Exosomes from patients with septic shock convey miRNAs related to inflammation and cell cycle regulation: new signaling pathways in sepsis?

Background: Exosomes isolated from plasma of patients with sepsis may induce vascular apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction by mechanisms related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Despite previous studies demonstrating that these vesicles contain genetic material related to cellular communication, their molecular cargo during sepsis is relatively unknown. In this study, we evaluated the presence of microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) related to inflammatory response and redox metabolism in exosomes of patients with septic shock. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 24 patients with septic shock at ICU admission and after 7 days of treatment. Twelve healthy volunteers were used as control subjects. Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and their miRNA and mRNA content was evaluated by qRT-PCR array. Results: As compared with healthy volunteers, exosomes from patients with sepsis had significant changes in 65 exosomal miRNAs. Twenty-eight miRNAs were differentially expressed, both at enrollment and after 7 days, with similar kinetics (18 miRNAs upregulated and 10 downregulated). At enrollment, 35 differentially expressed miRNAs clustered patients with sepsis according to survival. The pathways enriched by the miRNAs of patients with sepsis compared with control subjects were related mostly to inflammatory response. The comparison of miRNAs from patients with sepsis according to hospital survival demonstrated pathways related mostly to cell cycle regulation. At enrollment, sepsis was associated with significant increases in the expression of mRNAs related to redox metabolism (myeloperoxidase, 64-foldPRDX3, 2.6-foldSOD2, 2.2-fold) and redox-responsive genes (FOXM1, 21-foldSELS, 16-foldGLRX2, 3.4-fold). The expression of myeloperoxidase mRNA remained elevated after 7 days (65-fold). Conclusions: Exosomes from patients with septic shock convey miRNAs and mRNAs related to pathogenic pathways, including inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell cycle regulation. Exosomes may represent a novel mechanism for intercellular communication during sepsis.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Research and Education Institute, Hospital Sirio-LibanesHosp Sirio Libanes, Res & Educ Inst, Rua Prof Daher Cutait 69, BR-01539001 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo State Canc Inst, Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Serv Publ Estadual Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Morphol Dept, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Heart Inst, Lab Immunol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Paraiba, Ctr Ciencias & Tecnol, Campina Grande, BrazilLudwig Inst Canc Res, Sao Paulo, BrazilAC Camargo Canc Ctr, Int Res Ctr, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Div Clin Immunol & Allergy, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Emergency Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 10/52554-1Web of Scienc

Histopathological Characterization and Whole Exome Sequencing of Ectopic Thyroid: Fetal Architecture in a Functional Ectopic Gland from Adult Patient

Ectopic thyroid results from a migration defect of the developing gland during embryogenesis causing congenital hypothyroidism. But it has also been detected in asymptomatic individuals. This study aimed to investigate the histopathological, functional, and genetic features of human ectopic thyroids. Six samples were histologically examined, and the expression of the specific thyroid proteins was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Two samples were submitted to whole exome sequencing. An oropharynx sample showed immature fetal architecture tissue with clusters or cords of oval thyrocytes and small folliclesone sample exhibited a normal thyroid pattern while four showed colloid goiter. All ectopic thyroids expressed the specific thyroid genes and T4 at similar locations to those observed in normal thyroid. No somatic mutations associated with ectopic thyroid were found. This is the first immature thyroid fetal tissue observed in an ectopic thyroid due to the arrest of structural differentiation early in the colloid stage of development that proved able to synthesize thyroid hormone but not to respond to TSH. Despite the ability of all ectopic thyroids to synthetize specific thyroid proteins and T4, at some point in life, it may be insufficient to support body growth leading to hypothyroidism, as observed in some of the patients.FAPESP Grant [2009/53840-0]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil [2010/12005-9, 2014/24549-4]Instituto da TiroideUniv Sao Paulo FMUSP, Fac Med, Cellular & Mol Endocrine Lab, Thyroid Unit,LIM 25, Ave Doutor Arnaldo 455, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilSao Paulo Publ Hlth Serv, Adolfo Lutz Inst, Av Dr Arnaldo 355, BR-01246000 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHead & Neck Surg Santa Catarina Hosp, Av Paulista 200, BR-01310000 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUNESP, Botucatu Sch Med, Dept Internal Med, Av Prof Montenegro,S-N Dist Rubiao Jr, BR-18618687 Botucatu, SP, BrazilHosp Pediat Dr Juan Garrahan, Serv Endocrinol, Combate Pozos 1881,C1245AAM, Buenos Aires, DF, ArgentinaUniv Estadual Campinas, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Cirurgia, Disciplina Cirurgia Cabeca & Pescoco, R Tessalia Vieira Camargo 126, BR-13083887 Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fortaleza Unifor, Med Sch, Av Washington Soares 1321, BR-60811905 Fortaleza, CE, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Postgrad Program Biotechnol, Pedro Toledo 669, BR-04039903 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Postgrad Programs Biotechnol & Struct & Funct Bio, Dept Ciencias Biol, Thyroid Mol Sci Lab,UNIFESP, Pedro Toledo 669, BR-04039903 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Sirio Libanes, Mol Oncol Ctr, Rua Prof Daher Cutait 69, BR-01308060 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Postgrad Program Biotechnol, Pedro Toledo 669, BR-04039903 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Postgrad Programs Biotechnol & Struct & Funct Bio, Dept Ciencias Biol, Thyroid Mol Sci Lab,UNIFESP, Pedro Toledo 669, BR-04039903 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP [2009/53840-0]FAPESP[2010/12005-9, 2014/24549-4]Web of Scienc

