of an organism is a sign of evolutional superiority. ncRNA molecules are able to orchestrate the expression of genetic information in the most complex, rapid and reversible manner, participating in almost every major biological process. A prime example of such a process is the maintenance of homeostasis, the internal physiological balance, despite internal and external stressful stimuli. These molecules have been shown to be excellent regulators of gene expression, with marked spatiotemporal specificity, rendering them ideal tools for regulating stress responses. Herein, an attempt is made to extract and fuse information from a repertoire of studies, which have demonstrated that the expression of a number of these molecules was modified following exposure to acute and chronic stress, as well as in patients with anxiety disorders and their respective animal models. All in all, ncRNAs have the potential to be used either as biomarkers or as therapeutic targets for disorders resulting from the loss of equilibrium, the disruption of homeostasis and the destabilization of the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Malliari
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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20
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Papakonstantinou E, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Endosymbiosis in Nature and the Gut-Brain Axis. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1423:245-250. [PMID: 37525051 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31978-5_24] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the origin of plastids is an interesting theme for study because it enhances our knowledge of the basis of photosynthesis in flora. Plastids, which are organelles, are actually the major sites of photosynthesis in eukaryotic cells. Plastids are also every chloroplast which contains cytoplasmic organelles, enabling the harvesting and conversion of light and carbon dioxide into food and energy. Plastids can be found in eukaryotic cells, and according to their structure in their membrane, they can be separated in primary (which can be found in most algae and plants) and secondary plastids (which can be found in plankton).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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21
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Schumann DM, Papakonstantinou E, Kostikas K, Grize L, Tamm M, Stolz D. Variability of fractional exhaled nitric oxide is associated with the risk and aetiology of COPD exacerbations. Respirology 2022; 28:445-454. [PMID: 36571108 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are heterogeneous in aetiology and accelerate disease progression. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and its variability with AECOPD of different aetiology. METHODS FeNO was determined in 2157 visits (1697 stable, 133 AECOPD and 327 follow-up) of 421 COPD patients from the PREVENT study, an investigator-initiated, longitudinal and interventional study, who were on daily treatment with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β2-agonists. RESULTS Longitudinal measurements of FeNO revealed an intra-subject variability of FeNO that was significantly higher in exacerbators compared to non-exacerbators (p < 0.001) and positively associated with the number of AECOPD. As FeNO variability increased, the probability of patients to remain AECOPD-free decreased. In patients included in the highest FeNO variability quartile (≥15.0 ppb) the probability to remain free of AECOPD was only 35% as compared to 80% for patients included in the lowest FeNO variability quartile (0.50-4.39 ppb). The change of FeNO from the last stable visit to AECOPD was positively associated with the probability of viral infections and this association was stronger in current smokers than ex-smokers. In contrast, the change in FeNO from the last stable visit to an AECOPD visit was inversely associated with the probability of bacterial infections in ex-smokers but not in current smokers. CONCLUSION FeNO variability was associated with the risk and aetiology of AECOPD differentially in current and ex-smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree M Schumann
- Clinic of Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Pneumology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- Clinic of Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Pneumology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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22
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Papakonstantinou E, Fischer J, Limberg MM, Diercks GFH, Horvath B, Raap U. [Eosinophilic dermatoses]. Dermatologie (Heidelb) 2022; 73:965-972. [PMID: 36380139 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-022-05071-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Eosinophilic dermatoses are a heterogeneous group of rare diseases that histopathologically display the defining pattern of an eosinophil-rich dermal infiltrate. In these eosinophilic dermatoses, a histopathologic pattern called flame figures, which result from degranulation of eosinophils in the tissue, can be observed. Although eosinophil granulocytes can also be detected in other dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, urticaria, prurigo and bullous pemphigoid, the eosinophil-rich infiltrate is decisive for classic eosinophilic dermatoses. Accordingly, eosinophilic dermatoses include hypereosinophilic syndrome, eosinophilic fasciitis, granuloma faciale, pustular sterile eosinophilia, and angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. These eosinophilic dermatoses display clinical different patterns and are discussed in this article, as well as the interesting eosinophils and novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Papakonstantinou
- Privatpraxis für Dermatologie Athen, Dermoiatriki Athinon, Athen, Griechenland
| | - J Fischer
- Abteilung für Experimentelle Allergologie und Immunodermatologie, Fakultät für Medizin und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Deutschland
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Universitätsmedizin Oldenburg, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Rahel Straus Str 10, 26133, Oldenburg, Deutschland
| | - M M Limberg
- Abteilung für Experimentelle Allergologie und Immunodermatologie, Fakultät für Medizin und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Deutschland
| | - G F H Diercks
- Universitäts-medizinisches Zentrum Groningen, Abteilung für Dermatologie, Universität Groningen, Groningen, Niederlande
| | - B Horvath
- Universitäts-medizinisches Zentrum Groningen, Abteilung für Dermatologie, Universität Groningen, Groningen, Niederlande
| | - U Raap
- Abteilung für Experimentelle Allergologie und Immunodermatologie, Fakultät für Medizin und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Deutschland.
