Extended LTA, TNF, LST1 and HLA Gene Haplotypes and Their Association with Rubella Vaccine-Induced Immunity

Recent studies have suggested the importance of HLA genes in determining immune responses following rubella vaccine. The telomeric class III region of the HLA complex harbors several genes, including lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leukocyte specific transcript -1 (LST1) genes, located between the class I B and class II DRB1 loci. Apart from HLA, little is known about the effect of this extended genetic region on HLA haplotypic backgrounds as applied to immune responses.We examined the association between immune responses and extended class I-class II-class III haplotypes among 714 healthy children after two doses of rubella vaccination. These extended haplotypes were then compared to the HLA-only haplotypes. The most significant association was observed between haplotypes extending across the HLA class I region, ten-SNP haplotypes, and the HLA class II region (i.e. A-C-B-LTA-TNF-LST1-DRB1-DQA1-DQB1-DPA1-DPB1) and rubella-specific antibodies (global p-value of 0.03). Associations were found between both extended A*02-C*03-B*15-AAAACGGGGC-DRB1*04-DQA1*03-DQB1*03-DPA1*01-DPB1*04 (p = 0.002) and HLA-only A*02-C*03-B*15-DRB1*04-DQA1*03-DQB1*03-DPA1*01-DPB1*04 haplotypes (p = 0.009) and higher levels of rubella antibodies. The class II HLA-only haplotype DRB1*13-DQA1*01-DQB1*06-DPA1*01-DPB1*04 (p = 0.04) lacking LTA-TNF-LST1 SNPs was associated with lower rubella antibody responses. Similarly, the class I-class II HLA-only A*01-C*07-B*08-DRB1*03-DQA1*05-DQB1*02-DPA1*01-DPB1*04 haplotype was associated with increased TNF-alpha secretion levels (p = 0.009). In contrast, the extended AAAACGGGGC-DRB1*01-DQA1*01-DQB1*05-DPA1*01-DPB1*04 (p = 0.01) haplotype was found to trend with decreased rubella-specific IL-6 secretion levels.These data suggest the importance of examining both HLA genes and genes in the class III region as part of the extended haplotypes useful in understanding genomic drivers regulating immune responses to rubella vaccine

Associations between SNPs in candidate immune-relevant genes and rubella antibody levels: a multigenic assessment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mechanisms of immune response are structured within a highly complex regulatory system. Genetic associations with variation in the immune response to rubella vaccine have typically been assessed one locus at a time. We simultaneously assessed the associations between 726 SNPs tagging 84 candidate immune response genes and rubella-specific antibody levels. Blood samples were obtained from 714 school-aged children who had received two doses of MMR vaccine. Associations between rubella-specific antibody levels and 726 candidate tagSNPs were assessed both one SNP at a time and in a variety of multigenic analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Single-SNP assessments identified 4 SNPs that appeared to be univariately associated with rubella antibody levels: rs2844482 (p = 0.0002) and rs2857708 (p = 0.001) in the 5'UTR of the LTA gene, rs7801617 in the 5'UTR of the IL6 gene (p = 0.0005), and rs4787947 in the 5'UTR of the IL4R gene (p = 0.002). While there was not significant evidence in favor of epistatic genetic associations among the candidate SNPs, multigenic analyses identified 29 SNPs significantly associated with rubella antibody levels when selected as a group (p = 0.017). This collection of SNPs included not only those that were significant univariately, but others that would not have been identified if only considered in isolation from the other SNPs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>For the first time, multigenic assessment of associations between candidate SNPs and rubella antibody levels identified a broad number of genetic associations that would not have been deemed important univariately. It is important to consider approaches like those applied here in order to better understand the full genetic complexity of response to vaccination.</p

HLA homozygosity does not adversely affect measles vaccine-induced cytokine responses

AbstractThe association between HLA homozygosity and measles-specific Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-12p40) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokine responses were assessed in a group of 339 healthy schoolchildren 12–18 years of age previously immunized with two doses of live-attenuated measles virus vaccine. No associations were observed between class I HLA homozygosity and measles-specific cytokine levels. Children who were homozygous at the class II DRB1, DQA1, DPA1 and DPB1 loci had higher median IFN-γ secretion levels compared with children who were heterozygous for DRB1 (77.7 vs. 39.5 pg/ml, p=0.05), DQA1 (60.9 vs. 36.6 pg/ml, p=0.03), DPA1 (46.1 vs. 27.1 pg/ml, p=0.01) and DPB1 (61.5 vs. 36.0 pg/ml, p=0.01) loci, respectively. Homozygosity at increasing numbers of HLA loci ( >=4) was associated with increased IFN-γ secretion levels (test for trend p-value=0.01). Our results suggest that HLA homozygosity showed no disadvantage for measles-specific cytokine responses and instead was associated with increased IFN-γ levels

Vaccinomics and Personalized Vaccinology: Is Science Leading Us Toward a New Path of Directed Vaccine Development and Discovery?

