Selective suppression of de novo SARS-CoV-2 vaccine antibody responses in patients with cancer on B cell-targeted therapy

We assessed vaccine-induced antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral virus and Omicron variant before and after booster immunization in 57 patients with B cell malignancies. Over one-third of vaccinated patients at the pre-booster time point were seronegative, and these patients were predominantly on active cancer therapies such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. While booster immunization was able to induce detectable antibodies in a small fraction of seronegative patients, the overall booster benefit was disproportionately evident in patients already seropositive and not receiving active therapy. While ancestral virus- and Omicron variant-reactive antibody levels among individual patients were largely concordant, neutralizing antibodies against Omicron tended to be reduced. Interestingly, in all patients, including those unable to generate detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike, we observed comparable levels of EBV- and influenza-reactive antibodies, demonstrating that B cell-targeting therapies primarily impair de novo but not preexisting antibody levels. These findings support rationale for vaccination before cancer treatment.

HTA supporting clinical practice: the case of surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Background

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) are defined as those aortic aneurysms involving renovisceral arteries. They account for around 10% of aortic aneurysms, and their treatment is burdened by considerable mortality and morbidity. Open surgical repair has been practised as the standard of care since the 1950s. In 2001 endovascular repair was introduced to reduce treatment invasiveness, and the technology is still evolving. The potential benefits of endovascular repair over open surgery should be carefully weighed in a multidimensional framework.

Methods

We applied the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) framework (EUnetHTA core model with 9 dimensions) to conduct a report comparing the two technologies. A multidisciplinary working group was established. We derived and pooled: i) secondary data derived from systematic literature reviews, and ii) original data from IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, a national referral centre for TAAA (qualitative and economic data).

Results

Endovascular repair resulted superior to the traditional open surgery in terms of efficacy and safety, as justified by the meta-analysis we performed. Despite the higher costs, a significant impact on budget and slightly lower cost-effectiveness, the endovascular protheses’ adoption could provide conspicuous benefits in terms of social and ethical dimensions without affecting long-term organisational and legal aspects.

Conclusions

The multi-criteria decision analysis carried out from a hospital point of view shows that there is no significant difference (final score endovascular repair 0.68 vs open surgery 0.63) between the two procedures considering all the dimensions. Still, the endovascular repair is slightly superior to the open surgery in terms of safety, effectiveness, social, ethical, legal, and organisational impact. From the policy maker’s point of view, technologies with a score superior to 0.6 are equally valuable, and the final decision should be left to the clinicians.

Key messages

• Further research is needed to compare endovascular prostheses and open surgery’s long-term population benefits, balancing clinical, economic, organisational and patient-related outcomes.

• HTA methodology offers substantial support to compare in-use technologies, informing clinicians’ and decision-makers’ choices to strengthen healthcare provision equity and preparedness.

Treatment with soluble CD24 attenuates COVID-19-associated systemic immunopathology

Background

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through direct lysis of infected lung epithelial cells, which releases damage-associated molecular patterns and induces a pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu causing systemic inflammation. Anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents have shown limited therapeutic efficacy. Soluble CD24 (CD24Fc) blunts the broad inflammatory response induced by damage-associated molecular patterns via binding to extracellular high mobility group box 1 and heat shock proteins, as well as regulating the downstream Siglec10-Src homology 2 domain–containing phosphatase 1 pathway. A recent randomized phase III trial evaluating CD24Fc for patients with severe COVID-19 (SAC-COVID; NCT04317040) demonstrated encouraging clinical efficacy.

Methods

Using a systems analytical approach, we studied peripheral blood samples obtained from patients enrolled at a single institution in the SAC-COVID trial to discern the impact of CD24Fc treatment on immune homeostasis. We performed high dimensional spectral flow cytometry and measured the levels of a broad array of cytokines and chemokines to discern the impact of CD24Fc treatment on immune homeostasis in patients with COVID-19.