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Universitätsmedizin Oldenburg, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Rahel Straus Str 10, 26133, Oldenburg, Deutschland.
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23
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Diakou I, Papakonstantinou E, Papageorgiou L, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Spandidos DA, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Novel computational pipelines in antiviral structure‑based drug design (Review). Biomed Rep 2022; 17:97. [PMID: 36382260 PMCID: PMC9634337 DOI: 10.3892/br.2022.1580] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections constitute a fundamental and continuous challenge for the global scientific and medical community, as highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In combination with prophylactic vaccines, the development of safe and effective antiviral drugs remains a pressing need for the effective management of rare and common pathogenic viruses. The design of potent antivirals can be informed by the study of the three-dimensional structure of viral protein targets. Structure-based design of antivirals in silico provides a solution to the arduous and costly process of conventional drug development pipelines. Furthermore, rapid advances in high-throughput computing, along with the growth of available biomolecular and biochemical data, enable the development of novel computational pipelines in the hunt of antivirals. The incorporation of modern methods, such as deep-learning and artificial intelligence, has the potential to revolutionize the structure-based design and repurposing of antiviral compounds, with minimal side effects and high efficacy. The present review aims to provide an outline of both traditional computational drug design and emerging, high-level computing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of The Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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24
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Diakou I, Papakonstantinou E, Papageorgiou L, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Spandidos DA, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Goulielmos GΝ, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Multiple sclerosis and computational biology (Review). Biomed Rep 2022; 17:96. [PMID: 36382258 PMCID: PMC9634047 DOI: 10.3892/br.2022.1579] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease whose prevalence has increased worldwide. The resultant symptoms may be debilitating and can substantially reduce the of patients. Computational biology, which involves the use of computational tools to answer biomedical questions, may provide the basis for novel healthcare approaches in the context of MS. The rapid accumulation of health data, and the ever-increasing computational power and evolving technology have helped to modernize and refine MS research. From the discovery of novel biomarkers to the optimization of treatment and a number of quality-of-life enhancements for patients, computational biology methods and tools are shaping the field of MS diagnosis, management and treatment. The final goal in such a complex disease would be personalized medicine, i.e., providing healthcare services that are tailored to the individual patient, in accordance to the particular biology of their disease and the environmental factors to which they are subjected. The present review article summarizes the current knowledge on MS, modern computational biology and the impact of modern computational approaches of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georges Ν. Goulielmos
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of The Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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25
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Pierouli K, Papakonstantinou E, Papageorgiou L, Diakou I, Mitsis T, Dragoumani K, Spandidos D, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos G, Goulielmos G, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Role of non‑coding RNAs as biomarkers and the application of omics technologies in Alzheimer's disease (Review). Int J Mol Med 2022; 51:5. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George Goulielmos
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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26
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Palaiogeorgou AM, Papakonstantinou E, Golfinopoulou R, Sigala M, Mitsis T, Papageorgiou L, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Spandidos DA, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Recent approaches on Huntington's disease (Review). Biomed Rep 2022; 18:5. [PMID: 36544856 PMCID: PMC9756286 DOI: 10.3892/br.2022.1587] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Patients of all ages can present with a dysfunction of the nervous system, which leads to the progressive loss of movement control and disabilities in speech, swallowing, communications, etc. The molecular basis of the disease is well-known, as HD is related to a mutated gene, a trinucleotide expansion, which encodes to the huntingtin protein. This protein is linked to neurogenesis and the loss of its function leads to neurodegenerative disorders. Although the genetic cause of the disorder has been known for decades, no effective treatment is yet available to prevent onset or to eliminate the progression of symptoms. Thus, the present review focused on the development of novel methods for the timely and accurate diagnosis of HD in an aim to aid the development of therapies which may reduce the severity of the symptoms and control their progression. The majority of the therapies include gene-silencing mechanisms of the mutated huntingtin gene aiming to suppress its expression, and the use of various substances as drugs with highly promising results. In the present review, the latest approaches on the diagnosis of HD are discussed along with the need for genetic counseling and an up-to-date presentation of the applied treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Marina Palaiogeorgou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Rebecca Golfinopoulou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Markezina Sigala
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece,Correspondence to: Dr Dimitrios Vlachakis, Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
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Pierouli K, Papageorgiou L, Mitsis T, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou I, Leptidis S, Sigala M, Dragoumani K, Spandidos D, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos G, Goulielmos G, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Role of microRNAs and long non‑coding RNAs in glucocorticoid signaling (Review). Int J Mol Med 2022; 50:147. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Stefanos Leptidis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Markezina Sigala
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens
| | - George Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens
| | - George Goulielmos
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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28
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Pierouli K, Papakonstantinou E, Papageorgiou L, Diakou I, Mitsis T, Dragoumani K, Spandidos D, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos G, Goulielmos G, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Long non‑coding RNAs and microRNAs as regulators of stress in cancer (Review). Mol Med Rep 2022; 26:361. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George Goulielmos
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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29
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Papakonstantinou E, Mitsis T, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Megalooikonomou V, Chrousos GP, Vlachakis D. The medical cyborg concept. EMBnet j 2022; 27. [PMID: 35464258 PMCID: PMC9022891 DOI: 10.14806/ej.27.0.1005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Medical technology has made significant advances in the 21st century and, at present, medicine makes use of information technology, telecommunications, and state-of-the-art engineering to provide the best possible healthcare services. Electronic sensors provide health practitioners with the ability to constantly monitor their patients’ health, to streamlines a number of medical processes, and to increase patients’ access to health services. Mobile phones also empower patients and play a major role in their health’s monitoring. The use of cybernetics technology can now help patients overcome even serious disabilities, enabling many disabled patients to live their lives similarly to their non-disabled fellow men through the use of artificial organs and implants. All these advances have paved the way for a more personalized type of healthcare that provides individualized solutions to each patient. Once a number of hurdles are overcome, medical technology will bring forth a new era of more precise and enabling medicine.
