Rhodopsin Mutant P23H Destabilizes Rod Photoreceptor Disk Membranes

Mutations in rhodopsin cause retinitis pigmentosa in humans and retinal degeneration in a multitude of other animals. We utilized high-resolution live imaging of the large rod photoreceptors from transgenic frogs (Xenopus) to compare the properties of fluorescently tagged rhodopsin, Rho-EGFP, and RhoP23H-EGFP. The mutant was abnormally distributed both in the inner and outer segments (OS), accumulating in the OS to a concentration of ∼0.1% compared to endogenous opsin. RhoP23H-EGFP formed dense fluorescent foci, with concentrations of mutant protein up to ten times higher than other regions. Wild-type transgenic Rho-EGFP did not concentrate in OS foci when co-expressed in the same rod with RhoP23H-EGFP. Outer segment regions containing fluorescent foci were refractory to fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, while foci in the inner segment exhibited recovery kinetics similar to OS regions without foci and Rho-EGFP. The RhoP23H-EGFP foci were often in older, more distal OS disks. Electron micrographs of OS revealed abnormal disk membranes, with the regular disk bilayers broken into vesiculotubular structures. Furthermore, we observed similar OS disturbances in transgenic mice expressing RhoP23H, suggesting such structures are a general consequence of mutant expression. Together these results show that mutant opsin disrupts OS disks, destabilizing the outer segment possibly via the formation of aggregates. This may render rods susceptible to mechanical injury or compromise OS function, contributing to photoreceptor loss

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

Persistent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is common in infants born <28 weeks gestational age (GA) and associated with significant morbidity. Despite extensive research efforts, the indications for PDA treatment remain controversial. The aims of these studies were to gain knowledge of factors affecting ductal closure during the early postnatal period and provide better means for identification of preterm infants that may benefit from PDA treatment. In Paper I, infants born <28 weeks GA and pharmacologically treated for PDA were retrospectively identified and their echocardiographic examinations were reviewed. Twenty-nine (52%) infants successfully closed and 27 (48%) infants failed to close PDA during treatment. High maximal ductal flow velocity (Vmax) was independently associated with closure (OR 3.04, p=0.049). Paper II prospectively included infants born <28 weeks GA and assessed early respiratory, circulatory and echocardiographic parameters. PDA was persistent in 18 (30%) and ultimately closed or insignificant in 42 (70%) infants. Echocardiographic criteria for hemodynamically significant PDA on days 2-7 did not predict persistent PDA (p=1.000). Mechanical ventilation (p=0.025), high mean airway pressure (p=0.020) and low Vmax (p=0.024) during day two were associated with future persistent PDA. Blood samples were obtained during the second day of life from 47 of the infants in Paper II and serum markers previously associated with PDA or factors affecting PDA were analyzed for Paper III. Inflammatory markers and erythropoietin (EPO) were elevated in infants with future persistent PDA. EPO levels were also higher in infants that did not close PDA during pharmacological treatment. In Paper IV, 44 infants born <28 weeks GA with surgically ligated PDA were retrospectively compared to non-surgically treated controls. Ligated infants had larger ductal diameter prior to, and lack of diameter decrease after pharmacological treatment for PDA (p=0.048 and p=0.022 respectively), and higher incidence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p=0.025). Longer periods with invasive ventilation was independently associated with ligation (OR 1.04, p=0.018). In conclusion, early hsPDA do not predict persistence of ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants, but Vmax and EPO are promising early markers for prediction of persistence and should be subjects of future studies