As is apparent in many fields of science and medicine, the new biology, and particularly new high-throughput genetic sequencing and transcriptomic and epigenetic technologies, are radically altering our understanding and views of science. In this article, we make the case that while mostly ignored thus far in the vaccine field, these changes will revolutionize vaccinology from development to manufacture to administration. Such advances will address a current major barrier in vaccinology—that of empiric vaccine discovery and development, and the subsequent low yield of viable vaccine candidates, particularly for hyper-variable viruses. While our laboratory's data and thinking (and hence also for this paper) has been directed toward viruses and viral vaccines, generalization to other pathogens and disease entities (i.e., anti-cancer vaccines) may be appropriate

HR part of corporate information system of Moscow power engineering institute

The article provides an overview of the developed and implemented in the MPEI HR-system, its features, used technologiesВ статье проводится обзор разработанной и внедренной в НИУ МЭИ системы кадрового учета, её особенностей, использованных технологи

Microbiological Oxidation of High Viscosity Bitumen in Soil

This paper presents the results of an investigation of microbiological oxidation in the model soil system of high viscosity bitumen from the Bayan-Erkhet deposit (Mongolia) with a high content of heteroelements. It is shown that bitumen, being a mixture of high molecular weight components, has no inhibitory effect on the indigenous soil microflora. Its active growth in the presence of oil products starts without adaptation and lasts for a good part of experiment resulting in 15‒30 fold excess of microorganisms over its reference number. The enzymatic activity of the contaminated soil increases by a factor of 1.5‒2.0, which indicates an assimilation of various hydrocarbon compounds. The weight analysis revealed that the biodegradation of oil products after 180 days of the experiment was 50% of the initial contamination at initial waste oil concentration 50 g/kg (5%). The analysis by IR spectroscopy revealed an accumulation of oxygen-containing compounds which are intermediate products of bio-oxidation of bitumen components. The method of chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed the ability of aboriginal soil microflora to mineralize virtually all hydrocarbons contained in the bitumen under study. Their biodegradation ranges from 18 to 97%. It was shown by the GC-MS method that high-molecular heteroatomic components of bitumen (resins and asphaltenes) also undergo a microbial degradation, since their molecular structure changed after the destruction. Thus, the number of structural units in a hypothetical molecule and that of heteroatoms increased due to the high content of oxygen-containing structures. In addition, the ratio of hydrocarbons (oils), resins, and asphaltenes contained in the sample is also changed

CONTENTS OF REGULATORY T-CELLS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD AND ENDOMETRIAL TISSUE IN DYNAMIC OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE

The maintenance of CD4+CD25+/high and CD4+CD25+CD127 — regulatory T-cells in a peripheral, menstrual blood and an endometrial tissue in different phases of a menstrual cycle is investigated. It is shown that in a phase of average secretion the number of regulatory T-cells is increased. Thus quantity of CD4+CD25+increased in peripheral circulation, and in an endometrial tissue number of CD4+CD25+CD127- cells grew

GCK-MODY diabetes course in persons over 18 years of age: prospective observation

Most young patients with hyperglycemia have type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes but up to 10% of all cases of the disease occur in MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young). Published abstracts show features of the debut, laboratory and genetic characteristics of MODY in the Russian population. However there is a small amount of data on the clinical course of this nosology in the Russian Federation.Aim: To investigate the characteristics of the 3-year course of GCK-MODY diagnosed after 18 years.Materials and methods: 85 probands and 46 relatives of the first and second degrees of kinship with a clinical diagnosis of GCK-MODY were examined: biochemical and hormonal blood tests, ultrasound, molecular genetic studies. Patients were invited for a follow-up visit 3 years after verification of the pathogenic mutations associated with GCK-MODY. Examination, biochemical and hormonalanalyzes , ultrasound were done in second visit.Results: The diagnosis GCK-MODY was verified by a molecular genetic study in 25 probands (29.4%). In 33 of 46 (71.7%) relatives of patients with GCK-MODY were diagnosed identical mutations. In 31 patients with GCK-MODY diagnosed after 18 years, a dynamic observation was performed for three years. Most patients over 18 years of age did not have clinical manifestations of carbohydrate metabolism disorders when diagnosing GCK-MODY and follow up visit. Skin rashes and allergic reactions prevailed among concomitant pathologies. Patients with GCK-MODY had preserved β-cell secretion, HbA1c targets were achieved. Low fasting hyperglycemia prevailed which persisted even after treatment correction. Among the characteristics of carbohydrate metabolism, biochemical, lipid and hormonal parameters during GCK-MODY verification and after three years of observation no significant differences were obtained, which indicates a stable course of the disease. Half of the patients achieved normoglycemia by rational nutrition, two people with GCK-MODY within three years after determining the diagnosis were transferred from insulin therapy to oral glucose-lowering drugs. Among oral glucose-lowering drugs prior to GCK-MODY verification most patients used metformin, 3 years later — dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors.Conclusion. The results of a three-year follow-up of a group of patients with GCK-MODY demonstrate a non-progressive course of this type of diabetes with stable indicators of carbohydrate metabolism and low fasting hyperglycemia that persists after 3 years of observation. With the verification of GCK-MODY and the achievement of the target values of glycated hemoglobin and postprandial glycaemia by rational nutrition, even if a low level of fasting hyperglycemia is determined, the prescription of oral glucose-lowering drugs is not indicated in most cases

