👤 Stephanie L Sherman

Individuals with chronic conditions have persistent, co-occurring symptoms affecting quality of life. Understanding symptom severity susceptibilities is critical for early risk identification, but gaps remain among racial and ethnic minority men with chronic conditions. As such, this study identifies symptom severity profiles in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men based on five common symptoms (fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, depression) and its associated demographic, clinical, and modifiable sociobehavioral risk factors. Online survey data from 1,982 men aged 40 and older with chronic conditions was analyzed using latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify symptom severity profiles. LPA revealed three symptom severity profiles: lowest (63.4%); moderate (13.9%); and highest (22.7%). Multinomial and binary logistic regressions were used to analyze demographic, clinical, social, and behavioral factors associated with symptom severity profiles. Compared to men in the lowest symptom severity profile, men in the highest symptom severity profile were younger (OR = 0.98, p < 0.001), had lower incomes (OR = 0.95, p = 0.028), had more comorbidities (OR = 1.92, P = 0.001), had more medications (OR = 1.09, P = 0.012), reported current tobacco (OR = 1.55, P < 0.001) or cannabis (OR = 1.45, P = 0.011) use, experienced more social disconnectedness (OR = 1.34, P < 0.001), and had poorer self-management efficacy (OR = 0.93, P < 0.001). Compared to men in the moderate profile, men in the highest profile had lower education (OR = 0.53, P = 0.002), more comorbidities (OR = 1.77, P = 0.018), higher medication use (OR = 1.11 P = 0.009), and increased cannabis use (OR = 1.56, P = 0.017). Findings highlight diverse symptom experiences and key factors that can be targeted in prevention and treatment strategies to reduce symptom severity within these subpopulations. Show less

The common variant PNPLA3-I148M, globally, is the most significant genetic risk factor for fatty liver disease. However, it is unclear precisely how I148M drives disease risk. Using human hepatoma cells expressing endogenous I148M, we find that the variant impairs cellular secretion of apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the scaffolding protein of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). This is not due to loss-of-function of wild-type PNPLA3. Expression of human I148M in primary hepatocytes and mice also hinders VLDL secretion. Lipidomic profiling reveals a shift from polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine to polyunsaturated triglycerides in I148M cells, reducing membrane fluidity and, concomitantly, VLDL biogenesis. ApoB secretion is substantially rescued in I148M cells overexpressing ABHD5/CGI-58, an I148M-binding partner that normally activates ATGL/PNPLA2-mediated triglyceride lipolysis. Conversely, knocking down CGI-58 or PNPLA2 mimics I148M. We propose that I148M is a neomorph that exacerbates fatty liver risk by simultaneously impeding two major CGI-58-dependent pathways for liver triglyceride clearance: lipolysis and secretion. Show less

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a pleiotropic cytokine that influences the innate and adaptive immune systems. It inhibits viral infection and regulates the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). We recently reported that macrophages differentiated from human primary monocytes in the presence of IL-27 and human AB serum resisted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and showed significant autophagy induction. In the current study, the miRNA profiles in these cells were investigated, especially focusing on the identification of novel miRNAs regulated by IL-27-treatment. The miRNA sequencing analysis detected 38 novel miRNAs. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed that IL-27 differentially regulated the expression of 16 of the 38 miRNAs. Overexpression of the synthesized miRNA mimics by transfection revealed that miRAB40 had potent HIV-inhibiting and autophagy-inducing properties. B18R, an interferon (IFN)-neutralization protein, partially suppressed both activities, indicating that the two functions were induced via IFN-dependent and -independent pathways. Although the target mRNA(s) of miRAB40 involving in the induction of both functions was unable to identify in this study, the discovery of miRAB40, a potential HIV-inhibiting and autophagy inducing miRNA, may provide novel insights into the miRNA (small none-coding RNA)-mediated regulation of HIV inhibition and autophagy induction as an innate immune response. Show less