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Papakonstantinou E, Io Diakou K, Mitsis T, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Megalooikonomou V, Kossida S, Chrousos GP, Vlachakis D. Molecular fusion events in carcinogenic organisms: a bioinformatics study for the detection of fused proteins between viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes. EMBnet J 2022; 27:e1004. [PMID: 35464257 PMCID: PMC9029568 DOI: 10.14806/ej.27.0.1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Molecular fusion events have a prominent role in the initial steps of carcinogenesis. In this study, a bioinformatics analysis was performed between four organisms that are known to induce cancer development in humans: two viruses, Human Herpesvirus 4, and Human T-cell leukaemia virus, one bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori, and one trematode, Schistosoma mansoni. The annotated proteomes from these organisms were analysed using the SAFE software to identify protein fusion events, which may provide insight into protein function similarities and possible merging events during the course of evolution. Based on the results, five fused proteins with very similar functions were detected, whereas proteins with different functions that might act in the same molecular complex or biochemical pathway were not found. Thus, this study analysed the above four well-known cancer-related organisms with de novo bioinformatics programs and provided useful information on protein fusion events, hopefully leading to deeper understanding of carcinogenenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilis Megalooikonomou
- Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras. Greece
| | - Sophia Kossida
- IMGT, The International ImMunoGeneTics Information System, Université de Montpellier, Laboratoire d'ImmunoGénétique Moléculaire and Institut de Génétique Humaine, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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31
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Kourakou A, Tigani X, Bacopoulou F, Vlachakis D, Papakonstantinou E, Simidala S, Ktena E, Katsaouni S, Chrousos G, Darviri C. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: Translation and Validation in the Greek Language in Adolescents. Adv Exp Med Biol 2022; 1339:97-103. [PMID: 35023095 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-78787-5_13] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Self-esteem constitutes a characteristic which can influence the person in many dimensions, depending on the perception positive or negative, which the individual has for himself/herself. The most usable tool for measuring self-esteem is the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). In order to be validated in the Greek language in adolescents, the RSES was completed by 204 high school students, aged 12 to 18 years, at a private school in the suburbs of the region of Attica in Greece. Additional questionnaires were administered simultaneously, i.e., the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventories, Third Edition (CFSEI-3) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The reliability and validity results of the RSES indicated satisfactory internal reliability index (Cronbach's a .89 and .80). The RSES showed good concurrent validity. Statistically significant relationships with academic performance and PANAS were observed. The Greek version of the RSES is short, easy to administer, and comprehensible by the teenagers and can be used for the measurement of self-esteem in adolescents in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kourakou
- Postgraduate Course of Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Xanthi Tigani
- Postgraduate Course of Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Postgraduate Course of Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. .,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. .,Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - George Chrousos
- Postgraduate Course of Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Darviri
- Postgraduate Course of Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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32
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Diakou KI, Mitsis T, Pierouli K, Papakonstantinou E, Bongcam-Rudloff E, Wayengera M, Vlachakis D. Ebola Virus Disease and Current Therapeutic Strategies: A Review. Adv Exp Med Biol 2022; 1339:131-137. [PMID: 35023100 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-78787-5_18] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The Ebola virus disease is a severe hemorrhagic fever that affects humans and other primates. Ebola virus, the causative agent of the disease, is transmitted to humans from wild animals and is highly contagious and aggressive with an estimated fatality rate to be around 50%. Since 1976, 11 outbreaks of Ebola virus disease have been reported in total, affecting mostly sub-Saharan Africa, while the most recent ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 3000 reported cases and 72 deaths. Although an effective vaccine against Ebola virus disease has become available, no targeted treatment with proven efficacy upon infection is developed. Herein, we review the epidemiology of Ebola virus and the current situation in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Erik Bongcam-Rudloff
- SLU-Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics Science, University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Misaki Wayengera
- Department of Pathology, Unit of Genetics & Genomics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- DarkDNA Group, Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece. .,Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece. .,Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London, UK.
