A Zebrafish Chemical Suppressor Screening Identifies Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin Pathway

SummaryGenetic screening for suppressor mutants has been successfully used to identify important signaling regulators. Using an analogy to genetic suppressor screening, we developed a chemical suppressor screening method to identify inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We used zebrafish embryos in which chemically induced β-catenin accumulation led to an “eyeless” phenotype and conducted a pilot screening for compounds that restored eye development. This approach allowed us to identify geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor 286 (GGTI-286), a geranylgeranyltransferase (GGTase) inhibitor. Our follow-up studies showed that GGTI-286 reduces nuclear localization of β-catenin and transcription dependent on β-catenin/T cell factor in mammalian cells. In addition to pharmacological inhibition, GGTase gene knockdown also attenuates the nuclear function of β-catenin. Overall, we validate our chemical suppressor screening as a method for identifying Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors and implicate GGTase as a potential therapeutic target for Wnt-activated cancers

Post‐transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study Including 1954 Transplants

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are life-threatening neoplasms after organ transplantation. Because of their rarity and multiple grades of malignancy, the incidence, outcomes, and clinicopathological features affecting patient survival after liver transplantation (LT) remain unclear. We reviewed 1954 LTs in 1849 recipients (1990-2020), including 886 pediatric (<18 years of age) and 963 adult recipients. The following clinicopathological factors were studied: age, sex, liver etiologies, malignancy grades, Epstein-Barr virus status, performance status (PS), Ann Arbor stage, international prognostic index, and histopathological diagnosis. Of 1849 recipients, 79 PTLD lesions (4.3%) were identified in 70 patients (3.8%). After excluding 3 autopsy cases incidentally found, 67 (45 pediatric [5.1%] and 22 adult [2.3%]) patients were finally enrolled. Comorbid PTLDs significantly worsened recipient survival compared with non-complicated cases (P < 0.001). The 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year overall survival rates after PTLD diagnosis were 74%, 66%, and 58%, respectively. The incidence of PTLDs after LT (LT-PTLDs) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with earlier onset (P = 0.002) in children, whereas patient survival was significantly worse in adults (P = 0.002). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the following 3 prognostic factors: age at PTLD diagnosis ≥18 years (hazard ratio [HR], 11.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.63-47.4; P = 0.001), PS ≥2 at diagnosis (HR, 6.77; 95% CI, 1.56-29.3; P = 0.01), and monomorphic type (HR, 6.78; 95% CI, 1.40-32.9; P = 0.02). A prognostic index, the “LT-PTLD score, ” that consists of these 3 factors effectively stratified patient survival and progression-free survival (P = 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). In conclusion, comorbid PTLDs significantly worsened patient survival after LT. Age ≥18 years and PS ≥2 at PTLD diagnosis, and monomorphic type are independent prognostic factors, and the LT-PTLD score that consists of these 3 factors may distinguish high-risk cases and guide adequate interventions

Pladienolide is active on gastric cancer

The antitumor activity of pladienolide B, a novel splicing inhibitor, against gastric cancer is totally unknown and no predictive biomarker of pladienolide B efficacy has been reported. We investigated the antitumor activity of pladienolide B and its derivative on gastric cancer cell lines and primary cultured cancer cells from carcinomatous ascites of gastric cancer patients. The effect of pladienolide B and its derivative on six gastric cancer cell lines was investigated using a MTT assay and the mean IC50 values determined to be 1.6 ± 1.2 (range, 0.6–4.0) and 1.2 ± 1.1 (range, 0.4–3.4) nM, respectively, suggesting strong antitumor activity against gastric cancer. The mean IC50 value of pladienolide B derivative against primary cultured cells from 12 gastric cancer patients was 4.9 ± 4.7 nM, indicative of high antitumor activity. When 18 SCID mice xenografted with primary cultured cells from three patients were administered the pladienolide B derivative intraperitoneally, all tumors completely disappeared within 2 weeks after treatment. Histological examination revealed a pathological complete response for all tumors. In the xenograft tumors after treatment with pladienolide B derivative, immature mRNA were detected and apoptotic cells were observed. When the expressions of cell-cycle proteins p16 and cyclin E in biopsied gastric cancer specimens were examined using immunohisctochemistry, positivities for p16 and cyclin E were significantly and marginally higher, respectively, in the low-IC50 group compared with the high-IC50 group, suggesting the possibility that they might be useful as predictive biomarkers for pladienolide B. In conclusion, pladienolide B was very active against gastric cancer via a mechanism involving splicing impairment and apoptosis induction