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is known as an anti-HIV cytokine. We have recently demonstrated that IL-27-pretreatment promotes phytohemagglutinin-stimulated CD4(+) T cells into HIV-1-resistant cells by inhibiting an uncoating step. To further characterize the function of the HIV resistant T cells, we investigated profiles of microRNA in the cells using microRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) and assessed anti-HIV effect of the microRNAs. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated CD4(+) T cells were treated with or without IL-27 for 3 days. MicroRNA profiles were analyzed using miRNA-seq. To assess anti-HIV effect, T cells or macrophages were transfected with synthesized microRNA mimics and then infected with HIVNL4.3 or HIVAD8. Anti-HIV effect was monitored by a p24 antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, or IFN-λ production was quantified using each subtype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. A comparative analysis of microRNA profiles indicated that expression of known miRNAs was not significantly changed in IL-27-treated cells compared with untreated T cells; however, a total of 15 novel microRNAs (miRTC1 ∼ miRTC15) were identified. Anti-HIV assay using overexpression of each novel microRNA revealed that 10 nM miRTC14 (GenBank accession number: MF281439) remarkably suppressed HIV infection by (99.3 ± 0.27%, n = 9) in macrophages but not in T cells. The inhibition was associated through induction of >1000 pg/mL of IFN-αs and IFN-λ1. We discovered a total of 15 novel microRNAs in T cells and characterized that miRTC14, one of the novel microRNAs, was a potent IFN-inducing anti-HIV miRNA, implicating that regulation of the expression of miRTC14 may be a potent therapeutic tool for not only HIV but also other virus infection. Show less

Compounds targeting somatostatin-receptor-type-2 (SSTR2) are useful for small bowel neuroendocrine tumor (SBNET) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) imaging and treatment. We recently characterized expression of 13 cell surface receptor genes in SBNETs and PNETs, identifying three drug targets (GIPR, OXTR, and OPRK1). This study set out to characterize expression of this gene panel in the less common neuroendocrine tumors of the stomach and duodenum (gastric and duodenal neuroendocrine tumors [GDNETs]). Primary tumors and adjacent normal tissue were collected at surgery, RNA was extracted, and expression of 13 target genes was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression was normalized to GAPDH and POLR2A internal control genes. Expression relative to normal tissue (ddCT) and absolute expression (dCT) were calculated. Wilcoxon tests compared median expression with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons. Gene expression was similar in two gastric and seven duodenal tumors, and these were analyzed together. Like SBNETs (n = 63) and PNETs (n = 51), GDNETs showed significant overexpression compared with normal tissue of BRS3, GIPR, GRM1, GPR113, OPRK1, and SSTR2 (P < 0.05 for all). Of these, SSTR2 had the highest absolute expression in GDNETs (median dCT 4.0). Absolute expression of BRS3, GRM1, GPR113, and OPRK1 was significantly lower than SSTR2 in GDNETs (P < 0.05 for all), whereas expression of GIPR was similar to SSTR2 (median 4.3, P = 0.4). As in SBNETs and PNETs, GIPR shows absolute expression close to SSTR2 but has greater overexpression relative to normal tissue (21.1 versus 3.5-fold overexpression). We conclude that GIPR could provide an improved signal-to-noise ratio for imaging versus SSTR2 and represents a promising novel therapeutic target in GDNETs. Show less

Reduced expression of the p53 family member p63 has been suggested to play a causative role in cancer metastasis. Here, we show that ΔNp63α, the predominant p63 isoform, plays a major role in regulation of cell migration, invasion and cancer metastasis. We identified mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP3) as a downstream target of ΔNp63α that is required for mediating these effects. We show that ΔNp63α regulates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) activity via MKP3 in both cancer and non-transformed cells. We further show that exogenous ΔNp63α inhibits cell invasion and is dependent on MKP3 upregulation for repression. Conversely, endogenous pan-p63 ablation results in increased cell migration and invasion, which can be reverted by reintroducing the ΔNp63α isoform alone, but not by other isoforms. Interestingly, these effects require Erk2, but not Erk1 expression, and can be rescued by enforced MKP3 expression. Moreover, MKP3 expression is reduced in invasive cancers, and reduced p63 expression increases metastatic frequency in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest an important role for ΔNp63α in preventing cancer metastasis by inhibition of Erk2 signaling via MKP3. Show less

Ligands binding the somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) are useful for imaging and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), but not all tumors express high levels of these receptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate gene expression of new therapeutic targets in NETs relative to SSTR2. RNA was extracted from 103 primary small bowel and pancreatic NETs, matched normal tissue, and 123 metastases. Expression of 12 candidate genes was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction normalized to internal controls; candidate gene expression was compared with SSTR2. Relative to normal tissue, primary NET expression of SSTR2, GPR98, BRS3, GIPR, GRM1, and OPRK1 were increased by 3, 8, 13, 13, 17, and 20-fold, respectively. Similar changes were found in metastases. Although most candidate genes showed lesser absolute expressions than SSTR2, absolute GIPR expression was closest to SSTR2 (mean dCT 3.6 vs. 2.7, P = .01). Absolute OPRK1 and OXTR expression varied greatly by primary tumor type and was close to SSTR2 in small bowel NETs but not pancreatic NETs. Compared with the current treatment standard SSTR2, GIPR has only somewhat lesser absolute gene expression in tumor tissue but much lesser expression in normal tissue, making it a promising new target for NET imaging and therapy. Show less