Results

Twenty-two patients were enrolled, and the clinical characteristics from the CD24Fc vs. placebo groups were matched. Using high-content spectral flow cytometry and network-level analysis, we found that patients with severe COVID-19 had systemic hyper-activation of multiple cellular compartments, including CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD56⁺ natural killer cells. Treatment with CD24Fc blunted this systemic inflammation, inducing a return to homeostasis in NK and T cells without compromising the anti-Spike protein antibody response. CD24Fc significantly attenuated the systemic cytokine response and diminished the cytokine coexpression and network connectivity linked with COVID-19 severity and pathogenesis.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that CD24Fc rapidly down-modulates systemic inflammation and restores immune homeostasis in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals, supporting further development of CD24Fc as a novel therapeutic against severe COVID-19.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-021-01222-y.

IMMUNOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE THERAPEUTIC ROLES OF CD24Fc AGAINST SEVERE COVID-19

BACKGROUND.

SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 through direct lysis of infected lung epithelial cells, which releases damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and induces a pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu causing systemic inflammation. Anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents have shown limited therapeutic efficacy. Soluble CD24 (CD24Fc) is able to blunt the broad inflammatory response induced by DAMPs in multiple models. A recent randomized phase III trial evaluating the impact of CD24Fc in patients with severe COVID-19 demonstrated encouraging clinical efficacy.

METHODS.

We studied peripheral blood samples obtained from patients enrolled at a single institution in the SAC-COVID trial (NCT04317040) collected before and after treatment with CD24Fc or placebo. We performed high dimensional spectral flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and measured the levels of a broad array of cytokines and chemokines. A systems analytical approach was used to discern the impact of CD24Fc treatment on immune homeostasis in patients with COVID-19.

FINDINGS.

Twenty-two patients were enrolled, and the clinical characteristics from the CD24Fc vs. placebo groups were matched. Using high-content spectral flow cytometry and network-level analysis, we found systemic hyper-activation of multiple cellular compartments in the placebo group, including CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD56⁺ NK cells. By contrast, CD24Fc-treated patients demonstrated blunted systemic inflammation, with a return to homeostasis in both NK and T cells within days without compromising the ability of patients to mount an effective anti-Spike protein antibody response. A single dose of CD24Fc significantly attenuated induction of the systemic cytokine response, including expression of IL-10 and IL-15, and diminished the coexpression and network connectivity among extensive circulating inflammatory cytokines, the parameters associated with COVID-19 disease severity.

INTERPRETATION.

Our data demonstrates that CD24Fc treatment rapidly down-modulates systemic inflammation and restores immune homeostasis in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals, supporting further development of CD24Fc as a novel therapeutic against severe COVID-19.

FUNDING.

NIH

The inhibition of spermatic cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT (SLC7A11) influences the ability of cryopreserved stallion sperm to bind to heterologous zonae pellucidae

Sperm are redox-regulated cells, and deregulation of their redox status is considered to affect male fertility and to reduce their fertilizing ability following biotechnological procedures, such as cryopreservation. Cystine (CysS), after incorporation in sperm via SLC7A11 antiporter, has been demonstrated to increase intracellular GSH content, the most important non enzymatic antioxidant. This study was aimed at investigating the role of SLC7A11 antiporter on frozen-thawed stallion sperm ability to respond to in vitro capacitating environment after post-thaw incubation with CysS and/or Sulfasalazine (SS), a specific inhibitor of SLC7A11 antiporter. Viability, motility, immunolocalization of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins and the ability to bind to heterologous zonae pellucidae were evaluated. Thawed sperm from seven stallions (2 ejaculates/stallion) was washed and resuspended in Tyrodes media; each thawed ejaculate was divided in Control (CTR) and 3 samples supplemented with: 0.5 mM Cystine (CysS), 500 μM Sulfasalazine (SS) and 0.5 mM CysS + 500 μM SS (CysS + SS). After 1 h of incubation at 37 °C, samples were washed twice, resuspended in capacitating BWW medium and incubated at 38 °C under 5% CO₂. After 30 and 60 min, sperm motility, viability and tyrosine phosphorylated protein immunolocalization, used as capacitation status index, were evaluated. After 30 min of capacitation, 4 × 10⁵ sperm were co-incubated with denuded pig oocytes in capacitation medium for 30 min for the heterologous binding assay. None of the sperm parameters studied (motility, viability and tyrosine phosphorylation) showed any difference respective to control. The number of sperm bound per oocyte (mean ± SEM) tended to increase in CysS group (44.0 ± 12.3) respect CTR (40.8 ± 10.8) while decreased in SS group (32.4 ± 7.8) (p < 0.01). Moreover, CysS + SS group showed a lower binding rate (32.0 ± 10.0) compared to CysS (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that CysS supplementation of thawed stallion sperm can influence their ability to bind to heterologous zona pellucidae as the inhibition of CysS incorporation by SLC7A11 reduced the number of sperm bound per oocyte. This effect does not seem to be ascribed to a modification of sperm motility, membrane integrity and tyrosine phosphorylation.

