Differential expression and biochemical activity of the immune receptor Tim-3 in healthy and malignant human myeloid cells

The T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) is a plasma membrane-associated receptor which is involved in a variety of biological responses in human immune cells. It is highly expressed in most acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells and therefore may serve as a possible target for AML therapy. However, its biochemical activities in primary human AML cells remain unclear. We therefore analysed the total expression and surface presence of the Tim-3 receptor in primary human AML blasts and healthy primary human leukocytes isolated from human blood. We found that Tim-3 expression was significantly higher in primary AML cells compared to primary healthy leukocytes. Tim-3 receptor molecules were distributed largely on the surface of primary AML cells, whereas in healthy leukocytes Tim-3 protein was mainly expressed intracellularly. In primary human AML blasts, both Tim-3 agonistic antibody and galectin-9 (a Tim-3 natural ligand) significantly upregulated mTOR pathway activity. This was in line with increased accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and secretion of VEGF and TNF-α. Similar results were obtained in primary human healthy leukocytes. Importantly, in both types of primary cells, Tim-3-mediated effects were compared with those induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and stem cell factor (SCF). Tim-3 induced comparatively moderate responses in both AML cells and healthy leukocytes. However, Tim-3, like LPS, mediated the release of both TNF-α and VEGF, while SCF induced mostly VEGF secretion and did not upregulate TNF-α release

Tim-3 as a signalling receptor expressed by leukaemia cells and potential target for highly specific drug delivery

Leukaemia is a blood/bone marrow cancer caused by malignant immature hematopoietic precursors, and quickly becomes a systematic malignancy. The most severe type of leukaemia that has the highest number of lethal outcomes is Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) where malignant cells escape host immune surveillance by inactivating cytotoxic lymphoid cells. We discovered a fundamental biochemical mechanism in AML cells, which includes ligand dependent (probably FLRT3) activation of ectopically expressed latrophilin 1 and possible other G-protein coupled receptors, leading to upregulated translation and secretion of the immune receptor Tim-3 and its ligand galectin-9. This process involved protein kinase C and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Tim-3 was observed to participate in galectin-9 secretion, and was also released in a free soluble form. Galectin-9 impaired the anti-cancer activities of cytotoxic lymphoid cells including natural killer (NK) cells and soluble Tim-3 prevented the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2), which was required for the activation of cytotoxic lymphoid cells. These results were validated in ex vivo experiments, using primary samples from AML patients. This fundamental pathway provides reliable targets for both highly specific diagnosis and immune therapy of AML. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the Tim-3/galectin-9 autocrine loop has intracellular functions and promotes cell growth and proliferation by directly upregulating translational pathway controlled by mTOR

Tim-3 as a signalling receptor expressed by leukaemia cells and potential target for highly specific drug delivery

Leukaemia is a blood/bone marrow cancer caused by malignant immature hematopoietic precursors, and quickly becomes a systematic malignancy. The most severe type of leukaemia that has the highest number of lethal outcomes is Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) where malignant cells escape host immune surveillance by inactivating cytotoxic lymphoid cells. We discovered a fundamental biochemical mechanism in AML cells, which includes ligand dependent (probably FLRT3) activation of ectopically expressed latrophilin 1 and possible other G-protein coupled receptors, leading to upregulated translation and secretion of the immune receptor Tim-3 and its ligand galectin-9. This process involved protein kinase C and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Tim-3 was observed to participate in galectin-9 secretion, and was also released in a free soluble form. Galectin-9 impaired the anti-cancer activities of cytotoxic lymphoid cells including natural killer (NK) cells and soluble Tim-3 prevented the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2), which was required for the activation of cytotoxic lymphoid cells. These results were validated in ex vivo experiments, using primary samples from AML patients. This fundamental pathway provides reliable targets for both highly specific diagnosis and immune therapy of AML. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the Tim-3/galectin-9 autocrine loop has intracellular functions and promotes cell growth and proliferation by directly upregulating translational pathway controlled by mTOR

Determination of an optimum extraction region for the recovery of bioactive compounds from olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) using green dynamic pressurized liquid extraction

Pressurized liquid extraction with water and ethanol was employed to obtain high antioxidant extracts from olive leaves (Olea europaea L.). The influence of solvent ratio (100-50% v/v water/ethanol), temperature (100-200 degrees C), and solvent flow rate (1-5 mL min(-1)) on the extraction process was investigated using a Box-Behnken experimental design. ANOVA was applied to determine the overall goodness of fit of the dependent variables (extraction yield, antioxidant capacity by DPPH, total flavonoids, total iridoid-glycoside, and total phenolic content) in second-order models. For the optimization, these models were used to find the optimal conditions using the Sequential Simplex optimization procedure combined with Derringer and Suich's desirability function to maximize antioxidant capacity, total iridoid-glycoside recovery, and total phenolic content. The optimal region conditions for extraction were determined at a solvent ratio of 53-65% v/v water/ethanol, the extraction temperature of 100-120 degrees C, and a 3-4 mL min(-1) solvent flow rate. Fifteen phenolic compounds were identified in the samples using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn, including two phenolic acids (hydroxytyrosol and hydroxytyrosol glucoside), four flavonols (apigenin-6,8-C-dihexoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, luteolin-O-hexoside, and derivatives), and nine iridoid-glycosides (verbascoside, oleuropein, and derivatives). Oleuropein and derivates were identified as the major phenolic compounds in the extract obtained at optimal conditions as a percentage of 89% of the extract composition.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome associated with a large BRCA1 intragenic deletion