About half of people with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit some form of congenital heart disease (CHD); however, trisomy for human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) alone is insufficient to cause CHD, as half of all people with DS have a normal heart, suggesting that genetic modifiers interact with dosage-sensitive gene(s) on Hsa21 to result in CHD. We hypothesize that a threshold exists in both DS and euploid populations for the number of genetic perturbations that can be tolerated before CHD results. We ascertained a group of individuals with DS and complete atrioventricular septal defect and sequenced 2 candidate genes for CHD: CRELD1, which is associated with atrioventricular septal defect in people with or without DS, and HEY2, whose mouse ortholog (Hey2) produces septal defects when mutated. Several deleterious variants were identified, but the frequency of these potential modifiers was low. We crossed mice with mutant forms of these potential modifiers to the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS. Crossing loss-of-function alleles of either Creld1 or Hey2 onto the trisomic background caused a significant increase in the frequency of CHD, demonstrating an interaction between the modifiers and trisomic genes. We showed further that, although each of these mutant modifiers is benign by itself, they interact to affect heart development when inherited together. Using mouse models of Down syndrome and of genes associated with congenital heart disease, we demonstrate a biological basis for an interaction that supports a threshold hypothesis for additive effects of genetic modifiers in the sensitized trisomic population. Show less

The BTN1 gene product of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is 39% identical and 59% similar to human CLN3, which is associated with the neurodegenerative disorder Batten disease. Furthermore, btn1-Delta strains have an elevated activity of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase due to an abnormally high vacuolar acidity during the early phase of growth. Previously, DNA microarray analysis revealed that btn1-Delta strains compensate for the altered plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase activity and vacuolar pH by elevating the expression of the two genes HSP30 and BTN2. We now show that deletion of either HSP30 or BTN2 in either BTN1(+) or btn1-Delta strains does not alter vacuolar pH but does lead to an increased activity of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Deletion of BTN1, BTN2, or HSP30 does not alter cytosolic pH but diminishes pH buffering capacity and causes poor growth at low pH in a medium containing sorbic acid, a condition known to result in disturbed intracellular pH homeostasis. Btn2p was localized to the cytosol, suggesting a role in mediating pH homeostasis between the vacuole and plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase. Increased expression of HSP30 and BTN2 in btn1-Delta strains and diminished growth of btn1-Delta, hsp30-Delta, and btn2-Delta strains at low pH reinforce our view that altered pH homeostasis is the underlying cause of Batten disease. Show less

BTN1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes an ortholog of CLN3, the human Batten disease gene. We have reported previously that deletion of BTN1, btn1-Delta, resulted in a pH-dependent resistance to D-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1,3-propanediol (ANP). This phenotype was caused by btn1-Delta strains having an elevated ability to acidify growth medium through an elevated activity of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, resulting from a decreased vacuolar pH during early growth. We have determined that growing btn1-Delta strains in the presence of chloroquine reverses the resistance to ANP, decreases the rate of medium acidification, decreases the activity of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, and elevates vacuolar pH. However, an additional effect of this phenotypic reversal is that activity of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase is decreased further and vacuolar pH is increased further as btn1-Delta strains continue to grow. This phenotypic reversal of btn1-Delta can be considered for developing a therapy for Batten disease. Show less

Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) are autosomal recessive disorders that form the most common group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases in children, with an incidence as high as 1 in 12,500 live births, and with approximately 440,000 carriers in the United States. Disease progression is characterized by a decline in mental abilities, increased severity of untreatable seizures, blindness, loss of motor skills and premature death. The CLN3 gene, which is responsible for Batten disease, has been positionally cloned. The yeast gene, denoted BTN1, encodes a non-essential protein that is 39% identical and 59% similar to human CLN3. Strains lacking Btn1p, btn1-delta, are resistant to D-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1,3-propanediol (ANP) in a pH-dependent manner. This phenotype was complemented by expression of human CLN3, demonstrating that yeast Btn1p and human CLN3 share the same function. Here, we report that btn1-delta yeast strains have an abnormally acidic vacuolar pH in the early phases of growth. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis of BTN1 and btn1-delta strains revealed differential expression of two genes, with at least one, HSP30, involved in pH control. Because Btn1p is located in the vacuole, we suggest that Batten disease is caused by a defect in vacuolar (lysosomal) pH control. Our findings draw parallels between fundamental biological processes in yeast and previously observed characteristics of neurodegeneration in humans. Show less