The somatic mutation profile of estrogen receptor-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer in Brazilian patients

BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Studies about the genomic landscape of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have predominantly originated from developed nations. There are still limited data on the molecular epidemiology of MBC in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of mutations in the PI3K-AKT pathway and other actionable drivers in estrogen receptor (ER)+/HER2- MBC among Brazilian patients treated at a large institution representative of the nation’s demographic diversity.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study using laboratory data (OC Precision Medicine). Our study included tumor samples from patients with ER+/HER2- MBC who underwent routine tumor testing from 2020 to 2023 and originated from several Brazilian centers within the Oncoclinicas network. Two distinct next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays were used: GS Focus (23 genes, covering PIK3CA, AKT1, ESR1, ERBB2, BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, TP53, but not PTEN) or GS 180 (180 genes, including PTEN, tumor mutation burden [TMB] and microsatellite instability [MSI]).ResultsEvaluation of tumor samples from 328 patients was undertaken, mostly (75.6%) with GS Focus. Of these, 69% were primary tumors, while 31% were metastatic lesions. The prevalence of mutations in the PI3K-AKT pathway was 39.3% (95% confidence interval, 33% to 43%), distributed as 37.5% in PIK3CA and 1.8% in AKT1. Stratification by age revealed a higher incidence of mutations in this pathway among patients over 50 (44.5% vs 29.1%, p=0.01). Among the PIK3CA mutations, 78% were canonical (included in the alpelisib companion diagnostic non-NGS test), while the remaining 22% were characterized as non-canonical mutations (identifiable only by NGS test). ESR1 mutations were detected in 6.1%, exhibiting a higher frequency in metastatic samples (15.1% vs 1.3%, p=0.003). Additionally, mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 were identified in 3.9% of cases, while mutations in ERBB2 were found in 2.1%. No PTEN mutations were detected, nor were TMB high or MSI cases.ConclusionWe describe the genomic landscape of Brazilian patients with ER+/HER2- MBC, in which the somatic mutation profile is comparable to what is described in the literature globally. These data are important for developing precision medicine strategies in this scenario, as well as for health systems management and research initiatives

Caracterization of serpentine receptor putative and studies about the implication of ubiquitin/proteasome system in Plasmodium falciparum cell cycle.