Background: Li-Fraumeni (LFS) and Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) syndromes are associated to germline TP53 mutations, and are characterized by the development of central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, and other early-onset tumors. Due to the high frequency of breast cancer in LFS/LFL families, these syndromes clinically overlap with hereditary breast cancer (HBC). Germline point mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 genes are associated with high risk of breast cancer. Large rearrangements involving these genes are also implicated in the HBC phenotype. Methods: We have screened DNA copy number changes by MLPA on BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 genes in 23 breast cancer patients with a clinical diagnosis consistent with LFS/LFL; most of these families also met the clinical criteria for other HBC syndromes. Results: We found no DNA copy number alterations in the BRCA2 and TP53 genes, but we detected in one patient a 36.4 Kb BRCA1 microdeletion, confirmed and further mapped by array-CGH, encompassing exons 9-19. Breakpoints sequencing analysis suggests that this rearrangement was mediated by flanking Alu sequences. Conclusion: This is the first description of a germline intragenic BRCA1 deletion in a breast cancer patient with a family history consistent with both LFL and HBC syndromes. Our results show that large rearrangements in these known cancer predisposition genes occur, but are not a frequent cause of cancer susceptibility.Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology in OncogenomicsBrazilian National Institute of Science and Technology in Oncogenomics [FAPESP 2008/57887-9, CNPq 573589/08-9]Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa (FIP)Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa (FIPE)Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre [04-081, 09-115]Hospital de Clinicas de Porto AlegreFAPERGS (Brazil)FAPERGS, BrazilCAPES [Process: 2317/10-9]CAPE

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) acts as an “alarmin” to promote acute myeloid leukaemia progression

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone protein localised in the cell nucleus, where it interacts with DNA and promotes nuclear transcription events. HMGB1 levels are elevated during acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) progression followed by participation of this protein in triggering signalling events in target cells as a pro-inflammatory stimulus. This mechanism was hypothesised to be employed as a survival pathway by malignant blood cells and our aims were therefore to test this hypothesis experimentally. Here we report that HMGB1 triggers the release of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) by primary human AML cells. TNF-? induces interleukin 1 beta (IL-1?) production by healthy leukocytes, leading to IL-1?-induced secretion of stem cell factor (SCF) by competent cells (for example endothelial cells). These results were verified in mouse bone marrow and primary human AML blood plasma samples. In addition, HMGB1 was found to induce secretion of angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and this process was dependent on the immune receptor Tim-3. We therefore conclude that HMGB1 is critical for AML progression as a ligand of Tim-3 and other immune receptors thus supporting survival/proliferation of AML cells and possibly the process of angiogenesis

Convalescent plasma for COVID-19 in hospitalised patients : an open-label, randomised clinical trial

Background: The effects of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain uncertain. This study investigates the effect of CP on clinical improvement in these patients. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel arm, open-label, superiority clinical trial. Patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to two infusions of CP plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with clinical improvement 28 days after enrolment. Results: A total of 160 (80 in each arm) patients (66.3% critically ill, 33.7% severely ill) completed the trial. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age was 60.5 (48–68) years; 58.1% were male and the median (IQR) time from symptom onset to randomisation was 10 (8–12) days. Neutralising antibody titres >1:80 were present in 133 (83.1%) patients at baseline. The proportion of patients with clinical improvement on day 28 was 61.3% in the CP+SOC group and 65.0% in the SOC group (difference −3.7%, 95% CI −18.8–11.3%). The results were similar in the severe and critically ill subgroups. There was no significant difference between CP+SOC and SOC groups in pre-specified secondary outcomes, including 28-day mortality, days alive and free of respiratory support and duration of invasive ventilatory support. Inflammatory and other laboratory marker values on days 3, 7 and 14 were similar between groups. Conclusions: CP+SOC did not result in a higher proportion of clinical improvement on day 28 in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 compared to SOC alone

Omega-9 Oleic Acid, the Main Compound of Olive Oil, Mitigates Inflammation during Experimental Sepsis

The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, is beneficial, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Olive oil is mostly composed of the monounsaturated fatty acid omega-9. We showed omega-9 protects septic mice modulating lipid metabolism. Sepsis is initiated by the host response to infection with organ damage, increased plasma free fatty acids, high levels of cortisol, massive cytokine production, leukocyte activation, and endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to analyze the effect of omega-9 supplementation on corticosteroid unbalance, inflammation, bacterial elimination, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma expression, an omega-9 receptor and inflammatory modulator. We treated mice for 14 days with omega-9 and induced sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We measured systemic corticosterone levels, cytokine production, leukocyte and bacterial counts in the peritoneum, and the expression of PPAR gamma in both liver and adipose tissues during experimental sepsis. We further studied omega-9 effects on leukocyte rolling in mouse cremaster muscle-inflamed postcapillary venules and in the cerebral microcirculation of septic mice. Here, we demonstrate that omega-9 treatment is associated with increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta in peritoneal lavage fluid of mice with sepsis. Omega-9 treatment also decreased systemic corticosterone levels. Neutrophil migration from circulation to the peritoneal cavity and leukocyte rolling on the endothelium were decreased by omega-9 treatment. Omega-9 also decreased bacterial load in the peritoneal lavage and restored liver and adipose tissue PPAR gamma expression in septic animals. Our data suggest a beneficial anti-inflammatory role of omega-9 in sepsis, mitigating leukocyte rolling and leukocyte influx, balancing cytokine production, and controlling bacterial growth possibly through a PPAR gamma expression-dependent mechanism. The significant reduction of inflammation detected after omega-9 enteral injection can further contribute to the already known beneficial properties facilitated by unsaturated fatty acid-enriched diets