The LBNO long-baseline oscillation sensitivities with two conventional neutrino beams at different baselines

The proposed Long Baseline Neutrino Observatory (LBNO) initially consists of $\sim 20$ kton liquid double phase TPC complemented by a magnetised iron calorimeter, to be installed at the Pyh\"asalmi mine, at a distance of 2300 km from CERN. The conventional neutrino beam is produced by 400 GeV protons accelerated at the SPS accelerator delivering 700 kW of power. The long baseline provides a unique opportunity to study neutrino flavour oscillations over their 1st and 2nd oscillation maxima exploring the $L/E$ behaviour, and distinguishing effects arising from $\delta_{CP}$ and matter. In this paper we show how this comprehensive physics case can be further enhanced and complemented if a neutrino beam produced at the Protvino IHEP accelerator complex, at a distance of 1160 km, and with modest power of 450 kW is aimed towards the same far detectors. We show that the coupling of two independent sub-MW conventional neutrino and antineutrino beams at different baselines from CERN and Protvino will allow to measure CP violation in the leptonic sector at a confidence level of at least $3\sigma$ for 50\% of the true values of $\delta_{CP}$ with a 20 kton detector. With a far detector of 70 kton, the combination allows a $3\sigma$ sensitivity for 75\% of the true values of $\delta_{CP}$ after 10 years of running. Running two independent neutrino beams, each at a power below 1 MW, is more within today's state of the art than the long-term operation of a new single high-energy multi-MW facility, which has several technical challenges and will likely require a learning curve.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figure

ASSESSMENT OF THE SENSITIVITY OF NEW CRITERIA FOR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS IN RUSSIAN PATIENT POPULATION

Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a progressive connective tissue disease, the prognosis of which largely depends on the time of adequate therapy initiation. Low sensitivity of the 1980 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) SS classification criteria for identifying patients with early stage of the disease, and with its limited form in particular, has necessitated revision of existing SS diagnostic standards and elaboration of more sensitive criteria that allow to establish the diagnosis when the first sign of the disease appear.Objective: to compare the sensitivity of the novel SS criteria of ACR and European League against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) 2013 and the 1980 ACR criteria in different stages of the disease.Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 302 patients who had been diagnosed by experts as having SS and followed up at the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology in 2007–2013. The patients’ mean age was 49±13 years (18 to 80 years); male to female ratio – 1:9 (31 and 271), that of patients with diffuse and limited SS – 1:2 (105 and 197); mean duration of the disease from the first non-Raynaud’s syndrome was 8.2±7.0 years (6 months to 36 years). Physical examination, nailfold capillaroscopy, chest radiography or computed tomography, echocardiography for the determination of pulmonary artery systolic pressure and SS-specific antibodies evaluation were performed.Results. 273 (90%) patients fulfilled the novel ACR/EULAR 2013 SS criteria. 76 (25%) patients had skin thickening above the metacarpophalangeal (MPC) joints in both hands; 263 (87%) – finger skin thickening [70 (23%) – finger swelling, 192 (64%) – thickening of all fingers distal to the MPC joints], 141 (47%) – digital ischemia [79 (26%) – digital pitting scars, 20 (7%) – digital ulcers, 42 (14%) – digital pitting scars and ulcers], 134 (44%) – telangiectasias, 276 (91%) – capillaroscopic changes, 225 (78%) – pulmonary hypertension (PH) or interstitial lung disease (ILD) [15 (5%) – PH 185 (61%) – ILD, 35 (12%) – ILD and PH], 301 (99%) – Raynaud’s phenomenon, and 185 (61%) – SS autoantibodies [138 (46%) – anti-Scl-70 antibodies (a-Scl-70), 42 (14%) – anti-centromere antibodies (ACA), 5 (1.7%) – ACA and a-Scl-70]. 216 (72%) patients fulfilled 1980 ACR SS criteria, and all of them met the novel criteria. With the latter, SS could be additionally diagnosed in 57 more (18%) patients.Conclusion. The 2013 ACR/EULAR SS classification criteria have much higher sensitivity than the 1980 ACR criteria. The sensitivity of the novel criteria remained at the level of 90% in all, including the earliest, stages of the disease while the ACR criteria allowed to confirm diagnosis of SS in only half of patients with a disease duration of less than 1 year