The correlation of SKA2 with cortisol, IL-1β and anxiety in pregnant women with the risk of preterm delivery

Objective The association between preterm birth (PTB), Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 2 gene (SKA2), cortisol and anxiety have been shown, but in this study, we aimed to clarify whether the expression of the SKA2 gene plays a role in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level since increasing level of IL-1β is linked with PTB. Methods The case-control study was conducted on 49 and 51 women with preterm and term delivery, respectively. The score of anxiety was ranked according to the Spielberger state trait Anxiety Inventory. The concentration of cortisol and IL-1β was determined by the ELISA method. The expression of SKA2 gene was assessed by the quantitative real time real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The western blot analysis was also performed to confirm the expression of SKA2 at the levels of protein. Results The results showed that the gene/protein expression of SKA2, the concentrations of cortisol and IL-1β were significantly high-er in the preterm than the term group. In the preterm group, the expression of SKA2 was positively correlated to the other factors including cortisol, IL-1β, and the degree of anxiety. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the expression of SKA2 was correlated positively to the levels of cortisol, IL-1β and the rate of anxiety in women with PTB. © 2020 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

The shift of hbf to hba under influence of ska2 gene; a possible link between cortisol and hematopoietic maturation in term and preterm newborns

Background: We hypothesized that the SKA2 gene can convert hemoglobin F to A leading to the maturity of the hematopoietic system by glucocorticoid hormone; so, the present study aimed to investigate the health outcome of newborns by using the effect of SKA2 gene on hematopoietic matu-ration. Methods: At first, 142 samples were divided into term and preterm. After sampling from the umbilical cord blood, the expression of SKA2 genes and HbA and F were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. The blood gases were measured by Campact 3 device. Finally, the cortisol level was measured by ELISA method and HbA and F levels were investigated by capillary electrophoresis. Results: The blood gases and Apgar scores were more favorable in term newborns (P <0.001). Levels of protein/expression of HbF in newborns with Apgar score greater than 7 was lower than that of the newborns with Apgar score below 7 (P <0.001). Cortisol and HbA levels were considerably higher in term newborns compared to the preterm ones (P <0.001). In the preterm and term groups, SKA2 gene expression had a positive and significant relationship with cortisol and HbA levels as well as a nega-tive relationship with the HbF level. In the preterm group, a positive and significant relationship was observed between the expression of SKA2 and HbF genes. Conclusion: The results revealed that the SKA2 gene affected hematopoietic maturation in preterm and term newborns and the health outcome of newborns improved by increasing HbA level. © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers

Association of grp78, hif-1α and bag3 expression with the severity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Introduction: Parallel with the progression of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), the levels of 78KDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) are increased as they may activate the induction of anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL2 Associated Athanogene 3 (BAG3). Previous studies have indicated that there is a positive correlation among GRP78, HIF-1α and BAG3. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of metabolic factors involved in invasive CLL on apoptotic factors. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 77 patients diagnosed with CLL along with 100 healthy individuals. Cell blood count was performed for all participants. According to Binet's classification, CLL patients were divided into different groups. B cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of CLL patients by binding to anti-CD19 beads. The expression of BAG3, GRP78 and HIF-1α genes was analyzed using the RT-PCR method. To confirm the results of RT-PCR, western blot analysis was carried out. Results: The results showed that there was a strong association among the expression of BAG3, GRP78 and HIF-1α. The stage of CLL in patients was highly correlated with the expression rate of each gene (p<0.001). Accordingly, the western blot analysis indicated that the concentrations of GRP78 and HIF-1α were significantly higher than the expression of BAG3, considering the stage of CLL. Conclusion: It was shown that increased expression of GRP78 and HIF-1α could result in the elevation of BAG3, as well as the disease progression. Therefore, the role of these metabolic factors might be more pronounced compared with the anti-apoptotic agents to monitor disease progression in CLL patients. © 2020 Bentham Science Publishers