Reactive arthritis induced by active extra-articular tuberculosis

RATIONALE: Rare cases of reactive arthritis induced by active extra-articular tuberculosis (Poncet disease) have been reported. Complete response to antitubercular treatment and evidence of active extra-articular tuberculosis are the most important clinical features of Poncet disease. We report the case of successfully treated a patient with reactive arthritis induced by active extra-articular tuberculosis with a TNF inhibitor after sufficient antitubercular treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 56-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our department with polyarthralgia, low back pain, and high fever. The results of rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibody, human leukocyte antigen B27, and the assays for the detection of infections (with an exception of T-SPOT.TB) were all negative. Fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography with CT (PET/CT) showed moderate uptake in the right cervical, right supraclavicular, mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes. As magnetic resonance imaging and power Doppler ultrasonography showed peripheral inflammation (tendinitis, tenosynovitis, ligamentitis, and enthesitis in the limbs). DIAGNOSIS: A diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis was eventually established on the basis of lymph node biopsy results. There was no evidence of a bacterial infection including acid-fast bacteria in his joints, and the symptoms of polyarthralgia and low back pain were improved but not completely resolved with NSAID therapy; in addition, a diagnosis of reactive arthritis induced by active extraarticular tuberculosis was made. INTERVENTIONS: The patient experienced persistent peripheral inflammation despite antitubercular treatment for more than nine months and was then successfully treated with a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (adalimumab 40 mg every 2 weeks). OUTCOMES: Finally, the patient responded to the treatment and has been in remission for over 4 months as of this writing. LESSONS: In patients who present with symptoms associated with spondyloarthritis, it is important to distinguish between classic reactive arthritis and reactive arthritis induced by extra-articular tuberculosis infection. Introduction of biological agents should be carefully considered in settings where reactive arthritis induced by active extra-articular tuberculosis shows progression to chronicity despite sufficient antitubercular treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis-like active synovitis with T-cell activation in a case of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease

RATIONALE: Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a systemic disease with multiple regions of lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms and associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and collagen diseases. However, few reported have described the coexistence of iMCD and RA and the mechanisms by which iMCD induces arthritis remain elusive. We experienced a rare case of iMCD, wherein the patient exhibited symptoms of polyarthritis with high-grade fever. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 34-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of a high fever with polyarthritis. The levels of both rheumatoid factor and anticitrullinated protein antibody were negative.F-fluorodeoxyglucose/positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed lymphadenopathy with increased fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake. Magnetic resonance imaging and musculoskeletal ultrasonography revealed active synovitis in the hands which was consistent with RA. DIAGNOSES:We diagnosed iMCD based on human herpesvirus 8 negativity, HIV negativity, systemic lymphadenopathy, and pathologic findings of the lymph nodes. The patient did not satisfy the 2010 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for RA. Cytokine assay showed elevated serum levels of interleukin-17and CXCL10, comparable to those in patients with RA. INTERVENTIONS: We administered 15?mg/d of predonisolone. OUTCOMES:After this treatment, the patient\u27s symptoms showed improvement. As of this writing, we tapered the prednisolone to 7.5?mg/d,and the patient\u27s remission has been maintained for >4 months. LESSONS: The present case suggests that RA-like active synovitis may coexist in iMCD, resulting from aberrant T-cell activation and histologic examination using lymph node biopsy may help enable early diagnosis of iMCD

Targeting miR-223 in neutrophils enhances the clearance of Staphylococcus aureus in infected wounds

Abstract Argonaute 2 bound mature microRNA (Ago2‐miRNA) complexes are key regulators of the wound inflammatory response and function in the translational processing of target mRNAs. In this study, we identified four wound inflammation‐related Ago2‐miRNAs (miR‐139‐5p, miR‐142‐3p, miR‐142‐5p, and miR‐223) and show that miR‐223 is critical for infection control. miR‐223Y/− mice exhibited delayed sterile healing with prolonged neutrophil activation and interleukin‐6 expression, and markedly improved repair of Staphylococcus aureus‐infected wounds. We also showed that the expression of miR‐223 was regulated by CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha in human neutrophils after exposure to S. aureus peptides. Treatment with miR‐223Y/−‐derived neutrophils, or miR‐223 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in S. aureus‐infected wild‐type wounds markedly improved the healing of these otherwise chronic, slow healing wounds. This study reveals how miR‐223 regulates the bactericidal capacity of neutrophils at wound sites and indicates that targeting miR‐223 might be of therapeutic benefit for infected wounds in the clinic