Persistent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is common in infants born <28 weeks gestational age (GA) and associated with significant morbidity. Despite extensive research efforts, the indications for PDA treatment remain controversial. The aims of these studies were to gain knowledge of factors affecting ductal closure during the early postnatal period and provide better means for identification of preterm infants that may benefit from PDA treatment. In Paper I, infants born <28 weeks GA and pharmacologically treated for PDA were retrospectively identified and their echocardiographic examinations were reviewed. Twenty-nine (52%) infants successfully closed and 27 (48%) infants failed to close PDA during treatment. High maximal ductal flow velocity (Vmax) was independently associated with closure (OR 3.04, p=0.049). Paper II prospectively included infants born <28 weeks GA and assessed early respiratory, circulatory and echocardiographic parameters. PDA was persistent in 18 (30%) and ultimately closed or insignificant in 42 (70%) infants. Echocardiographic criteria for hemodynamically significant PDA on days 2-7 did not predict persistent PDA (p=1.000). Mechanical ventilation (p=0.025), high mean airway pressure (p=0.020) and low Vmax (p=0.024) during day two were associated with future persistent PDA. Blood samples were obtained during the second day of life from 47 of the infants in Paper II and serum markers previously associated with PDA or factors affecting PDA were analyzed for Paper III. Inflammatory markers and erythropoietin (EPO) were elevated in infants with future persistent PDA. EPO levels were also higher in infants that did not close PDA during pharmacological treatment. In Paper IV, 44 infants born <28 weeks GA with surgically ligated PDA were retrospectively compared to non-surgically treated controls. Ligated infants had larger ductal diameter prior to, and lack of diameter decrease after pharmacological treatment for PDA (p=0.048 and p=0.022 respectively), and higher incidence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p=0.025). Longer periods with invasive ventilation was independently associated with ligation (OR 1.04, p=0.018). In conclusion, early hsPDA do not predict persistence of ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants, but Vmax and EPO are promising early markers for prediction of persistence and should be subjects of future studies

A High Ductal Flow Velocity Is Associated with Successful Pharmacological Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Infants 22-27 Weeks Gestational Age

Objective. To identify factors affecting closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborn infants born at 22-27 weeks gestational age (GA) during pharmacological treatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Method. Infants born at 22-27 weeks of GA between January 2006 and December 2009 who had been treated pharmacologically for PDA were identified retrospectively. Medical records were assessed for clinical, ventilatory, and outcome parameters. Echocardiographic examinations during treatment were reviewed. Results. Fifty-six infants were included in the study. Overall success rate of ductal closure with pharmacological treatment was 52%. Infants whose PDA was successfully closed had a higher GA (25 + 4 weeks versus 24 + 3 weeks; P = 0.047), and a higher pretreatment left to right maximal ductal flow velocity (1.6 m/s versus 1.1 m/s; P = 0.023). Correcting for GA, preeclampsia, antenatal steroids, and age at start of treatment, a higher maximal ductal flow velocity was still associated with successful ductal closure (OR 3.04; P = 0.049). Conclusion. Maximal ductal flow velocity was independently associated with success of PDA treatment

A High Ductal Flow Velocity is Associated with Successful Pharmacological Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Infants 22-27 Weeks Gestational Age

Objective: To identify factors affecting closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborn infants born at 22-27 weeks gestational age (GA) during pharmacological treatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Method: Infants born at 22-27 weeks of GA between January 2006 and December 2009 who had been treated pharmacologically for PDA were identified retrospectively. Medical records were assessed for clinical, ventilatory and outcome parameters. Echocardiographic examinations during treatment were reviewed. Results: Fifty-six infants were included in the study. Overall success rate of ductal closure with pharmacological treatment was 52%. Infants whose PDA was successfully closed had a higher GA (25+4 weeks vs. 24+3 weeks; P=0.047), and a higher pre-treatment left to right maximal ductal flow velocity (1.6 m/s vs. 1.1 m/s; P=0.023). Correcting for GA, preeclampsia, antenatal steroids, and age at treatment start, a higher maximal ductal flow velocity was still associated with successful ductal closure (OR 3.04, p=0.049). Conclusion: Maximal ductal flow velocity was independently associated with success of PDA treatment