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33
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Leptidis S, Papakonstantinou E, Diakou KI, Pierouli K, Mitsis T, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Sanoudou D, Chrousos GP, Vlachakis D. Epitranscriptomics of cardiovascular diseases (Review). Int J Mol Med 2022; 49:9. [PMID: 34791505 PMCID: PMC8651226 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.5064] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA modifications have recently become the focus of attention due to their extensive regulatory effects in a vast array of cellular networks and signaling pathways. Just as epigenetics is responsible for the imprinting of environmental conditions on a genetic level, epitranscriptomics follows the same principle at the RNA level, but in a more dynamic and sensitive manner. Nevertheless, its impact in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains largely unexplored. CVD and its associated pathologies remain the leading cause of death in Western populations due to the limited regenerative capacity of the heart. As such, maintenance of cardiac homeostasis is paramount for its physiological function and its capacity to respond to environmental stimuli. In this context, epitranscriptomic modifications offer a novel and promising therapeutic avenue, based on the fine‑tuning of regulatory cascades, necessary for cardiac function. This review aimed to provide an overview of the most recent findings of key epitranscriptomic modifications in both coding and non‑coding RNAs. Additionally, the methods used for their detection and important associations with genetic variations in the context of CVD were summarized. Current knowledge on cardiac epitranscriptomics, albeit limited still, indicates that the impact of epitranscriptomic editing in the heart, in both physiological and pathological conditions, holds untapped potential for the development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches in a dynamic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Leptidis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Despina Sanoudou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, Medical School, 'Attikon' Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- School of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
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Papakonstantinou E, Dragoumani K, Efthimiadou A, Palaiogeorgou AM, Pierouli K, Mitsis T, Chrousos GP, Bacopoulou F, Vlachakis D. Haematological malignancies implications during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:856. [PMID: 34777590 PMCID: PMC8581473 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated current healthcare services for cancer patients. Patients with haematological malignancies specifically seem vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their immunosuppressed status. The COVID-19 pandemic influences every step of the assessment and treatment of a haematological malignancy. Clinicians must adhere to strict policies to not spread the virus to their patients while they must also adjust their workflow for maximum productivity. These difficulties accentuate the ever-present need to improve the healthcare services for cancer patients. This improvement is needed not only to combat the problems that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic but also to establish a framework for the management of patients with haematological malignancies in potential future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Aspasia Efthimiadou
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Department of Soil Science of Athens, 14123 Lycovrisi, Greece
| | - Anastasia Marina Palaiogeorgou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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35
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Mentis AF, Vlachakis D, Papakonstantinou E, Zaganas I, Patrinos GP, Chrousos GP, Dardiotis E. A novel variant in DYNC1H1 could contribute to human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal dementia spectrum. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2021; 8:mcs.a006096. [PMID: 34535505 PMCID: PMC8958913 DOI: 10.1101/mcs.a006096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) belongs to the ALS-frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum and is hallmarked by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. Here, we present a patient with a cytoplasmic dynein 1 heavy chain 1 (DYNC1H1) pathogenic variant who fulfilled the ALS El Escorial criteria, and we review relevant literature. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a deleterious point variant in DYNC1H1 (c.4106A > G (p. Q1369R)) as a likely contributor to the ALS phenotype. In silico structural analysis, molecular dynamics simulation, and protein stability analysis predicted that this variant may increase DYNC1H1 protein stability. Moreover, this variant may disrupt binding of the transcription factor TFAP4, thus potentially acting as duon. Because (a) DYNC1H1 forms part of a ubiquitous eukaryotic motor protein complex, and (b) disruption of dynein function by perturbation of the dynein–dynactin protein complex is implicated in other motor neuron degenerative conditions, this variant could disrupt processes like retrograde axonal transport, neuronal migration, and protein recycling. Our findings expand the heterogenous spectrum of the DYNC1H1 pathogenic variant−associated phenotype and prompt further investigations of the role of this gene in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexios-Fotios Mentis
- University Research Institue of Child and Maternal Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Zaganas
- Neurogenetics Laboratory, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - George P Patrinos
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, Patras, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's hospital
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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36
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Abstract
Common to several allergic diseases is the generation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) by plasma cells, when exposed to an innocuous antigen. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two prevalent chronic airway inflammatory diseases. Asthma is mediated in some patients through eosinophilic inflammatory mechanisms that include allergic sensitization and Th2-mediated immune airway response. COPD, on the other hand is mainly considered a Th1-mediated inflammatory process with neutrophilic predominance or a non-Th2 inflammation, occasionally associated with the presence of airway bacteria or viruses. IgE production appears to play an important role in the development of both COPD and asthma, as it has been associated to respiratory symptoms, lung function, bacterial and viral infections, airway remodeling and bronchial hyperreactivity in both diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize all current data concerning the role of specific and total IgE in COPD and asthma and to highlight similarities and differences in view of possible therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meropi Karakioulaki
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonios Goulas
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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37
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Magriplis E, Panagiotakos D, Papakonstantinou E, Mitsopoulou AV, Karageorgou D, Dimakopoulos I, Bakogianni I, Chourdakis M, Micha R, Michas G, Ntouroupi T, Tsaniklidou SM, Argyri K, Dimitriadis G, Zampelas A. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a representative sample of Greek adults and its association with modifiable risk factors: results from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey. Public Health 2021; 197:75-82. [PMID: 33478772 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.002] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with many complications leading to premature death. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the proportion of the population unaware of the condition, in association with modifiable risk factors. STUDY DESIGN Data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey were used (n = 3773 adults, 40.8% men) and were obtained by trained personnel. METHODS Diabetes mellitus disease status was categorized as per the International Classification of Diseases codes (10th version). A subsample from the two main metropolitan areas was used to assess T2D and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n = 990; 38.2% men) from plasma analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of T2D in the population was 5.2% in total, reaching 13.7% in adults aged >60 years (no sex differences). IFG was observed in 27.3% of adults in the two metropolitan areas, and 40% were unaware of having T2D in this subsample. The likelihood of having T2D significantly increased with age and body weight, whereas it decreased with higher educational level and physical activity (P for all <0.001). CONCLUSION The high T2D prevalence in adults, especially among the older age-groups, suggests a major public health problem in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Magriplis
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - D Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education Harokopio University, Eleftheriou Venizelou 70, 176 76, Athens, Greece
| | - E Papakonstantinou
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - A-V Mitsopoulou
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - D Karageorgou
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - I Dimakopoulos
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - I Bakogianni
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - M Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54 124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - R Micha
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - G Michas
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - T Ntouroupi
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - S-M Tsaniklidou
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - K Argyri
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - G Dimitriadis
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Haidari, Greece
| | - A Zampelas
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece.