Preventive and responsive plans to COVID-19 epidemic in a leading teaching hospital in Milan, Italy

Issue

Following the SARS-Cov-2 outbreak in Wuhan, China, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Codogno, Lombardy, Italy, on 20 February 2020. The ongoing epidemic has exposed the health care system to a severe stress. San Raffaele Hospital (OSR) in Milan, Italy - a leader in the emergency management, may provide a benchmarking experience useful for other countries.

Description of the Problem

OSR has established a task force including the health care director, the Infections Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC) and the head of ward and outpatients' facilities management area in order to assess the situation and to define a multi-step strategy. The management process has been divided in two steps. Firstly, a preventive phase was devised, in a preparedness perspective, to avoid the spread of the infection to the Healthcare Professionals (HCP). Secondly, a reorganizational phase was implemented to guarantee assistance to infected patients, especially the critical ones.

Results

Before the outbreak, the IPCC updated OSR's procedures, based on the WHO's, national and regional guidance, planned a lectures series and an online survey to train healthcare professionals and proposed to stack Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to face the expected shortage. The Head of the facilities management area defined separate pathways in the Emergency Department in order to isolate patients with respiratory symptoms, set up a new ward, with 26 beds and dedicated personnel, as well as two Intensive Care Units, with 13 beds, Some wards were merged and more healthcare workers were moved to the COVID-19 units.

Lessons

The coordination between task force members has been crucial for translating the multi-step strategy in a quick reorganization of the whole hospital. Despite early preparations, we could not anticipate the evolution of the outbreak and its logistic impact, especially on the PPE procurement.

Key messages

A major Hospital was proved to be capable to respond to the changing healthcare requests. Organizational flexibility is crucial for proper emergency management.

Step by step procedure for stereological counts of catecholamine neurons in the mouse brainstem

This work represents a detailed methodological description of automated stereology dedicated to all brainstem catecholamine nuclei. Each tyrosine-hydroxylase-containing nucleus was analyzed to count the following features: i) nuclear volume; ii) neuron number per nucleus; iii) neuron area per each nucleus.A number of reports described catecholamine-containing neurons within brainstem of a variety of animal species. In a recently published work, we reported a simultaneous quantitative analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the whole brainstem. Here we report the detailed step by step stereological procedure which allowed to perform a morphometric assessment of each catecholamine nucleus. This protocol provides the method chance to analyze simultaneously various morphological features in the same experimental setting to avoid variability when single nuclei are analyzed in different experiments. This improves the reliability of comparisons between brainstem catecholamine nuclei within the reticular formation to increase our insight about the key functional roles played by these cells in the mammalian brain. In fact, despite being a discrete number of neurons scattered in a small brain area, these cells provide remarkable axonal collateralization which allows the modulation of neuronal activity in the entire CNS. The step by step description of brainstem stereology provided here is reported in order to share these methods and enhance quantitative studies about these fascinating nuclei. At the same time we aim to provide a tool to be used routinely when analyzing the morphology and physiology of brainstem catecholamine cells.

The interleukin-3 receptor CD123 targeted SL-401 mediates potent cytotoxic activity against CD34+CD123+ cells from acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome patients and healthy donors

