Targeting cytokine- and therapy-induced PIM1 activation in preclinical models of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma (T-ALL/T-LBL) are aggressive hematological malignancies that are currently treated with high dose chemotherapy. Over the last years, the search towards novel and less toxic therapeutic strategies for T-ALL/T-LBL patients has largely focused on the identification of cell intrinsic properties of the tumor cell. However, non cell autonomous activation of specific oncogenic pathways might also offer opportunities that could be exploited at the therapeutic level. In line with this, we here show that endogenous IL7 can increase the expression of the oncogenic kinase PIM1 in CD127+ T-ALL/T-LBL, thereby rendering these tumor cells sensitive to in vivo PIM inhibition. In addition, using different CD127+ T-ALL/T-LBL xenograft models, we also reveal that residual tumor cells, which remain present after short-term in vivo chemotherapy, display consistent upregulation of PIM1 as compared to bulk non-treated tumor cells. Notably, this effect was transient as increased PIM1 levels were not observed in reestablished disease after abrogation of the initial chemotherapy. Furthermore, we uncover that this phenomenon is, at least in part, mediated by the ability of glucocorticoids to cause transcriptional upregulation of IL7RA in T-ALL/T-LBL PDX cells, ultimately resulting in non-cell autonomous PIM1 upregulation by endogenous IL7. Finally, we confirm in vivo that chemotherapy in combination with a pan-PIM inhibitor can improve leukemia survival in a PDX model of CD127+ T-ALL. Altogether, our work reveals that IL7 and glucocorticoids coordinately drive aberrant activation of PIM1 and suggests that IL7 responsive CD127+ T-ALL and T-LBL patients could benefit from PIM inhibition during induction chemotherapy

A national-scale dataset for threats impacting Australia's imperiled flora and fauna

Australia is in the midst of an extinction crisis, having already lost 10% of terrestrial mammal fauna since European settlement and with hundreds of other species at high risk of extinction. The decline of the nation's biota is a result of an array of threatening processes; however, a comprehensive taxon-specific understanding of threats and their relative impacts remains undocumented nationally. Using expert consultation, we compile the first complete, validated, and consistent taxon-specific threat and impact dataset for all nationally listed threatened taxa in Australia. We confined our analysis to 1,795 terrestrial and aquatic taxa listed as threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) under Australian Commonwealth law. We engaged taxonomic experts to generate taxon-specific threat and threat impact information to consistently apply the IUCN Threat Classification Scheme and Threat Impact Scoring System, as well as eight broad-level threats and 51 subcategory threats, for all 1,795 threatened terrestrial and aquatic threatened taxa. This compilation produced 4,877 unique taxon–threat–impact combinations with the most frequently listed threats being Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation (n = 1,210 taxa), and Invasive species and disease (n = 966 taxa). Yet when only high-impact threats or medium-impact threats are considered, Invasive species and disease become the most prevalent threats. This dataset provides critical information for conservation action planning, national legislation and policy, and prioritizing investments in threatened species management and recovery

Flemish network on rare connective tissue diseases (CTD): patient pathways in systemic sclerosis. First steps taken.

peer reviewedDespite the low prevalence of each rare disease, the total burden is high. Patients with rare diseases encounter numerous barriers, including delayed diagnosis and limited access to high-quality treatments. In order to tackle these challenges, the European Commission launched the European Reference Networks (ERNs), cross-border networks of healthcare providers and patients representatives. In parallel, the aims and structure of these ERNs were translated at the federal and regional levels, resulting in the creation of the Flemish Network of Rare Diseases. In line with the mission of the ERNs and to ensure equal access to care, we describe as first patient pathways for systemic sclerosis (SSc), as a pilot model for other rare connective and musculoskeletal diseases. Consensus was reached on following key messages: 1. Patients with SSc should have multidisciplinary clinical and investigational evaluations in a tertiary reference expert centre at baseline, and subsequently every three to 5 years. Intermediately, a yearly clinical evaluation should be provided in the reference centre, whilst SSc technical evaluations are permissionably executed in a centre that follows SSc-specific clinical practice guidelines. In between, monitoring can take place in secondary care units, under the condition that qualitative examinations and care including interactive multidisciplinary consultations can be provided. 2. Patients with early diffuse cutaneous SSc, (progressive) interstitial lung disease and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension should undergo regular evaluations in specialised tertiary care reference institutions. 3. Monitoring of patients with progressive interstitial lung disease and/or pulmonary (arterial) hypertension will be done in agreement with experts of ERN LUNG

Chemokine receptor co-expression reveals aberrantly distributed T-H effector memory cells in GPA patients

Linear regression analysis for percentages of CD4 + TEM cells, TEM1, and TEM17 cells between r-GPA patients and HCs. (PDF 208 kb

A possible false negative: Lack of evidence for trout predation on a remnant population of the endangered Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica, in Cotter Reservoir, Australia

To investigate possible predation on a remnant population of the endangered Macquaria australasica in Cotter Reservoir, ACT, Australia, stomach content analysis was conducted on 63 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and 24 brown trout Salmo trutta. Both predators were found to be piscivorous, with the frequency of piscivory generally increasing with body size. Goldfish Carassius auratus were the only fish species identified in stomach contents. That gape-limitation prevented trout from feeding on juvenile M. australasica was eliminated as a possibility based on: (1) the body depth of prey and the mouth-size of predators; and (2) evidence that another species of similar dimensions was ingested by trout. Whether or not trout predation on M. australasica is an important process in Cotter Reservoir remains to be clarified. Juvenile M. austalasica do not reside in the parts of the reservoir from which most trout were actually sampled in the current study. Therefore, it is proposed that the lack of evidence for predation on M. australasica is potentially a false-negative result.No Full Tex