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38
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Baka M, Michos A, Alexopoulou A, Bouka P, Bouka E, Dana E, Dimitriou G, Doganis, Grivea I, Ioannidou M, Kourti M, Magkou E, Makis A, Malama A, Mantadakis E, Markozannes G, Mitsios A, Moschovi M, Papadakis V, Panagopoulou P, Papakonstantinou E, Papadopoulos S, Polychronopoulou S, Themistocleous M, Tzotzola V, Ntzani E, Petridou ET. COVID-19 among children with cancer in Greece (2020): Results from the Nationwide Registry of Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29079. [PMID: 33991383 PMCID: PMC8209897 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Baka
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health PromotionAthensGreece,Department of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyP&Α Kyriakou Children's HospitalΑthensGreece
| | - Athanasios Michos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - A. Alexopoulou
- Children's & Adolescents’ Radiotherapy DepartmentP&A Kyriakou Children's Hospital AthensGreece
| | - P. Bouka
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health PromotionAthensGreece
| | - E. Bouka
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health PromotionAthensGreece
| | - E. Dana
- Children and Adolescents’ Hematology‐Oncology Department‘Mitera’ Children's HospitalAthensGreece
| | - G. Dimitriou
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical SchoolUniversity of PatrasRio AchaiaGreece
| | - Doganis
- Department of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyP&Α Kyriakou Children's HospitalΑthensGreece
| | - I. Grivea
- Department of Pediatrics, University General HospitalMedical School University of ThessalyLarissaGreece
| | - M. Ioannidou
- Hematology‐Oncology Unit, 2nd Pediatric DepartmentAristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA HospitalThessaloniki
| | - M. Kourti
- Department of Pediatric OncologyHippokration General HospitalThessalonikiGreece
| | - E. Magkou
- Department of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyP&Α Kyriakou Children's HospitalΑthensGreece
| | - A. Makis
- Pediatric Hematology‐Thalassemia Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health SciencesUniversity of IoanninaIoanninaGreece
| | - A. Malama
- Department of Imaging, A Sofia Children's HospitalNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - E. Mantadakis
- Hematology‐Oncology Unit, Department of PediatricsUniversity General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece
| | - G. Markozannes
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of MedicineUniversity of IoanninaIoanninaGreece
| | - A. Mitsios
- Department of NeurosurgeryA. Sofia Children's HospitalAthensGreece
| | - M. Moschovi
- Pediatric Hematology‐Oncology Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, A. Sofia Children's Hospital, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - V. Papadakis
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health PromotionAthensGreece
| | - P. Panagopoulou
- 4th Department of PediatricsAristotle University of ThessalonikiGreece
| | - E. Papakonstantinou
- Department of Pediatric OncologyHippokration General HospitalThessalonikiGreece
| | - S. Papadopoulos
- Department of Pathology“Hygeia” General Hospital of AthensAthensGreece
| | - S. Polychronopoulou
- Dept of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyA. Sofia Children's HospitalAthensGreece
| | - M. Themistocleous
- Department of NeurosurgeryA. Sofia Children's HospitalAthensGreece,Secretary General, Primary Health CareMinistry of HealthAthensGreece
| | - V. Tzotzola
- Dept of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyA. Sofia Children's HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Evangelia Ntzani
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health PromotionAthensGreece,Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of MedicineUniversity of IoanninaIoanninaGreece,Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public HealthBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Eleni Th Petridou
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health PromotionAthensGreece,Department of Epidemiology, Hygiene and Medical StatisticsNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
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Diakou KI, Mitsis T, Pierouli K, Papakonstantinou E, Megalooikonomou V, Efthimiadou A, Vlachakis D. Study of the Langat virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase through homology modeling. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26. [PMID: 34316455 PMCID: PMC8312719 DOI: 10.14806/ej.26.1.944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Langat virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family and a close relative of a group of important tick-borne viruses that cause human encephalitis. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a significant component of the replication mechanism of the Flaviviridae viral family. In the present work, a three-dimensional model of the Langat virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase was designed through homology modeling. The experimentally determined structure of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Dengue virus type II, another member of the same viral family, was employed as template for the homology modeling process. The resulting model underwent a series of optimisations and its quality was verified using the Verify3D algorithm. Important functional characteristics of the family of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases were identified in the generated model, thus affirming the potential for its use in the possible design of anti-viral agents for Langat virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Megalooikonomou
- Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Aspasia Efthimiadou
- Department of Soil Science of Athens, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization - Demeter, Attica, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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40