Diseases with clonal hematopoiesis such as myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia have high rates of relapse. Only a small subset of acute myeloid leukemia patients are cured with chemotherapy alone. Relapse in these diseases occurs at least in part due to the failure to eradicate leukemic stem cells or hematopoietic stem cells in myelodysplastic syndrome. CD123, the alpha chain of the interleukin-3 receptor heterodimer, is expressed on the majority of leukemic stem cells and myelodysplastic syndrome hematopoietic stem cells and in 80% of acute myeloid leukemia. Here, we report indiscriminate killing of CD123⁺ normal and acute myeloid leukemia / myelodysplastic syndrome cells by SL-401, a diphtheria toxin interleukin-3 fusion protein. SL-401 induced cytotoxicity of CD123⁺ primary cells/blasts from acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients but not CD123⁻ lymphoid cells. Importantly, SL-401 was highly active even in cells expressing low levels of CD123, with minimal effect on modulation of the CD123 target in acute myeloid leukemia. SL-401 significantly prolonged survival of leukemic mice in acute myeloid leukemia patient-derived xenograft mouse models. In addition to primary samples, studies on normal cord blood and healthy marrow show that SL-401 has activity against normal hematopoietic progenitors. These findings indicate potential use of SL-401 as a “bridge-to-transplant” before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia / myelodysplastic syndrome patients.

Polo-like kinase inhibitor volasertib marginally enhances the efficacy of the novel Fc-engineered anti-CD33 antibody BI 836858 in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common type of leukemia in adults. Incidence of AML increases with age with a peak incidence at 67 years. Patients older than 60 years have an unfavorable prognosis due to resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Volasertib (BI 6727) is a cell-cycle regulator targeting polo-like kinase which has been evaluated in clinical trials in AML. We evaluated effects of volasertib in primary patient samples and NK cells. At equivalent doses, volasertib is cytotoxic to AML blasts but largely spares healthy NK cells. We then evaluated the effect of volasertib treatment in combination with BI 836858 on primary AML blast samples using antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. Volasertib treatment of NK cells did not impair NK function as evidenced by comparable levels of BI 836858 mediated ADCC in both volasertib-treated and control-treated NK cells. In summary, volasertib is cytotoxic to AML blasts while sparing NK cell viability and function. Higher BI 836858 mediated ADCC was observed in patient samples pretreated with volasertib. These findings provide a strong rationale to test combination of BI 836858 and volasertib in AML.

Resveratrol and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate addition to thawed boar sperm improves in vitro fertilization

Thawing is one of the most delicate process after semen cryopreservation as spermatozoa pass from a dormant metabolic stage to a sudden awakening in cellular metabolism. The rapid oxygen utilization leads to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species that can damage sperm cells, thus causing a significant decrease of fertilizing potential of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural grape-derived phytoalexin and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenol in green tea (Camellia sinensis); both molecules are known to possess high levels of antioxidant activity. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of different concentrations of Res (0.5, 1 or 2 mM; Experiment 1) or EGCG (25, 50 or 100 μM; Experiment 2) supplementation to thawing boar semen extender on sperm quality parameters (viability and acrosome integrity) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Semen after thawing and dilution with three volumes of Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), was immediately divided in control group without antioxidants addition (CTR) and either Res or EGCG groups. Sperm viability and acrosome integrity were evaluated in CTR, Res or EGCG groups after 1 h of incubation at 37 °C. The addition of different doses of Res or EGCG to thawing extender for 1 h did not induce any effect on boar sperm viability and acrosome integrity. However, both Res and EGCG treated samples exhibited a significantly higher penetration rate compared with CTR when used for IVF. In particular the treatment with all the EGCG concentrations increased the penetration rate (P < 0.01) while only Res 2 mM induced a significant increase of this parameter (P < 0.01). In addition, EGCG 25 and 50 μM supplementation significantly increased total fertilization efficiency as compared to control (EGCG 25 μM: 40.3 ± 8.2 vs 26.8 ± 9.5, P < 0.05; EGCG 50 μM: 40.4 ± 7.8 vs 26.8 ± 9.5, P < 0.01). The same effect was observed with Res 2 mM (51.0 ± 7.6 vs 29.6 ± 11.3, P < 0.01). In conclusion, our results indicate that the addition of different doses of the two antioxidants to thawed spermatozoa for one hour, even if does not exert any effect on sperm viability and acrosome integrity, efficiently improves in vitro penetration rate. Moreover, both molecules (EGCG 25 and 50 μM and Res 2 mM) significantly increases the total efficiency of fertilization.

