Expression profile of mRNAs and miRNAs related to mitogen-activated kinases in HaCaT cell culture treated with lipopolysaccharide a and adalimumab

Studies indicate that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) exhibit activation and overexpression within psoriatic lesions. This study aimed to investigate alterations in the expression patterns of genes encoding MAPKs and microRNA (miRNA) molecules that potentially regulate their expression in human adult low-calcium high-temperature (HaCaT) keratinocytes when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide A (LPS) and adalimumab. HaCaT cells underwent treatment with 1 µg/mL LPS for 8 hours, followed by treatment with 8 µg/mL adalimumab for 2, 8, or 24 hours. Untreated cells served as controls. The molecular analysis involved microarray, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. Changes in the expression profile of seven mRNAs: dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), dual specificity phosphatase 3 (DUSP3), dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4), mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MAP2K2), and MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2, also known as MK2) in cell culture exposed to LPS or LPS and the drug compared to the control. It was noted that miR-34a may potentially regulate the activity of DUSP1, DUSP3, and DUSP4, while miR-1275 is implicated in regulating MAPK9 expression. Additionally, miR-382 and miR-3188 are potential regulators of DUSP4 levels, and miR-200-5p is involved in regulating MAPKAPK2 and MAP3K2 levels. Thus, the analysis showed that these mRNA molecules and the proteins and miRNAs they encode appear to be useful molecular markers for monitoring the efficacy of adalimumab therapy.

High Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies in Jaworzno, Poland: A Retrospective Study Revealing Endemic Lyme Borreliosis

BACKGROUND This retrospective study of 704 adult residents of Jaworzno, Poland, aimed to evaluate medical personnel awareness of episodes of Lyme borreliosis and serum antibody levels for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 704 residents of Jaworzno, Poland, who had no more than 12 months between tick bite and screening. The study consisted of a self-designed questionnaire survey and an analysis of IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato using an enzyme-linked assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis, when necessary, to confirm the results. RESULTS A total of 558 residents (79.3%) confirmed having contact with a tick, 84 (11.9%) responded that they did not remember having contact with a tick, and 62 (8.8%) denied having contact with a tick. Regarding IgG, the ELISA showed 183 (25.99%) positive, 440 (62.5%) negative, and 81 (11.5%) equivocal results. Regarding IgM, the ELISA showed 180 (25.57%) positive, 435 (61.79%) negative, and 89 (12.64%) equivocal results. Positive and equivocal results for the IgG and IgM classes using the ELISA test were confirmed in 36 cases (13.64%) for IgG and in 53 cases (19.70%) for IgM using Western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS The ELISA method obtained similar values for positive, negative, and equivocal results in the serological test. This was reflected in the survey conducted on residents who reported a tick bite and later received a positive result in the ELISA test as well as an approximate time between the bite and removal of the tick.

Impact of Nutritional Status of Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the Expression Profile of Ghrelin, Irisin, and Titin

The goal of this paper was the evaluation of the changes in the expression profile of irisin, ghrelin, and titin in the carcinoma tissue and in the blood of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including determining the profile of their expression in relation to patient nutrition. The study included 56 patients with diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of HNSCC in the T3 and T4 stages of the disease. Healthy control tissue specimens were collected from an area 10 mm outside the histologically negative margin. In turn, the blood and serum from the control group came from healthy volunteers treated for non-oncologic reasons (n = 70). The molecular analysis allowed us to determine the profile of irisin, ghrelin, and titin methylation, evaluate their expression on the level of mRNA (quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction; qRT-PCR) and protein (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Reaction; ELISA) in the carcinoma tissue and the margin of healthy tissue, as well as in serum of patients in the study and control groups. At the start of our observations, a Body Mass Index (BMI) < 18.5 was noted in 42 of the patients, while six months after the treatment a BMI < 18.5 was noted in 29 patients. We also noted a decrease in the expression of irisin, ghrelin, and titin both on the level of mRNA and protein, as well as a potential regulation of their expression via DNA methylation. There is no convincing evidence that the proteins assayed in the present work are specific with regard to HNSSC.

