Integrative human and murine multi-omics: Highlighting shared biomarkers in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a group of neurodegenerative disorders whose molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Omics approaches are among the methods that generate new information on modifying factors and molecular signatures. Moreover, omics data integration can address the need to progressively expand knowledge around the disease and pinpoint specific proteins to promote as candidate biomarkers. In this work, we integrated a total of 62 proteomic and transcriptomic datasets originating from humans and mice, employing a new approach able to define dysregulated processes across species, stages and NCL forms. Moreover, we selected a pool of differentially expressed proteins and genes as species- and form-related biomarkers of disease status/progression and evaluated local and spatial differences in most affected brain regions. Our results offer promising targets for potential new therapeutic strategies and reinforce the hypothesis of a connection between NCLs and other forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.

Association of serum MMP9 with adverse features of plaque progression in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS)

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that MMP-9 may be a predictor of atherosclerotic plaque instability and future adverse cardiovascular events, but longitudinal data on the association between MMP9 and coronary disease progression are lacking.

Purpose

This study is aimed at investigating whether MMP9 is associated with atherosclerotic plaque progression.

Methods

MMP9 serum levels were measured in stable patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography at baseline and after a period of 6.5±1.1 years of follow up to assess progression of Total, Fibrous, Fibro-fatty, Necrotic Core, and Dense Calcium plaque volume (PV). The relationship of serum MMP9 with plaque progression was assessed using linear regression analysis, adjusting for clinical variables including, age, sex, risk factors, medical therapy, LDL-C, TG/HDL-C ratio, hs-CRP, and the presence of obstructive CAD (>50% coronary stenosis in at least one major coronary vessels).

Results

A total of 157 patients (58±8 years of age; 66% males) were included in the analysis, with median MMP9 values of 135±186 mg/dL (mean ± SD). Annual changes of Total, Fibrous-Fatty and Necrotic Core PV were significantly different across MMP9 tertiles (Figure 1). Multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated a positive association between serum levels of MMP9 and annual change of Total and Necrotic Core PV (Figure 1).

Conclusion

Among patients with CCS, MMP9 serum levels were an independent predictor of progression of coronary plaque burden and, in particular, of adverse plaque features, such as Necrotic Core PV. This association was robust and independent from baseline traditional cardiovascular risk factors and medications, supporting for MMP9 a role as a novel marker of residual coronary risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Horizon 2020 - Project “Simulation Modeling of coronary ARTery disease: a tool for clinical decision support–SMARTool”

A common plasma lipidomics signature of cardiometabolic and coronary risk in statin users

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Commission in the H2020 program: Project SMARTool, “Simulation

Modeling of coronary ARTery disease: a tool for clinical decision support—SMARTool”

Background and aims

The coexistence of elevated plasma triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) may contribute to the residual cardiometabolic risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) independently of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) absolute plasma levels [1]. Aim of this study is to assess whether a high TG/HDL-C ratio is characterized by a specific lipidomics signature in statin users and its relationship with the coronary risk score defined by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Methods

TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated in 132 patients (68.8±7.7 years, 85 males) with suspected or known CAD referred to coronary CTA and receiving statins treatment in the last 6.3 ± 1.4 years before enrolment. Patients were grouped according to TG/HDL-C ratio quartiles: IQ (≤1.694), IIQ (1.695-2.399), IIIQ (2.400-3.281), and IVQ (>3.282). Coronary CTA exams were analysed according to the modified 17-segment American Heart Association classification [2] and interpretable segments were visually assessed for degree of stenosis and plaque composition. A comprehensive coronary risk score (CTA score) [3], previously validated as predictor of adverse outcome, was calculated in each patient. Except for subjects with normal arteries (CTA score = 0), all patients were classified into 3 groups of CTA score severity:  low (score < 5), intermediate (score 5-20) and high (score > 20) risk [4]. Patient-specific plasma targeted lipidomics was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This approach allowed to quantify 69 circulating lipids encompassing six lipid classes (triacylglycerol [TG], phosphatidylcholine [PC], phosphatidylethanolamine [PE], ceramide [Cer], sphingomyelin [SM], cholesterol ester [CE]). Differential analysis was performed using TG/HDL-C and CTA score annotation.

Results

18 altered lipid species in the group with higher TG/HDL-C ratio were also altered in the group with higher CTA risk score. This common set of lipids is composed of CE(16:0), CE(18:0), PC(38:2), 8 SM [SM(34:2), SM(38:2), SM(41:2), SM(41:1), SM(42:4), SM(42:3), SM(42:1), SM(43:3)], TG(52:1) and 6 PE [PE(34:0), PE(34:1), PE(34:2), PE(36:1), PE(36:2), PE(36:3)], and represents the lipidomics signature associating elevated plasma TG/HDL-C ratio with high CTA risk score in statin users.

Conclusion

In patients with stable CAD under statin treatment, a specific pattern of altered lipids, characterized by reduced plasma levels of cholesterol esters and sphingomyelins and increased levels of triacylglicerols and phosphatidylethanolamines, is associated with high TG/HDL-C ratio and high CTA score. This specific lipidomic signature identifies patients with higher residual cardiometabolic and coronary risk, not tackled by current lipid lowering therapy, unveiling possible new molecular targets of treatment.