Quantitative 3D investigation of Neuronal network in mouse spinal cord model

The investigation of the neuronal network in mouse spinal cord models represents the basis for the research on neurodegenerative diseases. In this framework, the quantitative analysis of the single elements in different districts is a crucial task. However, conventional 3D imaging techniques do not have enough spatial resolution and contrast to allow for a quantitative investigation of the neuronal network. Exploiting the high coherence and the high flux of synchrotron sources, X-ray Phase-Contrast multiscale-Tomography allows for the 3D investigation of the neuronal microanatomy without any aggressive sample preparation or sectioning. We investigated healthy-mouse neuronal architecture by imaging the 3D distribution of the neuronal-network with a spatial resolution of 640 nm. The high quality of the obtained images enables a quantitative study of the neuronal structure on a subject-by-subject basis. We developed and applied a spatial statistical analysis on the motor neurons to obtain quantitative information on their 3D arrangement in the healthy-mice spinal cord. Then, we compared the obtained results with a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Our approach paves the way to the creation of a "database" for the characterization of the neuronal network main features for a comparative investigation of neurodegenerative diseases and therapies.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and green tea polyphenols do not improve stallion semen parameters during cooling at 4°C

Stallion semen storage for artificial insemination is mainly based on liquid cooled storage. In many stallions this technique maintains sperm quality for an extended period of time (24-72 hr) at 7°C. While this technique is commonly used in the horse industry, there can be a decline in fertility in some stallions, due to an inability of their sperm to tolerate the cool storage process. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of two natural antioxidants (epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) at 20, 60 and 120 μm and green tea polyphenols, and p at .001, .01 and .1 mg/ml) on some sperm parameters (sperm motility, viability/acrosome integrity and DNA quality) in extended semen immediately after its collection (T0) and after 2, 6, 24 and 48 hr of cool storage. Two ejaculates from three trotter stallions were analysed after 48 hr of storage at 4°C. No beneficial effect on the analysed parameters was observed: the two antioxidants were not able to improve sperm quality after 48 hr of storage. These results are in agreement with previous findings on the effect of different antioxidants reported by other researches, who have demonstrated that stallion semen keeps good antioxidant capacity after dilution for 24 hr. In conclusion, the positive effect exerted by antioxidant molecules in other species is not confirmed in the equine one.

Beta-mercaptoethanol supplementation of in vitro maturation medium does not influence nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of equine oocytes

In vitro embryo production in the horse is still not as efficient as in other species. Oxidative stress negatively affects oocyte and embryo culture. To attenuate/minimize the oxidative stress, antioxidants such as low-molecular thiol compounds can be added to culture media. Beta-mercaptoethanol (BME) has been shown to improve maturation and embryo development in different species. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the addition to maturation medium of BME at common (0.1 mM) and high (0.7 mM) concentration could improve oocyte maturation also in the horse. Equine oocytes recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries were used. Meiotic configuration after in vitro maturation (IVM) and early embryo production after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were considered as criteria for assessing nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, respectively. A total of 1,076 oocytes were analysed over two experiments: 848 (control n = 293, BME 0.1 n = 270, BME 0.7 n = 285) were stained with Hoechst 33342 and examined for nuclear stage after 26 hr of IVM, and 228 MII oocytes were fertilized by ICSI (control n = 83, BME 0.1 n = 65, BME 0.7 n = 80). Cleavage rates were determined after 60 hr of culture. Unlike results obtained in other species, the addition of BME did not influence maturation rates (51.9% control vs 55.6% BME 0.1 mM and 55.1% BME 0.7 mM), nor cleavage rates after ICSI (38.6% vs 38.5% and 41.3%, respectively). In conclusion, the addition of BME at 0.1 and 0.7 mM to the maturation medium, in our culture conditions, has no effect on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of equine oocytes.

Embelin supplementation of in vitro maturation medium does not influence nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of pig oocytes

