Integrated machine learning pipeline for aberrant biomarker enrichment (i-mAB): characterizing clusters of differentiation within a compendium of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Clusters of differentiation (CD) are cell surface biomarkers that denote key biological differences between cell types and disease state. CD-targeting therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mABs) afford rich trans-disease repositioning opportunities. Within a compendium of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) patients, we applied the Integrated machine learning pipeline for aberrant biomarker enrichment (i-mAB) to profile de novo gene expression features affecting CD20, CD22 and CD30 gene aberrance. First, a novel Relief-based algorithm identified interdependent features(p=681) predicting treatment-naïve SLE patients (balanced accuracy=0.822). We then compiled CD-associated expression profiles using regularized logistic regression and pathway enrichment analyses. On an independent general cell line model system data, we replicated associations (in silico) of BCL7A (padj=1.69e-9) and STRBP(padj=4.63e-8) with CD22; NCOA2(padj=7.00e-4), ATN1 (padj=1.71e-2), and HOXC4(padj=3.34e-2) with CD30; and PHOSPHO1, a phosphatase linked to bone mineralization, with both CD22(padj=4.37e-2) and CD30(padj=7.40e-3). Utilizing carefully aggregated secondary data and leveraging a priori hypotheses, i-mAB fostered robust biomarker profiling among interdependent biological features.

Age-related changes in mRNA expression of selected surface receptors in lymphocytes of dairy calves

The aim of this study was to determine age-related changes in the mRNA expression of four clusters of differentiation (CD: e.g. CD5, CD21, CD22 and CD23) in lymphocytes of calves. Blood samples were collected from 10 Holstein heifers on day 2, 22 and 56 of life and used for lymphocyte isolation. Subsequently, the mRNA was isolated from lymphocytes and the relative expression of CD5, CD21, CD22 and CD23 was investigated using quantitative real-time PCR with GAPDH as a reference gene. CD5, CD21 and CD23 mRNA expression increased linearly (p ≤ 0.04) with calf age, whereas CD22 mRNA expression did not change in the investigated period (p > 0.05). Age related changes in CD5, CD21 and CD23 mRNA expression suggest their importance in the process of lymphocyte maturation in calves.

[The clinical laboratory criteria of infectious complications in primary patients with acute leucosis.]

The study was carried out with the purpose of investigating clinical laboratory features of immune reaction in primary patients with acute leucosis and their significance in development of infectious complications. The analysis was applied to indices of immunograms, main anti-inflammatory cytokines - IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and FNOα, molecule of inter-cellular adhesion sICAM-1 and also expression of receptors to IgG (CD16, CD64) on cells of macrophage phagocyte component and intracellular content of myeloperoxidase. It is established that development of infectious complications is connected to imbalance of congenital immunity and is characterized by involvement into systemic inflammation anti-inflammatory cytokines FNOα, IL-6, molecule of inter-cellular adhesion sICAM-1 and reduced capacity of neutrophils to phagocytosis conditioned by insufficiency of membrane expression of receptors to IgG - CD16 combined with enzymatic insufficiency.

Effect of inhaled tacrolimus on ischemia reperfusion injury in rat lung transplant model

OBJECTIVE

Systemic tacrolimus therapy has been shown to protect against lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models. We sought to investigate on a functional and cellular level if inhaled nanoparticle tacrolimus administered to the donor lung before procurement could similarly attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplant.

METHODS

An isogenic orthotopic rat model of single left lung transplant was used. Donor animals were pretreated with inhaled tacrolimus (treatment group) or inhaled lactose (controls) before lung procurement. Lung grafts were subjected to 3 hours of cold ischemia followed by 4 hours of reperfusion after graft implantation. Recipient animal arterial blood gas measurement and isograft wet to dry weight ratios were obtained. Macrophage, neutrophil, and T-cell accumulation and activation in lung isografts, including γδ T-cell, T-helper, and cytotoxic T-cell subtypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Tacrolimus levels were measured in the lung isograft using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Isograft cytokine levels were measured with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microbead array kits.

RESULTS

Oxygenation in treatment group animals was significantly higher than in controls. The presence of macrophages, neutrophils, and all T-cell subtypes in the isografts as well as isograft levels of inflammatory cytokines were all less in the treatment group versus controls, although no single variable achieved statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhaled nanoparticle tacrolimus treatment of lung donors is associated with an attenuation of ischemia-reperfusion injury on a functional and cellular level in lung transplant.