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Papakonstantinou E, Koletsa T, Zhou L, Fang L, Roth M, Karakioulaki M, Savic S, Grize L, Tamm M, Stolz D. Bronchial thermoplasty in asthma: an exploratory histopathological evaluation in distinct asthma endotypes/phenotypes. Respir Res 2021; 22:186. [PMID: 34183014 PMCID: PMC8240300 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01774-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bronchial thermoplasty regulates structural abnormalities involved in airway narrowing in asthma. In the present study we aimed to investigate the effect of bronchial thermoplasty on histopathological bronchial structures in distinct asthma endotypes/phenotypes.
Methods Endobronchial biopsies (n = 450) were collected from 30 patients with severe uncontrolled asthma before bronchial thermoplasty and after 3 sequential bronchial thermoplasties. Patients were classified based on blood eosinophils, atopy, allergy and smoke exposure. Tissue sections were assessed for histopathological parameters and expression of heat-shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptor. Proliferating cells were determined by Ki67-staining. Results In all patients, bronchial thermoplasty improved asthma control (p < 0.001), reduced airway smooth muscle (p = 0.014) and increased proliferative (Ki67 +) epithelial cells (p = 0.014). After bronchial thermoplasty, airway smooth muscle decreased predominantly in patients with T2 high asthma endotype. Epithelial cell proliferation was increased after bronchial thermoplasty in patients with low blood eosinophils (p = 0.016), patients with no allergy (p = 0.028) and patients without smoke exposure (p = 0.034).
In all patients, bronchial thermoplasty increased the expression of glucocorticoid receptor in epithelial cells (p = 0.018) and subepithelial mesenchymal cells (p = 0.033) and the translocation of glucocorticoid receptor in the nucleus (p = 0.036). Furthermore, bronchial thermoplasty increased the expression of heat shock protein-70 (p = 0.002) and heat shock protein-90 (p = 0.001) in epithelial cells and decreased the expression of heat shock protein-70 (p = 0.009) and heat shock protein-90 (p = 0.002) in subepithelial mesenchymal cells. The effect of bronchial thermoplasty on the expression of heat shock proteins -70 and -90 was distinctive across different asthma endotypes/phenotypes. Conclusions Bronchial thermoplasty leads to a diminishment of airway smooth muscle, to epithelial cell regeneration, increased expression and activation of glucocorticoid receptor in the airways and increased expression of heat shock proteins in the epithelium. Histopathological effects appear to be distinct in different endotypes/phenotypes indicating that the beneficial effects of bronchial thermoplasty are achieved by diverse molecular targets associated with asthma endotypes/phenotypes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-021-01774-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Triantafyllia Koletsa
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Liang Zhou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lei Fang
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Roth
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Meropi Karakioulaki
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Spasenija Savic
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
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41
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Goma F, Papazisis G, Papakonstantinou E, Karakioulakis G. Mental health of people living with hiv and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Eur Psychiatry 2021. [PMCID: PMC9528306 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is a key factor in predicting the success or failure of treatment. Data suggest that the status of mental health and especially depression of people living with HIV can affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the mental health status of people living with HIV, to record adherence to antiretroviral therapy and to investigate whether mental health affects adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Methods A cross-sectional mixed observational correlation study in a sample of 112 HIV-positive individuals was conducted. The Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) was used to assess adherence to antiretroviral therapy, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depression, and the WHOQOL – BREF tool was used to assess mental health. Results
The results of the study showed that 58.93% of patients were found to be non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, according to the BDI scale, 10.7% of patients experienced marginal clinical depression, 10.7% experienced moderate levels of depression and 2.7% experienced severe or very severe levels of depression. Further, people living with HIV had a moderate level of mental health (M = 3.40, SD = 0.58). Conclusions
Our study showed that a high percentage of people living with HIV are non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy. Factors that are possibly associated with decreased adherence are mental health and especially depression. Psychological support for people living with HIV and anti-depressant prevention programs could increase adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