Oxidative stress caused from in vitro culture contributes to inadequate oocyte maturation which leads to a poor embryo development. Therefore, it is important to protect oocytes and embryos against oxidative stress. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone), an antioxidant with various pharmacologic activities, on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of pig oocytes as well as on steroidogenesis of cumulus cells (CCs). Another objective was to determine the influence of Embelin on developmental competence of pig oocytes as well as the expression levels of three key genes (Nanog, Sox2 and Oct4) involved in the control of pluripotency in parthenogenetically activated embryos. Embelin (0, 10, 20 and 40 μM) was added during in vitro maturation of cumulus oocyte complexes; media of both the first and the second day of culture were collected and assayed for progesterone and estradiol-17β. At the end of the maturation period, the oocytes were fixed (to determine nuclear maturation) or partenogenically activated to evaluate cytoplasmic maturation and genes expression. Embelin did not exert any effect on the proportion of MII oocytes, steroidogenesis of CCs, percentage of embryos that developed to blastocyst stage and the number of blastomeres/blastocyst. Moreover, no significant differences of Oct4, Nanog and Sox2 transcripts were detected in blastocyst stage embryos. In conclusion, Embelin did not influence the reproductive parameters assessed, confirming that it is not possible to predict whether the beneficial effect exerted by an antioxidant in a particular tissue could be present also in another one.

Genetic variation in male sexual behaviour in a population of white-footed mice in relation to photoperiod

In natural populations, genetic variation in seasonal male sexual behaviour could affect behavioural ecology and evolution. In a wild-source population of white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus, from Virginia, U.S.A., males experiencing short photoperiod show high levels of genetic variation in reproductive organ mass and neuroendocrine traits related to fertility. We tested whether males from two divergent selection lines, one that strongly suppresses fertility under short photoperiod (responder) and one that weakly suppresses fertility under short photoperiod (nonresponder), also differ in photoperiod-dependent sexual behaviour and responses to female olfactory cues. Under short, but not long, photoperiod, there were significant differences between responder and nonresponder males in sexual behaviour and likelihood of inseminating a female. Males that were severely oligospermic or azoospermic under short photoperiod failed to display sexual behaviour in response to an ovariectomized and hormonally primed receptive female. However, on the day following testing, females were positive for spermatozoa only when paired with a male having a sperm count in the normal range for males under long photoperiod. Males from the nonresponder line showed accelerated reproductive development under short photoperiod in response to urine-soiled bedding from females, but males from the responder line did not. The results indicate genetic variation in sexual behaviour that is expressed under short, but not long, photoperiod, and indicate a potential link between heritable neuroendocrine variation and male sexual behaviour. In winter in a natural population, this heritable behavioural variation could affect fitness, seasonal life history trade-offs and population growth.

Storage of sexed boar spermatozoa: Limits and perspectives

Despite the great potential application of sex-sorted spermatozoa in swine, the technology is not practiced in the pig industry because of technical factors and species-specific issues. The susceptibility of boar spermatozoa to stresses induced by the sorting procedure, the relative slowness of the sex-sorting process together with the high sperm numbers required for routine artificial insemination in pig are some of the main factors limiting the commercial application of this technology in pigs. This review briefly describes the damage to spermatozoa during sex sorting, focusing on an additional limiting factor: increased susceptibility of sexed boar spermatozoa to injuries induced by liquid storage and cryopreservation that, in turn, impairs sperm quality leading to unsatisfactory results in vivo. Strategies to extend the lifespan of sex-sorted boar spermatozoa and to improve their fertilizing ability after liquid storage or cryopreservation need to be implemented before this technology can be used in pig farms. In this regard, encapsulation in barium alginate membranes could be a promising technique to optimize the in vivo use of sexed boar spermatozoa, by protecting, targeting, and controlling the release of sperm into the female genital tract.

Epigenetics meets genetics in acute myeloid leukemia: clinical impact of a novel seven-gene score

PURPOSE

Molecular risk stratification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is largely based on genetic markers. However, epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, deregulate gene expression and may also have prognostic impact. We evaluated the clinical relevance of integrating DNA methylation and genetic information in AML.

METHODS

Next-generation sequencing analysis of methylated DNA identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with prognostic mutations in older (≥ 60 years) cytogenetically normal (CN) patients with AML (n = 134). Genes with promoter DMRs and expression levels significantly associated with outcome were used to compute a prognostic gene expression weighted summary score that was tested and validated in four independent patient sets (n = 355).