Influence of adalimumab on interleukin 12/23 signalling pathways in human keratinocytes treated with lipopolysaccharide A

Introduction

The interleukin-12/23 (IL-12/23) signalling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In addition, even molecularly targeted therapy has been reported to lose adequate response to treatment.

Aim

To determine the expression patterns of mRNAs and miRNAs related to IL-12/23 signalling pathways in the human keratinocyte culture exposed to liposaccharide A (LPS) and then adalimumab in comparison with untreated cells.

Material and methods

Human, adult, low-Calcium, high-Temperature keratinocyte (HaCaT) cultures were exposed to 1 µg/ml LPS for 8 h, and then adalimumab was added to the cultures at a concentration of 8 µg/ml and incubated for 2, 8, and 24 h. We used mRNA and miRNA microarray, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques.

Results

STAT1, STAT3, STAT5, IL-6, IL-6R, SOCS3, and JAK3 genes differentiated HaCaT cultures with the drug from controls regardless of the time the cells were exposed to the drug. The addition of adalimumab to a culture previously exposed to LPS resulted in silencing of SOCS3 and IL-6 expression compared to the control, while for the other transcripts they were found to be overexpressed compared to the control culture. The assessment indicated the strongest connections between JAK3 and hsa-miR-373-5p (target score 96); SOCS3, STAT5, and hsa-miR-1827 (target score 96).

Conclusions

Our study indicates that adalimumab has the strongest modulating effect on mRNA and miRNA expression of JAK/STAT and IL-6-dependent IL-12/23 pathways.

Dynamics of Microbiome Changes in the Endometrium and Uterine Cervix during Embryo Implantation: A Comparative Analysis

BACKGROUND The microbiome is the collection of all micro-organisms and their genes, which naturally live in and on the body. The cervical and endometrial bacterial microbiome has previously been reported to affect fertility and influence the outcomes of assisted reproductive therapy (ART), including embryo transfer. This study aimed to evaluate the cervical and endometrial bacterial microbiome in 177 women treated for infertility before, during, and after embryo implantation, and the outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cervical and endometrial swabs were collected from 177 women diagnosed with infertility at 3 time points: (1) during the initial examination, (2) during implantation, (3) 10-14 days after implantation. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to analyze the bacterial microbiome. Taxonomic identification was performed with the Usearch algorithm. RESULTS There was a significant change in the number of patients with Escherichia coli depending on the collection time. For the first swab collection, there were significant negative relationships between the percentage of Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus spp. For the second collection, there was a negative relationship between Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus jensenii. For the third collection, negative relationships were found between Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus spp. A similar distribution of the bacterial microbiome was observed in all 3 swab collections. CONCLUSIONS Lactobacillus spp. were the main bacteria identified in the cervix and endometrium, present before, during, and after successful embryo transfer. E. coli and G. vaginalis reduced the protective effect of Lactobacilli before, during, and after embryo transfer.

Diagnostic Problems in C3 Glomerulopathy

Background: C3 glomerulopathies (C3GN) are a group of rare kidney diseases associated with impaired complement regulation. The effects of this disease include the accumulation of complement C3 in the kidneys. Based on the clinical data, as well as light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy results, the diagnoses were verified. The study group consisted of biopsy specimens, which were obtained from 332 patients who were diagnosed with C3 glomerulopathy. In all cases, histopathological examinations were performed; deposits of complement C3 and C1q components, as well as the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM, were identified using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, electron microscopy was also performed. Results: The histopathological examination results presented cases of C3GN (n = 111) and dense deposit disease (DDD; n = 17). The non-classified (NC) group was the most numerous (n = 204). The lack of classification was due to the poor severity of the lesions, even on the electron microscopic examination or in the presence of intense sclerotic lesions. Conclusions: In cases of suspected C3 glomerulopathies, we believe an electron microscopy examination is necessary. This examination is beneficial in mild-to-extremely-severe cases of this glomerulopathy, where the lesions are barely discernible when using immunofluorescence microscopy.