Characterization of immune response against Mycobacterium marinum infection in the main hematopoietic organ of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge. To gain information about genes important for defense against tuberculosis, we used a well-established tuberculosis model; Mycobacterium marinum infection in adult zebrafish. To characterize the immunological response to mycobacterial infection at 14 days post infection, we performed a whole-genome level transcriptome analysis using cells from kidney, the main hematopoietic organ of adult zebrafish. Among the upregulated genes, those associated with immune signaling and regulation formed the largest category, whereas the largest group of downregulated genes had a metabolic role. We also performed a forward genetic screen in adult zebrafish and identified a fish line with severely impaired survival during chronic mycobacterial infection. Based on transcriptome analysis, these fish have decreased expression of several immunological genes. Taken together, these results give new information about the genes involved in the defense against mycobacterial infection in zebrafish

ANO7 is associated with aggressive prostate cancer

Abstract Prostate cancer is one of the most common and heritable human cancers. Our aim was to find germline biomarkers that can predict disease outcome. We previously detected predisposing signals at 2q37, the location of the prostate specific ANO7 gene. To investigate, in detail, the associations between the ANO7 gene and PrCa risk and disease aggressiveness, ANO7 was sequenced in castration resistant tumors together with samples from unselected PrCa patients and unaffected males. Two pathogenic variants were discovered and genotyped in 1769 patients and 1711 unaffected males. Expression of ANO7 vs. PrCa aggressiveness was investigated. Different databases along with Swedish and Norwegian cohorts were used for validation. Case–control and aggressive vs. nonaggressive association analyses were performed against risk and/or cancer aggressiveness. The ANO7 mRNA level and patient survival were analyzed using expression data from databases. Variant rs77559646 showed both risk (OR 1.40; p = 0.009, 95% CI 1.09–1.78) and association with aggressive PrCa (Genotype test p = 0.04). It was found to be an eQTL for ANO7 (Linear model p‐values for Finnish patients p = 0.009; Camcap prostate tumor p = 2.53E‐06; Stockholm prostate tumor cohort p = 1.53E‐13). rs148609049 was not associated with risk, but was related to shorter survival (HR 1.56; 95% CI 1.03–2.36). High ANO7 expression was independently linked to poor survival (HR 18.4; 95% CI 1.43–237). ANO7 genotypes correlate with expression and biochemical relapse, suggesting that ANO7 is a potential PrCa susceptibility gene and that its elevated expression correlates with disease severity and outcome