É proposto que vias de sinalização controlem a sobrevivência e adaptação do Plasmodium, nos diferentes hospedeiros. No presente trabalho buscamos por diferentes abordagens estudar a via de sinalização de melatonina em P. falciparum. Para isso, avaliamos os níveis de RNA mensageiro de genes do sistema-ubiquitina proteossomo (UPS) bem como o perfil de ubiquitinação resultante do tratamento de parasitas com melatonina. Mostramos que a proteína quinase 7 de P. falciparum (PfPK7) atua na modulação dos genes do UPS em resposta a melatonina. Avaliamos também se o parasita é responsivo ao ácido indol-3-acético (AIA). Sabendo-se da importância de receptores de membrana na regulação de diversas funções celulares incluindo a percepção do meio externo, buscamos caracterizar um receptor serpentino putativo identificado previamente pelo grupo. Pudemos concluir que a via de sinalização por melatonina em P. falciparum envolve a participação da PfPK7, uma vez que em parasitas nocautes para pfpk7 são irresponsivos à melatonina quando comparados ao parental.It is proposed that signaling pathways can control the parasite survival and adaptation into the hosts. In the present work we inquire about to study the melatonin signaling pathway trhough different metodologies. For this purpose we have analized post-translational modification of melatonin signaling, through ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) mRNA levels as well as the profile of ubiquitination resulted of melatonin treatment when compared with control. Moreover, we have found here that the P. falciparum protein kinase 7 (PfPK7) plays a major role in ubiquitin-proteasome system mRNA modulation in response to melatonin since parasites knockout to pfpk7 gene do not upregulate the UPS genes in response to melatonin. As for melatonin we have evaluated if P. falciparum parasites were responsive to indoleacetic acid. Last but not least, we made an effort to characterize a putative serpentine receptor previously identified by our group. We conclude that melatonin signaling pathway involves PK7 participation since pfpk- parasites are irresponsives to melatonin

A straightforward assay to evaluate DNA integrity and optimize next-generation sequencing for clinical diagnosis in oncology

Next generation sequencing (NGS) has become an informative tool to guide cancer treatment and conduce a personalized approach in oncology. The biopsy collected for pathologic analysis is usually stored as formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks and then availed for molecular diagnostic, resulting in DNA molecules that are invariably fragmented and chemically modified. In an attempt to improve NGS based diagnostics in oncology we developed a straightforward DNA integrity assessment assay based on qPCR, defining clear parameters to whether NGS sequencing results is accurate or when it should be analyzed with caution. We performed DNA extraction from 12 tumor samples from diverse tissues and accessed DNA integrity by straightforward qPCR assays. In order to perform a cancer panel NGS sequencing, DNA library preparation was performed using RNA capture baits. Reads were aligned to the reference human genome and mutation calls were further validated by Sanger sequencing. Results obtained by the DNA integrity assays correlated to the efficiency of the pre-capture library preparation in up to 0.94 (Pearson's test). Moreover, sequencing results showed that poor integrity DNA leads to high rates of false positive mutation calls, specially C:G > T:A and C:G > A:T. Poor quality FFPE DNA samples are prone to generating false positive mutation calls. These are especially perilous in cases in which subclonal populations are expected, such as in advance disease, since it could lead clinicians to erroneous conclusions and equivocated conduct

A straightforward assay to evaluate DNA integrity and optimize next-generation sequencing for clinical diagnosis in oncology

Next generation sequencing (NGS) has become an informative tool to guide cancer treatment and conduce a personalized approach in oncology. The biopsy collected for pathologic analysis is usually stored as formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks and then availed for molecular diagnostic, resulting in DNA molecules that are invariably fragmented and chemically modified. In an attempt to improve NGS based diagnostics in oncology we developed a straightforward DNA integrity assessment assay based on qPCR, defining clear parameters to whether NGS sequencing results is accurate or when it should be analyzed with caution. We performed DNA extraction from 12 tumor samples from diverse tissues and accessed DNA integrity by straightforward qPCR assays. In order to perform a cancer panel NGS sequencing, DNA library preparation was performed using RNA capture baits. Reads were aligned to the reference human genome and mutation calls were further validated by Sanger sequencing. Results obtained by the DNA integrity assays correlated to the efficiency of the pre-capture library preparation in up to 0.94 (Pearson's test). Moreover, sequencing results showed that poor integrity DNA leads to high rates of false positive mutation calls, specially C:G > T:A and C:G > A:T. Poor quality FFPE DNA samples are prone to generating false positive mutation calls. These are especially perilous in cases in which subclonal populations are expected, such as in advance disease, since it could lead clinicians to erroneous conclusions and equivocated conduct