Although the gene responsible for Batten disease, CLN3, was positionally cloned in 1995, the function of Cln3p and the molecular basis of the disease still remain elusive. We previously reported that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a homolog to Cln3p, designated Btn1p, and that the human Cln3p complemented the pH-dependent resistance to D-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1, 3-propanediol in btn1-Delta yeast mutants. We have determined that yeast lacking Btn1p have an elevated ability to acidify media during growth that correlates with an elevated plasma membrane ATPase activity. Btn1p may be involved in maintaining pH homeostasis of yeast cells. Show less

The CLN3 gene, which encodes the protein whose absence is responsible for Batten disease, the most common inherited neurovisceral storage disease of childhood, was identified in 1995. The function of the protein, Cln3p, still remains elusive. We previously cloned the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog to the human CLN3 gene, designated BTN1, whose product is 39% identical and 59% similar to Cln3p. We report that yeast strains lacking Btn1p, btn1-Delta deletion yeast strains, are more resistant to d-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1,3-propanediol (ANP), in a pH-dependent manner. This phenotype is complemented in yeast by the human CLN3 gene. In addition, point mutations characterized in CLN3 from individuals with less severe forms of Batten disease, when introduced into BTN1, altered the degree of ANP resistance. Severity of Batten disease due to mutations in CLN3 and the degree of ANP resistance in yeast are related when the equivalent amino acid replacements in Cln3p and Btn1p are compared. These results indicate that yeast can be used as a model for the study of Batten disease. Show less

Although the CLN3 gene for Batten disease, the most common inherited neurovisceral storage disease of childhood, was identified in 1995, the function of the corresponding protein still remains elusive. We previously cloned the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue to the human CLN3 gene, designated BTN1, which is not essential and whose product is 39% identical and 59% similar to Cln3p. We report that btn1-Delta deletion yeast strains are more resistant to D-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1,3-propanediol (denoted ANP), a phenotype that is complemented in yeast by the human CLN3 gene. Furthermore, the severity of Batten disease in humans and the degree of ANP resistance in yeast are related when the equivalent amino acid replacements in Cln3p and Btn1p are compared. These results indicate that yeast can be used as a model for the study of Batten disease. Show less

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene BTN1, encodes a 408 amino acid putative integral membrane protein, which is 39% identical and 59% similar to the human Cln3p, whose mutant forms are responsible for Batten's disease and for a diminished degradation of mitochondrial ATPase synthase subunit c. Disruption experiments established that Btn1p is not essential for viability, mitochondrial function, or degradation of mitochondrial ATP synthase in yeast. Show less

The G1 cyclin Cln3 of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This process is triggered by p34CDC28-dependent phosphorylation of Cln3. Here we demonstrate that the molecular chaperone Ydj1, a DnaJ homolog, is required for this phosphorylation. In a ydj1 mutant at the nonpermissive temperature, both phosphorylation and degradation of Cln3 were deficient. No change was seen upon inactivation of Sis1, another DnaJ homolog. The phosphorylation defect in the ydj1 mutant was specific to Cln3, because no reduction in the phosphorylation of Cln2 or histone H1, which also requires p34CDC28, was observed. Ydj1 was required for Cln3 phosphorylation and degradation rather than for the proper folding of this cyclin, since Cln3 produced in the ydj1 mutant was fully active in the stimulation of p34CDC28 histone kinase activity. Moreover, Ydj1 directly associates with Cln3 in close proximity to the segment that is phosphorylated and signals degradation. Thus, binding of Ydj1 to this domain of Cln3 seems to be essential for the phosphorylation and breakdown of this cyclin. In a cell-free system, purified Ydj1 stimulated the p34CDC28-dependent phosphorylation of the C-terminal segment of Cln3 and did not affect phosphorylation of Cln2 (as was found in vivo). The reconstitution of this process with pure components provides evidence of a direct role for the chaperone in the phosphorylation of Cln3. Show less