miR-1202 acts as anti-oncomiR in myeloid leukaemia by down-modulating GATA-1S expression

Transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) is a Down syndrome-related pre-leukaemic condition characterized by somatic mutations in the haematopoietic transcription factor GATA-1 that result in exclusive production of its shorter isoform (GATA-1S). Given the common hallmark of altered miRNA expression profiles in haematological malignancies and the pro-leukaemic role of GATA-1S, we aimed to search for miRNAs potentially able to modulate the expression of GATA-1 isoforms. Starting from an in silico prediction of miRNA binding sites in the GATA-1 transcript, miR-1202 came into our sight as potential regulator of GATA-1 expression. Expression studies in K562 cells revealed that miR-1202 directly targets GATA-1, negatively regulates its expression, impairs GATA-1S production, reduces cell proliferation, and increases apoptosis sensitivity. Furthermore, data from TAM and myeloid leukaemia patients provided substantial support to our study by showing that miR-1202 down-modulation is accompanied by increased GATA-1 levels, with more marked effects on GATA-1S. These findings indicate that miR-1202 acts as an anti-oncomiR in myeloid cells and may impact leukaemogenesis at least in part by down-modulating GATA-1S levels.

Identification and Functional Analysis of Known and New Mutations in the Transcription Factor KLF1 Linked with β-Thalassemia-like Phenotypes

The erythroid transcriptional factor Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) is a master regulator of erythropoiesis. Mutations that cause KLF1 haploinsufficiency have been linked to increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) levels with ameliorative effects on the severity of β-thalassemia. With the aim of determining if KLF1 gene variations might play a role in the modulation of β-thalassemia, in this study we screened 17 subjects showing a β-thalassemia-like phenotype with a slight or marked increase in HbA2 and HbF levels. Overall, seven KLF1 gene variants were identified, of which two were novel. Functional studies were performed in K562 cells to clarify the pathogenic significance of these mutations. Our study confirmed the ameliorative effect on the thalassemia phenotype for some of these variants but also raised the notion that certain mutations may have deteriorating effects by increasing KLF1 expression levels or enhancing its transcriptional activity. Our results indicate that functional studies are required to evaluate the possible effects of KLF1 mutations, particularly in the case of the co-existence of two or more mutations that could differently contribute to KLF1 expression or transcriptional activity and consequently to the thalassemia phenotype.

Biological relevance of ZNF224 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its implication IN NF-kB pathway regulation

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease, whose presentation and clinical course are highly variable. Identification of novel prognostic factors may contribute to improving the CLL classification and providing indications for treatment options. The zinc finger protein ZNF224 plays a key role in cell transformation, through the control of apoptotic and survival pathways. In this study, we evaluated the potential application of ZNF224 as a novel marker of CLL progression and therapy responsiveness. To this aim, we analyzed ZNF224 expression levels in B lymphocytes from CLL patients at different stages of the disease and in patients showing different treatment outcomes. The expression of ZNF224 was significantly increased in disease progression and dramatically decreased in patients in complete remission after chemotherapy. Gene expression correlation analysis performed on datasets of CLL patients revealed that ZNF224 expression was well correlated with that of some prognostic and predictive markers. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis coupled ZNF224 to NF-κB pathway, and experimental data demonstrated that RNA interference of ZNF224 reduced the activity of the NF-κB survival pathway in CLL cells. Consistently with a pro-survival role, ZNF224 knockdown raised spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CLL patients. Our findings provide evidence for the involvement of ZNF224 in the survival of CLL cells via NF-κB pathway modulation, and also suggest ZNF224 as a prognostic and predictive molecular marker of CLL disease.

Exploring a peptide nucleic acid-based antisense approach for CD5 targeting in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We herein report an innovative antisense approach based on Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) to down-modulate CD5 expression levels in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Using bioinformatics tools, we selected a 12-mer tract of the CD5 mRNA as the molecular target and synthesized the complementary and control PNA strands bearing a serine phosphate dipeptide tail to enhance their water solubility and bioavailability. The specific recognition of the 12-mer DNA strand, corresponding to the target mRNA sequence by the complementary PNA strand, was confirmed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, thermal difference spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and CD melting studies. Cytofluorimetric assays and real-time PCR analysis demonstrated the downregulation of CD5 expression due to incubation with the anti-CD5 PNA at RNA and protein levels in Jurkat cell line and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from B-CLL patients. Interestingly, we also observed that transfection with the anti-CD5 PNA increases apoptotic response induced by fludarabine in B-CLL cells. The herein reported results suggest that PNAs could represent a potential candidate for the development of antisense therapeutic agents in CLL.

Measuring and benchmarking the quality of two different organizational ways in delivering infant vaccination

The aim of this study was the quality of service evaluation of two different organizational ways in delivering infant vaccination according to a Regional Vaccination Plan. Eleven vaccination centres were selected in two Local Health Units (ASLs) belonging to the Regional Health Service of the Lazio Region, Italy. The services offering paediatric vaccinations for children under three years of age, delivered without an appointment (VACP) or with the need for an appointment (VACL), were investigated. The quality aspects under evaluation were communicational efficiency, organisational efficiency and comfort. Subjective data were collected from different stakeholders and involve the elicitation of best and worst feasible performance conditions for the ASLs when delivering VACP/VACL services. Objective data consists in the observation of current performances of the selected vaccination centres. Quality scorecards were obtained from the combination of all data. Benchmarking between VACP and VACL, i.e., two different organisational ways in delivering infant vaccination, can be performed as a result of the probabilistic meaning of the evaluated scores. An expert of vaccination services, i.e., a virtual combination of patients, doctors and nurses, claims the quality of service delivery of the ASLs under investigation with probability 78.03% and 69.67% for VACP and VACL, respectively. In other words, for short, the quality scores of the ASLs were 78.03% for VACP and 69.67% for VACL. Furthermore our results show how to practically improve the current service delivery. The QuaVaTAR approach can result in improvements of the quality of the ASLs for the two different ways of delivering paediatric vaccinations in a simple and intuitive way.