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Fang L, Li J, Papakonstantinou E, Karakioulaki M, Sun Q, Schumann D, Tamm M, Stolz D, Roth M. Secreted heat shock proteins control airway remodeling: Evidence from bronchial thermoplasty. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1249-1261.e8. [PMID: 33675818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased airway smooth muscle mass is a key pathology in asthma. Bronchial thermoplasty is a treatment for severe asthma based on selective heating of the airways that aims to reduce the mass of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), and thereby bronchoconstriction. However, short heat exposure is insufficient to explain the long-lasting effect, and heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been suggested to play a role. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the role of HSP70 and HSP90 in the control of airway wall remodeling by bronchial thermoplasty. METHODS Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and endobronchial biopsies of 20 patients with severe asthma were obtained before and after thermoplasty. Isolated epithelial cells and ASMCs were exposed to 65oC for 10 seconds, mimicking thermoplasty. Proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA; proliferation by cell counts and antigen Ki67 (MKI67) expression. RESULTS Thermoplasty significantly increased the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in the epithelium and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In ASMCs, thermoplasty reduced both HSPs. These cell-type-specific effects were detectable even 1 month after thermoplasty in tissue sections. In epithelial cells, ex vivo exposure to heat (65oC, 10 seconds) increased the expression and secretion of HSP70 and HSP90. In addition, epithelial cell proliferation was upregulated by heat or treatment with human recombinant HSP70 or HSP90. In ASMCs, heat exposure or exogenous HSPs reduced proliferation and differentiation. In both cell types, HSP70 and HSP90 activated the signaling cascade of serine/threonine-protein kinase →mammalian target of rapamycin→ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β→protein arginine methyltransferase 1→ mitochondria activity. CONCLUSIONS Epithelial cell-derived HSP70 and HSP90 improve the function of epithelial cells, but block ASMC remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Fang
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Junling Li
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; The affiliated Dongguan Shilong People's Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Meropi Karakioulaki
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Qingzhu Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Desiree Schumann
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Roth
- Pulmonary Cell Research & Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Panagiotou G, Triantafyllidou S, Tarlatzis BC, Papakonstantinou E. Serum Levels of Irisin and Omentin-1 in Breast Neoplasms and Their Association with Tumor Histology. Int J Endocrinol 2021; 2021:6656671. [PMID: 33688343 PMCID: PMC7920698 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6656671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is associated with obesity, possibly due to direct effects of adipokines and myokines, such as omentin-1 and irisin. In this study, we aimed to evaluate omentin-1 and irisin levels in women with benign and/or malignant breast neoplasms vs. healthy controls. Disease-free individuals (N = 56) and patients with histologically proven benign (N = 61) or malignant tumor (N = 96; subdivided into recently diagnosed/treatment-naïve (N = 72) and chemotherapy-treated (N = 24) subgroups) were enrolled in this study. Demographic, biochemical, and tumor histological characteristics were recorded. Body composition parameters were assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Serum irisin and omentin-1 levels were quantified with ELISA kits. In adjusted models, irisin levels were higher in both benign and malignant cases compared to controls but were comparable between neoplasms. Further adjustment for omentin-1 levels showed that age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = (1.02, 1.08), p < 0.01) and irisin levels (OR = 5.30, 95% CI = (1.24, 22.38), p=0.03) were independent predictors of the presence of malignancy. These molecules were associated with each other and with other anthropometric and demographic parameters. Irisin was associated with tumor histological characteristics including Ki67% levels, Elston-Ellis grading system, and estrogen receptors status. Omentin-1 was also associated with the Elston-Ellis grading system. In conclusion, serum irisin is increased in patients with both benign and malignant diseases of the breast. When combined with omentin-1, irisin concentration was associated with the presence of breast malignancy. This molecule's role as a potential diagnostic and/or prognostic agent in breast malignancies warrants further investigation in larger prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigorios Panagiotou
- First Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Basil C. Tarlatzis
- Unit of Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- First Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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44
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Vlachakis D, Papakonstantinou E, Mitsis T, Pierouli K, Diakou I, Chrousos G, Bacopoulou F. Molecular mechanisms of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and potential anti-COVID19 pharmacological targets since the outbreak of the pandemic. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111805. [PMID: 33038452 PMCID: PMC7543766 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a severe threat against public health and global economies. COVID-19, the disease caused by this virus, is highly contagious and has led to an ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 affects, mainly, the respiratory system, with most severe cases primarily showcasing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Currently, no targeted therapy exists, and since the number of infections and death toll keeps rising, it has become a necessity to study possible therapeutic targets. Antiviral drugs can target various stages of the viral infection, and in the case of SARS-CoV-2, both structural and non-structural proteins have been proposed as potential drug targets. This review focuses on the most researched SARS-CoV-2 proteins, their structure, function, and possible therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece; University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - George Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece.