RESULTS

In the training set, we identified seven genes (CD34, RHOC, SCRN1, F2RL1, FAM92A1, MIR155HG, and VWA8) with promoter DMRs and expression associated with overall survival (OS; P ≤ .001). Each gene had high DMR methylation and lower expression, which were associated with better outcome. A weighted summary expression score of the seven gene expression levels was computed. A low score was associated with a higher complete remission (CR) rate and longer disease-free survival and OS (P < .001 for all end points). This was validated in multivariable models and in two younger (< 60 years) and two older independent sets of patients with CN-AML. Considering the seven genes individually, the fewer the genes with high expression, the better the outcome. Younger and older patients with no genes or one gene with high expression had the best outcomes (CR rate, 94% and 87%, respectively; 3-year OS, 80% and 42%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A seven-gene score encompassing epigenetic and genetic prognostic information identifies novel AML subsets that are meaningful for treatment guidance.

Selective BCL-2 inhibition by ABT-199 causes on-target cell death in acute myeloid leukemia

B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) prevents commitment to programmed cell death at the mitochondrion. It remains a challenge to identify those tumors that are best treated by inhibition of BCL-2. Here, we demonstrate that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines, primary patient samples, and murine primary xenografts are very sensitive to treatment with the selective BCL-2 antagonist ABT-199. In primary patient cells, the median IC50 was approximately 10 nmol/L, and cell death occurred within 2 hours. Our ex vivo sensitivity results compare favorably with those observed for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a disease for which ABT-199 has demonstrated consistent activity in clinical trials. Moreover, mitochondrial studies using BH3 profiling demonstrate activity at the mitochondrion that correlates well with cytotoxicity, supporting an on-target mitochondrial mechanism of action. Our protein and BH3 profiling studies provide promising tools that can be tested as predictive biomarkers in any clinical trial of ABT-199 in AML.

Alkaline phosphatase in boar sperm function

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) catalyses the detachment of phosphate residues from different substrates. Its activity has been demonstrated in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from porcine and other mammalian species; anyway, the role of AP in male reproduction has not been clarified yet and the aim of this study was to determine AP function in boar sperm capacitation and in vitro fertilization (IVF). AP activity was assayed in seminal plasma and in uncapacitated and in vitro capacitated (IVC) spermatozoa; in addition, capacitation was studied in presence of different doses of AP (1.2 and 2.5 IU/mL). The effect of different doses of AP (1.2 and 2.5 IU/mL) on several sperm parameters after IVC (viability, acrosome integrity with FITC-PSA, capacitation status with CTC staining, tyrosine phosphorylation) and on fertilizing ability during IVF were also evaluated. High AP activity was detected in seminal plasma, in particular in sperm-rich fraction; a lower activity was detected in uncapacitated spermatozoa while a significant decrease was evidenced after IVC. Viability was not changed by AP supplementation of the capacitating medium, whereas acrosome integrity and capacitation status were significantly affected by 1.2 and 2.5 doses, with a dose-dependent decrease in acrosome-reacted cells as well as in CTC B pattern displaying cells. As for sperm head protein phosphorylation, a decrease in relative fluorescence was detected in AP 2.5 group, if compared with capacitated one. After IVF, a dose-dependent decrease in penetrated oocytes was recorded, with an increase in monospermic zygote rate. In conclusion, we demonstrated that AP activity decreases under capacitating condition and that addition of AP to spermatozoa during capacitation results in a depression of the capacitating process and IVF. We can infer that AP plays a role in keeping spermatozoa quiescent until they are ejaculated and in modulating the acquisition of the fertilizing ability.

Effect of sex sorting on stallion spermatozoa: Heterologous oocyte binding, tyrosine phosphorylation and acrosome reaction assay

The interest on sex sorting by flow cytometry on the equine industry has been increasing over the years. In this work, three different tests were performed in order to evaluate the membrane status of sorted stallion spermatozoa: assessment of binding ability to porcine oocytes, evaluation of acrosome integrity after stimulation with A23187, and detection of tyrosine phosphorylation. These evaluations were made after incubation for 0h, 1.5h and 3h in a capacitating medium. Sorted stallion spermatozoa attached similarly to the porcine oocytes, when compared with control samples. Sorted spermatozoa were more prone to undergo acrosome reaction (P<0.05), at the beginning and after 1.5h and 3h of incubation, and also had higher tyrosine phosphorylation of the tail (P<0.001), only at the beginning of the incubation period. Apparently sex sorted stallion spermatozoa are in a more advanced status of membrane destabilization, which could be associated with capacitation, although similar binding ability to porcine oocytes is maintained.

