FYCO1 Regulates Cardiomyocyte Autophagy and Prevents Heart Failure Due to Pressure Overload In Vivo

Autophagy is a cellular degradation process that has been implicated in diverse disease processes. The authors provide evidence that FYCO1, a component of the autophagic machinery, is essential for adaptation to cardiac stress. Although the absence of FYCO1 does not affect basal autophagy in isolated cardiomyocytes, it abolishes induction of autophagy after glucose deprivation. Likewise, Fyco/-deficient mice subjected to starvation or pressure overload are unable to respond with induction of autophagy and develop impaired cardiac function. FYCO1 overexpression leads to induction of autophagy in isolated cardiomyocytes and transgenic mouse hearts, thereby rescuing cardiac dysfunction in response to biomechanical stress. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Sunlight exposure exerts immunomodulatory effects to reduce multiple sclerosis severity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease risk is associated with reduced sunexposure. This study assessed the relationship between measures of sun exposure (vitamin D [vitD], latitude) and MS severity in the setting of two multicenter cohort studies (n(NationMS) = 946, n(BIONAT) = 990). Additionally, effect-modification by medication and photosensitivity-associated MC1R variants was assessed. High serum vitD was associated with a reduced MS severity score (MSSS), reduced risk for relapses, and lower disability accumulation over time. Low latitude was associated with higher vitD, lower MSSS, fewer gadolinium-enhancing lesions, and lower disability accumulation. The association of latitude with disability was lacking in IFN-beta-treated patients. In carriers of MC1R:rs1805008(T), who reported increased sensitivity toward sunlight, lower latitude was associated with higher MRI activity, whereas for noncarriers there was less MRI activity at lower latitudes. In a further exploratory approach, the effect of ultraviolet (UV)-phototherapy on the transcriptome of immune cells of MS patients was assessed using samples from an earlier study. Phototherapy induced a vitD and type I IFN signature that was most apparent in monocytes but that could also be detected in B and T cells. In summary, our study suggests benefidal effects of sun exposure on established MS, as demonstrated by a correlative network between the three factors: Latitude, vitD, and disease severity. However, sun exposure might be detrimental for photosensitive patients. Furthermore, a direct induction of type I IFNs through sun exposure could be another mechanism of UV-mediated immune-modulation in MS