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45
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Karakioulaki M, Papakonstantinou E, Stolz D. Extracellular matrix remodelling in COPD. Eur Respir Rev 2020; 29:29/158/190124. [PMID: 33208482 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0124-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lung plays several important roles in lung function, as it offers a low resistant pathway that allows the exchange of gases, provides compressive strength and elasticity that supports the fragile alveolar-capillary intersection, controls the binding of cells with growth factors and cell surface receptors and acts as a buffer against retention of water.COPD is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition, characterised by various conditions that result in progressive airflow limitation. At any stage in the course of the disease, acute exacerbations of COPD may occur and lead to accelerated deterioration of pulmonary function. A key factor of COPD is airway remodelling, which refers to the serious alterations of the ECM affecting airway wall thickness, resistance and elasticity. Various studies have shown that serum biomarkers of ECM turnover are significantly associated with disease severity in patients with COPD and may serve as potential targets to control airway inflammation and remodelling in COPD. Unravelling the complete molecular composition of the ECM in the diseased lungs will help to identify novel biomarkers for disease progression and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meropi Karakioulaki
- Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine and Respiratory Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine and Respiratory Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Dept of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine and Respiratory Cell Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Abstract
Extracellular vesicles have been the focus of a large number of studies in the past five years. Exosomes, a subgroup of extracellular vesicles, are of particularly high interest because they partake in a wide number of biological pathways. Produced by a variety of cells, exosomes have an important role in both physiological and pathological conditions. Exosome cargo heavily defines the vesicles’ unique characteristics, and the cargo with the most intriguing prospects in its’ biomedical applications is the non-coding RNAs. Non-coding RNAs, and specifically microRNAs are implicated in the regulation of many biological processes and have been associated with numerous diseases. Exosomes containing such important cargo can be used as biomarkers, therapeutic biomaterials, or even drug carriers. The potential media use of exosomes seems promising. However, some obstacles should be overcome before their clinical application. Synthetic exosome-like biomolecules may be a solution, but their production is still in their beginning stages. This review provides concise information regarding the current trends in exosome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Lo Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Karakioulaki M, Koletsa T, Papakonstantinou E, Savic S, Grize L, Jahn K, Tamm M, Stolz D. Histopathological Comparison of Endobronchial Biopsies from Different Pulmonary Lobes of Severe Asthmatic Patients. Chest 2020; 158:923-928. [PMID: 32360725 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Meropi Karakioulaki
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Triantafyllia Koletsa
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Spasenija Savic
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Jahn
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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48
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Kandarakis SA, Petrou P, Papakonstantinou E, Spiropoulos D, Rapanou A, Georgalas I. Ocular nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs: where do we stand today? Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2020; 39:200-212. [PMID: 32338073 DOI: 10.1080/15569527.2020.1760876] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Since their first introduction in ophthalmology, the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) has been exponentially expanded, with numerous therapeutic applications. Despite their controversial history, they have proven their efficacy as anti-inflammatory agents in a variety of diseases. Nowadays, NSAIDs are part of surgical protocols of the most commonly performed ophthalmic operations, such as cataract or ocular surgery. They are universally implicated in the management of conjunctivitis, retinal and choroidal disease and miscellaneous inflammatory diseases. Moreover, although linked with serious adverse events and toxicities, their therapeutic magnitude in Ophthalmology should not be affected. This review systematically portrays the variety of ocular NSAIDs available to date, along with their differences in their way of action, indications and potential side effects in various ophthalmologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Kandarakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - P Petrou
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - E Papakonstantinou
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - D Spiropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - A Rapanou
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - I Georgalas
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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49
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Papakonstantinou E, Bacopoulou F, Megalooikonomou V, Efthimiadou A, Vlachakis D. An in silico and in vitro pipeline for the rapid screening of helicase modulators. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25. [PMID: 32190583 PMCID: PMC7079759 DOI: 10.14806/ej.25.0.927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the potency of potential helicase modulators, we developed an assay of helicase enzyme activity. Using a DNA or RNA biotin labelled oligonucleotide and after the addition of a recombinant helicase, the nucleic acid unwinds, causing the emission of luminescence, which is quantified with a particular antibody. In our assay, one of the DNA oligos was biotinylated, while the other was labelled with digoxygenin (DIG), both in their 5’ termini. The biotin molecule immobilises the DNA duplex on a neutravidin-coated plate and the helicase activity is measured through the unwinding of DNA, due to ATP activation. The subsequent release of DIG-labelled oligos results in a luminescence signal measured with a chemiluminescence antibody. Our goal was to provide a high throughput screening method for potential helicase inhibitors. The method described in this paper has been demonstrated to be fast, easy and reproducible and doesn’t use radiochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Megalooikonomou
- Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Aspasia Efthimiadou
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Department of Soil Science of Athens, Lycovrisi, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London, Uinted Kingdom
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50
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Abstract
Dark Suite is a complete interactive software pipeline aiming to exploit the advantages of free software and modern programming. Besides two commands (installation and opening) on the command line, the handling and the program operation is done through a user's friendly interface. This platform has a central graphical interface which allows the user to choose in what computational tool to work. Each computational tool has an interface. Dark Suite combines the functions of other programmes to create a pipeline for high-quality secondary effects through a friendly user interface. It is made to run on GNU / Linux distributions and its interface was built using JAVA to seamlessly integrate scientific tools written in Perl, Java, R and Python.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Megalooikonomou
- Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London, Uinted Kingdom
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