Transcriptome 3′end organization by PCF11 links alternative polyadenylation to formation and neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma

In gene regulation, diversification at the transcriptome 3′end is linked to differentiation and dedifferentiation. Here, the authors discover extensive transcriptome 3′end-alterations in neuroblastoma, regulated by PCF11, and provide an interactive data repository of transcriptome-wide alternative polyadenylation

Targeting elastase for molecular imaging of early atherosclerotic lesions.

Objective—Neutrophils accumulate in early atherosclerotic lesions and promote lesion growth. In this study, we evaluated an elastase-specific near-infrared imaging agent for molecular imaging using hybrid fluorescence molecular tomography/x-ray computed tomography. Approach and Results—Murine neutrophils were isolated from bone marrow and incubated with the neutrophil-targeted near-infrared imaging agent Neutrophil Elastase 680 FAST for proof of principle experiments, verifying that the elastase-targeted fluorescent agent is specifically cleaved and activated by neutrophil content after lysis or cell stimulation. For in vivo experiments, low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient mice were placed on a Western-type diet and imaged after 4, 8, and 12 weeks by fluorescence molecular tomography/x-ray computed tomography. Although this agent remains silent on injection, it produces fluorescent signal after cleavage by neutrophil elastase. After hybrid fluorescence molecular tomography/x-ray computed tomography imaging, mice were euthanized for whole-body cryosectioning and histological analyses. The in vivo fluorescent signal in the area of the aortic arch was highest after 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding and decreased at 8 and 12 weeks. Ex vivo whole-body cryoslicing confirmed the fluorescent signal to locate to the aortic arch and to originate from the atherosclerotic arterial wall. Histological analysis demonstrated the presence of neutrophils in atherosclerotic lesions. Conclusions—This study provides evidence that elastase-targeted imaging can be used for in vivo detection of early atherosclerosis. This imaging approach may harbor potential in the clinical setting for earlier diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. &nbsp

Linkage analysis in families diagnosed with type 1 von Willebrand disease in the European study, molecular and clinical markers for the diagnosis and management of type 1 VWD

Background: von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 1 is a congenital bleeding disorder caused by genetic defects in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene and characterized by a reduction of structurally normal VWF. The diagnosis of type 1 VWD is difficult because of clinical and laboratory variability. Furthermore, inconsistency of linkage between type 1 VWD and the VWF locus has been reported. Objectives: To estimate the proportion of type 1 VWD that is linked to the VWF gene. Patients and methods: Type 1 VWD families and healthy control individuals were recruited. An extensive questionnaire on bleeding symptoms was completed and phenotypic tests were performed. Linkage between VWF gene haplotypes and the diagnosis of type 1 VWD, the plasma levels of VWF and the severity of bleeding symptoms was analyzed. Results: Segregation analysis in 143 families diagnosed with type 1 VWD fitted a model of autosomal dominant inheritance. Linkage analysis under heterogeneity resulted in a summed lod score of 23.2 with an estimated proportion of linkage of 0.70. After exclusion of families with abnormal multimer patterns the linkage proportion was 0.46. LOD scores and linkage proportions were higher in families with more severe phenotypes and with phenotypes suggestive of qualitative VWF defects. About 40% of the total variation of VWF antigen could be attributed to the VWF gene. Conclusions: We conclude that the diagnosis of type 1 VWD is linked to the VWF gene in about 70% of families, however after exclusion of qualitative defects this is about 50%

Response to desmopressin is influenced by the genotype and phenotype in type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD): results from the European Study MCMDM-1VWD

We have prospectively evaluated the biologic response to desmopressin in 77 patients with type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) enrolled within the Molecular and Clinical Markers for the Diagnosis and Management of type 1 VWD project. Complete response to desmopressin was defined as an increase of both ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) and factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) to 50 IU/dL or higher and partial response as VWF: RCo or FVIII:C lower than 50 IU/dL after infusion, but at least 3-fold the basal level. Complete response was observed in 83% of patients; partial in 13%; and no response in 4%. Patients with some abnormality of VWF multimeric pattern had significantly lower basal FVIII:C and VWF, lower VWF:RCo/Ag ratio, and less complete responses to desmopressin than patients with a normal multimeric pattern (P =.002). Patients with mutations at codons 1130 and 1205 in the D'-D3 domain had the greatest relative increase, but shortest FVIII and VWF half-lives after infusion. Most partial and nonresponsive patients had mutations in the A1-A3 domains. Response to desmopressin in these VWD patients seemed to be associated with the location of the causative mutation. The presence of subtle multimeric abnormalities did not hamper potential clinically useful responses, as in typical type 1 VWD

Detailed von Willebrand factor multimer analysis in patients with von Willebrand disease in the European study, molecular and clinical markers for the diagnosis and management of type 1 von Willebrand disease (MCMDM-1VWD)

Background: Type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a congenital bleeding disorder characterized by a partial quantitative deficiency of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the absence of structural and/or functional VWF defects. Accurate assessment of the quantity and quality of plasma VWF is difficult but is a prerequisite for correct classification. Objective: To evaluate the proportion of misclassification of patients historically diagnosed with type 1 VWD using detailed analysis of the VWF multimer structure. Patients and methods: Previously diagnosed type 1 VWD families and healthy controls were recruited by 12 expert centers in nine European countries. Phenotypic characterization comprised plasma VWF parameters and multimer analysis using low- and intermediate-resolution gels combined with an optimized visualization system. VWF genotyping was performed in all index cases (ICs). Results: Abnormal multimers were present in 57 out of 150 ICs; however, only 29 out of these 57 (51%) had VWF ristocetin cofactor to antigen ratio below 0.7. In most cases multimer abnormalities were subtle, and only two cases had a significant loss of the largest multimers. Conclusions: Of the cases previously diagnosed as type 1 VWD, 38% showed abnormal multimers. Depending on the classification criteria used, 22 out of these 57 cases (15% of the total cohort) may be reclassified as type 2, emphasizing the requirement for multimer analysis compared with a mere ratio of VWF functional parameters and VWF:Ag. This is further supported by the finding that even slightly aberrant multimers are highly predictive for the presence of VWF mutations

Phenotype and genotype of a cohort of families historically diagnosed with type 1 von Willebrand disease in the European study, Molecular and Clinical Markers for the Diagnosis and Management of Type 1 von Willebrand Disease (MCMDM-1VWD)

Type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by a personal and family history of bleeding coincident with reduced levels of normal plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF). The molecular basis of the disorder is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to determine phenotype and genotype and their relationship in patients historically diagnosed with type 1 VWD. Families were recruited in 9 European countries based on previous type 1 VWD diagnosis. Bleeding symptoms were recorded, plasma phenotype analyzed, and VWF mutation analysis performed in all index cases (ICs). Phenotypic and molecular analysis stratified patients into those with or without phenotypes suggestive of qualitative VWF defects (abnormal multimers) and with or without mutations. A total of 105 of 150 ICs (70%) had mutations identified. A subgroup with abnormal multimers (38% of ICs, 57 of 150) showed a high prevalence of VWF gene mutations (95% of ICs, 54 of 57), whereas in those with qualitatively normal VWF, fewer mutations were identified (55% of ICs, 51 of 93). About one third of the type 1 VWD cases recruited could be reconsidered as type 2. The remaining group could be considered "true" type 1 VWD, although mutations were found in only 55%