Cluster Analysis of Early Postnatal Biochemical Markers May Predict Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose: Growth factors and inflammatory and angiogenetic proteins are involved in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). However, no early biochemical markers are in clinical use to predict ROP. By performing cluster analysis of multiple biomarkers, we aimed to determine patient groups with high and low risk for developing ROP. Methods: In total, 202 protein markers in plasma were quantified by proximity extension assay from 35 extremely preterm infants on day 2 of life. Infants were sorted in groups by automated two-dimensional hierarchical clustering of all biomarkers. ROP was classified as stages I to III with or without surgical treatment. Predictive biomarkers were evaluated by analysis of variance and detected differences by two-sided paired t-test with Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons. Results: Differences in 39 biochemical markers divided infants without ROP into two control groups (control 1, n = 7; control 2, n = 5; P < 0.05). Sixty-six biochemical markers defined differences between the control groups (n = 13) and all ROP infants (n = 23; P < 0.05). PARK7, VIM, MPO, CD69, and NEMO were markedly increased in control 1 compared to all ROP infants (P < 0.001). Lower TNFRSF4 and higher HER2 and GAL appeared in infants with ROP as compared to control 1 and/or 2 (P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Our data suggest that early elevated levels of PARK7, VIM, MPO, CD69, and NEMO may be associated with lower risk of developing ROP. Lower levels of TNFRSF4 with higher levels of HER2 and GAL may predict ROP development. Translational Relevance: Cluster analysis of early postnatal biomarkers may help to identify infants with low or high risk of developing ROP

A Matched Case Control Study of Surgically and Non-surgically Treated Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Extremely Pre-term Infants

Introduction: There are still uncertainties about the timing and indication for surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in pre-term infants, where lower gestational age (GA) usually is predictive for surgical treatment. Objective: Our aim was to assess differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between surgically treated and matched non-surgically treated PDA in extremely pre-term infants. Methods: All extremely pre-term infants born 2010-2016 with surgically treated PDA (Ligated group; n = 44) were compared to non-surgically treated infants (Control group; n = 44) matched for gestational age (+/-1 week) and time of birth (+/-1 month). Perinatal parameters, echocardiographic variables, details of pharmacological PDA treatment, morbidity, and mortality were assessed. Result: Mean GA and birthweight were similar between the Ligated group (24(+5) +/- 1(+3) weeks and 668 +/- 170 g) and the Control group (24(+5) +/- 1(+3) weeks and 704 +/- 166 g; p = 1.000 and p = 0.319, respectively). Infants in the Ligated group had larger ductal diameters prior to pharmacological treatment, and lack of diameter decrease and PDA closure after treatment (p = 0.022, p = 0.043 and 0.006, respectively). Transfusions, post-natal steroids and invasive respiratory support were more common in the Ligated group. Except for a higher incidence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the Ligated group there were no other differences in outcomes or mortality between the groups. Conclusion: Early large ductal diameter and reduced responsiveness to pharmacological treatment predicted the need for future surgical ligation in this matched cohort study of extremely pre-term infants where the effect of GA and differences in treatment strategies were excluded. Besides an increased incidence of severe BPD in the Ligated group, no other differences in morbidity or mortality were detected

Early Postnatal Comprehensive Biomarkers Cannot Identify Extremely Preterm Infants at Risk of Developing Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a fatal disease where current diagnostic tools are insufficient for preventing NEC. Early predictive biomarkers could be beneficial in identifying infants at high risk of developing NEC. Objective: To explore early biomarkers for predicting NEC in extremely preterm infants (EPIs). Methods: Blood samples were collected on day 2 (median 1.7; range 1.5-2.0) from 40 EPI (median 25 gestational weeks; range 22-27): 11 developed NEC and 29 did not (controls). In each infant, 189 inflammatory, oncological, and vascular proteomic biomarkers were quantified through Proximity Extension Assay. Biomarker expression and clinical data were compared between the NEC group and Controls. Based on biomarker differences, controls were sorted automatically into three subgroups (1, 2, and 3) by a two-dimensional hierarchical clustering analysis. Results: None of the biomarkers differed in expression between all controls and the NEC group. Two biomarkers were higher in Control 1, and 16 biomarkers were lower in Control group 2 compared with the NEC group. No biomarker distinguished Control 3 from the NEC group. Perinatal data were similar in the whole population. Conclusions: Early postnatal comprehensive biomarkers do not identify EPIs at risk of developing NEC in our study. Future studies of predictors of NEC should include sequential analysis of comprehensive proteomic markers in large cohorts