Detection and localization of GLUTs 1, 2, 3 and 5 in donkey spermatozoa

GLUTs are a family of proteins that facilitate the transport of glucose and other hexoses through the plasma membrane of the cells. GLUTs are present in mammalian spermatozoon's membrane in different isoforms and they supply metabolic substrates for all the cell's activities such as motility, homoeostasis and fertilization. As studies about donkey spermatozoa and their metabolism are lacking, this study was aimed at detecting GLUTs 1, 2, 3 and 5 presence by western blotting technique and at determining their localization on the plasma membrane by indirect immunofluorescence. Each protein showed a typical localization on the sperm cells' plasma membrane, differencing the one to the other on the basis of the hexose they transport. We also highlighted some differences between GLUTs distribution and molecular weight in donkey spermatozoa and its nearest relative, the horse.

Effects of antioxidants on boar spermatozoa during sorting and storage

Sorting procedures submit sperm cells to a set of stressful steps that can trigger an increase of ROS production and consequently reduce sorted semen quality. This study evaluated the effect of supplementation with different antioxidants (EGCG, Na pyruvate+catalase, SOD) on acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, activation of caspases (as assayed by FITC-VAD/PI staining) and immunolocalization of Hsp70 of boar spermatozoa after sperm preparation (Hoechst 33342 staining) and sorting procedure. The effect of antioxidants, with or without seminal plasma, on sorted spermatozoa stored for 24h at 15°C was also evaluated. Antioxidants did not exert any preventive action on sperm modification induced by staining and sorting. After 24h of storage at 15°C, sorted samples supplemented with either EGCG or SOD plus seminal plasma showed a significant (p<0.05) increase of the percentage of viable spermatozoa, while no positive effect on the other tested parameters was observed; EGCG seems to exert an inhibition on caspase activation in that a decrease of the number of dead cells FITC-VAD+/PI+ was recorded. In conclusion, our results indicate that EGCG and SOD in association with seminal plasma are effective in exerting some compensatory protection against the detrimental effects of storage of sorted semen while their action is not evident during steps of the sorting procedure.

PML-RARα isoform at diagnosis is associated with disease-free survival (DFS) in patients enrolled in the intergroup trial (C-9710) for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)

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Background: Refinement of prognostic groups using molecular genetic features of the disease may facilitate the design of future risk-adapted trials for APL. Previous analyses of the prognostic value of PML-RARα transcript levels and isoform type have generated conflicting results. We sought to determine the clinical significance of measuring PML-RARα transcript level at the time of diagnosis using real-time quantitative RT-PCR (RQ-PCR) of the long (L) and short (S) isoforms of the fusion gene. Methods: PML-RARα transcript levels were measured in pretreatment bone marrow (BM) and/or paired blood (B) samples of 139 patients (pts) with newly diagnosed APL registered to C-9710, the intergroup phase III randomized study of concurrent tretinoin and chemotherapy with or without arsenic trioxide as initial consolidation therapy. Transcript levels were expressed as the normalized quotient (NQ) of PML-RARα/ABL or PML-RARα/GAPDH. Correlations between pre-treatment NQ values and other pre-treatment characteristics including age, presenting WBC and platelet count, and L or S isoform were explored. Results: Pre-treatment NQ values using ABL vs. GAPDH showed significant correlation (p < 0.0001). Pre-treatment transcript levels in B and BM for 57 pts with S-form were significantly higher than 82 L-form patients (p = 0.02) when NQ was determined using GAPDH as the control gene (but not with ABL). With a median follow-up of 24.3 months for all patients, there have been 19 events. Median DFS for either isoform has not been reached, however, DFS was significantly shorter for patients with S-isoform compared to those with L-isoform (p = 0.017) with an estimated hazard ratio of 3.28. Using a multivariate proportional hazard model, no other significant relationships were found between DFS and NQ level at diagnosis, age, presenting WBC or platelet count. Conclusions: The S-isoform of the PML-RARa fusion gene was associated with shorter DFS in a subset of patients entered onto C-9710. If confirmed in a larger cohort of C-9710 pts, presence of the S-isoform should be considered as a high-risk feature in the design of future risk-adapted treatment strategies for APL.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.