Real-world comparative effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib and baricitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and baricitinib in patients with RA in a real-world setting.Methods: A total of 242 patients with RA who were treated with tofacitinib (n = 161) or baricitinib (n = 81) were enrolled. We evaluated efficacy and safety between tofacitinib and baricitinib using multivariable analyses to avoid confounding. Their clinical disease activity and AEs were evaluated for 24 weeks.Results: The mean (SD) DAS28-ESR change from baseline to 24 weeks was 1.57 (1.55) (tofacitinib) and 1.46 (1.36) (baricitinib). There was no significant difference in the clinical response between the two groups (adjusted mean difference, 0.04; 95% CI, −0.35 to 0.28). The efficacy was not significantly changed in the patients without concomitant MTX use in both groups, but the concomitant MTX use showed better clinical efficacy in the cases of baricitinib treatment. In both groups, the most common AE was herpes zoster infection, and the AE rates were similar between the two groups. However, the predictive factors contributing to clinical response as revealed by a multivariable logistic analysis differed. The concomitant oral steroid use was independently associated with the achievement of DAS-low disease activity in the tofacitinib group, whereas in the baricitinib group, the number of biological and/or targeted synthetic DMARDs previously used was associated.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that tofacitinib and baricitinib had comparable continuing efficacies and safety profiles. However, there is a possibility that the influence of clinical characteristics on the treatment response differs. The comparison provides useful information to the optimal use of JAK inhibitors in real-world settings

Utility of a simplified ultrasonography scoring system among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multicenter cohort study

ABSTRACT: We aimed to evaluate the utility of a simplified ultrasonography (US) scoring system, which is desired in daily clinical practice, among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).A total of 289 Japanese patients with RA who were started on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, abatacept, tocilizumab, or Janus kinase inhibitors between June 2013 and April 2019 at one of the 15 participating rheumatology centers were reviewed. We performed US assessment of articular synovia over 22 joints among bilateral wrist and finger joints, and the 22-joint (22j)-GS and 22-joint (22j)-PD scores were evaluated as an indicator of US activity using the sum of the GS and PD scores, respectively.The top 6 most affected joints included the bilateral wrist and second/third metacarpophalangeal joints. Therefore, 6-joint (6j)-GS and -PD scores were defined as the sum of the GS and PD scores from the 6 synovial sites over the aforementioned 6 joints, respectively. Although the 22j- or 6j-US scores were significantly correlated with DAS28-ESR or -CRP scores, the correlations were weak. Conversely, 6j-US scores were significantly and strongly correlated with 22j-US scores not only at baseline but also after therapy initiation.Using a multicenter cohort data, our results indicated that a simplified US scoring system could be adequately tolerated during any disease course among patients with RA receiving biological/targeted synthetic DMARDs

Reduced FOXO1 Expression Accelerates Skin Wound Healing and Attenuates Scarring

The forkhead box O (FOXO) family has been extensively investigated in aging and metabolism, but its role in tissue-repair processes remains largely unknown. Herein, we clarify the molecular aspect of the FOXO family in skin wound healing. We demonstrated that Foxo1 and Foxo3a were both up-regulated during murine skin wound healing. Partial knockout of Foxo1 in Foxo1 +/- mice throughout the body led to accelerated skin wound healing with enhanced keratinocyte migration, reduced granulation tissue formation, and decreased collagen density, accompanied by an attenuated inflammatory response, but we observed no wound phenotype in Foxo3a-/- mice. Fibroblast growth factor 2, adiponectin, and notch1 genes were significantly increased at wound sites in Foxo1+/- mice, along with markedly altered extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. Similarly, transient knockdown of Foxo1 at the wound site by local delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides enhanced skin wound healing. The link between FOXO1 and scarring extends to patients, in particular keloid scars, where we see FOXO1 expression markedly increased in fibroblasts and inflammatory cells within the otherwise normal dermis. This occurs in the immediate vicinity of the keloid by comparison to the center of the mature keloid, indicating that FOXO1 is associated with the overgrowth of this fibrotic response into adjacent normal skin. Overall, our data indicate that molecular targeting of FOXO1 may improve the quality of healing and reduce pathological scarring