Multicenter evaluation of a fully automated third-generation anti-HCV antibody screening test with excellent sensitivity and specificity

Early detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important step in preventing progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Serologic assays for anti-hepatitis C (anti-HCV) antibody are valuable first-line tests in the screening and diagnosis of HCV infection. The aim of this multicenter study was to compare the Elecsys(®) Anti-HCV assay with alternative CE-marked Anti-HCV antibody assays against a range of samples that included 1,138 blood donors, 3,553 unselected routine daily specimens, and 46 pre-selected seroconversion panels. Specificity of the Elecsys Anti-HCV assay was 99.5% with blood donor samples and 99.4% with routine clinical specimens. These were similar to those obtained with the Prism(®) Anti-HCV, Architect(®) Anti-HCV assay, ADVIA(®) Centaur Anti-HCV assay and Vitros(®) Eci aHCV assays. Seroconversion sensitivity for the Elecsys Anti-HCV assay was similar to that of the Architect Anti-HCV, AxSYM HCV version 3.0, ADVIA Centaur Anti-HCV, and Vitros Eci aHCV assays. In fact, seroconversion testing on 46 commercially available panels showed that the difference in first detecting a positive blood sample was less than one day between assays (not statistically significant). The Elecsys Anti-HCV assay as well as the Architect, Prism, and Vitros Anti-HCV immunoassays revealed a seroconversion sensitivity of 100%, whereas the ADVIA Centaur HCV immunoassay showed a sensitivity of only 97.5% (39/40). Overall, the performance of the Elecsys Anti-HCV assay was similar to the performances of the comparator CE-marked Anti-HCV antibody assays.

Hospitalization rate and mean days of hospitalization of notified viral hepatitis cases in Italy. The Seieva Collaborating Group

The hospitalization rate and the mean days of hospitalization of notified viral hepatitis cases in Italy were estimated by a specific surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis over the period 1987-1992. The hospitalization rate was very high, ranging from 88.8% for hepatitis A to 90.9% for non-A, non-B hepatitis. No changes were observed over time. For each type of hepatitis the highest figure was observed in the 15-24 year age group. The mean days of hospitalization of hepatitis B (24.2) and non-A, non-B (20.5) hepatitis was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of hepatitis A (16.5). The highest mean days of hospitalization of hepatitis A and B occurred in the 0-14 year age group, while for non-A, non-B hepatitis it was observed in subjects over 24 years of age. These findings indicate a nearly similar rate of hospitalization of all types of hepatitis. Hepatitis B and non-A, non-B hepatitis show a more prolonged course than hepatitis A.

Incidence and risk factors of acute Delta hepatitis in Italy: results from a national surveillance system. SEIEVA Collaborating Group

The incidence of hepatitis Delta virus in the general Italian population was estimated by a specific surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis over the period 1987-1992. The hepatitis Delta virus incidence rate declined from 3.1/1,000,000 inhabitants in 1987 to 1.2/1,000,000 in 1992. Males predominated (83.8% of cases); the sex ratio was 5.2. Only 2.5% of cases occurred in subjects younger than 15 years. There were 119 (49.4%) coinfections of Delta and B hepatitis and 122 (50.6%) Delta superinfections in chronic HBsAg carriers. Jaundice was present in 83.6% of cases. The hospitalization rate was 97.5%; median stay in hospital was 25 days (range 1-98 days). The results of multivariate analysis showed that a history of intravenous drug abuse (odds ratio 34.9; confidence interval 95% = 16.8-72.5), household contact with an HBsAg+ carrier (odds ratio 10.7; confidence interval 95% = 4.36-23.30) and a history of two or more sexual partners within the previous 6 months (odds ratio 2.44; confidence interval 95% = 1.34-4.43) were independent risk factors associated with Delta hepatitis. No association was found with the other risk factors considered, such as blood transfusion, surgical intervention, hospitalization, other percutaneous exposures, dental therapy, contact with an icteric case, and household contact with an i.v. drug abuser. These findings indicate that, in Italy, Delta hepatitis currently has a minor impact. In addition to intravenous drug abuse and household contact with an HBsAg+ carrier, heterosexual activity appears to be an efficient route of HDV transmission.

Cyclic nucleotide metabolism in differentiated and undifferentiated epithelial thyroid cells in culture

A highly differentiated thyroid cell line (FR-RL) was compared with a less differentiated (FR-T Cl1) and an undifferentiated (1-5G) cell line. FR-TL is modulated in vivo and in vitro by thyrotropin and has the lowest adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase and the highest phosphodiesterase activities. In contrast, 1-5G tumor cells do not respond to thyrotropin and have the highest adenylate cyclase guanylate cyclase and lowest hydrolyzing enzyme activities. Intermediate enzyme activities were found in FR-T Cl1 cells. The differences between the two normal rat thyroid cell lines are not due to differences in the composition of the growth medium.